Labor Day weekend traditionally marks a fantastic opportunity to snag deals on popular tech, and smartwatches are no exception. With new models frequently hitting the market, retailers often discount previous generations or offer competitive pricing on current favorites to clear inventory. Based on extensive fitness tech testing and historical sales trends, here are three smartwatches that consistently deliver exceptional value for fitness enthusiasts and general users alike, making them prime candidates for Labor Day discounts.
Why Labor Day is a Prime Time for Smartwatch Savings
Labor Day sales typically kick off the weekend before the holiday, extending through the holiday itself, which falls on the first Monday of September in the U.S.. This period is a sweet spot for tech deals, as it precedes the major holiday shopping events of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, offering an earlier chance to upgrade your wearable tech. Retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy are known to participate, often featuring discounts on leading brands like Apple, Samsung, and Garmin.
1. Apple Watch Series 10 (or a recent predecessor like Series 9)
For iPhone users, the Apple Watch remains the gold standard, seamlessly integrating with the iOS ecosystem while offering robust fitness and health tracking features. The Apple Watch Series 10, a highly anticipated model, builds on its predecessors with advanced health and safety features, including sleep apnea detection and practical smartwatch tools like voice isolation for clearer calls.
Key Fitness Features and Why It’s a Top Pick
The Apple Watch excels at tracking a wide array of workouts, from strength training and HIIT to swimming and yoga, providing advanced metrics like Heart Rate Zones, Power, and Elevation. Its Activity app encourages daily movement with Activity Rings, and it offers detailed sleep tracking with insights into sleep stages. Models like the Apple Watch Ultra 2 also feature dual-band GPS for enhanced accuracy in outdoor activities like running and cycling, and boast superior waterproofing.
What to Look for in a Labor Day Deal
While the Apple Watch Series 10 is the latest flagship, previous models like the Apple Watch Series 9 are still incredibly capable and often see significant price drops during sales events. The Series 9, for instance, offers all of Apple’s core health and fitness tracking, smartphone features, and cellular data capabilities. Even the Apple Watch SE (2nd Generation) provides strong accuracy for outdoor tracking and works with Apple’s Fitness+ app, making it an excellent budget-friendly entry into the Apple Watch ecosystem. Expect to find the Apple Watch Series 10 for around $329, potentially saving $100 off its original price during Labor Day sales. Similarly, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 might see discounts, potentially dropping to around $721.
2. Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (or newer models like Galaxy Watch 8)
For Android users, especially those in the Samsung ecosystem, the Samsung Galaxy Watch series offers a compelling blend of advanced health monitoring and smartwatch functionalities. The Galaxy Watch 7 is noted for its affordability without compromising on essential features. The newer Galaxy Watch 8 is even thinner, lighter, and brighter, with improved battery life and enhanced performance.
Comprehensive Health and Fitness Tracking
Samsung Galaxy Watches are praised for their accurate fitness tracking capabilities, backed by scientific studies. The University of Michigan’s Human Performance & Sport Science Center confirmed the high accuracy of the Galaxy Watch in measuring key fitness metrics such as heart rate, sweat loss, VO2 Max, and body fat percentage, showing strong correlations with clinical-grade equipment. The watches can track up to 90 different workout types and automatically detect several, including running, walking, elliptical training, rowing, swimming, and dynamic workouts. They offer personalized heart rate zones, VO2 Max analysis, sweat loss monitoring for hydration, and body composition insights using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Sleep tracking, including deep, REM, and light sleep zones, along with a Sleep Coach, is also a prominent feature.
Anticipated Labor Day Discounts
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is a strong contender for Labor Day sales, with potential discounts of around 25%, bringing its price to approximately $187-$200. With the recent release of the Galaxy Watch 8, the Galaxy Watch 7 becomes an even more attractive option for those looking for a high-quality Android smartwatch at a reduced price. The Galaxy Watch 8, while newer, also offers significant upgrades like AI coaching for sleep and fitness, and a 3,000-nit display for better visibility.
3. Garmin Forerunner Series (e.g., Forerunner 165 or Forerunner 570)
Garmin smartwatches are renowned for their serious approach to fitness tracking, particularly for runners and multi-sport athletes. While models like the Fenix and Enduro series cater to expedition-style users, the Forerunner series offers a sleeker design while still providing extensive data and analytics. The Garmin Forerunner 165 is lauded as an excellent beginner running watch, offering premium features at a more accessible price point. The Forerunner 570 is another highly-rated option for serious runners, featuring Garmin’s brightest AMOLED touchscreen and advanced training insights.
Advanced Metrics for Serious Athletes
Garmin Forerunner watches provide a wealth of data, including pace, elevation, cadence, stride length, heart rate, sleep data, stress tracking, recovery insights, and VO2 Max estimates. Higher-end models like the Forerunner 970 boast advanced hardware like the Garmin Elevate Gen5 optical HR sensor with ECG and skin temperature functions, multi-band GPS for superior accuracy, and comprehensive training and recovery insights such as training effect, training load, and HRV. Even budget-friendly options like the Forerunner 165 deliver impressive GPS and heart rate accuracy.
Identifying the Best Deals
The Garmin Forerunner 165, with its AMOLED screen and comprehensive features, is considered excellent value for its price. During sales, it represents a fantastic entry point for those seeking a dedicated running watch. For those looking for more advanced features without the top-tier price of a Fenix, the Forerunner 570 offers a wide range of features, decent battery life, and accurate tracking. While specific Labor Day deals for the Forerunner series can vary, previous sales have seen discounts on models like the Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar.
Tips for Finding the Best Labor Day Smartwatch Deals
- Research Specific Models: Before the sale, identify specific smartwatch models that align with your needs and budget.
- Compare Retailers: Check major electronics retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and the manufacturers’ own websites.
- Look for Previous-Gen Models: Often, the best value can be found in last year’s flagship models, which still offer excellent performance but at a reduced price.
- Read Reviews: Ensure the smartwatch you’re considering has strong reviews for accuracy, battery life, and overall user experience.
- Act Fast: Popular deals, especially on highly-rated smartwatches, can sell out quickly during major sales events.
By keeping an eye out for these fitness tech favorites during the Labor Day sales, you’re likely to find a deal that perfectly balances advanced features with compelling value.
