I Test Smartwatches for a Living — These Are My Favourite Models (2025 Edition)
By a Professional Wearable Tech Tester
Smartwatches have evolved far beyond just telling time or counting steps. In 2025,
🥇 Apple Watch Series 9 – The Best Overall Smartwatch
Why it’s my top pick:
Apple continues to lead the smartwatch race with the Series 9. It's lightning fast, intuitive, and incredibly well integrated with iOS devices. The new double-tap gesture and on-device Siri make everyday interactions faster and more fluid. Whether you're replying to texts, checking your heart rate, or tracking your sleep, the Series 9 does it with ease.
🔋 Battery life: 18 hours
🏃♂️ Best for: iPhone users, casual to serious fitness tracking, everyday wear
Pros:
✔️ Bright, always-on display
✔️ Advanced health tracking (ECG, blood oxygen, temperature sensing)
✔️ Deep iPhone integration
⌚ Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic – Best for Android Users
Why I recommend it:
For Android users, the Galaxy Watch6 Classic hits the sweet spot between function and form. The rotating bezel is not just satisfying to use — it’s also genuinely useful. The Wear OS platform brings Google Maps, Gmail, YouTube Music, and more to your wrist.
🔋 Battery life: 1.5–2 days
🏃♀️ Best for: Android users, stylish wearers, sleep and health tracking
Pros:
✔️ Beautiful AMOLED screen
✔️ Comfortable all-day wear
✔️ Great for sleep and stress monitoring
🏃 Garmin Venu 3 – The Fitness King with Long Battery Life
Why fitness fans love it:
If you're serious about fitness, Garmin is hard to beat. The Venu 3 offers pro-level metrics like VO2 max, pulse ox, body battery, and sleep score. And the best part? It lasts up to 2 weeks on a charge — so you don’t need to worry about charging it daily.
🔋 Battery life: Up to 14 days
🏋️ Best for: Athletes, outdoor adventurers, runners, cyclists
Pros:
✔️ Accurate GPS and heart rate tracking
✔️ AMOLED display is clear in sunlight
✔️ Great companion app (Garmin Connect)
🧠 Google Pixel Watch 2 – Most Improved
Why it's worth a second look:
Google learned a lot from its first smartwatch, and the Pixel Watch 2 is a refined, smarter version. It’s faster, more responsive, and has much better battery life. Thanks to Fitbit integration, it’s also a solid fitness tracker. It's especially handy for those deep into the Google ecosystem.
🔋 Battery life: 24 hours
🧘 Best for: Pixel/Android users, productivity, light fitness tracking
Pros:
✔️ Sleek and minimalist design
✔️ Google Assistant works flawlessly
✔️ New safety features (fall detection, emergency SOS)
💼 Huawei Watch GT 4 – Best Looking with Great Battery
Why it stands out:
If aesthetics matter just as much as function, the Huawei Watch GT 4 delivers both. It looks like a premium analog watch but still packs serious tracking power. The battery life can stretch up to 2 weeks, depending on use, and it's compatible with both Android and iOS (with some feature limitations).
🔋 Battery life: Up to 14 days
👔 Best for: Business professionals, casual fitness, fashion-focused users
Pros:
✔️ Elegant design, especially the 46mm model
✔️ Long battery life
✔️ Tracks over 100 workout types
📝 Honourable Mentions
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Fitbit Versa 4: Great value for casual health tracking, but lacks some smart features.
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Amazfit GTR 4: Budget-friendly with good battery and features.
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TicWatch Pro 5: Excellent dual-display technology, but chunky design isn’t for everyone.
✅ Final Verdict
Whether you’re tracking your marathon training or simply trying to take more steps during your workday, there’s a smartwatch on this list that’ll fit your needs. As someone who spends more time wearing tech on my wrist than most people do with their phones, I can confidently say these models deliver the best experiences in 2025.
Before buying, consider:
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Your phone type (iPhone vs Android)
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Your main use (fitness, productivity, style)
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Your budget
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Battery life expectations
Technology keeps moving fast — but these watches have earned a permanent place on my short list.
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