How We Tested
Our team wore each smartwatch for at least two weeks during real workouts, work days, and sleep tracking. We evaluated fitness tracking accuracy by comparing against chest strap heart rate monitors and GPS running watches. Battery life was measured under typical mixed-use conditions including notifications, workout tracking, and always-on display when available.
We tested notification reliability across different apps, assessed the app ecosystems, and evaluated build quality and comfort for all-day wear. Each watch was paired with its optimal phone (Apple Watch with iPhone, Galaxy Watch with Samsung phones) to test best-case performance.
Apple Watch Series 10
The Apple Watch Series 10 is the best smartwatch for iPhone users, full stop. The larger, brighter display makes reading texts and navigating apps easier than ever. New health features include sleep apnea detection and improved workout metrics. The thinner design is more comfortable for sleep tracking, and faster charging means you can top up quickly before bed. WatchOS continues to have the best app selection, and features like Apple Pay, fall detection, and crash detection add genuine utility.
- Best iPhone integration—seamless notifications, Apple Pay, unlock Mac
- Largest, brightest Apple Watch display yet
- Comprehensive health tracking with ECG, blood oxygen, sleep apnea
- Only works with iPhone—no Android support
- 1-2 day battery life requires nightly charging
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is the best smartwatch for Android users, especially those with Samsung phones. Wear OS 5 brings a smooth, responsive interface with access to Google apps and the Play Store. Health tracking rivals Apple Watch with body composition analysis, advanced sleep coaching, and accurate heart rate monitoring. The rotating bezel (on Classic models) remains the best way to navigate a watch interface. Battery life of 1.5-2 days beats Apple Watch.
- Best Android smartwatch experience with Wear OS 5
- Excellent health tracking with body composition
- Better battery life than Apple Watch
- Some features limited to Samsung phones
- Wear OS app selection still trails Apple
Garmin Venu 3
The Garmin Venu 3 is the best choice for serious fitness enthusiasts who want a proper smartwatch. Unlike basic Garmin watches, the Venu 3 has a brilliant AMOLED display, voice assistant support, and can take calls via Bluetooth. But it retains Garmin's legendary fitness credentials: accurate GPS, deep workout analysis, training load metrics, and recovery recommendations. Battery life of 4-5 days with the AMOLED display (or 2 weeks in battery saver mode) crushes the competition.
- Exceptional 4-5 day battery life with AMOLED display
- Most accurate fitness and GPS tracking
- Works equally well with iPhone and Android
- Limited third-party app support
- Notification replies are basic compared to competitors
Apple Watch SE (2024)
The Apple Watch SE offers the core Apple Watch experience at a much lower price. You get the same S9 chip as the Series 10, ensuring snappy performance and Siri responsiveness. Fitness tracking, notifications, Apple Pay, and safety features like crash detection all work identically. What you sacrifice: always-on display, ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, and the latest design. For most users who just want notifications and fitness tracking, the SE delivers excellent value.
- Full Apple Watch experience at $249
- Same fast processor as Series 10
- Crash detection and fall detection included
- No always-on display
- Missing advanced health features (ECG, blood oxygen)
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the Apple Watch offers the best integration with iPhone. Features like seamless notifications, Apple Pay, unlocking your Mac, and the health ecosystem work better than any third-party watch. The tight integration means features like Find My, Handoff, and iMessage work flawlessly. However, it won't work with Android phones at all.
Battery life varies significantly by brand and usage. Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch typically last 1-2 days with normal use. Garmin smartwatches can last 4-5 days with AMOLED displays or 1-2 weeks with traditional screens. Heavy GPS workout use drains batteries faster. Consider your charging habits when choosing.
Most people don't need cellular. It's useful if you want to leave your phone behind during runs or workouts while staying connected for calls and messages. However, cellular adds $50-100 to the watch price plus $10/month carrier fees, and it drains battery faster. GPS-only models are sufficient for most users.