The Apple Watch is undoubtedly the greatest smartwatch and one of many greatest equipment to pair along with your iPhone. These watches hyperlink up merely with our favourite iPhone fashions and include a wealth of options, from health monitoring and well being sensors to messaging and app help. Our favourite Apple smartwatch is the Apple Watch Series 10 with its thinner construct and greater display than earlier fashions.
TL;DR – These Are the Best Apple Watches:
Whether you’re upgrading an previous Apple Watch or it’s your first time investing in a single, Apple has a wealth of Watch fashions to select from. There’s a sturdy choice for adventurers and one thing on the cheaper aspect for funds buyers. We’ve even included a non-Apple mannequin for individuals who decide to make use of the most effective Android telephones.
Additional contributions by Rudie Obias and Georgie Peru
1. Apple Watch Series 10
Best Overall Apple Watch
Apple Watch Series 10
The Watch Series 10 presents an even bigger show, thinner design, and new processor for an incredible smartwatch expertise.
Battery life
18 hours, as much as 36 hours in low energy mode
Bigger OLED show and thinner design
New depth gauge and water temperature sensor
Still no blood oxygen sensor within the US
The greatest Apple Watch in 2025 is the Series 10, essentially the most present mannequin. It presents a few of the largest design adjustments we’ve seen in generations with a thinner, lighter construct and extra outstanding show. The watch gained’t protrude as a lot out of your wrist and is extra snug to put on. Even although the crisp and vibrant display is just a millimeter bigger, it improves each readability and interplay with the watch face.
Inside the Apple Watch Series 10 is the S10 SiP chip that delivers the identical snappy efficiency because the Series 9. It’s adept at machine studying for utilizing options just like the double-tap gesture for simpler one-handed management that was first seen on the Series 9 to rapidly scroll notifications, opens apps, reply to messages, and extra. Of course, that processor additionally powers the watch’s in depth monitoring and sensors, together with a GPS, coronary heart charge monitor, sleep tracker, pores and skin temperature sensor, fertility monitoring, and crash detection. Unfortunately, as a result of an ongoing patent dispute, the blood oxygen sensor isn’t accessible within the U.S.
A brand new sleep apnea detection characteristic comes on the Series 10, bringing much more perception into your sleep habits, which might be shared along with your physician for a correct analysis. It’s FDA-approved and works on the Series 9 and Ultra 2 too. For divers and swimmers, the depth gauge and water temperature sensor additions are helpful instruments when out of the water. The microphone was additionally upgraded; voice isolation is best for clearer calls with much less background noise.
Battery life stays unchanged from Series 9, lasting about 18 hours in normal mode and 36 hours in power-saving mode. Although it’s disappointing extra juice can’t be squeezed from the watch, charging instances have barely improved. With a 30W USB-C brick, it ought to recharge as much as 80% in about half-hour.
Of course, streaming music, podcasts, and extra immediately from the watch is feasible. Investing in one of many greatest AirPods fashions makes the expertise higher. One of IGN’s consultants reviewed the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC, giving the headphones excessive reward and an 8/10 ranking.
2. Apple Watch SE
Best Budget Apple Watch
Apple Watch SE
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A funds choice that runs on the identical S8 SiP chipset because the Apple Watch Series 8 for quick processing at a fraction of the price.
Same processor as Series 8
Missing sensors of higher-end fashions
Looking for an Apple Watch on a budget? Starting at $249, the Apple Watch SE (2nd era) is a unbelievable choose in case you’re on a funds. Although its exterior design is a bit older, the SE’s inside is blazing-fast with Apple’s S8 SiP chipset, which is identical chipset because the Series 8. This means you’re going to get the identical pace because the Series 8, however at a fraction of its price ticket.
The wallet-friendly smartwatch additionally options GPS, health and sleep trackers, coronary heart charge monitor, and extra, making it among the finest funds health trackers general. It even comes with crash and fall detection. However, it doesn’t include ECG, cycle and fertility monitoring, or a pores and skin temperature sensor.
It is available in 40mm and 44mm watch face choices (“always-on” shows aren’t accessible), whereas there are three aluminum case coloration choices accessible: Silver, Midnight, and Starlight. Stainless metal and titanium supplies are additionally not accessible. These are a bit thicker than the Series 10, however in order for you a dependable smartwatch for much less, and particularly in order for you one with a smaller 40mm face, that is the Apple Watch for you.
3. Apple Watch Ultra 2
Best Apple Watch for Adventurers, Athletes, and Runners
Apple Watch Ultra 2
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With a sturdy construct, speedy S9 SiP processor, lengthy battery life, and loads of monitoring, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is good for athletes and adventurers.
Battery life
36 hours, Up to 70 hours in low energy mode
Aerospace-grade titanium and sapphire crystal show
Customizable “motion” button
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is prepared for adventurers and critical athletes with its aerospace-grade titanium and sapphire crystal show. It even comes with an additional bodily “Action” button that’s customizable for extra management and a water resistance of as much as 100m (about 328 toes) underwater.
The newest mannequin of this rugged smartwatch comes with a speedy new processor, so it will probably energy the brighter 3,000-nit show and tackle options like double-tap gestures and precision discovering for the iPhone 15 and 16 fashions. Of course, the Ultra 2 nonetheless presents GPS, pores and skin temperature sensors, a coronary heart charge monitor, ECG, and extra for all of the monitoring you might need whereas sustaining the identical 36-hour battery life. However, this mannequin not comes with a blood oxygen sensor as a result of a patent dispute.
It solely is available in one measurement, 49mm. And regardless that we did not get a full revamp of the Ultra in 2024, a brand new case coloration, Black Titanium, was unveiled at Apple’s iPhone 16 Event. You can select from an assortment of band and loop colours and kinds, a few of which occur to be carbon impartial. Be positive to take a look at our information to the most effective Apple Ultra Watch bands for extra choices.
4. Apple Watch Hermès
Best Luxury Apple Watch
Apple Watch Hermès
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Keep it elegant with this Hermes collaboration that pairs the highly effective Series 9 watch and trendy Hermes bands for a excessive price ticket.
Battery life
18 hours, as much as 36 hours in low energy mode
Want to splurge? The Apple Watch Hermès is the tech firm’s most costly smartwatch. Apple partnered with Hermès, a Paris-based design home, to ship an Apple Watch that’s luxurious and stylish for high-end and trendy buyers.
The watch itself is a 42mm or 46mm Apple Watch Series 10 with a stainless-steel case, so that you’re going to get the identical options, capabilities, and utilization as our greatest general choose. But, Hermès makes the packaging, unique watch faces, and watch bands which might be produced from top quality rubber, stainless-steel, or woven nylon reduce and stitched by hand.
However, that sort of opulence doesn’t come low-cost. The Apple Watch Hermès begins at $1,249 and goes up in worth from there relying on the dimensions and band model chosen. It’s actually a standing watch.
5. Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
Best Apple Watch Alternative
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
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Google Wear OS-powered smartwatch with superior monitoring, a vivid AMOLED show, and first rate battery life.
Classic round watch design
New BioActive sensors enhance accuracy
New AI well being options are unique to Samsung telephones
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is the greatest Apple Watch different. Designed for Android customers, this watch contains a glossy, easy band with a pointy, round, and responsive contact show, giving off extra of a basic timepiece look. When you don’t wish to faucet away on the beautiful AMOLED show, a gesture characteristic makes for simpler one-handed management of watch options.
Just like all of the prime Android smartwatches, the Galaxy watch doubles as a health tracker with a variety of superior sensors, together with pores and skin temperature, ECG, and even blood oxygen saturation – one thing the Apple Watch Series 9 and up can’t supply within the US. New BioActive sensors enhance accuracy. Samsung added sleep apnea detection, just like the Series 10. Other AI well being instruments, together with an Energy Score, can provide critical insights into your well being metrics. However, AI options solely work with Samsung telephones, just like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra we reviewed.
A brand new Exynos chip paired with Google’s Wear OS and Samsung One UI pores and skin makes for a zippy, seamless expertise. Support for a variety of Android apps ensures you are able to do an entire lot with the gadget, like sending messages, answering calls, receiving app alerts, and making funds. It primarily can operate like a tiny Android smartphone, particularly in case you go for a mannequin that helps mobile.
Battery life on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 stays unchanged from the final era at about 24 hours, which nonetheless outlasts the Apple Watch SE and Series 10. Topping up the battery shouldn’t take lengthy both, getting full recharge in about one hour.
Apple Watch FAQ
Which era Apple Watch is the most effective?
The Apple Watch with the newest tech, superior well being monitoring, and an always-on show is hands-down the Apple Watch Series 10. It has every part you want in a smartwatch and options Apple’s strongest chip in an Apple Watch.
Can you utilize an Apple Watch with an Android cellphone?
Unfortunately, if you do not have an iPhone then you may be unable to activate an Apple Watch. The two platforms are incompatible collectively (by design), so you will have an iPhones to have the ability to use any of those Apple Watch fashions.
Are refurbished Apple Watches price it?
Yes. If you’ll get pleasure from huge financial savings over a brand new watch, take into account a refurbished Apple Watch. These watches will look and work nearly nearly as good as new ones and infrequently include all of the equipment. Occasionally, slight beauty defects could also be seen, like a scratch or discoloration, however nothing that may hinder the smartwatch’s performance. However, be certain you get it from a good vendor with an awesome guarantee. Apple and Best Buy are two of the most effective choices with regards to shopping for a refurbished Apple Watch.
What’s the distinction between a smartwatch and a health tracker?
Smartwatches and health trackers have an identical characteristic set, particularly with regards to well being monitoring. While there may be some overlap, smartwatches have a tendency to supply extra performance with the power to obtain a variety of apps, reply to messages and notifications, obtain music, and extra. Some may even operate as tiny smartphones when related to a mobile community. Where health trackers pull forward is in battery life and measurement, because the screens and performance are normally extra subdued.
Do all smartwatches help mobile service?
No, mobile service isn’t accessible on each smartwatch. However, all of Apple’s present watch fashions – the Series 10, SE, and Ultra 2 – have the choice to supply mobile help. Models that include cell information will value extra to buy, and there’s usually a month-to-month payment related incurred out of your supplier’s plan. But in case you go for mobile, the Apple Watch will primarily act like a tiny smartphone.
