Best Apple Watch for men, Expert Reviews Needed

[david03]

I have researched the Best Apple Watch models for the past few days because I’m planning to buy one for daily use, fitness tracking, and health monitoring. I checked reviews from The New York Times, Consumer Reports, and Popular Mechanics, and they often recommend models like the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 as some of the best options.

Garmin vívoactive 5, Health and Fitness GPS Smartwatch, AMOLED Display, Up to 11 Days of Battery, Ivory
https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-v%C3%ADvoactive-Fitness-Smartwatch-Display/dp/B0CG6NBJ61/

Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Light Blush Sport Band
https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Watch-Smartwatch-Aluminum-Always/dp/B0FQF9ZX7P/


However, I’m having trouble deciding which one would suit my needs best and would appreciate some expert advice.

I mainly want the watch for:

Fitness tracking (steps, workouts, heart rate)

• Health features like ECG and blood oxygen monitoring
  Notifications and calls from my iPhone
• Good battery life for daily use
• Occasionally using GPS during walks or workouts
• I am not a professional athlete, but I do want something reliable and future-proof.

So which Apple Watch would you recommend for everyday use?
Any suggestions or personal experiences would really help.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Fr. Guido Sarducci]

I do all of the things you have listed and more with my Series 11 and couldn’t be happier. There is nothing I don’t like about it.

 

[Howard2k]

Any of them will meet those requirements. The stand-out items to me are:

Battery life - Garmin is leaps and bounds ahead. Expect to charge your Apple Watch every day. Though it's trivial.
Apple Integration - obviously much stronger on the Apple Watch.

One thing that isn't mentioned is the cellular interface on the Apple Watch. Even if you don't plan to use the cellular service it might be worth getting the cellular version anyway since 1) it can be activated later, and 2) even if unactivated it can still call emergency services is most countries.

 

[Grayburn]

Any of them will meet those requirements. The stand-out items to me are:

Battery life - Garmin is leaps and bounds ahead. Expect to charge your Apple Watch every day. Though it's trivial.

Unless you’re using an Ultra, I’ve squeezed into day 4 on a single charge. Usually though I get 2.5/3 days depending on how many workouts get done.

But yes Garmin do batteries better.

 

[BigMcGuire]

I have researched the Best Apple Watch models for the past few days because I’m planning to buy one for daily use, fitness tracking, and health monitoring. I checked reviews from The New York Times, Consumer Reports, and Popular Mechanics, and they often recommend models like the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 as some of the best options.

Garmin vívoactive 5, Health and Fitness GPS Smartwatch, AMOLED Display, Up to 11 Days of Battery, Ivory
https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-v%C3%ADvoactive-Fitness-Smartwatch-Display/dp/B0CG6NBJ61/

Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Light Blush Sport Band
https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Watch-Smartwatch-Aluminum-Always/dp/B0FQF9ZX7P/


However, I’m having trouble deciding which one would suit my needs best and would appreciate some expert advice.

I mainly want the watch for:

Fitness tracking (steps, workouts, heart rate)

• Health features like ECG and blood oxygen monitoring
  Notifications and calls from my iPhone
• Good battery life for daily use
• Occasionally using GPS during walks or workouts
• I am not a professional athlete, but I do want something reliable and future-proof.

So which Apple Watch would you recommend for everyday use?
Any suggestions or personal experiences would really help.

Thanks in advance!

What is your budget? How connected to the Apple Ecosystem do you want it to be?

I am not a professional athlete and I want basic stuff just like you - battery life matters a lot to me - so this is why I shelled out $ for an Apple Watch Ultra 3. You can find deals on the AWU2 and it is still a good choice.

Yes, Garmin lasts a lot longer on a charge but there are less band options and it doesn't integrate as well into the Apple Ecosystem like an Apple Watch does (Apple Fitness+, unlocking your Mac, dealing with Mac prompts, your phone unlocking your watch, health features, etc...).

But keep in mind, you don't buy a smart watch for future-proofing. The batteries will go south after 3-4 years especially with heavy usage. These are not Casios that last 10 years on a battery. Software will become outdated fairly quickly. But what you get in return is really nice.

I turn off most of the notifications that are on by default - I don't like my tech bothering me. I absolutely love keeping my phone on silent all the time but getting important call notifications on my watch, using haptic alarm to wake up, having important people on my favorites list be able to reach me any time of the day (and at night), being able to go jogging and have anyone calling my number reach me or me being able to call anyone, open up my car and drive it, open up my front door, pay for anything, see weather - sun down/up - activity at a glance, I mean the list goes on and on.


I have been a happy Apple Watch user since the Apple Watch 3.

Garmin's are nice but imo they are best for the marathon runners and professional athletes - all the people I know with them fit that category.