Best 2025 Smartwatches for button controls

#1

Physical side buttons make the watch easier to operate with wet, dirty, or gloved hands. They provide a dependable alternative to touch input.

#2

Button controls were strongly praised, especially for wet hands, sweaty workouts, swimming, and glove use.

#3

Button controls were a standout: the functional rotating crown, haptics, and shortcut controls earned broad praise.

#4

Button and gesture controls were a strength, especially the Action button and touch-free gestures.

#5

Button controls were a clear upgrade over the S42, with reviewers calling the second button easier, more intuitive, and better for navigation.

#6

Button and gesture controls were widely praised, especially Double Tap, Wrist Flick, the Digital Crown, and side-button shortcuts.

#7

Button controls are generally well-liked, with reviewers praising the raised button, simplicity, and tactile workout controls.

#8

Button controls are generally praised, especially the action button and revised crown placement, with only minor control caveats.

#9

Button controls were mostly praised for texture and feel, but dive-rated buttons created mixed feedback from users who preferred older tactile clicks.

#10

Button controls were useful and reliable, preserving full control when touch is unavailable, though one reviewer wanted a more tactile click.

#11

Button controls were praised for premium haptics and easier, quicker operation than earlier Fenix buttons.

#12

Button controls were a strength overall, especially the crown and physical buttons for running, gloves, sweat, and menu movement, though one reviewer wanted more buttons.

#13

Button controls were broadly praised for glove use and tactile feedback, though some reviewers still preferred a crown or different interface logic.

#14

Button controls are mostly praised for predictable wet/glove use, though a few reviewers found the buttons harder to press or slower than touch controls.

#15

The crown and button controls were often praised for tactility and haptics, though a few reviewers wanted better sizing or deeper integration in the interface.

#16

Controls are mostly useful, especially the crown, side button, Double Tap, and wrist flick, but runners disliked the lack of a dedicated lap or Action button.

#17

Button controls were generally useful and customizable, although one reviewer missed a crown-style control for long lists.

#18

Button controls are generally useful, especially in wet, gloved or workout conditions, though one reviewer found the up/down buttons sticky on hikes.

#19

Button controls were useful and tactile, but reviewers who wanted more buttons or a crown found the two-button setup limiting.

#20

Physical controls are useful and generally intuitive, especially the Action button and crown, but accidental dial rotation or button presses can interrupt rough rides. The hardware is capable but not...

#21

Button controls were mostly praised as clicky and usable during activity, though one reviewer had a sticky-button problem.

#22

Button controls are polarized: reviewers like the programmable/quick button, but one long-term reviewer had repeated accidental presses and wanted better workout shortcuts.

#23

Button controls were usable but not ideal for button-first users; reviewers found navigation workable while still preferring more physical controls on higher-end models.

#24

Button controls split opinion: one reviewer found them second nature, while others found the no-touchscreen button workflow slower or fiddly.

#25

Button controls were useful and sometimes responsive, but reviewers disliked the layout, tactile feel, or double-press workout behavior.

#26

Button controls were useful for shortcuts and navigation, but reviewers disliked the digital dial during runs and the limited action-button behavior outside activities.

#27

Button controls were mixed: some reviewers liked the tactile buttons and crown, while others found the crown cheap or the activity controls easy to mis-trigger.

#28

Button controls were mixed: customization was useful, but the base model’s two buttons and lack of a Quick Button or physical bezel frustrated some reviewers.

#29

Button and control feedback was mixed: gestures and crown use often worked well, while manual laps or the thin side button drew complaints.

#30

Button controls were mixed: ending workouts could be quick, but another reviewer wanted more buttons or a crown.

#31

Button controls were one of the most repeated tradeoffs: the two-button layout looks cleaner, but several reviewers missed more physical controls during activity.

#32

The two-button design was the most repeated control complaint, with reviewers missing Garmin’s extra buttons or wanting another shortcut button.