10 Best Smart Watches 2025 in the United States

The Garmin fēnix 8 is a high-end multisport GPS smartwatch designed for athletes and outdoor adventurers. Its 1.4-inch AMOLED screen is bright and clear, protected by a tough sapphire lens, making it easy to read even in bright light. The watch is built with a durable titanium bezel and pebble gray band, offering a premium, sturdy feel that’s also lightweight at just over 3.5 ounces. Compatibility is good with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and it connects well with smartphones to display notifications and allow calls with its built-in mic and speaker.

Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 29 days in smartwatch mode and 84 hours when using GPS, which is ideal for long trips or extended workouts without frequent charging. The watch supports a wide range of fitness and health tracking features, including heart rate, sleep, respiration, and oxygen saturation monitoring, plus advanced metrics like training readiness and stamina tracking. It also supports scuba diving up to 40 meters with water-resistant, leakproof buttons, which is a standout feature for divers.

Navigation is strong with multi-band GPS and sensors like a compass and barometric altimeter, helping users accurately track routes and even receive dynamic route suggestions. The off-grid voice command feature is helpful when you don’t have your phone nearby. Some features such as Pulse Ox and ECG monitoring may not be available in all regions and aren’t substitutes for professional medical devices. The design is customizable and rugged, suited for active lifestyles, but the 51mm size might feel large on smaller wrists. While the Garmin OS isn’t as widespread as other smartwatch platforms, it’s optimized for sports and outdoor use. This watch suits serious fitness enthusiasts and adventurers who want durable gear with long battery life and advanced tracking, though it may be overkill for casual users.

The Apple Watch Series 10 in the 42mm GPS version is a strong choice for anyone already in the Apple ecosystem, as it works seamlessly with iPhones running iOS 18 or later. Its always-on Retina display is bright and sharp, offering up to 30% more screen space than before, which makes interacting with apps and notifications easier. The design is noticeably thinner and lighter, ensuring comfortable everyday wear.

Fitness and health tracking are major highlights here. The watch supports a wide range of workouts, from running and swimming to yoga and even wheelchair exercises. It offers advanced health insights like ECG readings, sleep tracking with apnea detection, cycle tracking, and vital sign monitoring such as heart rate and respiratory rate. Safety features like fall and crash detection add peace of mind by connecting you to emergency services if needed. Battery life is rated at about 18 hours for typical use, which might require daily charging, but the fast-charging feature helps regain 80% battery in around 30 minutes—a practical touch. Water resistance up to 50 meters and dust resistance make it durable for swimming and outdoor activities.

Connectivity options include GPS, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi, and support for Apple Pay, making it easy to stay connected and make payments on the go. The watch also offers good customization with various bands and watch faces to suit your style. The battery life may feel short if you use many features throughout the day, and it requires an iPhone to unlock its full potential, so it's not ideal for Android users. Additionally, the price point might be higher compared to other smartwatches with similar fitness tracking capabilities. This smartwatch is well suited for iPhone users wanting a stylish, health-focused device with plenty of smart features and strong safety tools, who do not mind charging it nightly.

The Garmin tactix 8 is a high-end tactical GPS smartwatch designed for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals needing advanced navigation and durability. Its 1.4-inch round solar-charged display ensures good visibility, and the titanium bezel with a sapphire lens adds toughness and scratch resistance. It offers excellent compatibility with smartphones through Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and the 32 GB of storage supports multiple apps and maps.

The watch excels in fitness and health tracking with features like heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, Pulse Ox, respiration, and an ECG app. Battery life benefits from solar charging, though real-world endurance may vary, especially with heavy GPS use. The device is water-resistant up to 40 meters, suitable for diving and water sports. It stands out with specialized tactical tools such as a jumpmaster mode, stealth mode, night vision compatibility, and an advanced ballistics solver for precise targeting. Navigation is enhanced by multi-band GPS, 3-axis sensors, preloaded topo maps, and support for aviation features.

On the downside, the watch is relatively heavy at 95 grams and may be complex for casual users due to its many advanced features. Notifications and connectivity are solid, but the product focuses more on rugged tactical and outdoor use than everyday smart features. This watch is ideal for serious adventurers, military personnel, or tactical users who need a reliable, feature-packed smartwatch built to withstand tough conditions.