The best smartwatch for women in 2026 depends on your phone, wrist size and the health features you want. For iPhone, the Apple Watch Series 12 (42mm) has the most detailed cycle features, with the Apple Watch SE 3 as the lower-cost option. For Android, the Samsung Galaxy Watch9 (40mm) or Google Pixel Watch 5 (41mm) fit best; for a small wrist or a slim, jewellery-style look, the Garmin Lily 2 (35.4 mm) is the smallest here, and the Garmin Lily 2 Active has the longest battery claim at up to 9 days.
How this page is compiled. Features and prices come from each maker’s own pages, checked in October 2026. Battery figures are the makers’ claims. We have not tested these devices, and nothing here is a measured result. This page is not medical advice.
Smartwatches for women compared
| Device | Price (US) | Smallest case | Weight | Battery (maker claim) | Cycle / temperature features | Phone | Subscription |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Series 12 | From $399 | 42 mm | 32.2 g (42mm aluminium, GPS) | Up to 24 hours; 38 hours Low Power Mode | Cycle Tracking with fertile window and retrospective ovulation estimates; perimenopause and menopause support; wrist temperature in Vitals | iPhone 11 or later, iOS 27 | None stated for Cycle Tracking |
| Apple Watch SE 3 | From $249 | 40 mm | 26.3 g (40mm, GPS) | Up to 18 hours; 32 hours Low Power Mode | Same Cycle Tracking features as Series 12; temperature sensor | iPhone 11 or later, iOS 27 | None stated for Cycle Tracking |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch9 | From $379.99 | 40 mm | Not stated | 390 mAh (no hours stated) | Cycle Tracking; skin temperature in Vitals | Android (some features need Android 13+) | None stated |
| Google Pixel Watch 5 | From $399.99 | 41 mm | 31 g (without band) | Up to 30 hours AOD; 48 hours Battery Saver | Period logging on watch; period and fertile window predictions in Google Health app; skin temperature variation | Android 12 or newer | 3 months of Google Health Premium included |
| Garmin Lily 2 Active | $299.99 | 38 mm | 29 g | Up to 9 days; 9 hours GPS | Menstrual cycle and pregnancy tracking | iPhone, Android | None stated |
| Garmin Lily 2 | $249.99 | 35.4 mm | From 20.6 g (fabric band) | Up to 5 days | Menstrual cycle and pregnancy tracking | iPhone, Android | None stated |
Which is best for…
iPhone users
The Apple Watch Series 12 is the closest match, since Apple Watch works only with iPhone. The SE 3 costs less and, per Apple, has the same Advanced Cycle Tracking feature list. The Garmin Lily 2 models also pair with iPhone.
Android users
The Galaxy Watch9 runs Google Wear OS, and Samsung notes that some Galaxy Watch9 health features need a Samsung Galaxy phone. The Pixel Watch 5 works with most phones on Android 12 or newer.
Small wrists
The Garmin Lily 2 has a 35.4 x 35.4 x 10.1 mm case and, per Garmin, fits wrists of 110-175 mm. The Pixel Watch 5 41mm ships with a small band that Google says fits 130-175 mm wrists.
Cycle and ovulation insights
Apple lists fertile window estimates, retrospective ovulation estimates, and perimenopause and menopause support on both the Series 12 and SE 3. Samsung offers Cycle Tracking and says results depend on wearing the watch during sleep.
Battery life
Garmin claims up to 9 days in smartwatch mode for the Lily 2 Active, the longest figure on this page. Among the other models, the Pixel Watch 5 41mm has the highest normal-use claim at up to 30 hours with the always-on display.
A watch that looks like jewellery
Garmin describes the Lily 2 Active as having a hidden display behind a patterned lens, which appears with a tap or a turn of the wrist. The Lily 2 has fabric and leather band versions.
The picks
Apple Watch Series 12
Comes in 42mm and 46mm, with an Always-On Retina display rated up to 2,000 nits. Apple states that Cycle Tracking should not be used for birth control or to diagnose a health condition.
Check Apple Watch Series 12 prices on Amazon
Apple Watch SE 3
Available in 40mm and 44mm. Apple lists a temperature sensor and the same Cycle Tracking feature list as the Series 12, with shorter battery claims.
Check Apple Watch SE 3 prices on Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Watch9
Sold in 40mm and 44mm. Samsung’s Cycle Tracking disclaimer says the feature is not intended for contraception or for users under 18.
Check Samsung Galaxy Watch9 prices on Amazon
Google Pixel Watch 5
The 41mm model has an AMOLED LTPO display up to 3,000 nits. Google Health help says cycle tracking is not intended for contraception.
Check Google Pixel Watch 5 prices on Amazon
Garmin Lily 2 Active
Garmin calls it its smallest smartwatch with built-in GPS. The display is a 16-level grayscale LCD under Gorilla Glass 3.
Check Garmin Lily 2 Active prices on Amazon
Garmin Lily 2
The smallest and lightest watch here, with a claimed 5 days of battery. Garmin’s women’s health tracking covers menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Check Garmin Lily 2 prices on Amazon
Frequently asked questions
Which smartwatch tracks ovulation?
Apple Watch Series 12 and SE 3 list retrospective ovulation estimates and fertile window estimates. The Google Health app predicts fertile windows and lets you log ovulation test results. Samsung says its Cycle Tracking will not be useful for tracking ovulation if you take hormonal birth control.
Can a smartwatch be used for birth control?
Not on its own. Apple, Samsung and Google each state that their cycle features are not for contraception. Natural Cycles, a separate app, describes itself as the only FDA-cleared birth control app and says it works with Apple Watch Series 8 and later, Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch SE 3, as well as compatible Garmin wearables and the Oura Ring. Oura states that contraception is offered by Natural Cycles under its own regulatory clearances.
Which smartwatch tracks pregnancy?
Garmin lists pregnancy tracking with weekly updates for the Lily 2 and Lily 2 Active. Apple’s Series 12 pages do not list a pregnancy feature.
Do I need a subscription for cycle tracking?
None of the makers here lists a subscription for cycle tracking. Google includes 3 months of Google Health Premium with the Pixel Watch 5.
For all-round picks, see our smartwatch comparison.
Sources
- Apple Watch Series 12 technical specifications
- Apple Watch Series 12 overview
- Apple Watch SE 3 technical specifications
- Apple Store: Buy Apple Watch SE 3
- Samsung Galaxy Watch9
- Google Store: Pixel Watch 5
- Google Store: Pixel Watch 5 tech specs
- Google Health Help: Track your cycle health
- Garmin Lily 2 Active
- Garmin press release: Lily 2 Active
- Garmin Lily 2
- Natural Cycles: Apple Watch
- Natural Cycles Help: Which device is right for me?
- Oura
Checked 24 October 2026.
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