What to look for
When searching for a smartwatch, these are the most important things to look for
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Battery life | Flagship watches often last 1-2 days; fitness‐oriented or rugged devices try for much longer. |
| Health & fitness features | Things like heart-rate, SpO₂, ECG, sleep tracking, GPS, sometimes body-composition, stress, recovery, etc. |
| Durability & build | Water resistance, ruggedness, scratch resistance, case materials (aluminum, titanium, etc.). |
| Display & usability | Brightness, always-on display, screen size & clarity, how easy it is to interact (button/crown/touch). |
| Ecosystem & compatibility | iOS vs Android compatibility, what companion apps are like, how well features like payments, maps, notifications work. |
| Special features | Offline music, mapping, satellite connectivity, specialized coaching, gestures, etc. |
Top Picks in 2025
- Longer battery life is becoming more common even among smartwatches with many sensors. Some models are pushing well past 3-5 days under moderate use.
- Improved health sensors: better accuracy, more metrics (e.g. more advanced sleep tracking, readiness/recovery metrics, more accurate GPS).
- Rugged & outdoors-ready designs: stronger cases, better water resistance, dual-band GPS, etc.
- Better ecosystem features for Android users: Wear OS improvements, more options outside of Apple.
- Good value in lower-price tiers: there are now good models under ~$150-$250 that offer many of the features people care about.
| Model | What makes it special / Who it’s good for | Main drawbacks |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Ultra 2 (or Ultra 3) | Best overall for iPhone users: rugged build, very bright display, excellent sensors and features. Good for outdoor, fitness, etc. | Price is high; battery life still only around 1-2 days for many demanding uses. Needs iPhone to get full benefit. |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 | One of the top Android-friendly options: well rounded, good health tracking, solid build. | Battery life is decent but not class-leading. Some features may be better when paired with Samsung phones. |
| Google Pixel Watch 3 | Great for Pixel/Google users: smoother software experience, improved battery life over prior models, nice fitness features. | As always, trade-offs in battery when using always-on display / many sensors; also cost. |
| OnePlus Watch 3 | Big win on battery life, strong value for Android users, good feature set. | Fewer features for iPhone users; possibly less premium in some build or ecosystem features compared to top tier (Apple/Samsung). |
| Garmin models (Venu 3, Forerunner, Epix Pro) | Excellent for fitness / outdoor / multi-sport tracking; long battery life and rugged features. | Heavier / bulkier; not all ultra-smart features (apps etc.) are as polished; usually less “stylish” for formal wear. |
| Budget picks (e.g Amazfit Active 2 etc.) | For people wanting many health/fitness features without spending top dollar: good displays, sensors, and lots of modes. | Build quality, premium materials, and sensor accuracy may lag behind flagships; fewer features or lower durability. |
Important Considerations
Most of the trade-offs you’ll see are:
- Battery life vs features (bright always-on display, many sensors, GPS). More features = shorter battery usually.
- Price vs build / materials. Titanium cases, sapphire glass etc. drive up cost.
- Cross-platform compatibility. Some watches do great with Android but are limited with iPhone and vice versa.
- Size/style vs comfort. Bigger watches often have more battery or ruggedness but are heavier/bulkier.
Top Pick Apple Users
Standout reasons:
- Metal Body Makes it durable
- GPS SOS messaging without a phone or cellular connection. If you’re on a hike and need to call for help, all you need to do is fine an open view of the sky
- Rectangular screen is easier to read messages and emails
- Connection is more seamless for Apple Users
- Massive amount of available accessories such as covers and wrist bands
Top Pick Android Users
Garmin Forerunner 970 or Venu X1
Standout reasons:
- Up to 8 Days of Battery life
- Built in Flashlight
- Rectangular screen is easier to read messages and emails
- Built in TopoActiveMaps
- Plenty of Health and Fitness oriented apps
Best Value Pick
Standout reasons:
- Low Cost but feature packed
- Fitness integration(data sync) with Apple Health and Google Fit using the Zepp app (free)
- GPS Navigation
- Heartrate and Sleep monitoring