1. Apple Watch SE: All the Essentials Without the Overkill

If you're deep in the Apple ecosystem, the Watch SE is your go-to. It’s fast, sleek, and does everything most people want—fitness tracking, calls, texts, Apple Pay, and seamless iPhone integration. You won’t get the blood oxygen sensor or ECG like the Series 9, but for most people, that’s not a dealbreaker. Battery life is solid at 1.5–2 days, and you’ll save $100+ compared to the flagship model.

2. Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: The Android Powerhouse

For Android users, this is the smartwatch to beat.