Best Apple Watches for Peloton in 2026 (Compatible Picks)

We have curated a list of the best Apple watches for Peloton. For Peloton enthusiasts, tracking performance metrics like heart rate, calories burned, and workout intensity is essential for maximizing results. While Peloton offers its own fitness tracking capabilities, pairing your bike or treadmill with an Apple Watch can take your training to the next level.

Apple Watches seamlessly integrate with Peloton, allowing you to monitor real-time heart rate data, close your Activity Rings, and even sync workout stats directly to Apple Health. But with multiple models available, choosing the right Apple Watch for Peloton can be overwhelming. Should you go for the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for its rugged durability and advanced fitness features? Or is the Apple Watch SE a budget-friendly option that still gets the job done?

In this guide, we’ll break down the best Apple Watches for Peloton, comparing their fitness tracking capabilities, battery life, comfort, and overall value. Whether you’re a casual rider or a hardcore Peloton athlete, we’ll help you find the perfect smartwatch to enhance your workouts and keep you motivated. Let’s dive in!

So, here are the best Apple Watches for Peloton worth considering.

Best Apple Watches for Peloton

1. Apple Watch Ultra 3 (Best Pick)

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Apple Watch Ultra 3 Key Specifications

Pros

• Improved battery life
• Brighter LTPO3 OLED display
• Slightly thinner bezels
• Rugged build & durability
• Water resistance to 100m
• Satellite connectivity (for SOS, messaging, location sharing off-grid)

Cons

• Premium cost
• Battery still not best for multi-week use

The best Apple Watch for Peloton is the Apple Watch Ultra 3. From the moment you put on the Apple Watch Ultra 3, it feels particularly well suited to Peloton workouts. Its rugged 49mm titanium case, large bright display and prominent Digital Crown make it easy to check workout information while cycling, running or doing strength exercises. More importantly, it works with Peloton’s Apple Watch integration, allowing the watch to provide heart-rate information during compatible Peloton workouts and contribute to metrics such as heart-rate zones and Strive Score.

That integration is arguably one of the Ultra 3’s biggest advantages for Peloton users. Once Peloton is set up on the watch, it can notify you when a workout is ready to be tracked, and the Apple Watch can display your heart rate and heart-rate zone during compatible classes. Peloton uses this heart-rate information to help calculate Strive Score, making the watch useful for monitoring workout intensity rather than simply recording that a session took place.

The Ultra 3’s large, exceptionally bright display is another advantage during exercise. Its high brightness makes workout information easy to see, while the larger screen gives you more space to read metrics at a glance. That’s particularly useful during an intense Peloton session, when you may want to check your heart rate or progress without interrupting your workout.

Heart-rate accuracy is especially important for Peloton training, and the Ultra 3 performs impressively in independent testing. TechRadar compared its heart-rate readings with a Polar H10 chest strap during stationary cycling and reported an average difference of just 1 bpm, with very similar heart-rate graphs. That level of agreement makes the Ultra 3 a compelling option for users who rely on heart-rate zones and Strive Score to monitor workout intensity.

Battery life is another strength. Apple rates the Ultra 3 for up to 42 hours of normal use, while Low Power Mode can extend battery life to up to 72 hours. Apple also says the watch can maintain full GPS and heart-rate readings for up to 20 hours in Low Power Mode. That gives the Ultra 3 plenty of endurance for regular workouts, although actual battery life will vary depending on GPS use, workout duration and other features.

Peloton’s broader Apple Watch support further strengthens the case. Peloton says the Apple Watch can display heart rate and heart-rate zones during Peloton classes, allowing you to monitor workout intensity directly from your wrist. The integration extends beyond cycling, making the watch useful for other compatible Peloton workouts as well.

There are still drawbacks. The 49mm Ultra 3 is larger and heavier than standard Apple Watch models, so it may be more watch than you need if your primary goal is simply tracking Peloton workouts. Some aspects of Peloton’s Apple Watch integration also depend on an iPhone and the particular workout or app setup, so the experience isn’t completely independent of Apple’s wider ecosystem.

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is an excellent choice for Peloton users because it combines strong heart-rate performance, a highly visible display, long battery life and deep integration with Peloton’s workout tracking. For someone who wants a premium Apple Watch that can monitor cycling and other workouts while providing useful heart-rate information during Peloton sessions, it is one of the most capable options available.

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2. Apple Watch SE 3

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Apple Watch SE 3 Key Specifications

Pros

• Always-on display
• Faster processor (S10 chip)
• Improved health and wellness features
• Charges significantly quicker than earlier SE models
• Better durability and display
• Good value

Cons

• Still missing some advanced health sensors
• 18 hours of battery life in normal usage
• Design is less premium and more traditional

The Apple Watch SE 3 inherits a lot of the polish of its higher-end siblings while making deliberate trade-offs so the price doesn’t spiral. Inside its familiar aluminum shell beats the same S10 chip that powers the premium models, delivering snappy responsiveness wherever you tap or scroll—apps, menus, fitness modes all open instantly and glide without hesitation.

One of the most welcome additions is the Always-On display. Gone is the need to raise your wrist or tap the face just to check the time or glance at a notification. That said, Apple seems to have tempered its ambition: under bright sunlight the screen can fade a little, and it doesn’t push the brightness envelope like the most advanced models. But for what you’re getting at this price point, it’s a smart inclusion.

On the health side, the SE 3 brings a modest but meaningful upgrade. You’ll get heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking (with a new Sleep Score), motion detection, and cycle tracking enhanced by temperature readings. Its Sleep Apnea detection tools also add nuance to its wellness suite—though it stops short of features like ECG or blood-oxygen sensing, which remain reserved for Apple’s higher tiers. In practice, that means it’s excellent for everyday metrics but less so for deep diagnostics.

Some gesture-based innovations deserve applause. A double-tap (pinch your finger and thumb) can trigger common tasks—answering calls, playing music, or controlling volume—while a subtle wrist flick sends you back to the watch face. These gestures feel polished and surprisingly intuitive after a short period, adding a hands-free convenience that typically trickles down from flagship models.

Battery life is more or less what you’d expect. Apple still rates it at around 18 hours, which means most users will end the day needing a recharge. But the introduction of fast charging is a real bonus: hitting roughly 80 percent in about 45 minutes means you can top up while showering or before bed, which softens the inevitable nightly tether to the charger. In some tests, lower usage modes or disabling Always-On can push you a bit beyond a full day, though it’s no multi-day endurance performer.

Physically, the SE 3 uses the same case dimensions as its predecessor: 40mm or 44mm options, both slim at ~10.7 mm thick, and light enough to barely register on your wrist. Weight is modest (around 26g for the smaller and 32.9g for the larger GPS version). Apple offers it in Starlight and Midnight finishes, which feels a bit conservative, but you can always express yourself with bands. The bezels are noticeable, particularly compared with the latest flagship models with sloped glass and thinner borders, but that’s one of the compromises baked into the SE’s value approach. On the plus side, the glass is more scratch-resistant than before, offering improved durability over older SE models.

Connectivity options are solid. The SE 3 supports Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi, and in the cellular variant, 5G—bringing faster data independence to your wrist. In tests where the iPhone wasn’t nearby, the SE 3 handled messages and calls smoothly, though speeds weren’t dramatically different from prior models in real-world conditions.

Where the SE 3 truly distinguishes itself is in the value equation. Priced significantly lower than the flagship models, it gets you much of the same software experience—including watchOS 26, with features like the Liquid Glass UI, on-device Siri, Live Translations in messages, and fitness coaching. For most people who don’t need advanced electrocardiograms or full medical-level sensors, this feels like a “sweet spot” Apple Watch.

That said, the SE 3 isn’t perfect. Some users will chafe at the lack of ECG or SpO₂. The screen, while capable, doesn’t push display innovation. And the design cues—flat edges, uncurved bezels—feel familiar, to the point of nostalgia. If your wrist craves novelty, the Series line might appeal more.

Overall, the Apple Watch SE 3 is less a compromise than a well-considered balance. It strips away the bells and whistles that many users hardly ever touch, but it retains all the day-to-day essentials—and in that sense, it feels like the most honest, “useful over flashy” Apple Watch yet. For buyers who want most of Apple’s smartwatch magic without paying flagship premiums, this is a very compelling pick.

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3. Apple Watch Series 11

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Apple Watch Series 11 Key Specifications

Pros

• Longer battery life
• Better durability/more scratch-resistant display
• New health & wellness features

Cons

• Minimal design changes

From first look, the Series 11 doesn’t aim to astonish with radical redesigns. Its silhouette — available in 42 mm or 46 mm cases, 9.7 mm thick — remains familiar, a continuity with the previous generation. But in that known framework lie a handful of changes that quietly matter. 

Apple has long held battery life as a self-imposed constraint. With the Series 11, that boundary recedes a bit: the company now promises up to 24 hours of “standard” use, and fast charging is now part of the story — a 15-minute charge may buy you as much as eight hours of runtime. Whether in real-world conditions the stretch from 18 to 24 hours translates into true overnight wearability depends on usage, but reviewers generally agree it’s a welcome improvement. 

One of the clearest headlines this year is the addition of hypertension notifications. Rather than being a real-time blood-pressure monitor (which would require cuff-based calibration), the watch now applies an algorithm over several weeks’ worth of optical heart data and vascular response patterns to flag possible signs of high blood pressure. It’s an intriguing step toward more preventive health tooling — though cautious observers emphasize that this should never substitute for clinical assessment.

Complementing that is a sleep score feature, now baked into watchOS and tied to the Series 11 experience. Rather than simply logging duration, it weighs depth, consistency, and cycle patterns to generate a daily number — a digestible metric that nudges you to refine your rest. Coupled with it are improvements in how workouts, media, and notifications interplay — a “Workout Buddy” AI voice is said to deliver encouragement in real time. On the gestures front, the “wrist flick” to dismiss alerts joins the familiar double-tap for interaction, making the wrist-to-screen exchange subtly more fluid. 

Internally, there’s no new silicon. The Series 11 still runs on the S10 chip, the same as its immediate predecessor, which means compute performance is steady rather than reinvented. Storage remains at 64 GB, and the core sensor suite — ECG, blood-oxygen, temperature, motion, compass — persists. What has changed more visibly is the display glass on aluminum models: Apple now applies a ceramic coating to Ion-X glass, roughly doubling scratch resistance over its predecessor. If you opt for the titanium models, you still get sapphire crystal up front — as before.

On the connectivity side, this is Apple’s first Watch to lean into 5G (on cellular models). Along with a redesigned antenna system to capture more bands, this should deliver better data performance and more stable connections when your iPhone isn’t nearby. That said, 5G battery cost, carrier support, and real-world gains will likely vary by region.

It doesn’t dazzle by changing form, but in the tweaks — tougher glass, longer battery, smarter health nudges — it inches closer to being a watch you genuinely forget on your wrist. For someone with a generation-old Watch, the cumulative upgrades could justify the leap. For those with last year’s model, the question may be whether the incremental gains feel meaningful enough.

The Series 11 doesn’t reinvent the wheel. Instead, it tightens the spokes. It gives the Apple Watch a bit more resilience, a bit more reach, and a bit more health ambition — while keeping the core elegance and utility that users expect.

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4. Apple Watch Ultra 2 

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Apple Watch Ultra 2 Key Specifications

Pros

• Bright, large display
• Handy action button

Cons

• Battery life, though better, still lacks
• Ultra Wideband limited to iPhone 15 and 16

 The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is an impressive feat of engineering, standing out as the ultimate smartwatch, primarily thanks to its stunning Retina Display OLED. The screen on this watch is incredibly vibrant, reaching a peak brightness of up to 3,000 nits, making it easily visible in bright sunlight or underwater. This is one of the most powerful displays ever seen on a wearable device, making it perfect for outdoor adventures or even extreme sports.

At first glance, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is noticeably larger and bulkier compared to the standard Apple Watch models. Its rugged, durable titanium case exudes strength and durability, designed for those who need a watch that can withstand harsh conditions. Inside, the Ultra 2 is powered by the S9 processor, which makes the device faster and more responsive than its predecessor. This upgrade enables the much-lauded Double Tap gesture, allowing users to interact with the watch using just a tap of their fingers—a feature that’s also present in the Apple Watch Series 9.

While the overall design of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 remains nearly identical to the first Ultra, the enhancements are more noticeable in practical use. The improved processor, combined with features like an accurate and powerful GPS, makes the Ultra 2 a fantastic choice for adventurers. With watchOS 10’s enhanced hiking waypoints, navigation has never been smoother, and outdoor explorers will appreciate the depth and precision of this system. Moreover, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 doubles as a full-fledged dive computer through the Oceanic Plus app, adding another layer of versatility for those who enjoy underwater sports. It can dive deeper than any other Apple Watch model, reinforcing its rugged, outdoor-centric design.

Though its battery life surpasses the standard Apple Watch models, it still falls short of expectations for some users, especially those accustomed to wearables that last for days on end without a charge. Nevertheless, the Ultra 2 offers a significant improvement over the regular Apple Watch in this department.

Despite the launch of the Apple Watch Series 10, the Ultra 2 maintains its title as the best smartwatch Apple has ever made. Its impressive battery life, coupled with a robust design, ensures it remains a top choice for those seeking the best in wearable tech. However, like its predecessor, it still relies heavily on the iPhone for full functionality, which may limit its appeal to non-Apple users. And while it’s undoubtedly one of the most capable smartwatches available, it does come at a premium price, which could be a barrier for some.

Technically speaking, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 excels in almost every category: it has the biggest and brightest screen, the ability to dive the deepest underwater, and a case built from ultra-hard titanium. Whether you’re hiking, diving, or just navigating your everyday life, the Ultra 2 is the best smartwatch from a technical standpoint, even when considering the newer Apple Watch Series 10.

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5. Apple Watch Series 10

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Apple Watch Series 10 Key Specifications

Pros

• Larger, brighter display
• Slimmer and lighter design
• Faster charging
• New sleep apnea tracking

Cons

• No blood oxygen sensing

The Apple Watch Series 10, while marketed as having an “all-new” design, doesn’t stray too far from the familiar look that Apple Watch users have come to know. However, Apple has made some subtle yet significant upgrades that improve the overall experience. For starters, the watch is now thinner and lighter, making it more comfortable for extended wear. The display size is another notable improvement—the 46-mm model offers a larger screen than even the 49-mm Apple Watch Ultra 2, providing more real estate for navigation and interacting with apps.

Charging has been slightly optimized, making the Series 10 charge faster than previous models, which is always a welcome improvement. The most groundbreaking addition, though, is the inclusion of a US FDA–cleared sleep apnea tracking feature. For those who struggle with sleep disorders, this could be a game-changer, offering a level of health monitoring that few wearables can match.

Style-wise, the Series 10 debuts a new jet-black finish, a sleek option that even Batman might approve of. But beyond aesthetics, the watch shines with its robust suite of health features, including fall detection and the ability to take electrocardiograms (ECGs), making it a reliable health companion. Its integration with third-party apps remains unrivaled, turning the device into more than just a fitness tracker—it’s practically a tiny, powerful extension of your iPhone.

Yet, as with any tech upgrade, there’s the question of whether it’s necessary. If you own a Series 6 or later, you’re likely already benefiting from many of the core features brought by WatchOS 11. One glaring omission from the Series 10 is blood oxygen sensing, which remains unavailable due to ongoing litigation. Additionally, Apple hasn’t tackled one of the biggest complaints about its smartwatches—the 18-hour battery life, which has remained frustratingly low for several generations.

While the Series 10 is arguably the best smartwatch available right now, it might not compel existing users to upgrade immediately, especially if they are satisfied with their current model. However, if you’re in the market for accessories to spice up the look, be sure to check out Apple’s guide to the Best Apple Watch Accessories, where you can find a variety of straps to customize your new watch.

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6. Apple Watch SE 2

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Apple Watch SE 2 Key Specifications

Pros

• Lightweight and comfortable
• Good battery life for the price
• Offers updated features compared to older, budget Apple Watches

Cons

• Lacks always-on display and ECG
• Nylon back

The Apple Watch SE 2 is widely regarded as the ideal choice for many Apple Watch users due to its more affordable price point, especially when compared to higher-end models like the Apple Watch Series 10. Despite being more budget-friendly, it still delivers a substantial array of features, maintaining a high standard of performance for everyday use.

One of the standout aspects of the Apple Watch SE 2 is that it shares the same powerful chipset as the Apple Watch Series 8. This ensures that it offers fast and efficient performance, making it capable of handling tasks like tracking workouts, responding to notifications, and running apps smoothly. It provides the core experience that many users look for in an Apple Watch, without the higher price tag associated with more advanced models.

However, the SE 2 does omit certain premium features found in the Series 8 and beyond. Most notably, it lacks an always-on display, which means the screen stays off until you raise your wrist or tap it. It also doesn’t include ECG (electrocardiogram) or blood oxygen monitoring, which are features geared toward more advanced health tracking and are found in the Series 8. It’s worth noting that the newer Series 9 and Series 10 no longer offer blood oxygen tracking either, which somewhat reduces the impact of this missing feature in the SE 2. Additionally, the Apple Watch SE 2 doesn’t support the Double Tap feature introduced in the Series 9, which allows for easy control of the watch using just a tapping motion with your fingers.

Despite these omissions, the Apple Watch SE 2 is far from limited. It still boasts a wide range of health and fitness tracking features, including heart rate monitoring, activity tracking, sleep tracking, and workout detection. It also includes critical safety features, such as fall detection and the potentially life-saving Car Crash Detection, which can alert emergency services if you’re involved in a severe accident.

On the hardware side, the SE 2 is lightweight, comfortable to wear, and offers excellent battery life for a fully-featured smartwatch. This balance of performance, comfort, and price makes it an attractive option for those who want a capable smartwatch without paying for advanced features they might not need.

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7. Apple Watch Series 8 

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Apple Watch Series 8 Key Specifications

Sizes: 41mm, 45mm | GPS: Yes | Swim proof: Yes | Sleep tracking: Yes | Heart rate monitor: Yes | SpO2 monitor: Yes | Battery life: 18 hours | Compatibility: iOS

Pros

• Outstanding display
• Durable design
• Enhanced crash detection
• Effective sleep tracking

Cons

• Similar to Apple Watch Series 7

The Apple Watch Series 8 represents a modest evolution from its predecessor, the Series 7, but introduces several noteworthy features that enhance its functionality. A standout addition is the skin temperature sensor, which significantly aids in cycle and fertility tracking, along with improving sleep tracking. This feature makes it especially valuable for individuals who menstruate or are interested in monitoring their reproductive health.

Another significant upgrade is the introduction of low power mode, allowing the Series 8 to extend its battery life up to 36 hours. This enhancement is particularly useful for users who rely on their watch for extended periods without the need for frequent charging.

The crash detection feature is another exciting addition. Utilizing enhanced motion sensors, this feature provides immediate assistance in emergency situations, adding a layer of safety for users during their daily activities.

In terms of design, the Series 8 retains the familiar aesthetic seen in the Series 4, 5, and 6, which many users appreciate. Interestingly, Apple has also reduced the price compared to previous models, making it a more accessible option.

Despite being a minor upgrade from the Series 7, the Apple Watch Series 8 stands out as one of the best smartwatches on the market. With its comprehensive health tracking capabilities and the integration of watchOS 9, it excels as both a health monitor and a communication tool. Whether you’re using it for fitness, managing calls, or accessing the latest Apple Watch apps, the Series 8 is an excellent choice, especially for those within the Apple ecosystem. If you own an iPhone, this smartwatch is undoubtedly a top contender for your wrist.

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8. Apple Watch Ultra

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Apple Watch Ultra Key Specifications

Sizes: 49mm | GPS: Yes | Swim proof: Yes | Sleep tracking: Yes | Heart rate monitor: Yes | SpO2 monitor: Yes | Battery life: 36 hours | Compatibility: iOS

Pros

• Action button added
• Emergency siren feature
• Excellent battery life
• Dual-frequency GPS

Cons

• Bulky
• Expensive

Let’s start with its design, which is both bold and practical. The Apple Watch Ultra is a massive smartwatch, thanks to its 49mm flat display. That extra screen space has made a huge difference in my everyday use. Whether you are checking notifications, navigating with maps, or enjoying the customizable complications on the watch face, everything is much easier to see. For workouts, We especially appreciate the extra metric visibility — at a glance, you can check my progress or heart rate, which adds to the experience of tracking my fitness. However, the size can be uncomfortable, especially when it comes to sleep tracking. 

The Action Button is one of the most exciting new additions to the Ultra. This extra customizable button lets you quickly launch a preset tool or function with just a single press, and we find it incredibly useful. Some mostly use it to start my workouts or activate the flashlight, which, surprisingly, has become one of the features many rely on regularly. However, we do wish the Action Button had even more customization options, like opening any third-party app directly without needing to set up a Shortcut. 

From a safety perspective, the Apple Watch Ultra really shines. The siren feature offers great peace of mind, especially since I often walk alone at night. While I haven’t needed to use it yet, just knowing it’s there makes me feel more secure. 

When it comes to battery life, this is where the Apple Watch Ultra truly delivers. With LTE enabled, the battery lasts about 36 hours, which is reasonable given the level of connectivity. Before enabling LTE, I could go almost two full days between charges. This is a huge improvement compared to the daily charging routine I was used to with previous Apple Watches. I expected to use low-power mode more often, but with charging options always nearby, I haven’t found the need.

That said, the price of the Apple Watch Ultra is still a bit hard to swallow. It’s not cheap, and while it’s packed with features, many of them are overkill for the average user. For people who want a more basic experience, the Apple Watch Series 8 or even the Apple Watch SE might be a more cost-effective option. However, if you want a smartwatch that can almost replace your phone and is tough enough for just about any situation, the Ultra is a strong contender.

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Best Apple Watches for Peloton