10 best smartwatches to boost new year resolution goals and health tracking

A new year brings fresh motivation, and a good smartwatch can help you stay committed to your health and daily goals. Whether you’re focusing on improving your step count, managing stress or monitoring sleep, these wearables offer reliable tools to support every resolution. With better sensors, smoother performance and longer battery life, they make everyday routines easier and more organised.

From detailed heart-rate analytics to advanced fitness tracking modes, today’s smartwatches are now essential companions for wellness and productivity. This list brings together the best options across brands, helping you choose the right device for your lifestyle and long-term health journey.

A bright AMOLED touchscreen and accurate GPS tracking make the Forerunner 165 perfect for runners who want crisp data at a glance during every training session. It combines wrist-based heart rate, Body Battery, sleep monitoring, and HRV status to build a clear picture of daily readiness and recovery. Advanced training tools like race predictions, training effect, and recovery time help guide you from casual jogs to structured plans without feeling complicated.​

Battery life of up to 11 days in smartwatch mode keeps it ready all week, while 17–19 hours of GPS tracking support longer runs and race days. The 43 mm case is lightweight and comfortable, and the watch supports Garmin Pay and smartphone notifications so you can leave your phone in your pocket on the go. Runners get a focused, value-friendly package without paying for ultra-advanced multisport features.​

Tight integration with iPhone and a powerful new chip make Apple Watch Series 11 a seamless extension of Apple’s ecosystem on your wrist. The larger 46 mm display offers more room for complications, workouts, and messages, while the always-on Retina display stays easy to read in bright or low light. Health tools like heart rate notifications, temperature sensing, and advanced workout tracking keep everyday wellness front and center.

Battery life comfortably covers a full day with typical use, and fast charging helps top it up before a night out. For Christmas party flair, the bold Jet Black case and sleek Sport Band pair perfectly with dressy outfits and party looks, while customizable watch faces let you match festive colors and complications for your night’s schedule and music controls. Crash Detection, fall detection, and Emergency SOS add peace of mind wherever the evening takes you.

Dual GPS accuracy and advanced health tracking make the Galaxy Watch8 a strong choice for serious Android users who want precise outdoor routing and detailed wellness data. The 44 mm LTE model pairs a sharp AMOLED display with a 3 nm processor for smooth performance, better efficiency, and snappy app switching.

Battery life typically lasts around a day to a day and a half depending on LTE and health tracking, with fast charging to prep quickly before long days. Samsung’s suite covers BP monitoring (where supported), ECG, irregular heart rhythm notifications, sleep tracking, and the new vascular load and anti‑oxidant index metrics for deeper insights. All packed in sapphire glass and Armor Aluminum for a tough yet polished everyday watch.

A lower price with the core Apple Watch experience makes the SE (2nd Gen) ideal for users wanting essentials without every advanced sensor. It retains activity rings, high/low heart rate alerts, irregular rhythm notifications, fall detection, Crash Detection, and robust workout tracking in a lighter package.

Battery life runs around a full day, similar to flagship models, with low‑power settings to stretch it further. The 44 mm Retina display is bright and responsive, and in a Christmas party setting the silver case and denim band look relaxed yet refined, easily dressed up with a festive watch face and notification controls for party messages and rides home.

Extreme ruggedness and very long battery life make the T‑Rex 3 a go‑to watch for outdoor and adventure users. Built to military-grade toughness with 10 ATM water resistance, it’s aimed at hiking, trail running, and harsh conditions where durability matters more than third‑party apps.

The battery can stretch over three weeks with typical use, and GPS plus offline maps help navigate remote areas even without a phone signal. Heading into a Christmas mountain getaway or winter party weekend, the 2000‑nit bright screen stays visible in snow glare, and the rugged Onyx look pairs surprisingly well with chunky sweaters and outdoor boots after a day on the trail.

Tight integration of Fitbit health features with Google services sets the Pixel Watch 2 apart for Android users focused on wellness and smart features. It adds a new multi‑path heart rate sensor, improved stress detection, and safety tools like Safety Check and fall detection.

Battery life generally lasts around 24 hours, now including always‑on display support across the full day in many cases. It’s slim and stylish, and during Christmas gatherings it pairs well with both casual and dressier outfits, while Google Assistant, Google Wallet, and turn‑by‑turn Maps directions keep the night running smoothly without constantly handling a phone.

A long smartwatch battery of up to 11 days and broad fitness coverage make the vívoactive 6 a versatile everyday health companion. It offers GPS tracking for runs and rides, plus profiles for gym workouts, yoga, and more, all shown on a bright AMOLED screen.

The watch supports heart rate, sleep, stress, and Body Battery tracking along with on‑device workouts and contactless payments (where supported). With a clean design that fits office days, gym sessions, and low‑key holiday parties, it suits users who want health focus without the full “hardcore runner” experience of dedicated Forerunner models.​

A fast 3 nm processor and refined health tracking define the Galaxy Watch 7 as Samsung’s mainstream powerhouse for Android users. It offers dual GPS, sapphire glass, and armour aluminum for durability alongside HR, SpO2, BP, and ECG tools where available.

Battery life generally covers a full day and more, with improved efficiency over older models. In the run‑up to Christmas gatherings, the silver 44 mm case and slim profile look sharp with both casual and semi‑formal outfits, and LTE plus Google/One UI apps help control music, messages, and directions during party hopping without pulling out your phone.

A bright 2000‑nit AMOLED display and accurate GPS tracking make the Amazfit Active 2 a strong everyday fitness watch that’s easy to read in sunlight. It supports over 160 sports modes with detailed metrics, plus heart rate, SpO2, and stress tracking.

Battery life can reach around 10–14 days depending on features, giving multi‑day confidence without nightly charging. During Christmas party season, its slim 44 mm case and black band look understated yet stylish, and the vivid display makes festive watch faces pop as you track steps, calories, and even sleep after late‑night celebrations.

A tough titanium case and advanced outdoor‑style durability make the Galaxy Watch Ultra Samsung’s most rugged premium smartwatch. It’s designed for intense workouts and outdoor use while still offering a sharp AMOLED display and LTE connectivity.

Battery life is tuned to handle demanding scenarios, typically beating regular models, with fast charging to refill between adventures. Heading into Christmas ski trips or city parties, the bold Titanium Blue 47 mm case and Quick Button feel purpose‑built for action, while AI‑powered health monitoring and advanced metrics keep tabs on training load, heart health, and recovery during a very social, very active holiday season.

Top 3 features of best smartwatches

Disclaimer: Mint has an affiliate marketing partnership, which means we may get some commission on purchases you make through the retailer sites links provided. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, which is free from any bias or marketing pitch. We strive to provide accurate and unbiased information to help you make informed decisions. We recommend verifying details with the retailer before making a purchase.