If you're looking to buy one of the best Apple Watch models, but you don't know where to start, you've come to the right place. All of the best Apple Watches on the market will help you live a healthier, smarter, and better-connected life, but in this guide, I'll help you establish which is the best for you.
Of the current releases, the Apple Watch Series 11 is the best model for most people thanks to its comfy design, easy-to-view screen, and Apple's latest holistic features, like sleep apnea detection and hypertension alerts, plus, it has a 24 hour battery life for the first time.
If you're on a budget, the Apple Watch SE 3 is fantastic value. The main difference between the Apple Watch SE 3 vs Apple Watch Series 11 is the brighter screen, ECG app, sleep apnea detection, and temperature sensor on the more expensive model.
If you're a marathon runner or out for an adventure, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the Apple Watch for you. It's more expensive, but it's tougher, has the brightest screen, and has the longest battery life (up to 72 hours in low-power mode).
The quick list
The Apple Watch Series 11 is the best Apple Watch for fitness and health tracking. It boasts Apple's latest holistic tech and features, including sleep apnea detection. With better battery life than the Apple Watch 10, the watch lasts 24 hours on a single charge. Plus, the Apple Watch 11 comes in two sizes and is especially comfy when paired with an Apple Sports Loop.
The Apple Watch SE 3 is the best budget Apple Watch offering many of the same health and smart features found in far pricier models for less than $250. Available in two case sizes, the more diminutive 40mm model is perfect for folks with smaller wrists while the 44mm is optimal for those who prefer greater screen real estate. Either way, both are quite comfortable and easy-wearing.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the battery life king boasting 42 hours of life per charge in normal mode and up to 72 hours in low-power mode. That's double what you can expect from the Series 11 or SE 3. The Ultra 3 is also Apple's toughest-built smartwatch with double the water resistance of its siblings and an all-titanium design. That said, at 49mm, the case wears somewhat large, even on an average-sized wrist.
The best Apple Watch you can buy today
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The best Apple Watch for most people
The Apple Watch Series 11 is our favorite Apple Watch yet, and we've been reviewing them since they launched. It supports all the same marquee health and fitness tracking features as the higher-end Apple Watch Ultra 2, but at a more wallet-friendly price. The Series 11 has the same thin, light design as the Apple Watch 10, and is all-around more comfortable on the wrist than the Ultra 2, which only comes in a 49mm case size.
The Apple Watch Series 11 comes loaded with watchOS 26, which includes the Liquid Glass design, Workout Buddy, and the new hypertension alerts, as well as a sleep score.
All the best Apple Watch models support workout tracking for an enormous range of activities, including the Series 11. The devices all incorporate motivational tools to help get you out and active, like Activity Rings and movement reminders.
The case size is the same as the Series 10, coming in 42mm and 46mm. However, the Apple Watch 11 offers double the scratch resistance, which should better prevent damage to the display.
While there's not too much to persuade you to upgrade from the Series 10, Apple has, at last, broken the 18-hour battery cap. You'll get 24 hours of battery life with the Apple Watch 11, which does mean an end to those nightly charges.
- Read our full Apple Watch Series 11 review
The best budget Apple Watch
The Apple Watch SE 3 — is the best affordable smartwatch on the market today and the best budget Apple Watch. Starting at $249, the SE 3 doesn't have all the same bells and whistles found on its pricier siblings, but it's still a mighty capable, handsome, and easy-wearing smartwatch for the money.
Like the Ultra 3 and Series 11, the Apple Watch SE plays nicely with the latest watchOS 26 release, giving you access to loads of useful features and tools, including the new sleep score. There isn't an ECG monitor, but the cheaper Apple Watch still offers plenty of useful insights into fitness and rest, and it now has a skin temperature sensor, allowing you to get all of the female health tracking capabilities. Plus, the SE 3 has the same chip as Apple's more expensive watches.
It even comes with optional 5G for on-the-go connectivity without the need to carry a paired smartphone. However, that requires a monthly data plan, which may not appeal to the most cost-conscious shoppers.
The SE doesn't offer as bright or large a display as the Series 11 and Ultra 3, but unlike previous versions of the watch, it does have an always-on screen option. Battery life is less than the other two at 18 hours.
But, if those factors aren't deal-breakers for you, then the SE 3 is a tremendous amount of smartwatch for the cash. The 40mm model is also the smallest Apple Watch currently on offer, for folks who prefer a diminutive design.
- Read our full Apple Watch SE 3 review
The best Apple Watch for battery life
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the best Apple Watch for battery life. Despite its large, bright, and immersive display, you can expect roughly 42 hours of use per charge. In power-saving mode, that number jumps to around three full days of usage on a single charge. If you're considering the Apple Watch 11 vs Ultra 3, know that the former lasts only half as long as the latter.
Available in one size, 49mm, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the largest wearable the brand has on offer; it's also the heaviest, despite an all-titanium case. If you have a large wrist or prefer a big screen to interact with, this certainly isn't a bad thing. However, if you're like me and prefer a smartwatch that doesn't feel bulky on the wrist, then you may want to consider the Series 11 instead.
That said, the Ultra series does have other benefits over the standard Apple Watch line, including double the water resistance — 100 meters vs. 50 meters — making it suitable for wearing during all but the most extreme watersports.
Speaking of extreme, safety features are in abundance. All of the models here offer crash and fall detection, which can alert help in the event you take a tumble or are in an accident. However, only the Ultra series has a built-in emergency siren that can be triggered via the watch's customizable Action button. That said, I prefer to assign that button as a quick and easy method to start and stop workout tracking.
Compared to the Apple Watch Ultra 2, the Ultra 3 also has satellite connectivity. Borrowed from the iPhone 14’s Emergency SOS via satellite feature, the Ultra 3 can now keep you connected when you need it most.
Like the Apple Watch 11 and SE 3, the Ultra 3 additionally benefits from all the best Apple Watch features released with watchOS 26, including the new hypertension alerts and sleep score.
- Read our full Apple Watch Ultra 3 review
Also tested
We've only included Apple's current watch releases in this buying guide, however, you may still be able to find recently replaced models, like the Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, available for a bargain. Not a ton of tech separates these older models from their newer editions, so depending on the size of the discount, they may be worthy of your consideration.
Best Apple Watch: features compared
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Apple Watch Series 11 | Apple Watch Series 10 | Apple Watch SE 3 | Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Starting price | $399 | $399 | $249 | $799 |
Dimensions | 46mm: 46 x 39 x 9.7mm / 42mm: 42 x 36 x 9.7mm | 46mm: 46 x 39 x 9.7mm / 42mm: 42 x 36 x 9.7mm | 44mm: 44 x 38 x 10.7 mm / 40mm: 40 x 34 x 10.7 mm | 49 x 44 x 12 mm |
Case colors | Aluminum: Rose Gold, Silver, Space Gray, Jet Black / Titanium: Gold, Natural, Slate | Aluminum: Jet Black, Rose Gold, Silver / Titanium: Gold, Natural, Slate | Aluminum: Starlight, Midnight | Titanium: Natural, Black |
Display | 46mm: 416 x 496 pixels / 44mm: 374 x 446 pixels (Always-On LTPO3 Wide-Angle OLED) | 46mm: 416 x 496 pixels / 44mm: 374 x 446 pixels (Always-On LTPO3 Wide-Angle OLED) | 44mm: 368 x 448 pixels / 40mm: 324 by 394 pixels (Always-On Retina OLED) | 422 x 514 pixels (Always-On LTPO3 Wide-Angle OLED) |
Display brightness | 2,000 nits | 2,000 nits | 1,000 nits | 3,000 nits |
Weight | 46mm: 37.8 g / 44mm: 30.3 g | 46mm: 37.8 g / 44mm: 30.3 g | 44mm: 32.9 g / 40mm: 26.3 g | ~61 g |
Processor | S10 | S10 | S10 | S10 |
Cellular | 5G (optional) | LTE (optional) | 5G (optional) | 5G, Satellite |
Water resistance | 50 meters | 50 meters | 50 meters | 100 meters |
Battery life with always-on display (rated) | 24 hours | 18 hours | 18 hours | 42 hours |
Compatibility | iOS 26 or later | iOS 18 or later | iOS 26 or later | iOS 26 or later |
Health sensors | HRM, ECG, SpO2, Skin Temperature | HRM, ECG, SpO2, Skin Temperature | HRM, Skin Temperature | HRM, ECG, SpO2, Skin Temperature |
How to choose the best Apple Watch for you
Choosing the best Apple Watch for you doesn’t need to be a hard decision. In most cases, it will come down to the newest Apple Watch 11 vs Apple Watch Ultra 3. The Apple Watch SE 3 might be a better option for first-time users, though.
As a runner, if I was choosing an Apple Watch to have on my wrist for my next marathon, I'd choose the Apple Watch Ultra 3 as the action button makes it easier to use the watch on the run. Plus, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 has superior GPS tracking — the watch uses dual-frequency GPS, with both L1 and L5 bands, whereas the Apple Watch 11 uses L1. During my testing, I found that the GPS on the Apple Watch Ultra 3 was more accurate, especially in the city.
That said, if you're not using your Apple Watch for ultramarathons, I'd argue you probably don't need to spend the money on the more expensive watch. For most activities, the Apple Watch 11 and Apple Watch SE 3 will track everything you need, and be more comfortable than the bulky Ultra 3 on the wrist.
No matter which you choose, you’ll benefit from the latest watchOS 26 software, meaning all three watches will have several features in common. Just be sure to review our Apple Watch guide so you know how to make the most of your smartwatch.
How we test the best Apple Watches
Here at Tom's Guide, we've been assessing smartwatches since the debut of the very first Apple Watch more than ten years ago and as these devices have gotten more advanced so too has our testing methods.
It begins with setting up the smartwatch just like we would any other exciting new piece of tech. Once charged up and paired, we slap it on our wrist and go about our daily routines. Our testing team is a mix of tech and fitness geeks, so workout, recovery, and sleep tracking are a huge part of our assessment.
To test fitness tracking accuracy, we pit the latest Apple Watch models against other established models that have proven precision in prior testing. For example, I walked 5 miles with the Apple Watch 10 vs. Pixel Watch 3 on either wrist to see how heart rate, distance, pace, and more compare.
These challenges help us understand things like which models excel at tracking which metrics. As we test fitness features, we're also assessing comfort, durability, and battery life claims. How does the screen hold off to occasional knocks and bumps? Is the strap comfortable when you get sweaty or does it tug at your arm hair? Does the battery last for the duration of an especially lengthy hike/run?
We additionally try any new apps or features, particularly wellness monitoring tools, including tools that scan for health anomalies like an irregular heartbeat or sleep apnea. If there's an app store, we'll install the most popular third-party apps to see how that impacts the experience of the watch.
Finally, we consider how the latest Apple Watch stacks up against the competition in terms of cost, features, tech, and design. This means comparing it both to its siblings but also the completion, particularly models from Google and Samsung. All of this information and testing then gets refined into a product review before appearing in this buying guide.
FAQs
Is the Apple Watch good for tracking workouts?
The Apple Watch Series 10, Ultra 2 and SE (2022) are all competent fitness tracking devices that will let you keep tabs on your daily step count, heart health and rest quality while tracking the most popular workout types, including both gym-based workouts and outdoor ones. Here's a full list of all the physical activities supported by Apple Watch.
Modern Apple Watch models are also fantastic motivational tools for getting moving during the day. Users are encouraged to 'close their rings' every day. These rings correspond to goals set for movement, exercise and standing up. Users can customize these goals or pause their rings at any time.
That said, folks wishing for the most in-depth workout tracking tools may be better served by one of the best Garmin smartwatch models instead of an Apple Watch. Garmin watches also support tracking for more nuanced workout types, especially extreme sports and outdoor activities, like backcountry skiing, boulder and electric mountain biking.
What's the best Apple Watch for swim tracking?
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the best Apple Watch model for folks who want to track water-based workouts, including swimming. While the Apple Watch Series 10 and SE (2022) both support swim tracking, only the Apple Watch Ultra 2 has 100 meters of water resistance, compared to 50 meters on the other models.
According to Apple, a 50-meter water resistance rating translates to roughly 30 minutes of surface-level swimming; that's a pretty short workout. 100 meters, on the other hand, is enough water resistance for long-distance or open water swimming as well as snorkeling and even scuba diving.
Do I need cellular for my Apple Watch?
Select models of the Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch SE (2022) support LTE cellular service. LTE-capable models come at a $50 (AU$80) or $100 premium. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 comes with LTE by default.
It’s important to know that the cost of liberating your Apple Watch from your iPhone won’t end there. You’ll need to pay a monthly fee to your cellular provider to support your watch’s phone-free features.
We still bring our iPhones everywhere, so we haven’t felt like LTE is a must for Apple Watch users yet. That said, as the Apple Watch becomes more autonomous, there could be more scenarios in which leaving your phone behind makes sense.
There’s a safety benefit to having LTE, too — if your phone dies or gets lost, your Apple Watch is able to keep you in touch. It's also helpful if you know how to use Apple Pay on Apple Watch.
What size Apple Watch should I get?
The current generation of Apple Watch models range in size from 40mm to 49mm; those numbers refer to the length of the case. The entry-level Apple Watch SE is offered in 40mm and 44mm and the Apple Watch 10 comes in 44mm and 46mm. The Apple Watch Ultra 2, meanwhile, is available in only a 49mm case size.
For folks with smaller wrists, the 40mm Apple Watch SE will likely feel most comfortable for day-in and day-out wear. However, the Apple Watch SE and Series 10 in 44mm are both pretty manageable in size and weight.
For folks who prefer a larger display, the 46mm Apple Watch Series 10 and Ultra 2 both boast nearly the same amount of touchscreen real estate. However, the Series 10 offers it in a smaller, lighter and thinner package.
On the flip side, the Ultra 2 is the best option for larger wrists or anyone who wants Apple's toughest-built wearable.
What is the best Apple Watch for health monitoring?
The best Apple Watch for health monitoring is either the Apple Watch Series 10 or Apple Watch Ultra 2. Both of these devices offer identical sets of holistic tracking sensors and feature Apple's newest wellness tools like sleep apnea detection.
