January 2023
Smartwatches: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of Smartwatch rankings posted by key online experts, as of January 2023.
Summary
Between 9 Jan 2023 and 9 Jan 2023, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 85 Smartwatch endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
42 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 Jan 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 Apple Watch SE , with 7 and 6 expert endorsements respectively.
Brand breakdown
-
Garmin:
8 Smartwatches
(#1 is Garmin Venu 2 )
-
Fitbit:
6 Smartwatches
(#1 is Fitbit Charge 5 )
-
Samsung:
6 Smartwatches
(#1 is Samsung Watch 4 classic )
-
Apple:
5 Smartwatches
(#1 is Apple Watch Series 6 )
-
Amazfit:
4 Smartwatches
(#1 is Amazfit T-Rex )
Price breakdown
At a glance - January 2023 Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | Smartwatch |
TechRadar
|
Popular Science
|
Wareable
|
Ars Technica
|
10Beasts
|
Reviewed
|
Trusted Reviews
|
Android Authority
|
PCMag
|
Tom's Guide
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
- | Check price |
Apple Watch Series 8
|
4
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
|
2
|
- | $145 |
Fitbit Versa 3
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
11
|
|
3
|
- | Check price |
Apple Watch SE
|
2
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
2
|
-
|
4
|
4
|
|
4
|
- | $229 |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
2
|
|
5
|
+1 | $780 |
Apple Watch Ultra
|
3
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
5
|
7
|
|
6
|
+1 | $339 |
Google Pixel Watch
|
6
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
3
|
|
7
|
+1 | $400 |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro
|
5
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
|
8
|
+1 | $199 |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
|
9
|
+1 | $450 |
Garmin Venu 2 Plus
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
6
|
|
10
|
-5 | $399 |
Apple Watch 7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
11
|
- | $178 |
Fitbit Sense
|
9
|
4
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
13
|
- | $294 |
Fitbit Sense 2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
5
|
|
14
|
- | $200 |
Mobvoi TicWatch E3
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
|
15
|
- | $228 |
Fitbit Versa 4
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
|
16
|
- | $250 |
Garmin Lily
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
Sorted by price:
| Position in ranking | Price | Smartwatch |
|---|---|---|
| #2 | $144.99 | Fitbit Versa 3 [buy] [more info] |
| #11 | $177.88 | Fitbit Sense [buy] [more info] |
| #8 | $199 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 [buy] [more info] |
| #14 | $199.99 | Mobvoi TicWatch E3 [buy] [more info] |
| #15 | $227.99 | Fitbit Versa 4 [buy] [more info] |
| #4 | $229 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 [buy] [more info] |
| #16 | $249.99 | Garmin Lily [buy] [more info] |
| #13 | $294 | Fitbit Sense 2 [buy] [more info] |
| #6 | $339.50 | Google Pixel Watch [buy] [more info] |
| #10 | $399 | Apple Watch 7 [buy] [more info] |
| #7 | $399.99 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro [buy] [more info] |
| #1 | $419.55 | Apple Watch Series 8 [buy] [more info] |
| #9 | $449.99 | Garmin Venu 2 Plus [buy] [more info] |
| #5 | $779.99 | Apple Watch Ultra [buy] [more info] |
We ranked Apple Watch Series 8 #1 in January 2023 because:
- 7 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartwatches” rankings.
- Out of those, 6 experts ranked Apple Watch Series 8 as #1.
TechRadar
One of the best around
|
Pros
Useful temperature sensor
Car crash detection
|
Cons
Average battery life
Almost the same as the Apple Watch 7
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked Fitbit Versa 3 #2 in January 2023 because:
- 7 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartwatches” rankings.
TechRadar
The best Fitbit
|
Pros
Built-in GPS
Lightweight and comfortable
|
Cons
Poor side button
No offline Spotify
|
Reviewed
Editors' Choice
|
Pros
Automated fitness tracking
Always-on display
Battery life
|
Cons
Button design
Premium-feature paywall
Usability quirks
|
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
|
PCMag
Best Battery Life / Editors' Choice
|
Pros
Attractive design with large, always-on color display
Integrated GPS
Battery charges quickly and lasts for days
Measures blood oxygen level while sleeping
Supports Amazon Alexa, Fitbit Pay, and Spotify
|
Cons
Laggy touch screen
No stress tracking, skin temperature, or ECG sensors
Doesn't provide high and low heart rate notifications
|
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
|
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 January 2023 ranking
TechRadar
Popular Science
Wareable
Ars Technica
10Beasts
Reviewed
Trusted Reviews
Android Authority
PCMag
Tom's Guide
We ranked Apple Watch SE #3 in January 2023 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartwatches” rankings.
TechRadar
The budget but very effective Apple Watch
|
Pros
Light and comfortable
Good battery life for price
|
Cons
No always-on screen
No ECG built in
|
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
|
Reviewed
Best Value / Editors' Choice
|
Pros
More for less
Great iPhone integration
Crash detection
|
Cons
Still no always-on display
Inconsistent evercise detection
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 #4 in January 2023 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartwatches” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 as #1.
TechRadar
The best Android smartwatch overall
|
Pros
Powerful fitness features
Durable and lightweight
|
Cons
One-day battery life
Optimized for Samsung phones
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked Apple Watch Ultra #5 in January 2023 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartwatches” rankings.
TechRadar
The ultimate Apple Watch
|
Pros
Large display
Action button is very useful
|
Cons
Battery life could be better
Lack of navigation features
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked Google Pixel Watch #6 in January 2023 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartwatches” rankings.
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
|
Wareable
|
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
|
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
|
PCMag
Best for Pixel Phone Users
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro #7 in January 2023 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartwatches” rankings.
TechRadar
An excellent but expensive Samsung smartwatch
|
Pros
Excellent performance
Interesting new software
|
Cons
Limited compatibility
Lacks rotating bezel
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 #8 in January 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 Garmin Venu 2 Plus #9 in January 2023 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartwatches” rankings.
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
|
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
|
We ranked Apple Watch 7 #10 in January 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 January 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartwatches” rankings.
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 Fitbit Sense 2 #12 in January 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartwatches” rankings.
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
|
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
|
We ranked Mobvoi TicWatch E3 #13 in January 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartwatches” rankings.
TechRadar
The best cheap Android smartwatch powered by Wear OS
|
Pros
Large display
Fast performance
|
Cons
Looks simple
Casing feels cheap
|
We ranked Fitbit Versa 4 #14 in January 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartwatches” rankings.
Wareable
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked Garmin Lily #15 in January 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
|