Although there’s no denying that the Apple Watch very much led the charge across the smartwatch industry for a good while there, in 2026 Wear OS watches are as good as they’ve ever been, boasting several features that’ll leave even Apple users feeling jealous. If you’re an Android user and are curious to know what the best Wear OS watches are right now, then we’re here to help.
One of the key things that really works in Wear OS’s favour right now is that unlike the Apple Watch which, on average, presents you with three choices each generation, you have an absurd amount of choice here. You have companies like TicWatch that have been Wear OS stalwarts for years, alongside more recent converts like OnePlus and Samsung, but then you also have Google.
The Android maker finally getting into the wearable space and effectively showing its confidence in its wrist-based platform was the game-changer that Wear OS needed. The Pixel Watch series now serves as a great example of what’s possible with Wear OS, much in the same way as the best Pixel phones with stock Android. Since the first Pixel Watch, we’ve only seen companies build upon that concept with more features, showing that innovation in this space is very much alive and well.
The only key thing to know is that, unlike how it used to be before Google shifted everything forward from Wear OS 3 onwards, these smartwatches do not work with iPhone. If you are tempted by any of the smartwatches we’ve highlighted here then you’ll need to have one of the best Android phones in tow.
With more Wear OS watches hitting the scene every year, this list is in a constant state of flux so it’s always worth checking back to see how our rankings have changed. If you’re focused purely on tracking your running performance then you may be better set with one of the best Garmin watches or the best fitness trackers. Alternatively, anyone who doesn’t want to go beyond a certain budget can find cost-effective picks in our guide to the best cheap smartwatches.
Best Wear OS Smarwatch at a glance
Best overall:
Best for battery life:
Best value Wear OS smartwatch:
Best looking Wear OS smartwatch:
Most sophisticated:
Best premium Wear OS smartwatch:
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How we test
Find out how we test Wear OS smartwatches
Every smartwatch we test is used by the reviewer for at least a week, or longer if the battery life lasts beyond that point or we need more time to trial its features.
During testing, we will check it for key metrics, including app support, usability and battery life. If the device offers fitness, location or health tracking features, we will also test these for accuracy and reliability.
For distance tracking, we record how accurately the device recorded runs on tracks we know the length of. We also record how much battery is lost using things like in-built or connected GPS per hour. To check heart rate accuracy, we compared the results recorded on the wearable to those of a dedicated HRM strap.
After recording the data, we then pair it with our general experience using the wearable day-to-day, letting you know if it’s comfortable to wear or if we encountered unexpected bugs over the review period.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8
Pros
- The new Galaxy Watch Ultra-inspired design
- An actually useful smart assistant
- Welcome user interface changes
Cons
- The promised battery life improvement is disappointing
- Some health features still tied to Samsung smartphones
- Some might not be sold on new design
OnePlus Watch 3
Pros
- Best battery life of any Wear OS smartwatch
- Impressive durability given its sleek look
- Top-notch health and fitness tracking capabilities
Cons
- Only available in one size
- Wellness score can be hit-and-miss
TicWatch Pro 5
Pros
- Outstanding battery life
- Wear OS 3 is finally on a TicWatch
- Fast charging
- The secondary FSTN display is always welcome
Cons
- Not the most stylish of smartwatches
- Included watch faces are hit and miss
- No Google Assistant
Google Pixel Watch 4
Pros
- Charming take on Wear OS 6
- Excellent Fitbit-powered health tracking
- LTE and satellite connectivity
- Multi-day battery life and rapid charging
Cons
- Fitbit Premium locks some health data behind a paywall
- Exposed screen could make it more prone to damage
- Some AI features not available outside the US
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
Pros
- Rotating bezel makes it easy to scroll
- New software is a joy to use
- In-depth sleep and health tracking
Cons
- Screen is relatively small for a wearable of its size
- Just over a day of battery life
- Some flagship features exclusive to Samsung phones
- You need to install three separate apps on your phone
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Pros
- Wear OS gets some design personality
- Strong GPS and HR accuracy
- Ultra-bright and clear display
- Comprehensive sleep tracking
Cons
- Navigation crying out for rotating bezel
- Inconsistent battery life
- Not a good fit for smaller wrists
- Exclusive features for Samsung phones
Smartwatches sporting Wear OS 3 or above do not work with iPhones, but some Wear OS 2 wearables still offer up connectivity with iOS.
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