I'm tracking the best Black Friday Apple Watch deals LIVE: huge discounts on the Apple Watch 10, SE and Ultra 2 right now

If you've been thinking about getting a new smartwatch to complement your iPhone, there's never been a better time. I'm James Frew, Tom's Guide's Fitness Editor, and I've been testing smartwatches and fitness trackers for more than eight years.

I used to love the open nature of Android smartwatches, but since I switched to an iPhone in 2019, I've come to appreciate just how seamlessly Apple integrates all its devices. And that's why the Apple Watch is one of the best smartwatches available now.

There are a few different models though in several colors and sizes, so I've been scrolling through the sales to find you the best Black Friday Apple Watch deals right now, so you can save on Apple's latest watches, whether you're after a fitness tracker for yourself or a gift for someone this holiday season.

Black Friday 2024 is here, bringing some massive Apple Watch deals with it. If you've been looking for the best Apple Watch , you may have noticed there are only really three models; the Series 10, SE (2022) and Ultra 2.

Each model serves a different purpose; Series 10 is the flagship and most feature-packed, the SE (2022) is the more affordable option, and the Ultra 2 is a rugged watch designed for the outdoors with double the battery life.

But there are a lot more Black Friday Apple Watch deals than you'd expect for such a small range. The Series 10 and SE are available in two sizes and multiple colors, while the Ultra 2 comes in two colors with a range of straps.

Plus, the discount varies by retailer, so I'll be scouring all the sales as they go live to see which stores have the top savings. And if several retailers have the watch for the same price, we'll dive into the merits of one shop over the other.

I'm a big fan of the Apple Watch SE (2022). It's the watch I recommended to my partner's mom. She's been thrilled with it, and has been using it to track her sleep and steps after abandoning Fitbit a few years ago.

Plus, she generally keeps her phone in her bag, so finds it really useful that you can answer calls and often sends us messages dictated to Siri. It's a great option, unless you need the slightly brighter, larger display and ECG on the Series 10.

And it's even better right now as the Apple Watch SE 2022 (40mm) is down to just $149 at Amazon for Black Friday. It's a $100 saving, bringing Apple's wearable down to the same cost as a fitness tracker — and you get a lot more for your money with the Apple Watch.

Apple Watch SE 2022 (40mm): was $249 now $149 @ Amazon
Apple Watch SE 2022 (44mm): was $279 now $199 @ Amazon

Apple is two generations into its rugged Garmin alternative, the Apple Watch Ultra. It has a larger case and display, and double the battery life (that's a pretty huge deal as it jumps from 18 hours on the Series 10/SE to 36 hours on the Ultra 2) compared to the other models.

Of course, these additions come at a price. The Ultra 2 is usually $800, standing price-wise alongside the best Garmin watches. Despite being over a year old, it rarely gets a discount, which is why it was a surprise to see the Apple Watch Ultra 2 down to just $719 at Amazon.

Alongside the extra features you get on the Ultra series (including support for scuba and dual-band GPS) it has everything you find on the Series 10, making it pretty impressive companion for your iPhone. If you want sports tracking with smartwatch features, this is the one to go for.

Apple Watch Ultra 2: was $799 now $719 @ Amazon

I'm probably breaking some cardinal rule here, but after telling you what a good deal the Ultra 2 is at the moment, I'm going to tell you not to buy it — at least, if you're a dedicated runner.

My coworker and keen marathon runner, Nick Harris-Fry, tested the Apple Watch Ultra 2 against the Garmin Epix Pro at a recent race and found that the Epix Pro edged out on top for training analysis and location accuracy.

Ordinarily, the Ultra 2 is still the better value option, as the Garmin model usually retails for $1,100. However, the Garmin Epix Pro is currently down to just $749 at Amazon for Black Friday, only $30 more than the discounted Ultra 2.

If you're an advanced runner and need access to Garmin's free training tools, sprint over to this huge deal. But, if running is only part of your training (or doesn't factor in at all) and you want the close connection with Apple devices and services, go for the Ultra 2.

Apple Watch Ultra 2: was $799 now $719 @ Amazon
Garmin Epix Pro: was $1,099 now $749 @ Amazon

So the Apple Watch SE 2022 (40mm) is on sale at Amazon and Walmart for the same price — which do you choose?

Amazon is convenient, especially if you subscribe to Prime. In that case, you could have the watch delivered to your door by Saturday for free. And there's an extended returns window of mid-January to help you get through the holidays if you're buying as a gift.

On the other hand, if you order the watch from Walmart, you could collect in-store as soon as tomorrow when the shops reopen, or have it delivered starting Nov 30th. Plus, Walmart gives you two extra weeks for returns, up until January 31st, 2025.

However, both retailers allow third-party sellers on their stores. The above policies generally only apply to products sold directly by Amazon or Walmart, so unless there's a really good reason otherwise, I'd recommend sticking with the retailers on this one.

Apple Watch SE 2022 (40mm): was $249 now $149 @ Amazon
Apple Watch SE 2022 (40mm): was $249 now $149 @ Walmart

The Apple Watch comes with a magnetic charging cable. You place your watch on top and it begins to wirelessly charge. However, this means having yet another cable you can't use for anything else.

I recently picked up the Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station, which has wireless MagSafe charging pads for your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods. It connects to the power via the widely used USB-C port and can top up two devices simultaneously.

It's really convenient and saves a lot of space and frees up many mains plugs as you essentially bundle three chargers into one. And right now, you can buy the Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station for just $82 at Amazon, saving 25% on the regular price.

Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station: was $109 now $82 @ Amazon

If you need a great all rounder that'll pull double duty as a fully-featured smartwatch and a comprehensive health and fitness tracker, that'll be the Apple Watch Series 10.

I covered the launch event and was impressed but doubtful that Apple would launch the new sleep apnea feature when the watch shipped, but I was happily proved wrong. This is the most exciting addition to the Series 10, along with the larger display and the fact you can now play music from the watch's built-in speaker.

Watches began dropping at people's doors in late September, so it really is incredible to see that the Apple Watch Series 10 is already down to $329 at Amazon. As usual, you pay more for the larger model, but there's $70 off the 46mm edition too.

Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm): was $399 now $329 @ Amazon
Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm): was $429 now $359 @ Amazon

Apple keeps the Watch line up pretty tight, typically only offering a flagship model, budget edition (SE), and premium version (Ultra). But right now, the Apple Watch Series 9 is down to $279 at Amazon, saving you $50 — so should you buy last year's model?

Unless you have specific need to check water temperatures, a brighter display or the ability to play music out of the watch's speaker, then answer is a resounding yes. It's almost the same in all the ways that really matter, except it has an older processor.

You're not going to really notice this, at least not until potentially a few years down the line after Apple has released several watchOS updates. So you get nearly everything in the Series 10, but at $50 less than the newer watch's Black Friday deal price.

Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm): was $399 now $279 @ Amazon

At this time of year, older Apple Watches make an appearance at massively reduced prices. These Black Friday Apple Watch deals seem like a great choice — after all, you don't want to spend more than you need. But are they actually a good deal?

Well, one way to tell is whether they can get the latest software. Apple recently launched watchOS 11, which is compatible with each watch from Series 6 upwards, except the original SE that launched in 2020.

Anything older will be severely feature-limited and potentially insecure, which isn't ideal given that you can use payment options like Apple Pay on the watch. But even the Series 6 is starting to feel its age with a processor four generations back, and missing newer features like Crash Detection, Sleep Apnea alerts, temperature and cycle tracking.

Really, I'd only recommend buying the Series 9 or higher. And with all these Black Friday deals, there's barely anything price-wise between a modern watch like the SE 2022 and something pre-Series 9 anyway.

For the cost of a fitness tracker, you can pick up the Apple Watch SE 2022 for just $149 at Amazon, so there's no reason to chose a less supported watch with fewer features and older hardware.

Apple Watch SE 2022 (40mm): was $249 now $149 @ Amazon
Apple Watch SE 2022 (40mm): was $249 now $149 @ Walmart
Apple Watch SE 2022 (44mm): was $279 now $199 @ Amazon
Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm): was $399 now £279 @ Amazon

Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the perfect smartwatch for people heavily invested in the great outdoors. Not only is it extra durable, with a titanium metal frame, it's also got the longest battery of any Apple Watch — lasting 36 hours despite having a larger 49mm display.

There are extra bonus features too, including support for scuba diving, while dual-band GPS makes location accuracy even better. Which can be an essential thing to have in the great outdoors. Plus it has everything that the Apple Watch series 10 offers.

Apple Watch ultra 2: was $799 now $719 @ Amazon

It may be over a year old, but there's still plenty to love about the Apple Watch series 9. It may have a smaller screen than Apple Watch 10, and lacks the sleep apnea detection feature, but it's still got a lot to offer. Emergency SOS features, the new Vitals health app and the cCheck In safety tool — plus everything else that launched with watchOS 11.

The best part is that the Apple Watch 9 is a lot cheaper. Not Apple Watch SE cheap, but you can still pick it up for $279 in Amazon's Black Friday sale. That's $50 less than the Apple Watch 10's lowest sale price, and 30% off the retail price.

Apple Watch series 9: was $399 now $279 @ Amazon

Marge Plus Stainless Steel Mesh Loop Apple Watch Band: was $13 now $7 @ Amazon

Not only is Black Friday a great time to purchase a new Apple Watch, but you can find dozens of great Apple Watch bands on sale right now, too. There's one band in particular that I've purchased multiple times over the years, and it happens to be on sale from $13 down to $7 when you clip the extra 20% off coupon. It's very similar to Apple's Milanese Loop band that costs $99, and even comes in a broader selection of metallic finishes. These are great stocking stuffers for friends and family, or simply an affordable refresh for your own Apple Watch.

After taking a few hours to sleep (we're not robots... yet), I'm back looking for the best Black Friday Apple Watch deals you can get right now, and offering insights into which watch would be right for you and which retailers have good policies.

Walmart stores were closed for Thanksgiving yesterday, but are due to reopen today at 6am. So, if you wanted to buy the Apple Watch SE 2022 (44mm) for $179 at Walmart, you could order online and have it delivered in the next few days.

But if there's a store nearby and you wanted to head there to pick it up with your groceries, Walmart offers free pick up too. You don't need to buy it online either, as selecting the pick-up option shows you which aisle the watch is on at your store.

Apple Watch SE 2022 (44mm): was $279 now $179 @ Walmart

Switching to the U.K. Black Friday Apple Watch deals for a second, there's definitely fewer around than there are stateside. But that doesn't mean all is lost.

The Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm) is down to $379 at John Lewis, while the Watch SE 2022 (40mm) is also reduced to £199 at John Lewis.

It's a great deal on the Watch SE is the discount brings it below £200. And although only a modest £20 discount on the Series 10, it's still pretty impressive given how new the watch is.

If you choose to buy at John Lewis, you have a few options. Delivery will be free (as the order is over £50) and arrives within five working days. Or, choose Next Day delivery for £7.95 if you order before 8pm.

But the quickest option is to use the retailer's Click & Collect service to pick up either in a John Lewis branch or at any Waitrose store the next day (John Lewis and Waitrose are both part of the John Lewis Partnership).

Alternatively, the Watch SE 2022 (40mm) is also down to £199 at Argos. Now the brand has been subsumed into Sainsbury's, you can either have it delivered (potentially same day) or choose to pick up in a local Argos or Sainsbury's store.

Apple Watch SE (40mm): was £219 now £199 @ Argos
Apple Watch SE (40mm): was £219 now £199 @ John Lewis
Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm): was £399 now £379 @ John Lewis

If you're wondering why I keep going on about Black Friday Apple Watch deals at Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy, but not at Apple's own store, there's a quick answer: Apple doesn't have a Black Friday sale this year.

So for face value discounts, you need to look elsewhere. However, Apple is getting involved, at least a bit. Between now and Cyber Monday (Dec 2nd), you can an Apple Gift Card up to the value of $200 when you buy an eligible product at the Apple Store.

Of course, this still means the upfront cost is the same as it always is, but it could be a good option if you generally buy your hardware through Apple's own store or want to use it against other digital purchases.

The Gift Card is a clever offer from Apple. It saves you money, but also locks you into its ecosystem. Then again, isn't that the reason you want an Apple Watch in the first place?

Yes, it's another version of the Apple Watch Series 10 deal, this time at Target. Right now, you can pick up the latest Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm) for $379 at Target.

However, as one of Tom's Guide resident Taylor Swift fans (yes, I did go to the Eras Tour, thanks for asking) there's a good reason to pick up the Series 10 at Target today.

For the first time, the extended edition of Swift's latest album, The Tortured Poet's Department: Anthology, is available to buy on CD and vinyl exclusively at Target.

It's an in-store offer only today (Black Friday) and will be available online from tomorrow (Nov 30).

Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm): was $429 now $379 @ Target
Taylor Swift - The Tortured Poet's Department: Anthology (CD): $17 @ Target

Okay, after a brief Swift-inspired diversion (just shake it off), let's dive back into Black Friday Apple Watch deals.

But there's also only so many times that I can tell you the Apple Watch SE 2022 (40mm) is down to $149 at Amazon and then at $149 at Walmart too.

So, instead, let's focus on the fact the Apple Watch Series 10 now has built-in speakers that can play music. Usually, though, it's best to listen quietly with headphones. As you'd expect for a pair of Apple-branded earbuds, the AirPods and AirPods Pro are the most seamless.

Once you've paired them with your iPhone, they automatically work with your Apple Watch. So, if you leave your phone at home and have the Cellular version of any of the watches, you can pop in your headphones and listen to music sans-phone.

Helpfully, the Apple AirPods 4 are currently down to just $119 at Amazon for Black Friday. As we found in our Apple AirPods 4 review, they're incredible value, even without a discount, offering some of the greatest features like Spatial Audio and Conversation Awareness.

Apple AirPods 4: was $129 now $119 @ Amazon

Right, I'm going back to the Apple Watch SE 2022 (40mm) $149 deal at Amazon, but this time to compare it against the Fitbit Sense 2.

Google's Fitbit Sense 2 smartwatch is down to $179 at Amazon right now, with a very Apple Watch-y design, so you may be wondering whether it's worth paying the extra $30.

The Apple Watch integrates better with your iPhone, so that's a tick in that box, whereas the Fitbit Sense 2 can't do things like calls and you need to have the Fitbit app always running to get live data synced to your phone.

But what about the other features? I'd say there are only really two places where the Fitbit model comes out ahead; battery life and health sensors.

The Apple Watch only lasts a day, no matter which model you get (unless it's the Ultra 2, which lasts 36 hours). Whereas the Fitbit Sense 2 can get up to six days between charges which makes it a lot more useful as an overnight sleep tracker.

Plus, it has a blood oxygen sensor, which factors into the watch's sleep analysis. The SE 2022 doesn't have this, and even on the Apple Watches that do (like the Series 10, Ultra 2) you can't use it due to an ongoing patent dispute.

But in pretty much every other way, the Watch SE comes out on top, especially now that it's even cheaper with this Black Friday Apple Watch deal.

Apple Watch SE 2022 (40mm): was $249 now $149 @ Amazon
Google Fitbit Sense 2: was $249 now $179 @ Amazon

Here's something a bit different. I've mostly compared the watches on price (we are looking at deals after all), but if you're looking for a Black Friday Apple Watch deal but you're not sure which model to go for, should you go for the Series 10 or Ultra 2?

The Series 10 is less than half the price of the Ultra 2 at the moment, so from a cost sense, it's the better option. But what do you get for the extra $400?

It's larger, for a start, coming in a single size (49mm) compared to the 42mm and 46mm Series 10 models. This also means it can store a larger battery, which is how it manages to last twice as long (36 hours vs 18 hours).

The Ultra 2 can also survive water at twice the depth (100m vs 50m) and it is 50% brighter (3,000 nits vs 2,000). The larger watch is also only available with a cellular connection, so there's not a Wi-Fi-only edition.

Unless you really need these features, the Series 10 is definitely the better choice. It also has a newer processor (S10 vs S9) though it does lack the more accurate dual-band GPS you find on the Ultra 2.

But I'd recommend the Series 10 for most people, and the Ultra 2 only to those who've also been toying with the best Black Friday Garmin deals.

Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm): was $399 now $329 @ Amazon
Apple Watch Ultra 2: was $799 now $719 @ Amazon

Here's a thing; if you buy an Apple Watch Series 9 for $279 at Amazon, how long will it actually last?

It's only last year's model, so it's not especially old, but when comparing this against the Series 10 (which is only $50 more at the moment) you want to be sure you're not about to invest in a smartwatch that'll be out of date before long.

Fortunately, that's not very likely. Apple doesn't give specific support windows, but we can look at how past models fared. The Apple Watch Series 4, which came out in 2018, only lost support with the release of watchOS 11 this year. So that's six years of updates.

Then again, that was also true of the Series 6, which came out in 2020, giving four years of support. So it varies and depends what hardware requirements Apple puts on the operating system updates.

But even if your watch times out from new software, it'll still work, but it won't get the latest features. As an educated guess, I'd say you'd get 4-5 more years of updates on the Series 9, taking us up toward nearly 2030 before you'd need to consider an upgrade.

Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm): was $399 now £279 @ Amazon

Apple Watch. Nylon Sport Bands: was $8 now $7

I'm back with another lookalike for one of Apple's most popular watch bands. The Apple Sport Loop is excellent, but it costs $49. Instead, you can get this one from Amazon that's on sale for $7. No, it's not a big discount, but it's basically now the most affordable way to switch up your Apple Watch's look. I've personally purchased multiple colors of this band before, FWIW.

When it comes to Apple Watch Black Friday deals, a lot of people will find themselves choosing between the Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Apple Watch SE. But which one is right for you to buy?

For most people, I'd recommend the Apple Watch Series 10. It's more future-proof and offers the best Apple Watch experience for your money. The Apple Watch 10 is on sale for $329 which is the lowest price I expect to see before summer 2026.

That said, the Apple Watch SE on sale for $149 is also an attractive offer. Those who are still holding onto their Apple Watch Series 3 (I see you) or for first-time smartwatch users, it's a value that's hard to beat.

Apple Watch Series 10: was $399 now $329
Apple Watch SE: was $249 now $149

I know that my Apple Watch can get me a day's worth of battery, but there are still times when it seems to tap out before that. You wont have to worry about finding an Apple Watch charger thanks to the Huoto Portable Charger, which is down to $15 on Amazon for Black Friday.

Since it attaches to your keychain, it's something that you can have on you at all times. Not only is it a charger, but it's also a battery bank with its integrated 1,200 mAh battery. That's enough for at least a full charge. Even better you can use it to charge other devices that run off of USB-C.

Huoto Portable Charger: was $25 now $15 @ Amazon

Verizon's giving away the Apple Watch Series 10 for free to anyone who buys a new iPhone with the wireless provider. Since this is the cellular version of the Apple Watch Series 10, you'll need to activate it as an add-on line to your account.

What I like about the cellular equipped Apple Watch is that it offers me constant connectivity, even when my iPhone's nowhere in sight. In the event I leave my iPhone elsewhere, I can still send and receive phone calls through it. I also like that I can stream music directly from it, rather than through my iPhone.

Apple Watch Series 10: free with any iPhone purchase @ Verizon

I love my Apple Watch but I'm not the biggest fan of the included charger. Always looking for ways to cut down on desk clutter, I stumbled upon this elegant 3-in-1 charger dock solution from Belkin which can handle my Apple Watch, iPhone and AirPods all in one go. Best of all, it's on sale for 28% off via Amazon this Black Friday.

Belkin MagSafe Charger, 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand: was $119 now $86 @ Amazon

Looking to class up your Apple Watch Ultra a bit? Try this handsome, premium leather strap from Nomad on for size. It features stainless steel hardware and seriously nice full-grain leather from a Danish tannery. Designed to patina over time, this strap should last you the long haul and then some.

Nomad Modern Band Leather Apple Watch strap: was $60 now $42 @ Nomad

If you ever wished that your Apple Watch looked more like a badass 1980s Casio watch, boy do I have the deal for you. Casetify makes some of my favorite accessories for smartphones and smartwatches, and this colorful and playful Apple Watch strap/case combo is really doing it for me. Of course, if you want a smartwatch that looks like a classic LCD digital watch, there's always the G-Shock Move, which is also on sale right now for $100 off.

Casetify NCT DREAM Bounce Odyssey Band for Apple Watch: was $64 now $46 @ Casetify

If this $7 Apple Watch Sports Loop knockoff doesn't do it for you, perhaps the real thing will. Presently marked down by 20%, the official Apple Watch Sports Loop, in delicious Elderberry, will set you back just $39 today in 41mm and 45mm.

Apple Watch Elderberry Sports Loop: was $49 now $39 @ Amazon

It's getting fairly late in the day here on the West Coast, and the Black Friday deals are still popping. But, for how much longer? I cannot say. This is why I'd be remiss not to politely remind you that the Apple Watch SE is only $149 right now, and it makes a great gift. From keeping tabs on your health and fitness to keeping you better connected with friends and family to loads of useful safety features including fall and crash detection, $149 is a ludicrously good price for a current-generation Apple Watch.

Apple Watch SE (40mm): was $249 now $149

Apple Watch SE (44mm): was $279 now $199

Here's another highly-rated 3-in-1 wireless MagSafe Apple device charging station for the folks out there who, like me, hate dealing with unsightly individual charging cables. This sleek and compact bad boy will juice up your Apple Watch, iPhone and AirPods all at once, and fairly quickly. Not too shabby for just $24.

Best Buy Essentials 3-in-1 7.5W Magnetic Wireless Charger for Apple: was $39 now $24 @ Best Buy

Here's a tip we give anyone looking for the best GPS tracker for kids when they want to know the location of an older child: get an Apple Watch SE.

Specifically, they should get an Apple Watch SE with cellular connectivity and use the Family Setup feature available to the Apple Watch. That allows you to check up on the location of whoever's wearing the watch using the Watch app on your iPhone. Since the watch also has cellular connectivity, your kid can also make phone calls and send texts from their Apple Watch if there's an emergency or they need to check in.

Just as prices have fallen on the regular Apple Watch, you can also get the cellular version for cheap. The best price is at Walmart, which is selling the 40mm Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular) for $199. That's $100 off the regular starting price. You'll pay $219 for that model at Amazon and Best Buy.

Apple Watch SE (40mm; GPS + cellular): was $299 now $199 @ Walmart

Apple Watch. Popular Watch bands: up to 50% off at Amazon

Once you've picked up your new Apple Watch, you'll want to accessorize it with some of the best Apple Watch bands. A number of bands are on sale at Amazon for up to 50% off. Hurry to pick one up as Black Friday comes to a close. There are a variety of options from leather and metal bands to silicon and braided loops.

While there aren't any new price drops, you can get Apple Watch accessories for serious discounts right now. This multi-purpose charging device from ETEPEHI is just $14 at Walmart, down from $49. You can charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously with this nifty little device. It's only on sale in the black color (but that's the best shade anyway!). The 3-in-1 charging station works with iPhone X-16 and has a handy light to signify when your devices are charging.

So you want that Apple Watch Ultra experience without having to fork out almost as much money as a new iPhone? The original Apple Watch Ultra maybe what you want, and it's only $379 over at Amazon. That's only $50 more than the Apple Watch series 10's current sale price.

You may be wondering what you miss out on that price, and frankly it's not a lot. The Apple Watch Ultra's display is only 2,000 nits, 1,000 less than Ultra 2, you don't get sleep apnea detection and there's no double tap gesture support. Other than that, it's not too different. Even the screen-size and battery life are the same.

Apple Watch Ultra: was $449 now $379 @ Amazon

As we leave the realm of Black Friday behind and step through the proverbial portal into Cyber Monday, we're busy searching for the new best deals.

If you're an Apple Watch newbie, there's no place better to start than the entry-level Apple Watch SE 2. In our review of the Apple Watch SE 2, we loved the lower starting price (when compared to Apple Watch SE first gen). What's more that this purse-friendly option has the same chipset as the Apple Watch 8, which starts from $399.

While it's gone back up to $169 (from its lowest price of $149), the Apple Watch SE 2 is still a decent level below its usual price of $249.

Apple Watch SE 2: $169 at Amazon