ConsFirst / Smartwatches & fitness trackers / Compare
Apple Watch SE (3rd generation) vs Apple Watch Series 11
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes what we report. Learn more
The short answer
Apple Watch Series 11 ranks higher (#5 vs #9 of 12) and scores better on battery life, durability.
The biggest complaint about the Apple Watch Series 11 is discontinued, and missing the series 12's new tools; for the Apple Watch SE (3rd generation) it's needs charging almost every day. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Good for: iPhone owners who want ECG and hypertension alerts without paying for a Series 12
Its catch: discontinued, and missing the Series 12's new tools
Check price on AmazonGood for: iPhone owners who want a full Apple Watch for less
Its catch: needs charging almost every day
Check price on AmazonPaid links. We don't list prices — they change daily. Neither one feels right?
Side by side
| Apple Watch SE (3rd generation) | Apple Watch Series 11 | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in smartwatches & fitness trackers | #9 | #5 |
| Price tier | $$ | $$$ |
| Type | Smartwatch | Smartwatch |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 4% | 5% |
| Overall score | 3.4 | 3.7 |
| Battery life | 2.0 | 3.0 |
| Fitness tracking | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Smart features | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Comfort | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Durability | 3.5 | 4.0 |
Price tiers: $ under $150 · $$ $150–350 · $$$ over $350. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Apple Watch SE (3rd generation)
- Needs charging almost every day
Apple rates it at 18 hours. Wirecutter got 23 hours and calls it the worst battery among its fitness-tracker picks, adding that sleep tracking means charging at some point during the day. Amazon's review summary says battery life is mixed, with some owners saying it doesn't stay charged long. Several 1-star Walmart reviews say they must charge it every night or that it drains quickly.
- Missing some health features of the Series 12
Wirecutter and Tom's Guide note the SE lacks the ECG app and hypertension alerts. Tom's Guide adds that it also lacks blood-oxygen readings and uses an older heart-rate sensor.
- Small screen, limited finishes, iPhone compatibility
Wirecutter says the screen may feel small and dated next to newer Apple Watches, and it comes only in two aluminum colors. Amazon's summary calls size mixed (some say it's too small) and compatibility mixed, with some owners noting it won't work with older iPhone models. A low-star Walmart reviewer says many calls and notifications never reach the watch.
Apple Watch Series 11
- Discontinued, and missing the Series 12's new tools
Wirecutter says Apple no longer sells it. Compared with the Series 12, you give up longer battery life, all-day continuous heart-rate monitoring, the Readiness score and the Audio Intelligence features.
Source: Wirecutter (Apple Watch guide) - Little change from the Series 10
Tom's Guide says it's so close to the Series 10 that it makes you wonder why Apple released it. Its review notes the same design and the same display brightness, and says Series 9 or 10 owners may not find enough to justify switching.
- Still a daily charge, and limited AI
It's rated for 24 hours (38 in Low Power Mode). Tom's Guide lists limited AI features as a con and says watchOS 26 brings no meaningful Siri upgrades. Amazon's review summary, by contrast, is entirely positive, and only about 5% of ratings are 1 or 2 stars.
Who should pick which
Pick the Apple Watch SE (3rd generation) if
iPhone owners who want a full Apple Watch for less
Smaller wrists (40 mm case)
Accurate workout and heart-rate tracking
Skip it if: You use an Android phone; You want to wear it for sleep without a daily charge; You want an ECG app or hypertension alerts
Pick the Apple Watch Series 11 if
iPhone owners who want ECG and hypertension alerts without paying for a Series 12
Buying leftover stock on sale
Upgrading from an Apple Watch older than the Series 9
Skip it if: You use an Android phone; You already own a Series 9 or 10; You want the Readiness score or all-day continuous heart-rate tracking
We don't list prices — they change daily. Paid links.
Neither one feels right?
If both catches are deal-breakers, start here.
Tom's Guide's best smartwatch overall: about a week-plus of battery, Garmin-like running features, offline maps and a sapphire screen for around $140, on any phone. It lacks the safety alerts, apps and polish of Apple and Google watches, and heart-rate tracking struggles on hard efforts.
Its catch: limited smartwatch featuresA third option · #2Garmin Forerunner 165A budget Garmin running watch with an AMOLED screen and GPS and heart-rate accuracy that Android Central found as good as pricier Forerunners, plus about 11 days of battery. It holds back Training Load and Training Status, music costs extra, and it's a fitness watch first, not a full smartwatch.
Its catch: key training features held backAll 12 comparedSee every smartwatch, rankedEach one's biggest complaint at a glance, with the full ranking.
Browse smartwatches & fitness trackers →