Apple Watch vs WHOOP:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Apple Watch had more branded searches than WHOOP among smartwatch brands in the United States. Apple Watch had about 1.5 million branded searches, while WHOOP had 201,000. Apple Watch made up 52.9% of all smartwatch brand searches we track, and WHOOP accounted for 7.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about smartwatch brands, Apple Watch appeared in four of the five answers and WHOOP in one. Apple Watch was mentioned before WHOOP in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Apple Watch, about 7 searches for every 1 for WHOOP
Who does AI mention more?
Apple Watch, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, WHOOP in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Apple Watch, named ahead of WHOOP in every answer
Follow Apple Watch vs WHOOP and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top smartwatch brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Apple Watch was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. WHOOP was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Apple Watch was listed before WHOOP in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Garmin1st- Apple Watch2nd
Fitbit3rd
Google Pixel4th
Amazfit5th
Samsung Galaxy Watch6th
WHOOP–
COROS–
Polar–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Garmin5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Apple Watch4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Fitbit4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Samsung Galaxy Watch3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Google Pixel3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- WHOOP1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Amazfit1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- COROS0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Polar0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about smartwatch brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which smartwatch should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best smartwatch brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What is the best fitness tracker?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“smart watch”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“fitness tracker”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 26, 2026.
Is Apple Watch or WHOOP more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Apple Watch and WHOOP by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine smartwatch brands we track, month by month, from searches in United States.
Share of searches by month for Apple Watch, WHOOP. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Apple Watch | Garmin | Fitbit | WHOOP | Samsung Galaxy Watch | Google Pixel | Amazfit | COROS | Polar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 59.8% | 12% | 12% | 3.6% | 6.4% | 3.6% | 1.6% | 0.88% | 0.22% |
| Nov 2025 | 62.3% | 12.5% | 10.2% | 3.1% | 6.6% | 3.1% | 1.4% | 0.62% | 0.18% |
| Dec 2025 | 62% | 12.5% | 10.2% | 3.7% | 6.6% | 2.8% | 1.4% | 0.61% | 0.18% |
| Jan 2026 | 50.8% | 15.3% | 15.3% | 5.6% | 7.1% | 2.5% | 2.1% | 0.92% | 0.27% |
| Feb 2026 | 52.1% | 15.7% | 12.8% | 5.7% | 7.3% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 0.94% | 0.28% |
| Mar 2026 | 51.9% | 15.7% | 12.8% | 7% | 6.8% | 2.6% | 2.1% | 0.94% | 0.23% |
| Apr 2026 | 50.5% | 15.2% | 15.2% | 6.8% | 6.6% | 2.2% | 2% | 1.1% | 0.22% |
| May 2026 | 44.5% | 16.4% | 20.1% | 7.3% | 5.8% | 2.4% | 2.2% | 0.99% | 0.24% |
| Jun 2026 | 44.5% | 16.4% | 20.1% | 7.3% | 5.8% | 2.4% | 2.2% | 0.99% | 0.2% |
| Jul 2026 | 45.8% | 16.9% | 16.9% | 7.5% | 6.9% | 2.5% | 2.3% | 1% | 0.2% |
| Aug 2026 | 45.3% | 16.7% | 16.7% | 7.5% | 7.3% | 3.3% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 0.24% |
| Sep 2026 | 52.9% | 15.9% | 13% | 7.1% | 5.6% | 2.6% | 1.7% | 0.96% | 0.19% |
How has the Apple Watch and WHOOP comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Apple Watch was ahead of WHOOP in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Apple Watch’s share of searches among smartwatch brands in the United States moved from 59.8% to 52.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.5M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, WHOOP’s share of searches among smartwatch brands in the United States moved from 3.6% to 7.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 90.5K to 201K.
How did search popularity change for United States smartwatch brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Apple Watch gained share of searches among smartwatch brands in the United States, from 45.3% to 52.9%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for WHOOP in the United States rose 122.1% over 12 measured months, from 90.5K to 201K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Apple Watch’s and WHOOP’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Apple Watch
1 branded search term
- apple watch
WHOOP
1 branded search term
- whoop band
Other head-to-heads among smartwatch brands
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.