The Best Budget Smartwatch: Smart Features, Smarter Price

In a world of soaring tech prices, finding the best budget smartwatch feels like a major win. You want the latest health tracking, seamless notifications, and a battery that won’t quit, but you don’t want to empty your wallet to get it. The good news is you no longer have to. The market for affordable wearables has exploded, offering impressive features and stylish designs that punch well above their price tags. This guide will help you navigate the options and find a smartwatch that fits your lifestyle and your budget perfectly.

Gone are the days when “budget” meant compromising on core functionality. Today’s affordable smartwatches offer vibrant AMOLED displays, comprehensive fitness tracking, and even advanced health sensors like SpO2 and stress monitoring. Whether you’re an iPhone loyalist or an Android aficionado, there’s a powerful and stylish option waiting for you.

How to Choose the Right Budget Smartwatch

Before diving into specific models, it’s essential to know what to look for. Finding the perfect balance between price and features is key. Here are the critical factors to consider to ensure you get the best value for your money.

Essential Features to Look For

When you’re shopping on a budget, focus on the features that matter most to you. Don’t get distracted by flashy extras you’ll never use.

• Compatibility: This is non-negotiable. Ensure the watch is fully compatible with your smartphone’s operating system (iOS or Android). Some watches, like the Apple Watch SE, are exclusive to iPhone users, while others work with both but may offer a better experience on Android.
• Battery Life: One of the biggest advantages of budget smartwatches is often their incredible battery life. Look for models that can last at least 5-7 days on a single charge. This means less time tethered to a charger and more time tracking your life.
• Display Quality: A bright, clear display is crucial for readability, especially outdoors. Many affordable models now feature AMOLED screens, which offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, making them look far more premium than their price suggests.
• Health and Fitness Tracking: At a minimum, your watch should track steps, heart rate, and sleep. Many budget options now also include built-in GPS for accurate run and walk tracking, blood oxygen (SpO2) monitoring, and a wide variety of workout modes.
• Design and Comfort: You’ll be wearing this device all day, so it needs to be comfortable and match your style. Look for lightweight materials and standard strap sizes that allow for easy customization.

“The budget smartwatch market has matured incredibly,” says Alex Greyson, a tech analyst at Yhslj.com. “You can now get 90% of the functionality of a flagship model for less than a third of the price. The key is to identify your core needs—be it battery life, fitness tracking, or smart notifications—and choose a device that excels in those areas.”

Top Picks for the Best Budget Smartwatch in 2025

After extensive testing and comparison, we’ve identified the top contenders that deliver outstanding performance without the premium price.

For the All-Rounder: Amazfit Bip 6

The Amazfit Bip series has long been a champion of the budget category, and the Bip 6 continues that legacy with significant upgrades. It’s a standout choice that proves you don’t need to spend a lot to get a feature-packed experience.

• Key Features: It boasts a large 1.97-inch AMOLED display that is bright and easy to read. The battery life is a huge selling point, easily lasting over a week with heavy use. It comes loaded with health features, including SpO2, stress, and even wrist temperature tracking, alongside more than 140 workout modes and built-in GPS.
• Why It Wins: The combination of a high-end display, extensive health tracking, and marathon-like battery life at a sub-$100 price point is simply unmatched. It works seamlessly with both Android and iOS.

For iPhone Users: Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)

If you’re in the Apple ecosystem, the Apple Watch SE is the undisputed best budget smartwatch for you. It offers the core Apple Watch experience, polished software, and seamless integration with your iPhone at a more accessible price.

• Key Features: You get the same powerful processor found in more expensive models, ensuring a smooth and responsive user interface. It includes excellent fitness tracking, high and low heart rate notifications, fall detection, and access to the vast watchOS App Store.
• Why It Wins: For iPhone users, nothing beats the cohesive experience of an Apple Watch. The SE provides all the essential smart features and health tracking you need, making it an incredible value.

For Style on a Budget: CMF Watch 3 Pro

From Nothing’s sub-brand, CMF, the Watch 3 Pro is for those who want their budget smartwatch to make a style statement. It features a minimalist, eye-catching design that looks more like a premium wearable.

• Key Features: Its large, circular 1.43-inch display and single rotating crown give it a classic, elegant look. It doesn’t skimp on features either, offering robust fitness and health tracking, Bluetooth calling, and a user-friendly interface.
• Why It Wins: The CMF Watch 3 Pro proves that affordable doesn’t have to mean boring. It delivers on both aesthetics and functionality, making it a perfect choice for the style-conscious user.

Best Budget Wear OS Experience: Xiaomi Watch 2

For those who want the full Google experience with access to the Play Store without the high price, the Xiaomi Watch 2 is an excellent choice. It runs on Wear OS, giving you access to Google’s suite of apps like Maps and Wallet.

• Key Features: Powered by the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 platform, performance is smooth. It offers over 160 workout modes, built-in GPS, and an optical heart rate sensor. The main trade-off for the full Wear OS experience is battery life, which typically lasts about a day or two.
• Why It Wins: It’s one of the most affordable entry points into the Wear OS ecosystem, offering deep integration with Android phones and a rich app experience that many proprietary systems lack.

What You Might Compromise On with a Budget Watch

While budget smartwatches offer incredible value, there are some trade-offs to be aware of.

• Advanced Health Sensors: Features like ECG (electrocardiogram) or body composition analysis are typically reserved for more expensive flagship models.
• Premium Materials: You’ll often find aluminum or plastic casings instead of stainless steel or titanium, and the screen glass may be less scratch-resistant.
• Third-Party App Integration: Watches with proprietary operating systems (like those from Amazfit or Huawei) have limited or no access to third-party app stores, unlike Apple’s watchOS or Google’s Wear OS.
• NFC Payments: While becoming more common, contactless payment support is not yet a standard feature on all budget smartwatches.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I reply to messages on a budget smartwatch?

This depends on the watch and your phone. Most budget watches will show you notifications, but replying is often limited. Apple Watch users can send full replies, while some Wear OS and Amazfit watches offer canned responses or voice-to-text replies, which may work better with Android.

Are budget smartwatches waterproof?

Most budget smartwatches are water-resistant, typically rated to 5ATM. This means they are safe for swimming in a pool or shallow water but should not be used for high-speed water sports or deep-water diving. Always check the specific IP or ATM rating of the device.

Is built-in GPS necessary on a cheap smartwatch?

If you’re a runner, cyclist, or hiker who wants to track your routes without carrying your phone, then built-in GPS is a must-have feature. Many budget watches now include this. If you always have your phone with you, a watch with “connected GPS” can use your phone’s GPS to save battery and reduce cost.

Will a budget smartwatch work without a phone?

Most core functions like telling time, tracking steps, and monitoring your heart rate will work without a nearby phone. However, you will need to be connected to your phone via Bluetooth to receive notifications, control music, or use connected GPS.

How accurate is the health tracking on budget smartwatches?

For general wellness and fitness tracking, modern budget smartwatches are surprisingly accurate. Heart rate, step counts, and sleep tracking are generally reliable for everyday use. However, for medical-grade accuracy, you should always consult a healthcare professional and use dedicated medical devices.

The Smart Choice for Your Wrist

Choosing the best budget smartwatch is about finding a device that enhances your daily life without breaking the bank. With brands like Amazfit, Apple, and Xiaomi offering powerful, stylish, and reliable options, you have more choices than ever. By focusing on your key priorities—whether it’s battery life, fitness features, or seamless smartphone integration—you can find the perfect wearable companion that proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to live a smarter, more connected life.