The best Samsung smartwatches you can buy

The best smartwatches on the market include devices from Apple, Garmin, and Fitbit, but one name also mentioned often is Samsung. The Korean company has released some great wearables in recent years, with many contenders for the best outright product in this category. With that in mind, here are the best Samsung smartwatches you can buy in 2023.

Buying the right Samsung smartwatch for your needs

Samsung smartwatches cover all corners of the market, from style and practicality to health and fitness tools. We rounded up the Samsung devices that offer users the best bang for their buck.

The best Samsung smartwatches

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series: The new Samsung smartwatches feature larger displays, larger batteries, upgraded chipsets, and a new strap fastening mechanism. All of these add value. Additionally, it also heralds the return of the Classic model.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: Samsung’s 2022 flagship smartwatch still has a place on this list. It’s more refined than its predecessor and includes valuable upgrades, from a larger battery to a built-in temperature sensor. You might also be able to find a little cheaper now.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro: The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is the suped-up model and technically the best Samsung smartwatch you can buy. It features the same health and fitness tracking tech as the base model, plus a more durable build, better battery life, and a few tools for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 series: The Galaxy Watch 4 series still offers great picks if you appreciate a bargain and don’t mind slightly older tech. Both models run on Wear OS. The Galaxy Watch 4 Classic still remains a fan favorite that can now be had for much cheaper.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 3: The best Tizen-based Samsung smartwatch and the best Samsung smartwatch for iPhone users is the Galaxy Watch 3. It’s a stylish smartwatch that also packs a healthy dose of fitness-tracking features.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2: The Galaxy Watch Active 2 is the best cheap Samsung smartwatch. It does an excellent job balancing smartwatch and fitness features and won’t cost a fortune.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series: The best Samsung smartwatches you can buy

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 doesn’t look too different from its two predecessors, but if you look closely, it brings value-adding upgrades. These are refinements rather than complete overhauls, and it makes complete sense considering how solid the Galaxy Watch 5 is.

Nevertheless, the new model receives a roomier, brighter display and bigger battery. A new band fastening system also makes clipping and releasing bands an absolute breeze. A faster chipset, more RAM, and buffed charging all add to the user experience. In terms of fitness features, there aren’t many new additions. You’re getting much of the Galaxy Watch 5’s loadout, including a heart rate sensor, ECG, SpO2 monitoring, and the body composition analysis tool. The temperature sensor has a little more use now, allowing users to read objects like a pool or bath.

With the lack of a killer feature, convincing legacy Samsung users to upgrade might be tough. However, you will get the immediate advantage of Wear OS 4 and One UI 5 Watch and the platform’s new first- and third-party apps. This software will filter down eventually, though.

Those who missed Samsung’s physical rotating bezel found on the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic and Galaxy Watch 3 might be tempted by the new Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, but be prepared to pay for that privilege and stainless steel build.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: The best Samsung smartwatch for most shoppers

Both Galaxy Watch 5 models outshine the previous generation with small but significant upgrades, including improved battery life and build. At a much more approachable price point, the base model is the best pick for most people.

For starters, during our Galaxy Watch 5 review, we found this one of the most comfortable smartwatches we’ve worn. The refined design is sleek and classy, and added durability kept the device safe despite bumps against furniture. It was also plenty comfortable for working out and for sleep tracking. Samsung greatly expanded its overnight offerings with more data and analysis for monitoring your sleep, and the improved experience is now much more similar to that of Fitbit.

By day, the Galaxy Watch 5 is a solid smartphone companion and fitness tracker. Users will find all the typical tools, including access to Google, third-party apps like Strava and MyFitnessPal, and support for digital payments and music. The GPS and heart rate sensors performed adequately during our review period.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro: The best Samsung smartwatch for more serious trainers

Both Galaxy Watch 5 series devices are great smartwatches from Samsung. However, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro specifically offers a massive battery, even more durability, and a few exclusive features. Its upgraded user experience earned the device the top spot in our list of the best wearables of 2022.

To start, both series 5 models feature Sapphire glass displays. The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro adds a titanium case and thicker Sapphire glass than the base model. Months after purchase, our device still looks pristine. Unfortunately, you won’t find a rotating bezel, but the device’s aesthetics are still elegant.

What you will find are all the same great health and fitness tracking we loved on the Galaxy Watch 4 series. In testing, we found the 5 Pro offers slightly upgraded heart rate data which Samsung credits to sensor improvements and a better fit. We especially liked the feel of Samsung’s D-buckle band with its elevated metal clasp. This watch band only comes with the Pro model out of the box, not the base model.

The 5 Pro also packs a much larger battery, offering up to 20 hours of use in GPS mode (though we never quite reached those numbers during our Galaxy Watch 5 Pro review period). It also ships with a charging cable that can charge your device from zero to 45% in 30 minutes. Finally, only the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro adds navigational upgrades for hikers, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts. These include Track Back for exploring new areas, GPX file compatibility for sharing favorite routes, and a GPX File Database that allows users to search out recommended courses.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4: A cheaper Wear OS option that still delivers

At their launch, the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic were arguably the best Wear OS smartwatches, running One UI Watch atop Google’s then-new Wear OS 3. Samsung’s newer watches have since eclipsed these devices, but this older generation is still a very solid lineup worth considering if you want to save some cash. The Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is also a good alternative if your heart is set on a rotating bezel.

The Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic come in small and large sizes and have optional LTE-connected variants. The wearables feature refreshed designs, an improved strap mounting system, 1.19- and 1.36-inch displays, and bright AMOLED screens. Both models look fantastic on the wrist and their displays are bright, colorful, and engaging.

The watches also include several advanced fitness tracking features, including body composition monitoring, which we found quite useful. During our Galaxy Watch 4 review, we were pleasantly surprised by the line’s much-improved heart rate monitoring. Additionally, users will find ECG and SpO2 sensors, though some features can only be used with a paired Samsung smartphone.

While Wear OS 3 does add considerable polish to users’ experience, including Google Assistant, the Galaxy Watch 4 has some limitations and falls short in crucial areas. While reviewing the devices, we found GPS accuracy less than stellar. Additionally, the smaller models’ battery life isn’t great, and charging is laboriously slow. Still, the line is fantastic overall. More importantly, they can now often be found on sale.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 3: The best Samsung smartwatch for iPhone users

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is still a great smartwatch in 2023, even if it’s not running the latest, greatest software. The predecessor to the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, this device includes a crisp display and a handy rotating bezel (did we mention how much we like those?). It’s also the best option for Tizen fans who don’t want to jump ship to Wear OS or iPhone users looking for something beyond the Apple Watch.

For starters, the Galaxy Watch 3 delivers a solid smartwatch experience. It’s a good-looking device on the wrist, and we love the opportunity to personalize it during our Galaxy Watch 3 review with tons of first and third-party watch faces available. For example, the two-day battery isn’t bad compared to the Apple Watch. We also found a few advanced tools for running worth tapping into and were pleased with what the device offers in terms of sleep tracking, especially sleep score.

That said, this range-topper isn’t without its flaws. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 isn’t built with sensor accuracy in mind. In other words, if fitness tracking is your key feature, your money is best spent elsewhere. You also won’t find as many apps on Tizen as you would on Wear OS, but Wear OS also has limitations.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2: The best cheap Samsung smartwatch

The Galaxy Watch Active 2 is an attractive Samsung smartwatch and can be found for just a couple hundred dollars. Unlike the Galaxy Watch 3, it sports a slimmer touch-sensitive bezel with a slightly curved glass face and various band options. The Galaxy Watch 4 is the direct follow-up to this device (you probably notice in its sporty aesthetic).

Before the release of the Galaxy Watch 4, the Active 2 was the best Samsung smartwatch for fitness and sleep tracking. That’s not to say it’s fantastic, but it was the best available. We wouldn’t suggest this device if you’re a dedicated athlete looking for absolute precision. Instead, the Active 2 is for shoppers looking to save cash without sacrificing many features. It packs LTE support, too, making it a good option for streaming music at the gym or during runs.

Of course, cutting costs has its consequences. For one, during our Galaxy Watch Active 2 review, we found key health tracking metrics, like heart rate monitoring, could be unreliable. The device’s blood pressure monitor is a definite low point. If you don’t need hardcore monitoring, this smartwatch is plenty good. Most significantly, this is the best cheap Samsung smartwatch available.

FAQs