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After a very busy fall, we finally have the new lineup of smartwatches from Apple, Samsung, and Google. And so whether you’re team Apple or team Android, you have excellent choices for your wrist. Now that we’ve tested the major new releases, we’re ready to name the best smartwatches of 2025. We have good news: As long as you stick to the flagship smartwatches from these three brands, you really can’t go wrong.
The smartwatch market is getting very crowded, and that’s good news
In just the past few months, Samsung, Google, and Apple all released new flagship smartwatches. On top of that, the Venn diagram of the best smartwatches and the best fitness trackers is fast becoming an almost perfect circle. While brands like Garmin and Fitbit are more tailored to athletes than everyday use, the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra lines are packed with fitness-focused features. And don’t forget, you can also opt for smart rings and sleep trackers for true 24/7 health tracking.
There’s also a huge range in price. Recently released smartwatches include the relatively affordable Apple Watch SE 3 ($239.99 ) all the way up to the ultra-pricey Garmin Fenix 8 Pro ($1,199.99 to $1,999.99). However, you don’t have to spend very much to get a kick-ass smartwatch. In fact, even if your budget caps out at $100, you still have good options. Case in point: The ChatGPT-connected Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro, priced at $99 but often available for $79.
Which wearables deserve a spot on your wrist? We’re ready to render a verdict, and let’s just say we have strong feelings and a couple of picks that might surprise you.
Yes, we chose not to include the new Apple Watch Ultra 3 (for now). Yes, we think the $99 Nothing Watch is a smarter buy than the new Galaxy Watch 8 (which we also love). No, we really don’t think we can recommend the $1,999.99 microLED Garmin smartwatch, no matter how cool it is.
The best smartwatch for most people: Apple Watch SE 3
Credit: Apple
We’re still in the process of testing the Apple Watch SE 3, but it’s an Apple Watch — you know what you’re getting. And here’s the truth about the SE series: You get 98 percent of what you need from an Apple Watch or fitness tracker, and at a much better price. Unfortunately, you do take a hit on battery life. With 18 hours (versus 24 hours in the Series 11), you can’t really call this an all-day smartwatch. And while you also miss out on blood oxygen monitoring, is that really crucial to the average user? We don’t think so.
Add to that the fact that the SE 3 is the first Apple Watch SE to include an always-on display, and you have to wonder why you’d buy the Series 11 in the first place. In addition to its gorgeous OLED display, it has the same S10 chip inside the Ultra 3, the same water resistance as the Series 11, and all the necessary features you’re looking for in a smartwatch — all for $150 less than the Series 11.
The best Apple upgrade: Apple Watch Series 11
Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable
OK, so you really, really do want all-day battery life? Then you really do need to upgrade to the $399 Apple Watch Series 11. As Mashable’s Stan Schroeder said in his review, it takes everything we loved about the Apple Watch Series 10 and adds a new processor and longer battery life. To be honest, there’s not a lot to say beyond that. Apple can once again monitor your blood oxygen (after a legal dispute took away the feature), and now offers hypertension notifications as well.
Read our full review of the Apple Watch Series 11.
The best Android watch: Google Pixel Watch 4
Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
The Google Pixel Watch 4 looks really similar to the Pixel Watch 3 at first glance, but look more closely, and you’ll notice a slightly more domed Actua display. It’s a subtle change, but we think it makes the new smartwatch look absolutely gorgeous. We don’t hate the “squircle” design of the Galaxy Watch 8 like some folks, but after comparing it to the Pixel Watch 4, let’s just say Google takes this round.
We were also impressed by its feature set. Mashable senior reporter Christianna Silva is currently training for the New York City Marathon (and simultaneously testing 10+ smartwatches in the process), and they said the Pixel Watch 4 is a true runner’s watch. That means it’s elegant enough to wear to the office, but comfortable and smart enough to monitor workouts.
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With a modern feel and a brighter display than the Pixel Watch 3, it’s our current top choice as the best Android smartwatch.
Read our full review of the Pixel Watch 4.
The Budget Pick: Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro
Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable
Mashable readers have been going a bit gaga for this smartwatch ever since it was announced in July. And after testing it out for ourselves, we get it. We’ll have an in-depth review of this budget smartwatch coming soon, but our reviewer had this to say: “I’m shocked by how awesome it is for the price.” If you’re looking for the best smartwatch under $100, nothing else comes close.
The British brand Nothing is known for its unique designs, which somehow look both retro and futuristic at the same time. CMF is the brand’s budget line (which will soon be spinning off into its own company), but this doesn’t perform like most cheap smartwatches. First of all, it offers direct ChatGPT integration, which even the Apple Watch can’t do. Samsung and Google are eager to make you use their own AI tools, but if you prefer ChatGPT (and we know you probably do), then you’ll love this watch.
Key specs include an extra-long battery life (Nothing promises 13 days), blood oxygen monitoring, stress tracking, and precise heart-rate monitoring and location tracking. For a smartwatch that often goes on sale for $79, that’s frankly hard to believe.
The Dark Horse Pick: Apple Watch Ultra 2
Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable
Wait… the Ultra 2? Yes, the Ultra 2, not the latest flagship Ultra 3. Hear us out…
First, so long as you upgrade to the new watchOS 26, you can enjoy almost all of the new features that come with the pricier Apple Watch Ultra 3 (priced at $799, or $779.99 at Amazon). Plus, you can now pick up the past-gen Ultra 2 on sale for just $649, a big difference over the new version.
Look, if you’re the type of person who always wants the newest Apple gadget, spend more on the new model, which does have some upgrades. The display is a teensy bit better, as is the battery life. But honestly? That’s about it. The new Ultra arrived with the most iterative possible improvements. At the time, our resident Apple reviewer called it “a very minor upgrade.” So, for our money, we’re going with the Ultra 2, which has a killer OLED display, 36 to 72 hours of battery, and 3,000 nits of brightness.
Read our review of the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
The best budget fitness tracker: Fitbit Charge 6
Credit: Dylan Haas / Mashable
The Fitbit Charge 6 is… fine. We included this popular Fitbit in our guide to the best fitness trackers of 2025 for a reason. For the average, casual athlete, it does a fine job of tracking your steps, heart rate, and activity.
Once upon a time, Fitbit was synonymous with fitness trackers. But to be honest, the brand has been slacking. The most recent Fitbits aren’t as comfortable as you’d expect, especially for long workouts, and they can’t compete with Apple, Garmin, or Pixel watches in the features department. For instance, it’s lacking features like an altimeter, but on the plus side, we are big fans of the Fitbit app. So much so that some of our reviewers buy a different smartwatch but still use the Fitbit app to track workouts.
So, our verdict on the Fitbit Charge 6 is simply this: if you must.
The Best Samsung Smartwatch: Galaxy Watch 8
Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
Let’s be clear: The new Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is a fantastic and smart wearable, especially if you use Gemini. It’s a Mashable Choice product for a reason. It has a well-rounded feature set that offers everything you need in a smartwatch, fitness tracker, and sleep tracker. And we like the signature squircle design more than most people. It also benefits from Samsung’s on-point design and technology.
While it was narrowly edged out by the Pixel Watch 4, we think you’ll be happy with this watch, especially if you’re already in the Samsung product ecosystem. It has a bright display, great software, and smart health features, including a new Sleep Coach. It also integrates Gemini in some clever ways. Our reviewer’s only real complaint was the battery life, which is fine, but not great.
Read our full review of the Galaxy Watch 8.
