Top 10 Powerful ETFs to Watch in 2025

In 2025, exchange traded funds (ETFs) continue to be among the most popular instruments for both new and seasoned investors. Identifying the top ETFs can help you ride new market trends, diversify smartly, and capture upside with lower risk. Below are 10 powerful ETFs to monitor this year—spanning equities, commodities, sectors, and global themes.

What Makes an ETF “Top”?

Not all ETFs are created equal. The top ETFs typically share traits such as strong liquidity, low expense ratios, meaningful assets under management (AUM), solid historical performance, and relevant exposure (e.g. trending sectors or global diversification). Also, they should align with your own risk tolerance and investment goals.

Top 10 ETFs to Watch in 2025

Below is a list of 10 noteworthy ETFs gaining momentum in 2025 (in no strict ranking order). Some are established, others are thematic or niche, but each has strong reasons for being on your radar.

1. Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS)

VXUS offers broad exposure to international developed- and emerging-market equities outside the U.S. With a low expense ratio (≈ 0.08 %) and global reach, it’s often cited in lists of the best ETFs.

2. Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD)

SCHD focuses on high-quality U.S. companies that pay consistent dividends. Its low cost and strong fundamentals make it a favorite in dividend‑oriented portfolios.

3. Invesco S&P 500 GARP ETF (SPGP)

SPGP (Growth At a Reasonable Price) aims to strike a balance between growth and valuation discipline. It’s one of the ESG / factor-tilted ETFs highlighted in “best of” lists.

4. Vanguard Mid Cap Growth ETF (VOT)

VOT targets U.S. mid-cap growth stocks—those are often viewed as having room to scale. Its moderate volatility and growth tilt make it interesting for growth-seeking investors.

5. iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF (RING)

RING tracks major gold mining companies around the world. In times of economic uncertainty, gold and miners often outperform. This ETF has seen strong inflows in 2025.

6. Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF (EUAD)

EUAD offers targeted exposure to the growing European defense sector. With global defense spending at record highs, this ETF is among the best-performing sector funds this year.

7. Global X Silver Miners ETF (SIL)

SIL gives investors access to silver mining companies—often benefiting during commodity surges. As silver demand rises in tech and renewables, this ETF has surged in 2025.

8. Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV)

This ETF focuses on small U.S. companies with strong value metrics. AVUV is designed for long-term investors who want exposure to potentially undervalued, overlooked stocks.

9. Invesco China Technology ETF (CQQQ)

CQQQ offers targeted exposure to China's growing tech and AI sectors. While volatile, it has outperformed broader Chinese indexes in 2025 thanks to tech-driven policy incentives.

10. Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT)

VCIT balances risk and return by holding investment-grade corporate bonds. It’s a great core holding in any ETF portfolio and provides income stability amidst equity swings.

How to Pick from the Top 10 ETFs

With a list of powerful ETFs in hand, the question is: which ones are right for you? Here are key criteria to guide your choice:

• Risk & Volatility: Precious-metal and sector ETFs (like gold miners or defense) are often more volatile.
• Expense Ratio: Lower fees compound into higher net returns over time.
• Liquidity & AUM: Ensure the ETF has sufficient trading volume and assets so bid/ask spreads stay tight.
• Correlation & Diversification: Avoid picking many highly correlated ETFs—diversify across asset classes or regions.
• Time Horizon: For shorter time frames, more stable ETFs like bond or dividend funds may make sense; for long-term growth, thematic or commodity ETFs can be attractive.
• Tax Implications: Some ETFs (especially commodity or foreign ones) may have special tax treatment depending on your jurisdiction.

Need help building a smart ETF portfolio? Check out our step-by-step ETF investing guide for practical tips.

You may also want to consider your broader financial goals. Are you building a retirement portfolio? Target-date ETFs or balanced funds may be more suitable. Are you seeking growth? Then small-cap or international ETFs might be ideal. Reviewing your investment time frame, tax bracket, and income needs will help you pick the best ETFs for your situation.

Performance Trends in 2025

So far in 2025, gold-mining and silver-mining ETFs dominate many performance charts, with multiple miners-related funds posting gains of 60–80% or more. In parallel, defense and aerospace ETFs have benefited from increased government spending. Meanwhile, global diversification and dividend-focused ETFs like VXUS and SCHD remain steady picks for balanced portfolios.

Final Thoughts: Use the Top ETFs Wisely

The top 10 ETFs listed above cover a broad range of strategies: global equities, dividend plays, precious metals, defense, small-cap, and fixed income. They illustrate where money and momentum are flowing in 2025. But remember—no single ETF is a magic bullet. The best outcomes come from mixing exposure, rebalancing, and aligning with your goals over time.

For example, an investor with a 20-year horizon might pair SCHD (dividends) with AVUV (small-cap value) and VXUS (international exposure) to build a solid long-term core. Meanwhile, someone nearing retirement might lean on VCIT (bonds) and SCHD for income. Tactical investors could add CQQQ or SIL during bull runs. Flexibility and planning are what make ETF investing truly powerful.

Still exploring? Major finance outlets like Forbes, Investopedia, and Morningstar offer free ETF screeners, model portfolios, and tools to help refine your picks.