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John Kim/CNET
2018 may finally be the year you trade in your analogue watch for something a little smarter. Over the last few years wearable devices from companies like Apple, Fitbit and Garmin have become helpful tools that keep you connected while kicking your butt into shape. And with Black Friday deals like these, buying a smartwatch or fitness tracker is more tempting than ever.
But before you start looking for deals, its important to figure out what you need in a wearable or you may end up spending more on features you don’t need. Designated fitness bands like Fitbit’s Charge 3 and Alta or Garmin’s Vivofit tend to be cheaper options. You get basic activity tracking, watch features and notifications, but you’re limited by a smaller screen.
Smartwatches like the Apple Watch, Fitbit Versa, or Samsung Gear for example, will still have a lot of the same fitness tracking functionality as the previous trackers, but they have more controls on the screen and can even become a secondary phone. The downside is they do tend to be bulkier and more expensive.
Now that you have a clearer idea of what you want, let’s save you some money. We’ll be sure to update this post with both Walmart wearables deals and Best Buy wearables deals later this week. In the meantime, check out our Walmart and Best Buy deals in all their glory.
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Tricks to score extra savings on Black Friday and Cyber…
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Just keep in mind:
- Terms of the deal vary, so where possible we’ve listed when and where to get the sale price from each retailer.
- The deals below are current as of Nov. 8, and include Target, Amazon and Shopko. When more retailers’ deals come in (we expect Best Buy and Walmart later this week, for example), we’ll include them too.
- CNET may get a share of revenue from the sale of the products featured on this page.
- We linked to the current listing at the retailer’s website when one was available, but of course sale pricing won’t be available until the sale begins.
With that out of the way, let’s get you started on some bargain hunting.
Fitbit Charge 3, $120 (Save $40)
Sarah Tew/CNET
Fitbit’s latest tracker is almost a category of its own. It’s not quite a fully fledged smartwatch, but it’s not just a fitness band either. The design is also a nice middle ground between bulky and sleek, and has some tactile functionality on the screen.
Sale pricing starts
Shopko: In-store and online Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, at 2 p.m.
Target: In-store and online Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, at 5 p.m.
Apple Watch Series 3 GPS, $199 (Save $80)
James Martin/CNET
If you don’t need the EKG feature on this year’s Series 4, the Apple Watch Series 3 may be the perfect fit. It has most of the same features as the newer model, but for a lot less. And it still keeps track of your ticker by alerting you if your heart rate is abnormally high or low.
Sale pricing starts
Macy’s: In-store and online Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, at 5 p.m.
Target: In-store and online Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, at 5 p.m.
Apple Watch Series 3 available at Macy’s
Fitbit Versa, $149 (Save $50)
Sarah Tew/CNET
This Fitbit smartwatch has a comfortable, sleek design with a color touchscreen, heart rate sensor and a battery that will last you days at a time. It’s compatible with both Android and iOS devices, but only Android users will be able to program quick responses to reply to text messages.
Sale pricing starts
Kohl’s: Online Monday, Nov. 19, and in-store on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, at 5 p.m.
Shopko: Online Tuesday, Nov. 20.
Meijer: Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, at 6 a.m.
Fitbit Versa available at Shopko
Samsung Gear S3 smartwatch, $200 (Save $100)
Sarah Tew/CNET
This well crafted smartwatch has a round design and a rotating bezel that allows you to easily navigate through its many features. It also boasts one of the best Samsung features available: Samsung Pay, which allows you to make payments at just about any credit card terminal.
Sale pricing starts
Meijer: Online on Sunday, Nov. 18 at 6 a.m.
Fitbit Alta HR, $80 (Save $50)
Sarah Tew/CNET
The Fitbit Alta HR is the perfect companion if you’re just getting stated on your fitness journey. It’s the smallest and lightest fitness tracker on our list, with customizable straps that can give it a more stylish look. And it’s still able to fit in a heart rate sensor for improved activity tracking and calorie count.
Sale pricing starts
Kohl’s: Online starting Monday, Nov. 19, and in-store on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, at 5 p.m.
Target: In-store and online Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, at 5 p.m.
Black Friday 2018 deals in each category
Black Friday 2018 deals by store
Black Friday 2018: CNET’s complete coverage
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