If you have an iPhone, the best Apple Watch is the wearable to go with it. But which version should you buy? This question has recently gotten more complicated. Early last year, a court ruling dictated that Apple could no longer sell the latest watches—the Series 9, the Watch Ultra 2, and the new Series 10—with a blood oxygen sensor. The medical technology company Masimo alleged that Apple had infringed on its patent. (Apple later defeated a lawsuit alleging that it had a monopoly on heart rate apps. An antitrust lawsuit is still ongoing.)
We recently reviewed the Apple Watch Series 10, but are last year’s Series 9 and Ultra Watch 2 still worth it? Yes, especially if you’re upgrading from an older model now being sunsetted. I love the Apple Watch. On the cusp of its 10th anniversary, the Apple Watch is starting to face stiff competition from manufacturers like Samsung and Xiaomi, but it is still my favorite watch. It is the watch I would wear if I weren’t constantly testing other fitness trackers. I test each new one for two weeks and often for many months after that. (Now my children test them as well.)
How can you tell them apart, when all of these watches look pretty similar and share a rotating stable of features? We break down which one is best for you and whether older models are worth the price. Wondering what the operating system for these watches will look like? Check out our guides to the top new features in WatchOS and learn about the new Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18. As always, don’t forget to check out our other buying guides, like the Best iPads, Best Smartwatches, and Best iPhones.
Updated April 2025: We added relevant tariff information, lawsuit information, availability, and updated links and prices.
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Have you been considering an Apple Watch purchase, while also keeping an eye on the latest news about tariffs? It’s hard to parse what effects the tariff will have on your wallet and the economy, as it changes day to day. However, our advice is still “buy it now.” Do not wait, as there’s a risk that prices soar in June or July.
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Photograph: Apple
Best for the Money
Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
If you have any doubt as to whether you should get an Apple Watch at all, the SE is Apple’s entry-level option. OK, so it isn’t the most exciting Apple watch. The SE series doesn’t get updated that frequently, and it did not get updated last year. Moreover, it doesn’t have the latest standout health features, like the ability to check your skin temperature. Its 1,000-nit display is noticeably smaller now that bigger, brighter screens have come to every other watch. Most regrettably, it does not have the next-gen ultra-wideband chip to precision-locate your many other Apple devices.
However, it is the most affordable of what Apple touts as its carbon-neutral products (when bought with a Sport Loop, braided Solo Loop, or the updated Milanese Loop, that is). It’s compatible with watchOS 11, so you’ll be able to take advantage of the new Vitals app, which will finally let you check your heart rate and respiration in a dashboard without hunting through the Health or Fitness apps. It has the last S8 chip, which is what the Series 8 has, and features like Crash Detection to call your emergency contact and emergency responders if you’ve been in a car accident and are unresponsive for 10 seconds. It also has the newly redesigned Compass app, fall detection, and support for international roaming, and it works with Family Setup. It comes in a teeny 40-mm case size, and the nylon back makes it even lighter. If you have an Apple Watch, everyone in your family wants an Apple Watch. The SE will serve you, your nana, and your 9-year-old perfectly well.
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Photograph: Apple
The Best Apple Watch
Apple Watch Series 10
This review comes with the significant caveat that the Watch Series 10 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) does not have blood oxygen sensing, which is truly preposterous given that almost every other fitness tracker on the planet has it. But with that said, this year’s standout health feature, Breathing Disturbances, uses the Series 10’s accelerometer to notify you if you have sleep apnea, which otherwise requires a disruptive sleep test to diagnose. It’s the perfect health feature to monitor with a wearable that you wear constantly.
There are also a bunch of hardware and software upgrades. It’s thinner and lighter, so it’s more comfortable to wear while sleeping, and it has fast charging, so it can track more of your activities during the day. I found that I was able to top it up pretty easily with 20 to 30 minutes on a fast charger while I was in the shower every morning. It also has a bunch of new features focused on water sports, including water temperature, which is pretty vital where I live, since a lot of people become incapacitated when they jump into water that’s too cold. Most importantly, WatchOS 11 has a bunch of new algorithms that will benefit from the sensors and bigger screen, including new comprehensive ones like Vitals, so that you can check whether you’re off your baseline every morning, and Training Load, so you can see how your workouts are impacting your fitness over time. Despite no blood oxygen sensing, it’s the best Apple Watch.
