Best Apple Watch in 2026: all current models reviewed and rated
Don’t know your Series 11 from your Ultra? We've explained every Apple Watch and suggested which might be the best Apple Watch for your wrist
After eleven series and several spin-offs, the Apple Watch is now the smartwatch equivalent of a TV box set. But when it comes to choosing the best Apple Watch for you, it’s not as simple as starting with the latest episode.
From connected apps to fitness tracking to contactless payments, every recent Apple Watch has the smarts to embarrass traditional timepieces. But there are also important differences between each edition. They don’t all share the same screen size, dimensions or sensor setup, for starters. There are GPS sports watch-type features, too. And the price varies considerably depending on which ticker you pick.
Don’t know your Series 11 from your SE? Our guide below explains the distinguishing features of every model available – and suggests which one might be the best fit for your wrist and budget. Whether you’re shopping for your first Watch or upgrading from an older version, we’ve covered all of the options.
Why you can trust Stuff: Our team of experts rigorously test each product and provide honest, unbiased reviews to help you make informed decisions. For more details, read how we test and rate products.
Quick list: what’s the best Apple Watch?
We think the Apple Watch 11 (buy now) is the best Apple Watch overall. It might not be the most expensive Apple Watch around (that honour goes to Ultra 3), but that’s precisely why we reckon the updated Watch 11 is the best choice for most people – especially as it has the same processor and similar features for a lot less cash.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 (buy now) is perfect if you spend your weekends and holidays in the great outdoors. With a great battery life, rugged design, and plenty of adventure-ready features.
The Apple Watch SE 3 (buy now) is ideal if you’re looking to save money. It offers plenty of Apple Watch for your money (with very few drawbacks) and will be supported by Apple for a long time.
What to consider when buying an Apple Watch
Lifestyle and Priorities
Start by considering your lifestyle and priorities. Are you a fitness enthusiast who wants advanced health tracking, or do you primarily need a convenient way to stay connected? Features like heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen tracking, and ECG can be crucial for health-conscious buyers, while GPS and cellular options are great for those who want to leave their phone at home during workouts or errands.
Size and Design
The Apple Watch comes in different case sizes (41mm, 45mm, etc.), and the material (aluminium, stainless steel, titanium) influences durability, weight, and cost.
Try it on if possible, as comfort and style play a big role in a device you’ll wear daily.
Compatibility
Compatibility with your iPhone is critical – Apple Watches only work with iPhones, so Android users need to look elsewhere.
Battery Life
Most Apple Watches last around 18 hours, though Ultra models offer longer life for outdoor adventurers. Fast charging can offset shorter battery life if you’re often in a rush.
Budget and Future-Proofing
Newer models offer the latest features, but older or SE versions still pack a punch at lower prices. It’s important to think about future-proofing here – picking a watch with newer tech ensures longer software support.
Looking for Something Lighter?
If you’re looking for something a little more lightweight, check out the best fitness tracker or best smart rings instead.
The best Apple Watches you can buy today:
Best Apple Watch overall
1. Apple Watch 11
Stuff Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 11 offers leading health tracking, an extremely polished OS, and better battery life. Overall, it’s a very refined package, and it looks great as well.
Pros
- Superb all-rounder
- Software experience and eco-system is class-leading
- Works perfectly with iPhones
Cons
- Rivals still offer better battery life
- Doesn’t work with Android phones
- Apple Watch SE will be a better pick for some
| Specifications | Apple Watch Series 11 |
|---|---|
| Processor | S10 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor and 4-core Neural Engine |
| Display | Always-On LTPO3 OLED Retina display, up to 2,000 nits peak brightness |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Connectivity | 5G and LTE (optional), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Durability | IP6X |
| Dimensions | 42mm or 46mm |
| Weight | 29g / 1.02oz or 35g / 1.23oz (depending on size) |
The Apple Watch Series 11 is the best smartwatch you can buy right now. We’ve tested dozens of rivals, and nothing comes close. We love the design, which comes in 42mm and 46mm sizes, with aluminium and titanium finishes. There’s a shade for everyone, from classic silver to the striking new space gray.
The health features are genuinely impressive. Hypertension notifications, sleep score tracking, ECG, and blood oxygen monitoring are all on board. Battery lasts a full 24 hours, and a 15-minute charge buys you eight more. The new ceramic-coated display is noticeably tougher, and shouldn’t develop scratches over years of use.
5G cellular means calls and streaming work without your iPhone nearby. Workout Buddy, powered by Apple Intelligence, coached us through runs with real-time spoken feedback. It felt like having a personal trainer on your wrist.
Why we chose it
This smartwatch does things no competitor can match, and it’s just so polished. The hypertension notifications stand out as a potential lifesaver, validated across 100,000 participants, it seems like proper science.
Sleep scoring gave us genuinely useful nightly feedback. We actually changed our bedtime routine because of it. The Liquid Glass interface on watchOS 26 looks beautiful too – a small detail, but one that matters daily. If you own an iPhone, this is simply the one to buy.
- Read more: Apple Watch 11
Best Apple Watch for sports
3. Apple Watch Ultra 3
Stuff Verdict
By far the best adventure-ready Apple Watch yet and a really great all-rounder, though battery life pales compared to rivals.
Pros
- Excellent screen
- Bigger battery life than other Apple Watches
- Better durability
- A genuinely great adventure watch
Cons
- Only works with iPhone
- Carries a hefty premium
- Needs longer battery life to compete with the likes of Garmin
| Specifications | Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
|---|---|
| Processor | S10 chip with 64‑bit dual‑core processor |
| Display | Always‑On Retina display with wide‑angle OLEDs and LTPO3, 422×514 pixels, 326 ppi |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Connectivity | Support for 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi‑Fi networks, Bluetooth 5.3, 5G19 and LTE optional |
| Durability | IP6X, water resistance 100m |
| Dimensions | 49mm |
| Weight | 61.6 g / 2.17 oz |
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the ultimate smartwatch for iPhone users who love the outdoors. It has the largest display ever on an Apple Watch, powered by LTPO3 and wide-angle OLED technology. It’s bright, sharp, and easy to read at any angle.
Battery life hits 42 hours, stretching to 72 hours in Low Power Mode, and satellite communications let you text emergency services and share your location with no phone signal needed.
GPS accuracy is best-in-class for a sports watch. The titanium case is tough, repairable, and made with 100% recycled materials.
Oh, and like the Apple Watch 11 above, hypertension notifications monitor your blood pressure passively in the background, and Sleep Score helps you understand and improve your rest.
Why we chose it
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the most impressive smartwatch around. Satellite SOS, hypertension alerts, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence make it genuinely life-changing for active users.
The battery lasts long enough for multi-day adventures, and fast charging gives you 12 hours of life in just 15 minutes.
Whether you’re trail running, diving, or cycling, it has a dedicated feature set for your sport. If you own an iPhone and spend time outdoors, this is the watch to buy, but if you’re not interested in sports, then the Apple Watch 11 is the better bet.
- Read more: Apple Watch Ultra 3
Best cheap Apple Watch
3. Apple Watch SE 3
Stuff Verdict
The Apple Watch SE is ideal if you’re looking to save money. It offers plenty of Apple Watch for your money (with very few drawbacks) and will be supported by Apple for a long time.
Pros
- Great value
- A premium feature set, including always-on display and health tracking
- Long software support
Cons
- Design isn’t as nice as Series 11
- Missing some premium health tracking features
| Specifications | Apple Watch SE 3 |
|---|---|
| Processor | S10 chip with 64‑bit dual‑core processor |
| Display | Always‑On Retina display with wide‑angle OLEDs and LTPO, 422×514 pixels, 326 ppi |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Connectivity | Support for 2.4GHz Wi‑Fi networks, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Durability | Water resistance 50m |
| Dimensions | 40 and 44mm |
| Weight | 26.3g / 93 oz or 32.9g / 16 oz (depending on size) |
The Apple Watch SE 3 is the sweet spot for anyone who wants a proper Apple Watch without the flagship price. We tested it for two weeks straight, and it genuinely impressed us.
You get an Always-On display – something even older SE models lacked. The S10 chip makes everything feel snappy. Sleep score, sleep apnea notifications, and wrist temperature sensing are all here too. That’s serious health tracking for the money.
Fast charging is a game-changer. Fifteen minutes plugged in buys you eight hours of use. We never once ran out of battery during testing.
It comes in 40mm and 44mm, in midnight and starlight. All clean, classic options.
Why we chose it
This watch punches well above its price. During testing, the sleep score alone changed how we approached bedtime. The Always-On display feels premium, not budget.
You’re not compromising on the features that actually matter day-to-day. If you want Apple Watch health tracking without paying Series 11 or Ultra prices, the SE 3 is simply the obvious choice.
Read more: Apple Watch SE 3
Smartwatch specification comparison
| Specifications | Apple Watch Series 11 | Apple Watch Ultra 3 | Apple Watch SE 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Sizes | 42mm, 46mm | 49mm | 40mm, 44mm |
| Build Materials | Aluminium, Titanium | Titanium | Aluminium |
| Screen Type | OLED, Always-On | LTPO3 OLED, Always-On | LCD, Always-On |
| Brightness | Bright, scratch-resistant | Brightest, improved angles | Moderate brightness |
| Durability | New ceramic coating | Toughest build | 4x more crack-resistant than previous model |
| Chipset | S10 | S10 | S10 |
| Battery Life | Up to 24 hours | Up to 42 hours (72 with LPM) | Up to 18 hours |
| Fast Charging | Yes (8 hrs in 15 min) | Yes | Yes (2x faster than before) |
| Hypertension Alerts | Yes (FDA pending) | Yes (FDA pending) | Yes (FDA pending) |
| Sleep Score | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Temperature Tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ovulation Estimates | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Double Tap & Gestures | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Satellite Connectivity | No | Yes | No |
| Price | $399/£399 | $799/£749 | $219/£219 |
Frequently asked questions
Cellular models can make calls, stream music, and use some apps independently, but initial setup and most features require pairing with an iPhone running iOS 16 or later.
Most Apple Watch models offer around 18 hours of typical use on a single charge, while the Ultra models can reach up to 70 hours in low-power mode.
Apple Watch Series 2 and later are water-resistant to 50 metres, making them suitable for swimming. If you want to go scuba diving or partake in high-velocity water sports, you’ll want the Ultra model, which is water-resistant to 100 metres.
Apple Watch uses a proprietary band connector, so only bands designed for Apple Watch will fit – though there are many third-party options available alongside Apple’s official lineup.
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How we test smartwatches
We have used and reviewed every smartwatch on this list, so you can trust us when it comes to recommending the best smartwatch to buy. Every device has been worn daily by our reviewers, not just unboxed and photographed, so our verdicts reflect real-world use, not spec-sheet promises.
We usually spend a week or longer reviewing smartwatches, testing out all of the software features, the build quality, and the comfort. That means wearing each watch through a full working week, through workouts, commutes, and lazy weekends on the sofa, because a smartwatch that feels great for five minutes but can’t wait to take off at the end of the day isn’t one we can recommend.
We’ll leave no stone unturned, testing every new app, health tracking feature, and fitness tracking mode to make sure they’re useful and accurate. That includes running the same route with a smartwatch and a dedicated GPS running watch side-by-side to check how closely the pace and distance figures align, and cross-referencing heart rate readings against a chest-strap monitor during high-intensity intervals, where optical sensors are most likely to struggle. We test sleep tracking by comparing the data against how we actually felt after a night’s rest, and where a watch offers ECG or blood oxygen monitoring, we take multiple readings at different times of day to check for consistency.
We’ll also review the smartwatch basics, such as battery life, how clear the display is, and how reliable the smartphone connection is. For battery life, we run each watch through identical daily routines – always-on display enabled, one workout tracked, and notifications active throughout, and note exactly how many hours it lasts before needing a charge. We test display clarity in direct sunlight on a bright day, as well as indoors under artificial light. And for connectivity, we deliberately stress-test the Bluetooth link by moving between rooms, stepping outside, and tucking our phone into a bag to see how good the Bluetooth connection is.
For more information on Stuff’s rating and review process, read our page on how we test products.
Recent updates
- 6th May 2026: Removed unavailable models, including the Apple Watch Series 10, Ultra 2 and SE 2, and replaced them with newer versions. Also restructured the guide, adding FAQs.
Liked this? Apple Watch Series 11 vs Ultra 3 vs SE 3: what’s the difference?
Chris Rowlands
Freelance contributor 
