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The best smartwatches that we’ve reviewed

Get smart.

Best all-rounder
Fitbit Versa 3
Fitbit Versa 3
5 out of 5 stars
5
RRP
$399
Battery life
6+ days
Water resistance
up to 50m
Best for iPhone users
Apple Watch series 6 in navy
Apple Watch Series 6
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
RRP
$439
Battery life
Two-day battery life
Water resistance
up to 50m
Best for iPhone users runner up
Apple Watch SE
Apple Watch SE
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
From
$394.72
Battery life
18 hours
Water resistance
Best for Android users
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
3.5 out of 5 stars
3.5
RRP
$449
Battery life
Water resistance
Best for Android users runner up
OPPO watch black
OPPO Watch
3.8 out of 5 stars
3.75
From
$215
Battery life
Water resistance
Georgia Dixon
Jun 01, 2022
Icon Time To Read7 min read

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Smartwatches have come a long way from the days of the Pebble watch, Samsung Galaxy Gear and early Fitbits. In less than a decade, manufacturers have managed to squeeze stunning displays, incredible connectivity, voice assistants, contactless payments and days-long battery life (just to name a few) into increasingly attractive and affordable packages.

Of course, this also means there’s more selection than ever before, and as features are added and improved, choosing between models becomes even more difficult. To help you find your perfect device, we’ve done all the hard work and rounded up the best smartwatches currently available in Australia.

Compare smartwatches

Here are some of the best smartwatches we've reviewed so far.
Device
Price
Availability
Battery
Water-resistance
Star rating
From
$399
6+ day battery lifeUp to 50m water resistance
4 out of 5 stars
4
From
$599
2-day battery lifeUp to 50m water resistance
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
Apple Watch SEApple Watch SE
From
$394.72
18 hour battery lifeUp to 50m water resistance
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
From
$449
1.5 day battery lifeUp to 50m water resistance
3.5 out of 5 stars
3.5
OPPO WatchOPPO Watch
$249
Between 24 and 36 hour battery lifeUp to 30m water resistance
3.8 out of 5 stars
3.75

Fitbit Versa 3

Best all-rounder smartwatch

Fitbit Versa 3
Fitbit Versa 3
Our Rating
5 out of 5 stars
5
Starts at
$399
pro 6+ days of battery life
pro Sleep analysis
pro Compatible with Android and iOS
con No cellular option
con No quick reply option
  • RRP: $399
  • Battery life: 6+ days
  • Water resistance: 50m
  • Compatible with: Android and iOS

Fitbit puts the competition to shame with the Versa 3’s incredible battery life. Lasting up to (and sometimes in excess of) six days, one charge is enough to get you through day after day of work, exercise and sleep. It’s also home to some of the best health tracking tech in the biz, with unrivalled sleep analysis and a massive range of workout types - many of which can be automatically detected without user input.

Though the Versa 3 is compatible with both Android and iOS, iPhone users will notice a few limitations - namely, the lack of ability to quick-reply to texts and take phone calls from your watch. There’s also no cellular option, so you’ll need your phone with you at all times if you still want to receive notifications. Limitations aside, it still plays quite well with iPhones, and for Android users, it’s an even smoother and more feature-rich experience. Read our full review here.

Apple Watch Series 6

Best smartwatch for iOS users

Apple Watch series 6 in navy
Apple Watch Series 6
Our Rating
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
Starts at
$439
pro Pairs seamlessly with iPhone
pro Charges in 90 minutes
con Not the cheapest option
con Battery lasts around 2 days
  • RRP: From $599
  • Battery life: Up to two days
  • Water resistance: 50m
  • Compatible with: iOS

Surprise, surprise, the best smartwatch for iPhone users is an Apple Watch - specifically, the Apple Watch Series 6. Released in November back in 2020, the Series 6 wasn't a complete overhaul of its predecessor, but the tech giant isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel, and the Apple Watch 6 has got more than a few welcome features. We’re talking a great processor, brighter display, SpO2 (blood oxygen saturation) monitoring and a whole bunch of new watch bands.

As you’d probably expect, the Apple Watch pairs flawlessly with the iPhone. In fact, if you get the cellular variant, it can feasibly replace your phone in all those situations (like at the beach or swimming pool) when you don’t want to have to worry about valuables. Battery life isn’t fantastic, but at around two days, it’s certainly not bad, either - it also doesn’t hurt that it fully charges in 90 minutes. It’s so feature-packed, you’ll need to read our review for the full load down, but suffice to say, it’s hands-down the best smartwatch for iPhone users.

Photograph of Apple Watch Series 6

Apple Watch SE

Runner-up for best smartwatch for iOS

Apple Watch SE
Apple Watch SE
Our Rating
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
Starts at
$485.16
pro More affordable alternative to Series 6
pro 50m water resistance
con No always-on display
con no SpO2 sensor
  • RRP: From $429
  • Battery life: Up to two days
  • Water resistance: 50m
  • Compatible with: iOS

Let’s face it, the Apple Watch Series 6 isn’t the cheapest smartwatch in the world, but thankfully, iOverlord Tim Cook has blessed us with a more budget-friendly alternative: the Apple Watch SE. It looks pretty much identical to the Series 6 from the front, but under the hood, there are a few compromises. There’s no always-on display, no ECG (if it even gets approved down under), no SpO2 sensor, last gen’s processor and a less advanced optical heart sensor. That said, it’s also $170 cheaper, so you may find the sacrifices well worth it.

Apple Watch SE Review

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4

Best smartwatch for Android users

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
Galaxy Watch 4
Our Rating
3.5 out of 5 stars
3.5
Starts at
$349
pro Gorgeous display
pro best paired with Samsung devices
con Average battery life
con Steep price point
  • RRP: From $349
  • Battery life: Up to 1.5 days
  • Water resistance: 50m
  • Compatible with: Android and iOS

If you’ve got a compatible Samsung smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is a fully featured wearable with a gorgeous display that’s mainly held back by average battery life.

For any other Android user, there are key features missing, which may make you reconsider the $449 entry point. However, it's a snazzy smartwatch out of the Samsung Galaxy universe.

Whether you prefer to flick or roll your wrist to see the screen, either action will result in the screen lighting up every time. The welcome handholding during the initial configuration has a great mix of on-screen guidance for the basic gestures that help you resist the urge to constantly touch the screen and leave your dirty fingerprints all over it. When you do need to touch the screen—whether it’s tweaking settings, interacting with apps or clearing notifications—the Galaxy Watch 4 is a speedy performer that keeps up with you. You can even viably respond to text messages from the smartwatch screen, too (install Gboard for even easier watch-screen typing).

If you own a compatible Samsung handset and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is your first smartwatch, it’s likely you’ll very quickly fall in love.

Galaxy Watch 4

OPPO Watch

Runner-up choice for Android users

OPPO watch black
OPPO Watch
Our Rating
3.8 out of 5 stars
3.75
Starts at
$215
pro Fast charging
pro Gorgeous display
con Barely lasts a full day
  • RRP: From $449
  • Battery life: 24 hours (41mm) and 36 hours (44mm)
  • Water resistance: 30m (41mm) and 50m (44mm)
  • Compatible with: Android and iOS

The first time you see the OPPO Watch, you’ll be struck by how similar it looks to an Apple Watch, but despite the familiar appearance, OPPO’s first wearable is its own beast - and a beautiful one at that. It’s stylish, smart and snappy, fully charges in 90 minutes and boasts a gorgeous display. On the downside, sleep tracking is a bit iffy and the 41mm will barely get you through a full day of use. That’s not ideal, but it’s also somewhat forgivable thanks to its fast charging ability. To learn more, read our full review.

Photograph of OPPO Watch

Best smartwatch for athletes

Garmin Fenix 6

Garmin Fenix 6X Sapphire Edition Sports Watch
Garmin Fenix 6
Our Rating
4 out of 5 stars
4
Starts at
$949
pro Fantastic battery life
pro 100m water resistance
con Expensive price tag
  • RRP: From $599
  • Battery life: Up to 9 days (Fenix 6S), up to 14 days (Fenix 6) and up to 21 days (Fenix 6X), plus more with solar variants
  • Water resistance: 100m
  • Compatible with: Android and iOS

Whether you’re a decathlete or simply an avid runner, Garmin is the market leader for all things multisports tracking. Designed for those who want a watch that’ll take them through weeks of workouts, runs, swims, rides and more, the Fenix 6 series doesn’t come cheap, with the base model 6S starting at $599 and the top-of-the-range 6X Solar model priced at a whopping $1,249 (and that’s on sale).

Eye-watering price aside, the Garmin Fenix 6 doesn’t claim to be anything other than what it is: a rugged, feature-packed, exercise-focused beast. It’s not the kind of thing you’d want to wear to a cocktail party, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a more high-tech companion for your sport of choice. It’s also home to all the usual smartwatch features you’d expect - NFC, an unbelievably accurate GPS, phone notifications, calls and text replies on Android, music, safety detection and more.

Suunto 9 Peak

Best smartwatch for athletes runner-up

Suunto 9 Peak fitness watch
Suunto 9 Peak
Our Rating
3.8 out of 5 stars
3.75
Starts at
$674.85
pro Stylish design
pro Impressive battery life
con Expensive price tag
  • RRP: $648.85
  • Battery life: Up to a full week
  • Water resistance: 50m
  • Compatible with: Android and iOS

Garmin and Suunto have battled it out for multisport watch supremacy for years now, but Garmin just took the edge in our comparison. Even so, Suunto’s offerings are still great options.

In fact, if it weren’t for the eye-watering price tag, we’d give the Suunto 9 Peak a much higher score. It’s stylish, comfortable and packs some of the best fitness tracking tech around - and don’t get us started on the seriously impressive battery life. However, with prices starting at $999, it’s more geared towards serious fitness buffs than everyday users.

White Suunto 9 Peak fitness watch on a womans wrist

Mobvoi Ticwatch GTH Pro

Best budget smartwatch

Mobvoi Ticwatch GTH Pro
Mobvoi Ticwatch GTH Pro
Our Rating
3.5 out of 5 stars
3.5
Starts at
$139.99
pro Squared display and dial control
pro Comprehensive companion app
con Chunky bezels
con Limited workout modes
  • RRP: $139.99
  • Battery life: Up to 10 days
  • Water resistance: 5ATM
  • Compatible with: Android and iOS

If you’re looking for an affordable wearable that apes the aesthetics and functionality of the Apple Watch at a discount, the Ticwatch GTH Pro will you get most of the way there. It’s not as good as the real thing, but if you're looking at buying this particular piece of tech, I suspect that maybe that isn't what you're after anyway.

The Ticwatch GTH Pro looks to carve out a new niche for itself. It isn't trying to have it all. Instead, Mobvoi are trying to focus on the things that their target audience actually care about at the expense of everything else. If that's a trade-off you're willing to make, you'll probably be plenty happy with what the Ticwatch GTH Pro has to offer.

Ticwatch GTH Pro review image 1

Realme Watch S

Next best budget smartwatch

Realme Watch S
Our Rating
3.8 out of 5 stars
3.75
Starts at
$169
pro Very affordable
pro Great battery life
con Limited features
  • RRP: $169
  • Battery life: Up to 15 days
  • Water resistance: IP68
  • Compatible with: Android and iOS

There’s no denying it - smartwatches are expensive. Like most other tech, you might be under the assumption that you need to fork out hundreds to get something half decent. But the Realme Watch S is surprisingly feature-rich for something that retails for less than $200.

No, it’s not the most stylish watch in the world, but with 15 days of regular usage on one charge, it’ll keep you going for a long time. It’s got an SpO2 sensor, heart rate monitor, can track sleep and exercise, receive notifications, control your music and camera, and it has more than 100 different watch faces to choose from. Of course, there are a few compromises, too. No NFC means you can’t pay with your watch, there’s no voice assistant, limited exercise modes, and the watch runs on a proprietary OS, meaning no ability to download third-party apps. Still, for just shy of $170, it’s a great deal. Want to learn more? Read our full review of the Realme Watch S.

Realme Watch S on a man's wrist against a yellow background

What to consider when buying a smartwatch

When looking for a new smartwatch, there are a few things to consider.

 Price of course is one - but if you're  just after a simple fitness tracker, you don't need to shell out loads.

Battery life is important too - if you're someone who likes to set and forget, you probably won't want to be charging your smartwatch each night - especially if you also want to track your sleep. However, the more you want your smartwatch to do, the more it will likely drain your battery. Any watches that have a bright OLED screen are going to drain your battery faster than say, a fitbit.

Ask yourself what you want your smartwatch for. If you want it to replace your wallet when you go to the beach (or anywhere, really) it'll need to be equipped with contactless payment software - and that'll drive up the price. Likewise, if you want it to track your pool laps, it'll need decent water resistance; not just splash resistance.

And finally - matching your style. If making a fashion statement is important to you, then you'll probably want to avoid a chunky bit of wrist-candy.

Georgia Dixon
Written by
Georgia Dixon
Georgia Dixon has over seven years' experience writing about all things tech, entertainment and lifestyle, with bylines in TechLife magazine, 7NEWS and Stuff.co.nz. In her spare time, you'll find her playing games and daydreaming about good food, wine, and dogs.

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