WIRED has updated its best Apple Watch 2026 recommendations, putting Apple’s Series 11 at the top for most iPhone owners, the SE 3 as the cheaper pick, and the Ultra 3 as the model for people who spend enough time outdoors to justify a $799 wrist computer.
The lineup split is more than Apple’s usual case-size shuffle. According to WIRED, the Series 11 gets the broadest mix of health features and a longer battery, the SE 3 covers the basics at $249, and the Ultra 3 adds satellite messaging and the longest runtime. That leaves buyers deciding how much they actually need Apple’s sensors, radio hardware, and endurance claims, rather than just choosing the newest rectangle.
Which Apple Watch should I buy in 2026?
For most people with an iPhone, WIRED recommends the Apple Watch Series 11, which starts at $399. The guide says its main upgrade is battery life, now rated at up to 24 hours, compared with 18 hours on the cheaper SE 3. That matters because sleep tracking only works if the watch is on your wrist instead of sitting on a charger like a tiny guilt tablet.
The Series 11 has Apple’s fuller health stack: blood oxygen sensing, the ECG app, and FDA-cleared hypertension notifications, according to WIRED. It also supports watchOS 27, including a dynamic app grid with Siri-suggested apps, Apple’s Siri AI assistant, and Workout Buddy without keeping an iPhone nearby. Its display reaches up to 2,000 nits, and cellular connectivity has moved from LTE to 5G.
The Apple Watch SE 3 is the value option because it keeps much of the software experience while dropping several sensors. WIRED says the third-generation SE uses Apple’s S10 chip, supports watchOS 27, adds sleep apnea notifications and skin temperature sensing, and includes fast charging. Its 40-mm model is listed at $249, with the 44-mm version at $279.
The trade-offs are the annoying part, because Apple knows exactly where to cut. WIRED notes that the SE 3 does not include blood oxygen checks, ECG readings, hypertension notifications, or the UWB locator chip. Its display tops out at 1,000 nits, half the Series 11 rating. It still includes fall detection, and WIRED says WhatsApp is now available on Apple Watch.
What does the Ultra 3 add?
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is WIRED’s outdoor pick. It has a 49-mm case, a display rated up to 3,000 nits, 100-meter water resistance, IP6X dust resistance, MIL-STD 810H testing, and a battery rating of up to 42 hours. WIRED says that is up from 36 hours on the Ultra 2.
The hardware difference that changes the Ultra 3’s job is satellite messaging. A watch-based satellite connection can be more useful than a phone-based one if the watch stays on your body during an off-grid trip. WIRED says the Ultra 3 also includes 5G, hypertension notifications, ECG, blood oxygen sensing, diving features, a three-mic array, offline-map-friendly screen space, and a siren.
Which older Apple Watches are still worth considering?
WIRED gives the Series 10 an honorable mention because it uses the same S10 chip as the newer models, supports watchOS 27 with an Apple Intelligence-capable iPhone, has fast charging, and often sells below its original price. Its weak point is battery life, which WIRED says makes overnight sleep tracking harder unless the wearer plans charging carefully.
WIRED advises against buying much older models, including the Series 1, Series 2, Series 3, Series 4, Series 5, and second-generation SE. The reason is software support: watchOS 27 works only with Series 9 and newer models, according to the guide. The older watches also miss hardware basics such as waterproofing or cellular support on some models.
This story draws on original reporting from WIRED.
