Best Budget Smartwatches: Top Cheap Picks

With budget smartwatches, we follow the same rigorous testing guidelines as their high-end counterparts, paying even more attention to categories where we may see potential compromises like sensor accuracy and software support.

The basics: First, we evaluate how well these watches hold up to real-world use: notifications, text messages (if available), and phone pairing. We’re also looking at the companion app experience, which is particularly important for budget watches, many of which rely on first-party apps for health data and personalization. Some may lack advanced phone integration – especially for iPhone users – so we point out these limitations in our reviews.

Performance and navigation: Although less expensive models rarely have the processing power of premium options, we rate the interface for smoothness and responsiveness during typical use. This includes swiping between menus, launching workouts, syncing with the app, and responding to notifications (if available).

Design and durability: Affordability doesn’t necessarily mean cheap build quality. We test for comfort, fit, and how well the watch holds up to daily wear and tear. Most budget models don’t come with military-grade durability or a high water resistance rating, so we’re not as “hard” on these devices and only go as far as the rating allows, but we will fully acknowledge this trade-off in the review.

Battery life: Budget smartwatches tend to outperform high-end watches when it comes to battery life due to the lower-quality screen and power-hungry apps, but that’s not always a given. We start our tests with a fully charged battery, then test the lifespan of a watch under normal usage conditions. This includes sleep tracking, mirroring notifications from our phone, and at least one when outdoors (using GPS). Once it’s drained, we’ll time how long it takes to recharge it to 100%. We’ll also report any battery-saving tactics specific to this model, although our baseline testing is done at full capacity (and not in battery-saving mode).

Sensor accuracy: Sensor quality can be hit or miss in this category, so we do side-by-side comparisons with benchmark tools. For heart rate, we test with a chest strap during cardio workouts. For SpO2, we use a fingertip pulse oximeter. For watches with built-in GPS, we also evaluate how quickly the GPS locks for outdoor workouts and compare its accuracy to that of a smartphone GPS (different from the one it’s paired with). We will report any obvious inconsistencies in the itinerary and tracking.

Ultimately, we look for watches that offer real value and not just a long spec sheet of half-baked features.