The very best Apple Watch in 2025

Apple has simply three smartwatches in its present lineup. We expect the flagship Apple Watch Collection 10 is the very best for most individuals, however athletes and outside fans is likely to be happier with the Apple Watch Extremely 2. The funds mannequin, the Apple Watch SE, gives a stunning array of options for the value. All three are wonderful companions to your iPhone and all do an excellent job of monitoring well being and health stats. This information to the very best Apple Watch breaks down the variations in sensors, case design and extra that can assist you determine which mannequin makes essentially the most sense for you.

Desk of contents

Finest Apple Watch in 2025

Picture by Cherlynn Low / Engadget

Chip: S10 SiP | Sensors: ECG, coronary heart charge, temperature, compass, altimeter, accelerometer, fall/crash detection | Show: All the time‑on Retina wide-angle OLED show, max 2,000 nits brightness | Battery life: 18 hours | Case measurement: 42mm or 46mm

Learn our full evaluation of the Apple Watch Collection 10

Beforehand, the large information for Apple’s flagship wearable was the brand new Double Faucet gesture. This time, essentially the most notable replace for the Apple Watch Collection 10 comes on the skin, with an even bigger display matched with a thinner general design. As a substitute of 41 and 45mm case sizes, now you can get the watch in both 42mm or 46mm. And, due to a redesigned metallic again that integrates the antenna into the housing, it’s now simply 9.7mm thick, a full millimeter thinner than the Collection 9.

In her evaluation, Engadget’s Cherlynn Low stated the brand new watch was noticeably thinner and lighter, although that didn’t make an enormous distinction in consolation between the brand new model and its predecessor. The bigger display did make some issues clearer, similar to highway names in Maps. The wide-angle OLED show additionally made it simpler to learn the face when not trying straight at it.

The Collection 10 delivers extra highly effective speaker output, too. Cherlynn famous that the audio system are most likely not one thing you’ll wish to depend on for prolonged listening, and so they positively work higher in quiet environments. But when it’s essential to hear a music or a little bit of a podcast in some unspecified time in the future, your watch can be higher outfitted to take action. One other {hardware} improve comes with the addition of a depth gauge. It’s not meant for diving, because the gauge is just rated to 6 meters, nevertheless it may offer you insights when snorkeling or swimming.

Along with sleep monitoring, the watch now additionally helps sleep apnea detection, a situation that’s significantly under-diagnosed. Whereas it’s not meant for individuals who already know they’ve the dysfunction, it may assist establish sure respiratory patterns throughout sleep that must be checked out by a health care provider. That characteristic will even be accessible on the Apple Watch Collection 9 with watchOS 11.

Battery life didn’t change drastically — Apple nonetheless guarantees an 18-hour stretch per cost — and that comparatively brief span has at all times been our largest criticism with the watch. The charging velocity, nonetheless, did get a lift. You must now be capable to get your watch as much as 80 p.c in only a half an hour utilizing a fast-charge-certified charger.

After all, the brand new options aren’t the one motive to purchase an Apple Watch Collection 10. It simply occurs to be the very best companion you will get for an iPhone. The watch will hold you on high of your notifications (presenting fewer distractions than your cellphone), whereas the exercise monitoring and health options will help hold you motivated, if that’s one thing you’re into. It could actually additionally remind you to take meds, observe your moods and log your interval for cycle monitoring and predictions.

Finally, we predict the Apple Watch Collection 10 is a superb purchase for iOS customers who’re both new to Apple Watches or coming from a Collection 8 or older. For those who’ve bought a Collection 9, you may most likely wait on an improve.

Execs

• Thinner and lighter construct
• Probably useful sleep apnea detection
• The very best companion for an iPhone
• Helpful new water sports activities options

Cons

• Nonetheless solely has an 18-hour battery life

$329 at Amazon

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

Chip: S8 SiP | Sensors: Coronary heart charge, compass, altimeter, accelerometer, fall/crash detection | Show: Retina show, max 1,000 nits brightness | Battery life: 18 hours | Case measurement: 40mm or 44mm

Learn our full evaluation of the Apple Watch SE

But once more, Apple didn’t come out with a brand new technology of the Apple Watch SE when it introduced the Apple Watch 10 and different Apple units in September. A brand new plastic model is reportedly within the works (and we’ve got some concepts on what Apple can enhance). However for now, this $250 smartwatch is Apple’s funds choice. 

Cherlynn additionally reviewed the SE when it got here out in 2022, calling it “the very best smartwatch for the cash.” It makes use of the identical chip as the unique Extremely and the Collection 8, and in our evaluation of the brand new Collection 9, Cherlynn “barely observed a distinction in efficiency” in comparison with the older Apple Watch.

That stated, there are some trade-offs. You gained’t get an always-on show, blood oxygen monitoring or a temperature sensor. The SE can also’t assist the brand new Double Faucet characteristic and requires your cellphone to be close by for Siri requests (if you happen to don’t have a cellular-enabled mannequin). Supplies-wise, the SE face is roofed in Ion-X glass, which is much less strong than the sapphire crystal on both the chrome steel Collection 9 or the Extremely 2.

However the SE has extra in frequent with its pricier sibling than not, together with crash detection, coronary heart charge monitoring, emergency SOS calling, and 50 meters of water resistance. And, in fact, the watch does all of the fundamentals effectively, like sharing notifications, controlling your music playback and setting timers and alarms. 

Although the display isn’t fairly as brilliant because the pricier fashions, we thought it was crisp and straightforward to learn, even in brilliant daylight. The health monitoring is correct, the design is light-weight and comfy and the processor is snappy. For those who’re in search of a starter smartwatch and don’t thoughts the few lacking options, the SE continues to be the best way to go.

Execs

• Reasonably priced worth
• Nice well being and health monitoring
• Extends the utility of an iPhone

Cons

• Lacks blood oxygen and temperature sensors
• Would not assist Double Faucet
• No always-on show

$239 at Amazon

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

Chip: S9 SiP | Sensors: ECG, coronary heart charge, temperature, compass, altimeter, accelerometer, fall/crash detection, depth gauge | Show: All the time-on Retina show, max 3,000 nits brightness | Battery life: 36 hours | Case measurement: 49mm

Learn our full evaluation of the Apple Watch Extremely

Apple introduced the Apple Watch Extremely 2 on the similar occasion because the Collection 9 however, the next 12 months, we didn’t get an Apple Watch Extremely 3. As a substitute, Apple introduced a brand new satin black colorway created with a “diamond-like carbon bodily vapor deposition” course of that you just’ll typically discover used on high-end knife blades.

Engadget’s Cherlynn Low took the earlier mannequin Extremely out on a hike to benefit from its outdoor-specific options and the Backtrack operate really saved her and our video producer Brian from taking an unintended detour within the unsuitable route. The operate lives throughout the Compass app and allows you to set waypoints similar to marking the parking zone earlier than you set out. There’s an onboard siren that’s loud sufficient to alert passersby or emergency personnel to your whereabouts if you happen to ought to want it.

For water-based actions, the Extremely 2 packs diving options that may measure water temperature, dive length and gauge as much as 40 meters of depth. For exercises nearer to residence, the dual-frequency GPS provides you extra correct route monitoring and tempo calculations. And the motion button may be programmed to start out a exercise, management the stopwatch, set off the flashlight, set a waypoint and extra. Simply observe that we discovered it fairly straightforward to by accident set off the motion button when attempting to press the crown, so it might take slightly observe.

The S9 SiP chip permits Double Faucet and on-device Siri processing. The display has been bumped as much as 3,000 nits and whereas we didn’t get to take the brand new mannequin on a hike, the unique at 2,000 nits was lots brilliant sufficient in direct daylight. We like how the brand new Modular Extremely watch face makes nice use of the outsized display (although that’s additionally accessible on the unique AWU.) The battery life stays the identical at 36 hours, and we bought about three days of average use out of the Extremely earlier than needing a recharge. The low energy mode is especially spectacular, squeezing out many further hours from a near-empty watch.

Execs

• Sturdy construct
• Specialised options for outside actions
• Massive display shows quite a lot of information

Cons

• Costly
• Massive case can really feel cumbersome on smaller wrists

$779 at Amazon

What to search for in an Apple Watch

Like all Apple merchandise, Apple Watches will solely work with different units from the model’s ecosystem. You will not be capable to pair any Apple Watch to your Android cellphone. Notice that you just can pair different wearables (like a Garmin tracker or a Fitbit band) along with your iPhone. There are some extra options which can be particular to Apple Watches and that set every of the three fashions aside from each other.

Chips and sensors

The brand new Apple Watch Collection 10 has an S10 SiP (system in a bundle) chip with a four-core Neural Engine. The Extremely 2 was up to date final September with Apple’s S9 SiP. Each chips permit for on-device processing of Siri requests in addition to dictation, translation, computerized exercise detection and the Double Faucet gesture that permits you to reply calls or cease an alarm by tapping your thumb and forefinger collectively twice. It additionally permits sooner machine studying efficiency for decoding sensor information, speech recognition and performing different “pondering” duties. The Apple Watch SE nonetheless depends on the S8 SiP, which was additionally used within the Collection 8 and the unique Extremely.

Each the Collection 10 and Extremely 2 can measure sure very important indicators like coronary heart charge, and each have an ECG app. Temperature sensors will help observe ovulation, whereas underwater temperature sensors might come in useful whereas swimming and snorkeling. Each additionally assist fall-detection and crash-detection as a security characteristic. All three fashions have a compass and altimeter. The Apple Watch Extremely 2 has an onboard SOS siren, in addition to dive options like a depth gauge. Water options have been added to the Apple Watch Collection 10, however with a shallower depth ranking (simply six meters, as in comparison with 40 meters on the Extremely). The Extremely contains blood oxygen sensors, however a patent dispute has compelled Apple to disable that well being characteristic on new fashions offered within the US and the {hardware} isn’t current within the new flagship mannequin.

All three fashions assist close to subject communication (NFC), the chip that permits Apple Pay. When you set it up utilizing the Apple Watch app in your iPhone, you may pay for stuff at any retailer that accepts Apple Pay, even when you do not have your cellphone with you.

Shows and case sizes

The wide-angle OLED show on the Apple Watch 10 allows you to see the always-on show from extra angles. The Extremely 2 additionally has an always-on show, however you’ll must carry your wrist to inform time or learn notifications on the SE. The SE can attain a most brightness of 1,000 nits, the Collection 10 can get as brilliant as 2,000 and the Extremely 2 hits 3,000 nits. Each higher-end screens can dim to a single nit, making them much less distracting in the dead of night.

The Apple Watch Collection 10 got here with a brand new end and case materials — a shiny anodized jet black end on the aluminum mannequin and the choice for a titanium case. The Extremely 2 additionally bought a brand new end, satin black, that makes use of a PVD (bodily vapor deposition) course of to use the colour.

As for case sizes, the SE is out there in 40 or 44mm. The Collection 10 elevated in measurement from the prior technology and now has a selection of a 42 or 46mm case. The Extremely 2 is available in only one measurement measuring 49mm. You additionally get the chance to choose the size and elegance for watch bands. The SE and Collection 10 are available small/medium or medium/giant and the Extremely 2 provides you the selection of small, medium or giant.

Battery life

Because it’s the biggest wearable, the Apple Watch Extremely 2 sports activities the most important battery and might final for a claimed 36 hours on a cost. That quantity jumps as much as 72 hours if you happen to activate low energy mode. Each the Apple Watch 10 and the SE are rated by Apple to go for 18 hours earlier than they want a go to to the charger, and longer when utilizing battery saver mode. Meaning if you wish to use both of these fashions frequently for sleep monitoring, you might must recharge them a bit earlier than mattress.

Health and wellness options

Consider it or not, all three Apple Watches have comparable health tracker chops. The Exercise app makes use of three “rings” to maintain tabs on how a lot you’re shifting in a day: The Transfer ring tracks your lively energy; the Train ring screens the minutes you’ve spent strolling, working, doing yoga and so forth; and the Stand ring tells you what number of hours in a day you’ve stood up and moved round for a minimum of one minute.

Completely different inner sensors detect these actions, for instance the accelerometer senses if you’re shifting versus sitting nonetheless, and the optical coronary heart charge sensor judges how exhausting you are figuring out and what number of energy you’ve burned. You possibly can set your targets for every ring and also you’ll earn badges and animations if you hit them.

The Exercise app allows you to begin and observe an train session. The sensors may even auto-detect if you’re figuring out, tapping your wrist to counsel you observe the exercise. Apple Watches will combine with Apple’s Health+ subscription, displaying actual time coronary heart charge and calorie burn information in your iPhone, iPad and even Apple TV 4K as you’re taking a category. Health+ additionally contains audio-guided walks and runs with simply your watch and Bluetooth earbuds. All three fashions assist the Exercise and Exercise apps at no cost. The Health+ app additionally works with all Apple Watches, however prices $10 monthly.

New options enabled with watchOS 11 embrace Coaching Load that gauges your physique’s response to exercises over time, which may assist athletes higher put together for occasions like marathons. Customers also can now skip a day (or extra) from health monitoring metrics when they should relaxation or aren’t feeling as much as the problem of closing their rings. The brand new OS additionally helps offline maps, which may show helpful when climbing removed from mobile protection. Upcoming options of the subsequent working system (watchOS 26) will embrace an AI Exercise Buddy to educate you thru your subsequent run through your linked Airpods.

Siri

You will get the climate, begin a exercise, establish a music and dictate a textual content simply by asking Siri. All Apple Watch fashions assist the Increase to Communicate characteristic that bypasses the necessity to say “Hey Siri” and can as a substitute pay attention to your request if you carry your wrist close to your mouth.

Each the Collection 10 and the Extremely 2 make the most of onboard processing of Siri requests. Meaning executing easy requests like beginning exercises and timers are faster, as they gained’t must entry exterior networks. Nonetheless, requests like sending texts or getting climate forecasts nonetheless want to speak with Wi-Fi or mobile, so that you’ll must have your cellphone close by if in case you have a GPS-only mannequin.

Carbon impartial choices

The Apple Watch Collection 9 with the aluminum case was the corporate’s first carbon impartial product. Apple defines its carbon impartial merchandise as those who use “100% clear electrical energy for manufacturing and product use, 30 p.c recycled or renewable materials by weight and 50 p.c of transport with out using air transportation.” Mixed, Apple says these modifications diminished the emissions by round 75 p.c, and the corporate will use credit so make up for the remaining emissions.

At the moment, the Apple Watch Collection 10 in both aluminum or titanium with the game loop band, braided solo loop or Milanese loop, and the Apple Watch Extremely 2 with the path loop or alpine loop bands are designated as carbon impartial merchandise.

Value

There’s a $550 distinction between the most cost effective and costliest Apple Watches. For $250 (and sometimes on sale for much less), you will get the 40mm Apple Watch SE with GPS-only connectivity; including mobile connectivity ups the value by $50. The Apple Watch Collection 10 begins at $399 for the 42mm, non-cellular mannequin in aluminum and goes as excessive as $749 for the 46mm titanium case (which is just accessible with GPS and mobile). The Apple Watch Extremely 2 has only one worth: $799 for a titanium 49mm case with each GPS and mobile energy — although if you’d like the titanium Apple Watch Band, the value goes up. For any mannequin you choose, you will most likely additionally need a number of Apple Watch equipment, so you might wish to issue that into your buying choice.

How we examined Apple Watches

Engadget has been reviewing Apple Watches because the first one got here out in 2015. Since then, we’ve examined each subsequent mannequin Apple has launched, together with the Extremely and SE fashions, spending a minimum of a number of days or perhaps a couple weeks with one strapped to our wrists. Throughout that point, we run, hit the health club, go on hikes and put on it whereas sleeping, all of the whereas gauging the way it tracks numerous metrics, integrates with the iPhone and performs each different trick Apple claims its smartwatches can do.

Since we additionally evaluation smartwatches from different firms, similar to Samsung and Google, our editors can evaluate Apple Watches not simply to earlier generations, but in addition to different wearables available on the market. Our purchasing guides and proposals depend on first-hand testing by Engadget workers.

Apple Watch comparability chart