Best Budget Smartwatches Under $100 (2026), It used to be a rare occasion when I could find a smartwatch that I didn’t have to sacrifice something for if it cost less than $150. This no longer is the case. The low-end smartwatch market has emerged as one of the most hotly contested in the consumer electronics industry, and in 2016 you’re actually getting a lot of smartwatch for your money.
I’ve had a chance to use several of these watches – some free, some paid – and I’m here to provide some insight into the best options to buy this year.
Top Picks for 2026
Amazfit Bip 5 Unity – Best Overall for Less than $70
If you were to ask me, this is the only cheap smartwatch to buy right now. This Bip 5 Unity sports a big and easy-to-read 1.91-inch screen, reliable GPS, and is actually useful for tracking your health. It provides consistently long battery life (10-12 days with normal use) for its price.
The smartphone app (Zepp) has been much improved. It’s not as sophisticated as Garmin, but will keep track of your daily activity, stress and sleep if that’s what you’re interested in. And it has Alexa support if you’re an Amazon user.
What’s lacking: Plastic construction is a bit flimsy, and it’s not the best for swimming. But it’s a great value at $65.
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro – Best Fit Band
This fitness device is bordering on being a smartwatch, with a 1.74-inch AMOLED display and the right shape. It monitors more than 150 exercise modes, gives detailed sleep information (including the various stages of sleep) and the pulse detector is not bad for the price point compared to mid-range devices.
I like that Xiaomi isn’t over-promising with this device. It’s a simple, effective device. The battery life is about 14 days, the band is comfortable to wear and the app (for Android and iOS) is straightforward.
Samsung Galaxy Fit 3: Best for Android – if you want a reliable tracker
Samsung’s economy tracker is a tried and true fitness tracker, with the added reliability of the Samsung health software and platform. The 1.6″ AMOLED screen is clear and crisp, and the aluminium body is a step up in quality compared to most of its rivals.
It’s best used as a sleep tracker – Samsung has a lot of resources to play with in their Health app, and they’ve used them well. It’s also one of the few low-cost options to detect snoring.
It isn’t a smartwatch in the complete sense (no GPS, few app options), but if you want a good value health tracker for about $50, then it’s a great option.
Noise ColorFit Ultra 3 – The Sharpest Display
You may not have heard of this one if you’re not in South Asia, but Noise is rapidly getting more widely available. The ColorFit Ultra 3 has a gorgeous 1.96″ Always-On AMOLED screen, GPS and Bluetooth calling for as low as $75-$85.
Bluetooth calling can be a bit of a gamble with budget smartwatches, but Noise has done a good job with mic placement – it’s good enough to be usable in low noise situations. Not the best choice for an important phone call at a meeting, but it will work for casual calls.
Redmi Watch 5 – Longest Battery Life for Less than $100
Xiaomi’s budget brand, Redmi, has the Watch 5 with 24 days of battery life claimed. But this is more like 16-18 days with GPS turned off and great in practice. For people who don’t like to charge their devices, this is the best choice.
It has a large (2.07-in.) display, is accurate for indoor and outdoor workouts, and has a long battery life. Around $80.
What to Look for When Shopping
Manufacturer’s battery life claims are always overstated. Tests are by using only basic features. Multiply by 1.5 to get the battery life you can expect.
Investigate the app scene. Cheaper watches can have poorly-designed apps, which request too many permissions, or stop being updated. Go with companies that have a track record of supporting wireless devices.
GPS is important for outdoorsy cyclists and runners. Many cheap watches claim to have GPS but use your mobile phone (connected GPS). Native GPS is on the other hand and is worth asking for.
The Bottom Line
In 2016 there’s no need to pay more than $100 for a smartwatch that’s just a fancy pedometer. The Amazfit Bip 5 Unity and Xiaomi Band 9 Pro are value for money with an accurate health tracker. Samsung’s Galaxy Fit 3 is the safe choice for Android users. And for a better display, the Noise ColorFit Ultra 3 offers a great deal.
None will be a substitute for a Garmin or Apple Watch if you’re a serious sports enthusiast. But for daily wearers who want a basic fitness tracker that can keep up with text messages, sleep cycles and more, there’s plenty of budget smartwatches to choose from in 2016.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do budget smartwatch have accurate heart rate tracking?
A: All new budget smartwatches are pretty accurate at tracking resting heart rate. At higher heart rates, accuracy may be reduced – optical sensors are not as accurate with rapid wrist movements at any price.
Q: Are cheap smartwatches (less than $100) waterproof?
A: Most have a 5ATM or IP68 rating – they’re rain and shallow waterproof. Never dive with any watch.
Q: Can I use budget smartwatches with iPhone?
A: Yes, most are compatible with both Android and iOS, although some smartwatches (such as quick text replies) may be restricted on iPhone, due to Apple’s closure of its ecosystem.
Q: What’s the lifespan of budget smartwatches?
A: With proper care, 2-3 years before the battery and software support starts to show signs of wear and tear.
Q: do all budget smartwatches have GPS?
A: No. Make sure to check if the watch has built-in GPS or just connected GPS (uses your phone). Built-in is best for outdoor activities.
Leave a Reply