Top Smartwatches for Health and Fitness Monitoring: Smartwatches have evolved far beyond simply telling the time or displaying notifications. In today’s health-conscious world, they are powerful personal health companions, capable of tracking everything from your heart rate and sleep quality to your blood oxygen levels and workout performance. Whether you’re a professional athlete or just someone looking to stay fit, the right smartwatch can help you meet your health goals more effectively.

Let’s explore the top smartwatches for health and fitness monitoring in 2025, focusing on their health-tracking features, battery life, app compatibility, and user experience.

Top Smartwatches for Health and Fitness Monitoring

1. Apple Watch Series 9

Best for iPhone Users & Comprehensive Health Features

The Apple Watch Series 9 is a powerhouse when it comes to health and fitness tracking. Designed to work seamlessly with iPhones, it offers a robust suite of features:

Heart Health: Real-time ECG, irregular rhythm notifications, and heart rate variability tracking.
Fitness Tracking: Tracks over 100 workouts, including yoga, cycling, running, and swimming.
Blood Oxygen & Sleep Monitoring: Measures SpO₂ and provides in-depth sleep stage data.
Cycle Tracking: For menstrual health with retrospective ovulation estimates.
Temperature Sensor: Helps detect changes in body temperature, useful for cycle and illness tracking.
Activity Rings & Motivation: Encourages movement, exercise, and standing throughout the day.

Battery Life: 18–36 hours (with low power mode)

Pros:

Industry-leading health sensors
Seamless iOS integration
Great third-party app support

Cons:

Not compatible with Android
Battery life could be better

2. Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 / 6 Classic

Best for Android Users with Broad Health Suite

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 6 is an excellent choice for Android users, offering an intuitive Wear OS interface and deep health insights.

Heart Monitoring & ECG: Includes an ECG sensor and blood pressure monitoring (in supported countries).
Body Composition Analysis: Uses BIA sensor to measure body fat, muscle mass, water levels.
Advanced Sleep Coaching: Provides personalized sleep guidance and snore detection.
SpO₂ Monitoring: Continuous and on-demand oxygen saturation measurement.
Fitness Auto Detection: Recognizes and tracks various activities automatically.

Battery Life: 30–40 hours

Pros:

AMOLED display
Full integration with Samsung Health
Good fitness analytics

Cons:

Some features locked to Samsung phones
No Google Assistant by default

3. Garmin Forerunner 965

Best for Runners, Triathletes, and Outdoor Enthusiasts

Garmin’s Forerunner 965 is ideal for serious athletes who need advanced metrics and exceptional GPS tracking.

Heart Rate Variability (HRV): 24/7 monitoring and recovery metrics.
Training Readiness Score: Tells you how ready your body is for intense workouts.
VO2 Max & Performance Condition: Advanced fitness level assessments.
Sleep & Stress Tracking: Tracks sleep stages and stress throughout the day.
Pulse Oximeter: Measures blood oxygen levels even at altitude.
Multi-Band GNSS: Highly accurate GPS for running, cycling, and hiking.

Battery Life: Up to 23 days (smartwatch mode); 31 hours (GPS mode)

Pros:

Ultra-long battery life
Deep running and cycling metrics
Excellent GPS accuracy

Cons:

Expensive
Lacks full smartwatch features like LTE or calls

4. Fitbit Sense 2

Best for Stress Management and Balanced Wellness

Fitbit Sense 2 is built with overall wellness in mind, with particular attention to stress, sleep, and heart health.

EDA Sensor for Stress: Detects electrodermal activity to help manage stress in real-time.
Sleep Score & Smart Wake: Detailed insights and optimal alarm times.
Heart Health: High and low heart rate notifications; irregular heart rhythm detection.
Daily Readiness Score: Tells you whether you should rest or push hard based on recovery.
SpO₂, Skin Temperature, and More: Tracks nighttime oxygen and skin temp trends.

Battery Life: 6+ days

Pros:

Very comfortable and lightweight
Great stress management features
Affordable

Cons:

Some features require Fitbit Premium
Limited app ecosystem

5. WHOOP 4.0

Best for Serious Recovery and Strain Tracking

WHOOP 4.0 takes a different approach from traditional smartwatches by focusing on recovery, strain, and sleep performance without a display.

24/7 HR & HRV Monitoring: Tracks heart rate variability and resting HR around the clock.
Sleep Performance Score: Based on how well you sleep vs. how much your body needs.
Strain Coach: Helps you balance training load with recovery.
No Screen, App-Based Interface: All insights are viewed via the WHOOP app.
Haptic Alarm: Silent wake-up based on optimal recovery time.

Battery Life: 4–5 days (modular battery pack included)

Pros:

Focused recovery data
Encourages optimal training/rest
Lightweight and distraction-free

Cons:

Monthly subscription required
No screen or smart features like calls or texts

6. COROS Pace 3

Best for Budget-Conscious Athletes

COROS is gaining attention for delivering advanced features at a more accessible price.

Excellent GPS & Elevation Tracking: Dual-frequency GPS with accurate elevation data.
Training Load & Recovery Metrics: Measures aerobic/anaerobic effort.
Heart Rate & SpO₂: Basic but accurate heart rate and oxygen monitoring.
Sleep Tracking: Includes sleep stages and duration.
Battery Life King: Up to 24 days in standard use, 38 hours in GPS mode.

Pros:

Lightweight and rugged
Budget-friendly
Long-lasting battery

Cons:

No touchscreen
Less polished app than Garmin or Apple

7. Amazfit Balance / GTR 4

Best Value for Everyday Fitness Users

Amazfit offers a surprising range of health features at an affordable price, ideal for casual fitness enthusiasts.

BioTracker 4.0 Sensor: Monitors heart rate, SpO₂, and stress.
Sleep & Readiness Tracking: Includes sleep score, naps, and readiness assessments.
Zepp Coach: AI-based workout guidance and insights.
Fitness Tracking: Supports over 150 sport modes and auto-recognition.
Alexa Built-In: For smart control and queries.

Battery Life: 14–24 days depending on usage

Pros:

Excellent price-to-feature ratio
Long battery life
Great design

Cons:

Limited third-party app support
Health tracking slightly less accurate than premium brands

FAQs

Which smartwatch has the most accurate heart rate monitoring?

Apple Watch Series 9 and Garmin Forerunner 965 are among the most accurate in clinical heart rate tracking tests. WHOOP 4.0 also performs exceptionally for HR and HRV but lacks a screen interface.

What is the best smartwatch for tracking sleep?

WHOOP 4.0 and Fitbit Sense 2 provide the most comprehensive sleep data, including stages, sleep efficiency, and readiness scores. Apple and Garmin also offer sleep tracking, but Fitbit excels with its Smart Wake feature.

Can these watches detect medical conditions like arrhythmia or sleep apnea?

Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 can detect irregular heart rhythms (AFib), and Apple Watch has FDA clearance for its ECG. WHOOP and Fitbit help with early sleep apnea indicators via SpO₂ trends, but none are substitutes for medical diagnostics.

Which smartwatch is best for outdoor running or hiking?

Garmin Forerunner 965 and COROS Pace 3 are designed for outdoor use, featuring highly accurate GPS, elevation, and multi-sport tracking.

Do I need a subscription for these smartwatches?

Required: WHOOP 4.0 (subscription-only), Fitbit (for premium features).
Optional: Apple, Garmin, Samsung, and Amazfit offer full features without subscriptions, though some advanced analytics may be behind a paywall.

Which smartwatch lasts the longest on a single charge?

COROS Pace 3 and Amazfit Balance lead with 14–24+ days of battery life. Garmin also offers long life in smartwatch and GPS mode. Apple and Samsung trail here, typically requiring daily charging.

Can I make calls and reply to messages from these watches?

Yes:

Apple Watch Series 9 and Galaxy Watch 6 allow calls, texts, and voice assistants.
Fitbit, WHOOP, COROS, and Garmin do not support full call/text functionality, or only support it in limited ways.

Which smartwatch supports iOS and Android both?

Android Only: Galaxy Watch 6 (full features only on Samsung phones)
iOS Only: Apple Watch Series 9
Both: Garmin, Fitbit, COROS, Amazfit

Are smartwatches safe to wear 24/7?

Yes, current evidence supports the safety of modern smartwatches. However, it’s advisable to occasionally take them off to clean your wrist and allow skin to breathe, especially for waterproof models.

What’s the best smartwatch under $200 for health tracking?

Amazfit Balance or GTR 4 offers a rich health suite.
Fitbit Charge 6 (a fitness tracker rather than full smartwatch) is also great under $200.
COROS Pace 3 for runners at an affordable price.