There are just three models of Apple Watch — and $500 separates the most affordable from the premium model, with the flagship landing somewhere in between. Before the launch of the overhauled Apple Watch SE 3 in late 2025, it was pretty easy to direct most people to the Apple Watch Series 11. But with its new display and faster charging, the budget model makes a lot more sense now. There’s also a case for recommending the refreshed Apple Watch Ultra 3 to diehard adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts. Here, we spell out just what differentiates the models as well as what you get when you buy any Apple Watch. Using insights gleaned from Engadget’s own reviews, this guide will help you pick the best Apple Watch for you.
Best Apple Watch in 2026
Cherlynn Low for Engadget 90 100 Expert Score Best Apple Watch overall Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) Chip: S10 SiP | Sensors: Electrical heart, optical heart, blood oxygen, temperature, compass, altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope, light, depth gauge, water temp | Display: Always‑on Retina wide-angle OLED display, max 2,000 nits brightness | Battery life: 24 hours | Case size: 42mm or 46mm Read our full Apple Watch Series 11 review The specs for the Apple Watch Series 11 look pretty similar to the previous generation. The new watch uses the same S10 chip, has the same case and screen size, and employs the same sensors. Plus, new software features like sleep score and hypertension alerts will work with the Series 10 (and the Series 9, for that matter). But two hardware upgrades make the Series 11 model notably better than the last: a tougher screen and a battery that lasts longer. Oh, and the price didn’t go up. The battery now lasts for 24 hours instead of the previous 18. That’s still shy of the 30 hours promised for Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 and Google’s Pixel Watch 4, but it’s an improvement. In her review, Engadget’s Cherlynn Low said that she managed to get more than 24 hours on a charge — during a day that included a workout, camera remote use and sleep tracking. Apple added a ceramic coating to the Ion-X glass on the standard Series 11, making it twice as scratch resistant as the Series 10 (the titanium Series 11 has an even tougher sapphire front crystal). If you're the type to immediately apply screen protectors to your new gear, you may be able to skip that step. New features for watchOS 26 include hypertension alerts (available for the Series 9 or later and the Ultra 2 or later), which use the optical heart sensor and an algorithm to look for patterns of high blood pressure over the course of 30-day periods. There’s also a new sleep score, a Workout Buddy to motivate you through your runs and rides, as well as a new wrist flick gesture to dismiss notifications. A new design was introduced with the Series 10, and the Series 11 maintains that more comfortable, thinner profile and larger screen. The display is easy to read in bright light and at wide angles thanks to the 2,000 nit maximum brightness and the LTPO3 panel. And, as always, the flagship Apple Watch is an excellent companion for your iPhone, does a great job of tracking your workouts and now monitors your health stats even better than before. If you opt for the cellular-enabled model, you’ll now be able to access 5G networks for faster data connections without your phone. Pros Longer, 24-hour battery life
Thin and light design
Comprehensive health monitoring
Tougher screen Cons The Apple Watch SE 3 may be a better value
Pricier than other major flagship smartwatches $300 at Target Explore More Buying Options $369 at Amazon$299 at Best Buy
Cherlynn Low for Engadget Best budget Apple Watch Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) Chip: S10 SiP | Sensors: Optical heart, temperature, compass, altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope, light | Display: Always‑on Retina wide-angle OLED display, max 1,000 nits brightness | Battery life: 18 hours | Case size: 40mm or 44mm Read our full review of the Apple Watch SE 3 The second-generation SE was getting pretty dusty after three years with no refresh. But now we have the Apple Watch SE 3, which starts at $150 less than the Series 11, but you get many of the same features as the more expensive model including the same S10 chip, seven of the 11 sensors, an always-on display and on-device Siri processing. The SE 3 supports most of the new watchOS 26 features, including the new sleep score and wrist flick gesture, as well as the new Workout Buddy. It can handle Emergency SOS features, wrist temperature monitoring and fall and crash detection. One of our biggest gripes with the old model — painfully slow charging — has been replaced with fast charging capabilities that can reach 80 percent in about 45 minutes. And if you go for the cellular-enabled model, your watch can access 5G networks. Here’s what you don’t get: Hypertension alerts, a blood oxygen sensor, the ECG app and a bigger battery. The screen on the Apple Watch SE 3 is smaller, too, with the same display area as the SE 2 (and the Series 4 for that matter) and the brightness maxes out at 1,000 nits instead of 2,000. The case is a full millimeter thicker and there’s no ceramic coating on the glass. The SE 3 color and case material options are more limited, with just two finishes and aluminum-only cases. Still, if you’re looking for an entry-level smartwatch, and don’t mind a smaller screen, the Apple Watch SE is a great choice at an attractive price. Pros Uses the same chip as the Series 11 and Ultra 3 models
Handles most of the same fitness and health features as the Series 11
A lot of watch for just $250
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