Best Prime Day Smartwatch Deals 2020: What to expect

Are you in the market for a new smartwatch for yourself of a loved one? There’s no better occasion than Prime Day 2020 to snag a smartwatch for a smart price. Gone are the days when folks puzzled over why they needed a smartwatch when they already had a smartphone — complete with date and time — in their pocket. Today, the advantages of a wrist-based computing device are obvious, especially for keeping fit; receiving calls, notifications, and email; and even listening to your favorite tunes.

Smartwatches are compatible with either iPhone or Android operating systems and enjoy an extended lifespan. The latest three generations of the Apple Watch, for example, have held their value nicely and are compatible with several generations of phones and watch systems. Popular watches compatible with Samsung, LG, Google, and other phones run on Android- and iOS-friendly Wear OS.

Today’s best Prime Day smartwatch deals

Apple Watch Series 3 (38mm) — $169, was $199
Apple Watch Series 3 (42mm, white) — $199, was $229
Garmin Vivoactive 4 — $296, was $350
Garmin Vivoactive 4S — $286, was $350
Fossil Women’s Sport Metal and Silicone Touchscreen Smartwatch — $199, was $275
Michael Kors Access Runway Smartwatch — $140, was $295
Fitbit Ionic Smartwatch — $196, was $250
Garmin Forerunner 645 GPS Running Watch — $340, was $400

There aren’t yet any Amazon Prime Day deals at the moment, because Amazon Prime Day hasn’t yet begun. We do know that Prime Day is set to run from October 13 through October 14, but if you’re looking for a smartwatch right now and can’t wait, this list points you to some of the best deals currently available.

When are the best Prime Day smartwatch deals?

While Amazon tends to reserve the best deals for the event itself, it’s also been known to whet appetites with some must-have offers in the run-up to the event (typically starting the week before). If something you like stands out beforehand, don’t hesitate to snap it up. There’s no guarantee it will be on sale again on Prime Day, or that it will even be as cheap. You can always return it and buy it again if it is cheaper.

What Prime Day smartwatch deals to expect

Prime Day competes with other annual events like Black Friday, and the best deals are generally for items that don’t often get discounted — such as current-generation or high-end models. For smartwatches, we’re talking about the Apple Watch Series 5 as well as older units like the Series 3 (currently available on Apple’s website) and Series 4, in addition to tricked-out fitness trackers like the Garmin Forerunner or the Samsung Galaxy Watch. That is in contrast to simple, often-discounted activity trackers. Android users, be on the lookout for Wear OS and Tizen wearables from Fossil and Samsung. While older products often get the most significant discounts, flash deals of sought-after newer items, like the Apple Watch Series 5, will likely be available at the lowest prices. If there’s something you’ve had your eye on, jump on it.

Interested in a smartwatch, but you’re not sure which model is the best one for you? Check out our list of best smartwatches for 2020.

Should I shop on Prime Day or wait until Black Friday?

With Prime Day scheduled for October and Black Friday only a month beyond in November, it’s possible that Amazon won’t see a second restock in time for Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales. Shoppers also run the chance of competing with more buyers on Black Friday and then suffering the consequence of hefty shipping delays. If you’re worried about these smartwatches seeing a bigger discount for Black Friday, rest easy. We don’t anticipate prices varying by much between these two events. Get a jump on your holiday shopping this year and shop these Prime Day smartwatch deals instead of waiting until late November to get spending.

Are any Prime Day smartwatch deals too good to be true?

Before you start shopping for a new smartwatch, make sure to put in a little research beforehand. Check to see the different brand offerings and the type of features you want. Also, spend some time checking out the different reviews and ratings of your chosen smartwatch. When looking for smartwatch bands or any other accessories always stick to name brands and brands that you’ve heard of before. Never jump too quickly on a heavily discounted product before putting in some research — if a deal seems suspicious, there’s probably a reason.

How to choose a smartwatch

There are a lot of great smartwatches on the market and if you’re a smartwatch newbie, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed by all of the options out there. Here are a few things to keep in mind while you shop these Prime Day smartwatch deals.

Operating system: The most important aspect of buying a new smartwatch is to make sure it’s compatible with your smartphone. With compatibility, you can answer texts and calls straight from your watch. That said, not every smartwatch is compatible with every mobile device. Apple Watches only pair with iOS devices. Wear OS smartwatches on the other hand can work with both Android and Apple devices, albeit with some limitations. Tizen smartwatches like the Samsung Galaxy Watch also pair well with both iPhones and Android devices.

Style: Most smartwatches have interchangeable bands so you can select the style you want. The Apple Watch Series 6 offers tons of options from leather bands to woven sport bands. The Fitbit Versa 2 also has a couple of different sport band options. So, if presentation or style is something that does matter to you, make sure to check all the available bands and casing styles of your chosen smartwatch before you commit.

Always-on display: If you’re a traditionalist you’re going to need a watch with an always-on display to mimic your regular watch. It’s important to note that not all smartwatches have an always-on display (any Apple Watch before Series 4 doesn’t) so if that’s important to you, make sure to check if your smartwatch carries this feature.

Battery life: This is a big one. If you don’t want the hassle of charging your watch every night, you need a smartwatch that has a battery life that lasts days, not hours. The Fitbit Versa 2 for example, has a battery life of about five days while the newest Apple Watch Series 6 only has a battery life of about 18 hours.

Fitness tracker: Most active users are probably looking for a watch that’s both sweat- and water-resistant as well as doing a decent job of counting calories burned and measuring heart rate. Though most smartwatches have basic fitness trackers, some smartwatches are better at this than others. If you can afford to spend a little bit more, look for a watch that offers accurate fitness tracking, can measure ECG, has an in-built GPS, and has fall detection.

The last thing to keep in mind is the price of your new watch. If you need all of the above features, be prepared to spend upwards of $300. However, if you’re willing to compromise, there are a ton of smartwatches like the Apple Watch Series 3 or the Fitbit Versa Lite priced well below $200.

We strive to help our readers find the best deals on quality products and services, and we choose what we cover carefully and independently. The prices, details, and availability of the products and deals in this post may be subject to change at anytime. Be sure to check that they are still in effect before making a purchase.

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