Which Apple Watch Is Best Right Now?

If you have an iPhone, the best Apple Watch is the wearable to go with it. But which version should you buy? This question has recently gotten more complicated. Early last year, a court ruling dictated that Apple could no longer sell the latest watches—the Series 9, the Watch Ultra 2, and the new Series 10—with a blood oxygen sensor. The medical technology company Masimo alleged that Apple had infringed on its patent. (Apple later defeated a lawsuit alleging that it had a monopoly on heart rate apps. An antitrust lawsuit is still ongoing.)

We recently reviewed the Apple Watch Series 10, but are last year’s Series 9 and Ultra Watch 2 still worth it? Yes, especially if you’re upgrading from an older model now being sunsetted. I love the Apple Watch. On the cusp of its 10th anniversary, the Apple Watch is starting to face stiff competition from manufacturers like Samsung and Xiaomi, but it is still my favorite watch. It is the watch I would wear if I weren’t constantly testing other fitness trackers. I test each new one for two weeks and often for many months after that. (Now my children test them as well.)

How can you tell them apart, when all of these watches look pretty similar and share a rotating stable of features? We break down which one is best for you and whether older models are worth the price. Wondering what the operating system for these watches will look like? Check out our guides to the top new features in WatchOS and learn about the new Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18. As always, don’t forget to check out our other buying guides, like the Best iPads, Best Smartwatches, and Best iPhones.

Updated April 2025: We added relevant tariff information, lawsuit information, availability, and updated links and prices.

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