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For a long time, there was just one Apple Watch you could pick from, but over the past few years that’s changed. There’s now more models, new editions, different sizes, and while they all run on the same watchOS software, they don’t necessarily all serve up the same fitness tracking experience.
You don’t necessarily need to pick up one of the latest versions, either. We recently reviewed the latest Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 10, but how do the Watch Series 9 and Watch SE fare in 2025 for workout tracking and general health monitoring?
If you’re sold on an Apple Watch to join you for your indoor and outdoor workouts, we’ve broken down the key things to look for when buying one, plus the best for tracking your workouts in 2025 and beyond.
What to Consider When Buying an Apple Watch
Before we get into the best Apple watches for tracking your fitness in 2025, here’s a few things to consider when buying one.
Compatibility
As you probably already know, the Apple Watch is only compatible with iPhones. What you may not be aware of is that you also need an iPhone that’s able to run and update to the required software needed to pair each watch to your device.
The newer watches, like the Ultra 2, for example, are only compatible with iPhone models that are capable of running the very latest version of Apple’s iOS software – iOS 17.
So, before spending big on a new watch, make sure your iPhone is both capable of updating to the latest software and has enough storage left on the device to do so.
Tracking
All Apple Watches run the same software in order to deliver a familiar and consistent tracking experience. Where they differ is with the sensors and the components they pack.
For instance, if you care about heart rate tracking, you’ll want to grab an Apple Watch with the latest generation heart rate monitor. You might also want to think about case sizing too, because fit is as important as the sensor technology when it comes to getting the most reliable results.
If you care about the very best accuracy when tracking exercise outside, then pay attention to the GPS sensor. The Apple Watch Ultra, for example, has the latest generation dual-band GPS technology and will appeal to those who might be planning to tackle outdoor events and therefore need the best available accuracy support.
Charging and Battery Life
Bottom line: no Apple Watch models are equipped to last for weeks or months away from a charger.
The arrival of the Apple Watch Ultra has seen an improvement in battery numbers for the first time – so if you want the Apple smartwatch with the best battery life, it’s the Ultra you want.
Each Apple iteration does pack in new components that help to make it run more efficiently and while Apple will state the typical battery life you should enjoy, it may perform better or worse depending on the features that you use the most.
The newer models are the best equipped to last a long marathon, but in general you will need to keep a close eye on the battery status screen compared to other fitness watches.
You Don’t Have to Go for the Latest Watch
Don’t rule out looking at older Apple Watches. You could feasibly go back a few generations, because while the hardware may have changed or been tweaked, they’ll often still be compatible with Apple’s watchOS software updates, which unlocks software features that are introduced on newer models.
If you want to hold on to your Apple Watch for a while, you probably don’t want to go more than one generation back. Apple does a good job of making sure its software updates can roll back to older watches, but the required power and components may prevent older versions from getting the new updates if you decide to go for something much older.
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Pros
- Nice big screen to view stats
- Great GPS performance
- Best battery on an Apple Watch
Cons
- Core tracking experience similar to first Ultra
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the biggest Apple smartwatch you can strap onto your wrist and gives you the best Apple has to offer in terms of features – particularly if you spend most of your time out in the great outdoors.
Its 49mm case is significantly larger than the one on the Series 9, SE and all previous Apple Watches. It’s also a brighter screen and has a stronger level of waterproofing compared to Apple’s other watches – making it suitable even for recreational diving.
Apple retains the same dual-band GPS mode it debuted on the first Ultra, which gives it some of the best outdoor tracking accuracy you’ll find on any smartwatch or sports watch.
The third generation optical heart rate sensor doesn’t feel as accurate as the same sensor featured on smaller Apple Watches, but you do get the option to pair it up to external sensors to improve things.
The Ultra 2 is the Apple Watch you go for if you want the very best of Apple’s fitness tracking and the best battery life, all wrapped up in a supremely rugged and durable design.
| OS | watchOS 11 |
|---|---|
| Display | 1.9″ OLED Always-on Retina |
| Water resistance | 100m |
| Battery | Up to 36 hours normal use |
If the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is too pricey, you can grab the Series 10 instead and get both an excellent smartwatch and a great companion for the gym, runs, swims and more.
The Series 10 has closed the gap with the Ultra in display size, and for those who have smaller wrists or prefer less weighty watches, the new thin profile in addition to the screen is a big deal – the 10 is the thinnest edition of the the Watch Series line yet, at 9.7 mm. You also get better viewing angles from the 10, thanks to the introduction of wide-angle OLED technology.
You do get a bunch of new health and fitness capabilities with the 10, including Training Load and sleep tracking (including sleep apnea detection) and temperature sensing, however, those have also been rolled out on previous generation devices as part of the latest WatchOS.
On the battery front, you get up to 18 hours with normal use – the same as the previous generation.
| OS | watchOS 11 |
|---|---|
| Display | Always‑On Retina LTPO3 display |
| Water resistance | Water resistance 50m (swimproof) |
| Dust resistance | IP6X11 |
| Battery | Up to 36 hours in low power mode |
Despite missing some of the bigger features included on the Series 9 and the Ultra, the Apple Watch SE gives you a core smartwatch experience at a more affordable price.
It offers different case sizes to the Series 9, but does still give you the option of a standard or smaller case option. You also still get a high quality Retina touchscreen and the promise of the same 18 hour battery life as the pricier Series 9.
While it lacks Apple’s latest generation optical heart rate sensor and the dual-band GPS featured on the larger Ultra, the SE still does offer strong accuracy for outdoor tracking, albeit it can communicate with one less satellite system compared to the pricier Series 9.
You still get something that works with Apple’s Fitness+ app as well as a host of other fitness and sports apps you can find on Apple’s App Store. It runs the latest version of watchOS, so benefits from the latest software smarts.
If you’re looking for an Apple Watch that’s a good all-round tracker and you’re not necessarily concerned about the best level of accuracy available in Apple’s range, the SE will serve you well.
| OS | watchOS 10 |
|---|---|
| Display | 1.78″ OLED |
| Water resistance | 50m |
| Battery | Up to 18 hours normal use |
As can be the case between some generations of the Apple Watch, there isn’t a lot that’s dramatically different between the first Ultra and the newer Ultra 2, especially in terms of using it to track your fitness.
The original Ultra gives you the same sized titanium case as the Ultra 2. It also has an IP6X-rated, dust resistant design, is waterproof up to 100 metres and has military grade tested levels of durability.
This is the Watch where Apple debuted its dual-band GPS mode to give outdoor tracking for activities like running and cycling a big accuracy boost and it definitely delivers on that front.
It can also be updated to Apple’s latest watchOS 10 update to make the most of its Apple Fitness+ fitness platform and benefit from the ability to pair it to external cycling sensors.
In short, there really isn’t a lot you’re missing out on with the Ultra.
| OS | watchOS 10 |
|---|---|
| Display | 1.9″ OLED |
| Water resistance | 100m |
| Battery | Up to 36 hours normal use |
The Apple Watch Series 8 is more than a few generations old now, so you’ll struggle to find it anywhere unless you buy refurbished. But from a fitness tracking point of view, it offers the same core tracking experience as the Series 9.
The Series 8 is also compatible with the latest version of Apple’s iOS software to make sure you’re not missing out on features like the ability to connect to Bluetooth-enabled cycling accessories (like cadence and power meters) or the ability to build custom plans to follow on Apple’s Fitness+ home workout platform.
The Series 8 comes in the same 41mm and 45mm case sizes as the Series 9 and also offers something that’s safe to wear swimming (up to 50 metres depth). You also get one of Apple’s sharp, colourful Retina touchscreens and as a package something that’s IPX6X certified dust resistant for that extra level of rugged protection outside.
The core sensors remain the same here too, so you get the same built-in GPS and heart rate sensor, with scope to pair external heart rate monitors to boost things on the accuracy front. If you don’t love Apple’s own workout apps, you can also delve into the Apple Watch App Store to pick up a host of different fitness and sports apps to use instead.
If you can live without a slightly brighter screen, the bump up in storage and Apple’s latest processing power hardware, then the Series 8 is still a great smartwatch to track workouts like runs, gym workouts, swims and more.
| OS | watchOS 10 |
|---|---|
| Display | 1.9′ Retina LTPO OLED |
| Water resistance | 50m |
| Battery | Up to 18 hours normal use |
Michael is a freelance journalist specialising in wearable and fitness technology and running. He has written for numerous publications including GQ, Wired, The Telegraph, The Metro, Stuff Magazine and is the co-founder of the YouTube channel The Run Testers. He currently has 20 marathons under his belt with more to come and can always be found with a sports watch or smartwatch on each wrist at any given time.
Luke Chamberlain is the ecommerce editor for Men’s Health UK where he compiles expert-led buying guides and in-depth product reviews across gym wear, fitness tech, supplements, and grooming. Responsible for testing everything from the latest gym headphones to the best manscaping tools, Luke also enlists the help of leading health and wellness experts to help readers make informed choices when shopping online – whether it’s to debunk the latest viral hair growth trend or to get the lowdown on a new type of recovery tech. He also covers major sales events for Men’s Health, such as Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day, scouting and verifying hundreds of discounts in order to recommend only the most genuine deals on offer. A magazine journalism graduate from the University of Sheffield in 2018, Luke has also worked as assistant editor for Outdoor Swimmer magazine and as an ecommerce writer for The Recommended. When he’s not testing the latest health and fitness products, he’s busy plotting routes for his next trail run or gravel ride out of London. Follow Luke on Instagram at @lukeochamb
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