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

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 Sense 2 is a robust option for those seeking a smartwatch that functions well without a phone. One of its key strengths is the comprehensive health and fitness tracking capabilities, such as the ECG app for atrial fibrillation assessment, SpO2 monitoring, 24/7 heart rate tracking, and stress detection tools. This makes it particularly beneficial for users focused on maintaining or improving their health and fitness levels. Additionally, the built-in GPS is ideal for tracking outdoor activities without needing to carry a phone.

The Fitbit Sense 2 also excels in sleep tracking with features like personalized Sleep Profile, daily sleep stages, and a smart wake alarm, which can help users improve their sleep quality. The battery life, lasting over 6 days, is impressive and ensures users don’t need to charge it frequently. However, there are some limitations. While the Fitbit Sense 2 offers on-wrist Bluetooth calls and notifications, it relies on a phone for full functionality, which may not align perfectly with those looking for a completely independent device.

The app ecosystem, while growing, is still behind some competitors, limiting the variety of apps available. The durability is good with water resistance up to 50 meters, but the build quality, being lightweight at 1.3 ounces, may not feel as premium as other high-end smartwatches. The display quality is decent with a 1.69-inch screen, but it doesn’t stand out in the market crowded with higher resolution screens. For someone prioritizing health tracking, long battery life, and basic connectivity features, the Fitbit Sense 2 is a solid choice.

The Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS + Cellular, 46mm) is a strong choice for users seeking a smartwatch that works independently of their phone. Its built-in cellular connectivity allows you to make calls, send texts, and stream music without having your iPhone nearby, which is ideal for staying connected on the go. The watch runs on Apple’s latest operating system, ensuring smooth performance and access to a wide range of apps.

Battery life offers up to 18 hours under regular use, covering a full day, and it charges quickly, reaching 80% in about 30 minutes. However, heavy use of cellular features might drain the battery faster. The display is bright and sharp with an always-on Retina screen, making it easy to see in various lighting conditions. For fitness and health, it offers comprehensive tracking including ECG, sleep stages, heart rate alerts, and sleep apnea notifications, providing detailed health insights. It supports a variety of workouts and includes useful safety features like fall and crash detection.

The watch is durable with water resistance to 50 meters and dust resistance, making it suitable for outdoor activities and swimming. It works best within the Apple ecosystem, requiring an iPhone (Xs or newer) for setup and full functionality, which could be limiting if you don’t already have one. While the battery life may feel short with heavy GPS or cellular use, the Apple Watch Series 10 is a premium, well-rounded smartwatch ideal for iPhone users wanting a device capable of handling calls, fitness, and health monitoring without their phone nearby.