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    See Albert Einstein sticking out his tongue on the world's smallest coin

    It's so tiny it comes with a magnifying glass. And it costs $205.

    Headshot of Gael Cooper
    Headshot of Gael Cooper
    Gael Cooper
    CNET editor Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, a journalist and pop-culture junkie, is co-author of "Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops? The Lost Toys, Tastes and Trends of the '70s and '80s," as well as "The Totally Sweet '90s." She's been a journalist since 1989, working at Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Sidewalk, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and NBC News Digital. She's Gen X in birthdate, word and deed. If Marathon candy bars ever come back, she'll be first in line.
    Expertise Breaking news, entertainment, lifestyle, travel, food, shopping and deals, product reviews, money and finance, video games, pets, history, books, technology history, and generational studies Credentials
    • Co-author of two Gen X pop-culture encyclopedia for Penguin Books. Won "Headline Writer of the Year"​ award for 2017, 2014 and 2013 from the American Copy Editors Society. Won first place in headline writing from the 2013 Society for Features Journalism.
    Gael Cooper

    A new Swiss coin holds a world record -- and offers some tongue-in-cheek entertainment. State-owned Swissmint revealed the coin on Thursday, and it shows the famed image of physicist Albert Einstein sticking out his tongue. But the image is so small each coin will be sold with a magnifying glass so owners can actually see the Nobel Prize winner's face.

    einstein-gold-coin-1

    You'll need a magnifying glass to see physicist Albert Einstein on this tiny gold coin.

    Federal Mint Swissmint

    Swissmint says the 0.12-inch (2.96 millimeter) coin is the smallest in the world -- it weighs just 1/500th of an ounce (0.063 grams). It is nominally worth 1/4 Swiss franc (26 cents American), but only 999 will be sold, and they'll sell as collectors' items, for 199 Swiss francs ($205, £156, AU$299), mag glass included. 

    roger-federer-swiss-coin

    Swiss-born tennis star Roger Federer also appears on a new Swiss coin.

    Federal Mint Swissmint

    The tiny coin featuring Einstein's goofy expression is just one of the recent notable coins released by Swissmint. Swiss-born tennis star Roger Federer appears on a commemorative silver coin, marking the first time a living person has appeared on a Swiss coin. In December, more than 33,000 Federer coins were sold in pre-sale.

    • Culture

    Pennies Are Getting Axed. Here's What to Do With Those 1-Cent Coins

    Fresh pennies may not be rolling out anymore, but your current stash is still usable.

    Headshot of Alex Valdes
    Headshot of Alex Valdes
    Alex Valdes
    Alex Valdes from Bellevue, Washington has been pumping content into the Internet river for quite a while, including stints at MSNBC.com, MSN, Bing, MoneyTalksNews, Tipico and more. He admits to being somewhat fascinated by the Cambridge coffee webcam back in the Roaring '90s.
    Alex Valdes
    6 min read
    Hand holds penny with fingers

    The last penny was stamped at the US Mint on Nov. 12.

    Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images

    For the last 232 years, a small circular piece of copper and zinc known as the penny has been the smallest denomination of currency in the United States. Originally introduced in 1793, the last one has been minted by the US Treasury department. While it was announced in May, there are already penny shortages all over the country that are costing companies money, and some stores are even paying people to bring in their unwanted pennies.

    What's that old saying? You don't miss something until it's gone? Maybe the penny was more important than we thought. But the old one-cent coin had been fighting a losing battle for respect for years. You can't buy anything with them anymore, not even a gumball. Most of us just toss them into a junk drawer or a glass jar. A sad penny can even lie on a sidewalk all day and not get scooped up.


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    Starbucks counter

    CNET editor Gael Cooper spotted this sign at a Seattle Starbucks.

    Gael Cooper/CNET

    The US Mint struck the last pennies marking the end of an era. According to the Mint, it was costing 3.69 cents to make every penny. That is hardly a smart return on investment for taxpayers. However, with the discontinuation of penny production, some brick-and-mortar businesses across the country have been unable to give exact change because they lack sufficient pennies, if any.

    A Retail Industry Leaders Association survey revealed that thousands of stores have no pennies, and they are calling on the federal government to take action.

    Grocery chain Price Chopper and Market 32 recently held a Double Exchange Day, when people brought in their pennies and received double the value back in the form of a shopping voucher. Similarly, grocery chain Giant Eagle offered gift cards worth twice the amount of pennies customers brought in during a one-day event on Nov. 1.

    Millions at stake

    CBS News asked several large companies how they would handle cash transactions if there were shortages of pennies at the counter. McDonald's said its restaurants would round up or down to the nearest nickel, meaning an order costing $12.43 would round up to $12.45, but an order costing $12.42 would round down to $12.40.

    Wendy's, Kwik Trip, and GoTo Foods — parent company of Auntie Anne's, Cinnabon, Jamba and Carvel — all said they would round down to the nearest nickel in favor of the customer. Kroger will encourage customers to use exact change, but still accepts pennies.

    Watch this: Physical AI vs. Generative AI: Waymo Battles ChatGPT

    Rounding down is beneficial for consumers, but the National Association of Convenience Stores estimates that thousands of stores across the US could collectively lose more than $1 million a day by rounding down. The NACS wants US lawmakers to create a law that would allow businesses to round transactions up to the nearest nickel. Until the federal government establishes guidelines or regulations on how to address the disappearing penny, things will remain chaotic for a while.

    Others have ditched the penny

    Mark Stiving, the CEO of pricing strategy company Impact Pricing, said the discontinuation of the penny will have "almost zero impact" on consumers and businesses in the long run. And he's got the receipts from New Zealand to prove it.

    "What I think is about to happen is that companies will still put prices out in '9's (like $49.99)," Stiving told CNET. According to him, New Zealand used the rounding method after demonetizing and phasing out its penny. "You'd still price something at $9.99, but you just rounded it to the nearest nickel. So whenever a transaction happened, it was always the nearest nickel."

    Canada and Australia also dropped their penny equivalents years ago.

    Be penny-wise and take action

    You're not going to find a fortune by foraging all the pennies in your home, unless you have an exceptionally rare one lying around. Still, if you dig around your bedroom, garage, kitchen and even your car, you might collect a few bucks worth. That's not nothing. Would you let a $5 bill collect dust in a drawer? Of course not.

    Find a Coinstar kiosk: You've likely walked by one of the 17,000 Coinstar machines without even noticing it. This is a pretty handy way to convert those pennies and other coins into cash. The process is simple: locate a kiosk (typically found inside a grocery store) and deposit your coins to receive a cash voucher, which you can then redeem at checkout or at the customer service desk. There is a service fee of nearly 13%, so if you redeem $100 worth of coins, you get $87.

    Coin roll

    Goodbye, penny.

    Amazon

    Wrap the pennies and find a bank: Many banks and credit unions will accept your coins. They mat have a coin-counting machine, or they may ask you to organize the coins into wrappers, which is time-consuming, but it also will give you an idea of just how many coins you have been stashing. There may or may not be a fee, depending on whether you're an account holder. (Note: Some banks will not accept prewrapped coins. They must be counted out or machine-checked to ensure they are legitimate.) Yes, people do hide same-weight slugs inside coin rolls.)

    Just spend the coins: Gone are the days when you could ride your horse down to the general store and buy something with a penny, but there are still a few holdouts. Dollar General offers a weekly Penny List featuring out-of-season or discontinued items that have been marked down to one cent. Websites such as The Krazy Koupon Lady and The Freebie Guy provide weekly updates on what you can get for a penny at Dollar General, if those items haven't already been removed from the shelves. The Krazy Koupon Lady even has a Home Depot hack where you can get items for a penny.

    Find a collector's item: It's doubtful, but you never know. The most valuable penny is a 1943 Lincoln Wheat Cent Penny in bronze and copper, which could fetch nearly $2.5 million. Or perhaps you have an 1880 Indian Head Cent, which could net you around $150. The USA Coin Book list of valuable pennies is available here.

    Fun and skills for kids: Those pennies could help you level up your arts and crafts toolbox. Help kids learn about budgeting, create some art, or do a science experiment. You've got options! Check out even more ideas at Greenlight.

    Is the nickel next to go?

    The penny is the latest US coin to be discontinued. The half-cent, the half-dime, the large cent, the double eagle and several others have all come and gone. The nickel could be next. It costs nearly 14 cents to make, almost three times the face value of the five-cent coin. The problem is nickels are comprised of 75% copper and 25% nickel, metals which have doubled in price over the last decade.

    It will be tougher, however, to eliminate the nickel than the penny. Rounding up or down to the nearest dime could cost US taxpayers $56 million per year, according to a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. That is significantly more than the estimated $6 million rounding hit per year caused by the penny's retirement.

    A penny for your trivia

    The penny may be vanishing, but its history is full of fun facts.

    President Lincoln was not always on the penny: Honest Abe only became the star attraction in 1909, in honor of the 100th anniversary of his birth. Lady Liberty was the first to appear on the penny, back in 1793.

    Newer pennies have little copper: Pennies minted after 1982 are made of copper-plated zinc, which consists of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper.

    You can easily clean pennies: Vinegar, vegetable oil and water can help wash away decades of soot and grime off those pennies. But "don't, don't, don't, don't" even think about it if you want to hunt for any collectables in your penny stash. It could significantly damage their worth, says one coin shop owner.

    50/50 coin toss? Try 80/20: Stanford math professor and former magician Persi Diaconis says that a penny will land tails up 80% of the time because the side with Lincoln's head weighs significantly more than the tails side.

    What D, S and P mean: Lettering on the front of the penny indicates where it was minted: D for Denver, S for San Francisco and P for Philadelphia. But you will only see P on pennies minted in 2017, which was done to celebrate the Mint's 225th anniversary. In all other years, pennies minted in Philly did not have the P engraved on them.

    Five special pennies: The final five pennies ever minted feature a special omega symbol, chosen because omega is the final letter in the Greek alphabet. You are unlikely to ever see one in real life. Those five pennies will not enter circulation, according to the Treasury Department. Instead, the government plans to auction them. Details about the auction are not yet available.

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    44 of the Best White Elephant Gifts People Will Actually Want

    The primary goal of any White Elephant gift exchange is to watch people fight over the gift you brought -- or at least to get a good laugh. From truly useful to wacky gag gifts, here are our editor-approved picks for every budget.

    Headshot of Natalia Lusinski
    Headshot of Natalia Lusinski
    Natalia Lusinski Contributor
    Natalia is a contributing writer for CNET. Her work can also be seen in places like Business Insider, Yahoo and Forbes. She spent several years living abroad, from goat-sitting in the Swiss Alps to staying with nuns at a monastery in Venice. Back in Los Angeles, she runs a popular pizza Meetup and is still on a quest to find her favorite slice.
    Headshot of Deena Shinn
    Headshot of Deena Shinn
    Deena Shinn Contributor
    Deena Shinn is a freelance writer and editor. When she's not writing or wrangling her two feisty daughters, you can find her experimenting with sourdough bread or exploring northern California.
    Expertise Deena has over a decade of experience writing and editing, covering everything from celebrity news to child development to wedding trends.
    Natalia Lusinski
    Deena Shinn
    10 min read
    Featured Deal
    What is this?

    Best White Elephant gifts under $15

    Amazon

    Anyone who's ever tried to fix anything in the dark knows the struggle -- holding a flashlight in one hand while working with the other. That's where flashlight gloves come in and change the game. Whether doing a twilight craft project, fixing something under the sink or even taking Fido for a late-night walk, these LED gloves are bound to be a hit.

    Amazon

    A handheld vacuum cleaner is the gift your friends will be stealing again and again at a White Elephant gift exchange. It's one of those things you'd never think to buy yourself -- until you see it in action cleaning up coffee grounds on the counter, dog hair on the desk or crumbs off the keyboard. It's tiny, cordless, rechargeable and will delight the recipient... if you don't keep it for yourself.

    Saucemoto

    The Saucemoto Dip Clip is sure to be a hit at any gift exchange. This nifty gadget conveniently snaps onto any car vent and securely holds all kinds of sauce packets. Everyone knows that dipping fries on the go is typically a recipe for a ketchup-covered disaster, but with this handy holder, spills are far less likely. Your friends will thank you later.

    Amazon

    If you're looking to get a laugh at a White Elephant gift exchange, consider a motion-activated LED toilet light. It's funny and useful. The light makes it easy to see during those middle-of-the-night bathroom trips and you can choose between eight colors (or cycle through them all for extra bathroom pizazz). It's a much better option than turning on harsh bathroom lights, especially for kiddos making potty trips solo.

    Running Press/CNET

    This goat will definitely be the life of the White Elephant party. Yes, it sounds like a real goat and also comes with a book of fun facts and trivia.

    Vittyl/CNET

    White Elephant gift exchange or not, this makes a great gift, especially for bowling fans. I even got one for myself and have found it’s a fun way to relieve stress. Your White Elephant gift recipient may even challenge someone to a game on the spot.

    IZingShop/Etsy

    If you’re looking for a funny White Elephant gift, you just found it -- and your gift recipient doesn’t even have to be a dog owner to enjoy it. This puppy just screws onto the end of a tube of toothpaste, then dispenses it. And it works! We've seen it in action in person -- and it’s beyond hysterical.

    That's So Dad

    Who doesn’t like a good Dad joke? Even though your giftee can probably think of some on their own, this button can provide a lot of comic relief in the meantime. It has more than 100 jokes and they play in a random order, so you won’t hear the same one again and again. It also comes with batteries and is all set to start reciting jokes.

    Yankee Candle

    This Balsam and Cedar car air freshener smells like Christmas. The fragrance will last for up to 30 days and is sure to bring the holiday spirit to your White Elephant gift recipient. (As a big fan of Christmas tree scents, I actually use this one year-round!)

    Island Dogs

    If you're looking for a funny White Elephant gift, this is like the Dad jokes of toilet paper and is sure to liven up any holiday party. It's also three-ply and usable, so it's more than just a conversation piece.

    Mattel/CNET

    If you love Uno, you’ll love Uno Flip -- and no doubt your White Elephant gift recipient will too. With these cards, they’re double-sided, and you use both sides of the cards to play -- hence, the “flip” part of the game. This adds more stakes to the game and makes it fun and intense (in a good way).

    Chronicle Books

    Coloring books are still fun for adults, and with the busy lives we all live -- especially around the holidays -- sometimes it's nice to relax with some art therapy, which makes it a good White Elephant gift. This coloring book has intricate designs of international cities, from New York and Paris to Amsterdam and Tokyo -- and more. If anything, it'll inspire the person to hop on a plane and go visit one of them. To round out the gift, you can add a pack of colored pencils or markers too.

    Amazon/CNET

    Sometimes it's hard to figure out what you should get someone. This is why an Amazon gift card is perfect -- you don't need to overthink a gift. Just load the card up and voilà. This way, your White Elephant giftee can pick out exactly what they want. You can get this gift card with any amount from $5 and up.

    Williams Sonoma

    The Dash Mini secured a spot on our list of the best waffle makers of 2025, thanks to its ease of use and its ability to churn out perfectly cooked small waffles. It comes in multiple colors and styles, but who can resist this holiday-themed version? It's perfect for holiday brunches and for making festive desserts.

    Apple Watch owners will love getting this portable charger -- which is conveniently a keychain too -- as their White Elephant gift. CNET's Russell Holly is a fan, saying it's very handy and compact enough to tuck away in a purse or backpack.

    Blueear/CNET

    Winter is all about beanies, and your White Elephant gift recipient will appreciate this one -- which has built-in Bluetooth headphones. That’s right, they can make calls or listen to their favorite tunes while wearing it, no external headphones needed. On a full charge, the battery will last 20-to-25 hours when in use and 300 hours while idle, both of which are impressive.

    Best White Elephant gifts under $25

    Sugarfina/CNET

    These gummy bears are unlike others you’ve had, as they’re flavored like Brut and Rosé. Even though they taste like Champagne, they’re non-alcoholic, so they’re safe to give to people who don’t drink too.

    Lego

    The fun thing about this Lego set is that recipients of all ages will enjoy putting it together and then displaying it. Who can resist tiny, smiling planters? It's a great gift for a family-friendly White Elephant exchange -- and best of all, no watering required.

    Mr. Coffee

    This coffee warmer will help keep your giftee’s coffee, tea and hot cocoa hot all winter long. Plus, since it’s so small, it’s very portable -- they can take it to work, when they travel, you name it. To add more oomph to this gift, you can also add some packets of hot chocolate and snowflake-shaped marshmallows

    USAOPOLY

    This is a fun game for three to 10 people that’s all about color knowledge and guessing. Players need to make connections to colors through words by using one- and two-word cues, and then others guess a hue from the 480 color squares on the board. Trust us, it’s easier than it sounds and your White Elephant giftee will get hooked. 

    Monkey Business/CNET

    This wine stopper sombrero has a lot of personality and will definitely liven up any White Elephant party. It’s also airtight, leakproof and BPA-free, and it can be used for other kinds of bottles too -- such as tequila.

    Andrews McMeel Publishing/CNET

    Even if your White Elephant giftee works from home, they’ll still get a lot of the humorous (and all-too-relatable) scenarios in this desk calendar. Each day has a different comic strip, from ones about bad job interviews to the Sunday Scaries. And the back pages have fun content too, like jokes, quotes and trivia. It’s the gift that’ll keep on giving since it'll last for 365 days.

    Czech Games

    People into spy games will really get into this one. Each player is a spymaster and knows the secret identities of 25 agents, yet their teammates only know the agents by their code names (which are on the cards). Teams face-off to see who will be able to make contact with all their agents before the other team does so. It’s fun for all and hopefully your White Elephant gift recipient will open the game on the spot so everyone can try it out.

    Wizards of the Coast/CNET

    Chances are, some people at the White Elephant gift exchange are curious about playing Dungeons & Dragons but have yet to, which is what makes this D&D starter kit a perfect gift. CNET's James Bricknell says he loves gifting it so people can embark on their first D&D adventure. "Imagination is the key to a good D&D campaign," he says, "but the rules and dice are important too."

    Renpho/CNET

    Both fitness fanatics and newbies will love receiving this gift. This smart jump rope makes it easy to squeeze in fitness no matter where someone is -- at home, work or on vacation. And when it’s connected to the Renpho Fit app (on iOS and Android), your White Elephant giftee can track their progress and get other health stats, like how many calories they just burned during their jumping-rope session.

    Bonaok/CNET

    Let someone be the life of the party with a wireless Bluetooth karaoke microphone. Karaoke is a great way to liven up any White Elephant gathering -- and with this portable mic, everyone can sing their heart out.

    David Watsky/CNET

    Iced coffee connoisseurs will love receiving this White Elephant gift. CNET's David Watsky gave it a glowing review since it's able to bring down the temperature of hot drinks in a matter of minutes. Fun fact: It can even chill wine that's too warm.

    We're Not Really Strangers

    Everyone can use some help strengthening their relationships, whether that's with family or friends. This card game does just that, offering question prompts that will launch you into deep conversations. It's a great way to spend wintery days indoors.

    Chia Pet/CNET

    This Chia Pet in the likeness of Bob Ross will definitely bring a smile to your White Elephant giftee’s face and remind them of his The Joy of Painting TV show. Once they bring it home, they just have to water the Chia Pet and Ross’ trademark hair will start to grow in.

    Picnic Time

    We guarantee that this Star Wars Death Star cheese board and knife set will be a hit and many people at the White Elephant gift exchange will want to get their hands on it. It comes with four cheese knives that fit inside the cheese board, making it ideal for charcuterie spreads or any other appetizers.

    And if you want more Star Wars gift ideas, we've got you covered.

    Allcamp/CNET

    This wine tote bag is also a cooler and couldn’t be more perfect for picnics. It can hold two bottles of wine and includes two reusable plastic wine glasses, a corkscrew, a bottle stopper and two cloth napkins.

    Best White Elephant gifts under $50

    Amazon/CNET

    Why settle for anything less than a shark hoodie onesie this holiday season? This ridiculous (and ridiculously cozy) blanket is an ideal White Elephant gift because it checks all the boxes: useful, a little outrageous, funny and photo-worthy. It's perfect for a movie night on the couch, getting a laugh out of your kiddos or wearing to your next costume party. Note the shark blanket comes in various sizes based on height, ranging from small (49 - 53 inches) to XXXL (69 - 73 inches).

    Hamilton Beach

    The best kind of breakfast is one that's delicious and quick -- who wants to wait to eat when they wake up? And this Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker does all the heavy lifting (cooking the egg) so the recipient doesn't have to. They simply need to layer the bread, cheese, eggs and precooked meats, and a tasty sandwich is ready in minutes. And it doesn't have to stop at breakfast -- there are plenty of other yummy ideas for this gadget too, like English muffin pizzas!

    This White Elephant candle from Homesick cannot be a more perfect gift for your White Elephant gift recipient. It smells like the holidays, with notes of candied orange and Champagne. And if you want a gift that’s less on the nose, Homesick also makes many other candles, from seasonal scents (including Santa’s Workshop and Log Cabin) to city-scented ones (such as New York and Los Angeles).

    Bodum

    A fancy French press isn’t something people necessarily buy for themselves, which is why they’ll like this Bodum Chambord one, which has a stainless steel filter and glass carafe. Not only is this model very nice to look at, but it also produces delicious (and strong) coffee and made our pick for best French press. It also comes in a variety of colors -- gold would be nice for the holidays. And you can always include a bag of holiday-flavored coffee along with it for your White Elephant giftee.


    Lululemon

    These one-liter unisex bags make great gifts and your White Elephant recipient will love getting one. The only issue is, it may become a coveted gift at the party, as it's a perfect accessory.

    Winning Moves/CNET

    Who doesn't love Scrabble? And now your giftee can play it when they're on the go. I grew up with a version of this board and my grandma loved whipping it out wherever we were, whether it was at a restaurant or on a cross-country Amtrak train trip. It's definitely fun for all ages.

    Esther Perel

    This fairly new game is already a hit. Unlike other conversation card games, it was created by a psychotherapist, so it really digs deep -- in the best way possible. It has prompts like “A risk I took that changed my life…” Whether your White Elephant giftee takes it home or has the whole party play, it’ll be fun for all. And if you get to experience it, you’ll learn a lot about your friends and loved ones.

    Stanley

    This tumbler may have gotten uber popular partly because of TikTok, but it’s for good reason -- it actually works. Its double-wall vacuum insulation will keep your White Elephant giftee’s hot drinks hot and their cold drinks cold. The lid also has three positions, depending on if someone wants to sip from it, use the reusable straw or keep it closed. And it comes in so many fun colors also.

    Willams-Sonoma

    Any White Elephant gift recipient will love this (highly addictive) pound of peppermint bark, which comes in a collectible tin. It's so good, we recommend buying one for yourself as well. (It also comes in a two-pound version for $60.)

    County Line/CNET

    For a quick and easy way to make cold brew coffee, this is it. All your White Elephant giftee has to do is fill the filter with their favorite coffee grounds and add cold water, then let it steep. (If they prefer, they can use it to make iced tea.) And the leak-proof lid helps prevent spills, which is an added bonus. If you’re feeling extra generous, you can include a bag of ground coffee too.

    Baggu

    Sometimes the best gifts are the most useful and this 16-inch laptop sleeve fits the bill. Not only will it keep the gift recipient's laptop safe as they're toting it from the coffee shop to the office, but it will also add a cheerful splash of color to their 9-to-5 routine. Plus, there are a lot of fun styles to choose from.

    LoveHandle/CNET

    While phones add a lot of convenience to our lives, constantly holding or gripping onto them to catch up on news or social media can get frustrating -- plus, they have a tendency to get hot. That’s where this phone kickstand comes into play. It makes it easier to be hands-free and also has a one-inch elastic strap for when you do want hold your phone.

    David Carnoy/CNET

    The JBL Go 4 is not only durable and portable but provides impressive sound for its small size. As for battery life, it'll last up to seven hours (versus the JBL Go 3's five hours). It also has an IP67 water-resistance rating, which means it can handle a pool or beach day. All in all, it's one of the top micro Bluetooth speakers out there and we bet your White Elephant giftee will agree.

    More holiday gift ideas

    Article updated on Dec 10, 2025

    Apple Watch Series 11 Deals: Multiple Retailers Have Slashed $100 Off Just in Time for Christmas

    The latest Apple Watch has hefty discounts right now and you can save even more with a trade‑in.

    Headshot of Adrian Marlow
    Headshot of Adrian Marlow
    Adrian Marlow Writer I
    Adrian is a deals writer on the Commerce team at CNET. With a love of books, entertainment, travel, tabletop games and, yes, even fandom, they can often be found at concerts, RenFest, Dragon Con or at home binge-watching everything from new hits to classics. After graduating from Kennesaw State with a BA in English and Professional Writing, Adrian had a short gig in casting, followed by a long stint teaching English lit, theater and film, before transitioning into commerce writing in 2021. Adrian enjoys sharing insights and favorite finds with their readers.
    Expertise Deals
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    8 curated items on sale
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    With Christmas only a couple of weeks away, it’s a great time to be looking for deals on standout tech like the Apple Watch Series 11. They’re nice upgrades for anyone and can be great gifts if you’re buying for someone who owns an iPhone already.

    Select carriers are offering deals when you purchase two, and you can save hundreds in exchange for your old smartwatch if you’re looking to upgrade. To help you make the most of these savings, CNET’s shopping experts have rounded up all the best Series 11 deals available right now below. We’ll continue to update this page as offers drop, so check back for the latest details. Plus, we have roundups for the best deals on the Apple Watch SE 3 and Ultra 3.

    Buying a new Apple iPhone 17? Check out the best iPhone 17 deals and accessories like the AirPods Pro 3.

    Apple Watch Series 11 Deals

    Along with a flat $100 off on some versions of the smartwatch, Best Buy is offering serious savings with trade‑ins. You can save up to $250, which is what you’ll get for trading in the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Upgrading from the Series 10 nets about $180. Smartwatches from Samsung, Google and other brands are also accepted, although they’re valued lower. Get four months of Apple Fitness Plus free with any Apple Watch purchase (new subscribers only) and up to three months of Apple Music free for new or returning subscribers.

    Details
    $100 off, and save up to $250 with trade-in

    The cost of the Apple Watch Series 11 starts at $399. Apple also offers a trade-in credit of between $25 and $335 for qualifying devices. Additionally, customers who use an Apple Card* receive 3% back on their purchases. New buyers will also enjoy extra benefits, like three free months of Apple Music for ad-free listening and three free months of Apple Fitness Plus, featuring a range of workouts, including HIIT and meditation.

    Details
    Save up to $335 with trade‑in, plus 3% daily cash back

    At Walmart, the Apple Watch Series 11 has a current price of $299, reduced from $399, which means you will save $100. Moreover, Walmart offers various Apple service trials with the purchase: up to four months of Apple Music, up to three months of Apple Fitness Plus, up to three months of Apple TV Plus, up to four months of Apple Arcade and up to three months of Apple News Plus. Note that only new or returning subscribers will have access to these promotional offers.

    Details
    Save $100, plus free Apple services

    At present, Amazon has the Apple Watch Series 11 advertised at a discounted price of $299, a discount of $100 off the regular $399 list price. Similarly, some watch versions are also priced at a discount by Amazon or its competing sellers on the platform, so ensure that the particular watch you are interested in is sold and shipped directly by Amazon when you choose different colors or options.

    Details
    Save $100

    Target is offering the Apple Watch Series 11 for $300 right now, but there is a caveat -- you have to be a Target Circle member. Fortunately, signing up is free. And you will save 5% instantly if you make the purchase with your Target Circle card*.

    Details
    Save $100, extra 5% with Target Circle card

    Verizon customers adding a line or upgrading an existing one can trade in their old smartwatch for up to $300 off the new Apple Watch Series 11. That drops the price to about $6 per month, with discounts being applied as bill credits over 36 months.

    You can also get it free with the purchase of an iPhone 17 but you'll need to activate a watch line as well.

    Details
    Save up to $300 with trade-in

    Purchase two Apple Watches and activate at least one line of service on a qualifying Watch plan and you'll get $300 back in the form of bill credits over 24 months.

    Details
    Buy two, save $300

    You can take $100 off select Apple Watch models at AT&T right now via 36 monthly billing credits if you remain on a qualifying plan. Plus, if you purchase an eligible iPhone 17 series or iPhone Air on a qualifying plan, you can receive an additional $100 off via 26 monthly billing credits. Don't need a new phone? The $100 discount applies to your purchase of a qualifying smartwatch and Ray-Ban smart glasses as well.

    Details
    Save up to $200

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    How much does the Apple Watch Series 11 cost?

    Series 11 watches start at $399 for the 42 mm model, and you can upgrade to the larger 46 mm model, which starts at $429. It’s an extra $100 if you want to add cellular connectivity.

    Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.      

    What colors does the Apple Watch Series 11 come in?

    The Series 11 comes in jet black, silver, rose gold and space gray.

    Watch this: Apple Watch Series 11, SE 3 and Ultra 3 Unveiled: The Best New Features Announced

    Should I upgrade to the Apple Watch Series 11?

    Our in-depth review of the Apple Watch Series 11 can help you decide. General advice holds true -- if you have an older Apple Watch from several generations ago, upgrading could offer significant improvements. If you have a relatively newer smartwatch, compare the features of both to see if the upgrade is worth it.

    If you’re looking to shop for previous Apple Watch models, our roundup of the best Apple Watch deals includes sales on the Apple Watch Series 10, Series 9 and SE, as well as the Apple Watch Ultra 2.  

    Switching to an Android smartwatch? We've found plenty of Samsung Galaxy Watch deals and Google Pixel Watch deals available, too.

    Watch this: Everything Announced at Apple's iPhone 17 Event in 7 Minutes

    *All information about the Apple Card and Target Circle card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.



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