As Michael Cohen, the former president's personal-attorney-turned-nemesis, was testifying as the prosecution's star witness in the case, Eric Trump slammed his dad's ex-"fixer" in a post on the social media site X.
"I have never seen anything more rehearsed!" Eric Trump, who was seated in the courtroom's front row during the historic trial, posted in reference to Cohen's testimony.
Eric Trump sat directly behind his father with Alina Habba, a lawyer for Donald Trump, to his right and a pair of Secret Service agents to his left.
Cellphones are banned for most people in the courtroom, including journalists (credentialed press are permitted to use their laptops). However, there is an exception for lawyers and those in attendance in the first row, court officers told Business Insider.
Former President Donald Trump and attorney Emil Bove just before prosecutors called Micael Cohen to the witness stand at Trump's New York criminal hush-money trial.
One of Cohen's roles included shaping the perception of Trump in the press and trying to keep negative stories out of the papers. Cohen testified that he sometimes lied for Trump and and bullied people to please him.
"The only thing that was on my mind was to accomplish a task to make him happy," Cohen told jurors.
Prosecutors allege Trump illegally disguised records reimbursing Cohen for a $130,000 hush-money payment made to adult film actor Stormy Daniels in the days before the 2016 election.
Michael Cohen, the ex-lawyer for former President Donald Trump, departs his home in Manhattan to testify in Trump's criminal hush-money trial.
REUTERS/Mike Segar
The payment, according to prosecutors, was to buy Daniels' silence over a one-time sexual encounter the porn star says she had with Trump at a Lake Tahoe hotel suite in 2006 during a celebrity golf tournament.
Prosecutors are hoping Cohen's testimony will bolster their argument that Trump orchestrated the payment to Daniels as part of an illegal conspiracy to influence the 2016 election.
"So not all things will go exactly like you have in mind. Some will, some won't, and that's great," Doug McMillon said. "Anything else would be boring."
Speaking at his alma mater, McMillon shared three pieces of career advice for new graduates.
He also revealed the mistake that could have ended his career before it started.
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon returned this weekend to his alma mater, the University of Arkansas, where he delivered the commencement address to the class of 2024.
In his seven-minute speech, the 57-year-old Arkansas native shared three pieces of advice from his career, which has seen him rise from Walmart's loading docks to the company's top job.
McMillon also revealed how some plans didn't work out — like being rejected from the top MBA programs — and how a mistake could have ended his career before it began.
The following transcript has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Thank you for the invitation to be your speaker. My goals are to hopefully say something helpful and to be brief.
Being brief is something I can control, so here goes: I've got three pieces of advice.
First, be present. Life goes by fast, so try to enjoy every moment. I'm wired to think more about what's coming next than the moment right in front of me. Planning is important, but enjoying the present is, too.
When I was sitting in your chair, I had a plan. It was 1989, and in one of my final classes, our Professor Jim Webster required us to write what he called a life plan.
Jim had us write out the professional, financial, and personal goals we had for our life. I still have it, and I was mostly wrong.
I planned to make more than $24,000 a year in my first real job out of school. I made less than that.
I planned to get into business school at Harvard, Stanford, or Wharton. They all rejected me.
I planned to start my own business, make a new product, launch a brand, and make it in the USA, and that didn't happen.
But thankfully, I got the more important personal stuff right. In the plan, I named who I wanted to marry, and Shelly said yes. And we have two children — that was in the plan, too — and they're now successful adults, and they continue to be the highlights of our life.
So, not all things will go exactly like you have in mind. Some will, some won't, and that's great. Anything else would be boring.
Career-wise, the first thing I tell anyone who asks for guidance is to do today's job well, be present, drive change, deliver results, and do it the right way.
Being present in today's role and earning trust leads to the next job opportunity. The chapters in life personally and professionally go by so fast, so try to enjoy every moment and every phase of it. Be present.
My second piece of advice is to pursue a career that does not feel like work. Life is too short to invest so much time doing something you don't enjoy.
I grew up in a house where my dad was professionally unhappy. Being a dentist just wasn't for him.
Now, I believe some of you are going to be dentists. Thank you very much, thank God, God bless you. My brother married a dentist, and she loves it. It just wasn't for my dad, and too often, it robbed us of some joy in our house.
So, I set myself up for flexibility. I got a degree in accounting because I felt that would apply to any business, and I followed it up with an MBA, thinking that would help me move companies or even industries if I wasn't happy.
Ironically, I found my happy place immediately and never had to leave. I love the challenge of retail. The purpose and culture of Walmart, and the people I've worked with over the years have become my lifelong friends.
I hope you find your spot quickly like I did. But if you don't, my advice is that you shouldn't give up until you do.
I'm not suggesting you run from hard things or adversity when they come up, and they will. In fact, your connection to your purpose and what gives you energy is what will enable you to persevere. If you're in the right place, most days, work won't even feel like work.
My third and final piece of advice is to assume positive intent from others and show them some grace. Know that you'll get more joy from what you give than what you get.
Sam Walton's wife Helen said it's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you've lived. She was right.
If you find yourself feeling stuck or negative, go do something to help someone else, then notice how you feel. It works. It's unselfish and kind of selfish in a way.
There's a lot of conflict in our world today. Lots of worrying and too much suffering. We have a lot of challenges to be solved.
I've been traveling all over the world for more than 30 years now, and years ago, I was advised to focus on the differences from country to country.
I was in South Africa with our associates last week, and I was reminded of the same thing I've seen everywhere else: people have so much more in common than we do differences. We should focus on that.
The things we care about are largely the same: we want our kids to have it better than we do, we want to be loved and accepted, and we want to make a difference.
My encouragement to you is to realize that, and when you encounter others, assume positive intent, show some grace, and be forgiving.
My first day on the job with Walmart I rear ended my boss's car. It's a true story, his name is Benny Bridwell, he lives in Rogers, you can ask him.
I showed up to work at the warehouse, but he decided to take a few of the rookies across town to help decorate the high school gym for the shareholders meeting in 1984.
Benny stopped at a stop sign, and I thought he had gone through. My car didn't have air conditioning or radio, so I had a cassette tape boombox in the passenger seat blaring really loud, and my windows were down I didn't want him to hear me.
So I leaned over to the seat to turn the volume down — I think it was Bryan Adams playing at the moment. I then punched the gas, and I hit him really solid.
He gets out of the car, walks around, looks at his bumper, looks at mine, shakes his head, and he says, "McMillon, you are not too smart, are you?"
And I remember shrugging like, "I guess not."
He showed me some grace and forgiveness. I don't even know if he ever told anyone. I guess my career could have ended right then.
Realize that we're more alike than different, and remember that you'll get more joy from giving than receiving. Show people some grace.
Thanks again for the invitation; it really is an honor. My congratulations to all of you. Now, go make this university proud.
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LG's C3 is one of the best 55-inch TV models you can buy right now.
Amazon
When shopping for a new TV, size is one of the first things you'll need to settle on. Models are available across a wide range of options, with 55 inches being a popular pick for people who want a medium-sized display. Entry-level 55-inch TVs can be found for under $300, and many brands sell 55-inch versions of their top TVs with all the advanced features you'd get on a bigger size. The best 55-inch TVs provide excellent picture quality while still being large enough to show off the benefits of 4K resolution.
Based on a combination of hands-on testing and research bolstered by a decade's experience covering the home entertainment industry, we've picked the five best 55-inch TVs you can buy. Our top recommendation is the LG C3, which delivers fantastic contrast thanks to its OLED screen while often costing less than similar 55-inch sets from other brands. But if you want to spend under $500, we recommend the Hisense U6K. It produces a wide range of vivid colors and is the cheapest Mini LED TV on the market.
Below, you can find all five of our picks for the best 55-inch TVs, including a high-end option for home theater enthusiasts and a cheap entry-level model great for casual buyers.
Under most circumstances, we recommend Samsung's S90C as the best TV you can buy right now, but LG's C3 has an edge if you're specifically looking for a 55-inch display. The key factor at this size is price and availability. The 55-inch C3 is easier to find in stock and is often cheaper than the 55-inch S90C.
While the C3's peak brightness of 800 nits can't match the S90C's 1,000 nits, it still gets bright enough for average living rooms and delivers the same pixel-level contrast that all OLEDs are known for. This means you'll get deep black levels that disappear in a dark room and intense high-dynamic range (HDR) highlights without any of the halos that can appear around bright objects on some QLED TVs.
And unlike even the best Samsung TVs, the C3 supports Dolby Vision to provide the most accurate HDR image from streaming services like Disney Plus and Netflix. We don't think Dolby Vision is a must-have, but it is a nice perk. Check out our HDR TV guide for more details on the differences between HDR formats. Viewing angles on the C3 are also excellent, so the picture doesn't dramatically fade or distort when you sit off to the side of the TV.
The display is a great pick for gamers, too, thanks to its low input lag and fast 120Hz refresh rate for smooth gameplay on a PS5 or Xbox Series X. LG's webOS smart TV platform is solid as well, and with the included Magic Remote, you can navigate through the menus via physical buttons or motion controls by pointing the remote at the screen and moving a mouse-like cursor.
If you can find the 55-inch option in stock, the Samsung S90C is a strong alternative that can deliver a slightly more vivid image. But inventory for that model is scarce and it tends to be pricier than the 55-inch C3. LG also has a new 2024 version of the C3 called the C4. The new model can get a bit brighter, but it's more expensive. For now, we still recommend the C3 as the best 55-inch TV you can get.
Best premium option
The Sony A95L is the best 55-inch TV for high-end performance. Competing displays from LG and Samsung get close, but the A95L has an edge if you're willing to spend top dollar.
The TV uses a QD-OLED panel to offer pixel-level contrast and industry-leading color performance. The A95L is also one of the brightest OLEDs we've ever tested. We measured a peak of around 1,500 nits in our brightness test pattern, a whopping 500 nits more than its predecessor, the A95K. The A95L can only hit that number when displaying small bright elements on the screen, but that's still an incredible feat for an OLED display.
This impressive brightness allows the A95L to deliver exceptional HDR images. Black levels disappear into a dark room, while specular highlights shine with pinpoint accuracy and no blooming. If you watch TV in a home theater setting, the A95L simply dazzles.
Samsung's brand-new S95D OLED can get even brighter with a peak of around 1,700 nits, but Sony's proprietary picture processing enables image accuracy that edges out rival brands. This processing also offers impressive upscaling that minimizes flaws in lower-quality sources, like HD feeds from streaming services, cable, and indoor TV antennas. Viewing angles are also top-notch, so you don't have to worry about colors distorting when sitting off-center.
The A95L's Google TV operating system works well, too, and the included Google Assistant voice remote has a premium feel with a handy backlight that automatically turns on when you pick it up. A webcam is also included, which supports video calls and gesture controls. The TV's stand can even be configured in a high- or low-profile mode depending on whether you want to put a soundbar in front of it.
The only notable feature missing is 144Hz support, which is something that Samsung, Hisense, and TCL offer on some of their higher-end TVs when you pair them with a gaming PC. But if you're using a console, like a PS5 or Xbox Series X, you can rest easy knowing you'll still get full 120Hz support.
Given its price, the A95L is geared toward big home theater enthusiasts willing to pay a premium for top performance. Most buyers will be satisfied with any of the less expensive 55-inch TVs we recommend, but if money is no object, the A95L is the TV to get.
Best anti-reflective display
Samsung's high-end S95D has a unique matte screen that sets it apart from nearly every other 55-inch TV you can buy. Most competing displays use a glossy or semi-glossy panel, but the S95D's matte display enables it to reduce glare and reflections significantly.
In fact, the S95D is the best anti-glare TV we've seen. If you have a room where reflections are a big problem, this set could be the solution you're looking for. However, there is a notable drawback. While the S95D's matte screen combats glare, it gives black levels a slightly elevated look in bright rooms. This can give dark scenes a hazy and flat quality when you watch TV with the lights on. So, there's a clear tradeoff, and whether you prioritize reducing reflections or preserving black levels comes down to personal preference.
Thankfully, in a dark room, the S95D's black levels look just as impressive as any OLED's. The TV delivers exceptional picture performance that holds its own against top competitors from Sony and LG. It's also the brightest OLED we've ever measured, with a peak of 1,700 nits. Sony's A95L still has an edge when it comes to overall image quality and accuracy, but the S95D is easily one of the top high-end TVs there is.
The TV's design is also premium, with a uniformly thin profile and a One Connect Box to house its inputs instead of building them into the panel. And gamers get cool perks like a 144Hz mode when paired with a PC, and access to the Xbox Game Pass app to stream games.
Samsung's cheaper Frame TV uses a similar matte screen, but that model can't match the S95D's image quality. The brand also still sells the 2023 version of this display, called the S95C. The S95C offers similar performance for less money, but it doesn't have the S95D's new glare-free panel. Though pricey, the S95D is the best 55-inch TV you can buy if you want the most effective anti-reflective screen on the market.
Buyers who want the best 55-inch TV under $500 should look no further than the Hisense U6K. Though the 55-inch model technically carries a full retail price of $580, it's almost always on sale for $450 or less.
Unlike most TVs in this price range, the U6K doesn't skimp on advanced picture quality features. It's the most affordable TV on the market that has a Mini LED backlight with local dimming and quantum dots. This gives it unmatched color and contrast performance for the money. With a max of around 600 nits, the display gets bright enough to show off the benefits of HDR content, and it has solid black levels with minimal blooming.
However, the U6K isn't as bright as more expensive QLEDs, and its contrast control isn't anywhere near as precise as an OLED. The display also demonstrated lackluster viewing angles during our testing, which means colors and contrast fade when you sit to the side of the TV. Hardcore gamers may also want to splurge for a step-up model since the U6K only has a 60Hz panel rather than a 120Hz one.
The U6K uses the Google TV operating system, and its interface and Google Assistant voice remote are solid. However, navigation can be a bit sluggish compared to higher-end models. But despite a few drawbacks here and there, the U6K's picture quality beats every other TV in its class. Hisense does sell a new 2024 version of this set called the U6N. But it has very similar specs and costs more. As long as the U6K remains available for less money, it's still the best 55-inch TV to buy under $500.
Though we previously recommended TCL's step-down S4 model in this spot, a recent price drop has made the Q5 a much better value in this class. At under $300 for the 55-inch size, the Q5 is an excellent entry-level TV for buyers who favor affordability.
And despite its low price, the Q5 uses a QLED panel with quantum dots to provide a wide color gamut, just like the pricier picks in this guide. But the Q5 doesn't have a Mini LED backlight or local dimming to control contrast across specific areas. Instead, it has a standard direct-lit backlight. As a result, the TV's contrast is lower, and its black levels aren't as deep as the other displays we recommend. This means dark scenes could look washed out if you watch TV with the lights off. Colors and contrast also distort if you sit to the side of the screen, but that's common for any TV this inexpensive.
Peak brightness is limited to around 400 nits, which is fine for standard dynamic range (SDR) content but on the low side for HDR playback. We recommend you pay more for the Hisense U6K if you want a budget-friendly TV with HDR in mind. Gaming performance is also a mixed bag. The panel can support 120Hz when displaying 1440p or 1080p resolution, but it's limited to 60Hz with 4K.
However, the Q5 is a solid option if you just want basic 4K playback, and its color performance is noticeably better than most TVs in this price range. Integrated support for the Google TV platform and a voice remote round out the package, offering reliable playback from all the best streaming services.
How we test 55-inch TVs
A test pattern used to measure a TV's peak brightness.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
To select the best 55-inch TVs, our team relies on a combination of hands-on testing and research informed by more than 10 years of experience reviewing home entertainment products.
When we review TVs, we focus on 65-inch units since that size is considered the industry's flagship offering. However, a TV model's overall performance usually remains comparable across sizes 55 inches and above. For instance, a 65-inch Sony A95L OLED and a 55-inch A95L have the same basic specs and capabilities. The only notable difference is the size of the screen.
However, some TVs that use local dimming, like the Hisense U6K, will employ fewer zones in smaller screen sizes versus larger ones. This can lead to differences in contrast performance when comparing a 55-inch model to another size, but not enough to alter our general impressions of that model. Occasionally, there are bigger differences in design and features across different sizes, and we note those details when applicable.
To test TVs, we look at picture clarity, contrast, peak brightness, color performance, viewing angles, gaming capabilities, smart TV navigation, and overall value. We measure HDR brightness with an X-Rite iDisplay Plus colorimeter and use test patterns on the Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray disc to evaluate other objective display parameters.
But test patterns can only reveal so much, so we watch plenty of actual movies and shows to see how a TV performs with real-world content on a day-to-day basis in both dark and bright rooms. We revisit various scenes on each TV we test that we've specifically chosen to examine black levels, shadow details, HDR highlights, and upscaling. Our demo content includes 4K, 1080p high definition (HD), and standard definition (SD) material from various sources like Blu-ray discs, streaming services, and cable TV.
55-inch TV FAQs
Ryan Waniata/Insider
Is 55 inches a good size for a TV?
A screen size of 55 inches is a great choice for various rooms. This size is still big enough to feel immersive in smaller living rooms while offering a more compact alternative to 65-inch models that might be too big for some spaces.
A 55-inch TV is also a great fit for a bedroom where you might want something smaller than what you've got in your living room but not so compact that you must sacrifice picture quality features. Most brands' best 4K TVs are available in 55-inch options, but many top displays are not sold in sizes below that. For instance, if you want one of Samsung or Sony's best OLED TVs, 55 inches is the smallest size available.
How much should a 55-inch TV cost?
The best 55-inch TVs vary in price, with entry-level options starting at under $300 and high-end options costing $2,000 or more.
If you want a midrange 55-inch TV, you should plan to spend about $400-$700. Several great 55-inch QLED models in that price range have quantum dots, local dimming, and Mini LED backlights to deliver good contrast and peak brightness levels as high as 1,000 nits.
Shoppers who want a 55-inch OLED TV rather than a QLED will have to pay more, with prices starting at around $1,000. Though notably more expensive than their QLED counterparts, OLED TVs offer pixel-level brightness control for superior contrast and black levels.
How far should you sit from a 55-inch 4K TV?
The smaller a 4K screen is, the closer you'll need to sit to the display to see the full benefits of its resolution. To see the extra detail that 4K offers over 1080p Full HD, you'll want to sit at a distance of about one to 1.5 times the size of your display. For a 55-inch 4K TV, the recommended viewing distance is between 4.6 and 6.9 feet from your TV.
Of course, you can still sit farther away from your TV and enjoy its image quality, but the recommended distance will allow you to see the best level of detail.
If you need to sit even closer to your TV or just have a small room to work with, check out our guide to the best 50-inch TVs.
And for rooms where you'd need to sit farther from your display, we recommend opting for a larger screen size to get the full benefits of 4K. Check out our guides to the best 65-inch TVs, best 75-inch TVs, and best 85-inch TVs for our top recommendations.
Should you buy a soundbar to pair with a 55-inch TV?
Even the best 55-inch TVs tend to have mediocre built-in speakers. Audio drivers integrated into most TVs are small and often placed in areas that can lead to a muddy sound that lacks range and deep bass. For this reason, we recommend pairing your TV with a soundbar or full surround sound system to get the best audio quality for movies, TV shows, and video games.
For the most immersive experience, we suggest finding a system that supports Dolby Atmos, which can enable sound effects from all directions, even above your head. Performance varies depending on the model you get, but there are entry-level Atmos systems that can still provide a nice upgrade over your TV's built-in speakers.
Under most circumstances, we recommend the Samsung S90C as the best TV you can buy, but LG's C3 has a slight edge if you're specifically looking for a 55-inch display. The key factor at this size is price. The 55-inch C3 is often at least $200 cheaper than the 55-inch S90C, while the 65-inch models of both TVs are typically sold at matching prices.
When they cost the same, the S90C is the winner since it has a brighter image and higher color volume. But when you can save a couple hundred bucks going with the C3, we veer toward recommending LG's TV. While its peak brightness of 800 nits can't match the S90C's 1,000 nits, it still gets bright enough for average living rooms and delivers the same pixel-level contrast that all OLEDs are known for. This means you'll get deep black levels that disappear in a dark room, along with intense high-dynamic range (HDR) highlights without any of the halos that can appear around bright objects on some QLED TVs.
And unlike even the best Samsung TVs, the C3 supports Dolby Vision to provide the most accurate HDR image from streaming services like Disney Plus and Netflix. Viewing angles on the C3 are also excellent, so the image doesn't dramatically fade or distort when you sit off to the side of the TV. The display is a great pick for gamers, too, thanks to its low input lag and fast 120Hz refresh rate for smooth gameplay on a PS5 or Xbox Series X. LG's webOS smart TV platform is solid as well, and with the included Magic Remote, you can navigate through the menus via physical buttons or motion controls by pointing the remote at the screen and moving a mouse-like cursor.
If you don't mind paying a bit more, the Samsung S90C is a strong alternative that can deliver a brighter, slightly more vivid image, but for the money, we think the LG C3 is the best 55-inch TV overall. Buyers should keep in mind that LG will be releasing a 2024 "C4" version of this display later this year, but we don't expect a big performance increase and see little reason to wait for the updated model.
Best entry-level
The TCL S4 is a solid entry-level display for buyers who just want a basic smart TV but don't want to pay more to get better image quality. At under $300 for the 55-inch model, the S4 delivers good performance for the money but makes some key concessions to get there.
The S4 uses a regular 4K LED panel, which means that it doesn't have quantum dots for expanded colors, and it doesn't have local dimming to dim and brighten its image across specific zones. Instead, it has a standard direct-lit backlight. As a result, the TV's black levels aren't as deep as the other displays we recommend, and it's more prone to uneven brightness across the screen, which can cause dark scenes to look washed out if you watch TV with the lights off. Colors and contrast also distort if you sit off to the side of the screen, but that's common for any TV this inexpensive.
Peak brightness is limited to under 300 nits, which is fine for standard dynamic range (SDR) content. But while the S4 technically supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision playback, its low brightness and lack of wide color support severely undercut its ability to render HDR videos properly. HDR content will still look better than SDR videos, but this isn't the model to get if you're buying a TV specifically for HDR capabilities.
However, the TV still delivers a decent 4K image with solid contrast, considering its lack of dimming. The model we're recommending here comes with Amazon's Fire TV operating system built in, along with an Alexa voice remote, but TCL also sells a version of this same display that uses Google TV instead. App selection varies slightly between each platform, but they both support the most popular streaming services, so deciding between them depends on which ecosystem and interface you like the best.
For under $300, the TCL 55-inch S4 offers good value, but only if you just want a simple TV for casual viewing. However, if you're willing to pay a bit more, you can get substantially better image quality with other budget-friendly models like the Hisense U6K, our "best under $500" pick. Before buying the S4, you should also check for what TCL's step-up model, the 55-inch Q5, is selling for. Though that model has a higher list price than the S4, both TVs are sometimes on sale for nearly the same amount. The Q5 is a similar TV but uses quantum dots for better color performance.
Best under $500
Buyers who want the best 55-inch TV under $500 should look no further than the Hisense U6K. Though the 55-inch model technically carries a full retail price of $580, it's almost always on sale for $450 or less.
Unlike most TVs in this price range, the U6K doesn't skimp on advanced picture quality features. It's the most affordable TV on the market that has a Mini LED backlight with local dimming and quantum dots. This gives it unmatched color and contrast performance for the money. With a max of around 600 nits, the display gets bright enough to show off the benefits of HDR content, and it has solid black levels with minimal blooming.
However, the U6K isn't as bright as more expensive QLEDs, and its contrast control isn't anywhere near as precise as an OLED. The display also demonstrated mediocre viewing angles during our testing, which means colors and contrast fade when you sit to the side of the TV. Hardcore gamers may also want to splurge for a step-up model since the U6K only has a 60Hz panel rather than a 120Hz one.
The U6K uses the Google TV operating system, and its interface and Google Assistant voice remote are solid. However, navigation can be a bit sluggish compared to higher-end models. But despite a few drawbacks here and there, the U6K's picture quality beats every other TV in its class. This is the best 55-inch TV to buy if you want a budget display that doesn't sacrifice HDR performance.
The Hisense U7K is a midrange 55-inch TV that punches way above its class. Like the cheaper U6K, this model uses a QLED panel with a Mini LED backlight. But the U7K steps things up with a higher peak brightness of 1,000 nits and a refresh rate of up to 144Hz, which makes it an excellent gaming display.
The TV's local dimming delivers high contrast with great black levels, and its bright highlights allow it to deliver a more realistic HDR experience than the U6K. It still has fewer dimming zones than more expensive QLED models, which could create some brightness fluctuations. But for the money, the U7K's performance is impressive.
On the downside, like the U6K, the U7K's Google TV OS can be a little sluggish, and the display's image quality degrades if you sit too far off to the side of the screen, but these issues are common for QLED models in this price range. The display is also prone to some minor uniformity issues that can cause a subtle "dirty screen" effect during some panning motions. However, this was rarely noticeable during our tests.
The 55-inch U7K's price fluctuates, but it's almost always $650 or less, which makes it tough to beat. The TV's closest competitor is the 55-inch TCL Q7, which delivers similar performance but uses regular-sized LEDs rather than Mini LEDs. This gives the Q7 less control over local dimming. That said, if you find the Q7 on sale for less than the U7K, it's a worthwhile alternative.
The Sony A95L is the best premium 55-inch TV you can buy. Competing displays from LG and Samsung get close, but the A95L has an edge.
The TV uses a QD-OLED panel to offer pixel-level contrast and industry-leading color performance. The A95L is also the brightest OLED we've ever tested. We measured a peak of around 1,500 nits in our brightness test pattern, which is a whopping 500 nits more than its predecessor, the A95K, and just slightly more than this TV's closest rival, the LG G3. The TV can only hit that number when displaying small bright elements on the screen, but that's still an incredible feat for an OLED display.
This impressive brightness allows the display to deliver exceptional HDR images. Black levels disappear into a dark room, while specular highlights shine with pinpoint accuracy and no blooming. If you watch TV in a home theater setting, the A95L simply dazzles.
Sony's proprietary picture processing enables image accuracy that edges out rival brands, with impressive upscaling that minimizes flaws in lower-quality sources, like HD streams and cable feeds. Viewing angles are also top-notch, so you don't have to worry about colors distorting when sitting off-center.
The A95L's Google TV operating system works well, too, and the included Google Assistant voice remote has a premium feel with a handy backlight that automatically turns on when you pick it up. A webcam is also included, which supports video calls and gesture controls. The TV's stand can even be configured in a high- or low-profile mode depending on whether you want to put a soundbar in front of it.
The only notable feature missing is 144Hz support, which is something that Samsung, Hisense, and TCL offer on some of their higher-end TVs when you pair them with a gaming PC. But if you're using a console, like a PS5 or Xbox Series X, you can rest easy knowing you'll still get full 120Hz support.
Given its price, the A95L is geared toward big home theater enthusiasts willing to pay top dollar for top performance. Most buyers will be satisfied with any of the less expensive 55-inch TVs we recommend, but if money is no object, the A95L is the TV to get.
How we test 55-inch TVs
A test pattern used to measure a TV's peak brightness.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
To select the best 55-inch TVs, our team relies on a combination of hands-on testing and research informed by more than 10 years of experience reviewing home entertainment products.
When we review TVs, most brands typically send us their 65-inch screen size, considered the industry's flagship offering. However, a TV model's overall performance usually remains comparable across sizes 50 inches and above. For instance, a 65-inch Sony A95L OLED and a 55-inch A95L have the same basic specs and capabilities. The only notable difference is the size of the screen.
However, some TVs that use local dimming, like the Hisense U7K, will employ fewer dimming zones in smaller screen sizes versus larger ones. This can lead to slight differences in contrast performance when comparing a 55-inch model to another size, but not enough to alter our general impressions of that model. Occasionally, there are bigger differences in design and features across different sizes, and we note those details when applicable.
To test TVs, we look at picture clarity, contrast, peak brightness, color performance, viewing angles, gaming capabilities, smart TV navigation, and overall value. We measure HDR brightness with an X-Rite iDisplay Plus colorimeter and use test patterns on the Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray disc to evaluate other objective display parameters.
But test patterns can only reveal so much, so we watch plenty of actual movies and shows to see how a TV performs with real-world content on a day-to-day basis. We revisit an assortment of scenes on each TV we test that we've specifically chosen to examine black levels, shadow details, HDR highlights, and upscaling. Our demo content includes 4K, 1080p high definition (HD), and standard definition (SD) material from various sources like Blu-ray discs, streaming services, and cable TV.
55-inch TV FAQs
Ryan Waniata/Insider
Is 55 inches a good size for a TV?
A screen size of 55 inches is a great choice for a variety of different rooms. This size is still big enough to feel immersive in smaller living rooms while offering a more compact alternative to 65-inch models that might be too big for some spaces.
A 55-inch TV is also a great fit for a bedroom where you might want something smaller than what you've got in your living room but not so small that you must sacrifice picture quality features. Most brands' best 4K TVs are available in 55-inch options, but many higher-end displays are not sold in sizes below that. For instance, if you want one of Samsung or Sony's best OLED TVs, 55-inches is the smallest size available.
How much should a 55-inch TV cost?
The best 55-inch TVs vary in price, with entry-level options starting at below $300 and high-end options costing $2,000 or more.
If you want a midrange 55-inch TV, you should plan to spend about $400-$700. Several great 55-inch QLED models in that price range include quantum dots, local dimming, and Mini LED backlights to deliver good contrast and peak brightness levels as high as 1,000 nits.
Shoppers who want a 55-inch OLED TV rather than a QLED will have to pay more, with prices starting at around $1,200. Though notably more expensive than their QLED counterparts, OLED TVs offer pixel-level brightness control for superior contrast and black levels.
How far should you sit from a 55-inch 4K TV?
The smaller a 4K screen is, the closer you'll need to sit to the display to see the full benefits of its resolution. To see the extra detail that 4K offers over 1080p Full HD, you'll want to sit at a distance of about one to 1.5 times the size of your display. For a 55-inch 4K TV, the recommended viewing distance is between 4.6 and 6.9 feet from your TV.
Of course, you can still sit farther away from your TV and enjoy its image quality, but the recommended distance will allow you to see the best level of detail. For rooms where you'd need to sit a lot farther from your display, we recommend opting for a larger screen size to get the full benefits of 4K. Check out our guide to the best 65-inch TVs for our top recommendations.
Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Melinda French Gates announced she's resigning as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
"The time is right for me to move forward into the next chapter of my philanthropy," she wrote in a statement on X.
She added that she'll have "an additional $12.5 billion to commit to my work on behalf of women and families" thanks to an agreement with her ex-husband, Microsoft founder and billionaire Bill Gates.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is expected to announce new ChatGTP and GPT-4 updates at a 1 p.m. ET event on Monday.
AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson; Arantza Pena Popo/Insider
Something new is coming from OpenAI, and Sam Altman will reveal more at 1 p.m. ET on Monday.
The OpenAI CEO said the news will include updates to ChatGPT and GPT-4.
However, he ruled out any search engine or GPT-5 announcements.
OpenAI is gearing up to introduce new — and possibly magical, according to its CEO — updates to ChatGPT.
Cofounder and CEO Sam Altman has teased "new stuff" coming to ChatGPT and GPT-4, the AI model that powers its chatbot, and told his followers to tune in Monday at 1 p.m. ET for its "Spring Update" to learn more.
Altman did rule out a couple of things you shouldn't expect — specifically GPT-5 or a new OpenAI search engine, which is reportedly in the works. OpenAI is reportedly planning to eventually take on internet search giant Google with its own AI-powered search product.
OpenAI is also working on a voice assistant that can talk to you, The Information reported on Friday, so there's a chance we learn more about that during the event.
OpenAI has also long been partnered with Microsoft, helping power the "new Bing," and reportedly had recent talks with Apple as the iPhone giant looks to bring generative AI to its iOS software.
Ahead of the Monday demonstration, Altman said OpenAI thinks people will love the news and that the product update "feels like magic to me."
Besides GPT-4, OpenAI's other products ahead of Monday's announcement include its AI-powered image generator DALL-E, its unreleased text-to-video generator Sora, and its GPT app store.
Business Insider will be covering OpenAI's announcements live — keep scrolling for the latest…
For those who want to watch live, you can view the whole event here.
Bernie Sanders is the second-oldest senator, and he wants to serve six more years.
Despite other elderly senators struggling with health issues, Sanders is pressing ahead
"I would not have run if I didn't think I had the energy," said Sanders.
Bernie Sanders will be 89 in January 2031, the end of what would be his fourth term in the Senate.
That didn't deter the now 82-year-old Vermont senator and two-time presidential candidate from announcing his reelection last week.
Yet many remain concerned not just about Sanders, but elderly politicians in general. Sen. Dianne Feinstein ran for reelection at age 85, only to experience several public memory lapses before dying in office. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, 82, experienced two public freeze-ups last year.
"I would not have run if I didn't think I had the energy," Sanders told the Washington Post," describing age as "only one factor" when it comes to evaluating political candidates.
That's similar to what he told Business Insider two years ago, saying it's "fair to ask about anything that's reasonable, including age" but that age is "not a reflection of their views on the issues."
Sanders is currently the second-oldest member of the Senate, ranking behind the 90-year-old Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa.
Concerns about age have famously dogged President Joe Biden, who is the oldest president in American history at age 81.
But in Congress, seniority carries institutional advantages that motivate lawmakers to hang on for longer.
Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, the longest-serving woman member of Congress in American history, explicitly made the case for her own seniority in an interview with BI in 2022.
"It's a lot for a community to give up," Kaptur said at the time. "People here have a lot to lose."
Sanders himself has benefited from seniority allowing him to chair the Senate Budget Committee during the first two years of Biden's presidency and now the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for the last 16 months.
He noted in his reelection announcement that it puts him "in a strong position to provide the kind of help that Vermonters need in these difficult times."
By Ganesh Bukka, Vice President & Global Head, Industry 4.0, Hitachi Digital Services
Data is supposed to unlock operational efficiency and productivity. Too often, it instead leaves businesses feeling handcuffed and unable to act on the sheer volume of information they generate. With IoT and the edge producing floods of operational technology (OT) data, and ever-more-sophisticated data collection and analytics feeding information technology (IT) systems, more and more companies are seeking ways to integrate these two crucial streams. OT and IT integration can enable business agility, optimize operations, help businesses hone their competitive edge, and inform decision-making so they can quickly seize emerging business opportunities.
But, integrating OT and IT is a massive undertaking, and few businesses have the in-house resources to achieve this holy grail of data enablement. The challenges cut across industries: Organizations in the energy, rail, and manufacturing segments feel the urgency of integrating the data from these two sides of the house to increase their visibility and better manage the data life cycles of critical assets.
That's why Hitachi recently announced the formation of Hitachi Digital Services, a division of the tech giant that has been launched to help organizations across diverse industry segments address these real-world challenges. With its Hitachi Application Reliability Centers, Hitachi Digital Services brings a strong record of success in helping organizations integrate OT and IT to benefit the companies and end consumers they serve.
Data integration supports intelligent decision-making, which in turn supports business continuity
The real-world perspective is essential because this is not a theoretical discussion. It's an actuality that plays out in real-time every day at every manufacturing and power plant and within every corporate asset — systems, equipment, and facilities worth millions, if not billions, of dollars. Despite that value, organizations struggle to efficiently anticipate when those assets will require maintenance, when they are on the brink of a breakdown, or when a failure will shut down the power grid. Cybersecurity threats introduce an additional level of complexity to the equation.
With all those factors to consider, businesses must have a network of complex subsystems equipped with advanced sensors, sophisticated protocols, and precise monitoring capabilities in place. These solutions must optimize efficiency, productivity, and business continuity by integrating and harmonizing data. Companies must also ensure interoperability among their legacy and newer-generation technology and extend connectivity across business-enabling applications like product life cycle management, manufacturing, enterprise resource planning (ERP), and supply chain systems. Only when all these variables are addressed can their data be a resource they can access, interpret, and act on to avert problems and meet production timelines.
Realize OT and IT integration with an industry-experienced partner
Achieving that level of performance requires the intelligent integration of OT and IT. The convergence of OT and IT integration is bucketed into three streams:
The depth of integration expertise required is beyond the scope of what most companies have available in-house — and many companies lack collaboration between business and IT units. Even businesses with robust OT and IT departments often find that members of each team struggle to incorporate the other's perspective into their approaches to building an integrated solution.
Through its Hitachi Application Reliability Centers, Hitachi Digital Services provides an external partner with industry-specific experience to facilitate, simplify, and manage the process of aligning all these considerations. Hitachi Digital Services teams have collaborated with customers on industry cloud accelerators that harmonize data and create a common data architecture. That's essential because even when businesses struggle with what they perceive as a unique data integration scenario, the underlying problems are often universal. That means that with the right partner, there is often an existing, use case–driven, proven solution and framework that can be customized to their challenges and specifications.
By collaborating with that partner, organizations can optimize the collection, integration, and enrichment of information across the whole data life cycle. A skilled and experienced partner can also help the business develop a mature data culture that respects and incorporates OT and IT that might otherwise be left in competition and conflict. Once there is a meaningful data culture with organization-wide data governance, the business has a foundation to build a reliable system of operations to run the enterprise.
The result of this intelligent integration between OT and IT can be game-changing. Some benefits that businesses have realized by integrating through Hitachi Application Reliability Centers include:
By enabling all these benefits and more, OT and IT integration can help organizations achieve the greatest possible business value from their data.
Some millennials are suddenly surging ahead financially.
Those with growing fortunes can thank a set of unique economic circumstances in recent years.
It means some feel more confident about retirement, or were able to buy new homes outright.
James Barnesis surprised to find himself beating the millennial odds.
At age 33, he is firmly in the middle of the generational cohort born 1981 to 1996.By some accounts, they killed off staples like napkins and cereal and spent too much money on avocado toast and fancy coffee. Many started their careers in the aftermath of the Great Recession, have contended with a housing affordability crisis throughout adulthood, and generally seemed tobe doomed to economic misery.
Pre-pandemic, Barnes' situation skewed closer to that traditional millennial image. In his early 20s, Barnes and his wife lived with his parents. She went corporate and he worked with a managed service provider for assisted living facilities as they steadily paid down their student loans and saved for their own home.
"Just starting out and graduating college, you're saddled with student debt, you're living in an apartment which you're paying rent for, you're not building any equity, you're generally not making nearly as much money as you thought you'd be making right out of the gate at college," Barnes said. "So looking at even a $150,000 price tag for a house, you're just like, when is that ever going to happen?"
In 2017, it did finally happenfor the Barneses.They put a down payment on a house in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Barnes said it was just a regular, normal life: They commuted to Atlanta for work, hung out with friends, worked on home improvements, enjoyed being DINKs, and took care of their pet bearded dragon. They weren't struggling, but they always watched their budget and spent conservatively.
James Barnes and his wife.
Courtesy of James Barnes
When the pandemic hit, Barnes' wife intensified her very millennial hobby: Perusing real estate and touring open houses. She discovered they were sitting on a gold mine — their house had doubled in value.
It prompted a strategic life move. The couple decided to sell and move back to Barnes' home state of Alabama. When a real estate company offered $300,000, double what the couple had paid, they jumped on it.
"I know this is a very odd scenario for most millennials and really most people, but we sold a house and basically just bought a house outright," he said.
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The Barneses are part of a new millennial group that is suddenly doing very well financially — especially if they bought real estate pre-pandemic. In the fourth quarter of 2019, millennials held $3.5 trillion in real estate wealth; as of the fourth quarter of 2023, that's more than doubled.
After an adulthood plagued by economic woes, the pandemic brought on astudent-loan payment pause, rising salaries, spiking real estate and stock holdings, and government stimulus. It all helped change the fortunes of some millennials. While all of that isnot enough to lift up a whole generation struggling with high living costs, a lucky few managed to capture the golden egg.
Doubling wealth in just a few years
While many millennials are approaching an age that's generally associated with peak earning and homeownership years, they were lagging behind pre-pandemic: As of early 2020, millennials owned 4% of the country's real estate value; at that same age, baby boomers owned 32%.
Now, however, things are looking up. Over half of millennials now own their homes — up from 43% in 2019 — and, as of 2022, millennials' average pre-tax householdincome was $100,315, up from $79,514 in 2019.
Khary, an elder millennial parent of two who works in technical advising, weathered his generation's classic economic double punch: The Navy veteran said he got laid off in 2008 and, going into the pandemic, had about $40,000 in combined student loan debt between him and his spouse.
"It felt like I lost about four or five years of progress in trying to build up my savings and plan ahead for the future," he said. Khary and other millennials BI spoke to asked to go by first name only over privacy concerns.
When the pandemic hit, Khary suddenly got some relief. Between the student loan pause, stimulus checks, a pay raise, and a robust stock market, he doubled his investment savings and was able to max out his retirement accounts, according to documentation viewed by BI. He's still paying off student loans but said his payments are much easier to make now.
And he's within sight of something coveted by Americans of all generations: a comfortable retirement. He said his early-career layoff lost him a few years of building up his savings and planning ahead.
"The pandemic really just helped to bridge that gap and helped me get back what I had lost," he said.
Many in his generation can relate. Average millennial wealth doubledbetween 2019 and 2023, according to an analysis from the Center for American Progress. Similarly, the real median net worth for Americans under the age of 35 grew by 143% from 2019 to 2022.
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The most striking thing about millennials' sudden surge in wealth: It dwarfs the progress of previous generations that experienced a recession during their young adult years.
For example, Gen Xers' real wealth grew by only 4% in the four years following 2007's Great Recession. Baby boomers' real wealth grew by 46% in the four years after the 1990 recession. Millennials outpaced them all and then some.
One game changer for millennials was the student-loan payment pause and the subsequent relief programs President Joe Biden has been rolling out.Millennials holding debt had, on average, $40,614 as of 2023. The Biden administration has been chipping away at some of America's student debt load, forgiving nearly $160 billion so far through account adjustments, fraud restitution, and clearing a backlog of applications to major debt forgiveness programs like one for people who work in public service.
Amanda, a millennial parent in Texas who works in tech, never made any payments on her loans at all. Since she didn't go straight into college after graduating from high school, she graduated from college during the pandemic pause.
The break alleviated some concerns over her financial prospects after graduation. She said she felt her degree was completely useless. Her school also didn't offer any of the job assistance it had promised. But, it all ended up working out for Amanda; just two weeks after she and her husband bought a house together in 2023,she found out her $80,000 loan balance was forgiven. In total, Amanda and her family have more than doubled their income since the start of the pandemic; she's making just around $100,000 now.
"I came from very poor circumstances and I was determined that my kid would not live the same way I did," she said.
Some anxiety — but more stability
The pandemic didn't turn around every millennial's financial position. The rise in wealth has added fuel to the generation's class divide because it left some behind — after all, many millennials still live paycheck to paycheck.
"A lot of millennials are doing worse than their parents," Rob Gruijters, a university lecturer at the University of Cambridge and the coauthor of a recent paper on the growing millennial wealth gap, told BI.
"The narrative is increasing inequality, and that has losers and winners," he said. "So there's people who are on the top side of the distribution, they benefit from the increase in inequality, and then there's quite a substantial number of people who are losing in that situation."
One way the top end is getting richer while lower-income millennials still struggle is through stock market investments. Stock values have skyrocketed over the last few years, with the S&P 500 soaring after the initial pandemic shock and still hitting record highs; however, the top 10% of Americans own around 93% of stocks.
Still, lower-income Americans were the ones most likely to have benefited from the post-pandemic wage gains pushed by labor shortages in some industries. Research has found that wage growth at the bottom of the income distribution helped counteract the effects of decades of wage inequality and even pared down the college wage premium.
Still, even some millennials who have seen their lots improve fret about the future. They're hyperaware of just how quickly things can take a turn.
"I know that I'm doing a lot better than other people my age, but there's still a lot of anxiety that if there's another pandemic, if anything crazy happens, if we lose our jobs, how do we pay the bills?" Amanda said.
For Caitlin de Oliveira, 34, the pandemic boost hasn't meant anything as radical as doubling her household's income or buying a new home. Instead, stimulus measures — including monthly child tax credit checks in 2021 — meant that her family was ableto gain a financial foothold.
Caitlin de Oliveira and her family.
Courtesy of Caitlin de Oliveira
Between upping their savings and gains from a robust stock market, their 401(k) has grown to a little under $85,000 — up from around $20,000 in 2019. That's meant she's been able to feel confident that they are on their way to being able to retire in a good spot.
"Just knowing that is so comforting," she said. She said that she doesn't think millennials are as "dumb" financially as people say — "a lot of us are really trying — it's just been hard."
In the past, Khary said, millennials had dealt with crises and just complained. But not this time.
"As millennials, I think we felt ready and it proved that we had been through quite a bit and we kind of learned from it," he said. "It kind of built up a sense of confidence in us that we can actually handle sort of what's coming down the road if there's any more crises."
Are you a millennial whose finances have improved substantially over the last few years? Contact this reporter at jkaplan@businessinsider.com.
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The best smartwatch is the Apple Watch Series 9 for iPhone users, and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro for Android users.
Rick Stella/Business Insider
At their core, smartwatches are extensions of your phone for checking notifications, making calls, sending texts, and, not to mention, telling the time. The best smartwatches can also ideally serve as powerful tools for tracking activities and monitoring health markers, too. The most important things to consider when choosing a new smartwatch are the features you'll use most and your smartphone operating system.
Our top pick among the best smartwatches is the Apple Watch Series 9. Although it's only compatible with iOS, it's a class-leading smartwatch that offers a wide range of health and fitness tracking tools. For Android users, we recommend the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. It has a durable titanium design, it's an excellent smartwatch that includes a comprehensive set of health and fitness tracking features, and it has multi-day battery life.
The Nothing CMF Watch Pro is a solid budget option. No smartwatch is perfect for a sub-$75 price, but the CMF Watch Pro offers the basics of a smartwatch with a couple of premium features, like an always-on display. It's also compatible with both iOS and Android phones.
Best with bezel: Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic – See at Amazon
Best overall
The Apple Watch Series 9 remains atop the smartwatch pack thanks to its excellent blend of health and fitness tools, smartwatch functionality, and overall effectiveness. For iOS users, there's no better wearable to buy. It's so good that it's a solid reason to stick, or even transfer, to the Apple ecosystem with an iPhone.
When the Series 9 was released in September 2023, it didn't represent a massive generational leap over the prior year's release, the Apple Watch Series 8. However, it did introduce some new features that improved its accessibility, and it also debuted a fast new processor.
The new additions include faster on-device Siri access, updated Smart Stack functionality, a brighter display, and, perhaps the most notable new feature, the Double Tap Gesture. The double tap gesture allows users to tap their index finger and thumb together twice to interact with the primary button of any app. For instance, it can answer or hang up a phone call, start or stop a timer, and snooze an alarm.
The Apple Watch Series 9 offers the perfect blend of smartwatch features and health and fitness tracking capability, and may even sway some people to buy an iPhone in order to use it.
Rick Stella/Business Insider
While this new gesture is great for interacting with the Apple Watch when you have your hands full, it's a huge advancement in its accessibility. Now, users who may be unable to use the touchscreen easily can still use the watch's apps. The gesture feature and the Series 9's on-device Siri access completely change how the watch can be used.
Beyond those updates, the Series 9 is still a powerful health and fitness tracker, offering several tools like sleep tracking and stress management. There are also new mental health tools available within its Mindfulness app that allow users to log how they feel at certain times throughout the day. Apple dropped the blood-oxygen monitoring feature on all Apple Watches, including the Series 9, due to a patent dispute.
The Apple Watch has long been a quality wearable, and the Series 9 continues that trend, offering something for every type of user. It delivers a premium smartwatch experience, has powerful health and fitness tracking tools, and is not only the best Apple Watch you can buy but the best smartwatch, too.
For around $65, the Nothing CMF Watch Pro perfectly fits the bill for a budget smartwatch, and it works both for Android and iPhone, too. It's far from perfect, but it does have some features we're surprised to find on such a budget watch.
The CMF Watch Pro focuses on the core basics of a smartwatch, including telling the time and showing your notifications. You have to dig into the CMF app's settings to pick the apps you want notifications for or select to receive all of them. You can even take a call on it thanks to its built-in microphone, which is a pleasant surprise for a watch in this price range, at least one with a recognizable brand name behind it.
It also covers the basic health and fitness tracking features that most smartwatches have, like a step counter, heart rate sensor, and sleep tracking. Also surprisingly, the CMF Watch Pro supports blood-oxygen monitoring — a feature deactivated on Apple Watches thanks to a patent dispute. It also has IP68 water resistance, which means it won't get damaged with water contact, but Nothing doesn't suggest you wear it swimming.
The Nothing CMF Watch Pro is incredibly affordable and works on both iPhone and Android.
CMF by Nothing
The CMF Watch Pro's touted 13-day battery life is also worthy of note, and I can confirm that it has multi-day battery life. We expect most people would get less than 13 days with their typical usage, but that potential range is a great plus for the CMF Watch Pro. The CMF Watch Pro also supports an always-on display, a feature Apple's Watch SE can't tout at its $249 starting price.
For $65, the CMF Watch Pro doesn't have certain features you'd expect on more expensive smartwatches. It doesn't run third-party apps, for example; that means different things to people who need third-party apps, but for most people, it means you can't run your music streaming app and store music on the CMF Watch Pro for phone-less workouts.
Watch faces are also somewhat limited, as you can't customize what widgets feature on a watch face. You can't interact with the widgets, either — tapping on them does nothing, let alone bring up the relevant app. We also found that the weather widget would read "no data" at times, and required us to open the CMF app for the watch to receive weather data. However, we still received notifications.
While you can get notifications about text messages, the CMF Watch Pro doesn't support writing and sending texts from the watch itself, nor does it support RCS messages from Android phones, which is the modern standard that Android phones use for text messages with photos and videos.
There were reports that Bluetooth connectivity between the CMF Watch Pro and your phone could be patchy, leading to missed notifications unless the CMF app was recently opened. However, it seems the latest updates addressed this, as I did not encounter issues with connectivity.
So, the CMF Watch Pro isn't perfect, but it's also around $65. Considering that most good smartwatches cost over $200, downsides to the CMF Pro are fully expected, and these specific downsides are certainly acceptable for the price.
Best for Android
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is a generation older than the current Galaxy Watch 6 series but has some notable advantages.
Namely, it houses a larger battery that allows it to go several days before a charge. It also has a premium, durable, lightweight titanium design that caters to the active user. And, when paired with one of the best Samsung Galaxy Watch bands, you can easily tailor it to function however you prefer to wear it.
It's also a powerful smartwatch. Call, text, email, and app alerts are easy to interact with on the large, bright watch face, and it uses the latest iteration of Wear OS, which is fluid and intuitive to navigate. It allows for deep customization, too, including several different watch faces that can display certain relevant information. I found this one of its best features, as I could tailor what data or fitness stats it always showed on the home screen.
Samsung's Watch 5 Pro was the brand's answer to the Apple Watch Ultra, and it delivered. It has multi-day battery life, can track a variety of activities, and offers a suite of health features. It's the best for Android users by far.
Rick Stella/Business Insider
Health-focused users will also appreciate its variety of wellness features, including in-depth sleep tracking and a unique body composition scanner that can inform you of your body fat percentage, water weight, and BMI. These aren't as accurate as readings you may get at the doctor, but it's still a handy tool.
For the fitness crowd, the Watch 5 Pro is stellar. Not only is there a wide range of trackable workouts, like cycling, running, and weight lifting, but there are plenty of activities that aren't specifically fitness-centric but still work out your body, like skiing and hiking. There's also a handy Track Back feature that functions like a breadcrumb feature to track your exact hiking routes; it only works for hiking and cycling, but hopefully, future updates make it available for things like trail running, too.
The Watch 5 Pro isn't without its drawbacks. Some features, like the ECG function that tracks heart rhythms and blood pressure monitor, are exclusive to Samsung phones via the Samsung Health Monitor app, and they're not available on other Android phones. It's not a major red flag, but it is something to keep in mind if you don't own a Samsung phone.
Even with those issues, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is the best Android smartwatch you can buy. It's a quality health and fitness tracker and an exceptional smartwatch. For Android users, especially those who own Samsung phones, it doesn't get better than this.
Google's second iteration of the Pixel Watch, the Pixel Watch 2, addresses our main complaints from the previous model, and it easily deserves its spot as the best option for Pixel phone users.
The Pixel Watch 2 continues to offer the stellar core smartwatch experience from the original Pixel Watch with the intuitive Watch OS 4 operating system, compatibility with several third-party apps, and excellent notifications and interactions with calls, texts, and emails. As an extension of your phone, it shines.
The Google Pixel Watch 2 introduces major improvements and upgrades over the original.
Rick Stella/Business Insider
For fitness tracking, namely GPS accuracy, the Pixel Watch 2 brings major improvements, and it's actually up to par with other smartwatches now. It includes features like sleep tracking, all-day heart rate monitoring, stress monitoring, and ECG readings. The Pixel Watch 2 also comes with a new skin temperature sensor and a new heart rate sensor, contributing to unique insights into sleep quality.
We should note that some features like advanced sleep data, advanced stress management tools, and Fitbit's unique Daily Readiness feature are locked behind Fitbit's $10/month Premium subscription service. You get a free six-month trial of the service when you buy the Pixel Watch 2, which lets you decide whether it's worth keeping.
The Pixel Watch 2 also shows notable improvements in battery life over the original. It gets us through a full day that includes activity and workout tracking while leaving enough battery for sleep tracking.
There aren't many things the Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 can't do. From its endless number of trackable activities and weeklong battery to its accurate GPS tracking, no-frills but useful notification system, and a suite of health-tracking features, it's more than just a quality fitness tracker; it's the best fitness tracker. Period.
But since we're talking about smartwatches, it's worth pointing out it excels at that, too. Its call, text, and app notifications are on the basic end of the smartwatch spectrum, but they're still easy to interact with, and the watch still serves as a reliable extension of your smartphone. It may not have all the bells and whistles of something like the Series 9 or Watch 5 Pro, but it gets the job done.
Plus, the amount of extras that come with it makes it an especially great pick for fitness-focused folks or anyone who enjoys spending time outside. It offers in-depth activity tracking for things like running, cycling, weight training, and snowboarding and does more than just track heart rate and time. It can log actual workout reps and track actual ground you cover via GPS while providing a detailed map of your route.
Garmin's Epix Pro is the best fitness tracker thanks to a wide variety of trackable activities, battery life that lasts up to a week, and one of the most accurate GPS we've tested.
Rick Stella/Business Insider
It's also a comprehensive health tracker with in-depth sleep and stress monitoring and a handy recovery tool that adjusts how much rest it recommends you need based on your daily activity.
I found the recovery feature quite useful, especially when I wanted to push myself but decided to take it easy based on the watch's recommendation, knowing I wouldn't be at my best. This input ultimately changed how I worked out each week, and I started to feel far better on a week-to-week basis in terms of soreness and my overall recovery timeline.
This feature only scratches the surface of what the Epix Pro Gen 2 can do, too, as the watch literally learns your day-to-day behavior and adapts to suit you best with workout recommendations, managing stress levels, when to go to bed and wake up, and how often you should have a rigorous workout.
The fact it does all this while also being a reliable smartwatch makes it one of the premier wearables you can buy.
Best premium Apple Watch
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers a near-similar smartwatch experience to the Series 9 but at a much steeper price tag. While it may not be the preferred choice for casual users, it's worth the extra investment for advanced athletes or those who spend time outdoors.
This is mainly due to the features and internal hardware tailored to tracking activities like cycling, diving, and climbing. These features include a brighter screen that can be more easily seen in high-lighting conditions, tracking compatibility for freediving, scuba diving, and wakeboarding, and improved altitude readings.
The Ultra 2 also features a bulkier, more durable design than the Series 9 and a battery that lasts upwards of two full days instead of needing to be recharged daily. The increased battery life is a huge improvement compared to the Series 9 (and other smartwatches in this guide) since less time on the charger means more time using it for how it's intended.
The Apple Watch Ultra is as premium as Apple Watches get. It features a larger, durable design, multi-day battery life, and unique features geared toward advanced athletes.
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However, my favorite feature of the Ultra 2 is its Action Button, which can be programmed to open several different apps, including the fitness-tracking app, the stopwatch, or the shortcuts app. The Action Button is especially helpful for activities because, instead of starting after a short three-second countdown, like on the Series 9, it allows you to press the button once you're situated and ready to go. This also helps wait for the GPS to sync.
Other notable features include the new double tap gesture, which also debuted on the Series 9, and faster on-device Siri access. It also has the new S9 processor chip and the updated ultra-wideband chip that improves its location accuracy.
Although the Ultra 2 offers many features geared toward the advanced athlete, it's still a quality wearable for the casual user. It has the same health and fitness tracking tools as the Series 9 while offering similar smartwatch functionality.
For a smartwatch that excels as a reliable sleep tracker, Fitbit's Sense 2 is at the front of the pack. Not only does it track your sleep each night and provide in-depth data, but it also offers unique recommendations on improving your rest via several metrics. Plenty of wearables try to provide this level of insight, but the Sense 2 does it best.
What sets the Sense 2 apart is how comprehensive the data it provides is. For example, after a night of sleep, the Fitbit app displays metrics showing how well I rested. These include time spent in REM, deep, and light sleep, as well as other factors like time spent awake, how restless I might have been, and what my heart rate was.
The Fitbit app can then recommend ways to improve my sleep to better my nightly score. This may include certain workouts, when to work out, or how to keep a consistent sleep schedule. Once I got the hang of using the recommendations, they made a noticeable difference.
The Fitbit Sense 2 is Fitbit's best wearable overall as it offers premium smartwatch capability and a suite of health and fitness tracking tools.
Rick Stella/Business Insider
It's worth noting that to make the most of the Sense 2's sleep tracking abilities, you'll need Fitbit Premium, the subscription part of the Fitbit app. Memberships run for $10/month or $80/year and are worth the expenditure for those intent on using the extra data.
Fitbit Premium also provides a unique Daily Readiness Score that analyzes your prior day's activity and rest and creates a numbered score to represent how hard to push yourself. There are also in-depth health insights, like heart rate variability, available to subscribers.
Aside from its capability as a sleep tracker, the Sense 2 is also an excellent fitness tracker. It tracks various activities like running, cycling, and strength training. Also, it uses a skin temperature sensor, has heart rhythm (ECG) readings, and debuted Fitbit's real-time stress tracker. The stress tracker is especially useful for its feedback on how to lower stress throughout the day.
While the Fitbit Sense 2 is one of the best smartwatches, the actual smartwatch experience leaves a little to be desired. Yes, it gets notifications like calls, texts, and app updates, but the fact Fitbit removed third-party app support and Google Assistant access is disappointing. There's also no way to store or play music via the watch.
However, I wouldn't view these as deal-breakers for the Sense 2, especially if you're looking for a smartwatch with premium sleep tracking. It's one of the best Fitbits you can buy, and while it is a so-so smartwatch, it gets the job done when needed while offering a suite of advanced health and wellness features.
One of the best additions Samsung introduced on the Watch 6 Classic was to reintroduce the rotating bezel last seen in the Watch 4 (an ideal budget option for Android users looking for something a little more premium than the CMF Watch Pro). With the rotating bezel, navigating the watch's interface and menus is fluid and easy, especially during workouts or when wearing gloves. This isn't to say the touchscreen is hard to navigate, but sometimes it took a little longer to respond to a screen swipe than it would if I just simply spun the dial.
The watch's improved battery life is also a welcome update. Outside of the Watch 5 Pro, most Galaxy Watches need to find their way to a charger at least once daily to recharge. This wasn't ever a dealbreaker as even our top pick, the Apple Watch Series 9, requires the same daily charging.
Samsung's latest Galaxy Watch, the Watch 6 Classic, sees the return of a rotating bezel that some may find easier to use than the touchscreen native to the Watch 5 Pro and Watch 6.
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However, having a watch with a battery that lasts more than one day ensures you can squeeze all the functionality out of it. You can use it as a smartwatch and fitness tracker during the day and as a sleep tracker at night. The Watch 6 Classic's longer battery allowed me to do that during my time with it.
Not all Watch 6 users will make use of every bell and whistle, but even casual wearers will find plenty to utilize. Outside of the available activities and sleep tracking, there's also a stress tracker, a heart rhythm reader (ECG), a body composition analyzer, a temperature sensor, and a cycle tracker.
The highlight of these is the body composition analyzer, which I used to chart my body fat percentage and muscle mass, and the stress tracker, which tracked my specific stress levels at different times throughout the day and suggested ways to lower them.
I also just really enjoyed wearing the Watch 6 Classic. It has a comfortable, lightweight design that felt equally good to wear while working out and sleeping as it did while sitting at my desk.
The watch looks good on the wrist, too, featuring a classic round watch face design that looks and feels premium. I could see it being slightly too big for folks with smaller wrists, though it was the perfect size on my arm (and I like larger watch faces). But do keep this in mind if you don't like big watch faces.
My lone nitpick with the Watch 6 Classic is that it's not all that different from the previous generation of Watch 5. It does run the latest Wear OS, though that can also be downloaded on the Watch 5. What this means, though, is that upgrading to the Watch 6 Classic is best done by those wearing the Watch 4 or older — and Watch 5 users can take a beat and wait for the release of next year's Watch 7 or later.
You should consider several key factors to pick the right smartwatch for your needs.
Rick Stella/Business Insider
It's important to know how you intend to use a smartwatch before you start shopping for one. Maybe you want a wearable with a smaller watch face or prefer a certain strap material. You may even want one that offers robust health and fitness tracking capabilities.
Here's what to consider before purchasing:
Use case: While all smartwatches offer similar functionality of telling time and displaying various call, text, email, and app notifications, some are better suited to certain uses than others. For example, the Fitbit Sense 2 excels as a sleep tracker in addition to being a reliable smartwatch. If you don't need sleep tracking, the Sense 2 may not be a good fit.
While most smartwatches track activities, they're not all full-fledged fitness trackers. Dedicated fitness trackers provide a variety of trackable activities and often provide in-depth progress-tracking data, monitor rest and recovery, and create workout recommendations. For information on these, check out our guide on the best fitness trackers.
Sizing: Smartwatches come in a variety of sizing options, both in terms of the actual watch face and the watch strap it comes with. While some folks may benefit from a larger watch face and prefer the amount of data they can see on it, others may find big watches too cumbersome and prefer something smaller and sleeker. This is especially true for those with smaller wrists.
Compatibility: While iPhone users shouldn't buy an Android smartwatch, and vice versa, there are other compatibilities to keep in mind when shopping. For instance, some wearables, like Samsung's Watch 5 Pro and Watch 6 Classic, function better on a Samsung-branded phone than on a different Android device like the Google Pixel. Some features aren't available while the overall experience is slightly different.
Battery life: Battery life is one of the most important considerations when shopping for a smartwatch and directly impacts how you use it. For instance, the Apple Watch Series 9, our pick as the best smartwatch overall, requires daily charging. This is fine for folks who can put it on the charger each night but may not suffice for those who travel frequently or who may not have access to a portable charger.
How we test smartwatches
We test smartwatches in daily use and across standard criteria.
Rick Stella/Insider
Each smartwatch included in this guide went through various tests to determine how well it performed across these four categories: Features, fit & comfort, ease of use, and value.
Here's how each category specifically factored into the decision process:
Features: This is one of the most important considerations for any smartwatch and separates something like the Apple Watch Series 8 from something that didn't make our guide, like the Fitbit Versa 4. A wearable with features like third-party app support, the ability to play or store music, and others like sleep tracking or an always-on display truly fits the bill of being a quality smartwatch.
Fit & comfort: If a smartwatch is uncomfortable, you'll be far less likely to want to wear it very often. And since a smartwatch is supposed to be a suitable extension of your phone, track your daily activity, and monitor your sleep, you need to wear it a lot. We took into consideration how the watch band feels, how lightweight it is while wearing at night, and whether it stays comfortable while commuting, working out, etc.
Ease of use: Learning curve is another important factor since knowing how to get the most out of your smartwatch without fumbling through menus is vital to the experience. There will be a learning period with any new smartwatch but the ones that are intuitive and easy to navigate from the jump are the ones that stick out. The Apple Watch Series 9 is one of the easiest watches to navigate, which is part of why it's our top overall pick.
Value: Value can often be subjective and is influenced entirely by how a user utilizes a certain smartwatch. For instance, not everyone needs the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Athletes or those who spend a lot of time outside who also need a powerful smartwatch will get a lot of value out of it while someone who is just casually active may not need all the bells and whistles. But value is still an important aspect we considered because smartwatches aren't cheap and you want to ensure that your investment is a wise one.
FAQs
What is the best smartwatch?
The best smartwatch largely hinges on two things: how you intend to use the smartwatch and, perhaps most importantly, what smartphone you have. For instance, the best Apple Watches only work on iOS devices, while the best Android smartwatches only work on Android devices.
So, while we think the Apple Watch Series 9 is the best overall smartwatch, regardless of smartphone operating system, it's still only usable by one group of users: those with an iOS device.
Consider how you intend to use the smartwatch, too. If you want something that accurately tracks activities and has several health-tracking tools, a pure smartwatch likely isn't going to be the "best" for you. Similarly, if you want the best pure smartwatch experience, a dedicated fitness tracker won't be the best fit.
Do all smartwatches work on any smartphone?
No. Some smartwatches work exclusively on a certain operating system. For instance, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 only work on iOS devices, while wearables such as the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro and Google Pixel Watch 2 only work on Android devices.
However, many wearables work on iOS and Android, including the Garmin Epix, the Fitbit Sense 2, and the Fitbit Versa 3. Always cross-reference which operating system a certain smartwatch requires with your smartphone's operating system before purchasing.
Can you use an Apple Watch with an Android smartphone?
No, the Apple Watch is only compatible with devices running iOS. While you can still wear an Apple Watch if you own an Android phone, you won't be able to get anywhere near the full functionality out of it like accessing any tracked data or downloading apps.
Unlike smartwatches from Garmin and Fitbit, which work with iOS and Android devices, the Apple Watch only works with iOS devices.
Can you use an Android smartwatch with an iPhone?
No, Android smartwatches, such as the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, Watch 5 Pro, and Google's Pixel Watches, are only compatible with devices running the Android operating system. Those with iOS devices should avoid purchasing these watches to ensure their smartwatch's full functionality.
If you want a device-agnostic smartwatch, opt for the Garmin Epix Pro or Fitbit Sense 2.
Best overall: Apple Watch Series 9
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The Apple Watch Series 9 remains atop the smartwatch pack thanks to its excellent blend of health and fitness tools, smartwatch functionality, and overall effectiveness. For iOS users, there's no better wearable to buy and it's so good that it may even sway those who don't have an iOS device to get one.
When the Series 9 was released in September of 2023, it didn't represent a massive generational leap over the prior year's release, the Apple Watch Series 8. However, it did introduce a few new features that improved its accessibility and it also debuted a fast new processor chip.
The new additions include faster on-device Siri access, updated Smart Stack functionality, a brighter display, and, perhaps the most notable new feature, the Double Tap Gesture. The Double Tap Gesture allows users to tap their index finger and thumb together twice to interact with the primary button of any app. For instance, it can answer or hang up a phone call, start or stop a timer, and snooze an alarm.
While this new gesture is great for when you have your hands full yet still need to interact with your Apple Watch, it's a huge advancement in its accessibility. Now, users who may not be able to easily use the touchscreen can still make use of the watch's apps. This coupled with the Series 9's on-device Siri access completely changes how the watch can be used.
Beyond those updates, the Series 9 is still a powerful health and fitness tracker, offering several tools like blood oxygen sensing, sleep tracking, and stress management. There are also new mental health tools available within its Mindfulness app that allow users to log how they feel at certain times throughout the day.
The Apple Watch has long been a quality wearable and the Series 9 continues that trend, offering something for every type of user. It delivers a premium smartwatch experience, has powerful health and fitness tracking tools, and is not only the best Apple Watch you can buy but the best smartwatch, too.
Although the Versa 4 is Fitbit's latest model, the Versa 3 remains the better option of the two. For starters, its compatibility with third-party apps gives it a massive leg up over the Versa 4, and it's also a much more accurate tracker in terms of GPS tracking and syncing.
The third-party app support is probably the most important aspect of why the Versa 3 is a standout. Since Fitbit decided to end third-party app support on the Versa 4, the Versa 3 remains the last Fitbit smartwatch that offers that functionality.
This translates into a much better smartwatch experience because you don't have to solely rely on whatever apps come pre-installed. Having the option to customize what you use is one of the best features of any smartwatch.
The Versa 3 excels beyond the app support and fitness tracking, too. It also acts as a fluid extension of your smartphone, offering text, email, call, and app notifications that are easy to read, especially on the watch's big, bright watch face. Having such a large screen is also good for quickly viewing any workout stats or navigating through an app.
It also offers health-tracking features like menstrual cycle tracking, in-depth sleep monitoring, and an always-on heart rate monitor. Fitbit may be more well-known for its no-frills activity trackers but the Versa 3 is an excellent full-featured smartwatch (it's our pick as one of the best Fitbits, too).
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro continued the Galaxy Watch line's reign as the best Android smartwatch you can buy, and it did so via a few key upgrades over the existing line.
First, it houses a larger battery that allows it to go several days before a recharge. It also has a ruggedly durable design that caters to the active user. And when paired with one of the best Samsung Galaxy Watch bands, you can easily tailor it to function however you prefer to wear it.
These new features represent an extremely similar innovation cycle to the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The Watch 5 Pro has all the hallmarks of its non-Pro kin, the Watch 5, albeit with a few add-ons that make it especially useful for fitness-focused folks and outdoor enthusiasts.
It's also a powerful smartwatch. Call, text, email, and app alerts are easy to interact with on the large, bright watch face and it uses the latest iteration of Wear OS which is fluid and intuitive to navigate. It allows for deep customization, too, including several different watch faces that can display certain relevant information. I found this to be one of its best features as I could tailor what data or fitness stats it always showed on the home screen.
Health-focused users will also appreciate its variety of wellness features, including in-depth sleep tracking, as well as a unique body composition scanner that can inform you of your body fat percentage, water weight, and BMI. This isn't as accurate as a reading you may get at the doctor but it's still a handy tool.
For the fitness crowd, the Watch 5 Pro is stellar. Not only is there a wide range of trackable workouts, like cycling, running, and weight lifting, but there are plenty of niche activities including skiing and hiking. There's also a handy track-back option that functions like a breadcrumb feature to track your exact hiking routes. However, this only works for hiking and cycling but hopefully, future updates make it available for things like trail running, too.
The Watch 5 Pro isn't without its drawbacks, though as the experience is a bit better when using a Samsung phone compared to something like the Google Pixel. It's not a major red flag but is something to keep in mind. Some features, like the ECG function which tracks heart rhythms, are only accessible via an app exclusive to Samsung phones.
Even with those issues, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is the best Android smartwatch you can buy. It's a quality health and fitness tracker and an exceptional smartwatch. For Android users, it doesn't get better than this.
Google's Pixel Watch is one of the most polarizing wearables I've tested. For as good of a smartwatch as it is, it's a frustratingly terrible fitness tracker, which is especially strange considering Google owns Fitbit.
But the main reason it gets the nod here, and why it's one of the best smartwatches for Android, is that it is a truly great smartwatch. Wear OS is intuitive to use, making the interface easy to navigate, plus it's compatible with several apps and extremely easy to interact with calls, texts, emails, and app notifications. As an effective extension of your smartphone, it shines.
However, those looking for a smartwatch that also does well in the fitness department should take heed: it's a very inaccurate watch in terms of GPS tracking and syncing. I had the most trouble when trying to get an accurate reading of my pace while running or cycling.
I found the watch to be off by as much as a minute and a half to two minutes on my normal mile time while running, which created a significant discrepancy. I always end up around the same spot during a 30-minute run, yet the Pixel Watch would tell me I ran far shorter than I typically do. That kind of info is useless to anyone training for a specific race or event.
Aside from those discrepancies, though, the Google Pixel Watch remains an excellent smartwatch. Not every smartwatch wearer needs something accurate down to .01 miles and instead wants a reliable smartwatch capable of displaying notifications and being the stand-in to their smartphone when they need it. That's exactly what you get with the Pixel Watch.
There aren't many things the Garmin Epix Pro can't do. From its endless number of trackable activities and week-long battery to its accurate GPS tracking, no-frills but useful notification system, and a suite of health-tracking features, it's more than just a quality fitness tracker, it's the best fitness tracker. Period.
But since we're talking about smartwatches, it's worth pointing out it excels at that, too. Its call, text, and app notifications are on the basic end of the smartwatch spectrum but they're still easy to interact with and the watch still serves as a reliable extension of your smartphone. It may not have all the bells and whistles of something like the Series 9 or Watch 5 Pro but it gets the job done.
Plus, the amount of extras that come with it makes it an especially great pick for fitness-focused folks or anyone who enjoys spending time outside. It offers in-depth activity tracking for things like running, cycling, weight training, and snowboarding, and does more than just track heart rate and time. It can log actual workout reps and track actual ground you cover via GPS, while also providing a detailed map of your route.
It's also a comprehensive health tracker with in-depth sleep and stress monitoring and a handy recovery tool that adjusts how much rest it recommends you need based on your daily activity.
I found the recovery feature quite useful, especially when I wanted to push myself but decided to take it easy based on the watch's recommendation, knowing I wouldn't be at my best. This input ultimately changed the way I worked out each week and I started to feel far better on a week-to-week basis in terms of soreness and what my overall recovery timeline was like.
This only scratches the surface of what the Epix Pro can do, too, as the watch literally learns your day-to-day behavior and adapts to suit you best. This includes the workout recommendations but it also helps manage stress levels, when to go to bed and wake up, and how often you should have a rigorous workout.
The fact it does all this while also being a reliable smartwatch makes it one of the premier wearables you can buy.
Best premium Apple Watch: Apple Watch Ultra 2
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the best option for outdoor enthusiasts and those who want longer battery life.
Rick Stella/Business Insider
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers a near-similar smartwatch experience to the Series 9 but at a much steeper price tag. While it may not be the preferred choice for casual users, it's worth the extra investment for advanced athletes or those who spend time outdoors.
This is mainly due to the features and internal hardware tailored to tracking activities like cycling, diving, and climbing. These features include a brighter screen that can be more easily seen in high-lighting conditions, tracking compatibility for freediving, scuba diving, and wakeboarding, and improved altitude readings.
The Ultra 2 also features a bulkier, more durable design than the Series 9, as well as a battery that lasts upwards of two full days, instead of needing to be recharged daily. The increased battery life is a huge improvement compared to the Series 9 (and other smartwatches in this guide) since less time on the charger means more time using it for how it's intended.
However, my favorite feature of the Ultra 2 is its Action Button, which can be programmed to open several different apps including the fitness-tracking app, the stopwatch, or the shortcuts app. The Action Button is especially helpful for activities because instead of starting after a short three-second countdown, like on the Series 9, it allows you to press the button once you're situated and ready to go. This also helps wait for the GPS to sync, too.
Other notable features include the new Double Tap Gesture, which also debuted on the Series 9, and faster on-device Siri access. It also has the new S9 processor chip, as well as the updated ultra-wideband chip that improves its location accuracy.
Although the Ultra 2 offers many features geared toward the advanced athlete, it's still a quality wearable for the casual user. It has the same health and fitness tracking tools as the Series 9 while offering similar smartwatch functionality.
The Fitbit Sense 2 is a great all-around activity tracker, and although it does lack some standard smartwatch features, it’s still an impressive wearable.
Rick Stella/Insider
For a smartwatch that excels as a reliable sleep tracker, Fitbit's Sense 2 is at the front of the pack. It not only tracks your sleep each night and provides in-depth data but it also offers unique recommendations on how to improve your rest via several metrics. There are plenty of wearables that try to offer this level of insight but the Sense 2 does it best.
What sets the Sense 2 apart is how comprehensive the data it provides is. For example, after a night of sleep, the Fitbit app displays metrics showing how well I rested. These include time spent in REM, deep, and light sleep, as well as other factors like time spent awake, how restless I might have been, and what my heart rate was.
The Fitbit app can then recommend ways to improve my sleep to better my nightly score. This may include certain workouts, when to work out, or how to keep a consistent sleep schedule. Once I got the hang of using the recommendations, they made a noticeable difference.
It's worth noting that one major hurdle to having all the sleep data available is to have Fitbit Premium, the subscription part of the Fitbit app. Memberships run for $10 per month or $80 per year, and are worth the investment, especially for those intent on using the extra data.
Fitbit Premium also provides a unique Daily Readiness Score that analyzes your prior day's activity and rest and creates a numbered score to represent how hard to push yourself. There are in-depth health insights, like heart rate variability, available to subscribers, as well.
Aside from its capability as a sleep tracker, the Sense 2 is also an excellent fitness tracker. It offers tracking for a variety of activities like running, cycling, and strength training and also uses a skin temperature sensor, has heart rhythm (ECG) readings, and debuted Fitbit's real-time stress tracker. The stress tracker is especially useful for the feedback it provides on how to lower stress throughout the day.
And while the Fitbit Sense 2 is one of the best smartwatches, its actual smartwatch experience leaves a little to be desired. Yes, it gets notifications like calls, texts, and app updates, but the fact Fitbit removed third-party app support and Google Assistant access is disappointing. There's also no way to store or play music via the watch.
But I wouldn't view these as reasons to not buy a Sense 2, especially if you're looking for a smartwatch with premium sleep tracking. It's one of the best Fitbits you can buy and while it is a so-so smartwatch, it gets the job done when needed while offering a suite of advanced health and wellness features.
Samsung's Galaxy Watch line of smartwatches has stood as the best Android smartwatch you can buy for years. With the recent release of the Watch 6 Classic, it looks to stay that way for at least another generation.
One of the best additions Samsung introduced on the Watch 6 Classic was to bring back the rotating bezel last seen in the Watch 4. With the rotating bezel, navigating the watch's interface and menus is fluid and easy, especially during workouts or when wearing gloves. This isn't to say the touchscreen is hard to navigate but sometimes I'd find it took a little longer to respond to a screen swipe than it would if I just simply spun the dial.
The watch's improved battery life is also a welcome update. Outside of the Watch 5 Pro, most Galaxy Watches would need to find their way to a charger at least once a day to recharge. This wasn't ever a deal breaker as even our top pick, the Apple Watch Series 8, requires the same daily charging.
However, having a watch with a battery that lasts more than one day ensures you can squeeze all the functionality out of it. You can use it as a smartwatch and fitness tracker during the day while also using it as a sleep tracker at night. The Watch 6 Classic's longer battery allowed me to do exactly that during my time with it.
Of course, not all Watch 6 users will make use of every bell and whistle but even casual wearers will find plenty to utilize. Outside of the available activities and sleep tracking, there's also a stress tracker, a heart rhythm reader (ECG), a body composition analyzer, a temperature sensor, and a cycle tracker.
The highlight of these is the body composition analyzer, which I used to chart my body fat percentage and muscle mass, as well as the stress tracker, which tracked my specific stress levels at different times throughout the day and suggested methods for trying to lower it.
I also just really enjoyed wearing the Watch 6 Classic. It has a comfortable, lightweight design that felt equally as good to wear while working out and sleeping as it did while sitting at my desk.
The watch looks good on the wrist, too, featuring a classic round watch face design that looks and feels premium. I could see it being slightly too big for folks with smaller wrists, though it was the perfect size on my arm (and I like larger watch faces). But do keep this in mind if you don't like big watch faces.
My lone nitpick with the Watch 6 Classic is that it's not all that different from the previous generation of Watch 5. It does use the latest Wear OS, though that can also be downloaded on the Watch 5. What this means, though, is that upgrading to the Watch 6 Classic is best done by those wearing the Watch 4 or older — and Watch 5 users can take a beat and wait for the release of next year's Watch 7.
It's important to know how you intend to use a smartwatch before you start shopping for one. Maybe you want a wearable with a smaller watch face or prefer a certain strap material. You may even want one that offers robust health and fitness tracking capabilities.
Here's what to consider before purchasing:
Use case: While all smartwatches offer similar functionality of telling time and displaying various call, text, email, and app notifications, some are better suited to certain uses than others. For example, the Fitbit Sense 2 excels as a sleep tracker in addition to being a reliable smartwatch. If you don't need sleep tracking, the Sense 2 may not be a good fit.
Sizing: Smartwatches come in a variety of sizing options, both in terms of the actual watch face and the watch strap it comes with. While some folks may benefit from a larger watch face and prefer the amount of data they can see on it, others may find big watches to be too cumbersome and may prefer something smaller and sleeker. This is especially true for those with smaller wrists.
Compatibility: While iPhone users shouldn't buy an Android smartwatch, and vice versa, there are other compatibilities to keep in mind when shopping. For instance, some wearables, like Samsung's Watch 5 Pro and Watch 6 Classic, function better on a Samsung-branded phone than they do on a different Android device like the Google Pixel. Some features aren't available while the overall experience is slightly different.
Battery life: Battery life is one of the most important considerations when shopping for a smartwatch and directly impacts how you use it. For instance, the Apple Watch Series 9, our pick as the best smartwatch overall, requires daily charging. This is fine for folks who can put in on the charger each night but may not suffice for those who travel frequently, or who may not have access to a portable charger.
How we test smartwatches
Each of the smartwatches included in this guide went through a variety of tests to determine how well they performed across these four categories: Features, fit & comfort, ease of use, and value.
Here's how each category specifically factored into the decision process:
Features: This is one of the most important considerations for any smartwatch, and is what separates something like the Apple Watch Series 8 from something that didn't make our guide, like the Fitbit Versa 4. A wearable with features like third-party app support, the ability to play or store music, and others like sleep tracking or an always-on display truly fits the bill of being a quality smartwatch.
Fit & comfort: If a smartwatch is uncomfortable to wear, then you'll be far less likely to want to wear it very often. And since a smartwatch is supposed to be a suitable extension of your phone, track your daily activity, and monitor your sleep, you need to wear it a lot. We took into consideration how the watch band feels, how lightweight it is while wearing at night, and whether it stays comfortable while commuting, working out, etc.
Ease of use: Learning curve is another important factor since knowing how to get the most out of your smartwatch without fumbling through menus is a vital part of the experience. There will be a learning period with any new smartwatch but the ones that are intuitive and easy to navigate from the jump are the ones that stick out. The Apple Watch Series 9 is one of the easiest watches to navigate, hence the reason why it's our top overall pick.
Value: Value can often be subjective and is influenced entirely by how a user utilizes a certain smartwatch. For instance, not everyone needs the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Athletes or those who spend a lot of time outside who also need a powerful smartwatch will get a lot of value out of it while someone who is just casually active may not need all the bells and whistles. But value is still an important aspect we considered because smartwatches aren't cheap and you want to ensure that your investment is a wise one.
FAQs
What's the best smartwatch?
This largely hinges on two things: how you intend to use the smartwatch and, perhaps most importantly, what smartphone you have. For instance, the best Apple Watches only work on iOS devices while the best Android smartwatches only work on Android devices.
So, while we think the Apple Watch Series 9 is the best overall smartwatch, regardless of smartphone operating system, it's still only usable by one group of users: those with an iOS device.
It's smart to also consider how you intend to use the smartwatch. If you want something that accurately tracks activities and has several health-tracking tools, a pure smartwatch likely isn't going to be the "best" for you. Similarly, if you want the best pure smartwatch experience, a dedicated fitness tracker won't be the best fit.
Do all smartwatches work on any smartphone?
No. Some smartwatches work exclusively on a certain operating system. For instance, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 only work on iOS devices while wearables such as the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro and Google Pixel Watch only work on Android devices.
However, there are plenty of wearables that work on both iOS and Android, including the Garmin Epix, the Fitbit Sense 2, and the Fitbit Versa 3. Always cross-reference which operating system a certain smartwatch requires with the operating system of your smartphone before purchasing.
Can you use an Apple Watch with an Android smartphone?
No, the Apple Watch is only compatible with devices running iOS. While you can still wear an Apple Watch if you own an Android phone, you won't be able to get anywhere near the full functionality out of it like accessing any tracked data or downloading apps.
Unlike smartwatches from Garmin and Fitbit, which work with iOS and Android devices, the Apple Watch only works with iOS devices.
Can you use an Android smartwatch with an iPhone?
No, Android smartwatches, such as the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic and Watch 5 Pro, as well as the Google Pixel, are only compatible with devices running the Android operating system. Folks with iOS devices should avoid purchasing these watches if they want to ensure the full functionality of their smartwatch.
If you do want a device-agnostic smartwatch, opt instead for something like the Garmin Epix or Fitbit Sense 2.
I get plenty of great products at Sephora for under $25.
Morewa Osawaru
As a makeup artist, I often shop at Sephora for great beauty products under $25.
The Hourglass Vanish airbrush concealer covers imperfections and makes my face look flawless.
The Benefit Cosmetics Fan Fest fanning-and-volumizing mascara coats my lashes from root to tip.
Sephora offers so many great, high-quality beauty finds that it can be overwhelming to figure out which items are worth purchasing.
This is especially true as more beauty enthusiasts buy their products online, leaving them unable to try out an item in person. That's why good recommendations are essential when purchasing makeup.
As a makeup artist, I've tried what feels like an endless number of makeup and skincare items. Here are nine products at Sephora that cost less than $25 and deliver impressive results.
I love the Benefit Cosmetics Fan Fest fanning-and-volumizing mascara.
The Benefit Cosmetics Fan Fest fanning-and-volumizing mascara makes my eyelashes look amazing.
Morewa Osawaru
The Benefit Cosmetics Fan Fest mascara separates lashes and makes them look voluminous. I also love how its unique curved wand coats each lash from root to tip.
The formula is smudge-proof, so it's great for achieving bold, beautiful lashes that'll stay in place for several hours. The mini Benefit Cosmetics Fan Fest mascara is $16.
I refresh my makeup daily with the Caudalie Beauty Elixir Prep, Set, Glow face mist.
The Caudalie Beauty Elixir Prep, Set, Glow face mist gives my skin a hydrating boost.
Morewa Osawaru
The Caudalie Beauty Elixir face mist feels super refreshing on my skin. It's made with peppermint and rosemary essential oils to tone and hydrate the skin and is perfect for a quick, refreshing spritz on hectic days.
A mini-sized bottle of the Caudalie Beauty Elixir costs $20.
The Glossier Cloud Paint gel-cream blushes leave a gorgeous color and finish on the cheeks.
I opt for the Glossier Cloud Paint gel-cream blush in the shade Haze.
Morewa Osawaru
This gel-cream blush provides a natural flush of color that effortlessly blends into my skin. The Cloud Paint blush is easy to apply and blend — just squeeze a bit on your fingers or a brush and tap onto the cheeks.
I use the shade Haze, a deep fuchsia, to add a fresh, pink glow to my skin. The Cloud Paint blushes are $22.
I swear by the Hourglass Vanish airbrush concealer for brightening the under-eyes.
The Hourglass Vanish airbrush concealer brightens the under-eyes and covers imperfections.
Morewa Osawaru
The Hourglass Vanish concealer offers impeccable coverage with a lightweight formula. It's ideal for concealing imperfections, brightening the under-eye area, and creating a flawless-looking complexion.
The mini-sized concealer is $18.
The Sephora Collection Colorful lip-gloss balm has the perfect sheer wash of color and a nourishing formula.
The Sephora Collection Colorful lip-gloss balm is made with mango and grape-seed oils.
Morewa Osawaru
The Sephora Collection lip-gloss balm is one of the most reached-for products in my kit. It has the luster of a gloss and the nourishing properties of a lip balm.
The formula leaves the perfect sheer wash of color and is infused with hydrating ingredients like mango and grape-seed oils to nourish the lips. The Sephora Collection Colorful lip-gloss balm is $11.
The Rare Beauty Kind Words lip liner has a creamy formula that glides on easily.
The Rare Beauty Kind Words lip liner is super easy to use.
Morewa Osawaru
I love a good brown lip liner, and this one by Rare Beauty is creamy and long-lasting. It's available in various flattering shades, perfect for creating different lip looks alongside a lipstick or gloss.
The Rare Beauty lip liner is $15.
I keep the Sephora Collection Microsmooth powder foundation in my handbag.
The Sephora Collection Microsmooth powder foundation is great for makeup touch-ups throughout the day.
Morewa Osawaru
The Microsmooth powder foundation is my favorite Sephora Collection product because it has buildable coverage and a natural, matte-looking finish.
I keep it in my handbag to set makeup and control shine throughout the day. The Sephora Collection Microsmooth powder foundation is $20.
The Glossier Stretch concealer is a staple on my minimal-makeup days.
I use the Glossier Stretch concealer for dewy, buildable coverage to hide blemishes.
Morewa Osawaru
I reach for this Glossier product when I want to cover up only a few blemishes on my face on minimal-makeup days.
This concealer covers imperfections while leaving a natural-looking finish. The Glossier Stretch concealer costs $22.
The Sephora Collection About That Shine lacquer shine lipstick adds a touch of glamour to my makeup routine.
The Sephora Collection About That Shine lacquer shine lipstick has a beautiful, nearly reflective finish.
Morewa Osawaru
I love this lipstick because it has a great, pigmented color and a hydrating feel that lasts up to 12 hours. The lipsticks come in various pink, red, and purple shades that add high-shine glamour to any look.
The Sephora Collection About That Shine lacquer shine lipstick is $16.