The best smartwatches in Australia are more advanced than ever. Having only really been a 'thing' since 2015 when Apple first introduced the Apple Watch, they've progressed quickly and are now everything in one: a comprehensive health and fitness tracker, digital wallet, and an extension of your smartphone, even 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.
Today's 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 perks of certain models, too.
The best smartwatches go above and beyond, housing various features and apps and also packing impressive battery life lasting well over a week. And of course, there's style: The best smartwatches can be customised in numerous ways, from switching out their straps to their faces, to best fit your personality and personal needs.
You can also refer to our smartwatch buying guide for more tips on finding the ultimate wearable for you. And be sure to look at the best cheap smartwatches if you're on a mission to save some Australian dollars. Here are the best smartwatches to buy right now in Australia.
The best smartwatches in Australia you can buy today
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The Apple Watch 8 is the best Apple Watch yet. It’s not a major upgrade over the Apple Watch Series 7 in terms of features or design, but it does get a larger screen and a couple of extra features that some may find useful. What's new when comparing the Apple Watch Series 8 vs. Series 7 is the skin temperature sensor, which can inform cycle and fertility tracking, as well as sleep tracking.
The Series 8 also launched with the long-awaited low power mode, which can extend the Apple Watch's battery life to 36 hours, which many loyal fans will find What's more, the Apple Watch 8 has a new crash detection feature, leveraging improved motion sensors for instant help when you might need it most.
Otherwise, the Apple Watch Series 8 is a full-featured health tracker and communications tool. With watchOS 9, this smartwatch packs the latest and greatest of what the Apple Watch experience has to offer. Whether you want a smartwatch for working out, answering calls from your wrist, or using the best Apple Watch apps, this is the best smartwatch for you. The only catch, of course, is that you need to own an iPhone.
Read our full Apple Watch 8 review.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 has a new skin-temperature reader, a more scratch-resistant display and a longer-lasting battery life. It's the best Samsung watch yet, because while there aren't a ton of differences between the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 vs. Galaxy Watch 4, the changes make what was already a great device all that much better. And with prices starting at AU$345, it remains a fair value.
But, while Samsung has included a skin temperature sensor as the only major upgrade to the Galaxy Watch 5, it hasn't worked since launch as it requires approval. But there is still plenty to like about Samsung's latest smartwatch. For one, it lasted for an entire two days in our testing, and reached almost 50% charge from 0% in 30 minutes. Wear OS 3 with Samsung's skin has more perks, too, including Google Assistant and better interoperability with your other Samsung devices. For more GPS features and an even longer-lasting battery life, check out the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 review.
The Google Pixel Watch is the best smartwatch for Pixel phone users, bar none. Though it’s a first-generation device, a clean design, a full collection of Google apps and fitness tracking powered by Fitbit’s platform make for a compelling smartwatch. In many ways, the Pixel Watch is the best of both worlds, pairing a top-notch Wear OS experience with Fitbit’s holistic health-tracking (which is further enhanced with a Fitbit Premium membership.) There are plenty of tools on-board for staying connected and getting active.
But, we do think there is some room for improvement: the thick bezels and singular size option might deter some users in terms of design, while we found the battery life to be disappointing compared to that of other Fitbit smartwatches. Still, the Pixel Watch stands out enough from other smartwatches for Android, making for what we consider a successful first attempt based on our testing. Do check out our lowdown of the 3 reasons to buy and 3 reasons to skip the Google Pixel Watch.
Read our full Google Pixel Watch review.
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.
Compared to the original Fitbit Sense, the Sense 2 features an upgraded design, interface and EDA sensor, making for Fitbit's most holistic smartwatch yet. Thanks to advanced health analysis and deep integration with Fitbit Premium, the AU$450 Sense 2 also sustains an edge in fitness-tracking over many of the best smartwatches on this list.
An update to the stress-detecting EDA (electrodermal activity) sensor plays a large role in the device’s success: now called cEDA ('c' for continuous,) the sensor monitors stress levels or heightened responses throughout the day, prompting the user to take action on mood monitoring with Body Response notifications. What's also good news is that support for Google Wallet and Google Maps is now available on the Sense 2 in Australia (they weren't available at launch) but it is worth checking to see if your bank is supported, as not all Australian banks currently make the cut.
Oddly, however, there's no third-party app support. Still, for a smartwatch that helps you get in touch with how you feel, the Sense 2 succeeds.
Read our full Fitbit Sense 2 review.
The Garmin Venu 2 was already a stellar fitness-tracking smartwatch. We consider it one of the best Garmin watches that’s both a capable workout companion and stylish lifestyle device. The AU$769 Garmin Venu 2 Plus introduces on-wrist calls and voice assistants. While it maintains Garmin’s reputation for thorough fitness tracking and accurate GPS, the Venu 2 Plus is now a stronger sell for those who want their smartwatch to act as an extension of their smartphone.
Though Garmin still lacks a large third-party app store and continues to steer clear of LTE support, embracing more communication tools is a major step towards mastering the complete smartwatch experience. 10 days of battery life is the cherry on top.
Read our full Garmin Venu 2 review.
The Apple Watch Ultra is the best smartwatch to buy if you're a serious athlete or if you prioritise 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, with a starting price tag of AU$1,299 to match. We found it's not for everyone, but depending on your needs, it could strike the right balance.
Read our full Apple Watch Ultra review.