Best smartwatch 2024: wrist wearables for the discerning consumer

Are you ready to dive into the world of the best smartwatches? Hold onto your hats (or, should I say, your wrists) because we're about to embark on a wild ride through the latest and greatest wrist wearables.

Choosing the perfect smartwatch can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack...while blindfolded...in a hurricane. But fear not! I've braved the storm of options, from the best-in-class Apple Watch to the health-wizard Samsung Galaxy Watch, to bring you the crème de la crème of wrist tech.

I have put these gadgets through the wringer, wearing them to bed, taking them on runs, and even attempting to decipher their cryptic notification codes. You will never see me without at least two wearables wrapped around my wrists and donning at least one of the best smart rings!

So strap in, grab your popcorn, and get ready for a rollercoaster ride through the best smartwatches on the market. And hey, if you're into wearables, visit other T3 guides on the subject, also curated by me, including the best Apple Watches.

The best smartwatches to buy right now

Best overall

The Apple Watch Series 9 might look the same as the Series 8 or even the Series 7, but it provides a different user experience than previous iterations of the wearable. It has a brighter display, a faster microchip, exclusive features, and a somewhat more sustainable construction – what else can we ask for? Maybe longer battery life, but that hasn't changed in the last 10 years.

We think the Apple Watch Series 9 provides the best smartwatch experience on the market today. There might be wearables, even on this list, with longer battery life or even more features, but we're yet to see any brand surpassing Apple's platform, which the brand has been building and refining for a long time.

If you have an iPhone, it's obvious you need the Apple Watch Series 9 wrapped around your wrist. If you're an Android smartphone user, you're better off picking an alternative watch from the list below – or a hybrid smartwatch if you like keeping it classy.

Read our full Apple Watch Series 9 review.

Also consider: Thanks to some seriously cheap offers knocking about these days, the Apple Watch Series 8 might be a better option for the price-conscious iPhone user. You miss out on the faster processor and gesture control, but you still get to experience that quintessential Apple user experience.

Best premium

We found the latest Galaxy Watch to be a remarkable advancement in the smartwatch industry. The watch features a sophisticated design with a premium feel, making it both stylish and durable. Its bright and responsive display enhances user interaction, providing a clear and vibrant interface.

One of the standout features is the integration of AI, which significantly boosts its functionality. The AI-driven health and fitness tracking capabilities are impressive, offering advanced sleep tracking, accurate heart rate monitoring, and detailed fitness tracking. These features are not just accurate but also intuitive, providing personalised and actionable insights and suggestions.

The software experience on the Galaxy Watch 7 is smooth and user-friendly. The watch runs on the latest version of Wear OS, enhanced with Samsung's unique touches. The interface is easy to navigate, and the performance is snappy, with no noticeable lag or slowdowns.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 excels in design, functionality, and performance. Its integration of AI, improved battery life, and user-friendly interface make it a top choice in the smartwatch market.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 review.

Also consider: The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 impressed with its sleek design, upgraded chip, and smooth performance. It excels in health tracking with features like body composition, ECG, sleep, and blood pressure monitoring. Want to know how the two compare? Check out Britta's excellent article on the subject: Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 vs Galaxy Watch 6.

Be sure to check our Samsung discount codes to get a great deal.

Best affordable

The Apple Watch SE 2 manages to strike a balance between affordability and functionality, making it a compelling option for users looking for a budget-friendly smartwatch. While it may not boast groundbreaking changes compared to its predecessor, it does come with some notable upgrades, both in terms of hardware and software.

One of the most appealing aspects of the SE 2 is its lower price point compared to other Apple Watch models, making it accessible to a wider audience. Despite being more affordable, it still offers a range of features that cater to the needs of everyday users, from fitness tracking to notifications and more.

Moreover, Apple's track record of providing software updates for its wearables ensures that users can enjoy continued support and enhancements long after the initial purchase. This adds value to the SE 2, giving users peace of mind knowing that their device will remain up-to-date and functional for years to come.

However, it's important to note that the SE 2 does have some limitations compared to higher-end Apple Watch models. It may not have all the advanced sensors and features found in the flagship models, but for most users, it provides more than enough functionality for daily use.

Overall, if you're an iPhone user looking for a reliable and affordable smartwatch option, the Apple Watch SE 2 is definitely worth considering.

Read our full Apple Watch SE 2 review.

Best mid-range

The Google Pixel Watch 3 stands is a brilliant Android smartwatch with a sophisticated design that blends seamlessly into the Pixel ecosystem.

Its refined, slimmed-down look and narrower bezels give it a more modern appearance than its predecessor, while the improved screen brightness ensures it’s readable in all lighting conditions. This clarity is paired with a user-friendly interface that’s designed to make day-to-day usage smoother and more enjoyable, especially for those accustomed to Android's features.

Fitness enthusiasts will appreciate the enhanced integration with Fitbit, bringing a wealth of health insights and tracking options right to their wrist. The Pixel Watch 3 offers detailed metrics for activities like heart rate, sleep, and workout monitoring, making it suitable for casual users and serious athletes alike.

However, it’s worth noting that certain advanced features require a Fitbit Premium subscription, which might be a drawback for those looking for comprehensive functionality out of the box.

In terms of customisation, the watch's band mechanism allows for strap swaps, although some users might find the design a bit finicky. Nonetheless, for Android users invested in Google’s ecosystem, the Pixel Watch 3 is a polished and practical choice that combines style with a robust set of health-focused tools, positioning it as a strong competitor in the current smartwatch market.

Read our full Google Pixel Watch 3 review.

Best rugged

The Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro maintains a similar design to its predecessor, featuring a 1.43" OLED display with 466 x 466 resolution and an ultra-low-power display. Built to US-MIL-STD 810H standards, it offers 5 ATM water resistance and improved ruggedness with new bezel carvings. A major upgrade is the sapphire crystal glass, providing scratch resistance and durability.

The watch runs on the fast Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chipset and WearOS, offering a suite of Google and TicWatch apps. New features include snoring detection and advanced sleep insights. The watch crown is now functional, enhancing usability. The TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro supports over 100 professional workouts and offers accurate heart rate monitoring, though it's less suited for high-intensity interval training.

Despite its bulkiness, the watch provides excellent performance, with smooth navigation and a responsive interface. The battery life is impressive, lasting up to four days with the same 628 mAh battery as its predecessor. Fast Charge technology allows for quick recharging. However, the frequent switch to ULP display mode during workouts can be inconvenient.

Overall, a solid upgrade for those who missed out on the TicWatch Pro 5, offering durability, enhanced features, and robust performance.

Read our full Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro review.

Also consider: T3's best outdoor watch guide is full of durable wearables from Garmin, Coros and Amazfit. Most of them have excellent mapping features and work well with both Apple and Android smartphones.

Best for fitness tracking

The Garmin Venu 3 presents a refreshing option for those familiar with the brand's line of performance wearables. Providing straightforward yet impactful health and wellness guidance, it taps into a wealth of data and metrics it quietly gathers throughout the day and night.

For those seeking a deeper dive into fitness data, Garmin's Connect app offers an abundance of information. However, for those preferring a more casual approach, the watch can serve as a reliable companion, effortlessly guiding you through a healthy lifestyle.

While the design may not be groundbreaking, its discreet appearance allows it to seamlessly transition from casual outings to more formal occasions, making it suitable for both the gym and social gatherings.

What truly sets it apart is its user-friendly interface, which boasts intuitive menus that effortlessly present the desired information with minimal effort. For those in search of a versatile watch equipped with Garmin's renowned suite of health and wellness features, the Venu 3 stands out as one of the top choices available.

Read our full Garmin Venu 3 review.

Also consider: In our Garmin Venu 2 review, we called the predecessor of the Venu 3 a 'stunning fitness watch with amazing battery life and a beautiful AMOLED screen'. Even though the new model is out, the Garmin Venu 2 is still a solid choice for those smartwatch users who need a reliable training partner.

Best battery life

The Huawei Watch GT 4 is a really good smartwatch. The battery life is nothing short of amazing, and the user experience has also been refined (although it's still not perfect). The Huawei Health app could use a bit of tender loving care, but it's not impossible to navigate and generally does what it's supposed to do.

With the new design language, Huawei can finally start work on refining the finer details, improving user experience, and generally breaking away from following trends. Some of the trend following is still present (e.g. the 'all-new' activity rings look suspiciously similar to Apple's rings), but we are generally on the right path here.

The price is on point, which might help entice more people to use Huawei watches. From what we've been told, the company will focus its attention more on wearables going forward, so we're expecting to see even more innovation coming to Huawei watches.

Read our full Huawei Watch GT 4 review.

Also consider: The Watch GT 3 is a brilliant update over the Watch GT 2, and it was an excellent value-for-money wearable even at full price, let alone these days. Like similar Huawei watches, we'd recommend it to people who aren't keen on getting a diehard running watch but would like to have the option to track their physical activities accurately.

Best for sleep tracking

The Fitbit Sense 2 is an excellent health smartwatch, even better than its predecessor. It has a better stress tracking system, a more user-friendly interface, a physical button, and the same handsome design we all admire. Better still, the watch didn’t change the features that worked well, including passive activity tracking, sleep tracking, etc.

Sadly, some of the changes aren’t as welcome as others. The exclusion of WiFi support is a big no-no, not just because it makes music listening on the watch impossible, but because it also takes longer to update the watch. The fact that the WiFi integration is in the watch but cannot be turned on is nothing short of infuriating.

That said, it’s hard not to recommend the Fitbit Sense 2 as it’s just so pretty and user-friendly. Sure, it might be slower than the most cutting-edge wearables nowadays, and it certainly won’t replace the Garmin Forerunner 255 as anyone’s go-to training partner, but as a health-forward smartwatch, it’d be hard to find a better and more handsome option as the Fitbit Sense 2.

Read our full Fitbit Sense 2 review.

Best retro

Unless you're a G-Shock fan, you'll find better smartwatches for the same or less money than the Casio G-Shock DW-H5600. It's more like a digital watch with some smart features, like heart rate and basic exercise tracking, as well as notifications and breathing exercises. It's not much, but it's something.

If you are a G-Shock fan, the DW-H5600 is an exciting proposition, as it incorporates some health and fitness tracking and provides that same old-school G-Shock watch experience. If you like the look of the watch and wouldn't mind gaining access to some of your health data, by all means, get the watch. We'll be waiting patiently for an updated version that irons out the hardware and software issues. Hopefully, we won't have to wait for too long.

Read our full Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 review.

How to choose the best smartwatch for you

If you're struggling to choose a smartwatch, here are a few things to consider. In terms of compatibility, Apple Watches only work with iPhones, but smartwatches running Wear OS, Garmin and Fitbit are compatible with both Android and iPhone.

Smartwatch prices can range from very affordable to pretty expensive. Paying more will get you enhanced health and fitness tracking and build quality. Anything more expensive than an Apple Watch, and you're paying for prestige branding and exclusivity.

Battery life also varies from model to model, with the Apple Watch lagging behind the competition. If a maximum of 36 hours of battery life isn't good enough for you, then opt for Huawei, Fitbit or Garmin, which offer battery customisation options and often month-long battery life.

All smartwatches will do some level of fitness tracking these days, but if you're training for a marathon or triathlon then you'll want a more serious running watch from Garmin or Polar. Most smartwatches have at least a heart rate sensor, and some of them can measure ECG, blood oxygen, EDA (stress), monitor sleep etc. The Huawei Watch D can measure blood pressure on the wrist.

All smartwatches have Bluetooth and a few even boast built-in WiFi – that's how they connect to your smartphone. Some have a 4G/Cellular connection as well, which means you can stream music, and receive messages and calls, even if you've left your phone at home. It costs extra and probably isn't worth it for most.

If you're looking to buy a smartwatch for your child, then check out T3's guide to the best smartwatch for kids, because while an Apple Watch or Samsung might be okay for teenagers, they certainly aren't ideal for younger children.

And finally, while most of these smartwatches will count your steps, track your workouts, and measure your heart rate if you're really serious about exercise (like training for a marathon serious), then we suggest you take a look at the best running watches, best fitness trackers or best outdoor watches.

How we test the best smartwatches

We spend a lot of time reviewing the latest smartwatches, so when it comes to recommending what smartwatch to buy, you can be safe in the knowledge that we'll recommend the best options for you.

We'll usually spend a week or longer testing the latest smartwatches. We try out the very latest features to see if they work and if they're useful. This might be a new health monitoring tool, a new fitness tracking mode, or how comfortable a new strap is. We test everything in-depth, so if it's a new fitness feature, for example, we'll get our fitness editor to review it thoroughly.

All of these new features also get tested alongside everything a smartwatch should be classically good at, such as how bright and clear the display is, how reliable the smartphone connection is, how long the battery lasts, and how comfortable it is to wear every day.

Once the initial review period is complete, we'll publish a full review, give the smartwatch a star rating, and add an abridged review to this guide. If the smartwatch is then substantially updated after our initial review, we might choose to revisit that model to see if we need to change our verdict.

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