The Apple Watch Ultra, as the name implies, is a more expensive version of the standard Apple Watch. This watch, on the other hand, is intended for fitness enthusiasts and athletes who require longer battery life and a more durable build quality from their smartwatches. Apple claims it is designed for endurance, exploration, and adventure, and it includes features that cater to the needs of those who lead an extremely active lifestyle.

The lightweight aerospace-grade titanium body of the Apple Watch Ultra is topped with a flat sapphire crystal face. It also has a larger digital crown that is deeper grooved into the housing, which includes a side button. Notably, the Apple Watch Ultra has an extra physical button on the left side. The Action button can be programmed to start workouts, set compass waypoints, and do other things.

The larger 49mm casing of the Apple Watch Ultra makes it the largest Apple Watch to date. The extra space is being used by the company to pack a larger battery, which will allow the watch to last up to 36 hours on a single charge. In fact, with Apple's new low-power setting, it can last up to 60 hours on a single charge, though you'll have to wait for the watch to hit the market to confirm this. However, the company is confident that the battery will last long enough for users to complete a long-course triathlon, which includes a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a full 26.2-mile marathon.

The Apple Watch Ultra is also appropriate for water sports such as kitesurfing, wakeboarding, scuba diving, and others. It is also WR100 and EN 13319 certified, and it includes a depth gauge and a dedicated depth app for divers. Apple has also created a Wayfinder watch face for the Apple Watch Ultra. It has a built-in compass and room for up to eight complications.

Pros

• Durable build quality
• Best battery life of any Apple Watch
• Added Action button

Cons

• Bulky form-factor

Sizes: 49mm
Casing material: Titanium
Included strap material: fabric strap
Battery life: 36 days
Operating system: watchOS 9.0
Voice assistant: siri
Contactless payments: yes
Heart rate sensor: yes
Google rating: 4.8/5.0
Price: $780
Buy now: amazon.com/dp/B0BDJ9M2K4

The new Apple Watch Ultra may have overshadowed the excitement surrounding the Apple Watch Series 8, but that doesn't mean it's a bad smartwatch. If anything, the Apple Watch Series 8 remains one of the best smartwatches on the market, and it is the one that most Apple users should consider purchasing over any other options. It offers incremental improvements over the Apple Watch Series 7, but that's not necessarily a bad thing given that Apple has kept the $399 starting price.

The Apple Watch Series 8 looks exactly like its predecessor, with rounded edges, curved glass, and the same digital crown and side button. You won't be able to tell the difference between a Series 7 and a Series 8 Apple Watch because the new watch uses the same colors as the old one. The silver color is the only new addition this year, but it's not immediately obvious that you're wearing the new Apple Watch Series 8.

The temperature sensor, on the other hand, is new to the Apple Watch Series 8. This new sensor will feed data to the watch's two key features: sleep tracking and menstrual cycle tracking. The advanced fertility tracking feature has received the most attention, and rightly so. There are studies that show that changes in wrist temperature are good predictors of ovulation, so this is a useful feature to have on the Apple Watch that will benefit a large portion of the population.

The crash detection feature is also new to the Apple Watch Series 8. To detect a crash, the company's smartwatch will use two new motion sensors, as well as an improved gyroscope and accelerometer. The Watch will then call emergency services and notify your emergency contacts automatically. Being able to get quick help in such an unfortunate situation could mean the difference between life and death, so this is a very useful feature to have.

The rest of the features are similar to those of the older watch. The new Apple Watch Series 8 comes in two sizes: 41mm and 45mm. You can also select between aluminum and stainless steel finishes, both of which are available in GPS and GPS + Cellular flavors. Aside from the aforementioned features, not much has changed since the Apple Watch Series 7. However, the fact that the Apple Watch Series 8 now starts at the same $399 price as its predecessor makes it more appealing to new users.

Pros:

• Good use of temperature sensor
• Crash detection is helpful
• New low-power mode

Cons:

• Very similar to its predecessor

Sizes: 41 mm, 45 mm

Casing material: Aluminium, stainless steel

Included strap material: Fluoroelastomer

Battery life: Up to 18 hours

Operating system: watchOS (only works with iPhones)

Voice assistant: Siri

Contactless payments: Yes, via Apple Pay

Heart rate sensor: Yes

Google rating: 4.7/5.0
Price: 392$

Buy now: amazon.com/dp/B0BDHM49BJ?

Although it was released in late 2019, the Huawei GT 2 still makes a strong case for itself in 2023. It has a stylish traditional design, a fitness focus, and a long battery life, just like the newer GT 3 below. Huawei claims it has a two-week battery life, depending on how you use it. (and the smaller 42mm model gets about half as much). Even with heavy use, it should last about a week, which is far better than some of the competitors on this list. When it comes to toughness, it's water and dust resistant, and it can also handle swim tracking.

However, it has a few drawbacks when compared to the other watches on this list, including the fact that it runs LiteOS rather than Google's WearOS. This means that it lacks Google apps and is unable to accept contactless payments. You will like the sleek design and clear display, but it isn't as smart as other watches on this list. It can send you notifications, but there aren't many ways to interact with them. They'd recommend this as a budget smartwatch for beginners, but those looking for more features to pair with an Android phone have more advanced options to choose from.

Pros

• Premium looks
• Gorgeous OLED display
• Bluetooth calling is helpful
• Excellent battery

Cons

• No app store support
• Limited watch faces

Sizes: 42 mm, 46 mm

Casing material: Stainless steel, titanium

Included strap material: Fluoroelastomer, leather

Battery life: Up to 14 days

Operating system: Huawei Lite OS (works with iPhones and Android phones)

Voice assistant: No

Contactless payments: No

Heart rate sensor: Yes

Google rating: 4.7/5.0

Price: £199

Buy now: amazon.co.uk/dp/B07YP3PWNF

If you want almost all of the functions of the more expensive model above but in a more affordable package, Apple Watch SE is the best choice for you. This one lacks some of the more complex health features and the fully edge-to-edge screen, but it's still an Apple Watch and offers plenty of convenience to iPhone owners. Despite its lower price, the SE has more in common with the Series 8 than you might think. You still get a bright display, a "swimproof" body, heart rate monitoring, and an 18-hour battery life (which can be extended significantly with the "low power" mode enabled).

It lacks the larger "always-on" display as well as the Apple Watch Series 8's blood oxygen, temperature sensing, and ECG functionality, but both models have the same car crash detection. The most recent update also included new colors and a faster processor. With a starting price of £259, they believe the SE should be the go-to option for most iPhone users, particularly those on a tight budget who don't believe they'll need the extra features of the Series 8. Overall, it's an excellent smartwatch for staying on top of fitness tracking and accessing notifications, contactless payments, and Siri right from your wrist (there's also a cellular version, as with the Series 8).

Pros:

• Comfortable to wear 24 hours a day
• Comprehensive, yet simple-to-use fitness tracking
• Excellent smartwatch software and support
• Latest processor provides all the power needed
• Two-day battery

Cons:

• No always-on screen
• Slow battery charging

Sizes: 40 mm, 44 mm
Casing material: Aluminium
Included strap material: Fluoroelastomer
Battery life: Up to 18 hours
Operating system: watchOS (only works with iPhones)
Voice assistant: Siri
Contactless payments: Yes, via Apple Pay
Heart rate sensor: Yes

Google rating: 4.7/5.0

Price: $219
Buy now: amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BDHW118S?

While the Apple Watch is a natural fit for iPhone users, anyone with an Android phone should look into Samsung's new Watch 5 series instead. The Watch 5 Pro paired seamlessly with Pixel 6 via the Galaxy Wear app, providing us with instant notifications, exercise reminders, and plenty of customisation over watch faces and settings, including a Find My Watch button that vibrates and plays a chirpy sound to help you find it.

We like how the watch provides nice haptic feedback as you scroll through the menus by rotating your finger along the edge of the circular display. With a simple swipe to the right, you can access modes such as a daily activity report, sleep tracking, weather, step counter, and body composition analysis. That's just a sampling; the number of modes packed into the smartwatch is impressive. (and you can easily change the order of the Tiles via the app).

The build quality is excellent, with a sturdy titanium frame on a rubberized strap with a unique D-buckle that snaps in place with a magnet, allowing you to find the perfect tight fit. Make no mistake, this isn't a watch for small wrists, and anyone with shorter arms should consider the standard Watch 5. The 5 Pro is thick and heavy in comparison to some of the other watches, but it packs a lot of punch in its chassis, and the minimalist black design looks great whether you're sweating it out at the gym or out for a fancy meal. It's a shame it's not iOS compatible, but Android users (with larger wrists) will appreciate it.

Pros:

• Lightweight titanium casing
• Sapphire glass AMOLED display
• Large capacity battery
• Google Wear OS 3 app support

Cons:

• Limited, manual GPX process
• Large size not suitable for smaller wrists
• Blood pressure certification taking much longer than advertised

Sizes: 45 mm
Casing material: Titanium
Included strap material: Fluoroelastomer
Battery life: Up to 80 hours
Operating system: WearOS (only works with Android phones)
Voice assistant: Bixby, Google Assistant
Contactless payments: Yes, via Samsung Pay
Heart rate sensor: Yes

Google rating: 4.7/5.0

Price: $310

Buy now: amazon.com/dp/B0B9XTS3JC

The Fitbit Versa 3 is without a doubt one of the best budget smartwatches available. It's significantly less expensive than many of the smartwatches in this collection, but it still has a solid set of features. The Fitbit Versa 3's highlights include health tracking, built-in GPS, and even support for a digital voice assistant.

The Fitbit Versa 3 features a square watch face that is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. On the front, there is a 1.58-inch display that is bright, crisp, and easy to see in direct sunlight. It supports the always-on feature and has slimmer bezels for easier viewing. Fitbit also supports third-party watch faces, giving you a plethora of customization options. The Versa 3 also does away with the physical button in favor of an indented haptic side button. It functions exactly like a button, but the haptic feedback is insufficient to replicate the experience of pressing a physical button.

The Versa 3 comes in four different finishes, each with a different color on the case and strap. The watch case is made of aluminum, and the included band is made of a "flexible material." The Versa 3 is water-resistant to 50 meters, so you can wear it while swimming or going to the beach. The Versa 3 works with both Android and iOS devices, just like every other Fitbit tracker.

In terms of sensors, the Fitbit Versa 3 supports continuous heart-rate monitoring and SpO2. This is in addition to the standard tracking metrics such as step count, activity tracking, and so on. The Versa 3 also supports NFC for contactless payments and has a built-in microphone for taking phone calls while wearing it. One of the best features of the Fitbit Versa 3 is the ability to select Google Assistant or Amazon's Alexa as your preferred voice assistant.

The Versa 3 can last about a week on a single charge, according to Fitbit. It's also comparable to what the company claims for the Charge 5. What's more impressive is that the Versa 3 can charge for a day in just 12 minutes. It's not the best smartwatch on the market, but it's ideal for those looking for a dependable fitness tracker that also functions as a smartwatch. The Fitbit Sense has more sensors to track more metrics, but the Versa 3 has a good feature set for the price.

Pros

• Good battery life
• Built-in GPS
• Accurate health tracking

Cons

• Limited app support
• Proprietary charging cable

Sizes: 36 mm
Casing material: Aluminium
Included strap material: Polyester
Battery life: Six+ days
Operating system: Fitbit OS (works with iPhones and Android phones)
Voice assistant: Amazon Alexa
Contactless payments: Yes, via Fitbit Pay
Heart rate sensor: Yes
Google rating: 4.5/5.0
Price: £149.00
Buy now: amazon.co.uk/dp/B08DFPV5Y2

Smartwatches are fantastic and provide a wealth of useful features, but nothing beats the simplicity and classic appearance of an analog watch. If you prefer a simple-looking watch over one with flashy features, you might want to consider purchasing a hybrid smartwatch. For those who are unfamiliar, hybrid smartwatches resemble traditional watches while providing smartwatch functionality.

There are plenty of hybrid smartwatches on the market right now, but the Withings Scanwatch is one of them. As you can see, the Withings Scanwatch has a stunning design and excellent build quality. Its stainless steel case and minimalist design exude quality in a way that many modern smartwatches do not. This watch also has a sapphire glass display, which means it won't scratch or crack easily. It is available in 38mm and 42mm sizes, with the only difference being the size.

The Withings Scanwatch has a PMOLED monochrome display that displays notifications as well as real-time ECG readings. Keep in mind that the rest of the smartwatch is unapologetically classic. To compensate for the lack of touchscreen controls, there is a digital crown on the side. This isn't necessarily a deal breaker for this watch because it isn't a full-fledged smartwatch capable of interacting with notifications or running apps.

The Scanwatch's built-in electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor is one of its most notable features. The watch notifies you if your heart rate is consistently high or low, in addition to taking periodic scans for irregular heartbeats. The recorded ECG readings can also be shared with a doctor as a PDF for medical records. Notably, the Scanwatch includes a medical-grade pulse oximeter for determining oxygen saturation levels. (SpO2). The pulse oximeter can also be used by the watch to detect breathing disturbances while you sleep.

The Withings companion app, which is available for both iOS and Android, is jam-packed with useful features. The Scanwatch can also track over 30 sports activities and even supports auto-tracking for walking, running, swimming, biking, and other activities. The companion app contains all of the necessary information. The company claims that the Scanwatch has a battery life of 30 days, which is quite impressive. There are few smartwatches on the market that can last up to 30 days on a single charge. Even if it doesn't reach the advertised 30 days of battery life, it will still outlast many other options on the market.

Pros

• Beautiful design
• Long-lasting battery
• ECG monitor

Cons

• A relatively small display
• Limited fitness features

Sizes: ‎42mm
Casing material: Titanium
Included strap material: Leather
Battery life: Up to 30 Days
Operating system: iOS, Android
Voice assistant: Google Assistant
Contactless payments: No
Heart rate sensor: yes
Google rating: 4.5/5.0
Price: £262.00
Buy now: ebay.com/p/19039223570

Huawei GT 3 Pro is one of the best smartwatch. The GT 3 Pro, Huawei's latest premium smartwatch, has an incredible battery life of up to two weeks, so you won't have to worry about taking it off your wrist at the end of the day - unlike some models on this list, which require more frequent recharges. (like the two Apple Watches above). But it's not just the insides that stand out.

You get all the health and fitness modes you'd expect from a smartwatch, such as heart rate monitoring, GPS, step counts, and workout tracking, as well as a plethora of options for customizing the watch faces. The main disadvantage here is that the app experience falls short of rivals, particularly the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. Huawei's Health app is feature-rich when it works. During their time with the wearable, however, they experienced multiple connection drops and unexpected updates, as well as an update that couldn't be accessed through the Play Store, but only through Huawei's App Gallery. Another annoyance is the lack of Google and payment apps (as with the GT2), but if you don't need those smart functions, this will suffice.

Pros:

• AMOLED display panel.
• Bluetooth features are intact.
• IP68 Water-resistant.
• Heart rate and thermometer available.
• Long-lasting battery.
• Wireless charging support.
• HarmonyOS 2.0 OS support.
• Loud speakers and NFC enabled.

Cons:

• Only single color option.
• No storage option is available.
• Without WI-Fi support.
• Without any e-SIM support.
• Without any glass protection.
• Looks overpriced smartwatch.

Sizes: 46.6 mm
Casing material: Titanium
Included strap material: Leather
Battery life: Up to two weeks
Operating system: HarmonyOS (works with iPhones and Android phones)
Voice assistant: Huawei AI Voice
Contactless payments: No
Heart rate sensor: Yes
Google rating: 4.5/5.0
Price: £249.00
Buy now: amazon.co.uk/dp/B09ZFC9DCN?

The Amazfit T-Rex 2 is one of the best smartwatch. It costs less than $200, has a rugged appearance with impressive build quality, and lasts for more than two weeks on a single charge. It may not be the most expensive or feature-packed smartwatch on the market, but it works as advertised and excels at many things that make it a worthwhile purchase.

The Amazfit T-Rex 2's build quality is one of its best features. It has a tough construction, 10ATM water resistance, and STD-MIL-810G certification. It's not for everyone, but it appeals to those looking for rugged smartwatches to complement their active lifestyle.

However, the Amazfit T-Rex 2 is only available in one size. It's larger and bulkier than many other smartwatches on the market, but it's not as heavy as it appears. The T-Rex 2 has also been validated to withstand extreme temperatures and environmental conditions ranging from 70 degrees Celsius to -40 degrees Celsius. The Amazfit T-Rex 2 is powered by the company's proprietary software, but it includes a good set of features to complement the hardware. It's not the most feature-packed software available, but there's a lot to like about it. It works well with both Android phones and iPhones, which is something to be thankful for. The watch also has a slew of health-tracking features to help you keep track of important metrics.

The Amazift T-Rex 2 can do it all, from heart-rate monitoring to automatic sleep tracking, making it far superior to many other smartwatches on the market. Other notable features of this watch include the ability to measure blood oxygen (SpO2) and stress levels, as well as GPS support. It can also automatically track your workouts, which is quite impressive for a watch that isn't nearly as expensive as many other premium options.

Pros:

• Great battery life
• Sharp, bright and colourful screen
• Robust design
• Good value

Cons:

• Few smart features
• Potentially divisive design

Sizes: 1.85 x 1.85 x 0.54 inches
Casing material: Titanium
Included strap material: Silicone
Battery life: 24 days
Operating system: Zepp OS
Voice assistant: no
Contactless payments: yes

Heart rate sensor: yes
Google rating: 4.4/5.0

Price: $189.99
Buy now: amazon.com/dp/B09XVDX497

While Fitbit's claim to fame began with measuring steps, it is now known as an advanced smartwatch with all the bells and whistles. The Sense 2 is a stylish, high-end device that comes in a variety of exterior finishes and colors. It has a stunning display with deep blacks and vibrant colors that are easy to read even in direct sunlight, as well as motion detection. The touchscreen is responsive, with no noticeable lag or recognition issues, and using the crown to navigate the menu is simple. It has functional phone call audio, and while it's a nice feature to have, the sound quality isn't great, so you might not use it very often.

The Sense 2 is tough and long-lasting, lasting more than six days on a single charge. It has a water resistance rating of 164 feet and can operate between -14 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit. The watch is simple to use once everything is properly configured — which may take some time. Before the device is fully functional, you must grant a lot of permissions, and some setup issues proved perplexing. The Sense 2 tracks your steps and heart rate like other Fitbit devices, but it goes a step further. Using an electrocardiogram app, the Sense 2 can detect atrial fibrillation and measure blood oxygen levels. The watch features a body response sensor to detect and manage stress and tracks ElectroDermal activity, heart rate, heart rate variability, and skin temperature. This can help you reduce your stress levels over time.

Pros:

• Highly responsive interface
• Excellent display
• Rugged and highly water resistant
• Advanced fitness and health tracking
• Comfortable to wear

Cons:

• A bit pricey
• Audio quality for calls isn’t great

Sizes: ‎Small
Casing material: Titanium
Included strap material: Leather
Battery life: 6+ days
Operating system: ios, Android
Voice assistant: Huawei AI Voice
Contactless payments: No
Heart rate sensor: Yes
Google rating: 4.1/5.0
Price: £269.00
Buy now: amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B6WVCJ2H

Smartwatches have evolved significantly over the years, incorporating features and improvements that they once thought were impossible to fit into such a small device. Even modern smartwatches, however, leave much to be desired in terms of battery life. Sure, you can get an extra day or two of usage between charges, but that's not necessarily a significant improvement. This is precisely why the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar stands out from the competition.

The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar promises "never-ending battery life" for active users who spend time outside every day. This watch charges via a transparent "power-glass" that covers the screen and the panels around it. If you spend at least three hours per day in direct sunlight, this transparent "power-glass" can keep the watch charged for essentially unlimited battery life. The goal is to expose the watch to 50,000 lux of light every day so that it doesn't need to be charged.

Three hours may seem like a long time on paper, but depending on your daily activities, you probably already spend that much time outside. For regular indoor use, say, during the winter when you can't go out much or don't get enough sunlight, the watch will last about 15 days on a single charge, which is still quite commendable given the features it offers.

The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar lacks a touchscreen, but it more than compensates with an easy-to-use button-based interface. It has all of the smart features you'd expect from a 2022 smartwatch, such as notification pop-ups, GPS, workout tracking, heart rate tracking, and more. Running, walking, cycling, swimming, strength training, cardio, and other activities are all tracked by the Instinct 2 Solar. It also syncs with the Garmin Connect app on your smartphone to provide you with additional information.

The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar is available in a variety of models, but the standard model with solar charging starts at $450. That puts it in the same league as some of the other smartwatches in this collection, such as the Apple Watch Series 8. But it's the solar charging that sets the Instinct 2 apart from the crowd, and it deserves a spot in the list of the best smartwatches. The Instinct 2 Solar is not for everyone, especially those who spend a lot of time inside. However, if you are an active outdoor person who spends enough time in the sun each day, you may never need to plug it in for charging. If that doesn't pique your interest, you'd be better off purchasing one of the other watches in this collection.

Pros:

• Excellent GPS tracking
• Extra long battery life
• Updated heart rate sensor
• Has Health Snapshot
• Has Garmin Pay + Garmin Connect
• Connect IQ compatible
• Packed with Garmin training features

Cons:

• Doesn't display maps well
• Limited sport types
• No on-board music
• Limited smartwatch features

Sizes: 45 mm

Casing material: Tempered Glass

Included strap material: Polyester

Battery life: 48 Hours

Operating system: Fitbit OS (works with iPhones and Android phones)

Voice assistant: Siri, Google Assistant, or Bixby

Contactless payments: Yes, via Garmin Pay

Heart rate sensor: Yes

Google rating: 4.0/5.0

Price: $354

Buy now: amazon.com/dp/B09NMK4W7J