3 Best Apple Watches For Cheap 2025 in the United States

The Apple Watch Series 10 offers significant improvements and advanced features making it a strong contender among affordable smartwatches. At 42mm, this model balances a larger screen with a lightweight design, ensuring comfortable wear. It provides an impressive range of health and fitness features, including ECG monitoring, heart rate notifications, sleep tracking, and various workout metrics, making it an excellent choice for fitness enthusiasts.

The Always-On Retina Display is a nice touch, allowing you to easily glance at the screen without needing to activate it manually. Connectivity is robust with built-in GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.3, enabling seamless interaction with your iPhone and other Apple services. One outstanding aspect is its emergency features such as Fall Detection and Emergency SOS, adding a layer of safety. The watch is water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming and other aquatic activities.

Battery life spans up to 18 hours with normal use, which might require daily charging, but it does come with fast charging to mitigate this inconvenience. Compatibility is limited to iPhone XS or later, which could be a drawback for users with older models or different brands. Customization options are wide-ranging with multiple band styles and customizable watch faces. For an eco-conscious choice, this model is carbon neutral when paired with select bands. It packs a lot of high-tech features into a relatively affordable package, though users should ensure their current devices are compatible due to its dependency on the Apple ecosystem.

The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) stands out as a strong contender in the affordable smartwatch category, especially for users looking for a blend of functionality and style. One of its significant strengths is its comprehensive health and fitness features, including a heart rate monitor, sleep tracking, and fall detection, making it an excellent choice for those focused on personal wellness and safety. The workout app is user-friendly and offers advanced metrics, which can motivate users to stay active.

In terms of connectivity, the watch allows you to stay in touch through calls, texts, and music streaming, which is ideal for those who want to remain connected without constantly checking their phones. Its compatibility extends seamlessly with other Apple devices, enhancing the user experience.

The design is another highlight—it's stylish, customizable, and water-resistant up to 50 meters, perfect for those who want a fashionable yet functional accessory. Additionally, the carbon-neutral aspect when paired with select bands showcases Apple's commitment to environmental sustainability. However, there are a few drawbacks to consider. While the watch offers a lot of features, it doesn't have some advanced capabilities found in more expensive models, such as an always-on display or the ability to take ECG readings. The 40mm size might also be small for some users, especially those who prefer larger watches. Battery life is decent but varies based on usage, so frequent heavy use may require more regular charging. Lastly, while it’s designed for compatibility with Apple devices, users who rely on Android might find it limiting. For anyone already invested in the Apple ecosystem looking for an affordable entry into smartwatches, the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) is a great choice, but it might not be the best fit for those outside that ecosystem or those seeking high-end features.

The Apple Watch Series 9 is a stylish and functional smartwatch that caters well to health-conscious individuals and those seeking to stay connected while on the go. Its 41mm size and lightweight pink aluminum case make it appealing for everyday wear, especially for those who prioritize aesthetics. One of its standout features is the advanced health tracking capabilities, including ECG monitoring and detailed sleep stage analysis, which can help users gain valuable insights into their overall wellbeing.

In terms of fitness, the watch offers various workout modes and connects seamlessly with Apple Fitness+, providing a more engaging workout experience. Safety features like Fall Detection and Crash Detection add an extra layer of security, making it suitable for active users.

The watch requires an iPhone XS or newer for complete functionality, which may limit its accessibility for users with older devices. The battery life, although decent, may not last through extended periods of heavy use, especially with continuous health monitoring activated. Additionally, while the customizable features are a nice touch, they might not be sufficient to justify the premium price tag for some budget-conscious consumers. Compatibility with other Apple devices is a big plus, as it allows for convenient features like unlocking your Mac or using Apple Pay, making it a solid choice for those already in the Apple ecosystem. However, the cost may still be a barrier for users looking for a more economical option in the smartwatch market.