What is the best Samsung watch? The answer depends on what you’re looking for out of a smartwatch for Samsung users. Whether you’re looking for a device for fitness tracking, an extension of your smartphone or something that can save your life in some emergencies, there’s a Galaxy Watch for you.
In fact, all the Samsung Galaxy Watch models can do those things, but some models do it better than others. Some look better than others and others are built tougher, too.
Samsung has made six iterations of its smartwatch with a few design variations. The latest flagships are the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra which launched on July 10. We're in the process of testing those models and will add them to our best Samsung watch guide in the coming weeks when they start shipping.
In the meantime, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic are our top picks, though you can often buy older models like the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 4 at a discount.
The best Samsung Watch today
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Best Samsung Watch overall
The Galaxy Watch 6 is the best smartwatch for Android users thanks to design improvements, refreshed built-in apps and added health features. While Samsung's smartwatch lineup has received mostly iterative updates in past years, the Galaxy Watch 6 presents some truly substantial upgrades.
Samsung continues to offer one of the most robust smartwatch collections on the market with not one, but two wearable devices. The Galaxy Watch 6 strikes a balance of sleek and sporty, while the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic elevates style with the fan-favorite physical rotating bezel. Larger displays and a new interchangeable band mechanism make for a more user-friendly design, too. Our comparison of Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 vs. Galaxy Watch 6 Classic can help you decide which is right for you.
- Read our full Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 review
Best Samsung Watch on sale
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 has a new skin-temperature reader, a more scratch-resistant display and a longer-lasting battery life. It's the best Samsung watch yet because while there aren't a ton of differences between the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 vs. Galaxy Watch 4, the changes make what was already a great device all that much better. And starting at $279, it remains a fair value.
Though the skin temperature reader won't work at launch, there's plenty to like about the Galaxy Watch 5. For one, it lasted for an entire two days in our testing and reached almost 50% charge from 0% in 30 minutes. Wear OS 3 with Samsung's skin has more perks, too, including Google Assistant and better interoperability with your other Samsung devices. For more GPS features and an even longer-lasting battery life, check out the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.
- Read our full Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 review
Best Samsung Watch for athletes
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro takes aim at Garmin watches, positioned as the best GPS watches for outdoor sports enthusiasts that Samsung has ever released.
When it comes down to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 vs. Galaxy Watch 5 Pro the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro has a more durable design, a few GPS tools and a longer battery life. Yes, all things are worth appreciating. These perks have the making of a great everyday smartwatch; not just a sports watch. Some might lament the lack of a rotating bezel, but that's what the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is for.
An added skin temperature sensor is another draw of Samsung's 2022 smartwatch lineup, but it doesn't work yet. Still, we enjoyed testing it on outdoor hikes and bike rides. The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is the right choice for those who like a substantially sized smartwatch, several days of battery life, and enjoy outdoor sports on occasion.
- Read our full Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 review
Best Samsung Watch for cheap
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 was the best Samsung watch overall before the Galaxy Watch 5. It notably comes in two different designs (and prices) to cater to a wider variety of user needs. The standard Galaxy Watch 4 looks more like the previous Galaxy Watch Active devices and is the company’s flagship, starting at $249. Then, the ‘Classic’ version carries on the luxurious characteristics like the physical rotating bezel, starting at $349.
Thanks to a 3-in-1 health sensor, the Galaxy Watch 4 measures heart rate, takes ECGs and reads body composition. However, a number of features are exclusive to Samsung phones, like ECG and blood pressure monitoring if you’re in a country where it’s available. Otherwise, the one Galaxy Watch 4 setback has inconsistent battery life, but as long as you don’t mind a daily charge, you’ll benefit from onboard GPS, an always-on display, excellent sleep tracking and more.
- Read our full Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 review
How to choose the best Samsung watch for you
Choosing the best Samsung watch for you doesn’t need to be a hard decision. In most cases, it will come down to the newest Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, Galaxy Watch 6 Classic or Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. The Galaxy Watch 5 or Galaxy Watch 4 could also be found on sale sometimes. We’d recommend getting either of the Galaxy Watch 6 models if you want to have a smartwatch with the ambitious Wear OS software and the most advanced health monitoring features — and you own a Samsung smartphone.
And, if you’re still questioning which Samsung watch is best, or whether a Galaxy Watch is the best smartwatch for you, take a look at our smartwatch buying guide. It includes a number of Galaxy Watch and fitness tracker comparisons, which may help you determine whether one of the best Fitbit devices or best Garmin watches better suits your needs.
How we test the best Samsung watches
We test Samsung smartwatches the same way we do all smartwatches: By wearing them for several days to see how they hold up in a series of everyday trials. We first see how well the watches fit on our wrists, and how easy the displays are to navigate and read, especially in sunlight. Depending on its capabilities, we also test the watches' sensors, such as GPS and heart rate monitors.
Other criteria that factor into our ratings include the smartwatch’s software and app collection, how well it interacts with our smartphone, and battery life. In all of this, we also take into account the price of the smartwatch. The less a watch costs, the more leeway we're inclined to give it. In the case of the best Samsung watches we also analyze how each new Galaxy Watch compares to its predecessor, and how well (or not) the company continues to push the boundaries of wearable technology.
