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In our review of the Samsung Galaxy Watch8, we noted that it wasn’t worth an upgrade over the Watch7 (though it’s worth considering if you have an older model). That said, the Galaxy Watch8 offers a newer design, a slightly larger battery, and a solid 4.5 out of 5 overall user rating from Amazon buyers. It’s also recommended by the nonprofit organization Consumer Reports, which thoroughly tested many models from several manufacturers, combining its expert testing with owner feedback to generate overall ratings.
However, the Watch8 is far from the best smartwatch recommended by Consumer Reports — indeed, buyers have a wide range of other styles and brands to choose from that CR considers money well spent. In fact, most of the other recommended smartwatches on CR’s list actually rate higher than the Samsung Galaxy Watch8. The Watch8 doesn’t even crack the top ten, though rated mostly positive overall — sitting high within the “good” range of ratings, but not quite making the “very good” to “great” tier. Other respected publications also find certain competitors outperform the Watch8. These choices are not limited to the Android ecosystem either, as both Android and non-Android smartwatches rate higher than Samsung’s flagship.
Which means that if, for whatever reason, you’re not interested in a Watch8, there’s still a diverse slate of other alternatives to choose from, including those that cater to different categories, whether they are design-centric, health-oriented, or more. Here are five smartwatches that Consumer Reports has rated higher than the Samsung Galaxy Watch, along with additional reviews that support CR’s findings.
1. Apple Watch Series 11
Let’s get the Apple Watch out of the way early. For a large portion of smartwatch wearers, Apple is often the top choice regardless, especially over the Android-powered Galaxy Watch8. For iPhone users, seamless compatibility with the Apple Watch is a huge selling point, and it’s widely acknowledged that Apple is exceptionally good at making high-quality hardware — even if its higher-priced, walled-garden approach isn’t for everyone.
It’s rare for a new Apple Watch generation not to receive positive reviews across the board, and the Series 11 is no different. In fact, three of the top five and four of the top ten highest-rated smartwatches on Consumer Reports’ list are Apple Watch models, including the SE and Ultra. This means any Apple Watch that fits your needs is a solid choice, though the best of the bunch — according to CR’s findings at least — is the standard Series 11.
That’s backed by PCMag’s testing, which calls the Series 11 the best smartwatch for iPhone users, praising its display, slim design, and sturdy build. It also highlights several new features, some of which are things you didn’t know your Apple Watch could do. The sentiment of everyday users aligns with that of experts, as the Apple Watch Series 11 has an impressive average buyer rating of 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon, based on over 500 ratings. The downside to buying an Apple Watch for some is also the upside for others — it’s very much designed to be used with other Apple products, first and foremost the iPhone.
The Apple Watch Series 11 is currently available on Amazon for $299.
2. Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro
Besides Apple, several of the best-rated smartwatches on Consumer Reports’ list come from Amazfit, a wearables brand owned by Zepp Health. As evidenced by its high marks across the board, Amazfit has built a solid reputation for its smartwatches, which come in several categories that cater to the different ways people like to use them.
For instance, the Amazfit Active — which we found to be the best $99 smartwatch out there — is a stripped-down option for those who don’t want to spend much money and don’t need many bells and whistles. The Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro, on the other hand, is a rugged smartwatch for camping, hiking, and other outdoor adventures that offers more variables than a straightforward treadmill run at the fitness center. As Amazfit says, “it’s built for uncertainty across distance, terrain, and changing environments, for athletes who move beyond predictable paths.”
The Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro is also the highest-rated smartwatch on Consumer Reports’ list, with a significant gap between it and the second-best. Among other aspects, CR commends its solid heart rate and step count monitoring, sturdy scratch resistance, and 20.6-day battery life. CR also praises its sleep-monitoring performance, though some users on Reddit disagree, with several comments on r/amazfit saying that its sleep monitoring and health coaching are lacking. These complaints are echoed by Wired as well. Amazon users rate the T-Rex 3 Pro more favorably, with over 475 customers scoring it an average of 4.5 out of 5.
The Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro is available on Amazon for $400.
3. Google Pixel Watch 4
The 45mm Google Pixel Watch 4 just sneaks into the top 10 of Consumer Reports’ highest-rated smartwatches, tied with several other models. Still, it’s a great choice if you’re an Android user, as we call it “the best Android smartwatch” in our review. The New York Times Wirecutter agrees, giving it the same qualifier in its list of the best-tested smartwatches, though it notes that the Watch 4 is at risk of scratches, even early on. Wirecutter also found issues with its automatic activity-detection feature.
One reason the display may scratch easily is its domed design, which gives it a distinctive look from many other smartwatches. The edge-to-edge Corning Gorilla Glass allows for a larger active interface, backed by 3,000-nit brightness — 50% brighter than the previous-gen Pixel Watch 3. While it may not have the best protection against display nicks, it’s sturdy enough to withstand depths of up to 50 meters underwater. Along with swimming, it can track over 50 different forms of exercise, provide data-driven coaching, and monitor sleep and stress.
Google promises up to 30 hours of battery life for the Pixel Watch 4, or up to 2 full days in low-power mode. It also comes with a quick-charging dock that can provide 50% charge in 15 minutes. And of course, being Google in the age of AI, Gemini is deeply integrated into the Pixel Watch. The AI assistant delivers replies to questions you ask and can craft quick responses even when you’re texting on the go.
The Google Pixel Watch 4 is available on Amazon for $342.99.
4. Garmin Venu X1
Garmin is a tech brand primarily focused on GPS — not health or smartphones, unlike many other smartwatch manufacturers. That’s why Garmin makes some of the best camping tech that can help you stay safe in the wilderness, like its inReach Mini 2 satellite communicator. Just because it puts GPS first doesn’t mean you shouldn’t expect most of the same features found in other smartwatches. In fact, Garmin caters to different types of users with different watch categories.
The Venu X1 is the highest-rated Garmin smartwatch on Consumer Reports’ list. Those who’ve purchased the Venu X1 from Amazon largely agree with CR’s evaluation, with over 170 users giving it an overall score of 4.5 out of 5. That’s pretty close to the 4.4 out of 5 average rating that over 350 users left for the Venu X1 on Google Reviews. By and large, users like the product’s performance, large display, and useful features. The watch’s lightweight, slim design also gets several shoutouts.
However, some users say its battery life could be better, including one reviewer who is surprised at how poor it is compared to other Garmin devices. In a mostly positive review, Outside also expresses disappointment in its battery life compared to other Garmins, though notes that charging it every three days is still an improvement over competitors like the Apple Watch. Outside adds that its touchscreen controls are iffy, especially when wet.
The Garmin Venu X1 is available on Amazon, starting at $600.
5. OnePlus Watch 3
In our review of the OnePlus Watch 3, we gave it a near-perfect 9 out of 10 and called the wearable a huge improvement on its predecessor, the Watch 2. Built from high-quality stainless steel and titanium alloy, the product undergoes military-grade testing before hitting store shelves. In addition to its great design, which includes a pyramid-patterned crown, we also make note of its impressive battery life. That last point is echoed by several positive reviews, including one from PCMag, which lists it among its best-tested smartwatches of 2026 for its battery life, and one from CNET.
While CNET had no issues with its runtime, it did call the interface of the OnePlus Watch 3 laggy and “sluggish,” noting a delay in its heart rate monitoring. CNET also adds that “the UI isn’t exactly intuitive” and notes a lack of cellular connectivity. That said, the OnePlus Watch 3 still has plenty of fans, including many on Reddit who are happy to point out that it’s “underrated” amongst bigger names like Apple and Samsung. Consumer Reports finds “nothing significant” to complain about in terms of the OnePlus Watch 3, which helps explain why it sits comfortably above the Galaxy Watch8 in its overall smartwatch ratings.
A major downside to the OnePlus Watch 3, however, is its availability, as it appears the company has decided to stop selling its products (including the newer Watch 4) in the U.S. While the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 sits lower on Consumer Reports’ ranked list of the best-rated smartwatches, at least you can still get your hands on one — and wear it on your wrist.
How these smartwatches were evaluated
The ratings cited as “better” than what the Samsung Galaxy Watch has earned are directly sourced from the overall scores given by Consumer Reports, which combines expert testing and owner surveys to produce its ratings. Rather than include every watch that outscores the Galaxy Watch8 — the most recent and highest-rated Galaxy Watch on the list — five were selected based on different metrics and additional reviews from various sources.
The smartwatches selected for this list were judged using metrics generally considered most important for the device category, including battery life, connectivity, size and comfort, durability, and the features and performance they offer. These qualities were assessed by Consumer Reports’ findings, as well as expert reviews from us and other respected publications, including Wired, CNET, The New York Times Wirecutter, and PCMag. Additionally, feedback from average user ratings on Amazon and Google (at least 100 ratings) and owner experiences recounted in reviews and on Reddit were used to corroborate and supplement the findings of expert reviews.
