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8 Best Smartwatches (2026): Apple, Google, and Hybrid Watches
This WIRED buying guide rounds up the best smartwatches available in 2026, covering options for iPhone and Android users as well as budget and hybrid picks. It matters for shoppers because smartwatch prices have risen due to component costs and supply chain pressures, making informed choices more valuable, and the guide narrows a crowded market down to tested recommendations across different needs and ecosystems.
The Apple Watch Series 11 (£399/$399) is named the top pick for iPhone owners, offering a notable jump to 24-hour battery life, FDA-cleared hypertension notifications, a new Sleep Score feature and the return of blood oxygen sensing. For Android users, the Google Pixel Watch 4 (£400/$400, 45mm) is recommended, while the Apple Watch SE 3 (£249/$279) offers a cheaper Apple option and the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 and Watch8 Classic (£370/$370, 44mm) are suggested for those loyal to Samsung's ecosystem. The guide, updated in July 2026, also includes a comparison table, an FAQ section and further picks for those wanting fitness trackers, smart rings or cheaper watches.
In short
- WIRED's 2026 guide picks the best smartwatches by category
- Apple Watch Series 11 tops iPhone picks; Pixel Watch 4 leads for Android
- Series 11 gains 24-hour battery and hypertension alerts
Explained simply
Smartwatches are wrist-worn devices that pair with a phone to show notifications and track things such as activity and sleep. Some features depend on the phone you use, so Apple Watches are designed for iPhones, while Google and Samsung watches are aimed at Android users.
The main makers include Apple, Google and Samsung, alongside brands that offer simpler or hybrid watches with fewer smart features. Prices and battery life vary, and some health features are available only on particular models.
Choosing a watch can mean balancing price, phone compatibility, battery life and the features you want. A buying guide can help readers compare options in a market where rising costs make the choice more significant.
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