Smartwatch gift guide: how to choose by phone, use and person
Short answer: Check the phone first, because a watch that does not work with the recipient's phone is the most common gift mistake. Then match the watch to what they do: running, swimming, travelling, everyday use, or for a child or an older parent. This guide gives a rule for each case and links to the catalog tables behind it.
Last verified September 26, 2026. This guide has no prices and no deals. Black Friday 2026 is Friday, November 27; see the Black Friday checklist.
Step 1: find out the phone
Ask, or look at their phone settings, which phone and operating system they use. An iPhone owner needs a watch that pairs with iPhone. An Android owner needs one that pairs with Android, and some watches only pair with certain Android brands. If you cannot find out, choose a watch that lists both iPhone and Android compatibility, or give a gift receipt and a return window. See Apple Watch with Android and Galaxy Watch with iPhone.
| Brand | iOS and Android | Android only | iOS only | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin | 33 | 0 | 0 | 33 |
| Amazfit | 26 | 0 | 0 | 26 |
| Mibro | 25 | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| Huawei | 23 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
| Xiaomi | 17 | 2 | 0 | 19 |
| Kospet | 15 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Maxcom | 15 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| 8 | 5 | 0 | 13 | |
| Samsung | 0 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| Polar | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Apple | 0 | 0 | 9 | 9 |
| Blackview | 9 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| SaveFamily | 9 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Denver | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Tracer | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| HONOR | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| COROS | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| SPC | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Suunto | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| OnePlus | 1 | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| Realme | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Imoo | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| ASUS | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Maimo | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Withings | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Garett | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Kidiwatch | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Motorola | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Nothing | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Ulefone | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| ZTE | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Anio | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Gabb | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| IMILAB | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Lenovo | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Mediatech | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Mobvoi | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| OPPO | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| One2Track | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Spacetalk | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| TCL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| TickTalk | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Verizon | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Vivo | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| WatchMe | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Xplora | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| myFirst | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Step 2: pick the person
Everyday user. Look for a clear display, a battery that lasts the days they expect, and the notifications they care about. See battery life explained and the long battery list.
Runner. The GPS type matters most. Dual-band GNSS is more accurate in cities and trees. Check the water rating if they also swim. See running smartwatches and dual-frequency GPS.
| GPS type | Models | Battery (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Dual-band GNSS + maps | 55 | 1-90 |
| Dual-band GNSS | 42 | 1.2-20 |
| Multi-system GNSS | 31 | 1-34 |
| Standard GPS | 105 | 0.75-24 |
Swimmer. Look for a water rating that covers swimming, not just splashes. See water resistance ratings.
| Water rating | Models |
|---|---|
| IP rating only (IP67, IP68 and similar) | 89 |
| 5ATM | 124 |
| 5ATM + IP rating | 26 |
| 10ATM | 27 |
| 10ATM with a diving rating or depth | 13 |
| Other ATM ratings (1, 2, 3 or 20ATM) | 21 |
| Other ratings (for example WR30, 50 m, swim-friendly) | 7 |
IP rating only (IP67, IP68 and similar) (89)
Amazfit Bip 5, Amazfit Bip 5 Unity, Amazfit Verge Lite, Anio 6, Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Series 9, Blackview W10 Pro, Blackview W50 Pro, Blackview W60, Blackview W70 Pro, Blackview W80 Pro, Blackview Z10 4G Kids, Blackview Z20 4G GPS Kids, Blackview Z30, Blackview Z40 Pro, CMF Watch Pro 2, Denver SW-162, Denver SW-500, Denver SWC-185, Denver SWC-187, Denver SWC-195, Denver SWC-342, Denver SWC-387, Denver SWGL-149, Gabb Watch 3e, Garett Kids Vibe 4G, Honor Choice Watch 2 Epic, Honor Choice Watch 2i, Huawei Watch Buds 2, Huawei Watch D2, Huawei Watch D3, Kospet ORB, Kospet Pulse, Lenovo Watch S2 Pro, Maxcom FW100 Titan Valkyria, Maxcom FW26 Oxygen Pro, Maxcom FW27 Selen, Maxcom FW28 Selen Mini, Maxcom FW42, Maxcom FW49 Kiddo 2, Maxcom FW55 Smart Band, Maxcom FW58 Vanad Pro, Maxcom FW65 Iron, Maxcom FW66 Iron R, Maxcom FW73 Onyx, Maxcom FW74 Aurum Slim, Maxcom FW76 Gal, Media-Tech Activeband Genua, Mibro Kids Watch P5, Mibro Kids Watch Z3, Mibro Kids Watch Z5, Moto Watch 47, Realme Watch (1st gen), Realme Watch 5, Realme Watch R100, Redmi Watch 5 Active, SPC Smartee 4G Junior, SPC Smartee 4G Kids, SPC Smartee 4G Senior, SPC Smartee Duo Velvet, SPC Smartee Duo Vivo 2, SaveFamily Enjoy 4G, SaveFamily Iconic 4G, SaveFamily Iconic Plus 2, SaveFamily Iconic Plus 4G, SaveFamily Junior, SaveFamily SaveWatch Plus, SaveFamily SaveWatch Plus 2, SaveFamily Senior 4G, SaveFamily Slim 4G, Spacetalk Adventurer 2, TCL Movetime MT48 Kids, TickTalk 6, Tracer GP-Fit2, Tracer GP-Run, Tracer SM7 Astral/Shadow, Tracer SMK15 Aurora, Tracer SMR11 Hero, Tracer SMW9 X-TRO, Tracer SMW9A Spark, Xplora X6 Play, ZTE Watch Kids 2, ZTE Watch Live 3, imoo Smartwatch Z3, imoo Watch Phone X10, imoo Watch Phone Z1, imoo Watch Phone Z7, myFirst Fone R1c, one2track Connect NEXT
5ATM (124)
ASUS VivoWatch 5, ASUS VivoWatch 5 Aero, ASUS VivoWatch 6, Amazfit Active, Amazfit Active 2 (round), Amazfit Active 2 Square, Amazfit Active 3 Premium, Amazfit Active Max, Amazfit Balance, Amazfit Balance 2, Amazfit Bip 3 Pro, Amazfit Bip 6, Amazfit Bip Max, Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro, Amazfit Cheetah 2 Ultra, Amazfit GTR 2, Amazfit GTS (1st gen), Amazfit GTS 2, Amazfit GTS 2e, Amazfit GTS 4, Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Series 12, CMF Watch 3 Pro, COROS Apex 4, COROS NOMAD, COROS PACE 3, COROS PACE Pro, COROS Pace 4, Fitbit Ace LTE, Fitbit Charge 5, Fitbit Charge 6, Fitbit Inspire 3, Fitbit Sense 2, Fitbit Versa 3, Fitbit Versa 4, Garett Compass GPS, Garmin Approach S12, Garmin Cirqa, Garmin Forerunner 165, Garmin Forerunner 170, Garmin Forerunner 265, Garmin Forerunner 570, Garmin Forerunner 70, Garmin Forerunner 965, Garmin Forerunner 970, Garmin Lily 2 Active, Garmin Venu 3, Garmin Venu 3S, Garmin Venu 4, Garmin Venu X1, Garmin Vivoactive 5, Garmin Vivoactive 6, Garmin Vivosmart 5, Honor Band 7, Honor Band 9, Honor Choice Watch 2 Pro, Honor Watch 4, Honor Watch 6, Huawei Band 10, Huawei Band 11, Huawei Band 8, Huawei Watch 6, Huawei Watch 6 Pro, Huawei Watch Fit 3, Huawei Watch Fit 4, Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro, Huawei Watch Fit 5, Huawei Watch Fit SE, Huawei Watch GT 4, Huawei Watch GT 6, Huawei Watch GT 7, Huawei Watch GT 7 Pro, Huawei Watch GT Runner 2, Kospet Magic P10, Kospet Magic R10, Kospet Tank M3, Kospet Tank S2, Kospet Tank T2 Special Edition, Kospet Tank T3 Ultra, Kospet Tank T4C, Kospet Tank X2 Ultra, Maimo Saphir Watch (WT1004), Maimo Watch R (70mai), Maxcom FW110 Titan Chronos, Mibro GS Active, Mibro GS Active 2, Mibro GS Pro, Mibro GS Pro 2, Mibro Watch Fit, Mibro Watch GS, Mibro Watch Lite 3 Pro, OnePlus Watch Lite, POCO Watch, Pixel Watch (1st gen), Polar Pacer, Polar Pacer Pro, Polar Vantage V3, Realme Band 2, Realme Watch S2, Redmi Watch 4, Redmi Watch 5, Redmi Watch 5 Lite, Redmi Watch 6, Suunto Race S, Suunto Run 2, TicWatch Atlas, Tracer SMK12 Stellar, Ulefone Armor Watch Pro, Ulefone Armor Watch Ultra, Withings ScanWatch 2, Withings ScanWatch Light, Xiaomi Smart Band 10, Xiaomi Smart Band 10 Pro, Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro, Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro, Xiaomi Watch 2, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, Xiaomi Watch 5, Xiaomi Watch S1, Xiaomi Watch S1 Active, Xiaomi Watch S4, Xiaomi Watch S4 41mm, Xiaomi Watch S5
5ATM + IP rating (26)
Galaxy Watch 3, Galaxy Watch 5, Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, Galaxy Watch 6, Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, Galaxy Watch 7, Galaxy Watch 8, Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, Galaxy Watch 9, Huawei Watch 5, Huawei Watch GT 5, Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro, Kospet Tank M3 Ultra, Kospet Tank T3 Ultra 2, Maxcom FW67 Titan Pro, Moto Watch Fit, OPPO Watch X3, OnePlus Watch 2, OnePlus Watch 2R, OnePlus Watch 3, OnePlus Watch 4, Pixel Watch 2, Pixel Watch 3, Pixel Watch 4, Pixel Watch 5, Samsung Galaxy Fit3
10ATM (27)
Amazfit Active Edge, Amazfit Balance 3, Amazfit T-Rex 3, Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro, COROS Vertix 2S, Galaxy Watch Ultra (2024), Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025), Garmin D2 Mach 2 Pro, Garmin Enduro 2, Garmin Enduro 3, Garmin Instinct 3, Garmin Instinct Crossover AMOLED, Garmin Instinct E 45mm, Garmin Tactix 7 AMOLED, Garmin quatix 8 Pro, Kospet Tank M4, Kospet Tank M4C, Kospet Tank T4, Mibro GS Explorer, Mibro GS Explorer S, Polar Grit X Pro, Polar Grit X2 Pro, Suunto Core 2, Suunto Race 2, Suunto Vertical, Suunto Vertical 2, Withings ScanWatch Nova
10ATM with a diving rating or depth (13)
Amazfit T-Rex Dual Solar, Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2, Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch Ultra 4, Galaxy Watch Ultra2, Garmin Fenix 8 Pro AMOLED, Garmin Fenix 8 Pro MicroLED, Garmin Fenix 9, Garmin Fenix 9 Pro, Garmin tactix 8 AMOLED, Garmin tactix 8 Cerakote Edition, Garmin tactix 8 Solar, Huawei Watch Ultimate
Other ATM ratings (1, 2, 3 or 20ATM) (21)
Huawei Watch Ultimate 2, Imilab W01, Maimo Watch (WT2001), Mibro C4, Mibro Kids P6, Mibro Kids S1, Mibro Watch A1, Mibro Watch A3, Mibro Watch C3, Mibro Watch GT, Mibro Watch Lite, Mibro Watch Lite 2, Mibro Watch Lite 3, Mibro Watch T1, Mibro Watch T2, Mibro Watch X1, Polar Ignite 2, Polar Ignite 3, SPC Smartee Duo 3, Vivo Watch GT 2, Xiaomi Smart Kids Watch
Other ratings (for example WR30, 50 m, swim-friendly) (7)
Apple Watch SE (2nd gen), Apple Watch Ultra 2, Garmin Bounce 2, Google Fitbit Air, Polar Loop, Polar Street X, Polar Vantage M3
Child. A kids watch is a different product: age range, a SIM or eSIM plan, location, safety features. Ask the parents first. See kids smartwatches and the kids guide.
Older parent. Look at screen size, ease of use, and safety features such as SOS or fall detection if the catalog lists them. Check that the features work in their country and that someone can set the watch up with them.
| Model | Phone compatibility | Battery (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 | iOS and Android | 30 |
| Apple Watch Series 12 | iOS only | 1 or less |
| Apple Watch Ultra 4 | iOS only | 2.1 |
| Galaxy Watch 9 | Android only | 1.25 |
| Galaxy Watch Ultra2 | Android only | 4 |
| Garmin D2 Mach 2 Pro | iOS and Android | 24 |
| Garmin Fenix 9 | iOS and Android | 29 |
| Garmin Fenix 9 Pro | iOS and Android | 31 |
| Garmin Forerunner 170 | iOS and Android | 10 |
| Garmin Forerunner 70 | iOS and Android | 13 |
| Garmin quatix 8 Pro | iOS and Android | 15 |
| Garmin tactix 8 Cerakote Edition | iOS and Android | 29 |
| Huawei Watch 6 | iOS and Android | 4.5 |
| Huawei Watch 6 Pro | iOS and Android | 4.5 |
| Huawei Watch D3 | iOS and Android | ~6 |
Showing the 15 newest of 83 matching models. Use the filters on the all-watches page for the rest.
Traveller. Battery, GPS and connectivity abroad matter. An eSIM or LTE model needs a plan, and the plan may not work abroad. See eSIM smartwatches and do smartwatches need a data plan.
Step 3: check the size
A watch that is too large or too small reads worse and is uncomfortable. If you can, find their wrist size first. See how to measure a wrist. Many watches come in two sizes.
Step 4: check what it needs to run
Does it need a plan, a subscription, a charger of a special type, or a phone of the same brand? Add that to the gift, or tell the recipient. See cellular or Bluetooth.
Gift checklist
- The phone and operating system are confirmed.
- You know the exact model, size and version.
- You know whether a plan or subscription is needed.
- The return window and a gift receipt are arranged.
- The recipient will want to set it up (some people do not wear watches).
Features and compatibility change with updates. Check the maker's current details before you buy. See our methodology.