Smartwatch recommendations

[Martin27]

Hello everyone!

Could you recommend a good smartwatch to choose? I’m looking for something with all the features of a fitness tracker (I used one all the time before) and the ability to read incoming messages. It also needs to be compatible with a Samsung smartphone. The watch doesn’t have to be Samsung, but I’m open to it if that’s the best option.
Thanks

[Copernic Reporter]

Honestly, the Realme Watch 5 is my pick—great features, good price, and the battery just keeps going.

 

[Martin27]

It looks like a nice smartwatch, and I like the design.

Thanks!

[TheReaperMan]

You have a couple of options.

Samsung Watch 

Pixel Watch 

Garmin/Fitbit

I currently have the Samsung Watch 6, Battery lasts around three days, does all the fitness tracking, HR, Steps, Sleep and is water proof, I have used mine swiming in a pool and the sea(just make sure you do the water lock, and rinse it after being in salt water).

But any are good depends more on your budget of course 

 

[Slugsie]

Depends on your budget really.

I'm currently wearing a Huawei GT5 and I'm really happy with it. Price was good, and it does everything I want of it. Battery life is 5-7 days usually. Biggest downside is that Huawei isn't allowed on the Google Play store, so you have to download from them direct and updates aren't automatic. Not really a big deal for me.

Prior to that I had a few Xiaomi Smart bands. 6, 8, and 9 IIRC. They're budget devices - under £40. But they do a great job. Fitness tracking is spot on, I never had an issue there. Configuring the notifications to read messages was a bit hit and miss, but I got it working in the end. Battery life was usually a full week with a lot of options turned on.

[Steven P. Administrators]

On 25/02/2026 at 11:03, TheReaperMan said:

I currently have the Samsung Watch 6, Battery lasts around three days, does all the fitness tracking, HR, Steps, Sleep and is water proof, I have used mine swiming in a pool and the sea(just make sure you do the water lock, and rinse it after being in salt water).

Yeah I had the GW6C and it lasted around three days, upgraded to the GW7 because it is lighter and supposedly has the same battery, but I can only get two days out of it.

It is less chunky than the 6, but in my experience only two days instead of 3 battery.

[binaryzero]

Apple Watch, just make sure to pickup the mandatory iPhone and wireless ear buds accessories.

⌚️⌚️

[Martin27]

On 25/02/2026 at 12:03, TheReaperMan said:

You have a couple of options.

Samsung Watch 

Pixel Watch 

Garmin/Fitbit

I currently have the Samsung Watch 6, Battery lasts around three days, does all the fitness tracking, HR, Steps, Sleep and is water proof, I have used mine swiming in a pool and the sea(just make sure you do the water lock, and rinse it after being in salt water).

But any are good depends more on your budget of course 

 

I forgot to mention this in my question, but waterproofing would be a big plus. Thanks!

[LittleNeutrino Veteran]

i've been using the Amazfit brand of watches for years, you get all the sports tracking, health sensors, and notification support as you do with Android / Apple, but you also get a Month of battery life, rather than just 2 days.

[Nick H. Supervisor]

I've had the Galaxy Watch (Model: SM-R800) for a few years now. The battery life is really good (4-5 days), it tracks my activity (walkling, heart rate etc.) and for notifications I can specify which apps should send them to the watch. For ~£60 it has been a bargain.

[+Warwagon MVC]

On 25/02/2026 at 08:26, binaryzero said:

Apple Watch, just make sure to pickup the mandatory iPhone and wireless ear buds accessories.

⌚️⌚️

I love my Apple Watch Ultra! It's amazing! 

Someone sold it to me for the best buy trade in price  $300 about 1 1/2 years ago. He only used it 7 times!

[Stuman]

Take a look at the Amazfit Balance 2. Battery life is 3 WEEKS +. Has all the fitness and sleep tracking I will ever need.

[MilaRin]

I’ve been using Redmi Watch 5 Lite for about six months. The battery lasts a long time, and for basic use like fitness tracking and notifications it works well.

[Barney T. Administrators]

I have a Apple Watch Ultra and love it. The Apple ecosystem is hard to beat with the integration of all the Apple devices into its platform.

[macoman]

I use this, not a smartwatch but more like a tracking fitness watch that the battery last a month... I love mine.

[Ixion]

I have one of these https://www.suunto.com/Products/sports-watches/suunto-vertical-2/suunto-vertical-2-all-black/ it's a very serious fitness tracker more like the best garmins which also does smartwatch stuff. Battery life is over a week, it does maps, has built in GPS etc. might be complete overkill depending on your needs but the screen is incredibly bright - the best I've seen on a smartwatch.