Editor’s note: Amazon Prime Day is nearly here. Thankfully, if you’re looking to get a leg up on the two-day shopping event, we’ve rounded up the best early Prime Day deals you can already get.
In September, Apple launched its latest batch of smartwatches, introducing the first-ever Ultra ($799) alongside the Series 8 ($399) and a new Apple Watch SE ($249). Each wearable has its own pros and cons, but the introduction of the high-end Ultra also means there are now more Apple Watch models on the market before than ever before — and a lot more deals to be had.
But with all of those options, which one should you pick? Generally speaking, you want to buy the newest watch you can afford so that it continues to receive software updates from Apple. The latest update, watchOS 9, launched on the Apple Watch Series 4 and newer models in September, and watchOS 10 will offer the same compatibility when it arrives in the fall. Also, keep in mind that, unlike some Apple products, the largest discounts are typically reserved for the newest models, not the last-gen ones.
Picking up a watch from the latest (or a recent) generation ensures you’re getting a smartwatch with an updated design, a robust number of features, and plenty of sensors. And thankfully, now that the Series 3 is officially out of commission (it was long overdue), it’s harder to end up with a watch that will quickly feel outdated.
Now, let’s get into the deals.
The best Apple Watch Series 8 deals
The Apple Watch Series 8 represents the latest wearable in Apple’s flagship Series lineup. It brings a new chipset (that our colleague Victoria Song says isn’t faster than the previous iteration), new temperature sensors that enable menstrual tracking, Crash Detection, and a host of other enhancements. While the subtle improvements are welcome, the Series 8 isn’t all that different from the prior model, the Apple Watch Series 7.
We recently saw the starting price of the base Apple Watch Series 8 drop to $329 ($70 off), however, the 41mm model with GPS is only available right now in select styles at Amazon for $379 ($20 off) and Walmart for $389 ($10 off). As for the larger, 45mm model with GPS, it’s currently on sale in select configurations at Amazon and Walmart for $419.99, which is a mere $10 off and far more expensive than the watch’s all-time low of $359.
If you’re looking to snag an LTE-equipped model, the 41mm configuration is available at Walmart in red for $429 ($70 off). Walmart is also selling the 45mm variant for the same price, though, the retailer is only offering the $100 discount on the white configuration.
Read our Apple Watch Series 8 review.
The best Apple Watch SE deals
The Apple Watch SE received a refresh in late 2022. It has the same chipset as the Series 8, which is great, but with fewer sensors, no always-on display, and a slightly outdated design compared to the Series 7 and Series 8. Those omissions might take this out of the running for some people, but it still may be exactly what you’re after. Best of all, it starts at $249 for the 40mm Wi-Fi / GPS model, which is $30 less than the previous generation’s baseline cost. Opting for cellular connectivity bumps up the starting price to $299 for the 40mm size (44mm adds $20 to each configuration).
Right now, the 40mm Apple Watch SE with GPS is available at Amazon in select styles starting at $239.99 ($9 off). The GPS-only model is also available at Amazon in the 44mm sizing for $269.99 ($9 off) or in the LTE configuration at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target starting at $299 (its full retail price).
If you’re cool with getting the last-gen model, which lacks an always-on display and some of the more advanced bells and whistles found on the newer Apple Watch models, Walmart is selling it in the base configuration starting at just $149, a total of $130 off.
Read our Apple Watch SE (second-gen) review.
The best Apple Watch Ultra deals
Apple’s big, thick, and capable Watch Ultra launched at $799 with GPS and LTE support, and in case you aren’t in the know, it has the most features, sensors, and ruggedness of any Apple Watch model available thus far. Its 49mm case houses a screen that can get brighter than the Series 8, it has a longer-lasting battery and more precise GPS tracking, and it’s loaded with sensors that essentially turn it into a swimming and diving guide.
In May, we saw select Apple Watch Ultra configurations drop to $701.99 (about $97 off). Right now, however, Apple’s premium wearable is only on sale at Amazon in select configurations for as low as $779.99 ($19 off), which is only the watch’s third-lowest price to date.
Read our Apple Watch Ultra review.
A note on the more premium models
While all of the Apple Watch models and colorways covered here are encased in aluminum (except the Ultra, which has a titanium build), Apple does make a more premium range built out of stainless steel and titanium. These offerings are functionally and aesthetically similar to their aluminum counterparts, with slightly refined colors and finishings — polished for the stainless steel and brushed for the titanium. However, they start at much steeper prices of $749 and above. They, too, can often be found on sale, but they’re never discounted as low as the standard base models, so we don’t include them here.