Smartwatches & Fitness Trackers
Research-based smartwatch and fitness tracker guides built from official spec pages, current US prices and published reviews: Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch, Pixel Watch, Fitbit, Garmin and smart rings.
Buying guides
Best Smart Rings of 2026
The Oura Ring 5 is the best smart ring, but it needs a $5.99/month membership. The RingConn Gen 2 Air is the best no-subscription pick at $199, and the Galaxy Ring is for Samsung phone owners.
Buying guideBest Smartwatches
If you have an iPhone, get an Apple Watch Series 12 (or the SE 3 to save money). On Android, the Pixel Watch 5 has the best battery life of the big three, and the Galaxy Watch9 is the pick for Samsung phones.
Buying guideBest Android Smartwatches in 2026
The Pixel Watch 5 is the best Android smartwatch for most people. Samsung phone owners should get the Galaxy Watch9, and the OnePlus Watch 3 lasts the longest between charges.
Buying guideWhich Apple Watch Should You Buy in 2026?
The Series 12 (from $399) is the right Apple Watch for most iPhone owners. The SE 3 (from $249) saves $150 if you can skip some health features, and the Ultra 4 ($799) is for battery life and outdoor sports.
Buying guideThe Best Smart Glasses in 2026
For AI glasses with a camera, both WIRED and Tom’s Guide pick the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 ($379 from Meta). For a virtual screen to watch or work on, both pick the Viture Beast ($549). If Meta’s privacy record worries you, WIRED suggests the camera-free Even Realities G2.
Buying guideBest Budget Smartwatches in 2026
TechRadar’s best cheap smartwatch is the $99 Amazfit Active 2. iPhone owners should get the Apple Watch SE 3, and the CMF Watch 3 Pro is the cheapest pick at about $79.
Buying guideBest Garmin Watch for Running in 2026
The Forerunner 570 is the Garmin for most serious runners at $549.99. The 970 adds maps, ECG and a flashlight for $749.99. New runners should look at the $249 Forerunner 70 or $299 Forerunner 170.
Buying guideBest Fitbit to Buy in 2026
WIRED’s top Fitbit is the $99.99 Fitbit Air, a 12-gram screenless band. The Charge 6 is the best Fitbit with a screen for beginners, and the Inspire 3 is the cheapest.
Buying guideBest Samsung Galaxy Watch to Buy in 2026
The Galaxy Watch9 (from $379.99) is the best Galaxy Watch for most Android users. Get the Watch8 Classic for a rotating bezel, the Ultra2 for the biggest battery and dive features, or a discounted Watch7 to save money.
Buying guideBest Garmin Watches of 2026
The Vivoactive 6 is the best Garmin for most people at $300. Runners should get the Forerunner 970, and the Fenix 8 is the best outdoor watch if you can afford it.
Buying guideBest Fitness Trackers
The Garmin Vivoactive 6 is the best overall, the screenless Fitbit Air is the value pick, and the Oura Ring 5 is the best if you don’t want anything on your wrist.
Comparisons
Garmin Forerunner 970 vs Fenix 8
The Forerunner 970 is Garmin’s premium runner watch at $749.99. The Fenix 8 starts at $999.99 and adds rugged multisport DNA.
ComparisonApple Watch Ultra 4 vs Garmin Fenix 8 Pro
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is the better everyday smartwatch for iPhone owners. The Garmin fēnix 8 Pro lasts far longer between charges, works with Android too, and goes deeper on training and navigation.
ComparisonGoogle Pixel Watch 5 vs Fitbit Charge 6
Both are Google wearables with ECG, skin temperature tracking and Google’s health tools. The Pixel Watch 5 is a full smartwatch with Gemini and about a day and a half of battery. The Charge 6 is a slim, cheaper band that lasts up to 7 days.
ComparisonGoogle Pixel Watch 5 vs Apple Watch Series 12
Both start around $400, but your phone decides: the Pixel Watch 5 needs Android and the Apple Watch needs an iPhone. On paper the Pixel lasts longer.
ComparisonApple Watch Series 12 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch9
Your phone decides: Apple Watch needs an iPhone, and the Galaxy Watch9 needs Android. Both are thin flagships, and neither lasts much more than a day.
ComparisonGarmin Forerunner 570 vs Forerunner 970
Both watches have bright AMOLED screens, a speaker and microphone, and Garmin’s training tools. The 970 adds offline topographic maps, ECG, an LED flashlight, a sapphire lens with a titanium bezel, and longer battery life, for $200 more.
ComparisonApple Watch Series 12 vs Apple Watch Ultra 4
Both run the new S11 chip and watchOS 27 and have the same health tracking. The Ultra 4 costs twice as much, and for that you get roughly double the battery life, a brighter 49mm screen, dual-frequency GPS, 5G, satellite SOS and a 40-meter depth gauge.
ComparisonFitbit vs Garmin
Fitbit is the affordable everyday choice for health and sleep tracking, from the screenless $100 Fitbit Air to the $160 Charge 6. Garmin is the sports and outdoor choice: WIRED calls the Fenix 8 the best sports watch any of its reviewers has worn, and Garmin Connect is free.
ComparisonOura vs Ultrahuman
Get the Oura Ring 5 for a slimmer ring and better sleep tracking. Get the Ultrahuman Ring Pro for twice the battery life and no required subscription.
ComparisonPixel Watch 5 vs Galaxy Watch9
Get the Pixel Watch 5 for Gemini and longer battery life on the 45mm size. Get the Galaxy Watch9 if you have a Samsung phone, want to spend less, or want body composition tracking.
ComparisonWhoop 5.0 vs Oura Ring 5
Whoop has no upfront hardware cost but needs a $199–$359 yearly membership. The Oura Ring 5 costs $399 upfront plus $69.99 a year. Whoop focuses on training strain and recovery; Oura is a discreet ring focused on sleep and readiness.
ComparisonGarmin vs Apple Watch
Garmin watches last days to weeks and work with iPhone and Android. The Apple Watch has better smart features and calls but needs an iPhone and lasts about a day (Series 12) or two (Ultra 4).
ComparisonOura Ring 5 vs Samsung Galaxy Ring
The Oura Ring 5 is WIRED’s best smart ring and works with iPhone and Android, but most insights need a $5.99/month membership. The Galaxy Ring costs less (from $299.99), has no subscription and is for Android, especially Samsung phones.