The best smartwatches in Australia are arguably becoming more advanced (and stylish) as the years roll on. The first Apple Watch debuted in 2015, meaning it hasn't been a decade since smartwatches have taken over — with some progressing faster than some smartphone models.
Watches are now everything in one: a comprehensive health and fitness tracker, digital wallet, and an extension of your smartphone, especially if your smartphone is nowhere nearby. We've tested dozens of the best smartwatches to find the ones that will be best for all types of users, so check out our top picks below.
Leading the pack is the Apple Watch 10, our top smartwatch for iPhone users. While it only sports a minor upgrade to the Series 9 with a larger display and thinner design, it's the most feature-packed, easy-to-use smartwatch worth purchasing right now.
If you're an Android user, the best smartwatch is the Google Pixel Watch 3, which houses more of Fitbit's tracking features, including improved rest and recovery insights.
Today's best smartwatches can measure your heart rate, detect elevations, and automatically connect you to emergency services if you have a fall. Electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood oxygen (SpO2) readings are also perks of certain models.
You can also refer to our smartwatch buying guide for more tips on finding the ultimate wearable for your lifestyle. And be sure to look at the best cheap smartwatches if you want to save some cash. Here are the best smartwatches to buy right now in Australia.
The best smartwatches in Australia you can buy today
Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.
The Apple Watch 10 is the best Apple Watch yet. It’s not a major upgrade over the Apple Watch Series 9 but there are some noteworthy changes. The case is now 10% thinner and the screen is 10% larger compared to the Series 9. It's also easier to view at odd angles thanks to Apple's use of wide-angle OLED display technology.
Gone are the 41mm and 45mm case sizes, replaced by new 42mm and 46mm cases. By the way, the larger of the two models boasts even more screen real estate than the Ultra series. There are also new case finishes and materials, too, including lightweight titanium options.
Throughout testing, we found the Apple Watch 10's design changes led to significant usability improvements. From tracking workouts to messaging friends to navigating cities and monitoring sleep, the Series 10 can do it all. Speaking of sleep, this is the first Apple Watch with sleep apnea detection.
The device ships running watchOS 11. This new software delivers a new Vitals app, the ability to translate languages on your wrist, and — finally — the option to disable your Apple Watch rings when you need a rest day.
The Series 10 also boasts faster charging and the ability to play audio through the watch's speaker, not just phone calls. It also inherits the Ultra's water Depth app for swimmers and snorkelers, along with a new water temperature sensor. All of this adds up to the best Apple Watch for most people, and also the best smartwatch for iPhone users overall.
Read our full Apple Watch 10 review.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is the best smartwatch for Android users thanks to impressive AI-underpinned holistic insights, a lightweight and comfortable design, practical health monitoring tech and useful apps.
Available in 40 and 44mm, the design of the device remains unchanged from its predecessor. However, under the hood, the Watch 7 boasts an upgraded GPS antenna with outstanding accuracy, double the storage capacity of its predecessor, and a faster, more power-efficient processor.
Battery life is good for roughly 24 hours using the always-on display and 40 hours in power-save mode, which is par for the course.
Sleep insights are provided after only one night of use, unlike the competition, and are detailed yet highly digestible. However, the best feature on the Galaxy Watch 7 has to be Samsung's near Energy Score metric, which is updated daily and takes into account sleep quality, recent workouts and more to help keep you motivated.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 review.
The newly launched Google Pixel Watch 3 comes in both 41mm and 45mm models. You'll want to opt for the larger model to get the most out of this easy-wearing and fairly sleek-looking device. It's not quite as thin as the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 nor is it as light, but the 45mm Pixel Watch 3 offers nearly double the battery life of its Samsung rival.
The 41mm Pixel Watch 3 on the other hand, lasts for closer to 24 hours (like the Galaxy Watch 7). However, both models benefit from a thinner bezel compared to the Pixel Watch 2, and an upgraded screen that's easier to see in bright sunlight.
Google's health and fitness tools are largely on par with Samsung's with details into sleep quality and exercise, insights into workout recovery, menstrual health tracking and more. Google also unveiled a first-of-its-kind loss of pulse detection feature that works similarly to fall/crash detection, alerting help when triggered. However, it wasn't available at launch in Australia or the U.S., but consumers in the UK and Europe can access the feature.
The Pixel Watch 3 additionally inherits some of Fitbit's best training metrics to help users better understand their day-to-day wellness and heart health, while avoiding overtraining. These include Fitbit's Readiness score, Cardio Load metric and Target Load score. There are also new metrics for hardcore runners into form.
Read our full Google Pixel Watch 3.
The Apple Watch SE is kind of a hybrid device, pairing an older Apple Watch design with the Apple Watch Series 8's chipset. The AU$399 smartwatch doesn't have all the Series 8's features, but still stands out for its great fitness tracking and safety features. It also offers an LTE option, making it a good choice for those interested in trying out Family Setup.
When choosing between the Apple Watch Series 8 vs. Apple Watch SE (2022), your ultimate decision will be if you want to spend an extra AU$230 for a bigger, brighter display with an always-on option, an ECG monitor and skin-temperature sensor. If those tools aren't deal-breakers for you, the SE is a highly capable option for iPhone users. It even gets watchOS 9, the most up-to-date Apple Watch software with low power mode, fresh new watch faces, an upgraded workout interface, a redesigned compass tool and the new Medications app.
Read our full Apple Watch SE (2022) review.
The Garmin Venu 3 is one of the best Garmin watches that’s both a capable workout companion and stylish lifestyle device. The $449 Garmin Venu 3 maintains Garmin’s reputation for thorough fitness tracking and accurate GPS, while having the smarts of mirrored notifications and an on-wrist voice assistant.
Though Garmin still lacks a large third-party app store and continues to steer clear of LTE support, nap-tracking and a new sleep coach work on tracking your rest while daily summaries offer behavioral insights. An abundance of sport profiles, added Recovery Time suggestions, and on-watch interval creation keep you tuned into your activity, too. What's more with a 14-hour battery life, you rarely need to stress about keeping the Garmin Venu 3 charged.
Read our full Garmin Venu 3 review.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the best smartwatch to buy if you're a serious athlete or prioritize safety features on your wrist. In addition to new watchOS running features, the Ultra has an extra third button — the Action Button, which comes in handy for workouts but also serves as a quick way to access safety features, such as Emergency SOS and the Apple Watch Ultra's Siren.
Its 49mm screen is huge while the entire watch built for adventure. The bezel is made from titanium, with a lip around the screen to add more protection. The display is made from sapphire glass, and the watch has an increased water resistance of 100m. With up to 60 hours of battery life (in low power mode), it also has the stamina to keep up. It's still not the best battery life option compared to Garmin's sports watches, but it's better than any other Apple Watch.
The Apple Watch Ultra is a serious smartwatch. We found it's not for everyone, but depending on your needs, it could strike the right balance.
Read our full Apple Watch Ultra 2 review.
Our pick for the best running watch is the Garmin Forerunner 265. This lightweight device gives you everything you’d want in a running watch, from accurate tracking to music controls to the ability to create custom workouts, for the price of an Apple Watch. The device also offers access to Garmin’s wide range of training metrics, which help you not only plan workouts but also recovery time.
During testing, my colleague found the Garmin Forerunner 265's beautiful AMOLED display bright and easy to read, even in direct sunlight. It also has a touchscreen, which makes it easy to navigate around the watch. The battery is long enough to last through a few workouts, even with music playing.
The Forerunner 265 has inherited some of the more advanced health features usually reserved for Garmin’s more expensive running watches. It also now can track multisport training sessions in the triathlon mode, and Garmin's Training Readiness Score. It's a fantastic improvement on an already fantastic watch and a great buy for all levels of runner.
Read our Garmin Forerunner 265 review.
Despite there being a newer Galaxy Watch 5, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is still available to buy, and in our opinion, is the best smartwatch for those who like a traditional look. This ‘Classic’ version of watch features luxurious characteristics, namely the physical rotating bezel and prices start at AU$599.
Thanks to a 3-in-1 health sensor, the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic measures heart rate, takes ECGs and reads body composition. And while it gets appealing Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Wear OS features, it still pays homage to Tizen, making it the ideal accessory for the best Samsung phones. Note that certain features are exclusive to Samsung users, so not all Android users will benefit from all the Galaxy Watch 4 can do.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic review.
How to pick the best smartwatch for you
When looking at the best smartwatches for you, you're somewhat limited by the smartphone you own. If you want an Apple Watch, for instance, you'll need to have an iPhone. And while Wear OS watches work with both Android and iPhones, you get far less functionality if you connect an iOS device. There are plenty of differences between Apple Watch vs. Fitbit and Apple Watch vs. Garmin as well.
Samsung's smartwatches offer the greatest in terms of cross-functionality, but even here, Android phone owners will get more in terms of replies to notifications and the ability to make and receive phone calls.
After that, when picking a smartwatch, you also want to get one that fits your wrist comfortably. Those with smaller wrists may find larger smartwatches — ones with case sizes larger than 44mm — to be too bulky and cumbersome to wear. If you need features like cycle or pregnancy tracking, you might find our list of the best smartwatches for women helpful, too.
Similarly, you want to find a smartwatch that fits your style. Although the Apple Watch is limited to one shape, you can purchase it in different finishes. Samsung's smartwatches offer a little more choice, while Wear OS watches, which are made by a number of companies including Fossil, Skagen, Kate Spade, Moto, TAG Heuer, Diesel, and others, give you many more options when it comes to their design. Does your smartwatch come with a metal strap? Here's how to remove a link from a watch.
And if you need smartwatches for certain fitness goals. see our guides to the best running watches and best GPS watches. You also might be better suited for one of the best fitness trackers instead.
How we test the best smartwatches
We test every new smartwatch to gauge its design and comfort. If it’s not stylish and comfortable enough to get you from an early morning workout to the office to a night out, you probably won’t wear it every day. Most smartwatches are also fitness trackers, so we put all of its sensors to the test, from step counts to heart rate to GPS (when applicable).
We install apps and use them to see if the device’s app store is robust enough to elevate it to smartwatch status. If the watch has built-in LTE, we test cellular connectivity and call quality to make sure the device can actually stand on its own without a smartphone nearby.
And we measure battery life using everyday scenarios — including workouts, using apps, and getting notifications — to make sure you can get through an entire day without needing to charge up.
For more smartwatch tips, see our smartwatch buying guide.
