10 Best Smartwatches for Seniors

A smartwatch for seniors offers more than just telling time. These devices can monitor heart health, detect falls, track medications, and provide quick access to emergency contacts. For older adults managing health conditions or living independently, the right smartwatch brings peace of mind to both users and their families.

Whether you're looking for simple health tracking, fall detection, or an easy way to stay connected with loved ones, today's senior-friendly smartwatches combine helpful features with intuitive designs. We've evaluated the best options available to help you find a watch that fits your lifestyle and needs.

Key takeaways

• Smartwatches with fall detection and emergency SOS features provide critical safety monitoring for seniors living independently.

• The best smartwatch for elderly users balances simple navigation with essential health monitoring like heart rate tracking and medication reminders.

• Senior-friendly smartwatch options range from around $40 budget models to $400+ premium devices, with features varying based on price and compatibility with your smartphone.

Top 10 smartwatches for seniors in 2025

After testing user interfaces, evaluating health monitoring accuracy, and reviewing customer feedback, we've identified the top smartwatch options that excel in usability, safety features, and value for older adults.

Best overall: Apple Watch SE

The Apple Watch SE delivers excellent value with essential health and safety features in an easy-to-navigate package. It offers the core Apple Watch experience at a more affordable price point than flagship models.

Features:

• Fall detection with automatic emergency calling

• Heart rate monitoring with irregular rhythm notifications

• Large, bright display with customizable text sizes

• Easy-to-use smartwatch for seniors, with voice control via Siri

• Water-resistant up to 50 meters

• Emergency SOS with location sharing

• Activity tracking and fitness features

• Integration with iPhone for calls and messages

Pricing: $249-$279 depending on band selection and retailer.

Best for: Seniors who use iPhones and want reliable health monitoring with straightforward navigation at a reasonable price.

Best budget option: Letsfit Smart Watch

The Letsfit Smart Watch provides essential health tracking and notifications at an entry-level price, making it accessible for seniors on limited budgets.

Features:

• Heart rate and blood oxygen monitoring

• Sleep tracking

• Step counter and activity tracking

• Call and text notifications

• 10-30 day battery life (standby use)

• IP68 water resistance

Pricing: $40-$60.

Best for: Budget-conscious seniors who want basic health monitoring and notifications without advanced features.

Best for health monitoring: Apple Watch Series 10

The Apple Watch Series 10 offers the most comprehensive health monitoring available, with FDA-cleared medical features and advanced sensors. It’s also a great smartwatch with fall detection. This is one of the best health monitoring watchers elderly users can benefit from, especially if they’re already familiar with iOS devices. 

Features:

• ECG app for heart rhythm analysis

• Blood oxygen monitoring

• Highly-rated fall and crash detection

• Sleep apnea detection notifications

• Temperature sensing

• Fast charging (80% in 30 minutes)

• Advanced fitness tracking

Pricing: $340-$429 starting prices 

Best for: Health-conscious seniors who want the most advanced medical monitoring features.

Best for simplicity: Amazfit Bip 5

The Amazfit Bip 5 combines a large display smartwatch for seniors with a straightforward interface, making it ideal for seniors who prioritize ease of use.

Features:

• Extra-large 1.91-inch display

• Simple, intuitive menu system

• 10-day battery life

• Heart rate and SpO2 monitoring

• 120+ sports modes (though most seniors will use basic tracking)

• Sleep tracking

• Stress monitoring

• Compatible with iPhone and Android

Pricing: $59-$90.

Best for: Seniors who want a large, easy-to-read screen with basic health tracking and minimal complexity.

Best for fall detection: Apple Watch Ultra 3

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 features advanced fall detection technology with superior accuracy and rugged durability.

Features:

• Enhanced fall detection with improved algorithms

• Brightest Apple Watch display for outdoor visibility

• Extended battery life (42 hours normal use, 72 hours low-power mode)

• Crash detection

• Siren for emergency situations (86 decibels)

• Precision dual-frequency GPS

• Water resistance to 100 meters

• Customizable Action button for quick emergency access

Pricing: $799-$899.

Best for: Active seniors who spend time outdoors, or those prioritizing the most reliable fall detection available.

Best battery life for active seniors: Garmin Venu 3

The Garmin Venu 3 excels with up to 14 days of battery life, eliminating the need for frequent charging. 

While some other watches may have longer battery life all else being equal, the Garmin Venu 3 combines strong battery life with features that active seniors may care about, which made it our top choice for this category. 

Features:

• Up to 14 days battery life in smartwatch mode, and five days when display is always on

• Bright AMOLED display

• Advanced sleep tracking with personalized insights

• Heart rate, stress, and blood oxygen monitoring

• Wheelchair mode for adaptive tracking

• Nap detection and sleep coaching

• Voice calling capabilities (when paired with smartphone)

Pricing: $449

Best for: Seniors who forget to charge devices regularly or prefer minimal maintenance.

Best for iPhone users: Apple Watch Series 9

The Apple Watch Series 9 offers the best integration with iPhones, with exclusive features and seamless connectivity.

Features:

• Double tap gesture for one-handed control

• Precise location finding for iPhone

• Fast on-device Siri processing

• Bright always-on display

• Fall detection and crash detection

• ECG and blood oxygen apps

• 18-hour battery life

• Extensive health and fitness tracking

Pricing: $200-$420. 

Best for: Seniors already invested in the Apple ecosystem who want a good iPhone integration, but who want a slightly older watch model to save some money. 

Best for Android users: Samsung Galaxy Watch 7

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 provides the most comprehensive Android experience with extensive health features.

Features:

• Advanced BioActive sensor for health metrics

• Sleep tracking with personalized insights

• Fall detection with emergency SOS

• Large, vibrant AMOLED display

• Rotate bezel for easy navigation

• Energy score for daily readiness assessment

• Water resistance (10 ATM)

Pricing: $189-$209. 

Best for: Android smartphone users, particularly those with Samsung Galaxy phones.

Best hybrid smartwatch: Withings ScanWatch 2

The Withings ScanWatch 2 combines traditional watch styling with advanced health sensors, appealing to seniors who prefer classic aesthetics.

Features:

• Analog watch face with digital health display

• Promotes medical-grade ECG

• Blood oxygen monitoring during sleep

• Temperature tracking

• 35-day battery life

• Automatic activity and workout detection

• Sleep tracking with advanced metrics

• Water-resistant (5 ATM)

Pricing: $410-$460

Best for: Seniors who want health monitoring features but prefer the look of a traditional watch.

Best for active seniors: Garmin Vivoactive 5

The Garmin Vivoactive 5 balances fitness tracking with health monitoring, perfect for seniors maintaining active lifestyles.

Features:

• 11-day battery life in smartwatch mode

• Wheelchair mode for adapted activities

• Personalized workout suggestions

• Body Battery energy monitoring

• Sleep tracking with coaching

• Heart rate and stress monitoring

• Built-in sports apps for various activities

• Bright AMOLED display

Pricing: $269

Best for: Active seniors who regularly exercise, walk, or participate in recreational activities.

How to choose the right smartwatch for your needs

Selecting the best smartwatch for elderly users requires evaluating your specific health concerns, technical comfort level, and lifestyle requirements.

Assess your health monitoring needs

Consider which health metrics matter most for your situation. For example, those managing heart conditions benefit from ECG capabilities and irregular rhythm notifications. Meanwhile, seniors concerned about falls should prioritize accurate fall detection with automatic emergency calling. 

Basic models track heart rate and activity, while advanced watches monitor blood oxygen, sleep quality, and even detect potential sleep apnea.

Evaluate ease of use

Your comfort level with technology should guide your choice:

• Large displays with adjustable text sizes help those with vision challenges. 

• Voice controls through Siri or Google Assistant reduce the need for small button pressing. 

• Simple interfaces with fewer menu options prevent confusion, while customizable watch faces let you display the information you check most often.

Consider smartphone compatibility

Smartwatches work best when paired with compatible smartphones:

• Apple Watches require iPhones and won't work with Android devices. 

• Samsung Galaxy Watches offer more features with Samsung phones but still function with other Android devices. 

• Some smartwatches like Amazfit and Letsfit work with both iPhone and Android, providing more flexibility.

Think about battery life preferences

Battery life varies dramatically between models. Basic fitness trackers last seven to 30 days between charges, while advanced smartwatches with bright displays need daily or every-other-day charging. 

Consider your willingness to charge frequently versus the features you want. Longer battery life often means fewer advanced features or dimmer displays.

Factor in your lifestyle and activities

Your daily routine influences which watch works best. For example:

• Apartment dwellers need different features than seniors who walk outdoors daily. 

• Those who swim regularly require better water resistance ratings. 

• Seniors living alone should prioritize emergency features like fall detection and SOS calling.

• Those in assisted living might focus more on health monitoring and communication features.

Bottom line

The right smartwatch can enhance safety, improve health monitoring, and provide peace of mind for both seniors and their families. Apple Watch SE offers the best overall combination of features and value for most users, while budget-friendly options like Letsfit provide essential tracking at accessible prices.

Prioritize the features that match your specific health concerns and lifestyle needs. Test the interface before purchasing when possible, and don't hesitate to ask family members or store staff for setup assistance. A smartwatch you'll actually wear and use daily provides far more value than a feature-packed device that sits in a drawer.

Consider your long-term needs when making your selection. The best investment balances current requirements with features you might need as your health or living situation changes.

Frequently asked questions 

What is the easiest smartwatch for seniors to use?

The Amazfit Bip 5 offers the easiest experience with its extra-large 1.91-inch display and simple menu system. However, the Apple Watch SE provides excellent ease of use for iPhone owners through voice control with Siri and intuitive navigation. 

The best choice depends on your smartphone and personal preferences.

Do smartwatches really detect falls accurately?

Modern smartwatches from Apple, Samsung, and Garmin detect falls with reasonable accuracy, though no system is perfect. 

Apple Watch models have been particularly praised for fall detection accuracy, with multiple documented cases of the watch correctly identifying falls and calling emergency services.

However, these systems can occasionally trigger false alarms during vigorous activities or miss actual falls. They work best as part of a comprehensive safety plan rather than a sole safety solution.

Are smartwatches covered by Medicare or insurance?

Medicare generally does not cover smartwatches, as they're considered consumer electronics rather than durable medical equipment. Some Medicare Advantage plans may offer smartwatch benefits as an added perk, though coverage varies by plan. 

Check with your specific Medicare Advantage plan or private insurance provider to understand your benefits. Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) may allow smartwatch purchases if prescribed by a doctor for specific medical conditions.

Sources

• Apple Inc. (2024). Apple Watch health features and specifications. Retrieved from https://www.apple.com/apple-watch-series-10/

• Garmin Ltd. (2024). Venu 3 and Vivoactive 5 smartwatch specifications. Retrieved from https://www.garmin.com/en-US/

• Hosseini, M. M., Hosseini, S. T. M., Qayumi, K., Hosseinzadeh, S., & Tabar, S. S. S. (2023, November 3). Smartwatches in healthcare medicine. PMC. Retrieved fromhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10625201/

• National Council on Aging. (2025, July 2). Best medical alert watches. Retrieved from https://www.ncoa.org/product-resources/medical-alert-systems/best-medical-alert-watches/

• Samsung Electronics. (2024). Galaxy Watch 7 health monitoring features. Retrieved from https://www.samsung.com/us/watches/

• Withings. (2024). ScanWatch 2 medical-grade health monitoring. Retrieved from https://www.withings.com/us/en/scanwatch-2

• Amazfit. (2024). Bip 5 smartwatch specifications and features. Retrieved from https://www.amazfit.com/