Best list · Wearables
The best smartwatch 2026: 6 watches for iPhone, Android, sport and small budgets
Updated 25 October 2026
Short answer
The best smartwatch depends mainly on your phone. With an iPhone, the Apple Watch Series 12 is the first choice (netzwelt: 'good', 1.6); with Android, it is the Samsung Galaxy Watch9 (netzwelt: 1.7, testit.de average 1.7), and the Google Pixel Watch 5 is the Wear OS alternative. For sport, go for the Garmin Venu 4; for around two weeks of battery, the Huawei Watch GT 7; the budget pick is the Huawei Watch Fit 5 (connect: 'very good', 1.4).
How we chose
For this list we analysed independent tests: the freely available information from Stiftung Warentest (smartwatch database with 182 devices, 2026), the ranking and product pages on testit.de with grades from Computer Bild, connect, heise and others, reviews by netzwelt, Notebookcheck and Galaxus, and the comparison by Stuff magazine (issue 11/2026) via testsieger.de. We only included current models available in Germany in autumn 2026. We did not test the watches ourselves. Stiftung Warentest's individual grades are paywalled, so we do not quote them.
What to look for: does it work with your phone?
According to Stiftung Warentest, the Apple Watch only works with an iPhone, while the Galaxy Watch and Pixel Watch only work with Android. On the Galaxy Watch9, ECG, blood pressure and sleep apnoea detection even require a Samsung phone. Huawei watches also run with an iPhone, but lose features such as replying to messages.
What to look for: realistic battery life
Apple, Samsung and Google lasted roughly one to two days in the tests, so you charge almost daily. Garmin and Huawei manage one to two weeks. Look for measured figures with the always-on display enabled, not just manufacturer claims.
What to look for: health features
Fitness functions make up 35 percent of the Stiftung Warentest grade. ECG is certified as a medical device on Samsung and Garmin watches. Be cautious with wrist-based blood pressure: on the Galaxy Watch7, the result did not convince Stiftung Warentest.
What to look for: sport and GPS
If you run or cycle, an accurate heart-rate sensor and good GPS matter most. Several tests praise watches whose readings come close to a chest strap. Dual-band GPS helps in cities and under trees.
What to look for: subscription costs
Some insights cost extra, for example with Google (Fitbit Premium or Google Health) and with Garmin for certain app analyses. According to testit.de, Apple shows its new daily readiness score without a subscription. Check which features you get at no extra cost before you buy.
What to look for: band and size
For sport and everyday wear, silicone or fluoroelastomer bands are practical: light, waterproof and easy to wipe clean. Almost all models have quick-release fittings. If you have slim wrists, the smaller case is worth considering, though it usually has a smaller battery.
Frequently asked questions
Which smartwatch won the Stiftung Warentest?
Stiftung Warentest lists 182 smartwatches and fitness trackers in its database. In April 2026 it added 14 new smartwatches, including the Google Pixel Watch 4 and the Garmin Venu 4. Only one of the new devices matches the top models, and five are rated good while costing under 200 euros. Individual grades are only in the paid section of test.de, so we do not quote them here.
Does the Apple Watch work with an Android phone?
No. According to Stiftung Warentest, the Apple Watch only works with an iPhone, while the Galaxy Watch and Pixel Watch only work with Android. Huawei watches such as the Watch GT 7 or Watch Fit 5 work with both, but on an iPhone you lose features such as replying to messages.
How long does a smartwatch battery last?
It depends heavily on the model. The Apple Watch Series 12 and Galaxy Watch9 lasted about one to two days in the tests, the Pixel Watch 5 about two days. The Garmin Venu 4 managed eight to ten days at Galaxus, and the Huawei Watch GT 7 two weeks at Notebookcheck.
Do I need a subscription for my smartwatch?
Not for the basics. On the Pixel Watch 5, however, some health metrics are only visible with Fitbit Premium or Google Health, and on the Garmin Venu 4 certain analyses cost extra. According to testit.de, the Apple Watch Series 12 shows its new daily readiness score without a subscription.
Can a smartwatch measure blood pressure reliably?
Only to a limited extent. Stiftung Warentest checked the blood pressure feature of the Galaxy Watch7, and the result did not convince. On the Galaxy Watch9, the measurement only works with a Samsung phone. An exception is the Huawei Watch D3 with an inflatable cuff in the band, which testit.de lists with an average of 2.0.