7 early Black Friday running watch deals I’d sprint to now

(Image credit: Future)

While many of us are still happily munching on our Halloween spoils, Black Friday deals are just around the corner, which means the holidays and New Year are too. It’s never too early to start thinking about resolutions for 2024. And if running-related goals top your list, as they do mine, you’re in luck: Early Black Friday smartwatch deals abound.

One thing I love about running watches, and fitness-tracking wearables, in general, is how they gamify training and encourage users to set/meet workout goals. Whether it’s daily reminders to move or weekly reports on progress, these devices are like having an optimistic, fitness-focused digital buddy.

With this in mind, here are seven running watch deals worth sprinting for. Note: Some of these models have since been replaced by newer, shinier versions, but don’t be distracted by that. Last year’s models offer plenty of fitness-tracking goodness for much less coin.

Early Black Friday running watch deals — Quick links

Garmin Forerunner 55: was $200 now $190 @ Walmart
Fitbit Sense 2: was $300 now $198 @ Amazon
Garmin Forerunner 245 Music: was $350 now $210 @ Amazon
Garmin Venu 2: was $400 now $262 @ Amazon
Polar Vantage V2: was $599 now $475 @ Target
Garmin Forerunner 745: was $400 now $250 @ Amazon
Apple Watch Series 8: was $400 now $325 @ Target

Best running watch deals — Editor Picks

Garmin Forerunner 245 Music: was $350 now $210 @ Amazon
This is one of the two deals I’m most excited about (the other is just below). The Forerunner 245 Music is a running and fitness-focused watch that offers the ability to, you guessed it, listen to music while running, without having to carry a smartphone (you can save up to 500 songs). I like this watch for its large, bright display and solid battery life. It’s also jam-packed with training metrics. Best of all, it’s smaller than a lot of other Garmin fitness watches (42mm case size), making it a little more inclusive for the masses.

Fitbit Sense 2: was $300 now $198 @ Amazon
The Fitbit Sense 2 is one of my favorite smartwatches, especially for keeping tabs on wellness and fitness goals. It also happens to be available for a super-low price at the moment. Beyond its comfy, customizable design and above-average battery life, the Sense 2 offers an array of useful tracking metrics and health features, including stress and sleep tracking. Plus, it plays nice with Google apps, like Maps and Wallet, both of which can be quite useful when out on a run.

Apple Watch Series 8: was $400 now $325 @ Target
Last year’s Apple Watch Series 8 offers more functionality than most standard GPS-enabled running watches. And the device’s do-it-all disposition translates to a fantastic fitness and health tracking experience. Users can easily set health-related goals and monitor progress from Apple’s workout app. I also really appreciate the watch’s crash-detection feature, which offers peace of mind during solo runs. Plus, this deal comes with Apple’s super-comfy Sports Band.

What’s the difference between a running watch, smartwatch and fitness tracker?

Smartwatches tend to be more capable than fitness trackers when it comes to functions like browsing the web, making calls and cruising social media — they’re like mini smartphones for the wrist — while fitness trackers tend to prioritize monitoring wellness and workout goals over flashy features.

That said, most smartwatches offer fitness tracking features and many fitness trackers boast smartwatch-like tech. So how do running watches fit in? Most tend to fall somewhere in between the two. The Fitbit Sense 2, for instance, is a capable smartwatch with top-notch fitness tracking features. The Forerunner 245 Music, on the other hand, is a competent fitness wearable with limited non-fitness features.

For more on the differences between fitness trackers and smartwatches, check out our handy guide to choosing which is the right device for you.

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Dan Bracaglia is the Tom’s Guide editorial lead for all things smartwatches, fitness trackers and outdoor gear. With 15 years of experience as a consumer technology journalist testing everything from Oura Rings to instant cameras, Dan is deeply passionate about helping readers save money and make informed purchasing decisions. In the past year alone, Dan has assessed major product releases from the likes of Apple, Garmin, Google, Samsung, Polar and many others.

An avid outdoor adventurer, Dan is based in the U.S. Pacific Northwest where he takes advantage of the beautiful surroundings every chance he gets. A lover of kayaking, hiking, swimming, biking, snowboarding and exploring, he also makes every effort to combine his day job with his passions. When not assessing the sleep tracking and heart rate accuracy of the latest tach gadgets, you can find him photographing Seattle’s vibrant underground music community.