Best smartwatch for iPhone: what great watches work with your iPhone?

So you want a smartwatch to use with your iPhone? The great news is there are a lot of choices right now packed full of interesting features while also sporting luxurious designs that will ensure your wrist always looks fashionable.

The bad news is you're going to have a very hard decision to make. Things have moved quickly in the smartwatch space since the release of the original Apple Watch in 2015.

We've had an updated version called the Apple Watch 2 and that's already been discarded in favor of the newly-released Apple Watch 3. On top of that, there's now a plethora of other smartwatches you can use with your iPhone.

It can be quite complicated to decide the best smartwatch to use with your iPhone, so we've made a guide to explain which watches will work with your iOS device.

Of those, we've recommended our favorite watches and highlighted whether and why each is a great companion for your iPhone.

What watch should you use with your iPhone?

Although Android Wear 2.0 and Tizen - a rival OS to Apple and Google - watches work with iPhones, the best watches right now are the Apple Watch 3 and original Apple Watch.

Both of these devices are tailored for the iPhone experience, with watchOS working perfectly with iOS, so it makes sense to buy one of these.

If you can still pick up an Apple Watch 2, that might be a good budget buy, as it offers many of the best features of the Watch 3 at a lower price.

But you can get a selection of both Tizen and Android Wear watches that work with the iPhone too, and we've put together the list below to show you the best for battery life, features and style on the market right now.

For all the options below, you'll need an iPhone 5S or later that's running iOS 11 software to ensure you'll get all of the benefits of owning a smartwatch.

watchOS choices

As the latest and greatest Apple Watch, the Apple Watch 3 is of course the best smartwatch to use with an iPhone.

With a bright, high-quality screen and well over a day of battery life, plus all the things that make the Apple Watch 2 great, like a stylish design, water resistance and enough fitness features to cater to most users.

It’s a great all-rounder then, with style and substance, suited to both the office and the gym. There’s even an LTE model – though at a higher price. And of course, being an Apple Watch, it works perfectly with iPhone.

Read our full Apple Watch 3 review

Until recently the Apple Watch 2 was the best smartwatch for you to use with your iPhone. It's water-resistant, which means it's more durable than many of the other devices on this list and you won't have to worry about getting it wet in the rain when you're out for a jog.

With GPS onboard and watchOS 4 software running on it, if you own an iPhone this is a great choice, and more affordable than the Apple Watch 3. Though Apple itself has stopped selling it, so the Watch 2 may start to become hard to find.

Read our full Apple Watch 2 review

Perhaps you're looking for an Apple Watch, but want something a little more affordable? Fitness features are a little more limited as there's no GPS sensor like there is in the Apple Watch 2 and 3, but the original Apple Watch does cost a lot less.

If you buy the original Apple Watch you're less likely to be supported for as long as if you buy a more up to date Apple wearable, but it may be worth it for you with that cheaper price.

Read the full Apple Watch review

Android Wear and Tizen watches

A variety of other devices work with your iPhone too. We've listed them below including watches that are running both Android Wear and Tizen software.

Samsung Gear S2

The Samsung Gear S3 has a big downside - there's a serious lack of original apps on the Tizen platform. That said, it is one of the best smartwatch designs on the market.

It has intuitive controls as well as a Super AMOLED screen, plus there's in-built GPS so you can take this watch running without your phone.

On top of that, Samsung has also announced that you'll be able to save Spotify tracks to the watch in an upcoming software update.

Now it's compatible with iOS devices, the Gear S3 is one of the best watches you can use alongside your iPhone.

Read the full Samsung Gear S3 review

Sony Smartwatch 3

One of the first Android Wear watches to come with the second version of the software, the LG Watch Style is one of the best-looking devices you can use alongside your iPhone.

The design of the LG Watch Style is on point as it's one of the thinnest smartwatches on the market, sporting a sleek metal build.

Our only complaint is the battery life on the LG Watch Style, but if you're happy to recharge your device every day or two this won't cause a major problem for you.

Read the full LG Watch Style review

If you like the sound of the LG Watch Style above but think you'll want more fitness features, you're in luck. The LG Watch Sport is probably the device you want as it includes strength training on top of everything else you'd expect.

It also supports an LTE connection, so you can connect your watch up to the wider world and be able to make and receive phone calls if you head to the gym or out for a run without your phone on you.

That said, this is a very thick watch and the battery life isn't incredible on the LG Watch Sport, but it'll last you a couple of days for your workouts.

Read the full LG Watch Sport review

Asus Zenwatch 2

The Asus ZenWatch 3 is a good option if you're looking for a smartwatch with a great display, hardware buttons and solid everyday battery life.

It's not the best-looking watch - although it's far from hideous - and there aren't extensive fitness features, but if you're looking for a dependable smartwatch then this could be a strong option for you, especially if you find it at the right price.

Read the full Asus ZenWatch 3 review

The first Huawei Watch was a fashion-focused device, but the sequel turned out to be a little more fitness heavy than we expected. It comes with GPS, NFC, and even 4G in a variety of markets too.

It has a reasonable design, but its plastic finish doesn't look as classy as some of the other top-end watches you'll see featured in this list. Also, the screen isn't as big as a lot of other options either, which is an issue when that's all you've got to peer at.

Read the full Huawei Watch 2 review

Moto 360

The second generation Moto 360 is consistently one of the best looking smartwatches on the market, especially if you're looking for a smaller device to have on your wrist.

It now comes with Android Wear 2.0 as well, so you'll be able to use it alongside your iOS device. The reason we've put it so low on this list is because it's quite old and you may struggle to find a Moto 360 now, but some stores should still stock them - and it's quickly becoming a cult classic.

Read the full Moto 360 review

Looking for a Samsung smartwatch that will work alongside your iPhone but not cost a huge amount? The Samsung Gear S2 is compatible and it's far cheaper than most of the other alternatives on this list.

There aren't as many apps on the Tizen platform as you'll find on Android Wear or watchOS, but this is still a solid smartwatch choice if you have an iPhone.

Read the full Samsung Gear S2 review

Other alternatives

There are quite a few devices you can use with your iPhone that wouldn't necessarily fit the term 'smartwatch'.

Hybrid watches such as the Withings Steel HR would work with your iPhone for example, while there are also alternatives such as the Fitbit Blaze if you're more interested in fitness tracking.

You should also check out our extensive range of devices to help you run - in our cunningly named best running watches round up - as many of these offer incredibly battery life as well as smart notifications from your wrist.

For instance, the Garmin Forerunner 935 will last almost 10 days on a single charge while running every day, allow you to take or reject calls and control your music - plus is one of the most gifted exercise companions we've seen.

So if you're thinking of getting fitter - check out the burgeoning world of running devices to help you out.