If you have an iPhone, you won’t find a better smartwatch experience outside of the Apple Watch collection, and we’ve reviewed them all.
While there are a handful of other brand smartwatches from the likes of Withings and Huawei that can be paired with an iPhone, Apple’s tight-knit ecosystem has ensured that you’ll always get the best overall experience from one of its own wearable devices.
Still, from access to key Apple apps on your wrist like iMessage, Maps and Apple News, as well as tons of support from third-party apps, the Apple Watch isn’t just a great option for iPhone users, it’s arguably the best example of how to do a smartwatch right.
This isn’t to say that competition isn’t fierce however, and you can see as much in our round-ups of the best smartwatches, best Wear OS watches and the best running watches. For those who simply want to know which Apple Watch is best for them, have a look at our entries below.
As a final aside, know that we do not recommend picking up a second-hand Apple Watch Series 4, Series 5 or first-generation Apple Watch SE in 2024. The reason behind this is that all three of these devices are excluded from receiving the watchOS 11 update, so unless you’re happy to miss out on crucial software and security patches, you’re far better off with opting for a newer Apple Watch.
Which is the best Apple Watch 2024?
How we test
Find out how we test Apple Watches Every smartwatch we test is used by the reviewer for at least a week, or longer if the battery life lasts beyond that point or we need more time to trial its features.During testing we will check it for key metrics including app support, usability and battery life. If the device offers fitness, location or health tracking features we will also test these for accuracy and reliability. For distance tracking we record how accurately the device recorded runs on tracks we know the length of. We also record how much battery is lost using things like in-built or connected GPS per hour. To check heart rate accuracy we compare the results recorded on the wearable to a dedicated HRM strap.After recording the data we then pair it with our general experience using the wearable day-to-day, letting you know if it’s comfortable to wear or if we encountered unexpected bugs during use over the review period.
Apple Watch Series 9
The best option for most people
Pros
Certain models made from recycled aluminiumFaster SiriAccurate trackingVery bright screen
Cons
Design remains the sameHealth data needs to be shown better
From a glance, it can be difficult to see the obvious upgrades in the Apple Watch Series 9 over its predecessor but if you’re moving up from an older device or even looking to buy your first smartwatch then you can’t go wrong with this smartwatch.
The biggest upgrade is in screen brightness which might not sound too exciting at first but proves to be incredibly helpful during everyday use. Now with a peak brightness of 1000 nits (the same as the original Apple Watch Ultra), it’s now much easier to see information in broad daylight, and the torch is now more potent, making it far more useful when trying to navigate your way to a lightswitch in the dark.
Inspired by one of the Apple Watch’s accessibility modes, the new ‘Double Tap’ feature brings the idea of hands-free interaction to the mainstream. By simply double tapping your thumb and forefinger, it’s now possible to scroll through the Watch 9’s smart stack of widgets, answer/reject calls or even stop a timer, all without having to touch the screen.
This feature is powered by the new S9 chipset which marks the first major performance boost that Apple Watches have seen in quite a while and it also allows for on-device Siri responses that don’t require the internet connection on your phone to operate. It all adds up to a seamless experience in what is easily the best Apple Watch yet.
Reviewer: Max ParkerFull review: Apple Watch Series 9 Review
Apple Watch 8
The best affordable flaghsip
Pros
Excellent tracking featuresPlenty of sensors, including clever use of temperature sensorCharges quicklyAdditional low power modes
Cons
No big battery upgradeMinimal additions over the last model
Even though it’s since been superseded by the newer Apple Watch Series 9, the Series 8 is still a great wearable in 2024 that’s worth considering if you don’t fancy spending the full whack that Apple charges for its latest smartwatches.
If you do opt for the Series 8, the only features you’ll be missing out on are the Series 9’s brighter display, Double Tap for hands-free interactions and of course, the new S9 chipset which does offer up the first significant performance boost that the Apple Watch has seen in years, allowing for some Siri requests to be conducted entirely on-device.
If any of those features are enough to sway you then you’re better off opting for the Series 9 but if not, you’ll get on just fine with everything the Series 8 has to offer and crucially, at a lesser price to boot.
Because the Series 8 only hit store shelves back in 2022, the watch still has plenty of software and security updates ahead of it so you can rest assured that your investment won’t be made redundant only a year or two into ownership.
With the same larger display that was introduced on the Series 7, the Apple Watch Series 8 is perfectly equipped to show off all of the different watch faces that Apple has to offer. For instance, watch faces like Contour and Modular Duo can’t be accessed on smaller displays like the ones featured on the Apple Watch SE 2 and the Apple Watch Series 6.
This was also the watch that introduced key health and safety features like Crash Detection and a temperature sensor. The former, as you can probably guess, alerts the local authorities in the event of a car crash, while the latter can give you more insight into your body temperature which can be crucial in tracking your ovulation cycle.
For these reasons and more, the Apple Watch Series 8 still stands the test of time, and given that it can now be found for quite a bit cheaper than the Series 9, it’s a great option for getting flagship features for less.
Reviewer: Max ParkerFull review: Apple Watch 8 Review
Apple Watch SE 2
The best budget option
Pros
Plenty of the best Apple Watch features in a cheaper packageExcellent softwareWide customisation optionsAccurate tracking
Cons
Slow chargingNo always-on display
Though the SE 2 is hardly cheap, especially compared to some of the dedicated fitness trackers and WearOS watches we recommend, it’s still very good value.
During testing, we found the watch offers equivalent fitness tracking to the Series 8, near identical battery life and access to the same portfolio of apps. The performance also proved to be on par with our tester never noticing any lag or slow down using the device.
There are a few compromises. The SE 2 doesn’t have an always on display option, which means you have to turn the screen on when fully whenever you want to check the time and that its charge speeds are much lower. It took well over an hour for us to get a full charge.
The watch also doesn’t include ECG or blood oxygen readings, so if you want a more holistic look at your bill of health then you might be better served opting for the Apple Watch Series 9 or the Series 8.
Still, we didn’t find these compromises to be a deal-breaker, particularly as the Apple Watch SE 2 still includes tons of useful features for iPhone users.
Reviewer: Max ParkerFull review: Apple Watch SE 2 Review
Apple Watch Ultra 2
The best option for serious athletes
Pros
Top screenExcellent sports trackingThe best Apple Watch
Cons
Fitness tracking feels datedLack of performance analysisMapping rolling out slowly
After giving up plenty of ground to the likes of Garmin and Coros, Apple finally struck gold with the release of the original Apple Watch Ultra. That premium wearable featured the type of sturdy design that is essential for serious athletes, and paired it with the excellent software experience that we’ve come to expect from an Apple Watch. It served as a solid foundation for sure, but the Apple Watch Ultra 2 has somehow managed to raise the bar even higher.
One of the best features of the original Ultra was its screen, which is not only larger than the standard Apple Watch at 1.93-inches, but also impressively bright, making it easier for divers to view when swimming in the darkest depths. The original had a peak brightness of 1000 nits but the Ultra 2 more than doubles that cap with 3000 nits of peak brightness, making it the easiest Apple Watch to view in direct sunlight, which is also handy for marathon runners.
Under the hood there’s a massive change with the introduction of the new S9 chipset. This far more powerful processor allows the Watch to process some Siri demands on-device, so you don’t have to deal with the delay that typically pops up when requests are sent to your iPhone and back again. The expanded chipset also enables Apple’s new ‘Double Tap’ feature.
Doing exactly what it says on the tin, this feature lets you interact with the Ultra 2 simply by double tapping your thumb and index finger together – no screen touch necessary. The input is contextual, so it’ll let you answer a call or disable a timer, depending on what’s happening. Even though a variation of this feature has existed for some time in the accessibility settings, Double Tap is still an ingenious means of controlling the watch, and a welcome addition for when you’re out on a run and you don’t want to smudge the screen with sweat.
Admittedly, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 arguably doesn’t do enough to warrant a full-on upgrade for those who bought its predecessor, but if you’re looking to buy your first Apple Watch Ultra then this is an easy one to recommend.
Reviewer: James StablesFull review: Apple Watch Ultra 2 Review
We also considered…
Apple Watch 8
The best smartwatch around – although this is a minor year for updates
FAQs
Do Apple Watches work with Android Apple Watches are not fully compatible with Android devices. To make the most of them they need to be paired with an iPhone or iPad. Do all Apple Watches have LTE? Only a select number of newer Apple Watches feature LTE connectivity. You should check their spec sheet before purchasing one if you need the added connectivity. Do Apple Watches have NFC? All modern Apple Watches support NFC and Apple Pay, meaning you can use them to make contactless payments in most regions and stores.
Comparison specs
You can see the specs breakdown of our chosen Apple Watches in the table below.
‹
UK RRP
USA RRP
EU RRP
CA RRP
AUD RRP
Manufacturer
Screen Size
IP rating
Waterproof
Size (Dimensions)
Weight
ASIN
Operating System
Release Date
First Reviewed Date
Colours
GPS
Apple Watch Series 9
£399
$399
€449
CA$549
AU$649
Apple
–
IP69
5ATM
–
39 G
B0CHWV5TS6
watchOS 10
2023
27/10/2023
Red, Pink, Midnight, Starlight
Yes
Apple Watch 8
£419
$399
€499
CA$529
AU$629
Apple
41 mm
IPX6
5ATM
38 x 10.7 x 45 MM
32 G
B0BDHQYB3Q
Watch OS 9
2022
–
Midnight, Starlight, Silver, PRODUCT(RED), Gold, Graphite
Yes
Apple Watch SE 2
£259
$249
€292
CA$329
AU$399
Apple
40 mm
Not Disclosed
5ATM
34 x 10.7 x 40 MM
26.4 G
B0BDHYDYFP
Watch OS 9
2022
–
Silver, Midnight, Starlight
Yes
Apple Watch Ultra 2
£799
$799
–
–
–
Apple
49 mm
IPX8
10ATM
44 x 14.4 x 49 MM
59 G
B0CHX2T8K7
watchOS 10
2023
03/10/2023
Silver
Yes
›
