Best Apple Watch alternatives in 2023

There's a lot to think about when buying a smartwatch, from the strap comfort to the apps you can download to the size of the case. So, here’s what you need to know:

Sizing

Smartwatches are measured based on diameter, specifically the distance from one edge to the opposite edge, in millimetres. The overall size of the watch is typically larger when you account for the case and bezels, and you'll often see the actual screen size listed in inches, usually between 1.2 and 1.4. All watches on our list are between 40mm and 45mm in total size, with the larger sizes being better suited to larger wrists. Most brands have measurement guides for straps too (Samsung, Google). You can find the right size for you by wrapping a tape measure around your wrist and checking the result against the guide.

Battery

Smartwatch battery life varies wildly depending on the model that you choose – and how long you'll get always depends on how much you use your wearable on a daily basis. The Apple Watch gives you about 18 hours of use, so enough for a full day but not too much more. While the Pixel Watch is roughly the same, the other models on our list give you considerably more power, lasting for up to two weeks between charges. If you think you'll need to recharge on the go we recommend investing in a power bank.

Fitness and health tracking

Most smartwatches have sensors to record body metrics throughout the day and night, including heart rate, step counts and sleep quality. The more advanced models show your blood oxygen readings, blood pressure, and have a built-in electrocardiogram (ECG) to check your heart rhythm health. All of this data is fed into an app so you can glance over it and track patterns over time, but don't forget that these aren't medical devices – always go to a professional for health concerns.

GPS

If you love tracking your morning jog, walking routes or checking directions to your lunch date, having built-in GPS means the smartwatch determines your position without relying on a phone. All of the Apple Watch alternatives on our list have this.

Waterproofing

Heading to the gym or worrying about getting caught in the rain? You'll want to make sure your smartwatch has a decent water/dust protection rating. This is known as Ingress Protection (IP). The models on our list are either IP68 or 5ATM. The watches with IP68 can survive submersion in up to 1.5 metres of freshwater for up to half an hour, while 5ATM (which stands for "atmosphere of pressure") means they can withstand pressures equivalent to a depth of 50 metres. Any with those ratings are fine for shallow swims, but may still be damaged by fast-moving water and don't forget that even if the smartwatch is waterproof, the strap material you're using on the wearable may not be.

The majority of the smartwatches on our list don't play well with Apple iPhones, as their software is designed around the Android operating system. The exception is the Amazfit GTS4, which runs its own operating system called Zepp, and that app is compatible with iOS and Androids. While older Galaxy watches pair with iPhones via Bluetooth or the Galaxy Watch iOS app (here's the full list), that changed in recent years because its version of WearOS requires connected phones to have Google Mobile Services (GMS), which Apple handsets don't. The same applies to the Google Pixel Watch, the wearable is made to only work with Androids, However, Fitbit products do fully work with iOS.

If you're only buying a smartwatch for fitness features, you may be better off with an activity tracker like the Fitbit Charge 5 or Inspire 2. These are typically more affordable, and lightweight, with simple displays and a strong focus on tracking your daily activities and exercise routines to show you step counts, heart rates and calories burned. Many have GPS for runners, too.

Still, if you need more power, stronger build quality and a bigger display for checking your phone notifications, we'll always recommend paying extra for a smartwatch. They're better at responding to texts and calls and have better sensors for navigation and higher-resolution screens. Luckily, most good smartwatches in 2023 have a balance of both. The Pixel Watch, especially, gives you a sleek circular design and Android connectivity but also uses the Fitbit app for health data, so you get the best of both worlds.

While there are a handful of fantastic rivals out here, we openly admit that anyone who owns an iPhone is best suited to an Apple Watch. They're essentially an extension of the iPhone onto your wrist giving you seamless pairing with iOS, for example when using iMessage, Apple Pay, crash detection (on newer models), the Siri voice assistant and any data collected by the Fitness app.

Apple Watches have brilliant build quality, easy navigation and smooth performance, making them an easy recommendation, even if battery life has never been their strength.

There is also an Apple Watch for every budget, the SE starts at a competitive £219 and refurbished Apple Watch Series 4 (the furthest we would go back as earlier Apple Watch models don't support the latest iOS versions) can be found for under £150.

You can still find the excellent Series 8 for £399 but that model is likely to see some modest discounts until stock runs dry. Android users should look elsewhere, though. Smartwatches from Google or Samsung simply won't pair with iPhones.