20 watches in the test
Warentest tests smartwatches: The Apple Watch loses its lead – and ends up behind last year’s model
The 45 millimeter version of the Apple Watch Series 8 looks significantly larger on women’s wrists
© Malte Mansholt / stern
The Apple Watch has been firmly at the top of Warentest for years. And this year too, Apple is the test winner – with last year’s model. However, the gap to other manufacturers is decreasing significantly.
Sport, paying for groceries and sometimes even replacing your phone: Smartwatches are becoming increasingly popular. Has dominated for years Apple is a manufacturer that clearly dominates the market – also in the comparisons by Stiftung Warentest. But for the first time the new one Apple Watch Series 9 acquired by a well-known competitor. And the second row is also getting closer and closer.
This is shown by the current test of 20 models. Apple can still clearly score points – five of the best six watches come from the iPhone company – but there is an ever-increasing number of models that are rated at least nearly as well. And they don’t have to be expensive: “Good” smartwatches are available for under 200 euros.
Apple Watch: Warentest recommends the previous model
There is a bizarre message in first place: According to Warentest, the best Apple Watch is neither an Ultra model nor the new Series 9 – but that Apple Watch Series 8 from last year, which can defend first place with a rating of “good” (1.6). The new model is just behind with a rating of “good” (1.7), but the worse rating is still quite remarkable.
Warentest actually does not provide a detailed explanation. The old model performed slightly better in the sub-grades “Communication and other functions” and “Handling”. But only Warentest knows why. On paper it should Series 9 actually perform better in these areas: With the new S9 chip it is faster, the display is brighter and handling has also become more flexible thanks to a new double-tap gesture. In the startest, these innovations were all positive (you can find our test here).
After all: If you follow the recommendation of Stiftung Warentest, you can save a lot. While the tested Series 9 in 45mm is available from around 450 euros, you pay noticeably less for the Series 8 at 350 euros a year after its release.
Expensive is not better
The significantly more expensive one Apple Watch Ultra 2 However, it is not rated any better: it also ends up in shared second place with “good” (1.7) – despite the price of at least 830 euros. Here too, Warentest does not explain the differences in the partial grades in more detail. At least the new Ultra performs better than the first model.
The only watch from another manufacturer in the top 5 comes from Garmin: The Venu 2 Plus At “only” 300 euros, it is one of the manufacturer’s cheaper watches. It particularly scores points with its fitness functions: whether it’s heart rate, steps or distance – the Venu 2 Plus measures everything almost perfectly. It’s hard to get over the fact that it performs somewhat worse when it comes to smartwatch functions. The overall grade: “good” (1.7) pushes it into second place next to Apple watches.
Savings tip
If you want to pay even less, you should Watch S1 Pro from Xiaomi. It is regularly available for under 200 euros. But it offers good fitness measurement and decent smartphone functions. The overall rating of “good” (2.3) is really impressive for the price.
You can find the complete test for a fee at test.de.
This article contains so-called affiliate links. Further information are available here.