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There are only three models, but each of Apple’s smartwatches makes its own case for becoming your next wearable.
Apple has just three smartwatches in its current lineup. We think the flagship Apple Watch Series 10 is the best for most people, but athletes and outdoor enthusiasts might be happier with the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The budget model, the Apple Watch SE, offers a surprising array of features for the price. All three are excellent companions for your iPhone and all do a great job of tracking health and fitness stats. This guide to the best Apple Watch breaks down the differences in sensors, case design and more to help you decide which model makes the most sense for you.
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Best Apple Watch in 2025
Photo by Cherlynn Low / Engadget 90 100 Expert Score Best Apple Watch Overall Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 42mm) Chip: S10 SiP | Sensors: ECG, heart rate, temperature, compass, altimeter, accelerometer, fall/crash detection | Display: Always‑on Retina wide-angle OLED display, max 2,000 nits brightness | Battery life: 18 hours | Case size: 42mm or 46mm Read our full review of the Apple Watch Series 10 Previously, the big news for Apple’s flagship wearable was the new Double Tap gesture. This time, the most notable update for the Apple Watch Series 10 comes on the outside, with a bigger screen matched with a thinner overall design. Instead of 41 and 45mm case sizes, you can now get the watch in either 42mm or 46mm. And, thanks to a redesigned metal back that integrates the antenna into the housing, it’s now just 9.7mm thick, a full millimeter thinner than the Series 9. In her review, Engadget’s Cherlynn Low said the new watch was noticeably thinner and lighter, though that didn’t make a huge difference in comfort between the new version and its predecessor. The larger screen did make some things clearer, such as road names in Maps. The wide-angle OLED display also made it easier to read the face when not looking directly at it. The Series 10 delivers more powerful speaker output, too. Cherlynn noted that the speakers are probably not something you’ll want to rely on for extended listening, and they definitely work better in quiet environments. But if you need to hear a song or a bit of a podcast at some point, your watch will be better equipped to do so. Another hardware upgrade comes with the addition of a depth gauge. It’s not meant for diving, as the gauge is only rated to six meters, but it could give you insights when snorkeling or swimming. In addition to sleep tracking, the watch now also supports sleep apnea detection, a condition that’s seriously under-diagnosed. While it’s not intended for people who already know they have the disorder, it could help identify certain breathing patterns during sleep that should be checked out by a doctor. That feature will also be available on the Apple Watch Series 9 with watchOS 11. Battery life didn’t change drastically — Apple still promises an 18-hour stretch per charge — and that comparatively short span has always been our biggest complaint with the watch. The charging speed, however, did get a boost. You should now be able to get your watch up to 80 percent in just a half an hour using a fast-charge-certified charger. Of course, the new features aren’t the only reason to buy an Apple Watch Series 10. It just happens to be the best companion you can get for an iPhone. The watch will keep you on top of your notifications (presenting fewer distractions than your phone), while the activity tracking and fitness features can help keep you motivated, if that’s something you’re into. It can also remind you to take meds, note your moods and log your period for cycle tracking and predictions. Ultimately, we think the Apple Watch Series 10 is a great buy for iOS users who are either new to Apple Watches or coming from a Series 8 or older. If you’ve got a Series 9, you can probably wait on an upgrade. Pros Thinner and lighter build
Potentially helpful sleep apnea detection
The best companion for an iPhone
Useful new water sports features Cons Still only has an 18-hour battery life $329 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $400 at Target$391 at Best Buy
Cherlynn Low for Engadget Best Apple Watch for adventurers Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + Cellular, 49mm) Chip: S9 SiP | Sensors: ECG, heart rate, temperature, compass, altimeter, accelerometer, fall/crash detection, depth gauge | Display: Always-on Retina display, max 3,000 nits brightness | Battery life: 36 hours | Case size: 49mm Read our full review of the Apple Watch Ultra Apple announced the Apple Watch Ultra 2 at the same event as the Series 9 but, the following year, we did not get an Apple Watch Ultra 3. Instead, Apple announced a new satin black colorway created with a "diamond-like carbon physical vapor deposition" process that you’ll sometimes find used on high-end knife blades. Engadget’s Cherlynn Low took the previous model Ultra out on a hike to take advantage of its outdoor-specific features and the Backtrack function actually saved her and our video producer Brian from taking an unintended detour in the wrong direction. The function lives within the Compass app and lets you set waypoints such as marking the parking lot before you set out. There’s an onboard siren that’s loud enough to alert passersby or emergency personnel to your whereabouts if you should need it. For water-based activities, the Ultra 2 packs diving features that can measure water temperature, dive duration and gauge up to 40 meters of depth. For workouts closer to home, the dual-frequency GPS gives you more accurate route tracking and pace calculations. And the action button can be programmed to start a workout, control the stopwatch, trigger the flashlight, set a waypoint and more. Just note that we found it pretty easy to accidentally trigger the action button when trying to press the crown, so it may take a little practice. The S9 SiP chip enables Double Tap and on-device Siri processing. The screen has been bumped up to 3,000 nits and while we didn’t get to take the new model on a hike, the original at 2,000 nits was plenty bright enough in direct sunlight. We like how the new Modular Ultra watch face makes great use of the oversized screen (though that’s also available on the original AWU.) The battery life remains the same at 36 hours, and we got about three days of moderate use out of the Ultra before needing a recharge. The low power mode is particularly impressive, squeezing out many extra hours from a near-empty watch. Pros Robust build
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