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Best Apple Watch for 2025

From budget friendly to feature-packed, these are the best Apple Watches to consider right now.

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What to consider

iPhone or Android

Most smartwatches only work with one platform. The Apple Watch will only work with an iPhone, and the Samsung Galaxy Watch and Pixel Watch only pair with Android phones, for example. Garmin and Fitbit are the two major brands that currently offer smartwatches that work with both Android and iPhone.

Size and design

Smartwatches reflect your personal style and come in a variety of finishes, from aluminum to titanium, with a seemingly endless variety of watch bands to choose from. There’s also a watch size and design to suit every wrist, so you’ll want to ask yourself if you prefer a round screen for that classic wristwatch look or a square display like the Apple Watch. It’s best to try in-store before you buy.

Health and fitness features

Smartwatches have become the de-facto way to measure activity from your wrist and can encourage you to get moving. It’s increasingly common for them to offer health features like a blood oxygen sensor. Some may even have an ECG (also known as an electrocardiogram) which can check for signs of a heart condition called atrial fibrillation.

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The Apple Watch is a worthy iPhone companion. It flows seamlessly into the Apple ecosystem, with frequent software updates that keep it feeling fresh and health features that build on the strengths of both devices to help you reach your goals. But not all Apple Watches are created equal and understanding the differences is key to finding the right fit for your needs and budget. Whether you’re buying your first Apple Watch, upgrading an older model or shopping for a family member, we’ve highlighted the best smartwatch options to help you land on the right choice.

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What is the best Apple Watch?

The Apple Watch Series 10 takes everything great about its predecessors and elevates it. Compared to the Series 9, it offers a larger, brighter screen without adding bulk (it’s actually lighter), more power under the hood and faster charging than any other Apple Watch, including the Ultra 2.

While its features may not drastically differ from the Series 9, its next-gen processor ensures it will likely outlast its predecessor in terms of software updates. It also includes a few more subtle upgrades, like voice isolation for calls, music playback and a depth gauge with a water temperature sensor for aquatic activities.

Best Apple Watches for 2025

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Pros

  • Incredibly light on the wrist
  • 1Hz refresh rate = ticking second hand!
  • Voice isolation on calls is excellent
  • Bigger screen makes readability better on the smaller size case
  • Sleep apnea notifications at launch

Cons

  • No improvements to battery life
  • No significant changes to Double Tap
  • Smallest 42-mm size might still be too big for some wrists

The Apple Watch Series 10 takes a winning formula and updates it for the Apple Watch’s tenth birthday. It is slimmer and lighter than earlier Apple Watches, with two new case sizes: 42 millimeter or 46 millimeter. The wide-angle OLED screens make the watch brighter when looking at it off-axis. And the LTPO3 technology also brings a ticking second hand to the always-on display. The Apple Watch Series 10 also comes with sleep apnea notifications, which can detect signs of this potentially dangerous condition over a 30-day period.

Battery life is still rated for 18 hours although you can push it to a day and a half with lighter use. The Apple Watch Series 10 now has even faster charging though, which makes up for the battery life somewhat, able to charge to 80% in 30 minutes. Overall, it’s an incredibly polished smartwatch and the best choice for most iPhone owners.

Why we like it

The Series 10 is a refined version of its predecessors on the surface and under the hood. It’s lighter and slimmer than the Series 9 but has a larger, brighter screen that’s easier to read from every angle. It has the most powerful processor of the entire Apple Watch lineup and, as a result, longer shelf life for software updates. Plus it comes with additional perks, like the ability to play music through the speaker and background noise reduction during calls.

Who it’s best for

The Series 10 is ideal for most iPhone users upgrading from an existing Apple Watch, or anyone deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem who wants a premium smartwatch experience out of the box (including the latest health sensors). It brings enough upgrades to feel like a true step up, while retaining all the features that make the Apple Watch great.

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Pros

  • Lower price
  • Same performance as the Series 8
  • Car-crash detection for additional safety

Cons

  • No always-on display
  • No QWERTY keyboard
  • Most new features can be found on older watches too

The Apple Watch SE retails for $250 but you can regularly find it discounted to $200 or less, which makes it an excellent choice for the budget-conscious buyer. Expect most of the same features found on more expensive Apple Watch models like the Series 9, including activity tracking, third-party apps and safety features like Emergency SOS. It does miss out on an always-on display and heart-health features like the ECG.

Why we like it

The second-generation SE offers all the essential features you’d want from an Apple Watch for at least $150 less than what you’d pay for the cheapest model of the Series 10. It covers everything you need, including advanced health and fitness tracking, crash and fall detection, and seamless integration with your iPhone.

Who it’s best for 

This is a great option for first-time Apple Watch buyers or anyone upgrading from a much older model (Series 0–4), as it’ll still feel like an upgrade without making you feel like you’re missing out on newer features like the always-on display or advanced health sensors like ECG or temperature tracking, which you never had in the first place. It’s also the best option for children (LTE model) as a way to stay connected with parents or caregivers without having to go all in on a smartphone.

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Pros

  • Incredibly bright screen
  • More accurate dictation and on-device Siri
  • 64GB storage means more space for music and apps
  • Double Tap is very useful

Cons

  • Battery life is the same as first Ultra
  • Limited recovery metrics

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is Apple’s best smartwatch, with a tough titanium construction and an Action button to quickly start workouts or launch apps. It has the brightest screen of any Apple Watch at a maximum of 3,000 nits that makes it incredibly easy to see when adventuring in the great outdoors. For adventurers and athletes, it also has a built-in siren for safety and a dual-band GPS for accurately tracking your route. LTE is also onboard so you can venture out without a phone and still stay connected.

Although it’s designed to be an outdoor watch, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is still a fantastic all-around smartwatch. Inside is the same S9 chip as found on the Apple Watch Series 9 which supports gestures like Double Tap and allows the watch to process Siri commands on-device. This means you can use Siri without being online and later in the year you’ll be able to ask the voice assistant for health data. Like earlier Apple Watches, the Ultra 2 also comes with a blood oxygen sensor, electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) app, fall detection and emergency SOS. The battery also lasts at least twice as long as all other Apple Watch models. It’s only compatible with the iPhone so if you have an Android phone, you’ll want to look at another option on this list.

Why we like it

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is an all-terrain smartwatch that’s built to go the distance with nearly twice the battery life of other Apple Watches (three days on a charge), and a durable, titanium exterior. It has a larger screen than other models and an action button that can be programmed for easy access no matter what the conditions. Extras like dual-band GPS, a built-in siren, and LTE connectivity add another layer of safety when you’re off the grid. 

Who it’s best for

Outdoor enthusiasts and serious athletes looking for a middle ground between a traditional Apple Watch and a full-fledged sport watch like a Garmin. The Ultra 2 is also a smart pick for current Apple Watch users who are frustrated with daily charging and willing to invest more for an extra day and a half of battery life.

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Best Apple Watches Compared

See how all the Apple Watches measure up when it comes to the specs.

Apple Watch Series 10 Apple Watch Ultra 2 Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
Shape Square Square Rectangular
Watch size 42mm, 46mm 49mm 40mm, 44mm
Materials, finishes Aluminum, titanium Titanium Aluminum, Midnight, Starlight, Silver
Display size, resolution 42mm: 1.65-inch OLED 446 x 374 pixels; 46mm: 1.81-inch 496 x 416 pixels 1.91-inch, 502 x 410-pixel OLED 40mm: 324 x 394, 44mm: 368 x 448
Dimensions 42mm: 42 x 36 x 9.7mm; 46mm: 46 x 39 x 9.7mm 44mm x 49mm x 14.4mm 40mm: 40 x 34 x 10.7 mm, 44mm: 44 x 38 x 10.7 mm
Weight 42mm (Wi-Fi): 30 g; 42mm (cellular): 29.3 g; 42mm (titanium): 34.4 g; 46mm (Wi-Fi): 36.4 g; 46mm (cellular): 35.3 g; 46mm (titanium): 41.7 g 61.4g 40mm GPS: 26.4g, 40mm Cellular: 27.8g, 44mm GPS: 32.9g, 44mm Cellular: 33g
Colors Jet black, rose gold, silver; titanium: slate, gold, natural Natural titanium Midnight, Starlight, Silver
Always On Yes Yes No
Interchangeable bands Yes Yes Yes
GPS Yes Yes (L1 and L5) Yes
Automatic workout detection Yes Yes Yes
Compass Yes Yes Yes
Altimeter Yes Yes (operating range: -500m to 9,000m) Always-on altimeter
Water/Dust resistance Water resistant up to 50m (5ATM), IP6X (dust) 10ATM (100 meters) and recreational scuba diving up to 40 meters Water resistant up to 50m (5ATM)
Calls Yes Yes Yes (Cellular only)
Microphone Yes Yes (3-mic array) Yes
Speaker Yes Yes Yes
Voice assistant Yes (Siri) Yes (Siri, on-device) Siri
Mobile Payments Yes (Apple Pay) Yes (Apple Pay) Ys (Apple Pay)
Sleep tracking Yes Yes Yes
Period tracking Yes Yes Yes
Sensors Accelerometer, altimeter, gyro sensor, temperature sensor, compass, third-gen optical heart sensor, electrical heart sensor, ambient light sensor, depth gauge, water temperature sensor SPo2 (blood oxygen), ECG, optical heart, ambient light, high dynamic range gyroscope, high-g accelerometer, water temperature, depth gauge + app Second-gen optical heart sensor, accelerometer, High dynamic range gyroscope, Compass, Always-on altimeter, Ambient light sensor
Emergency features Fall detection, crash detection, Emergency SOS, international emergency calling, noise monitoring, Backtrack International emergency calling, Emergency SOS, crash detection Emergency SOS, International emergency calling, Crash Detection, Fall Detection, Noise monitoring, Backtrack
Compatibility iOS 18 and newer iOS 17 iPhone 8 or later with iOS 16 and newer
Software WatchOS 11 WatchOS 11 WatchOS 11
Processor S10 SiP with 64‑bit dual core processor, 4‑core Neural Engine Apple S9 S8 SiP, 64-bit dual-core, 2-core Neural Engine
Connectivity Bluetooth 5.3, 2nd gen Ultra Wideband chip LTE and UMTS, Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3 Bluetooth 5.3, LTE/UMTS (Cellular model)
Memory and storage 64GB 64GB 32GB
Charging USB-C fast charging cable USB-C magnetic fast charging Magnetic charging cable, 80% in ~1.5 hours
Battery life Up to 18 hours normal use; up to 36 hours in low power mode Up to 36 hours; up to 72 hours (low power mode) Up to 18 hours
Battery capacity Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) Unavailable Not specified
US price 42mm: $399 (Wi-Fi); 42mm: $499 (cellular); 42mm: $699 (titanium); 46mm: $429 (Wi-Fi); 46mm: $529 (cellular); 46mm: $749 (titanium) $799 40mm GPS: $249, 44mm GPS: $279
40mm GPS + Cellular: $299, 44mm GPS + Cellular: $329
UK price 42mm: £399 (Wi-Fi); 42mm: £499 (cellular); 42mm: £699 (titanium); 46mm: £429 (Wi-Fi); 46mm: £529 (cellular); 46mm: £749 (titanium) £799 40mm GPS: £219, 44mm GPS: £249, 40mm GPS + Cellular: £269, 44mm GPS + Cellular: £299
Australian price 42mm: AU$649 (Wi-Fi); 42mm: AU$809 (cellular); 42mm: AU$1,199 (titanium); 46mm: AU$699 (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth); 46mm: AU$859 (cellular); 46mm: AU$1,279 (titanium) AU$1,399 40mm GPS: A$399, 44mm GPS: A$449, 40mm GPS + Cellular: A$479, 44mm GPS + Cellular: A$529

Recent updates

In October 2024, we added the Apple Watch Series 10 to our list. The new watch replaces last year’s Apple Watch Series 9 and is the best Apple Watch for most people.

Factors to consider when buying an Apple Watch

All Apple Watches share the same core DNA: a square screen with rounded edges, a rotating crown, interchangeable straps and Apple’s WatchOS with Siri integration. The differences lie in the details with factors like advanced health sensors, durability, battery life and screen size. Oh, and price.

Budget: If you’re on a budget and want the best deal, it might be worth waiting for major discount days like Black Friday when most retailers, including Apple, offer sales or gift-card cash-back incentives. Another way to cut costs is by purchasing a refurbished Apple Watch directly from Apple. They come with the same one-year warranty as new models, eligibility for AppleCare and a 14-day return window.

Design: There are a lot of ways to customize your Apple Watch, including different finishes and watch bands. But dressing up your Apple Watch doesn’t always come cheap and some of the more premium design options like the titanium finish and stainless steel band can increase the base price by $600. You can also customize the size of your screen; older models or the 2nd SE will have the smallest option (40mm) while the Apple Watch Ultra offers the largest (49mm) display.

Battery: Battery life continues to be a major pain point for Apple Watch users, with no model going past the three-day mark like some Android models. And while Apple has made strides in this category, it’s best to taper your expectations by accepting that you’ll probably get a day’s worth of charge (with the always on display) on most models. If that’s a deal breaker, you’ll need to splurge on the Apple Watch Ultra 2, which is the only model that lasts up to 72 hours.

Wi-Fi Only vs. Cellular: Most users will find the Wi-Fi version sufficient. It tracks workouts and makes mobile payments independently from the phone but needs to be in range of your iPhone to access some of the smart features like notifications, messaging and calls. Cellular and Wi-Fi models are only worth the splurge (an additional $100) if you plan to ditch your iPhone on a regular basis and need the watch to be a standalone device and have access to all the features. And it’s your only option if you’re buying the Ultra 2 as it doesn’t offer a Wi-Fi only option.

How we test Apple Watches

We test all our Apple Watches in the real world and focus on any new features or claims in addition to all the other features you’ll be using on a regular basis like fitness tracking and connectivity. All Apple Watches, including the cellular models, need to connect to an iPhone so we also assess how easy the companion software is to navigate.

Durability and design: Smartwatches are something you wear on your body so we assess how comfortable they are to wear. We also know that everyone has a different-sized wrist so we try to see how it fits and feels on a variety of people. Then we look at how it stands up to wear and tear with daily life. Some models, like the Ultra 2, offer increased durability like dust resistance or water resistance that’s suited for activities like scuba diving and, where possible, we’ll test this out for ourselves.

Battery: Battery life will vary depending on how you use a smartwatch so we test battery life with a few standard tests. We see how long it generally lasts on a single charge with features that represent typical use, like the always-on display, sleep tracking and doing one outdoor workout with GPS.

Fitness and health sensor accuracy: We test the accuracy of the Apple Watch using a few different methods. The heart rate sensor, for example, is compared against the readings taken from a chest strap, considered the gold standard in consumer heart rate tracking, during a variety of cardio-based activities like running or cycling. We also check to see how long it takes to connect to a GPS signal when doing an outdoor workout. Other health sensors, like a blood oxygen sensor (not active on newer models), are compared against a pulse oximeter for spot readings where possible, and for the ECG feature, we tested it against a hospital grade ECG.

Other Apple Watches we tested

While no longer sold directly by Apple, the Apple Watch Series 9 is still a strong option if you can find it. Stores like Best Buy and Target often have it in stock for about $100 less than the Series 10. You’ll miss out on the larger, redesigned screen and ultra fast charging but it still includes key health features not available on the cheaper SE, like the ECG app, temperature sensing and sleep apnea notifications.

Apple Watch FAQs

What to look forward to in 2025

Smartwatches are only getting smarter about health and the Apple Watch is no exception. Whether it’s better sensors, new metrics or more personalized coaching, Apple may be taking a queue from competitors like Garmin and Google and leaning more on AI to make sense of your data to personalize insights. One trend I’d love to see the Apple Watch adopt this year is better battery life; smarter software and hardware upgrades like the dual CPU architecture on the OnePlus Watch 3 are finally making multi-day wear feel realistic. Meanwhile, the definition of a wearable is expanding fast with more smart rings making their debuts as well as upgraded earbud options with built-in health sensors that are already nudging into smartwatch territory. They probably won’t replace watches entirely but they’re definitely raising the bar and will continue giving the Apple Watch a healthy push forward.

Technologies

Act Fast to Save 15% on This Powerful CarbonMag Portable Charger

This Sharge charger can keep you powered on the go, and right now you don’t have to pay full price.

There’s nothing worse than your phone dying in the middle of the day, especially when finding an outlet means being stuck in an uncomfortable situation. MagSafe portable wireless chargers are a great fix for that, as they snap onto the back of your phone and charge it while you go about your day. One solid pick that won’t weigh your phone down like a brick is the CarbonMag MagSafe portable charger by Sharge. And right now it can be yours for less with this Prime Day deal.

Thanks to Prime Day, you can currently snag it for 15% off with the code QHUAPIWG at checkout — bringing the price down from $70 to just $59. That’s the same cost as the smaller 5,000mAh model, but this one gives you double the battery capacity for the same price.

This device is made out of carbon fiber, which makes it 40% lighter than your usual power banks and 80% more durable than chargers made with the materials normally used. It gets you a 10,000mAh battery capacity, enough to charge your devices multiple times throughout the day. You’ll enjoy up to 15W wireless charging, which can power an iPhone 15 from 0% to 55% in just 44 minutes.

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The charger also features ultrastrong (but safe) magnets that maintain a stable hold on your smartphone. You can use the built-in USB-C port for pass-through charging or to power another device at the same time. The only catch? We don’t know when the discount code expires, so you might want to hurry.

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Why this deal matters

MagSafe wireless chargers can be a game-changer for anyone tired of juggling wires throughout the day. This deal gets you a slim, lightweight, yet powerful option at a $11 discount for a limited time. We recommend acting while you can.

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Technologies

Save Up to $35 Off a Baseus Charging Station This July 4th and Stay Powered Up All Weekend

When USB ports aren’t enough, a Baseus charging station is what you need. Power all your gadgets with multiple well-spaced AC outlets and no clutter.

Keeping all your gear charged can be a job unto itself, and it gets more complicated when you have visitors. Whether you’re having guests this Fourth of July weekend or you just need a better charging solution for your family, a charging station could be the answer. But even the best charging stations can only share so many watts between devices, which is why the best charging stations from brands like Anker and Baseus not only feature multiple USB ports but also multiple AC outlets. AC outlets accommodate those few devices that still use proprietary chargers, and it lets you expand beyond the included 2-4 USB ports without sacrificing wattage when you need to top off everyone quickly before heading out.

The Fourth of July deals are bouncing into next week’s Amazon Prime Day to give us some of the best savings of the year a week early. Among the dozens of mobile accessories Baseus has on sale this holiday weekend is a trio of towers that can declutter your desk and keep everything you need ready and recharged. Available in 6-in-1, 7-in-1 for $65, and 10-in-1 varieties, these charging stations all offer two USB-C ports, at least one USB-A port and multiple AC outlets. Just note: You’ll need to clip the on-page coupon to get the lowest possible price.

For the best blend of power and ports, Baseus’ 100W 7-in-1 USB-C charging station can fast charge a laptop at 65W — full speed for all Chromebooks and many Windows laptops — while a phone and tablet each standard charge at 15W and still leave 5W for your smartwatch while your non-USB tech or your desk’s smart speaker can use the AC ports on both sides and the back of the tower. These towers are part power delivery chargers and part surge protectors with surge and lightning protection to keep your digital lifelines from frying should calamity strike.

The Baseus $35 10-in-1 desktop charging station model may sound like it’s the most powerful, but it only offers 35 watts to share between the two USB-C and USB-A ports, leaving the lion’s share of the station’s potential power to the six AC ports. This isn’t to say 35W between four ports is useless, but you’ll want to use those ports for lower-powered devices like recharging your smartwatch or wireless earbuds.

If you’re looking to charge multiple phones and tablets with those ports, you’re probably better off going with the 6-in-1 USB-C Charging Station at $50, which may only have three AC ports but features a retractable USB-C cable in addition to one standard USB-A and one USB-C port. Those three ports share 65W, meaning that you can charge both a phone and tablet at full speed rather than both getting middling speeds.

Why this deal matters

I use a 100W charging station like this at my desk and have another next to my couch for both me and my guests to keep our phones powered and ready. Being able to stick my 65W travel charger into one of the AC ports and fast charge four phones instead of two — well, one phone and my Chromebook — when I have people over and then swap it back to powering my oil diffuser or smart speaker once they’re gone is a godsend, and since the wall outlets are spread out across multiple sides of the tower instead of sandwiched next to each other in a line, I never have to worry about bulky plugs blocking out half my ports.

Because these charging stations double as surge protectors, you can also click their switch to power off and disconnect everything when severe weather comes, unlike standard charging stations you would have to unplug. Living in lightning capital of the U.S. makes this feature more important to me than most, but it can also be handy for parents wanting a one-click shut-off for all the kids’ consoles and computers.

We’re still days away from Prime Day, and deals like these will continue to drop through the next week, but these chargers are all within a few dollars of their lowest prices ever. We’ll watch for further price drops and competing deals throughout the holiday week, including Anker’s plethora of deals on chargers, speakers and smart home appliances.

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Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for July 4, #284

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for July 4, No. 284.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.


Today’s Connections: Sports Edition has kind of a July 4 flavor. But come on, New York Times puzzle makers, is the blue category really a sport? Read on for hints and the answers. And pass the mustard.

Connections: Sports Edition is out of beta now, making its debut on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9. That’s a sign that the game has earned enough loyal players that The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times, will continue to publish it. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but now appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can continue to play it free online.  

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: What you won.

Green group hint: Lone Star State sports.

Blue group hint: Chow down.

Purple group hint: Not cold.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: A monetary reward.

Green group: A Texas basketball player.

Blue group: Nathan’s hot dog contest eating winners.

Purple group: Hot ____.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is a monetary reward. The four answers are prize, purse, stakes and winnings.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is a Texas basketball player. The four answers are Maverick, Rocket, Spur and Wing.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is Nathan’s hot dog contest eating winners. The four answers are Bertoletti, Chestnut, Kobayashi and Sudo.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is hot ____. The four answers are corner, dog, hand and stove.

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