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Are you trying to find the very best Apple Watch? With five different series to choose from and different versions in each series, there is a lot more choice when it comes to choosing an Apple Watch than you might have imagined.
There are more similarities than differences when it comes to an Apple Watch, however, and you are always assured a stylish, technologically advanced watch, no matter what series it comes from.
The Apple watch that you choose will depend on how much money you wish to pay, what size you would like the watch to be, and how many apps and features you want to be able to take advantage of. In each series, you will also have the choice of a simple GPS Apple Watch or an Apple Watch with cellular connectivity.
To make sure that you choose the best Apple Watch for your needs, then consider this list of the top eight Apple Watches, as well as the buyer’s guide and breakdown that follows it.
View The Best Apple Watch Below
1. Apple Watch Series 3 GPS
You can’t go wrong when purchasing any Apple Watch, as they always provide you with outstanding quality. But the very best Apple Watch has to be the Apple Watch Series 3, simply because of its combination of features, looks, and affordability. You can choose between 42mm and 38mm in size.
It has Bluetooth 4.2 technology for easy connectivity. The battery life is a healthy 18 hours, which means it will certainly get through a full day of use without needing a charge. You also don’t need to worry about running out of space, as it has a capacity of 8GB.
Pros:
+ Space Grey Aluminum Case
+ Accelerometer
+ Gyroscope
+ Large Capacity
+ 18 Hours of Battery Life
Why We Liked It – It is today’s best Apple Watch because it provides you with all the key features you expect from an Apple Watch, combined with great looks, and all for an affordable price.
Don’t forget to protect the screen with an apple watch screen protector.
2. Apple Watch Series 5 GPS
This one comes from the most recent Apple Watch series. That means it is the most up-to-date Apple Watch on the market, making it ideal for people who love the newest technology. Unlike previous Apple Watch models, the always-on display never goes to sleep, meaning that you’re always able to see the time.
The two available sizes are 40mm and 44mm. There are loads of great features you can take advantage of that will benefit your health too, like the ECG app, which will check your heartbeat and rhythm, and the Noise app, which will let you know just how loud your environment is and warn you to leave if you might be damaging your hearing.
Pros:
+ ECG App
+ Noise App
+ Always-on Retina Display
+ Lots of Fitness Apps
+ Customizable Watch Bands
Why We Liked It – It’s part of the newest Apple Watch series, which means that it has the most cutting-edge technology integrated into it, making it perfect for anyone who always loves getting their hands on the newest Apple products.
3. Apple Watch Series 4 GPS
When this Apple Watch was released, it was clear that Apple had upgraded on the previous series. That’s because it had a bigger screen, a louder speaker, and an improved accelerometer and gyroscope, in comparison to the previous Apple Watch series. The bigger display means that you can choose between 40mm and 44mm sizes.
There is also a wide choice of Apple watch bands, such as a pink sand sports loop and a white sport band. The digital crown is also a marked improvement as compared to the previous Apple Watch series, as Apple has ensured there is better haptic feedback.
Pros:
+ Bigger Screen Compared to the Previous Version
+ Lots of Choices for Watch Bands
+ Excellent Digital Crown
+ Effective Accelerometer and Gyroscope
+ 40mm and 44mm Sizes
Why We Liked It – You can’t go wrong with the Apple Watch Series 4, as you get a large display, lots of great apps, and a huge choice in watch bands, so you can find one that perfectly suits your style.
4. Apple Watch Series 5 GPS + Cellular
Just like the previous Apple Watch from Series 5 on this list, this one is packed with lots of fantastic features, such as an always-on display, an ECG app, a Noise app, and the ability to listen to the whole Apple music library.
The key difference, however, between this Apple Watch and the other Apple Watch from Series 5 is simply that this Apple Watch offers you cellular capabilities, meaning that you can use it in place of your phone. That’s right, you can leave your Apple iPhone at home, and then use this Apple Watch to make phone calls, text messages, and stream Apple music, wherever you are.
Pros:
+ Cellular Capabilities
+ Stream Apple Music On-the-go
+ Always-on Screen
+ Noise App
+ ECG App
Why We Liked It – There’s nothing to fault this Apple Watch as it offers you all the most innovative Apple Watch features and apps, as well as the cellular capabilities that allow you to use the watch as a phone or for streaming Apple music, no matter where you are.
5. Apple Watch Series 4 GPS + Cellular
This is another Apple Watch with cellular capabilities that will truly help you liberate yourself from your phone. It is the perfect Apple Watch for exercise. You can use all the great Apple Watch exercise features – such as the automatic workout tracker. There are loads of motivating aspects to the workout tracker, like achievement awards and personalized coaching.
The cellular connectivity will allow you to stream Apple Music, as well as Apple Podcasts, which might make your long walks or runs on the trail go even more quickly. You can choose from a 40mm and 44mm screen, to make sure you get the size of the Apple Watch that suits your wrist.
Pros:
+ Automatic Workout Tracker
+ 40mm and 44mm Screen Choices
+ Stream Apple Music with Cellular Connectivity
+ Affordable Price
+ Water Resistant
Why We Liked It – It has a lot of up-to-date features, as well as the benefits of cellular connectivity, but it is also available at a more affordable price than the most recent Apple Watch series.
6. Apple Watch Series 3 GPS + Cellular
This Apple Watch has everything that the Apple Watch that topped our list had to offer too. And it has cellular connectivity on top so that you can use it in place of your Apple iPhone. That means that it costs a little more than the standard Apple Watch Series 3, but the benefits of cellular connectivity are countless if they appeal to you.
It’s got a digital crown, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, and an optical heart sensor, which all make it ideal for wearing during exercise. Both the white sport band and the black sport band are comfy to wear, as well as offering you an Apple Watch that looks good.
Pros:
+ 38mm Size Available
+ Optical Heart Sensor
+ Cellular Connectivity
+ Water Resistance
+ Aluminum Case
Why We Liked It – It is the most affordable Apple Watch that has cellular connectivity, which means that it’s a great choice for anyone who wants the benefits of an Apple Watch without needing to break the bank.
7. Apple Watch Series 1 (Renewed)
This is the original Apple Watch from the very first Apple Watch series. It is the perfect Apple Watch for anyone who likes simplicity and only requires the most basic features from an Apple Watch. Of course, the biggest benefit of choosing the oldest available Apple watch is that it comes at a much lower price.
You can make calls, texts, as well as use the heart rate monitor during exercise. It has a large display thanks to its 42mm size, which contributes to the great aesthetics that will make it look good on your wrist.
Pros:
+ Affordable Price
+ 42mm Size
+ Heart Rate Monitor
+ Activity Tracker
+ Light Sensor
Why We Liked It – It is the original Apple Watch, and for that reason, it is a classic, which makes it a great feature on your wrist, as well as a functional Apple Watch that will make your life easier.
8. Apple Watch Series 2 (Renewed)
The second watch series from Apple bared many similarities to the first one, which means that this Apple watch is reminiscent of the original Apple Watch. Water resistance, however, is one of the key differences. The operating software is updated as compared to the original Apple Watch too.
You have a few choices when it comes to the watchband, but the most popular is the sports band for a reason. It’s a great Apple Watch for exercise as it has the activity tracker and heart monitor built-into it, just like the newer Apple Watch series, as well as a built-in compass.
Pros:
+ Built-in Compass
+ Great Value-for-Money
+ Water Resistance
+ Heart Monitor
+ Altimeter
Why We Liked It – It looks just like the original Apple Watch, but it is an improved version, and the water resistance is a great feature that makes it ideal for anyone who goes jogging in the rain.
Apple Watch Buyers Guide
An Apple Watch is a great investment, no matter what series it comes from. But there are differences between the difference Apple watch series, as Apple is constantly innovating and improving on its products. Sometimes, though, the improvements provide you with features that are largely unnecessary for your needs and will only push up the cost.
To make sure that you choose the vest best Apple Watch for your needs, then consider the following buyer’s guide which will explain the key features that you’ll find in Apple Watches and how they vary from series to series.
Size
The first choice that any Apple Watch buyer needs to make is on the size of the Apple Watch. There are four sizes to choose from, which are 38mm, 40mm, 42mm, and 44mm. These measurements relate to the size of the Apple Watch case. The size of the Apple watch case will alter the size of the display area.
A 38mm Apple Watch will give you a 563 sq. mm display area. For a 40mm Apple Watch, this is 759 sq. mm. A 42mm Apple Watch provides you with a 740 sq. mm display area. And a 44m Apple Watch offers the largest display area of 977 sq. mm.
A larger display area offers you a lot of benefits, as you can see the screen more clearly, as well as use it more intuitively, but it comes at a cost because it makes the watch heavier, larger, and more cumbersome. There is no need for someone with a small wrist to select a 44mm Apple Watch. In fact, the weight and size of the watch will end up distracting from the best qualities of an Apple Watch.
Cellular Connectivity
A big choice for anyone looking to buy an Apple Watch is between the standard GPS model or the Apple Watch with cellular connectivity. If you choose an Apple Watch that has cellular connectivity, then you can use it to make calls and texts, without needing your Apply iPhone nearby. That means you can go out for a run with only your Apple Watch on your wrist and still be contactable You can also use the cellular connectivity to stream Apple Music while you’re on-the-go.
Choosing an Apple Watch without cellular connectivity basically means saving money. Without cellular connectivity, then the Apple Watch will be available at a much cheaper price. Unless you want to use the Apple Watch in place of your Apple iPhone, then you can probably live without cellular connectivity.
Fitness and Health Apps
Apple Watches are renowned for their ability to track you, and then sync up these accurate reading to monitor your health, in conjunction with lots of great apps. The newer the Apple Watch, then the more choice you have in regards to health apps. For example, the newest Apple Watch – Series 5 – features the ECG app which will comprehensively monitor your heartbeat and heart rhythm.
You can use the Noise app, which will warn you if the environment you are in is too loud and is damaging your hearing. There are also many other exercise and sleep apps that can keep you in peak physical health. If these apps are important to you, then make sure you’ve checked if they are available on the Apple Watch model you are considering to buy.
Digital Crown
The digital crown is a new take on the classic crown that you will find on analog watches. The newer the Apple Watch series then the better the digital crown will be. Haptic feedback was first introduced in the Apple Watch Series 4 and truly revolutionized the digital crown.
Water Resistance
The original Apple Watch didn’t offer water resistance, but all Apple Watches since the original Apple Watch has offered this handy feature. If you plan to wear your Apple Watch while out jogging, then water resistance is a must.
Other Features
There are lots of other features that you will find on Apple Watches, such as a built-in compass, an altimeter, a gyroscope, and an always-on screen. Check the differences between each Apple Watch, just in case the model you are looking at is missing an important feature that is standard in the newer Apple Watch versions.
Keep your watch safe with an Apple Watch stand.
How do I select the correct strap size?
Each Apple Watch band will either come in a single size or a choice of small, medium, and large. The Apple Watch strap that you choose will, of course, depend on your wrist size. So, you should first take a tape measure and use it to measure the size of your wrist. Then, you should visit the Apple website, where you will find a size guide so that you can find the corresponding watch strap length for your wrist.
Can I replace the strap easily?
Yes, it is very simple to replace your Apple Watch band. It will take you one minute at the very most to do this process. You first need to remove your watch, then turn it over so you are looking at the back of the watch. You will see two buttons, one at the top and another at the bottom. If you press these buttons, it will unlock the corresponding part of your watch band, and you can then simply slide it out.
To replace the strap, you just need to press the buttons as you slide your new band in to replace the previous one. There are countless amazing Apple Watch bands available online, but the classic sport band and sport loop are always great choices.
Expert Tip
Newer doesn’t always equal better. At least, this is true when it comes to selecting an Apple Watch. It all depends on what your needs are. Yes, a bigger display screen and more freedom to customize your Apple Watch – such as you get from a series 5 Apple Watch – are great features, but if you prefer smaller watches, are happy with the classic Apple Watch looks, then you can save yourself money by investing in an Apple Watch from a previous series, which will still provide you with the top-level technology and reliability you always expect from Apple.
Did you know?
Steve Jobs was not a watch fan, and it wasn’t until he passed away in 2012 that Apple started to genuinely put steps in progress for the Apple Watch. Apple’s chief designer – Jony Ive – is the man who we can all thank for creating this amazing smartwatch.
Conclusion
It doesn’t matter what Apple Watch you purchase, you will be happy once you have it wrapped around your wrist. But there are still a lot of choices to make. The newer the Apple Watch, the more features it will have – such as an always-on screen – and the more availability of apps there are.
A newer Apple Watch will also cost you more money, and the best Apple Watch for your needs doesn’t necessarily have to be the newest one. The most important decision you will need to make is if you want cellular connectivity or not.
If you choose an Apple Watch with cellular connectivity, then you can use it as a phone – and leave your Apple iPhone at home – and you can also stream Apple Music wherever you are. Whatever model you choose, then you’ve always assured a stylish, reliable, innovative watch.