Choosing the best smartwatch isn’t always easy, as there are a lot of factors to consider, from battery life to health and fitness tracking, operating system, compatibility with your phone, and more. And that’s before you start thinking about price.
Some smartwatches also look very similar on paper but perform quite differently in practice. But you’re in luck, because at TechRadar we’ve tested just about every available smartwatch, including those from big brands and smaller companies. With the knowledge we’ve gained we’ve ranked the available options, so you can see at a glance which is best.
Reasons to buy
+Brighter, larger screen+Faster chargingReasons to avoid
-Workouts are varied, but basic-Battery life needs to be longerThe Apple Watch 7 is a flagship smartwatch that’s in some ways more of the same, as this isn’t a whole lot different to the Apple Watch 6.
It has essentially the same chipset and little in the way of new features, but what new stuff the Apple Watch 7 does have is useful, especially its larger screen, which is 20% bigger and yet only a tiny bit larger on your wrist, thanks to smaller bezels.
That extra size makes all the difference when interacting with the Apple Watch 7, and the wearable also charges faster than ever. With those things added to the still-excellent Apple Watch 6, the Apple Watch 7 is undeniably a great smartwatch.
Our reviewer noted that better battery life and improved fitness features would have made this wearable even better, but what’s here still seriously impresses.
Read our fullApple Watch 7 review
2. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
The best Samsung smartwatch
Specifications
OS: Wear OSCompatibility: AndroidDisplay: 1.2" 396 x 396 / 1.4" 450 x 450 Super AMOLEDProcessor: Dual-core 1.18GHzOnboard storage: 16GBBattery duration: 3 days on 44mm / less on 40mmCharging method: WirelessIP rating: IP68Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LTE (for extra)Reasons to buy
+Excellent performance+Interesting new softwareReasons to avoid
-Limited app compatibility-Lacks rotating bezelThe Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is a wearable that had a lot of hype around it. This sees Samsung return to Wear OS, having used Tizen for recent models. But this isn’t Wear OS as you might know it – it’s a new take on the operating system, designed alongside Samsung, and with a very Tizen-like skin on the top.
That means you get the best of both worlds, with the functionality and apps of Wear OS, coupled with the look and feel of Tizen.
Add to that great performance, what we found to be a comfortable fit, a lightweight build, and interesting new body composition measurement tools, and this makes for a top smartwatch, especially for those interested in tracking their health and fitness.
But with some of its features requiring a Samsung phone, and no support for iPhones, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 isn’t something we can recommend to everyone. It also arguably isn’t worth upgrading to if you already own a recent Galaxy Watch.
Read the fullSamsung Galaxy Watch 4 review
3. Huawei Watch 3 Pro
A titanium body with eSIM support, all the smarts and a slick new interface
Specifications
OS: HarmonyOS 2Compatibility: HarmonyOS, Android, iOSDisplay: 1.43" AMOLEDProcessor: HiSilicon Hi6262Band sizes: 22mmOnboard storage: 16 GBBattery: 5 daysCharging Method: WirelessIP rating: 50m water resistant, 5 ATMConnectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, LTEReasons to buy
+Built-in GPS+Lightweight and comfortableReasons to avoid
-Poor side button-No offline SpotifyDon't want something from either Samsung or Apple? The Fitbit Versa 3 may be best for your wrist, and this latest smartwatch from the company is one of the best wrist companions for those who want to focus on fitness features.
There's built-in GPS, the design is comfortable to wear and the display is easy to view with a crisp image. Like previous Fitbit smartwatches, this is mostly focused on fitness and won't be for everyone.
But for general wearable fans, the Fitbit Versa 3 is a good option, and it's more affordable than some of the other options on this list too.
Read our fullFitbit Versa 3 review
6. Huawei Watch 3 GT
An beautiful watch with an excellent battery life
Specifications
OS: HarmonyOS 2Compatibility: HarmonyOS, Android, iOSDisplay: 1.43" AMOLEDOnboard storage: 32GBBattery duration: Up to 14 daysCharging method: WirelessIP rating: 5 ATM water-resistantConnectivity: GPS, NFC, BluetoothReasons to buy
+Great, premium design+Rotating bezel is usefulReasons to avoid
-Battery could be better-High priceThe best smartwatch money can buy right now if you own an Android phone is the Galaxy Watch 3 from Samsung. It also works with an iPhone though, and this is the company's most accomplished wrist wear yet. It's a sequel to the Galaxy Watch from 2018, and it keeps a lot of that device's design elements but refines them.
The Galaxy Watch 3 features a unique rotating bezel that makes navigating around the smartwatch a joy. We find that a lot easier than trying to use the display, which is something you have to do on a lot of the other best smartwatches in this list.
Apps available on the watch are more limited than Wear OS or watchOS - two rival smartwatch operating systems - but it still offers the core basics and Samsung has provided a watch that's good at fitness as well as sporting a great design and lots more functionality too.
Features are more limited if you're using this with an iPhone, but it's still compatible with those devices. We'd recommend considering the Apple Watch below though if that's your phone of choice. Overall, the Galaxy Watch 3 is the full package if you're looking for a smartwatch to track your fitness, look good on your wrist and a whole lot more.
Read the fullSamsung Galaxy Watch 3 review
8. Fitbit Sense
The second best Fitbit
Specifications
OS: Fitbit OSCompatibility: Android, iOSDisplay: 1.58" AMOLEDProcessor: N/AOnboard storage: 4GBBattery duration: 6+ daysCharging method: Magnetic connecting pinIP rating: Water resistant to 5ATMConnectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, NFCReasons to buy
+Built-in GPS+Lightweight and comfortableReasons to avoid
-Poor side button-No offline SpotifyThe Fitbit Sense is both stylish and impressive, packing in advanced health and fitness features like an ECG, stress monitoring, heart rate zones, and skin temperature measurements.
It’s an interesting feature set, and it’s paired with all the basics you’d expect from a fitness-focused smartwatch, including tracked workouts, GPS, a voice assistant (with the choice of Alexa or Google Assistant), and meditation tools.
With a stainless-steel case and a sharp screen too, the Fitbit Sense really feels like the full package, except that sadly some of its tools are hidden behind the Fitbit Premium paywall. If you’re happy to subscribe to that then this is a top option, but if you’d rather just make a one-off purchase then be aware that you won’t be able to access everything this watch has to offer.
Read our fullFitbit Sense review
9. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
Adding in a digital rotating bezel for a nominal price bump
Specifications
OS: Tizen OSCompatibility: Android, iOSDisplay: 1.2" 360 x 360 Super AMOLEDProcessor: Dual-core 1.15GHzBand sizes: 20mmOnboard storage: 4GBBattery duration: Around 2 daysCharging method: WirelessIP rating: 50mConnectivity: Wi-Fi, BluetoothReasons to buy
+High-end design+Rotating digital bezelReasons to avoid
-Few features for price bump-Still limited functionality with iOSSamsung shrank the best parts of the the Galaxy Watch into this sportier smartwatch that's slimmer, lighter and, arguably, more comfortable - then released a second version months after the first that included a few coveted features, including a rotating digital bezel and LTE version.
Overall, not much has changed - which isn't a bad thing, as it's still a quality smartwatch at a decent price. Galaxy Watch Active 2 features a 1.2-inch 360 x 360 display that is bright and beautiful yet small enough to be strapped around your wrist than a lot of the other devices in this list.
It still comes sporting all of the top-end fitness features you'd expect from Samsung's Tizen watch range, with 39 workout modes, a heart rate and ECG sensor, and health app with stress and sleep monitoring. There's even a way to monitor your blood pressure, but that won't be activated for some time.
While it's still more affordable than the leading Apple Watch, the price was bumped up from the original Watch Active, shrinking its value compared to the competition. It's certainly not a cheap smartwatch, but when compared to the price of the Galaxy Watch 3 you may prefer to opt for this version that's remarkably similar.
Read the fullSamsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 review
Which is the best smartwatch?
The best smartwatch changes all the time, but typically you'll find an Apple or Samsung smartwatch topping the list, as these tend to be packed full of high-end features and polish.