Smartwatches do a lot more than tell you the time. They keep tabs on your health by tracking your heart rate, sleep, and much more. And they can also send notifications from your smartphone straight to your wrist, so you’re always up to date.

If you’re shopping for your very first smartwatch or keen to upgrade your current one, our guide will help you find a fab new wearable. We’ve not only listed the key things to think about, but also highlighted some of the best smartwatches out there. Time to find your perfect match!

Finding the right smartwatch isn't just about picking the one that looks the coolest (although that’s still important!). It’s more about which watch will work best with your other tech and your lifestyle, so you can get the most out of it. Here are a few essential things to consider:

Compatibility

Your smartwatch will pair with your smartphone, so you’ll need to make sure they’re compatible for the smoothest experience. Most watches are designed to work with either Android phones or iOS (Apple) devices. For example, the Apple Watch connects only with iPhones. But there are some brands that make their smart watches compatible with both.

Need a hand getting them synced?

Our How to connect your smartwatch to your phone article has all the tips and tricks you’ll need to hook up your smartwatch to your phone. We cover the Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watches, Huawei smart watches, and more top brands.

Screen type

The display is another key thing to think about, with most smartwatches having either AMOLED or LCD touchscreens. AMOLED displays provide vibrant colours and deep blacks, making them clear and crisp. LCD screens aren’t quite as detailed, but they typically drain less battery and can be easier to read under direct sunlight.

Your style

Next up, let's talk about style. A watch is something you wear every day, so you’ll want to make sure you like the look of yours. You’ll be glancing at it a few thousands times, after all. Smartwatches come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from rugged designs that’ll withstand heavy gym workouts to sleek, round face watches you can wear casually.

Some smartwatches look exactly like traditional watches from a distance. It’s not until you get up close that you’ll see the display is really a screen!

Extra features

Now, let’s think about the kind of things you’ll want to do on your new watch. For example, automatic fitness tracking is a great feature if you’re into running. That’s because the watch will start monitoring your key health metrics as soon as you take a few strides — saving you from menu diving. And some also have workout modes for specific activities like swimming or golf.

A lot of smartwatches come with built-in music storage, so you can connect your wireless earbuds and get your sweat on with a motivating playlist. And many support contactless payments too, which means you can quickly buy something just by tapping it near a payment terminal.

The Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro packs plenty of modern tech into its eye-catching design. See for yourself — it looks more like a piece of stylish jewellery than a smartwatch. And with a range of customisable watch faces, you can easily tailor it to suit your own style. You could swap them out every day to match different outfits if you like.

But this watch is much more than a fashion statement. The GT 5 Pro is a seriously clever smartwatch with advanced health and fitness tracking features, making it a versatile option for both everyday wear and workouts. It tracks loads of pro-level sports, from 40-metre free diving to course golf. And with up to two weeks of battery life, you can build a more accurate picture of your health and sleep habits as you’ll be charging it less.

This classy gadget even has an emotional detection feature that can sense your mood and provide tips to give you a boost — including breathing exercises and yoga sequences. And it’ll work with whatever phone you have, thanks to iOS and Android compatibility.

Thinking about hitting the gym or taking on some new sports? The Fitbit Versa 4 would be a top workout buddy. It offers over 40 exercise modes that range from strength training to kayaking. And with its big and bright display, you can see all your reps and steps in real-time.

If running outdoors is your thing, the Versa 4’s built-in GPS will accurately capture your pace and the distance you’ve covered so you can keep track of your progress. You won’t even need your phone on you. And thanks to the watch’s thin and lightweight design, you’ll barely notice you’re wearing it as you go for your personal best.

But one of the best things about the Fitbit Versa 4 is that it’ll tell you whether you’re ready for a workout or not. That’s because it’ll use your recent activity, sleep, and heart rate data to provide a Daily Readiness Score. So, you'll know when you need to rest up or get up and go.

Whether you're training for a half-marathon or just getting into jogging, the Garmin Forerunner 55 running watch can help you chase your fitness goals. It’s super easy to use and will help you stay on track by precisely measuring your route, pace, distance, and intervals.

And if you ever need some extra motivation or advice? Just download Garmin Coach from the Garmin Connect app. It offers adaptive training plans that sync straight to the watch, based on the level you’re currently at while pushing you to make the next step. Plus, you’ll get pointers from expert coaches who know about all things running!

Then there’s PacePro, which is perfect if you’re into competitive distance running. It’ll give you GPS-based pace advice when you select a course or distance in the Garmin Connect app — telling you when to sprint and when to conserve energy. That way, you can easily plan out your race day strategy with the watch steering you towards the best time.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch7 is made to keep up with your busy schedule. If you fill your week with different sports and activities, the Watch7 can track them all with over 100 built-in workout programs. And thanks to the auto workout detection feature, you won’t have to waste time setting things up before a run or bike ride. Just crack on and the watch will start recording your health stats for you.

It can also crunch all your exercise and sleep data to create a daily Energy Score. This will give you a good idea of what your current condition is, with Ai-driven wellness tips helping you plan your routine and create better habits.

The Galaxy Ai smarts don’t end there. That’s because you can even use the Watch7 to get voice-to-text instant summaries that’ll appear on your paired Samsung smartphone. So, forget about jotting down notes in your next work meeting. This will save you time by doing it all for you. And with the Bixby voice assistant onboard, a quick “Hi, Bixby” will let you make calls, change songs, and more completely hands-free!

If you're looking for an affordable smartwatch that has plenty of great features, the Huawei Watch Fit 3 is a great shout. Its big 1.82” AMOLED display is bursting with detail and clearly shows your health stats at the flick of the wrist. And as its name suggests, it’s packing plenty of health tracking tech to keep you active.

Like the smart suggestions feature, which recommends sports and activities you should try based on your existing workout habits. It’ll even keep weather conditions in mind. This watch also helps you prepare for exercises with on-screen animations for warm-up and cool-down stretches. That way, you’ll always feel good before and after running, cycling, or swimming.

But it’s a great everyday smartwatch too, especially with its thin and lightweight design making it super comfortable. You’ll hardly feel it as it tracks your sleep patterns overnight. And you can even create your own watch faces that’ll stand out. Choose from different styles, colours, and add shortcuts to access your fave apps with less taps.

What’s the best smartwatch for iPhone?

If you're using an iPhone, an Apple Watch is a go-to choice. It's designed to work seamlessly with iPhones, with its fitness tracking data feeding straight into the Health app. It’ll also display hands-free notifications from your phone, with the ability to make calls and send messages from your wrist too.

What’s the best android smartwatch?

It really depends on what you're looking for. The new Samsung Galaxy Watch7 is a solid choice if you’re after an all-rounder, as it offers a versatile balance of features. This includes fitness and sleep tracking, contactless payment support, and Galaxy Ai to make your life easier. However, other Android smartwatches like the Fitbit Versa 4 and the Garmin Forerunner 55 also have their own strengths, especially if you're into fitness and running.

Need more advice?

Still not 100% sure about which smartwatch is right for you? We’ve got loads more articles on smartwatches in our Wearable Ideas section here on Techtalk. Or check out our Smart watch and fitness buying guide instead. If you prefer in-person advice, just use our store finder to locate your nearest Currys branch.