The Best Smartwatches in 2026

The smartwatch market in 2026 is more competitive than ever. Apple, Samsung, Google, and Garmin are all pushing boundaries with advanced health sensors, longer battery life, and smarter software. Whether you are an iPhone loyalist, an Android user, or a serious athlete, there is a smartwatch designed for you. Here is our comprehensive breakdown of the best options available right now.

How We Choose

At EVERYWEAR, we track hundreds of wearable tech articles every week using our EWEAR scoring system. This guide draws on aggregated review data, hands-on testing, and real-world user feedback to give you a clear, unbiased picture of each device. We evaluate smartwatches across five key dimensions: health features, battery life, display quality, software ecosystem, and overall value for money.

The Top Smartwatches

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the flagship wearable from Apple, and in 2026 it represents the most complete smartwatch experience available for iPhone users. The headline feature is blood pressure monitoring, which Apple has been developing for years and finally delivered with the Series 11 lineup. The Ultra 3 goes further with a larger sensor array, longer battery life extending to a genuine 72 hours in standard use, and a titanium case that can handle serious outdoor adventures. The 2,200-nit always-on display is visible in direct sunlight, and the precision dual-frequency GPS is among the most accurate we have tracked. If you are deep in the Apple ecosystem and want the best health tracking available on a wrist, the Ultra 3 is the clear choice.

The Series 11 shares most of the Ultra 3's health sensors, including the new blood pressure monitoring, at half the price. Battery life is a respectable 36 hours, which means most people will charge every other night. The always-on Retina display is bright and sharp, and watchOS 12 brings a redesigned health dashboard that surfaces insights proactively. The main trade-offs versus the Ultra 3 are build quality (aluminium vs titanium), battery life, and the absence of the Ultra's action button and diving certifications. For the vast majority of people who want an Apple Watch, the Series 11 is the smartest buy.

Samsung continues to be the strongest Android smartwatch option. The Galaxy Watch 7 brings improved battery life that can genuinely last two full days, a sapphire crystal display, and Samsung's BioActive sensor that handles ECG, blood oxygen, body composition analysis, and skin temperature. The returning physical rotating bezel on the Classic model is still one of the best input methods on any smartwatch. Samsung Health integration is excellent, and Galaxy AI features like automatic workout detection and recovery suggestions are genuinely useful. The main downside is that some health features require a Samsung phone for initial setup, though day-to-day use works with any Android device.

The Pixel Watch 3 is Google's most polished wearable yet. It comes in two sizes (41mm and 45mm), has the purest Wear OS experience with deep Fitbit integration for health tracking, and benefits from Gemini Nano for on-device AI health insights. Google's stress management features, powered by continuous electrodermal activity (cEDA) sensing, are class-leading. The design is minimal and elegant with a domed glass display. Battery life has improved significantly over previous generations, now lasting a reliable 36 hours. The Fitbit Premium subscription that comes included adds workout videos, sleep analysis, and a daily readiness score. If you are in the Google ecosystem, this is a compelling choice.

Garmin operates in a different universe when it comes to battery life. The Fenix 9 Solar can last up to 60 days in smartwatch mode with solar charging, and even in full GPS tracking mode it manages over a week. The new hybrid display technology switches between an always-on memory-in-pixel (MIP) screen for battery efficiency and a vibrant AMOLED screen when you raise your wrist. Multi-band GPS is extremely accurate, and the full topographic and ski maps make it the go-to choice for hikers, runners, and outdoor athletes. Health tracking includes heart rate variability, blood oxygen, respiration rate, and body battery energy monitoring. It does not have the app ecosystem of Apple or Samsung, but if your priority is sports performance and battery life, nothing else comes close.

Quick Comparison Table

• Best Overall (iPhone): Apple Watch Ultra 3 — unmatched health sensors and build quality
• Best Value (iPhone): Apple Watch Series 11 — same health features, lower price
• Best for Android: Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 — best Android ecosystem integration
• Best for Google/Fitbit users: Google Pixel Watch 3 — cleanest Wear OS, deep Fitbit integration
• Best for Athletes: Garmin Fenix 9 Solar — 60-day battery, precision GPS, full maps

What to Consider Before Buying

Before choosing a smartwatch, think about these factors:

1. Phone compatibility. Apple Watch only works with iPhone. Galaxy Watch works best with Samsung. Pixel Watch works with any Android phone. Garmin works with both platforms.
2. Health priorities. If blood pressure monitoring matters to you, the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 are your options. For body composition, look at Samsung. For stress and recovery, Google's cEDA sensors lead the pack.
3. Battery life. If charging every day or two bothers you, Garmin is in a different league. Samsung and Google sit in the middle. Apple Watch requires the most frequent charging.
4. Budget. The Galaxy Watch 7 at $329 offers the best feature-to-price ratio. The Apple Watch SE 3 at $249 is the budget iPhone option, though it lacks the new blood pressure sensor.
5. Use case. Casual daily wear, fitness tracking, outdoor sports, or professional health monitoring all point to different watches.