The smartest ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years

Trying to predict which individual shares will outperform over the next decade is a tough ask. Markets change, leadership rotates, and even great companies can disappoint for long stretches.

That’s why many long-term investors prefer exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which offer diversification and exposure to powerful structural trends without the pressure of stock-picking.

If the goal is to buy, hold, and let compounding do the heavy lifting over the next 10 years, these three ASX ETFs stand out.

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF gives investors access to 100 of the largest non-financial stocks that are listed on the famous Nasdaq exchange. This includes global leaders across technology, consumer services, healthcare, and industrial innovation.

While the Magnificent Seven often grab the headlines, the fund’s strength runs deeper. The index also includes businesses like Costco Wholesale Corp (NASDAQ: COST), Adobe (NASDAQ: ADBE), PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP), Intuit (NASDAQ: INTU), and Shopify (NASDAQ: SHOP). These companies boast long track records of profitability and growth reinvestment.

Over a decade-long timeframe, the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF offers exposure to innovation, productivity gains, and digital transformation across the global economy.

Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

The Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF focuses on the rise of Asia’s technology champions, excluding Japan. It provides exposure to stocks that are shaping how billions of people shop, communicate, pay, and consume digital services.

Its holdings include Tencent Holdings (SEHK: 700), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE: TSM), Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA), Samsung Electronics, and PDD Holdings (NASDAQ: PDD). These businesses sit at the heart of e-commerce, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and digital payments across the region.

Asia’s growing middle class, rapid urbanisation, and accelerating digital adoption create a long runway for growth. The Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF adds geographic and economic diversification that could complement US-focused ETFs over a 10-year horizon.

Betashares Australian Quality ETF (ASX: AQLT)

Rather than chasing the fastest growers or the highest yields, the Betashares Australian Quality ETF takes a more measured approach. It focuses on established Australian stocks with strong balance sheets, consistent earnings, and resilient business models.

Its portfolio leans heavily toward market leaders such as BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), and Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG). These are businesses that tend to generate reliable cash flows across economic cycles.

What makes this ASX ETF different is its emphasis on financial strength and sustainability rather than short-term momentum. Over a decade, this quality bias can help smooth returns while still delivering solid long-term growth. It was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

The post The smartest ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• The ASX ETFs to buy in 2026 and then never sell
• Where to invest $10,000 in ASX ETFs for 2026
• 3 reasons to buy the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (NDQ) ETF in 2026
• The smartest ASX ETFs for investors in their 20s and 30s
• 3 ASX ETFs that could quietly make you rich

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF and Betashares Capital – Asia Technology Tigers Etf. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Adobe, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Costco Wholesale, Intuit, Macquarie Group, Shopify, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Tencent, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Alibaba Group and has recommended the following options: long January 2028 $330 calls on Adobe and short January 2028 $340 calls on Adobe. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Macquarie Group, and Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Adobe, BHP Group, Shopify, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.