Best Apple Watch To Buy In 2024

If you’re an iPhone user searching for a smartwatch, the Apple Watch is the best option available. However, if you have an Android phone, the Apple Watch may not be the most suitable choice for you. For iPhone users, there are many options to consider when selecting the best Apple Watch. To assist you in making the right decision, we have reviewed Apple’s current lineup of watches.

In 2024, Apple’s watches will be priced from $249 to $799, with prices potentially increasing based on the type of case and band you choose. These are just the base prices. Now, let’s take a look at the best Apple Watch options you can purchase in 2024.

Best Apple Watch you can buy today

Please refer to the table below for our recommended Apple Watches, their prices, and where you can buy them. We only suggest Apple’s current models, including the latest Apple Watch Series 8. The Series 8 is a model that can be found on Amazon and other retailers, easier and cheaper than the Series 9 surprisingly. We highly recommend adding it to your list of options.

Best overall Apple Watch

Apple Watch Ultra 2

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is undoubtedly the best Apple Watch that you can buy today. In 2024, Apple did not release a third-generation, instead it released the Ultra 2 in Black. While Apple did make it primarily for those who are athletes, swimmers, and hikers, a lot of others really love this watch. That’s because it’s the biggest watch Apple has ever made, has a titanium casing and a sapphire display. On top of that, the battery life has doubled compared to the regular Apple Watch. This means you can actually use it for sleep tracking.

Personally, I’ve been wearing the Apple Watch Ultra since it came out in 2022. The second-generation model didn’t add many updates. The most significant update was a much brighter display. And I still love this watch. It does seem to hold its battery life cycle much better than previous Apple Watches, with only being down to 98% after about 16 months of daily usage. On the other hand, my Apple Watch Series 7 was down to 90% after just under a year of daily usage. A good part of that is the battery life, which I often charge every other day, or even longer between charges.

The bigger display on the Apple Watch Ultra also means that you are able to fit more information on the screen, particularly with watch faces. The Modular Ultra watch face that debuted in watchOS 10 is absolutely fantastic. You have so much data you can add to the watch face; in fact, sometimes, it turns out to be too much for me as I struggle to find additional complications to add.

One of the downsides to the Apple Watch Ultra 2, however, is that the blood oxygen sensor no longer works on that model. That’s due to the ongoing patent dispute between Apple and Masimo. This forced Apple to suspend sales in the US in December 2023; however, it went back on sale shortly thereafter. Apple did need to disable the blood oxygen sensor, though there is talk about it being reactivated in the future as Apple changes the algorithms. However, the original Apple Watch Ultra isn’t affected.

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Best Apple Watch under $500

Apple Watch Series 10

As usual, Apple didn’t really change the look of the Apple Watch Series 9 when compared to its Series 9 model. But it did get larger, and thinner at the same time. So if you’ve been wearing an older Apple Watch, you’ll definitely notice the difference here. It did also grow to 42mm and 46mm sizes, from the 41mm and 45mm sizes that Apple has used for the past few years.

But the Apple Watch Series 10 is still a really good watch. It’s under $500, in fact it’s priced at $399 for the 42mm model. This particular watch is available in 42mm and 46mm sizes. So whether you have a smaller wrist or a slightly larger one, Apple has you covered here.

Apple has also added Fall and Crash Detection to the Apple Watch Series 10. Making it safer for your older family members, as you’ll know when something bad happens. That’s definitely a good selling point to give us peace of mind for our parents.

Much like the Apple Watch Ultra 2, the display is brighter here too. That makes it much easier to use outdoors in direct sunlight, especially if you’re out on a hike.

Also, like the Apple Watch Ultra 2, the blood oxygen sensor on the Series 10 is disabled. That’s due to the ongoing patent dispute between Apple and Masimo. This forced Apple to suspend sales in the US in December 2023; however, it went back on sale shortly thereafter. Apple did need to disable the blood oxygen sensor, though there is talk about it being reactivated in the future as Apple changes the algorithms. However, the Apple Watch Series 8 isn’t affected. The ruling only affected models that Apple currently sells, and you can find Series 8 models at other retailers still.

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Best for first-timers

Apple Watch SE (2nd Generation)

The Apple Watch SE is perfect for those that are just thinking about getting a watch, but aren’t really sure. With this model, Apple has stripped out some features, like the glass back and the always-on display, which makes it much cheaper, starting at $249. It comes in 40mm and 44mm, with the larger size being $299, and you can add $30 more for a cellular model.

These are slightly different sizes compared to the Series 9, but keep in mind that 38mm to 41mm bands fit the same size watches, while the 42mm to 45mm bands all fit the same size watches, too. So older bands will still work here – a great perk if you’re upgrading from a previous Apple Watch!

Despite using older technology, the Apple Watch SE does come with a bright and vibrant 1,000-nit display. And trust me, you won’t have any issue using it outdoors. It looks great, and the only real omission is the always-on display (AOD). Honestly, many users (including myself, even on my Apple Watch Ultra) turn AOD off anyway to save battery, so you’re not missing much there.

There’s no blood oxygen sensor included here, which is fine since it is disabled on the newer, more expensive watches anyway. But don’t worry, many of the other essential health features are still here! That includes tracking your steps, calories, sleep, and so much more. It seamlessly integrates with Apple Health and Apple Fitness for a complete wellness picture. Plus, you can still try out Apple Fitness Plus, the subscription workout service, and get motivated with a huge range of guided workouts.

The Bottom line is that the Apple Watch SE delivers the core Apple Watch experience – notifications, fitness tracking, and deep integration with your iPhone – all at a super accessible price. If you’re looking for a solid smartwatch without unnecessary bells and whistles, the SE is still a fantastic choice.

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Best sub-$300 Apple Watch

Apple Watch Series 8

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