8 Best Cheap Smartwatches (2024) – Tried & Tested

Last Seen: Aug 4, 2024 @ 3:53pm 15AugUTC

Aditya Agarwal
@adityaagarwal

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Spending too much time on the phone? Not focusing on health? 

Well, a cheap smartwatch can help you manage your health and digital well-being and be a great accessory for any outfit. I have tried a lot of watches and will be showing the eight best cheap smartwatches of 2024.

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How to choose the best cheap smartwatch?

In today’s tech-savvy world, smartwatches range from budget-friendly to pricey, depending on your needs. Sports enthusiasts crave more health metrics, office goers need long battery life and their phone on their wrists, and bosses prefer classy standout designs.

Balancing the features and cost can be tricky, but I have covered you with a shopping guide that enlists all the necessary features you should look out for in a cheap smartwatch when buying. You should consider the below-mentioned parameters.

Operating System

• In a world of smartwatches, the Operating System is the principal differentiator. If you are an iOS user, you should opt for the watches by Apple.
• If you are a loyal Samsung user, go for a Samsung Galaxy watch. Health freaks can choose Fitbit OS, whereas if you want features on a tight budget, I vouch for Wear OS.

Battery Life

• Personally, I prefer smartwatches that don’t require plugging in for 3-4 days or a week. But it depends on the use case. If you don’t plan to sleep while wearing it, you 
• When looking for the best cheap smartwatches, battery life is very critical. It should last at least a day, ideally 2. This is so that even after substantial battery degradation over the years, it can give you a full day’s power.

Dial Shape

• This does not qualify as an important feature for me. But for many people out there, this is a matter of concern.
• Style-conscious people especially choose a smartwatch based on its aesthetics and dial shape if they are old school like me and like round dials of analog watches.
• If you are a part of the GenZ community and like square dial smartwatches, my review will be covering those cheap smartwatches as well..

Fitness Specs

• The number of sports modes and different health sensors integrated into the smartwatch can change a consumer’s perspective about a particular watch.
• If you are a gym freak, you want many different sensors that cover every aspect of your body, or if you are a couch potato like me who is just happy with a sleep tracker, we have you covered.

Best Cheap Smartwatches

Apple Watch SE (2^nd Gen)

Best for iOS users

• Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen is the best iOS smartwatch, which runs on Apple’s proprietary watchOS 10. It keeps you motivated and focused on the work on your wrist by providing more information at a glance.
• When paired with its Smart Loop, this watch becomes lucrative for environment freaks as it becomes Apple’s first carbon-neutral product.
• Apple Fitness+ acts as your professor, giving you valuable insights into your workout performance and different ways to improve your performance. Don’t worry about buying this software, as this watch is free for three months.

My Review:

• In my view, this smartwatch is best for iOS users as it is solely designed to be compatible with iPhones and other iOS devices rather than other alternatives. Also, its OS provides features like crash and fall detection, which no other watch can offer.
• During my evaluation, I found that it supports cellular connectivity, meaning I can answer calls from my wrist with the same quality as a call answered with a smartphone.
• The design has been the same for many generations since Apple stopped innovating, but it still gets the job done and is ideal for your needs.
• It supports GPS, which left me in awe because I can go on unexplored terrains without worrying about getting lost. Also, I could pay my or my better half’s shopping bills with this smartwatch. Making it truly SMART.
• A plus point with this watch is that I got the feature of Family Setup, in which I could pair watches for other family members, like my teens, who don’t own an iPhone with my iPhone.

Customer Voices:

“My prior watch was the Apple Watch 5. This is a sweet upgrade. It’s fast, sturdy, and responsive; the battery lasts me into day two (I keep WiFi off unless needed. It’s a battery drainer).” – ZoeyNH

Starting Price: $169.00

Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen

**This smartwatch is available in different colors and styles at different prices on Amazon.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6

Best cheap smartwatch for Samsung users

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is the best premium smartwatch, which, despite being cheap, works on the Android operating system, allowing it to connect to any Android phone easily, removing the need for a Samsung phone to use the watch.
• The crystal glass 40-millimeter screen protects your watch from unwanted scratch marks and gives you a larger view of your health insights. It also looks good on one’s wrist.
•  The watch comes in two connectivity styles, Bluetooth and LTE, opening a wide spectrum of choices. If you are a businessman and love to work on the go or like engaging with people on calls frequently, then the LTE option is for you.

My Review:

• I discovered that this smartwatch is integrated with a highly precise and advanced BIA sensor that presents whole body metrics to keep me updated about my body and warn me about any abnormality that can be overlooked in today’s stressful lifestyle.
• Many of us are suffering from cardiovascular diseases due to our unhealthy lifestyles. This watch has built-in Always On Heart Monitoring, which detects and warns about irregularities and detects AFib through the ECG Monitor app.
• For an existing Samsung user like me, this watch is perfect. Being a cheaper option, this watch doesn’t lack any features and completes my device ecosystem by seamlessly syncing with my other Samsung devices.

Customer Voices:

“[…]The display is beautiful and easy to read. I have used the ECG feature many times; I do get some “Poor Recording” notices, but generally, it seems easy to use once you get the hang of it. I particularly like the Sleep Coaching tips.[…]” – Lisa

Starting Price: $159.99

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6

 **This smartwatch is available in different colors and styles at different prices on Amazon.

Fitbit Versa 4

Best for fitness freaks

• Fitbit Versa 4 is the best smartwatch for a gym rat. It operates on Fitbit’s in-house Fitbit OS, which provides users with a wide range of accurate health metrics. The plus point is that it is compatible with both iOS and Android OS, making it a viable option for Apple users.
• Before starting your day’s workout, check your Daily Readiness Score on the watch to determine whether you are ready for a workout today or need a rest day.
• With the purchase of this smartwatch, the user gets access to PREMIUM – Fitbit’s in-house app to plan workouts, analyze data, and so much more for free for 6 months.

My Review:

• For a lazy lad like me who needs a lot of motivation to work out, this watch is apt as it motivates me to get healthier with a range of new and exciting partner workouts, so I don’t get bored and have a constant source of motivation with me.
• It has a built-in GPS that allows me not to carry my phone with me whenever I go out running or just for a casual stroll. On top of it, I get data regarding my pace, distance, and other insights that I usually don’t see.
• The stressful lifestyle that I have, and I am sure most of you, would be having demands for constant mental health checkups. This smartwatch keeps track of my mental health by recording daily Stress scores and also provides mindfulness content that relaxes my mind.
• What amazed me most about this watch was that it allowed me to access Google Maps, pay using Gpay, and navigate other Google apps. I can do this from a sleek, stylish gadget tied to my wrist.

Customer Voices:

• “[…]Bottom line, it’s a good watch. There are cheaper brand x ones out there, but none have NFC payment, and none have Alexa. And you get what you pay for. Fit & finish feels cheap; the screens get washed out in the sun, finicky Alexa integration, and so on.[…]”
  Jason

Starting Price: $159.95

Fitbit Versa 4

 **This smartwatch is available in different colors at different prices on Amazon.

Pixel Watch

Best looking smartwatch

• Pixel Watch, the most stylish smartwatch I have witnessed, can turn heads toward your wrist. It is just not good-looking but is packed with a plethora of features. The circular domed design elevates the looks of the watch.
• It operates on Android OS with the best of both Google and Fitbit, making it an ideal choice for Android phone owners. Having a pixel phone in your pocket, you must have this smartwatch on your wrist as it perfectly syncs with the Pixel devices, creating an ecosystem.
• The durability of the watch in any environment is on the next level. It can withstand your aqua workouts as it provides up to 5 ATM of water resistance and can be used rough and tough without worrying about scratches as it is protected by Gorilla glass.

My Review:

• During my evaluation of this smartwatch, I found that it works in conjunction with Fitbit activity tracking, which is renowned for giving precise and real-time data about various health metrics. This assures me of the truest picture of my health.
• Whenever I find myself in an unknown location or if somebody is on my side, I can alert the emergency services and my trusted contacts with this watch’s Emergency SOS feature.
• I have access to various Google apps with this device that allow me to perform various tasks like playing music or making payments just from my wrist.

Customer Voices:

• “[…]It looks fantastic, sleek, and thin. It’s a beautiful expression of technology and styling. It does everything I need it to do, and it does it well. I’m running the cardio monitor to detect a-fib, so the battery life is pretty short. It’s a small price to pay for a good cardiac monitor.[…]”
  Wade

Starting Price: $141.81

Pixel Watch

 **This smartwatch is available in different colors at different prices on Amazon.

OnePlus Watch 2

Best durable #smartwatch

• OnePlus Watch 2 is the best and cheapest durable smartwatch on the market. It works on Wear OS 4, which provides real-time data about one’s health on your wrist. This smartwatch is powered by OnePlus Dual Engine Architecture, which makes it versatile and durable.
• This smartwatch is also integrated with VOOC Fast Charging Technology, which charges this device in a matter of a few minutes. Also, this watch has a battery life of 100 hours, which is appreciable for smartwatches of this range.
• I believe a 1.43″ AMOLED display at this price is a steal deal. This smartwatch comes with 32GB of storage, which is sufficient to run any app on the watch.

My Review:

• As I work in the field, I have always longed for a watch that can withstand rough and tough use, and at last, I have found one. This smartwatch has achieved military-grade standards for durability.
• With this watch, I get access to the eHealth app that provides me with advanced and never-seen insights into my workout plan and also customizes a workout schedule according to my needs, which hooks me to this watch.
• This smartwatch is GPS enabled, which leaves me worry-free when exploring new and less traveled paths as I have a professional grade location always tracking on my wrist.

Customer Voices:

• “[…] It also works directly with Android phones and can sync all of your email, text, and calls directly from your phone to the watch. The sound is awesome when talking on the watch. There is also a customization feature for alarms as well. […]” –  MG

Starting Price: $209.99

OnePlus Watch 2

 **This smartwatch is available in different colors at different prices on Amazon.

Garmin Forerunner 55

Best running smartwatch

• Garmin Forerunner 55 is an ideal watch for those who aspire to be a runner or professional athlete, as this watch is designed with the needs of runners in mind.
• The built-in GPS helps to get you accurate stats about your distance, pace, etc., which are vital to improve your timings and have a competitive edge over your opponents.
• It is not only a piece of hardware tied to your wrist but is a complete coach that analyses and improves your timings and pace so that one day you can win an Olympic Gold. You can sync your workouts from the Garmin Connect app.

My Review:

• This budget smartwatch wins my vote because it suggests daily workouts based on my training history. It adjusts workouts according to my fitness goals, so I don’t have to worry about achieving them.
• For professional runners, this smartwatch offers PacePro technology, a GPS-assisted pace guidance feature that lets you know the pace with which you are running and how much more you can accelerate on the course.
• With this smartwatch, I can also track my body’s energy levels to know when to work out and when not. It also let me know when I earned intensity minutes in the day from vigorous workouts.
• I have gifted this watch to my female friends as it tracks the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, which is necessary for women and a must-have feature of a smartwatch.

Customer Voices:

• “[…]Extremely accurate while running. It still doesn’t perform well when I’m on my treadmill, but it’s easy to adjust after my workout. Super long battery life. Definitely recommended!” – Rivervalleydesign

Starting Price: $187.00

Garmin Forerunner 55

 **This smartwatch is available in different colors at different prices on Amazon.

CMF Watch Pro 2

Best innovative design

• CMF Watch Pro 2 is the most innovative watch you can have at such a cheap price. You can customize the whole watch interface according to your suitability.
• Consumers are attracted to the aluminum-designed watch body with a functional crown. Also, getting a feature like gesture control at this price is a steal deal.
• You can get guided tutorials of exercises on the watch itself if you are naive in the field of workouts. This is the most innovative thing I have seen, making it one of the best cheap smartwatches I have ever seen.

My Review:

• I always consider CMF’s products to be made for engineers because, in each and every product, you will find a part that you have to build. Like in this smartwatch, I can change its bezels, which is the most out-of-the-box thing I have seen in smartwatches.
• Also, with this smartwatch, I can seamlessly sync my fitness data onto other platforms like Strava, Apple Health, and Google Health Connect, which opens a wide spectrum of opportunities for me.
• This smartwatch is integrated with a Smart Movement Algorithm that automatically senses which workout I am performing and measures the aerobic and anaerobic effectiveness of the workout.

Customer Voices:

• “[…]It has nice notifications, great battery life, and health features. Definitely worth the price! Just wish you could respond to messages, but it does have default reply messages, so it’s not a deal breaker. Looking forward to getting some different bezels!” – justaregulardude

Starting Price: $69.00

CMF Watch Pro 2

 **This smartwatch is available in different colors at different prices on Amazon.

Amazfit Bip 5

Best utility smartwatch

• Amazfit Bip 5 is the cheapest high-quality smartwatch on Android OS, making it seamlessly compatible with Android phones. Also, the 1.9″ ultra-high-resolution screen is lucrative for consumers.
• It is equipped with various sensors to track one’s health parameters. Also, it can sync your health data onto various platforms like Strava, Adidas Running, etc.
• This smartwatch has up to 30 days of battery life, which is very rare to see in a smartwatch at such low prices. One can also answer or reply to calls or messages from this smartwatch.

My Review:

• I believe this is the best smartwatch if you are on a very tight budget and don’t want to trade off with quality and foundational features. Its face is curved slightly so that it fits naturally on my wrist.
• I was amazed to see the number of apps I could download on this watch. The apps also included various games that my nephew loved.
• I start my day by viewing its personalized data summary about my body. Whenever I have to redeem a code or something else, I can directly show it from my watch without taking my phone out.

Customer Voices:

• “[…] This has the features of a digital watch for legibly telling time, day of week, and month and date. It has the features of a health tracker. It has the features of a workout watch. Everything is plenty accurate […]” – DINKDivers

Starting Price: $79.99

Amazfit Bip 5

 **This smartwatch is available in different colors at different prices on Amazon.

Other valuable Alternatives

While evaluating various smartwatches, I came across some that could not be featured in my list of best cheap smartwatches but are as good as the watches mentioned in this article. You can consider these watches if none of the above options fulfills your demands or if you need more options to make an informed decision.

The alternatives are as follows:

• Garmin Lily 2: A smartwatch that is all for looks with its patterned lens and a hidden display. It will look good on your lover’s wrist, giving you full health coverage.
  Starting At: $247.49 | Explore More!!
  
• Amazfit GTR4: This smartwatch includes a whole array of features, from a sports coach to GPS-enabled tracking, that you can see on a pricier wearable.
  Starting At: $199.99 | Explore More!!
• Fossil Gen 6: A cheap, good-looking smartwatch that will elevate your looks and be useful whenever you need health updates. This smartwatch comes with a whole range of customization options.
  Starting At: $141.99  |  Explore More!!
  
  
• Garmin Approach S12: The best golf smartwatch one can get at this cheap price. This is a watch and your scorecard, too, with 42,000+ preloaded courses worldwide.
  Starting At: $199.99 | Explore More!!

Smartwatches vs Fitness Bands

Smartwatches and Fitness Bands cater to different needs and preferences. Smartwatches are focused more on providing users with all the functionalities of a smartphone enclosed in a watch, along with an advanced suite of health monitoring sensors. A fitness band is a cost-effective, low-quality smartwatch alternative for those who want a smart gadget and only need foundational health metrics.

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Conclusion

There you have it. We have discussed some of the best cheap smartwatches in 2024 for all your needs. I am sure you will find your perfect watch on this list.

If you disagree with any of my thoughts, feel free to message me. I am always open to discussing further in the comments section below.

Last Seen: Aug 4, 2024 @ 3:53pm 15AugUTC

Aditya Agarwal

@adityaagarwal

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