Thinking about picking up a new Apple Watch? The timing is always right to find at least one model selling at a deep discount. In fact, Apple recently launched its latest batch of smartwatches for 2022, including the $399 Series 8, the new $249 SE, and the first-ever $799 Ultra, which is aimed at outdoor enthusiasts and swimmers. There are now more Apple Watch models on the market than ever before, so you have plenty to choose from.

But with all of those options, which one should you pick? If you can decide based on specs, we’ve put together a handy breakdown to make it easier to see what one model offers over another. Generally speaking, however, you want to buy the newest watch you can afford so that it continues to receive software updates from Apple. The latest update, watchOS 9, recently launched on the Apple Watch Series 4 and newer models, though no one can say with certainty whether the Series 4 will get the next big software update. And keep in mind that, unlike some Apple products, the steepest Apple Watch discounts are often happening on the newest models, not the last-gen ones.

Picking up a watch from the latest (or a recent) generation ensures you’re getting a smartwatch with an updated design, a robust number of features, and plenty of sensors. And thankfully, now that the Series 3 is officially out of commission (it was long overdue), it’s harder to end up with a watch that will quickly feel outdated.

Now, let’s get into the deals.

The best Apple Watch deals

The best Apple Watch Series 8 deals

The Apple Watch Series 8 represents the latest wearable in Apple’s flagship Series lineup. It brings a new chipset (that my colleague Victoria Song says isn’t faster than the previous iteration), new temperature sensors that enable menstrual tracking, crash detection, and a host of other enhancements. While the subtle improvements are welcome, the Series 8 isn’t all that different from the prior model, the Apple Watch Series 7.

Although we recently saw the starting price of the base Apple Watch Series 8 drop to $349 — the lowest price we’ve seen on the smartwatch to date — you can only pick it up at the moment for $30 off. Right now, for instance, the 41mm model with GPS is on sale for $369 ($30 off) at Amazon and Walmart, or in the cellular configuration for $469 ($30 off) at Walmart. As for the larger, 45mm model, it’s currently available at Walmart in select colors for $399 at Walmart or with LTE for $499, both of which are $30 off.

The best Apple Watch Ultra deals

Apple’s big, thick, and capable Watch Ultra is launching at $799 with GPS and LTE support, and in case you aren’t in the know, it has the most features, sensors, and ruggedness of any Apple Watch model available thus far. Its 49mm case houses a screen that can get brighter than the Series 8, it has a longer-lasting battery and more precise GPS tracking, and it’s loaded with sensors that essentially turn it into a swimming and diving guide.

On the deals front, we recently saw the Apple Watch Ultra drop to an all-time low of $749 at multiple retailers. Right now, however, it’s only on sale for $779.99 ($20 off) at Amazon, or for its full retail price of $799 at Target, Best Buy, and other retailers.

The best Apple Watch SE deals

The Apple Watch SE received a refresh in 2022. It has the same chipset as the Series 8, which is great, but with fewer sensors, no always-on display, and a slightly outdated design compared to the Series 7 and Series 8. Those omissions might take this out of the running for some people, but it still may be exactly what you’re after. Best of all, it starts at $249 for the 40mm Wi-Fi / GPS model, which is $30 less than the previous generation’s baseline cost. Opting for cellular bumps up the starting price to $299 for the 40mm size (44mm adds $20 to each configuration). You can purchase an Apple Watch SE (2022) from a variety of retailers, including Apple, Best Buy, Amazon, and more.

We recently saw the first big price cut on the 2022 SE, which dropped the base model to $229 at Amazon. That deal has come and gone, but the latest SE is still available with GPS at Amazon in the 40mm configuration for $239.99 ($10 off), or at Amazon and Walmart in the 44mm sizing for $259 ($20 off). Amazon is also discounting the 40mm, LTE model to $289.99, as well as its 44mm variant to $319.98, both of which are $10 off their typical retail price.

If you’re cool with getting the last-gen model, Walmart even has the 40mm-sized GPS / GPS SE for $199, which is a total of $80 off.

A note on the more premium models

While all of the Apple Watch models and colorways covered here are encased in aluminum (with the exception of the Ultra, which has a titanium build), Apple does make a more premium range built out of stainless steel and titanium. These offerings are functionally and aesthetically similar to their aluminum counterparts, with slightly refined colors and finishings — polished for the stainless steel and brushed for the titanium. However, they start at much steeper prices of $749 and above. They, too, can often be found on sale, but they’re never discounted as low as the standard base models, so we don’t include them here.