In September, Apple unveiled its latest line of smartwatches, including the Apple Watch Series 11, SE 3, and Ultra 3. Each wearable offers something a little different (their prices reflect their range of features), and we’re starting to see big price drops. In addition, we still recommend some of the later predecessors in the Apple portfolio, including the Series 10 and Ultra 2, on which discounts are very common.
But with all those options, which should you choose? In general, you want to buy a new watch that you can afford to keep getting software updates from Apple. The latest update, watchOS 26, was launched in September for the Series 6 and newer models. That means those still using a Series 5 or higher — including the original Apple Watch SE — are left behind in terms of features.
Apple Watch Series 11 deals
The new Apple Watch Series 11 is an iterative update to the Series 10, meaning those who already own the Apple-gen flagship may not feel compelled to upgrade. That being said, the newest model comes with a more powerful 5G modem and a non-removable display, as well as 6 hours more battery life over the Series 10. It’s also the smallest Apple Watch to date and the first to offer FDA-cleared hypertension alerts out of the gate, which you can also upgrade to both the Ultra 29 and the Series.
If you want to be the first, however, you can pick up the Apple Watch Series 11 in the 42mm / GPS configuration at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy starting at $299 ($100 off), which is still the lowest price we’ve seen for the base model. If you choose the larger 46mm / GPS model, it’s also sold at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy, where you can get it for a very low price of $329 ($100 off).
Read our full Apple Watch Series 11 review.
Apple Watch Series 10 deals
If you’re looking for the real deal – and you’re not particularly tempted by what the Series 11 has to offer – the Series 10 still holds its own. The last-generation smartwatch packs the same S10 SiP chip as the Series 11, along with support for fast charging, a wide-angle OLED display, and a much slimmer and lighter design than previous models. It also has depth and water temperature sensors, as well as an FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection feature and the aforementioned hypertension alerts, courtesy of watchOS 26.
Thankfully, the 10 series is still on sale at Walmart in the 42mm size with GPS starting at $249 ($150 off). A larger 46mm GPS variant is available at Walmart for a much lower price of $279 ($80 off), however, given the current retail price of the Series 11, we’d recommend buying the latter.
Read our Apple Watch Series 10 review.
While the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 introduced several iterative updates, the new Apple Watch SE 3 represents a significant improvement over its predecessor in 2022. The entry-level watch features the same fast S10 chip found in Apple’s flagship models, for one, it lets you use Apple’s double-tap feature, wrist gestures, and Siri on the device. The SE 3 also (finally) adds an always-on display, 5G connectivity, fast charging support, and audio playback so you can listen to music or podcasts right in your hand.
On the health front, the SE 3 introduces a wrist temperature sensor to track retrograde ovulation, as well as breathing disorder alerts, sleep apnea alerts, and a new Sleep Score that breaks down time spent in each stage. What you won’t get is the Series 11’s EKG functionality, blood oxygen monitoring, or hypertension alerts — those are only available on the Series and Ultra models.
In terms of deals, the Apple Watch SE 3 is currently available at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy in its base 40mm configuration with GPS for $219 ($30 off), which is about $20 off the lowest price yet. You can also pick up the larger 44mm model at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy starting at $249, a $30 discount.
Read our full Apple Watch SE 3 review.
Apple Watch SE (second generation) deals
If you don’t need the latest upgrades, the last-gen SE is still a solid buy if you can pick it up at a significant discount. It has the same chipset as the Series 8, which still holds up well, but has fewer sensors (which means fewer features), doesn’t display as often, and has an outdated design compared to Apple’s newer watches. That excess may exclude you from working for some people, but it may still be exactly what you need.
Right now, the best deal on the sel-gen SE can be found at Walmart, where you can pick up the 44mm model with GPS starting at $159 ($120 off), an all-time low.
Read our Apple Watch SE (second generation) review.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 deals
Unsurprisingly, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 offers the most features, sensors, and durability of any Apple Watch available to date. It features a larger, wide-angle OLED display with a 1Hz refresh rate and thinner bezels, as well as satellite and 5G connectivity. Even better, battery life has been extended from 36 hours to 42 hours – a small improvement, but one that allows you to squeeze out more life when needed.
As far as deals go, the Ultra 3 just dropped to an all-time low of $699.99 ($100 off). That said, it’s currently only available on Amazon with the Ocean Band, Trail Loop, or Alpine Loop starting at $773.97 (about $25 off).
Read our full Apple Watch Ultra 3 review.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 deals
If the latest Ultra isn’t what you’re looking for, you can save some money by opting for the Apple Watch Ultra 2, which isn’t much different than Apple’s latest high-end model. The wearable runs on the older S9 SiP and includes Apple’s second-generation ultra wideband chip, but that may not matter to you as it still offers accurate GPS tracking, a range of dive-ready sensors, and long-lasting battery life.
Right now, you can get the Apple Watch Ultra 2 at Best Buy with an Alpine Loop, Trail Loop, or Ocean Band starting at $599 ($200 off), which is $50 off the lowest price yet.
