Choosing for the best Apple Watch is a confusing business, not least because Apple sells three different models. The newest Apple Watch 6 and Apple Watch SE were announced in September and are available to buy now, alongside 2017’s Apple Watch 3.
Each model then has two sizes and several different casing materials and finishes with different prices that can make the choice somewhat overwhelming at first. That’s why we’ve broken down the decisions you face here, though in the final list we only rank the Apple Watches that we have fully reviewed.
That’s why currently the Apple Watch 5 is at the top of this list. But the Apple Watch 6 might replace it there soon, with an upgraded S6 chipset and a blood oxygen sensor that can monitor levels of O2 in your blood to spot diseases. Apple is clearly not messing around.
But for those of you who don't want to splash out on a $399 / £379 / AU$599 smartwatch, there's also the Apple Watch SE, a mid-priced alternative that costs just $279 / £269 / AU$429.
That means that you can’t actually buy the Apple Watch 5 or Apple Watch 4 directly from Apple anymore, but the company still oddly sells the Apple Watch 3. That’s mainly so Apple can achieve a sub-£200/$200 starting price which is admittedly attractive.
This guide will talk you through the available Apple Watch options, highlighting the best ones, with a full specs list and overview for each. We’ve also covered the other things you should look out for when buying, such as the different colors, sizes, and straps.
Once you factor all those elements in you’re left with a complicated mix of smartwatches, with over 100 different flavors available. So there are a bunch of difficult decisions to make, but our guide aims to make those decisions that little bit easier.
And if you can’t find what you’re looking for, make sure to check out our best smartwatch list for even more tempting wearables.
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Best Apple Watch: which is for you?
1. Apple Watch 5
The latest and greatest Apple Watch
OS: watchOS 6 | Compatibility: iOS | Display: 1.57" / 1.78" OLED | Processor: Apple S5 | Band sizes: Varies based on watch size | Onboard storage: 32GB | Battery: Up to 18 hours | Charging method: Wireless | IP rating: Water-resistant to 50m | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, LTE
The Apple Watch 5 was unveiled in September 2019, and it's the most high-tech device from the company's wearable line yet. It isn't a huge upgrade over the Apple Watch 4, but this latest version comes with an always-on display for the first time.
That will allow you to see all of your key stats without having to turn on your watch's display. You've got the choice of either a 40mm or 44mm case for this watch, and it comes with a wide variety of fitness features.
If you're looking for the absolute best from Apple, the Series 5 watch is sure to offer it with its ECG monitor, GPS tracking, impressive heart rate monitoring, and lots more.
Read the full Apple Watch 5 review
2. Apple Watch 4
Once the best, but now cheaper
OS: watchOS 6 | Compatibility: iOS | Display: 1.57" / 1.78" OLED | Processor: Apple S4 | Band sizes: Varies based on watch size | Onboard storage: 16GB | Battery: Up to 18 hours | Charging method: Wireless | IP rating: Water-resistant to 50m | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, LTE
Don't need that always-on display we've mentioned above? The Apple Watch 4 doesn't come with that, and it's far cheaper than the Apple Watch 5. So you may prefer to get this version instead and save a bit of money.
It also comes in both 40mm and 44mm variants, plus a lot of the features are similar such as the excellent heart rate tracking and the larger display than you'll find on older Apple Watches.
The most exciting tech here is the fact that there's an ECG feature within the heart rate tracker. It can test your heart to see if you're at a high risk of atrial fibrillation, which will allow you to seek help earlier if your health is in danger. This is found on the Apple Watch 5 too, but not older models.
Read the full Apple Watch 4 review
3. Apple Watch 3
2017's best smartwatch is now cheaper than ever
OS: watchOS 6 | Compatibility: iOS | Display: 1.53" / 1.65" OLED | Processor: Apple S3 | Onboard storage: 8GB / 16GB (Non-LTE and LTE respectively) | Battery duration: Up to 18 hours | Charging method: Wireless | IP rating: Water-resistant to 50m | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, LTE
The Apple Watch 3 (or Apple Watch Series 3, if you're picky) was once the very best smartwatch, but it has since been bumped down by the Apple Watch 4 and 5. That said, it's still a great device, especially as it's now cheaper than ever.
It comes with a smaller display than the Apple Watch 4, and you won't get features like the ECG monitor on the devices above, but it's still a strong wearable for those wanting fitness smarts.
There's also an LTE version of the watch available, for if you're in need of a watch that can receive messages or phone calls even when you're away from your iPhone. If you need a cheaper smartwatch but you want to buy an Apple Watch, this is our top choice.
Read the full Apple Watch 3 review
Are there other Apple Watches?
You'll probably notice that the original Apple Watch, the Series 1 and Series 2 device are all missing from this list. That's because it's hard to buy those devices new anymore, so we've focused on the more easily available devices.
You can still source the original Apple Watch and a variety of older devices from some places, but we'd recommend opting for one of the devices above as they support software for longer and are generally more refined devices.
- Need to buy now? These are the best Apple Watch deals
Apple Watch price comparison
Largely the pricing for the Apple Watch works by how old the product is. If you want the Apple Watch 3, you'll be able to find that for a lot less money than the Apple Watch 5.
Below we've got a live widget that will show you the latest deals for all the versions of the Apple Watch if you want to see the exact price right now. Bear in mind you can also get the Apple Watch 5, 4 or 3 on a contract because of the LTE features, and you can't do that for the other two devices.
What iPhone do you need to use an Apple Watch?
Unlike Google's Wear OS devices, the Apple Watch only works with one type of phone. You'll need to have at least an iPhone 5 running iOS 10 or later to be able to use an Apple Watch or Apple Watch 2.
If you want an Apple Watch 3, you'll need to have at least an iPhone 5S running iOS 11 software for the non-LTE version or an iPhone 6 to be able to use the LTE variant.
But if you're buying an Apple Watch 5, you'll need an iPhone 6S or later, which is the cutoff for watchOS 6, which is what that smartwatch ships with.
- We answer the big question: can the Apple Watch work without an iPhone?
Apple Watch colors and sizes
Every new generation of the Apple Watch brings with it new colors and case finishes – and the Apple Watch 6 and Apple Watch SE see the arrival of a first-time blue coloring for the aluminum case, with a bright red style available too.
Both models are available in 40mm and 44mm sizes – which have been the sizing options since the Apple Watch 4, which replaced the 38mm and 42mm sizes of its predecessor.
Some color options are limited to certain size watches, but our simple advice here is go for the larger version if you want a watch with a bigger screen and you don't mind spending a touch more.
It's difficult to get the difference in size across here, but if you're uncertain on size it's worth trying each on in the shop to be sure. Below we've got three examples showing off the four different sizes, as well as a comparison of the screen sizes.
You've then also got to choose the color of your watch as well as what material you want it to be made of.
The Apple Watch 5 comes in gold, space black or silver if you want it to be made of aluminum, and the same colors come in stainless steel too.
White is also a color option if you choose the ceramic version, but this is quite a bit more expensive.
There's also the Apple Watch Nike+, which is the same device as the Apple Watch 5 but comes with exclusive watch faces, the Nike+ Run Club app pre-loaded and a choice of lots of Nike branded sports bands.
That's not all though. If you like the idea of a handcrafted leather strap, you may like the look of the Apple Watch Hermès. Again, it's the same old Apple Watch, but here you get an exclusive watch face using the Hermès Carrick font as well as high-end leather straps for your wrist.
Apple Watch bands and straps
There are dozens of straps sold by Apple that offer a huge variety of styles for your wrist. When you first buy your Apple Watch you'll have a strap included, but you can buy and easily switch out different straps that you buy separately.
There are material and color options available including woven nylon, Nike sport, leather, bracelets and much more. Any Apple Watch strap works with any Apple Watch, as long as you've got the right smaller or larger size watch.
Plus there are lots of third-party bands available too, but make sure you get the right size as it won't support all watch straps.
- Want to see our favorites? Here's our selection of the best Apple Watch bands
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- 15 great Apple Watch accessories to pair with your smartwatch
Apple Watch apps and watch faces
Since the original Apple Watch, we've seen the company grow its titles that you can use on the watch as well as the amount of watch faces you can switch around to give the screen a different look.
For a full guide to our favorite bits of software on the wearable, check out our best Apple Watch apps guide as well as best Apple Watch games and best Apple Watch faces.
Got your Apple Watch? Learn how to use it
Below are a selection of the how to guides we have at TechRadar to help you understand some of the complicated parts of setting up, customizing and using your new smartwatch.
- How to pair your Apple Watch
- How to turn on your Apple Watch
- How to reset your Apple Watch
- How to change your Apple Watch face
- How to change your Apple Watch band
- How to set up Spotify on your Apple Watch
- Is your Apple Watch waterproof?
- How to take an ECG with the Apple Watch 4 or 5
- Lost your wearable? Here's how to find it your Apple Watch
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