THERE’S A BIG wide world of fitness trackers out there, but arguably none more ubiquitous than the Apple Watch. Its familiar iOS interface and sleek design have made it one of the most popular smartwatches, and it’s an editor’s favorite here at Men’s Health. We’re scoping for sales on Apple Watch models this Memorial Day and have already found a handful worth a second look.
We’ve been testing out fitness trackers since 2015, and have have reviewed the Apple SE, Series 9, Series 10, Ultra 2, SE 3, Series 11, and Ultra 3, just to name a few. While it may have started out as just a companion for your iPhone, the Apple Watch is now a comprehensive health and fitness powerhouse that keeps you in-tune with training your body.
The Series 11 is the most current option available, however, the Series 9 watch is still an excellent option. Its 45-mm case fits most wrists and a bright always-on display requires only a quick glance to check the time. Health sensors include the optical heart rate monitor, ECG and blood oxygen apps, along with safety features like fall and crash detection.
The Series 10 is $85 off the 46-mm aluminum case. Its wide-angle display makes for a large face that’s easy to read from different angles. With an always-on screen that hits 2,000 nits of brightness, it’s readable even in direct sunlight—perfect for outdoor workouts or marathon training.
Much like the iPhone, customers clamor for the latest, leaving a lot of perfectly good previous models lightly used and refurbished. You’ll find bigger discounts on “renewed” models from Amazon that can save you up to $400 in the case of the Apple Series 7.
A renewed Ultra 2 is also up for grabs which is ideal for serious hikers and trail runners. Its battery life is in a league of its own—rated at 36 hours, but our testing found it lasting for over 48 hours between charging when tracking workouts and other daily activities. The Ultra 2 also has a dual-frequency GPS for better precision and measures under-water depths up to 40 meters.
If you find a refurbished model that fits your needs, we suggest you act fast. Availability is limited and the deep discounts have units moving.
Danny Perez is a Reviews Editor for Popular Mechanics with a focus on men’s style, gear, and home goods. Recently, he was coordinator of partnership content at another product journalism outlet. Prior to that, he was a buyer for an independent men’s shop in Houston, Texas, where he learned all about what makes great products great. He enjoys thrifting for 90s Broadway tees and vintage pajama sets. His spare time is occupied by watching movies and running to impress strangers on Strava.
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