Best Wear OS watch 2025

When searching for a great smartwatch to pair with your Android phone, a wear OS watch is a good option. Smartwatches running Google's Wear OS offer tight Google service integration, access to plenty of apps, and smooth performance across the board. Although the Samsung Galaxy Watch lineup and Google's Pixel Watch may offer the best experience for most, especially when paired with the same branded phone, that doesn't mean you can't find other great brands with WearOS.

You'll find that many of our picks here for the best WearOS smartwatches overlap with our selections for the best Android smartwatches, overall, and that's not surprising. Arguably, the best Android smartwatches do happen to run Wear OS.

When we break things down based on our extensive experience and reviews, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is our best overall pick for the best Wear OS watch. It's priced well, has excellent features, and boasts a minimalist design. If this model doesn't appeal to you, especially if you don't own a Samsung Galaxy phone or want something different, we have plenty of other great options worth considering.

Michael Hicks

Michael Hicks is Android Central's resident smartwatch geek, having reviewed or tested dozens of wearables from Samsung, Google, Apple, Garmin, Fitbit, Coros, Polar, Withings, Amazfit, and others. He spends his free time running or hiking while wearing several watches at once, testing which is most accurate.

At a glance

Best overall

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 marks a different look in the line, more resembling the Galaxy Watch Ultra with its squircle design along with a new Dynamic Lug system. It's also much thinner and lighter than the Galaxy Watch 7. When you get to the Classic version, there's an additional Quick Button along with a rotating bezel, which some love. It also offers double the storage for those who love downloading apps and music playlists.

Performance-wise, it runs much the same as the Galaxy Watch 7, offering the same level of durability as well. But you'll note some significant other upgrades beyond the look. The screen is much brighter so it's more comfortable to see and read in direct sunlight. Which it also has a slightly larger battery, in our hands-on, we note that the extra brightness will probably negate that anyway.

When it comes to Wear OS, you get the latest Wear OS 6 and all its upgrades, including built-in Gemini access for a seamless on-wrist assistant. One stand-out feature on the health end is antioxidant index: take the watch off, place your thumb on the sensor, and get a reading that might help you make better nutritional choices.

Keep in mind, however, that it's largely an iterative update from the Galaxy Watch 7. If you're buying new, you're best to get the newest model and extend software and security support for as long as you can. But if you're on a budget or already have a Galaxy Watch 7, that model is a great option, too, and makes this list as the best last-gen Wear OS watch.

Best design

Google's back with the Pixel Watch 4 that, while it looks virtually identical to the Pixel Watch 3, which still remains a solid choice, it has a domed display underneath the glass that gives it a slight curve. With Wear OS 6 onboard, the Pixel Watch 4 feels more deeply integrated with Google's broader Pixel ecosystem than before.

Our Pixel Watch 4 hands-on highlights the upgrades it received over its predecessor, retaining the features that worked and adding or improving those that didn't. For example, it has a bigger battery and is estimated to last longer, though you'll still need to charge it every couple of days at least. You can still choose from two sizes, but it comes with a new charger that charges from the side, a sensible design that can also charge the watch faster and seems more reliable, according to our initial review.

The big upgrade is the inclusion of Gemini, thanks to the more powerful processor, which provides smart replies and allows you to engage in natural language conversations. The Raise to Talk feature is useful, too, so you can summon your own personal assistant without having to press a button or even use a wake word.

With other upgrades to keep it fresh like satellite SOS connectivity, upgraded dual-frequency GPS, and, for the first time, repairability through a replaceable display and battery, it's a solid smartwatch to consider for long-term use. Keep in mind there are new Fitbit features coming, too, like Activity Recognition and AI coaching, giving you something exciting to look forward to in the future with this smartwatch as well.

Best premium

Most Wear OS watches struggle to last a full day when continuous heart rate tracking is enabled. The Galaxy Watch Ultra changes that, offering an impressive 40- to 45-hour battery life. Even with all health sensors and sleep tracking enabled, it charges up quickly when you need a top-up. Samsung has also stepped up its game in health tracking with more accurate heart rate data that brings it closer to what you'd expect from top-tier fitness wearables. Add in upgrades to the processor, display, and GPS, and you've got a smartwatch clearly built with athletes in mind.

As our Galaxy Watch Ultra review explains, the expensive price tag may make some think twice about getting it, especially when the Galaxy Watch 7 is so much cheaper. In a comparison between the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, we also noted that the significant refinements in CPU, display, health sensors, GPS, and other areas consume the same 590mAh capacity faster, making it a harder sell to those who still own the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.

The advancements the Galaxy Watch Ultra offers are enough to explain its purchase, and it is an objectively better option than the Galaxy Watch 7. Nonetheless, the expensive price tag makes it challenging to recommend outside of a premium pick, and it's also a little on the heavy side for many, depending on personal preference.

Best value

Our TicWatch Pro 5 review highlights all the key features of this model. For starters, it features a large 1.43-inch HD display, which is slightly larger than the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. It is complemented by a digital crown at the 3:00 position. The watch features 24mm interchangeable bands, offering numerous options for swapping them out to suit your style. It offers 5ATM water resistance, making it suitable for swimming in pools.

The watch also has Wear OS 3 and 2GB of RAM. Its 628mAh battery life is estimated to be 80 hours. It also offers SpO2 tracking, an Accelerometer, a Gyro Sensor, an HD PPG Heart Rate Sensor, a SpO2 Sensor, a Skin Temperature Sensor, and a Low-Latency off-body Sensor.

The essential mode uses tilt-to-wake. It's a great feature for extending battery life by temporarily pausing certain features, like notifications and background activities. With this mode, you can enjoy several days of use as a basic watch with a low-power display, a massive advantage for anyone prioritizing battery life.

The size of the watch might make some think twice about getting it. You can also rearrange the Quick Settings panel for a smoother performance.

Best battery life

The OnePlus Watch 3 may not look significantly different from the Watch 2, but everything has been improved considerably, making it the best generational upgrade yet. A few things have remained the same, including the overall dimensions and weight, waterproofing, ruggedness, and the processor, RAM, and storage.

The standout upgrade that puts the Watch 3 on our radar is its larger 631mAh battery. While the Watch 2 topped out at around four days of use, the Watch 3 comfortably lasts for five days, and in our testing, it even pushed past that to nearly six days. Even more impressive, OnePlus managed to pull this off without adding any bulk or extra weight to the watch.

The OnePlus Watch 3 now features a titanium bezel for enhanced durability, and the crown is finally functional this time. The display bezels are also smaller, making way for a slightly larger AMOLED panel. While the resolution remains the same as last time, it now features LTPO technology, allowing the refresh rate to drop to 1Hz to conserve power. Additionally, it becomes exceptionally bright, reaching up to 2,000 nits.

Some of the other internal changes include a more power-efficient BES2800 co-processor that runs a real-time operating system (RTOS). The Watch also runs Wear OS 5 and will get two promised updates. OnePlus promises more accurate health and activity data readouts with the redesigned sensors, which can also do ECG and skin temperature readings. Comparing the OnePlus Watch 3 vs. Watch 2, you're definitely getting a lot more value for the premium you pay.

Best last-gen

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 isn't significantly different from its predecessor. Our Galaxy Watch 7 reviewer noted that it's primarily an iterative update, with many features transferred from the Galaxy Watch 6 to the newer model. However, the Galaxy Watch 7 still has a lot to offer.

So, what's new this time around? This last-gen model features a faster processor, which brings modest gains in speed and battery life compared to the previous-generation smartwatch. You also find fresh double-pinch and knock-knock gesture shortcuts built into many apps and system tools. These let you quickly turn off alarms, silence, timers, control music, pause workouts, and more. The only catch? They don't always register, which can get a little frustrating in practice.

Then there's all the usual good stuff, like a truckload of sensors, 10W charging, two size options, and numerous band styles and colors. All these goodies make the Galaxy Watch 7 one of the best Android smartwatches on the market today.

As great as the Galaxy Watch sounds, it has some drawbacks, such as the gesture features not always working when you need to speed up navigation. Additionally, several features are borrowed from the previous model, so upgrading may not sound very tempting if you already have the Galaxy Watch 6. However, if this is your first time purchasing a Galaxy Watch, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is a great option.

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Honorable mentions

So, there you have it - my top favorite smartwatches that use Wear OS software. Of course, if none of the above options work for you, there are plenty of alternatives. This section is dedicated to great Wear OS options that didn't make the cut but still deserve a look. From a stylish Skagen wearable to a versatile Fossil, here are my honorable mentions.

How to choose

As you can see, Wear OS covers a significant portion of the wearable market. While it may be slightly different from the Wear OS experience you're accustomed to, the latest and greatest Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is the best option simply because it offers everything, from a variety of health sensors to Google Assistant support, all in an excellent design. But don't discount the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 just yet.

You can opt for the Pixel Watch 4 instead, which we recommend if you prefer a more stylish design or value Fitbit integration. The new model comes in two sizes as does the previous-gen Pixel Watch 3, which also remains a good choice to consider if you want to save a few bucks.

To help you decide, review the health, wellness, and notification features that are essential to you. With WearOS, you may want to leverage features like Google Assistant, Google Maps, Google Wallet, and more, so see how (and if) these work on the watch as well. Battery life is also a key consideration: if you are active and tend to use the watch frequently to track workouts, run apps, and more, you'll want a smartwatch that can last beyond a day on a single charge or at least recharge quickly when it needs a boost.

Finally, consider your phone. While the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is the best overall option, it works optimally and unlocks all its features when paired with a Samsung Galaxy phone. If you own a phone from a different brand, you may want to consider another model on this list. If you own a OnePlus phone, such as the OnePlus 13, you'll find that the OnePlus Watch 3 is the perfect companion.

How we test

As one of the earliest sites to review Android smartwatches, we take wearable testing seriously. Senior editor and smartwatch expert Michael Hicks evaluates each device using the same thorough process we apply to smartphones, combining real-world use, controlled testing environments, and targeted benchmarks to gain a comprehensive understanding of performance and reliability.

Rather than take manufacturer claims at face value, Michael puts on chest and arm straps and hits the street to verify heart rate tracking, pedometer consistency, and GPS accuracy. This means that you'll occasionally see him running 20-mile races wearing four smartwatches at a time.

Yes, our intensive testing methods may take time, and we aren't always the first site to publish reviews for the latest devices, but that's because we prioritize accuracy and instilling confidence in our readers, not just generating clicks. In other words, if we're recommending a device, you can rest assured knowing that we've spent hours ensuring it's worth your hard-earned money.

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