When it comes to pistols, theres no point worrying about power.
I've shot a HW40 and it was a nice pistol to shoot, I have a HW45 and I always enjoy shooting that as well.
The S&Ws are very well regarded but I don't like them. This is more for cosmetic reasons than the quality of the pistol but from the criteria you mention, which does not include mutli shot, I would imagine that the HW40 would be the better pistol on all counts.