Steady Athlete

Best Smartwatches to Stay Fit, Healthy, and Connected

The best smartwatches don’t just tell time. They double as a personal assistant that counts steps, tracks sleep cycles, monitors heart rate, and lets you make contactless payments. Unlike fitness trackers, they’re often heavier on convenience and connectivity and lighter on serious performance monitoring.

Maybe you need help tracking schedules or daily fitness goals. Or you prefer 24/7 connectivity. The best smartwatches can keep your day running smoothly with calendar notifications, instant calling and texting, turn-by-turn navigation, music storage, and more. Think of it as a smartphone extension, providing hands-free convenience and updates at a glance.

Wondering whether to invest in this year’s best smartwatches and smart fitness wearables? We break down the features, performance, and usability to help you decide which smartwatch belongs in your daily routine.

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Apple Watch Series 10: Smart Tech for Serious Performance

Apple Watch Series 10	$399
✅ Wide-angle OLED always-on display	❌ Incompatible with Android devices
✅ Sleep apnea detection	❌ Underwhelming battery life
✅ Recharges to 80% in 30 minutes	❌ Low speaker volume can be frustrating

‪We’ve watched the Apple Watch evolve over the years, balancing its distinct minimal design with innovative technology and features to stay relevant.

Although the Apple Watch Series 10 looks similar to previous versions, it’s slimmer than ever. A larger, brighter, always-on OLED display stretches edge-to-edge for easier readability from any angle. At 2,000 nits, it’s also among the brightest on our list for easier viewing in direct sunlight.

Rather than overhaul a reliably efficient formula, Apple continues to refine it. The Series 10 has more advanced health tracking, including ECG and irregular heart rate notifications. It can also detect various sleep cycles and alert you to signs of sleep apnea.

Seeking a reliable training partner? The Apple Watch Series 10 tracks many indoor and outdoor workout options, such as Peloton bike and strength workouts, and other indoor cycling bikes, Pilates, rowing, core, and running workouts. Customizable activity rings let you adjust your daily and weekly goals. It’s also swim-ready, with water temperature sensors and access to global tide and surf data.

An S10 chip and 64GB of storage make everything from smart notifications to calendar alerts, instant connectivity, and audio entertainment faster and smoother. You can also navigate your music, maps, and more.

A choice between GPS and GPS + Cellular versions lets you stay connected even without your phone. Highlights include wrist-based international calling, Emergency SOS, and fall detection for added safety.

If you rely heavily on GPS for cycling, keep in mind that wrist-based tracking—even on the Apple Watch—can vary depending on terrain and arm movement. Riders who want the most accurate on-bike GPS data often prefer a dedicated bike computer like the COROS Dura, which is designed specifically for precise route tracking and performance metrics.

Is the Apple Watch Series 10 Worth It?

The Apple Watch Series 10 doesn’t reinvent the wheel. Instead, it feels like a natural evolution. Besides a slimmer profile and larger screen, it’s more powerful and packed with thoughtful features to help you stay connected. To us, it’s one of the most well-rounded smartwatches on the market.

Fitbit Sense 2: Advanced Health & Wellness Tracking

Fitbit Sense 2	$249.95
✅Comprehensive health tracking	❌ Doesn’t support third-party apps
✅ Up to six days per charge	❌ Not the most intuitive interface
✅ Seamless Google integration	❌ No automatic display notifications

Is monitoring your health and fitness a priority? If so, consider the Fitbit Sense 2 more wellness partner than smartwatch. The more you use it, the more comprehensive your full-body health picture will be. For example, it tracks sleep cycles, monitors heart rate, and can offer a detailed wellness report.

Fitness tracking is as basic or detailed as you’d like. Fitbit Sense 2 can track your activity levels, heart rate, active minutes, and steps. It also has built-in GPS to accurately record pace and distance for phone-free runs. The Fitbit Sense 2 is waterproof, so you can swim or use it in the rain.

Want a more detailed health analysis? A Fitbit Premium membership ($9.99/mo. or $119.88/yr.) can help unlock features such as glucose monitoring and heart rhythm assessment with the ECG app. You can also analyze your activity and recovery with a daily readiness score. This data can help balance training and rest, with deeper insights into what your body needs.

Comfort and style are also notable. Unlike most smartwatches, Fitbit Sense 2 comes with small and large bands to fit a wider range of wrists. Want more options? You can choose from compatible bands, including vegan leather and sport versions.

The main drawback? To unlock the Fitbit Sense 2’s full potential, you’ll need to become a Premium subscriber. Although the monthly fee isn’t huge, it can be a pricey long-term investment.

Is the Fitbit Sense 2 Worth It?

If you’re an iOS or Android user seeking a smartwatch that does more than basic fitness tracking, the Fitbit Sense 2 delivers. This smart, health-focused watch can keep tabs on your body to determine whether you’re ready to train hard or take a rest day.

Amazfit Bip 6: Best Budget Smartwatch

Amazfit Bip 6	$79.99
✅ Up to 14 days per charge	❌ Can’t generate routes on the watch
✅ 1.97″ AMOLED display	❌ Android-only text replies
✅ Over 140 activity modes	❌ Limited storage

Want an affordable smartwatch that delivers the essentials (and more)? Consider the Amazfit Bip 6. In this price range, it punches above its weight.

Screen size matters on small devices, and the 1.97″ AMOLED display is refreshingly big. However, the square design looks bulky and dated next to some of its sleeker competitors. It’s bright (up to 2,000 nits), so you can read it outside without squinting.

An aluminum alloy frame adds durability without heft and is water-resistant so you can sweat, shower, or swim without worry.

Want to track your workouts? An impressive 140+ sports modes, including niche options like HYROX, lets you log your favorite activities. It lacks many advanced fitness and wellness tracking features but has basics such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels, sleep, and stress via the free Zepp app.

As for Bip 6 smart features, you can make and answer Bluetooth calls and receive on-wrist notifications for texts and social updates. Android users can reply to messages. Bluetooth music control is supported, and you can sync with third-party apps like Strava, Google Fit, and Apple Health.

There are some trade-offs, however, such as no offline Spotify or mobile payments. If you want to pay for coffee with your wrist, this one might not be the perfect fit.

By now, you’re probably wondering about battery life. With typical use, you can expect up to 14 days per charge. That number drops to six days with heavy use. With continuous GPS, the battery lasts up to 32 hours. Battery-saver mode yields up to 26 days.

Is the Amazfit Bip 6 Worth It?

If you’re budget-conscious or don’t need high-end features, the Amazfit Bip 6 is a no-brainer for health tracking, sleek looks, and an impressive battery life. All for an affordable price.

Garmin vívoactive 6: Long-lasting Battery for Busy Lives

Garmin vívoactive 6	$299.99
✅ Up to 11 days per charge	❌ Subpar battery life
✅ 1.2″ AMOLED touchscreen	❌ Bulky on smaller wrists
✅ Advanced fitness features	❌ Too fitness-focused for some

Garmin’s vívoactive 6 builds on the popular vívoactive 5, adding smart fitness features for serious athletes and everyday users.

Design-wise, the vívoactive 6 looks similar to the vívoactive 5, down to its colorful silicone straps. It has a 42mm case, fits wrists with a 125-190mm circumference, and is slightly slimmer for added style and comfort. Color options are limited but lively, with a sporty look for workouts and daily wear.

Garmin’s fitness-first focus offers 80+ activity profiles and expanded running metrics like cadence, stride, length, and ground contact time for deeper performance insights. PacePro provides custom pacing guidance, while Garmin Coach and animated workouts help you train smarter during runs and races.

Like most people, you probably don’t like being jolted awake. The Smart Wake Alarm uses sleep cycle data to gently wake you, followed by a morning report with a sleep score, heart rate variability (HRV), and Body Battery level, which summarizes your activity readiness.

Garmin didn’t skimp on lifestyle features, either. Highlights include contactless payments with Garmin Pay, music storage (up to 8GB), and text and app notifications when paired with your phone.

Battery life is good, with up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and 21 hours of GPS use. An optional always-on model can extend battery life even more. For most users, it’s enough to get through a day per charge.

Is the Garmin vívoactive 6 Worth It?

The Garmin vívoactive continues to improve. With better sleep tracking, advanced training features, and smart functions to simplify daily life, the vívoactive 6 balances fitness and lifestyle convenience. It’s a smart pick for a reliable, stylish training partner and life coach for your active lifestyle.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: Rugged With Premium Comforts

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra	$509.99
✅ Personalized insights	❌ Short battery life
✅ AI guidance	❌ Limited to one size
✅ LTE-enabled	❌ Some features limited to Galaxy devices

Durable yet refined, Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra’s looks match its lofty price tag. This smartwatch blends modern comforts with a rugged exterior for any adventure. A heavy-duty aerospace-grade titanium makes drops and bumps less concerning, so you can take it almost anywhere.

Featuring a bright screen (up to 3,000 nits) and a sizable display, you can see data and notifications in any setting. In low lighting, the screen switches to Night mode for better visibility without the eye strain.

Want to stay informed about your health? You can gauge your recovery and readiness with a custom energy score. Factors like heart rate, steps, and yesterday’s sleep are monitored for fresh guidance as you start a new day. Comprehensive health tracking, such as sleep monitoring and AI-based recommendations, offers valuable insights for fitness enthusiasts.

However, battery life is a tradeoff. You can get up to 48 hours in exercise power-saving mode if you don’t mind giving up Bluetooth or network connections, including calls and messages. Using all features, you can expect closer to one day. Unlike some smartwatches, the Galaxy Watch Ultra lacks fast recharging.

Is the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra Worth It?

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is durable, with advanced health tracking features that cater to adventurers and fitness enthusiasts seeking a high-end smartwatch. However, its AI-focused platform can also be a drawback if you don’t need or want that technology. The smartwatch might also be too bulky for some users.

Google Pixel Watch 3: Bigger Screen, Better Performance

Google Pixel Watch 3	$349.99
✅ Bigger, brighter display	❌ Limited to Android
✅ Comes in two sizes	❌ Subscription required for advanced features
✅ Many safety features	❌ Disappointing battery life

While the Apple Watch Series 10 caters to iOS devices, Google’s Pixel Watch 3 is an Android-only solution. Stylish and functional, it has a bigger screen and more fitness and wellness features. A larger 45mm size alongside the traditional 41mm fits more wrists without compromising comfort.

Maintaining its signature sleek aesthetic, the Pixel Watch 3 has an eye-catching circular display. Besides increased brightness, reaching up to 2,000 nits, the Actua display is larger than before. Reduced bezels provide more display area for better visibility.

Powered by the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 and Cortex-M33 co-processor, and 2 GB SDRAM, the Pixel Watch 3 works smoothly across applications. However, battery life remains disappointing. You can get up to 24 hours with the always-on display, which is among the lowest on this list.

Google, which owns Fitbit, integrates many familiar functions. Traditional metrics, such as daily readiness, cardio load, and target load, offer detailed insights into workout planning and recovery. Comprehensive running guidance and heart rate monitoring can also provide valuable fitness data.

Running on Wear OS 5, the Pixel Watch 3 seamlessly integrates with Android devices, especially Pixel phones. It also pairs with Google Assistant, Google Maps, and YouTube Music to bring daily tasks and entertainment to your wrist.

Like most smartwatches, the Pixel has drawbacks. For example, more advanced health features often require a Fitbit Premium subscription. Battery life is also subpar, which can be frustrating for busy people.

Is the Google Pixel Watch 3 Worth It?

The Google Pixel Watch 3 is a stylish, functional smartwatch that smoothly integrates with the Android ecosystem. Its enhanced display, improved battery life, and comprehensive health-tracking features make it a compelling choice for Android users seeking a versatile wearable.

FAQ

What’s the Best Smartwatch for iOS?

If you have an iOS-powered phone, it’s hard to go wrong with an Apple Watch. It’s been refined over the years to give you full functionality and seamless iOS integration. Some examples include Siri, Apple Pay, iMessages, and Apple Health. Watches such as the Garmin vívoactive 6, Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, and Fitbit Sense 2 are also iOS-compatible, but you’ll lose some functionality.

What’s the Best Smartwatch for Android?

If you’re looking for a smartwatch that works with Android devices, consider a Samsung Galaxy Watch. As with Apple Watches, this lineup gets better over time. It’s exclusively compatible with the Android OS, so you can take full advantage of key lifestyle and wellness features. Other options include popular Google, Garmin, and Amazfit watches.

Is It Worth Buying a Smartwatch?

Smartwatches can be pricey. Factors such as your lifestyle and budget can determine whether it’s worth it. For example, do you enjoy the latest technology? Do you want to track the recommended goal of 10,000 steps a day? Is a wrist-based wearable more convenient than a smartphone? Do you plan to do more than check the time or send occasional texts? If so, a smartwatch can make sense for you.

Can a Smartwatch Make Calls Without a Phone?

Yes, some smartwatches can make calls without a phone nearby. However, LTE connectivity and a compatible data plan are required. Some Apple, Samsung, Google, and Garmin watches offer this feature.

What’s the Best Smartwatch for Women?

The best smartwatches for women blend functionality, comfort, and style. Popular features such as built-in GPS, various workout modes, sleep tracking, stress monitoring, cycle tracking, and smart functions make certain smartwatches more desirable. Some of our top picks for women include the Apple Watch Series 10, Fitbit Sense 2, and Google Pixel 3.

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