Smartwatches and wearables are finally finding their place in tech. They’ve become robust health-trackers in recent years, and what better way to help your loved ones care for themselves than with a gift that will help monitor their wellbeing? Smartwatches have also become more affordable lately, and even Apple has a new sub-$300 watch in its lineup. Though the most popular products in this category are wristwear and wireless earbuds since they can be worn by most people, there are other gadgets to consider, and we’ve included a few in this guide.
Starting at $280, the Watch SE offers plenty of modern features for the price. It has a big, bright screen, the same speedy processor as the Series 5 and runs the new watchOS 7. Your loved one will appreciate features like automatic hand-wash detection, robust fitness tracking and helpful apps. While its sleep-tracking tool lags the competition, the Watch SE still beats every other smartwatch when it comes to iPhone integration and everyday performance.
For someone who’s never owned a smartwatch, the Watch SE will be an exciting introduction to the category. Plus, with Apple’s new Family Setup tool, your parents or children don’t even have to own an iPhone to be able to use the Watch SE — just use your own iPhone once to set it up for them. If you have more room in your budget, the Series 6 brings blood oxygen monitoring and ECG , which the health-obsessed will appreciate.
