Best Cheap Apple Watch Deals May 2023

In September, Apple launched its latest range of smartwatches, introducing the very first 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 than ever before – and many more deals to be had.

But with all those options, which one should you choose? In general, you want to buy the latest watch you can afford so that it continues to receive software updates from Apple. The latest update, watchOS 9, launched in September on the Apple Watch Series 4 and newer models, though no one can say for sure whether the Series 4 will receive the next major software update. Also keep in mind that unlike some Apple products, the biggest discounts are typically reserved for the latest models, not the last generation.

If you buy a latest (or a recent) generation watch, you can be sure that you’re getting a smartwatch with an updated design, a robust feature set, and plenty of sensors. And luckily, now that the Series 3 is officially out of commission (it’s long overdue), it’s harder to end up with a watch that will quickly feel outdated.

Now let’s get into the deals.

The Apple Watch Series 8 represents the latest wearable in Apple’s flagship Series lineup. It brings a new chipset (which our colleague Victoria Song says is no faster than the previous iteration), new temperature sensors that enable menstrual tracking, Crash Detection, and a host of other improvements. While the subtle improvements are welcome, the Series 8 isn’t all that different from the previous model, the Apple Watch Series 7.

We recently saw the starting price of the base Apple Watch Series 8 drop to $329 ($70 off), which is where the 41mm model with GPS is currently going for at Amazon and Walmart. As for the larger 45mm model with GPS, it’s currently on sale at Amazon and Walmart for $359, which is $70 off and matches the watch’s lowest price to date.

If you’re looking for an LTE-equipped model, the 41mm configuration is available from Amazon and Walmart for $429 ($70 off). The same $70 discount also applies to the 45mm model, which is on sale now at Amazon and Walmart for $459.

If you can spare Crash Detection and other Series 8 exclusives, the last-generation Series 7 is currently available at Walmart in select colors starting at $299 — about $100 off the original list price.

Read our Apple Watch Series 8 review.

The Apple Watch SE received a refresh at the end of 2022. It has the same chipset as the Series 8, which is great, but with fewer sensors, no always-on display, and a slightly dated design compared to the Series 7 and Series 8. Those omissions might get this out of the way for some people, but it could still be just what you’re looking for. Best of all, it starts at $249 for the 40mm Wi-Fi/GPS model, which is $30 less than the base cost of the previous generation. Opting for cellular connectivity raises the starting price to $299 for the 40mm size (44mm adds $20 to any configuration).

Right now, the 40mm Apple Watch SE with GPS is available from Amazon for $219.99 ($30 off), which is the wearable’s lowest price to date. The GPS-only model is also available in the 44mm size at Amazon for $249.99 ($30 off), or in the LTE-equipped configuration at Amazon for just $269.99. Please note that in the case of the last two configurations, Amazon automatically applies the discount at checkout.

If you think it’s cool to buy the last-generation model, which doesn’t have an always-on display and some of the more advanced bells and whistles found on the newer Apple Watch models, Walmart sells it in the base configuration from just $149, a total of $130 off.

Read our review of Apple Watch SE (2nd generation).

Apple’s big, chunky, and capable Watch Ultra launched for $799 with GPS and LTE support, and in case you’re not in the know, it has the most features, sensors, and ruggedness of any Apple Watch model to date. until available. The 49mm body houses a screen that can get brighter than the Series 8, it has a longer battery life and more accurate GPS tracking, and it’s packed with sensors that essentially turn it into a swim and dive guide.

In terms of deals, we recently saw the Apple Watch Ultra drop to an all-time low of $729.99. Right now, though, it’s only on sale at Amazon, where you can pick it up with one of three Alpine Loop straps for $779.99 ($20 off).

Read our Apple Watch Ultra review.

While all of the Apple Watch models and colorways covered here are encased in aluminum (with the exception of the Ultra, which is made of titanium), Apple makes a more premium range that is made of stainless steel and titanium. These offerings are functionally and aesthetically similar to their aluminum counterparts, with slightly refined colors and finishes – polished for the stainless steel and brushed for the titanium. However, they start with much higher prices of $749 and up. They, too, can often be found on sale, but they’re never discounted as low as the standard base models, so we’re not including them here.