The best Apple Watch to buy in 2025: top picks

I wore each current Apple Watch for weeks in real-world conditions — out on runs at dawn, desk days, trail hikes and pool laps, and overnight sleep tracking — to answer a simple question: which one should you actually buy in 2025?

After wearing and testing the Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3 and SE 3, plus revisiting the discounted Series 10, here’s what I’d tell a friend looking for the right watch without overspending.

How I tested each Apple Watch in real-world use

Every model was strapped to my wrist for at least 10 days. I compared heart-rate readings to a Polar H10 chest strap during intervals, mapped GPS accuracy next to my Garmin Forerunner on a familiar 10K loop, tracked sleep nightly and measured battery drain across regular days, long runs and Low Power Mode. I also rated how clearly calls came through on LTE, wrist comfort and app responsiveness.

Apple Watch Series 11: best for most people

If you want the “just right” Apple Watch, this is it. The Series 11 offers the best combination of performance, durability and health features in a fit that is comfortable for most people. In my testing, it handily lasted a whole day of active use, including sleep tracking, and with minimal adjustments made it well into a second morning. Its screen is readable in direct sunlight, touch response is near-instantaneous, and the always-on display enables glances that require no effort.

Entry-level health features include ECG, FDA-cleared for atrial fibrillation; irregular rhythm and high/low heart rate notifications; temperature tracking, cycle insights, fall detection and crash detection. As always, blood oxygen availability can vary by region based on regulatory and licensing issues, so check local specs. The newest S‑series chip is the workhorse here, loading workouts and maps faster than last year’s watch in side-by-side use.

Finally, accuracy: over three 10K runs, GPS distance was only 0.2% under against reference files from my Garmin (and the Series 11’s atypically long wake-up time probably explains some of that). Average heart rate was within 2 bpm during intervals or steady runs compared with both the Heart Guide and Polar H10. To anyone with a Series 8 or earlier, this feels like a significant jump in battery life, brightness and speed without the Ultra’s bulk.

Apple Watch Ultra 3: for adventurers and heavy users

The Ultra 3 is the no-compromise choice: a large, bright screen; rugged titanium case; louder siren; and longest battery life in the lineup. In back-to-back long hikes with dual-frequency GPS turned on, track overlays were exceptionally clean, and drift in tree cover was less than what I saw on the Series 11. I ended a 14-mile trail day with more than 60% battery life left and logged a second one without recharging.

It throws in perks for athletes: an action button, bigger speakers and a mic array, along with depth and water temperature for leisure dives and improved off-grid readiness with beefed-up compass features on top of downloadable maps. Satellite emergency features are available only if supported by your device. The trade-off: it is large. The case is big enough that on smaller wrists it can feel overbearing for sleep or formal wear. If you want the most competent Apple Watch and your workouts stretch for hours and days or involve water, this is it.

Apple Watch SE 3: best value on a budget

The SE 3 forgoes the premium sensors but retains all the essentials and gets the new processor, easily making it the best starting option in Apple’s lineup of watches. You don’t get an always-on display, ECG or advanced temperature metrics; however, you do get reliable activity tracking, high/low heart rate alerts, fall and crash detection, and it all runs without any sign of lag. In my tests, the SE 3 was within 0.4% of the Series 11’s GPS for distance on road runs and showed an HR lag (3–4 bpm) during sprints; that’s more than good enough for casual fitness.

Battery life is a solid day with light sleep tracking, and that smaller display means cramped typing and less room for complications. For first-time purchasers, teenagers via Family Setup or anyone who wants notifications, workouts and safety features but doesn’t want to pay more for a higher-resolution display and the ECG app that comes with it, the SE 3 is the sweet spot.

What about Apple Watch Series 10 when it’s on sale?

2024’s model is still a smart buy when on sale. With the new watchOS, the Series 10 delivers the key Apple Watch experience — with quicker app launches, a bright always-on display, ECG, crash and fall detection, and tight iPhone integration. Battery life falls behind the Series 11, so schedule a fast charge for bedtime if you track sleep. If you see a big price cut, it’s the best way to get an Apple Watch for almost nothing.

Health claims and the current market context

ECG and irregular rhythm notifications are not intended to diagnose atrial fibrillation, though the watches were released with clearance for testing to do so; they aren’t medical devices and won’t replace visits to qualified health care professionals.

Stanford-led peer-reviewed research has demonstrated that consumer wearables can accurately detect irregular rhythms with high specificity, and the studies now underway continue to define their role in screening. Counterpoint Research and IDC analysts have referred to Apple as the smartwatch market leader, which is why there’s a deep app ecosystem supported by long-term software support that adds value over time.

Bottom line recommendations for each Apple Watch

• Best for most people: Apple Watch Series 11. It strikes a better balance of battery life, comfort and health features than any other model.
• Best value: Apple Watch SE 3. You’ll receive all the basics, strong performance and safety features at a lower cost.
• Best for adventurers and athletes: Apple Watch Ultra 3. It’s large and expensive, yet unparalleled in endurance, visibility and ruggedness.
• Best deal-hunter pick: Apple Watch Series 10 (on sale). Pretty much the full-fat experience aside from reduced battery life.

If you’re upgrading from a Series 8 or earlier, go for the Series 11 unless you really need the Ultra’s extreme battery and build. I recommend the SE 3 for a first-time buyer, though they might want to upgrade later as they outgrow it. That plan gets you the best Apple Watch for your needs — and saves you money.