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Do I need AirPods for an Apple Watch?

As an Apple Watch owner, I’ve often wondered whether I should also invest in a pair of AirPods. So I decided to do some research and testing to find out if AirPods are really necessary for an Apple Watch. In this blog post, I’m going to share my experience and the solutions I discovered to this common question – do I need AirPods for an Apple Watch?

You do not have to use AirPods with an Apple Watch. An Apple Watch can connect with any set of Bluetooth earphones.

Overall, I fully recommend AirPods Pro 2 with an Apple Watch. They are the best earphones I have ever owned. They are also great for workouts and running when used with an Apple Watch.

However, you may still want to consider using AirPods with an Apple Watch because AirPods have features that work well with the Apple ecosystem such as automatic switching between devices and being able to see their battery percentage.

Tips
You do not have to use AirPods with an Apple Watch – any set of Bluetooth earphones will work.
AirPods have features that work well with the Apple ecosystem such as automatic switching between devices and being able to see their battery percentage.
It is possible to pair the Apple Watch with AirPods without using an iPhone.
The Apple Watch can be paired with any Bluetooth earphones, not just those made by Apple.
The best earphones for an Apple Watch will depend on your needs, but AirPods Pro are a great option for those who are active.
PowerBeats have an even more secure fit than AirPods Pro and could be a good choice for those who are active while using their Apple Watch.

Do I need AirPods for an Apple Watch?

It is not necessary for you to use AirPods with an Apple Watch. The Apple Watch can be paired with any set of Bluetooth headphones.

However, there are some advantages to using AirPods with an Apple watch as well as other Apple devices. AirPods connect to your iCloud account, this allows for the AirPods to connect to the Apple device that you are currently using.

So, if you stop using your Apple watch and start using your iPhone, the AirPods can switch automatically to the iPhone. This is not a feature that you get with other earphones and is very convenient.

Read more: How long can you listen to music on AirPods?

Do AirPods work with the Apple Watch without the iPhone?

Yes, it is possible to pair the Apple Watch with Airpods without using an iPhone.

It will be necessary to use an iPhone for the initial setup, but after that you will be able to use just the AirPods and Apple Watch even when offline.

This can be useful for things such as when you want to be able to go on a run without having to bring your iPhone.

Read more: Can I charge AirPods with the Apple Watch charger?

Do any earphones work with the Apple Watch?

The Apple Watch can be paired with any Bluetooth earphones. The earphones do not have to be made by Apple. If you like earphones made by Sony or a different company then you can use them with your Apple Watch if you would prefer to.

AirPods
AirPods

What earphones are best for an Apple Watch?

The best earphones for you to pair with an Apple Watch will depend a lot on your particular needs.

Generally, people are being active when using earphones with an Apple watch.

For that reason, I would personally recommend the AirPods Pro because they come with features that work well with the Apple ecosystem such as automatic switching between Apple device, integration with Siri and being able to see the battery percentage when you open the case.

But, they also feature ear tips that allow them to fit in your ears much more securely than regular AirPods can which can help to ensure that they do not fall out when you are being active.

If you are active when using AirPods, you might also want to consider getting PowerBeats which have an even more secure fit than AirPods Pro because they feature an ear hook that wraps around the ears.

Pros of AirPods for Apple Watch

  • Automatic switching between Apple devices
  • Integration with Siri
  • You can use them with the Apple Watch without the iPhone nearby

Cons of AirPods for Apple Watch

  • More expensive than other Bluetooth earphones
  • In my experience, they do not always connect properly