Smartwatches are a terrific way to check your health and receive updates from your phone directly on your wrist. Here, we’ve rated the top 10 smartwatches for Android and iPhone that we’ve tried and evaluated. Even though there are now three Apple Watch models to select from, the current model may seem like the obvious decision. However, whether you use an iPhone or an Android device, there are many other fantastic alternatives with top-notch technology from Samsung, Huawei, Amazfit, and other manufacturers. Here’s The top smartwatch you purchase in 2023
2023’s top smartwatch:
The best Apple Watch SE for iPhone:
The top smartwatch you purchase in 2023
Pros:
- Decent value
- Excellent feature set
- Great iPhone integration
Cons:
- No constant display
- Battery life is average
For the majority of iPhone users, the Apple Watch SE is the finest Apple Watch alternative. It is quite affordable, which is something we can’t often say for real about Apple hardware items.
It maintains a contemporary look with the same processor and strong battery life—for an Apple Watch, that is—while having many of the capabilities of the more costly Apple Watch Series 8, including the new automobile collision detection.
The Apple Watch is still the finest smartwatch if you have an iPhone if you value smart features like complete fitness monitoring, music storage, contactless payments, and interaction with third-party apps equally. The SE does all tasks surprisingly effectively for its low price.
The best Android watch is the Google Pixel Watch (& Fitbit Fans):
Pros:
- Beautiful design
- Simple to use
- Effortless performance
Cons:
- Variable battery life
- Dated chipset
- Lacks effective automated exercise detection
- Qi wireless charging is absent
The first official Pixel Watch has a stunning design, which is one of its main selling points. It not only feels fantastic and has a distinct personality, but it is also small, light, and comfy.
More than that, though, it’s loaded with fantastic technology and functions flawlessly owing to the marriage of the user-friendly Wear OS 3 software, a digital crown, and an eye-catching display.
Since Fitbit handles fitness monitoring, this smartwatch is now the best option for anyone who wants to keep their data within the Fitbit family. It outperforms Fitbit’s own Sense 2 and Versa 4, which weren’t excellent enough to be included in our ranking.
Unfortunately, Google hasn’t quite nailed it in every area, with inconsistent battery life, charging limitations, and, most bizarrely, a lack of truly automated workout identification while using Fitbit-powered monitoring. Nevertheless, this raises the bar for the new Android default wristwatch experience and offers competitors something to shoot for.
The fully functional Apple Watch Series 8:
Pros:
- Premium design and construction
- Feature-rich
- Exceptional iPhone integration
Cons:
- Little has changed from prior versions
- Calls for daily charges
Even if the Series 8 only offers a slight improvement over the Series 7 released in 2021, it’s still a fantastic purchase for iPhone customers and comes with a few useful capabilities that the less expensive SE (above) does not.
The capability for an always-on display, which lets you quickly see the clock and other notifications with an impact on battery life, is the main distinction from the SE. With ECG and blood oxygen measurement together with a temperature sensor for cycle tracks, which is new to the Series 8, some of the health monitoring capabilities are considerably more sophisticated.
Battery life is still the largest drawback; unlike most competitors, this requires a daily charge, so if you want to take full use of the sleep-tracking capabilities, you’ll need to plan that properly. The less expensive SE could be a good option if you don’t want the best health features, while those with more demanding requirements can look at the upgraded Apple Watch Ultra, which you can discover below.
Read more: Review about the Optimal Fitbit Smart Watches
The best Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 for individuals who own Samsung phones:
Pros:
- Best Wear OS functionality to
- Date Customizable design
- Wonderful performance
Cons:
- The 40mm model’s battery is faulty
- Only for Samsung Galaxy users with full functionality
The Galaxy Watch 5 makes a strong case for being many Android phone owners’ “default” wristwatch after the Pixel Watch, but that comes with a huge caveat: if your phone isn’t produced by Samsung, then not every function, including health tracking features like the ECG, will work.
You shouldn’t disregard this, even if you don’t use a Samsung phone. The Watch 5 is available in two different case sizes and a variety of colors for customization. The entire aesthetic is modern, including the digital bezel that incorporates haptic feedback.
The Watch 5 is a high-end, feature-rich wristwatch with compatibility for a wide range of third-party apps and access to the Google Play Store. Additionally, it’s fairly inexpensive, so there’s no need to spend a fortune.
One more word of caution: the bigger cell in the 44mm variation should make it a safer option compared to the smaller 40mm model, whose battery life we found to be unpredictable and unreliable.
The best Apple Watch for outdoor activities is the Ultra:
Pros:
- Impressive sturdiness
- Outdoors, a bright display is simple to operate
- Outstanding outdoor-focused features
- Offers the watchOS experience at its heart
Cons:
- Chunky
- New straps require further labor
- Pricey
There is more to the Apple Watch Ultra than simply looking like a larger, more robust Apple Watch. In addition to being more resilient, it offers a variety of enhancements that are advantageous to outdoor sports fans, such as better water resistance and protection from extremely high temperatures.
The dual-GPS is a genuine game-changer for people who prefer to stray off the usual path, and the new Action button is a great feature that I hope makes its way to the basic Apple Watch. Together, they offer a convenient method to access critical functionality without the touchscreen.
The Apple Watch Ultra is a good premium option if you’re looking for something that can withstand a few bumps and last days on a single charge. Yes, it is larger, thicker, and heavier than the basic Apple Watch. The less expensive, smaller Apple Watch SE and Series 8 are better options if you simply need an Apple Watch for daily use.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro: The most durable model:
Pros:
- Extremely robust construction
- Multi-day battery life
- Detailed tracking
- Capabilities for cycling and hiking
Cons:
- Non-Samsung smartphones lose capabilities
- Large, hefty style
This is the most sophisticated wearable in the Samsung lineup, offering the same combination of detailed health and fitness tracking metrics, including body composition, as the regular Galaxy Watch 5, as well as features geared toward outdoor exercise, like track back and turn-by-turn navigation, a larger display, and a significantly improved multi-day battery.
Considerable strength and durability are other factors, including a titanium casing that can withstand a few bumps and a display that is 90% more durable than the Galaxy Watch 4 series. It is unquestionably more durable than the fashionable Galaxy Watch 5, but this also makes it thicker and bigger, with a single 45mm case choice that appeared huge even on my rather large wrists.
The hitch is that several fitness features are restricted to Samsung phone users, which means that the experience will be somewhat limited for other Android users and completely inoperable for iPhone users. It’s also significantly more expensive than the base Galaxy Watch 5 and even the top-tier Watch 4 Classic, making it difficult to recommend to everyone. However, if you enjoy cycling or hiking and would benefit from the additional functionality offered, the Galaxy Watch 5 can be the ideal high-end wearable for you.
Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra: Long-lasting battery:
Pros:
- Feature-rich
- Long-lasting design
- Proprietary display technology
Cons:
- The first-party app needs improvement
- Some sync problems
One of the toughest watches we’ve seen from Mobvoi is the TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra, which incorporates the Pro line’s distinctive dual-display technology into a durable body factor, runs Wear OS 2, and has acceptable battery life.
There are currently few other smartwatches that are durable and functional on the market. It can’t quite match the battery life of specialized luxury outdoor watches like Polar’s Grit X Pro or those with more basic technology, like Amazfit’s newest offerings.
In addition to the promise of a Wear OS 3 upgrade, the Pro 3 Ultra features a full-color AMOLED display and a monochromatic FSTN display that, when used in Essential Mode, may increase battery life from 3 to 45 days.
Best bezel: Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic:
Pros:
- Most enjoyable Wear OS experience to date
- Tactile design
- Wonderful performance
Cons:
- Only for Samsung Galaxy users with full functionality
- Costlier classic design
Even though the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is an older model, it still functions properly.
The Watch 5 Pro has subsequently taken the place of the Watch 4 Classic, however, it does not have the classic’s recognizable spinning bezel. We are delighted to discover that you can still purchase the Classic model because we adore this as a method to browse Wear OS 3.
The good news is that, other than that, this compares favorably to more modern models. The most recent Wear OS software is still included, in addition to health tracking features like body composition, ECG, and AFib (irregular heart rhythm) detection. However, like with the previous Galaxy Watch models, not everyone can use every function.
The Watch 4 Classic is best used with a Samsung Galaxy device, and you pay more for the Classic style, but it’s still a perfect match for the larger Android user base looking for a premium wearable experience.
Read more: The Review about Amazfit GTR 4
Garmin Venu 2 Plus – The best running watch:
Pros:
- Detailed recording and analysis of fitness
- Able to answer calls and use a virtual assistant
- Elegant, subtle style
- Battery life of up to one week
Cons:
- The workout UI isn’t intuitive
- Need additional phone companion applications
- No LTE model
- Lack of non-fitness applications
If you’re looking for a smartwatch that focuses on health and fitness, the Garmin Venu 2 Plus is a superb all-arounder. With customizable multi-week exercise regimens, reliable HR measurements, and outstanding GPS performance—even in congested city streets—perfect it for runners and cyclists.
But it can monitor more than just running; it can also track activities like rowing, golf, and skiing. The new animated yoga and pilates workouts are also a lovely touch.
It allows you to make on-demand virtual assistant queries and answer calls while running without picking up your phone thanks to its microphone and speaker. The main drawback is that you’ll need a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone nearby if there isn’t LTE.
However, because the great majority of applications are fitness-focused, you’d be best off going elsewhere if you’re not much of a fitness junkie and you want something that will run your favorite apps, enable smart home shortcuts, and more.
Amazfit GTS 4 – The best value
Pros:
- Stylish construction and a cozy fit
- Long-lasting battery
- A variety of tracking skills
Cons:
- Lacks support for third-party apps
- Some irregular tracking
- The Zepp app needs improvements
It is undeniable that the Amazfit GTS 4 is a gorgeous wristwatch with a sleek, comfy, and slim design that is very similar to the Apple Watch.
Despite being one of the most affordable smartwatches, it also has a great week-long battery life, among the longest of any.
The drawbacks include significantly less accurate health and fitness tracking than the competitors and a more limited capability set due to the lack of third-party app integration.
Comparable to the similar (but round) Amazfit GTR 4, it is adequate for basic tracking, but for a little bit more money, you can obtain more dependable devices with a larger variety of capabilities.
Guide to purchasing smartwatches:
What makes a smartwatch necessary?
A fascinating hypothesis is that smartwatches are to smartphones what wristwatches were to the pocket watch. Imagine how the typical gentleman used to search through his pocket to find his watch before the 20th century. In the future, more than a century from now, the typical smartphone user will still have to reach into their pocket to check their phone.
The shocking thing is that your smartphone now has access to much more data than a pocket watch ever had, yet it’s all still in your pocket.
While some smartwatches may make phone calls, they are mostly used to quickly and easily check your phone’s alerts. This allows you to determine if it is worthwhile to go into your pocket or rummage through your luggage to get your smartphone and respond to any issues.
Why is a smartwatch good?
How many of your smartphone’s duties can it perform? How effectively does it manage each task? And how about style? After all, it’s still bling. These are the key questions to ponder while evaluating the finest wristwatch.
Make sure your smartphone can use it as well; some apps are exclusively available for iPhone or Android devices, while others work with various smartphones.
A Wear OS wristwatch is an obvious choice if you use Android, while iPhone users should generally start by considering an Apple Watch – though there are others.
Despite being owned by Google, Fitbit watches continue to run their own operating system, making them compatible with iPhones and even certain Wear OS devices. While this is going on, some producers, such as Amazfit and Huawei, run their own software and frequently function well with both types of phones.
Even though they frequently can’t match a chest-worn monitor in terms of accuracy, fitness enthusiasts will want to seek a gadget with a heart rate monitor and built-in GPS. Additionally, many include NFC, which may be used to make contactless payments through programs like Google Pay.
Level of notification information, battery life, style, water resistance, mobile compatibility, and supplemental features like microphones and WiFi support is what we think makes a wristwatch significant. For additional details, read about how we test wearables.
What distinguishes a wristwatch from a fitness tracker?
Since most fitness trackers also function as watches and have numerous smart functions, it might be difficult to tell the difference between smartwatches and fitness trackers.
To draw the line, we take into account how a company advertises its product, but the major concern is typically how intelligent the item is. If all it can do is measure activity, it is a fitness tracker; but, if it also enables you to install applications, answer phone calls, and check notifications, we are more likely to refer to it as a smartwatch.
This is the true reason there aren’t any Fitbit smartwatches in this ranking right now. In our reviews of the Sense 2 and Versa 4, we discovered that both have had their smart functions significantly reduced, making it impossible to recommend them as standalone smartwatches.
The lines are often hazy, so be sure to look at our round-up of fitness trackers to discover additional possibilities.
How about hybrid timepieces?
Right now, there are two different kinds of smartwatches available: those with colorful touchscreens, comparable to those on phones, and those that mix an analog watch with smart functions.
These are referred to as “hybrid” smartwatches, some of which have the smart components nearly entirely concealed and some of which provide information via a tiny integrated display (the Withings ScanWatch is a good example of a hybrid watch).
While a fully functional smartwatch may perform many more tasks, its battery life is reduced by its power-hungry screen. Longer battery life is a benefit of hybrid watches; some even have separate batteries for the watch and smart functions. You can discover hybrid watches from Withings and other manufacturers in our separate fitness tracker chart as they are not real smartwatches.
