The best smartwatch for fitness, apps and beyond
Ditch the Rolex in favour of one of our favourite smartwatches you can buy (which do plenty more than simply tell the time)
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The best smartwatches of the last few years blur that weir line between super-powered smartphone alternatives and fitness-tracking coaches all from your timepiece. How? it's not just about telling the time and delivering a few notifications, it's about ordering Ubers and taking phone calls using voice control and getting that much-needed January motivation to get out and train with actionable advice and pro-grade metric tracking. This last year has been a bumper 12 months of top-quality wearables, and you're pretty much spoiled for choice for which kind of watch to go for, and your decision will largely be dictated by where your allegiances lie with your smartphone.
Take a quick glance across the internet and you’ll notice upgrades to Samsung’s offerings with the Galaxy Watch 5 and 5 Pro series, Apple graced our wrists with two new models, the Series 8 and the Watch Ultra models, and more fitness-centric options from Garmin and Fitbit balance your workout goals with your Deliveroo delivery status all from your arm.
With all that said, it's a big decision to find the right one for you, be that a jack-of-all-trades type from Apple for iPhone users or more of a workout companion with a few extra features like Garmin's Marq series, so you've got a lot to think about to figure out if you'd prefer a top-spec military-grade smart companion or a new timepiece to accompany you to the gym.
Sure, a Patek Phillippe on your wrist might impress some people, but can it call you an Uber, fire off a text, or catch you up on the latest footy scores? Don’t lie, it can’t. Smartwatches are the next level in convenient wristwear, becoming your assistant, organiser and personal trainer.
The best smartwatches are so much more than glorified fitness trackers as well, no matter what your mates tell you. Sure, they are stuffed full of health-related features like heart-rate sensors, GPS, running statistics, and step counting, and that’s great if you need a kick out the door to get moving, but what we’re all interested in is enjoying using your smartphone from your wrist.
What's the best smartwatch for 2024?
The Apple Watch has never truly been dethroned from the top spot over all these years, and its latest incarnation is no exception. If you've got an iPhone, this is the best smartwatch by far, with enhanced safety and health features (including crash detection) and all the smarts you need to pretty much run your life from your wrist.
You know you're getting quality when tech companies put “Pro” at the end of a device name. Samsung's latest premium edition of the Galaxy Watch is right at the apex of what Android is capable of. It's lost some weight on the older models but is smarter, more versatile and lasts longer –exactly what you need from your new favourite wearable.
Not to be outdone by the likes of Samsung, Garmin and Fitbit, Apple has unveiled the ultimate watch in the popular wearable series. Solid titanium chassis? Check. Water resistance to 100m for deep-sea divers? You betcha. The ability to detect if you've been in a car crash and notify authorities? Ready and waiting in case the worst happens. This is the tip top of Apple's offering, with the price tag to boot.
For something a little different, Google's minimalist circular piece is winning over fans for the gorgeous design and impressive features that just about keep up with the big boys of Apple and Samsung. Perfect if you're working with a Google Pixel phone, you get instant, steady connectivity, a wealth of fitness features and sync up with your handset, all from a rather handsome device.
- Best smartwatch overall: Apple Watch Series 8, £449 at johnlewis.com
- Best smartwatch for long battery life: Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, £329 at samsung.com
- Best smartwatch for athletes and extreme sports: Apple Watch Ultra, £819 at ee.co.uk
- Best Android smartwatch for most people: Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, £329 at samsung.com
- Best Google-powered smartwatch: Google Pixel Watch, £369 at ee.co.uk
- Best small, affordable smartwatch: Apple Watch SE, £249 at currys.co.uk
What’s the difference between a smartwatch and a sports watch or fitness tracker?
Smartwatches straddle that extremely thin line between a dedicated fitness tracker and a tiny smartphone on your wrist, which can confuse the uninitiated. Basic fitness trackers will limit themselves to just managing your heart rate, step count, or calorie intake, and will struggle to do much more than that. These are great for measuring your movements throughout the day, but if you want notifications, texts on the go, and wearable gaming, then you’ll want a proper smartwatch.
Because of all their extra brains inside, smartwatches are significantly more expensive overall but include all the good stuff like wireless music streaming, instant alerts, and the ability to make phone calls without your phone.
They’ll have more connectivity options beyond just Bluetooth (like NFC and Wi-Fi), while retaining all the fitness features and sleep tracking smarts you'd expect. They also tend to pack in fancier features, like rotating bezels and wireless payment options like Google Pay.
They’re what we’ve tested below, whereas the best running watches, best fitness trackers and best heart rate monitors are more bothered about improving your PBs via more detailed health features. If that sounds more like your bag, then go for a Garmin Forerunner or Fēnix 7 instead. Expecting Samsung's Galaxy Watch to do this stuff is akin to bringing a shotgun to an archery contest; the finesse just isn’t there.
That's not to say these smartwatches aren't also comfortable in the gym, it's just not where the focus lies, and if you're taking your training more seriously, you're better off hunting for the properly dedicated devices.
Does it matter what phone I have?
Even the most essential smartwatches we’ve tested here are best thought of as an extension to your phone, so mixing your smartphone and watch brands is like using a square peg in a round hole. For example, you’ll struggle to get the most out of an Apple Watch if you’re using an Android-powered phone such as a Samsung, Huawei or Google Pixel.
And if you have an iPhone but want to strap on a Samsung Galaxy Watch? Then you’ll lose a chunk of functionality including the ability to reply to messages and use Samsung Pay. So, yeah, the phone you own and its compatibility with the operating system it runs will dictate what your smartwatch can do; it's worth bearing in mind if you're an iPhone user, or firmly in the Google Assistant-toting Android camp.
Can you make phone calls on a smartwatch?
Both the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch are available with or without a 4G SIM LTE connection that allows them to make calls, send texts and use data independently of your phone. As you can probably guess, this option ranks more as a nice-to-have than an essential upgrade. If you do have the necessary funds, then having a dedicated data plan for your smartwatch is legitimately useful, as you can head out for a run without taking your phone with you and keep your playlist going with just your watch.
Some watches are better than others for calling up mates without your phone, but we do still think it’s worth pulling out your blower to chat instead of using a gadget on your wrist. If not for your sake then everyone else surrounding you, at least.
How we test smartwatches
We tested these smartwatches by putting them through the rigours of modern life, checking how long they last on a single charge, and how easy it is to pay contactless or use smart features like voice assistant. We tested third-party apps like Uber and Sky Sports to see how easy it is to sync up accounts and we wore them during various workouts from indoor swims, long-distance cycle sessions and 5K runs to see the quality of the GPS tracking and fitness tracking.
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Shop GQ's pick of the best smartwatches for 2024…
1/14Apple Watch Series 8
Pros: Enhanced safety features including crash detection | Skin temperature sensor | Improved compass app
Cons: Not a particularly exciting upgrade on the Series 7 | £50 more expensive than the Series 7 was upon release
- Battery life: Up to 18 hours
- Operating System: watchOS
- Size: 41mm / 45mm
- Heart rate sensor: Yes
- Waterproof: IP6X (up to 50m for 30 minutes and fully dustproof)
Like the unerring march of time, cold winter weather and a poorly run British political system, Apple has released one more Watch to the growing family of wearables, and once again, it’s an iterative update on what came before. In our Apple Watch Series 8 review, we felt like this is more of an Apple Watch Series 7.5, adding some nice-to-have features to an already rock-solid watch, but not really getting our well-measured blood pumping.
Perhaps paving the way for the more drastic changes with the Watch Ultra, the Watch 8 is largely the same shape, design and prospect as the below Watch 7. This time though, you’ll notice some additional safety and health features, including a crash detection sensor to alert authorities to any accidents, a skin temperature tracker that can be useful for prospective parents looking to conceive and a more comprehensive Compass app for better navigation. Although not much has changed, be in no doubt: this is still the king of smartwatches by quite some distance. That makes it an excellent pick if you’re rocking an iPhone, looking to augment your fitness from your wrist and you’re not some sort of ultra-endurance athlete who would get a kick out of the more premium Ultra. From £419. At ee.co.uk, johnlewis.com, amazon.co.uk & apple.com
2/14Apple Watch Ultra
Pros: Sturdier, more durable and improved water resistance | Larger size and brighter display
Cons: Double the price of any other Apple smartwatch | Likely to be overkill for many
- Battery life: Up to 36 hours (up to 60 hours with low power mode)
- Operating System: watchOS
- Size: 41mm / 45mm
- Heart rate sensor: Yes
- Waterproof: IP6X and up to 100m water resistant
So this is where Apple is storing all the upgrades likely meant for the Series 8. The Ultra is the real deal for premium smart features and next-level activity tracking and Apple’s peak smartwatch overall. How is it better? Well for starters it’s got double the battery life, a larger, sturdier chassis, a more capable design to content with deep sea diving and extreme sports and a marked upgrade to various health and navigation features.
Leaning into the kind of wearer that is deadly serious about their fitness goals, the Ultra jumps up in size (49mm), with a full titanium chassis that evokes Garmin and Polar more than Fitbit or Samsung. Training for your next Iron-Man marathon or attempt at Everest? This is the watch for you. £849. At EE.co.uk, argos.co.uk, currys.co.uk & apple.com
3/14Google Pixel Watch
Pros: One of the best-looking smartwatches around | Excellent connectivity with Google phones
Cons: Sluggish performance | Short battery | Missing a few health-tracking features
- Battery life: Up to 24 hours
- Operating System: Android WearOS
- Size: 41mm
- Heart rate sensor: Yes
- Waterproof: IP68 (up to 50m for 30 minutes and fully dustproof)
So Google's long-awaited Pixel watch is out at last, but how does it hold up? Given how long we've been holding out for the new device, you can understand the level of expectation placed on this handsome timepiece, and it delivers on most levels save for a few complaints. First off, it's great to look at, with a minimal design and a wide range of colour options (even if it only comes in one size.
It's got great sync-up options for any Google lovers and decent coverage when it comes to smartphone functionality. The downsides? There's a frustratingly short battery for such a premium device and you miss out on a few metrics for fitness, including a lack of body temperature scanning you can find on the latest Apple watches and no body composition reading either, which is glaringly obvious alongside some of the more accomplished contemporaries alongside it. From £329. At ee.co.uk, argos.co.uk, amazon.co.uk & currys.co.uk
4/14Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
Pros: Exceptional smartwatch to pair with Android phones
Cons: Not a big upgrade over the Galaxy Watch 4
- Battery life: Up to 40 hours
- Operating System: WearOS
- Size: 40mm and 44mm
- Heart rate sensor: Yes
- Waterproof: IP68 (up to 50m for 30 minutes and fully dustproof)
Easily the best smartwatch for anyone rocking an Android phone (at least, for now, it is) Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 5 should be absolutely at the top of your wearable wishlist for 2023. To get things out of the way, there’s barely an upgrade over last year’s model, and if you want something new, you’ll have to look at the Watch 5 Pro below. Seriously, it’s visually almost identical and has the exact same software built inside to keep it ticking, has the same health and fitness tracking, smart features like contactless payments and the same UI.
There are two main differences: improved durability to protect your watch against dust and bumps and a new temperature sensor for better sleep tracking. But there’s no use fixing what isn’t already broken - this is one of the best models you can get if to partner with a Samsung phone. From £239. At samsung.com & amazon.co.uk
5/14Samsung Galaxy Watch Pro 5
Pros: One of the most advanced smartwatches available | One of the best batteries on a smartwatch
Cons: Expensive
- Battery life: Up to 80 hours
- Operating System: WearOS
- Size: 40mm and 44mm
- Heart rate sensor: Yes
- Waterproof: IP68 (up to 50m for 30 minutes and fully dustproof)
If it’s serious upgrades you’re after, then look no further than the Pro edition of the Galaxy Watch 5. Both models have lost a bit of weight (which is likely down to Samsung dropping the rotating bezel and giving these watches new titanium bodies) but there are plenty more brains inside, with enhanced health tracking, super-accurate built-in GPS an SPO2 monitor for monitoring blood oxygen levels, a slick AMOLED display and a battery life that lasts almost a full week.
This is easily the cream of Samsung’s wearable crop and one of the best smartwatches we’ve seen so far in 2023. With Google releasing the Pixel later this year things could all change, but for now, this is a must-have watch, with Google Wear OS 3 app support, a larger display and a more intuitive way to navigate around the menus using swipes and gestures.
You can read up our thoughts in full here, but suffice to say we bloody loved this intelligent timepiece. From £329. At Samsung.com, amazon.co.uk & currys.co.uk
6/14Fossil Gen 6
Pros: Excellent Google OS | Lightning-quick charging | Sleep tracking even when napping
Cons: Lack of connectivity- Battery life: Up to 24 hours
- Operating System: Wear OS
- Size: 44mm
- Heart rate sensor: Yes
- Waterproof: Water-resistant up to 3ATM (30m)
Fossil's latest Wear OS smartwatch is one of the latest smartwatches with Google-powered innards that covers all the wearable bases, from notifications and health tracking tricks like measuring calories burned, step count, sleep and more. Blood oxygen monitoring and heart-rate tracking are on the cards too, as well as music controls for apps like Spotify. Coupled with the right strap, this is a handsome smartwatch for day-to-day wear. The large 1.28-inch AMOLED display feels hefty on the wrist but makes it more than easy to see what's going on. Having criticised the size, it's eye-catching and will garner more than a few comments of praise, be that on the track or peeking out from below your cuffs. From £299. At fossil.com, amazon.co.uk, and currys.co.uk
7/14Apple Watch SE
Pros: Affordably priced | Improved processing power and speed | Great value for money
Cons: No always-on display | No body temperature sensor | No SP02 sensor- Battery life: Up to 18 hours
- Operating System: watchOS 9
- Size: 40mm / 44mm
- Heart rate sensor: Yes
- Waterproof: IPx7 (up to 50m for 30 minutes and dust-proof)
The Apple Watch SE is the budget-friendly alternative to the Apple Watch Series 8, and is among the better alternatives to blowing out your budget on the more expensive models. You can wear one for pretty much any exercise you can think of and it will track your routes, heart rate and how you are improving over time. Apple's SE edition of the iPhone is often the more popular handset, and it's the same case for the Watch series.
Considering the price difference, there are some glaring omissions from the pricier models, namely the lack of an always-on display, SP02 blood oxygen tracking, skin-temp sensors and more advanced detection of your health and lifestyle. So, if you’re not prepared to spend almost £200 more on the next model up, this is a pretty solid second choice. From £259. At apple.com, ee.co.uk, amazon.co.uk, currys.co.uk, argos.co.uk & johnlewis.com
8/14Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic
Pros: Considerably cheaper now the new watches are out | Solid battery life | Rotating bezel returns
Cons: Outdated software | Some features are locked if you don't have a Samsung phone
- Battery life: Up to 40 hours
- Operating System: Wear OS Powered by Samsung
- Size: 42mm / 46mm
- Heart rate sensor: Yes
- Waterproof: IP68 rating (up to 50m for 30 minutes)
Samsung's first smartwatch since reuniting with Google's Wear OS, the water-resistant, stainless steel Galaxy Watch 4 retains its predecessor's much-loved rotating bezel while ensuring freshness with a suite of new apps and software tricks.
You get plenty of health-related inventiveness such as ECG readings and bioelectric impedance analysis (which can analyse your body composition) and it's comfortably the most accomplished Samsung smartwatch to pair up with any Android or Samsung phone. With notifications for calls and WhatsApp messages, along with contactless payments and more, it's a damn sight better than the older Galaxy Watch 3 and a worth wrist companion. With the release of the Galaxy Watch 5 and 5 Pro and Google's upcoming Pixel, the Watch 4 Classic looks like an excellent budget-friendly option. From £219. At samsung.com, amazon.co.uk, currys.co.uk and johnlewis.com
9/14Apple Watch Series 7
It's easy to defer thinking about your fitness until at least after Christmas, but if you're genuinely serious about getting fitter and you need a bit of help, Apple's Watch Series 7 can be a top companion on your journey to a healthier lifestyle. Connecting to your iPhone, the Series 7 can help you track your calories, steps and workout metrics with pin-point accuracy, guiding you through runs, swims, yoga and dozens of other sports and wellness programmes, removing all the stress out of workout planning.
New tricks include a 20 per cent brighter LCD touchscreen which is more durable and larger than ever thanks to a crack-resistant crystal screen. It's physically a bit larger than previous models, but that allows for more info on-screen. £460. At amazon.co.uk & johnlewis.com
10/14Fitbit Sense
Pros: One of the best fitness-focussed smartwatches | Impressive range of sports to monitor
Cons: Not as well-connected as other models | The smartphone app is complex to use | Can’t use Spotify when offline
- Battery life: Up to six days
- Operating System: Fitbit OS
- Size: 40mm and 44mm
- Heart rate sensor: Yes
- Waterproof: IP68 5ATM (50m)
Fitbit is better known for its fitness trackers than its smartwatches, but it appears to know exactly what it’s doing when it comes to building a clever bit of wristwear. The top-shelf model comes with an ECG scanner, blood oxygen reader, and can also measure your skin temperature and electrodermal activity in case you want a more holistic look at your body’s overall health. The best bit? It works like a charm with both iOS and Android devices so you can pair it up to any handset you might have. £219. fitbit.com, amazon.co.uk, currys.co.uk, & johnlewis.co.uk
11/14Amazfit GTR 3 Pro
Pros: Affordable | Comfortable and smart-looking
Cons: Weak software and unusual OS system
- Battery life: Up to 12 days
- Operating System: Zepp OS
- Size: 46mm
- Heart rate sensor: Yes
- Waterproof: Water-resistant up to 5ATM (50m)
Coming in at comfortably under £300, the GTR 3 Pro delivers on practically all fronts given its price. A sleek, minimal design, coupled with a punchy AMOLED display makes for a stylish timepiece you'll happily wear on your wrist — all while cramming in GPS, sports tracking, built-in Alexa, sleep and stress monitoring, and bloody oxygen stats to boot. £129. At amazon.co.uk
12/14Fitbit Versa 3
Pros: Budget-friendly option | Slightly better than the Fitbit Sense for features
Cons: No offline use of Spotify
Key specifications
- Battery life: Up to 6 days
- Operating System: Fitbit OS
- Size: 40mm
- Heart rate sensor: Yes
- Waterproof: IP68 (up to 50m for 30 minutes)
The Fitbit Versa 3 is a simple yet attractive fitness tracker that nails the basics without overloading you with massively complicated metrics or interfaces. Despite its lower price it still manages to throw in GPS tracking and an all-day battery life that could potentially stretch to a week (depending on your use), with nippy charging for less downtime too.
Throw in some core smartwatch features (including Alexa smarts), and it's considerably cheaper than the Fitbit Sense, meaning it’s one of the better deals around. From £152. At amazon.co.uk, fitbit.com, currys.co.uk, & johnlewis.com
13/14Garmin Venu 2
Pros: Exceptionally long battery life | One of the best fitness-focussed smartwatches available
Cons: Not particularly good-looking | Lacking smart features to help you away from the gym
- Battery life: Up to 11 days
- Operating System: Garmin
- Size: 46mm
- Heart rate sensor: Yes
- Waterproof: 5ATM (up to 50m)
The Venu 2 is a handsome circular smartwatch that lets you know your body better thanks to features like Health Snapshot and Body Battery, as well as sleep tracking, fitness age and stress tracking. It can let you track 25 indoor and outdoor activities, too, including swimming, cycling and even Pilates, with a battery life that'll comfortably last a day of intensive use. £349. At amazon.co.uk, johnlewis.com & currys.co.uk
14/14Tag Heuer Connected (2022)
Pros: A premium brand with eye-catching design
Cons: Poor connectivity to smartphones | Very expensive | No music playback
- Battery life: 20 hours
- Operating System: Google Wear OS
- Size: 42mm and 45mm
- Heart rate sensor: Yes
- Waterproof: 5ATM (50m)
If it's luxury you're after, look no further than TAG Heuer's Connected series, a smartwatch that probably costs more than all the others on this list combined, but boy, does it look good. The Swiss watchmaker's foray into clever watches is in its fourth generation, and you'll find all the regular smarts you've come to expect, including health tracking, day-long battery and notifications for your socials and texts.
Visually, it's almost a like-for-like swap from last year's model, but then again, there's no need to improve or change anything that looks this good. Those on the hunt for high-end wearables should take note. From £1,500. tagheuer.com & goldsmiths.co.uk
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