The best smartwatches and fitness trackers, according to Consumer Reports

A smartwatch with inaccurate heart-rate readings or a battery that dies mid-week undermines the entire reason for wearing one, and premium features mean little if the display scratches easily or the case feels bulky on the wrist. Apple $AAPL, Samsung, Google $GOOGL and Fitbit devices all take different approaches to health tracking, price and battery life.

Consumer Reports tested smartwatches and fitness trackers for heart-rate accuracy, battery performance, durability and features, so shoppers can find a wearable that fits their budget and habits.

Credit: Apple

The Apple $AAPL Watch SE 3 costs $280 and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation among Apple Watches for routine tracking. CR found it covers nearly every essential feature shoppers want, tracking sleep patterns, monitoring heart rate, counting steps and pushing app notifications, along with Fall Detection, family setup, Emergency SOS with international calling, tap-to-pay, a GPS chip built into the watch itself and automatic workout detection. Testing measured a battery life of about three days, and CR noted buyers give up features like hypertension monitoring along with some display size and brightness compared with the pricier Series 11 or Ultra 3. CR found this budget-friendly Apple Watch ranked just barely below those two models in lab testing overall.

Credit: Apple

The Apple $AAPL Watch Series 11 costs $430 and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation among Apple Watches for routine tracking. CR found it slim and comfortable to wear, with a screen that stays lit continuously in either the 42mm or 46mm size and resisted scratches well through everyday wear. Testers got access to Apple's complete suite of health-tracking and safety features, and clocked roughly three full days between charges. That durability paired with full feature access and multiday endurance makes it a strong pick for anyone ready to spend on a full-featured smartwatch.

Credit: Amazon

The Google $GOOGL Pixel Watch 4 costs $400 and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation among smartwatches for Galaxy and Pixel fans, working with any Android phone despite pairing especially well with Google's own devices. CR gave its bright, round display a top score for durability and scratch resistance, and praised a robust health feature set that spots workouts on its own, tracks how heart rate varies over time, and monitors sleep patterns. Testers also gave it a strong rating for how precisely it measures things like step count, elevation gain and distance traveled, and clocked battery life at about 3.5 days, in line with other high-end smartwatches though shorter than some pared-down fitness trackers. CR called it a solid pick overall for anyone invested in the Google ecosystem.

Credit: Samsung

The Samsung Galaxy Watch8 costs $300 and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation among smartwatches for Galaxy and Pixel fans, serving as a solid all-around pick for Galaxy phone owners. CR found the bright 1.3-inch AMOLED display offers always-on capability, and highlighted Samsung's newer health features like swimming-stroke analysis and AI-generated daily sleep and energy scores alongside standard tools such as automatic workout tracking and heart-rate and blood oxygen monitoring. Testers measured battery life at 1.5 days, in line with the daily charging many high-end smartwatches require. CR noted a newer Galaxy Watch9 was headed to its labs for testing soon.

Credit: Apple

The Apple $AAPL Watch Ultra 3 costs $800, pricier than every other watch in this lineup, and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation among premium smartwatches, built for athletes and outdoor adventurers. CR found the large, bright screen and chunky titanium case added notable bulk compared with the standard Series 11 or SE 3, and highlighted adventure-focused features like a microphone array for clearer calls in rough conditions, a loud-siren SOS signal, and even a dive computer app for scuba diving. Testers gave the watch a top score for durability, and measured a battery life of 3.3 days, shorter than some pared-down fitness trackers that can run past a week. CR called it a standout performer in its labs overall.

Credit: Samsung

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra costs $470 and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation among premium smartwatches, compatible with many Android phones though designed to pair especially well with Galaxy devices. CR found the titanium frame, a step up from the Galaxy Watch8's aluminum build, earned an excellent score for build quality, and highlighted features including sleep apnea detection, a holistic daily energy score, tap-to-pay, GPS route tracking and the ability to take calls from the wrist. Testers noted the 1.5-inch display makes for a bulkier, more conspicuous watch on the wrist, a tradeoff some buyers may welcome for the larger screen. CR noted a newer Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 was headed to its labs for testing soon.

Credit: Amazon

The Fitbit Versa 4 costs $150 and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation among Fitbit smartwatches and fitness trackers, working with both Android and iPhone despite a more limited app selection than Apple $AAPL or Samsung devices. CR found it easy to use with solid step counting and heart-rate monitoring, scoring above average for features and fitness tracking without quite matching the top-tier Apple and Samsung watches. Testers highlighted built-in GPS for run or ride tracking without a phone, a blood oxygen sensor supporting sleep tracking, and a daily readiness score, alongside a seven-day battery life that beat many smartwatches tested. CR also mentioned the newer screen-free Fitbit Air as an option worth a hands-on look for anyone wanting something even less obtrusive.

Credit: Amazon

The Fitbit Charge 6 costs $140 and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation among Fitbit smartwatches and fitness trackers as a feature-packed, reasonably priced option. CR described it as a slim wristband topped with a small color screen that skips some sensors and smartphone connectivity found on full smartwatches, though it still monitors sleep, counts steps, tracks heart rate and rates exercise intensity by zone. Testers found the charge lasted well over a week between plug-ins. That extended runtime paired with core fitness essentials makes it a practical pick for anyone who doesn't need every smartwatch feature.

Credit: Amazfit

The Amazfit Bip 6 costs $80, priced lower than many watches in this lineup, and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation among budget smartwatches and fitness trackers, compatible with both Android and iPhone. CR clocked battery life at 10.5 days and gave the watch a top score for step-count and heart-rate accuracy, alongside a sleek, analog-inspired touchscreen display that tested bright and easy to read. Testers also gave it top marks for build quality and scratch resistance, and rated the companion Zepp app near the top for ease of use and customization. That accurate tracking paired with long battery life and a low price makes it a standout value in this lineup.

Credit: Amazon

The Fitbit Inspire 3 costs $90 and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation among budget smartwatches and fitness trackers as a pared-down fitness band with a color touchscreen. CR found it covers the basics well, including phone notifications, daily movement tracking and sleep quality monitoring. Testers measured battery life at nearly 13 days on a single charge, and noted the build held up durably in testing. That long battery life paired with a low price makes it a solid choice for anyone who wants simple tracking without extra smartwatch features.

Credit: Amazon

The Amazfit Band 7 costs $50, priced lower than every other device in this lineup, and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation among budget smartwatches and fitness trackers as a very basic option. CR found it simple to operate and sturdy over time, with a highly accurate step-count tracker, though heart-rate monitoring accuracy came back only so-so. Testers noted shoppers give up higher-end features like built-in GPS and NFC-based tap-to-pay at this price point. CR still called it worth considering for anyone wanting something simple and inexpensive.