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This guide is for anyone choosing a first or next smartwatch, and for anyone buying one as a Christmas or birthday present. Start with the phone it will pair with. Then think about battery life, the size of the watch on the wrist, and whether you need it to work away from your phone. Every pick here is in stock on Amazon UK today and sold by Amazon.
Apple Watch Series 12 (GPS, 42mm)
Best for iPhone owners
This is Apple's main smartwatch. It keeps you safe, tracks your sleep and lasts a full day.
Who it's for: Buy it for any iPhone owner who wants the complete Apple Watch.
The facts that matter
- Up to 24 hours of normal use, and a 15-minute fast charge gives up to 12 hours.
- Detects a hard fall or a serious car crash and can help connect you with emergency services.
- Measures heart rate variability as often as every five minutes, with a daily sleep score and a readiness view.
Why it made the list: It can spot a hard fall or a serious car crash and help connect you with emergency services. It checks heart rate variability (the tiny changes in time between heartbeats) as often as every five minutes, then gives you a daily sleep score and a readiness view. When the battery runs low, a 15-minute fast charge gives you up to 12 hours.
Worth knowing: This is the GPS model, so calls and texts away from your iPhone need the GPS + Cellular version.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm)
Best for a first Apple Watch, or one for a child
This is the simpler Apple Watch. You get an always-on screen, so you see the time without raising your wrist.
Who it's for: Buy it for someone getting their first Apple Watch, or for a child.
The facts that matter
- An always-on display, so you see the time without raising your wrist.
- Up to 18 hours of battery, charging twice as fast as SE 2, with up to 8 hours from 15 minutes.
- Works with Apple Watch For Your Kids, even if the child does not have their own iPhone.
Why it made the list: It works with Apple Watch For Your Kids, even if the child does not have their own iPhone. It charges twice as fast as the SE 2, and 15 minutes gives up to 8 hours. That is ideal for a quick top-up before school or work.
Worth knowing: Up to 18 hours of battery, against up to 24 hours on the Series 12, so it needs charging every night.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Samsung Galaxy Watch9 (44mm, Bluetooth)
Best for Samsung and Android phone owners
This is Samsung's smartwatch. It puts reminders, messages and the weather on your wrist.
Who it's for: Buy it for anyone with a Samsung or other Android phone.
The facts that matter
- A light, cushion design that sets reminders, sends messages and checks the weather from your wrist.
- A larger, long-lasting battery that keeps it going all day.
- Sleep tracking from bedtime to wake-up, with personalised insights.
Why it made the list: Its light, cushioned design is easy to wear all day. Samsung says it has a larger, long-lasting battery that keeps going all day. It also tracks your sleep from bedtime to wake-up and gives you personalised insights.
Worth knowing: This is the Bluetooth model, so it has no mobile connection of its own.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Google Pixel Watch 5 (45mm, Wi-Fi)
Best for Pixel and Android phone owners
This is Google's smartwatch. Google says it has its most complete health and wellness tracking.
Who it's for: Buy it for Pixel owners and Android fans who want long battery life.
The facts that matter
- Up to 40 hours of battery, and 15 hours from a 15-minute charge.
- Google's most comprehensive health and wellness tracking.
- Google's most accurate sleep tracking yet.
Why it made the list: The battery lasts up to 40 hours, and a 15-minute charge gives you 15 hours. Google calls its sleep tracking its most accurate yet, so you get a clearer picture of your nights.
Worth knowing: This is the Wi-Fi model, so it has no mobile connection of its own.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Garmin Venu 4 (45mm)
Best for up to 12 days between charges
This is a stylish smartwatch that lasts up to 12 days in smartwatch mode. It has a bright, colourful screen and a stainless steel design.
Who it's for: Buy it for someone who wants a smart-looking watch that rarely needs charging.
The facts that matter
- Up to 12 days of battery in smartwatch mode.
- A bright, colourful display, a stainless steel design and a built-in flashlight.
- An ECG app, plus a sleep score with personalised sleep coaching.
Why it made the list: You get an ECG app (ECG is a check of your heart's rhythm), plus a sleep score with personalised sleep coaching. There is even a built-in torch for dark paths and power cuts. And it goes up to 12 days between charges.
Worth knowing: The 45mm case is big on a slim wrist; a 41mm version is sold separately.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Amazfit Bip 6 (46mm)
Best for two weeks between charges
This is a big-screen smartwatch that lasts up to 14 days, so you never charge it every night. It has a 1.97-inch AMOLED screen (a bright, rich colour screen).
Who it's for: Buy it for someone who wants a smartwatch with long battery life and no fuss.
The facts that matter
- Up to 14 days of battery life, so there is no nightly charging.
- A 1.97-inch AMOLED display, with Bluetooth calls and texts.
- Built-in GPS with free downloadable maps and turn-by-turn directions.
Why it made the list: You can take calls and texts over Bluetooth through your phone. Built-in GPS (satellite location) works with free downloadable maps and turn-by-turn directions, so you can find your way from your wrist.
Worth knowing: Amazfit warns against cleaning it with soap, sanitiser or lotion, which can damage its water resistance.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Amazfit Balance 2 (47mm)
Best for walkers, hikers and outdoor days
This is a smartwatch made for outdoor days, with the longest battery here: up to 21 days with typical use. It has an aluminium body and a 1.5-inch sapphire crystal glass screen.
Who it's for: Buy it for walkers, hikers and anyone who loves a day outdoors.
The facts that matter
- Up to 21 days of battery life under typical use.
- An aluminium body with a 1.5-inch sapphire crystal glass screen, plus dual speakers.
- Dual-band GPS across six satellite systems, with free offline maps.
Why it made the list: Dual-band GPS (two signals for a sharper fix on your location) works across six satellite systems, with free offline maps. Dual speakers are built in. Three weeks between charges makes it easy to take on long trips.
Worth knowing: The 47mm case is large on a slim wrist.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Apple Watch Ultra 3 (GPS + Cellular, 49mm)
Best for adventure and the longest Apple battery
This is Apple's adventure watch. It has a tough titanium case, a sapphire crystal screen and water resistance up to 100m.
Who it's for: Buy it for the iPhone owner who loves adventure and wants the longest Apple battery.
The facts that matter
- A tough titanium case and a sapphire crystal display, water resistant up to 100m.
- Up to 42 hours of normal use, and up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode.
- Built-in satellite communication for help when you have no mobile signal or Wi-Fi.
Why it made the list: It gives you up to 42 hours of normal use and up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode. Built-in satellite communication helps you get help when there is no mobile signal or Wi-Fi.
Worth knowing: The 49mm case is the largest watch here.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)