Which Apple Watch Is Best?
Picking the best Apple Watch might feel overwhelming because there are so many choices.
Whether you prioritize fitness tracking, seamless iPhone integration, or advanced health features, there’s an Apple Watch model designed to meet your requirements. Each year, Apple enhances its smartwatch lineup with new features and improvements, ensuring that the best Apple Watch continually evolves to exceed user expectations.
Among the latest offerings from Apple are the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and the Apple Watch SE (2nd generation). These models cater to a diverse range of preferences and budgets, providing something for everyone. To assist you in making an informed decision, Let’s explore what makes each model different, so you can find the one that suits you best.
While all Apple Watches serve as convenient extensions of iPhones, offering call handling and notifications, their true strength lies in their health and fitness tracking capabilities. The three main models – Apple Watch Series 9, Ultra 2, and SE – differ in their features and price points, enabling users to select the ideal option based on their priorities.
Best Apple Watch
The top spot in Apple’s wearable lineup belongs to the Apple Watch Series 9, not just because it’s a significant leap from its predecessor, the Series 8, but because it offers an unparalleled smartwatch experience. Its blend of smartwatch functionality, fitness-tracking prowess, and overall value makes it a standout choice among wearables.
Although much of the Series 8’s features carry over, the Series 9 introduces several enhancements. These include a swift new processor chip, on-device Siri accessibility, SmartStack functionality, and a more luminous display. Additionally, updates to
hiking and cycling feedback expanded mental health tools, and a new ultra-wideband chip for improved location accuracy enhanced its capabilities.
Among these enhancements, the Double Tap Gesture stands out as a favorite feature. This intuitive gesture allows users to interact with the watch by simply tapping their thumb and index finger together, offering convenient control over various functions like answering calls, managing timers, or taking photos.
The brighter display improves visibility, especially in bright environments, while the ability to dim to one nit proves useful in settings like movie theaters. Another noteworthy addition is the Smart Stack display, offering customizable widgets for quick access to weather updates, calendar events, and news snippets right from the home screen.
Overall, the Series 9 is a powerhouse of a smartwatch. While there are differences between the Series 9 and the Ultra 2, including notable features like the Double Tap Gesture, brighter screen, Smart Stack display, and enhanced health and fitness tracking capabilities, the Series 9 stands out as the superior choice. It’s undoubtedly the best Apple Watch available for users seeking an exceptional wearable experience.
Pros
- Brighter Screen
- Health Sensors
- Double-tap gesture
- Siri Commands
Cons
- Cost extra charges for Cellular connectivity
- Less durable than Ultra 2
Best Budget Watch
The Apple Watch SE presents an unexpectedly accessible option for users seeking a feature-rich smartwatch without breaking the bank. It stands out as the optimal choice for budget-conscious individuals, offering comparable functionality to both the Series 9 and Ultra 2 in terms of fitness tracking, sleep monitoring, notification management, call handling, and health and safety features like Crash Detection, Fall Detection, and heart rate monitoring.
While it compromises slightly on aesthetics with thicker bezels surrounding the display, during testing, we found that it maintains a modern appearance.
Available in both 40mm and 44mm variants, it caters to diverse preferences in terms of size. If you’re contemplating the second-generation SE, it’s likely that you’re also considering the Series 9. The primary distinction between the Apple Watch SE and the Series 9 lies in the decision to invest in additional features such as a larger display with an always-on option, electrocardiogram functionality, and skin-temperature sensors. For those prioritizing the latest advancements in health monitoring, upgrading to at least the Series 8 is advisable.
For newcomers or casual users unbothered by the absence of an always-on display, the second-gen SE emerges as the ideal budget-friendly choice. It offers unparalleled convenience in receiving notifications, sending messages, making calls, and customizing watch faces with relevant widgets and information, all without the need to reach for your phone.
Pros
- Specific family setup (Kids, Adults, Older)
- Health & Location tracking
- Crash & Fall Detection
- Budget Friendly
Cons
- A Monthly fee should be paid in order to have a Cellular connection.
- Less durable compared to other Apple Watches
Best Apple Watch for Outdoor Users
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 doesn’t mark a revolutionary leap from its predecessor, it introduces several new features tailored for outdoor use. Notably, it boasts the brightest display among Apple Watches, enhancing visibility in bright light conditions along with an upgraded altitude range and added water sports functionalities catering to scuba diving and freediving enthusiasts.
Furthermore, the Ultra 2 inherits certain features from the Series 9, including the innovative Double Tap Gesture, the latest S9 processor, and on-device Siri accessibility.
The Double Tap Gesture, in particular, enhances the watch’s usability, enabling users to execute various actions with a simple double-tap of their fingers, from managing alarms to handling calls. Most aspects of the Ultra 2 carry over from its predecessor, maintaining its durable titanium casing and 49mm screen size. One standout feature is its exceptional battery life, lasting up to three days on a single charge making it a preferred choice for outdoor enthusiasts seeking prolonged usage without frequent recharging.
The signature Action Button, a hallmark of the Ultra line, retains its functionality, offering quick access to workout controls and customizable shortcuts. While the Ultra 2’s premium price tag may deter casual users, it remains an invaluable tool for dedicated outdoor enthusiasts and athletes seeking advanced performance and durability.
Pros
- Larger, Brighter, and Feature-Rich Screen
- 24-hour Battery Life
- Excellent Durability
- Emergency Siren
Cons
- Almost double the price of Apple Watch Series 9
- Suitable for big wrists
Information Source Apple
| Apple Watch SE | Apple Watch Series 9 | Apple Watch Ultra 2 |
|---|---|---|
|
44mm or 40mm |
45mm or 41mm |
49mm titanium |
|
Carbon neutral |
Carbon neutral |
Carbon neutral |
|
Retina display |
Always-On Retina display |
Always-On Retina display |
|
S8 SiP – Find iPhone |
S9 SiP Double tap gesture Precision Finding |
S9 SiP Double tap gesture Precision Finding |
|
– –
Irregular rhythm Low cardio |
Blood Oxygen app9 ECG app10 High and low heart Irregular rhythm Low cardio |
Blood Oxygen app9 ECG app10 High and low heart Irregular rhythm Low cardio |
|
– Cycle tracking3 |
Temperature sensing11 Cycle Tracking |
Temperature sensing11 Cycle Tracking |
|
Emergency SOS4 International |
Emergency SOS4 International |
Emergency SOS4 International |
|
Fall Detection and – |
Fall Detection and – |
Fall Detection and Siren |
|
Water resistant Swimproof6 – – |
Water resistant Swimproof12 – – |
Water resistant Swimproof15 High‑speed water sports Recreational dive to 40m |
|
GPS Available cellular connectivity7 |
Available cellular connectivity7 – |
Cellular connectivity7 – |
|
Up to 18 hours8 Low Power Mode – |
Up to 18 hours13 Up to 36 hours in Fast charging14 |
Up to 36 hours16 Up to 72 hours in Fast charging17 |