(checked 2026-10-10)
Wirecutter's top pick for iPhone owners and its best smartwatch for fitness tracking, with an always-on screen and most of the flagship's health features for $249. The trade-off is battery life: it needs charging about once a day, which is the top complaint from Wirecutter and from low-star buyers.
Top complaints
- Needs charging almost every day
Apple rates it at 18 hours. Wirecutter got 23 hours and calls it the worst battery among its fitness-tracker picks, adding that sleep tracking means charging at some point during the day. Amazon's review summary says battery life is mixed, with some owners saying it doesn't stay charged long. Several 1-star Walmart reviews say they must charge it every night or that it drains quickly.
- Missing some health features of the Series 12
Wirecutter and Tom's Guide note the SE lacks the ECG app and hypertension alerts. Tom's Guide adds that it also lacks blood-oxygen readings and uses an older heart-rate sensor.
- Small screen, limited finishes, iPhone compatibility
Wirecutter says the screen may feel small and dated next to newer Apple Watches, and it comes only in two aluminum colors. Amazon's summary calls size mixed (some say it's too small) and compatibility mixed, with some owners noting it won't work with older iPhone models. A low-star Walmart reviewer says many calls and notifications never reach the watch.
What owners love
- Most of the flagship for much less
Wirecutter says the always-on display, S10 chip and features like sleep apnea notifications, fall and crash detection, and a Sleep Score make the cheapest Apple Watch the best one for most people.
Source: Wirecutter (Apple Watch guide) - Accurate workout tracking
In Wirecutter's fitness-tracker tests it measured heart rate accurately and slightly beat the Fitbits on distance, though it undercounted steps. Amazon owners say it tracks sleep and gym activity well.
- Fast charging
Wirecutter measured 53% after 30 minutes and 96% after an hour, much faster than the previous SE.
Source: Wirecutter (Apple Watch guide)
- You use an Android phone
- You want to wear it for sleep without a daily charge
- You want an ECG app or hypertension alerts
- iPhone owners who want a full Apple Watch for less
- Smaller wrists (40 mm case)
- Accurate workout and heart-rate tracking
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Top pick for iPhone owners (updated 2026-09-17). The flaws are average battery life, a screen that may feel small, and limited color options.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Best smartwatch for tracking fitness (updated 2026-10-01), but its battery life is the worst of the guide's picks.
- Tom's Guide: Listed under 'Also consider': basically a cheaper Series 10 that drops hypertension alerts, ECG and blood-oxygen monitoring.