Apple Watches are easily the best option for any iPhone users out there, but if you’re not sure which one to get then we’ve got you covered.
As we move ever closer to the end of the year, the next refresh of Apple Watch devices is almost upon us. The Apple Watch 9 is all but a given, but while a successor to the current Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch SE are more tentative, we’d still recommend holding off buying any Apple Watches until the next generation has been fully unveiled and you can make an informed purchase.
With that said, if there’s a birthday just around the corner or some such event where an Apple Watch would make for the perfect gift, or you just don’t fancy waiting before nabbing one for yourself, then you’re in the right place.
If you take a quick glance at most online retailers, you’ll more than likely spot a bunch of new and used Apple Watches for sale but right now, there’s only a small handful of options that are actually worth buying. The reason for this is that in order to make the most of upcoming software and security updates, you’re better off getting an Apple Watch from the last two years or so.
It’s also worth pointing out that we no longer advise anyone to pick up the Apple Watch 3, as the once popular device is no longer supported by Apple’s latest watchOS software. Even if it is available at a significantly discounted price, you’d be losing out in the long run.
If you’re looking for more devices to pair with your handset, then you can also check out our rundown of the best iPhone accessories. Alternatively, if you’re looking to upgrade wholesale then our guide to the best iPhones of 2023 is just the one to check out.
Which is the best Apple Watch 2023?
How we test
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 8
The best option for most people
Pros
- Excellent tracking features
- Plenty of sensors, including clever use of temperature sensor
- Charges quickly
- Additional low power modes
Cons
- No big battery upgrade
- Minimal additions over the last model
The Apple Watch 8 is the best smartwatch that we have tested, pending our review of the Apple Watch Ultra, and it remains one of the most attractive options for iPhone users.
There are many excellent attributes to this watch, including its highly adjustable screen; not only can it boast high levels brightness that’s perfect for sunny days, but it can also reduce this right down for when you need to check your watch at night, while the always-on display means you can check the time and notifications just with a glance thanks to its LTPO refresh rate tech.
There aren’t all that many additions to the Watch 8 over its predecessor, but one change is that employment of a skin temperature sensor, which is particularly useful for women’s health tracking and family planning. The overalll fitness tracking is still very strong, comparing favourably to dedicated sports watches such as the Garmin Forerunner 955 in its lock-on speed and accuracy, while the adoption of heart rate zones is informative for keeping an eye on the intensity of your workout.
Overall, this watch does a great job of encouraging to to keep healthy, whether that be through its addictive sleep-tracking feature or its step counting goals.
The new S8 chipset s more efficient than its predecessor, and we found that its battery life generally leaves us with 25-30% charge after a full 24 hours’ usage (including through the night), and this is further helped out by its improved low-power mode. The fast-charging introduced last year has remained in place, giving us 20% of the juice after 10 minutes plugged in.
Reviewer: Max Parker
Full review: Apple Watch 8
Apple Watch SE 2
The best affordable option
Pros
- Plenty of the best Apple Watch features in a cheaper package
- Excellent software
- Wide customisation options
- Accurate tracking
Cons
- Slow charging
- No 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 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.
We found the compromises are worth making if you can live without these small luxuries which is why we actually recommend the SE 2 over the 8 for most buyers.
Reviewer: Max Parker
Full review: Apple Watch SE 2 Review
Apple Watch Ultra
The best option for serious athletes
Pros
- Improved battery on previous Apple Watches
- Surprisingly light design
- Good sports tracking performance
- Bigger, brighter Retina display
Cons
- It’s not cheap
- Design could be sleeker
- Some outdoor features are a work in progress
- New straps are a mixed bag
The Apple Watch Ultra is purpose built for more demanding usage, be that a long bike ride, diving, or trail running. It’s ideal for this task thanks to its sapphire guard crystal display and titanium casing, which is robust but relatively light at 61.3g, while it is tested to military-grade MIL-STD-810H standard too in order to prove its resilience against temperature extremes and high altitudes.
All this would mean nothing if the performance wasn’t up to scratch, but fortunately it is. The dual-band GPS tracking is just as accurate as a high-end Garmin watch for tracking your running and cycling, while the safety features such as crash detection, ECG and more are there to reassure you. The software is brilliantly zippy and supports lots of compatible apps, plus the battery life is an improvement over the standard Apple Watch 8, now giving you 36 hours of normal use or 60 hours when in power-saving mode.
However, the watch is certainly very bulky to wear, especially if you want to track your sleep, and the native mapping supports isn’t as rich as we’d have liked. What’s more, some of the higher heart rate readings could be inaccurate when compared to a chest strap monitor.
Reviewer: Michael Sawh
Full review: Apple Watch Ultra
FAQs
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.
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.
All modern Apple Watches support NFC and Apple Pay, meaning you can use them to make contactless payments in most regions and stores.
