The best smartwatches of 2023 compared
| Best iOS smartwatch | Best Android smartwatch | Best workmanship | Best luxury smartwatch | Ultimate fitness smartwatch | Best price-to-performance fitness smartwatch | Best smartwatch for runners | Best price-to-performance smartwatch | Best hybrid smartwatch | Most innovative smartwatch | |
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| Rating | Read the Apple Watch Series 8 review | Read the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro review | Read the Huawei Watch GT3 Pro review | Read the Apple Watch Ultra review | Read the Garmin Epix 2 review | Read the Amazfit GTR4 review | Read the Garmin Forerunner 965 review | Read the Fitbit Versa 4 review | Read the Withings ScanWatch review | Read the Huawei Watch D review |
| Check offer* | Buy now | Buy now | – | Buy now | Buy now | Buy now | Check deals | Buy now | Buy now | – |
Which is the best smartwatch? That’s a difficult question to answer because the demands of each user are very different. For iPhone users, the first thought is, of course, the Apple Watch, but there are also exciting lineups from Garmin or Fitbit. The Galaxy Watch lineup is similar for Samsung fans.
In the following article, you will find a short buying guide first of all. Because before you decide on a smartwatch, you first need to know what is important. Then I present each recommendation in two paragraphs and a table. In doing so, I also explain why I find the smartwatch suitable for the respective category.
- Buying advice: what does a smartwatch need to be able to do in 2023?
- NextPit recommends: The best smartwatches in 2023
- Best smartwatch of the year: Apple Watch Series 8
- Best Android alternative: Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro
- Best workmanship: Huawei Watch GT3 Pro
- Best luxury smartwatch: Apple Watch Ultra
- Ultimate sports smartwatch: Garmin Epix 2
- Best value-for-money smartwatch: Amazfit GTR4
- Best smartwatch for runners: Garmin Forerunner 965
- Best value for money: Fitbit Versa 4
- Best hybrid smartwatch: Withings ScanWatch
- Most innovative smartwatch: Huawei Watch D
- Other interesting smartwatches to check out
- How did NextPit choose the best smartwatches?
- Additional “Best Of” lists
Buying advice: What must a smartwatch be able to do in 2023?
Smartwatches in 2023 have many different features, ranging from smartphone connectivity to materials to fitness functions. NextPit explains the most important features of smartwatches to you here.
Requirements for a good smartwatch in 2023
- Smart functions: Smartwatches are not called that for fun—after all, they are supposed to serve as an extension of the smartphone. This begins with notifications for incoming calls and messages, which virtually every current smartwatch can handle. Replying to incoming messages, however, becomes more difficult and usually only works with models that work really closely with the smartphone, such as an Apple Watch or a Samsung Galaxy Watch. Paying via NFC does not work with all models either, and only a few manufacturers apart from Apple and Samsung really offer a wide range of apps. Garmin, for example, maintains a proprietary and quite well-equipped app store.
- Mobile: Do you want to go to the bakery or walk around the city park without a smartphone? Then you need a smartwatch that not only supports Bluetooth or WLAN, but also LTE connectivity. That is the bare minimum if you want to remain contactable while you are on the move.
- Ease of use: How well and easily can the smartwatch be operated? Are there mechanical operating options such as crowns or bezels or is the operating system also easy to operate via the touchscreen? If you want to operate the watch during winter or at work with thick gloves, then make sure that it can also be controlled completely via the buttons.
- Vital Signs & Functions: While all smartwatches can measure your pulse, there are many additional features. These include measuring your blood oxygen, blood pressure measurement, ECG features, and more. The more fitness features a watch offers, the better. If you want to go jogging without a smartphone, the smartwatch you use should have its own GPS receiver. Sports enthusiasts out there should also take a look at the compatible accessories: some watches can be paired with waterproof triathlon chest straps or cadence sensors for bicycles. Other features that are a basic requirement are telephony, music control, independent music playback, and digital payment methods.
- Quality and value: Smartwatches can be prestige objects if you want them to be! High-quality workmanship including waterproofing and premium materials should be another aspect you should pay attention to. Of course, it depends on how important these features are to you. This is because as a rule, the price also increases with the use of higher-quality materials, or you will have to make the sacrifice for a cheaper price with fewer features.
- Battery life: A long battery life is an advantage when you have a watch on your arm. However, this feature doesn’t come without its pitfalls. Some smartwatches offer super-long battery life, but are very thick and clunky in exchange for higher battery capacity. This is where you need to find the right -mAh- capacity for you!
NextPit recommends: These are the best smartwatches in 2023
At the top of this article, I have presented you all the winning smartwatches in 2023 in a table. If you want additional information, you can find it in the paragraphs below. For even more on the individual models, check out the linked reviews.
Apple Watch Series 8: The best smartwatch in 2023
Read the detailed Apple Watch Series 8 review on NextPit
Yes, it is a pity that probably the smartest smartwatch around omits a large segment of smartphone users worldwide. After all, besides the ever-same design, the lack of connectivity to Android smartphones is the main criticism of the Apple Watch 8. Otherwise, the Apple smartwatch is hard to beat when it comes to comfort, operation, and app support.
The new Watch 8 now offers a temperature sensor, can handle international roaming for calls, and is even supposed to be able to detect when you are in a car accident. In addition, the Apple smartwatch could shine with better workout tracking and more accurate sleep tracking in the review. One drawback though: Despite the new energy-saving mode, you still have to charge the watch every single day.
The best Android alternative: Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro
Read the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro review
Do you own an Android smartphone from Samsung? Honestly speaking, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is probably the best smartwatch for you in this case. Samsung introduced the watch in the late summer of 2022 and we awarded it four stars in the NextPit review. There were a few interesting innovations, especially for outdoor athletes. Unlike the Galaxy Watch 4, the watch now supports turn-by-turn navigation and allows importing and exporting GPX maps. There are also numerous sensors, from the usual suspects like pulse and SpO2 to ECG and even monitoring your blood pressure!
The battery life of the Pro model in particular has also taken a leap forward, making the smartwatch suitable for longer tours with active GPS enabled. If you were to really throw yourself into the mud, that should not be a problem, either: Thanks to the use of sapphire glass for the display, it is twice as hard as in the Galaxy Watch 4 with a 29 GPa rating according to the manufacturer, and the titanium case is also extremely robust. But of course, this also comes at a price: With an MSRP of $450, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is no bargain, although you can probably get it at a cheaper rate now.
Huawei Watch GT3 Pro: Best workmanship
The Huawei Watch GT3 Pro is an absolute eye-catcher and works with both Android and iOS. For a fair price, you get a well-made smartwatch with high-quality materials such as titanium and sapphire glass. The display and, for the most part, its everyday use also convinced us in the review.
You have to make compromises with the smart features though. For instance, the Watch GT3 Pro does not support mobile payments, and the Huawei AppGallery only has a handful of apps that are also only available for Android users. The downside to this? Battery life lasts for about a week even with intensive use. If you were to solely focus on materials, workmanship, and battery life, be sure to take a look at the Huawei Watch GT3 Pro.
Best luxury smartwatch 2023: Apple Watch Ultra
Read the Apple Watch Ultra review
With a recommended retail price of $799, the Apple Watch Ultra is the most expensive model in this comparison – and at the same time probably the most versatile smartwatch at the moment. In terms of smart functions, it offers the same comprehensive feature set as the Apple Watch Series 8, but also has a number of functions for outdoor and fitness enthusiasts on board.
Particularly noteworthy here is the extremely accurate multi-band GPS, which is on par with the best sports watches that are currently available. The battery life has also increased tremendously compared to previous Watch models – we easily managed to have it last for two days in the review. And the smartwatch should have enough power even for most long-distance runners or those participating in Ironman events. The titanium casing and the sapphire glass-protected display are also worth mentioning here. They really did not get the slightest scratch during our review duration that lasted several weeks.
However, there are a few downsides: While the battery life is much better than in other Watch models, it is still quite limited. And since charging takes almost two hours, you will have to find plenty of time for recharging in everyday life – at least if you want to use the Apple Watch Ultra for sleep tracking at night. Also, many features will only work in conjunction with an iPhone in 2023, so you’re doubly dependent on the smartphone here.
The ultimate outdoor smartwatch: Garmin Epix 2
Read the Garmin Epix 2 review
It doesn’t get any better than this: whether you’re playing golf or plunging into the water on a surfboard, scrambling through the mountains or having strapped your feet to skis under your feet: the Garmin Epix 2 has the corresponding modes with countless extra functions for every conceivable sport. Want to check out some examples?
The Garmin Golf app is aware of 42,000 golf courses, while the right app informs windsurfers about wave height, swell direction, swell period, water temperature, and more.Outdoor sports enthusiasts can look forward to comprehensive map material including precise GPS navigation, with a chest strap that can be purchased separately. There is also a precise running style analysis. And for snow lovers, there are maps of more than 2,000 ski resorts on the watch. The list simply goes on and on.
You can also precisely track your sets in the gym. The Epix 2 automatically recognizes many forms of exercises, such as bench presses or deadlifts, including the number of repetitions. All you have to do is enter the weight to record your workouts. Of course, there are also the usual tracking functions for sleep, stress level and recovery with heart rate variability and resting pulse.
While all wishes are fulfilled in the sports features, there is still room for improvement in terms of smartwatch functions. Garmin Pay, for example, does not offer as broad support for banks as Apple Pay or Google Pay. And the notification system is also less powerful compared to the rivals from Samsung, Apple and others. Still, if sports are your top priority, the Garmin Epix 2 is simply the ultimate sports watch.
Best Value-For-Money Fitness Smartwatch: Amazfit GTR4
Read the Amazfit GTR 4 review
Are you looking for a cheap sports smartwatch with an unbeatable range of functions? If you have answered in the affirmative, you should definitely take a closer look at the Amazfit GTR 4—or the almost identically equipped GTS 4, which comes with a square instead of a round display. In the NextPit sports test, the watch impressed us with the very precise dual-band GPS and practical workout recognition in particular.
The latter automatically recognized exercises such as curls or deadlifts during fitness training and shows a stress overview of the muscle groups after the workout, which is very similar to what much more expensive Garmin models can do. With the GTR 4 and GTS 4, you can even connect to third-party chest straps!
The downsides include the limited smartwatch capabilities, Alexa support, notifications from the smartphone, and having just a handful of apps. You will search in vain for features such as mobile payment capability or replying to messages on your wrist. However, if you were to focus on the sports functions alone, then you will be in seventh heaven with the Amazfit!
Ultimate smartwatch for runners: Garmin Forerunner 965
Read the Garmin Forerunner 965 review
We recommend another Garmin watch that focuses on sports. We chose the Forerunner 965 as the best smartwatch for running enthusiasts. Compared to its predecessor, the Forerunner 955, the new model is pleasing to the eye in two respects: The design has seen a significant degree of modernization which you can see in the new color options, titanium bezel, and the new display.
In addition, Garmin has also installed an AMOLED display, so you not only benefit from crisper colors but also from an increased resolution of 454 x 454 pixels. Unfortunately, there is still no IP certification, but Garmin at least certified the Forerunner 965 to be water-resistant for up to 5 ATM.
Like the Garmin Epix 2, there is incredibly extensive support for numerous sports. This wide range and extremely precise tracking are strong selling points of the Forerunner 965. By the way, this also applies to indoor use, so this fitness watch is also a loyal and useful companion when one trains in the gym.
However, runners will benefit from this model in particular due to the fact that the Forerunner 965 now measures vertical movement while running and ground contact time even without a Running Dynamics chest strap. This is perfect for optimizing your running style. In addition, two more metrics have been added to the extensive metrics that we are already familiar with in the Epix 2: one is chronic load, which shows an average of acute load over the last 35 days. The other is the load ratio, which puts the acute and chronic loads into perspective.
Unfortunately, the advantages and drawbacks are similar to those in the Epix 2: Basically, the pure smartwatch features are somewhat lacking. For instance, Garmin Pay is hardly useful in certain countries due to a lack of support, and the apps are sometimes a bit clumsy to use, while we still miss LTE and wireless charging.
If that doesn’t bother you, the Forerunner 965 is a smart sports watch that hardly has to hide behind the Epix 2 in terms of sports features despite its significantly lower price.
Price-performance tip: Fitbit Versa 4
Read the Fitbit Versa 4 review
After its predecessor Versa 3 was last year, our price-to-performance recommendation goes to Fitbit again with the Fitbit Versa 4 2023 – albeit tethered to limitations yet again. While the smartwatch itself is comparatively inexpensive at just under $180, Fitbit’s subscription model ensures ongoing costs – at least if you want to use the full range of features. At least: You can try Fitbit Premium for free for six months after purchase, after which the service costs $9.99 per month.
The Versa 4 is well-equipped in terms of hardware. The AMOLED screen is easy to read even in difficult lighting conditions, and the lightweight design was pleasing in the review. We were particularly pleased that there is a physical button again – the capacitive button had repeatedly caused trouble in its predecessor. The tracking is also basically reliable, although you cannot expect the same accuracy in terms of heart rate and GPS as in the competitors from Garmin and others.
In addition to the Versa 4, Fitbit also introduced the Sense 2 which NextPit reviewed in January 2023.
Best hybrid smartwatch: Withings ScanWatch
Read the Withings ScanWatch review
In this smartwatch recommendation, we introduce you to another quite exciting product category. Hybrid smartwatches have a classic watch face including hands, but are connected to the mobile phone via Bluetooth. This way, the Withings ScanWatch transmits the data from the heart rate monitor as well as your step count to your smartphone. At the same time, there are also a few smart features on the watch.
As we found out in the review, the watch shows you notifications and incoming calls on a small OLED display on the watch face. The whole package can’t be compared to a “real” smartwatch, but the watch is supposed to be a mixture of analog and digital. And it manages that quite well!
Most innovative smartwatch: Huawei Watch D
We have long known of features for measuring blood pressure from many smartwatches. Huawei has taken a particularly innovative path for the Huawei Watch D: while other models only provide an estimate of these values using the pulse oximeter in the form of a photoplethysmogram, Huawei has imbued the watch with a special bracelet. There is a narrow cushion that can be inflated using a pump.
In addition to blood pressure, you will also find all the functions you can expect from a good smartwatch. The Watch D also monitors your pulse, your location via GPS, blood oxygen, creates an EKG, and checks your skin temperature. The special hardware makes the design bulkier, but without making the device look too bulky.
Other interesting smartwatches to check out
Our smartwatch list is already pretty exhaustive, and if we really listed all the smartwatches we’ve reviewed here, then this table would really go beyond the intended scope. Therefore, you will find other smartwatches in the following list that are worth a second look but did not make it into our top selection of the best smartwatches.
We’re eager to hear your recommendations—If there’s a smartwatch you believe deserves our attention, please share it with us in the comments section below!
How did NextPit choose the best smartwatches?
Unwrap it, strap it on, try it out, use it for jogging, cycling, and everyday life—that’s how every review we publish on a smartwatch or fitness tracker goes. Because we at NextPit stick to a practical test procedure that should give you the impression you would get if you tried it out yourself. In addition to our test impressions, we’ve included other variables for these articles.
When did the smartwatch come out, how well does it serve what purpose, and how we rate the mass appeal of the watch. The Apple Watch Series 8 or Amazfit GTR 4, each received 4.5 stars as a fitness smartwatch—making them a great choice for fitness enthusiasts. However, if you are looking for an all-rounder with many smartwatch features and attach less importance to tracking functions, you can not necessarily obtain those from these two models. Therefore, neither were placed first as the best smartwatch.
Ideally, you are currently looking for a smartwatch and find the right model via this article. How well did that work out? Of course, we are always happy to receive criticism and suggestions in the comments. Also, tell us which model you bought or which you would like to see a review of on NextPit.
Further “Best Of” lists on NextPit
Are you shocked by how expensive most of the good smartwatches are? Then don’t hang your head, because maybe a fitness tracker will do the trick. Because so-called smartbands have most of the important tracking features and now even often shine with features that only smartwatches had a few years ago.
Our selection of the best smartwatches has been updated as of May 26, 2023, all existing comments were kept and may refer to older versions of this guide
