10 Best Smart Watches 2025 in the United States

The Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) is a solid choice if you want a smartwatch that excels in health and fitness tracking. It works smoothly with iPhones and offers a bright, always-on Retina display that’s easy to read throughout the day. The design is lightweight and comfortable, good for wearing all day and night to track sleep, which it scores to help improve your rest.

In terms of health features, it’s impressive—it can detect signs of high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, and sleep apnea, plus it offers ECG and blood oxygen measurements. These are advanced tools that go beyond basic fitness trackers. The watch is also swim-proof and dust resistant, so it’s durable enough for everyday use and workouts. Battery life lasts up to 24 hours with regular use, so you’ll likely need to charge it daily; fast charging helps if you’re short on time.

It supports notifications, calls, music, and voice commands through Siri, keeping you connected without pulling out your phone. One downside is that it’s designed mainly for iPhone users, so it won’t work with Android devices. Also, while the feature set is rich, the price tends to be on the higher side compared to simpler smartwatches. If you want a stylish, health-focused watch with strong fitness tracking and solid daily use features, this model fits well—just be ready to charge it every day and pair it with an iPhone.

The Garmin fēnix 8 is a high-end multisport GPS smartwatch designed for athletes and outdoor adventurers. Its 1.4-inch AMOLED screen is bright and clear, protected by a tough sapphire lens, making it easy to read even in bright light. The watch is built with a durable titanium bezel and pebble gray band, offering a premium, sturdy feel that’s also lightweight at just over 3.5 ounces. Compatibility is good with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and it connects well with smartphones to display notifications and allow calls with its built-in mic and speaker.

Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 29 days in smartwatch mode and 84 hours when using GPS, which is ideal for long trips or extended workouts without frequent charging. The watch supports a wide range of fitness and health tracking features, including heart rate, sleep, respiration, and oxygen saturation monitoring, plus advanced metrics like training readiness and stamina tracking. It also supports scuba diving up to 40 meters with water-resistant, leakproof buttons, which is a standout feature for divers.

Navigation is strong with multi-band GPS and sensors like a compass and barometric altimeter, helping users accurately track routes and even receive dynamic route suggestions. The off-grid voice command feature is helpful when you don’t have your phone nearby. Some features such as Pulse Ox and ECG monitoring may not be available in all regions and aren’t substitutes for professional medical devices. The design is customizable and rugged, suited for active lifestyles, but the 51mm size might feel large on smaller wrists. While the Garmin OS isn’t as widespread as other smartwatch platforms, it’s optimized for sports and outdoor use. This watch suits serious fitness enthusiasts and adventurers who want durable gear with long battery life and advanced tracking, though it may be overkill for casual users.

The Garmin Instinct 3 is a tough GPS smartwatch designed especially for outdoor lovers and fitness enthusiasts. Its 0.9-inch round display is small but made durable with a metal-reinforced bezel and fiber-reinforced polymer case, which helps it withstand shocks and harsh conditions. One standout feature is its solar charging lens, which can extend the battery life significantly—potentially unlimited with enough sunlight—making it great for long outdoor adventures without frequent recharging.

It tracks a variety of health metrics like heart rate, sleep quality, and blood oxygen levels, although these are approximate and not medical-grade. For navigation, it includes a 3-axis compass, altimeter, and advanced multi-band GPS that balances accuracy with power saving. The watch is water-resistant up to 10 ATM, so it’s safe for swimming and water sports. It also offers smart notifications, contactless payments via Garmin Pay, and safety features like incident detection that can alert emergency contacts.

While the screen is smaller and less colorful than some competitors, the watch allows customization through downloadable apps and watch faces. It is mainly compatible with Garmin’s ecosystem and smartphones via Bluetooth. This watch suits users seeking a rugged, reliable outdoor companion with strong fitness tracking and excellent battery life, though it may seem somewhat basic for those who prefer a larger, more vibrant touchscreen or a wider selection of apps.