The best smartwatches you can buy in 2026

With this fourth-generation model, Google has really hit its own-brand smartwatch stride. The Pixel Watch 4 is the best all-round Wear OS smartwatch you can buy thanks to a number of big upgrades compared to its predecessor, yet costing the same. 

It might look the same, but the device is now repairable (at home, even) and the new Moonstone colourway looks classy. 

Google has also added a unique domed Actua 360 display which, combined with the Material 3 Expressive design of Wear OS and an upgraded haptic engine, results in an excellent user experience. 

Battery life is also solid – though you can find longer lasting Wear OS watches – but that might not matter so much when the new Quick Charge Dock is so fast, and a neater solution to most proprietary chargers. 

Needing to pay for Fitbit Premium for your Readiness score and other advanced features remains a sticking point, but you get a 6-month trial to test it out at least. Not everything is zippy fast to load, Smart Replies aren’t that smart and Gemini takes some trial and error, but the latter should improve with time. 

These small downsides aren’t enough to stop it landing at the top spot of our smartwatch chart.  

Who should buy the Google Pixel Watch 4? 

You’re looking for the best all-round Wear OS smartwatch, especially to pair with a Pixel phone. 

Google Pixel Watch 4: Further Considerations 

There are cheaper options with longer battery life, such as the OnePlus Watch 3.

Read our full Google Pixel Watch 4 review 

The OnePlus Watch 2R has performed so well that it’s actually better than the flagship OnePlus Watch 2.

It might not have that same alluring look as the Watch 2 Nordic Blue edition, but the software and power inside it are the same and that gives you the same great all-round smartwatch with some good fitness features that I think make it the better option.

Other Wear OS smartwatches will offer you more in the way of health monitoring and cellular connectivity, which will be desirable to some, but those watches outside of the TicWatch Pro 5, can’t do what OnePlus manages to do for Wear OS and battery performance.

The look is nice enough, and it’s at a much nicer price than most other Wear OS options and, crucially, is just as good a smartwatch that will have you thinking slightly less about charging it compared to more expensive Wear OS smartwatches.

It would just be nice if there was a smaller size.

Who should buy the OnePlus Watch 2R?

Anyone in the market for an affordable Wear OS watch that doesn’t skimp on features and battery life.

OnePlus Watch 2R: Further considerations

The watch isn’t quite as durable as some that cost just a tiny bit more.

Read our full OnePlus Watch 2R review

Even though it won’t be wowing any long-term Samsung fans with major upgrades over the Galaxy Watch 7, the Watch 8 is still a solid device that easily stands as one of the most competent Wear OS watches you can buy right now, and it’s largely down to the iterative changes that Samsung has made over the years.

Samsung’s One UI Watch overlay is right up there with the software experience provided by Google’s own Pixel Watch, offering a clean, yet wonderfully stylised take on Wear OS that now feels like a genuine competitor to Apple’s watchOS. The tile system in particular remains a great feature that we wish Apple would replicate, as it gives you quick access to your most important apps.

Arguably, the biggest change on the software front is the move from Google Assistant to Google Gemini right out of the box. Having access to a fully fledged AI on your wrist is a game changer, as you can get detailed answers to intricate questions, and have a conversation that retains the context of what’s already been said, all of which is leagues ahead of anything Siri can do

Just like previous Galaxy Watches, the fitness tracking experience is as good as it’s ever been, flanked by detailed sleep tracking metrics that put all of that data into tangible, clearly worded advice.

Admittedly, the Galaxy Watch Ultra inspired design might not be to everyone’s tastes, but we’re big fans of the change, and overall the Galaxy Watch 8 shows off just how far Wear OS has come in the last few years. As a side note, while we have reviewed the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, we found the device to be lacking in a way that the standard Watch 8 isn’t.

Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8?

Those who want a great all-round Wear OS smartwatch with solid fitness tracking.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8: Further considerations

The day-long battery life is still a pain, and it’s a problem the OnePlus Watch 3 doesn’t have.

The OnePlus Watch 3 builds on the good work OnePlus did with the Watch 2, which made it one of the best WearOS smartwatches and smartwatches outright.

For the Watch 3, it has stuck to the same case size (although a smaller 43mm was made available at a later date) and has grown the size of the display all while still managing to offer a battery life that makes it go further than the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Watch and the Google Pixel Watch.

The WearOS experience remains strong too and now runs on WearOS 5, bringing richer Google app integration, with an upgrade on its double chipset setup also made to make software run smoother overall.

There are big changes on the health tracking front, where OnePlus has added ECG, where support for the feature at launch will vary until OnePlus gets the regulatory clearance to enable it.

It will also let you track your temperature and keep a check on your vascular health, so if you were hoping for a OnePlus Watch with more health tracking, you’ve now got it.

Who should buy the OnePlus Watch 3?

Anyone who values battery life above all in their smartwatch.

OnePlus Watch 3: Further considerations

It’s not quite as much of a looker as the Pixel Watch 3 or even the Galaxy Watch 8.

As with so many devices in tech, the Series 11 is more of the same from Apple – additional polish to an already shiny smartwatch, as it were.

While it’s very similar to its predecessor, the latest flagship Apple smartwatch does bring a selection of upgrades and improvements. One of the most important is battery life, which has finally jumped to 24 hours. We’d like more, of course, but it’s an improvement nonetheless and we’ve seen it go much longer when used for only basic tasks like notifications.

Elsewhere the design is more durable with Ion-X glass, optional 5G connectivity and more in the way of health tracking. However, the sleep score still needs work to match what you can get elsewhere.

Once again, it sits neatly in the middle of the Apple Watch range as a sweet spot, but you may want to go Ultra or SE for more or less.

Who should buy the Apple Watch Series 11?

Apple users who want to have the best wearable experience possible, without paying for a Watch Ultra.

Apple Watch Series 11: Further considerations

The Series 10 or SE 3 is a better value choice.

The Apple Watch SE range has always been an easy option to recommend for any iPhone users who want a competent, feature-packed smartwatch that doesn’t cost a fortune, but that value proposition has only gotten better with the Apple Watch SE 3. Even though this newer wearable has a ton of features that are worth the upgrade, it comes at no extra cost over its predecessor.

The big update this time around is the addition of an always-on display. Given that the lack of AOD always seemed like the big distinguishing feature between the Watch SE and more powerful options in the range, we’re still a bit surprised that Apple has bridged the gap, but it’s appreciated nonetheless. Having an always-on watch face makes it much easier to quickly glance at the time and any key bits of info without fully raising your wrist.

Similar to how the SE 2 mirrored the Apple Watch 8, the SE 3 packs the same S10 chipset as the Apple Watch Series 11, so there’s no downgrade in terms of performance. Jumping between apps feels zippy, and we didn’t encounter any software bugs that would otherwise diminish the brilliance of Apple’s watchOS.

There are still two caveats in that you have to put up with fairly chunky bezels as well as a one-day battery life that requires daily charging as a result. Given that so many Wear OS watches have made strides in this area, it would have been nice to see the SE 3 get some sort of battery upgrade, but it’s hard to argue when you consider just how useful the SE 3 is as a smartwatch for both apps and fitness.

Who should buy the Apple Watch SE 3?

Apple fans who want an affordable yet optimised watch to pair with their iPhone.

Apple Watch SE 3: Further considerations

The one-day battery life can be a killer for more intensive users.

If you want a smartwatch with more of a health focus and don’t need the blood pressure capabilities of the Huawei Watch D2, then this is the way Huawei has gone with the Watch 5.

This centres around a new X-Tap sensor made up of a pressure, ECG and PPG sensors. It’s not best placed for everything on the side of the watch, but allows for a one-tap Health Glance of no less than nine indicators to help you check if something’s not right, so you can take action.

The health side of the Watch 5 might even be a bit overwhelming at times, but it is still the main reason to buy it over rivals.

It’s attractive, durable and available in two sizes, but that’s not a hard combination to find in the smartwatch world these days. The smartwatch side of things isn’t quite up to the top competition with sub-par experiences when it comes to payments, music controls and app support.

Huawei has made it compatible with Android and iOS and it features good battery life, eSIM and a Titanium build, so there’s lots to lure you.

Who should buy the Huawei Watch 5?

Anyone who’s obsessed with health tracking metrics.

Huawei Watch 5: Further considerations

Huawei’s ecosystem doesn’t feature the same level of app functionality to what you’ll find on Wear OS and watchOS.

As much as we love Garmin watches, the abundance of options at the higher end has always made things tricky when deciding which specific model to buy. Thankfully, the brand has now made things much easier for anyone who’s been thinking about picking up the Apple Watch Ultra 2, as the Garmin Venu X1 serves as a direct competitor to Apple’s outdoor-ready smartwatch.

Unlike Garmin’s rounded chassis of old, the Venu X1 looks exactly like an Apple Watch from a distance, adhering to a square design that harks back to the lesser powered Garmin Venu Sq range. This refresh not only adds a large (and bright) two-inch display that’s easy to read at all hours of the day, it also slims it all down to the point where the watch is only 7.9mm thick, making it very comfortable to wear.

Despite its new design however, the Venu X1 benefits from all the sports and fitness tracking features that Garmin fans have come to expect, and in our testing of the heart-rate monitor, we found the results to be closely in line with a dedicated chest-worn HRM strap, which in turn helps to accurately inform the watch’s recommendations for rest and recovery.

It is a bit unfortunate that the watch doesn’t boast dual-band GPS tracking as you can find it on cheaper smartwatches nowadays, but it didn’t have a major impact on our GPS results during testing. Plus, the Venu X1 still benefits from eight days of battery life which trounces Apple and Samsung’s two-day longevity for their respective ‘Ultra’ watches.

Who should buy the Garmin Venu X1?

Fitness enthusiasts who want a running watch with plenty of modern sensibilities.

Garmin Venu X1: Further considerations

Dual-band GPS isn’t available, but you can get it on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Galaxy Watch Ultra.

The Watch 2 Pro is the first premium Xiaomi smartwatch that we can recommend, and there’s one big reason for that: Wear OS. Switching to Google’s software allows for access to third-party apps via the Play Store, making it a much more powerful device.

And with Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 processor under the hood, performance is also very good. An attractive stainless steel bezel around the attractive 1.43-inch touchscreen gives the Watch 2 Pro a premium aesthetic, while a rotating physical crown makes navigation easy.

And with loads of health and fitness features (including sleep tracking), built-in GPS and the option for 4G, there’s a lot to like about the Watch 2 Pro.

Provided you can live with just one day of battery life, that is. The lack of automatic workout tracking, cluttered companion app and bulky design aren’t dealbreakers, but do you mind have to charge it every night? If not, the affordable price makes the Watch 2 Pro a real contender.

Who should buy the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro?

Wear OS fans who simply want an affordable smartwatch that also packs an eye-catching design and display.

Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro: Further considerations

The lack of automatic workout tracking is a big loss for anyone invested in keeping tabs on their daily exertion.

Although it’s a very minor update on what came before, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 doubles down on what makes the company’s most expensive smartwatch such a tempting buy in the first place, namely the larger display, better battery life and improved connectivity for outdoor use.

With a 1.98-inch LTPO3 OLED panel, you simply won’t find a better looking Apple Watch display than what you get with the Ultra 3. It’s truly gorgeous to look at, and it gives Apple’s collection of eye-catching watch faces a chance to really spread out and let you admire their craftsmanship. The 3,000 nits of peak brightness go a long way towards helping you read the display in the great outdoors, too.

When you are out on a run, 5G connectivity means you can leave your phone at home and still enjoy speedy music and podcast streaming, not to mention access to messages. If you’re going further afield then satellite connectivity can kick in to get you out of a tricky situation, much like how Emergency SOS works on iPhone.

All of this sits on top of a leap in battery life, seeing the Ultra 3 through 42-hours of use on a single charge, although that can extend to 72-hours in Low Power Mode. With these upgrades, and the brilliance of watchOS, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is a great smartwatch, but unless you’re dead-set on having an Apple-made wearable, you’ll find far better value by opting for a competing Garmin wearable, much like the Venu X1.

Who should buy the Apple Watch Ultra 3?

Avid runners who want access to Apple’s ecosystem on their wrist.

Apple Watch Ultra 3: Further considerations

Garmin wearables can offer a lot more, and often at a lower price. The Ultra 2 is very similar.