The 9 Best Smartwatches You Can Buy in 2026

ProsOur go-to Apple Watch for most iPhone usersImproved sensing over previous generation watchesBoth aluminum and titanium cases look so goodConsAudio Intelligence features are still forthcomingMost regular people I know have iPhones. It’s an American thing, first and foremost, but in New York City especially, it’s undeniable. iPhones are every-fucking-where. This means the easiest, and likely best, smartwatch for all y’all is the Apple Watch. The Series 12 is the newest watch release from Apple and our commerce editor Luke Guillory calls it a “huge upgrade” over last year’s series.Aided by updates to Apple Health that include new Readiness scores, the Series 12 watch boasts a whole new design for its sensing system. The result is more accuracy, and a higher volume of readings and measurements per minute. This watch measures your heartbeat every five seconds and gives you Heart Rate Variability (HRV) readings every five minutes. All this and the battery life is much improved over previous generations, not reduced.ProsGreat priceBasic health and fitness trackingTakes advantage of Apple Health app updatesConsTechnically not as accurate or advanced as the Series 12 or UltraI was indoctrinated as an Apple Watch guy years ago, and I'll be here until I die or abandon iPhone life (which may be sooner than later). The watch that did it? A second-generation SE. The most up-to-date version of Apple’s budget watch is even better now.The Apple Watch SE 3 is the baseline of what I expect from an Apple Watch. It's an accurate and predictive workout tracker. It counts my steps and activity and connects to my phone to play music and receive messages and calls. It comes with an aluminum case (no titanium or ceramic option here), but that takes a lot of unnecessary decision making out of the process. If you’re new to the Apple Watch and want to dip your toes, this is where I recommend you start.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsSame advanced tracking as Series 12Perfect for diving, hiking, outdoor adventures GPS sattelite capability ConsA bit big and bulky on the wrist for everyday wearWhile the new Ultra Apple Watch isn’t as much of a breakthrough as the Series 12, it’s already easier and more affordable than the last gen version. Such is the way with Apple launches. If you’re going to get the more rugged, outdoor-centric Apple Watch you might as well get the brand spanking new one.All the improvements to the sensors and tracking you’ll find in the Series 12 are also present here. And like the Apple Watch Ultras before it, you get the best in dive and ruggedness specs, as well as the same satellite capabilities that put it in the same category (and price range) as a Garmin. As an added bonus, the rubber dive band this watch comes with by default is by far the best Apple has crafted yet.ProsBest designed display on an Android watchWorks with any Android phoneGoogle Health is good enough for most peopleConsWith the new Apple Watches, this now has the worst battery life of a leading smartwatchI’ve always loved how sensible and comfortable the shape of the Pixel Watch is. A bezel-less, circular design makes just as much sense as its intuitive Apple Watch-like interface. Plus, it’s one of the most comfortable watches to sleep in.Health tracking and activity detection are up to industry standards. Google Health may not go as hard as Whoop or Garmin, but it’s definitely on par with Apple Health, if not better. The only real bad thing I can say about it is with the Apple Watch Series 12, the battery life now lags behind its competitors. You’ll be lucky to get four days out of it—especially if you’re sleeping in it.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsDurable and dive readyTons of cutting edge features like AI voice assistance and sleep coachingConsAdvanced features limited to Samsung phonesGoogle doesn’t make an ultra version of its Pixel watch, so if you want something a bit more rugged out of your Android smartwatch, you’ll have to go Samsung. Thankfully, the second gen Galaxy Watch Ultra is a durable, feature-rich smartwatch that is much more newbie friendly than a Garmin or any of the inferior third party brands. If you aren’t serious about your fitness or going diving and rock climbing every week, you probably aren’t the target audience for this watch. If you are, you’ll find a ton to love. An exceptional display, AI voice assistance, and personalized coaching only scratches the surface.The major caveat here is that if you don’t have a Samsung phone, you may get a little FOMO. Even though the watch works with a Pixel, or really any modern Android, phone, a bunch of features are limited to Galaxy phone users. The biggest of the bunch being sleep-apnea detection and blood pressure monitoring. It certainly doesn’t make the watch useless, but for the fullest experience possible, get a Galaxy phone.ProsLooks great for the priceTons of workout and activity tracking optionsSubscription-freeWhen it comes to smartwatches on the lower end of the spectrum, Amazfit has continually delivered for me. The Balance and Active watch lines are especially good for basic workout and sleep tracking without any sub fees. Personally I think they look better than any other smartwatch at this price point. A nice band (like the one included with this Active 3) can easily dress it up enough for going into the office.The workout tracking and activity detection on the Amazfit watch is sufficient. It all goes to the Zepp app, which isn’t my favorite. I check in on it every now and then and while it’s gotten better, it seems difficult to compete with an Apple or Samsung level of resources. But if you don’t care as much about the software side and want some impressive hardware on your wrist, the Amazfit Active 3 will fit the bill and look good doing it. Plus, you never have to pay a penny for a subscription.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsGreat for making workout routines and giving training plansPhysical buttonsBattery life of a week plusConsMore for athletics than lifestyleFor serious athletes, I always recommend Garmin. They aren’t as seamlessly integrated into your phone’s ecosystem as other first-party watches. If you love the Apple watch for reading texts, making calls, or controlling your smart home, well, Garmin isn’t for you. If you care about your activity, and need a device to help you get even more out of it, this is where to go.Of all the smartwatches out there, Garmin’s Forerunner line is the best for runners. This 165 is a great starting place for anyone new to the brand and it wont cost $1,000 like some of the more over-the-top Garmin options. The Forerunner 165 is rugged and waterproof, and offers both touchscreen controls and real buttons (because in the heat of the moment, you need buttons). The workout tracking can detect dozens of different activities, and when you’re done you can shift your focus to recovery time. All of this for under $250.You can get more complicated, but it’s not necessary. I’ve recommended the Forerunner 265s before and it’s an arguably better watch in some ways, but for the price it’s hard to beat the simplicity and value of the 165.ProsThe suite of Garmin features we know and love Flashlight, speakers for calls, and the worksSolar powered chargingThis is what I was talking about with how incredibly tricked-out Garmin watches can get. The Fenix 8 is last years top of the line model loaded with insane features like a built-in flashlight, built-in speakers, and a whopping 32 gigs of storage. Truly unnecessary stuff for most people, but some guys want to know they are getting the best... just in case. This is the best Garmin makes, with advanced GPS map navigation and support for off-grid activity if you find yourself in an emergency with no cell service.The twist is in addition to regular power charging, this watch can charge on solar power. That can make a real difference when you’re relying on your watch to be your GPS, hydration tracker, and general lifeline. On those big hike days, the sunlight will be the only thing you need to keep your super watch charged and ready to help you in a pinch.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsThree day battery lifeDiscreet, with a linked steel bandConsNot for those after cutting edge techSome nicer smartwatches can briefly pass as a smartwatch but for something that’s both a real deal Swiss watch and a fitness tracker, you gotta go hybrid. This TAG Heuer watch is one of the few examples that really ticks all those boxes.As a smartwatch, it can monitor your heart rate and vitals, sending all your data to an app where you can digest it all. A thirty minute charge gives three days of battery life, which is excellent. But that’s not why you’re here. You’re here because it looks like this. The steel linked band is what gives this specific TAG Heuer hybrid that extra touch of luxury. On the whole, the vibe is impeccable. Nobody will know you’re wearing tech unless they know what to look for.Tips on How to ChooseSo many of these watches look the same, and their feature lists? Also identical. So here are some quick pointers that will make the decision-making process a bit easier.What kind of phone you have? Some smartwatches are compatible only with certain types of smartphones. The obvious example is that Apple Watches can only talk to other Apple devices. I certainly would never recommend one to someone who doesn’t have an iPhone. Alternatively, the Android-based Pixel and Galaxy watches are technically compatible with all Android phones but not iPhones. However, these tend to differ more on a case-by-case basis. For example, I'd be hard-pressed to recommend the Galaxy Watch to anyone without a Galaxy phone, whereas the Pixel Watch works great with all Androids, not just the Pixel. Most third-party watches support both, but it's always worth checking before you buy, just in case.How much are you willing to pay? Smartwatches can cost anywhere from $100 to $1,200 at this point. Frankly, we don't think most people need to spend more than $500 on a regular smartwatch. You can easily get a regular Apple Watch or Pixel Watch for that. If you want to go more rugged (mostly for diving TBH), you’ll have to spend more like $700-800. Anything greater than that is for extra luxury. How does it look? How a watch looks is actually as important as you think it is. If you don't like the visual design of a watch, you are going to actively avoid wearing it. Picking something that suits your style, whether you spend your evenings on the court or at cocktail hour, is paramount to finding the right fit.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowFrequently Asked QuestionsWhat's the difference between smartwatches and fitness trackers? In general, the biggest difference is form factor. Fitness trackers can be as small as a slim Fitbit or even a smart ring. They track your heart rate and other vitals as well as help monitor your sleep and daily activities. Sometimes they can tell you the time, but often that's not important.Smartwatches, on the other hand, are often bulkier and have more technology. They always have larger, wrist-width screens and send you notifications when you get calls or texts. Smartwatches can have all the fitness tracking tech that's inside fitness trackers as well. As a result, they tend to cost more than fitness trackers.What is "always-on display"?Many of these smartwatches boast an "always-on display." This means that when your device is in sleep mode, it can still show you a limited amount of information, often including the time, date, and weather. The downside is these tend to consume a lot more battery when the functionality is turned on.