The Apple Watch has been around for nearly a decade, and while the overall design hasn’t changed a great deal in that time, the smartwatch now has three key variations: the original, the budget SE , and the advanced Ultra series . And that doesn’t even include special collaborations, like those involving Nike and Hermes, or opting for an older model to save some cash. The decision on which Apple Watch model is right for you will depend on a number of factors, budget being one, along with what features are important to you and how big of a device you want on your wrist.
Pocket-lint has reviewed every Apple Watch model since the device arrived in 2015, including the latest Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2, so we’re well-equipped to help you figure out which is the best Apple Watch model, depending on what you are looking for. With that in mind, here are our picks for the best Apple Watch on the market.
Apple tends to launch new Watch models in September, and the company’s upcoming
Sept. 9 event
is expected to bring the latest models as well — which means you may want to wait and see what new features launch or if the price on current models drop.
The best Apple Watch overall
Apple Watch Series 9
The Apple Watch that makes the most sense for most users
The Apple Watch Series 9 offers a solid design, a beautiful and bright display, more sensors than you’ll know what to do with and more features than it’s possible to list. Apple played it safe, so if you have a Series 7 or Series 8, there isn’t a huge reason to upgrade, but for newbies or older owners, this is a well-rounded smartwatch with lots to love.
- Stunning display
- Packed with sensors
- Excellent overall performance
- No improvements to battery life
- No Action Button
- Minor changes compared to Series 8
The Apple Watch Series 9 launched alongside the Watch Ultra 2 in September 2023, and it’s a brilliant smartwatch for iPhone users. On the surface, it might not look any different compared to the Series 8, but it has a couple of new tricks up its sleeve, along with a performance boost and a brighter screen than its predecessor. There’s a Double Tap gesture that’s genuinely useful for a number of tasks, while the new processor makes operation buttery smooth.
We’ve picked the Series 9 as the best Apple Watch overall because there are a few more options with this model than the Watch Ultra 2 below, not just in terms of case sizes, but colors and finishes too. It’s also half the price of the Ultra 2 whilst offering almost all the same features, and there is plenty to love, making it perfect for the majority of us.
The best premium Apple Watch
Apple Watch Ultra 2
The Watch with everything Apple has to offer
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 brings with it a slicker user experience, thanks to the addition of the latest S9 chip, which means interaction is fast and Siri can be used to a greater degree without connectivity. But in terms of useable, rugged outdoor features, the updates feel very reserved. There are no additional sensors, no increased battery life and very few new hardware headlines to force original Apple Watch Ultra owners to upgrade.
- Apple’s brightest display yet
- On-device Siri is a boon
- Gesture control works nicely
- Battery life remains unchanged
- Navigational features can’t compete with rivals
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 follows very closely in the footsteps of the Watch Ultra, with an identical design that is slightly different and a little more exciting than the Watch Series 9 above. It’s not top of our best Apple Watch list because there’s just one size of 49mm and it’s very pricey, but for those after a premium Apple Watch that looks a little different, this is the one you’ll want.
There could be some software enhancements to match the great hardware of the Watch Ultra 2, but this is a smartwatch with good battery life, some excellent features and great performance gains over the original Watch Ultra. It does the basics incredibly well, offers a super bright display, and it makes a number of improvements in several other places too — such as altitude. It won’t be the Apple Watch for everyone — mainly because of its size and cost — but it’s a fantastic watch that some will adore.
Best budget Apple Watch
Apple Watch SE (2022)
The Apple Watch to buy for features at a good price
$199 $249 Save $50
Apple’s entry-level watch is an absolute star, with excellent features and top-notch fitness tracking at a very reasonable price.
- Colour-matched body
- Great features
- Good price
- No Always-On Display
- No body temperature sensor
- No SpO2 sensor
The Apple Watch SE (2022) launched alongside the Apple Watch Ultra and the Watch Series 8 in 2022, so it’s safe to say it had its limelight stolen a little at the time — and since too. However, it’s still a very good smartwatch and one you should consider if you’re looking for the best Apple Watch for value.
You miss out on a couple of features, like an Always-On Display, body temperature sensor, and features like the ability to take an ECG as you can do on the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2, but the Apple Watch SE (2022) offers a brilliant design (that looks very much like the Series 8 and Series 9) and it delivers the same level of performance as the more expensive models. It’s also quite a bit cheaper, so if you’re happy to not have all the sensors and features, but still have the ones the majority of people need, this is the Apple Watch to buy.
Best value premium Apple Watch
Apple Watch Ultra
Almost the best Apple has to offer and now cheaper
The Apple Watch Ultra is the Apple Watch Series 8 on steroids, plus so much more. It’s bulked up to offer a more rough and ready device with not only a tougher case but a bigger one too, alongside a bigger display, more tactile buttons and extra buttons, too.
- Bold design, lovely display
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Better battery life than standard models
- Expensive
- Will be too big for some
The Apple Watch Ultra is pretty much an Apple Watch Series 8 or Series 9 on steroids, and we love that about it. It also stands out a little from the rest of the Apple Watch pack (except the Watch Ultra 2 of course shares the same look), with a slightly different design that incorporates some extra features like the programmable action button. There’s a glorious display on board here — not as glorious as the Watch Ultra 2 but who is counting. Additionally, it’s packed to the brim with features, and like the Watch Series 9 that’s a little more understated, the Ultra does a lot of the basics very well.
What the Ultra has going in its favor — and the reason you might choose it aside from just the design — is it does more than just the basics well, and it is cheaper than the Ultra 2 while offering many of the same features. You can dive with it, hike with it, run with it and whatever else you might like to do — a game changer for some outdoor enthusiasts. Plus, the battery is among the best of the Apple Watch bunch and that’s something of an accolade in its own right.
Read our review
Apple Watch Ultra: Rugged and ready
Apple’s Watch Ultra is the largest Apple Watch available, and it’s the most expensive too. The question is, should you buy it? Here’s my review.
Best value Apple Watch
Apple Watch Series 8
The Apple Watch that could make the most sense
$329 $399 Save $70
The Apple Watch Series 8 has a great design, heaps of sensors, and more features than you’ll probably know what to do with. Its battery life isn’t the best on the smartwatch market, but fast charging makes it easy to charge daily and the fitness features are superb.
- Familiar, comfortable design
- Great display
- Solid performance
- No huge changes from Series 7
- Action button from Ultra would have been nice
The Apple Watch Series 8 might not be the latest in the Series range, but it’s still an excellent smartwatch. There’s no difference in design compared to the Watch Series 9, so you still get a large and bright display that makes use of the space available, alongside a plethora of features. I’ve kept the Series 8 in this list because, up until very recently, it was our top pick for best Apple Watch overall, predominately for the price and different size options, catering to more people.
The Watch Series 8 has almost all the same features as the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2, including a body temperature sensor and car crash detection, but what makes the Apple Watch Series 8 so fantastic is that it does a lot of the basics exceptionally well and now at a lower price. From smartphone notifications to fitness and workout tracking, it’s a superb companion.
The bottom line: What is the best Apple Watch?
For most people, it won’t be a difficult choice
The best Apple Watch model, in my opinion, is currently the Watch Ultra 2 because it not only brings a slightly different design, but a wonderful (and very bright) display and excellent features. However, it doesn’t sit at the very top of this list because it is big and expensive (and not that different from its predecessor), and so the Watch Series 9 is the Apple Watch I would recommend to most people — confusing, I know. It is also worth keeping in mind that the Watch Series 9 doesn’t differ hugely from the Watch Series 8 – and the same goes for the Watch Ultra and Watch Ultra 2.
So, if you can find the Watch Ultra or the Watch Series 8 at good prices, snap them up as you don’t miss out on much compared to their successors. Overall, I’d recommend the Watch Ultra 2 if you want the best Apple has to offer in this space, or the Watch Series 9 if you don’t want your smartwatch to be as big as 49mm, or you can’t justify the cost of the Ultra 2. The Watch SE 2nd generation should definitely be on your list if you’re after a more wallet-friendly Apple Watch that does almost everything, but misses off a couple of features.
FAQ
Q: How we choose these Apple Watch models
I have reviewed Apple’s smartwatches for a number of years and have extensive knowledge and hands-on experience with all the models on this list. The Watch Series 9 is now the model I have on my wrist permanently, though this is because the Watch Ultra 2 is a little too large for me. If the Watch Ultra 2 came in a smaller version (and it wasn’t quite so expensive), I would opt for it. I very much enjoyed reviewing the Watch SE (2022) however, and the Series 8 was on my wrist for a year before I moved to the Series 9. The same goes for the Series 7 the year before. In a nutshell, I’d be more than happy using any of the models as my everyday Apple Watch, so I am confident in recommending them to you.
Q: What should you consider when choosing an Apple Watch?
The Apple Watch model you choose will depend on a few factors, as mentioned. Budget will play a big part as the Apple Watch models differ quite significantly in price, but you’ll also want to consider what features are important to you. Do you want to be able to take an ECG from your wrist for example? If so, you’ll need the Series 8, Series 9, Watch Ultra or Watch Ultra 2 from this list. If 49mm is too big, then you’ll need to consider the Series 9, Series 8 or Watch SE (2022). Do you want an Always-On Display? If the answer is yes, the Watch SE isn’t going to give you that. All models are great for different reasons, and there will be an Apple Watch model that is perfect for you. I recommend reading our comparison features if you want more detail on the differences between the Watch Series 9 and Watch Series 8 for example, or the difference between the Watch SE and Series 8 to help you further narrow down the right model for you.
Q: Is now the right time to buy an Apple Watch?
The latest Apple Watches are expected to be announced at Apple’s September event, which means you may want to wait. Even if you don’t want the latest features, the price on the current model may drop once the newest generation is here.
Trending Products
