The best Apple Watch

The 2018 Apple Watch Series 4 is a good deal — especially now that it's often discounted.

If the Series 5 is too expensive for your tastes and you don't mind the lack of the always-on screen, the Series 4 is a great choice. It's also often discounted, so you can get a good deal on it. Apple also has refurbished models for good prices.

Just like the new version, the Series 4 Apple Watch has great app support, strong fitness features, an LTE option, and multiple finishes to choose from, style-wise.

The main difference between the 4 and the 5 is that the 4 is lacking the health-focused features like fall detection and the ability to place an emergency call (if you have the LTE model). The Series 4 doesn't have the compass or the always-on display, either, but if none of that matters to you, it's an excellent choice.

In every other way, the Series 4 is a top-notch smartwatch. Its fitness tracking is impressive, it has GPS, and the heart rate monitor is highly accurate. You'll have access to all the same apps, and you can get an LTE version if you want to go out and about without your phone but still be able to text, call, and use apps that need an internet connection.

Pros: Same great app support, simple modern design, strong fitness features, LTE option

Cons: No always-on screen, less sophisticated features than Series 5

Not only is it the most affordable model you can buy, the Apple Watch Series 3 still offers stellar performance and includes features most people would need.

Having used an Apple Watch Series 3 continuously since it was introduced in 2017, we can confidently say that it not only continues to perform remarkably, but it's also the best Apple Watch for people on a budget.

Yes, it uses a smaller form-factor and lacks the latest technologies like ECG heart monitoring and fall detection. However, if you don't need those features, the Series 3 still has everything most people would want from a smartwatch. Some of the applications we use the Series 3 for include: Paying for a subway ride, withdrawing cash from an ATM, remotely triggering the shutter button on our iPhone, arming and disarming a home's alarm system, choosing a Spotify playlist, getting directions, controlling smart home devices, waking us up each morning by vibrating on our wrist, and much more.

Our Series 3 has also been a lifesaver during times when we've forgotten our iPhone. Our Series 3 has cellular LTE enabled, which means it can function independently. We could still send SMS and iMessages and make phone calls; this is crucial if you need to contact someone, of course, but you won't feel stranded if your life revolves heavily around your phone.

One of our favorite Apple Watch features is the Activity Rings, which gamefies three physical activities: movement, exercise, and stand. With a desire to close the rings daily, this has encouraged us to be less sentient.

Performance remains stellar even after three years. We have never encountered any slowdown, crashes, or other anomalies that tend to affect gadgets when they age. Apple is one of the few tech companies with a stellar reputation for keeping its products updated, and with every software update that our watch receives, we have not experienced any performance drawbacks. The touchscreen continues to be very responsive.

If we had to complain, it would be battery life. It's not bad, but it could be better. On average, unless you're a power user and using your watch constantly to make calls, you can expect about a day and a half on one charge. Ideally, you would need to charge it every night.

As for durability, the Series 3 is very strong. We must have slammed the glass face countless times and have never gotten a scratch that's noticeable. The Digital Crown doesn't rotate as fluidly as when the watch was new, but it still works without problem. We have swam with it in fresh and saltwater and worn it during showers — no issues.

The Series 3 doesn't have the "always on" functionality of the Series 5. You would need to raise the watch up for the display to turn on, and in rare moments, the watch doesn't respond accordingly. This has more to do with our body's positioning rather than some fault of the watch.

While we are more than happy with how the Series 3 has performed after three years, if you were to purchase it new today, there's no guarantee it will maintain its strong performance. It uses an older processor and with all things tech, inevitably it will start slowing down as newer and more demanding applications are released. Although we recommend it for people on a budget, do realize that it may have shorter longevity from this point on. If your budget allows, opt for the latest model. — Les Shu

Pros: Solid performance, includes features most people would need, Apple Pay, fitness tracking, great app support, great value, very durable

Cons: Older processor, smaller display, no advanced fitness and health features, battery life may feel short for some, Digital Crown becomes less smooth with age, screen isn't always on

Although we don't know for certain when the next Apple Watch will arrive or what it will be called, rumors point to a September launch for the Series 6. If the rumors prove true, we look forward to testing the new model when it arrives.

You can read all the latest rumors about it here on Business Insider. New features may include sleep tracking, better water resistance, a new processor, and updated software.