The best Apple Watch alternatives for 2024

The new Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 are based on the previous generation but provide more than enough interesting new features to keep users interested. But what if these changes don’t appeal? Well, there are plenty of Apple Watch alternatives available. Find the best options below.

The best Apple Watch alternatives

Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 alternatives

• The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is the best Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 alternative for Android phone users. The second-generation Wear OS watch improves on its predecessor with a much larger battery, a more robust face, and a new skin temperature sensor.
• Garmin’s Venu 3 is the best Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 alternative for fitness-minded and iPhone users. It’s more health-focused than its Samsung counterpart and supports Apple’s mobiles, too.
• The Fitbit Versa 3 is the most affordable alternative to the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2. If you aren’t seeking the advanced health features of the Apple Watch line but are interested in stellar base fitness tracking support, the Versa 3 is a good shout.

Apple Watch SE (2022) alternatives

• The vanilla Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is also the best Apple Watch SE alternative for Android users. The new 40mm model features a slightly larger screen than its predecessor.
• The Garmin Venu Sq 2 is the best Garmin alternative to the Watch SE and the best alternative for iPhone users. It’s a more fitness-focused wearable for active users that packs better battery life.
• Fitbit Charge 6 is the best affordable Apple Watch SE alternative. It might not be a smartwatch per se, but it’s a capable, petit fitness tracker perfect for active users on a budget.

Notably, if you’re considering purchasing an older Apple Watch Series 8 or Apple Watch Ultra, we believe these alternatives will also appeal to you.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro: The best Apple Watch Series 9 and UItra 2 alternative for Android users

Building on the solid foundation laid down by its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is among the best Wear OS watches you can buy right now. Samsung seemingly focused on nips and tucks rather than open-heart surgery. Interestingly, the Pro’s spec sheet would suggest it’s more an Apple Watch Ultra series rival. However, it should also win over Series 9 buyers too.

The Pro adopts many of the Watch 4’s features, and even boasts several improvements over the newer Samsung watches, including its bigger 590mAh battery. This gives it much endurance compared to the Series 9 and the Ultra 2. It also packs a titanium body with a more robust Sapphire-coated lens. Regarding health tracking, you get a new skin temperature sensor to improve menstrual health tracking and outdoor-specific features like GPX map support and Track Back for lost hikers. More commonplace features are retained, including heart rate monitoring, workout tracking, and sleep monitoring. Notably, the Pro also includes blood oxygen monitoring — a feature that the latest Apple Watch currently lacks in the US due to an ongoing legal dispute.

These buffs do come at a cost — a substantial cost. The Pro’s feature set will set you back more than the Apple Watch Series 9. And like the outgoing line, the Galaxy Watch 5 series doesn’t support iPhones. That said, it remains cheaper than the Ultra 2. If you want a Samsung smartwatch compatible with an iPhone, you’ll have to settle for the Galaxy Watch 3. However, we don’t advise opting for one as its Tizen OS is no longer supported by Samsung.

For budget-strapped buyers who want a Wear OS smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch FE ($199.99 at Amazon) is worth a look. It’s effectively a rebranded Galaxy Watch 4 with a 40mm dial.

Garmin Venu 3: The best Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 alternative for iPhone users

Garmin’s latest smartwatch had a lot to do to topple the Venu 2 Plus, and arguably, it does just that. The Venu 3 is now available in two sizes, and carries over the Venu 2 Plus’ novel features, including voice assistant support, ECG support, and on-wrist call support. New software features also join the package, including automatic nap detection and Daily Summary. The latter produces a nifty general fitness outlook every morning. Quite useful. It also tracks blood oxygen saturation, giving it a leg up on Apple’s latest watches.

Notably, Garmin devices are also better Apple alternatives than Samsung and Fitbit. For one, it can be used with an iPhone without issue, and its full feature set is available within the walled garden, too.

If you have Apple Watch’s Ultra 2 levels of cash and crave a hardier high-end watch, consider grabbing the more extreme sport and outdoor-orientated Garmin Epix Pro ($899.99 at Amazon).

Fitbit Versa 3: The best Fitbit alternative to the Apple Watch Series 9

Fitbit’s relatively affordable smartwatch entry is also worth a mention. Although the Versa 3 launched in 2020, it remains a viable health-focused smartwatch. In fact, its age counts in its favor, as it often finds itself on deal listings. Sure, it’s not the Fitbit with the most advanced array of sensors — that distinction belongs to the Fitbit Sense and Sense 2 — but it covers all the necessary bases. It packs Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa support, music streaming support, and onboard GPS. It also has blood oxygen monitoring smarts.

The Versa 3 lacks standout tracking features and sensors as a tradeoff for its lower price. Unlike the Sense duo and Series 9, it lacks an ECG sensor. Fitbit’s companion app is far less impressive than Apple’s.

Notably, the Fitbit Versa 4 has a thinner, lighter body and refreshed software, but we don’t recommend it over its predecessor due to its stripping of key smart features.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (40mm): The best Apple Watch SE alternative for Android users

The standard Galaxy Watch 6 is a little pricier this time, but it has a slightly larger battery and screen than its predecessor. The 40mm model is the best Apple Watch SE alternative for Android users, offering a great all-round feature kit. It’s the better fitness watch, and battery life is on par with Apple’s smaller wearable.

The Galaxy Watch 6 lacks significant upgrades over its predecessor, so the Galaxy Watch 5 ($162.57 at Amazon) 40mm model is a much cheaper alternative if you’re budget-strapped.

Garmin Venu Sq 2: The best Apple Watch SE alternative for iPhone users

The Garmin Venu Sq 2 seems purpose-built to take on the Apple Watch SE line. It packs a square AMOLED screen that’s easy to read and stands out among the many circular devices on the market. It also includes excellent battery life, lasting up to 11 days per charge.

Its actual trump card is its health-tracking kit. The Venu Sq 2 packs an accurate built-in GPS with improved heart rate accuracy and useful sleep tracking. It also includes Garmin’s stress tracking metrics, SpO2 tracking, reliable Body Battery measurements, and useful Health Snapshot feature.

For these benefits, you’ll have to trade several smart features. More annoyingly, if you want onboard music support, you’ll need to pay extra for the Music edition.

Fitbit Charge 6: The best cheap Apple Watch SE alternative

The Charge 6 is a taste of things to come from Fitbit. It’s a sleek fitness tracker in the mold of the Charge 5 but one-ups its predecessor in several ways.

While it carries over all the features of the Charge 5, including SpO2 monitoring, you’ll now also get more exercises, YouTube Music controls, Google Maps turn-by-turn navigation, and Google Wallet support. Notably, those who visit public gyms can also use the device to share heart rate data.

It’s important to note that the Charge series was never meant to be a smartwatch; therefore, its smartwatch feature set is tightly limited compared to the Apple Watch SE. Nevertheless, it’s cheaper, a better fitness companion, and is arguably more attractive.

Honorable mentions

Buying the right Apple Watch alternative

Right off the bat, we should highlight that there’s no pure replacement for the Apple Watch. Apple’s wearables will naturally be your best bet if you own an iPhone. Garmin, Samsung, and Fitbit provide plenty of fitness and health tracking perks.

Currently, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2’s blood oxygen monitoring tech are disabled due to an ongoing legal dispute in the US. While there is a chance that Apple could reactivate the feature in the future, it’s unclear how this dispute will play out. If you must have SpO2 monitoring on your smartwatch, consider looking elsewhere or at Apple’s older Series 8 or original Ultra model.

On that note, distinctions must be made within the Apple Watch ladder. The Apple Watch Series 9 offers several health-tracking benefits over the Apple Watch SE, including blood oxygen monitoring, ECG smarts, a more durable build, and a new temperature sensor that informs more intuitive cycle tracking. That said, the SE is much cheaper. When shopping for either, you should consider this pricing structure and the watches’ feature sets, especially alternatives.

The Apple Watch Ultra series is also in play, bringing a much larger battery, rugged titanium shell, and plenty of additional features that more adventurous and sporty users will appreciate. It also comes with the highest price we’ve ever seen tied to an Apple Watch.

Notably, if you own an Android phone but are seriously considering jumping over to Apple’s ecosystem for the Apple Watch benefits, the alternatives below should provide some food for thought. All the watches listed below will work with Android phones; the Apple Watch does not work with Android phones at all.

So, what should you look for in an Apple Watch alternative? Considering how versatile the Apple Watch lineup now is, you might be considering several variables.

• If you’re considering an alternative running watch, seek a wearable with built-in GPS, accurate step tracking, and features like SpO2 monitoring and VO2 max data. Apple Watches lack vital recovery data for those who take their training seriously.
• Gym companions don’t necessarily need these features, but you might benefit from devices with multi-sport tracking. Most of the devices below should cover you in that regard.
• Are you looking for a fashion-first wearable? Honestly, any of the below devices would look great on your wrist.
• Finally, the Apple Watch may be your best option if you seek a pure smartwatch with plenty of on-device functionality. Beyond Apple’s walled garden, a Wear OS watch will give you the app support you crave, but you’ll be limited to an Android smartphone.

Top Apple Watch questions and answers