Apple watch series 6 at best buy

Which Apple Watch Is Best Right Now?

Now that the Series 8 and Ultra sport watch are here, we can help you figure out which version to get (and which to avoid).

We here in the Gadget Lab (and millions of people around the world) agree: If you have an iPhone, the Apple Watch is the best wearable to go with it. But which version should you buy? 

Apple recently launched the Series 8 and a new SE, along with the new rugged Ultra sport watch. And while the company has stopped selling last year's Series 7, along with older models, you can still find them at many online retailers (sometimes for a significant discount). All these watches look pretty similar and share a rotating stable of features. Here, we break down which one is best for you, and whether older models are worth the price.

While you're here, be sure to check out our other buying guides, like our Best iPad, Best Smartwatch, and Best iPhone roundups.

Updated September 2022: We added the Series 8 and Ultra and updated our buying advice.

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• Photograph: Apple

  Best for Most People

  Apple Watch SE (2022)

  If you have any doubt at all as to whether you should get an Apple Watch at all, the SE is Apple's entry-level option. It doesn't have the flashiest standout features, like the ability to check your blood oxygen, check your ECG, or measure whether you're ovulating via the temperature sensors. The smaller display is very noticeable after a year of testing the Series 7, and if you have AirTags, it doesn't have the ultrawideband chip. 

  But unless you have a specific use case in mind—say, you are trying to get pregnant—you probably don't need those things. And the SE is compatible with WatchOS 9, which is where many of the latest and most exciting fitness features show up (as well as the battery-extending Low Power Mode). It has the latest S8 chip that shows up in the Series 8 as well as newer features, like Crash Detection to call your emergency contact if you've been in a car accident and unresponsive for 10 seconds, and it has the newly redesigned Compass app. It has fall detection, can support international roaming, and can work with Family Setup. We like how small it is compared to many other watches, coming in a teeny 40-mm case size, with a nylon back to make it even lighter. If all you want is a basic smartwatch, the SE will serve you—or your nana, or recent college graduate—perfectly well. 

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  Apple Series 8

  most people hold on to their Apple Watch for a while, which makes buying the latest one a safe bet. The latest Series 8 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is the best watch for most Apple users, especially people who menstruate or want to track their fertility. The wrist-based temperature sensing feature tracked my skin temperature dropping steadily as I recovered from Covid-19. I haven't had the opportunity to test the latest Crash Detection feature (and I hope I never will), but that may offer you and your loved ones a little peace of mind. 

  That said, as usual, if you already own an Apple Watch—especially last year's Series 7 (8/10, WIRED Recommends)—you probably don't need to upgrade. As I noted with the SE, most of the exciting new features show up in WatchOS 9 and not in the hardware itself. The Series 8 does have all the health features that have been accumulating over the years in the Apple Watches, like blood oxygen level measurements, high and low heart rate notifications, ECGs, and other safety features. If you need any or all of those health features, the new Low Power mode is much more necessary and useful than on the SE. Three new stainless steel finishes also don't hurt. 

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  Best for Outdoor Sports

  Apple Watch Ultra

  This year, Apple released the Ultra to much fanfare. The new, rugged sports watch may not quite be a Garmin-killer, and we haven't tested it yet. Still, if you enjoy outdoor sports, this will probably be the best Apple Watch for you. The 49-mm case is made from impact-resistant titanium, with a flat sapphire crystal display, and it's certified to the MIL-STD-810H standard for military equipment—it won't freeze on the lift or turn off on a blistering hike. It has a host of specialized navigation features, like a new hybrid digital-analog compass app that lets you set waypoints at markers of interest, or backtrack if you get lost while wandering off the trail to pee. (New features designed to turn the watch into a specialized dive computer are expected later this fall.)

  Certain features seem aimed specifically at weekend warriors, like a precision dual-frequency GPS system that is designed to work well in crowded cities, as well as three built-in microphones with special wind-reduction algorithms so you can take work calls from particularly inconvenient locations. These go hand-in-hand with the Ultra's 2.5-day battery life, which is exceptional for an Apple Watch but still not long enough for my relatively tame weekend backpacking trips. If you own an iPhone and have been switching to a Casio on the weekends, this is the Apple Watch for you. 

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  If It's On Sale for Under $300

  Apple Watch Series 7

  Apple has dropped last year's Series 7 from the lineup, along with the Series 5 and 6. Last year, I noted that the Series 7 was one of the best sports watches on the market, with better water- and dust-resistance and updated algorithms, a bigger screen, and a full-size keyboard for texting. And when I hold the Series 7 next to the Series 8, the difference in the display size and brightness is negligible. If you can find it on sale for around $300, I think it's worth buying. 

  WatchOS 9 works with Series 4 watches and later, so if someone wants to give you one or you can find it significantly marked down, those are also worth considering. As Apple has added its health features one by one to each watch, you should double-check to make sure it has the ones you want. For example, the Series 5 doesn't have SpO2 monitoring, and SpO2 monitoring doesn't work on the Series 6 if the user is under 18 or doesn't have a paired iPhone.

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  Avoid These Watches

  Series 1, 2 and 3

  It's been years since we've seen retailers carry the Series 1 or Series 2. You may see them on resale sites, but they are probably not worth the price. Family Setup works only on Series 4 and above, so you can't pick these up as cheaper options for your very old or very young family members. The Series 1 isn't waterproof, neither watch has cellular capability, and neither is compatible with the latest WatchOS version. And after many years of recommending the Series 3, we are now giving it the boot as well, as it's no longer compatible with WatchOS 9. 

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  Should You Buy a New Band or Case?

  Accessory Advice

  In the past five years, I've never damaged a watch's face or case, and the latest Apple Watches are more durable than ever. However, given that Apple's service pricing is notoriously exorbitant—repairing a watch costs almost as much as buying a new one!—you should consider getting a case and screen protector. 

  Bigger and more expensive isn't always better. If the case is big and doesn't fit well, it will rattle annoyingly every time you get a notification. I like the Spigen Thin Fit Case ($14) and a screen protector set from Amazon ($10); extras are nice if you mess up the first application. My favorite strap is Nike's woven nylon Sport Loop ($49). Since the battery life still sucks, I would also pick up a power bank ($50) with a built-in Apple Watch charger so you're not caught out with a dead watch. 

  For more suggestions, check out our other guides, like the Best Apple Watch Accessories and the Best Portable Chargers. 

Adrienne So is a senior associate reviews editor for WIRED, where she reviews consumer technology. She graduated from the University of Virginia with bachelor’s degrees in English and Spanish, and she previously worked as a freelance writer for Cool Hunting, Paste, Slate, and other publications. She lives in Portland, Oregon.