Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

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  Apple Watch Series 9

  Best Apple Watch for Most People

  4.5 Excellent

  The Apple Watch Series 9 is the latest "standard" Apple Watch, and it has nearly everything you could possibly want. The watch builds on its predecessor with an upgraded S9 SiP processor, which enables a double-tap gesture for one-handed interaction, Precision Finding with the iPhone 15 series, and on-device Siri processing. Its AMOLED Retina display is also twice as bright at 2,000 nits. Oh, and if you get the aluminum version with a Sport Loop band, the watch is 100% carbon neutral.

  Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models sold in the US since Jan. 18, 2024 do not allow for blood oxygen saturation monitoring. The Series 9 otherwise carries over all of the features of the previous generation, including a heart rate tracker, ECG monitor, skin temperature sensor, fall detection, Emergency SOS, IP68 dust and water resistance, and an always-on AMOLED display. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers a few extra perks, including a more durable titanium case, a brighter 3,000-nit screen, a customizable Action button, and an emergency siren.

  • Pros

    • Powerful processor
    • Bright display
    • Double-tap gesture for hands-free operation
    • On-device Siri
    • Precision Finding for iPhone 15 family
    • Carbon neutral build option

  • Cons

    • Familiar design
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• 

  Apple Watch SE (2022)

  Most Affordable Apple Watch

  4.0 Excellent

  The Apple Watch SE is the least expensive and smallest smartwatch in Apple's lineup, and an excellent alternative to the Series 9 for first-time smartwatch buyers as well as older or younger users.

  It uses the same snappy S8 processor as last year's Series 8 and Ultra, supports heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, fall and car crash detection, and is water resistant up to around 164 feet (50 meters). It also offers improved real-world battery life over the previous generation (37 hours on a charge in our tests, up from 30 hours) and has the same excellent app selection as the more expensive models.

  It makes some compromises to hit its lower price, however. For instance, its OLED screen is the smallest and dimmest of the bunch (40/44mm and up to 1,000 nits) and it doesn't have an always-on display option like the pricier Series 9 and the Ultra 2. It's also the only one of the trio that can't take ECG readings, plus it only comes in aluminum (not stainless steel or titanium like its siblings), and it doesn't feature any sort of official dust or dirt protection.

  Also keep in mind that Apple has disabled blood oxygen saturation monitoring on Series 9 and Ultra 2 units currently being sold in the US, narrowing the gap between them and the Watch SE, which has always lacked that sensor.

  • Pros

    • Upgraded processor from previous model
    • New motion sensor with support for Crash Detection
    • Improved real-world battery life
    • Lightweight
    • Excellent app selection and safety features
    • Lower price than first-generation model

  • Cons

    • No always-on display
    • Lacks sensors for ECG, SpO2, or body temperature
    • No rating for dust resistance
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• 

  Apple Watch Ultra 2

  Best Apple Watch for Adventurers

  4.0 Excellent

  The Ultra 2 is the biggest, most powerful, and priciest Apple Watch. To put its price into perspective, you can buy two Series 9s or three SE models for the same price. It works hard to justify its cost, though.

  To start, it features the largest and brightest screen of any Apple Watch. It uses a 49mm, MIL-STD 810H-tested titanium case and an OLED display that puts out up to 3,000 nits, a 50% bump over the first Ultra. It has an additional Action button for custom functions and stays powered for around 55 hours on a charge, or about a full day longer than the Series 9 and the Watch SE. It also has a faster S9 SiP processor with support for the new double-tap gesture for one-handed control and Precision Finding with the iPhone 15 family.

  The Ultra 2 has all of the same health features as the Series 9, but sets itself apart when you step outside of the gym. The watch is built for all types of adventure, from dives to hikes and more. When you're on foot, it uses L1 and L5 GPS for better accuracy and has a built-in 86dB siren that is audible from up to 600 feet away. For underwater treks, the watch has an EN13319 certification and a depth gauge with a water temperature sensor. It's water resistant to about 330 feet (100 meters), safe for recreational dives down to 130 feet (40 meters), and can function as a dive computer with the Oceanic+ app. Moreover, it's the only Apple Watch suitable for high-speed water sports like kitesurfing, wakeboarding, and jet skiing.

  The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is clearly the best Apple Watch for climbers, swimmers, and anyone else who spends a lot of time in the great outdoors. It's pricey, though, and people with smaller wrists may not like its bulky design.

  • Pros

    • 3,000-nit display
    • Powerful processor
    • Expanded operating altitude
    • Carbon-neutral build option
    • Excellent connectivity features

  • Cons

    • Expensive
    • Some map limitations
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