The Best Apple Watch
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If you have an iPhone, the best Apple Watch is the wearable to go with it. But which version should you buy? This question has recently gotten more complicated. Early last year, a court ruling dictated that Apple could no longer sell the latest watches—the Series 9, the Watch Ultra 2, and the new Series 10—with a blood oxygen sensor. The medical technology company Masimo alleged that Apple had infringed on its patent. (Apple later defeated a lawsuit alleging that it had a monopoly on heart rate apps. An antitrust lawsuit is still ongoing.)
We recently reviewed the Apple Watch Series 10, but are last year’s Series 9 and Ultra Watch 2 still worth it? Yes, especially if you're upgrading from an older model now being sunsetted. I love the Apple Watch. On the cusp of its 10th anniversary, the Apple Watch is starting to face stiff competition from manufacturers like Samsung and Xiaomi, but it is still my favorite watch. It is the watch I would wear if I weren't constantly testing other fitness trackers. I test each new one for two weeks and often for many months after that. (Now my children test them as well.)
How can you tell them apart, when all of these watches look pretty similar and share a rotating stable of features? We break down which one is best for you and whether older models are worth the price. Wondering what the operating system for these watches will look like? Check out our guides to the top new features in WatchOS and learn about the new Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18. As always, don't forget to check out our other buying guides, like the Best iPads, Best Smartwatches, and Best iPhones.
Updated April 2025: We added relevant tariff information, lawsuit information, availability, and updated links and prices.
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Should You Buy Now?
Have you been considering an Apple Watch purchase, while also keeping an eye on the latest news about tariffs? It's hard to parse what effects the tariff will have on your wallet and the economy, as it changes day to day. However, our advice is still “buy it now.” Do not wait, as there's a risk that prices soar in June or July.
Best for the Money
If you have any doubt as to whether you should get an Apple Watch at all, the SE is Apple’s entry-level option. OK, so it isn't the most exciting Apple watch. The SE series doesn't get updated that frequently, and it did not get updated last year. Moreover, it doesn't have the latest standout health features, like the ability to check your skin temperature. Its 1,000-nit display is noticeably smaller now that bigger, brighter screens have come to every other watch. Most regrettably, it does not have the next-gen ultra-wideband chip to precision-locate your many other Apple devices.
However, it is the most affordable of what Apple touts as its carbon-neutral products (when bought with a Sport Loop, braided Solo Loop, or the updated Milanese Loop, that is). It's compatible with watchOS 11, so you'll be able to take advantage of the new Vitals app, which will finally let you check your heart rate and respiration in a dashboard without hunting through the Health or Fitness apps. It has the last S8 chip, which is what the Series 8 has, and features like Crash Detection to call your emergency contact and emergency responders if you've been in a car accident and are unresponsive for 10 seconds. It also has the newly redesigned Compass app, fall detection, and support for international roaming, and it works with Family Setup. It comes in a teeny 40-mm case size, and the nylon back makes it even lighter. If you have an Apple Watch, everyone in your family wants an Apple Watch. The SE will serve you, your nana, and your 9-year-old perfectly well.
The Best Apple Watch
This review comes with the significant caveat that the Watch Series 10 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) does not have blood oxygen sensing, which is truly preposterous given that almost every other fitness tracker on the planet has it. But with that said, this year's standout health feature, Breathing Disturbances, uses the Series 10’s accelerometer to notify you if you have sleep apnea, which otherwise requires a disruptive sleep test to diagnose. It’s the perfect health feature to monitor with a wearable that you wear constantly.
There are also a bunch of hardware and software upgrades. It's thinner and lighter, so it's more comfortable to wear while sleeping, and it has fast charging, so it can track more of your activities during the day. I found that I was able to top it up pretty easily with 20 to 30 minutes on a fast charger while I was in the shower every morning. It also has a bunch of new features focused on water sports, including water temperature, which is pretty vital where I live, since a lot of people become incapacitated when they jump into water that's too cold. Most importantly, WatchOS 11 has a bunch of new algorithms that will benefit from the sensors and bigger screen, including new comprehensive ones like Vitals, so that you can check whether you're off your baseline every morning, and Training Load, so you can see how your workouts are impacting your fitness over time. Despite no blood oxygen sensing, it's the best Apple Watch.
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Best for Outdoor Sports
Do you want an Apple Watch that can replace your satellite messenger, your cycling computer, and your running watch? Then, my friend, the Watch Ultra 2 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is for you. Like the Series 10, it can monitor your nightly breathing disturbances to notify you if you might have sleep apnea. It has the S9 chipset that debuted in the Series 9, which allows for faster processing and Double Tap, and the ultra-wideband chip for precision-locating your phone. It also has a new, shockingly bright 3,000-nit display. I didn't see a difference on a sunny day on the water, but you might if you’re on a glacier somewhere.
However, many of the Watch Ultra 2’s best new outdoor features are only fully apparent when you're also within reach of your iPhone. The touted offline maps are visible on the watch only when you download them on your iPhone and have it charged and within Bluetooth range of the watch. If you start a cycling activity on your watch, it shows up as a Live Activity on your iPhone. Many of these features—along with the handy Action button and the three-mic array—are also available on last year's debut Watch Ultra. Again, if you've already bought a Watch Ultra, I would probably wait to upgrade. If this is your first, however, you will thoroughly enjoy the Watch Ultra 2—and this year, it comes in a satin-black titanium finish that just looks way better than the old version. This is the watch to get if you love outdoor sports but also want the full functionality of a smartwatch—as long as you don't accidentally close the tab that tells you how to get back home. Like the Series 10, it doesn't have the blood oxygen sensor.
The Series 9 Checks for Sleep Apnea
Do you suspect that you might have sleep apnea? The Breathing Disturbances feature only works with the Series 10, the Watch Ultra 2, and the Series 9. If you're interested in this feature and you own a Series 9 (7/10, WIRED Review) from last year, you don't have to upgrade. It has the S9 chipset for faster onboard processing of Siri commands, which improves battery life noticeably and theoretically provides more privacy for your sensitive medical data. It also has Double Tap, which borrows from Apple's accessibility learnings. The accelerometer, gyroscope, and optical sensor will detect the minute shifts as you tap your index finger and thumb on your watch hand twice to activate the primary button on your watch screen; it's nice for stopping and starting music or timers around the kitchen.
The Series 9 has health sensors that the SE doesn't have, like ECG monitoring, blood oxygen sensing, and skin temperature sensing. It's also compatible with watchOS 11. However, it may be hard to find. Apple no longer sells the Series 9 on Apple.com, but you can still find it on sale at third-party retailers, however.
If It’s on Sale for Under $300
Shockingly, watchOS 11 is only compatible with the second-gen of Watch SE and newer. R.I.P. Watches Series 4, 5, and first-gen SE. However, that makes every watch from the Series 6 on good to go. The Series 6 was the first Apple Watch to have blood oxygen sensing, and the ITC's ban does not affect it or the Series 7 or 8.
If you can find it on sale, the Series 8 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a perfectly capable watch. It's compatible with watchOS 11, which is where most of the fun updates come in anyway. Unlike the Watch SE, it has all the health and safety hardware, like the improved accelerometer for Crash Detection to tell your loved ones if you're in a car accident, sensors for measuring your skin temperature, and ECG and blood oxygen measuring. No, it doesn't have precision locating, but you can always ping your iPhone!
Avoid These Watches
Photograph: AppleSeries 1, 2 and 3
It's been years since we've seen retailers carry the Series 1, Series 2, or Series 3. You may see them on resale sites, but they are not worth the price. WatchOS 11 only works with the second-gen SE and newer, so we no longer recommend buying the Series 4 or 5, or the first-gen SE. The Series 1 isn't waterproof; neither the Series 1 or 2 has any cellular capability; and none of these watches are compatible with the latest watchOS version.
The Best Accessories
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Once you have your Apple Watch, you're going to need some accessories. Here are the ones for you to consider first.
A case and a screen protector. Apple's service pricing is notoriously exorbitant—repairing a watch costs almost as much as buying a new one! Bigger and more expensive isn't always better. If the case is big and doesn't fit well, it will rattle annoyingly every time you get a notification. I like the Spigen Thin Fit Case ($15) and a screen protector set from Amazon ($10); extras are nice if you mess up the first application.
Whatever band you want. Our guide to the Best Apple Watch Accessories has a ton of options. Reviewer Martin Cizmar caved and bought the Hermés Kilim Single Tour band ($350), which is one of the most successful brand collaborations of all time. My personal favorite watch is also the Watch Ultra 2 and my favorite band is the new black Milanese loop ($200).
A 3-in-1 charger. Apple Watches are notoriously hard to keep charged. This Belkin Qi2 charger ($110) is our favorite stand, but we have many more selections in our guide to the Best 3-in-1 Chargers. You could also pick up a power bank ($90) with a built-in Apple Watch charger so you're not caught out with a dead watch.
