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The Best 6 Smartwatches of 2024

We put smartwatches to the most stringent tests for Apple, Samsung, Fitbit, and more to find the best model for your lifestyle and goals
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Best Smartwatch Review (We tested the top models so you can feel confident in your decision about your next smartwatch.)
We tested the top models so you can feel confident in your decision about your next smartwatch.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

The Best Smartwatches for 2024


We have bought and tested over 40 of the best smartwatches available since 2019. In this overhaul, we cleared the slate, and tested the 10 most compelling models available today. We understand that a smartwatch can be a big investment, and you want to find the model that works best for your needs, whether you are a fitness guru or operating a business on the go. We've all been there, and we feel for you! That's why we've devised a four metric testing system with hundreds of individual tests and evaluations, and identify everything from the most capable smartwatch, to the best fitness tracking tool, the models that will keep going with you longer between recharging, and the most visible ones on the brightest days. We've taken our extensive experience testing several other types of wearable tech items, from the best fitness tracker to the top-rated VR headset. We've put in the work and picked some great options from the most incredible to the most affordable but functional, and we are sure our work will help you choose one that will work great for you.

Editor's Note: We completely overhauled our product test lineup and testing procedures on November 5, 2024, to ensure our selection is current, and our reviews are the highest quality, based on real hands-on and in-house lab testing, and are not just AI-generated driven.

Top 10 Smartwatches - Test Results

Displaying 1 - 10 (scroll right)
 
Awards Top Pick Award
The Premium Apple Watch
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Apple Smartwatch
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Android Smartwatch
Best Buy Award
Best Buy in Smartwatches
Top Pick Award
Top Pick for Health and Fitness
    Best Buy Award
Best Buy Under $100
Price $799 List
$779.99 at Amazon
$429 List
$409.93 at Amazon
$330 List
$189.99 at Amazon
$279 List
$219.00 at Amazon
$450 List
$349.99 at Amazon
$350 List
$197.50 at Amazon
$350 List
$349.99 at Amazon
$230 List
$149.95 at Amazon
$300 List$90 List
$69.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
90
85
83
82
77
77
73
59
57
50
Star Rating
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Pros Large battery capacity, great blend of smart/adventure features, sapphire screen, very brightEverything you could want in a smartwatch, seamless compatibility with iPhones, fast S9 processorSamsung Health app, incredible display, sapphire screenGreat value, very accurate sensors, iOS App storeGreat battery life, incredible sport/activity tracking capability, accurate GPS/HR sensorsGreat compatibility with Android, beautiful displayVery efficient battery management, cool low power screen feature, access to google play storeSmall and light, compatible with IOS and Android, simple to useLightweight fit, IOS and Android compatible, easy-to-use interfaceCheap, great phone connectivity, lightweight
Cons Very expensive, bulky, overkill for mostNo Android compatibility, marginal upgrade from the SE model, expensive for no sapphire screenUnique design, touch bezel not as good as the physical bezel, some features only available on Samsung phonesSlow charging, dimmest screen of the Apple Watches, slower processor than other Apple watchesCheap band, not the best value, scratches easilyPoor battery life, No IOS compatibilityInaccurate HR sensor, underwhelming display, terrible online dashboardNo third party app store, subscription required for full access to app features, USB charger feels datedUnable to download third-party apps, requires a subscription for full app access, OEM charger feels datedUnderwhelming display, marginally accurate sensors, no reputable app store
Bottom Line If you want the best smart features in a watch that's adventure ready then look no furtherAn incredibly advanced smartwatch that's sure to please, unless you want Android connectivityA fantastic watch with a beautiful display that will please almost everyoneIf you can live without ECG and high speed charging then this is a fantastic Apple wearableIf you're looking for a fitness watch with minimal smart functions then this is definitely the watch for youThe best option for someone already in the Google Pixel ecosystemThis is a smartwatch with loads of potential but there are too many kinks for us to recommend it to othersIt's tough to recommend this watch over options like the Apple SE or the Samsung Galaxy WatchWe can't recommend this smartwatch over more capable options with more robust proprietary apps and ecosystemsSurprising performance for budget smartwatch, but not comparable to the most premium offerings
Rating Categories Apple Watch Ultra 2 Apple Watch Series 9 Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Apple Watch SE Garmin Venu 3 Google Pixel Watch 2 Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 Fitbit Versa 4 Fitbit Sense 2 Amazfit BIP 5
Smart Function (40%)
9.5
9.4
8.8
9.3
6.5
8.0
7.3
3.8
3.8
4.6
Health (30%)
8.5
8.3
8.3
8.6
9.0
8.7
7.4
7.5
7.3
5.9
Battery Life (20%)
8.3
7.3
7.2
5.7
8.9
6.2
8.1
7.6
7.0
4.5
Display (10%)
9.6
7.9
8.8
7.7
6.4
6.9
5.3
6.0
6.0
4.8
Specs Apple Watch Ultra 2 Apple Watch Series 9 Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Apple Watch SE Garmin Venu 3 Google Pixel Watch 2 Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 Fitbit Versa 4 Fitbit Sense 2 Amazfit BIP 5
Charge Time 135 min 61 min 83 min 125 min 83 min 71 min 70 min 113 min 110 min 110 min
Battery Life - Regular Use 100.0 hr 55.6 hr 62.5 hr 27.8 hr 142.9 hr 34.5 hr 83.3 hr 142.9 hr 125.0 hr 33.3 hr
Battery Life - GPS 16.7 hr 11.1 hr 9.1 hr 12.5 hr 20.0 hr 10.0 hr 9.1 hr 11.1 hr 8.3 hr 6.3 hr
Measured Weight 2.18 oz 1.36 oz 1.17 oz 1.18 oz 1.06 oz 1.10 oz 1.58 oz 0.90 oz 0.90 oz 0.93 oz
Measured Dimensions 1.94" x 1.70" x 0.57" 1.78" x 1.50" x 0.52" 1.69" x 1.75" x 0.51" 1.75" x 1.50" x 0.52" 1.77" x 1.77" x 0.53" 1.61" x 1.61" 0.56" 1.88" x 1.88" x 0.56" 1.59" x 1.59" x 0.44" 1.59" x 1.59" x 0.44" 1.81" x 1.50" x 0.50"
Measured Display Hardness 9 7.5 8.5 7.5 7 7 7 7 7 6.5
Model Tested 49 mm 45 mm 46 mm 44 mm 45 mm 41 mm 50 mm 40 mm 40 mm 46 mm
Sensors - Electrical heart sensor and ECG app
  • Third-generation optical heart sensor
  • High and low heart rate notifications
  • Irregular rhythm notifications
  • Sleep stages
  • Temperature sensing
  • Depth gauge ±1m accuracy and app
  • Water temperature sensor
  • Compass with Waypoints and Backtrack
  • Always-on altimeter
  • High-g accelerometer
  • High dynamic range gyroscope
  • Ambient light sensor
- Electrical heart sensor and ECG app
  • Third-generation optical heart sensor
  • High and low heart rate notifications
  • Irregular rhythm notifications
  • Sleep stages
  • Temperature sensing
  • Compass with waypoints and backtrack
  • Always-on altimeter
  • High-g accelerometer
  • Ambient light sensor
-Accelerometer
-Barometer
-Gyro Sensor
-Light Sensor
-Optical Heart Rate Sensor
- High and low heart rate notifications
  • Irregular rhythm notifications
- Garmin Elevate™ Wrist Heart Rate Monitor
  • PULSE OX BLOOD OXYGEN SATURATION MONITOR
  • Barometric Alterimeter
  • Compass
  • Gyroscope
  • Accellerometer
  • Thermometer (tempe™ sensor required)
  • Ambient Light Sensor
- Compass
  • Altimeter
  • Red and infrared sensors for oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitoring 7
  • Multipurpose electrical sensors compatible with ECG app
  • Multi-path optical heart rate sensor
  • 3-axis accelerometer
  • Gyroscope
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Electrical sensor to measure skin conductance (cEDA) for body response tracking
  • Skin temperature sensor
  • Barometer
  • Magnetometer
- Accelerometer
  • Gyro Sensor
  • HD PPG Heart Rate Sensor
  • SpO2 Sensor,
  • Skin Temperature Sensor
  • Low Latency Off-Body Sensor
  • Barometer, Compass
- Multi-path optical heart rate sensor
  • Red and infrared sensors for oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitoring
  • Altimeter
  • 3-axis accelerometer
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Built-in GPS + GLONASS
  • Device temperature sensor (skin temperature variation available in the Fitbit app)-
- Multi-path optical heart rate sensor
  • Red and infrared sensors for oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitoring
  • Altimeter
  • 3-axis accelerometer
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Built-in GPS + GLONASS
  • Device temperature sensor (skin temperature variation available in the Fitbit app)-
- BioTracker™ PPG biometric sensor
  • 3-axis acceleration sensor
  • Satellite positioning systems
Battery Size 564 mAh 308 mAh 425 mAh 296 mAh Not Specified 294 mAh 628 mAh 160 mAh 162 mAh 125 mAh
NFC Apple Pay Apple Pay Samsung Wallet None Garmin Pay Google Wallet Google Pay Google Wallet, Fitbit Pay Google Wallet, Fitbit Pay None
Splash, Dust, and Water - Water resistance 100m (swim proof)
  • Dust resistance IP6X
  • EN 13319 recreational scuba diving to 40m
  • Tested to MIL-STD 810H: altitude, high temperature, low temperature, temperature shock, immersion, freeze with thaw, ice and freezing rain, and shock and vibration
- Water resistance 50m (swim proof)
  • Dust resistance IP6X
- Water resistance 50m (swim proof)
  • Dust resistance (Not specified)
- Water resistance 50m (swim proof)
  • Dust resistance IP6X
- Water resistance 50m (swim proof)
  • Dust resistance (Not specified)
- Water resistance 50m (swim proof)
  • Dust resistance (Not specified)
  • IP68
- Water resistance 50m (swim proof)
  • Dust resistance (Not specified)
- Water resistance 50m (swim proof)
  • Dust resistance (Not specified)
- Water resistance 50m (swim proof)
  • Dust resistance (Not specified)
- Water resistance 1.5m (splash/snow proof)
  • IP68
Safety Features - Emergency SOS
  • International emergency calling
  • Siren
  • Crash Detection
  • Fall Detection
- Emergency SOS
  • International emergency calling
  • Crash Detection
  • Fall Detection
Fall Detection - Emergency SOS - Incident detection during activities
  • Incident detection on phone for wearables
  • Assistance
  • Livetrack
- Safety Check
  • Emergency Sharing
  • Medical Information
  • Fall Detection
None None None None


Best Overall Apple Smartwatch


Apple Watch Series 9


85
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Smart Function 9.4
  • Health 8.3
  • Battery Life 7.3
  • Display 7.9
REASONS TO BUY
Exceptionally intuitive iOS interface
Lightning fast charge time
High-speed S9 processor
REASONS TO AVOID
Not compatible with Android devices
Premium apps hidden behind paywall
Lacks sapphire crystal screen

For fans of the Apple ecosystem, there is no better smartwatch than the Apple Watch Series 9. Interestingly, it did not earn top marks in any of our individual testing metrics — in fact, it ranks 5th out of the 10 models we tested in our Health and Battery Life metrics. What the Series 9 offers is exceptional performance overall, especially considering its price point relative to other high-end watches in our lineup. For Apple and iPhone users, high scores across the board translates to seamless integration into your daily routine. As our lead tester, Sentry Kelly, puts it, “Apple standardizes their experience so well. The Watch app [on the Series 9] looks just like the interface you experience on your iPhone and it makes for super intuitive use.”

All three of the Apple Watches run Apple's industry-leading native apps, which makes them functionally comparable to one another. The Series 9 offers fantastic call quality, with one tester noting that it is “basically as good as the iPhone itself”. It's easy to scribble texts on the 1.77 square-inch screen, though we generally prefer to use the efficient voice-to-text function. Don't be thrown off by the relative position of the Series 9 in our Health metric — if you look closely at the scores, you'll notice that the differences among our top competitors are fractions of a point. We assessed the accuracy of the GPS on each watch in two separate tests, and in each instance, this watch proved itself 100% accurate. Thanks to a super bright, 1,260-lux backlit display and minimal glare from an Ion-X glass screen, the Series 9 is one of the best watches we tested for GPS navigation.

SPECIFICATIONS
Battery Life - Regular Use  55.6 hr
Charge Time 61 min
Battery Life - GPS  11.1 hr
Measured Weight  1.36 oz
Measured Dimensions  1.78" x 1.50" x 0.52"

It may be surprising that the Series 9 earned our Editors' Choice award, considering that the Ultra 2 scores a few points higher overall. Ultimately, it comes down to price versus performance. The Series 9 delivers 95% of the performance of the Ultra 2 for almost half the price. It also improves upon the more affordable Apple Watch SE in a few key ways. Aside from a 17% larger screen — which is not particularly noticeable when reading emails or texting — our tests prove the Series 9 charges 113% faster than the SE. This is particularly remarkable considering that the 308 mAh battery on the Series 9 also offers an additional 28 hours of estimated battery life (without GPS enabled).

Despite its lightning-fast charging speeds, the smartwatches with the longest battery lives run for 2.5-times longer than the Series 9. This is certainly where the Ultra 2 has the upper hand over the Series 9 — its huge 564 mAh battery provides an additional 54 hours of estimated battery life in regular use, and an additional 6.5 hours if you're using GPS navigation. Apple and Android have drawn hard battle lines, so it is important to point out that the Series 9 is not compatible with anything other than iPhones. Android users: you'll want to look at the Galaxy Watch6, coming up next.

Read more: Apple Watch Series 9 review

Release of the Series 10


Apple released the Apple Watch Series 10 just a few weeks ahead of publishing this comparative review. We already have our hands on Apple's newest watch, and rest assured that we plan to update this review once we've had adequate time to test it against the rest of our lineup.


We tested and measured every aspect of the Series 9.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Best Overall Android Smartwatch


Samsung Galaxy Watch6


83
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Smart Function 8.8
  • Health 8.3
  • Battery Life 7.2
  • Display 8.8
REASONS TO BUY
Durable, crystal-clear screen
Fantastic for GPS navigation
Quick-charging battery
REASONS TO AVOID
Not compatible with iPhones
Touch bezel is more difficult to use than physical bezel
Some features only available on Samsung phones

We recognize that many of our awards focus on Apple watches, which is just a reality of the market share among smartwatch users (at least in the United States). But that doesn't mean that there aren't fantastic options for Android users, among which the Samsung Galaxy Watch6 stands out. Similarly to the award-winning Apple Watch Series 9, the Watch6 doesn't shine in any particular metric — it falls short to the Garmin Venu 3 and Google Pixel Watch 2 in our Health metric, and ranks 6th out of 10 models tested for Battery Life. But our side-by-side testing proves its overall value, one that might even make some Apple users jealous. In our tests comparing the Smart Function of these watches, our lead tester noted that the Watch6, “might have the most clearly laid out and all encompassing native app of the entire lineup.”

Android users will feel at-home with the intuitive interface of the Watch6, which includes familiar icons used by other Galaxy and Google devices. Call quality is a notch above the rival Pixel Watch 2 — “It is very loud and fairly clear, with just a slight muffled sound,” one tester remarked, also noting that it didn't exhibit any of the static we noticed from the speaker of the Pixel Watch 2. The 1.77-square inch display on the Watch6 is 47% larger than the face of the Pixel watch, which also makes scribbling or typing texts much easier. Our testers all agree that the haptic bezel is more finicky than a physical, rotating bezel, though this issue can be remedied by upgrading to the Watch6 Classic. All considered, the Watch6 is still the top Android option for communication, especially if you want to use your new smartwatch to conduct business.

SPECIFICATIONS
Battery Life - Regular Use  62.5 hr
Charge Time 83 min
Battery Life - GPS  9.1 hr
Measured Weight  1.17 oz
Measured Dimensions  1.69" x 1.75" x 0.51"

The GPS on the Watch6 proved to be 99.17% accurate in our outdoor walk test. Combined with the size and clarity of its Super AMOLED display, it is one of our favorites for GPS navigation. Even though it fell behind other top performers in our Health metric, the Watch6 is still a solid option for active among us who want to closely track their fitness — it really only trails by a fraction of a point. The main shortcoming is a less-than accurate heart rate sensor, which is one reason we prefer the Garmin Venu 3 for tracking our workouts. The other major reason you may opt for the Venu 3 is its vastly superior battery life.

The Watch6 offers an estimated 62.5 hours of battery life (without the GPS enabled). In our opinion, it's not bad if you have to charge your watch once every third day, especially considering that our tests verify it achieves a full charge in 83 minutes and a 50% charge in as little as 30 minutes. In contrast, the Venu 3 runs for a remarkable 143 hours without the GPS enabled — particularly remarkable considering that these two watches have approximately the same size battery. If you regularly go off-grid or you are particularly focused on tracking your fitness, go with the Venu 3. If you simply want your new smartwatch to sync to the rhythms of your work-life balance, then we're going to choose the Watch6 every time.

Read more: Samsung Galaxy Watch6 review

Release of the Watch7


Samsung also released the Samsung Galaxy Watch7 after we wrapped up the comparative testing for this review. We will update this review with our latest findings after we have time to thoroughly test these new releases.

We tested brightness, scratch resistance, apps, and more than a dozen other things to compile unbiased and comprehensive data for every model in our test lineup.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Best Buy in Smartwatches


Apple Watch SE


82
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Smart Function 9.3
  • Health 8.6
  • Battery Life 5.7
  • Display 7.7
REASONS TO BUY
Exceptional value
Functionality comparable to Series 9 or Ultra 2
Highly accurate sensors
REASONS TO AVOID
Slow to charge
More limited battery life
Slightly slower processor

The Apple Watch SE presents an extraordinary value among all of the smartwatches in our lineup, particularly so when you compare it side-by-side with the premium Apple Watches we tested. Its iOS interface runs the same native apps — Apple Watch, Health, and Fitness — as the Series 9 and Ultra 2, which means that all three watches are functionally equivalent, as far as apps go. The value of the SE becomes even more apparent when you look closely at our two most important test metrics, Smart Function and Health, which comprise 70% of a product's overall score. In these tests, the SE actually scores a fraction (0.2 points) higher than the Editors' Choice award-winning Series 9, and only 0.1 point behind the top-end Ultra 2. These results are razor thin, yet it highlights the fact that the more affordable SE easily hangs with its more expensive siblings in the most meaningful ways.

Even though they feature the same screen (an OLED display covered by Ion-X glass), the 1.51-square inch screen on the SE is 17% smaller than the Series 9. “The only reason I scored these watches differently is because having a larger screen makes texting and scribbling on the watch keyboard slightly easier,” Sentry, our lead tester, noted. While this gives the Series 9 a slight advantage in our Smart Function tests, the sensors on the SE proved to be a touch more accurate in our fitness tests. The GPS tracking on the SE isn't quite as accurate, which is why we prefer the Series 9 for navigation. However, in our step counter test the SE proved to be 98.98% accurate compared to the 96.84% accuracy of the Series 9. It may seem like we're splitting hairs here, and we are. The point of this direct comparison is that the SE performs as well or better than the Series 9, yet it lists for 2/3 of the price. That's the definition of exceptional value in our book.

SPECIFICATIONS
Battery Life - Regular Use  27.8 hr
Charge Time 125 min
Battery Life - GPS  12.5 hr
Measured Weight  1.18 oz
Measured Dimensions  1.75" x 1.50" x 0.52"

So then where does the SE fall behind the other two Apple Watches? In our Battery Life tests. As you move up in price point, each subsequent watch includes a larger battery, which directly influences run time. Our tests show that with regular use (without GPS enabled) the Ultra 2 will run for an estimated 100 hours, the Series 9 for nearly 56 hours, and the SE for not quite 28 hours. However, the more remarkable difference is actually in charge time. Our charging test proved that the SE charges 43% slower than the Ultra 2 and 53% slower than the Series 9. To put that into a real-world context, in the same 61 minutes that it took to charge the SE to 56%, the Series 9 achieved 100% charge. This is certainly the main drawback to the SE — although considering the savings, we're willing to charge our new smartwatch every day.

There are a few other notable upgrades in the Apple Watches as you move up in price point. Both the Series 9 and the Ultra 2 are built with Apple's S9 SiP chip — a more refined and slightly faster dual-core processor — and they double the storage capacity with a 64 GB memory card. You also gain an electrical heart sensor in addition to the optical sensor, which enables access to the electrocardiogram (ECG) app. But ultimately, these are premium features that are not necessarily proportional to the increase in price. On the other hand, the SE delivers 97% of the performance of the Series 9 for a fraction of the cost. For any dedicated iPhone user, the SE is a reasonably affordable smartwatch that offers exceptional performance relative to its price point.

Read more: Apple Watch SE gen 2 review

The iOS on the Apple Watch SE is intuitive and feels familiar because the proprietary apps mirror those found on your iPhone.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Best Buy Under $100


Amazfit BIP 5


50
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Smart Function 4.6
  • Health 5.9
  • Battery Life 4.5
  • Display 4.8
REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Good Phone Connectivity
Lightweight
REASONS TO AVOID
Poor Display
Inaccurate sensors
Underwhelming App Store

If you are seeking an extremely budget-friendly entry into the world of smartwatches, then the Amazfit BIP 5 is a compelling choice. It offers intuitive proprietary apps and third party apps to extend basic functions and add personalization. This model handles phone calls well, although texting is limited to automated responses. It is also a capable health monitoring and fitness tracking device, even though our testers did have issues with the GPS establishing connections, as well as GPS accuracy.

SPECIFICATIONS
Battery Life - Regular Use  33.3 hr
Charge Time 110 min
Battery Life - GPS  6.3 hr
Measured Weight  0.93 oz
Measured Dimensions  1.81" x 1.50" x 0.50"

While it may not deliver the more mature experience or expansive ecosystem of apps like what is present in the Apple Store or Google Play Store, you'll find the majority of your app needs met, and a premium app option offers greater features and functions. Its large display and battery life also can't outshine or outlast the most premium models we tested, but you would be hard-pressed to find a better performing or more capable smartwatch at the price point. If you are willing and able to spend more, you can get better all-around performance from the Apple Watch SE gen 2 or the Samsung Galaxy Watch6.

Read more: Amazfit BIP 5 review

We put the Amazfit BIP 5 through the gauntlet, and for such an affordable product, it surprisingly held its own.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

The Premium Apple Watch


Apple Watch Ultra 2


90
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Smart Function 9.5
  • Health 8.5
  • Battery Life 8.3
  • Display 9.6
REASONS TO BUY
Exceptionally bright, durable screen
Long battery life
Rated as a dive watch
REASONS TO AVOID
Very expensive
Bulky

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the premier option in the Apple Watch line, and our comparison tests prove that it is truly an exceptional smartwatch. Even though it runs the same native apps as the iOS-powered Series 9 and SE, a few premium upgrades essentially supercharge the Ultra 2. Its huge, 1.83-square-inch display is 4% larger than the rival Series 9, and our luminosity tests prove that it is 114% brighter. This not only offers uncommon clarity, even in direct sunlight, but the slightly larger screen gives the Ultra 2 a notable edge when scribbling texts or typing on its full-sized (albeit tiny) keyboard. Even though our charging test proves the Series 9 charges 20% faster than the Ultra 2, the enormous 564 mAh battery on the Ultra 2 offers an additional 54 hours of estimated battery life (without GPS enabled).

The Ultra 2 is the only Apple Watch in our lineup that has been tested to a MIL-STD 810H standard. Combined with its three-microphone array and wind noise mitigation, call quality is so excellent with this watch that you could theoretically take calls while climbing a mountain at 15,000 feet. It is also rated for recreational SCUBA diving (EN 13319) and thus includes a depth gauge up to 40 meters (130 feet). The dual-frequency GPS is also remarkably accurate — it is one of very few watches to earn perfect scores in our three GPS tests.

SPECIFICATIONS
Battery Life - Regular Use  100.0 hr
Charge Time 135 min
Battery Life - GPS  16.7 hr
Measured Weight  2.18 oz
Measured Dimensions  1.94" x 1.70" x 0.57"

So the question is: do you really need a smartwatch as exceptional as the Ultra 2? Our testers all agree that “most of the additional features on the Ultra 2 are overkill for most people.” In almost every meaningful way, the Series 9 directly rivals the more premium option — it essentially offers 95% of the performance for nearly half the price. The main advantage of the Ultra 2 is the extra battery life, which is certainly an advantage if you're regularly going off-grid. Even though the quality of the OLED display on the SE can't quite compare with the crisp display on the Ultra 2, in our outdoor visibility tests (where a bright screen counts the most), the differences were negligible.

For us, the question comes down to the price tag. The Ultra 2 is not just a purchase, but a small investment. You gain the best Apple has to offer in terms of wearable communication, display quality, and battery life. Like the display of the Samsung Watch6, the sapphire crystal screen surface just cannot be beat in terms of durability. To test the difference between this surface and the more popular Gorilla Glass, our lead tester wore two watches to the climbing gym. By the end of the session, the Gorilla Glass had a few fresh scratches while the Ultra 2 still appeared brand new. If you demand this type of rugged functionality, then this watch may well be worth it. For most of us, we'll opt for the Series 9.

Read more: Apple Watch Ultra 2 review

From Mohs hardness testing to GPS accuracy, we did it so you can have zero doubt about your next premium smartwatch purchase.
Credit: Sentry Kelly

Top Pick for Health and Fitness


Garmin Venu 3


77
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Smart Function 6.5
  • Health 9.0
  • Battery Life 8.9
  • Display 6.4
Water Resistance: Up to 50m | NFC: Yes, Garmin Pay
REASONS TO BUY
Great battery life
Incredible sport/activity tracking capability
Accurate GPS/HR sensors
REASONS TO AVOID
Cheap band
A Little Expensive
Scratches Somewhat Easily

For adventurous types who need their battery to last for many days, there is no better option than the Garmin Venu 3. This agnostic smartwatch is compatible with Apple and Android phones, and we estimated its battery life at an incredible 143 hours. It can even run for an impressive 20 hours with GPS turned on, more than 3 hours longer than the Ultra 2. Its health-related sensors are only rivaled by the Pixel Watch 2, though the Venu 3 far outstrips that other watch when it comes to tracking your workouts, with ample customization for already well-tuned activity-specific modes. Whether you are interested in metrics for climbing, stand-up paddleboarding, snowshoeing, or pickleball, you'll find not only the workout type to match your fitness routine but also a wealth of trackable data tailored to your specific sport.

SPECIFICATIONS
Battery Life - Regular Use  142.9 hr
Charge Time 83 min
Battery Life - GPS  20.0 hr
Measured Weight  1.06 oz
Measured Dimensions  1.77" x 1.77" x 0.53"

The tradeoff for fitness-focused functionality is that the Venu 3 doesn't offer nearly as mature of an app ecosystem as system-built watches like the Apple Series 9 or Galaxy Watch6, or even the Pixel Watch 2. The call clarity is exceptional (at least for the caller), though it lacks basic texting functions. You can only preview texts, and only Android users will be able to type with an on-screen keyboard. The Venu 3 also doesn't include a native mapping feature, which is particularly alarming for a smartwatch built by a manufacturer who has staked their claim on GPS devices. This addition would be a boon to the native Garmin app, especially considering that the display quality is particularly good, especially for a watch with a more basic AMOLED display and Gorilla Glass screen. Our test team noted that during outdoor activity, the screen on the Venu 3 has “a nice contrast, with minimal glare,” giving adventurous types one more reason to consider this sporty smartwatch.

Read more: Garmin Venu 3 review

We put the Garmin Venu 3 through the gauntlet to collect unbiased data for our comprehensive reviews.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Compare Products

select up to 5 products to compare
Score Product Price
90
Apple Watch Ultra 2
The Premium Apple Watch
$799
Top Pick Award
85
Apple Watch Series 9
Best Overall Apple Smartwatch
$429
Editors' Choice Award
83
Samsung Galaxy Watch6
Best Overall Android Smartwatch
$330
Editors' Choice Award
82
Apple Watch SE
Best Buy in Smartwatches
$279
Best Buy Award
77
Garmin Venu 3
Top Pick for Health and Fitness
$450
Top Pick Award
77
Google Pixel Watch 2
$350
73
Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5
$350
59
Fitbit Versa 4
$230
57
Fitbit Sense 2
$300
50
Amazfit BIP 5
Best Buy Under $100
$90
Best Buy Award

How We Test Smartwatches


After researching top models, then purchasing only the most promising smartwatches, we evaluated every aspect and conducted rigorous side-by-side tests and assessments to validate their claimed merits. We tested smart functions, which includes proprietary apps and app quality, app ecosystems, third-party app availability, call quality, texting abilities, and native GPS mapping. We also evaluated health monitoring and fitness tracking that included validating sensor accuracy and explored workout types and data quality. Our team measured display quality through evaluation as well as inhouse testing for brightness and glass hardness. Finally, our team pushed every model to the limit of battery life under two typical real-world scenarios, and also recorded recharging rates. Keep reading to learn how each smartwatch measures up in each of these key metrics.

Our smartwatch testing is divided across four rating metrics:
  • Smart Functions (40% of overall score weighting)
  • Health (30% weighting)
  • Battery Life (20% weighting)
  • Display (10% weighting)

We used lux meters to measure brightness, calipers to measure size, a step counter to verify step accuracy, and many other tools and tests to verify manufacturer claims and assess performance.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Why Trust GearLab


We began with copious amounts of product research to determine which watches were the most intriguing. We then purchased those models at full price. We never accept free units to review, so we have no financial incentive to pick one product over another. For years, our smartwatch testing process has been conducted and advanced by Jessica Ricoscente . Jessica's experience in product development has been invaluable to our smartwatch testing process. She has brought new and improved methods to make sure our reviews are the best. Leading the charge, and revamping our in-house testing process to produce the highest quality data is in-house tester Sentry Kelly. Sentry's incredible attention to detail and a strong passion for capturing and interrogating data provided our writer for this review, Ben Hickok with every metric and datapoint needed to confidently share findings in a relatable way. Ben is an avid sportsman, adventurer, and tech professional, and brings a discerning eye to the analysis of the datasets produced by the extensive work of our in-house test team.

GearLab is leading the charge in product testing to produce the...
GearLab is leading the charge in product testing to produce the best, unbiased, hands on reviews.
We measured and tested every aspect of every watch we touched.
We measured and tested every aspect of every watch we touched.
We validated every step to test sensors and software for accurate...
We validated every step to test sensors and software for accurate step detection.

Analysis and Test Results


Before we dive into the nitty-gritty details of how these watches performed in our tests, we want to take a moment to discuss how we scored these products. We weighted each metric proportionally as it relates to overall performance. For example, we're willing to sacrifice a bit in terms of display quality as long as a smartwatch performs smart functions well.

smartwatch - you will find more value in a smartwatch that offers the functions...
You will find more value in a smartwatch that offers the functions that fit your needs. For example, if you're closely tracking health metrics, you should look for a smartwatch with a more accurate GPS and step counter.
Credit: Sentry Kelly

It is also important to point out that each product is scored relative to one another. Since we chose only to test the best smartwatches on the market, a low score doesn't mean that a certain model is not worthy of your consideration. It simply means that smartwatch performed poorly relative to the competition in a particular test or metric. By testing and ranking these smartwatches side-by-side, we can better highlight which products perform well in some ways or falter in others. This will help you better understand their strengths and weaknesses and how these fit into the context of their overall performance.


What's the Best Value?


When comparing smartwatches, there are noticeable design improvements as you move up in price, and you tend to get what you pay for. That said, there also seems to be a price point where value is maximized — above that point, you are simply paying a premium on upgrades that don't necessarily advance overall performance.

Why Isn't the Ultra 2 the Best Overall Smartwatch?


The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the best example of this. It is, without a doubt, an exceptional smartwatch. However, you'll have to pay an arm and a leg for its additional features, most of which don't amount to any discernible difference in performance. You can see in the Price vs. Performance Comparison chart, above, that it is so much more expensive than the other top-performers, yet its overall performance score is not much higher.

With the Ultra 2, you gain an ultra-crisp, ultra-durable sapphire crystal screen and an extra 54 hours of battery life (without the GPS enabled). Since the screen on the Series 9 proved plenty durable in our tests and it still runs for an estimated 56 hours, we're more than happy with those small tradeoffs considering the savings.

Even if it's not rated as a dive watch, the Series 9 is still water resistant up to 50 meters, more than enough for taking a plunge.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

The Premium Ultra 2 vs. the Budget SE


The Ultra 2 is Apple's premier model, incorporating the best design features and technology available for smartwatches. But is the nearly $800 price tag worth it? In most ways, our tests prove that no, it's not. Let's compare it directly to the SE, Apple's sub-$300 model, to better understand how we came to this conclusion.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Apple Watch SE
ProductSmart FunctionHealthBattery LifeDisplay
Apple Ultra 29.58.58.39.6
Apple SE9.38.65.77.7
In the most meaningful metrics, comparing Smart Functions and Health-related apps, these two watches performed on par with one another.


The SE runs on the same native apps as the Ultra 2 — Apple Watch, Health, and Fitness — so the smart functions are identical. The SE lacks a few of the more advanced sensors included on the Ultra 2, but we don't miss the temperature sensor or the depth gauge (though we admit, we're not regularly SCUBA diving). The microphone on the Ultra 2 mitigates wind noise, but unless you're taking business calls from the top of a mountain, we didn't notice any difference in any normal settings.

Battery Life
ProductRegular UseGPS Turned On
Apple Ultra 210016.7
Apple SE27.812.5
It's interesting to note that even with a smaller battery, with the GPS enabled the 12.5-hour runtime of the SE comes pretty close to the 16.7-hour battery life of the Ultra 2.


The greatest difference between the two is battery life. We don't see much purpose in the always-on display of the Ultra 2 — even the SE turns on when you raise your wrist to check the time. There's no arguing that the estimated 100 hours of battery life with the Ultra 2 (without the GPS enabled) far outstrips the 28-hour battery life of the SE. To be fair, however, you can save a lot of money if you're simply willing to plug in your watch every night.

Display Quality
ProductScreen BrightnessOutdoor Visibility
Apple Ultra 29.59.8
Apple SE7.19
Even though the 2700-lux rating on the Ultra 2 is objectively a brighter screen, thus earning a higher score, the screens are functionally the same outside.

The Ultra 2 offers a higher quality display and a screen that's 21% larger than that of the SE. Light meter measurements also proved that the screen on the Ultra 2 is technically 66% brighter than the screen on the SE. But when it came time to judge visibility outdoors — where screen brightness makes the most difference — the two watches were analogous. Our lead tester even made the same note with each model, “a beautiful display outdoors; very little reflection and very easy to read.

Our tests prove that functionally, the only difference between these two watches is the larger screen on the Ultra 2. Unless your lifestyle demands longer runtimes between charges, given the choice of the two, we would opt for the much more affordable SE.

For everyday functionality, from checking emails to tracking your fitness, there is no better value than the Apple Watch SE.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Inexpensive, Just Not All That "Smart"


We also recognize that we're talking about the “incredible” value of watches that cost many hundreds of dollars. For folks shopping on a particularly tight budget — or folks looking for a regret-free forway into smartwatches — we want to highlight the Amazfit BIP 5 as the best option under $100.

In terms of smart function, it isn't going to go head-to-head with any premium models we tested. However, the BIP 5 particularly impressed our testers with its seamless connectivity to either Apple or Android phones and for its call clarity. It also performed especially well in our step counter test, with an accuracy on-par with the Apple SE.

We were impressed with the interface of the BIP 5, which makes it a great introduction to wearing a smartwatch.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Smart Function


If a watch is going to be a “smartwatch”, then it must easily and efficiently run a host of smart functions. The term “smart function” is practically synonymous with how well a phone or watch can run apps. First and foremost, we closely compared the utility of the native apps that come pre-installed alongside the availability and quality of third-party apps. We used them throughout our everyday lives at work, at home, and at play to rank them side-by-side — higher scores mean that apps are generally more useful and easier to use.

App Performance
ProductProprietary AppsThird Party Apps
Apple Ultra 2810
Apple Series 989.8
Apple SE89.5
Galaxy Watch S698.5
Pixel Watch 268.5
TicWatch Pro 568.5
Garmin Venu 386
Amazfit BIP 575
Fitbit Sense 261
Fitbit Versa 461


The Apple Watch Ultra 2, Series 9, and SE stacked the podium. Savvy readers will notice that even though proprietary app performance is identical, our experience using third party apps varied ever so slightly. These differences in our scoring are based on the additional sensors you gain as you step up in price point, which allows for compatibility with more third-party apps. For example, the optical heart rate sensor on the Series 9 and Ultra 2 mean that these watches can record an ECG (electrocardiogram), while the standard sensor on the SE can only sense irregular heart rhythms. Although the Series 9 and Ultra 2 are both rated as water resistant up to 50 meters, only the Ultra 2 is rated as a dive watch, so it is the only one that has access to Apple's Oceanic diving app.

We do have a minor grievance with the fact that the premium Apple One apps, like Fitness+, live behind a paywall. Similar to the Fitbit Premium paywall on the Fitbit Sense 2 and Google Pixel Watch 2 (Google acquired Fitbit in 2021), you have to pay a subscription fee to access their training programs. The subscription fee is not insignificant and should factor into how you look at product value, especially if you'd like to tap into the power of these smartwatches for your fitness routine. The Galaxy Watch6 and Garmin Venu 3, on the other hand, don't hide any functionality behind a paywall.

smartwatch - the galaxy watch6 is intuitively designed with icons that will be...
The Galaxy Watch6 is intuitively designed with icons that will be familiar to Android users and comes pre-loaded with a well-selected app library.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

The Samsung Health app on the Watch6 is not only totally free, but offers a nicely laid out dashboard that feels very similar to the Garmin Connect health app on the Venu 3. However, Garmin Connect offers fitness-specific options that far surpass those offered by the Samsung Health, Apple Health, and Fitbit apps. This alone makes the Venu 3 a superior choice for folks focused on using their smartwatch to track their workouts. Otherwise, the native Garmin IQ app and app store feel fairly basic, and the quality of third-party apps available is well behind those offered in the Apple or Google stores.

Although the Garmin IQ app store is a bit lacking, the native Garmin Connect is intuitive and more robust than any other health-related app we tested.
Credit: Natalie Kafader


Our testers — even those used to their personal iPhones — found that the WearOS-based native apps on the Galaxy Watch6 and Pixel Watch 2 were slightly easier to navigate than iOS. Although the third-party apps available on Google Play sometimes felt a bit more clunky compared to those through the Apple Store, both stores are commensurate with third-party app availability. Our main concern with the Pixel Watch 2, as compared directly to the Watch6, is that we regularly ran into connectivity issues with the native Google Pixel Watch app. Whenever it disconnected, we had to factory reset the watch to repair the app, which cleared all settings and saved activities from the device. As you can imagine, this was very annoying.

The Find My Phone feature on the Pixel Watch 2 is incredibly helpful for anyone who regularly loses their phone
Credit: Natalie Kafader

It's worth noting that many of the watches we tested run a version of WearOS at their core, including the TicWatch Pro 5 — that's why this watch scores on-par with the Watch6 and Pixel Watch 2 regarding third-party app capability. Interestingly, and despite Google's acquisition of Fitbit, neither the Sense 2 nor the Versa 4 have the ability to connect to the Google Play store, which severely limits their overall smart function. Even the budget-friendly Amazfit BIP 5 is able to connect to a “mini” app store through its native Zepp app, which is why it outscores either of the Fitbit watches. However, it's important to note that the quality of those apps are subpar relative to any offered in the Apple App Store or on Google Play.

Many smartwatches are based on Wear OS, a mature and very functional operating system. The TicWatch Pro 5 connects to the Google Play Store to access third-party apps.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

It seems that even with our smartphones, call and text performance is secondary to app performance these days. Yet, it's still a critical feature of smartwatches, especially if you are hoping to essentially shift full functionality from your pocket to your wrist. It's no surprise that Apple and Samsung, as the top smartphone manufacturers in the United States, as well as Google have produced smartwatches that are all highly capable of making phone calls or sending texts. We tested the calling capabilities of these smartwatches by simply making phone calls to one another. For texts, we assessed keyboard size and typing accuracy, and awarded points for any additional features like talk-to-text, draw to text, or the ability to set auto replies.

Call and Text Performance
ProductPhone CallsText
Apple Ultra 2910
Apple Series 999.9
Apple SE99.8
Galaxy Watch S68.59
Pixel Watch 289
Garmin Venu 386
TicWatch Pro 55.58
Fitbit Sense 254
Fitbit Versa 454
Amazfit BIP 571


All of the Apple watches performed similarly to one another, which is to say, basically as good as the iPhone itself. The volume on every Apple watch was akin to having your phone on speaker mode. On the receiving end, our testers only noted a slight echo behind otherwise excellent call clarity. All three models we tested support Apple's unique Double Tap feature, which feels like a magical way to answer phone calls, but not all that necessary. For texting, the scores vary only slightly based on the size of the screen. Even though the keyboard is tiny, it's surprisingly accurate, especially on the slightly bigger screen of the Ultra 2. The talk-to-text feature on all three watches works wonderfully, and although the Scribble feature is slow to use, it is effective and comes in handy in a crowded area where you can't dictate a text.

smartwatch - you can easily read text chains on the series 9. with all of the...
You can easily read text chains on the Series 9. With all of the Apple watches, we opt to use the talk-to-text feature to send texts.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Call clarity on the receiving end the of the Watch6 and the Pixel Watch 2 is similar to the Apple watches — essentially as clear as a normal phone, just with a slight echo. Testers noted that compared to the speaker on the Series 9, the sound resonating from the Watch6 is slightly muffled and that there is a modest amount of static around a voice emanating from the Pixel Watch 2. The face of the Pixel 2 is 10% smaller than the face of the Series 9, which makes a noticeable difference trying to dial a number on an already tiny dialpad. When it comes to texting, our testers put the Pixel Watch 2 and Galaxy Watch6 on par with any of the Apple watches. Both Android watches include a Handwriting feature — which is similar to Apple's Scribble — as well as an accurate talk-to-text. However, our testers noticed that the dictation is not quite as quick on the Pixel Watch 2.

smartwatch - the scribbling feature and large screen of the watch6 make it easy...
The scribbling feature and large screen of the Watch6 make it easy to send texts quickly.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

The watch speaker on the Venu 3 sounds excellent — one tester was, “shocked by how clearly the voice is coming through” — though words occasionally cut out on the receiving end. It's frustrating for iPhone users that the Garmin texting app only includes a keyboard when connected to Android, and the Venu 3 doesn't include the super-handy talk-to-text feature. Even though our experience with this Garmin watch was a bit of a mixed bag, our testers were more thrown off by the discrepancy between calling and texting with the Amazfit BIP 5. We were impressed with the call clarity on this budget smartwatch, with only slightly muffled audio that was nearly on par with the Watch6. But without a keyboard or voice-to-text capability, sending a text with the BIP 5 is impossible beyond automated responses.

smartwatch - the price-point bip 5 is surprisingly good for making and taking...
The price-point BIP 5 is surprisingly good for making and taking calls despite the lack of text features.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

In our humble opinion, having a GPS-powered map in your pocket or on your wrist is a modern marvel. Depending on the OS, we used either Apple or Google Maps to navigate through our tests. It should come as no surprise that the Apple- and Google-powered watches seamlessly integrate with their native mapping apps. One of the greatest disappointments of this test was discovering that the Venu 3 includes no native mapping feature. You can work around this by getting map notifications that tell you directions, but we certainly felt let down by a company that specializes in GPS systems.

Not only are you able to clearly read the map, but the screen is...
Not only are you able to clearly read the map, but the screen is large enough to fit turn-by-turn directions at the bottom.
Without a map, turn-by-turn directions are displayed large enough to...
Without a map, turn-by-turn directions are displayed large enough to easily follow at a glance.
The sheer size and crystal-clear display on the Ultra 2 makes it easy to see where you're going.


All three Apple Watches will integrate with Google Maps and the Watch6 will integrate with Apple Maps. However, the Pixel Watch 2 and TicWatch Pro 5, which performed very similarly in our tests, will not integrate with Apple Maps. Considering that the screen size and display quality on the Watch6 outstrip the Pixel 2 in both regards, we would much rather use it for following directions. As one tester succinctly put it, “Of the Android-style watches, the Watch6 is my favorite for mapping.”

Google Maps is slightly more simplified than Apple Maps, but the...
Google Maps is slightly more simplified than Apple Maps, but the directions are intuitive.
The simplified instructions and high-contrast display make it easy...
The simplified instructions and high-contrast display make it easy to follow step-by-step directions.
The brightness of the screen and richness of the colors on the Watch6 make it one of our favorites for navigation.


After testing and assessing the three main pillars of functionality — native app and third-party app performance, call and text capabilities, and ease of GPS navigation — we tallied the scores and ranked all of these smartwatches in this metric. While some watches excelled or fell short in certain tests, those with higher scores overall are likely to suit your daily needs.


Health


As technology continues to evolve, smartwatches and fitness trackers are slowly becoming one in the same — although a new smartwatch will generally set you back significantly more than the best fitness tracker. Monitoring the daily rhythms of health, fitness, and general well-being can mean different things for different people. But for many, it comes down to simply counting steps.

Step Accuracy
ProductOutdoor WalkTreadmill WalkStep CounterGPS Track
Galaxy Watch S69.56.49.49.1
Pixel Watch 29.56.19.58.8
Garmin Venu 39.55.89.09.1
Apple Ultra 29.56.47.39.5
Apple Series 99.56.46.49.5
Apple SE9.55.88.97.4
Fitbit Versa 497.29.16.1
Fitbit Sense 298.05.09.1
TicWatch Pro 59.55.05.68.6
Amazfit BIP 53.06.18.74.0


To assess the accuracy, we first used a measuring wheel to walk a 1/2-mile outdoor track and noted the difference of the distance measured by the watch GPS. At the same, we used a good old-fashioned step counter to tick off our actual steps versus those tracked by the watch. As it turned out, there was very little difference between most of these watches in our outdoor walk test. The Fitbit Sense 2 exhibited the greatest absolute difference between actual and measured distance — and even that was a difference of only 0.07 mile — while the Watch6, the most accurate watch overall, was right on the mark.

We used an old-school step counter to verify the step counter accuracy of all of the smartwatches we tested.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

The results of our step counter test were much more variable. We were a bit puzzled that the otherwise accurate Fitbit Sense 2 undershot the actual step count by an average of 43 steps, while the Versa 4 was accurate to within 99.2%. But what was even more surprising was that some of the watches that performed highest overall fell short in this particular test. We were astounded that the Apple Series 9 missed the mark by an average of 31 steps, and the Ultra 2 by an average of 24 steps. These discrepancies won't make or break your fitness routine, but it was interesting to note that the sensor on the Apple SE proved more accurate than its more expensive cousins, precise to within 98.98% of our actual step count.

We continued to verify our formal test results with “mini” tests around the office. The Apple SE continued to prove itself accurate against our trusty step counter.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Then we performed essentially the same test inside on a treadmill, noting the differences between measured distance on the treadmill and watch, and any differences on the step counter. The overall mediocre scores in this test highlight the importance of the internal GPS for validating and correcting the distances that these smartwatches record. Fortunately, all of the highest-rated watches — with the notable exception of the Pixel Watch 2, which runs the Fitbit fitness app — allow you to enter data from the treadmill to calibrate and improve measurements. Even though you also cannot adjust data on the Fitbit Versa 4 and Sense 2, it seems like their sensors are best tuned to treadmill walking as these two watches scored the best in this particular test.

Considering the accuracy of the Watch6 on our outdoor walk (which...
Considering the accuracy of the Watch6 on our outdoor walk (which was verified by our test using the step counter), we were surprised by how inaccurate the results were from our treadmill walk.
Designers must have been surprised by this discrepancy, too. We...
Designers must have been surprised by this discrepancy, too. We appreciate that you can calibrate the Watch6 for better results on the treadmill.
Savvy readers will notice the discrepancy in scores from the Watch6 in our outdoor and treadmill tests. It's useful to know that you can calibrate this smartwatch for more accurate results on the treadmill.


We also mapped out a route using Garmin Connect and followed it with each watch. We then plugged this data into the DCR Analyzer to help us compare the track overlays, noting the absolute difference in distance measured and any deviations in the mapped GPS track. While the Apple SE proved itself with a more accurate step counter, the more premium Series 9 offers superior GPS tracking. While the Watch6 and Garmin Venu 3 both impressed us with their GPS accuracy — which was on par with the premium Apple Watches — only the Venu 3 continued to excel when we moved onto testing the accuracy of the heart rate monitor.

smartwatch - we uploaded all the gps tracks from walking the same pre-measured...
We uploaded all the GPS tracks from walking the same pre-measured course while wearing these watches. The Series 9 (light blue) is the closest to the exact path we walked, while some, like the BIP 5 (brown), stray a bit further than we would like to see.
Credit: Sentry Kelly


Our test team wore each smartwatch along with a Polar heart rate sensor, widely regarded as the gold standard of HR monitoring. We again leaned on the DC Analyzer to print out a second-by-second comparison of the HR data we recorded. While the watches that scored highest overall in our Health metric were accurate to within 0.5 beats per minute, the Watch 6 was an outlier, with an average difference of 2.3 BPM. Stabilization of your heart rate after a strenuous effort is a key metric for assessing cardiovascular fitness, and the Watch6 did a particularly poor job of picking up on these rapid changes.

smartwatch - while the data measured by the watch6 (blue) shows our heart rate...
While the data measured by the Watch6 (blue) shows our heart rate slowly tapering off, the more accurate Polar HR sensor shows that we recovered much more quickly after a hard effort.
Credit: Sentry Kelly


While the Garmin Venu 3 performed well across all health-related tests, it really set itself apart from the rest of our lineup with the exceptional Garmin Connect app. Even though other top-scoring models like the Series 9 and Watch6 may offer a wider variety of activity-specific modes, none quite compare to the quality of those on the Venu 3. The 60+ modes included in Garmin Connect are much more customizable, offering a seemingly infinite number of additional data fields. The more niche the sport, the more detailed the data — for example, the climbing mode tracks total number of routes alongside climbing and resting time, as well as average HR zone and total calories used. It also allows you to edit all of your workout stats in the Garmin Connect app on your phone or computer. The depth of the analytics available and overall accuracy of its sensors make the Venu 3 the most advanced fitness watch on the market.

Even though it's not quite as robust as the Garmin Venu 3, the Apple Series 9 still offers a great selection of workouts and an easily navigable interface.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

We tallied the scores from all of our tests to come up with an overall Health score. Considering that most people care most about the accuracy of the distance tracker and step counter, those four tests account for 60% of our overall score. The accuracy of the HR monitor is important — especially for folks living with a heart condition — and accounts for 30% of the overall score, while the availability and quality of workout modes makes up the remaining 10%.


Battery Life


You simply want a smartwatch with the best battery life — less down time charging means you can get more done with your day. But it's important to slow down for a moment to recognize how battery life relates to how we use a smartwatch in our daily routine. Many people turn to their smartwatches to help with navigation, but using the GPS saps your battery much more quickly than regular use without the GPS turned on. We tested normal battery drain for a typical 10-hour work day — using the watch for tasks like sending texts, checking email, and changing our music — and we specifically did not track a workout or use the GPS during this test. We used the difference in battery life to figure out the drain per hour, which then allowed us to calculate the estimated battery life.

smartwatch - we were surprised by the battery life of the versa 4. if you're more...
We were surprised by the battery life of the Versa 4. If you're more in the market for a health tracker with a long battery life, this model may fit the bill.
Credit: Natalie Kafader


Comparing the results between brands, it's interesting to note that battery drain during regular use does not necessarily correlate with battery size. For example, we estimated that the 160 mAh battery on the Fitbit Versa 4 can run for almost 143 hours of regular use. Whereas the 564 mAh battery on the Apple Ultra 2, which is 3.5 times larger, is only estimated to run for 100 hours. It seems like normal battery life corresponds more with the functionality of a smartwatch. If you consider that apps — both smart function and health-related apps — sap the most power, then it makes sense that the much less capable Versa 4 will run for much longer than the high-performance Ultra 2.

Not only does the giant screen on the Ultra 2 make it easy to follow maps, but this watch offers impressive best battery life with GPS enabled.
Credit: Sentry Kelly

However, when we compared all three Apple watches side-by-side — all of which demonstrated nearly identical performances in our Smart Function and Health tests — it was easier to see a direct correlation between battery size and battery life. The battery in the Ultra 2 is 83% larger than the one in the Series 9, so it's no surprise that you gain an estimated 54 hours of additional battery life with the Ultra 2. What is surprising is that the battery in the Series 9 is only 4% larger than the one in the SE, yet you double the estimated battery life by upgrading to the Series 9. Once you turn the GPS on, however, the Series 9 and SE perform practically the same.

smartwatch - these results are estimates based on a 10-hour standardized test;...
These results are estimates based on a 10-hour standardized test; batteries typically drain on more of a curve.
Credit: Sentry Kelly


We tested the battery drain with GPS turned on using a more standardized procedure. Our testers mapped out a one-hour hiking loop and used the watch GPS to navigate it. We then noted the difference in battery life and again used that figure to calculate the estimated battery life. The Garmin Venu 3 led these tests with an impressive 20 hours of GPS navigation and an even more inspiring 143 hours with the GPS disabled. For you backcountry travelers, that's nearly six days worth of battery life!

Battery Life
ProductRegular UseGPS Turned On
Garmin Venu 3142.920
Fitbit Versa 4142.911.1
Fitbit Sense 21258.3
Apple Ultra 210016.7
TicWatch Pro 583.39.1
Galaxy Watch S662.59.1
Apple Series 955.611.1
Pixel Watch 234.510
Apple SE27.812.5
Amazfit BIP 533.36.3


For our charging test, we tracked the progress of each watch in five-minute intervals, which allowed us to generate the detailed charge curve below. We eliminated the variation in battery size by dividing the battery size by the charging time, which also gave us a standardized charge rate. Even though Garmin doesn't list the battery capacity specifically, by comparing it to similarly performing models in our charging and discharging tests — like the Galaxy Watch6 — we estimate that the battery capacity of the Venu 3 is probably around 425 mAh.

smartwatch - lithium batteries don't typically have a linear charging rate. they...
Lithium batteries don't typically have a linear charging rate. They charge more rapidly for a large percentage of the battery capacity, then slow down as they approach a full charge. That's why it was important to test recharge time from zero all the way up to full charge.
Credit: Sentry Kelly


Both the Watch6 and Venu 3 are capable of quick-charging to just above 50% battery life in as little as 35 minutes. Even though the Pixel Watch 2 charges faster than either of these two — achieving a 67% charge in 35 minutes — it actually has a slower charging rate because its battery size is only 306 mAh. The similarly sized battery on the Series 9 was the fastest to charge in our test, reaching 72% charge in 35 minutes and 100% charge in just over an hour. It's also worth noting that the comparably sized battery on the SE took twice as long to charge when compared directly against the Series 9.


Perhaps the most surprising performance came from the TicWatch Pro 5, which earned the third highest Battery Life score overall. Compared to the already quick-charging Series 9, this smartwatch actually charges 78% faster. Even though the 628 mAh battery in the Pro 5 is more than double the size of the 308 mAh battery in the Series 9, the Pro 5 only took nine more minutes to fully charge. With a larger battery, the estimated battery life of the Pro 5 is also 27 hours more than the Series 9, at least under normal use conditions.

Even though it connects to a standard USB-C AC adapter, the fitting...
Even though it connects to a standard USB-C AC adapter, the fitting on the charging cable for the Venu 3 is specific to Garmin smartwatches.
The Series 9 is one of the specific Apple smartwatches that supports...
The Series 9 is one of the specific Apple smartwatches that supports MagSafe charging.
Amazfit has several charging cables specific to their watches, like...
Amazfit has several charging cables specific to their watches, like the Charger A (pictured), which is compatible with the BIP 5 we tested.
It's important to recognize that unlike smartphones, where charging cables are really defined by Apple (Lightning) or Android (USB-C) , many of these smartwatches have charging cables specific to the make and even sometimes to the model.

Some watches are excellent quick-charging options, while others are great for longer hauls between charges. But those watches that score highest in our overall Battery Life rating offer a nice balance of those two key factors.


Display


Smart features and fitness tracking are useless if you can't see the information being shown on your watch display. All of these smartwatches are expensive and you want to be sure that the screens are durable enough to stand up to the scratches and scuffs that come with everyday wear. We used a Mohs' Hardness Kit to test the scratch resistance of every smartwatch in our lineup.

The Mohs Hardness Scale is a standardized scratch test originally developed to identify rocks and minerals. It has since been widely adopted to test industrial materials, like screens.
Credit: Sentry Kelly

Since most of us aren't familiar with mineral hardness, let's put the results from this nifty test into context using a more common material. Many of the watches we tested use Corning Gorilla Glass — a seven on the Mohs Scale — which is equivalent to hardened steel, like the kind used to make automotive parts. The Ion-X glass used on the Apple SE and Series 9 is commonly used to make high-end screen protectors, and it is even a bit more scratch resistant than Gorilla Glass.

The Mohs rating increases based on the absolute hardness of a reference mineral. A score of 1 is equivalent to the absolute hardness of talc (like talcum powder) and a score of 10 is equivalent to a diamond, which is 1500 times harder than talc.

As a real-world comparison of durability, our lead tester took the Garmin Venu 3 and Apple Ultra 2 to the climbing gym. At the end of his session, the Gorilla Glass on the Venu 3 had a few visible scratches, while the sapphire crystal display of the Ultra 2 still appeared brand new.

When we scratched the sapphire crystal display of the Watch6 with the #8 pen, we could only see it with the loupe. The #9 pen produced a scratch visible to the naked eye, but the screen still had to hit the light just right.
Credit: Sentry Kelly

Sapphire (a gem variety of the mineral corundum) scores a 9 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, which aligns perfectly with the scratch resistance score of the Ultra 2. Interestingly, our testers produced the same faint scratch with a #8 pen on the sapphire crystal display of the Watch6 — we performed the test multiple times just to make sure. Whatever the reason behind these results, for our practical purposes the displays on the Ultra 2 and Watch6 are directly comparable for their scratch resistance and overall display quality.

smartwatch - we incorporated the sensor from a standard light meter into this...
We incorporated the sensor from a standard light meter into this custom-built dark box to measure the maximum brightness of each screen.
Credit: Natalie Kafader


For our next test, we used a light meter to measure screen brightness. Often the brightest screen was in flashlight mode, a common native app that cranks up the brightness behind a white screen. But on some models, namely the two Fitbit watches and the Garmin Venu 3, a bright background actually produced the highest lux reading. To provide some context for these numbers, 150 lux — the lowest score overall, exhibited by the Venu 3 — is the recommended level of lighting for a kitchen or a work area.

Screen Brightness
ProductLux Reading
Apple Ultra 22700
Apple Series 91260
Apple SE920
Galaxy Watch S6815
Pixel Watch 2751
TicWatch Pro 5542
Fitbit Versa 4295
Fitbit Sense 2267
Amazfit BIP 5245
Garmin Venu 3150


All three Apple models share the same high-quality, LTPO OLED display, but their screen surfaces are different. Sapphire crystal is more dense than Ion-X glass, which is one reason why the Ultra 2 is built with an ultra-bright, 2700-lux (859-nit) backlit display. Even if their screens are technically not as bright, the backlight on the Series 9 and SE just doesn't need to be as powerful as the one on the Ultra 2 to shine through the lighter-density Ion-X glass.

smartwatch - the beautiful display on the series 9 proves our point that...
The beautiful display on the Series 9 proves our point that differences in display quality among the top-tier watches in our test are nuanced and difficult to identify.
Credit: Natalie Kafader


Even though our light meter test revealed objective differences in screen brightness, we guarantee that all of the smartwatches we tested are bright enough to use indoors. However, these results don't necessarily correlate to outdoor visibility, where screen brightness makes the most difference. We compared all of these watches side-by-side on a bright, sunny day, and noted how differences in glare, screen brightness, color, and contrast affected our ability to read the screen.

The quality of the display and screen's brightness on the Ultra 2 is...
The quality of the display and screen's brightness on the Ultra 2 is most apparent in direct sunlight.
When compared with one of the best, it's easy to see how much more...
When compared with one of the best, it's easy to see how much more difficult it is to read the BIP 5 in the sun.
The easiest way to tell the difference in display quality, especially outside, is to compare the best and the worst smartwatches side-by-side.


We put more scoring weight behind outdoor visibility than our light meter test, and the Galaxy Watch6 is the best example of why. It may pale in comparison to the screen brightness of the Ultra 2, but its display quality outdoors proves that the 815 lux backlight on the Watch6 is more than powerful enough to shine through a sapphire crystal display. The always-on, Super AMOLED display is vibrant, and a class-leading 480x480 screen resolution means that text on the Watch6 is crisp and always easy-to-read.

Not only did it prove accurate in our step counter test, but the Watch6 stood out for its exceptional visibility outside. The depth of color and contrast of the Super AMOLED screen makes a big difference in overall display quality.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

If you just took them at a glance, the results from our screen brightness test would be even more misleading for the Garmin Venu 3. AMOLED displays, like the one on the Venu 3 and the Watch6, are already brighter and produce more vibrant colors than the OLED displays used in Apple watches. But the Gorilla Glass on the Venu 3 is also 40% less dense than the sapphire crystal surface of the Watch6. This means that the backlight can produce 82% less light, yet still result in an easy readable watch. (We figure that the minimal power draw of the screen on the Venu 3 also likely contributes to its exceptional battery life.) So for adventurous types who have already homed in on this smartwatch, have no fear — the Venu 3 has a beautiful display, especially under sunny skies.

One of the drawbacks to Gorilla Glass is that there is minimal glare...
One of the drawbacks to Gorilla Glass is that there is minimal glare in certain light.
However, in direct sunlight, the Venu 3 is very easy to read.
However, in direct sunlight, the Venu 3 is very easy to read.
In contrast to Ion-X glass, which is a directly comparable material in many ways, we noticed more glare across watches with Gorilla Glass screens under certain light conditions.


The main difference between the Apple watches is the size of their screens, which accounts for the slight variation in scoring their overall display quality. While the display on the Ultra 2 is only 4% larger than the display on the Series 9, it is 21% larger than the display on the SE. Even though their screen materials and display size differ, the result is the same — all three Apple models are easy to read outdoors.

Display Quality
ProductScreen BrightnessOutdoor Visibility
Apple Ultra 29.59.8
Galaxy Watch S66.910
Apple Series 97.59.3
Apple SE7.19
Pixel Watch 26.88
Garmin Venu 36.07
Fitbit Sense 26.26
Fitbit Versa 46.26
TicWatch Pro 56.54
Amazfit BIP 56.14


How to Pick the Best Smartwatch


Taking the leap to invest in a smartwatch can be daunting. These little tech essentials are expensive, and we understand that you want to be confident in choosing the perfect one. Our in-depth buying advice article walks you through the overall decision making process step by step. Here we lay out four of those key considerations which you can use as guiding principles to help simplify your selection.

Match Smart Functions to Your Use


Not all smartwatches are as smart as one another. If you want to use your smartwatch for work — namely, for phone calls, texting, and email — then you want to focus on the models that score highly in our Smart Function metric. In the business context, call quality matters and smart functions like talk-to-text can greatly improve your workflow. Your daily routine demands a more intelligent, capable smartwatch than somebody who simply wants to monitor their heart rate, the weather, and the time. Consider it an investment in your performance, and as such, you'll want to match key aspects of a watch's functionality to your needs.

smartwatch - the smart functions offered by the apple se match those of its...
The smart functions offered by the Apple SE match those of its higher-performing siblings, making it economical and efficient for any type of work.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Do You Want to Replace Your Fitness Tracker?


If you would also like to wear a smartwatch to track your workouts, then you'll want to focus on our Health metric. The watches that score highest in these tests offer the most robust health and fitness features and functions. Many smartwatches include similar sensors, but our tests show that some are much more accurate than others. While some watches we tested only provide basic fitness trackers, others have the ability to collect an impressive amount of data and proved themselves as powerful two-in-one wearables.

smartwatch - the apple series 9 will not only accurately monitor your heart rate...
The Apple Series 9 will not only accurately monitor your heart rate but also track other key metrics like temperature and oxygen saturation, effectively replacing a fitness tracker.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

How Long Can You Go Until Your Next Charge?


If you are frequently traveling for work or regularly out on multi-day adventures in the backcountry, you'll need a smartwatch with a longer battery life. The models that scored well in our Battery Life metric come with batteries that charge quickly and last longer. It's important to point out that battery life changes dramatically with the GPS enabled versus regular use with it disabled. The longest lasting batteries are not necessarily the fastest to charge, either, so you will want to consider which is more important to you.

smartwatch - the garmin venu 3 offers impressive battery life, lasting an average...
The Garmin Venu 3 offers impressive battery life, lasting an average of 143 hours. In our tests, it reached a full charge in just 83 minutes.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Does Display Quality Vary with Price?


Yes, but you must consider the balance of price versus performance. The top-tier models we tested all have beautiful displays, but some cost significantly more despite only subtle differences in display quality. Among all of the watches we tested, we didn't experience a single one that didn't have a satisfactorily visible screen, even under bright sunlight. If you plan to wear your new watch in harsh environments, it's important to note that our real-world testing proved that a sapphire crystal screen is much more scratch resistant than a Gorilla Glass screen. Otherwise, it's not likely that you need to pay a premium for display quality alone.

A hardness test revealed that watches with sapphire crystal screen surfaces, like the Apple Ultra 2 and Samsung Galaxy S6, offer the best scratch resistance. But aside from a few notable exceptions, display quality didn't vary that much across the lineup of watches we tested.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Conclusion


We recognize that sorting through specifications and feature sets to find the best smartwatch is a real challenge — trust us, we've done it! By putting in the work, we hope that our comprehensive review will help you narrow down your choices and provide you with the confidence that your final decision will be the right one.

Jessica Riconscente, Sentry Kelly, Benjamin Hickok, Jared Eastlick, and Aaron Rice