The 7 best smartwatches of 2025 include some surprises

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After a very busy fall, we finally have a new lineup of smartwatches from Apple, Samsung, and Google. And so whether you’re team Apple or team Android, you have excellent options 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. So, after extensive testing, 508 miles of training, and running the New York City Marathon with a rotating cast of 10 different smartwatches, we’re ready to name the top smartwatch for every use case.

The smartwatch market is getting very crowded, and that’s good news

Over the past few months, Samsung, Google, and Apple have all released new flagship smartwatches. Furthermore, the Venn diagram of the best smartwatches and best fitness trackers is rapidly becoming an almost perfect circle. While brands like Garmin and Fitbit are more suitable for athletes than everyday use, the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra lines are loaded with fitness-focused features. And don’t forget, you can also opt for smart rings and sleep trackers for 24/7 health tracking.

There is a huge range in price also. Recently released smartwatches range from the relatively affordable Apple Watch SE 3 ($239.99) to the highly priced Garmin Fenix ​​8 Pro ($1,199.99 to $1,999.99). However, you don’t have to spend a lot to get a kick-ass smartwatch. In fact, even if your budget is limited to $100, you still have good options. Case in point: the Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro, which costs $99 but is often available for $79.

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So, which wearable devices deserve a spot on your wrist? We’re ready to pass judgment, and let’s just say we have strong feelings and some selections that may surprise you.

Yes, we’ve decided not to include the new Apple Watch Ultra 3 (for now). Yes, we think the $99 Nothing Watch is a better buy than the new Galaxy Watch 8 (which we also like). No, we don’t really think we can recommend the $1,999.99 MicroLED Garmin smartwatch, no matter how good it is.

Note: Most of these smartwatches are on sale for Cyber ​​Monday And the holiday shopping season. If you have been waiting to buy a smartwatch at a good pricenow is the time. And if you want a little extra input, check out Mashable senior reporter Christiana Silva’s experience running the New York City Marathon with 10 different smartwatches.,

Best smartwatch for most people: Apple Watch SE 3

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, your battery life suffers. With 18 hours (compared to 24 hours in the Series 11), you can’t really call this an all-day smartwatch. And when you also miss out on blood oxygen monitoring, does it really matter to the average user? We do not think so.

Add in the fact that the SE 3 is the first Apple Watch SE to include an always-on display, and you’ll wonder why you bought 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 essential features you’re looking for in a smartwatch — all for $150 less than the Series 11.

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Best Apple upgrade: Apple Watch Series 11

OK, so do you really want all-day battery life? Then you really 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. Frankly, there isn’t much to say other than that. Apple can once again monitor your blood oxygen (this feature was taken away after a legal dispute), and now also offers high blood pressure notifications.

Read our full review of the Apple Watch Series 11.

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Best Android watch: Google Pixel Watch 4

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 feel brand new gorgeousWe don’t hate the Galaxy Watch 8’s “squarkle” design as much as some people, but after comparing it to the Pixel Watch 4, let’s just say Google takes the lead this round,

mashable light speed

We were also impressed by its feature set. Mashable senior reporter Christiana Silva trained for the New York City Marathon as well as tested 10+ smartwatches in the process, and she said the Pixel Watch 4 is a true runner’s watch. That means it’s cute enough to wear to the office, but comfortable and smart enough to keep track of workouts.

With a modern feel and a great display compared to the Pixel Watch 3, it’s our current top pick as the best Android smartwatch.

Read our full review of the Pixel Watch 4.

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Budget Pick: Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro

Mashable readers have been curious about this smartwatch since it was announced in July. And after testing it 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 blown away by how great it is for the price.” If you’re looking for the best smartwatch under $100, there’s nothing that comes close.

British brand Nothing is known for its unique designs, which look both retro and futuristic at the same time. The CMF is the brand’s budget line (which will soon be spun off into its own company), but it doesn’t perform like most affordable smartwatches. First, it offers direct ChatGPT integration, which even the Apple Watch can’t do. Samsung and Google are eager to let you use their own AI tools, but if you like ChatGPT (and we know you probably do), you’ll love this watch.

Key specifications include extra-long battery life (not the promised 13 days), blood oxygen monitoring, stress tracking, and accurate heart rate monitoring and location tracking. For a smartwatch that’s often on sale for $79, that’s obviously hard to believe.

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The Dark Horse Pick: Apple Watch Ultra 2

Wait…Ultra 2? Yes, the Ultra 2, not the latest flagship Ultra 3. Listen to us…

First, as long as you upgrade to the new watchOS 26, you can enjoy almost all 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 last generation Ultra 2 on sale for just $649, which is a huge difference compared to the new version.

Look, if you’re someone who always wants the latest Apple gadgets, spend more on newer models, which include Some? upgrade. The display is a bit better, as well as the battery life. But honestly? that’s about it. The new Ultra came with the most iterative improvements possible. 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 great OLED display, 36 to 72 hours of battery, and 3,000 nits of brightness.

Read our review of the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

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Best budget fitness tracker: Fitbit Charge 6

Fitbit Charge 6… Okay. 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 good job of tracking your steps, heart rate, and activity.

Fitbit was once synonymous with fitness trackers. But honestly, the brand has sagged. The latest Fitbits aren’t as comfortable as you’d hope, especially for longer workouts, and they can’t compete with Apple, Garmin, or Pixel watches in the feature department. For example, it lacks features like an altimeter, but the good thing is that we’re big fans of the Fitbit app. So much so that some of our reviewers buy a separate smartwatch but still use the Fitbit app to track workouts.

So, our verdict on the Fitbit Charge 6 is just that: if you must.

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Best Samsung Smartwatch: Galaxy Watch 8

Let’s be clear: the new Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is a great and smart wearable, especially if you use a Gemini. This is Mashable’s Choice product for a reason. It has an all-round 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.

Although it was edged out by the Pixel Watch 4 by a slight margin, 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 unifies Gemini in some clever ways. Our reviewer’s only real complaint was battery life, which is okay, but not great.

Read our full review of the Galaxy Watch 8.