Can't decide between the Apple Watch Series 9, the Ultra 2, and the Watch SE? We've tested them all to help you choose the right one to keep you connected and acing your fitness goals.
ByWill Greenwald
Will Greenwald
Lead Analyst, Consumer Electronics
My Experience
I’ve been PCMag’s home entertainment expert for over 10 years, covering both TVs and everything you might want to connect to them. I’ve reviewed more than a thousand different consumer electronics products including headphones, speakers, TVs, and every major game system and VR headset of the last decade. I’m an ISF-certified TV calibrator and a THX-certified home theater professional, and I’m here to help you understand 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and even 8K (and to reassure you that you don’t need to worry about 8K at all for at least a few more years).
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UpdatedNovember 21, 2023
- RELATED:
- Best Smartwatches
- Best Apple Watch Bands
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Our Top 3 Picks
Best Apple Watch for Most People Jump ToDetails Most Affordable Apple Watch Jump ToDetails Best Apple Watch for Adventurers Jump ToDetails Apple Watch Series 9
Apple Watch SE
Apple Watch Ultra 2
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- Apple Watch SE (GPS, 40mm, S/M, Midnight) — $189.00(List Price $249)
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- Samsung Galaxy Watch6 40mm Bluetooth Smartwatch — $249.99(List Price $299.99)
- Fitbit Sense 2 Advanced Health and Fitness Smartwatch — $249.95(List Price $299.95)
- Amazfit GTS 2 Mini Fitness Smartwatch — $69.99(List Price $99.99)
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
It's no secret that the Apple Watch is the best smartwatch for iPhone users. The issue for potential buyers is that Apple currently offers three different versions: the standard Series 9, the entry-level SE, and the high-end Ultra 2. There are also older Apple Watches still available that might offer everything you want at the right price.
We're here to help you break down the options so you can choose the best Apple Watch model for your needs and budget. Read on for a closer look at each model we currently recommend. And when you find the right one for you, make it your own with our favorite accessories and watch bands.
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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Apple Watch Series 9
Best Apple Watch for Most People
4.5 Outstanding
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 handy new 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.
The Series 9 otherwise carries over all of the features of the previous generation, including a heart rate tracker, ECG monitor, blood oxygen sensor, 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
SPECS
Name | Value |
---|---|
Phone OS Compatibility | iOS |
Watch OS | watchOS |
Processor | Apple S9 |
Display Size | 1.6 inches/1.8 inches |
Display Type | OLED |
Fitness Features | Accelerometer, GPS, Heart Rate Monitor, Blood Oxygen Monitor, Temperature Sensor |
Estimated Battery Life | 18 hours |
Separate App Store | |
Phone Call Capacity |
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Apple Watch Series 9 Review
Apple Watch SE
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 blood oxygen and 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.
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
SPECS
Name | Value |
---|---|
Phone OS Compatibility | iOS |
Watch OS | watchOS |
Processor | Apple S8 |
Display Size | 1.5 inches/1.7 inches |
Display Type | OLED |
Fitness Features | GPS, Heart Rate Monitor, Accelerometer |
Estimated Battery Life | 18 hours |
Separate App Store | |
Phone Call Capacity |
GET IT NOW
Learn More
Apple Watch SE Review
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
SPECS
Name | Value |
---|---|
Phone OS Compatibility | iOS |
Watch OS | watchOS |
Processor | Apple S9 |
Display Size | 1.9 inches |
Display Type | OLED |
Fitness Features | Accelerometer, GPS, Heart Rate Monitor, Blood Oxygen Monitor, Temperature Sensor |
Estimated Battery Life | 36 hours |
Separate App Store | |
Phone Call Capacity |
GET IT NOW
Learn More
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Review
Buying Guide: The Best Apple Watch for 2024
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)
What Is the Best Alternative to the Apple Watch?
If you use an Android phone (or don't want an Apple Watch for whatever reason), our roundup of the best smartwatches offers several platform-agnostic options. And if your biggest priority is tracking your health, some of the best fitness trackers are more affordable than the Apple Watch SE.
Recommended by Our Editors
An iPhone On Your Wrist: 28 Tips Every Apple Watch Owner Should Know
Out of Storage? How to Free Up Space on Your Apple Watch
Start Your Wellness Journey: 15 Ways to Get Healthy With Your Apple Watch
Compare SpecsThe Best Apple Watch for 2024
Our Picks | Apple Watch Series 9See It$399.99 at Amazon | Apple Watch SESee It$189.00 at Amazon | Apple Watch Ultra 2See It$779.99 at Amazon |
---|---|---|---|
Editors'Rating | Editors' Choice 4.5Editor Review | 4.0Editor Review | 4.0Editor Review |
Phone OS Compatibility | iOS | iOS | iOS |
Watch OS | watchOS | watchOS | watchOS |
Processor | Apple S9 | Apple S8 | Apple S9 |
Display Size | 1.6 inches/1.8 inches | 1.5 inches/1.7 inches | 1.9 inches |
Display Type | OLED | OLED | OLED |
Fitness Features | Accelerometer, GPS, Heart Rate Monitor, Blood Oxygen Monitor, Temperature Sensor | GPS, Heart Rate Monitor, Accelerometer | Accelerometer, GPS, Heart Rate Monitor, Blood Oxygen Monitor, Temperature Sensor |
Estimated Battery Life | 18 hours | 18 hours | 36 hours |
Separate App Store | |||
Phone Call Capacity | |||
Where to Buy | $399.99 at Amazon $399.00 at Apple.com | $189.00 at Amazon | $779.99 at Amazon $799.00 at Apple.com |
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Further Reading
The Best Smartwatch and Fitness Tracker Deals for February 2024
ByCierra Cowan
The Best Android Watch for 2024
ByAngela Moscaritolo&Will Greenwald
The Best Samsung Watch for 2024
ByAngela Moscaritolo&Will Greenwald
The Best Smartwatches for 2024
ByAlex Colon&Angela Moscaritolo
The Best Apple Watch Bands
ByChandra Steele
Start Your Wellness Journey: 15 Ways to Get Healthy With Your Apple Watch
ByLance Whitney
Let's Get Physical: How to Track Workouts and Activities on Your Apple Watch
ByLance Whitney
An iPhone On Your Wrist: 28 Tips Every Apple Watch Owner Should Know
ByLance Whitney
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Editors' Choice
I’ve been PCMag’s home entertainment expert for over 10 years, covering both TVs and everything you might want to connect to them. I’ve reviewed more than a thousand different consumer electronics products including headphones, speakers, TVs, and every major game system and VR headset of the last decade. I’m an ISF-certified TV calibrator and a THX-certified home theater professional, and I’m here to help you understand 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and even 8K (and to reassure you that you don’t need to worry about 8K at all for at least a few more years).
Read Will's full bio
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