Tech
The 7 best smartwatches of 2025 include some surprises
After a very busy fall, we finally have the new lineup of smartwatches from Apple, Samsung, and Google. And so whether you're team Apple or team Android, you have excellent choices for your wrist. Now that we've tested the major new releases, we're ready to name the best smartwatches of 2025. We have good news: As long as you stick to the flagship smartwatches from these three brands, you really can't go wrong.
Apple Watch SE 3
Apple Watch Series 11
Google Pixel Watch 4
Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro
Apple Watch Ultra 2
(save $150)
Fitbit Charge 6
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8
(save $20)
The smartwatch market is getting very crowded, and that's good news
In just the past few months, Samsung, Google, and Apple all released new flagship smartwatches. On top of that, the Venn diagram of the best smartwatches and the best fitness trackers is fast becoming an almost perfect circle. While brands like Garmin and Fitbit are more tailored to athletes than everyday use, the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra lines are packed with fitness-focused features. And don't forget, you can also opt for smart rings and sleep trackers for true 24/7 health tracking.
There's also a huge range in price. Recently released smartwatches include the relatively affordable Apple Watch SE 3 ($239.99 ) all the way up to the ultra-pricey Garmin Fenix 8 Pro ($1,199.99 to $1,999.99). However, you don't have to spend very much to get a kick-ass smartwatch. In fact, even if your budget caps out at $100, you still have good options. Case in point: The ChatGPT-connected Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro, priced at $99 but often available for $79.
Which wearables deserve a spot on your wrist? We're ready to render a verdict, and let's just say we have strong feelings and a couple of picks that might surprise you.
Yes, we chose not to include the new Apple Watch Ultra 3 (for now). Yes, we think the $99 Nothing Watch is a smarter buy than the new Galaxy Watch 8 (which we also love). No, we really don't think we can recommend the $1,999.99 microLED Garmin smartwatch, no matter how cool it is.
The best smartwatch for most people: Apple Watch SE 3
Credit: Apple
We're still in the process of testing the Apple Watch SE 3, but it's an Apple Watch — you know what you're getting. And here's the truth about the SE series: You get 98 percent of what you need from an Apple Watch or fitness tracker, and at a much better price. Unfortunately, you do take a hit on battery life. With 18 hours (versus 24 hours in the Series 11), you can't really call this an all-day smartwatch. And while you also miss out on blood oxygen monitoring, is that really crucial to the average user? We don't think so.
Add to that the fact that the SE 3 is the first Apple Watch SE to include an always-on display, and you have to wonder why you'd buy the Series 11 in the first place. In addition to its gorgeous OLED display, it has the same S10 chip inside the Ultra 3, the same water resistance as the Series 11, and all the necessary features you're looking for in a smartwatch — all for $150 less than the Series 11.
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The best Apple upgrade: Apple Watch Series 11
Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable
OK, so you really, really do want all-day battery life? Then you really do need to upgrade to the $399 Apple Watch Series 11. As Mashable's Stan Schroeder said in his review, it takes everything we loved about the Apple Watch Series 10 and adds a new processor and longer battery life. To be honest, there's not a lot to say beyond that. Apple can once again monitor your blood oxygen (after a legal dispute took away the feature), and now offers hypertension notifications as well.
Read our full review of the Apple Watch Series 11.
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The best Android watch: Google Pixel Watch 4
Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
The Google Pixel Watch 4 looks really similar to the Pixel Watch 3 at first glance, but look more closely, and you'll notice a slightly more domed Actua display. It's a subtle change, but we think it makes the new smartwatch look absolutely gorgeous. We don't hate the "squircle" design of the Galaxy Watch 8 like some folks, but after comparing it to the Pixel Watch 4, let's just say Google takes this round.
We were also impressed by its feature set. Mashable senior reporter Christianna Silva is currently training for the New York City Marathon (and simultaneously testing 10+ smartwatches in the process), and they said the Pixel Watch 4 is a true runner's watch. That means it's elegant enough to wear to the office, but comfortable and smart enough to monitor workouts.
With a modern feel and a brighter display than the Pixel Watch 3, it's our current top choice as the best Android smartwatch.
Read our full review of the Pixel Watch 4.
The Budget Pick: Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro
Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable
Mashable readers have been going a bit gaga for this smartwatch ever since it was announced in July. And after testing it out for ourselves, we get it. We'll have an in-depth review of this budget smartwatch coming soon, but our reviewer had this to say: "I'm shocked by how awesome it is for the price." If you're looking for the best smartwatch under $100, nothing else comes close.
The British brand Nothing is known for its unique designs, which somehow look both retro and futuristic at the same time. CMF is the brand's budget line (which will soon be spinning off into its own company), but this doesn't perform like most cheap smartwatches. First of all, it offers direct ChatGPT integration, which even the Apple Watch can't do. Samsung and Google are eager to make you use their own AI tools, but if you prefer ChatGPT (and we know you probably do), then you'll love this watch.
Key specs include an extra-long battery life (Nothing promises 13 days), blood oxygen monitoring, stress tracking, and precise heart-rate monitoring and location tracking. For a smartwatch that often goes on sale for $79, that's frankly hard to believe.
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The Dark Horse Pick: Apple Watch Ultra 2
Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable
Wait… the Ultra 2? Yes, the Ultra 2, not the latest flagship Ultra 3. Hear us out…
First, so long as you upgrade to the new watchOS 26, you can enjoy almost all of the new features that come with the pricier Apple Watch Ultra 3 (priced at $799, or $779.99 at Amazon). Plus, you can now pick up the past-gen Ultra 2 on sale for just $649, a big difference over the new version.
Look, if you're the type of person who always wants the newest Apple gadget, spend more on the new model, which does have some upgrades. The display is a teensy bit better, as is the battery life. But honestly? That's about it. The new Ultra arrived with the most iterative possible improvements. At the time, our resident Apple reviewer called it "a very minor upgrade." So, for our money, we're going with the Ultra 2, which has a killer OLED display, 36 to 72 hours of battery, and 3,000 nits of brightness.
Read our review of the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
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The best budget fitness tracker: Fitbit Charge 6
Credit: Dylan Haas / Mashable
The Fitbit Charge 6 is… fine. We included this popular Fitbit in our guide to the best fitness trackers of 2025 for a reason. For the average, casual athlete, it does a fine job of tracking your steps, heart rate, and activity.
Once upon a time, Fitbit was synonymous with fitness trackers. But to be honest, the brand has been slacking. The most recent Fitbits aren't as comfortable as you'd expect, especially for long workouts, and they can't compete with Apple, Garmin, or Pixel watches in the features department. For instance, it's lacking features like an altimeter, but on the plus side, we are big fans of the Fitbit app. So much so that some of our reviewers buy a different smartwatch but still use the Fitbit app to track workouts.
So, our verdict on the Fitbit Charge 6 is simply this: if you must.
The Best Samsung Smartwatch: Galaxy Watch 8
Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
Let's be clear: The new Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is a fantastic and smart wearable, especially if you use Gemini. It's a Mashable Choice product for a reason. It has a well-rounded feature set that offers everything you need in a smartwatch, fitness tracker, and sleep tracker. And we like the signature squircle design more than most people. It also benefits from Samsung's on-point design and technology.
While it was narrowly edged out by the Pixel Watch 4, we think you'll be happy with this watch, especially if you're already in the Samsung product ecosystem. It has a bright display, great software, and smart health features, including a new Sleep Coach. It also integrates Gemini in some clever ways. Our reviewer's only real complaint was the battery life, which is fine, but not great.
Read our full review of the Galaxy Watch 8.
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Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're rowdy.
Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Hullabaloo
The words are related to sound.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained
These words describe ruckus.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?
Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
NYT Strands spangram answer today
Today's spangram is Lets Get Loud.
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NYT Strands word list for April 24
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Shout
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Holler
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Clamor
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Lets Get Loud
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Bellow
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Whoop
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Caterwaul
Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!
Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.
Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love a good drink.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
Where did Wordle come from?
Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?
The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?
The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?
It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:
Intoxicated.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?
There are no recurring letters.
Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…
Today's Wordle starts with the letter D.
The Wordle answer today is…
Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is…
DRUNK
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
The Federal Communications Commission is using the presence of "controversial gender identity issues" in children's television programming as a pretense for questioning how TV ratings are developed and enforced, according to a notice published Wednesday by the federal agency.
The notice generally assesses TV ratings, but specifically points out that these industry guidelines have rated shows featuring "transgender and gender non-binary programming" as appropriate for children. It argues that parents aren't provided this information, "thereby undermining the ability of parents to make informed choices for their families."
In the document, the FCC poses a series of open-ended questions about TV ratings development, including whether the board responsible for the guidelines is "sufficiently balanced" with viewpoints outside of the entertainment industry and if faith-based organizations should be represented in the body.
"What more could the board do to include family-oriented perspectives — which are not well represented in the media industry — in its ratings process?" the notice asks.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced the public notice on X, explaining that "parents have raised concerns with the industry's approach." He added that these parents believe "New York & Hollywood programmers" promote objectionable content in kids programming without disclosing that to parents. Carr didn't mention gender identity in his X post.
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TV parents guidelines can include both a rating as well as descriptors for content that includes crude language, sexual situations, and violence.
LGBTQ+ advocates criticized the public notice, arguing that it amounted to discrimination and censorship.
"Trump's FCC is trying to turn transgender people into a warning label," Tyler Hack, executive director of the transgender rights advocacy group Christopher Street Project, said in a statement. "It is dehumanizing, and it is part of a broader political strategy to stigmatize LGBTQ+ people in every corner of public life."
Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD, described the notice as government overreach.
"Media companies must be allowed to create and broadcast stories that reflect one-quarter of their audience without interference from a government agency with its own anti-transgender political agenda," Ellis said in a statement.
This isn't the first time Carr has been accused of censorship. Carr has claimed broadcasters air "hoaxes" and "news distortions" that also happen to be unfavorable to President Trump. Carr has suggested the licenses of such broadcasters won't be renewed.
In March, dozens of free speech experts argued in an open letter to Carr that his threats against broadcasters are "unlawful jawboning" and his vague characterization of "fake news" violates the First Amendment. The authors called on Carr to "withdraw" his threats.
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