To help you find the model that fits your needs to a T, CR’s smartwatch and fitness tracker ratings reflect the wide range of capabilities, as well as key metrics like battery life and display durability.
If you’re looking to monitor your health, know that nearly all of today’s watches track the basics, like sleep, steps, heart rate, and workout length and intensity.
Some high-end options can detect whether you’ve fallen and notify emergency contacts. Others have specialized sensors that measure, say, your breathing patterns to identify signs of sleep apnea or the temperature of your skin to better track your menstrual cycle. All this health-related data can be used to begin a discussion with your doctor.
Because most of the smartwatches and fitness trackers we test perform the basic functions well, the range of scores in our ratings of wearables is relatively narrow. So below, we provide shopping suggestions based on specific needs, like your preferred price range and the brand of smartphone you own. Remember: Not every smartwatch can pair with every smartphone; Apple Watches work only with iPhones, while Samsung and Google smartwatches work best with Android phones.
For more shopping advice, check out our smartwatch and fitness tracker buying guide.
