One of the best Apple Watch often is the one already in your wrist.
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Every era of Apple’s smartwatch is pretty iterative, with many of the finest options added through software program updates, which implies there’s no want to purchase a brand new system annually. That stated, in case your watch has seen higher days, or it’s stopped receiving updates, then your finest choices are set out under.
Whereas a number of third-party smartwatches are appropriate with the iPhone, they don’t supply the identical degree of integration that the Apple Watch does with the telephone, iOS and the corporate’s different units and companies. It’s one of the best smartwatch for iPhone customers, however word that you just’ll want an iPhone working iOS 26 – iPhone 11 or later – to make use of one. The Apple Watch can’t be used with Android or as a standalone system.
At a look
Why you must belief me
I’ve been reviewing shopper electronics for 18 years, with greater than a decade spent because the Guardian’s gadget skilled. In that point, I’ve seen all method of tech fads come and go, smartphone giants rise and fall, the cutting-edge morph into the mainstream, and have poked, prodded and evaluated greater than 1,000 units – generally to destruction.
How I examined
We conduct real-world testing of smartwatches and their numerous options to make sure they meet expectations and evaluate to their rivals.
We modify the straps, poke, prod and twiddle each button, dial and setting. We put on the smartwatches day and night time, seeing how they really feel on the wrist, how properly they match underneath and with garments, whether or not they catch on objects in each day life, and the way properly they keep put throughout vigorous train.
We take a look at their well being metrics, monitor numerous actions, and evaluate them for accuracy. We do all the pieces a typical smartwatch consumer would, selecting up notifications, putting in apps, sending messages, making calls, exercising, listening to music, monitoring our well being and monitoring our sleep. We see how lengthy the battery lasts typically use and whereas exercising, whether or not it’s constant and dependable, plus how lengthy it takes to cost.
One of the best Apple Watches you should buy in 2026
Greatest Apple Look ahead to most individuals:SE 3
What we loveOffers loads of Apple Look ahead to the cash
What we don’t loveSkimps on coronary heart well being options
The not too long ago up to date entry-level Apple Watch SE 3 provides nearly all the pieces its costlier siblings do, however at a reduction.
It’s gentle and comfy to put on, and arrives in a alternative of 40mm and 44mm case sizes. Accessible in both starlight or midnight aluminium, with many alternative strap colors and kinds, it ought to match most wrists and kinds.
The large improve for the SE this yr is the always-on show, in addition to the speedy S10 chip and 64GB of storage from the Collection 11. It runs the newest watchOS 26, which comes with super-handy double-tap and wrist-flick gestures to clear notifications, alarms and scroll by way of your widgets hands-free. Siri runs regionally, so you possibly can rapidly set timers, dictate messages and different primary options with out an web connection. And the SE 3 has all of the deep integration with the iPhone that makes Apple Watches nice, together with Apple Pay, notifications, calls, texts, maps, pictures, music management and plenty of different options. Battery life is about one and a half days.
The SE 3 sports activities an older design than the present Collection watch line, with chunkier bezels, a barely smaller and dimmer display and a 1mm thicker physique, however in any other case it appears to be like similar to all different Apple Watches. Solely these evaluating them aspect by aspect are more likely to spot the distinction.
Whilst you get most of Apple’s class-leading health-tracking options, this entry-level mannequin can’t take ECGs of your coronary heart, file blood oxygen saturation or notify you about any potential hypertension. It nonetheless has an optical heart-rate monitor for recording all through the day and night time, although. Its pores and skin temperature sensor permits for retrospective ovulation estimates within the cycles monitoring app, too, alongside different options.
It tracks all of your standard sleep, standing, steps and motion targets, and the GPS makes it a good working and exercise tracker. It helps Apple’s new AI Exercise Buddy coach, however this requires an iPhone 15 Professional or later with Apple Intelligence to be carried with you on runs.
Word that 5G fashions can be found, however require a plan linked to your telephone supplier. And if you happen to’re on the lookout for a cellular-connected watch, I’d suggest the Collection 11 with 5G as a substitute.
Why do you have to purchase it?The SE 3 provides all of the important bits of the Apple Watch expertise, together with an always-on display, however in an older-looking physique with just a few extra superior well being options eliminated. That leaves an ideal smartwatch for iPhone customers that does most of what folks need at a great worth.
Don’t purchase if: you need ECG or hypertension alerts.
Learn our full Apple Watch SE 3 evaluate: the discount smartwatch for iPhone
Dimension: 40/44mmThickness: 10.7mmScreen brightness: as much as 1,000nitsTested battery life: 1.5 daysProcessor: S10Storage: 64GBWater resistance: 50 metres Sensors: HR (2nd gen), pores and skin temperature, GPS
What we loveOffers loads of Apple Look ahead to the cash
What we don’t loveSkimps on coronary heart well being options
Greatest mid-range Apple Watch:Collection 11
What we loveFull coronary heart well being, health and exercise monitoring
What we don’t loveLooks virtually the identical as all older fashions
The newest commonplace Apple Watch is the Collection 11, which is available in 42mm and 46mm sizes in a extra refined design. It’s simply 9.7mm thick to slip extra simply underneath cuffs than the opposite fashions. It’s obtainable in aluminium or titanium, in a number of completely different colors and finishes, with loads of strap choices for many who wish to swap.
The Collection 11 has all the pieces the SE 3 does: the newest S10 chip, 64GB of storage and watchOS 26 with all of the trimmings, together with the wonderful double-tap and wrist-flick gestures. But it surely has longer battery life, lasting a stable two days between costs for normal use, or as much as eight hours of exercise monitoring with GPS. It costs in simply over an hour through its magnetic charging puck, hitting 70% in half-hour.
The larger and brighter show of the Collection 11 has slimmer bezels and curved edges that higher mix into the physique for a sleeker look total. Plus, it’s protected by considerably more-scratch-resistant glass or super-hard sapphire, relying on the mannequin, to maintain it trying good for longer. The display can be brighter, which makes the always-on show simpler to see from an angle, significantly helpful throughout exercises, if you may not be viewing it face on.
Additionally included is Apple’s full health-monitoring suite, together with ECG and blood oxygen monitoring, and the not too long ago added hypertension alerts that search for indicators of hypertension over 30-day durations. For coronary heart well being, that is the Apple Watch to decide on. The Collection 11 additionally has a depth gauge that works down to 6 metres and a water temperature sensor for swimming, however you’ll want the Extremely mannequin if you wish to go diving.
Why do you have to purchase it?The Collection 11 provides one of the best Apple Watch expertise within the slimmest and nicest-looking physique, with a stunning display and two days of battery life. You additionally get the total suite of health-tracking instruments with ECG, blood oxygen and hypertension alerts.
Don’t purchase if: you need the longest battery life or a extra rugged design.
Learn our full Apple Watch Collection 11 evaluate: wrist-flickingly good with longer battery life
Dimension: 42/46mmThickness: 9.7mmScreen brightness: as much as 2,000nitsTested battery life: 2 daysProcessor: S10Storage: 64GBWater resistance: 50 metres Sensors: HR (third gen), ECG, spO2, pores and skin/water temp, depth, GPS
What we loveFull coronary heart well being, health and exercise monitoring
What we don’t loveLooks virtually the identical as all older fashions
Greatest Apple Look ahead to battery:Extremely 3
What we loveLonger battery lifetime of as much as three days
What we don’t loveVery costly for an Apple Watch
The largest, boldest and longest-lasting Apple Watch is the Extremely 3, which builds on the Collection 11 with a supersized display and physique, and provides a bunch of adventure-ready options – prepared for all times within the wilderness, or simply work within the metropolis.
It’s obtainable solely in titanium and at 49mm, though there’s a alternative of a pure or black end. It has the most important and brightest display on an Apple Watch, protected by scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Just like the Collection 11, the show is far brighter off-angle, making it simpler to learn at a look.
On the within, it’s much like the Collection 11: an S10 chip, 64GB storage, and 5G help as commonplace with a appropriate telephone plan. It runs the identical watchOS 26, together with the double-tap and wrist-flick gestures, however battery life is three days plus with normal use. This can see you thru an extended weekend, or as much as 14 hours of monitoring exercises on the highest accuracy settings.
On the surface, the Extremely 3 has an additional motion button, with which you can begin a exercise and light-weight up the display as a torch, plus different options. There’s a chunkier crown and a loudspeaker that doubles as a siren to draw consideration in emergency conditions. New for this yr is satellite tv for pc connectivity without spending a dime SOS messaging to the emergency companies, if issues go awry if you’re out of mobile sign vary.
The Extremely 3 additionally has dual-band GPS, making it probably the most correct working, biking and sports activities monitoring watches obtainable. It provides a great suite of monitoring metrics, plus Exercise Buddy for motivation, if you happen to carry your iPhone with you. The watch may monitor dives to 40 metres’ depth and a minimum of 22 different actions.
Dimension-wise, it’s large for an Apple Watch – however the Extremely 3 nonetheless suits underneath shirt cuffs, and is comparatively compact in contrast with journey watch rivals from the likes of Garmin. It is a good selection do you have to need an Apple Watch that stands out – though it prices about twice as a lot because the Collection 11.
Why do you have to purchase it?The Extremely 3 is the most important, boldest, longest-lasting, and most succesful Apple Watch. It’s prepared for each day life, exercises or the odd journey into the wilderness.
Don’t purchase if: you want a compact mannequin or have smaller wrists.
Learn our full Apple Watch Extremely 3 evaluate: the most important and finest smartwatch for an iPhone
Dimension: 49mmThickness: 12mm Display brightness: as much as 3,000nitsTested battery life: 3 daysProcessor: S10Storage: 64GBWater resistance: 100 metres Sensors: HR (third gen), ECG, spO2, pores and skin/water temp, depth, dual-band GPS
What we loveLonger battery lifetime of as much as three days
What we don’t loveVery costly for an Apple Watch
Different choices
Collection 10 The identical design because the Collection 11 with the identical chip and display, however with a barely smaller battery, much less scratch-resistant glass and 4G quite than 5G. Price shopping for at a reduction.
Collection 9 Thicker and with a barely smaller display than the Collection 10 or 11, however value shopping for refurbished if you happen to don’t need the SE 3.
Extremely 2 2023’s Extremely Apple Watch was nice, and is simply lacking just a few small upgrades to display, battery, 5G and satellite tv for pc SOS in contrast with the present mannequin.
Exchange or spruce up?
Wearable units can take a beating, so in case your present Apple Watch is trying a bit drained, there are issues you are able to do. Merely cleansing out the speaker grilles and different crevices can assist, as can swapping out the straps or switching up the face to make the watch look recent.
Larger injury, reminiscent of a cracked display, could be repaired, though choices are extra restricted than these for an iPhone. Apple costs a minimum of £169 for such repairs; third events could be cheaper. Having Apple change batteries prices £95.
What to look out for in a refurb
Shopping for refurbished watches is an efficient choice for the planet and your pockets. Apple’s are among the many quickest and smoothest-running smartwatches obtainable, and they’re supported by software program updates for about six years from launch, so shopping for a refurbished mannequin can prevent some cash.
There are two kinds of refurbished Apple Watch obtainable: people who Apple refurbishes and sells as new instantly, and people refurbished by third events which can be obtainable in numerous grades or circumstances for much less.
A number of third-party retailers supply secondhand or refurbished Apple Watches, together with the UK high-street chain CeX, on-line shops reminiscent of musicMagpie, and marketplaces reminiscent of Amazon, eBay and Again Market.
Be sure you think about the situation of the watch earlier than parting with any money. Grading is as follows:
Grade A or wonderful – nearly an identical to new, typically with the unique field and equipment, making them the costliest.
Grade B or good – in full working order however with gentle marks, and it could include substitute equipment.
Grade C or truthful – in full working order however with apparent indicators of use, and it could not include equipment.
When you’re glad with a watch’s situation, make sure you examine that the strap connects correctly and that the system powers up and connects to your iPhone. Then examine the next:
Battery well being – the battery within the Apple Watch is designed to take care of a minimum of 80% of its authentic capability for 1,000 full cost cycles. Verify the battery well being underneath battery through the Settings app on the watch. Has the battery been changed?
Charging cable – the Apple Watch requires a particular magnetic puck, which prices £29 by itself, to cost. Be certain that an genuine, USB-C puck is included and snaps into place accurately on the again of the watch.
Buttons – examine the buttons and digital crown are in good working order and don’t must be pressed too arduous to operate.
Sensors – the again of the Apple Watch accommodates a cluster of delicate sensors. Guarantee they work accurately – are you able to see the LEDs of the heart-rate sensor gentle up?
Audio system – examine the audio system are freed from dust and fluff, and performance accurately for Siri, alarms and calls.
Wifi – the Apple Watch shares wifi particulars with the iPhone, so totally flip off Bluetooth in your iPhone within the Settings app when in vary of your property wifi to examine the watch can join correctly.
Water resistance – the watch must be correctly sealed to take care of its water resistance. Has it been clearly opened, and does the refurbisher keep the unique 50-metre water resistance?
Guarantee – what sort of guarantee and help does the refurbisher supply?
Don’t purchase
Any Apple Watch Collection 7 or older, as you merely gained’t profit from the software program help for lengthy earlier than you’ll have to interchange the system.
For extra: One of the best working watches – examined One of the best health tech and devices, in response to specialists
Samuel Gibbs is the Guardian’s shopper know-how editor
This text was initially revealed on 10 June 2025. Critiques revealed within the Filter could also be periodically up to date to mirror new merchandise and on the editor’s discretion. The date of an article’s most up-to-date replace could be discovered within the timestamp on the high of the web page. This piece was up to date on 13 January 2026; the 2025 Apple Watches had been added after testing.
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