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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Apple Watch complications put small bits of information or app shortcuts directly on a watch face. The most useful choices depend on what you want to check or launch regularly—and on which complication positions your chosen face provides.
The Stuff article behind the “13” headline names eleven recommendations in its accessible body. This guide covers those eleven rather than guessing at two missing entries.
Choose a watch face before choosing complications
Complications are the information displays and shortcuts arranged around a watch face. Their number and placement vary by face, so start by deciding which details you want to see and where you can comfortably read them. Stuff’s 20 September 2026 article describes Infographic as supporting up to eight complications, while other faces may offer six, four, or two positions. Those figures are the article’s description, not a universal limit for every watchOS version or face.
A larger slot can suit a readable progress indicator or a detailed data display; a small slot may work better as a simple launch point. The options below range from Apple features to third-party apps, and the cited article does not establish a complete model, watchOS, or app-compatibility matrix. Check the current app listing and Apple documentation for your specific setup before relying on a feature.
#1 Best Overall
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/416RQ0rtsUL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
Compare the eleven named options
| Complication | Best suited to | At-a-glance information or shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Camera Remote | Taking group photos with the paired iPhone | Opens a live camera view and triggers the shutter |
| Workout | Starting an exercise session | Shortcut to Apple’s Workout app and its workout types |
| Oura | Checking ring-related wellness and activity measures | Can show selected scores or activity data, or open the app |
| Structured | Keeping a task or daily timeline in view | Upcoming tasks, task inbox, or timeline |
| Calculator | Quick calculations, such as splitting a bill | Opens Calculator |
| Calendar | Checking the date or schedule | Schedule, lunar date, today’s date, or next agenda item, depending on the app |
| Flighty | Following a flight | Flight countdown and alerts such as delays or gate changes |
| WaterMinder | Tracking progress toward a hydration target | Progress as a ring or percentage, depending on slot size |
| Sleep | Reviewing sleep information and controls | Sleep measures, schedule, and alarm controls |
| CARROT Weather | Checking weather conditions | Temperature, UV index, rain chances, and other details |
| Google Maps | Opening maps or navigation | Opens the watch app or starts navigation home |
| Pedometer++ | Checking a step count | Displays a step count |
For quick actions and everyday utilities
Camera Remote
Choose Camera Remote if you often set up an iPhone for a group photo and want to see the camera view and trigger the shutter from your wrist, as described by Stuff.
Workout
The Workout complication is a direct route into Apple’s Workout app. Stuff notes that users can select workout types including Pilates and outdoor running. The article contrasts this shortcut with the Action Button on Apple Watch Ultra; that comparison does not establish that one method is better for every wearer.
Rank #2
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Light Blush Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31caPPnRysL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
Calculator
Calculator is a launch shortcut rather than a constantly visible calculation. It is useful when you want to get to a quick sum—splitting a bill is Stuff’s example—without first finding the app elsewhere.
For health, activity, and routines
Oura
Stuff describes Oura complication choices for Readiness Score, Sleep Score, Activity Score, steps, active calorie burn, battery level, or an app shortcut. Choose the specific display that fits the slot and information you actually want to check. The article also mentions Ultrahuman as another ring app with complications, but does not detail its metrics.
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Rank #3
![Apple Watch SE 3 [GPS 40mm] Smartwatch with Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Band - S/M. Fitness and Sleep Trackers, Heart Rate Monitor, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31YiTby0pOL._SL160_.jpg)
- GET SMARTER HEALTH INSIGHTS—Apple Watch SE 3 is an advanced health tracker that helps you better understand your body. The smartwatch sends alerts for an irregular heart rhythm, or an unusually high or low heart rate.* You can view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app,* track your sleep score, and get sleep apnea notifications.*
- A GREAT FITNESS TRACKER—SE 3 can track your workouts in a healthy number of ways—from running and strength training to simply achieving your 10K steps a day. With real-time metrics and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone,* you’ll hit your goals like never before.
- KEEP HELP CLOSE AT HAND—SE 3 is a smartwatch that can detect a hard fall or severe car crash and automatically help connect you to emergency services and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- WOMEN’S HEALTH INSIGHTS—SE 3 has advanced sensors that track your wrist temperature while you sleep. With this smartwatch, you can log your periods and symptoms, get period predictions, and get notified of cycle deviations.*
- GREAT BATTERY LIFE AND FASTER CHARGING—Enjoy a smartwatch with all-day, 18-hour battery life* from sunup to sundown. Then charge up to twice as fast as SE 2* and get up to 8 hours of battery in just 15 minutes.*
WaterMinder
WaterMinder is for people who set a hydration target and want progress on the face. Stuff says the display can appear as a ring or percentage depending on complication size; a percentage may suit a compact position, while a ring makes progress more visual.
Sleep
Stuff describes the Sleep app as providing access to sleep score, stages, time asleep, a 14-day consistency view, schedule, and alarm controls. Treat these as app information and controls, not medical advice or a diagnosis.
Rank #4
![Apple Watch SE 3 [GPS 40mm] Smartwatch with Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band - S/M. Fitness and Sleep Trackers, Heart Rate Monitor, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31Gq8SToFJL._SL160_.jpg)
- GET SMARTER HEALTH INSIGHTS—Apple Watch SE 3 is an advanced health tracker that helps you better understand your body. The smartwatch sends alerts for an irregular heart rhythm, or an unusually high or low heart rate.* You can view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app,* track your sleep score, and get sleep apnea notifications.*
- A GREAT FITNESS TRACKER—SE 3 can track your workouts in a healthy number of ways—from running and strength training to simply achieving your 10K steps a day. With real-time metrics and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone,* you’ll hit your goals like never before.
- KEEP HELP CLOSE AT HAND—SE 3 is a smartwatch that can detect a hard fall or severe car crash and automatically help connect you to emergency services and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- WOMEN’S HEALTH INSIGHTS—SE 3 has advanced sensors that track your wrist temperature while you sleep. With this smartwatch, you can log your periods and symptoms, get period predictions, and get notified of cycle deviations.*
- GREAT BATTERY LIFE AND FASTER CHARGING—Enjoy a smartwatch with all-day, 18-hour battery life* from sunup to sundown. Then charge up to twice as fast as SE 2* and get up to 8 hours of battery in just 15 minutes.*
Pedometer++ and the changing step-count picture
Pedometer++ is the named option in the 20 September 2026 Stuff article for counting steps and putting the count on the watch face. That article says Apple’s native Activity complication shows ring progress rather than steps. A later Stuff comparison, dated 30 September 2026, reports a redesigned pedometer enabling a step complication on Apple Watch Series 12 and Watch Ultra 4. The two accounts differ, and the later report names specific models without providing rollout or watchOS details. Do not assume the native step complication is available—or unavailable—on every Apple Watch; check the features offered on your model and software version.
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Structured
Structured can put upcoming tasks on the face or provide a route into its task inbox or timeline, according to Stuff. It fits a face chosen for planning, especially when a glance at what comes next is more useful than a generic app shortcut.
Best Value
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41s72HIk5TL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
Calendar
Stuff describes Apple Calendar complications for a schedule, lunar date, or today’s date. It says Google Calendar can show the next agenda item and current date. Select the calendar app and display that match the information you want visible; the article does not specify compatibility requirements for particular watch models or software releases.
Flighty
Flighty is aimed at travelers tracking a flight. Stuff says its Apple Watch app provides flight countdowns and alerts for changes such as delays and gate updates. Because these details can change while traveling, an alert-oriented complication is more useful for monitoring a trip than a static date display.
Google Maps
Stuff describes Google Maps as a way to open the Apple Watch app or navigate home. It also mentions Apple Maps options for public transport and directions. Pick the maps app and shortcut that fit your usual journey; no broader feature or regional-availability comparison is established by the cited article.
For weather at a glance
CARROT Weather
Stuff describes CARROT Weather complications for information including temperature, UV index, and rain chances, and reports that the app offers 25 complications. That count and feature description are from its 20 September 2026 article, not an independently verified current catalogue. Check the app’s current options before choosing a face around a particular display.
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Quick Recap
How to make the shortlist useful
- Start with a recurring need: choose the detail or action you reach for repeatedly, such as the next calendar item, hydration progress, or a flight update.
- Match it to the slot: decide whether you need a live glanceable value or simply a fast way to open an app; then choose a face position that can display it clearly.
- Check your exact setup: confirm the current app listing and Apple documentation for your watch model and watchOS, because the cited coverage does not provide a complete compatibility chart.
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