The 20+ best Black Friday smartwatch and fitness tracker deals 2024: Early sales live now

Black Friday, arguably the best holiday, is still a month away. But retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and more are already offering savings way before the big sale, especially on fitness trackers and smartwatches. 

Smartwatches and fitness trackers make great gifts (including a gift for yourself). These devices can count steps, track your heart rate, and, depending on the model you choose, provide detailed health insights and easy app access. They can also provide invaluable information like sleep tracking and blood pressure readings. 

Also: Black Friday 2024: Everything to know

We've rounded up the best deals on smartwatches and fitness trackers to help you find the best deals possible, based on both our device testing and deal-hunting expertise. This list will be updated regularly from now through Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Our favorite smartwatch and fitness tracker deals for Black Friday 2024

• Apple Watch Series 9 Midnight: $329 (save $100 at Amazon or Best Buy): Though it's now one generation behind, the Apple Watch Series 9 is an excellent smartwatch with strong health-tracking features -- especially for $100 off.
• Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Trail Loop: $728 (save $72 at Amazon): ZDNET editor-in-chief Jason Hiner loves this watch, and ranked it as one of the best we've ever tested. (You can also find it with a Blue Ocean band on sale for $680 at Best Buy.)
• Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: $491 (save $159 at Amazon): This is one of Samsung's newest watches and a great option for a more elevated experience for Samsung users. It's our pick for the best Android smartwatch you can buy.
  
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: $170 (save $130 at Amazon: Another great and relatively affordable option for Samsung fans, the Galaxy Watch 6 includes sleep tracking and Bluetooth tracking, among other coveted features. 
• Oura Ring 3: $300 (save $50 at Best Buy and Amazon): The Oura Ring Gen 3 is now one generation behind, but was our tested pick for the best smart ring for the past year. These rarely go on sale, so take advantage if you have been looking for one that's more affordable than the new Oura Ring 4.
• Fitbit Sense Advanced Smartwatch: $170 (save $80 at Amazon): The Fitbit Sense offers all you need in a smartwatch and fitness tracker combo, including health insights.
• Garmin Venu 3S: $394 (save $55 on Amazon): The Garmin Venu 3S is our pick for the best fitness tracker for sleep. 
• Garmin Forerunner 255 Music: $293 (save $107 on Amazon): This watch is for the serious runners. It offers training programs while still being a more budget option for Garmin watches. 
  
• Google Pixel Watch: $185 (save $95 on Amazon): If you use Pixel devices, the original Google Pixel Watch is a great option because it is compatible with a host of great health insight features. Our reviewer called it "a luxury Fitbit" when it was released.

Best Black Friday Apple Watch deals

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

• Apple Watch Series 10 Rose Gold: $380 (save $20 at Best Buy): Even a small discount on a brand-new Apple product like the Watch Series 10 is rare, so if you've been looking to upgrade, this is a good time. It's our pick for the best Apple Watch you can buy right now.
• Apple Watch Series 9 Midnight: $329 (save $100 at Amazon or Best Buy): The Apple Watch Series 9 is beloved by our staff, particularly at this discount.
• Apple Watch Series 9 Starlight: $320 (save $80 at Best Buy): This Apple Watch 9 is on sale in the Starlight color, which would be great to match with any outfit.
• Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Trail Loop: $728 (save $72 at Amazon): The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is our pick for the best Apple Watch you can buy. It's also on an even deeper discount at Best Buy at $680 if you opt for the Blue Ocean band. Don't miss out.
• Apple Watch SE: $240 (save $60 at Best Buy): This watch is our top pick for first-time buyers, kids, and seniors. (Get it on sale in the Starlight color for $200, too.)

Best Black Friday Samsung Watch deals

Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET

• Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: $491 (save $159 at Amazon): This is one of Samsung's newest watches and a great option for a more elevated experience for Samsung users. 
  
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: $170 (save $130 at Amazon): This is a great option for Samsung users. The Galaxy Watch 6 has sleep tracking and Bluetooth tracking, among other top features. 
• Samsung Galaxy Watch FE Pink Gold: $170 (save $30 at Best Buy): The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE would be a great gift, especially for someone who loves pink.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7: $290 (save $40 at Best Buy): Samsung's newest model of smartwatch is on sale for the early adopters who haven't gotten their hands on it yet.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: $190 (save $140 at Best Buy): This is a great deal for Samsung's last-generation model. It performs just as great as the 7 in many ways, and costs a lot less.

Best Black Friday Fitbit deals

Maria Diaz/ZDNET

• Fitbit Sense Advanced Smartwatch: $170 (save $80 at Amazon): Fitbit offers smartwatches, too. The Fitbit Sense offers all you need in a watch, including health insights.
• Fitbit Inspire 3: $90 (save $18 on Amazon): The Fitbit Inspire is great for those who don't need all the bells and whistles of a smartwatch. This one acts more as a fitness tracker but still tells you the time, too. 
• Fitbit Inspire 3 Bundle: $104 (save $25 on Amazon): These Fitbit bundles include chargers, screen protectors, and more, and make great gifts for the holiday season. 
• Fitbit Versa Lite Edition: $128 (save $22): This is our second pink watch on the list. This one would be great for someone who needs a watch but also needs accurate health information.

Best Black Friday Garmin deals

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

• Garmin Venu 3S: $394 (save $55 on Amazon): ZDNET loves this watch for its sleep-tracking abilities, as we ranked it the best in that category. If you are looking for a device to track your exercise and sleep, the Garmin Venu 3S may be worth considering.
• Garmin Forerunner 255 Music: $293 (save $107 on Amazon): This watch is for the serious runners. It offers training programs but is the more budget option for Garmin watches. 
• Garmin Epix Gen 2: $500 (save $400 on Amazon): If you need a watch for style and function, look no further than this one. 
• Garmin Instinct Crossover Solar: $379 (save $71 on Amazon): This rugged watch is pefect for an athlete whose activities are a little more rough.
• Garmin Forerunner® 965: $500 (save $78 on Amazon): This watch is for the serious athletes. It offers training programs and even insights for golfers.

FAQs

What is the best fitness tracker?

The best fitness tracker is one that suits your needs the most. Brands like Fitbit and Garmin specifically cater to athletes and fitness tracking, while Apple and Samsung watches cater more to a brand and compatibility with smartphones, but still offer great health insight options. For example, if you are a runner, the best fitness tracker for you may be the Garmin Forerunner. If you are a more casual athlete but want more productivity functions on your watch, maybe an Apple or Samsung watch may be for you.

What fitness tracker is the most accurate?

Other publications usually cite Garmin as the most accurate fitness tracker, but at this point, just about all of the trackers on this list provide thorough and accurate information. 

Do doctors recommend fitness trackers?

They can. Fitness trackers can be handy in the case of certain medical conditions. They could help you monitor your heart rate, sleep, and blood pressure. However, do not become too paranoid about it and/or begin to diagnose yourself -- always consult a doctor.

Are Apple Watches good fitness trackers?

Yes. Not only do they track performance, but they encourage exercise. However, if you are a more serious and dedicated athlete, I would check out a Garmin model.

Is Fitbit still a good buy?

Yes, absolutely. Fitbit makes some of the best fitness trackers in the market. It is ranked number one on this list for a reason! Fitbits are reliable and are tailored to track fitness, therefore acting as perfect devices for casual athletes or workout fanatics.

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving in the US, which is Nov. 29. 

When is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday takes place the Monday after US Thanksgiving, which this year falls on Dec. 2.

Are smartwatch and fitness tracker deals really better on Black Friday?

Often, yes. Like most sale days across the calendar year, these wearables may dip in price more than usual. Brands often put their devices on sale for 10-40%, with some even up to 50%. However, that doesn't mean a product you've been eyeing will get a price cut. Brands tend to lower the price of older models to eliminate stock and make way for newer versions of the product. However, you may be surprised to find how much things get marked down. There are other occasions within the year, like Amazon Prime Day, where similar price cuts take place. However, Black Friday traditionally holds the best deals.

What's the difference between Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

Nothing, really. Before most sales moved online, Black Friday was the biggest shopping occasion of the year, conveniently before the gift-giving season. With the rise of online commerce, holiday sales now take place throughout an entire week, where retailers mark down certain products. Therefore, the only real difference is that Black Friday technically exists in stores, while Cyber Monday is strictly online.

How did we choose these Black Friday deals?

At ZDNET, we only write about and note sales that we would buy ourselves. We carefully dive into the deepest parts of online retailers to find the best deals on products we have tested and recommended- or know is a good buy. We aim to find the deals that save the most money while still offering a great user experience. We also do extensive research if a product is not within our current knowledge. We do the work for you—finding the best deal so you can give the best gifts this holiday season.

Where can you shop the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals? 

Retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and more offer the best deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Sales will be in-store and in-person, but there will also be lots more online.