The best smartwatches for women UK

If you're not already wearing a ladies smartwatch around your wrist to count your steps as you're long distance walking to monitor your health, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about when it comes to a smartwatch for women.

These smart watches will of course tell you the time, but they'll also track your quality of sleep, resting heart rate, track your GPS, all while looking pretty stylish on your wrist.

Aesthetics aside, it's important that a watch is still packed full of smart features so you can easily keep a closeeye on your health every day with your smartwatch for women.

We've rounded up the best smartwatches for women, looking at factors like size, shape, and of course how many different colour straps are available to suit our moods or our outfits.

Whether you want to spend a few hundred pounds on an Apple smartwatch, a luxury option like a Michael Kors smartwatch, or are looking for a budget entry into the fitness tracking and smartwatch for women market, which an Honor Band will help you with, we've got a variety of options for you to choose from.

How do I choose a smartwatch?

Compatibility: Firstly you need to consider if your phone will be compatible with the smartwatch you want to buy. There is simply no point opting for an Apple Watch if you use an Android phone, and vice versa if you pick a Samsung smartwatch for women or other android smartwatch for women, and have an iPhone. The operating systems for these two brands, in particular, are designed to pair with their companions, so simply put, don't waste your money if you don't have a phone to go with them.

Other smartwatches that are not tied down, like Honor, Fitbit, or Garmin, will run on either Android or iOS, you just need to download a companion app to your phone.

In-built GPS is a huge bonus when picking a smartwatch, particularly if you like tracking where you have been on a run or walk.

Battery life: If you're happy to charge your watch every day like most of us do with our phones, then battery life may not be a huge factor. But if you're keen to reduce your daily device charging, then consider longer battery life.

Design: There are so many customisation options on the market to help you find a watch that will suit your needs. Keep in mind the type of watch strap, whether it's silicone or a traditional link style. Will your smartwatch be purely for appearances or does it need to be more durable for high-intensity exercise?

Extra features: When considering a smartwatch for women, some devices offer menstrual tracking as an added feature. This can help with a range of issues you may encounter and can track things like cramps, tender breasts, flushes, and you can even feed the data you have to your doctor.

How do I use a smartwatch?

Smartwatches are your personal data banks, so make sure the device and its companion app are set up how you like it so you can gain the most out of it.

Watches like the Apple Watch and Fitbit Charge 4 offer personal alerts to remind you to drink more water or get up and move around if you've been sedentary for a long period of time. There are even mini-challenges for you to complete, like step goals, miles, and how much water you can drink.

If you know you do a particular type of workout regularly, some smartwatches like the Fitbit or Garmin Lily Sport can help you customise your own routines so you can track exactly what you're doing.

Make the most of other added extras like being able to pay via your watch on Fitbit Pay, Apple Pay, and Garmin, others offer Spotify support for easy access to your running playlists and so much more.

The best smartwatches for women

The Fitbit Charge 5 is a great all-round smartwatch with in-built GPS that tracks steps, miles, calories, heart rate, sleeping patterns, menstrual cycle, water intake, and more. The key is in its simplicity, a touch screen watch where you can manage alarms, meditation and log your different exercises directly from the watch and then go more in-depth on the companion Fitbit App. It also boasts Spotify support and built-in Fitbit Pay, who needs a phone? We're also a fan of the matte wrist strap and vibrant colour display, something you don't get with the Fitbit Charge 4, though you can easily customise your smartwatch by buying interchangeable straps online.

Reasons to buy

• In-depth tracking features

• Durable and water-resistant up to 50m

• Menstrual cycle tracking

• Good companion app

Specifications

• Touchscreen: Yes

• Colour display: Yes

• GPS: Yes

• Compatibility: Android and iOS

• Weight: 29g

• Battery life: Up to seven days

Verdict

Tried & Tested by Deputy Commercial Content Editor, Natalie Corner: “The Fitbit Charge 5 is sleek and very pleasing aesthetically especially the cream and gold colour way. It has a bright OLED screen and a variety of options when it comes to tracking your workout. I love the new infinity fastening which means my watch strap doesn’t catch on my clothes and the EDA scan that tests stress levels is a great bonus. You certainly get a lot for your money with a Fitbit Charge 5, but a Fitbit Charge 4 is still a great option!” Read our full review of the FitBit Charge 5 here.

What smartwatch list would be complete without the Apple Watch. It has an S7 64-bit dual-core processor and is much quicker than its predecessors, plus comes with a second-generation optical heart sensor, an electrical heart sensor and blood oxygen monitor, giving it an insane armoury when it comes to your health. You can take calls and reply to texts all from your wrist, which is no doubt ideal for many who want to keep their phone in their bags. But the only downside to this Apple smartwatch is how pricey it is, plus the battery life (only up to 18 hours compared to many other smartwatches on our list that have days) - but Apple obsessives are often happy to part with the money regardless.

Reasons to buy

• Top of the range tech

• Built-in GPS

• ECG app

• Very accurate

• Water resistant up to 50m

Specifications

• Touchscreen: Yes

• Colour display: Yes

• GPS: Yes

• Compatibility: iOS

• Weight: 47.1g

• Battery life: 18 hours

Verdict

If you like to stay up to date with the latest Apple products, you'll love everything about the Apple Watch Series 7. If, however, you can settle for a slightly older model, the Series 5 and Series 3 all come highly recommended.

This is Fitbit’s attempt at their own style of Apple Watch, slim and smooth curved design and colourful LED touchscreen included. It has plenty of advanced features like the ECG sensor for heartbeat rhythm and EDA for stress monitoring. And can also track and record 20 different exercises as well as your usual steps and calories. Definitely an option to consider if you want more advanced health tracking, including the new addition of the ‘Snore and Noise Detect’ feature.

Reasons to buy

• Apple watch alternative

• Advanced health tracking

• Snore and Noise Detect feature

Specifications

• Touchscreen: Yes

• Colour display: Yes

• GPS: Yes (Bluetooth 5)

• Compatibility: Android and iOS

• Weight: 45.9g

• Battery life: Up to six days

Verdict

Reviews of the watch suggest buying a screen protector is a smart move because Fitbit does not offer repairs.

Overall as an Apple alternative, one Amazon reviewer said: “The heart rate tracking is much more sensitive, and it's great to have a practically unlimited selection of clock faces to choose from, plus loads of other apps you can choose to activate or not - weather, voice assistant, Spotify, calls, etc. The Fitbit pay function means that you get all the functions of an Apple watch but without a huge price tag. The Fitbit app is far better than the Apple Health one anyway, and I actually think the Versa 3 is more attractive than the latest Apple Watch, especially if like me you have a chunky wrist. Really nice design - I have the navy strap and burnished gold finished, which looks really great. Very happy.”

The latest model of this watch is the Fitbit Versa 4. Read our full review of the Fitbit Versa 4.

The Garmin Lily Sport Smartwatch boasts plenty of options for those looking to track every aspect of their health and get started on their fitness journey, including joining steps, hiking, cycling, or running challenges alongside their mates. Smart notifications remind you to drink more water, to get up and move, what phase of your menstrual cycle you're in, or recharge your body battery are all clever touches.

Reasons to buy

• Stylish

• Lightweight

• Menstrual cycle tracking

• Detailed companion app

Specifications

• Touchscreen: Yes

• Colour display: No (greyscale)

• GPS: No

• Compatibility: Android and iOS

• Weight: 24g

• Battery life: Up to five days

Verdict

Tried & Tested by Deputy Commercial Content Editor, Natalie Corner: "I cannot fault the Garmin Lily for the way it looks, it’s bang on trend with the chic gold bevel and the patterned watch face, and it certainly doesn’t scream "ugly fitness tracker". If I was interested in a straightforward activity like walking, running, or cycling, this would be the ideal option, so based on my personal workout regime which is a lot more intense it doesn’t quite meet my requirement, and I need something a little sturdier."

Reasons to buy

• Built-in advanced GPS

• Tracks your steps, activity, sleep and calories 24/7

• Optical heart rate monitor

Specifications

• Touchscreen: Yes

• Colour display: Yes

• GPS: Yes

• Compatibility: Android and iOS

• Weight: 52g

• Battery life: Up to 40 hours

Verdict

One reviewer said, "Used for running and walking and for checking my days' activity level. Wouldn't be without it. Great for heart rate zone training. Simple to use watch and app." To be honest, we couldn't have said it better ourselves.

At first glance, you'd never know this was a fitness tracker – pretty and delicate, this watch can track everything from your body composition, workouts, and blood pressure. You can link to WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, pay with Samsung Pay, and play music remotely if you're in need of something fast to run to. And, if you forget to take it off, it'll withstand being submerged in the shower or the pool. This watch is super smart and friendly (if you can believe it) greeting you with a 'hello' when you take it off the wireless charging pad.

Reasons to buy

• Sleek and light

• Wireless charging

• Accurate heart rate monitor

Specifications

• Touchscreen: Yes

• Colour display: Yes

• GPS: 4G or Bluetooth options

• Compatibility: Android

• Weight: 26g

• Battery life: Up to 40 hours

Verdict

We think this style pips others to the post compared to other watches on this list and still with an impressive plethora of features. While it has a lower price point than the latest Apple Watch we think the simple sleek design is favourable for women with slender wrists. One reviewer said, "Syncs well with other Samsung products, easy to set up through the app and an all-round nice and wearable."

If you're searching for a budget fitness tracker, the HONOR Band 6 is a great choice. It won't wow athletes and it can't deliver the way the Apple Watch can in terms of capabilities, but if you're an average Jane who wants to track their fitness and stay up to date with their notifications, it certainly bridges the gap well. It's comfortable to wear, has a great battery life and has a bright, easy to read display. It'll track your sleep, activity, blood oxygen levels, stress levels and has ten exercise modes. Plus, you can see your notifications, but can't respond to them.

Reasons to buy

• 14-day battery life

• Waterproof up to 50m

• Large, clear display

• Good value

• Accurate

Specifications

• Touchscreen: Yes

• Colour display: Yes

• GPS: No

• Compatibility: Android and iOS

• Weight: 18g without strap

• Battery life: 14 days on a 65-minute charge

Verdict

The Honor Band 6 is a nifty little fitness watch that delivers well and won't break the bank. It's a step up from Honor in terms of its previous offering - check out the full review from What's The Best here.

If you're looking for a little glam in your smartwatch then the pavé-accented Gen 6 Bradshaw from Michael Kors more than delivers. But don't think it's all beauty over brains, it may be crafted from gold-tone stainless steel but it's powered by Qualcomm® Snapdragon Wear™4100+ Platform and features a bunch of features including fitness tracking, an spO2 sensor, swim proof and payment technology, and more to support your daily wellness needs.

Reasons to buy

• Voice-activated Google assistant

• Payment technology

• Swim proof technology

• Quick charge from 0-90 per cent in 30 minutes

Specifications

• Touchscreen: Yes

• Colour display: Yes - AMOLED Display

• GPS: Yes

• Compatibility: Android and iOS

• Weight: -

• Battery life: 24 hours

Verdict

This Michael Kors accessory is an absolute game-changer. Not only does it bring a bit of glam to the smartwatch market, but it boasts some sophisticated tech, too. This stylish bit of kit has loads of incredible features that make daily life easier, and we love that, despite the 24-hour battery life, you can quickly charge for the day in just 30 minutes to set you up for the day. It's pricier than our other recommendations, but it's the epitome of style and substance.

If you're looking to up your style game when it comes to tracking your fitness prowess then a new smartwatch like the swanky Fossil Gen 6 might be a solid option. It does have an impressive array of features packed into the oversized watch face along with a 1.28-inch AMOLED colour display, it runs on a Snapdragon Wear 4100 Plus chipset with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage which makes it fast, and operates using Wear OS by Google so it's compatible with both iPhone and Android users and is a strong competitor for the Apple Watch and Samsung’s Galaxy series. For our full review read more here.

Reasons to buy

• Can rely on it instead of phone

• Impressive features to track your health and fitness

• Fast charging

Specifications

• Touchscreen: Yes

• Colour display: Yes - 1.28" Color AMOLED

• GPS: Yes

• Bluetooth: Yes 5.0

• Compatibility: Both iOS and Android

• Battery life: Up to 24 hours

Verdict

Tried & Tested by Deputy Commercial Content Editor, Natalie Corner: "Considering how brilliant it works as a standalone smartwatch, rendering your phone unnecessary unless you want to browse the internet, it’s a great addition to have. But as someone who wears their watch to workout every day it was in the way a little bit too much. I’d probably wear the Fossil Gen 6 if I was taking a break from heavy exercise, but it depends on if you can afford to have a smartwatch for every mood! A very solid performance with just a few personal niggles, if you’re happy charging your watch up every day just like you do with your phone it shouldn’t be an issue."