Best Apple Watch (2026): Series 11, SE 3 and Ultra 3

New fitness features

Courtesy of Apple

There are many reasons to wear an Apple Watch besides the health features. Maybe you just want quick access to your text, calendars or Siri. Maybe you want to keep track of your child or make sure your elderly mother doesn’t fall down.

Still, I’ve been following the development of the Apple Watch for years, from a fairly standard wearable accessory to a full-fledged fitness tracker which now compares favorably against the high-end Garmins and Suuntos of the world. Since its inception, Apple has gone all-in on the watch as a personal health device, with CEO Tim Cook even going so far as to say that the watch will save your life. Hypertension notifications and sleep tracking are a significant step forward, albeit long overdue non-invasive continuous glucose monitor you have yet to make an appearance.

In addition to health-related features, Apple has also unveiled additions to its workout apps in recent months. The AI-enabled Training partner in fitness is perhaps the most prominent (although I personally don’t feel like I’ve benefited that much from a bot happily chirping the name of the song I’m listening to). Apple also started offering Fitness+ in more countries and introducing new workout programs, such as three-week strength training programs designed to jumpstart your workout routines.

It’s also worth noting here that Apple Watch data is compatible with many more fitness and exercise apps besides Apple’s own Fitness+. For more information on which app is the right choice for your Apple Watch, check out our guide to the Best fitness and workout apps. Fitness+ is also available on the iPhone, iPadand Apple TV.

Compare Top 5 Apple Watches

The best Apple Watch apps and accessories

Photo: Simon Hill

Once you have your Apple Watch, you’re going to need accessories. Here is the one you should consider first.

A 3-in-1 charger. Apple Watches are notoriously difficult to keep charged. This Belkin Qi2 Charger ($110) is our favorite stand, but we have many more choices in us Best 3-in-1 Apple Wireless Chargers. You can also pick up a power bank ($90) with a built-in Apple Watch charger so you’re not caught out with a dead watch.

Whatever band you want. We Best Apple Watch Accessories directory has a ton of options. My personal favorite band of all time is the Konsu NYC supple leather strap ($169), but we have much more in our guide.

A case and a screen protector. Apple’s service prices are notoriously excessive– repairing a watch costs almost as much as buying a new one! Bigger and more expensive is not always better. If the case is large and doesn’t fit well, it will rattle annoyingly every time you get a notification. I like the Spigen Thin Fit Case ($15) and a set of screen protectors from Amazon ($10); extras are nice if you mess up the first app.

Avoid these watches

It’s been years since we’ve seen retailers carry the Series 1, Series 2 or Series 3. You may see them on resale sites, but they are not worth the price. WatchOS 26 only works with the second-gen SE and newer, so we no longer recommend buying the Series 4 or 5, or the first-gen SE. The Series 1 is not waterproof; neither Series 1 nor Series 2 have any cellular capability; and none of these watches are compatible with the latest watchOS version.

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