Key takeaways
- Best overall: Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) ($379 – $429).
- Best value: Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) ($229 – $279).
- Choose a watch that works with your phone: some only pair with one platform.
In this article
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There are hundreds of smartwatches on sale, and many look the same on paper. We compared the models that matter in the US and gave each one a clear verdict: buy, consider or skip.
Prices are typical ranges, not live prices. The button on each pick opens the current price.
Quick answer
- Best overall: Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) ($379 – $429)
- Best value: Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) ($229 – $279)
- Premium pick: Garmin Fenix 8 ($1,000 – $1,200)
Smartwatches compared
| Product | Verdict | Score | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) | Buy | 9.1/10 | $379 – $429 |
| Apple Watch Series 10 | Buy | 9.0/10 | $400 – $500 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 2 | Buy | 9.0/10 | $750 – $800 |
| Garmin Fenix 8 | Buy | 8.9/10 | $1,000 – $1,200 |
| Garmin Forerunner 265 | Buy | 8.8/10 | $299 – $449 |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch8 (40mm, Bluetooth) | Buy | 8.7/10 | $299 – $349 |
| Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) | Buy | 8.6/10 | $229 – $279 |
| Google Pixel Watch 4 (41mm) | Buy | 8.5/10 | $349 – $399 |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch7 | Consider | 8.2/10 | $250 – $330 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 3 | Consider | 7.9/10 | $749 – $799 |
Our picks in detail
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm)
iPhone owners · Verdict: Buy · Score: 9.1/10 · Typical price: $379 – $429
Why we like it: Best all-round smartwatch for iPhone, now with longer battery.
Pros: Smooth, bright always-on display · Strong health features including ECG and sleep score · Battery rated for up to 24 hours · Huge app and band selection
Cons: iPhone only · Daily or near-daily charging
Buy it if you use an iPhone and want the most polished smartwatch for workouts, health alerts, sleep and notifications.
Skip it if you use an Android phone; Apple Watch only works with iPhone.
Apple Watch Series 10
Verdict: Buy · Score: 9.0/10 · Typical price: $400 – $500
A safe choice: Apple Watch Series 10 earns a buy verdict with a score of 9.0/10, at a typical price of $400 – $500.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Verdict: Buy · Score: 9.0/10 · Typical price: $750 – $800
A safe choice: Apple Watch Ultra 2 earns a buy verdict with a score of 9.0/10, at a typical price of $750 – $800.
Garmin Fenix 8
Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.9/10 · Typical price: $1,000 – $1,200
For most people, Garmin Fenix 8 is worth its usual price of $1,000 – $1,200. Our score: 8.9/10.
Garmin Forerunner 265
Runners · Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.8/10 · Typical price: $299 – $449
Why we like it: Multi-day battery and serious training data.
Pros: Long battery life · Accurate GPS with multi-band support · Excellent training metrics · Works with iPhone and Android
Cons: Limited third-party apps · No speaker for calls
Buy it if you run or train seriously and want accurate GPS, training readiness and a battery that lasts about two weeks.
Skip it if you want a smartwatch first, with lots of apps, calls and a voice assistant.
Samsung Galaxy Watch8 (40mm, Bluetooth)
Android owners · Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.7/10 · Typical price: $299 – $349
Why we like it: Slim, bright watch with strong health tracking.
Pros: Thinner, lighter design · Bright AMOLED display · Gemini voice assistant built in · Detailed sleep coaching
Cons: About a day and a half of battery · Some health features need a Samsung phone
Buy it if you use an Android phone, especially a Galaxy, and want a full-featured smartwatch with good sleep and health tracking.
Skip it if you use an iPhone; Galaxy Watch does not support iPhone.
Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm)
Value Apple Watch · Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.6/10 · Typical price: $229 – $279
Why we like it: Core Apple Watch features for much less.
Pros: Fast chip and always-on display · Crash and fall detection · Much cheaper than Series 11
Cons: Fewer health sensors · Smaller screen options
Buy it if you want an Apple Watch for activity, notifications and safety features without paying for the flagship.
Skip it if you want ECG, a blood-oxygen sensor or the largest screen.
Google Pixel Watch 4 (41mm)
Pixel and Fitbit fans · Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.5/10 · Typical price: $349 – $399
Why we like it: Fitbit tracking in a sleek domed watch.
Pros: Bright domed display · Fitbit health and sleep tracking · Faster charging than before
Cons: Some features need Fitbit Premium · Android only
Buy it if you use an Android phone, like Fitbit-style health tracking and want a clean, modern design.
Skip it if you want multi-day battery life or the lowest price.
Samsung Galaxy Watch7
Verdict: Consider · Score: 8.2/10 · Typical price: $250 – $330
Samsung Galaxy Watch7 is worth considering if it suits your needs exactly or drops below its usual $250 – $330, but it is not our first choice.
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Outdoor adventurers on iPhone · Verdict: Consider · Score: 7.9/10 · Typical price: $749 – $799
Why we like it: Rugged titanium case and multi-day battery.
Pros: Large, very bright display · Rugged titanium case · Battery rated up to 42 hours · Satellite messaging on cellular model
Cons: Expensive · Big and heavy on small wrists
Buy it if you hike, dive or travel off-grid with an iPhone and want the toughest Apple Watch with the longest battery.
Skip it if you mainly need fitness and notifications; the Series 11 does that for about half the price.
What to check before you buy
- Choose a watch that works with your phone: some only pair with one platform.
- Battery life ranges from one day to two weeks; decide which features are worth daily charging.
- Check health tracking (heart rate, sleep, GPS) and whether the data needs a subscription.
What to skip
Common mistake: Buying a feature-packed watch you will not want to charge every night.
When to buy
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November. Last year's model or the lighter 'SE' versions give most features for less.
Compare more options
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Related reading
Frequently asked questions
What are the best smartwatches in the US?
Our top pick is Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) (typically $379 – $429). For the best value, choose Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) (typically $229 – $279).
What should I check before buying smartwatches?
Choose a watch that works with your phone: some only pair with one platform. Battery life ranges from one day to two weeks; decide which features are worth daily charging.
When is the best time to buy smartwatches in the US?
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November.
What is the most common mistake when buying smartwatches?
Buying a feature-packed watch you will not want to charge every night.