It's almost time for one of Amazon's biggest savings events of the year: Prime Big Deal Days, otherwise known as October Prime Day, kicks off Oct. 8. Every Prime Day, the retailer offers major discounts on home, tech, clothing, and more. Pricey items like fitness trackers and smartwatches will receive some hefty discounts, and some deals are already live.
Also: The best October Prime Day deals live now
Smartwatches and fitness trackers are becoming harder to categorize. Most smartwatches include features your basic fitness tracker is capable of, like tracking steps and heart rate, while some fitness trackers can perform similar functions to a smartwatch, like GPS location and receiving texts and calls. With evolving technology, options like sleep tracking and personalized health insights are often included in both smartwatches and fitness trackers. With these deals, you can pick and choose which device you feel is right for you.
This list will be updated ahead of October Prime Day, and during the event as well.
Our favorite early Amazon October Prime Day smartwatch and fitness tracker deals
Apple Watch Series 9 Midnight Aluminum for $329 (save $100): The Apple Watch Series 9 is one of ZDNET's favorite smartwatches, and this basic version is perfect for a starter. Apple Watch Series 9 Graphite Stainless Steel for $599 (save $150): This model is a more high-end and durable version of the Midnight Aluminum, but it still falls in our category of favorite smartwatches. Apple Watch Ultra 2 for $735 (save $65): ZDNET editor-in-chief Jason Hiner loves this watch and ranked it as one of the best we've ever tested.Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 44mm for $230 (save $100): This is a great option for Samsung users. The Galaxy Watch 6 has sleep tracking and Bluetooth tracking, among other coveted features.
Garmin Forerunner 965 for $500 (save $100): This watch is for the serious athletes. It offers training programs and even insights for golfers.
Fitbit Charge 4 Black for $145 (save $78): We loved this Fitbit model when it came out in 2020, and still do today. If you want to start your child with a fitness tracker, this could be a great and affordable option. Fitbit Sense Advanced Smartwatch for $177 (save $73): Fitbit offers smartwatches, too! The Fitbit Sense offers all you need in a watch, including health insights.
Amazfit Balance Smart Watch 46mm for $180 (save $20): Amazfit offers great products at a competitive, low price. ZDNET writer Matthew Miller prefers this watch over some Garmin and Samsung models. Make sure to check it out!
Garmin Venu 3S for $400 (save $50): ZDNET loves this watch for its sleep-tracking abilities, as we ranked it the best in that category. If you are in the market for a device to track your exercise and sleep, the Garmin Venu 3S may be worth consideration.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 47mm for $550 (save $100): This is one of Samsung's newest watches and a great option for a more premium experience for Samsung users.
More October Prime Day 2024 smartwatch deals
More October Prime Day 2024 fitness tracker and smart ring deals
FAQs
When is Amazon's October Prime Day 2024?
Amazon's October Prime Day officially starts at 12:01 a.m. PDT on Oct. 8 and will run through Oct. 9. However, there are still deals available before the event kicks off.
Are smartwatches and fitness trackers really cheaper on Prime Day?
Often, yes. Like most sale days across the calendar year, these wearables may dip in price more than usual. 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.
How did we choose these October Prime Day deals?
We at ZDNET recommend deals and products that we would actually buy. We scour Amazon's depths to find the best deals possible on trustworthy and expert-tested products. We aim to find discounts of at least 20%, making sure you are getting as much of a bargain as possible.
If we haven't tested a product, we heavily rely on the feedback of real people from reviews and Reddit forums. AT ZDNET, our mission is to recommend products we actually like. If they are not tested in-house, they are thoroughly researched to offer helpful guidelines for your decision-making process. We want you to shop smarter, not harder!
What are the best October Prime Day 2024 deals?
ZDNET's experts are searching through Prime Day sales to find the best discounts by category. These are the best deals so far:
You can also find the best October Prime Day deals by price:
And the best deals from other retailers this week: