Memorial Day Deals: Expert Picks for Health Tech and Fitness Gear

Memorial Day weekend traditionally marks the unofficial start of summer, a time for outdoor activities, travel, and often, significant retail sales. While many people associate holiday sales with big-ticket items or summer essentials, it's also an excellent opportunity to invest in personal health and wellness technology. Health trackers, smartwatches, and even specialized earbuds have become indispensable tools for monitoring fitness, sleep, recovery, and overall well-being. As a health tech editor who spends countless hours testing and evaluating these devices, I've identified some compelling early Memorial Day deals that fitness enthusiasts and health-conscious individuals should consider.

The appeal of health tech extends beyond just tracking steps or logging workouts. Modern wearables offer deep insights into sleep patterns, stress levels, heart rate variability, and recovery status, providing a holistic view of one's health. This data can empower users to make informed decisions about their routines, optimize training, manage stress, and improve sleep quality. Whether you're training for a marathon, trying to improve your sleep hygiene, or simply aiming for a more active lifestyle, the right health tracker can be a valuable companion.

Memorial Day sales often bring competitive pricing on popular models, making it a strategic time to purchase a device you've been considering. While the official holiday is still a few days away, many retailers have already started rolling out discounts. Based on my experience testing a wide range of wearables, here are some of the top Memorial Day health tracker deals I recommend shopping right now.

Featured Memorial Day Health Tech Deals

The current landscape of health technology offers a diverse array of devices catering to different needs and preferences. From discreet smart rings worn day and night to feature-rich smartwatches that double as personal assistants, and even earbuds designed for active use, there's a wearable for almost everyone. The key is finding a device that aligns with your specific goals and lifestyle. The following deals represent some of the best opportunities to acquire highly-regarded health tech at a reduced price point this Memorial Day season.

Heritage Oura Ring 3

• Current price: $200
• Original price: $250

The Oura Ring has carved out a unique niche in the wearable market, focusing primarily on sleep, recovery, and overall readiness rather than just activity tracking. Its discreet form factor, worn on the finger, makes it comfortable for 24/7 wear, including during sleep. The Heritage Oura Ring 3, while an earlier model compared to the latest generation, still offers a robust set of features and the core Oura experience at a more accessible price, especially during sales events like this.

One of the most significant advantages of the Oura Ring is its deep dive into sleep analysis. It accurately tracks sleep stages (awake, light, REM, deep), duration, timing, and efficiency. Based on this data, it provides a daily Sleep Score, offering insights into the quality of your rest. Beyond sleep, the ring measures heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), respiratory rate, and body temperature, which are crucial indicators of recovery and overall health status. The daily Readiness Score synthesizes your recent activity, sleep, and physiological signals to tell you how prepared your body is for physical or mental strain, guiding you on whether to push hard or take it easy.

The Oura app is where the magic happens. It presents your data in an easy-to-understand format, offering personalized insights and recommendations. For instance, if your Readiness Score is low due to poor sleep or high strain, the app might suggest prioritizing rest or engaging in light activity. Conversely, a high Readiness Score might encourage you to tackle a challenging workout. Oura is also continuously innovating, adding new features like the Cardiovascular Age feature, which provides a physiological age estimate based on your data, and partnering with other health companies, such as Dexcom for continuous glucose monitoring integration via the Stelo CGM.

The Oura Ring 3 is compatible with both Android and iOS devices, ensuring broad accessibility. However, it's important to note that unlocking the full suite of data and insights requires an Oura Membership, which costs $70 annually and is not typically included in device discounts. Despite this ongoing cost, for individuals prioritizing sleep optimization and recovery tracking in a non-wrist-based form factor, the Oura Ring remains a top contender. The current Memorial Day discount makes the initial investment more appealing, especially for the Heritage model which offers the core experience at a lower entry price than the latest generation.

The form factor of the Oura Ring is a significant draw for many users who find traditional watches cumbersome during sleep or prefer not to wear a watch constantly. Its minimalist design blends seamlessly into daily wear. While the battery life of the Gen 3 is slightly less than the latest Gen 4, it still offers several days of usage on a single charge, which is generally sufficient for consistent tracking. The availability of the Heritage Oura Ring 3 at a discounted price during Memorial Day sales presents a compelling opportunity for those interested in serious health tracking, particularly focusing on sleep and recovery, without the bulk of a smartwatch.

Apple Watch Series 10

• Current price: $229
• Original price: $299

For iPhone users, the Apple Watch is arguably the most integrated and versatile health and fitness tracker available. It seamlessly blends comprehensive health monitoring with the functionality of a smartwatch, acting as an extension of your iPhone on your wrist. The Apple Watch Series 10, representing the latest iteration (as of the article's context date), builds upon Apple's strong foundation in wearables, offering accurate tracking and a wealth of smart features.

As someone who regularly tests health trackers, I find the Apple Watch to be an indispensable tool for managing my fitness routine. Its activity tracking is highly motivating, centered around closing the Move, Exercise, and Stand rings. This visual representation encourages consistent movement throughout the day. The Workout app supports hundreds of different activities, providing detailed metrics like duration, calories burned, heart rate zones, and GPS tracking for outdoor exercises like running and cycling.

Beyond activity, the Apple Watch Series 10 offers robust health monitoring capabilities. It includes an optical heart sensor for continuous heart rate tracking, an electrical heart sensor for ECG readings (detecting signs of atrial fibrillation), a blood oxygen sensor, and a temperature sensor primarily used for retrospective ovulation estimates and improved sleep tracking. Sleep tracking on the Apple Watch provides insights into sleep stages and duration, contributing to a better understanding of rest patterns. Features like fall detection and emergency SOS add layers of safety, particularly for older adults or those with health conditions.

What truly sets the Apple Watch apart for iPhone users is its seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem. You can receive notifications, answer calls, reply to texts using dictation or scribble, use Apple Pay for contactless payments, control music playback, and access a vast library of apps directly from your wrist. This combination of advanced health tracking and full-fledged smartwatch functionality makes it a powerful device for both fitness enthusiasts and those seeking convenience.

The Apple Watch Series 10 deal mentioned applies to specific finishes like rose gold and silver, often paired with comfortable sport bands that are ideal for exercise due to their moisture-wicking properties. While the battery life is typically around 18 hours (requiring daily charging), the wealth of features and tight integration with the iPhone make it a compelling choice for Apple users. The Memorial Day discount makes the latest model more accessible, offering a blend of cutting-edge health features and everyday utility.

Garmin Venu 3S

• Current price: $350
• Original price: $450

While the Apple Watch dominates for iPhone users, the health tech market offers excellent alternatives for Android users or those who prioritize specific fitness features and longer battery life. Garmin is a brand synonymous with serious fitness tracking, particularly popular among runners, cyclists, and outdoor adventurers. The Garmin Venu 3S is a strong contender in the smartwatch space, offering a rich set of health and fitness features with impressive battery performance.

One of the standout features of the Garmin Venu 3S is its battery life, which can last up to 10 days in smartwatch mode. This is a significant advantage over devices like the Apple Watch, allowing for consistent tracking without the need for daily charging, which is particularly convenient for multi-day trips or simply reducing charging frequency. This extended battery life supports continuous health monitoring, including sleep tracking over multiple nights.

Garmin watches are renowned for their detailed activity tracking. The Venu 3S supports a wide range of sports profiles, offering comprehensive metrics for running, cycling, swimming, strength training, yoga, and more. It includes built-in GPS for accurate distance and pace tracking during outdoor activities. Features like Body Battery energy monitoring, Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation tracking, and advanced sleep analysis (including nap detection) provide a deeper understanding of your body's state and recovery.

Sleep tracking on the Venu 3S is particularly detailed, analyzing sleep stages, movement, Pulse Ox, and respiration rate. It provides a Sleep Score and personalized insights to help you understand and improve your sleep quality. The watch also offers guided meditations and breathwork exercises for stress management.

While not as deeply integrated with smartphone ecosystems as Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch, the Garmin Venu 3S still offers smart features like receiving notifications, making contactless payments via Garmin Pay, and even taking calls directly from the watch when paired with your smartphone. Its focus remains firmly on health and fitness data, presented through the comprehensive Garmin Connect app. The $100 discount during Memorial Day makes the Venu 3S an attractive option for serious fitness enthusiasts, Android users, or anyone prioritizing long battery life and detailed tracking metrics.

AirPods Pro 2

• Current price: $189
• Original price: $250

While not a traditional health tracker worn on the wrist or finger, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 deserve mention in the context of health and wellness tech, particularly for their utility during exercise and their integration into the Apple health ecosystem. Released in 2022, these earbuds remain Apple's top-tier offering, combining excellent audio quality with features beneficial for active lifestyles.

For many, music or podcasts are essential companions during workouts, commutes, or moments of relaxation. The AirPods Pro 2 excel in this regard, offering superb active noise cancellation (ANC) that effectively blocks out distractions, whether you're at a noisy gym, on a busy street, or trying to focus during a walk. The Transparency mode is equally important, allowing you to hear your surroundings when needed for safety, such as running near traffic or being aware in a public space.

Beyond audio, the AirPods Pro 2 integrate with the Apple ecosystem in ways that enhance their utility for health-conscious users. Features like Conversation Boost (part of the Accessibility features) can help users with mild hearing challenges, and the ability to have text notifications read aloud through the earbuds keeps you informed without needing to look at your phone or watch during activity. While they don't track traditional fitness metrics like steps or heart rate, they are an integral part of the modern active lifestyle, providing the soundtrack and connectivity needed to stay motivated and connected on the go.

The microphones on the AirPods Pro 2 provide clear audio for calls, which is useful if you need to take a quick call during a walk or cool-down. The battery life is sufficient for most workouts and commutes, and the charging case extends their usability significantly throughout the day. Their comfortable and secure fit is also crucial for physical activity. The fact that they regularly go on sale, including this Memorial Day discount, makes them a worthwhile investment for iPhone users looking for high-quality audio and seamless integration during their active pursuits.

Choosing the Right Health Tracker During Memorial Day Sales

With various options available, deciding which health tracker is right for you can be challenging. Memorial Day sales provide the incentive to buy, but the choice should ultimately align with your personal health goals and technology preferences. Here are a few factors to consider:

• Primary Goal: Are you focused on improving sleep, optimizing workout performance, managing stress, or simply getting a general overview of your daily activity? Devices like the Oura Ring excel at sleep and recovery, while smartwatches like the Apple Watch and Garmin Venu 3S offer more comprehensive activity tracking and real-time workout metrics.
• Ecosystem: Do you use an iPhone or an Android phone? The Apple Watch is best for iPhone users due to its deep integration. Garmin watches work well with both but offer a distinct fitness-first experience.
• Form Factor: Do you prefer a discreet ring, a traditional watch on your wrist, or simply want earbuds for audio during activity?
• Battery Life: How important is it for your device to last multiple days on a single charge? Garmin devices typically offer longer battery life than Apple Watch.
• Budget: While sales offer discounts, consider the overall cost, including potential subscription fees (like Oura's membership).
• Specific Features: Do you need ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, built-in GPS, contactless payments, or advanced sleep stage analysis? Check the specifications of each device.

Memorial Day sales are an excellent opportunity to get more value for your money. By understanding your needs and researching the features of the discounted devices, you can make an informed decision that supports your health and fitness journey throughout the summer and beyond.

The Value of Health Tracking Beyond the Numbers

It's easy to get caught up in the raw data provided by health trackers – step counts, calorie estimates, sleep scores. However, the true value lies in the insights and behavioral changes these devices can facilitate. A health tracker isn't just a gadget; it's a tool for self-awareness and motivation.

For example, consistently seeing a low Sleep Score on your Oura Ring might prompt you to examine your evening routine, adjust your bedtime, or create a more conducive sleep environment. Noticing a dip in your Readiness Score after a particularly stressful day tracked by your smartwatch could encourage you to prioritize rest or stress-reducing activities like meditation.

Activity rings on an Apple Watch can provide a tangible goal and a sense of accomplishment, motivating you to take the stairs instead of the elevator or go for a walk during your lunch break. Garmin's detailed workout metrics can help runners optimize their training pace or cyclists understand their performance over time, leading to more effective training plans.

Furthermore, these devices often integrate with third-party apps and services, creating a more connected health ecosystem. Sharing data with a personal trainer, a healthcare provider, or even friendly competition with friends can add another layer of motivation and accountability.

The narrative of health tracking is shifting from simply recording data to providing actionable insights and personalized guidance. The devices highlighted in these Memorial Day sales – the Oura Ring, Apple Watch, and Garmin Venu 3S – are at the forefront of this trend, offering sophisticated sensors and intelligent algorithms to help users understand their bodies better and make healthier choices.

Memorial Day: A Time for Reflection and Renewal

Beyond the sales and the start of summer, Memorial Day is a time for reflection and honoring those who have served. It can also serve as a personal checkpoint – a moment to reflect on your health goals and renew your commitment to well-being as the year progresses. Investing in a health tracker during this period can be a tangible step towards prioritizing your physical and mental health.

Whether you're looking to improve your sleep, enhance your fitness routine, or simply gain a better understanding of your body's signals, the Memorial Day sales offer a timely opportunity. The discounts on reputable devices like the Oura Ring, Apple Watch Series 10, and Garmin Venu 3S make advanced health tracking more accessible. Even accessories like the AirPods Pro 2, while not dedicated health trackers, play a significant role in supporting an active and connected lifestyle.

As you navigate the sales, remember to consider which device's features and form factor best align with your individual needs and how it fits into your daily life. A health tracker is most effective when worn consistently and when the data it provides is used to inform positive changes. Taking advantage of these early Memorial Day deals could be the start of a more informed and empowered approach to your health and fitness journey.

FAQs

When is Memorial Day?

Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May. In the year this article was written, Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 26th.

How were these Memorial Day deals chosen?

These recommendations are based on extensive testing and evaluation by health tech editors at ZDNET. The author and team members have hands-on experience with these specific products and have assessed their performance, features, and value proposition, particularly in the context of current discounts.

Choosing the right health tech can be a personal decision, but sales events like Memorial Day provide an excellent opportunity to acquire high-quality devices at a reduced cost. By focusing on reputable brands and models that have been thoroughly tested, you can be confident in your investment in your health and wellness.