Choosing a smartwatch or a fitness tracker can be a fun experience, just like choosing any other product, but it can also be daunting to figure out which smartwatches or fitness trackers are the best, or more importantly, the best options for you personally. There are actually quite a few choices out there, and to help you avoid having to waste time sifting through an endless sea of options, we’ve put together a guide of the best smartwatches and fitness trackers you can buy in 2025, and with Black Friday coming up, we couldn’t think of a better way to assist. With this guide, you can narrow down the options and get straight to the ones that meet your criteria. Whether the device is for you or for someone else, this will help you save time, and that’s increasingly important now with the holiday shopping season beginning.
Smartwatches and fitness trackers come in all shapes and sizes, from round to square and big to small. You’ll also find that many of them can do similar things, but also offer a variety of unique features. With all of that said, these are the best smartwatches and fitness trackers you can buy in 2025.
Best Smartwatch
The best smartwatch isn’t necessarily going to be the best for everyone; however, there is a smartwatch that we consider the best overall from a feature and technical standpoint. For our recommendation, we’re going to be choosing the Apple Watch Ultra 3, because, quite frankly, it has the best features and the best hardware, and it just offers so much value for what you pay for it. Now, it might not be the best option for Android users, but it is the best option overall when you look at features and specs.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the latest top-end smartwatch from Apple, featuring the same well-loved design made from Titanium, new features, and a new version of WatchOS. Many of what users loved about the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is present in the Apple Watch Ultra 3, but there are some notable differences as well. It has a bigger display (even if only slightly), and that’s certainly going to make it easier to see everything at a glance.
The biggest reasons to go with this newer model though, would be the longer-lasting battery and the faster charging. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 can have about 6 more hours of battery life on a single charge, and that’s no small accomplishment. The longer the watch lasts between charges, the better. Even when it does need a charge, it’ll charge back up 25% faster than the previous model. Letting you get back to what you were doing with the watch before it more power. These two upgrades alone make it worth it.
Pros
- Large, extremely bright display
- 5G Cellular connectivity
- Durable titanium case
- Improved battery life
- Two-way satellite communications
- Very rugged design with water resistance up to 100 meters
Cons
- Expensive
- Only viable for iPhone users
The watch may not look different from its predecessor on the outside, but it functions in a more efficient way and operates for longer periods of time. Not to mention you can get it back up and running sooner as well. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 can last for up to 42 hours compared to 36 hours on the previous model, and it now charges to 80% in 45 minutes as opposed to 1 hour. Those are significant improvements that any user should appreciate.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is also a more powerful watch. Thanks to the S10 chip, users can do more with things feeling even smoother as you flick around the UI. If you’ve never had to deal with sluggish interactions on a smartwatch before, then you can continue that trend by going with the Apple Watch Ultra 3, because it’s anything but sluggish. This is also an excellent pick for divers as it comes with a water resistance of up to 100 meters. Of course, even if you don’t dive and simply want something that will be fine with a quick dip, this should have no issues handling that kind of submersion.
Display: 1.98-inch Retina LTPO3 OLED
Brightness: 3,000 nits (peak)
Protection: Sapphire Crystal Glass
Processor: S10 Chip
RAM and Storage: 64GB of storage
Battery: 599mAh
Charging: 0%-85% in 45 minutes (wireless)
Colors: Natural, Black
WatchOS Version: WatchOS 26
Software Support: Major OS updates expected for about 5 years, with security updates beyond that
Health and Fitness Features: Blood pressure monitoring, Heart health notifications, ECG monitoring, Sleep tracking, Menstrual cycle tracking, Activity tracking, Custom workouts, Training load, Daily Health Status tracking.
Battery Life: Up to 42 hours/Up to 72 hours in low-power mode
Charging Time: 0%-85% in 45 minutes
Best Android Smartwatch
While the Apple Watch Ultra 3 might be the best overall smartwatch from a technical standpoint, it doesn’t do much good for Android users, since most of the features are reliant on having an iPhone to pair with it. You could technically use it without an iPhone, but you would be losing out on a lot of stuff. So, for the Android user, we’re recommending the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8. Samsung’s smartwatches have long been some of the best available, especially for Android users, and many of the best features don’t require you to use a Galaxy device. Pair that with the fact that it’s likely to cost less than Google’s Pixel Watch 4 (another top option) and that it runs on the latest version of Wear OS, and you have a really solid choice on your hands (or wrist, if we’re being technical).
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 is a testament to Samsung’s commitment to deliver a strong wearable experience to its users time and time again. Samsung has finally changed up the outer design, but the watch still provides users with a top-notch smartwatch experience through innovative features, a comfortable fit, and battery life that you can proud of.
It’s also reasonably priced, making it a viable option for more consumers who don’t want to spend an exorbitant amount, but also don’t necessarily need to look at budget options. It’s jampacked with smart functions that are made even smarter with the integration of Galaxy AI and Google Gemini. This allows you to get more done on your wrist-worn device without skipping a beat. It comes in a few nice colors, too, and there are plenty of customizable band options out there if you want something a little more jazzy or stylish.
Pros
- Most comfortable smartwatch ever
- One UI 8 Watch feels incredibly snappy
- Gemini is a game changer on your wrist
Cons
- Notifications are easy to miss
- Oval tiles on a round display on a squircle body is a weird design choice
- Antioxidant Index is a good idea, but way to easy to fool
The biggest thing that makes this watch so special is that it just works incredibly well no matter what kind of Android phone you have. Sure, it is a Galaxy smartwatch and you’d think it would work the best with a Galaxy smartphone. But you aren’t required to have one, and you won’t really lose out on anything if you don’t. That, paired with Samsung’s commitment to producing a high-quality smartwatch experience makes this very versatile and you can’t really put a price on that.
You’ll also get access to all of your favorite Android apps and some really awesome fitness features to use with the watch. Slep tracking and the auto-workout tracking are the best you’ll find. Even if you have never really used sleep tracking features in the past, it’s worth trying with the Galaxy Watch 8 because Samsung made it thinner and more comfortable to wear, even while sleeping. So, you’re more inclined to wear it to bed because it won’t be as uncomfortable as other watches, even some of Samsung’s own past models. You also really have to love the exceptionally bright display making it incredibly easy to see things even in direct sunlight. All-around, this is just the best smartwatch available for the majority of Android users.
Display: 1.47-inch Super AMOLED
Brightness: 3,000 nits (peak)
Protection: Sapphire Crystal
Processor: Exynos W1000
RAM and Storage: 2GB RAM, 32GB storage
Battery: 435mAh
Charging: 10W wireless
Colors: Graphite, Silver
WearOS Version: Wear OS 6 with One UI 8 Watch
Software Support: 4 years of software updates (through 2029)
Health and Fitness Features: Automatic workout tracking, Sleep tracking, Sleep Coaching powered by Galaxy AI, Energy Score with Galaxy AI, All-day heart rate tracking, Vascular Load, ECG, Antioxidant Index
Battery Life: About 46 hours with AOD off, or 30 hours with AOD on
Charging Time: 0% to 100% in about an hour and 20 minutes
Best smartwatch for Pixel owners
This likely comes as no shock to anyone, but if you own a Pixel smartphone as your main device, then the Google Pixel Watch 4 is your best option. There are other good options, of course. The Galaxy Watch 8 would work just fine if you have a Pixel phone. However, the Pixel Watch 4 will work just that much better thanks to some of its companion features. Just as the best watch for a Galaxy user would be a Galaxy watch, Pixel users definitely want to keep things within the same device family. You could also go for a Pixel Watch 3 if you want to save a little money, but if you want the best, Google’s latest is the way to go.
Google’s Pixel Watch 4 exceeds expectations when it comes to the Pixel Watch experience, and yet it does so with little fanfare, kind of like Google is under-promising and over-delivering, even if only by a little bit. While the Pixel Watch series has been getting better every year, the experience finally feels like it should, and some of that has to do with Google’s version of Wear OS 6. Like its Pixel devices, the software is as barebones as it gets, and that software experience makes all the difference.
Once again, Google also made the Pixel Watch 4 available in both the 41mm and 45mm size options. Allowing consumers to have more variety and choose the size that fits them best. While it doesn’t have wireless charging, one of the traits that really stands out is Google’s use of side-placed charging pins. This design makes it possible to keep the watch on your nightstand and use it as an alarm clock while charging. Trust us, it’s a pretty neat design choice.
Pros
- Charging is considerably faster
- The Actua 360 domed display is really nice
- Material 3 Expressive makes the UI more enjoyable
- Incredibly bright display
- The best battery life yet
- Gemini with Raise to Talk is super intuitive and convenient
- Improved haptics with richer, clearer sound from the speaker
Cons
- No wireless charging
- Smart replies requires a Pixel 8 Pro or later
- Starting price could be lower
There are a lot of things that are special about this watch, but chief among them has to be the Smart Replies feature. You’ll need at least a Pixel 8 Pro for this feature to work, but once it does, it makes responding to messages on the watch so, so much easier and much quicker, too. You’ll probably use your smartwatch for a lot of things, and responding to messages is no doubt going to be one of them. So, why not make that process as simple as it can be?
Of course, this is but one feature in a handful of useful little perks. The Pixel Watch 4 also offers users Gemini on the wrist. One of the coolest features this watch offers is the Raise To Talk function for Gemini. You can use it for anything you’d ask Gemini on your phone for, such as what the weather will be like, or you can use it for handily asking Gemini when a store closes. I used this plenty while driving to figure out if I’d make it to the store on time, and you might be surprised at how useful this became.
Another thing that makes this is a really special smartwatch is that it’s serviceable. By that, we mean you can replace a few of the inner components yourself if you know how, or have it taken to a repair place and they’ll do it for you. There’s not really any other smartwatch on the market designed like this, so this is a great option for people who like to fix things if they ever break down.
Display: 1.2-inch LTPO AMOLED (41mm), 1.4-inch LTPO AMOLED (45mm)
Brightness: 3,000 nits (peak)
Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2
RAM and Storage: 2GB RAM, 32GB storage
Battery: 325mAh (41mm), 455mAh (45mm)
Charging: 50% in 15 minutes and 100% in 45 minutes (41mm), 50% in 15 minutes and 100% in 60 minutes (45mm)
Colors: Matte Black, Polished Silver, Satin Moonstone (45mm only), Champagne Gold (41mm only)
WearOS Version: Wear OS 6
Software Support: At least 3 years of software updates (through 2028)
Health and Fitness Features: Automatic workout tracking, Sleep tracking, Sleep Coach powered by Gemini, Fitness Coach powered by Gemini, All-day heart rate tracking, ECG, AI-powered training, personalized running coach
Battery Life: Up to 30 hours with AOD (41mm) / Up to 40 hours with AOD (45mm)
Charging Time: About 45 minutes to 100% (41mm) / About 60 minutes to 100% (45mm)
Best Budget Smartwatch
There are lots of smartwatches out there, and plenty that are in the range of $300 or more, but you can easily get by without spending that much money and get something that’s perfectly suitable for your needs. If cost is a factor for you when deciding on what smartwatch to get, then the Active 2 from Amazfit is the smartwatch you should go for. At $99.99, it’s very affordable, and it offers a ton of features. You will find it hard to get something better for this price. Even if you’re looking at older models, chances are you will end up spending at least this much, but that would also mean going with older tech that has fewer features and likely won’t be getting any more updates. For the best bang for your buck, Amazfit has you covered.
Amazfit has always prided itself on being one of the most affordable options out there for smartwatches and the Active 2 hasn’t changed that stance. With a price tag of just $99.99, the Amazfit Active 2 is easily one of the most affordable smartwatches you can buy and likely the most affordable smartwatch that’s at this level of quality. While it won’t have as many features or apps as the other watches on this list, its more simplistic feature set affords it the benefit of having better battery life, and that’s a valuable thing to have if you don’t like charging all of your deices every day or two. Plus, with a smartwatch that sticks to a smaller set of functions, you can focus on really just the important ones that you will always use. As opposed to being overloaded with stuff.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Excellent health tracking
- High-quality build
- Tons of watch face options
Cons
- No NFC on the less expensive model
- Only two years of software updates
What really makes this watch special is the combination of its affordability with the really awesome fitness tracking. Amazfit has long been praised for its fitness tracking quality, especially for the price of its products, and that stands true here with the Active 2. So, the fact that you can get something of this quality for around $100 is what makes this watch special. Of course, other standout details like the long battery life (which, again, is almost two weeks) help to really make the Amazfit Active 2 shine. So if you just want a watch that has a battery that lasts a while, along with fitness tracking that works well and offers more basic functions you’ll actually use, all without breaking the bank, then this is the watch for you.
Display: 1.3-inch AMOLED
Brightness: 2,000 nits (peak)
Protection: Tempered Glass + anti-fingerprint coating
Processor: Custom Huami Processor
RAM and Storage: 512MB
Battery: 270mAh
Charging: Magnetic charging base
Colors: Black Sport Silicone, Red Sport Silicone
OS Version: Zepp OS 5
Software Support: Two years of software updates
Health and Fitness Features: Workout tracking (over 160 workout modes), Sleep tracking, Heart Health, BioTracker, Strength Training, HYROX Race Mode, ZeppCoach
Battery Life: Up to 10 days (or up to 21 hours with GPS)
Charging Time: About 2 hours to go from 0% to 100%
Best Rugged Smartwatch
Not all smartwatches are created equal, and when it comes to a smartwatch that’s rugged and can withstand the rigors of everyday life, as well as your extreme adventures, you want something that you can feel confident is going to stand up to the occasional bump and scrape, as well as potential drops and other forms of physical beating that many other smartwatches might not be able to handle. That’s why we’re recommending the Garmin Fenix 8 Solar. It isn’t by any means affordable. In fact, it’s the most expensive device on this list, but it is the best rugged smartwatch.
Garmin is well-known for its GPS capabilities and you’ll certainly get some really good GPS functionality out of this watch. Garmin’s multi-sport smartwatches are also incredibly rugged and built to be your companion on all of your outdoor excursions. Going hiking in the mountains? You’ll want this watch with you. It’s an especially great option for anyone who goes out for longer periods of time. For example, anyone who might go camping for a week or two. This watch could easily last the entire time without needing to be recharged. Even if it needed recharging, the solar recharging feature could take care of it for you. Yes, the watch is expensive, but it has all the bells and whistles.
Pros
- Solar-powered charging
- Long-lasting battery life of up to 48 days
- Superior GPS accuracy
- LED flashlight
- Rugged titanium design
Cons
- Very expensive
- Might be too big for some
What makes this watch special is that it’s extremely rugged and it has a battery life that lasts for weeks on end. A battery that can last for up to 48 days in smartwatch mode is absolutely incredible. Plus, the fact that this watch could recharge with the power of the sun makes it much more useful, especially if you live in a region that gets a lot of sun year-round. The Garmin Fenix 8 Solar also has tons, and tons of features that can be worked into your everyday life. For instance, the Garmin Messenger app lets you stay connected to your phone’s messaging so you can keep in contact with friends and family. The built-in speaker and microphone allows you to connect with them through voice calls, or use the voice functions for speaking what you want typed in messages. There’s also the Garmin Coach for training, and an Endurance Score so you know if you can sustain with your workouts with the amount of effort you’re currently putting into them.
All of that is all well and good, but to reiterate, what really makes this watch special is its rugged build and its long-lasting battery life with the ability to recharge using solar power. If you spend a lot of time outdoors and have a need for features like this, then this is the top-tier option.
Display: 1.4-inch sunlight-visible transflective memory-in-pixel
Brightness: Not listed
Protection: Scratch-resistant Sapphire
Processor: NXP i.MX RT595
RAM and Storage: 32GB storage
Battery: 618mAh
Charging: Garmin proprietary plug charger + solar charging
Colors: Titanium with Amp Yellow band, Titanium with Black band
OS Version: Garmin OS 13
Software Support: Two years of software updates
Health and Fitness Features: Resting heart rate, Body Battery, Garmin Coach, All-day stress tracking, Health Snapshot, Automatic rep counting, Sleep tracking, Activity tracking, Training load focus
Battery Life: Up to 48 days in Smartwatch Mode
Charging Time: About 2 hours to go from 0% to 100%
Best Fitness Tracker
Fitness trackers feel like a sort of dying breed when it comes to wearables these days, as smartwatches have taken over much of what fitness trackers were initially used for. That being said, there are still some fitness trackers out there that are just fitness trackers and not smartwatches, so we felt it was prudent to make sure we listed what the best fitness tracker options are so you can make a more informed decision. With that said, if you’re looking for the best fitness tracker out there, you’re probably better off going for a smart ring to track your various, more basic fitness metrics, and for that, we’re recommending the RingConn Gen 2 Air. Its combination of an affordable price and good performance makes it the best option for the majority of consumers out there who just want a really good quality fitness tracker and nothing more. If you’re the type who doesn’t need their fitness tracker to have a display, then this is the tracker for you.
The RingConn Gen 2 Air gives you almost everything that is awesome about the RingConn Gen 2, but in a less pricey package that you can feel better about spending money on. While it does have a couple of drawbacks compared to the RingConn Gen 2, like not having sleep apnea monitoring and not including the charging case, the savings are worth it because you can still charge the RingConn Gen 2 Air using the included cable, so the case isn’t really necessary. And if you aren’t worried about sleep apnea, then this is another thing that isn’t necessary to have. What you’ll get is the ability to save $100 and still track all the features you’d expect, such as heart rate tracking, sleep tracking, and more. And the biggest benefit to a fitness tracker like this, is that it’s almost out of the way in terms of wearability. It’s a lot more comfortable to wear a ring all day (and to sleep) then it is to wear a smartwatch for the same amount of time.
Pros
- 8-10 days of battery life, plus quick recharging
- Essential health tracking (steps, stress, sleep, etc)
- Extremely lightweight, slightly lighter than Gen 2
- No subscription fee!
- Syncs with Apple Health and Google Fit (Health Connect)
- It’s $100 less than RingConn Gen 2
- IP68/ATM 10 for swimming, showers, etc
Cons
- Only available in silver and gold colors
- Charging case is not included in the box
- No Sleep Apnea monitoring (limited to Gen 2 only)
Aside from its capability to track useful health metrics like sleep stages, skin temperature, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and more, the RingConn Gen 2 Air only costs $199. It’s more affordable than other competing smart rings while being just as comfortable, doing the same things, and lasting just as long on a single charge. All that value for a lower price is definitely special. Plus, the RingConn Gen 2 Air also features health insights that are powered by AI. So, you end up with a more tailored result to the metrics that really hone in on you, the user. It also syncs with both Apple Health and Google Fit, so, no matter which platform you use, this will be able to mesh with both of them pretty well. It comes in a variety of sizes, too, which means that just about anyone should be able to use this ring and have it fit properly.
Display: No display
Brightness: N/A
Protection: N/A
Processor: Advanced MCU chip
RAM and Storage: 2MB
Battery: 22mAh
Charging: Charging Dock
Colors: Dune Gold, Galaxy Silver
OS Version: Doesn’t run on an internal OS – connects to RingConn app
Software Support: Has not been confirmed
Health and Fitness Features: Sleep stage monitoring, heart activity monitoring, skin temperature monitoring, cycle tracking, step tracking, calories burned, stress tracking
Battery Life: Up to 10 days
Charging Time: About 90 minutes to get a full charge
The post Best Smartwatches and Fitness Trackers 2025: The Ultimate Buyers Guide appeared first on Android Headlines.
Best Smartwatches and Fitness Trackers 2025: The Ultimate Buyers Guide
