If you know you want an Apple Watch, but aren’t sure which one to get, this guide is here to explain the differences between the three models. The company’s flagship Apple Watch Series 10 has robust fitness tracking and health monitoring, as well as helpful iPhone integrations. We named it the best smartwatch overall. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 packs a few extra features and is geared towards serious athletes and outdoor adventurers — and it’s also the most expensive. The oldest model of the bunch is the budget Apple Watch SE from 2022, which you can often find on sale for under $200. It gives you a surprising number of features for the price. Check out the buying advice below to get the full story on the chips, sensors, features, battery life and price to help you pick the best Apple Watch for your wrist.
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Best Apple Watch in 2025
Photo by Cherlynn Low / Engadget
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 your 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
Cherlynn Low for Engadget
Chip: S8 SiP | Sensors: Heart rate, compass, altimeter, accelerometer, fall/crash detection | Display: Retina display, max 1,000 nits brightness | Battery life: 18 hours | Case size: 40mm or 44mm
Read our full review of the Apple Watch SE
Yet again, Apple didn’t come out with a new generation of the Apple Watch SE when it announced the Apple Watch 10 and other Apple devices in September. A new plastic version is reportedly in the works, but for now, this $250 smartwatch is Apple’s budget option.
Cherlynn also reviewed the SE when it came out in 2022, calling it “the best smartwatch for the money.” It uses the same chip as the original Ultra and the Series 8, and in our review of the new Series 9, Cherlynn “barely noticed a difference in performance” compared to the older Apple Watch.
That said, there are some trade-offs. You won’t get an always-on display, blood oxygen monitoring or a temperature sensor. The SE also can’t support the new Double Tap feature and requires your phone to be nearby for Siri requests (if you don’t have a cellular-enabled model). Materials-wise, the SE face is covered in Ion-X glass, which is less robust than the sapphire crystal on either the stainless steel Series 9 or the Ultra 2.
But the SE has more in common with its pricier sibling than not, including crash detection, heart rate monitoring, emergency SOS calling, and 50 meters of water resistance. And, of course, the watch does all the basics well, like sharing notifications, controlling your music playback and setting timers and alarms.
Though the screen isn’t quite as bright as the pricier models, we thought it was crisp and easy to read, even in bright sunlight. The fitness tracking is accurate, the design is lightweight and comfortable and the processor is snappy. If you’re looking for a starter smartwatch and don’t mind the few missing features, the SE is still the way to go.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Great health and fitness tracking
- Extends the utility of an iPhone
Cons
- Lacks blood oxygen and temperature sensors
- Doesn’t support Double Tap
- No always-on display
How we tested Apple Watches
Engadget has been reviewing Apple Watches since the first one came out in 2015. Since then, we’ve tested every subsequent model Apple has released, including the Ultra and SE models, spending at least a few days or even a couple weeks with one strapped to our wrists. During that time, we run, hit the gym, go on hikes and wear it while sleeping, all the while gauging how it tracks various metrics, integrates with the iPhone and performs every other trick Apple claims its smartwatches can do.
Since we also review smartwatches from other companies, such as Samsung and Google, our editors can compare Apple Watches not just to previous generations, but also to other wearables on the market. Our buying guides and recommendations rely on first-hand testing by Engadget staff.
