10 Best Smart Watches 2025 in the United States

The Garmin Instinct 3 is a tough GPS smartwatch designed especially for outdoor lovers and fitness enthusiasts. Its 0.9-inch round display is small but made durable with a metal-reinforced bezel and fiber-reinforced polymer case, which helps it withstand shocks and harsh conditions. One standout feature is its solar charging lens, which can extend the battery life significantly—potentially unlimited with enough sunlight—making it great for long outdoor adventures without frequent recharging.

It tracks a variety of health metrics like heart rate, sleep quality, and blood oxygen levels, although these are approximate and not medical-grade. For navigation, it includes a 3-axis compass, altimeter, and advanced multi-band GPS that balances accuracy with power saving. The watch is water-resistant up to 10 ATM, so it’s safe for swimming and water sports. It also offers smart notifications, contactless payments via Garmin Pay, and safety features like incident detection that can alert emergency contacts.

While the screen is smaller and less colorful than some competitors, the watch allows customization through downloadable apps and watch faces. It is mainly compatible with Garmin’s ecosystem and smartphones via Bluetooth. This watch suits users seeking a rugged, reliable outdoor companion with strong fitness tracking and excellent battery life, though it may seem somewhat basic for those who prefer a larger, more vibrant touchscreen or a wider selection of apps.

The Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) is a solid choice for those looking for a reliable and stylish smartwatch that works seamlessly with iPhones. Its 40mm Always-On Retina display is bright and clear, making it easy to check the time and notifications without lifting your wrist. The watch offers a good battery life of up to 18 hours, and its fast charging feature means you can get up to 8 hours of use with just 15 minutes of charging, which is great for busy days.

Fitness and health tracking are key strengths here, with features like heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking including sleep scores, temperature sensing for richer health insights, and even alerts for irregular heart rhythms. It also supports workout tracking with real-time metrics and can partner with your iPhone to guide you during exercise. Water resistance adds durability, so you don’t have to worry about splashes or sweat during workouts.

Staying connected is easy—you can send texts, take calls, listen to music, and use Siri through the watch when connected to your iPhone or Wi-Fi. Safety features like fall detection and crash detection provide extra peace of mind by automatically contacting emergency services if needed. The watch is also customizable with many watch faces and bands in different styles and colors. One limitation is that this version requires an iPhone to access most features, so it’s not the best choice for Android users. While the battery life is decent, heavy users might find the daily charging necessary. The Apple Watch SE 3 successfully blends fitness, health monitoring, and smart features into a compact and attractive package, making it ideal for iPhone users wanting a dependable everyday smartwatch.

The Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) is a well-rounded smartwatch that suits those looking for a comprehensive health and fitness companion combined with stylish design and strong connectivity. It works best with iPhones, ensuring smooth integration with apps and notifications. The always-on Retina display is bright and clear, making it easy to check stats or read messages even in bright sunlight. Battery life lasts about 24 hours under normal use, which should cover a full day, and the quick charging option lets you top up fast when needed.

Health tracking is a major strength here — it can monitor blood pressure trends, ECG, blood oxygen levels, sleep quality with a sleep score, possible sleep apnea signs, and even detect falls or car crashes for emergency help. Fitness features include detailed workout metrics and guided sessions with Apple Fitness+, which appeals to active users. It’s also swimproof with 50m water resistance and dust resistant, making it durable for everyday wear and exercise.

Design-wise, it’s slim and lightweight, comfortable for 24/7 wear, and comes with customizable bands and finishes like rose gold. On the downside, battery life is decent but not standout compared to some competitors offering multiple days, and it relies heavily on iPhone connectivity, so Android users won’t get full functionality. Some advanced health features require user setup and understanding to make the most of them. This makes the Series 11 ideal for iPhone users wanting a stylish, feature-rich watch with strong health insights and solid fitness tracking, while those seeking longer battery life or cross-platform use might look elsewhere.