Why You Can Trust CNET Top 2024 Budget Smartwatches Under $100
Check out the best smartwatches that won't break your bank without sacrificing the quality or functionality.
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Using a smartwatch can simplify your lifestyle and daily tasks, but many of the models on the market still carry a hefty price tag. Spending hundreds of dollars on a watch can be difficult to justify, even if you're able to toss cash around. Here's some good news: There are some wonderful budget-friendly smartwatches available for under $100. So you don't have to miss out.
Popular smartwatches like the Apple Watch Series 9, Galaxy Watch 5, Fitbit Versa 4 and Fitbit Sense 2 can get pricey. Because of this, we've put together a list of solid smartwatch options that are also budget-friendly. These smartwatches may not match the capabilities of their more expensive counterparts. That said, these are perfect choices for people who don't care about all the features that smartwatches like the Apple Watch have to offer.
The three watches below are the best budget smartwatch models for most people, especially those who also want a fitness and health tracker at an affordable price. All three work with all smartphones -- both iOS and Android devices -- and they come with great features including calorie-, step-, sleep- and activity-tracking functions. They also have a heart-rate monitor, GPS touchscreens and are water-resistant.
You can find my full impressions and reviews of each of these Android smartwatches in the video below, or read on for the cheat sheet.
In addition to the basics that I listed before, this cheap smartwatch displays smart notifications from your Android device and has a sleep monitor. In fact, I found this budget smartwatch had the most accurate sleep tracking of the three watches in this comparison
Its 1.3-inch color display is decent but doesn't get as bright as one of the other watches on this list. Plus, you only get four watch faces to choose from.
The ID205L tracks eight workout types -- walking, running, cycling, climbing, yoga, treadmill cardio, hiking, and stationary biking -- and can sync your fitness tracking data with Apple Health. This is the best smartwatch that tracks distance during an outdoor workout, you'll need to take your phone with you as this watch has connected GPS, rather than onboard GPS.
The battery lasts for up to 10 days with regular use, which can be extended to 30 days if you keep it in standby mode.
The priciest smartwatch on this list doesn't have as many features as its pricier sibling, the Amazfit GTS, but it's here for good reason. Its 1.3-inch TFT touchscreen stays on at all times, similar to the Apple Watch Series 6, Galaxy Watch 3, TicWatch Pro, and Fitbit's Inspire and Sense watches, so you won't have to raise your wrist every time you want the time. The touchscreen doesn't look as premium as more expensive watches, but this watch does have a backlight.
The Bip S also has built-in GPS, so you can leave your phone behind when you're out for a run or another outdoor workout. It has the most robust exercise tracking, too, with support for 10 workout types: running, cycling, elliptical, treadmill cardio, walking, spin, weights/freestyle, yoga, and indoor/outdoor swimming. It also automatically pauses your workout when it detects you haven't moved for a while. This affordable smartwatch has the biggest selection of watch faces to choose from, plus the option to customize some of the metrics displayed -- like weather, activity tracking, or heart rate monitoring.
As for battery life, the company claims the Bip S can get up to 40 days of use on standby. But with regular use, including a few GPS workouts, you're more likely to get 15 days between charges.
This best budget-friendly smartwatch proves that looks can be deceiving, because the low price tag doesn't match its premium exterior and smart features. NDur's smartwatch has a sleek metal frame and comfortable strap, and the color touchscreen was the brightest of the watches I tested for this. It's easy enough to see in direct sunlight.
It can track seven workout types: walking, running, cycling, skipping, badminton, basketball, and football. It has connected GPS like the Fitbit Charge 4, meaning you'll need your phone on hand to track distance and see your workout route mapped.
Sleep tracking doesn't seem to be as accurate, however, as the watch thought I was sleeping while I was sitting on the couch watching TV and doing the dishes before bed. But it is the only one out of these smartwatches that monitors blood oxygen levels, or SpO2 on the spot. It can even monitor blood pressure with on-demand readings. That said, be aware that the notifications from this watch's app sensors are not medically cleared and should never be used to replace a medical device or to determine whether or not to seek treatment.
The battery lasts for around seven days of continued use.