Essentials

The best new Apple Watch to buy this holiday, according to Amazon customers

By Lily Rose

Updated on: October 27, 2022 / 3:03 PM EDT / Essentials

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Considering a new Apple Watch for Christmas or Hanukkah? Apple released two new Apple Watch models this season: the Apple Watch 8 and the Apple Watch Ultra.

Only one of these wearables has a 4.7-star rating and tons of positive reviews from Amazon users. Keep reading to discover the best new Apple Watch to buy this holiday season, according to Amazon customers.

Top products in this article:

Apple Watch Ultra (GPS + cellular, 49mm), $799

$799 at Amazon

Apple Watch 8 GPS (41mm), $389 (reduced from $399)

$389 at Amazon

Apple Watch Series 8 GPS (45mm), $419 (reduced from $429)

$419 at Amazon

If you're going to buy an Apple Watch this holiday season, make it the Apple Watch Ultra.

The Apple Watch Ultra is designed to be a more rugged and durable option for athletes and adventurers. It provides up to 36 hours of life on a single charge with standard use or 60 hours of battery life with the soon-to-be-released battery optimization setting. It is made with a stronger titanium alloy material for improved impact resistance. It also offers a brighter display and a second speaker for better sound and display visibility during outdoor use. Apple says it's optimized for diving and water sports.

$799 at Amazon

The Apple Watch Ultra provides enhanced GPS functionality to trace your steps and improve navigation for outdoor expeditions. There is also an action button that can be used to more accurately track your workouts by marking segments of your workout.

"It's everything!" exclaimed one satisfied Amazon customer. "10/10 looks, 10/10 function, 10/10 battery, 8/10 strap. The battery is a huge shift. It becomes part of you, rather than something you take off nightly. I'm actually tracking my sleep now. It charges up quickly with USB-C. I hated the strap hook at first, but it's easy now. And, well, you only take it off three times a week. Strap color (orange) just pops. The screen is simply stunning. I love looking at it. Clarity and brightness. I went hiking alone, [and] the siren gave a bit of comfort."

(Not sure what Apple Watch size is the best? Check out the CBS Essentials guide on how to pick the right Apple Watch size for you.)

Apple Watch Ultra

The 4.7-star-rated Apple Watch Ultra features a large 49mm display screen.

"This is hands down the best Apple Watch ever made," wrote an Amazon customer who purchased the wearable. "Super durable! I put this watch through hell. I swim and do trail runs. I put this watch through a tough mudder -- a muddy, wet, obstacle course. Came out unscathed! Battery life is amazing. With heavy use it would last 2 days."

Apple Watch Ultra (GPS + cellular, 49mm), $799

$799 at Amazon

More smart watches to consider

If the Apple Watch Ultra isn't exactly what you're looking for, consider these top-rated smart watches from Apple, Samsung and more. Many of these wearables are on sale ahead of Black Friday.

Apple Watch Series 8

The new Apple Watch Series 8 has a new S8 chip for improved performance, an always-on display and new watch face options. It has a larger battery and offers a longer battery life than previous models -- up to 36 hours when in low-power mode. The smart watch features a durable design and is swim-proof, dust-proof and crack-resistant.

The Apple wearable has a number of health-tracking features, including an optical heart sensor, electrical heart sensor for ECG, blood oxygen sensor and a new body temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is presented as a women's health tool to more accurately track ovulation times and other changes in a woman's monthly cycle. (In light of increased concern regarding data privacy around cycle tracking information, Apple assured consumers that their data is secure and encrypted.)

The Apple Watch 8 is available in 41mm and 45mm sizing options. Shoppers can choose between stainless steel or aluminum casing and several different colors; new watch band options are available via Nike and Hermès.

Apple Watch 8 GPS (41mm), $389 (reduced from $399)

$389 at Amazon

Apple Watch Series 8 GPS (45mm), $419 (reduced from $429)

$419 at Amazon

Apple Watch Series 7 (41mm)

The fast-charging Apple Watch Series 7 works as an activity tracker and can be used to monitor your heart rate, sleep and blood-oxygen levels. You can even use it to practice mindfulness. And it's not just compatible with the Apple Fitness+ workout library – it was literally built for it.

It's a good buy for older adults, too. The Apple Watch Series 7 features fall alerts -- if its wearer has a slip-and-fall accident, the Apple Watch will detect it and offer to contact emergency services. And while it won't necessarily detect a heart attack, the Apple Watch will alert when it detects an irregular heart rhythm that may be a warning sign to something more serious.

Apple Watch Series 7 GPS (41mm), $313 and up (reduced from $399)

$313 at Amazon

$279 at Walmart

Apple Watch Series 7 (45mm)

The larger, somewhat weightier 45mm Apple Watch Series 7 is on sale at Walmart and Amazon right now.

Apple Watch Series 7 GPS (45mm), $313 and up (reduced from $429)

$313 at Amazon

$309 at Walmart

Apple Watch Series 7 (45mm) GPS + cellular, $431 and up (reduced from $529)

$431 at Amazon

$379 at Walmart

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is an upgrade from the popular Samsung Galaxy Watch 4. It features 10W smart-charging capabilities, a notable upgrade from the slower 5W charging offered by the prior model. It also offers an advanced workout algorithm and sleep-tracking technology.

The Galaxy Watch 5 features an advanced bioactive sensor that collects more accurate data. This data can be managed and tracked in the Samsung Health app.

This is the first time that Samsung is offering its sapphire glass on its non-premium smartwatch options. (Sapphire glass isn't actually glass. It is a ceramic that mimics the transparency of glass and offers more durability.)

Like prior Galaxy Watch models, the Galaxy Watch 5 is available in 40mm and 44mm display sizes. It is also available in five colors.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, $280 and up

$280 at Samsung

Amazfit Bip U

A water-resistant, budget-friendly alternative to the Apple Watch and compatible with both Android and iOS, the Amazfit Bip U boasts a longer battery life—up to nine days per charge—and a variety of activity tracking options.

Measure heart rate, blood oxygen levels, breathing, sleep quality and even stress levels. Women can track periods and get reminders when it's almost that time of the month.

Amazfit Bip U, $60

$60 at Amazon

Amazon Halo View

Released in late 2021, the slender, Alexa-enabled Amazon Halo View measures heart rate, activity, sleep and even blood-oxygen levels. It also offers connectability to popular health apps, such as Headspace and Bettersleep, as well as connectivity to your phone. It also boasts a seven-day battery life.

Another added bonus? Each watch comes with a 12-month membership subscription with access to workout and programs. After the trial period, it auto-renews at $4 per month.

Amazon Halo View, $60 (reduced from $80)

$60 at Amazon

Fitbit Charge 5

The latest incarnation of the popular Charge line from Fitbit, this well-equipped activity and health tracker packs advanced technology into a slender device and features a color touchscreen. The smartphone-enabled device helps you manage stress and stay on top of heart health and sleep.

Android users can even respond to text messages.

Fitbit Charge 5, $129 (reduced from $180)

$129 at Amazon

Fitbit Inspire 2

A budget-friendly, no-frills Fitbit that gets the job done, this easy-to-use, entry-level activity and sleep tracker offers a whopping 10-day battery life, various exercise modes and 24/7 heart rate tracking. New subscribers receive a one-year, free trial of Fitbit Premium.

Available in three colors (black, lunar white and desert rose) and with multiple accessory options.

Fitbit Inspire 2, $56 (reduced from $100)

$56 at Amazon

Garmin Instinct 2 Series

The Garmin Instinct 2 Series was introduced in February. It's built not just to be worn but to be actively worn. It's an outdoorsy, thermal- and shock-resistant GPS smartwatch that boasts damage- and scratch-resistant glass. It measures your heart rate, stress level, sleep metrics, blood oxygen, your fitness age and more. It delivers daily workout prompts, comes with built-in workout and sport apps and even tracks your mountain-biking stats. Download apps from Garmin's Garmin Connect IQ store to up the watch's game even more, and track everything from hydration to menstrual cycles. The battery will last up to 30 hours in GPS mode -- and up to 28 days in smartwatch mode. Or get the solar version for what Garmin says will be unlimited battery life.

The Instinct 2 Series comes in two case sizes: 40mm and 45mm. It also comes in a range of editions, from standard to surf and more. Pictured above is the 40mm, solar, standard-edition Instinct 2 in mist gray. This version of the watch lists for $450.

Garmin Instinct 2 Series (40mm) standard edition, solar (mist gray), $450

$450 at Amazon

Garmin Epix

The premium Garmin Epix, launched in January, is not just another outdoor-ready Garmin smartwatch -- it's an outdoor-ready Garmin smartwatch with a luxe look. Billed as a "premium multisport watch," the Epix features an AMOLED display and, in a nice touch, comes with preloaded maps to thousands of golf courses and ski resorts worldwide. It boasts a number of health- and fitness-monitoring powers and includes features that'll help you on the next ski run or surfing wave. The battery runs for 16 days in smartwatch mode and 42 hours in GPS mode. The Garmin Epix lists at $900 and up.

The Sapphire-White Titanium model (pictured) is on sale for $950.

Garmin Epix (Sapphire-White Titanium), $950 (regularly $999)

$950 at Amazon

Garmin Fēnix 7 Series

The latest iteration of Garmin's Fēnix line of multisport smartwatches, the Garmin Fēnix 7 Series, released in January, features a touchscreen, hands-free, multi-LED flashlight and offers what Garmin says is upgraded "daily smartwatch interaction and map navigation." It comes with multiple Garmin-esque perks, including built-in workouts, performance metrics, health and wellness sensors, ski-course maps, golf-course maps and mountain-biking-trek tracking.

Like the Garmin Instinct 2 Series, the Garmin Fēnix 7 Series comes in a solar-powered model – a model that can deliver up to five weeks' worth of battery life in smartwatch mode (and up to five days in GPS mode).

The Garmin Fēnix 7 Series comes in three case sizes: 42mm; 47mm; and, 51mm. And you have your choice of three editions: standard; solar; or the top-line sapphire solar version. The watch lists for $700 and up.

The 42mm, solar-powered Fēnix 7S in rose gold is pictured. It's on sale for $750.

Garmin Fēnix 7 Series smartwatch (42mm) solar, solar (rose gold), $750 (regularly $800)

$750 at Amazon