The best Apple Watch to buy

If you have an iPhone, the Apple Watch is the best smartwatch for you. But there was only one Apple Watch when the smartwatch launched in 2015. A decade later, you’ve got three flavors to choose from: the entry-level Watch SE, the standard Series, and the rugged Ultra. Each appeals to a different demographic and set of needs, but good news: I’ve tested every Apple Watch dating back to the Series 2 and can point you in the right direction.

The best Apple Watch for most people

Apple Watch SE 3

Score: 9

• We finally get an always-on display
• We get double tap and wrist flick!
• So many more health features!
• 5G!
• Fast charging!
• More durable!
• On-device Siri!
• Upgraded processor
• You get a speaker too

• Those bezels are still thicc
• Wish the battery life was a skosh better

Where to Buy:

• $249 $219 at Walmart (40mm, GPS)
• $249 $219 at Amazon (40mm, GPS)
• $279 $249 at Amazon (44mm, GPS)

Sizes: 40mm, 44mm / Weight: 26.3g (40mm), 32.9g (44mm) / Battery life: Up to 18 hours / Display type: Always-on LTPO OLED / GPS: Built-in GPS, plus GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, Beidou / Connectivity: 5G (optional), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi / Water resistance: Up to 50 meters / Music storage: 64GB

The third-gen Apple Watch SE is an incredible value. So much so, there’s not that much of a difference between this entry-level watch and the more advanced Series 11. There’s now an always-on display, an improved S10 chip that enables gestures like double-tap and wrist flick, fast-charging, on-device Siri, 5G cellular, and additional health features thanks to the new wrist-temperature sensor. For folks who are in relatively good health, you don’t necessarily need advanced health features like blood oxygen or EKGs for afib detection. The SE 3 still gets you the basics like abnormal heart rate notifications, the new Sleep Score, and sleep apnea notifications. 

Aside from health, you’re only really giving up on aesthetics. The SE 3 has a thicker bezel, and I wish battery life were a bit longer. Still, I had zero FOMO while testing this watch alongside the Series 11. And for $150 less? This is the Apple Watch most people should buy.

The best Apple Watch for health monitoring

Apple Watch Series 11

Score: 8

• Slightly better battery life
• 5G connectivity
• FDA-cleared hypertension notifications

• It’s not “bad,” but the most exciting updates are in watchOS 26 and coming to older watches, too

Where to Buy:

• $399 $299 at Walmart (42mm, GPS)
• $399 $299 at Amazon (42mm, GPS)
• $429 $329 at Amazon (46mm, GPS)

Sizes: 42mm, 46mm / Weight: 30.3g (42mm), 37.8 (46mm) / Battery life: Up to 24 hours, 38 in low-power mode / Display type: Always-on LTPO OLED / GPS: Built-in GPS, plus GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, Beidou / Connectivity: 5G (optional), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi / Water resistance: Up to 50 meters / Music storage: 64GB

While I maintain the SE 3 is the best for most people, if health monitoring is your primary focus, the Series 11 has a slight edge. It’s got all the advanced sensors that enable afib monitoring, and the bigger battery is a bonus if sleep tracking and sleep apnea features appeal to you. Apple has also added FDA-cleared hypertension notifications, which the SE 3 doesn’t have. Its slimmer profile and larger display are other reasons I recommend the Series 11 to anyone buying an Apple Watch for a parent. 

But if you’re looking to save some moola, I recommend hunting for a Series 10 while there’s still stock available. The Series 10 and 11 are nearly identical watches, with the latter’s main hardware upgrades being 5G connectivity and a modest bump to battery life.

What about blood oxygen?

At the beginning of last year, Apple stopped selling Apple Watches with the blood oxygen feature in the US due to an ongoing patent dispute with medical device maker Masimo. The International Trade Commission has ruled that Apple Watches with the blood oxygen feature infringe on two of Masimo’s patents — and are therefore subject to an import ban.

However, in August, Apple had a workaround approved that returned the blood oxygen feature via a software update to all US models. This doesn’t necessarily mean this issue is done and dusted just yet. Masimo continues to fight back in the courts.

That said, the blood oxygen feature is not particularly vital on any wearable just yet. Many either have spot check features only or passively track your SpO2 overnight and give you an average in the morning. They cannot, and should not, replace fingertip pulse oximeters.

The best Apple Watch for athletes

Apple Watch Ultra 3

Score: 8

• Even longer battery life
• Bigger display, thinner bezels
• Satellite and 5G connectivity

• Most people likely won’t notice 5G or satellite improvements

Where to Buy:

• $799 $779.99 at Amazon (with Ocean Band)
• $799 $779.99 at Amazon (with Trail Loop)
• $799 $774 at Amazon (with Alpine Loop)

Sizes: 42mm, 46mm / Weight: 30.3g (42mm), 37.8 (46mm) / Battery life: Up to 24 hours, 38 in low-power mode / Display type: Always-on LTPO OLED / GPS: Built-in GPS, plus GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, Beidou / Connectivity: 5G (optional), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi / Water resistance: Up to 50 meters / Music storage: 64GB

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is overkill for daily life. Its extra durability, bright screen, siren, and Action Button are best suited for folks who have active lifestyles. I’m talking about frequent hikes, outdoor runs, recreational diving, and all that jazz. You don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy the Ultra — I know plenty of Tech Dads in particular who love this watch for its extra-long battery life and the bigger display. (Both reasons why I’ve also used the Ultra as my daily driver for the past two years.) The black model also looks sick.

Like with the Series watches, I’d hunt for a discount on a last-gen Ultra 2 for a teeny bit of savings since this year’s model was a minor upgrade. Also, if you already have an Ultra 2, hold your horses! Now is not the time to upgrade. The exception is if you think you’ll find value in the new satellite connectivity feature. I’ve gone on multiple hikes in New Jersey and haven’t found an area without coverage — but if you’re in a rural area where that’s an issue, this is a valid reason to opt for the Ultra 3.

The best Apple Watch for kids

Apple Watch SE 3

Where to Buy:

• $249 $219 at Walmart (40mm, GPS)
• $249 $219 at Amazon (40mm, GPS)
• $279 $249 at Amazon (44mm, GPS)

Sizes: 40mm, 44mm / Weight: 26.3g (40mm), 32.9g (44mm) / Battery life: Up to 18 hours / Display type: Always-on LTPO OLED / GPS: Built-in GPS, plus GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, Beidou / Connectivity: 5G (optional), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi / Water resistance: Up to 50 meters / Music storage: 64GB

Unless there are explicit health issues at play, your kids don’t need a Series 11’s advanced health tracking, nor do they need the Ultra 3’s bulky design. An SE 3 is more than sufficient for keeping tabs and staying in touch. Plus, if you’re buying for a younger, rambunctious child, the SE 3 comes in the smallest size and won’t burn as big a hole in your wallet if it breaks. But if you’re not keen on giving your child their own iPhone just yet, make sure you’re getting a cellular model so you can take advantage of the Apple Watch For Your Kids setup feature. 

What’s coming next

Now that Apple’s fall hardware events are behind us, we don’t anticipate any changes to the Apple Watch lineup until the end of 2026, especially given that Apple typically refreshes its smartwatches only once a year. The next big update to look forward to may be what’s in store for watchOS, the next iteration of which will likely be unveiled at Apple’s World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC) in June.

Update, January 8th: Updated pricing / availability and updated the copy to reflect the new year.