The Apple Watch Series 10 Is My Favorite Smartwatch, and It’s $100 Off on Amazon

As a product reviewer for CNET, I’ve examined dozens of smartwatches to assist readers determine that are the very best ones to purchase and which are not well worth the cash. Every time I’m finished with a overview, I prefer to go bare-wristed for a number of days to provide myself a break. However, I observed one thing sudden after wrapping up my overview of the Apple Watch Series 10: For the primary time ever, I did not wish to take the gadget off.

I’ve all the time been looking out for a hybrid watch that strikes the best steadiness between a standard wristwatch and a smartwatch. Plenty of wearables over time have promised simply that, just like the Withings Scanwatch vary. The Series 10, which tops our checklist of the very best smartwatches for 2025, strikes the best steadiness for me as a result of it does not compromise on connectivity, health monitoring options or the general look. 

That’s due to the LTPO 3 expertise that lets the display screen refresh at 1Hz and provides the Series 10 a ticking second hand on a number of watch faces, even when the show is not actively getting used. It makes Apple’s system really feel like a daily watch when I’m not actively utilizing it, which is completely different from another smartwatch I’ve examined. And proper now, you will get it for as a lot as $100 off throughout Amazon’s Big Spring Sale. 

I like with the ability to change up the look by switching between the Reflections watch face, with its sweeping “analog” second hand, and Activity Digital, with its digital seconds counter. I want there have been extra watch faces that supported this ticking second hand. There is Flux, however I’ve discovered myself siding with Redditors who assume it is form of goofy. (If you have discovered a coloration mixture that makes it really feel much less comical, let me know!)

The ticking second hand is not simply an aesthetic alternative, or for the instances when I’m anxiously checking to verify I’m not too early for my subsequent assembly. It’s additionally sensible for people in numerous professions, like well being care staff who must have a second hand even after the show instances out.

More than the ticking second hand, it is the show itself

I used to be skeptical that the Series 10’s wide-angle OLED show would make that a lot distinction to the viewing expertise. Apple says it is as much as 40% brighter than earlier watch shows once you’re it off-axis. So after all I needed to examine it to each different Apple Watch in my overview cupboard, together with the Series 9. 

When utilizing my eyes alone I’m not in a position to quantify how a lot brighter it seems as a share, there isn’t any query the Series 10 is less complicated to see and appears brighter than different Apple Watch fashions with the identical watch face. 

The Series 10 does not have the identical battery life or rugged building, however I miss its show when I’ve to modify to the $799 Apple Watch Ultra 2. 

Apple Watch Series 10 specs

• Case sizes: 42mm, 46mm
• Battery life: Up to 18 hours
• Screen: LTPO3 OLED Always-On Retina show
• Refresh fee: 1Hz
• Brightness: Up to 2,000 nits
• Water resistance: Up to 50m

Why I by no means wish to take it off 

It’s not simply the show that is made it exhausting for me to take away the Series 10 from my wrist. There’s virtually each well being and health monitoring characteristic I might need, from a variety of biking instruments to sleep apnea notifications, which is a part of the explanation this watch tops our checklist of the very best smartwatches for 2025.

Then there’s WatchOS 11, which brings useful security instruments like Check In to my wrist, so I not should manually ship the “I’m house!” message to family and friends. If solely it labored with recipients who do not use iMessage: I actually hope Apple will add compatibility for RCS messaging for this indispensable security software, identical to FaceTime works on Android by means of an internet hyperlink.

I now perceive what individuals imply once they say they really feel bare once they go away their home with out their telephones. Except for me, it is a watch.

The Apple Watch Series 10 is often listed at $499, however you will get one for as a lot as $100 off now throughout Amazon’s Big Spring Sale. Prices differ fairly an enormous relying on case dimension, end and band sort, so be sure you click on round to see all of your choices, and double-check the value of your chosen configuration earlier than finalizing your buy. And in the event you’re getting a head-start on reward purchasing for a brand new grad or Mother’s Day, take a look at our checklist of the very best commencement presents and finest presents for Mom.