May 2023
Smartwatches: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of Smartwatch rankings posted by key online experts, as of May 2023.
Summary
Between 6 May 2023 and 9 May 2023, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 82 Smartwatch endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
41 Smartwatches were endorsed in total, only 15 made it into this month's ranking (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included).
As of 9 May 2023, Apple Watch Series 8 takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed smartwatch with 7 expert endorsements. 6 experts out of 7 recommended it as the '#1 smartwatch' this month. It is followed by Fitbit Versa 3 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 , with 6 and 4 expert endorsements respectively.
Brand breakdown
-
Garmin:
8 Smartwatches
(#1 is Garmin Vivomove Luxe )
-
Apple:
6 Smartwatches
(#1 is Apple Watch Series 6 )
-
Fitbit:
6 Smartwatches
(#1 is Fitbit Charge 5 )
-
Samsung:
6 Smartwatches
(#1 is Samsung Watch 4 classic )
-
Amazfit:
3 Smartwatches
(#1 is Amazfit Bip 3 Pro )
Price breakdown
At a glance - May 2023 Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | Smartwatch |
Popular Science
|
Trusted Reviews
|
Reviewed
|
10Beasts
|
Tom's Guide
|
Ars Technica
|
Wareable
|
PCMag
|
Android Authority
|
TechRadar
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
- | $359 |
Apple Watch Series 8
The Apple Watch Series 8 is a highly advanced smartwatch with a wide range of fitness tracking features, built-in GPS and smart assistant integration, advanced health features, and a durable construction, making it a versatile device for staying connected and on top of health and fitness goals.
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
4
|
|
2
|
- | $136 |
Fitbit Versa 3
The Fitbit Versa 3 is a comprehensive fitness tracker and smartwatch that offers a wide range of features, including daily step tracking, heart rate monitoring, workout tracking, built-in GPS, blood oxygen monitoring, voice assistant technology, and a sleek and durable design.
|
-
|
4
|
5
|
-
|
11
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
8
|
|
3
|
- | $229 |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is a comprehensive fitness tracker with advanced features and smart assistant integration, making it an excellent choice for individuals who want to improve their overall health and well-being.
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
1
|
|
4
|
- | Check price |
Apple Watch SE
The Apple Watch SE is a comprehensive fitness tracking device with heart rate monitoring, fall detection, noise monitoring, steps and general activity tracking, and a wide range of workouts, making it a great option for those who prioritize fitness tracking and health monitoring.
|
-
|
2
|
2
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
3
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
|
5
|
- | $780 |
Apple Watch Ultra
The Apple Watch Ultra is a high-end smartwatch with advanced health and fitness tracking features, a durable and stylish design, and unique features like a redesigned Compass app and Fall Detection and Crash Detection.
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
5
|
5
|
-
|
3
|
|
6
|
- | $344 |
Google Pixel Watch
The Google Pixel Watch is a premium smartwatch with advanced fitness tracking, stylish design, and strong connectivity, making it a great option for Android users.
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
6
|
8
|
-
|
6
|
|
7
|
- | $399 |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is a durable and feature-packed smartwatch that is perfect for fitness enthusiasts and Android users.
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
6
|
5
|
|
8
|
+1 | $400 |
Garmin Venu 2 Plus
The Garmin Venu 2 Plus is a feature-packed smartwatch with accurate fitness tracking capabilities, a durable design, and seamless connectivity, but may have limited third-party app options and a less user-friendly phone app.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
6
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
|
9
|
-1 | $199 |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is a comprehensive smartwatch with advanced health tracking features, a sleek design, and seamless connectivity for Android users.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
9
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
10
|
- | $249 |
Apple Watch 7
The Apple Watch 7 is a highly capable smartwatch with excellent health and fitness tracking, a durable and stylish design, and seamless connectivity with iPhones, making it a great choice for iOS users who prioritize health and fitness tracking and app integration.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
11
|
- | Check price |
Fitbit Sense
The Fitbit Sense is a comprehensive smartwatch and fitness tracker that offers a wide range of features for users interested in tracking their health and wellness, including heart rate monitoring, automatic exercise tracking, built-in GPS, swim-proofing, voice assistants, and sensors that measure stress levels, heart rate variability, skin temperature, and oxygen saturation levels.
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
|
13
|
+1 | $200 |
Mobvoi TicWatch E3
The Mobvoi TicWatch E3 is a versatile and affordable smartwatch with fitness tracking features, NFC payment support, Google Assistant integration, and Family Care, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a high-quality smartwatch.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
7
|
|
14
|
-1 | Check price |
Fitbit Sense 2
The Fitbit Sense 2 is a health-focused smartwatch with a wide range of fitness tracking features, including 24/7 heart rate monitoring, ECG sensor, blood oxygen and glucose level measurement, and built-in Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integration.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
|
15
|
- | $200 |
Fitbit Versa 4
The Fitbit Versa 4 is a comprehensive fitness tracker with built-in GPS, Amazon Alexa voice interactions, and a minimum battery life of 6+ days, making it ideal for fitness enthusiasts and those who want to stay connected while on the go.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
16
|
- | $250 |
Garmin Lily
The Garmin Lily is a stylish and feature-packed smartwatch designed specifically for women, offering a range of fitness tracking features, heart rate monitoring, stress monitoring, and smart assistant integration.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
Sorted by price:
| Position in ranking | Price | Smartwatch |
|---|---|---|
| #2 | $135.99 | Fitbit Versa 3 [buy] [more info] |
| #9 | $199 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 [buy] [more info] |
| #15 | $199.95 | Fitbit Versa 4 [buy] [more info] |
| #13 | $199.99 | Mobvoi TicWatch E3 [buy] [more info] |
| #3 | $229 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 [buy] [more info] |
| #10 | $249 | Apple Watch 7 [buy] [more info] |
| #16 | $249.99 | Garmin Lily [buy] [more info] |
| #6 | $343.75 | Google Pixel Watch [buy] [more info] |
| #1 | $359 | Apple Watch Series 8 [buy] [more info] |
| #7 | $399 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro [buy] [more info] |
| #8 | $399.99 | Garmin Venu 2 Plus [buy] [more info] |
| #5 | $779.99 | Apple Watch Ultra [buy] [more info] |
We ranked Apple Watch Series 8 #1 in May 2023 because:
- 7 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartwatches” rankings.
- Out of those, 6 experts ranked Apple Watch Series 8 as #1.
Trusted Reviews
The best smartwatch
|
Pros
Excellent tracking features
Plenty of sensors, including clever use of temperature sensor
Charges quickly
Additional low power modes
|
Cons
No big battery upgrade
Minimal additions over the last model
|
Reviewed
Best Overall / Editors' Choice
|
Pros
Same outstanding quality
Potentially life-saving crash detection
QWERTY keyboard
|
Cons
Incremental upgrade
Temperature sensor underutilized
Ovulation predictions retrospective
|
Tom's Guide
The best smartwatch overall
|
Pros
Skin temperature reader for cycle + sleep tracking
Crash detection
New watchOS 9 workout interface
Low power mode
|
Cons
Similar to previous Apple Watch
|
Wareable
Best overall smartwatch
|
Pros
Superb, unisex design
Incredible health tracking capabilities
Unmatched app store
|
Cons
Only works with iPhone
Some won't require advanced health and safety features
Not a huge leap forward from Apple Watch Series 7
|
PCMag
Best Overall / Editors' Choice
|
Pros
Overnight temperature sensing
Car crash detection
Improved battery life
More accurate period predictions
|
Cons
Same design as previous model
Limited usefulness for retrospective ovulation estimates
|
Android Authority
|
Pros
Excellent Retina display
Premium design and build
Crash detection
Improved sleep tracking
Plenty of watchOS 9 upgrades
|
Cons
Battery life still has not improved
no third-party watch faces
|
TechRadar
The best mid-range Apple watch
|
Pros
Useful temperature sensor
Car crash detection
|
Cons
Average battery life
Almost the same as the Apple Watch 7
|
We ranked Fitbit Versa 3 #2 in May 2023 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartwatches” rankings.
Trusted Reviews
The best affordable fitness tracker
|
Pros
Feature-packed for the price
GPS is finally here
Six-day battery with intensive use
|
Cons
Fitbit’s apps and app store still need work
The step count is just too eager
Still no support for offline Spotify
Fitbit Premium is essential for getting your money’s worth
|
Reviewed
Editors' Choice
|
Pros
Automated fitness tracking
Always-on display
Battery life
|
Cons
Button design
Premium-feature paywall
Usability quirks
|
Tom's Guide
The best smartwatch from Fitbit under $200
|
Pros
Good battery life
Custom training programs (with subscription)
Great sleep analysis
|
Cons
Can only use one voice assistant at once
|
Android Authority
|
Pros
Decent battery life
Pretty accurate health tracking
Built-in GPS
|
Cons
Tiny app library
Onboard music limited to two services
Proprietry charging cable
|
TechRadar
The best Fitbit overall
|
Pros
Built-in GPS
Lightweight and comfortable
|
Cons
Poor side button
No offline Spotify
|
Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend Smartwatches.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of Smartwatches, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for May 2023 ranking
Popular Science
Trusted Reviews
Reviewed
10Beasts
Tom's Guide
Ars Technica
Wareable
PCMag
Android Authority
TechRadar
We ranked Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 #3 in May 2023 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartwatches” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 as #1.
Reviewed
Best for Android / Editors' Choice
|
Pros
Great design
Improved accessibility features
Vibrant display
|
Cons
Bezel is still difficult to use
wearOS takes some getting used to
Tied to Samsung's ecosystem
|
Tom's Guide
The best smartwatch for Android
|
Pros
Sporty, yet versatile design
Stronger, scratch-resistant screen
Added skin temperature sensor
Longer-lasting battery life
|
Cons
Skin temperature sensor doesn't work at launch
|
PCMag
Best for Android Users / Editors' Choice
|
Pros
Competitive price
Sleek design
Bright, durable display
Good app selection
Slight battery life improvement over previous generation
Digital bezel for quick scrolling
|
Cons
Temperature data unavailable at launch
Lacks outdoor-specific features of Pro model
Questionable SpO2 measurements
No heart rate variability or respiration data
|
TechRadar
The best Android smartwatch overall
|
Pros
Powerful fitness features
Durable and lightweight
|
Cons
One-day battery life
Optimized for Samsung phones
|
We ranked Apple Watch SE #4 in May 2023 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartwatches” rankings.
Trusted Reviews
The best value Apple Watch
|
Pros
Excellent value
Huge range of tracking features
The best smartwatch OS around
Wide variety of straps available
|
Cons
No always-on display
Battery life still only really a day
|
Reviewed
Best Value / Editors' Choice
|
Pros
More for less
Great iPhone integration
Crash detection
|
Cons
Still no always-on display
Inconsistent evercise detection
|
Tom's Guide
The best smartwatch value for iPhone users
|
Pros
Lower price than previous Apple Watch SE
Color-matched bottom case
Same chipset as Apple Watch Series 8
|
Cons
No always-on display
|
Wareable
Best affordable smartwatch for iPhone
|
Pros
Same S8 chip as Apple Watch Series 8
Superb value - and now an even lower price
Comprehensive features and tracking
|
Cons
Only works with iPhone
No Always-On display
Not a huge leap forward from the original Apple Watch SE
|
PCMag
Best Affordable Apple Watch
|
Pros
Upgraded processor from previous model
New motion sensor with support for Crash Detection
Improved real-world battery life
Lightweight
Excellent app selection and safety features
Lower price than first-generation model
|
Cons
No always-on display
Lacks sensors for ECG, SpO2, or body temperature
No rating for dust resistance
|
We ranked Apple Watch Ultra #5 in May 2023 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartwatches” rankings.
Trusted Reviews
Best rugged smartwatch
|
Pros
Improved battery on previous Apple Watches
Surprisingly light design
Good sports tracking performance
Bigger, brighter Retina display
|
Cons
It’s not cheap
Design could be sleeker
Some outdoor features are a work in progress
New straps are a mixed bag
|
Tom's Guide
The best smartwatch for safety and sports
|
Pros
Best battery life of any Apple Watch
Added Action Button
Emergency siren
|
Cons
Battery life doesn’t compare with competitors
|
Wareable
Best outdoor smartwatch
|
Pros
Improved sports tracking over standard models
Display is a thing of beauty
Still a slick smartwatch experience
|
Cons
Needs some native software tweaks
Battery life still isn't amazing
Not the prettiest case design
|
PCMag
Best for Outdoor Adventures
|
Pros
Highly rugged and water resistant
Much better battery life than other Apple watches
Customizable Action button
Emergency siren
Cellular connectivity comes standard
Louder speaker than Series 8
Tactile buttons work with gloved hands
Dual-frequency GPS
Fantastic Depth app
|
Cons
Large
Expensive
Digital Crown may irritate skin
|
TechRadar
The best premium Apple Watch
|
Pros
Large display
Action button is very useful
|
Cons
Battery life could be better
Lack of navigation features
|
We ranked Google Pixel Watch #6 in May 2023 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartwatches” rankings.
Reviewed
Editors' Choice
|
Pros
Great design
Good fitness features
Wear OS is maturing
|
Cons
So-so battery life
Some features require subscription
Already slightly slow
|
Tom's Guide
The best smartwatch for Pixel smartphones
|
Pros
Minimalistic design
Full collection of Google services on-board
Reliable Fitbit fitness tracking
|
Cons
Big bezel
Lackluster battery life
|
Wareable
Best fitness tracker watch
|
Pros
Superb design and look
Fitbit integration is a hit
Excellent basic tracking accuracy
|
Cons
Battery life is very limited
Only one case size is available
Mild HR accuracy issues during high-intensity workouts
|
PCMag
Best Galaxy Watch Alternative
|
Pros
Attractive design with stainless steel case
Bright, responsive display
Good app selection
Secure band attachment system
Fitbit fitness tracking
ECG app
|
Cons
Some syncing difficulties in testing
Only comes in one size
No dust-resistance rating
Doesn't track skin temperature or SpO2
Lacks advanced running metrics
|
TechRadar
The best Wear OS watch for style
|
Pros
Elegant, classic watch-like looks
Brilliant screen
Fitbit integration
|
Cons
One (small) size fits all
Band switch system takes practice
No blood oxygen sensing - yet
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro #7 in May 2023 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartwatches” rankings.
Trusted Reviews
The best Wear OS smartwatch
|
Pros
Solid fitness tracking services
Rugged, sports-ready design
Wonderfully bright display
|
Cons
Route planning process feels clunky
Battery life doesn’t match rival fitness trackers
|
Wareable
Best smartwatch for Android
|
Pros
Super battery life
Great smartwatch features
Solid health monitoring
|
Cons
Only works with Android
Some sports tracking inaccuracies
Health features require a Samsung phone
|
Android Authority
|
Pros
Long-lasting battery
New adventures features
Reliable heart rate monitoring
|
Cons
No skin temperature monitoring at launch
GPX file sharing not applicable to runs
No more rotating bezel
|
TechRadar
The best premium Samsung smartwatch
|
Pros
Excellent performance
Interesting new software
|
Cons
Limited compatibility
Lacks rotating bezel
|
We ranked Garmin Venu 2 Plus #8 in May 2023 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartwatches” rankings.
10Beasts
Best Smartwatch for Music
|
Pros
Can download a lot of music
Many exercise tracking and built-in features
Connects to your hone and wireless earbuds
Attractive
|
Cons
Expensive
|
Tom's Guide
The best fitness-tracking smartwatch
|
Pros
Stunning AMOLED display
Reliable fitness tracking and Garmin Coach
Call quality is better than expected
|
Cons
Not enough third-party apps
|
Wareable
Best Garmin smartwatch
|
Pros
Rich sports and fitness tracking
Great battery life
Comfortable to wear
|
Cons
Less case sizes than Venu 2
Relatively pricey
Some sleep tracking accuracy issues
|
Android Authority
|
Pros
Excellent design and build quality
Features rapid charging technology
Accurate fitness and health tracking
Excellent phone call support
|
Cons
high price tag
Battery life is a bit below avearge
Inconsistent heart rate sensor
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 #9 in May 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartwatches” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 as #1.
10Beasts
Best Overall Smartwatch
|
Pros
Easy and sleek app
Customizable features with the app
Many features
Clean appearance
Great customer reviews
|
Cons
Slightly expensive
Short battery life
|
Tom's Guide
The best smartwatch with a traditional timepiece look
|
Pros
Slim design and fun watch faces
Improved Wear OS software
Body composition analysis
|
Cons
Inconsistent battery life
|
We ranked Apple Watch 7 #10 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartwatches” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Apple Watch 7 as #1.
10Beasts
Best Smartwatch for iPhone
|
Pros
Connects seamlessly with iPhone
Acts as your phone when needed
Easy to read face
Waterproof
Many health and tracking features
Very few complaints
|
Cons
Expensive
Can be easy to crack the screen
|
We ranked Fitbit Sense #11 in May 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartwatches” rankings.
Popular Science
Best health and fitness smartwatch
|
Pros
Offers a long-lasting battery life, so you can avoid charging for days at a time.
|
Cons
Screen response time can be slow when compared to other smartwatches.
|
TechRadar
An excellent Android smartwatch with mental health tools
|
Pros
Detailed stress logging
On-board GPS
|
Cons
Many tools require Fitbit Premium
Step counting slightly inaccurate
|
We ranked Mobvoi TicWatch E3 #12 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartwatches” rankings.
Android Authority
|
Pros
Well-built hardware
Good Display
Decent battery life
|
Cons
Iffy automatic activity tracking
Inconsistent sleep tracking
Wear OS is aging
|
TechRadar
The best cheap Android smartwatch powered by Wear OS
|
Pros
Large display
Fast performance
|
Cons
Looks simple
Casing feels cheap
|
We ranked Fitbit Sense 2 #13 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartwatches” rankings.
Tom's Guide
The best smartwatch from Fitbit
|
Pros
Proactive stress management with cEDA
Comfortable design
Robust fitness and health tracking with Fitbit Premiums
|
Cons
No third party apps
|
PCMag
Best High-End Fitbit
|
Pros
Slim, lightweight, comfortable design
Improved touch-screen responsiveness
5-day battery life
Large, bright display
Excellent stress management features
Accurate body temperature data
|
Cons
Aesthetic downgrade from original model
No third-party app support
Some lifestyle apps from last generation removed
Band release latch can be accidentally triggered
|
We ranked Fitbit Versa 4 #14 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartwatches” rankings.
Tom's Guide
The best smartwatch for step counting
|
Pros
Great, slim-profile design
Accurate step counting
Good battery life
|
Cons
Trouble with heart rate accuracy
No third-party apps
|
Wareable
Best Fitbit smartwatch
|
Pros
Improved design from Versa 3
UI is very friendly
Super sleep tracker
|
Cons
No third-party apps
No music features
Some heart rate accuracy issues
|
We ranked Garmin Lily #15 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartwatches” rankings.
PCMag
Best for Small Wrists
|
Pros
Stylish classic watch design
Measures breathing, energy level, and stress
SpO2 sensor
Lots of useful widgets
Excellent companion app
|
Cons
No built-in GPS
Lacks a color display
|