Best Smartwatches for iPhone

What separates the best smartwatch for iPhone picks?

Five watches made the cut, and the scores sit close together: Apple Watch Series 10 at 8.1, Garmin Venu 3 and Garmin Forerunner 265 both at 7.9, Amazfit Balance at 7.8, Apple Watch SE at 7.6. The split comes down to what you actually do with the watch.

The Series 10 wins on health and smart features. It posted the lowest heart-rate error on intervals and GPS within 0.5% on the 5K, and it carries ECG, sleep apnoea notifications, temperature, fall and crash detection. The trade-off is battery: a day and a half, so you charge daily. It is also iPhone only.

The two Garmins cost $449.99. The Venu 3 measured 12 days of battery, the longest here with an AMOLED screen, and adds a speaker and mic for calls, wheelchair mode and nap detection. The Forerunner 265 measured 11 days with daily GPS runs and held the line under trees and buildings with dual-band GPS. It has no ECG, and notifications are basic.

The Amazfit Balance is $229.99 and measured 13 days with daily GPS. Its dual-band GPS stayed within 1.2% on the 5K, but heart rate lagged 4 bpm on intervals, the worst here. The Apple Watch SE is $249 and runs the same watchOS, apps and safety features as the Series 10, with heart rate within 2 bpm on runs, but no always-on display, ECG, temperature or sleep apnoea.

What should you check before buying?

Scoring weights health and fitness accuracy at 30, battery at 20, smart features and ecosystem at 20, value at 20, design and display at 10. Match those to your habits.

• Battery: a day and a half on the Series 10 means a nightly charge. The Venu 3, Forerunner 265 and Balance measured 12, 11 and 13 days.
• Health sensors: ECG and sleep apnoea are on the Series 10 only. The Forerunner 265 has no ECG.
• GPS: dual-band on the Forerunner 265 and Balance. The Forerunner 265 was the most accurate in the test.
• Phone pairing: the Series 10 is iPhone only. The Garmins and Balance work with either phone.
• Notifications: the Series 10 is the one to beat. The Garmins are basic, with no replies on iPhone.

Apple Watch Series 10

For iPhone owners who want the fullest health and app experience and will charge nightly.

Garmin Venu 3

For buyers who want calls from the wrist, sleep coaching and 12 days of battery in a lifestyle watch.

Garmin Forerunner 265

For runners who want training load, readiness and race predictor with the most accurate GPS in the test.

Amazfit Balance

For a $229.99 budget with dual-band GPS, body composition and 13 days of battery.

Apple Watch SE

For $249, the same apps and safety features as the Series 10, including Family Setup for a child or parent without an iPhone.

If you have an iPhone and want the fullest health and app experience, the Apple Watch Series 10 is the pick, as long as a nightly charge is fine. Runners should take the Garmin Forerunner 265 for its dual-band GPS and training tools, while the Garmin Venu 3 suits anyone who wants calls from the wrist and 12 days of battery. On a budget, the Amazfit Balance at $229.99 or the Apple Watch SE at $249 covers the essentials.