Choosing the best Apple watch in 2026 is relatively straightforward; the best all-round performer (if you don't care about cost) has to be the outstanding Apple Watch Ultra 3. With a gorgeous display, better battery life than ever, and ultra-rugged design, this smartwatch is one of the best on the market – perhaps even the best.
At the other end of the scale is the Apple Watch SE 3, which is objectively the best cheap Apple Watch. Everyone else will be covered by the more mainstream Apple Watch Series 11, or one of its previous generations if you'd like to save money. We've got video reviews on all three modern smartwatches embedded below their entries too.
With summer training, holidays and Prime Day all approaching, now is also one of the most useful times of year to weigh up whether to buy the latest model or save on an older generation.
We've tested all of the smartwatches below, comparing heart rate tracking against an industry standard heart rate monitor and trying all their features. All of Apple's watches require pairing with an iPhone; if you don't have one, then you'll want one of the best Android smartwatches instead. We've also highlighted some third-party, system-agnostic options in our best smartwatches for iPhone guide.
With all that in mind, read on for more in-depth buying advice from our wearables experts. Here are the best Apple Watch models to buy in 2026.
As Fitness and Wearables Editor, Matt is responsible for curating the Best Apple Watch buying guide, alongside all other on-site fitness content. He's very excited to get to grips with the next iteration of Apple Watches.
Best Apple Watch overall
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the ultimate Apple Watch and our pick for the best overall model in 2026. It builds on Apple’s most rugged design yet with a brighter, larger display, a durable titanium build and a feature set that pushes it closer than ever to dedicated adventure watches from Garmin.
With the Ultra 3 you can now get around 42 hours of battery life in regular use and can stretch further with Low Power Mode. Meanwhile, a new display makes outdoor visibility even better thanks to improved brightness and slimmer bezels. It is also the first Apple Watch with satellite connectivity, adding Emergency SOS and Find My features that can come in clutch if you are venturing off-grid with your watch.
In testing, it really stood out for accuracy, with heart rate readings consistently coming within 1bpm of a chest strap monitor. That kind of precision makes it feel reliable for more serious training, from long runs and interval workouts to cycling and strength sessions. It also fully supports watchOS 26 features like Sleep Score and new gesture controls.
It is still the most expensive Apple Watch, and arguably more watch than most people need. But for those who want the most capable, most feature-packed Apple Watch available, the Ultra 3 is your guy.
Read our full Apple Watch Ultra 3 review
Watch: Our video Apple Watch Ultra 3 review
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Best budget Apple Watch
The Apple Watch SE 3 is probably the best Apple Watch for most people. Sure, it's got an 18-hour battery life instead of 24 hours, and the older, smaller OLED screen rather than the expansive curved number sported by the Series 11. It's also got a nylon backing to save on cost, rather than aluminum.
However, it's still tremendous value for the price, with the S10 chipset and watchOS 26 unlocking lots of features boasted by its contemporaries like the Ultra 3 and Series 11. The smartwatch really is one of the best value for money prospects on the smartwatch market right now, and during our tests performed as well as the standard Series 11.
Fast charging helps to make up the shortfall in battery life, but it's still far too short for those used to the likes of a Garmin watch. However, it doesn't change the fact that the Apple Watch SE 3 comes highly recommended.
Read our full Apple Watch SE 3 review
Watch: Our video Apple Watch SE 3 review
Best Apple Watch for most people
The Apple Watch Series 11 boasts a couple of key upgrades: notably, 24 hour battery life, 5G connectivity, and a new Wrist Flick gesture to join the Double Tap as a new way to control your watch hands-free.
Otherwise, there's a whole vista of exciting new features as part of its watchOS 26 software upgrade, including hypertension detection for blood pressure, a redesigned Workout app, and powerful AI features like Workout Buddy when paired with an iPhone sporting Apple Intelligence. However, watchOS 26 is available on Apple Watch Series 9 and up, as well as SE 3 and Ultra watches.
As a result, the Apple Watch Series 11 sits in a bit of a halfway house. It's not as good value as the SE 3, nor is it as premium as the Ultra 3. However, it's great for daily wear, with a sumptuous hardened display, and acts as a great middle-ground watch.
Read our full Apple Watch Series 11 review
Watch: Our Apple Watch Series 11 video review
Best previous gen Apple Watch
The Apple Watch Series 10 has a larger, more vibrant display than the Series 9, and it's also thinner in profile. Apple's wide-angle OLED serves up 40% more brightness when you view your Apple Watch face at a glance, and it now refreshes at a lower rate of 1Hz, once per second. That means that seconds can now be displayed on some Watch Faces through the always-on display.
Other upgrades include the addition of media playback through the speaker, and a new charging coil that can be used to fast charge your watch from 0-80% in just 30 minutes, up from 45 in the Apple Watch Series 9.
There's not much to write home about beyond the chassis redesign and the new display, and you only get 18 hours of battery life compared to the Series 11's 24 hours. However, if you're not looking for an SE 3 and you're still in the market for a cheap Apple Watch, it's this or the SE 2.
Read our full Apple Watch Series 10 review
Best Apple Watch for deals
The Apple Watch SE 2 is the Apple Watch for anyone who doesn't need an always-on display and isn't too fussed about tracking their blood oxygen level or ECG. It has the car crash detection tool of the 8, plus extensive fitness tracking so you're hardly missing out.
There's a gorgeous screen with brightness up to 1,000 nits so flicking your wrist up isn't exactly suffering here. Using the same processor as the Apple Watch 8 means you get speedy performance while surprisingly, we found the battery overperformed with around two days of life here.
It's since been supplanted by the SE 3 for 2025, but it's cheap and cheerful and you can find great deals at third-party tech retailers looking to clear old stock.
Read our full Apple Watch SE 2 review
How to choose the best Apple Watch for you
The main thing to consider when buying a new Apple Watch is the price. Apple doesn't sell older watches itself, but continues to support older models for years afterwards, so you can still buy older generations from third parties and be sure you'll keep getting software updates and repairs for a few years to come.
Features are also worth bearing in mind: some newer Apple Watches have always-on displays, more advanced sensors, more advanced GPS and newer exercise tools.
There's one other thing to consider, and that's availability. Apple only sells its most modern watches, and while third-party retailers usually offer a bigger range, older watches aren't always available in all sizes and colors. If you're after the Barbie-style pink Series 9, for example, you might be out of luck as it was very popular at the time of release.
FAQs
Is it worth buying an Apple Watch?
If you already own an iPhone and are looking to buy a smartwatch, it's hard to argue against an Apple Watch. Few smartwatches integrate so seamlessly with your phone, whether you're checking notifications, making contactless payments, tracking workouts or keeping an eye on your health. Apple has also continued to expand what the watch can do through software. Our roundup of the five biggest new watchOS 26 features highlights additions like AI-powered Workout Buddy, Sleep Score and Hypertension Notifications.
The only major catch is compatibility. Apple Watches simply don't work with Android phones, so if you're outside the Apple ecosystem you'll get far better value from a Wear OS watch or a fitness watch from Garmin.
What can you do on an Apple Watch?
Apple Watches can do far more than simply tell the time. You can track workouts, monitor key health metrics, make and receive calls, reply to messages, pay with Apple Pay, navigate with Apple Maps, stream music and podcasts, control smart home devices, check the weather and receive notifications without reaching for your iPhone.
They're also becoming increasingly capable health and fitness companions. Depending on the model, features include ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, sleep tracking, cycle tracking, fall detection, crash detection and, on the latest watches, new software features like Sleep Score and Workout Buddy.
Thanks to the watchOS App Store, you can also download third-party apps for everything from productivity and travel to fitness and meditation. Just bear in mind that not every Apple Watch supports every feature, so it's worth checking the specifications and our review of the model you're considering before you buy.
Are there other Apple Watches?
You will notice that older models such as the original Apple Watch, Series 1, Series 2, Series 3, Series 4, Series 5 and early SE versions are no longer included in this guide. These models are increasingly difficult to find new, and the latest version of watchOS no longer supports some of them.
As Apple continues to update its software, older watches are gradually dropped from support, so even more recent models like Series 6 and earlier are likely to disappear from compatibility in future updates.
You may still be able to find older Apple Watches through some retailers or second-hand marketplaces, but we would generally recommend choosing one of the newer models in this guide. They will receive longer software support, better performance, and a more refined overall experience.
What iPhone do you need to use an Apple Watch?
Unlike Google's Wear OS devices, the Apple Watch only works with iPhone. You will need a compatible iPhone running a recent version of iOS to pair and use it.
This unlocks access to the latest watchOS features, including advanced hiking and cycling tools, new watch faces and mental health tools.
It's always worth checking Apple’s latest compatibility list before buying, especially if you are using an older iPhone, as requirements can change between generations.
- We answer the big question: can the Apple Watch work without an iPhone?
What bands can you use with the Apple Watch?
There are dozens of straps sold by Apple that offer a huge variety of styles for your wrist. When you first buy your Apple Watch you'll have a strap included, but you can buy and easily switch out different straps that you buy separately.
There are material and color options available including leather link, solo loop, Milanese loop, braided solo loop, and much more. Any Apple Watch strap works with any Apple Watch, as long as you've got the right smaller or larger size watch.
Plus there are lots of third-party bands available too, but make sure you get the right size as it won't support all watch straps. Want to see our favorites? Here's our selection of the best Apple Watch bands.
What’s the best Apple smartwatch for women vs men?
One of the best things about the Apple Watch is that it's designed for everyone. Rather than choosing between a men's or women's model, it's more important to think about which Apple Watch best suits your lifestyle and wrist size.
The Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch SE 3 are both available in two case sizes, making them a good fit for a wide range of wrists. If you prefer a larger display for viewing notifications, maps and workout stats, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 offers a single 49mm case. Our advice is to prioritise comfort over screen size, because an Apple Watch only earns its keep if you're happy wearing it all day and night.
If you're looking for menstrual health tracking, the Cycle Tracking app is available on modern Apple Watches, while models with a temperature sensor, including the Apple Watch Series 8 and later and Apple Watch Ultra models, can also provide retrospective ovulation estimates.
How we test
When we use Apple Watches, we wear the smartwatches all day, every day—we go for runs with them on, gym sessions, we take calls on them, track our sleep with them, check our notifications with them, and even test out some of the weird and wonderful apps available.
We keep them on our wrists day in, day out (okay, we take them off when we wash) just to make sure we know the Apple Watch experience inside and out. We also test updated software features on current-gen watches too, to ensure we're getting the best experience.
Got your Apple Watch? Learn how to use it
Below are a selection of the how-to guides we have at TechRadar to help you understand some of the complicated parts of setting up, customizing and using your new smartwatch.
- How to pair your Apple Watch
- How to turn on your Apple Watch
- How to reset your Apple Watch
- How to change your Apple Watch face
- How to change your Apple Watch band
- How to set up Spotify on your Apple Watch
- Is your Apple Watch waterproof?
- How to take an ECG with the Apple Watch 4, 5 or 6
- Lost your wearable? Here's how to find your Apple Watch
Also consider
- Our best Garmin watch list, which work with iPhones just as well as Android
- No iPhone, or planning to switch? Check out our best Android watch list
