Best 2025 Smartwatches for smartwatch features

#1 Apple Watch Ultra 3
4.8

Reviewers consistently positioned the Ultra 3 as a top-tier smartwatch and strong daily driver, especially for iPhone users.

Pros: app ecosystem, watch face quality

Cons: cross-platform compatibility, size options

#2 Apple Watch SE 3
4.8

Reviewers generally agreed the SE 3 delivers the core Apple Watch experience, making it feel much less like a compromised budget model.

Pros: app ecosystem, operating system experience

Cons: cross-platform compatibility, ECG functionality

#3 Apple Watch Series 11
4.7

Reviewers consistently frame Series 11 as an outstanding, well-rounded smartwatch with strong everyday utility and iPhone integration.

Pros: ECG functionality, app ecosystem

Cons: cross-platform compatibility, recovery insights

#4 Garmin Approach S50
4.6

Smartwatch features were a central strength for golfers who wanted more than a golf GPS watch, especially health, fitness, and everyday watch functions.

Pros: touchscreen responsiveness, health tracking accuracy

Cons: call handling, voice assistant quality

#5 Garmin Tactix 8
4.5

Reviewers consistently framed the Tactix 8 as a powerful, feature-dense smartwatch, though some lifestyle features were unnecessary for certain users.

Pros: wellness insights, build quality

Cons: LTE connectivity, band quality

#6 Amazfit Active 2
4.4

Smartwatch features impressed for the price, though reviewers still noted barebones non-fitness apps compared with premium platforms.

Pros: pairing reliability, value for money

Cons: stress tracking, onboard music storage

#7 Samsung Galaxy Watch 8
4.4

Smartwatch features were praised as comprehensive and helpful, especially with AI and health tools, though some reviewers framed the package as better for Samsung users.

Pros: third-party app support, heart rate accuracy

Cons: music controls, cross-platform compatibility

#8 Google Pixel Watch 4
4.3

As an all-round smartwatch, reviewers called it well-rounded, easy to recommend, and often the best Pixel or Wear OS watch yet.

Pros: step counting accuracy, charging speed

Cons: stress tracking, band quality

#9 Garmin Forerunner 570
4.3

Smartwatch features improved meaningfully with mic, speaker, reports, voice tools, and music/payment basics, though the watch is still sports-first.

Pros: charging speed, GPS accuracy

Cons: ECG functionality, smartphone notifications

#10 Garmin Instinct Crossover AMOLED
4.3

Smartwatch features were considered broad and capable, though focused more on practical outdoor use than general-purpose app breadth.

Pros: heart rate accuracy, GPS accuracy

Cons: onboard music storage, mapping and navigation

#11 Garmin fenix 8 Pro
4.3

Reviewers saw the watch as a very complete Garmin/multisport smartwatch, while still acknowledging it is not as broadly smart as an Apple Watch.

Pros: workout tracking variety, pairing reliability

Cons: size options, companion app quality

#12 OnePlus Watch 3
4.2

Core smartwatch functionality was widely praised, with reviewers calling it complete and capable for everyday use.

Pros: blood oxygen tracking, step counting accuracy

Cons: LTE connectivity, calorie tracking usefulness

#13 Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025)
4.2

Core smartwatch features are strong, but some reviews temper praise by noting the 2025 model adds few meaningful upgrades.

Pros: LTE connectivity, pairing reliability

Cons: antioxidant index, blood oxygen tracking

#14 Amazfit Bip 6
4.1

Smartwatch features were strong for the price, with calls, notifications, maps, music controls, and utility tools, though not as complete as premium watches.

Pros: value for money, battery life

Cons: contactless payments, stress tracking

#15 Garmin Forerunner 970
4.1

Smartwatch features were strong for a sports watch, with calls, voice, music, payments, reports, and notifications adding daily usefulness without matching cellular smartwatches.

Pros: stress tracking, customization options

Cons: menu navigation, companion app quality

#16 Garmin Vivoactive 6
3.8

Smartwatch features are adequate for fitness-first users, but reviewers stress that the Vivoactive 6 remains more fitness watch than full smartwatch.

Pros: software smoothness, comfort

Cons: LTE connectivity, voice assistant quality

#17 Amazfit Balance 2
3.8

Smartwatch features were adequate for many but clearly behind Apple and Wear OS watches, with fitness-first strengths outweighing full smartwatch polish.

Pros: Bluetooth connectivity, calorie tracking usefulness

Cons: ECG functionality, flashlight usefulness

#18 CMF Watch 3 Pro
3.6

Smartwatch features were adequate for the basics and impressive for the price, but reviewers consistently described them as scaled back versus fuller platforms.

Pros: workout tracking variety, user interface

Cons: Wi-Fi connectivity, onboard music storage

#19 Amazfit Active Max
3.5

Smartwatch features were broad for the price but uneven: reviewers liked the range of tools, yet several still described the experience as basic or only good enough.

Pros: workout tracking variety, outdoor visibility

Cons: calorie tracking usefulness, safety features

#20 Suunto Run
3.3

Smartwatch features were viewed as intentionally basic: enough for notifications and essentials, but less slick than Apple, Garmin, or Coros-style smartwatch experiences.

Pros: comfort, value for money

Cons: contactless payments, Wi-Fi connectivity

#21 Garmin Venu X1
3.1

Smartwatch features were viewed as useful for a Garmin but still short of true smartwatch platforms, especially Apple and Wear OS.

Pros: pairing reliability, watch face quality

Cons: ECG functionality, LTE connectivity

#22 Garmin Instinct 3
3.0

Smartwatch features are mixed: basic notifications, Garmin Pay, and daily tools help, but music, calling, maps, and smarter functions are limited.

Pros: customization options, charging speed

Cons: onboard music storage, voice assistant quality

#23 Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro
2.9

Smartwatch features are mixed. One reviewer found them strong outside Apple/Samsung/Google, while others found them limited, annoying, or less complete than premium ecosystems.

Pros: workout tracking variety, calorie tracking usefulness

Cons: LTE connectivity, ECG functionality

#24 Garmin Venu 4
2.9

Smartwatch features were serviceable for essentials, but reviewers repeatedly framed the Venu 4 as fitness-first and underpowered compared with Apple, Google, or Galaxy watches.

Pros: activity auto-detection, style and design

Cons: LTE connectivity, charging convenience

#25 Garmin Approach S44
2.7

Smartwatch functionality was the clearest compromise: reviewers found it handy for basics, but repeatedly described it as golf-first, stripped down, or not a full smartwatch replacement.

Pros: user interface, brightness

Cons: wellness insights, charging convenience

#26 Coros Apex 4
2.4

Smartwatch features are a weakness; reviewers repeatedly say the Apex 4 prioritizes sports over payments, apps, LTE, streaming, and lifestyle features.

Pros: reliability, battery life

Cons: LTE connectivity, flashlight usefulness

#27 Motorola Moto Watch Fit
2.3

Smartwatch features were limited by design: reviewers repeatedly framed it as more fitness tracker than full smartwatch.

Pros: software smoothness, menu navigation

Cons: contactless payments, stress tracking

#28 Suunto Race 2
2.2

Smartwatch features were consistently limited, with reviewers repeatedly noting that the Race 2 is training-first rather than a phone-like smartwatch.

Pros: operating system experience, brightness

Cons: safety features, health tracking accuracy

#29 Coros Pace 4
2.2

Smartwatch features were consistently described as basic, making the Pace 4 more of a training tool than a full smartwatch.

Pros: comfort, value for money

Cons: third-party app support, contactless payments

#30 Suunto Vertical 2
2.0

Smartwatch features were considered limited; reviewers treated the watch as an outdoor tool rather than a full everyday smartwatch.

Pros: operating system experience, materials quality

Cons: contactless payments, onboard music storage