Smartwatches for 2025: Top Picks You Can’t Miss

Smartwatches have evolved significantly beyond basic step tracking and phone notifications. The most advanced smartwatches offer an array of features that enable you to make payments for your morning coffee, answer calls, and stream music from apps like Spotify without needing to reach for your smartphone. These multifunctional devices are designed to enhance your daily life, providing convenience and connectivity right on your wrist.

If you’re exploring the world of smartwatches, you likely recognize their vast potential. Whether you’re looking to invest in your first smartwatch or upgrade from an outdated model, the plethora of options available today can be overwhelming. The market is flooded with choices, from specialized GPS running watches to stylish fitness trackers that resemble traditional smartwatches. Additionally, key considerations such as durability, battery longevity, and the operating system should inform your purchasing decision. After extensive testing and evaluation of popular models on the market, we’ve compiled a list of our top smartwatch recommendations.

Comprehensive Overview of Smartwatch Options

Top Smartwatches to Watch for in 2025

Google / Engadget

Tracks: Sleep, activity, calories, stress | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Cellular (optional) | GPS: Yes, built in | Water resistant: Yes | Assistant support: Google Assistant | Display: Always-on Actua touchscreen | Weight: 31 grams | Battery life: 24 hours

Read our full Google Pixel Watch 3 review

The Google Pixel Watch 3 is a significant leap forward, marking Google’s most polished smartwatch to date. Available in both 41mm and 45mm sizes, it boasts a larger, brighter circular display that can achieve an impressive 60Hz refresh rate. Additionally, it offers a dimming feature that reduces brightness to just 1 nit for nighttime use, enhancing user comfort and contributing to an extended battery life.

With a maximum battery life of 24 hours, the Pixel Watch 3 presents a notable advancement compared to previous models and is competitive with other leading devices from brands like Apple and Samsung. It excels in activity tracking, featuring automatic workout detection and personalized running plans, along with comprehensive metrics tracking, including Cardio Load.

The integration of Fitbit’s technology further enriches its fitness tracking capabilities, allowing users to monitor daily workouts, sleep patterns, and other health metrics. However, more advanced coaching features are gated behind the Fitbit Premium subscription, which may limit access for some users.

Although Wear OS 5 still requires refinement, the inclusion of Google Assistant enhances the smartwatch experience, enabling voice commands for tasks such as checking the weather, managing calendar events, or navigating routes. The faster charging capability also ensures quicker power-ups, making it ideal for those utilizing the watch for sleep tracking. Overall, the enhancements made in the Pixel Watch 3 position it as a formidable competitor to the Apple Watch, making it an excellent choice for Android enthusiasts.

$290 at Amazon

Photo by Valentina Palladino / Engadget

Tracks: Sleep, activity, calories, stress, dozens of workouts | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+ | GPS: Yes, built in | Water resistant: Yes | Assistant support: None | Display: 1.2-inch AMOLED with optional always-on mode | Weight: 39 grams | Battery life: 11 days in smartwatch mode, 19 hours in GPS mode

The Garmin Forerunner 165 exemplifies Garmin’s expertise in the realm of fitness-oriented wearables. Renowned for their exceptional GPS running watches, Garmin has crafted the Forerunner 165 to cater to a broad spectrum of athletes, from novices to seasoned professionals. This lightweight device features a bright AMOLED touchscreen, user-friendly button controls, and precise built-in GPS, making it an ideal companion for tracking both workout performance and daily activity levels.

Activating a run with the Forerunner 165 is straightforward—simply press the dedicated “run” button, which takes you to the workout profile menu. Here, users can select from over 25 exercise profiles, including running, walking, swimming, and strength training. The GPS typically locks on to your location within 15-20 seconds, allowing you to start your workout without delay as it continues to track your location in the background.

The enhancements made to the Garmin Connect mobile app have significantly improved the overall user experience. The app now allows for extensive customization of the homepage, so users can prioritize the metrics that matter most to them, such as Body Battery, Sleep Score, and menstrual cycle tracking. This refined interface makes it easy to review detailed stats on pace, cadence, training effects, power, and stamina, providing valuable insights for athletes aiming to optimize their training.

Garmin boasts impressive battery longevity for the Forerunner 165, with claims of up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and 19 hours during continuous GPS use, making it suitable for long-distance runners and athletes participating in extended events. Additionally, options for music storage allow users to listen to their favorite tracks via Bluetooth headphones while they exercise. Priced at $250 for the non-music storage model and $300 for the one with music, the Forerunner 165 offers an excellent balance of features and affordability, appealing to both committed runners and those exploring a structured running routine.

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$250 at Garmin

Explore Fashion-Forward Smartwatches: Fossil and More

In today’s market, several brands strive to create stylish hybrid smartwatches that blend fashion with functionality. Companies like Fossil, Michael Kors, and Skagen have carved out a niche in the realm of smartwatches that draw inspiration from classic analog designs. Additionally, you can explore hybrid smartwatch options from brands like Withings and Garmin, offering a traditional watch appearance while integrating essential features such as activity tracking and heart rate monitoring. These stylish devices are perfect for individuals who prefer a more classic aesthetic but still desire some technological benefits.

Ultimately, the only element you cannot modify post-purchase is the case design of your smartwatch. If the Apple Watch’s square shape does not appeal to you, consider Samsung’s offerings, which feature round cases resembling traditional watches. Most smartwatches come in a variety of colors, and you have the option to upgrade to premium materials like stainless steel for enhanced durability. Once you’ve chosen the case style, the possibilities for band customization are virtually endless. Numerous first-party and third-party straps are available for popular smartwatches, allowing you to change the look of your device effortlessly, catering to both larger and smaller wrist sizes.

Essential Considerations for Purchasing a Smartwatch

Assessing Compatibility with Your Smartphone

When selecting a smartwatch, compatibility is crucial. For instance, Apple Watches are exclusively designed for use with iPhones, while Wear OS devices are compatible with both iOS and Android smartphones. Smartwatches from brands like Samsung, Garmin, and Fitbit also support both operating systems, though you’ll need to download a companion app on your smartphone for seamless functionality.

The operating system of the smartwatch will influence the variety and availability of third-party applications. However, many of these apps may not provide significant utility, making this consideration less critical in the long run.

Understanding Smartwatch Pricing

The most reliable smartwatches typically range from $300 to $400. In contrast, budget smartwatches, priced between $100 and $250, lack the advanced operating systems, communication capabilities, and fitness features found in higher-end models. Premium devices often come equipped with features such as onboard GPS, music storage, NFC, AMOLED displays, and extended battery life—attributes that budget models generally do not offer.

Some brands manufacture specialized fitness watches that can exceed $500, recommended only for serious athletes. Luxury smartwatches from renowned brands like TAG Heuer and Hublot may reach exorbitant prices, often costing over $1,000, but these are typically associated with brand prestige rather than functional enhancements.

Evaluating Battery Life Expectations

Battery life is a common concern among smartwatch users. Typically, you can expect around two days of usage from both Apple Watches and most Wear OS devices. Models utilizing the Snapdragon Wear 3100 processor offer extended battery modes that can stretch battery life to five days on a single charge, although this often requires disabling most features aside from the time display. Other smartwatches may last between five to seven days, but these often compromise on features and display quality. Fitness-focused devices can sometimes last for weeks on a single charge, making it important to review the specifications beforehand if longevity is a priority for your needs.

Communication Features to Consider

A reliable smartwatch should deliver call, text, and app notifications directly to your wrist. While call and text alerts are straightforward, if you value these features, consider a smartwatch with LTE capabilities. Although they tend to be pricier than WiFi-only models, cellular connectivity allows you to make and receive calls and texts without needing your phone nearby. Furthermore, receiving app notifications on your wrist lets you quickly assess whether you need to check your phone immediately.

Maximizing Your Fitness Tracking Capabilities

Fitness tracking is a primary reason many individuals gravitate toward smartwatches. An ideal smartwatch should provide comprehensive fitness tracking, including step counts, calorie tracking, and workout logs, with most modern devices featuring heart rate monitors as well.

Many smartwatches are equipped with built-in GPS capabilities, ideal for accurately tracking distances during runs and cycling. For aquatic enthusiasts, water-resistant designs are essential, and thankfully, most general-purpose devices can withstand splashes or immersion. Brands like Garmin cater specifically to fitness-focused users, offering advanced tracking features such as heart-rate variability monitoring, recovery time assessments, and onboard maps.

Recent advancements in health tracking capabilities are noteworthy. Both Apple and Fitbit devices can estimate blood oxygen levels and conduct ECGs. However, more affordable smartwatches often lack these advanced health metrics; if tracking health metrics is a priority for you, investing in a higher-end model is advisable.

Enjoying Music on Your Smartwatch

Smartwatches can serve as excellent companions for your workouts by allowing you to play music while exercising. Many models enable local music storage, letting you connect wireless earbuds via Bluetooth to enjoy your favorite tracks without carrying your phone. For those without onboard music storage, most smartwatches provide controls for music playback directly from your wrist. Furthermore, if your smartwatch supports LTE, you can stream music directly to your paired earbuds without needing to download songs in advance.

Choosing the Right Display Features

Most smartwatches feature touchscreens, and it’s advisable to opt for one with a full-color display. Premium models like the Apple Watch utilize LTPO displays, which are designed for improved response times and energy efficiency. This technology enhances the user experience, often resulting in smoother interactions and, in some cases, prolonged battery life.

However, the benefits may be mitigated by the power demands of always-on displays, common in flagship models. Some smartwatches have this feature enabled by default, while others allow users to toggle it in settings. This capability helps you quickly glance at your watch for time, health stats, or other information without needing to lift your wrist. Although this feature can impact battery life, many always-on modes reduce brightness to conserve power. Budget models typically lack this feature and require manual activation to view the display.

Understanding NFC for Contactless Payments

Numerous modern smartwatches are equipped with NFC technology, enabling you to make contactless payments without your wallet. By storing your credit or debit card information, you can simply tap your smartwatch against an NFC reader to pay for items, such as your coffee after a workout. Different smartwatch brands utilize various payment systems: Apple Watches operate with Apple Pay, Wear OS devices support Google Pay, and Samsung devices function with Samsung Pay.

Apple Pay