10 Best Smartwatch For Teens 2025 in the United States

The Apple Watch Series 11 GPS 42mm is a great choice for teens who want a stylish, lightweight smartwatch that can be worn all day comfortably, even during sleep. It offers a sleek rose gold aluminum case and a soft sport band, making it attractive and comfortable for younger users. The watch shines in health monitoring, providing advanced features like sleep tracking with a sleep score, blood oxygen levels, ECG readings, and even hypertension alerts — helping teens stay aware of their wellness in an easy-to-understand way. Fitness tracking is strong with detailed workout metrics, heart rate zones, and personalized coaching through Apple Fitness+ (free for three months), supporting a variety of activities. The battery life covers a full day of typical use, with quick charging available, though teens who use it heavily might need to charge daily. Its durability is impressive, featuring water resistance for swimming and dust protection, while the screen glass is twice as scratch-resistant as the previous model, ideal for active lifestyles.

Communication features allow teens to send texts, take calls, and use Siri, but as it’s the GPS-only version, it requires an iPhone nearby or Wi-Fi to stay connected, which might limit independence compared to cellular models. The watch offers safety tools like fall and crash detection, emergency calling, and location sharing, which can give parents peace of mind. Compatibility is excellent for iPhone users but doesn’t work with Android devices, so it's best suited for teens with an iPhone. The Apple Watch Series 11 is packed with apps and sensors for health, mindfulness, and fitness, though its premium price could be a barrier for some families. It’s a solid investment for tech-savvy teens or parents looking for a reliable, feature-rich smartwatch that encourages a healthy, active lifestyle with strong safety features.

The Apple Watch SE 3 is a strong choice for teens looking for a stylish yet practical smartwatch. It features a lightweight, comfortable design with a durable aluminum case and a bright, always-on display that makes checking the time or notifications easy without extra effort. Battery life lasts about 18 hours, enough to get through a day, and it charges quickly—15 minutes of charging gives around 8 hours of use, which is handy for busy teens.

On the fitness side, it tracks workouts well with real-time metrics and offers a variety of health features like heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and temperature sensing, providing valuable insights without being overwhelming. Safety is a plus here too, with fall and crash detection that can contact emergency services if needed. Communication is straightforward with texting, calls, and notifications when paired with an iPhone, plus it supports a special setup for kids to stay connected even without their own phone.

The watch does require an iPhone to unlock most of its functionality, so Android users won’t get full use. While it’s not the cheapest option, the range of health and safety features combined with the sleek design make it a good fit for teens who want a smartwatch that does more than just tell time. For those who prioritize battery life beyond a day or a lower price, there may be simpler alternatives, but for those invested in the Apple ecosystem, this model offers a nice balance of style, function, and peace of mind.

The Garmin Forerunner 265S is a well-designed smartwatch that fits comfortably on smaller wrists thanks to its lightweight and compact 42 mm size, making it a good choice for teens. Its vibrant AMOLED touchscreen, combined with physical buttons, offers a user-friendly experience, especially during workouts or outdoor activities. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 15 days in smartwatch mode and 24 hours with GPS active, which means less frequent charging even with daily use.

Fitness and health tracking features are advanced, providing detailed insights like sleep quality, heart rate variability, training readiness, and recovery status. These metrics can help motivated teens improve their fitness with personalized workout suggestions and race planning tools. Compatibility with both Android and Apple smartphones ensures most users can take advantage of notifications and safety features, like incident detection and live location sharing. Some safety features require a paired smartphone and network coverage to work, which might limit use in remote areas. With 30+ built-in activity profiles, it's versatile for teens interested in running, swimming, cycling, and more.

The watch includes solid communication tools such as call and text alerts, but it is not primarily focused on social or multimedia apps, which some teens might expect. It is durable enough for active lifestyles, though not specifically advertised as rugged. The price reflects its advanced training and health features, which may be higher than basic fitness trackers but offers excellent value for serious teen athletes or fitness enthusiasts. This combination of comfort, detailed fitness tracking, and smart features makes the Garmin Forerunner 265S a compelling option for teens seeking more than just a basic smartwatch.