10 Best Smartwatch 2026 in the United States

The Garmin fēnix 8 is a premium multisport GPS smartwatch designed especially for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who want detailed fitness tracking and rugged durability. It features a bright and sharp 1.4-inch AMOLED display protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire lens, making it easy to see in various lighting conditions. Its titanium bezel and pebble gray band add to a comfortable yet sturdy design. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 29 days in smartwatch mode and 84 hours with GPS active, which is ideal for long adventures without frequent recharging.

The watch supports a wide range of sports and offers advanced training tools like stamina tracking, custom workout plans, and recovery monitoring to help optimize physical performance. Health tracking is comprehensive, including heart rate, sleep, oxygen levels, and even an ECG app, though these are estimates and not medical-grade. Connectivity is strong, with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and the ability to make calls and use voice commands directly from the wrist when connected to your smartphone. For outdoor navigation, it has multi-band GPS, compass, gyroscope, and barometric sensors, plus useful features like dynamic round-trip routing. It’s also dive-rated to 40 meters with leakproof buttons, which is great for divers.

The watch runs on Garmin's own operating system, which might limit app variety compared to more common platforms, and the 5 MB RAM is quite modest (though typical for this device type). For users who value robust fitness and outdoor features, long battery life, and a durable design, the fēnix 8 is an excellent choice. Those seeking a simpler smartwatch experience or a wider app selection might find it more complex than necessary.

The Garmin vívoactive 6 is a solid choice if you want a smartwatch that prioritizes fitness and health tracking. Its bright 1.2-inch AMOLED display is easy to read, making it comfortable for daily use. Battery life impresses with up to 11 days on a single charge, which is quite convenient if you dislike frequent charging. It supports built-in GPS and Bluetooth for connectivity, ensuring you stay connected and can accurately track outdoor workouts without needing your phone.

The watch covers a wide range of sports and health features like heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking with personalized coaching, stress management, and even menstrual cycle tracking. This makes it well-suited for active users who want detailed insights into their wellness. You’ll also find helpful extras like animated workouts and suggested daily exercises that keep things engaging. The design is lightweight and comfortable, which is great for wearing all day and night.

Compatibility is strong with both Android and iOS devices, and the Garmin Connect app offers a good ecosystem for logging and analyzing your data. A minor note is that the operating system is Garmin OS, so app options outside Garmin’s ecosystem are limited compared to some other brands. For fitness enthusiasts or anyone wanting comprehensive health tracking with long battery life and a bright screen, the vívoactive 6 is a dependable pick.

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is designed for sports enthusiasts and adventurers who want a tough, reliable smartwatch with extensive health and fitness features. It’s compatible with iPhones from Xs onward and runs on the latest watchOS, giving you access to a wide range of apps and seamless integration if you’re already in the Apple ecosystem. The display is one of its standout features – it’s large, very bright even in sunlight, and protected by a durable sapphire crystal, making it easy to read during any activity. Battery life impresses compared to many smartwatches, lasting up to 42 hours normally and up to 72 hours in low power mode, which is useful for longer outdoor trips or workouts.

This watch excels in fitness and health tracking, offering detailed sensors for heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep, temperature, and even notifications for issues like hypertension or irregular rhythms. It supports a wide variety of workouts, from running and swimming to skiing and yoga, with precise GPS and innovative features like satellite communication for emergencies where there’s no cell coverage. Water resistance up to 100 meters and dust resistance make it well-suited for swimming, diving, and rugged environments.

Connectivity options include fast 5G cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.3, allowing calls, music streaming, and more without your phone nearby. The design uses lightweight but strong titanium for durability while remaining comfortable despite its larger size (49mm). The customizable action button adds convenience for quick access to important functions. The large size may not suit smaller wrists or those preferring discreet watches, and the battery life, although strong, still requires fairly frequent charging if used heavily with GPS and cellular on. It’s also costly, reflecting its premium build and features, which might be overkill for casual users or those outside the Apple ecosystem. The Ultra 3 is most suitable for active users who need a rugged, feature-packed smartwatch with strong health insights and emergency capabilities.