Want a cheap Apple Watch? You can get one for just $149 at Walmart right now

By Mackenzie Frazier
published

The first-generation Apple Watch SE drops to a record-low price

Apple Watch SE on a blue TechRadar deals background
(Image credit: Future)

If you're looking for the cheapest Apple Watch available, Walmart has the first-generation Apple Watch SE on sale for a stunningly low price of $149 (was $279). That's the best deal we've ever seen for it, and an incredible price for a solid smartwatch.

While there is a newer model available, the 2022 Apple Watch SE, the first-generation model is still a fantastic smartwatch - if you can find it in stock. The Apple Watch SE isn't available at Amazon, and retailers that currently carry it, including Best Buy and Target, have it at full retail price. This offer from Walmart is not only the best deal you can find, but it's also an excellent value for an Apple Watch that can track heart rate, activity, and sleep and receive notifications, take calls, and reply to texts - all for under $150.

Deal analysis:

Apple Watch SE (2020)

Apple Watch SE (2020)
Was: $279
Now: $149 at Walmart
Overview: The first-generation Apple Watch SE is rarely in stock, but Walmart has the smartwatch available to buy and on sale for just $149. That's the lowest price we've ever seen and an excellent value for a feature-rich Apple Watch. The 2nd-generation Apple Watch SE shares many of the same features but retails for $239, which is $90 more than today's deal. View deal

Key features: GPS-only model, 40mm screen size, heart rate notification, 18-hour battery life

Product launched: September 2020

Price history: The Apple Watch SE was launched in 2020 as a budget option with a starting price of $279, an already great value for an Apple smartwatch. Since then, we've seen the Apple Watch SE drop to $188, but today's price of $149 is the lowest we've ever seen it available for. In fact, right now it's the cheapest Apple smartwatch you can buy.

Price comparison: Walmart: $149| Amazon: out of stock | Best Buy: $231.99 | Target: $279.99

Reviews consensus: In our Apple Watch SE review, we declared it to be the best Apple Watch for the money. You're getting all the fantastic features that people love about the Apple Watch, such as activity, sleep, and heart-rate tracking, as well as the ability to receive notifications, take calls, and reply to texts. It's now been superseded by the Apple Watch SE 2, but it's still a solid option, particularly at this stunningly low price.

TechRadar: ★★★★ 

Smartwatch buying guides: Best Apple Watch 

Buy it if: you want a basic smartwatch at the lowest price available. This is the cheapest Apple smartwatch on the market right now, and as Walmart is the only retailer offering this record-low price, we don't predict this deal will stick around for long.

Don't buy it if: you want the latest and greatest smartwatch. The Apple Watch 8 is the best Apple Watch for most people, while the Apple Watch Ultra is the best overall. The Apple Watch SE lacks features you'll find on them, such as an always-on display and ECG - but they also cost more.

View Deal

Shop more offers with our roundup of the best Apple Watch deals and sales, and you can see the best Apple Watch 8 deals happening right now.

You can also shop bargains in our 2023 Mother's Day sales roundup and look forward to upcoming deals at the 2023 Memorial Day sales event.

Mackenzie Frazier
Mackenzie Frazier

Mackenzie Frazier is the deals editor in the US for TechRadar at Future plc. She's been sharing deal advice for Future for the past three years and loves to find products that the consumer wants at the best possible price. She's had eight years of experience working in the e-commerce space and loves being a mom to her baby boy.