One of the best Apple Watch in 2025

Apple has simply three smartwatches in its present lineup. We predict the flagship Apple Watch Sequence 10 is one of the best for most individuals, however athletes and out of doors fans may be happier with the Apple Watch Extremely 2. The finances mannequin, the Apple Watch SE, provides a shocking array of options for the value. All three are glorious companions on your iPhone and all do an excellent job of monitoring well being and health stats. This information to one of the best Apple Watch breaks down the variations in sensors, case design and extra that will help you determine which mannequin makes probably the most sense for you.

Desk of contents

Finest Apple Watch in 2025

Photograph by Cherlynn Low / Engadget

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

Learn our full overview of the Apple Watch Sequence 10

Beforehand, the massive information for Apple’s flagship wearable was the brand new Double Faucet gesture. This time, probably the most notable replace for the Apple Watch Sequence 10 comes on the surface, with a much bigger display screen 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 steel again that integrates the antenna into the housing, it’s now simply 9.7mm thick, a full millimeter thinner than the Sequence 9.

In her overview, Engadget’s Cherlynn Low mentioned 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 screen did make some issues clearer, reminiscent of street names in Maps. The wide-angle OLED show additionally made it simpler to learn the face when not trying immediately at it.

The Sequence 10 delivers extra highly effective speaker output, too. Cherlynn famous that the audio system are in all probability not one thing you’ll wish to depend on for prolonged listening, they usually undoubtedly work higher in quiet environments. But when you might want to hear a track or a little bit of a podcast in some unspecified time in the future, your watch might be higher geared up 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 provide you with 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 determine sure respiratory patterns throughout sleep that must be checked out by a health care provider. That function may also be out there on the Apple Watch Sequence 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 all the time been our largest criticism with the watch. The charging pace, nevertheless, did get a lift. It’s best to now be capable to get your watch as much as 80 % in only a half an hour utilizing a fast-charge-certified charger.

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

In the end, we predict the Apple Watch Sequence 10 is a superb purchase for iOS customers who’re both new to Apple Watches or coming from a Sequence 8 or older. Should you’ve obtained a Sequence 9, you’ll be able to in all probability wait on an improve.

Execs

• Thinner and lighter construct
• Probably useful sleep apnea detection
• One of the 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 overview 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 finances choice. 

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

That mentioned, 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 function and requires your cellphone to be close by for Siri requests (for those who 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 Sequence 9 or the Extremely 2.

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

Although the display screen isn’t fairly as vivid because the pricier fashions, we thought it was crisp and straightforward to learn, even in vivid daylight. The health monitoring is correct, the design is light-weight and cozy and the processor is snappy. Should you’re searching for a starter smartwatch and don’t thoughts the few lacking options, the SE remains to be the way in which 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
• Does 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: At all times-on Retina show, max 3,000 nits brightness | Battery life: 36 hours | Case measurement: 49mm

Learn our full overview of the Apple Watch Extremely

Apple introduced the Apple Watch Extremely 2 on the similar occasion because the Sequence 9 however, the next yr, 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 simply’ll generally discover used on high-end knife blades.

Engadget’s Cherlynn Low took the earlier mannequin Extremely out on a hike to reap the benefits of its outdoor-specific options and the Backtrack perform really saved her and our video producer Brian from taking an unintended detour within the improper path. The perform lives inside the Compass app and allows you to set waypoints reminiscent of marking the car 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 for those who 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 might be programmed to begin a exercise, management the stopwatch, set off the flashlight, set a waypoint and extra. Simply be aware that we discovered it fairly straightforward to unintentionally set off the motion button when making an attempt to press the crown, so it could take a little bit follow.

The S9 SiP chip permits Double Faucet and on-device Siri processing. The display screen 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 a lot vivid sufficient in direct daylight. We like how the brand new Modular Extremely watch face makes nice use of the outsized display screen (although that’s additionally out there on the unique AWU.) The battery life stays the identical at 36 hours, and we obtained about three days of reasonable use out of the Extremely earlier than needing a recharge. The low energy mode is especially spectacular, squeezing out many additional hours from a near-empty watch.

Execs

• Sturdy construct
• Specialised options for out of doors actions
• Massive display screen shows loads 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. Observe that you simply can pair different wearables (like a Garmin tracker or a Fitbit band) along with your iPhone. There are some extra options which might 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 Sequence 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 enable 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 quicker machine studying efficiency for deciphering 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 Sequence 8 and the unique Extremely.

Each the Sequence 10 and Extremely 2 can measure sure important indicators like coronary heart charge, and each have an ECG app. Temperature sensors will help observe ovulation, whereas underwater temperature sensors might turn out to be useful whereas swimming and snorkeling. Each additionally assist fall-detection and crash-detection as a security function. 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 had been added to the Apple Watch Sequence 10, however with a shallower depth score (simply six meters, as in comparison with 40 meters on the Extremely). The Extremely consists of blood oxygen sensors, however a patent dispute has pressured Apple to disable that well being function on new fashions bought within the US and the {hardware} isn’t current within the new flagship mannequin.

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

Shows and case sizes

The wide-angle OLED show on the Apple Watch 10 permits you to see the always-on show from extra angles. The Extremely 2 additionally has an always-on show, however you’ll need to carry your wrist to inform time or learn notifications on the SE. The SE can attain a most brightness of 1,000 nits, the Sequence 10 can get as vivid 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 at nighttime.

The Apple Watch Sequence 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 obtained 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 on the market in 40 or 44mm. The Sequence 10 elevated in measurement from the prior technology and now has a alternative of a 42 or 46mm case. The Extremely 2 is available in only one measurement measuring 49mm. You additionally get the chance to select the size and elegance for watch bands. The SE and Sequence 10 are available small/medium or medium/massive and the Extremely 2 provides you the selection of small, medium or massive.

Battery life

Because it’s the biggest wearable, the Apple Watch Extremely 2 sports activities the largest battery and may final for a claimed 36 hours on a cost. That quantity jumps as much as 72 hours for those who 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, it’s possible you’ll have to 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 transferring in a day: The Transfer ring tracks your energetic 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 at the least one minute.

Totally different inner sensors detect these actions, for instance the accelerometer senses if you’re transferring 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 permits 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 consists of audio-guided walks and runs with simply your watch and Bluetooth earbuds. All three fashions assist the Exercise and Exercise apps without cost. The Health+ app additionally works with all Apple Watches, however prices $10 per 30 days.

New options enabled with watchOS 11 embody 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 mountain climbing removed from mobile protection. Upcoming options of the following working system (watchOS 26) will embody an AI Exercise Buddy to teach you thru your subsequent run through your linked Airpods.

Siri

You may get the climate, begin a exercise, determine a track and dictate a textual content simply by asking Siri. All Apple Watch fashions assist the Elevate to Converse function that bypasses the necessity to say “Hey Siri” and can as a substitute hear on your request if you carry your wrist close to your mouth.

Each the Sequence 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 have to 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 have to have your cellphone close by you probably have a GPS-only mannequin.

Carbon impartial choices

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

At the moment, the Apple Watch Sequence 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.

Worth

There’s a $550 distinction between the most cost effective and costliest Apple Watches. For $250 (and infrequently on sale for much less), you may get the 40mm Apple Watch SE with GPS-only connectivity; including mobile connectivity ups the value by $50. The Apple Watch Sequence 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 out there 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 decide, you may in all probability additionally need a couple of Apple Watch equipment, so it’s possible you’ll wish to issue that into your buying resolution.

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 at the least a couple of days or perhaps a couple weeks with one strapped to our wrists. Throughout that point, we run, hit the gymnasium, 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 overview smartwatches from different firms, reminiscent of Samsung and Google, our editors can examine Apple Watches not simply to earlier generations, but additionally to different wearables in the marketplace. Our purchasing guides and proposals depend on first-hand testing by Engadget employees.

Apple Watch comparability chart