Skip the Apple Watch 11 — I tell everyone to buy the Apple Watch SE 3 instead, and here's why

(Image credit: Future)

As TechRadar's resident deals editor, I have family and friends who are always asking me what tech gadgets to buy and how to get the lowest price. A frequent question is around the best-selling Apple Watch - it's popular and pricey, and several models are available.

The advice I give? Don't buy Apple's latest and greatest smartwatch, the Apple Watch 11 - buy the budget Apple Watch SE 3 instead. While the Series 11 is crowned as one of the best smartwatches you can buy, it's packed with features that most people won't ever use.

The Apple Watch SE 3 is still well-equipped with features people love about Apple smartwatches, such as the ability to track activity and sleep, and new health metrics, including a heart and temperature sensor. The SE 3 also includes an always-on display, making it easier to read texts and alerts, packs Apple's powerful S10 chip, and provides up to 18 hours of battery life.

If I haven't convinced you yet to skip the Series 11 for the SE 3, this might be my winning argument: the price. While both smartwatches are currently on sale, the Apple Watch SE 3 is significantly cheaper, available now for just $219. If you are a smartwatch enthusiast and are convinced you must buy the Apple Watch 11, it's on sale for $299, so either way, you're getting a bargain Apple smartwatch.

Shop more of my favorite Apple deals at Amazon

Apple's latest base iPad is on sale for just $299, which is only $25 more than the record-low price. The most significant upgrade for this model versus the previous generation is the newer A16 chip for faster performance, but you'll also get double the storage as standard (128GB instead of 64GB). Other features include a sharp 11-inch Liquid Retina display and solid 12MP front- and rear-facing cameras, making this iPad the best iPad for casual streamers and scrollers.

Read our full 11-inch iPad A16 review

Display - 13-inch
Processor - Apple M4
RAM - 16GB
Storage - 512GB

With a powerful M4 chip, this MacBook Air can handle just about any task you throw at it, while its excellent display, comfortable keyboard, and impressive battery life round it out. Right now it's on sale for $1,049.99, saving you $150. This is my favorite model because it offers a little bit of everything: great performance, awesome portability, a fantastic display, and plenty of storage.

Read our full 13-inch MacBook Air (M4) review.

Mackenzie Frazier is the lead deals editor in the US for TechRadar at Future plc. She has been sharing deal advice for Future for the past eight years and loves finding products that consumers want at the best possible prices. She's had 11 years of experience working in e-commerce and loves being a mom to her two little boys.

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