'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) is $60 off right now on Amazon
If you are an Apple device user and are interested in trying out a smartwatch for the first time, the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) is the perfect smartwatch for you. The best part is that you don't even have to pay full price on the already affordable model -- the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) is $60 off at Amazon right now.
Figuring out which smartwatch to buy can be challenging with so many options on the market. I recently went through the process of finding the perfect smartwatch for my boyfriend, so I can give you some fresh insight into how I decided to buy this watch, which -- by the way -- was a smashing success.
Also: The best smartwatches of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed
It boiled down to two main points: Is he an Apple user, and what did he want the watch for?
If you -- or the person you are shopping for -- is an Apple user who needs a watch that fulfills basic functions like fitness tracking, heart-rate monitoring, sleep insights, Crash Detection, water resistance, and a good battery, the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) is a perfect fit.
The Apple Watch SE will be the most seamless smartwatch addition for an Apple user since its watchOS software mirrors the iPhone's iOS, making it a natural integration into the ecosystem.
In addition, despite being the most budget-friendly model, the Apple Watch SE boasts many of the same health and safety features found in the more advanced Apple Watch models. In fact, the features it doesn't have -- including blood oxygen tracking and temperature taking -- are ones that most first-time users would likely not need anyway.
Also: The best Apple Watches of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed
When picking a screen size, I went with the 40mm, which happens to be the one on sale for $189, because I prefer to reduce the bulk of a wearable as much as possible, and I knew he would, too. I attached a photo of the watch on his wrist for added perspective.
If you do choose to go the 44mm route, it's also on sale for $60 off, making it $219 as opposed to its regular $280 price tag.
Jumping on the deal is especially worth considering because Apple products rarely go on sale, and a 24% discount can save you quite a bit of money.