This Apple Watch model is my favorite and I use it daily – right now, it’s over 30% off

Apple’s common watch units can be found in a number of fashions, and the Watch SE (2nd Gen) remains to be the most recent base mannequin watch to hit the market. Regardless of Apple unveiling the Watch Sequence 10 in September 2024, the SE didn’t get an improve as initially rumored. Whereas it isn’t full of all of the Sequence 9 or 10 options, it provides nice worth for these trying to observe fundamental well being and health metrics, maintain in touch with ease, and profit from connection to the Apple ecosystem. 

Additionally: The Apple Watch Extremely 2 is the premium smartwatch I want – this is why

I personal the Watch SE (2nd Gen), and it has been the proper smartwatch companion to my largely low-key tech way of life. It is confirmed nice for monitoring my exercises, steps, and different well being metrics, and it has been a fantastic introduction to sleep monitoring. Proper now, you possibly can seize my favourite watch mannequin (and Apple’s most modern base mannequin), the Watch SE (2nd Gen) for $80 off at Walmart.

This deal solely applies to the 40mm mannequin with both Starlight, Midnight, or Denim Sport Band. The 44mm Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) is on sale, too, for $199. That is not fairly as little as I noticed the watch drop throughout Black Friday gross sales (the place it was briefly on sale for $149), however previous to this value drop, the Watch SE hadn’t seen many reductions in any respect, so this 32% off supply is strong. 

For those who’re not searching for the superior options supplied within the newer Sequence 9, 10, or Extremely and Extremely 2 fashions, the watch SE is a superb purchase with all of the necessities. You would be shocked how properly this mannequin compares to Apple’s different contenders. 

The SE provides customers as much as 18 hours of battery life and 32GB of inner storage. It does supply a number of the similar well being and security options because the Sequence 9, 10, and Extremely, although it does not observe blood oxygen, carry out ECG coronary heart checks, or verify your temperature.

Additionally: I ran with Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 Traditional, and it each humbled and motivated me

Throughout Black Friday gross sales final yr, I upgraded from the Sequence 3 Apple Watch to the 40mm SE mannequin, and I’ve by no means been happier with a tech buy. The SE has all the required options with out the sophisticated bells and whistles I did not need (or want) — but it nonetheless provides a crisp show, quick response charge, and seamless use. It is good for monitoring my exercises and walks and for shortly answering texts, emails, and extra. Plus, with the financial savings I received from buying the extra fundamental SE mannequin, I used to be capable of snag a number of totally different watch bands to decorate my search for or down. 

In search of the subsequent greatest product? Get skilled evaluations and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.

How I rated this deal

Primarily based on the 32% off financial savings being supplied, ZDNET’s ranking system provides this a 4/5 Editor’s deal ranking. This isn’t the bottom supply I’ve seen in my time masking Apple Watch offers. The Watch SE (2nd Gen) has been accessible throughout choose sale intervals for as little as $149 or $100 off. Nevertheless, this $169 supply matches the financial savings value I noticed supplied throughout Amazon’s Large Spring Sale and Memorial Day weekend, and is the second-lowest value I’ve seen it discounted.