Top Smartwatches of 2025: Stylish and Advanced Timepieces for the Distinctive Users
Ah, gotcha! Ready to dive into the glorious world of smartwatches? Let's throw caution to the wind and explore the finest wrist gizmos that'll leave your peers green with envy.
Navigating the turbulent waters of smartwatch choices can feel like searching for a needle in a hurricane while juggling flaming swords. But fret not, I've braved the storm and battled my way through a flood of options to bring you the crème de la crème of wearable technology. From the esteemed Apple Watch to the health-wiz Samsung Galaxy Watch, strap yourself in for an exhilarating rollercoaster ride through the smartwatch universe. And let's not forget the coolest smart rings - I'm never missing out on these modern accessories!
So buckle up, pop some popcorn, and prepare for an engaging journey through the best smartwatches the market has to offer. Oh, and if you're a wearables enthusiast, be sure to check out my other guides too, curated especially for you, like the finest Apple Watches!
The Top Smartwatches For Your Wrist
Best Overall
The OnePlus Watch 3 kicks things up a notch with an AMOLED screen, rotating crown, dual-chip setup, and impressive health tracking, all while boasting an outstanding 5-day battery life. A winning choice for Android fans with large wrists who despise nightly charging, as long as you don't mind a sizeable timepiece.
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Best for iPhone
The Apple Watch Series 9 shines with a brighter display, faster S9 chip, improved sustainability, and jaw-dropping new health and fitness features. Battery life still clings to 18 hours, but with offline Siri and robust HomePod integration, it's a significant advancement for those upgrading.
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Best Premium
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 dazzles with AI-enhanced health features, sleek design, and a vibrant display. Boasting enhanced battery life and seamless performance, it's a top contender for those seeking a stylish, functional smartwatch.
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1. OnePlus Watch 3
Our Expert Review:With its stylish stainless-steel body, sapphire-coated 1.5-inch AMOLED screen, and a fully functional rotating crown, the OnePlus Watch 3 radiates grace and user-friendliness. Powering the device is a dual-chip design (Snapdragon W5 + BES2800), delivering fantastic battery life of up to five days in smart mode and up to 16 days in power-save mode. Topped off with snappy 10W USB-C charging, the Watch 3 is a mid-range marvel that outperforms its price tag.
Filling the wearable with features like Google Assistant, a myriad of 100+ sport modes, dual-frequency GPS, ECG (region-dependent), SpO2, wrist temperature, vascular age, and a 60-second health check, the OnePlus Watch 3 offers robust fitness tracking without compromising on style or battery life. This shining example of a smartwatch is highly recommended, and if you'd like to learn more about it, don't hesitate to read our comprehensive OnePlus Watch 3 review right here.
2. Apple Watch Series 9
Our Expert Review:Though the Apple Watch Series 9 (AF) may seem like a carbon copy of the Series 8 (AF) at first glance, it provides a unique user experience. Boasting a brighter display, a faster microchip (the S9), exclusive features, and somewhat more sustainable construction, the Series 9 is the best smartwatch option for iPhone users in the market.
Though there may be wearables with longer battery life or more features, Apple's platform - which it has been perfecting for years - still outperforms the competition. If you own an iPhone, the Series 9 deserves a cozy spot on your wrist. But remember, Android users would be better served by alternative options from this list.
For a deeper dive into the Series 9, give our full Apple Watch Series 9 review a read.
3. Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
Our Expert Review:The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is an impressive evolution in the smartwatch landscape. Featuring a sophisticated design with a premium feel, its bright and responsive display enhances user interaction, making it both fashionable and durable.
AI-driven health and fitness tracking capabilities are top-tier, offering advanced sleep tracking, accurate heart rate monitoring, and extensive fitness tracking. These features aren't just precise but intuitive, providing personalized and actionable insights. If it weren't for a few innovations, the Galaxy Watch 7 would dominate this list, but as it stands, it clinches the third spot.
For a complete evaluation of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, be sure to check out our full review right here.
Be sure to avail of our Samsung discount codes for some great deals!
4. Apple Watch SE 2
Our Expert Review:With a balance between affordability and functionality, the Apple Watch SE 2 is a compelling option for budget-conscious users. Though it may not bring groundbreaking changes compared to its predecessor, it boasts notable upgrades in hardware and software.
With a lower price point compared to other Apple Watch models, the SE 2 serves an accessible wearable solution. Despite its more affordable price, it still caters to everyday needs, from fitness tracking to notifications and beyond. Apple's commitment to providing software updates ensures long-term support and enhancements.
However, the SE 2 lacks some advanced features compared to pricier models. But for most users, the SE 2 meets more than enough daily needs. If you're interested in learning more, dive into our Apple Watch SE 2 review.
5. Google Pixel Watch 3
Our Expert Review:The Google Pixel Watch 3 elegantly slots into the Android ecosystem, boasting a sleek design that melds effectively with Google's device line. Its refined, slimmed-down look and narrowed bezels make it more modern, while the brighter screen ensures readability. The smooth interface and user-friendly design make day-to-day use a breeze, especially for Android enthusiasts.
Fitness enthusiasts will appreciate the enhanced Fitbit integration, which brings health insights and tracking options directly to their wrist. Defined by detailed metrics for activities like heart rate, sleep, and workout monitoring, the Pixel Watch 3 caters well to casual users.
However, users must note that certain advanced features require a Fitbit Premium subscription, which might be a dealbreaker for some. Interested in learning more about the Google Pixel Watch 3? Read our full review right here.
6. Garmin Fenix 8
Our Expert Review:The Garmin Fenix 8 pushes the boundaries with thoughtful upgrades, maintaining its exceptional rugged appeal. The newest addition to the franchise, the AMOLED display, walks side-by-side with the classic MIP screen for users to choose between battery life and screen brightness.
The watch packs a multi-band GNSS system with SatIQ technology, ensuring reliable GPS performance even in dense forests or urban canyons. Boasting the latest Elevate v5 sensor, heart rate readings are more accurate.
The enhanced dive mode supports scuba and freediving up to 40 meters, complete with depth, time, and GPS-tracked entry/exit points. This is backed by the leak-proof buttons, a new addition to the series. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 29 days in smartwatch mode (51mm version) and up to 120 hours in GPS runtime, depending on settings. Embrace the outdoors with Garmin Fenix 8.
For a more in-depth evaluation of the Garmin Fenix 8, check out our review right here.
7. Garmin Venu 3
Our Expert Review:The Garmin Venu 3 is a refreshing option for Garmin fans, offering guiding health and wellness advice while cleverly tapping into a wealth of data and insights. This unobtrusive wearable caters to both casual and serious users, providing an easy-to-navigate interface. Despite a design that doesn't break new ground, its discreet appearance allows it to transition seamlessly between casual events and formal occasions.
Garmin's Connect app provides users with a wealth of information on health, wellness, and fitness. However, for users seeking a more casual approach, the watch serves as a faithful companion, gently guiding them through a healthy lifestyle.
Read our full Garmin Venu 3 review if you're interested in this versatile wearable.
8. Fitbit Sense 2
Our Expert Review:The Fitbit Sense 2 stands out as a high-quality fitness smartwatch, with enhancements to its stress tracking system, user-friendly interface, and physical button – all while maintaining the same appealing design. The watch retains successful features like passive activity tracking, sleep tracking, and much more.
Sadly, WiFi support is absent, affecting music streaming on the watch and speeding up updates. The inclusion of WiFi integration (even if not enabled) is a frustrating oversight. Nonetheless, the Fitbit Sense 2 is worth its salt in terms of appearance and usability. For more information, check out our Fitbit Sense 2 review.
Runner-up Picks
The Apple Watch Series 8 serves as a more budget-friendly option for price-conscious iPhone owners. It sacrifices some of the flashier features, but for many users, the quintessential Apple user experience is more than enough.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 shows remarkable improvements with its sleek design, upgraded chipset, and smooth performance. With health tracking features like body composition, ECG, sleep, and blood pressure monitoring, it's highly recommended, especially now that its price has substantially dropped.
If you enjoyed our review of the Garmin Venu 2, you might still find the Garmin Venu 2 to be a suitable option as it shares the same impressive fitness and battery life features.
The Huawei Watch GT 4 is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, bringing forth noticeable improvements in hardware, battery life, and features. It serves as a decent option for those who prefer smartphones from brands other than Apple or Samsung but want accurate fitness tracking.
Choosing the Perfect Smartwatch for Your Needs
When choosing a smartwatch, cross-compatibility is crucial. Apple Watches work exclusively with iPhones, whereas smartwatches powered by Wear OS, Garmin, and Fitbit can cater to both Android and iPhone. Price plays a significant role in a smartwatch's value as higher prices may unlock enhanced health and fitness tracking as well as improved build quality. Ultimately, paying more entails garnering prestige branding and exclusivity.
Battery life is another essential factor as it varies from model to model. Though the Apple Watch consistently falls behind its competitors with a maximum battery life of 36 hours, products like Huawei, Fitbit, and Garmin offer battery life customization options and long wear times.
If your athletic aspirations surpass casual fitness tracking, serious training requires a dedicated running watch from Garmin or Polar. Most smartwatches come equipped with heart rate sensors, and some can measure ECG, blood oxygen, EDA stress, monitor sleep, and more. Some cutting-edge wearables, like the Huawei Watch D, can even monitor blood pressure on the wrist.
All smartwatches support Bluetooth, with some sporting built-in WiFi for faster data transfer. A small number of smartwatches boast a cellular connection, enabling functions like music streaming and phone calls without the smartphone. However, this feature often comes at an additional cost and may not be necessary for most users.
For users with children, our article on the best smartwatches for kids provides valuable information on choosing the right wearable for younger users.
If you're seeking a wearable device that combines run tracking with casual fitness tracking, the best running watches, fitness trackers, or outdoor watches should be of great interest.
How We Test the Best Smartwatches
At this esteemed publication, we dedicate a considerable amount of time and effort into testing the latest smartwatches. During our in-depth analysis, we scrutinize new features for functionality and usefulness. This may include testing health monitoring tools, fitness tracking modes, or the comfort level of new strap designs. We pay attention to everything a smartwatch should perform well at, such as display brightness, reliable smartphone connection, outstanding battery life, and comfortable everyday wear.
Upon completing an initial review period, we publish a full review, provide a star rating, and incorporate the review into this detailed guide. If a smartwatch undergoes substantial updates post-launch, we will reassess the model to determine if any changes require modifications to our initial verdict.
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- Whether you're a fitness enthusiast who also values wearable technology or simply looking for a modern accessory, strap on the OnePlus Watch 3 as it boasts impressive health tracking and an outstanding 5-day battery life.
- If you're an Android fan with a penchant for wearables and an iPhone user, don't discard the option of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7. It features enhanced battery life, AI-enhanced health features, and a sleek design, making it a top contender for a versatile smartwatch.
