Best Smartwatches
26 products ranked across 1299 cited reviews, videos and discussions · Updated 15 Oct 2026
On the stierproducts smartwatches board, Apple Watch Ultra 3 ranks #1 in S tier, ahead of Apple Watch Series 11 (#2, S tier) and Apple Watch SE 3 (#3, A tier). The board ranks 26 smartwatches from S (best) to F (avoid), last researched 15 Oct 2026, drawing on 1299 cited reviews, videos and discussions. Placed in the bottom tiers as ones to avoid: Samsung Galaxy Watch9, Garmin Fenix 8, Moto Watch 2026, and 7 others.
#3 2 of 21 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Apple Watch SE 3
#4 Samsung Galaxy Watch 8
#5 1 of 5 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Amazfit Bip 6
#6 2 of 20 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Google Pixel Watch 4
#7 1 of 9 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Google Pixel Watch 5
#8 1 of 10 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2
#9 2 of 12 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Amazfit Active 2
#17 Samsung Galaxy Watch9
#18 3 of 13 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Garmin Fenix 8
#19 1 of 2 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Moto Watch 2026
#20 1 of 2 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Huawei Watch Fit 4
#21 10 of 18 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. OnePlus Watch 3
#22 2 of 4 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. CMF Watch 3 Pro
#23 1 of 6 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Xiaomi Watch S4
#24 1 of 9 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Withings ScanWatch 2
Moved down from D to F on 10 Sept 2026 #25 6 of 11 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
#26 3 of 9 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Fitbit Sense 2
What moved on this board
32 tier changes recorded between 22 Jul 2026 and 14 Sept 2026. The 5 most recent are below.
- 10 Sept 2026 Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra moved down from D to F. 2 more research games. 4 sources added, 4 removed.
- 10 Sept 2026 Garmin Venu 4 moved up from D to C. 1 more research game. 1 source added, 5 removed.
- 27 Jul 2026 CMF Watch 3 Pro moved down from D to F. 1 more research game. 2 sources added, 2 removed.
- 27 Jul 2026 Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra moved down from C to D. 2 more research games. 2 sources added, 2 removed.
- 27 Jul 2026 Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic moved down from B to C. 1 more research game. 2 sources added.
Each line shows what else changed at the same publish. It is not a statement of cause.
Frequently asked questions
Apple Watch Ultra 3 sits at #1 in the S tier of our consolidated board, ranked across independent research runs over 1299 cited reviews, videos and discussions. Still a genuinely tough titanium watch with years of watchOS support left, which is why it outranks the weaker picks here. But Wirecutter's current guide has moved on to the Ultra 4, so you would pay flagship money for a support clock that started a year early. Buy the Apple Watch Ultra 4.
Apple Watch Series 11 ranks #2 (S tier). Wirecutter's current guide replaced it with the Series 12 as its upgrade pick, so buying the 11 means an earlier support sunset for near-identical money. Buy the Apple Watch Series 12.
Our research places Samsung Galaxy Watch9, Garmin Fenix 8, Moto Watch 2026, Huawei Watch Fit 4, OnePlus Watch 3, CMF Watch 3 Pro, Xiaomi Watch S4, Withings ScanWatch 2, Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, Fitbit Sense 2 in the bottom tiers (D/F). Samsung Galaxy Watch9: Wirecutter's new Android picks include it, and it is the best-rounded Wear OS watch for most Android buyers. Samsung's support runway is shorter than Apple's, which costs it a place in the top five.
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