One of the best Apple Watch in 2025

Apple launched a wholly new lineup of Apple Watches throughout its “Awe dropping” launch occasion in mid September. There’s now a brand new flagship, Apple Watch Collection 11, a revamped entry-level mannequin, Apple Watch SE 3, and the following technology of the premium wearable, Apple Watch Extremely 3. We didn’t get a brand new model of both the SE or the Extremely final yr, and Apple made up for the wait by giving these two vital updates. The Collection 11 remains to be what we suggest for most individuals, however the different two are extra compelling than ever. Right here, we break down the variations between the fashions so you possibly can choose the perfect Apple Watch on your wrist laptop wants.

Desk of contents

Greatest Apple Watch in 2025

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

Chip: S10 SiP | Sensors: Electrical coronary heart, optical coronary heart, blood oxygen, temperature, compass, altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope, mild, depth gauge, water temp | Show: At all times‑on Retina wide-angle OLED show, max 2,000 nits brightness | Battery life: 24 hours | Case measurement: 42mm or 46mm

Learn our full Apple Watch Collection 11 evaluation

The specs for the Apple Watch Collection 11 look fairly much like the earlier technology. The brand new watch makes use of the identical S10 chip, has the identical case and display screen measurement, and employs the identical sensors. Plus, new software program options like sleep rating and hypertension alerts will work with the Collection 10 (and the Collection 9, for that matter). However two {hardware} upgrades make the Collection 11 mannequin notably higher than the final: a harder display screen and a battery that lasts longer. Oh, and the value didn’t go up.

The battery now lasts for twenty-four hours as a substitute of the earlier 18. That’s nonetheless shy of the 30 hours promised for Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 and Google’s Pixel Watch 4, however it’s an enchancment. In her evaluation, Engadget’s Cherlynn Low stated that she managed to get greater than 24 hours on a cost — throughout a day that included a exercise, digicam distant use and sleep monitoring.

Apple added a ceramic coating to the Ion-X glass on the usual Collection 11, making it twice as scratch resistant because the Collection 10 (the titanium Collection 11 has a good harder sapphire entrance crystal). When you’re the kind to instantly apply display screen protectors to your new gear, you might be able to skip that step.

New options for watchOS 26 embody hypertension alerts (accessible for the Collection 9 or later and the Extremely 2 or later), which use the optical coronary heart sensor and an algorithm to search for patterns of hypertension over the course of 30-day intervals. There’s additionally a brand new sleep rating, a Exercise Buddy to encourage you thru your runs and rides, in addition to a brand new wrist flick gesture to dismiss notifications.

A brand new design was launched with the Collection 10, and the Collection 11 maintains that extra snug, thinner profile and bigger display screen. The show is simple to learn in vivid mild and at vast angles because of the two,000 nit most brightness and the LTPO3 panel. And, as all the time, the flagship Apple Watch is a superb companion on your iPhone, does an ideal job of monitoring your exercises and now displays your well being stats even higher than earlier than.

When you go for the cellular-enabled mannequin, you’ll now be capable to entry 5G networks for quicker knowledge connections with out your telephone.

Professionals

• Longer, 24-hour battery life
• Skinny and light-weight design
• Complete well being monitoring
• More durable display screen

Cons

• The Apple Watch SE 3 could also be a greater worth
• Pricier than different main flagship smartwatches

$399 at Adorama

Apple

Chip: S10 SiP | Sensors: Optical coronary heart, temperature, compass, altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope, mild | Show: At all times‑on Retina wide-angle OLED show, max 1,000 nits brightness | Battery life: 18 hours | Case measurement: 40mm or 44mm

Learn our Apple Watch SE vs Collection 11 comparability

The second-generation SE was getting fairly dusty after three years with no refresh. However now we’ve the Apple Watch SE 3, which begins at $150 lower than the Collection 11, however you get most of the similar options because the dearer mannequin together with the identical S10 chip, seven of the 11 sensors, an always-on show and on-device Siri processing.

The SE 3 helps many of the new watchOS 26 options, together with the brand new sleep rating and wrist flick gesture, in addition to the brand new Exercise Buddy. It might probably deal with Emergency SOS options, wrist temperature monitoring and fall and crash detection. One in all our largest gripes with the previous mannequin — painfully gradual charging — has been changed with quick charging capabilities that may attain 80 % in about 45 minutes. And in case you go for the cellular-enabled mannequin, your watch can entry 5G networks.

Right here’s what you don’t get: Hypertension alerts, a blood oxygen sensor, the ECG app and an even bigger battery. The display screen on the Apple Watch SE 3 is smaller, too, with the identical show space because the SE 2 (and the Collection 4 for that matter) and the brightness maxes out at 1,000 nits as a substitute of two,000. The case is a full millimeter thicker and there’s no ceramic coating on the glass. The SE 3 coloration and case materials choices are extra restricted, with simply two finishes and aluminum-only circumstances.

Nonetheless, in case you’re in search of an entry-level smartwatch, and don’t thoughts a smaller display screen, the Apple Watch SE is a superb selection at a horny worth.

Professionals

• Makes use of the identical chip because the Collection 11 and Extremely 3 fashions
• Handles many of the similar health and well being options because the Collection 11
• A whole lot of look ahead to simply $250
• Quick charging makes it extra viable as a sleep tracker
• Now has an always-on show

Cons

• No hypertension alerts or blood oxygen monitoring
• Display screen is small

$249 at Adorama

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

Chip: S10 SiP | Sensors: Electrical coronary heart, optical coronary heart, blood oxygen, temperature, compass, altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope, mild, depth gauge, water temp | Show: At all times‑on Retina wide-angle OLED show, max 3,000 nits brightness | Battery life: 42 hours | Case measurement: 49mm

Learn our satellite tv for pc evaluation of the Apple Watch Extremely 3

The Apple Watch Extremely 3, like its predecessors, is geared in direction of the outside adventurer, with perks like a siren, depth gauge, evening mode and now satellite tv for pc SOS, Discover My and messaging connectivity. The titanium case, sapphire crystal show and raised edges make it harder than different fashions and it could possibly deal with water depths of as much as 100 meters. It additionally has the most important case of all Apple Watch fashions at 49mm and the best peak display screen brightness at 3,000 nits.

All of this provides as much as a watch that may deal with the trials of open-air escapades — however it may be choose for individuals who desire a timepiece with a roomier display screen and higher-than-standard sturdiness.

The brand new options this time round are the bigger display screen, which Apple completed with no improve to the dimensions of the case by decreasing the width of the bezels by 24 %. The always-on show now has a faster refresh price, and 5G entry comes normal. The listed battery life has gone up by six for a complete of 42 hours, and the watch can now refill to 80 % in 45 minutes as a substitute of an hour.

All the brand new watchOS options are right here, together with sleep rating, hypertension alerts, Exercise Buddy and wrist flick gesture help. As all the time, the primary downside for the Extremely mannequin is the value. It nonetheless begins at $799, just like the earlier mannequin, and a trade-in, if in case you have one, will carry the associated fee down. In any other case it’s one expensive smartwatch — with loads of deluxe options.

Professionals

• Rugged however snug design
• Bigger display screen did not improve case measurement
• Satellite tv for pc connectivity
• Complete exercise and well being monitoring

$799 at Adorama

What to search for in an Apple Watch

Like all Apple merchandise, Apple Watches will solely work with different gadgets from the model’s ecosystem. You will not be capable to pair any Apple Watch to your Android telephone. Be aware 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 might be particular to Apple Watches and that set every of the three fashions other than each other.

Chips and sensors

All three fashions within the present lineup have the identical S10 SiP (system in a package deal) chip with a four-core Neural Engine. The chip permits for on-device processing of Siri requests in addition to dictation, translation, automated exercise detection and the double faucet and wrist flick gestures that allow you to management your watch hands-free.

You get an optical coronary heart price sensor, temperature sensor, compass, altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope and light-weight sensor in each Apple Watch mannequin, however the Collection 11 and Extremely 3 have a extra superior coronary heart monitor that partially allows the brand new hypertension detection characteristic. The 2 higher-end watches even have sensors that may generate an ECG and detect blood oxygen, water temperature and water depth.

Fall and crash detection come normal irrespective of which Apple wearable you choose and all help close to discipline communication (NFC) for Apple Pay. When you go for the mobile variations of the Collection 11 or SE 3, your watch may have entry to 5G networks. Cell connectivity comes normal on the Extremely 3 and the watch now additionally has satellite-enabled SOS, messaging and Discover My talents.

Shows and case choices

Each Apple Watch mannequin now has an always-on show. The wide-angle OLED show on the Apple Watch 11 and Extremely 3 allows you to see the always-on show from extra angles. The SE can attain a most brightness of 1,000 nits, the Collection 11 can get as vivid as 2,000 and the Extremely 3 hits 3,000 nits. Each higher-end screens can dim to a single nit, making them much less distracting in the dead of night. And the Extremely mannequin has the added evening mode characteristic on sure watch faces that turns the dial pink to protect your evening imaginative and prescient.

As for case sizes, the SE 3 is accessible in 40 or 44mm. The Collection 11 has a selection of a 42 or 46mm case. The Extremely 3 is available in only one measurement measuring 49mm. The SE 3 has an aluminum case in two colours (Starlight or Midnight). The Collection 11 allows you to choose from aluminum (in Rose Gold, Silver, Area Grey or Jet Black) or titanium (in Pure, Gold or Slate). And the Extremely 3 solely is available in titanium (both Pure or Black).

Battery life

The Apple Watch Extremely 3 sports activities the largest battery and may final for a claimed 42 hours on a cost. The Apple Watch 11 is rated to go for twenty-four hours and the SE 3 will get an estimated 18 hours earlier than it wants a go to to the charger. Low energy mode will get you a lot extra hours, going for so long as 72 hours for the Extremely 3, 38 hours on the Collection 11 and 32 hours on the SE 3. All three at the moment are able to quick charging and Apple states an 80 % cost in 45 minutes for the SE 3 and Extremely 3 and 80 % in half-hour for the Collection 11.

Health and wellness options

All three Apple Watches have comparable health monitoring 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 energetic energy; the Train ring displays 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 not less than one minute.

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

The Exercise Buddy will work with all three watches, however you’ll have to have an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone close by in addition to Bluetooth headphones to make use of it. All three can entry offline maps, which may show helpful when mountain climbing removed from mobile protection. But when going off-grid is one thing you intend to do usually, you might recognize the satellite tv for pc connectivity of the Apple Watch Extremely 3.

Siri

You may get the climate, begin a exercise, determine a tune and dictate a textual content simply by asking Siri. All Apple Watch fashions help the Increase to Communicate characteristic 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 Apple Watch mannequin makes use of onboard processing of Siri requests now, too. 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 telephone close by if in case you have a GPS-only mannequin.

Carbon impartial claims

Apple declared the Collection 9 with the aluminum case its first carbon impartial product. However has since dropped these claims, presumably because of authorized challenges in a German court docket. As an alternative, Apple states that every one three watches have been designed to “cut back environmental influence” and the corporate nonetheless maintains its dedication to turning into carbon impartial by 2030.

Worth

Maybe probably the most stunning factor in regards to the three new wearables was the dearth of worth improve from earlier fashions. The Apple Watch SE nonetheless begins at $249, the Collection 11 goes for $399 and up, and the Extremely 3 begins at $799. That places a $550 distinction between entry costs for the most cost effective and most costly Apple Watches.

For $250 you may get the 40mm Apple Watch SE 3 with GPS-only connectivity; including mobile connectivity ups the value by $50. The Apple Watch Collection 11 begins at $399 for the 42mm, non-cellular mannequin in aluminum and goes as excessive as $749 for the 46mm titanium case (which comes with mobile). The Apple Watch Extremely 3 is $799 for a titanium 49mm case with each GPS and mobile, however the worth goes up with completely different bands. You may additionally want just a few Apple Watch equipment, if that’s the case, you possibly can issue that into your buying choice.

How we examined Apple Watches

Engadget has been reviewing Apple Watches for the reason that 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 not less than just a few days or perhaps a couple weeks with one strapped to our wrists. Throughout that point, we run, hit the fitness center, 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 corporations, akin to Samsung’s Galaxy Watches and Google Pixels, our editors can evaluate Apple Watches not simply to earlier generations, but additionally to different wearables available on the market. Our purchasing guides and suggestions depend on first-hand testing by Engadget workers.

Apple Watch comparability chart

Apple Watch FAQs

What are the perfect Apple Watch apps for health monitoring?

All three watches use the identical Health and Exercise apps to trace your progress, and so they all have sensors to trace velocity, cadence, distance and coronary heart price. However the Apple Watch Extremely 3 and the Apple Watch Collection 11 have extra sensors than the Apple Watch SE 3.

Extra tech consists of {an electrical} coronary heart price sensor and a depth gauge. The 2 pricier watches even have a blood oxygen app and an ECG app, all of which can provide you with a greater image of your total well being. All three fashions are suitable with the AI-powered Exercise Buddy from watchOS 26 (the characteristic additionally requires an AI-compatible iPhone).

Are any of the Apple Watch collection waterproof?

All three fashions are water resistant. However they will all deal with immersion in water, together with a swim. The Apple Watch SE 3 and Collection 11 can deal with a depth of as much as 50 meters whereas the Extremely 3 may be submerged as much as 100 meters.