If you have iPhone, Apple Watch is the best wearable to go with. But which version should you buy? This question just got more complicated. Last year, a court ruling said Apple could no longer sell the latest watches—the Series 9, Watch Ultra 2, and the new Series 10—with a blood oxygen sensor. Medical technology company Masimo has accused Apple of infringing its patent. (Apple later won a lawsuit alleging that it owned the Heartbeat apps, but a major antitrust suit is ongoing.)
We just reviewed the Apple Watch Series 10, but are last year’s Series 9 and Ultra Watch 2 still worth it? Yes, especially if you are upgrading from an older model that is now sunset. I love the Apple Watch. It’s a watch I would wear if I wasn’t constantly checking out other fitness trackers. I test each new one for two weeks and often months after that. (Now my kids are experimenting too.)
How can you tell them apart, when all these watches look so 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 will look like on these watches? 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 Smart Watches, and Best iPhones.
Updated September 2024: We added a new watch series 10 and an update to the Watch Ultra 2.
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