The Best Smartwatch (2026): Picks for iPhone, Android and Runners

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Quick verdict: which smartwatch should you buy?

Best for	Pick	Why	Watch out for
iPhone owners	Apple Watch Series 12	Top iPhone pick at Engadget, WIRED and Tom’s Guide (all fall 2026)	Still about one day of rated battery
First watch, kids, older parents	Apple Watch SE 3	CNET’s best value; WIRED calls it a great option for older parents or kids	No ECG, blood oxygen or hypertension alerts; 18-hour battery
Android owners	Google Pixel Watch 5	Best Android watch at Engadget and WIRED	A few features need a Pixel phone
Samsung phone owners	Samsung Galaxy Watch9	WIRED’s pick for Samsung users	ECG and sleep apnea features need a Samsung phone; WIRED measured about 25 hours
Runners, any phone	Garmin Forerunner 165	Engadget’s best smartwatch for running; up to 11 days	Fewer smart features and no voice assistant

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Bottom line: the right smartwatch is decided by the phone it pairs with. Apple Watches work only with iPhones, and some Google and Samsung features need their own phones (Tom’s Guide, WIRED). Before you buy one as a gift, find out which phone the person uses.

Comparison table

Spec	Apple Watch Series 12	Apple Watch SE 3	Google Pixel Watch 5	Samsung Galaxy Watch9	Garmin Forerunner 165
Independent picks	Engadget best overall; WIRED and Tom’s Guide best for iPhone	CNET best value; WIRED and Engadget budget mention	Engadget and WIRED best for Android	WIRED best for Samsung users	Engadget best for running
Works with	iPhone only	iPhone only	Android	Android (some features Samsung-only)	iPhone and Android
Case sizes	42 or 46 mm	40 or 44 mm (CNET)	41 or 45 mm	40 or 44 mm	43 mm (Engadget)
Battery (rated or measured)	Up to 24 hours rated (WIRED, Tom’s Guide)	18 hours (WIRED, CNET)	Up to 30 hours (41 mm) or 40 hours (45 mm) rated (WIRED)	About 25 hours measured with always-on display (WIRED)	Up to 11 days (Engadget)
Health extras testers note	HRV, Readiness score, ECG, hypertension and sleep apnea notifications (WIRED)	No ECG, blood oxygen or hypertension alerts (CNET, WIRED)	Satellite SOS on cellular model; Fitbit-based tracking (WIRED, Engadget)	Vitals, sleep apnea detection, Daily Cardio Load (WIRED)	25 workout profiles, sleep and readiness scores (Engadget)
CPSC recalls on this model (checked Nov 11, 2026)	None found	None found	None found	None found	None found
Amazon	Find on Amazon ›	Buy on Amazon ›	Find on Amazon ›	Find on Amazon ›	Find on Amazon ›

Where the testers agree, and where they don’t

They agree on the Apple Watch Series 12 for iPhone owners. Engadget (updated Oct 27, 2026) calls it the best smartwatch overall and “the best watch for iPhone users”; WIRED (Sep 29, 2026) says it is “the best everyday smartwatch for most iPhone users”; and Tom’s Guide (Sep 21, 2026) says it is “the best Apple Watch on the market for most people.” All three flag the same trade-off: battery is still rated at about 24 hours, so it needs charging daily.

They agree on the Pixel Watch 5 for Android, with one caveat. Engadget and WIRED both name it the best Android watch. WIRED adds that many of its software upgrades have also reached the Pixel Watch 4, so last year’s model is worth considering if it is significantly discounted. Tom’s Guide’s guide, last updated Sep 21, still lists the Pixel Watch 4 as its Android pick.

They disagree on the best watch overall. Tom’s Guide picks the cross-platform Amazfit Active 3 Premium as its best overall smartwatch, calling it “incredible value” at about half the price of Apple’s or Google’s flagships and noting about eight days of real-world battery. Engadget and WIRED don’t list it. We left it out of our picks because only one tester backs it so far, but it is the one to look at if the person switches phones often.

They disagree on how much an SE 3 gives up. CNET (updated Jul 27, 2026) calls the Apple Watch SE 3 “the Apple Watch we’d recommend for most people.” WIRED lists it as an honorable mention and points out what it lacks: no hypertension notifications, ECG app or Blood Oxygen app, a dimmer screen and 18-hour battery. Both agree it’s a good choice for kids and older parents.

For fitness, they pick different Garmins. Engadget’s running pick is the Garmin Forerunner 165 (light, accurate, about 11 days in smartwatch mode). WIRED’s fitness pick is the Garmin Vivoactive 6 (about a week per charge, 80 activity profiles), noting that only Android users can reply to texts from it.

How to choose a smartwatch that won’t be a dud

Which phone does the person use?

This decides almost everything. Apple Watches require an iPhone. Pixel and Galaxy watches are Android-only, and some Galaxy features (ECG, sleep apnea tracking) need a Samsung phone, per WIRED. Garmin and Amazfit work with both.

Will they charge it every night?

Apple’s Series 12 and SE 3 are rated for about a day (24 and 18 hours). The Pixel Watch 5 is rated for 30–40 hours, and WIRED measured about 25 hours on the Galaxy Watch9 with the always-on display. If they hate charging, a Garmin that lasts days is the safer gift.

Do they need cellular?

Most people don’t. CNET says most users will find the Wi-Fi (GPS) Apple Watch sufficient: it tracks workouts and pays on its own but needs the iPhone nearby for messages and calls, and cellular models cost more. For a child’s watch it’s different: CNET recommends the cellular SE 3 for Apple’s kid setup, and WIRED’s kid pick, the Fitbit Ace LTE, requires a monthly Fitbit Ace subscription that includes cellular service.

Which health features actually matter?

Tom’s Guide warns it cannot verify safety features like irregular-rhythm or fall alerts and says not to buy a watch only for them. FDA-cleared features (for example Apple’s hypertension notifications, per CNET) have had some review. Any watch that claims to measure blood sugar without piercing the skin has not, per the FDA (see below).

What size?

Smaller cases are lighter and fit slimmer wrists; larger ones get a bigger screen and, on the Pixel Watch 5, more rated battery (WIRED). If you’re buying as a surprise, a gift receipt matters more than guessing perfectly.

Who each pick is for (and not for)

Apple Watch Series 12

Get it if: they have an iPhone and want the most complete everyday watch for fitness, health alerts, Apple Pay and notifications.

Skip it if: they won’t charge it nightly, or they use Android.

Evidence: Engadget, WIRED and Tom’s Guide all pick it (fall 2026).

Apple Watch SE 3

Get it if: it’s their first Apple Watch, or it’s for a kid or an older parent who needs fall detection, Emergency SOS and the basics.

Skip it if: they want ECG, blood oxygen or hypertension alerts.

Evidence: CNET’s best value; WIRED and Engadget recommend it for budget buyers and first-timers.

Google Pixel Watch 5

Get it if: they use any Android phone and want accurate Fitbit-based tracking, a round design and a repairable build.

Skip it if: they use an iPhone, or a discounted Pixel Watch 4 would do (WIRED says many upgrades reached it too).

Evidence: Engadget and WIRED best Android pick.

Samsung Galaxy Watch9

Get it if: they have a Samsung Galaxy phone and want deep health tracking.

Skip it if: they have a non-Samsung Android phone (some features are Samsung-only) or want long battery life.

Evidence: WIRED’s pick for Samsung users; WIRED measured about 25 hours of battery.

Garmin Forerunner 165

Get it if: they run or train and want accurate GPS, days of battery and music storage, on iPhone or Android.

Skip it if: they want apps, a voice assistant or tap-to-reply on iPhone.

Evidence: Engadget’s best smartwatch for running.

Skip these

• Any smartwatch or ring that claims to measure blood sugar without a needle. The FDA says it has not authorized, cleared or approved any smartwatch or smart ring that measures or estimates blood glucose on its own, and warns that wrong readings can lead to dangerous medication errors. These are sold “through online marketplaces” under dozens of brand names.
• Moto Watch (2026). Engadget tested it and calls it “a generic piece of low-power, low-effort gear with few redeeming qualities. Avoid this one.”
• No-name kids’ smartwatches. WIRED says there are “a lot of poor-quality kids’ smartwatches with potentially dangerous vulnerabilities,” which is why it recommends the Fitbit Ace LTE for kids 7 and up.
• Last year’s Apple Watch at full price. WIRED says to avoid paying anywhere close to list price for the Series 11 or Ultra 3 now that the Series 12 and Ultra 4 are out (it notes the Series 12 came with no price increase).
• A used Fitbit Ionic. About 1 million were recalled in the U.S. in 2022 because the battery can overheat and burn (CPSC).

Owner Proof: the complaints that come up most

We could not read owner forums from our research machine on Nov 11 (Reddit blocked our requests), so this section uses the long-term notes the testers themselves report. We’ll add a tally of owner threads at the next update.

• Daily charging. The most repeated complaint across WIRED, Tom’s Guide and Engadget: Apple Watch battery life is still rated at about 24 hours on the Series 12 (18 on the SE 3).
• Battery below the claim. WIRED averaged about 25 hours on the Galaxy Watch9 with the always-on display, “slightly short of Samsung’s claims,” and a full recharge took about 100 minutes.
• Chargers that don’t carry over. Tom’s Guide lists “incompatible with older chargers” as a drawback of the Pixel Watch 4; WIRED notes Google still has few charging docks for Pixel watches.
• Privacy questions. WIRED and Engadget both flag the Series 12’s new Audio Intelligence features (which use the microphone) as raising privacy questions.
• Band materials. WIRED cites a December 2024 study that found high levels of a PFAS chemical in some fluoroelastomer bands, including Apple’s Sport Band and Google’s Active Band; it suggests silicone, metal or leather if you’re concerned.

Dud Alert: recalls to check

We searched every CPSC recall published since 2015 (3,745 notices via the CPSC Recalls API, checked Nov 11, 2026; latest release Nov 5). We found no recalls of any Apple, Google, Samsung or Garmin watch. These are the watch-related recalls on record:

Date	Recall	Hazard	Check
Mar 2, 2022	Fitbit Ionic smartwatches (about 1 million in the U.S.)	Battery can overheat; burn hazard	CPSC
Aug 7, 2025	Altafit smartwatches, sold by HSN (about 2,900)	Serious burn injury and fire	CPSC
Dec 5, 2024	Belkin portable wireless battery chargers for smartwatches (about 4,000)	Fire	CPSC
Sep 25, 2018	Provata Health promotional activity trackers (about 30,000)	Burn	CPSC

Black Friday: deal or dud?

We have not published a smartwatch deal page yet, so there is no price-history verdict here. Two tester tips: CNET suggests waiting for discount days such as Black Friday or buying refurbished from Apple, which it says comes with the same one-year warranty and a 14-day return window; and WIRED says not to pay near list price for last year’s Series 11 or Ultra 3. Check any listing’s history on Keepa or camelcamelcamel, and confirm the model generation, case size and GPS vs. cellular, which are separate listings. See all our Black Friday picks and which gifts are already near their yearly low.

Gift angle

A smartwatch is a strong gift for someone who already wears a watch and has a phone you can confirm: see our guides to gifts for fitness lovers, gifts for runners and gifts for older adults (the SE 3’s fall detection is the draw there).

Dud Score inputs (in progress)

Input	Series 12	SE 3	Pixel Watch 5	Galaxy Watch9	Forerunner 165
CPSC recalls (5 yr)	0 ✅	0 ✅	0 ✅	0 ✅	0 ✅
SaferProducts.gov incident reports	Pending	Pending	Pending	Pending	Pending
Failure patterns (coded)	Pending	Pending	Pending	Pending	Pending
Owner survey: would not buy again	Pending	Pending	Pending	Pending	Pending
Warranty & repair	Pending	Pending	Repairable build (WIRED) ✅	Pending	Pending
Dud Score	Coming soon	Coming soon	Coming soon	Coming soon	Coming soon

How we researched this guide

Sources: Engadget (best smartwatches, updated Oct 27, 2026), WIRED (best smartwatches, Sep 29, 2026), Tom’s Guide (best smartwatches, updated Sep 21, 2026) and CNET (best Apple Watch, updated Jul 27, 2026); the FDA safety communication on glucose-measuring smartwatches (Feb 21, 2024); and every CPSC recall since 2015 via the CPSC Recalls API (Nov 11, 2026). We picked watches that at least two testers back, except the Forerunner 165, which we include because Engadget is the only tester here with a dedicated running pick and it has the longest battery. What we didn’t do: wear these watches ourselves, or use Amazon ratings. Full methodology.

FAQ

What is the best smartwatch in 2026?

For iPhone owners, the Apple Watch Series 12, picked by Engadget, WIRED and Tom’s Guide. For Android, the Google Pixel Watch 5, picked by Engadget and WIRED.

What is the best smartwatch for a kid?

Testers point to the Apple Watch SE 3 (cellular, with Apple’s kid setup, per CNET) for iPhone families and the Fitbit Ace LTE for kids 7 and up (WIRED). WIRED warns against cheap no-name kids’ watches.

Is the Apple Watch SE 3 good enough?

For most first-time owners, yes: CNET calls it its value pick. It lacks ECG, blood oxygen and hypertension alerts and has an 18-hour battery.

Does an Apple Watch work with Android?

No. Apple Watches require an iPhone. For Android, testers pick the Pixel Watch 5; Samsung phone owners get the most from a Galaxy Watch9.

Can a smartwatch measure blood sugar?

Not on its own. The FDA says it has not authorized any smartwatch or smart ring that measures blood glucose without piercing the skin and warns people not to use them.

Did Dudproof test these smartwatches?

No. We compare published tests from Engadget, WIRED, Tom’s Guide and CNET with FDA and CPSC records.

Related guides

• Gifts for fitness lovers
• Gifts for runners
• Gifts for older adults
• Best wireless earbuds
• Best portable charger
• Smart gifts that stopped working

Sources

• Engadget, “Best smartwatches for 2026,” updated Oct 27, 2026
• WIRED, “The Best Smartwatch Isn’t the Smartest,” Sep 29, 2026
• Tom’s Guide, best smartwatches, last updated Sep 21, 2026
• CNET, “Best Apple Watch for 2026,” updated Jul 27, 2026
• FDA, “Do Not Use Smartwatches or Smart Rings to Measure Blood Glucose Levels,” Feb 21, 2024
• CPSC recall notices: Fitbit Ionic, Altafit, Belkin watch chargers, Provata; CPSC Recalls API, queried Nov 11, 2026

Changelog

Nov 11, 2026: First published.