Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter
Kate Spade Pavé Scallop Link Apple Watch Band — Top Pick
Amazon deal price: $64 (deal on rose gold); street price: $148
Walmart deal price: $340; street price: $390
What we like: Our top designer Apple Watch band pick for special occasions. A nice, sturdy bracelet that makes the Apple Watch feel elegant, whether you wear jewelry regularly or just need a decorative band for special occasions. Has removable links that don’t require tools to adjust the band. Folding clasp hides where the bracelet starts and ends.
Other things to know: The embellished stones merely mimic the look of diamonds, but they refract light beautifully without being too flashy. Is available only for the 38 mm, 40 mm, and 41 mm case sizes. Lowest deal price is on rose gold.
Read more: Apple Watch Bands We Like
Apple Watch SE (3rd Generation, 40 mm, Aluminum Case) — Top Pick
Amazon deal price: $200 (40 mm); street price: $240
Walmart deal price: $200 (40 mm); street price: $240
What we like: Our new top smartwatch pick for iPhone owners. The always-on display is a huge upgrade. Packed with tons of health, fitness, and emergency safety features. Plenty powerful, with the same latest-gen S10 system-on-chip processor as its pricier siblings.
Other things to know: Battery life is average at best, but it charges fast. 40 mm screen may be too small for some people. Deal is for aluminum case with the Sport Band.
Read more: The Apple Watch Is the Best Smartwatch for iPhone Owners
Apple Watch SE (3rd Generation, 44 mm, Aluminum Case) — Top Pick
Walmart deal price: $230 (available in Midnight Aluminum with Sport Band); street price: $270
What we like: Our new top smartwatch pick for iPhone owners. The always-on display is a huge upgrade. Packed with tons of health, fitness, and emergency safety features. Plenty powerful, with the same latest-gen S10 system-on-chip processor as its pricier siblings.
Other things to know: Battery life is average at best, but it charges fast. Deal is for the aluminum case in beige or blue.
Read more: The Apple Watch Is the Best Smartwatch for iPhone Owners
Apple Watch Series 10 Smartwatch (46 mm, Aluminum Case) — Former Pick
Walmart deal price: $280 (46 mm); street price: $350
What we like: An Apple smartwatch worth considering on sale. The only things you miss out on versus the Series 11 are longer battery life and a tougher display, as the Series 10 (and Series 9) also support Apple’s latest health features, the hypertension alerts and Sleep Score.
Other things to know: Discontinued. Includes two temperature sensors, car-crash detection, emergency SOS, an always-on display, sleep apnea detection, and faster charging than previous models. Deal for the GPS enabled, 46 mm Aluminum Case with the black or blue Sport Band or the purple or black Sport Loop.
Read more: The Apple Watch Is the Best Smartwatch for iPhone Owners
Apple Watch Series 11 Smartwatch (42 mm, Aluminum Case) — Upgrade Pick
Amazon deal price: $340; street price: $390
Walmart deal price: $340; street price: $390
What we like: Our upgrade Apple smartwatch pick for iPhone owners. An excellent smartwatch, with a large, vivid, more scratch-resistant display and advanced health and fitness features, including FDA-cleared hypertension alerts. Screen-size difference is meaningful, you can view more information at a glance, and using the on-screen keyboard to type messages is easier. Can last a day and a half on a charge.
Other things to know: The Series 11 is so similar to the Series 10, which is also gaining the hypertension-alerts feature, that we recommend most people buy the older model on sale. The Series 11 with 44 mm Aluminum Case and Sport Band is currently discount.
Read more: The Apple Watch Is the Best Smartwatch for iPhone Owners
Spigen Lite Fit Apple Watch Band — Top Pick
Spigen deal price: $12; street price: $20
What we like: Our top pick for the best alternative to Apple’s Sport Loop. More affordable, and one of the lightest and most comfortable bands we’ve tested. Stays put all day. Minimalist aesthetic goes with anything. Accommodates many wrist sizes.
Other things to know: Material takes a while to dry, so not the best option if you like to wear your watch swimming or in the shower.
Read more: Apple Watch Bands We Like
Wristpop Mustang Apple Watch Band — Top Pick
Wristpop deal price: $49; street price: $69
What we like: Our top pick for a stylish vegan leather Apple Watch band. Versatile, and surprisingly comfortable to wear. Durable, quality construction.
Other things to know: Approximately 0.75 inch wide for the small (38 mm, 40 mm, 41 mm, 42 mm), making it good for people with slimmer wrists. Only has eight holes for adjusting (fewer than on many other bands we tested). Only available with silver clasps. The small band for 38 mm, 40 mm, 41 mm, and 42 mm is the only band in stock currently.
Read more: Apple Watch Bands We Like
Barton Watch Bands Apple Watch Adapter — Top Pick
Amazon deal price: $14; street price: $18
What we like: Our top pick for the best Apple Watch band adapter. Turns a traditional watch band into something you can use with an Apple Watch. Looks and feels the same as the hardware on any other Apple Watch band. Made by a reliable and responsive company.
Other things to know: To attach and remove bands, you’ll need a spring-bar tool or have a watch band with a quick-release adapter. Limited color choices, so it may contrast with the metal shade of your Apple Watch.
Read more: Apple Watch Bands We Like
Apple Watch Series 11 Smartwatch (42 mm, Aluminum Case) — Upgrade Pick
Best Buy deal price: $340; street price: $390
Target deal price: $340; street price: $390
What we like: Our upgrade Apple smartwatch pick for iPhone owners. An excellent smartwatch, with a large, vivid, more scratch-resistant display and advanced health and fitness features, including FDA-cleared hypertension alerts. Screen-size difference is meaningful, you can view more information at a glance, and using the on-screen keyboard to type messages is easier. Can last a day and a half on a charge.
Other things to know: The Series 11 is so similar to the Series 10, which is also gaining the hypertension-alerts feature, that we recommend most people buy the older model on sale. The Series 11 with 44 mm Aluminum Case and Sport Band is currently discount.
Read more: The Apple Watch Is the Best Smartwatch for iPhone Owners
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Smartwatch — Best For…
Amazon deal price: $700 (deal on blue); street price: $800
Costco deal price: $700 (Costco membership required, add $5 shipping); street price: $800
What we like: Our Apple watch pick for those wanting for a long battery life. Rugged design can compete with dedicated diving and running watches. Features a flat-edged screen, larger Digital Crown, and side Action button for quickly launching apps. The brightest display specs of any Apple Watch, and is easy to read in sunlight. Can connect to satellites for off-grid messaging and emergency SOS. Battery life is more than double that of the Series 11.
Other things to know: 49 mm case makes it the biggest Apple Watch. If you don’t need the sportier features, the large size and high price might be a turnoff. Costco members pay $5 shipping.
Read more: The Apple Watch Is the Best Smartwatch for iPhone Owners
