(Stacey Zhu)
Here at PCMag, we've tested and reviewed countless smartwatches to find the best recommendations across the board. Whether you're in the market for a high-end, premium smartwatch with all the bells and whistles or a more basic fitness tracker, some of our top-rated models are already seeing Black Friday price slashes. It's the perfect time to invest or upgrade your wearable tech—or maybe gift a sleek new smartwatch to a loved one for the holidays. Either way, you'll want to check out these early Black Friday smartwatch deals and check back often for updates leading into the big shopping holiday on November 29.
And don't forget to check out the Best Early Black Friday Deals Available Now.
Samsung Watch Deals
For Android users in need of a high-performing, compatible smartwatch, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is a clear top choice (and it's nearly half price right now). Not only does it deliver in terms of performance with advanced health sensors and a slew of digital apps and features, but it's also aesthetically, well, stunning. The touch bevel design gives it a sleek look while the AMOLED display creates a vividly bright and colorful watch face (which can be set to always-on, by the way).
For those who want the latest and greatest model, the Galaxy Watch 7 is on sale at Amazon for $229, and if you're not sure if it's worth upgrading, check out our comparison.
For the serious Android explorers and athletes, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra offers the technical performance and rugged durability you need. In addition to highly detailed sleep analysis (including snore detection) and multisport tracking, it features AI-based recommendations to maximize your progress, giving an energy score, wellness score, and more. In terms of hardware, it's slightly bigger and beefier with a titanium build and even has a customizable quick button to make navigation easier. Over $200 for Black Friday, it's the perfect time to invest in this adventure companion.
Google Pixel Watch Deals
If you prefer a smoother, more rounded look, then you might like the equally capable Google Pixel Watch 2. This Android smartwatch comes loaded with health, fitness, and smart connectivity features (including sleep tracking and ECG) and boasts an impressive battery life that'll last you at least a full day and night on a single charge. The screen's clear, colorful, and easy to read, though not quite as bright as the Galaxy Watch 6. Both are excellent options, it really just depends which is more your style.
Fitbit Watch Deals
Coming in with a sale price just under $100, the Fitbit Charge 6 is one of the most capable and affordable fitness trackers out there per our review. With 40 exercise modes, heart rate sensors, and a slim design, its primary focus is on health and fitness, but you can also access Google Maps, Google Wallet, and Youtube Music with it. Plus, use your stress management score, nightly sleep score, and on-wrist mindfulness sessions to monitor and improve your mental health. If you don't want a bulkier, traditional watchface, this is the fitness tracker for you.
On the other hand, the Fitbit Versa 4 offers the same extensive collection of fitness and health features as the Charge 6, only in a more classic watchface design but still offering a 40% discount. Whether you use Android or iOS, this smartwatch is an excellent choice for those who prefer a more straightforward fitness tracker and don't need all the high-tech connectivity features. In our testing, we loved the responsive touch screen and physical navigation button as well as the variety of watchface choices.
Garmin Watch Deals
Earning our Editor's Choice Award for high-end fitness tracker, the Garmin Vivoactive 4 measures tons of advanced metrics, including (underwater) heart rate, respiration rate, stress level, pulse ox, and more, with access to over 20 preloaded sports apps and on-screen animations. Thanks to onboard music storage, you can listen to 500 songs via Bluetooth and workout phone-free. Unlike more basic fitness trackers, this stylish smartwatch also offers handy smart features, including contactless payments and third-party apps. And now it can be yours for $100 less.
Apple Watch Deals
The latest Apple Watch SE that we reviewed hits the sweet spot in terms of balancing performance with price, especially with this 40% discount. It's marketed as the "budget-friendly" model in the Apple Watch line-up, but still boasts many of the same core features, including fall detection, irregular heart rate and rhythm notifications, and pretty much the same access to apps and connectivity features. Basically, if you can forgo an always-on display and some of the more specialized health metrics, like body temperature and ECG, then the Apple Watch SE offers the most bang for your buck, especially at its lowest price ever.
But if you want the more advanced Apple Watch 9, it's currently on sale at Amazon for $279.99.
Apple's flagship smartwatch, the Apple Watch Series 10 is just as impressive as older models, only now with a more refined design and audio playback capability. It's powered by the fast and efficient S10 chip and can do just about everything you'd want: record workouts and daily steps, measure health metrics like ECG and sleep, answer calls and texts, stream music and podcasts, access apps, set alarms, and more. The newly-added depth gauge and water temperature sensors make it an excellent choice for snorkeling and other shallow-water activities. If you're an iPhone user looking for a premier smartwatch, you won't find better than this.
Serious adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts can save $100 off the Apple Watch Ultra 2. It's the rugged, action-focused smartwatch in the Apple lineup, featuring a more durable tinanium case, extended 55-hour battery life (a full day longer than the Series 10), 86-decibel emergency siren, and an impressive 40-meter depth guage. Plus, the optional cellular connectivity means you can leave your phone at home without worry!
Smartwatch and Fitness Tracker FAQs
Hi, I’m Andrew Gebhart, PCMag’s Senior Analyst covering smart home and wearable devices. I have nearly a decade of experience professionally testing high-tech gadgets including smartwatches and fitness trackers, so here are my answers to three of the most frequently asked questions about buying a new smartwatch or fitness tracker, especially around a sales event like Black Friday.
Do Smartwatch and Fitness Tracker Prices Drop on Black Friday?
They do, but you’re less likely to find crazy deals on new models in these product categories than some others, like robot vacuums or TVs. If you want a current flagship smartwatch from a popular brand like Apple or Samsung, you might find a minor discount of about $50. Older models tend to see much bigger discounts, and could still be a worthwhile upgrade if your current wearable is on its last legs.
How Much Should You Spend for a Good Smartwatch or Fitness Tracker?
Even outside of holiday discounts, you can find some of our favorite fitness trackers for less than $100 if you want a simple device to monitor activity, sleep, and workouts. Some of our favorite smartwatches, including the budget-minded Samsung Galaxy Watch FE and the Apple Watch SE, offer almost all of the same features as more expensive flagship models for around $200. Flagships like the Apple Watch Series 10, the Google Pixel Watch 3, and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 cost between $300 and $400. High-end models with sturdier builds like the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Galaxy Watch Ultra can cost as much as $600 to $800.
Jumping up in price usually gets you nicer materials like stainless steel or titanium instead of aluminum, increased durability and battery life, and sometimes extra features and sensors. Budget and midrange models will be fine for most. Look to the premium models if you need a rugged wearable with long battery life for outdoor adventures.
What’s the Difference Between a Smartwatch and a Fitness Tracker?
The two categories are skewing closer and closer together as even the simplest smartwatches from established brands now have activity tracking built-in, and many fitness trackers offer basic lifestyle features like mobile payment support and phone notifications. Apple, Google, and Samsung all have smartwatches with tons of features to track activity, sleep, and workouts in addition to the expected smarts like downloadable third-party apps. On the other hand, fitness-focused companies like Garmin and Polar have wearables with plenty of built-in lifestyle apps in addition to their expected robust fitness features.
If you want to monitor your health and you're not interested in calling and texting capabilities and downloadable third-party apps, you'll probably be happy with a basic, affordable fitness tracker. On the other hand, if you mostly want lifestyle features like downloadable apps and a seamlessly integrated experience for calling and texting, camera control, and rich notifications, you're best off with a smartwatch that matches the brand of your phone. If you mostly want a wearable to help with training for something like a triathlon, you may want to opt for a model from a sports-focused brand like Garmin or Polar.
Again, though, the big-brand smartwatch might have the fitness features you want, and the more affordable fitness tracker might have access to the apps you're after. Check out our smartwatch and fitness tracker reviews for the details on specific models.
Make sure to scope out our Black Friday hub for up-to-the-minute deals on the tech you want most.