Which is the best smartwatch for you?

Not sure which smartwatch would suit you? Our handy guide will help you choose the perfect model

The tech landscape changes rapidly as devices and gadgets once seen as novel quickly become an indispensable part of our daily lives. It happened with the smartphone and smart speaker. Now the same is true of the smartwatch, the Swiss Army knife of wearable tech – a sleek bit of kit with loads of different features. 

Smartwatches have been around for a while now. Like those first-generation smartphones, they’ve all been updated and upgraded, so the smartwatches you put on your wrist today – like the newest Pixel Watch 3 – go well beyond a fancy way to tell the time and track your steps. 

Once your smartwatch is connected to your smartphone, it can send and receive texts, emails and social media notifications (you can even leave your mobile at home while wearing some models). As smartwatches generally have longer battery lives than phones, this makes them a useful backup device. 

Most can be customised with apps and let you make contactless payments. And a smartwatch can be very handy if you’re working towards personal wellbeing goals – whether you want to get better sleep or smash your 10K personal best. 

Interested in smartwatches, but not sure which model would suit you best? Discover which smartwatch is right for your lifestyle, needs and health and fitness goals.

person crouched down with a smartwatch on their wrist

The smartwatch built for the extraordinary

Whether you’re in the mountains or the shallows, or just sitting at your desk planning your next adventure, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is built for an active lifestyle. Personalised coaching comes as standard, enhanced with Galaxy AI, including an Energy Score that compiles all your data into one number, offering a clear picture of the day ahead. It can also track your performance more accurately than ever, whether it’s a HIIT class or a stroll to the office. With a 47mm face, aerospace-grade titanium casing, a rugged rubber strap and an immense battery life, Galaxy Watch Ultra goes all the way to the finish line, every single time. 

person standing with a smartwatch on their wrist

Bigger display. Brighter screen. Bigger strides

Improve your running performance with Google’s two new smartwatches. The Pixel Watch 3 is available with a 41mm and 45mm screen and has comprehensive features for building run workouts – warm-ups, cool-downs, intervals and pace and HR targets – that provide real-time guidance and advanced form tracking. Its all-new readiness feature shows you when you’re ready to workout or prioritise recovery, taking your guesswork out of it. With a screen that’s bigger, twice as bright and more responsive than ever, plus up to 36 hours of use in Battery Saver mode – without compromising health, fitness and safety features – both watches are built for performance. 

a smartwatch on a wrist

Your wellness companion

The Samsung Galaxy Watch7 4G is the new way to manage your fitness, and the perfect companion to your Galaxy smartphone. Lift the lid on the different stages of every night’s sleep, discover what makes you tick and learn about how you can improve your overall wellbeing. With the next-gen BioActiveSensor, subtle changes in heart rate are detected to make sure every activity and sleep cycle are logged accurately. Galaxy AI then offers tailored, habit-changing Wellness Tips to help drive you towards your wellness goals. The new and improved Dual GPS also makes tracking outdoor activities – even in dense environments, like woods or cities – a doddle.

Published: 9 September 2024