How we find the best Apple Watch deals

To find the best Apple Watch deals we continuously monitor the market to spot the most worthwhile bargains, but, ultimately, our recommendations are based on our own in-experience with the full range of Apple Watches, which we have reviewed and use daily. Our editors’ selections are guided by a simple principle: we won’t recommend buying something that we wouldn’t buy ourselves. We focus on products at prices we believe are fair, ensuring our recommendations steer you toward genuine savings.

Price is just one factor we consider. A significant part of our methodology is evaluating the overall value of a deal, especially when comparing different generations of the Apple Watch. When Apple launches new models, such as the Series 11, SE 3, and Ultra 3, we see resellers clear out stock of previous-generation models at lower prices. We highlight these opportunities, as older models like the Series 10 or Ultra 2 can become excellent alternatives to the latest releases.

It isn’t always the case that an older Watch is a good option though: we’ve previously advised readers to avoid what seemed like an all-time-low price on an older Apple Watch SE 2 because the newer Apple Watch SE 3, available for just $40 more, offered a vastly superior feature set, including an always-on display, a faster chip, and better battery life.

We also recommend checking the Apple Refurbished Store as a source for year-round discounts. Products from this store are revamped by Apple and include a one-year warranty, often providing substantial savings on recent models like the Apple Watch Series 10 or Ultra 2.

Is now a good time to buy a new Apple Watch?

David Price / Foundry

Now is an excellent time to buy a new Apple Watch. The latest models, the Series 11, SE 3, and Ultra 3, were released in September 2025, so the product line is fresh, and you won’t have to worry about a new model arriving just weeks after your purchase. Additionally, despite Black Friday having passed, holiday deals are still abundant, offering significant savings on both the newest and previous-generation watches.

That said, the best time to buy is during the major sales events: Amazon’s Prime Day in July and October, or Black Friday in November. There may also be deals during Amazon’s spring sale. The worst time to buy is in the summer, just before Apple’s usual September hardware update, as you risk purchasing a device that will soon be outdated.

We also have a guide to the best Apple deals right now on all Apple products, including MacBook Air deals, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, iPhone and iPad.

Which Apple Watch to buy

David Price / Foundry

When choosing which Apple Watch to buy you should consider various factors. If you need advanced health sensors, like ECG and blood oxygen monitoring, then you need to choose the Series 11 and Ultra 3 (or the Series 10 and Ultra 2) because the SE doesn’t offer those options. But if you are on a budget the Apple Watch SE 3 offers importtant features like Fall Detection and heart rate monitoring, and comes at an affordable price. The best battery life is offered by the Apple Watch Ultra 3, but the SEries 11 offers a solid 24 hours, and even the 18 hour SE 3 will be sufficient for most people, plus charging can be done in less than an hour.

Apple Watch Series 11: This model features a 24-hour battery life, 5G connectivity on cellular models, and a more scratch-resistant display. While it shares the same S10 chip and many health features with the Series 10, its improved battery is a key advantage. Deals have been spotted offering up to $100 off, bringing the price down to as low as $299.

Apple Watch SE 3: This Apple Watch is the best value option for most people. The SE 3 received a major upgrade, including an always-on display, a faster chip, temperature sensing, fast charging, and 5G on cellular models. It offers most of the essential features of the Series 11 at a much lower price, starting at $249. It has been on sale for as low as $199.

Apple Watch Ultra 3: Designed for adventurers and sports enthusiasts, the Ultra 3 boasts a 42-hour battery life, a larger and brighter screen, satellite connectivity for emergencies, and a rugged design. It’s the most expensive model, but we have seen discounts of up to $100.

Apple Watch Series 10: You can find significant clearance deals on last-generation models. The Series 10 is very similar to the 11, with the main difference being its 18-hour battery life. It has been seen for as low as $279, a $150 discount.

Apple Watch Ultra 2: This is also a great option, with deals dropping its price by as much as $200.

Apple Watch SE 2: We advise to avoid the Apple Watch SE 2 unless the price is exceptionally low (around $100), as the SE 3 is a far superior and more future-proof device.

If you’re still not sure which Apple Watch is right for your needs, take a look at our Best Apple Watch buying guide.

Best refurbished Apple Watch deals

One of the best places to look for Apple Watch deals all year round is the Apple Refurbished Store. There, you’ll find huge Apple Watch discounts, sometimes even on the latest models. These Apple Watches have been returned to Apple for various reasons, and then completely revamped for resale. One of the major benefits of buying a refurbished Watch from Apple is that it will come with a one-year warranty so Apple may fix or replace it for free should anything happen to it in that first year.

In the U.S. you can get an Apple Watch Series 10, 9, 2nd generation Ultra for less. You can, for example, get a 44mm Apple Watch SE with cellular for $239, compared to $279 for the SE 3. It’s a saving, but we’d still recommend the new SE3 which is leaps ahead of the much older SE.

In the U.K. you can save money on an Apple Watch Series 9 and 10 at the moment.

However, the deals aren’t great here. You can get a refurbished Apple Watch Series 10 with Cellular for £479, which is £10 more than the price of the same Apple Watch Series 11 with Cellular new (£469).

For more information on this topic, read Should I buy a refurbished Apple Watch?