Best 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.
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Quick answer
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. Best for iPhone: Apple Watch Series 12, $399. Best for Android: Google Pixel Watch 5, $399.99.
Last updated Prices checked Nov 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for iPhone | Apple Watch Series 12 | iPhone owners | 42mm $399 / 46mm $449; cellular $499 / $549 (Apple) |
| Best for Android | Google Pixel Watch 5 | Android | 41mm $399.99 ($499.99 LTE); 45mm $429.99 |
| Best budget | Apple Watch SE 3 | budget iPhone | From $249 (Apple) |
We compared these watches using Apple’s, Google’s and Samsung’s product pages, plus WIRED[8] and Wareable[7] reviews, with prices checked November 2026. Your phone decides most of this: Apple Watch needs an iPhone, and Galaxy and Pixel watches need Android. For a head-to-head, see Apple Watch Series 12 vs Galaxy Watch9.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| Watch | Works with | From | Rated battery | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Series 12 | iPhone | $399 | 24h (38h Low Power) | IPhone owners |
| Apple Watch SE 3 | iPhone | $249 | 18h | Budget iPhone |
| Apple Watch Ultra 4 | iPhone | $799 | 50h (84h Low Power) | Outdoors |
| Google Pixel Watch 5 | Android | $399.99 (41mm) / $429.99 (45mm) | 30h (41mm) / 40h (45mm) with always-on; 48h/72h Battery Saver | Android |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch9 | Android | $379.99 (40mm); $409.99 (44mm) | About a day (GSMArena, 40mm) | Samsung phones |
| Garmin Vivoactive 6 | iPhone and Android | $299 | Up to 11 days (5 always-on) | Battery life |
The picks in detail
1. Apple Watch Series 12
Best for: iPhone ownersApple’s thinnest Apple Watch comes in 42mm and 46mm sizes, with hypertension and sleep apnea notifications, a Readiness score and 5G on cellular models. Apple rates it at 24 hours (38 in Low Power Mode). Wareable[7] got about 30–35 hours in typical use but lists battery life that barely improved and wider bezels as cons.
Price (Nov 2026): 42mm $399 / 46mm $449; cellular $499 / $549 (Apple) Source
Pros
- Best iPhone integration
- Health notifications
- Thin
Cons
- Battery about a day
- Needs an iPhone
2. Google Pixel Watch 5
Best for: AndroidGoogle rates the 41mm at 30 hours and the 45mm at 40 hours with the always-on display on (48 and 72 hours in Battery Saver), and says it charges to 50% in about 15 minutes. It adds dual-frequency GPS and UWB, and LTE models get Satellite SOS. Google’s store lists the 41mm at $399.99 and the 45mm at $429.99, with LTE $100 more ($499.99 for the 41mm).
Price (Nov 2026): 41mm $399.99 ($499.99 LTE); 45mm $429.99 Source
Pros
- Longest battery of the big three
- Fast charging
- Dual-frequency GPS
Cons
- Android only
3. Samsung Galaxy Watch9
Best for: Samsung phonesSamsung’s 8.6mm watch uses the Snapdragon Wear Elite chip and Gemini. GSMArena’s[9] 40mm review unit lasted a little over 24 hours with a three-hour GPS hike, and less than a day with always-on display. It costs $379.99 (40mm) or about $410 (44mm), and LTE adds $50.
Price (Nov 2026): From $379.99 (40mm Bluetooth); LTE $429.99 Source
Pros
- Thin
- Gemini built in
- Best with Galaxy phones
Cons
- Android only
- Battery life is only about a day
4. Apple Watch SE 3
Best for: budget iPhoneThe cheapest current Apple Watch, from $249, with an 18-hour rated battery. Good for notifications, fitness and safety features.
Price (Nov 2026): From $249 (Apple) Source
Pros
- Lowest Apple Watch price
Cons
- Shortest battery here
5. Apple Watch Ultra 4
Best for: outdoorsA 49mm titanium Apple Watch with satellite features and a 50-hour battery (84 hours in Low Power Mode), for $799.
Price (Nov 2026): $799 (Apple) Source
Pros
- Multi-day battery
- Rugged titanium
- Satellite
Cons
- Expensive
- Large
6. Garmin Vivoactive 6
Best for: battery lifeWIRED’s[8] best overall fitness tracker works with iPhone and Android, lasts up to 11 days (5 with always-on display) and doesn’t require a subscription. More in best fitness trackers.
Price (Nov 2026): $299 Source
Pros
- 11-day battery
- Works with any phone
- No subscription required
Cons
- Fewer smart features than Apple or Google
Also considered
If you mainly want activity and sleep tracking, a band or ring is cheaper and lasts longer. See best fitness trackers.
Pick by phone first
Apple Watch only pairs with an iPhone. Pixel and Galaxy watches only work with Android, and some Galaxy health features need a Samsung phone. Garmin works with both. If you’re also choosing a phone, see best phones.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best smartwatch?
Which smartwatch has the best battery life?
Does the Apple Watch work with Android?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Nov 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- Apple Store: Buy Apple Watch Series 12 (per-size prices) (apple.com)
- Apple Watch Series 12 (apple.com)
- Apple Watch SE 3 (apple.com)
- Apple Watch Ultra 4 (apple.com)
- Samsung Galaxy Watch9 (samsung.com)
- Google Pixel Watch 5 (store.google.com)
- Wareable: Apple Watch Series 12 review (wareable.com)
- WIRED: Best fitness trackers (wired.com)
- GSMArena: Galaxy Watch9 review (gsmarena.com)
Related
The 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.
best ofBest 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.
best ofBest 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.
best ofBest 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.
best ofBest 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.
best ofWhich 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.
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.
best ofBest 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.
best ofBest 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.
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.
best ofBest 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.
best ofBest Phones of 2026
The iPhone 17 and Pixel 11 both start at $899 and are the best flagship values. Spend more for zoom, or less with the $599 Pixel 10a.
best ofBest Wireless Earbuds
Your phone decides most of this: AirPods Pro 3 for iPhone, Galaxy Buds4 Pro for Samsung. Sony and Bose lead on sound and noise cancelling, and you can spend under $100 and still get ANC.
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.