Fire HD 8 Kids Edition.
Photograph: AmazonThose looking for the ideal children’s tablet should look no further than the Fire HD 8 Kids. It comes equipped with all the same features of a regular Fire tablet plus a two-year warranty, a protective case, and a free year of Amazon Kids+ which gives you access to Audible books, games, and more.
The Fire HD 10 Kids Pro is (quite literally) a better fit for older kids since its 10-inch display is larger than the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition. You’ll also have the ability to install apps from the Kids app—with access to parental controls—a free year of Amazon Kids+, and a less rugged (but still protective) case.
The problem with Amazon’s Fire tablets above is that they do not have the Google Play Store, so you don’t have the rich app library as other Android tablets. If that’s what you’re looking for, go for the Galaxy Tab S7. It’s pricier, but you get a sharp 11-inch LCD display with a 120-Hz refresh rate, an S Pen stylus for drawing and taking notes, as well as support for Samsung’s DeX mode software (which provides a desktop-like experience when connected to a monitor or Bluetooth keyboard).
This tablet is very similar to the Galaxy Tab S7, but it has a larger, 12.4-inch display. It has a premium feel and comes with the S Pen. The trade-off is that the performance is only midrange, there’s no fingerprint scanner, and the screen doesn’t hit the 120 Hz refresh rate of the standard S7.
Smartwatch Deals
Samsung Galaxy Watch4
Photograph: SamsungThe Galaxy Watch4 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is our favorite fitness tracker for Android owners for a few reasons. It’s not only the first smartwatch to run Wear OS 3 (Google’s newest operating system created in collaboration with Fitbit and Samsung), but its sensors track metrics like ECG, SpO2, sleep, and heart rate—all packed into in a sleek and comfortable wrist wearable. It’s worth noting, however, that it only works with Android phones, and the ECG function only works if you have a newer Samsung phone.
The Fitbit Charge 4 was our favorite all-around smartwatch when it came out. That’s the model that introduced features not normally seen on inexpensive wearables (like built-in GPS). The Charge 5 keeps those stand-out features and packs a few new ones, including a heart rate sensor, in a watch that’s about 10 percent thinner than its predecessor.
With a decent discount, the Apple Watch Series 6 is easy to recommend for iPhone owners. It is our favorite Apple Watch right now, with lots of complications, apps, and every feature you are likely to want in a smartwatch. You can even get optical wrist-based SpO2 measurements and ECGs. It’s also quick to charge and can track your sleep.
Apple Watch SE.
Photograph: AppleThe Apple Watch SE is our top pick as the best Apple Watch for most people. It’s a great choice if you don’t need the intricate features that come with the Series 7—like an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, always-on display, and blood oxygen monitor—and just want a basic, affordable Apple Watch to pair with your iPhone. In addition to standard health and fitness tracking, you’ll also get a Retina display, fall detection, and a speedy processor.
This watch just came out, so this is a rather small deal. The only notable upgrades in the Series 7 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) over its predecessor are a bigger display, faster charging, and the ability to track ebike rides. But even if it’s an incremental improvement, it’s still the best smartwatch for iPhone owners. Check our guide to Apple Watches if you’re unsure on which one to buy.
Skagen Men’s Hybrid HR Jorn.
Photograph: SkagenThe Hybrid HR Jorn is our favorite hybrid smartwatch. It’s a nice option for those who prefer the look of a traditional watch with a few smart features thrown in. On the display, you can see metrics like heart rate, step count, and weather via an E Ink screen. We don’t recommend it for tracking workouts since it’s not very accurate, but it’s still useful if you want to quickly glance at your progress throughout the day.
The Fossil Gen 6 is one of the few Wear OS watches that still gets our honorable mention nod. Google is in the middle of changing its wearable strategy, and the Fossil Gen 6 is one of the few of the current crop set to get updated in 2022. Until then it’s still got decent fitness tracking features, and a convenient feature that keeps the watch displaying the time even if the battery dies.
The health and lifestyle accessories company Withings is offering 25 percent off most of its products this Cyber Monday, and of all the brand’s wearable trackers, this is the one we’d recommend first. It’s a very simple smartwatch, with analog hands to tell the time and to track your steps. It also lacks a screen, so it looks like a regular old watch and not a technology watch. Paired with an app, it can count steps, log workouts, track sleep, and send vibration alerts for calls and texts. Paired with formal attire, it looks like a stately timepiece. The replaceable watch battery lasts well over a year. Get one for that “I don’t wear smartwatches” person.
Garmin Venu Sq.
Photograph: GarminWe consider the Garmin Venu Sq (8/10 WIRED Recommends) the best fitness watch in our roundup of the Best Smartwatches—specifically for its ability to accurately track health and fitness metrics coupled with its affordable price. As for specific features, the Venu Sq offers an always-on LCD touchscreen, blood oxygen monitoring, energy level monitoring, and sleep tracking.
Garmin’s Instinct Solar (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a rugged smartwatch that’s great for tracking a variety of health and fitness metrics, but especially extreme activities like hiking. It has excellent battery life that’s lasted days on a single charge in testing, but its solar feature also allows it to recharge using sunlight.
