Best smartwatches for women in 2026: Our top picks
I’ve reviewed smartwatches and trackers for over a decade—these are my current picks for form, function and female-focused features
There was a time when smartwatches weren't designed for ladies. Smartwatches for women were an afterthought—but, luckily, that's now changed.
Many smartwatches and fitness trackers had chunky designs, minimal color options, and large displays. If that's your vibe, then lucky you. If not, there are more choices for the best smartwatch for women these days.
Several smartwatches and trackers now offer much slimmer builds, and wider color choices, and they also have features specifically targeted at women. Some models offer, biometric cycle tracking via temperature sensors, stress tracking, and even fertility highlighting.
I’ve been testing smartwatches and fitness trackers for over 10 years, and I’ve worn everything from Apple Watch to Garmin in the last few months.
These are my top picks for the best wearables specifically designed for women, offering not only more feminine looks but also features that cater specifically to women.
At a glance: Our picks for the best smartwatches for women
- Apple Watch Series 11: Best smartwatch for iPhone
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 8: Best for Samsung users
- Google Pixel Watch 4: Best smartwatch for Android
- Garmin Venu X1: Best smartwatch for sports tracking
- Apple Watch SE 3: Best affordable Apple Watch
- Withings ScanWatch Light: Best hybrid smartwatch
How we tested
Wareable has reviewed these smartwatches individually already, but we asked expert women’s tech advocate Britta O’Boyle to wear each one again—and re-test female-first features. Britta evaluated the women’s health features, period tracking capabilities, and insights, which take longer to assess than simple health tracking features. She also tested all the main wellness, health, and smart features while assessing each for comfort, wearability, and design.
Apple Watch Series 11
Best smartwatch for iPhone
- Sizes: 42mm and 46mm
- Colors: Aluminum - Silver, Rose Gold, Jet Black, Space Grey / Titanium-Natural, Gold, Slate
- Tracks: Steps, heart rate, blood oxygen (not in the US), respiratory rate, heart rate variability, female cycle tracking, Sleep Apnea, Vitals, Training Load, sleep tracking
- Compatibility: iOS 26 or later
Apple Watch Series 10 introduced a few notable changes, but first let’s take a look at what hasn’t changed. Firstly, it keeps the sizes at 42 mm and 46mm introduced with Series 10, so you still get the larger displays. Secondly, the case remains slim, making it comfortable to wear on the wrist, and the larger display means that the 42mm model is more than adequate.
The color options for the Watch Series 11 are great too, with the Gold titanium variant being my particular favorite. The Rose Gold and Jet Black aluminum models are lovely in person as well, and you can make any of them stand out with the various strap options.
When it comes to features, Apple Watch Series 11 has a wrist temperature sensor, enabling more accurate cycle tracking and integration with the Natural Cycles app for added functionality. It also includes a method for tracking pregnancy, which I really wish had been available when I was pregnant. I had to rely on a separate app on my iPhone to obtain what I needed, but most of it is available now.
The software, which is not only available on the Watch Series 11 but also on older models, has Training Load and Vitals. The Vitals app is particularly effective at detecting when something is slightly amiss, while Training Load helps highlight if you're exercising too much or perhaps not enough.
I also enjoy sleep tracking on Apple Watch, with the Series 11 offering sleep apnea detection. All the stats and trends are displayed in the Health app, although some can also be found in the Fitness app on the iPhone and the Sleep app on the watch itself.
Moreover, Apple Watch Series 11 adds a new health feature that notifies you about potential chronic high blood pressure. It checks for patterns that could point to hypertension and sends an alert if it finds anything unusual. This is a helpful update to Apple’s health-tracking tools, but keep in mind that the watch does not replace a medical blood pressure monitor.
That said, Apple Watch Series 11 is a great all-rounder, offering accurate fitness and sleep tracking, easy-to-understand data, and good cycle and pregnancy tracking.
- Read the full Apple Watch Series 11 review
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8
Best for Samsung users
- Sizes: 40mm and 44mm
- Colors: Graphite and Silver
- Tracks: Steps, heart rate, blood oxygen, respiratory rate, heart rate variability, female cycle tracking, sleep apnea, blood pressure, stress tracking, sleep tracking, energy score, sleep score, irregular heart rhythm notifications, and personalized heart-rate zones
- Compatibility: Android 11 and later
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is likely one of the chunkiest options among my picks, but I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised when I reviewed it, and that is part of why it has made the cut.
The bulky build has character, and while the 40mm model still feels significantly larger on the wrist than the 42mm Apple Watch Series 11 equivalent, it looks good. The display is glorious, with plenty of punch and vibrancy, and the interface is fluid and easy to use.
As with Samsung's latest phones, the company has utilized artificial intelligence (AI) to provide a little helping hand regarding some of its features. Each morning, you receive an Energy Score, which indicates your capacity for the day, along with Wellness Tips to help you make small changes that can improve both your score and your Sleep Score.
Energy Score is calculated based on activity over the last day, sleep over the last seven days, average sleeping heart rate, and sleeping heart rate variability. I loved it becauseit's a score that's easy to understand and a good indicator of what you should be doing that day.
Cycle tracking is available here too, and it's easy to add data directly from the Galaxy Watch 8, rather than always needing to open Samsung Health on your Galaxy phone or Android device. You can easily see when your next period is due and quickly add symptoms using the Daily Log on the watch, which features a simple and user-friendly interface.
Galaxy Watch 8 can also track stress and measure blood pressure, providing a comprehensive suite of fitness and health features that are user-friendly.
Charging on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 could be faster, battery life could be improved, and I would love to see compatibility with the iPhone. However, it's a fantastic smartwatch if you're looking for something with a slightly chunkier build and superb fitness features.
- Read the full Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 review
Google Pixel Watch 4
Best smartwatch for Android
- Sizes: 41mm and 45mm
- Colors: Polished Silver, Moonstone, Matte Black
- Tracks: Steps, heart rate, blood oxygen, respiratory rate, heart rate variability, female cycle tracking, stress tracking, sleep tracking, Daily Readiness Score, Sleep Score, Stress Score, Sleep Profile
- Compatibility: Android 11.0 and later
Google Pixel Watch 4 is Google's fourth smartwatch, featuring a pebble-shaped design that is both simple and sophisticated. It's not as chunky as Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 or Garmin Venu X1, but it is still larger on the wrist than the smaller Apple Watch Series 11. I reviewed the Moonstone band with the Satin Moonstone case, although I would choose a Silver option if given the choice, as it's a little softer.
There are plenty of extra strap options as well, so even though Pixel Watch 4 comes with an Active Band by default, you'll discover two-tone leather options, slim metal variations, and different material choices, allowing you to change the look quite easily. The strap mechanism of the Pixel Watch 4 could use some improvement—it's not very user-friendly—but once you understand it, there's a good selection of additional straps available.
Fitness and activity tracking on Google Pixel Watch 4 is impressive, primarily due to the Fitbit integration that has been executed well. Fitbit has always excelled at presenting data in an easy-to-interpret manner, and that quality remains intact despite the Google acquisition. The accompanying Fitbit app is clear and concise, providing a comprehensive overview of your health.
There's cycle tracking and symptom logging, but there is no additional integration with apps like Natural Cycles, such as those offered by Apple Watch, despite the numerous sensors on board the Pixel Watch 4. Stress tracking is excellent, and Fitbit has always excelled at sleep tracking, mastering it long before many others even began to offer it.
Daily Readiness Score is also a favorite of mine, providing an indication of your status for the day—similar to Samsung's Energy Score. Additionally, there are Cardio Load and Target Cardio Load scores that help guide your exercise activities and illustrate the impact of exercise on your body.
Like Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8, I would love to see iPhone support for the Google Pixel Watch 4, given that Wear OS used to offer it. However, if you have an Android device, specifically a Pixel one, Pixel Watch 4 is a great smartwatch with accurate tracking and simple stats that are easy to understand.
- Read the full Google Pixel Watch 4 review
Garmin Venu X1
Best smartwatch for sports tracking
- Sizes: 51mm
- Colors: Soft Gold, Black, Moss
- Tracks: Steps, heart rate, blood oxygen, respiratory rate, heart rate variability, female cycle tracking, stress tracking, sleep tracking, Body Battery
- Compatibility: OS 18.2 or later and Android 9.0 or later
Garmin has long been the key player when it comes to running watches and sports watches, but what about watches specifically for women? Well, the company does offer Garmin Lily 2 (the successor to the Garmin Lily that launched in 2021), which is specifically designed for women, though it's not the Garmin I would pick. Venu X1 takes a different approach. It has a much larger, more feature-packed design, but still works well as an everyday smartwatch if you prefer a sporty look.
It has a large 2-inch display. It is a fairly substantial watch on the wrist, so it won't suit everyone, but the bigger screen makes it easy to read your workout stats, notifications, maps, and other information at a glance.
One of the best things about Garmin Venu X1 is that it lasts longer than a day. I regularly achieved a week with Venu X1, including my workouts. That makes it the best in terms of internal tests here.
There's cycle tracking and pregnancy tracking too, with the ability to log daily symptoms and receive cycle predictions. What is good about Garmin, however, is that you will get information about exercise and nutrition based on different stages of your cycle, helping you understand what your body might need in response to hormonal shifts.
Venu X1 also has stress tracking; it's great for running if you're a runner, and it offers Garmin's Body Battery too, which is one of my favorite Garmin features. Body Battery is slightly different from Samsung's Energy Score and Fitbit's Daily Readiness Score on Pixel Watch in that it depletes throughout the day based on what you do, rather than offering a one-time score each day.
It's impossible to get it back up to 100%, but it is interesting to see how different factors affect you throughout the day—and you'll notice it's not usually hard workouts that cause the Body Battery percentage to drop. Instead, it's when your heart rate is high, but you're not moving.
Garmin Venu X1 is on the larger side of the wearables on this list, but if you're seeking a sportier look with excellent fitness and health features, it comes highly recommended.
Apple Watch SE 3
Best affordable Apple Watch
![Large image for amazon product "Apple Watch SE 3 [GPS 40mm] Smartwatch with Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band - S/M. Fitness and Sleep Trackers, Heart Rate Monitor,…"](https://media.wareable.com/2026/07/31Gq8SToFJL-SL500-.jpg)
- Sizes: 40mm and 44mm
- Colors: Starlight and Midnight aluminum
- Tracks: steps, heart rate, HRV, wrist temperature, sleep and sleep stages, sleep score, cycle tracking, sleep apnea notifications, irregular heart rhythm notifications
- Compatibility: iOS 26 or later
If you’re used to Apple’s newer watches, you’ll probably notice the thick borders around the Apple Watch SE 3’s screen. It doesn’t look as modern as Series 11, but the classic design still works well. We tried the 40mm Starlight version and found it fits smaller wrists especially well.
It’s lightweight, doesn’t snag on sleeves, and is easy to forget you’re wearing. If bigger flagship watches feel bulky, the SE 3’s smaller size is a real plus.
The main difference between SE 3 and Series 11 is what features you get for the price. SE 3 is more affordable, so it doesn’t include every wellness feature from the pricier model. Still, it offers a good set of tools for the money.
For example, it doesn’t have an ECG or blood oxygen tracking, and it won’t give you passive hypertension alerts. If you need those, SE 3 isn’t the best fit.
But for everyday tracking, it covers the basics like heart rate, sleep, cycle tracking, and workout stats. There’s also a temperature sensor, which is a nice upgrade from SE 2. This sensor helps with ovulation estimates in the Cycle Tracking app and adds wrist temperature data to the Vitals app.
So, while SE 3 isn’t Apple’s most advanced watch, its lower price makes it a great choice if you want an Apple Watch without paying for Series 11.
Withings ScanWatch Light
Best hybrid smartwatch
- Sizes: 37mm dial
- Colors: The dial comes in Sand and Rose Gold, Pearl White, Black, Blue and Rose Gold, and Green colors with different band options
- Tracks: Daily heart rate, sleep, breathing quality, steps, calories burned, and heart rate
- Compatibility: iOS 16 or later and Android 9.0 or later
If you’re tired of chunky smartwatches and want something more classy, I recommend the Withings ScanWatch Light. In my opinion, it’s the most fashionable watch on this list.
However, it shouldn’t be treated as a traditional smartwatch as we typically think of them today, but rather as a hybrid one. You still get a small display for essentials, but the overall experience is closer to wearing a classic watch that quietly tracks your health.
Withings smartwatch’s whole identity is in the design. It looks sleek, minimal, and the stainless-steel case gives it a more polished, jewelry-like feel than most plastic-heavy fitness trackers. You won’t need to take it off while wearing a nicer dress, which I found convenient.
It stands out not only for its design but also for its simplicity. All the wearables on the list are packed with multiple health and fitness features that, for some women, might be too much. The Withings ScanWatch Light is designed for people who want awareness, but not constant performance feedback. It focuses on simple but meaningful health metrics: heart rate, sleep quality, activity, and basic recovery indicators.
The downside is the subscription. You can buy the watch by itself and connect with other health or fitness apps; however, if you want to use the Withings+ app, you will have to pay.
Withings ScanWatch Light is not as expensive as Garmin Venu X1, but it’s still an extra bill to pay. The app comes with cycle tracking, which is beneficial, but for deeper insights, again, you’ll have to pay.
I understand that it is not much, but I think it should be included in the subscription, and women shouldn’t pay extra to better understand their bodies. Aside from this, Withings ScanWatch Light is an elegant hybrid smartwatch suitable if you’re looking for a wearable that prioritizes lifestyle-oriented data tracking.
Smartwatches for women: FAQ
Before you buy a wearable, make sure it is compatible with your smartphone. For example, Apple Watch is only compatible with iPhone, while Google's Pixel Watch 4 and Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8 are both only compatible with Android phones. If you have a Samsung phone, you get extra features with Galaxy Watch 8 compared to Pixel Watch 4, and vice versa if you have a Pixel phone, so keep that in mind too. Garmin Venu X1 and Withings are all compatible with iOS and Android, so less restrictive.
All the wearables I picked above come in different size options, which I detailed in the bullets for each. For smaller wrists, generally, I would recommend the smaller watch cases, but you may want a larger screen, so that's partly my personal preference. You want any smartwatch you pick to be comfortable, day and night, because many of the features they offer require you to wear them 24/7.
Most wearables these days offer many of the same features, like heart rate tracking, SpO2, step counting, sleep tracking, and plenty more. Some offer extras, like Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and its blood pressure monitoring, for example, while others have features like Sleep Apnea detection. If there are specific features you want, such as the ability to detect potential atrial fibrillation or stress tracking, make sure the device you are choosing does that.
As with any purchase, it comes down to the individual. However, the quality and accuracy of women-based insights, such as fertility or menstrual cycle tracking, are a big differentiator. Style and comfort on smaller wrists also play a big part.
We consider anything around 42mm or smaller to be truly unisex, in smartwatch terms. In the classic watch market, women's sizes are usually 40mm or less.
Apple Watch is the best all-round smartwatch, with great health and fitness features as well as useful smarts such as Apple Pay. But if you're a serious runner, then Garmin will suit you better—and its watches usually have a week of battery life compared to just a single day on an Apple Watch.
Smartwatches are usually good for a few years. They're prone to getting scratches and marks, but they aren't made obsolete quickly.
Bottom line
Choosing the best smartwatch should always come down to your preferences. If you’ll wear it every day and night, comfort and design are as important as tracking accuracy. That said, I will quickly go through smartwatches on this list and what they are best for.
If you have an iPhone, Apple Watch Series 11 is a no-brainer option. It works well with iPhones and has a good mix of health, fitness, and smartwatch features. But if you want to save money, Apple Watch SE 3 covers many basics for less.
For Samsung users, Galaxy Watch 8 is a clear choice. It pairs well with Samsung phones and includes many health and fitness tools. But if you use a different Android phone, Google Pixel Watch 4 is a great option, especially if you like how Fitbit tracks health and fitness.
And if tracking sports is most important to you, Garmin Venu X1 is a standout. It has lots of workout features, detailed fitness data, and a long battery life.
If you prefer something that doesn't look like a typical smartwatch, Withings ScanWatch Light is a good option. Its hybrid design looks more like a regular watch but still tracks your health and fitness.
Just remember, there is no single best wearable for everyone. The right choice is simply the one that fits your lifestyle, feels good to wear, and offers the features you’ll actually use.
