If you have an iPhone, the Apple Watch is unquestionably the best wearable to go with it. But what's the best Apple Watch to buy? With three models, each with unique attributes and features, this question has gotten harder to answer. For the past few years, Apple contended with a series of troublesome lawsuits and bans that led to the removal of its blood oxygen sensor (which is finally back). Last year, the company introduced a ton of new features, like satellite messaging and hypertension notifications.
Nevertheless, the new updates also include markedly improved battery life. I have been asking for this feature for years, and for that reason alone, I feel fairly confident about saying, yes, if you're in the market, you should buy a new one. I love the Apple Watch. Ten years on, it's still the beautiful, Jony Ive–designed wearable everyone with an iPhone has to have. It is the watch I'd wear if I weren't constantly testing other fitness trackers. (Even my children wear Apple Watches.)
If you need help telling them apart, let me break down which features are available on which watch, and whether older models are still worth the price. The latest operating system is watchOS 26, and we also discuss the Apple Watch's newest fitness-related features. Be sure to check out our other related buying guides, including the Best Smartwatches, Best Fitness Trackers, and Best iPhones.
Updated February 2026: We've overhauled this guide with a new intro, new information in the product cards, and new information on Apple's latest fitness features.