The Apple Watch is an incredibly useful gadget, and it's only getting better with time. However, it's not exactly affordable, especially when buying brand-new. If you're looking to buy a cheap Apple Watch, you have to be vigilant.

We're here to help you shop. Here are a few tricks to buy an Apple Watch at a price you're comfortable with.

Which Apple Watch Are You Looking For?

Before you start looking for deals, it's good to have an idea of what model Apple Watch you want to buy. If you're just looking for whatever is available, it can make choosing the right deal more difficult.

Those looking for an Apple Watch Series 4 will have the hardest time finding a deal since it's the newest model. Keeping that in mind, the Apple Watch Series 3 and other watches are easier to find at a discount now that they're no longer top of the line.

Sites to Keep an Eye on for Cheap Apple Watches

One resource to keep in mind is Mac of All Trades. It doesn't always have Apple Watches in stock, but when it does, you're likely to get a good deal on them. We've previously mentioned this site as one of the best places to sell your old Apple devices.

You should also keep in mind the Refurbished section of Apple's website. Its prices generally won't be as good as Mac of all Trades, but you will find Apple Watches for sale more often.

Deals on Apple Watch Series 4

Apple Watch Series 4

The most recent model is always the hardest to find a deal on. Right now, you're not all that likely to find an Apple Watch sale that includes the Series 4. They occasionally appear on the Apple Refurbished site, but Mac of all Trades doesn't even have a section for this model yet.

The Apple Watch Series 4 is available in 40mm and 44mm sizes, and comes with 16GB of storage. You have a choice of whether or not to opt for cellular service. It features wireless charging, packs up to 18 hours of battery life, and has an IP rating of IPX7. This means you can safely immerse it in around three feet of water.

If you're looking for a discount on an Apple Watch Series 4, your best bet is to keep an eye out on major shopping holidays. You might find a store-wide Apple Watch discount that could include the latest model.

Deals on Apple Watch Series 3

Apple Watch Series 3

The Apple Watch Series 3 is a prime target for deals now, as the introduction of the Apple Watch Series 4 saw prices drop for the previous model. Both Mac of all Trades and the Apple Refurbished Store frequently have this one on sale.

While the Series 3 isn't a major upgrade over the Series 2, it does have some neat features. This model introduced cellular connectivity and GPS, both of which are great for people who want to stay connected on a run without carrying their phone. It's available in 38mm and 42mm sizes.

You'll find deals on the Apple Watch Series 3 year-round, on both the standard and LTE-equipped models. Still, shopping holidays may get you the best deals if you're willing to hold out.

Deals on Apple Watch Series 2

Apple Watch Series 2

The Apple Watch Series 2 was the first to really focus on fitness. While the first Apple Watch had some fitness tracking features, the Series 2 doubled down. Now that the Apple Watch Series 4 is out, you'll be able to find it cheaper than ever, making it a good Fitbit alternative.

Despite its age, the Apple Watch Series 2 runs the latest version of watchOS. Onboard storage is 8GB, but it can only hold 2GB of music and 75MB of photos. Battery life, like the Apple Watch Series 4, can range up to 18 hours.

You'll also find this one through Mac of All Trades, though the Apple Refurbished Store only sells Series 3 and Series 4 models. Keep eBay in mind, as plenty of people are looking to sell their Series 2 watches to upgrade to a newer version. If you're looking for a cheap Apple Watch that still has plenty of features, this may be your best bet.

Deals on Apple Watch Series 1

Apple Watch Series 1

If you don't need or want the fitness features baked into the Apple Watch Series 2, the older Series 1 could work fine for you. As it's an older model, you'll get the lowest prices here, and a cheap Apple Watch is still better than many other smart watches.

Just beware of the limitations with this. This is the only model without the IPX7 certification, as it's only splash-proof. You might be safe taking a shower with it on, but you probably shouldn't, just to keep it safe. Like the others aside from the Apple Watch Series 4, this comes in 38mm and 42mm options.

Deals on Apple Watch Series 0

Apple Watch Series 0

This is the original Apple Watch, and frankly, it's not really worth buying these days. Yes, it might the easiest Apple Watch discount to find, but you'll probably pay a similar price as the Series 1.

If you're looking for one of these, you can still find them via Mac of All Trades. You can get them via eBay too, but watch out. Because these devices are years old, you could end up buying one that barely holds a battery charge.

Deals on Apple Watch Bands and Straps

The above deals only apply to the actual watch body of the Apple Watch. Don't forget that you'll probably want to have a few bands to choose from. Fortunately, these are much easier to find a deal on thanks to multiple third-party band suppliers.

You'll usually want one fancier watch band for special occasions, but this won't cut it everywhere. For one, it probably won't do you any favors on a run---you don't want to sweat all over it.

New bands come out on retailers like Amazon all the time, and they're usually cheap. Just keep an eye out for a specific type or color you have in mind, and you'll find it before long. We've rounded up some great Apple Watch sports bands for you to check out.

Make the Most of Your Apple Watch

With a bit of patience and the right timing, you can purchase a cheap Apple Watch that you'll love. But once you have the device, there's a lot to learn in order to make the most of it.

To unlock your watch's full potential, check out some of the Apple Watch's killer tricks.