Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 is easier to recommend now it starts at $260

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 is one of the best Android smartwatches you can buy right now, especially if you’re already using a Samsung phone. Right now the 40mm, Bluetooth-enabled version’s on sale for $289.99 ($60 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Samsung, which is its second-best price this year and only $50 shy of its all-time low price. Meanwhile, Woot is offering the 46mm, international version of the Bluetooth-enabled Classic model for even less at $259.99 ($240 off) in black and white, though it’s worth noting that it only comes with a 90-day Woot warranty instead of Samsung’s standard one-year coverage.

The wearable isn’t a dramatic overhaul from its predecessor, but it’s a solid upgrade if you’re coming from a Galaxy Watch 5 or older. The new “squircle” design is slimmer and more comfortable, and if you opt for the Classic model, you’ll also get a rotating bezel along with the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s customizable Quick Button. Both versions also introduce a few new health-focused tools. Our favorite is the Running Coach feature, which offers a personalized training plan based on your performance during a 12-minute run test. The wearable also offers sensors that attempt to estimate whether you’re getting enough fruits and vegetables in your diet, although in testing we found it can be a bit hit or miss.

Otherwise, it covers the essentials well, with reliable heart rate and blood oxygen tracking, as well as sleep apnea detection and EKGs when paired with a Samsung Galaxy phone. Beyond fitness, both wearables also support Google’s Gemini AI assistant, letting you handle quick tasks from your wrist like asking for nearby cafe recommendations or creating playlists without pulling out your phone.