The Apple Watch has been around for a decade, so it’s safe to say you’ve already heard the evangelism from fawning owners: fitness tracking for everything from running to rowing, phone alerts on your wrist, a limitless variety of watch faces for every occasion. The latest versions have even added the ability to take an electrocardiogram, 5G connectivity and off-grid satellite messaging.
It’s no wonder the Apple Watch Series 11 earned a five-star review from our consumer tech editor and regularly pops up in our gift guides for pretty much everyone. The Apple Watch is beloved by moms, customized by dads and requested by tweens.
But if you’ve been holding off on actually buying one because of the premium price, Prime Day might be the break you’ve been waiting for. Right now, every Apple Watch is at the lowest price we’ve ever seen. Here are the deals on every model, and how to choose the right one for you.
Apple Watch SE Gen 3 (40mm, GPS)
- Now $199, originally $249 at Amazon Amazon $199
As Samuel Gibbs, the Guardian’s consumer technology editor, put it in his guide to the best Apple Watch, “the recently updated entry-level Apple Watch SE 3 offers almost everything its more expensive siblings do, but at a discount.” That includes an always-on display, onboard Siri and basic heart-rate monitoring. You can also use it to monitor your sleep and look for patterns, as a sleep expert recommended in the Filter’s guide to resolving common sleep issues.
Apple Watch SE Gen 3 (44mm, GPS)
- Now $229, originally $279 at Amazon Amazon $229
No surprise, Gibbs anointed it the best Apple Watch for most people. If you’re new to wearables and don’t have a specific use for a feature from a more expensive model, this is probably the one to buy – especially at this 18% off price.
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Apple Watch Series 11 (42mm, GPS)
- Now $279, originally $399 at Amazon Amazon $279
The Apple Watch Series 11 gives you everything the SE does, then slathers more on top: a bigger and brighter screen, longer battery life and faster charging. But the real upgrade is in the sensors. “For heart health, this is the Apple Watch to choose,” said Gibbs. It includes both ECG functionality and blood-oxygen monitoring (although the latter has been disabled in the US due to a patent dispute). Even in its legally hobbled state, the ECG can help detect atrial fibrillation (AFib), an irregular heart rhythm that should be your cue to see a cardiologist immediately.
Apple Watch Series 11 (46mm, GPS)
- Now $309, originally $429 at Amazon Amazon $309
Both the SE and Series 11 can come with or without cellular capabilities baked in. If you’re on a budget and usually keep your phone on you anyway, skipping cellular will save you both upfront cost and ongoing bills of about $10-15 per month.
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Apple Watch Ultra 3 (49mm, Cellular)
- Now $649, originally $799 at Amazon Amazon $649
“The Ultra 3 is the biggest, baddest and best Apple Watch the company makes,” said Gibbs in his five-star review – with a price to match. Even on sale, it’s twice the cost of the lower-end models. But if you’re an outdoor enthusiast you might find value in the upgrades, such as dual-band GPS for more accurate tracking, a sapphire face that resists scratches, and three-day battery life for long days away from an outlet. The most compelling might be satellite connectivity for sending and receiving messages outside of cell range – a nice safety net for a trail run gone wrong.
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Other pieces you might enjoy from the Filter, the Guardian’s guide to buying fewer, better things:
The best US Prime Day streaming deals on Apple TV, HBO Max and more for your summer binge-watch
The best wireless earbuds for iPhone owners, Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 are on rare sale
The best Prime Day deals in the US on things our editors actually tested and love
