Previously called "Wear OS Weekly," this weekly column focuses on the world of wearables, from smartwatches and fitness watches to other wearable tech, focusing on the newest, most exciting developments.
Considering what I'm going to buy for myself should help me cover Black Friday wearable deals. Usually, people expect me to recommend smartwatches, rings, earbuds, and XR deals that I'd buy for myself. But when you're swimming in brand-new devices to review (and living off a writer's salary in California), that's a bit of a contradiction.
It's wild, but I'm usually juggling a half-dozen reviews at once — I'm currently reviewing Garmin, COROS, Polar, Suunto, and Amazfit devices. Naturally, the last thing on my mind is buying even more devices! Some companies have me mail tech back; others don't. It'd be unethical to sell tech I was given for review, so I'm left with piles of devices that I break out whenever I need to test new features.
Let's assume a robber snuck in and carried out ten years' worth of hoarded tech devices. My fiancée would probably be thrilled by the extra closet space, but I'd have to adjust. I chose this Wearables Editor job because I genuinely enjoy using smartwatches, smart rings, and other wearable tech.
So, which Black Friday tech deals would I buy to replace my current tech and stay healthy, fit, and motivated? I answer that question below, balancing the best devices with prices that "normal" people would be willing to spend.
1. The tough smartwatch decision
Right now, I juggle between a half-dozen Garmin watches, Pixel Watch 4, Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and too many other running watches to list here. Having to pick one smartwatch is tough!
I've already written up some of the best BF smartwatch deals still available, like $129 for a Galaxy Watch 7 or up to $100 off the Pixel Watch 4. Of these, I'd be most tempted by the Pixel Watch 4, my favorite smartwatch of the year by a wide margin thanks to its stylish design, efficient battery life, and improved fitness tools.
Despite writing for an Android site, my first priority is fitness: I just finished a marathon, and to keep getting faster and improve my VO2 Max, I depend on my Garmin training load focus widget to tell me if I'm balancing slow jogs, fast runs, and hard sprints well.
Eventually, I think the Pixel Watch 4's Fitbit Personal Health Coach beta could offer some well-rounded insights and help me get fitter while incorporating more cross-training and strength work. But with life as busy as it is, hitting 10,000 steps a day and running when I can are good enough goals for me.
So I'd choose between the many Black Friday Garmin watch deals, and as tempted as I'd be to get a new Venu X1 for premium comfort or Forerunner 965 for epic battery and maps, I'd go with the Garmin Forerunner 265 for $299 ($150 off). Newer Garmins that cost twice as much would give me more smarts and newer sensors, but it was the last generation of Garmin watches that helped me become a better athlete and lose weight, and $300 feels like the threshold that my budget can withstand.
2. Buying an audio workout companion
To quote my favorite webcomic, "If I stop consuming media for more than five minutes I will die." Whether I'm running, walking, or hiking, I need audio motivation to fill the hours, so I'm not bored into giving up early; the trick is finding wireless earbuds that keep me in the zone, but leave my ears open so I'm safe and aware.
I've been testing a lot of smart glasses recently, and came away impressed when I reviewed the latest Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses. I'd be very tempted by this $65-off Ray-Ban Meta Black Friday deal, since I'd get both open-ear audio and eye protection for my workouts. Only the first-generation glasses are on sale, but even though they're downgraded for battery life and video quality, they otherwise match for photo and audio quality, and Meta hasn't stopped updating its gen-1 glasses with new features.
That said, my first purchase would be either the Shokz OpenFit 2 or OpenFit 2+, the best workout earbuds I've ever tested. They hang lightly but securely on my ears, directing dual high and low drivers directly into my ear canals while leaving them unimpeded, which helps both for situational awareness and preventing impacted earwax.
I certainly love the "Plus" models for their rich Dolby Atmos mode, but I can pass that up for the cheaper OpenFit 2 earbuds, which still deliver fantastically rich audio, useful button shortcuts, and strong battery life.
3. Rounding out my tech collection with Black Friday deals
I've been using an Ultrahuman Ring Air since last year for sleep tracking, because I hate sleeping with a smartwatch if I can avoid it. Since Ultrahuman is facing a U.S. ban due to an Oura lawsuit, I'd need a new alternative. The Oura Ring 4 at $249 ($100 off) is the obvious choice; I haven't used it, but my colleagues love its style and accuracy. It would help me keep track of my body's health, warn me of signs of illness, and catch negative trends like Sleep Debt.
Aside from all my fitness tech, I need a way to monitor my progress at getting fitter. I'm not an expert on smart scales, but I've used the Withings Body Smart scale for the past two years to track whether my weight loss is coming from fat or muscle loss. $20 off isn't the biggest Black Friday deal, but I trust the data, and my fiancée loves its Eyes Closed mode so she can weigh herself without seeing the data until she checks the app, when she's "emotionally prepared."
Assuming I needed a new phone, I'd go for the Pixel 9a at $399 ($100 off). It's our #1 recommendation for best budget Android phone, and when I reviewed the Pixel 9a, I was blown away by the battery life, bright display, and respectable photo quality in a mid-range phone.
Ultimately, I don't know if you'll find my favorite tech worth buying or not. I can only be honest about the devices that have helped me in my day-to-day life, and hope you'll find them useful, too!
Black Friday quick links
- Best Buy: major discounts on Chromebooks, Android phones, and more
- Amazon: official Black Friday discounts on tablets, smart home tech
- Walmart: early price drops on ASUS laptops, locked phones
- Samsung: new Galaxy XR headset, trade-in opportunities
- Verizon: free phones with new line, trade-in
- T-Mobile: free Galaxy phones, $300 back w/ 5G Home Internet
- Mint Mobile: 50% off Pixel 10, BOGO Unlimited plans
- AT&T: get a free Z Flip 7 with trade-in, new line
More Black Friday coverage - The best Google Pixel deals of Black Friday (so far)
- The best Samsung deals of Black Friday (so far)
- The best Motorola deals of Black Friday (so far)
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
