Although there’s no denying that the Apple Watch very much led the charge across the smartwatch industry for a good while there, in 2026 Wear OS watches are as good as they’ve ever been, boasting several features that’ll leave even Apple users feeling jealous. If you’re an Android user and are curious to know what the best Wear OS watches are right now, then we’re here to help.
One of the key things that really works in Wear OS’s favour right now is that unlike the Apple Watch which, on average, presents you with three choices each generation, you have an absurd amount of choice here. You have companies like TicWatch that have been Wear OS stalwarts for years, alongside more recent converts like OnePlus and Samsung, but then you also have Google.
The Android maker finally getting into the wearable space and effectively showing its confidence in its wrist-based platform was the game-changer that Wear OS needed. The Pixel Watch series now serves as a great example of what’s possible with Wear OS, much in the same way as the best Pixel phones with stock Android. Since the first Pixel Watch, we’ve only seen companies build upon that concept with more features, showing that innovation in this space is very much alive and well.
The only key thing to know is that, unlike how it used to be before Google shifted everything forward from Wear OS 3 onwards, these smartwatches do not work with iPhone. If you are tempted by any of the smartwatches we’ve highlighted here then you’ll need to have one of the best Android phones in tow.
With more Wear OS watches hitting the scene every year, this list is in a constant state of flux so it’s always worth checking back to see how our rankings have changed. If you’re focused purely on tracking your running performance then you may be better set with one of the best Garmin watches or the best fitness trackers. Alternatively, anyone who doesn’t want to go beyond a certain budget can find cost-effective picks in our guide to the best cheap smartwatches.
Best Wear OS Smarwatch at a glance
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How we test
Find out how we test Wear OS smartwatches
Every smartwatch we test is used by the reviewer for at least a week, or longer if the battery life lasts beyond that point or we need more time to trial its features.
During testing, we will check it for key metrics, including app support, usability and battery life. If the device offers fitness, location or health tracking features, we will also test these for accuracy and reliability.
For distance tracking, we record how accurately the device recorded runs on tracks we know the length of. We also record how much battery is lost using things like in-built or connected GPS per hour. To check heart rate accuracy, we compared the results recorded on the wearable to those of a dedicated HRM strap.
After recording the data, we then pair it with our general experience using the wearable day-to-day, letting you know if it’s comfortable to wear or if we encountered unexpected bugs over the review period.
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The new Galaxy Watch Ultra-inspired design
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An actually useful smart assistant
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Welcome user interface changes
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The promised battery life improvement is disappointing
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Some health features still tied to Samsung smartphones
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Some might not be sold on new design
Depending on who you ask, the redesigned Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is either a great move forward in allowing Samsung’s wearable to stand out in an ever-growing market, or it’s a weird Frankenstein’s monster that does away with the sleek aesthetic that we’ve come to expect. For our money, the Galaxy Watch Ultra-inspired ‘squarcle’ chassis is refined in its own way, and it does grab your attention.
Although the revamped design is the biggest change on the surface, the real upgrade with this watch is the replacement of Google Assistant with Gemini from the point of launch. Don’t get us wrong, Google Assistant was great and far more helpful than Siri, but having access to Gemini and all that comes with an AI platform on your wrist is an absolute game changer for on-the-go functionality.
You can have a full-on conversation with Gemini, all without ever having to reach for your phone. If you want a recommendation for a decent cafe to hang out in then you can ask Gemini and it’ll provide a few options right there on the watch. Obviously you can do far more than that, but it serves as a good example of what’s possible.
Having quick access to Gemini very much feels like the cherry on top of the Galaxy Watch 8’s software which already builds upon the excellent refinements we’ve seen from Samsung over the years. This take on Wear OS feels great to use, and that extends to the fitness tracking which feels robust, providing plenty of options and reams of data that enthusiasts can pore over.
One thing we would have liked to see, especially as it became a key point of the Pixel Watch 4, is a noticeable uptick in battery life. For the most part, the Galaxy Watch 8 still needs to be charged daily which just feels absurd in 2026, so you may want to switch off the always-on display to get a little more juice out of the watch in between charges.
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Best battery life of any Wear OS smartwatch
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Impressive durability given its sleek look
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Top-notch health and fitness tracking capabilities
For the longest time it was the TicWatch Pro 5 that held the top spot on this list, but as soon as we got the OnePlus Watch 3 in for testing, we knew that the ranking would change fairly quickly. The chasm between the original (and abysmal) OnePlus Watch and the new OnePlus Watch 3 couldn’t be wider, and it shows just how much OnePlus has looked at the industry and taken that knowledge to improve its own products.
While there’s no denying that the OnePlus Watch 3 is a stylish bit of kit, the one area where it truly amazes above all is in battery life. The longevity of smartwatches has been a conundrum for quite some time, and even Apple has yet to really find a fix that can make the Apple Watch Series 10 last for more than a day, but that’s not a problem for the OnePlus Watch 3.
On a single charge, OnePlus’ wearable can last for up to five days at time, so it could easily outlast your smartphone several times over. As if that wasn’t enough, the power-saving RTOS mode can extend that run-time to a whopping 16 days which, at that point, you’re starting to get into Garmin territory, which isn’t something that we typically anticipate from a Wear OS watch.
Even when the RTOS mode is on, there’s still tons of functionality available on your wrist including music controls, workout tracking and even heart rate monitoring. Similar to the ingenious dual-display on the TicWatch Pro 5, this RTOS mode is the type of feature that we’d love to see more of the competition adopt going forward.
The only area that didn’t quite stack up was the wellness score provided by the OnePlus Watch 3, as it often seemed at odds with how we actually felt in the moment, but it’s an otherwise small blemish on what is a long lasting smartwatch that’s packed with features.
Mobvoi has been one of the staunchest supporters of Wear OS, even when Google was supplying the software with the bare minimum in terms of updates. While the company’s devices have been hit and miss in terms of quality, its experience in the market finally came to fruition with the excellent TicWatch Pro 5.
The watch has seen several price drops since its launch and you can now pick it up at a significantly discounted rate, even though it’s still an absolute beast where battery life is concerned. Thanks to the low-power secondary FSTN display at sits atop of the main screen, you can expect up to five days of use on a single charge.
That amount of longevity absolutely destroys most smartwatches, and the secondary display is a feature that we wish was adopted by more competitors. Not only is it easier to read in direct sunlight, but the coloured backlight can quickly let you know of your current heart rate zone during a workout. Features like these make the TicWatch Pro 5 one of the most well-rounded smartwatches on the market, and not just amongst its Wear OS peers.
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Charming take on Wear OS 6
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Excellent Fitbit-powered health tracking
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LTE and satellite connectivity
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Multi-day battery life and rapid charging
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Fitbit Premium locks some health data behind a paywall
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Exposed screen could make it more prone to damage
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Some AI features not available outside the US
One of the key things the Pixel Watch has always had going for it is its memermising design, and that only continues with the Pixel Watch 4. The pebble-like chassis which hides its bezels phenomenally well is just unlike any other Android smartwatch on the market, and it feels more akin to something that you might find amongst the latest Apple Watches.
With the eye-catching design, you’re getting one of the best looks at Wear OS that’s currently available. This shouldn’t be too surprising given that Google is behind the device, so it very much gets preferential treatment here with a slick UI and seamless integration with Google services, but if you want the cleanest, almost watchOS-like take on Wear OS then this is it.
When it comes to fitness tracking, the Pixel Watch 4 uses the new Google Health Coach software to provide an accessible yet comprehensive look at your bill of health. The app goes all in on offering personalised information that’s tailor-made to your fitness journey, although if you want to access all of the features available then you’ll need to sign up to a Google Health Premium account which, at the time of writing, costs £7.99/$9.99 a month.
Although we’ve seen a handful of smartwatches fall into iterative territory with each update, this complaint can’t be levied at the Pixel Watch 4, which has included quite a few meaningful changes. For starters, the battery can now last for around two days on a single charge – a big win for doing away with battery anxiety over the course of a busy day.
The screen is also brighter than before, peaking at 3000 nits and making the Pixel Watch 4 very easy to read against direct sunlight. Listening to plenty of feedback on the matter, Google has even endeavoured to make the process of repairing the Pixel Watch 4 much easier than before (it was nigh-on impossible on the Pixel Watch 3). This won’t be a feature that everyone needs to tap into but as far as we’re concerned, it’s a big win for consumer value.
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Rotating bezel makes it easy to scroll
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New software is a joy to use
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In-depth sleep and health tracking
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Screen is relatively small for a wearable of its size
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Just over a day of battery life
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Some flagship features exclusive to Samsung phones
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You need to install three separate apps on your phone
As much as we love the standard Galaxy Watch 8, if you want something that’s a bit more refined with a few extras that make a big difference with everyday use, then the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is well worth a look. Even just to glance at the 8 Classic, it’s easy to see that this is one of the nicest-looking Wear OS watches on the market, being right up there with the Pixel Watch 4.
In addition to the more sophisticated design, the Watch 8 Classic comes with a physical rotating bezel – a feature which doesn’t exist on any other Wear OS watch. With this unique input, you can scroll through menus and engage with contextual controls (such as changing the volume of a song) just by rotating the bezel. It feels wonderfully tactile, and it can be very helpful to have mid-workout when you don’t want to smudge the touchscreen.
Because this is a larger wearable than the standard Galaxy Watch 8, offering just one 46mm sizing, the 8 Classic has more space available for the battery. As such, this device can run for up to two days on a single charge under more conservative use, although it’s more likely that you’ll get through a day and a half before needing to top up, especially if you want to have the always-on display and several health tracking features enabled.
Just like its smaller sibling, the Watch 8 Classic offers up access to Google Gemini on your wrist. With the type of dialogue that you can only enjoy through a proper large language model, Gemini leaves Siri in the dust here, as you can now do far more without ever having to reach for your phone. Want directions to a nearby establishment or an answer to a tricky question? Gemini’s got you covered.
The Watch 8 Classic also packs 64GB of storage, more than the 32GB allowance of the Watch 8, so you have more room for storing songs and podcasts offline, as well as holding on to more apps. At £449/$499, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is far more expensive than most Wear OS watches, although the sense of luxury will be worth the expense for some, and we’ve seen it drop in price quite a few times since launch so this isn’t as much of an issue as it used to be.
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Wear OS gets some design personality
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Strong GPS and HR accuracy
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Ultra-bright and clear display
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Comprehensive sleep tracking
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Navigation crying out for rotating bezel
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Inconsistent battery life
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Not a good fit for smaller wrists
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Exclusive features for Samsung phones
Aside from a few outliers from high-end companies like Mont Blanc, Wear OS watches have largely avoided the premium space, opting to stay just below the Apple Watch in terms of pricing. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra serves to buck that trend, offering a top shelf experience that isn’t too dissimilar to what iPhone users have been able to enjoy with the Apple Watch Ultra.
With an asking price of £599/$649, the Galaxy Watch Ultra will far exceed the budgets of most buyers but in return, you’re getting a watch that’s built with grade 4 titanium and to fit a level of military grade durability. There’s also a new quick button which can’t be found on any other Galaxy Watch, making things easier when toggling features like fitness tracking or the torch function.
The only thing missing is a physical rotating bezel similar to the one found on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. The digital rotating bezel from the standard Galaxy Watch is here, but it’s less useful given that physical inputs are far easier to use during extended periods of exercise, something that’s understood by the best Garmin watches.
When it comes to Wear OS, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is able to show off Google’s operating system in its best light. In addition to the super bright display that can reach 2000 nits, the Watch also has Wear OS 5 out of the box, making it one of the first wearables of its kind to do so (alongside the Galaxy Watch 7).
The Watch’s dual-frequency GPS and powerful heart rate sensor allow it to also pump out accurate fitness tracking data, making it an easy option for anyone who wants the sports focussed approach of a Garmin, but with all the smarts that Wear OS has to offer.
Test Data
| |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 |
OnePlus Watch 3 |
TicWatch Pro 5 |
Google Pixel Watch 4 |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic |
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra |
Full Specs
| |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Review |
OnePlus Watch 3 Review |
TicWatch Pro 5 Review |
Google Pixel Watch 4 Review |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic Review |
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra Review |
| UK RRP |
£319 |
£319 |
£329.99 |
£349 |
£449 |
£599 |
| USA RRP |
$349 |
– |
$349.99 |
$349 |
$499 |
$649 |
| EU RRP |
– |
– |
€359.99 |
– |
– |
– |
| CA RRP |
– |
– |
CA$469.99 |
– |
– |
– |
| AUD RRP |
– |
– |
AU$519.99 |
– |
– |
– |
| Manufacturer |
Samsung |
OnePlus |
Mobvoi |
Google |
Samsung |
Samsung |
| Screen Size |
1.47 inches |
1.5 inches |
– |
1.4 inches |
1.34 inches |
1.5 inches |
| IP rating |
IP68 |
IP68 |
– |
IP68 |
IP68 |
IP68 |
| Waterproof |
5ATM |
5ATM |
– |
5ATM |
5ATM |
10ATM |
| Battery |
435 mAh |
631 mAh |
– |
455 mAh |
445 mAh |
590 mAh |
| Size (Dimensions) |
43.7 x 8.6 x 46 INCHES |
46.6 x 11.75 x 47.6 MM |
x x INCHES |
45 x 12.3 x 45 MM |
46.4 x 10.6 x 46 MM |
x x INCHES |
| Weight |
34 G |
81 G |
44.3 G |
31 G |
63.5 G |
60.5 G |
| ASIN |
B0F7QD4HSD |
– |
B0BYS4KJV6 |
– |
– |
– |
| Operating System |
OneUI 8 (Wear OS 6) |
Wear OS 5/RTOS |
– |
Wear OS 6 (Material 3 Expressive) |
Wear OS 6 |
Wear OS 5 |
| Release Date |
2025 |
2025 |
2023 |
2025 |
2025 |
2024 |
| First Reviewed Date |
09/07/2025 |
18/02/2025 |
07/07/2023 |
08/10/2025 |
29/07/2025 |
10/07/2024 |
| Colours |
Graphite, Silver |
Black, Silver/Green |
– |
Obsidian, Porcelain, Lemongrass, Iris, Moonstone |
Black, White |
Silver, Grey, White |
| GPS |
Yes |
Yes |
– |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Can you use Wear OS smartwatches with iPhone?
Smartwatches sporting Wear OS 3 or above do not work with iPhones, but some Wear OS 2 wearables still offer up connectivity with iOS.
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