Watches aren’t just for telling time anymore; they’ve evolved into smart gadgets. From counting your steps to pushing everyday alerts, a smartwatch can help you monitor your wellness with fitness tracking and keep you better linked to your digital life.
That said, smartwatches can be pricey. Apple’s top model, the Apple Watch Series 7, begins around $400 and can approach $1,800. Fortunately, we pay attention to budgets — and so do you — so below are the best affordable smartwatch picks to consider:
- Apple Watch SE ($249)
- Samsung Galaxy Watch4 ($199)
- Fitbit Versa 2 ($149)
- Garmin Forerunner 55 ($199)
- Amazfit Bip 3 Pro ($69)
What Is a Smartwatch?
Smartwatches represent the modern take on the classic wristwatch, helping people keep track of time while staying connected. They’re devices that the earliest digital watches of the 1970s could only have imagined in sci-fi.
A smartwatch places a compact version of a smartphone on your wrist. Why pick one up? It removes the need to pull out your phone each time a notification or call arrives. A quick glance at your wrist gives you the information you need.
Smartwatches also let you personalize your wristwear with new watch faces as often as you like. Most units run small apps, so you can skim headlines, browse a social feed, or even start your car without digging out your phone.
A budget smartwatch can also concentrate on fitness, tracking metrics like daily steps and distance covered. Some models also keep tabs on vital measurements such as heart rate and rhythm.
The Best 5 Budget Smartwatches
| Smartwatch | Best For | Standout Feature | Battery Life | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch SE | iPhone users | Integrates tightly with Apple devices and iMessage | Up to 36 hours | $249 | SEE DETAILS |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch4 | Android users | Optimized for Android phones | Up to 40 hours | $199 | SEE DETAILS |
| Fitbit Versa 2 | Fitbit fans | Syncs with Fitbit’s fitness platform | Up to 3 days | $149 | SEE DETAILS |
| Garmin Forerunner 55 | Runners | Provides dedicated running-focused features | Up to 14 days | $199 | SEE DETAILS |
| Amazfit Bip 3 Pro | Under $100 | Under $100 while delivering solid performance | Up to 14 days | $69 | SEE DETAILS |
If you’re hunting for the best inexpensive smartwatch, these selections cover a few likely choices. We picked a top option whether you use an
iPhone or an Android.
We’ve also included affordable smartwatch choices for Fitbit enthusiasts, fitness-focused users who need detailed tracking, and a dependable under-$100 model.
Best for iPhone Users: Apple Watch SE ($249)
The Apple Watch SE is Apple’s budget-friendly smartwatch, beginning at $249, and it’s an excellent match for anyone with an iPhone. It’s a noticeably cheaper alternative to Apple’s pricier Apple Watch Series models.
You can get smartphone notifications, monitor daily health metrics, use Apple Pay to make contactless payments, begin workouts, and play music right from your wrist.
On the health side, the Apple Watch SE alerts you to high or low heart rates, irregular rhythm, cardio fitness levels and sleep habits.
The Apple Watch SE can detect a hard fall or a major car collision and automatically call emergency services. It also includes built-in GPS for location and mapping support.
The SE has an aluminum case and comes in three finishes: Midnight, Starlight and Silver. It’s swim-capable down to 50 meters, and in low-power mode the battery can last up to 36 hours.
Best for Android Users: Samsung Galaxy Watch4 ($199)
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch4 is a competitively priced smartwatch for Android owners, offering serious competition to the Apple Watch. Starting at $199, it’s far less expensive than Apple’s entry-level models while still packing robust features.
The Galaxy Watch4 is a tech-forward way to track time and wellness. It includes body composition analysis, an ECG feature, fitness and sleep tracking, plus built-in GPS for navigation.
As a companion to your Android phone, the watch delivers notifications, phone calls and texts right to your wrist.
Built from aluminum, the Galaxy Watch4 is offered in black, silver and pink gold. We like that Samsung lets you pick from several band materials — even leather — at no additional cost when ordering.
Samsung claims the Galaxy Watch4 can reach up to 40 hours of battery life depending on how you use it. And yes, it’s safe to take the watch into the pool.
Best for Fitbit Lovers: Fitbit Versa 2 ($149)
Fitbit was among the pioneers in wearables, releasing fitness trackers over a decade ago. The brand still maintains a faithful following and now makes strong smartwatches, like the Versa 2, starting at $149.
The Versa 2 can serve as an inexpensive smartwatch partner to your phone, offering quick access to alerts like calls and texts and controlling music playback. You can also use Fitbit Pay to purchase items with a tap of your wrist.
Fitbit emphasizes fitness, so it’s no surprise the watch’s standout strengths lie in health tracking.
The Versa 2 records daily activity and sleep, supports 24/7 heart rate monitoring, alerts you to irregular heart rhythms, and can estimate blood oxygen levels overnight in addition to sleep analysis.
Battery life is notable too — the Versa 2 can operate up to three days on a single charge.
The case is aluminum and available in three strap-body color combinations: Black/Carbon Aluminum, Stone/Mist Gray Aluminum and Petal/Copper Rose Aluminum. The case isn’t waterproof, so swimming with it isn’t recommended.
Best for Runners: Garmin Forerunner 55 ($199)
If open trails and long roads feel like home, take a look at the Garmin Forerunner 55. It’s our top low-cost smartwatch pick for runners — and not just because “runner” is in the name.
Priced from $199, the Forerunner 55 handles common smartwatch tasks like delivering phone notifications and music controls. Where it shines is its tailored running software.
Right away, the Garmin Forerunner 55 can record runs using built-in GPS, monitor wrist-based heart rate, suggest workouts, give cadence cues, estimate finish times and recommend recovery periods between sessions.
If the running tools aren’t enough, you can also track multiple sport types with built-in activity profiles and monitor stress levels — remember that mental wellbeing matters too.
Battery anxiety is minimal: the Forerunner 55 can last up to two weeks on a single charge, ideal for heading off-grid.
The watch uses strengthened glass and a sturdy silicone band for toughness. Color options include white, black and aqua. The Forerunner 55 carries a 5 ATM water resistance rating, allowing submersion up to 50 meters.
Best Under $100: Amazfit Bip 3 Pro ($69)
We didn’t expect to find a well-rounded smartwatch for less than $100, but the Amazfit Bip 3 Pro surprised us. For $69, it’s an impressive value.
Let’s be clear: the Amazfit Bip 3 Pro won’t outpace the Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch on features. Instead, it offers a reliable, budget-friendly smartwatch experience at a very low price.
The Bip 3 Pro sports a large 1.69-inch display and a design that stands out compared with other cheap, bulky models in this bracket.
All the basic smartphone companion features are here: call, SMS and app notifications. You can also use the watch to remotely trigger your phone camera for group photos.
Health tools are surprisingly comprehensive, including a blood-oxygen sensor, heart rate and sleep monitoring. The Bip 3 Pro supports more than 60 sport modes for tracking runs, rides, sails and many other activities.
If your budget is tight, the Amazfit Bip 3 Pro is worth considering. Its waterproof case comes in black, pink and cream. The maker claims up to 14 days of battery life.
Features to Look for in a Smartwatch
With so many choices, buying a cheap smartwatch can feel overwhelming. Here are the top features to evaluate when shopping:
Fitness
Health tracking is a prime reason to buy a budget smartwatch. Most models track steps and heart rate, but some go further.
Higher-end budget models include heart rhythm monitoring to flag potential issues like atrial fibrillation and may offer on-demand ECGs. Sleep tracking is also common to help you monitor rest quality.
Brands like Garmin particularly excel at fitness tracking, delivering tools that help athletes monitor fine details of their training and push performance.
Ecosystem
Buying a smartwatch often means buying into an ecosystem similar to a phone. Consider available accessories — for example, the Apple Watch has an abundance of bands and cases.
Also check what apps you can use on the watch. Some platforms, such as Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch, provide app stores, while others may only have a small set of built-in apps.
Choosing a watch that aligns with your phone — an Apple Watch for an iPhone or a Galaxy Watch for an Android Galaxy phone — usually ensures the smoothest experience. Notably, iMessage alerts only appear on Apple Watch.
Design
You’ll wear a smartwatch on your body, so pick a design you enjoy and won’t mind wearing every day.
Smartwatches typically come in several sizes, so choose a case that fits comfortably on your wrist. Wearables blur the line between tech and fashion, so style matters.
Battery Life
Smartwatch battery life varies, so check the advertised run time. Many need nightly charging, but cheaper watches sometimes skimp on battery endurance.
Some models include fast charging to quickly top up the battery — handy for those who use their watch for sleep tracking and need a quick morning boost.
How We Picked the Best Budget Smartwatches
Our picks come from thorough market research and hands-on time with select affordable smartwatch models. Combining these approaches gives a balanced view for our recommendations.
We focused on the primary features that matter to buyers: fitness, ecosystem, design and battery life, while restricting choices to watches that cost no more than $250.
The result is a set of top smartwatches for both iOS and Android users, plus options for fitness buffs and bargain seekers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you’re on a tight budget, we suggest looking at the Amazfit Bip 3 Pro. It delivers a solid smartwatch experience for under $100: step and heart-rate tracking, smartphone notifications and swim-friendly water resistance.
In our roundup of the best budget smartwatch choices, these five models stand out:
- Apple Watch SE ($249)
- Samsung Galaxy Watch4 ($199)
- Fitbit Versa 2 ($149)
- Garmin Forerunner 55 ($199)
- Amazfit Bip 3 Pro ($69)
Smartwatches aren’t essential, but they’re useful for anyone who wants notifications and call alerts without constantly pulling out their phone. Many buyers pick them to better manage health and access fitness guidance to live healthier lives.
Jordan Whitaker is a senior writer with Savinly specializing in technology.
