10 Best Smartwatch That Works Without Phone 2025 in the United States

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 44mm Bluetooth AI Smartwatch is a robust option for those seeking a smartwatch that can function independently of a phone. One of its standout features is its advanced tracking capabilities, including Energy Score, heart rate monitoring, and sleep tracking, which are all enhanced by Galaxy AI. This makes it a strong choice for fitness enthusiasts and those who want detailed health insights.

The watch offers Bluetooth connectivity, which is useful, but it lacks explicit mention of cellular connectivity, a critical feature for true phone independence. The watch has a sleek and durable build quality, and the touchscreen interface should be user-friendly. Samsung typically offers high-quality screens, which should translate into a good viewing experience.

The app ecosystem would largely depend on Samsung's Tizen OS or Wear OS, which are known for their robust app support. If you need a smartwatch for health and fitness tracking with some phone-independent features, this could be a good choice.

The Garmin Vívoactive 5 is a strong choice if you're looking for a smartwatch that works well without being tethered to your phone. Its bright and sharp 1.2-inch AMOLED display is clear and colorful, making it easy to check stats even in bright light. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 11 days in smartwatch mode, which means less frequent charging compared to many other smartwatches. While it doesn’t have built-in cellular connectivity, it uses Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and USB for syncing and app support, so you’ll need your phone nearby for calls or messages but can still track workouts, sleep, and health data independently.

The watch excels in health and fitness tracking with features like sleep score, stress monitoring, body energy tracking, and over 30 sport modes including wheelchair-specific activities, making it versatile for a wide range of users. It also offers advanced training tools and music storage, allowing phone-free listening with wireless headphones. The operating system works smoothly with both Android and iOS devices, providing a good variety of apps through Garmin’s platform.

The watch is lightweight with a durable aluminum bezel and silicone band, and though water resistance isn’t explicitly highlighted here, Garmin’s fitness watches typically handle swimming and sweat well. If you want a smartwatch focused on detailed health insights, long battery life, and solid fitness features with bright display quality, the Vívoactive 5 fits the bill. However, if you need full cellular independence for calls and texts without your phone, this model doesn’t provide that capability.

The Fitbit Google Ace LTE is a distinctive kids' smartwatch that functions independently of a phone, thanks to its built-in 4G LTE cellular connectivity and GPS. This ensures that your child is always reachable and you can keep track of their location. The device is designed with a 1.6-inch display and a sturdy build featuring Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and a protective bumper, making it both dust and water-resistant up to 50 meters.

This durability is perfect for active kids who might be tough on their gadgets. With a battery life that lasts over 16 hours and quick charging that provides 11 hours of use in just 30 minutes, the Ace LTE is reliable for all-day wear. It also supports messaging and calling without needing a phone number, and allows up to 20 contacts, ensuring kids can stay in touch with family and friends.

The smartwatch runs on Android, offering a smooth user experience and access to various features through the Fitbit Ace app. Health and fitness tracking are emphasized with movement-based games and activity challenges to keep children active. The Fitbit Arcade includes various games, and the Noodle feature records physical activities like steps and jumps.

Additionally, the watch has a Tap to Pay feature, allowing kids to make purchases with a supported debit card, fostering independence and responsibility. The need for a Fitbit Ace Pass data plan might be an additional expense for some families. Also, while the smartwatch integrates well within Fitbit's ecosystem, its focus on kids means it may lack some advanced health tracking features found in adult-oriented smartwatches. The 32 GB storage is ample for children’s use but might be limiting for those looking for more extensive app support.