Hot off the Press: Warentest's New Smartwatch and Fitness Tracker Picks
Outstanding performance delivered by these state-of-the-art smartwatches and fitness devices.
Dig into the latest from Warentest as they put 40 new smartwatches and fitness trackers to the test, with two standout devices rising to lead their respective categories. Budget-friendly options are available for less than €50, while pricier models pack a punch, with the top-performing smartwatch priced around €460.
Smartwatches
In a five-way tie, the new Apple Watch 10 (GPS) and the older Apple Watch 8 (GPS) claim the top spot, with both devices delivering excellent fitness functions and communications, plus additional features like music, sleep tracking, and strong handling and stability. Their only downside? A mediocre battery life. If you're looking for a more affordable option, consider the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE. This budget-friendly device boasts a quality rating of 1.7, an impressive showing in all other categories, and a price tag of around €175.
Another notable newcomer making a splash is the Google Pixel Watch 3 (45 mm/Bluetooth/WLAN), which costs around €400 and excels across fitness functions, communication, handling, stability, and processing, yet suffers from a satisfactory battery life. The premium Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra also made the cut, but its battery life is only rated sufficient.
Fitness Trackers
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro claims the all-important top spot among fitness trackers, with a quality rating of 2.2 and a price tag of around €70. The device scored very well on battery life, stability, and processing, while its fitness functions narrowly missed a 1.0 and were rated as good. However, it's not an ebullient communicator, earning a satisfactory rating in this category.
For around €45, the Samsung Galaxy Fit3 is an enticing choice, offering good handling, stability, and processing, very good fitness functions, and decent endurance. Its weakness lies in the communication category, but that might be a small price to pay for its reasonable cost.
Sources: ntv.de, kwe
- Tech Buzz
- Wearables
- Stiftung Warentest
- Fitness
- Apple
- Samsung
Outtakes from the Enrichment Data
- Warentest tested 40 new smartwatches and fitness trackers in May 2025, including popular offerings from brands like Apple, Garmin, and Samsung[1][2][4].
- Samsung's Galaxy Watch FE was highlighted for its affordability and strong performance[1], while the Galaxy Watch 7 was praised for its usability, fitness features, and smart functions, including payment, voice assistants, and apps[5]. In addition, the Galaxy Watch 7 offers health monitoring features such as sleep and snoring analysis, ECG, blood oxygen measurement, and a non-medical estimation of blood pressure. Its battery life lasts about one day.
- Other popular smartwatches, such as the Apple Watch Ultra 2, Garmin Venu 3, and Google Pixel Watch 3, have received recognition for their various strengths in health and fitness tracking, display quality, and Android compatibility[3].
In contrast to the innovative smartwatches tested by Warentest, the Commission has also adopted a proposal for a directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the protection of employees against risks related to exposure to chemical substances. This directive aims to ensure the safety of employees in the face of potentially harmful substances, potentially allowing them to use their technology devices, such as gadgets, with confidence.
Moreover, consumers considering purchasing gadgets, including the new smartwatches and fitness trackers highlighted by Warentest, should be aware of the various chemical substances used in their manufacturing processes and the accompanying occupational health and safety precautions. As societies continue to adopt new technologies, the importance of understanding and addressing potential health risks becomes increasingly relevant.
