Black Friday smartwatch deals 2021: what to expect

Black Friday smartwatch deals are officially less than two months away. We saw some great Black Friday discounts last year, and we're sure we'll see more this year too.

However, scouring the internet can be tough. Here at TechRadar, we're here to help you decipher which Black Friday smartwatch deals are worth your time and which offers are better left alone. In this guide, we'll round up the biggest discounts on the best smartwatches when they drop, so if you want to kick back and relax (while still getting a great bargain) just bookmark this page and return in late October and November.

In the meantime, here's everything you need to know to bag a brilliant smartwatch deal on Black Friday this year, from where to look (spoiler: here) to when the biggest price drops will happen.

Black Friday smartwatch FAQ

When will the best Black Friday smartwatches deals start in 2021?

Black Friday falls on November 26th this year, but we expect to see some tasty smartwatch discounts before then. Traditionally, the best offers were reserved for the day itself, but in recent years we’ve seen retailers launch their Black Friday pricing at the beginning of Thanksgiving week. 

You'll also start seeing some offers crop up as early as October. The best deals often drop near Black Friday itself, but if you're after a bargain it's worth paying attention as soon as the first prices are cut on the smartwatch device you want to snag.

If you feel like you need a hand, we'll be rounding up all the best smartwatch Black Friday deals here, first, so bookmark this page and keep checking back.

Last year, the trend towards earlier deals was even more pronounced thanks to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions in many parts of the world. Smartwatch and other tech prices dropped in late October and stayed low into the first week of December. 

According to data from Adobe Analytics, the change last year was because the pandemic accelerated the shift to online shopping, with more than a 50% increase in 2020 compared to 2019. With many brick-and-mortar stores closed, and more people than ever shopping online to stay safe - plus with restrictions causing shipping delays - it made sense for retailers to spread the deals out.  

We don't know if 2021 will be the same, but we recommend having your eyes peeled from late October / early November just to be sure you find the best Black Friday smartwatch deals.

Where will the best Black Friday smartwatch deals be?

You'll, of course, find the best Black Friday smartwatch deals here as soon as they drop. However, if you want to find the deals for yourself you'll need to know where to look. If you live in the US or UK, check out our picks below for the best sites to check for Black Friday smartwatch deals when they drop later this year.

You can also check them out now to see what pre-Black Friday prices look like so you know how good the savings really are.

Top US retailers
Amazon: a broad smartwatch selection at great prices
Best Buy: save on a wide range of smartwatches
Walmart: get free shipping on these smartwatches

Top UK retailers
Amazon: often the cheapest smartwatches in the UK
Currys: free delivery, on a wide selection of smartwatches
John Lewis: extended warranties on premium smartwatches

Which smartwatch is best for you?

There are a lot of smartwatches to be on the lookout for during Black Friday 2021, but what wearable devices will be best for you? Here's a rundown of the top devices to keep an eye on as the discounts appear.

Apple fans will be happy to know that the best smartwatch out there (according to our best smartwatch list) is the Apple Watch SE. The Apple Watch SE comes with some top-end specs, a high-end design and a great range of features that you can't get on every other smartwatch right now. The battery life could be better, but if you're looking for good value for money during Black Friday 2021, this is a smartwatch to snag.

Alternatively, Android phone users will want the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3. The Galaxy Watch 3 features a unique rotating bezel that makes navigating around the smartwatch a joy. Its functionality is great too, making this smartwatch perfect if you're looking for a smartwatch to track your fitness, look good on your wrist and do a whole lot more.

If you're on a tighter budget, you might want to check out our best cheap smartwatches for 2021, which will likely get even cheaper during Black Friday. The Fitbit Versa Lite currently sits at the top of our list showing the brand can do more than just fitness bands, while the TicWatch E2 shows that you can get something good from brands you might not be as familiar with.

Today's best smartwatch deals

The majority of the best smartwatch deals will likely happen at the end of November, but if you need to buy one now, fear not: there are plenty of smartwatch deals to browse. Here are some of our favorite models, along with today's lowest prices.

Last year's Black Friday smartwatch deals

You've missed out on these deals from last year - but that doesn't mean they aren't worth checking out. That's because they can give you a hint at what deals we might see on smartwatches in Black Friday.

Expect discounts that are at least as good as these on the selection of devices below, but also keep an eye on how these offers compare to deals you see before Black Friday lands. That way you can decide if it's worth waiting for the day itself, or snagging an early offer while you can.

Last year's Black Friday smartwatch deals in the US

Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS): $309 $289 at Amazon (save $20)
The Apple Watch SE may be a brand new product, but we've seen it for lower. However that was a brief deal, so you may have missed it, so if you want the watch this current deal is still worthy. This deal from Amazon allows you to get it with a Sport Band in your color choice of Black, White, or Pink.

Fitbit Versa 2 40mm smartwatch: $179 $129 at Best Buy (save $50)
Pick up a Fitbit Versa 2 smartwatch (40mm) at a $50 off discount with this Black Friday deal. The Fitbit Versa 2 packs an AMOLED display, sleep and fitness tracking, and up to 5 days of battery life at a compelling price.

Apple Watch Series 6 (40mm, GPS): $399 $349.99 at Amazon (save $49)
The all-new Apple Watch Series 6 gets a $49 price cut at Amazon in this early Black Friday deal. The all-new 40mm smartwatch features a new S6 processor, blood oxygen monitoring, an ECG app, and elevation tracking. You must apply the additional $29 discount at checkout to see the full discount.

Garmin Legacy Hero Captain America: $399.99 $349.99 at Amazon (save $50)
This Garmin smartwatch has a Captain America twist, both in the design (inspired by the Marvel superhero) and in the software, with themed watch faces and more. It's a good-looking watch even if you don't like the Avengers, but for fans of the series who also need a great smartwatch, it's a must-buy.

Ticwatch S2: $179.99 $101.98 at Mobvoi.com (save $78)
We called the Ticwatch S2 one of the best affordable Wear OS smartwatches available, and that was before this deal cut even more money off its price. It has a rugged-feeling waterproof design and two-day battery life, though it misses some features like NFC.

Fitbit Charge 4: $149.95 $99.95 at Fitbit.com (save $50)
The Fitbit Charge 4 is an excellent fitness tracker for causal runners and cyclists thanks to its on-board GPS, which allows you to track runs and rides without carrying your phone. The data will sync with the Fitbit app, and can even be uploaded automatically to Strava. At under $100, it's a steal.

Fitbit Inspire 2: $99.95 $69.95 at Fitbit.com (save $30)
The FItbit Inspire 2 is a smart entry-level fitness tracker that launched just a couple of months ago. It features all-day heart rate tracking, sleep tracking, workout monitoring, smartphone notifications, and guided breathing exercises – and its battery life is exceptional, lasting up to 10 days between charges. At a hair under $70, it's a real Black Friday bargain

Last year's Black Friday smartwatch deals in the UK

Samsung Galaxy Watch 42mm: £259 £159 at Argos (save £100)
Argos has knocked £100 off the price of the smaller 42mm version of the Samsung Galaxy Watch. Despite its slimmer dimensions, it offers the same features as the 46mm version, including 39 fitness tracking modes, GPS tracking, stress management, and voice controls. This deal applies to the rose gold model.

Apple Watch 5 White Sport Band 40mm (GPS + Cell): £699 £452.99 at Amazon (save £246)
There's nearly £250 off this sporty-looking version of the Apple Watch 5, which is a pretty huge saving compared to the initial price. the 44mm version is on sale too but its reduction isn't as dramatic.
44mm: £749.99 £582.99 at Amazon (save £166)

Samsung Galaxy Golf: £359.99 £259.99 at Argos (save £100)
Argos has knocked £100 off this specialized golf smartwatch for Black Friday. Despite having a range of analog face designs, it features a fully digital display the can be configured to show a host of fitness stats, and comes pre-loaded with Samsung's premium Smart Caddie app with maps of 40,000 courses.

Garmin Vivomove Style: £259.99 £189.99 at Argos (save £70)
The Garmin Vivomove is a gorgeous hybrid smartwatch that's perfect for anyone who finds regular fitness trackers a little bit ugly. It has an analog face with a hidden digital display that reveals vital stats and smartphone notifications at the push of a button. It collects far more data than that though, and pushes a wealth of info on your activity and wellbeing to the Garmin Connect app on your phone. A stunning smartwatch, and a great deal with £70 off at Argos.

Ticwatch S2: £127 £84 at Mobvoi.com (save £43)
This is a really great new price for this watch. We called the Ticwatch S2 one of the best affordable Wear OS smartwatches available, and that was before this deal cut even more money off its price. It has a rugged-feeling waterproof design and two-day battery life, though it misses some features like NFC.

TechRadar is scouring every retailer and rounding up all the top deals over the Black Friday period, and we’ve put all the best Black Friday deals and Cyber Monday deals in easy-to-navigate articles to help you find the bargains you’re looking for.

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