New Fitness Features
Courtesy of Apple
There are plenty of reasons to wear an Apple Watch beyond just the health features. Maybe you want quick access to texts, calendars, or Siri. Perhaps you need to keep an eye on your kids or ensure your elderly mom stays safe. I’ve watched the Apple Watch evolve over the years, transforming from a basic wearable into a robust fitness tracker that now stands tall next to high-end Garmins and Suuntos. From the start, Apple has embraced the watch as a personal health device, with CEO Tim Cook even claiming it could save lives. The addition of hypertension notifications and sleep tracking marks significant progress, although we’re still waiting for the much-anticipated non-invasive continuous glucose monitor.
Beyond health-related features, Apple has rolled out new additions to its workout programs recently. The AI-powered Workout Buddy in Fitness is one of the most notable (even if I haven’t found much use for a bot enthusiastically naming my song playlist). Apple has also expanded Fitness+ to more countries and introduced new workout programs, like three-week strength training routines designed to kickstart your fitness journey.
It’s also important to mention that Apple Watch data works well with many other fitness and workout apps beyond Apple’s Fitness+. For guidance on selecting the right app for your Apple Watch, check out our guide to the Best Fitness and Workout Apps. Fitness+ is available on the iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, too.
Compare Top 5 Apple Watches
The Best Apple Watch Apps and Accessories
Once you have your Apple Watch, you’ll want some accessories. Here are a few essentials you should consider:
- A 3-in-1 charger. Apple Watches can be tricky to keep charged. Our favorite is the Belkin Qi2 charger ($110), but you can find more options in our Best 3-in-1 Apple Wireless Chargers. There’s also a power bank ($90) with a built-in charger for your Apple Watch, perfect for keeping your device alive on the go.
- Whatever band you prefer. Our guide to the Best Apple Watch Accessories offers a wide range of options. Personally, I love the Konsu NYC supple leather band ($169), but there are many more to choose from.
- A case and a screen protector. Repairs at Apple can be pricey—fixing a watch could cost nearly as much as buying a new one! A poorly fitted case can be annoying, rattling every time you get a notification. I recommend the Spigen Thin Fit Case ($15) and a screen protector set from Amazon ($10); they’re handy if you mess up your first application.
Avoid These Watches
It’s been years since retailers stocked the Series 1, Series 2, or Series 3. You might find them on resale sites, but they’re not worth the investment. WatchOS 26 is only compatible with the second-gen SE and newer, so we don’t recommend purchasing the Series 4 or 5, or the first-gen SE. The Series 1 isn’t waterproof, neither the Series 1 nor Series 2 has cellular capabilities, and none of these models support the latest watchOS version.
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