10 Best Smart Watches 2025 in the UK

The Garmin Forerunner 55 GPS Running Smartwatch is designed with runners in mind, offering several features to enhance training and fitness tracking. It is lightweight and easy to use, making it suitable for both beginners and seasoned runners. The GPS functionality is reliable for tracking runs, including distance, speed, and routes. The heart rate monitor at the wrist provides valuable health data, and the watch supports various activity profiles for a well-rounded fitness experience, including cycling, swimming, yoga, and more.

The Garmin Coach feature is particularly useful for personalized training plans, and the PacePro feature helps strategize race days effectively. Wellness features such as stress tracking and Body Battery energy monitoring provide insights into health and fitness levels. The battery life is decent, allowing for uninterrupted usage during long runs or intense training sessions. Connectivity through Bluetooth ensures easy data syncing with the Garmin Connect app, where users can also customize their watch faces and download additional data fields.

On the downside, the 1.04-inch display might feel small to some users, and its simplicity might not cater to those seeking advanced smartwatch functionalities beyond fitness. Additionally, users who are outside mainland UK should check delivery availability. The design is practical but may lack the premium feel of higher-end models. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Garmin Forerunner 55 proves to be a reliable and functional running smartwatch, particularly for those focused on improving their running performance and fitness.

The Garmin Forerunner 255 GPS 46mm Running Smartwatch is particularly well-suited for fitness enthusiasts, especially runners, as it combines a lightweight design with advanced training insights. One of its standout features is the impressive battery life, offering up to 14 days in smartwatch mode and 30 hours in GPS mode, which ensures it can keep up with rigorous training schedules without the need for frequent charging.

Compatibility is a strong point, as this smartwatch pairs with both Apple and Android devices, allowing users to receive notifications directly on their wrists, and even respond to texts with Android devices. Fitness and health tracking capabilities are robust, featuring heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring, sleep tracking, and adaptive workout suggestions tailored to individual performance and recovery.

The 1.3-inch round display, while not the largest in the market, provides sufficient readability for most users. Additionally, the Forerunner 255 includes multi-band satellite tracking, ensuring high accuracy in GPS tracking even in challenging environments, which is essential for runners who train in diverse terrains.

In terms of water resistance, the Forerunner 255 is waterproof, making it suitable for outdoor activities and running in all weather conditions. Garmin Pay adds convenience for contactless payments, eliminating the need to carry cash or cards during workouts.

On the downside, the smartwatch has a limited memory storage capacity of 4 GB, which might restrict the amount of music or apps you can store directly on the device. The design and customization options are somewhat basic, focusing more on functionality than style variety. This smartwatch is a great choice for those who prioritize training features and battery longevity over extensive customization or multimedia capabilities.

The Garmin vívoactive 5 GPS smartwatch boasts several compelling features for those interested in both fitness and health tracking. Its standout strength is its battery life, lasting up to 11 days in smartwatch mode, making it ideal for those who prefer infrequent charging. The AMOLED touchscreen offers a vibrant display, enhancing the user experience, especially during workouts or outdoor activities.

Fitness enthusiasts will appreciate the more than 30 built-in sports apps, ranging from running to swimming and even activities tailored for wheelchair users. The smartwatch also provides advanced health monitoring features, such as wrist-based heart rate, stress tracking, and personalized sleep coaching. These features help users maintain and improve their health by offering insights into sleep patterns and stress levels.

Compatibility is broad, working with both Android and iOS, ensuring that most smartphone users can connect without issue. The inclusion of built-in GPS and Bluetooth connectivity simplifies tracking and syncing fitness data effortlessly.

In terms of design, the smartwatch is relatively lightweight at 36.85 grams and has a round shape with a 1.2-inch screen size. However, its design might not appeal to everyone, especially those who favor a more traditional watch look or a larger display. While the vívoactive 5 covers most fitness and health tracking bases, one area of potential drawback is customization. Although it offers a variety of preloaded workouts and the ability to create custom ones, the watch may not offer as many aesthetic customization options (such as interchangeable straps) as some competitors.

Water resistance is another plus, making it suitable for swimming and various weather conditions. However, it's important to note that while it supports multiple languages, delivery restrictions may apply outside mainland UK, which is a consideration for international buyers.

Overall, the Garmin vívoactive 5 emerges as a robust choice for those prioritizing fitness features and a long-lasting battery in a smartwatch.