This Apple Watch Model Is Still My Favorite - And It's The Cheapest One You Can Buy New

The Apple Watch SE 2 pictured pinch nan Spigen Crystal Liquid Pro Apple Watch band. 

Kayla Solino/ZDNET

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Apple's celebrated watch devices are disposable successful several models, and nan Watch SE 2 isn't nan latest guidelines action anymore. In September, Apple yet unveiled a refresh to nan wearable successful nan Watch SE 3. The SE 2 doesn't see each nan features of nan caller SE 3, but it's still a awesome guidelines exemplary wearable that is cleanable for a curious, first-time smartwatch purchaser aliases a kid -- and it's nan slightest costly Apple Watch you tin bargain caller correct now.

The SE 2 offers awesome worth for those looking to way basal wellness and fittingness metrics, support successful interaction pinch ease, and use from relationship to nan Apple ecosystem, truthful overmuch truthful that I still won't beryllium upgrading from my ain SE 2. 

Also: Apple Watch SE 3 vs. Watch SE 2: I compared nan 2 models, and there's a clear winner

I ain nan Watch SE 2, and it's been nan cleanable smartwatch companion to my mostly low-key tech lifestyle. It's proven awesome for search my workouts, steps, and different wellness metrics, and it has been a bully preamble to slumber tracking, too. Right now, you tin drawback my favourite watch exemplary (still), nan Watch SE 2 for up to $79 disconnected astatine Amazon. This applies to a fewer colour and set options, including nan Midnight and Starlight athletics bands. 

Also: I compared each Apple Watch successful 2025 - here's why I urge this exemplary nan most

The larger 44mm Apple Watch SE 2 is connected sale, too, for $199 successful prime colors. This value still isn't rather arsenic debased arsenic I saw nan watch driblet during Black Friday 2024 income (where it was concisely connected waste for $149), but it's still a adjacent magnitude of savings, moreover if it's an older model. Keep successful mind that this exemplary apt won't beryllium disposable successful new-in-box information for overmuch longer, arsenic nan Watch SE 3 will statesman to return complete nan shelves. 

The caller Watch SE 3 costs $249, and hasn't seen immoderate awesome discounts arsenic of yet. It's imaginable that it will driblet anyplace from $10-$40 disconnected successful November, but we'll person to hold and see. 

Kayla Solino/ZDNET

If you're not looking for nan precocious features offered successful nan newer Series 10, 11 aliases SE 3 models, nan Watch SE 2 is simply a awesome bargain pinch each nan essentials. You'd beryllium amazed really good this exemplary compares to Apple's different contenders. 

The SE offers users up to 18 hours of artillery life and 32GB of soul storage. It does connection immoderate of nan aforesaid wellness and information features arsenic nan Series 9, 10, and Ultra, though it doesn't way humor oxygen, execute ECG bosom checks, aliases cheque your temperature.

Also: The Apple Watch SE 3 is nan champion woody correct now - but I'm not upgrading for 2 large reasons

During Black Friday income past year, I upgraded from nan Series 3 Apple Watch to nan 40mm SE model, and I've ne'er been happier pinch a tech purchase. The SE has each nan basal features without nan analyzable bells and whistles I didn't want (or need) -- yet it still offers a crisp display, accelerated consequence rate, and seamless use. It's still perfectly cleanable for search my workouts and walks and for quickly answering texts, emails, and more. Plus, pinch nan savings I sewage from purchasing nan much basal SE model, I was capable to snag respective different watch bands to dress my look up aliases down. 

You tin besides shop nan Watch SE 2 astatine Best Buy and Walmart, though savings whitethorn differ. 

Looking for nan adjacent champion product? Get master reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.

How I rated this woody

Based connected nan up to $79 savings being offered, ZDNET's standing strategy gives this a 3/5 Editor's woody rating. This is not nan lowest connection I've seen successful my clip covering Apple Watch deals. The Watch SE 2 has been disposable during prime waste periods for arsenic debased arsenic $149 aliases $100 off. However, these offers lucifer nan savings prices I've seen offered during different waste events for illustration Amazon Prime Day. 

But, it whitethorn beryllium worthwhile to walk a spot much and salary nan $249 for nan newer Watch SE 3 (or hold for it to spot its first sale), but nan older and cheaper SE 2 is still a coagulated action for a first-time aliases no-fuss personification that doesn't want apical features aliases is getting their toes bedewed successful nan wearables market.