Top 5 Best Budget Smartwatches in 2025

The best smartwatches are capable of much more than just telling the time; they can also support apps, send notifications to smartphones, and monitor heart rate. You’re in the right place if you’re weighing your options. Since the Pebble era over ten years ago, we have been reviewing smartwatches. To help you find a model that suits your needs and budget, we test options from both large and small brands with a range of features and prices. The Apple Watch Series 10’s svelte design, unparalleled third-party app selection, and precise fitness tracking capabilities make it the best smartwatch for iPhone users. Our list of the top smartwatches below will help you if you have an Android phone or are searching for something less costly.

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Last update on 2025-01-30 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Top 5 Best Budget Smartwatches in 2025

1.Apple Watch SE 2

Last update on 2025-01-30 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

It appears that the original Apple Watch SE didn’t need to be fixed because it wasn’t broken, which is where the Apple Watch SE 2 got its start. Rather, Apple has simply improved it by adding new colors, a new processor to make it future-proof, an even lighter body, and a slight price reduction.

The answer is no if you’re looking for an Apple Watch SE 2 review to determine if it’s worthwhile to upgrade from the original Apple Watch SE. The most notable feature is car crash detection, which is obviously desirable but I doubt many people will pay for it alone. Other than that, there aren’t many significant new features.

If you’re not sure if you should purchase the Apple Watch SE 2,or the Apple Watch Series 8, that comes down to the specific features you may want, and what you’re willing to pay for them. The Series 8 has an always-on screen (which I think feels like a worthwhile upgrade), plus an ECG, pulse oxygen sensor, and temperature sensor that’s designed to help women manage their reproductive health. If you don’t feel like you care about any of those health sensors, then the Series 8 is a lot more money for not much of a different experience.

Since the Apple Watch SE 2 is a full-fledged Apple Watch with no complicated questions about what has been omitted in comparison to the higher-end option, the overall experience is what it excels at. The above list contains the omissions. You are not limited by software, nor do you have to worry about speed due to an outdated processor. Given Apple’s emphasis on black backgrounds in watchOS, the slightly thicker bezel and slightly smaller screen compared to the Watch Series 8 are not major issues.

I have owned the most recent flagship Apple Watch for the past four years, and I use it daily. I replaced my Apple Watch Series 7 with the device to test the new Apple Watch SE, and I’ve not felt any diminution in my experience at all, outside of the lack of always-on screen – and I’m living with that perfectly well.

While I wish Apple could fit the always-on screen in here at the price – or would help to democratize home health monitoring by including the ECG and/or pulse oxygen sensor on this cheaper model – there’s no question that this is the best Apple Watch for those on a budget, and is one of the best smartwatches of any kind in terms of balancing features and price.

If you have ever seen an Apple Watch before, you will recognize the shape of the Watch SE 2. This is Apple’s smallest watch from the 2022 collection, and it comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes.

Three aluminum finishes are offered this year: Silver (which is silver), Starlight (silver with a gold sheen), and Midnight (black with a hint of blue). We tested the Midnight version, and it works well. If you only look at the aluminum, you might assume it’s black, but when you contrast it with the truly black screen, you can see the faint blue undertone.

The Digital Crown and the power/app button on the right-hand side of the Watch SE are a familiar combination, and similar to the previous version, the power button is flush with the side of the case.

There’s toughened glass with curved edges on the front (as usual, the screen is not sapphire here), and it has the crystal-covered heart rate sensor on the rear – the rest of the rear, though has been tweaked.

2.OnePlus Watch 2R

Last update on 2025-01-30 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

The OnePlus Watch 2R has almost the same features and specifications as the OnePlus Watch 2. At , it’s also more affordable than the majority of other smartwatches from well-known manufacturers that use Wear OS from Android. Its aluminum case, which is lighter than stainless steel, is its primary drawback when compared to the standard Watch 2. The OnePlus Watch 2R is a good substitute if you’re willing to forgo some health features in exchange for a longer battery life, but the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE is still our Editors’ Choice for reasonably priced smartwatches because it’s less expensive and has fall detection and ECG monitoring.

Similar to the OnePlus Watch 2, the OnePlus Watch 2R is 46mm in size and has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built in, but it does not support LTE cellular. These watches, which measure 47.0 by 46.6 by 12.1 mm (HWD), are large and not the greatest choice if you’re looking for something small. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE has a much smaller 40mm case and can be upgraded from the base model with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to LTE connectivity for an additional $50.

Approximately 25% lighter than the stainless steel-clad Watch 2 (1.73 ounces and 2.82 ounces, respectively), the Watch 2R has an aluminum chassis and weighs 1.31 ounces without the strap and 2.08 ounces with it. At 0.9 ounces, the aluminum Galaxy Watch FE weighs less than both with the strap.

In terms of durability, the Watch 2R has 5ATM and IP68 ratings. OnePlus says you can safely submerge it in freshwater at depths of up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) for up to 30 minutes but advises against using it in seawater or at the beach. The Watch 2 adds a MIL-STD-810H spec (also available on the Galaxy Watch FE), meaning it can handle environmental stressors such as extreme temperatures and altitudes, but under ordinary usage, both OnePlus models should hold up well.

The OnePlus 2R comes with a magnetic charging puck, a USB-A to USB-C charging cord (the latter of which inserts into the charging puck), a quick start guide, and the watch and strap. A USB-A charging brick of your own is required.Any Android phone running Android 8.0 or later can be used with the OnePlus Watch 2R. You must first download the OnePlus OHealth app to your Android phone in order to set it up.

It will automatically sync your weather, alarms, and other settings if you pair it with a OnePlus phone. However, syncing to a third-party Android phone won’t cause you to miss much.To turn on the watch after downloading the app, press and hold the bottom button for three seconds. Choose your preferred language on the watch screen, then give the app permission to find nearby devices. At this point, you should get a pop-up prompt on your phone to pair the watch. If not, tap Device > Add Device. You’ll then see a PIN number to confirm you’re pairing to the correct watch. Finally, the app will prompt you to accept the terms and conditions, select your wrist of choice, set your lock screen code, and install your preferred apps.

Navigating the watch is fairly simple once you’re up and running. Using the top button, you can access your apps and use your finger to scroll through the options and pinch to zoom in. To go back to your watch face, tap the top button once more. To launch the latest app, double-tap the top button; to access Google Assistant, hold it down; or to make an SOS call, tap it five times.You can double-tap the bottom button to open Google Wallet or use it to launch the Workout app. To access the power menu, hold down the bottom button for three seconds.

You can swipe left and right to navigate a customizable menu, swipe up for notifications, or swipe down on the watch face for quick controls outside of the buttons.

3.Samsung Galaxy Watch FE

Last update on 2025-01-30 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Launched at a low cost, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch FE is a unique smartwatch that runs Google’s app-rich Wear OS platform. Although it lacks Samsung’s Galaxy AI holistic health insights, has a single size, and large bezels on the screen, it essentially has the same great connectivity, lifestyle, and wellness features as the company’s Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra. Compared to the majority of Wear OS-powered competitors from various brands, it is a more comprehensive health companion with features like body composition measurements, continuous blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitoring, detailed sleep and snore tracking, and heart rate alerts. It is a fantastic wearable with many practical features at a competitive price, and it is our Editors’ Choice for the greatest smartwatch for those on a tight budget.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE has a straightforward design and is available in silver, pink gold, or black in a single 40mm size. In contrast, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is available in a single 47mm size, whereas the Galaxy Watch 7 is available in 40mm and 44mm sizes.The watch features sapphire crystal glass and a 1.19-inch, 396-by-396 Super AMOLED display with 330 ppi. With big, somewhat distracting bezels that harken back to the Galaxy Watch 5, the screen is smaller than its 1.3-inch counterpart on the 40mm Galaxy Watch 7.The Watch FE’s thickness of 0.38 inches corresponds to that of the Galaxy Watch 7’s 40mm and 44mm models. It weighs just 0.9 ounces, compared to 1.0 ounces for the 40mm Watch 7 and 1.2 ounces for the 44mm model.

The Galaxy Watch FE is surprisingly durable for its price. It is certified to MIL-STD-810H and has an IP68 weather-resistance rating and a 5ATM waterproof rating. This indicates that it is resistant to dust and can endure for ten minutes at a depth of up to 164 feet in still fresh or salt water. According to Samsung, the watch can operate in temperatures ranging from -4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. These numbers are comparable to those of the Galaxy Watch 7 and surpass those of Apple’s most low-cost smartwatch, the Apple Watch SE, which is not certified for military-grade endurance or dust resistance.

When compared to its more costly siblings, the Galaxy Watch FE performs admirably. Similar to the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Ultra, the Galaxy Watch FE features a barometer, an accelerometer, a blood pressure sensor, and an ambient light sensor.oxygen monitor, a compass, a gyroscope, a pedometer, and Samsung’s BioActive Sensor for heart rate monitoring.

Overnight, it tracks your sleeping duration and stages, blood oxygen level, heart rate, respiratory rate, menstruation cycles, and even snoring. For snoring detection, you need to keep your Samsung phone nearby. Additionally, you can take an ECG with the watch, and it can even measure body composition metrics like body fat percentage and body mass index (BMI), similar to a smart scale.

Naturally, you’ll have to make some concessions for its cheaper cost. Some of Samsung’s flagship smartwatch features, such as dual-frequency GPS, skin temperature sensors, sleep apnea detection, and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) index tracking that gives you a comprehensive picture of your metabolism, are absent from the Watch FE. Galaxy AI, which compiles all of the monitored sleep and fitness data from the flagship models into a comprehensive Energy Score on a scale of 0 to 100, is also absent. Additionally, Galaxy AI offers helpful wellness advice and tailored recommendations on how to raise your score and feel better.

4.Google Pixel Watch 2

Last update on 2025-01-30 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

For the most part, this is a good thing because the Google Pixel Watch 2 basically follows the same path as its popular original model.

The new smartwatch appears to have the same design. To make the digital crown easier to use, Google did redesign it somewhat. The screen and other features are identical to those of the original Google Pixel Watch. But appearances can be a little misleading. The body is now composed of lightweight, recycled aluminum, and the cover glass is thinner—though Google maintains that it is just as strong. When combined, they reduce the weight by what Google claims is a significant amount.

This watch has a significant platform update and new parts, which are more significant (and perhaps more obvious). It features Wear and a new quad-core processor.Important new features include the Personal Safety Check and, lastly, the ability to automatically recognize when you begin and end your workouts. The new multi-path heart rate sensor on the back of the Google Pixel Watch 2 may also help it better identify how well you worked out.

Google claims that the screen is now running in Always On mode by default, while still having a 24-hour battery life, despite still having that overly large black bezel around its bright 320ppi face.

The watch can now charge much more quickly thanks to four physical charging pins on the back, which is a switch from the induction charger, if you’re willing to sleep with it (keep in mind that it’s lighter for greater comfort at night).

If you want a quick charge before bed and don’t want to recharge it again when you wake up and go to work, the Pixel Watch 2 can provide you with a 50% charge in less than 30 minutes, according to Google.

Additionally, the Pixel Watch 2 features a new skin temperature sensor to provide you with additional sleep data. Additionally, the new continuous electrodermal activity (CEDA) sensor may be able to identify stressors while you’re awake.

All things considered, this update appears to be wise but secure. Google changed practically every component inside, including the CPU, most of the important sensors, and even the charging system, without attempting a complete exterior redesign. With Wear OS 4.0, safety enhancements, and some new Fitbit capabiIf you want a quick charge before bed and don’t want to recharge it again when you wake up and go to work, the Pixel Watch 2 can provide you with a 50% charge in less than 30 minutes, according to Google.

One of the most stylish smartwatches available was Google’s original Pixel Watch, and the Pixel Watch 2 lives up to that reputation.The recycled aluminum body and newly thinner glass cover still have the appearance of being poured out together. It feels good overall and has a nice gumdrop shape. Despite reducing the overall weight by roughly 10%, Google left the 41mm watch’s dimensions unchanged.

Google redesigned the digital crown, primarily by altering the stem that leads to it, to give it a more watch-like appearance and, more importantly, to make it easier to use. This is one change that does gradually improve the aesthetic appeal.

There are some new bands, including six fitness bands, but Google hasn’t changed the occasionally difficult band attachment system. Although I was unable to wear them, I can say that the material felt pleasant.

Although the watch’s back is made of aluminum, the absence of a strong bezel is still a little worrisome because it makes me apprehensive about the watch getting caught on something. The Pixel Watch may feel a little “toy-ish” for a while if you’re used to something like a Garmin or a primarily metal Samsung with a little more heft because of how light it is. Nonetheless, the 41mm screen’s black bezel with a wraparound pebble design makes it incredibly comfortable to use, and the AMOLED screen is bright and smooth with a slick refresh rate.

5.Garmin Forerunner 55

Last update on 2025-01-30 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

The Garmin Forerunner 55 might be the perfect watch for you if you’re starting to take your workouts seriously or if you want to go beyond a simple fitness tracker. With features like a race time predictor, training ideas to use if you’re not sticking to a set plan, and suggested rest periods after completing an activity, it was carefully created with new runners in mind.

The Forerunner 55’s lack of a touchscreen may take some getting used to, but even the greatest Fitbit can’t match the features of a dedicated running watch. Nonetheless, the five physical buttons are easily pressed while moving, wearing gloves, or with perspiring hands, and they are labeled to avoid confusion.

Although the Garmin watch isn’t flawless—the screen hasn’t been updated since the Forerunner 45—and a new design would have been nice, the company’s GPS accuracy is unmatched. In addition to being one of the greatest affordable smartwatches available right now, it’s a fantastic way to get started in the exciting world of sports wearables.

The 42mm case of the Garmin Forerunner 55, which has five buttons all around it, looks a lot like the Forerunner 45. Additionally, it features the same 208 x 208 pixel color memory-in-pixel display. The watch’s settings menu allows you to select various face designs, and you can download additional ones from the Garmin Connect IQ store.

In contrast to the Forerunner 45, the Forerunner 55 is only available with a 42mm case. It’s a good compromise, large enough to show a reasonable level of detail, but not big enough to overpower smaller wrists. It’s supplied with a single silicone strap, with perforations along the entire length to fit the widest possible range of wrist sizes.

Despite being slightly lighter than both Forerunner 45 models at 37g, the Forerunner 55 barely notices the difference when in use. We can forget we’re wearing the watch because it’s light and comfortable.

The watch’s plastic case, which comes in black, white, or aqua, is topped with glass that has been chemically strengthened. Although Gorilla-branded glass is used in more expensive Garmin watches, the company has chosen to use a generic substitute in order to keep costs down.

Despite its simplicity, the first running watch’s design is well-considered. It lacks a touchscreen, just like the Forerunner 45. Rather, you use two buttons on the left to scroll up and down. You can choose the current option using the button on the top right, and you can go back to the previous one using the button on the bottom left.