The best Apple Watch in 2024

Apple has been releasing a new generation of its flagship smartwatch every September since the Series 2 in 2016. If tradition holds, we may see the new Apple Watch Series 10 (Series X?) in early fall of this year, alongside the next Apple Watch Ultra and possibly a new Apple Watch SE. Rumors suggest that the company will announce watchOS 11 during its WWDC 2024 keynote, which may introduce new features to existing Apple wearables. Currently, the lineup consists of the Apple Watch Series 9, best for most users, the Apple Watch Ultra, appealing to outdoor adventurers, and the Apple Watch SE, a budget-friendly model that is surprisingly capable. Here’s our buying guide to help you choose the best Apple Watch for your needs.

What to look for in an Apple Watch

Chips and sensors

Both the Series 9 and Ultra 2 were updated last September with Apple’s latest smartwatch silicon, the S9 SiP. This chip supports new features like the Double Tap gesture for answering calls or stopping alarms, as well as improved machine learning performance for various tasks. The Apple Watch SE still uses the S8 SiP, found in the Series 8 and original Ultra.

The Series 9 and Ultra 2 offer features like ECG, temperature sensors for ovulation tracking, compass, altimeter, fall detection, and crash detection. The Ultra 2 includes an SOS siren and dive features like a depth gauge. Both higher-end models have blood oxygen sensors, although a recent patent dispute has disabled this feature on new models in the US.

All three models support NFC for Apple Pay, enabling contactless payments even without your phone.

Displays and case sizes

The Series 9 and Ultra 2 have always-on displays, while the SE requires wrist lifting to view notifications. The Series 9 can reach 2,000 nits of brightness, the Ultra 2 up to 3,000 nits, and the SE maxes out at 1,000 nits. Case sizes vary with the SE in 40 or 44mm, Series 9 in 41 or 45mm, and Ultra 2 in 49mm. Band size and style options are available for all models.

Battery life

The Ultra 2 offers the longest battery life at 36 hours, extendable to 72 hours with low power mode. The Series 9 and SE can last for 18 hours on a single charge, longer with battery saver mode.

Fitness features

All three models offer similar fitness tracking capabilities through the Activity app, monitoring movements with three rings: Move, Exercise, and Stand. Various sensors detect activity levels and heart rate, providing insights and motivating users with badges and animations.

The Workout app allows users to track exercise sessions, with sensors capable of auto-detecting workouts and integrating with Apple Fitness+ for real-time data during classes. The Activity and Workout apps are free, while Fitness+ costs $10 per month.

Siri

Siri on Apple Watches supports various voice commands, including weather updates, workout starts, song identification, and text dictation. The Raise to Speak feature allows for hands-free interaction with Siri.

The Series 9 and Ultra 2 offer onboard processing of Siri requests for quicker responses to simple commands, but more complex requests may require Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity.

Price

Prices for Apple Watches range from $250 for the SE to $799 for the Ultra 2. The Series 9 starts at $399, with additional costs for larger case sizes and cellular connectivity. Stainless steel options are available for the Series 9 starting at $699.

Best Apple Watch in 2024

Our favorite smartwatch is the Apple Watch Series 9, offering new features like Double Tap, onboard Siri, a brighter screen, and a UWB chip for FindMy app. The SE is a budget-friendly option with similar performance to the Ultra and Series 8. The Ultra 2 is a feature-rich smartwatch designed for outdoor activities with specialized tools like Backtrack and dive features.

How we tested Apple Watches

Engadget has been reviewing Apple Watches since the first model in 2015. Our testing involves wearing the watches for extended periods during various activities to assess performance, integration with iPhones, and overall functionality. We compare Apple Watches to other smartwatches on the market to provide comprehensive reviews.