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The Apple Watch is consistently one of the best fitness trackers, but there’s one problem. Choosing an Apple Watch can be confusing, as they all have similar designs and features yet come in a variety of options, sizes, materials, and more.
If you’ve been interested in an Apple Watch but aren’t sure which to choose or what the differences are, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re looking to optimize your health and wellness routine, take advantage of recovery and sleep tracking, or you’re just getting started on your fitness journey and want your first fitness tracker, the Apple Watch is a great choice. After all, simply wearing a fitness tracker has been shown1 to significantly increase daily step count, moderate and vigorous physical activity, and energy expenditure, all of which can improve our health.
Most of the models have overlapping features, but there are a few key differences you need to be aware of before purchasing anything, and we’re here to explain everything you need to know.
In this guide to the best Apple Watch, we’ll save you a trip to your local Apple Store and help you find the perfect watch. I’ll share the key features of each watch, the differences to be aware of, and who should consider each Apple Watch.
Tested by Fitness Tracker Experts
Our testers include certified personal trainers, strength coaches, weightlifting coaches, Olympians, and fitness enthusiasts who enjoy all types of fitness activities. We’ve tested the most popular fitness trackers and wearables on the market, including watches from Apple, Fitbit, Garmin, Whoop, and more.
RELATED: The Best Garmin Fitness Trackers
After extensive hands-on testing, we use our equipment testing methodology to assign a final score to each watch, which looks at features like:
- Activity tracking
- Battery life
- Connectivity
- Ease of use
Apple Watch Lineup
- Best Overall Apple Watch: Apple Watch Series 10
- Best Apple Watch for Fitness: Apple Watch Ultra 2
- Best Apple Watch for Kids: Apple Watch SE
- Best Apple Watch for the Money: Apple Watch Series 9
Which Apple Watch Should You Buy?
At first glance, the Apple Watches look quite similar, and aside from the significantly larger size of the Apple Watch Ultra 2, the differences aren’t immediately obvious. All of the Apple Watch models pair with your iPhone and can push notifications to your wrist, allow you to stream music, track your workouts, and so much more.
Apple sells watches for three different types of users, which can help you make a decision:
- Beginners to smartwatches: The SE line of watches is a good choice for those who want to try out an Apple Watch without breaking the bank and don’t need the most advanced health tracking features.
- Smartwatch users: Most people will want to go with the standard Apple Watch. It has all of the smartwatch and health tracking features we’ve come to expect from Apple but doesn’t have the larger, more expensive size of the Ultra series.
- Fitness enthusiasts: If you’re looking for the best possible fitness tracking, including a durable case design and an extended battery life, the Ultra series may be the watch for you.
It’s also worth noting that Apple Watches only function with iPhones and require an iPhone for the initial setup. You can set up a watch for children or family members who don’t have an iPhone, but someone needs to have one to activate the watch.
If you’re an Android user, you may want to choose a fitness tracker that’s not locked to Apple, such as the Garmin Venu Sq 2 or the Samsung Galaxy Ring.
Now, let’s examine each of the various Apple Watches closely to help you find the best match for your needs.
Best Overall Apple Watch: Apple Watch Series 10
Good for: Those looking for the best balance of pricing and features
Best Overall
Apple Watch Series 10
Product Highlights
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Tracks heart rate, body temperature, ECG readings, and more
- Stream music, calls, and texts with a data plan
- Works seamlessly with other Apple products
- Fast charging and bright display
Cons
- Battery only lasts up to 18 hours
- Sensors don’t work well with tattooed skin
- Only a slight improvement from the Series 9
Bottom Line
The Apple Watch Series 10 is an excellent smartwatch that’s made some small improvements over the Series 9, including a larger, thinner screen and faster charging time. This is the perfect choice for iPhone users who want a watch that acts as an extension of their phone.
The Apple Watch Series 10 is the best choice for most people, as it’s packed with features, upgradeable, and available at various price points depending on what features you want.
We’ll start with the design, which features the classic Apple Watch look: a sleek, minimal display with a touchscreen encased in a rectangular design. It is available in several colors and has customizable watch faces to give you the exact look you want.
Overall, we gave the aesthetics a 4 out of 5. While most people are familiar with the iconic design, there are certainly those who prefer a round watch and don’t like the square design.
The Apple Watch 10 contains all of Apple’s latest health and fitness features. This watch can track the usual metrics, like heart rate, steps, a variety of workouts, calories burned, and everything else you’d expect from a fitness tracker.
The Series 10 also includes new features from Apple, like the ability to read ECG and monitor your sleep to detect disruptions that could suggest sleep apnea. Some older models can be upgraded to use these features, but not all of them.
Most of the smartwatch features, like calls, texts, and streaming music, will work if your iPhone is nearby or your watch is connected to a Wi-Fi network. If you want to use data on your watch without your phone, you’ll need to upgrade to a model that’s compatible with cellular data and then pair your watch to your mobile phone plan to share the data.
For technology features, we rate this watch 5 out of 5 stars.
Finally, the price starts at $399 for the smallest model without cellular data, and the price increases with larger sizes, cellular data, or upgrading to the titanium model. The most expensive Apple Watch 10 costs $699, which is the Titanium model with built-in GPS and cellular data.
If you want the best of the best and an even longer battery life, the Ultra 2 contains all of the Series 10 features housed in a larger, more durable case.
| Price | $399-$699 |
| Physical size | 42 mm x 36 mm, or 46 mm x 39 mm |
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours of normal use; up to 36 hours in low-power mode |
| Display size | 416 by 496 pixels |
| Display type | LTPO3 OLED Retina Always‑On display |
| Water resistance | 50 m |
| Metrics tracked | Heart rate, ECG, sleep apnea detection,, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration, cycle tracking, fitness activities, daily steps, calories burned |
| Available colors | Jet Black, Rose Gold, Silver, Slate, Gold, Natural |
Best Apple Watch for Fitness: Apple Watch Ultra 2
Good for: Those who want the best fitness tracking
Best for Fitness
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Product Highlights
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Durable design
- 36-hour battery life
- Watch faces with live compass
- Advanced water sport tracking features
- Comes with cellular and GPS services
Cons
- Expensive
- Bulky design that may be too big for some
- Some report the case may still be scratched or damaged fairly easily
Bottom Line
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has the longest battery life of all Apple Watches, a large and durable casing, and contains several features and watch faces exclusive to the Ultra series. It’s more expensive than the standard Apple Watch but a great fit for anyone who wants the best watch.
If you want all of the features of the standard Apple Watch in a larger, rugged case with an extended battery life, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the one for you.
While the standard Apple Watch tracks most of the fitness features you’d expect, the battery life may be an issue for some. The standard watch battery lasts up to 18 hours with normal use, and with a daily workout of about an hour, I’ve never had an issue with my battery lasting all day.
However, how you use the watch can also impact battery life. If you’re going on a 3- to 4-hour run or hike and using data to stream music the whole time or a running app, the battery may drain significantly faster.
That’s where the Ultra 2 comes in. The battery life is doubled, lasting up to 36 hours with normal use, and up to 72 hours in low-power mode. For those who want to track fitness events all day and don’t want to worry about the battery, this is a huge upgrade.
Even if you’re not doing extensive fitness tracking, those who simply want a watch that lasts longer than a day will love the extended battery life.
The battery and technology benefits receive a 5-out-of-5-star rating from our tester.
The Ultra 2 also comes in a larger size with a durable titanium case, and our tester gave it a 4 out of 5 for durability. He said, “I don’t think it’s any more scratch-proof than the previous models, but the case is a bit beefier. The bottom cover is held on with screws instead of glue like the normal Apple Watch.”
With the Apple Watch Ultra 2, you’ll also receive access to a few Ultra-exclusive watch faces. Our tester mentioned that he particularly liked the face with an active compass, which isn’t available on the standard watch.
He also liked that the Ultra 2 has better support for water sports, including a depth gauge to 40 meters, a water temperature sensor, and support for recreational scuba up to 40 meters.
If you’re looking for a durable case, an extended battery that doubles the length of the standard Apple Watch 10, and a few exclusive watch faces, the Ultra 2 is a great option. But if the battery life and exclusive watch faces aren’t important to you, the Apple Watch 10 is still a good choice.
| Price | $799 |
| Physical size | 49 mm x 44 mm |
| Battery life | Up to 36 hours of normal use; up to 72 hours in low-power mode |
| Display size | 410 by 502 pixels |
| Display type | LTPO2 Always-On Retina OLED display |
| Water resistance | 100 m |
| Metrics tracked | Heart rate, ECG, sleep apnea detection, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration, cycle tracking, fitness activities, daily steps, calories burned |
| Available colors | Natural, Black |
Best Apple Watch for Kids: Apple Watch SE
Good for: An affordable option for kids
Best for Kids
Apple Watch SE
Product Highlights
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Affordable pricing
- Smaller design
- Battery lasts up to 18 hours
- Can be upgraded to the cellular data version
Cons
- No ECG or sleep apnea monitoring
- The processor is a little older and slower
- May not be compatible with future watchOS updates due to older processing chip
Bottom Line
The Apple Watch SE is an affordable watch that tracks most of the same health and fitness features you’d expect from an Apple Watch. The processor is a little slower and it doesn’t have ECG or sleep apnea alerts, but most of the other features are the same.
If your kids have been begging you for an Apple Watch of their own, the Apple Watch SE is the best choice. It’s the most affordable watch, and while it contains nearly all of the standard features from the Apple Watch 10, it’s removed a few of the modern health features that kids likely don’t need, which lowers the price.
The Apple Watch SE is the lowest-priced model, starting at $249, which is one of the main reasons we recommend it for kids or people of any age who want to try an Apple Watch without spending too much. For overall value, the SE earns a 5-out-of-5 rating, as it’s packed with features and very affordable.
Parents can also have complete control of their children’s Apple Watch and set it up for them using their iPhone, even if the kids don’t have one. You can use Schooltime mode, which blocks the internet and screen time, helping your child focus during school hours. The watch is also slightly smaller than the Series 10, making it a good fit for smaller wrists.
The built-in fall and impact detection is also a powerful safety feature that’s included in all Apple watches, and we love that it’s also in the SE. With wrist detection turned on, your watch will detect any hard impacts or falls using the built-in accelerometer and ask if you’re okay. If you don’t respond within a minute, it’ll automatically call emergency services with your location, which can provide additional peace of mind to parents.
For an extra $50, you can also upgrade the SE to include cellular data and pay a small monthly fee that varies by carrier to pair the watch with your cell phone plan. This will allow you to turn on location sharing, so you can view the location of the watch in real time, at all times.
The processer in the SE is slighty slower, which means some of the functions may not be quite as fast, and there’s no ECG, temperature sensor, or sleep apnea detection. The SE also lacks the always-on display, which some may be used to if you have a newer watch.
Still, at such a reduced price, this watch is a great deal for parents who are shopping for their children or, really, for anyone who wants a great smartwatch at an affordable price.
If you want to save money but still want all of the best health-tracking features, I recommend checking out the Series 9 instead of the SE.
| Price | $249-$329 |
| Physical size | 40 mm x 34 mm, or 46 mm x 39 mm |
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours of normal use |
| Display size | 368 by 448 pixels |
| Display type | Retina LTPO OLED display |
| Water resistance | 50 m |
| Metrics tracked | Heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration, cycle tracking, fitness activities, daily steps, calories burned |
| Available colors | Midnight, Starlight, Silver |
Best Apple Watch for the Money: Apple Watch Series 9
Good for: Those who want a great deal on last year’s model
Bestt for the Money
Apple Watch Series 9
Product Highlights
- Pricing starts at $399
- 18-hour battery life
- Seamless integration with other Apple devices
- Tracks heart rate and steps
- Can track body temperature and energy expenditure
- Optional data plan available
- Added data unlocks calls and texts without your phone
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Tracks heart rate, body temperature, ECG readings, and more
- Stream music, calls, and texts with a data plan
- Works seamlessly with other Apple products
Cons
- Battery only lasts up to 18 hours
- Sensors don't work well with tattooed skin
- Not much different from previous models
Bottom Line
The Apple Watch Series 9 is a fantastic smart watch with integrated health and fitness tracking, especially for those who use other Apple products. The battery isn't very long, and the design hasn't changed much over the years, but this is a great choice for those who want a smartwatch that functions like a small iPhone.
If you want to save some money on your watch but don’t want the SE, the Apple Watch 9 is a fantastic choice. Since it’s last year’s model, it’s still very easy to find at most retailers at a discounted rate. At the time of writing, Amazon currently has the 45mm Series 9 on sale for $344, a significantly lower price than the new Series 10. I wouldn’t be surprised if this price continues to decrease.
This watch is slightly thicker and smaller than the new Series 10, but unless you have them side by side, you won’t notice. The Series 9 also lacks the built-in speaker that allows you to play music through your watch, and while the Series 10 has a battery that charges slightly faster, the battery life is about the same. The Series 10 has a slightly bigger screen, but it’s barely noticeable.
Depending on the exact watch, your Series 9 may or may not include blood oxygen tracking, a feature that was only available in the initial Series 9 watches. Finally, the Series 9 also lacks the Oceanic Plus app made for snorkeling that was added to the Series 10.
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If I lost you along the way, just know that the Series 9 is nearly identical to the Series 10 in every way, except it has a slightly smaller screen (you won’t notice unless they’re next to each other), it doesn’t have a built-in speaker, and you can’t use the snorkeling app.
I’ve had my Series 9 for about a year, and I rate the durability a 4 out of 5. I keep a screen protector sticker on it that I’ve had to change a few times, and that’s kept the screen looking brand new, though it may have a few dings if I had skipped the protector. There’s also a very small chip on the side of the watch from clanging it against a machine at the gym.
Even after a year, I still have no issues using my battery all day long, and I charge it overnight. The battery earns a 4 out of 5 from me; I wish it lasted as long as other fitness trackers like Garmin, but I’m happy with the tradeoff in exchange for all of the smart features.
While the Series 10 seems like a nice upgrade with a few extra features, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy the Series 9 again today if I were looking for a new Apple Watch. If you want the latest model, faster charging, and a slightly larger screen, go for the Series 10. Otherwise, this is still a fantastic watch.
| Price | $349; may vary based on retailer |
| Physical size | 41 mm x 35 mm, or 45 mm x 38 mm |
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours of normal use; up to 36 hours in low-power mode |
| Display size | 396 by 484 pixels |
| Display type | Always‑On Retina LTPO OLED display |
| Water resistance | 50 m |
| Metrics tracked | Heart rate, ECG, sleep apnea detection, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration, cycle tracking, fitness activities, daily steps, calories burned |
| Available colors | Pink, Midnight, Starlight, Silver, PRODUCT(RED), Gold, Graphite |
Apple Watch Comparison Chart
| Apple Watch 9 | Apple Watch 10 | Apple Watch Ultra 2 | Apple Watch SE | |
| Price | $349; may vary based on retailer | $399-$699 | $799 | $249-$329 |
| Physical size | 41 mm x 35 mm, or 45 mm x 38 mm | 42 mm x 36 mm, or 46 mm x 39 mm | 49 mm x 44 mm | 40 mm x 34 mm, or 46 mm x 39 mm |
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours of normal use; up to 36 hours in low-power mode | Up to 18 hours of normal use; up to 36 hours in low-power mode | Up to 36 hours of normal use; up to 72 hours in low-power mode | Up to 18 hours of normal use |
| Display size | 396 by 484 pixels | 416 by 496 pixels | 410 by 502 pixels | 368 by 448 pixels |
| Display brightness | Up to 2,000 nits | Up to 2,000 nits | Up to 3,000 nits | Up to 1,000 nits |
| Display type | Always‑On Retina LTPO OLED display | LTPO3 OLED Always‑On Retina display | LTPO2 Always-On Retina OLED display | Retina LTPO OLED display |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m | 100 m | 50 m |
| Metrics tracked | Heart rate, ECG, sleep apnea detection, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration, cycle tracking, fitness activities, daily steps, calories burned | Heart rate, ECG, sleep apnea detection, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration, cycle tracking, fitness activities, daily steps, calories burned | Heart rate, ECG, sleep apnea detection, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration, cycle tracking, fitness activities, daily steps, calories burned | Heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration, cycle tracking, fitness activities, daily steps, calories burned |
| Available colors | Pink, Midnight, Starlight, Silver, PRODUCT(RED), Gold, Graphite | Jet Black, Rose Gold, Silver, Slate, Gold, Natural | Natural, Black | Midnight, Starlight, Silver |
Discontinued Apple Watches
Apple typically releases a new watch every year, and previous models may have been available at other retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and others for quite some time. At the time of writing, the Apple Watch 10 is the most recent release. While that’s the only one sold on the Apple website, Amazon is selling the 7, 8, and 9, although those older models may be refurbished.
Still, if you want to save money by choosing an older model, you can certainly shop around and look for a great deal. If you’re looking for the best deals on all kinds of smartwatches, holidays like Black Friday are a great time to look for sales.
RELATED: Smartwatch Black Friday Deals
What to Look For in Apple Watches
If you’re still not sure which is the right watch for you, here are the most important factors that differentiate the various models that can help you choose the perfect watch.
Materials and Finish
While most Apple Watches share a similar look, the materials used can vary, particularly in the flagship offering, the Apple Watch 10.
The watch is available in two options. The standard version has an aluminum body and an Ion-X strengthened glass display. It starts at $399 for the 42mm size and $429 for the 46mm size with GPS-only capabilities. Upgrading either option to include cellular data costs an additional $100 for both sizes, bringing the total to $499 or $529.
Apple offers a more durable Apple Watch 10 made of titanium with a sapphire crystal display, which is equipped with both GPS and cellular compatibility. The titanium edition costs $699 for the 42mm size and $749 for the 46mm size.
The more affordable Apple Watch SE is only available in aluminum and costs $249 for the 40mm size and $279 for the 44mm size. Both sizes can also be upgraded with cellular data, and this upgrade only costs $50 per watch, compared to the $100 per watch in the Apple Watch 10.
Finally, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is only available in one size and material: a 49mm titanium case with built-in GPS and cellular data that costs $799, or $899 to upgrade your watch band to titanium as well.
Size
Both the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch 10 are available in two different sizes, and it’s important to choose the size that fits your wrist. Most Apple Watch bands are adjustable, so all you need to consider is the display size and how it fits and looks on your wrist.
A precise measuring tape can help you measure the size at home, but it’s not a bad idea to try each size on to see which feels the best on your wrist. Many retailers carry Apple Watches, including Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and more, so even if you’re not near an official Apple Store, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find watches near you and try them on.
If the Apple Watch is too big for your preferences, you may want to consider something smaller and more discreet, like an Oura Ring.
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Cellular Data Compatability
With both the Apple Watch SE and 10, you’ll need to decide whether you want to pay extra for cellular connectivity, which is included with the Ultra 2.
This upgrade requires you to pair your phone with a compatible cellular plan for an additional fee that can vary based on your mobile provider. The carrier sets the price; for example, I pay Verizon Wireless an additional $10 per month to have my watch share my cell phone’s data plan. This allows my watch to connect to LTE and UMTS bands, receiving internet anywhere I can get service.
Cellular data allows you to use all of the smartwatch features without needing your phone nearby. You can make and receive calls and text messages, stream music, use Apple Pay, and use any of the watch apps that require data. This is great for runners who want to leave the phone behind, but still have a way to stream music and place calls in case of an emergency.
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All of these features can be used without the data plan as long as your iPhone is nearby and connected via Bluetooth, but if you want to leave your phone behind and continue to use your data features, you’ll need to add your watch to a phone plan.
Health and Technology Features
This may be the biggest factor to consider, as you’ll want to carefully consider which features you’re primarily looking for in an Apple Watch. Thanks to the latest software, watchOS 11, most Apple Watches now monitor for sleep apnea, track your overall training load and recovery, and more.
Most watches also have fall detection, which can alert you when it senses hard impacts or falls and call emergency services if you don’t respond within a minute. The Series 9, 10, and Ultra 2 also support the double tap gesture, allowing you to respond to various notifications by tapping your thumb and finger together on the hand wearing the watch.
Compared to the SE, the Apple Watch 10 and Ultra 2 have faster processing chips, which means Siri works faster. Both watches also have an enhanced feature called Precision Finding for iPhone. When used with compatible iPhones, your watch can help you locate the precise location of your phone, while the SE’s Find iPhone feature only causes your phone to emit a sound.
The SE tracks most health and fitness features, but only the Watch 10 and Ultra 2 include the ability to take an ECG and monitor for sleep apnea at night. If you want advanced health features, you’ll want to choose one of the higher-end watches.
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Regardless of the model, rest assured that all Apple Watches have the standard fitness tracking features you’d expect, like steps, calories burned, activity tracking, heart rate monitoring, and much more.
Finally, only the Watch 10 and Ultra 2 include fast charging, which claims to help you charge your watch from 0% to 80% in about 30 minutes and 0% to 100% in about 60 minutes. The SE takes about 90 minutes to reach 80% and two hours to reach a full charge.
Battery Life
The last feature to consider is battery life. Both the SE and Watch 10 have batteries that last up to 18 hours with normal use, and both include a low-power mode. This extends the battery up to 36 hours for the Watch 10, though it’s not disclosed how long the SE battery lasts in low-power mode.
The Apple Watch 9 has the same 36-hour battery life and low-power mode as the Apple Watch 10, though charging to 80% takes 45 minutes. Meanwhile, the Watch 10 can reach 80% in only 30 minutes.
By comparison, the Ultra 2’s battery lasts up to 36 hours with regular use and up to 72 hours in low-power mode.
For many users, the Watch 10 and SE provide plenty of battery life, though you’ll need to use your charger every day. However, using multiple apps, especially if they use data streaming, can drain the batter faster.
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If you’re an endurance athlete who plans to use your watch for fitness tracking, music streaming, and GPS services for a long race, or you just don’t want to charge your watch every day, you may need to go with the Ultra 2.
Tattoos
One callout of all Apple Watches is the fact that tattoos can interfere with some of the features. This happens on most fitness trackers but is an issue some may not be aware of. As someone who has a fairly dark tattoo on my wrist underneath the watch, my Apple Watch can’t detect if I’m wearing it or not, since the tattoo blocks the light sensors. This may not be an issue with lighter tattoos or skin breaks that allow the sensors to reach the skin.
This means several features don’t work, like the wrist detection that automatically unlocks the watch when you turn your wrist. My watch can detect a heart rate when I have the fitness mode on to track a workout, but it doesn’t track my resting heart rate, the oxygen sensor and crash detection don’t work, as the watch can’t tell when it’s on my wrist.
I still love my watch and wear it daily, but this is something to be aware of if you have tattoos on your wrists. You can always wear it on the opposite wrist if that wrist is free of ink, but I find that using the action button, turning the dial, and navigating apps feels strange when I use my left hand.
Brand Policies
If you’re considering the Apple Watch, there’s a good chance you’re already using Apple products and may be familiar with the brand, especially as the watch is designed to pair directly with your phone. However, if you’re new to Apple, here are a few reasons we recommend ordering from Apple.
Warranty
Each Apple Watch comes with a one-year hardware warranty and free 90 days of technical support if you have any issues.
You can also purchase AppleCare+ for a one-time payment or monthly fee, the price of which varies depending on the watch you choose. This extends your warranty for 2 to 3 years, depending on the model, and provides you with unlimited accident protection. If anything happens to your watch, this protection allows you to replace it for a $69 fee for the SE and Watch 10, or a $79 fee for the Ultra 2.
Customer Support
If you need help with your watch, Apple has great customer support. You can reach them by phone or chat, or you can make an appointment at your local Apple Store’s Genius Bar, where an expert can help you troubleshoot any problems you may be having.
Most services at the Genius Bar are free, though repairs may require an additional fee if your watch isn’t covered under a warranty or AppleCare+.
User-Friendly Technology
As someone who loves technology and tests as many products as I can, I can attest that Apple products are some of the most user-friendly, easy-to-use products I’ve tested, and the Apple Watch is no different.
The initial setup of your watch couldn’t be easier. All you need to do is power on the watch, put it on your wrist, and bring it near your iPhone–the phone will automatically guide you through the rest of the setup.
You can also follow this process to set up a watch for a child or family member who doesn’t have an iPhone, but someone needs to have a phone for the initial setup.
As with all Apple devices, everything syncs seamlessly across devices. You can use your same Apple account on a watch, iPad, iPhone, and Mac or Macbook, and everything is connected. For example, when I set up my new watch, it automatically paired with my laptop and Airpods.
Financing Options
Apple Watches can also be purchased with a variety of financing options, depending on the retailer you choose. Purchases made directly through Apple can be financed with Apple Card Monthly Installments and receive 0% for 12 months of financing, although this may require users to apply for an Apple Card.
Other retailers may offer financing through services like Affirm, Klarna, or Afterpay.
Final Verdict of the Best Apple Watches
Overall, all of the Apple Watches offer similar features and track most of the same metrics. They’re all high-quality fitness trackers that most users will love, and aside from the large size of the Ultra 2, they even look the same.
Most people should consider the Apple Watch 10, which offers all of Apple’s health and fitness tracking features, smartphone features, and cellular data capability. For an extra fee, it can also be upgraded to the titanium case.
Those shopping for their children or who simply want to save money should go with the SE, while endurance athletes or those who value a longer battery life may want to choose the Ultra 2.
Best Apple Watch: FAQs
What is the overall best Apple Watch?
The best watch will depend on your needs and preferences. For most users, the Apple Watch Series 10 is the best choice, though for an additional fee, the Ultra 2 has a larger screen, rugged design, and extended battery life.
What is the difference between the Apple Watch SE and Series 9?
The Apple Watch SE is smaller than the Apple Watch 9 and uses an older processing chip that may be slightly slower. It doesn’t take ECG readings or monitor for sleep apnea, and the screen is slightly smaller.
Is the Apple Watch SE still worth it in 2024?
Yes. It’s not quite as modern as the Series 10 or Ultra 2, but it’s significantly cheaper and still contains most of the features you’d expect from an Apple Watch. The Apple Watch SE is a great choice for anyone shopping on a budget.
References
- Brickwood, K. J., Watson, G., O’Brien, J., & Williams, A. D. (2019). Consumer-Based Wearable Activity Trackers Increase Physical Activity Participation: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 7(4), e11819. https://doi.org/10.2196/11819
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