Skip to main content
To revisit this article, visit My Profile, thenView saved stories.
- Security
- Politics
- Gear
- The Big Story
- Business
- Science
- Culture
- Ideas
- Merch
- Podcasts
- Video
- Newsletters
- Magazine
- Travel
- Steven Levy's Plaintext Column
- WIRED Classics from the Archive
- Events
- WIRED Insider
- WIRED Consulting
- Jobs
- Coupons
Adrienne So
Gear
Should you splurge for the new Series 10 or stick with the SE? Let us help you figure out which version to get (and which to avoid).
If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
4
/
7
If you have an iPhone, the Apple Watch is the best wearable to go with it. But which version should you buy? This question has recently gotten more complicated. 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, but a larger antitrust suit is 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. 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 September 2024: We added the new Watch Series 10 and the update to the Watch Ultra 2.
Power up with unlimited access toWIRED.Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just$2.50$1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content.Subscribe Today.
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.
TopicsShoppingbuying guidesApple WatchsmartwatchWearablesFitness Trackers
Gearing up to shred the slopes or dive into the seas? These photography tools are made for danger.
Scott Gilbertson
Ready to cut the cord? These are our favorite buds that will never, ever get tangled.
Parker Hall
We’ve tested lots of affordable Windows laptops, Chromebooks, and 2-in-1 tablets. You don’t have to spend more than $800 to get a good computer.
Daniel Thorp-Lancaster
The Gear team spends countless hours in front of displays while writing for you. So we reviewed those too (including a few portable screens).
Nena Farrell
Whether you went big with the Pixel 9 Pro XL or even bigger with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, we’ve got a selection of cases, including MagSafe, to kit out your new Android phone.
Julian Chokkattu
From made-to-measure smart shades to retrofit curtain bots, these are our favorite WIRED-tested drapes for your windows.
Simon Hill
Paddles are getting more sophisticated and expensive. We spent months testing dozens to find our favorites.
Martin Cizmar
Choosing the right Chromebook for your needs can be a tough decision. We can help with our favorite picks.
Daniel Thorp-Lancaster