The Apple Watch lineup is the best around, but it may not be right for everyone
If you’re an iPhone owner, the Apple Watch is the undisputed best smartwatch available for you, offering unmatched integration with your iPhone, a vast app store, and powerful health features.
With the launch of the Apple Watch Ultra 3, Series 11, and SE 3, the 2025 lineup is stronger and more refined than ever. But Apple’s watches aren’t the only options to consider.
The Ultra 3 takes the crown as our top-ranked smartwatch, but it comes at a significant price. And while the Series 11 is the best all-rounder for most people, it’s still hampered by the familiar daily charging routine.
This is where alternatives from brands like Garmin and Huawei come in. They offer a compelling trade-off: true multi-day battery life and deep sports tracking in exchange for a less integrated experience with the iPhone.
Here at Wareable, our reviewers have tested every option on the market. Remember that you won’t find anything from Google, Samsung, or other Wear OS vendors here—they’re limited to Android phones and don’t work with Apple’s smartphones. For our top recommendations to pair with your iPhone, check out the options below.
Jump to summary: Best smartwatches for iPhone users
- The best overall smartwatch for iPhone: Apple Watch Ultra 3
- The best fit for most iPhone owners: Apple Watch Series 11
- A top budget smartwatch for iPhone users: Apple Watch SE 3
- An excellent Apple Watch Series 11 alternative: Garmin Venu 3
- The best cheap Apple Watch alternative: Huawei Watch Fit 4
- Most feature-packed sports watch for iPhone: Garmin Fenix 8
- If you want a more classic design: Huawei Watch 5
- A superb Apple Watch Ultra competitor: Garmin Venu X1
- The top hybrid smartwatch alternative: Withings Scanwatch 2
- A bonus budget option for iPhone users: Amazfit Active 2
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Best overall smartwatch for iPhone
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is, simply put, the most capable and complete smartwatch an iPhone user can buy. It takes the unparalleled ecosystem integration of the Series 11 and fixes the one long-standing complaint: battery life. This is the pinnacle device, designed for those who want every feature without compromise. Its 2-3 day battery life fundamentally changes how you use the watch, freeing you from the daily charging anxiety and making robust sleep tracking a seamless reality.
This power is built on the foundation of watchOS 26, which integrates flawlessly with your iPhone. Apps, notifications, and data flow perfectly between devices. You can action iMessages, use Apple Pay, control your HomeKit devices, and stream your Apple Music (or Spotify) library directly from your wrist, all with zero friction. The new, larger display (with 5% more screen area) enhances this, giving apps and complications more breathing room.
For fitness, it’s a powerhouse. It combines best-in-class dual-frequency GPS with the most reliable wrist-based heart rate sensor we’ve ever tested, ensuring your data is rock-solid. While its native analysis tools still trail Garmin, the App Store fills the gap with powerful third-party apps like Strava, Runna, and TrainingPeaks that sync perfectly with Apple Health.
The addition of satellite connectivity for off-grid safety also makes it a true adventure-ready extension of your iPhone, justifying its premium price for those who demand the absolute best.
- Check out our full Apple Watch Ultra 3 review
Pros
- Larger, brighter display is a superb upgrade
- Outstanding GPS and heart rate accuracy
- Satellite features are accessible and work smoothly
Cons
- Not an essential upgrade unless you crave satellite features
- Training analysis is still basic compared to rivals
- Battery life changes aren't transformative
Apple Watch Series 11
The best fit for most iPhone owners
The Apple Watch Series 11 is the quintessential smartwatch for most iPhone users, offering the most polished, integrated, and seamless experience on the market.
Its core strength isn’t just one feature, but the frictionless cross-pollination with the iPhone. Notifications are perfectly mirrored and actionable; you can triage iMessages, check your calendar, and see map directions that are automatically handed off from your phone. It’s less a separate device and more a seamless extension of your phone’s screen.
This year’s watchOS 26 update enhances this with a fluid Liquid Glass design and smarter, AI-powered widgets that surface information when you need it. The new scratch-resistant glass on the aluminum models also adds welcome, practical durability.
For your health, it’s a powerful guardian, effortlessly syncing all its data into the Apple Health app on your iPhone. New features like passive hypertension notifications and a native Sleep Score join the already formidable suite of ECG, SpO2, and sleep apnea alerts.
While it lacks the Ultra’s dual-band GPS, its core tracking accuracy is still excellent for most users. The only trade-off is the familiar one: this is a daily charge device, offering around 25-30 hours of use. It’s a compromise you make to get this unmatched, unified software experience.
- Check out our full Apple Watch Series 11 review
Pros
- More scratch-resistant display
- Excellent GPS and HR accuracy
- watchOS 26 is polished and seamless
Cons
- Still not true multi-day battery life
- Lacks dual-frequency GNSS
- No reason to upgrade for recent buyers
Apple Watch SE 3
The best option for smartwatch newbies and those on a budget
The Apple Watch SE 3 is the best option for iPhone users working on a tighter budget, seeking a smartwatch suitable for kids, or new to smartwatches altogether.
The package is still comprehensive for the asking price, and the S10 chip—the same one used in the Series 11 and Ultra 3—ensures it can run the latest watchOS 26 software smoothly (and should be able to host updates for the next 3-5 years, at least).
The hardware compromises are obvious. You sacrifice the thinner design, edge-to-edge screen, and the very best health and fitness sensors (and the features they enable).
However, you still get all the incredible sports-tracking and activity-monitoring features of the more expensive Apple Watch models, along with all the benefits of the App Store. This helps elevate the device above its competitors.
- Check out our full Apple Watch SE 3 review
Pros
- S10 chip means no performance compromises
- Excellent GPS and heart rate accuracy
- Superb value for the price
Cons
- Dated design with large bezels
- Single-day battery life
- Lacks key health sensors
Garmin Venu 3 series
The best alternative to Apple Watch Series smartwatches
Note: We’re currently testing the Garmin Venu 4 series—announced in September 2025—ahead of its full review. We expect the new generation to replace the Venu 3 series in this buyer’s guide. However, for now, we’ll leave the entry below in place.
The Garmin Venu 3 is a direct rival to the Apple Watch Series lineup, specifically targeting sports and health enthusiasts. It’s a serious alternative to the mid-range Apple Watch model.
It’s available in two sizes (45mm and 41mm) with options for varied colors and features, including the Sleep Coach and an automatic nap detection mechanism, which personalizes sleep requirements based on numerous metrics.
At its core, the Venu 3 is two things: a sporty fitness tracker and a wellness smartwatch.
Considering it’s a Garmin, it produces quite low-level data for running and cycling, but there are neat insights for activities like HIIT and golf (with 40,000 courses built in). Note that Garmin has omitted its top-tier Multi-Band mode here; however, there is room for some enhanced GNSS functionality, as well as its current-generation Elevate V5 heart rate sensor.
In-depth metrics include the sleep coaching feature, Morning Report, HRV Status, Body Battery, stress tracking, respiration rate, and heart rate, making it a very considered, holistic wearable. It also includes an ECG feature to spot-check heart rhythms for atrial fibrillation (AFib).
Battery life (for the 45mm model) also stretches to 10-14 days, far surpassing what the Apple Watch is capable of, though that shrinks considerably for the smaller Venu 3S (shown above).
For all that, it’s no surprise it’s also very expensive—$449.99/£449.99. If that’s too rich for your taste, the Vivoactive 6 (released in early 2025) is also an option for a fraction of the price.
- Check out our full Garmin Venu 3 review
Pros
- Wellness features finally feel useful
- Top HR accuracy
- Lovely screen
Cons
- Really pricey
- Sports tracking offers basic metrics only
- Some sleep accuracy niggles
Huawei Watch Fit 4
Our top-rated budget Apple Watch alternative
The Huawei Watch Fit 4 is the ideal choice for an iPhone user who loves the Apple Watch aesthetic but is frustrated by the high price and single-day battery life. For the price, it’s a triumph of value, offering a premium, thin aluminum design and a stunningly bright AMOLED display that looks far more expensive than it is.
It’s a fantastic alternative for two key reasons: battery life and sports tracking. Where the Series 11 needs charging daily, the Watch Fit 4 lasts a comfortable 4-7 days with typical use. And while it costs less than an Apple Watch SE, it includes high-end sports features like accurate dual-frequency GPS and offline mapping—features Apple reserves for its most expensive Ultra 3.
So, what’s the catch for an iPhone user? Integration. The Watch Fit 4 pairs with your iPhone and syncs data to the Huawei Health app (which can, in turn, share with Apple Health), but it stops there. You will see notifications, but you can’t reply to iMessages.
There’s also no Apple Pay, no access to the Apple App Store, and no deep integration with Apple services like Music or Maps. It’s a stylish, long-lasting fitness tracker that looks like a premium smartwatch, making it a superb proposition if you’re willing to sacrifice that deep ecosystem connection. It’s also not officially available in the US, so scan further down this list for another budget pick if this one is hard to find.
- Check out our full Huawei Watch Fit 4 review
Pros
- Premium-feeling design and bright display
- Excellent battery life
- Impressive sports tracking
Cons
- Very limited smart features
- Huawei Health app can be cluttered
- No official availability in the US
Garmin Fenix 8
Best outdoor sports watch alternative
The Garmin Fenix 8 is the latest generation of the popular sports watch range. It brings the best of the brand’s tracking smarts and rugged design specs into one premium package.
The range comprises solar-powered and AMOLED editions, with the latter using the same display tech as the Apple Watch range. There are also multiple case size variations, display glass choices, and finishes to choose from.
The Fenix 8 is defined by its insane array of sports tracking modes, top-notch analytics, mapping on the wrist, training estimates, and recovery insights. It’s incredibly comprehensive and a superb fit for mega-active users—backed up by class-leading AMOLED battery efficiency.
Even with the always-on display enabled, the Fenix 8 consistently lasts seven days, and power-saving modes can help you stretch that to multiple weeks. In this regard, it’s in a different league from the Apple Watch and goes into another stratosphere if you choose the solar-powered model.
The only areas where the Fenix 8’s tracking falters slightly are in how it presents stress and the accuracy of its sleep assessments—but even Apple isn’t much better in this regard. It’s also limited as a smartwatch. You get support for integrations like Spotify, but there’s no LTE (unless you consider the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro edition) or full-fledged app store support like you’ll get with Apple.
But, in short, the Fenix 8 is the closest we’ve seen to a no-compromise sports watch—even if it comes with a price tag that can double that of rivals. As a cheaper alternative, don’t rule out the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro or Epix Pro, either—both of which you can now find great discounts on.
- Check out our Garmin Fenix 8 review
Pros
- Great AMOLED battery life
- Class-leading mapping and navigation support
- A more thoughtful approach to strength training
Cons
- It's a lot more expensive than the Fenix 7 Pro
- Core performance not too dissimilar to previous Fenix
- Heart rate tracking during exercise still not flawless
Huawei Watch 5 series
A great alternative if you want a classic design
The Watch 5 offers an experience that rivals premium smartwatches like the Apple Watch Series 10. Unlike the brand’s sport-focused GT series, the Watch 5’s 42mm and 46mm designs are classic smartwatch ones, and refinements to the steel and titanium case options mean they’re among the best-designed smartwatches we’ve ever tested.
As ever, this flagship line is more focused on health innovations than anything else. In that sense, the Watch 5’s ‘X-Tap’ sensor, located on the side of the case, offers the most intrigue for this generation. We found it slightly gimmicky in testing, but there’s no doubt that it’s an interesting application of dual-sensing technology—one that does provide better accuracy and speed for measurements than previous generations.
In typical completeness, the Watch 5 also boasts all of the premium sports features that debuted on last year’s GT line; these make it an excellent fit for golfers, divers, trail runners, and any user who craves thorough and accurate sports tracking.
Still, the lack of a robust ecosystem, particularly in areas such as apps and payments, is noticeable and remains a significant drawback compared to Apple Watch devices. It can’t be understated how you’re essentially getting a fitness tracker in a smartwatch body. Yet, the trade-off for that compromise is much-improved battery life. If you want 10+ days of battery, you’ll need to forego features like the always-on display, but we were able to consistently achieve 4-5 days in a very power-intensive setup. That makes it a worthy alternative to the Apple Watch.
- Read our Huawei Watch 5 review
Pros
- Premium design and build quality
- Bright and crisp LTPO display
- Superb AOD battery life
Cons
- Limited app ecosystem remains
- Not top-level workout HR accuracy
- X-Tap sensor feels more novel than essential
Withings ScanWatch 2
The best hybrid smartwatch for iPhone
If your eye has been caught by the advanced health-tracking capabilities of the Apple Watch Series 10, then the ScanWatch 2 is an acceptable alternative.
The key difference is that the ScanWatch 2 is an analog watch that hides its smarts away. There is a small screen: a monochrome OLED panel with basic stats and notifications on the dial.
In terms of features, strong heart rate tracking, sleep monitoring, and ECG for detecting Afib round out a health-focused smartwatch. We achieved good accuracy and gained numerous insights during testing.
Moreover, ScanWatch 2 will look for breathing issues during sleep and detect high/low heart rates. It will also still track workouts and even GPS if you take your phone along with you.
We did find a few issues. Automatic workout detection is poor, and sleep accuracy lagged behind Oura and Whoop. And, of course, you don’t get things like payments or apps.
Yet, the 30-day battery life is also the antithesis of a single day on Apple Watch. If you don’t want a computer on the wrist, the ScanWatch 2 is a powerful and discreet health smartwatch.
- Check out our full Withings ScanWatch 2 review
Pros
- Solid and sleek design
- Top battery life
- Breathing and temp data
Cons
- Insights slightly lagging rivals
- Sleep data not best in class
- Rogue workout detection
Garmin Venu X1
The only true Apple Watch Ultra alternative for iPhone
The Garmin Venu X1 is a stunningly designed alternative for iPhone users seeking more advanced insights than those found on the Ultra line. With its incredibly thin titanium case, lightweight feel, and a vibrant AMOLED display that rivals the Apple Watch, it’s a true statement piece for your wrist.
However, if you’re seeking an escape from the Apple Watch’s daily charging routine, the Venu X1 is not the answer. Its biggest compromise is a battery life of just two days with the always-on display active, placing it in the same charging bracket as its Cupertino rival.
So, why choose it? The appeal lies in gaining access to the superb Garmin platform. The Venu X1 offers significantly better sports tracking insights than the Apple Watch, with metrics such as Training Status, Body Battery, and Running Tolerance all joined by tried-and-tested native platforms for offline mapping and coaching. During our testing, its core GPS and heart rate accuracy proved to be outstanding.
At a premium price of $799/£679, and with notable omissions such as an ECG sensor and Multi-Band GPS, the Venu X1 is far from perfect. However, if you’re an iPhone user drawn to Garmin’s fitness platform and find the brand’s Fenix and Forerunner designs too sporty, the Venu X1 is the middle ground option you’ve been waiting for.
- Check out our full Garmin Venu X1 review
Pros
- Incredibly thin, light, and comfortable design
- Core sports tracking accuracy is outstanding
- An LED flashlight—in this design!
Cons
- Two-day AOD battery life
- No ECG or dual-frequency GPS
- No killer smart feature (like LTE) to differentiate it
Amazfit Active 2
Another budget alternative for iPhone users
If cost is your main issue with the Apple Watch lineup—and you can’t consider Huawei’s wares due to availability—the Amazfit Active 2 is another excellent alternative.
The brand also offers the Bip 6 for those who prefer a square-case design, but the $99 Active 2 represents incredible value for money. It boasts full offline mapping, an AI-powered assistant, and plenty of workout insights.
We still had the odd issue with heart rate tracking accuracy during workouts, though you can pair external monitors to remedy this. The Active 2 also performed solidly in GPS-tracked outdoor workouts.
It lacks hardcore health insights, but elements like sleep tracking and readiness insights consistently matched the likes of Oura and Garmin in our review. The Zepp Health app is also an ever-improving place to review your data.
The battery life has reduced for this generation, which is a bit of a shame, but it still blows the Apple Watch out of the water in this regard. Even with the always-on display enabled (and with relatively heavy GPS usage), we found it could last four or five days before needing a recharge.
While not a looker, the Active 2 is still slim, light, and comfortable despite a significant redesign for this second generation. Plus, the full AMOLED display offers good usability in a package that far surpasses the asking price.
- Check out our full Amazfit Active 2 review
Pros
- There are tons of features for the price
- Full mapping and ability to pair external sensors
- Smart features and fitness tracking works well
Cons
- The makeover won't appeal to everybody
- Software lagging is still present
- Heart rate accuracy is still not great
Key considerations when choosing an iPhone-ready watch
1. Battery life
The Apple Watch’s most significant issue is battery life, and the brand generally only promises 18 hours between charges.
This estimate was bumped up slightly by 24 hours for the Series 11, but our real-world testing (and the fine print of Apple’s specific requirements needed to meet this estimate) shows that it’s only a slight bump up from previous models.
But it’s not as bad as it seems on paper. We’ve consistently achieved 25-30 hours per charge when testing the last few generations of Series devices, even under relatively heavy use. So, in short—and we go into much more detail on this in our full reviews—this shows that the updated Series 11 battery figures are really just Apple’s official estimation catching up with reality.
Still, you might be surprised to learn that it’s a relative outlier in this regard.
Most smartwatches offer a week or more between charges, which itself is a considerable reason to ignore Apple’s smartwatches. If you’re keen to stay within the Apple ecosystem but still need multi-day battery life, the Apple Watch Ultra line mercifully breaks the daily charging cycle of the Series models (for a higher cost).
2. Price
Pricing starts at $249/£219 for the Apple Watch SE 3, and steps up slightly to $399/£369 for the Series 11. With the Series line, you can also pay plenty more for LTE support and different case finishes. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 costs the most at $799/£749.
Alternatives are available for less than $99/£99, albeit with severe features and screen tech sacrifices. However, quality Apple Watch alternatives are available for under $200/£200, should you want to keep costs down.
3. Apps and iOS
The Apple Watch is one of the few smartwatches with a burgeoning App Store, and no rival in this aspect that will work with the iPhone.
By opting for an Apple Watch alternative, you might miss out on your favorite third-party services, such as Spotify, Google Maps, or your favorite workout-tracking app. That also extends to features like Apple Pay or LTE, which Apple does better than its rivals.
