Top 5 Best Budget Smartwatches of 2024

It doesn’t cost a lot of money to wear a smartwatch on your wrist.

Not everyone has the ability to always carry their phone with them or check it whenever a notification comes in. Smartwatches can help with that, but their benefits don’t stop there.

A useful wristwatch may perform a variety of functions, including as activity monitoring, standing reminders, audio streaming, phone calls, and more, even when your smartphone isn’t close by. It can also be used as a second screen for your smartphone.Every wristwatch requires a smartphone to be synced with it. There are lots of very fantastic smartwatch options available, regardless of whether you use an Android-based phone or an Apple iPhone. Choosing the ideal one that fulfills your requirements and complements your style is the tricky part.

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Last update on 2024-04-05/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

Best Budget Smartwatches

1.Apple Watch SE

Last update on 2024-04-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

The smallest and least costly smartwatch in Apple’s collection is the Watch SE. While there hasn’t been much improvement over the first model, Apple has improved the processor, reduced the price by, introduced a new motion sensor for Crash Detection, and switched to a more eco-friendly back cover for the second generation device. It lacks an always-on display and a few health sensors (temperature, SpO2, and ECG), but for less, it provides nearly all of the Series 9’s networking, security, and fitness capabilities.

Emergency SOS, fall detection, and alerts for irregular heartbeat and rhythm are some of the safety features. Additionally, cellular SE models now provide international emergency calling, allowing you to contact emergency services when traveling in more than 120 countries and regions without using your phone. We particularly appreciate the automatic 20-second handwashing timer on the health front.

For its target market of younger consumers, older adults, and those considering a wristwatch for the first time, the Apple Watch SE is a good choice. It can even be used with Apple’s Family Setup feature, which lets you control a family member’s watch without having an iPhone. Although the Apple Watch SE is a great alternative for those on a tight budget, the Series 9 continues to win our Editors’ Choice award because to its more advanced health-tracking features and always-on display option. Nevertheless, Apple has eliminated blood oxygen saturation monitoring from Series 9 and Ultra 2 devices that are presently available for purchase in the US, so closing the difference between those devices and the Watch SE, which has never included that sensor.

2.Amazfit Bip

Last update on 2024-04-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

The focus of this review is on inexpensive smartwatches, however the Amazfit Bip 5 is the best option if you’re looking to save a lot of money. Although it’s not as fancy as the Apple Watch SE, this gadget nonetheless does all you need it to. It features an attractive screen, makes it simple to see your alerts, and lets you utilize your phone. However, iPhone users cannot react to text messages directly from the watch. Amazfit rates the device’s battery life at 10 days, but this obviously varies based on how the watch is used.

With a variety of built-in fitness sensors, including heart rate and blood oxygen monitors, the Bip 5 is also excellent for tracking fitness. Although it’s not particularly designed for swimming, it can monitor most forms of exercise. It does have some water resistance, but you should try to keep it out of the water as much as possible, especially when taking a shower. However, if you’re not primarily seeking for a swimming tracker, the Amazfit Bip 5 is an excellent smartwatch that’s really affordable.

3.Samsung Galaxy Watch 4

Last update on 2024-04-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

For those on a tight budget, consider purchasing an Android smartwatch that was a flagship a few years ago rather than one of the newest models. Although it isn’t as good as the Galaxy Watch 6 (the current version), the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 was one of the greatest smartwatches available when it was released. Its functions for tracking fitness are outstanding; it can check blood pressure and even body composition. Its software is simple to use, and its elegant circular form looks fantastic on any wrist. Given that it comes pre-installed with all Samsung apps, it does function a little bit better with Samsung phones than other Android phones; nonetheless, Android users in general will be able to use the vast majority of features and functions.

Purchasing a device that is a few years old has some little drawbacks, but not many at this price range. For example, the Galaxy Watch 6 boasts a few more sophisticated fitness-tracking functions and a longer battery life. Furthermore, in comparison to some of the other products on this list, the Galaxy Watch 4 is a little pricey. Nonetheless, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is the best smartwatch if you’re looking for an extremely useful low-cost device that you can pair with your Android phone

4.Garmin Lily

Last update on 2024-04-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

The Lily is the first smartwatch/fitness tracker model from Garmin made just for women, and it is also the company’s smallest model to date. It has a stylish, patterned face and a 14mm band that is far thinner than typical smartwatch straps, so you may wear it with additional jewelry. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the Lily is capable of monitoring many health metrics like blood oxygen saturation, energy expenditure, heart rate, respiration, steps, stress, and exercise. It also has more standard smartwatch functions including music playback controls, phone notifications, and a variety of widgets. Although it is much less expensive, it is devoid of some features found in Garmin’s Vivoactive 4/4S, such as an always-on display and color. Furthermore, even though it isn’t nearly as affordable as the Fitbit Versa, the Lily is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a fitness-focused smartwatch that prioritizes style and won’t break the bank. 

The Classic model is available in gold with a black band, gold with a white band, or dark bronze with a matching band. The Sport model is available in midnight orchid (a purple hue) with a matching band, rose gold with a tan band, or gold with a white band. The Lily’s 34mm case lacks buttons, and a corresponding metal clasp completes the design. T-bar lugs join the watch’s thin 14mm band to the case.

Get the Garmin Lily if you’re looking for a smartwatch that looks better than most of the competitors. The Lily is available in a variety of colors, has a smaller build, and is designed exclusively for ladies. With a grayscale display and no integrated GPS, it’s not as sophisticated as some of the other watches on this list. It does, however, perform exceptionally well in other domains, such as fitness tracking. The Lily uses Garmin’s stress-monitoring and body battery-tracking technology in addition to measuring standard metrics like heart rate and steps.

The straightforward interface of the Garmin Lily is among its strongest features. The gadget has an integrated touch screen for navigation, which most people will find simple to use. The Lily also boasts a lengthy battery life, estimated by Garmin to be five days. For certain users, it might not last that long, but even a few days is preferable than rival watches that require nightly charging. For individuals who value style above all else, the Lily is a worthwhile purchase because it has a more sophisticated design than the majority of the competitors.

5.Amazfit T-Rex 2

Last update on 2024-04-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

The Amazfit T-Rex 2 markets itself as an affordable alternative to high-end running watches and Garmin timepieces, such as the Instinct 2 or Forerunner series, as well as a hiking partner.

All things considered, the T-Rex 2 is an outdoor watch: it is sturdy, large, waterproof, and heavily touted for having passed “15 military-grade toughness tests.” In a publicity gimmick, the watch was even launched into space, where it was tested to withstand -64 degrees and 0.2% air pressure.

It looks the part, and for a very cheap price, it has an abundance of sports mode, dual-band GPS, a sensor array with a barometer and gyroscope for altitude and compass capabilities, and much more.

This is a wonderful model to acquire if you’re on a tight budget and need an outdoor watch that can withstand your scrambling, surfing, and fell-running activities while accurately estimating your heart rate and GPS. It is not appropriate for races where every second matters, though, because of a few minor annoyances that keep it from really testing the strength of the big boys of the adventure watch category or placing it on par with other comparable watches in terms of accuracy.

The Amazfit T-Rex 2 has a polymer outer layer and is shaped like a bulky, blocky G-Shock. With four buttons—up, down, select, and back—and a steel loop or nodule in place of the fifth button, it also mimics the design of the Garmin device.

The watch face is huge, with a 1.39″ AMOLED screen at 434 pixels by 434 pixels that is bright to the tune of 1,000 nits. It comes with a thick rubber strap. The watch is really sturdy—it can withstand 10ATM water resistance and has passed military testing that states it is “tough enough to be operated4 even in extreme temperatures as low as -30°C.” However, it is bulkier and has a wider watch face than some of its rivals.

The Amazfit T-Rex 2 is the wristwatch to acquire if you’re seeking for a more durable affordable smartwatch. It costs a little bit more than some of the alternatives, but many people will like its chunkier appearance and MIL-STD 810G military-grade certification. It still has a lot going for it behind the hood, including sensors to measure blood oxygen and heart rate. Excellent as well is the watch’s display, which is vivid and brilliant and ought to be simple to see even in better lighting.

The lengthy battery life of the Amazfit T-Rex 2 is one of its outstanding features. According to Amazfit, with normal use, the device can run for an amazing 24 days on a single charge, or 10 days with intensive use. That is considerably superior to most smartwatches.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST SMARTWATCH FOR YOU

Unfortunately, since not all wearables are compatible with rival smartphones, your choice of smartwatch frequently hinges on your choice of phone. Only Apple iPhones are compatible with Apple Watch. You can use a Samsung watch with a Google phone and vice versa, but Wear OS products such as watches from Samsung and Google only function with Android devices.

Fitbit’s fitness tracking wearables are compatible with all devices and synchronize with the Fitbit app. However, its features are mostly focused on fitness and they don’t have as many functions as other smartwatches.

If you’re switching from a Garmin watch that lasts weeks, you might be disappointed by the average wearable’s one-day battery life. This list includes a few longer-lasting timepieces.

Lastly, smartwatches might be pricey, and to be honest, you don’t get much for your money. Consider whether you truly want to go scuba diving this year or if you’re simply going to use it to check your text messages quietly while eating with your friends before splurging on an Apple Watch Ultra.

Can you use Apple Watch with an Android phone?

First, find out if the smartwatch you wish to buy is compatible with your phone. Since iOS is necessary for all watchOS features to function, you cannot use an Android phone and an Apple Watch together.

While you can use a Fitbit or Google Pixel Watch with an iPhone, the experience will be significantly worse if you don’t have an Android or Google account. For optimal performance, Samsung and Huawei also need harmony between their watches and handsets.

But many gadgets, such as the CMF Watch Pro by Nothing and Garmin watches, just need their own apps to function, so you can use them with either phone just fine.

Which is the best smartwatch?

Although the top smartwatches are always changing, an Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy watch usually tops the list since they are often loaded with premium features and design.

HOW WE TEST SMARTWATCHES?

The knowledgeable staff at TechRadar has thoroughly examined each smartwatch on our list, so we are aware of all the features that work.

Every smartwatch is thoroughly tested in the real world as part of our evaluation process, which involves using the devices as if they were our own personal wearables. We get a clear picture of battery life performance through a thorough sweep of features and varied usage over several days.

Conclusion

When searching for an affordable smartwatch, cost will probably be your primary consideration. Of course, everyone has a different notion of what a “budget” is. Generally speaking, you may expect to pay roughly for a more expensive budget smartwatch, but you could spend as little as for a less costly one. You’ll need to determine exactly how much you’re willing to pay because there are affordable smartwatches available that fall between these ranges.

For features like notifications, recording health data, and other functions, the majority of smartwatches heavily rely on your phone. You should therefore look for a smartwatch that works with your phone. In order to purchase an Apple Watch, you must first own an iPhone. Your best hope for a wearable that supports Google’s Wear OS is an Android phone. Other smartwatches can be integrated with Android and iOS devices.

Nevertheless, certain Android-powered wristwatches are more compatible with specific Android phones than others. Samsung smartwatches are compatible only with Samsung phones; while they still function flawlessly with Android phones made by other manufacturers, you may find setup to be a little more difficult and certain functionalities to be absent.

Among the most favored functions of smartwatches are their ability to track exercise and health. While most smartwatches are capable of tracking standard data like heart rate, steps, and simple exercises, some are far more advanced. Some, for instance, feature blood oxygen sensors, while others have an ECG sensor that can identify irregular cardiac rhythms.

It’s ideal to acquire a smartwatch with a built-in GPS if you want it to track your outdoor exercise, such as walks and runs. Before making a purchase, be sure the gadget can track the kinds of health data you wish to track by looking at the sensors it offers.

The display on a smartwatch isn’t nearly as significant as the one on a phone because you won’t likely use it for activities like watching videos. Still, you’ll want to be able to quickly view information, so you’ll need a gadget with a bright enough display to read it well even in bright sunshine. The battery can also be affected by the display; OLED displays, for instance, have a marginally higher battery preservation rate than LCD displays. The majority of smartwatches have “good enough” screens, so if you’re looking for a cheap smartwatch, you might have to forgo a fancy display.

Tracking swims is not the only use for water resistance. If your watch doesn’t have sufficient water resistance, you’ll need to remember to take it off before taking a shower or swimming. The 5ATM, or 50-meter, water resistance level that many smartwatches offer is sufficient for almost all water sports with the exception of scuba diving. While some fall short of that threshold, they are nonetheless sufficiently resistant to water for tasks like taking a shower.