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After a rocky start, the Apple Watch has become the default smartwatch for millions of people. By focusing on two elements: health and fitness tracking and notification management on your phone, Apple Watch has carved out a niche for itself.
There are great alternatives if you don’t have an iPhone, but integrating the Apple Watch into the Apple ecosystem gives you an edge over your competition. You can send and receive iMessages, make or receive calls, and even stream music directly to your AirPods using the watch.
Those technical features are complemented by health-tracking hardware that continues to get more sophisticated. You can track your heart rate and sleep automatically, and get notified if Apple Watch detects anything wrong. Newer models allow you to take an EKG or check your blood oxygen level without having a separate piece of hardware. Apple has made sure to say that the Apple Watch is not a medical device, but a “wellness” tool that can track some data that can show your doctor if something seems wrong.
If you are interested in getting a smartwatch and owning an iPhone, the Apple Watch is the best option. There are many models and we’ve broken down your options so you can find the best one for you.
What are the best Apple watches?
There are many factors to consider when choosing the right Apple Watch for you; Below are the most important ones, which we considered as we researched this list.
Screen size: Older Apple Watches are available in 38/42 mm case sizes, while the newer ones are available in 40/44 sizes.
Battery duration: You should expect to get approximately 10 to 18 hours of use from an Apple Watch before it needs to be recharged. You should expect to charge it every day.
Always on screen: Newer Apple watches have an always-on display, so you can look down to see the time without moving your wrist. Older models turn off the screen to save battery life and require you to tilt your wrist up to turn it on.
Wi-Fi vs. Cellular: Each Apple Watch is available in two configurations: Wi-Fi, which relies on your phone’s cellular connection to receive notifications when you’re not at home, and Cellular, which connects directly to your wireless service provider’s satellites. Mobile Apple Watches are more expensive and require you to pay a monthly fee for connectivity.
Health functions: All Apple Watches track basic health metrics: steps taken, calories burned, heart rate, and sleep, but newer models have additional sensors to take EKGs or your blood oxygen level.
Notifications: Each Apple Watch allows you to receive notifications from your phone on your wrist. You can control what notifications are sent to your Apple Watch to avoid being bombarded during the day and draining your battery.
1. BEST OVERALL: Apple Watch Series 6
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I’ve been testing the Apple Watch Series 6 for a few weeks now and it’s the one I recommend to most people. It’s available in two sizes: 40mm and 44mm, and Apple says you get up to 18 hours per charge. In my experience, the Series 6’s battery can last up to 24 hours if you enable its “Do Not Disturb” setting and don’t use its exercise tracking features. This watch has an “Always On” display that is brighter than the one Apple introduced with the Apple Watch Series 5. I have had no trouble checking the display in broad daylight or in well-lit rooms indoors. If you’re coming from an older Apple Watch (especially Series 3 or earlier) or an analog watch, this feature alone makes the Series 6 worth recommending.
On the health side, Apple introduced a blood oxygen sensor, which can measure how effectively oxygen is pumped from your heart and lungs to the rest of your body through your bloodstream. To do this, it illuminates LEDs on the top of the wrist and, at the same time, uses sensors that can measure the oxygen level under the skin. A low reading can be an indication that you have a respiratory illness, but Apple says you should only use the Apple Watch as a wellness device, not as a health tool.
You can check your blood oxygen level whenever you want using an app on the watch, but it will take random automatic readings during the day or night. All medical data on the Apple Watch is stored in the Health app available on iOS (iPhone and iPad), so you can check trends or show them to your doctor during your next visit.
While this new sensor is impressive, it is just the latest improvement Apple has made to its smartwatch. The 6 Series also features the EKG reader and fall detection sensors that Apple introduced a couple of years ago, and the heart rate sensor available since the original model was released. The Apple Watch Series 6 can give you a pretty impressive set of health data, which you can use to take proactive action if something seems wrong.
You probably won’t update your Apple Watch very often, so getting the newest and most powerful available will prepare you for the future for several years to come. The Apple Watch Series 6 is a fast and comprehensive smartwatch, and the one to seriously consider if you are interested in a more comprehensive health tracking.
2. INPUT LEVEL: Apple Watch Series 3
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The Apple Watch Series 3 was originally introduced in 2017 and is a good budget option if you’re unsure if a smartwatch is for you. You can choose between a 38 or 42mm screen, which makes it a good option if you have smaller wrists, and Apple says you can get up to 18 hours of use per charge.
The Series 3 can receive all notifications from your phone and allows you to answer calls or text messages from your wrist. You can also start text conversations or make phone calls with Siri. Health tracking is the only place the Apple Watch Series 3 lags behind the newer models. It cannot record an EKG, read your blood oxygen level, or detect when you have fallen. If you rely on your Apple Watch for wellness tracking, the Series 3 isn’t the best option, though it does cover the basics, including sleep and heart rate tracking.
If you’re curious about smartwatches and want one to reduce the number of times you check your phone each day, the Apple Watch Series 3 is still a great option.
3. BEST FOR KIDS: Apple Watch SE
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The Apple Watch SE was announced alongside the Series 6 and it brought with it many of the great features of that updated model. It is available in 40mm and 44mm sizes and can have up to 18 hours of use per charge. It has the same health and wellness tech features as the 6 Series, except for the blood oxygen sensor and the always-on display. These cuts are noticeable, but the SE holds up remarkably well compared to previous-generation Apple Watches. The fact that it has the same processor means that this watch should keep responding and be fast for several years.
Apple’s big push with the Apple Watch SE is a feature called Family Settings, which allows you to pair multiple watches with a single iPhone. Previously, each watch had to be connected to its own iPhone. Through Family Sharing (only available if you get a cellular edition Apple Watch SE), you can have some control over your child’s Apple Watch.
You’ll be able to monitor their location, choose when they can send and receive text messages or calls, and make their watch accessible through a specific set of contacts. With location tracking, you can be notified when your child has reached a destination, so you can know when he or she got to school or back home. All of these features apply if you use Family Sharing to set up an Apple Watch SE for an older relative.
The idea of Family Sharing is to let the person sit (and act!) Autonomously, while still controlling them if necessary. Naturally, the Apple Watch SE is still a good option if you are interested in getting a smartwatch for yourself. It is an inexpensive version of the Apple Watch Series 6 that retains all but the highest level functions.
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