After eleven series and several spin-offs, the Apple Watch is now the smartwatch equivalent of a TV box set. But when it comes to choosing the best Apple Watch for you, it’s not as simple as starting with the latest episode.
From connected apps to fitness tracking to contactless payments, every recent Apple Watch has the smarts to embarrass traditional timepieces. But there are also important differences between each edition. They don’t all share the same screen size, dimensions or sensor setup, for starters. There are GPS sports watch-type features, too. And the price varies considerably depending on which ticker you pick.
Don’t know your Series 11 from your SE? Our guide below explains the distinguishing features of every model available – and suggests which one might be the best fit for your wrist and budget. Whether you’re shopping for your first Watch or upgrading from an older version, we’ve covered all of the options.
Why you can trust Stuff: Our team of experts rigorously test each product and provide honest, unbiased reviews to help you make informed decisions. For more details, read how we test and rate products.
Quick list: what’s the best Apple Watch?
What to consider when buying an Apple Watch
Lifestyle and Priorities
Start by considering your lifestyle and priorities. Are you a fitness enthusiast who wants advanced health tracking, or do you primarily need a convenient way to stay connected? Features like heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen tracking, and ECG can be crucial for health-conscious buyers, while GPS and cellular options are great for those who want to leave their phone at home during workouts or errands.
Size and Design
The Apple Watch comes in different case sizes (41mm, 45mm, etc.), and the material (aluminium, stainless steel, titanium) influences durability, weight, and cost.
Try it on if possible, as comfort and style play a big role in a device you’ll wear daily.
Compatibility
Compatibility with your iPhone is critical – Apple Watches only work with iPhones, so Android users need to look elsewhere.
Battery Life
Most Apple Watches last around 18 hours, though Ultra models offer longer life for outdoor adventurers. Fast charging can offset shorter battery life if you’re often in a rush.
Budget and Future-Proofing
Newer models offer the latest features, but older or SE versions still pack a punch at lower prices. It’s important to think about future-proofing here – picking a watch with newer tech ensures longer software support.
Looking for Something Lighter?
If you’re looking for something a little more lightweight, check out the best fitness tracker or best smart rings instead.
The best Apple Watches you can buy today:
1. Apple Watch 11
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| Specifications | Apple Watch Series 11 |
|---|---|
| Processor | S10 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor and 4-core Neural Engine |
| Display | Always-On LTPO3 OLED Retina display, up to 2,000 nits peak brightness |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Connectivity | 5G and LTE (optional), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Durability | IP6X |
| Dimensions | 42mm or 46mm |
| Weight | 29g / 1.02oz or 35g / 1.23oz (depending on size) |
The Apple Watch Series 11 is the best smartwatch you can buy right now. We’ve tested dozens of rivals, and nothing comes close. We love the design, which comes in 42mm and 46mm sizes, with aluminium and titanium finishes. There’s a shade for everyone, from classic silver to the striking new space gray.
The health features are genuinely impressive. Hypertension notifications, sleep score tracking, ECG, and blood oxygen monitoring are all on board. Battery lasts a full 24 hours, and a 15-minute charge buys you eight more. The new ceramic-coated display is noticeably tougher, and shouldn’t develop scratches over years of use.
5G cellular means calls and streaming work without your iPhone nearby. Workout Buddy, powered by Apple Intelligence, coached us through runs with real-time spoken feedback. It felt like having a personal trainer on your wrist.
Why we chose it
This smartwatch does things no competitor can match, and it’s just so polished. The hypertension notifications stand out as a potential lifesaver, validated across 100,000 participants, it seems like proper science.
Sleep scoring gave us genuinely useful nightly feedback. We actually changed our bedtime routine because of it. The Liquid Glass interface on watchOS 26 looks beautiful too – a small detail, but one that matters daily. If you own an iPhone, this is simply the one to buy.
3. Apple Watch Ultra 3
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| Specifications | Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
|---|---|
| Processor | S10 chip with 64‑bit dual‑core processor |
| Display | Always‑On Retina display with wide‑angle OLEDs and LTPO3, 422×514 pixels, 326 ppi |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Connectivity | Support for 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi‑Fi networks, Bluetooth 5.3, 5G19 and LTE optional |
| Durability | IP6X, water resistance 100m |
| Dimensions | 49mm |
| Weight | 61.6 g / 2.17 oz |
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the ultimate smartwatch for iPhone users who love the outdoors. It has the largest display ever on an Apple Watch, powered by LTPO3 and wide-angle OLED technology. It’s bright, sharp, and easy to read at any angle.
Battery life hits 42 hours, stretching to 72 hours in Low Power Mode, and satellite communications let you text emergency services and share your location with no phone signal needed.
GPS accuracy is best-in-class for a sports watch. The titanium case is tough, repairable, and made with 100% recycled materials.
Oh, and like the Apple Watch 11 above, hypertension notifications monitor your blood pressure passively in the background, and Sleep Score helps you understand and improve your rest.
Why we chose it
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the most impressive smartwatch around. Satellite SOS, hypertension alerts, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence make it genuinely life-changing for active users.
The battery lasts long enough for multi-day adventures, and fast charging gives you 12 hours of life in just 15 minutes.
Whether you’re trail running, diving, or cycling, it has a dedicated feature set for your sport. If you own an iPhone and spend time outdoors, this is the watch to buy, but if you’re not interested in sports, then the Apple Watch 11 is the better bet.
3. Apple Watch SE 3
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| Specifications | Apple Watch SE 3 |
|---|---|
| Processor | S10 chip with 64‑bit dual‑core processor |
| Display | Always‑On Retina display with wide‑angle OLEDs and LTPO, 422×514 pixels, 326 ppi |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Connectivity | Support for 2.4GHz Wi‑Fi networks, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Durability | Water resistance 50m |
| Dimensions | 40 and 44mm |
| Weight | 26.3g / 93 oz or 32.9g / 16 oz (depending on size) |
The Apple Watch SE 3 is the sweet spot for anyone who wants a proper Apple Watch without the flagship price. We tested it for two weeks straight, and it genuinely impressed us.
You get an Always-On display – something even older SE models lacked. The S10 chip makes everything feel snappy. Sleep score, sleep apnea notifications, and wrist temperature sensing are all here too. That’s serious health tracking for the money.
Fast charging is a game-changer. Fifteen minutes plugged in buys you eight hours of use. We never once ran out of battery during testing.
It comes in 40mm and 44mm, in midnight and starlight. All clean, classic options.
Why we chose it
This watch punches well above its price. During testing, the sleep score alone changed how we approached bedtime. The Always-On display feels premium, not budget.
You’re not compromising on the features that actually matter day-to-day. If you want Apple Watch health tracking without paying Series 11 or Ultra prices, the SE 3 is simply the obvious choice.
Read more: Apple Watch SE 3
Smartwatch specification comparison
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| Specifications | Apple Watch Series 11 | Apple Watch Ultra 3 | Apple Watch SE 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Sizes | 42mm, 46mm | 49mm | 40mm, 44mm |
| Build Materials | Aluminium, Titanium | Titanium | Aluminium |
| Screen Type | OLED, Always-On | LTPO3 OLED, Always-On | LCD, Always-On |
| Brightness | Bright, scratch-resistant | Brightest, improved angles | Moderate brightness |
| Durability | New ceramic coating | Toughest build | 4x more crack-resistant than previous model |
| Chipset | S10 | S10 | S10 |
| Battery Life | Up to 24 hours | Up to 42 hours (72 with LPM) | Up to 18 hours |
| Fast Charging | Yes (8 hrs in 15 min) | Yes | Yes (2x faster than before) |
| Hypertension Alerts | Yes (FDA pending) | Yes (FDA pending) | Yes (FDA pending) |
| Sleep Score | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Temperature Tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ovulation Estimates | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Double Tap & Gestures | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Satellite Connectivity | No | Yes | No |
| Price | $399/£399 | $799/£749 | $219/£219 |
Frequently asked questions
Cellular models can make calls, stream music, and use some apps independently, but initial setup and most features require pairing with an iPhone running iOS 16 or later.
Most Apple Watch models offer around 18 hours of typical use on a single charge, while the Ultra models can reach up to 70 hours in low-power mode.
Apple Watch Series 2 and later are water-resistant to 50 metres, making them suitable for swimming. If you want to go scuba diving or partake in high-velocity water sports, you’ll want the Ultra model, which is water-resistant to 100 metres.
Apple Watch uses a proprietary band connector, so only bands designed for Apple Watch will fit – though there are many third-party options available alongside Apple’s official lineup.
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Recent updates
- 6th May 2025: Removed unavailable models, including the Apple Watch Series 10, Ultra 2 and SE 2, and replaced them with newer versions. Also restructured the guide, adding FAQs.
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