Smartwatches have become the de-facto way to measure activity from your wrist and can encourage you to get moving. It's increasingly common for them to offer health features like a blood oxygen sensor. Some may even have an ECG (also known as an electrocardiogram) which can check for signs of a heart condition called atrial fibrillation.
Smartwatches reflect your personal style and come in a variety of finishes, from aluminum to titanium, with a seemingly endless variety of watch bands to choose from. There's also a watch size and design to suit every wrist, so you'll want to ask yourself if you prefer a round screen for that classic wristwatch look or a square display like the Apple Watch. It's best to try in-store before you buy.
Most smartwatches only work with one platform. The Apple Watch will only work with an iPhone, and the Samsung Galaxy Watch and Pixel Watch only pair with Android phones, for example. Garmin and Fitbit are the two major brands that currently offer smartwatches that work with both Android and iPhone.
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Not all Apple Watches are created equal, and picking the right one can make a big difference. The Apple Watch is still the best companion by far, but with differences in price, features, and styles, it’s worth taking a closer look before you buy. Whether you’re shopping for your first Apple Watch or upgrading from an older model, we’ve highlighted the best picks to help you find the right fit. With WatchOS 26 bringing a fresh look and even more features, the Apple Watch has never been more appealing.
If you’re an iPhone owner in search of a smartwatch that works seamlessly within Apple’s ecosystem, the Apple Watch is your best bet. It offers the most robust set of features to help you stay connected, along with advanced health and fitness tracking for logging your workouts and keeping tabs on your vitals.
But choosing one isn't as simple as grabbing the newest model. Apple’s lineup now spans multiple options, each designed with different needs, budgets, and styles. To help you find the right fit for you (and your family) we’ve rounded up the best Apple Watch models based on performance, features, and overall value.
What is the best Apple Watch?
The Apple Watch Series 10 takes everything great about its predecessors and elevates it. Compared to the Series 9, it offers a larger, brighter screen without adding bulk (it's actually lighter), more power under the hood and faster charging than any other Apple Watch, including the Ultra 2.
While its features may not drastically differ from the Series 9, its next-gen processor ensures it will likely outlast its predecessor in terms of software updates. It also includes a few more subtle upgrades, like voice isolation for calls, music playback and a depth gauge with a water temperature sensor for aquatic activities.
Best Apple Watches for 2025
James Martin/CNET Photo Gallery 1/3 James Martin/CNET Best all-around Apple Watch Series 10 Pros Incredibly light on the wrist
1Hz refresh rate = ticking second hand!
Voice isolation on calls is excellent
Bigger screen makes readability better on the smaller size case
Sleep apnea notifications at launch Cons No improvements to battery life
No significant changes to Double Tap
Smallest 42-mm size might still be too big for some wrists The Apple Watch Series 10 takes a winning formula and updates it for the Apple Watch's tenth birthday. It is slimmer and lighter than earlier Apple Watches, with two new case sizes: 42 millimeter or 46 millimeter. The wide-angle OLED screens make the watch brighter when looking at it off-axis. And the LTPO3 technology also brings a ticking second hand to the always-on display. The Apple Watch Series 10 also comes with sleep apnea notifications, which can detect signs of this potentially dangerous condition over a 30-day period. Battery life is still rated for 18 hours although you can push it to a day and a half with lighter use. The Apple Watch Series 10 now has even faster charging though, which makes up for the battery life somewhat, able to charge to 80% in 30 minutes. Overall, it's an incredibly polished smartwatch and the best choice for most iPhone owners. Why we like it The Series 10 is a refined version of its predecessors on the surface and under the hood. It’s lighter and slimmer than the Series 9 but has a larger, brighter screen that’s easier to read from every angle. It has the most powerful processor of the entire Apple Watch lineup and, as a result, longer shelf life for software updates. Plus it comes with additional perks, like the ability to play music through the speaker and background noise reduction during calls. Who it’s best for The Series 10 is ideal for most iPhone users upgrading from an existing Apple Watch, or anyone deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem who wants a premium smartwatch experience out of the box (including the latest health sensors). It brings enough upgrades to feel like a true step up, while retaining all the features that make the Apple Watch great. ... Show more Get it now $299 at Amazon $349 at Walmart $399 at Apple Specs & Configurations Compatibility iOS Screen size and shape 42 or 46 millimeters, square Health features Sleep apnea notifications, sleep tracking, ECG, irregular heart rhythm notifications, workout tracking, heart rate, cycle tracking, medications. Add to compare
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET Photo Gallery 1/3 Lisa Eadicicco/CNET Best budget alternative Apple Watch SE (2022) Pros Lower price
Same performance as the Series 8
Car-crash detection for additional safety Cons No always-on display
No QWERTY keyboard
Most new features can be found on older watches too The Apple Watch SE retails for $250 but you can regularly find it discounted to $200 or less, which makes it an excellent choice for the budget-conscious buyer. Expect most of the same features found on more expensive Apple Watch models like the Series 9, including activity tracking, third-party apps and safety features like Emergency SOS. It does miss out on an always-on display and heart-health features like the ECG. Why we like it The second-generation SE offers all the essential features you’d want from an Apple Watch for at least $150 less than what you’d pay for the cheapest model of the Series 10. It covers everything you need, including advanced health and fitness tracking, crash and fall detection, and seamless integration with your iPhone. Who it’s best for This is a great option for first-time Apple Watch buyers or anyone upgrading from a much older model (Series 0–4), as it’ll still feel like an upgrade without making you feel like you’re missing out on newer features like the always-on display or advanced health sensors like ECG or temperature tracking, which you never had in the first place. It’s also the best option for children (LTE model) as a way to stay connected with parents or caregivers without having to go all in on a smartphone. ... Show more Get it now $169 at Amazon $169 at Best Buy $169 at Walmart Specs & Configurations Compatibility iOS only Screen size and shape 40 or 44 millimeters, square Health features High and low heart rate notifications, irregular heart rhythm notifications, sleep tracking, Vitals app for tracking core health metrics, cycle tracking, fall detection, crash detection, wheelchair workouts Add to compare
Tharon Green/CNET Photo Gallery 1/3 Tharon Green/CNET Best do-it-all watch for iPhone Apple Watch Ultra 2 Pros Incredibly bright screen
More accurate dictation and on-device Siri
64GB storage means more space for music and apps
Double Tap is very useful Cons Battery life is the same as first Ultra
Limited recovery metrics The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is Apple's best smartwatch, with a tough titanium construction and an Action button to quickly start workouts or launch apps. It has the brightest screen of any Apple Watch at a maximum of 3,000 nits that makes it incredibly easy to see when adventuring in the great outdoors. For adventurers and athletes, it also has a built-in siren for safety and a dual-band GPS for accurately tracking your route. LTE is also onboard so you can venture out without a phone and still stay connected. Although it's designed to be an outdoor watch, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is still a fantastic all-around smartwatch. Inside is the same S9 chip as found on the Apple Watch Series 9 which supports gestures like Double Tap and allows the watch to process Siri commands on-device. This means you can use Siri without being online and later in the year you'll be able to ask the voice assistant for health data. Like earlier Apple Watches, the Ultra 2 also comes with a blood oxygen sensor, electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) app, fall detection and emergency SOS. The battery also lasts at least twice as long as all other Apple Watch models. It's only compatible with the iPhone so if you have an Android phone, you'll want to look at another option on this list. Why we like it The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is an all-terrain smartwatch that’s built to go the distance with nearly twice the battery life of other Apple Watches (three days on a charge), and a durable, titanium exterior. It has a larger screen than other models and an action button that can be programmed for easy access no matter what the conditions. Extras like dual-band GPS, a built-in siren, and LTE connectivity add another layer of safety when you're off the grid. Who it’s best for Outdoor enthusiasts and serious athletes looking for a middle ground between a traditional Apple Watch and a full-fledged sport watch like a Garmin. The Ultra 2 is also a smart pick for current Apple Watch users who are frustrated with daily charging and willing to invest more for an extra day and a half of battery life. ... Show more Get it now $814 at Amazon $649 at Best Buy Specs & Configurations Compatibility iOS Screen size and shape 49 millimeters, Square Health features Heart rate tracking, high and low heart rate notifications, irregular rhythm notifications, ECG, cycle tracking, medications app, mindfulness app, noise app, sleep tracking Add to compare
Best Apple Watches Compared undefined
Apple Watch Series 10 Apple Watch Ultra 2 Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) Shape Square Square Rectangular Watch size 42mm, 46mm 49mm 40mm, 44mm Materials, finishes Aluminum, titanium Titanium Aluminum, Midnight, Starlight, Silver Display size, resolution 42mm: 1.65-inch OLED 446 x 374 pixels; 46mm: 1.81-inch 496 x 416 pixels 1.91-inch, 502 x 410-pixel OLED 40mm: 324 x 394, 44mm: 368 x 448 Dimensions 42mm: 42 x 36 x 9.7mm; 46mm: 46 x 39 x 9.7mm 44mm x 49mm x 14.4mm 40mm: 40 x 34 x 10.7 mm, 44mm: 44 x 38 x 10.7 mm Weight 42mm (Wi-Fi): 30 g; 42mm (cellular): 29.3 g; 42mm (titanium): 34.4 g; 46mm (Wi-Fi): 36.4 g; 46mm (cellular): 35.3 g; 46mm (titanium): 41.7 g 61.4g 40mm GPS: 26.4g, 40mm Cellular: 27.8g, 44mm GPS: 32.9g, 44mm Cellular: 33g Colors Jet black, rose gold, silver; titanium: slate, gold, natural Natural titanium Midnight, Starlight, Silver Always On Yes Yes No Interchangeable bands Yes Yes Yes GPS Yes Yes (L1 and L5) Yes Automatic workout detection Yes Yes Yes Compass Yes Yes Yes Altimeter Yes Yes (operating range: -500m to 9,000m) Always-on altimeter Water/Dust resistance Water resistant up to 50m (5ATM), IP6X (dust) 10ATM (100 meters) and recreational scuba diving up to 40 meters Water resistant up to 50m (5ATM) Calls Yes Yes Yes (Cellular only) Microphone Yes Yes (3-mic array) Yes Speaker Yes Yes Yes Voice assistant Yes (Siri) Yes (Siri, on-device) Siri Mobile Payments Yes (Apple Pay) Yes (Apple Pay) Ys (Apple Pay) Sleep tracking Yes Yes Yes Period tracking Yes Yes Yes Sensors Accelerometer, altimeter, gyro sensor, temperature sensor, compass, third-gen optical heart sensor, electrical heart sensor, ambient light sensor, depth gauge, water temperature sensor SPo2 (blood oxygen), ECG, optical heart, ambient light, high dynamic range gyroscope, high-g accelerometer, water temperature, depth gauge + app Second-gen optical heart sensor, accelerometer, High dynamic range gyroscope, Compass, Always-on altimeter, Ambient light sensor Emergency features Fall detection, crash detection, Emergency SOS, international emergency calling, noise monitoring, Backtrack International emergency calling, Emergency SOS, crash detection Emergency SOS, International emergency calling, Crash Detection, Fall Detection, Noise monitoring, Backtrack Compatibility iOS 18 and newer iOS 17 iPhone 8 or later with iOS 16 and newer Software WatchOS 11 WatchOS 11 WatchOS 11 Processor S10 SiP with 64‑bit dual core processor, 4‑core Neural Engine Apple S9 S8 SiP, 64-bit dual-core, 2-core Neural Engine Connectivity Bluetooth 5.3, 2nd gen Ultra Wideband chip LTE and UMTS, Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3 Bluetooth 5.3, LTE/UMTS (Cellular model) Memory and storage 64GB 64GB 32GB Charging USB-C fast charging cable USB-C magnetic fast charging Magnetic charging cable, 80% in ~1.5 hours Battery life Up to 18 hours normal use; up to 36 hours in low power mode Up to 36 hours; up to 72 hours (low power mode) Up to 18 hours Battery capacity Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) Unavailable Not specified US price 42mm: $399 (Wi-Fi); 42mm: $499 (cellular); 42mm: $699 (titanium); 46mm: $429 (Wi-Fi); 46mm: $529 (cellular); 46mm: $749 (titanium) $799 40mm GPS: $249, 44mm GPS: $279 40mm GPS + Cellular: $299, 44mm GPS + Cellular: $329 UK price 42mm: £399 (Wi-Fi); 42mm: £499 (cellular); 42mm: £699 (titanium); 46mm: £429 (Wi-Fi); 46mm: £529 (cellular); 46mm: £749 (titanium) £799 40mm GPS: £219, 44mm GPS: £249, 40mm GPS + Cellular: £269, 44mm GPS + Cellular: £299 Australian price 42mm: AU$649 (Wi-Fi); 42mm: AU$809 (cellular); 42mm: AU$1,199 (titanium); 46mm: AU$699 (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth); 46mm: AU$859 (cellular); 46mm: AU$1,279 (titanium) AU$1,399 40mm GPS: A$399, 44mm GPS: A$449, 40mm GPS + Cellular: A$479, 44mm GPS + Cellular: A$529
Recent updates In October 2024, we added the Apple Watch Series 10 to our list. The new watch replaces last year's Apple Watch Series 9 and is the best Apple Watch for most people.
Factors to consider when buying an Apple Watch All Apple Watches share the same core DNA: a square screen with rounded edges, a rotating crown, interchangeable straps and Apple's WatchOS with Siri integration. The differences lie in the details with factors like advanced health sensors, durability, battery life and screen size. Oh, and price. Lisa Eadicicco/CNET Budget: If you're on a budget and want the best deal, it might be worth waiting for major discount days like Black Friday when most retailers, including Apple, offer sales or gift-card cash-back incentives. Another way to cut costs is by purchasing a refurbished Apple Watch directly from Apple. They come with the same one-year warranty as new models, eligibility for AppleCare and a 14-day return window. Design: There are a lot of ways to customize your Apple Watch, including different finishes and watch bands. But dressing up your Apple Watch doesn't always come cheap and some of the more premium design options like the titanium finish and stainless steel band can increase the base price by $600. You can also customize the size of your screen; older models or the 2nd SE will have the smallest option (40mm) while the Apple Watch Ultra offers the largest (49mm) display. Battery: Battery life continues to be a major pain point for Apple Watch users, with no model going past the three-day mark like some Android models. And while Apple has made strides in this category, it's best to taper your expectations by accepting that you'll probably get a day's worth of charge (with the always on display) on most models. If that's a deal breaker, you'll need to splurge on the Apple Watch Ultra 2, which is the only model that lasts up to 72 hours. Jeff Carlson/CNET Wi-Fi Only vs. Cellular: Most users will find the Wi-Fi version sufficient. It tracks workouts and makes mobile payments independently from the phone but needs to be in range of your iPhone to access some of the smart features like notifications, messaging and calls. Cellular and Wi-Fi models are only worth the splurge (an additional $100) if you plan to ditch your iPhone on a regular basis and need the watch to be a standalone device and have access to all the features. And it's your only option if you're buying the Ultra 2 as it doesn't offer a Wi-Fi only option.
How we test Apple Watches We test all our Apple Watches in the real world and focus on any new features or claims in addition to all the other features you'll be using on a regular basis like fitness tracking and connectivity. All Apple Watches, including the cellular models, need to connect to an iPhone so we also assess how easy the companion software is to navigate. Carly Marsh/CNET Durability and design: Smartwatches are something you wear on your body so we assess how comfortable they are to wear. We also know that everyone has a different-sized wrist so we try to see how it fits and feels on a variety of people. Then we look at how it stands up to wear and tear with daily life. Some models, like the Ultra 2, offer increased durability like dust resistance or water resistance that's suited for activities like scuba diving and, where possible, we'll test this out for ourselves. Battery: Battery life will vary depending on how you use a smartwatch so we test battery life with a few standard tests. We see how long it generally lasts on a single charge with features that represent typical use, like the always-on display, sleep tracking and doing one outdoor workout with GPS. Yes, you can take calls, talk to Siri, or use the Walkie Talkie feature to chat with your friends and family who also have Apple Watches, but you might get some funny looks. Charles Wagner/CNET Fitness and health sensor accuracy: We test the accuracy of the Apple Watch using a few different methods. The heart rate sensor, for example, is compared against the readings taken from a chest strap, considered the gold standard in consumer heart rate tracking, during a variety of cardio-based activities like running or cycling. We also check to see how long it takes to connect to a GPS signal when doing an outdoor workout. Other health sensors, like a blood oxygen sensor (not active on newer models), are compared against a pulse oximeter for spot readings where possible, and for the ECG feature, we tested it against a hospital grade ECG.
Other Apple Watches we tested While no longer sold directly by Apple, the Apple Watch Series 9 is still a strong option if you can find it. Stores like Best Buy and Target often have it in stock for about $100 less than the Series 10. You'll miss out on the larger, redesigned screen and ultra fast charging but it still includes key health features not available on the cheaper SE, like the ECG app, temperature sensing and sleep apnea notifications.
Apple Watch FAQs What is the best alternative to an Apple Watch? Unless you're ready to switch from your iPhone to an Android device, it's best to avoid Wear OS watches like Samsung’s Galaxy Watch or Google’s Pixel Watch, as they offer limited compatibility with Apple devices. Instead, consider watches that run proprietary operating systems, such as Garmin’s Venu 3 or Huawei’s Watch Fit 3. Garmin is known for its fitness-focused models for athletes but they also offer solid smartwatch features. The Amazfit Active 2 is also worth considering for a simpler, budget-friendly option that covers the basics. Show more What is the best Apple Watch for kids? The best Apple Watch for kids is the Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) with Wi-Fi and Cellular. A feature fittingly called "Apple Watch for your Kids" allows parents to set up the watch from their own iPhones without needing a separate iPhone for the child. Parents can track the location of their kid in real time and manage who their kids can contact during what times to minimize distractions during school hours. Even if you wanted to treat your kid to one of the newer models, key features like ECG, wrist temperature and sleep tracking are disabled in this mode anyway. Read more: Apple Watch for Kids Show more What to know about the blood oxygen sensor If you've purchased an Apple Watch within the past year, you may notice the Blood Oxygen feature in your app list doesn’t load. This is no coincidence. Apple introduced SpO2 (blood oxygen) tracking with the Series 6 but was forced to disable it in units sold after Jan. 18, 2024, following a patent lawsuit filed by medical tech company Masimo. According to Apple’s website the company is appealing the ruling so it’s possible this feature could make a comeback. Show more