Is it worth buying cheap smartwatches width
Smartwatch buying guide: How to choose your smart wristwear
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Watches have been around for hundreds of years, and mostly, theyve served as a way to tell the time. But in the last few years, watches have progressed significantly and are more capable than ever.
Now, many people are shunning traditional analogue watches in favour of new-fangled smartwatches.
These not only tell the time and date, but also allow users to make and receive phone calls, send and read text messages, use applications, track their health and fitness, pay for things on the go, receive phone notifications, and so much more.
While smartwatches offer a wide range of capabilities and benefits, choosing one isnt the most straightforward task when you consider all the different types, makes and models available today.
But to help you, weve put together this guide on everything you need to know when buying a smartwatch.
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You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Different types of smartwatches
Before choosing a make and model of smartwatch, its important to understand the different types of smartwatch available on the market and to decide which one would best suit your needs. There are three main categories: classic smartwatches, hybrid smartwatches and fitness trackers.
Classic smartwatches
Classic smartwatches link up to a smartphone via its Bluetooth connection to notify you of incoming calls, text messages, emails, social media updates, calendar events, alarms, and other types of notifications. This information is typically displayed on a touchscreen display, which you can also use to navigate a compact interface and use smartwatch-friendly apps.
Many classic smartwatches will also enable you to make and receive phone calls and send and read text messages. In fact, some classic smartwatches can be purchased as part of a contract and have their own mobile connection, allowing you to use online apps, ring people, and send text messages without being connected to a smartphone.
Classic smartwatches often sport fitness and health tracking capabilities too, and of course, they tell the time and will let you change the style of the watch face.
Hybrid smartwatches
Hybrid smartwatches are a combination of classic smartwatches and analogue watches. They look like any standard analogue watch, with mechanical arms instead of a touchscreen display. However, they can be connected to a handset via Bluetooth to provide phone notifications, fitness metrics, and other important information.
Read more: 9 best smartwatches for kids that have games, cameras and trackers
Hybrid smartwatches can differ in how they work, but often, theyll use mechanical watch arms, vibrations or a tiny screen for alerting users to new notifications on their phone.
Compared to classic smartwatches, hybrid smartwatches may be more durable in terms of design and sport a battery life that can last for weeks on end. Hybrid smartwatches are an excellent option for those who want a traditional watch that also offers some of the features provided by classic smartwatches with a touchscreen display.
Fitness trackers
If youre a health and fitness fan, youll no doubt love fitness trackers. These are smartwatches that put health and fitness first. The best fitness trackers not only monitor your steps, calories, heart rate, blood pressure, sleep, breathing, and other metrics, but also offer a wide range of fitness modes and many other features to help you to stay healthy.
Considering theyre a type of smartwatch, fitness trackers provide the time and date. Whats also great about fitness trackers is that they tend to be cheaper than classic smartwatches, although this is often because they have fewer features overall.
Main smartwatch brands
Now that you have a better understanding of the different types of smartwatches out there, youre probably wondering which make and model to choose. Well now discuss the main smartwatch brands and models.
Best cheap smartwatches in 2024: tested and reviewed
The best cheap smartwatches offer affordable ways to get connected on your wrist. While they might not keep up with the best smartwatches in every aspect, the top-rated budget models might have all the features you need.
Many of the best cheap smartwatches, like the Apple Watch SE 2022 and Fitbit Versa 4 mirror smartphone notifications, track activity, control music playback and more.
Some are older versions of models we've tested, too, including the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, which was just replaced by the 7. These models may not have all the latest features but we still consider them to be capable devices worthy of your attention (and hard-earned money).
We tested dozens of the most popular smartwatches out there while working out, sleeping, running errands, walking the dog, washing the car... you get the idea, and these are the best cheap smartwatches you can buy right now.
The best cheap smartwatches you can buy today
Best cheap smartwatch
The best cheap smartwatch overall
Specifications
Works with: Android and iOS
Sizes: One size
Battery Life (Rated): 6 days
GPS: Yes
Sleep Tracking: Yes
Swim-Proof: Yes
Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
Reasons to buy
+Slim design
+Accurate sleep tracking
+Amazon Alexa built-in
+Support for Google apps
Reasons to avoid
-Limited number of third party apps
The Fitbit Versa 4 is Google's midrange Fitbit smartwatch and the best overall cheap fitness tracker. It boasts a sizable and bright AMOLED touchscreen, voice support for Amazon Alexa and a respectable six days of battery life.
You also get impressive insights into sleep quality, onboard GPS for tracking outdoor workouts and basic health monitoring. The watch is compatible with both iOS and Android devices, which we'd consider a huge perk. It's also impressively lightweight and comfortable to wear, despite the big screen. That said, it doesn't have nearly the same support for third-party apps as the Apple Watch SE (2022) or Samsung Galaxy Watch 6.
Read our full Fitbit Versa 4 review
Best cheap Apple Watch
The best cheap Apple Watch
Specifications
Works with: iOS only
Sizes: 40mm/44mm
Battery Life (Rated): 18 hours
GPS: Yes
Sleep Tracking: Yes
Swim-Proof: Yes
Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
Reasons to buy
+Premium-feeling design
+Two sizes
+Huge app library
+Large screen
The second-generation Apple Watch SE (2022) is the best cheap Apple Watch, offering a ton of functionality in an attractive, well-built package for the price. You get a large and immersive display, international emergency calling, fall detection, noise monitoring and optional LTE support to go phone-free.
It may be Apple's entry-level model but it still boasts 18 hours of battery life, excellent health and fitness tracking features especially if you upgrade to the latest watchOS 11, which is now in public beta and more third-party apps than you can shake a stick at.
Read our full Apple Watch SE (2022) review
Best cheap Samsung smartwatch
The best cheap smartwatch for Samsung users
Specifications
Works with: Android only
Sizes: 40mm/44mm
Heart Rate: Yes
GPS: Yes
LTE: Yes
Battery Life: 40 hours
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Reasons to buy
+Slim design
+Two sizes
+Reliable health tracking
+Impressive sleep insights
Reasons to avoid
-Battery life can be inconsistent
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 was recently replaced by the Galaxy Watch 7 which just means greater savings for you on the former. With a slim design, two size options to choose from, an AMOLED touchscreen and excellent health and fitness tracking features, the Galaxy Watch 6 offers loads of bang for the buck.
Like the Apple Watch SE, there are an impressive number of third-party apps to try out. However, compatibility is limited to Android devices only. Nevertheless, the Galaxy Watch 6 is a well-built and comfortable-wearing piece of tech.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 review
The best cheap smartwatch for sleep-tracking
The best cheap smartwatch for sleep-tracking
Specifications
Works with: Android, iOS
Sizes: One size
Heart Rate: Yes
GPS: Yes
LTE: No
Battery Life: 7 days (smartwatch mode), 5 hours (GPS mode)
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Mobile Payments: Google Wallet
Reasons to buy
+Support for Google Maps, Youtube Music and Google Wallet
+Lightweight, slim design
+Accurate heart rate sensor
+Bright, crisp touchscreen
Reasons to avoid
-Small screen may not appeal to some users
-Some sleep features are paywalled
The Fitbit Charge 6 offers solid sleep-tracking capabilities for a good price. It also has an onboard GPS for location tracking, support for Google Maps, Wallet and YouTubue Music, and up to seven days of battery life.
The Charge 6 monitors vitals like heart rate and blood oxygen levels while you sleep and provides users with a daily sleep score based on the quality of the previous night's restfulness. You also get an overview of your sleep stages, including REM and deep sleep. Meanwhile, a Fitbit Premium subscription unlocks additional insights for those who want to dive deeper into their sleep data.
Compatible with both Android and iOS devices, the Charge 6 lacks the vast offering of third-party apps you get with an Apple or Samsung smartwatch.The small screen may also turn some users off. However, this is the lightest and most comfortable wearable on the list, which also makes it an ideal choice for wearing to bed.
Read our full Fitbit Charge 6 review
Best cheap smartwatch for style
5. Garmin Lily 2
The best cheap smartwatch for style
Specifications
Works with: Android, iOS
Sizes: One size
Heart Rate: Yes
GPS: Connected to phone
LTE: No
Battery Life: Five days
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Mobile Payments: Yes (on Lily 2 Classic)
Reasons to buy
+Stylish and petite design
+Lightweight and comfy
+On-board pregnancy tracking app
+Decent selection of sports profiles
+Support for Garmin Pay (Lily 2 Classic only)
Reasons to avoid
-No built-in GPS
-Limited smart features
-No third-party apps
-B&W display
The Garmin Lily 2 is a small and stylish smartwatch that more resembles a piece of jewelry than a piece of consumer tech. Easily Garmin's most fashionably wearable, it offers wellness features that are particularly useful for female users, like menstrual health and pregnancy tracking. The Lily 2 also monitors heart rate, blood oxygen levels, stress and sleep.
Lightweight and super comfortable, the device comes in two versions: the Lily 2 and Lily 2 Classic. The latter supports mobile payments for an extra $30. Battery life should be good for up to five days but the screen is on the small side and monochromatic. There also aren't any compatible third-party apps but it does play nice with Android and iOS devices.
Read our full Garmin Lily 2 first impressions
Best cheap smartwatch for outdoor sports
The best cheap smartwatch for outdoor sports
Specifications
Works with: Android, iOS
Display: 1.3-inch AMOLED
Heart Rate: Yes
GPS: Yes
LTE: No
Battery Life: 20 days
Water Resistance: Up to 50 meters
Mobile Payments: No
Reasons to buy
+Affordable for a GPS watch
+Rugged design
+Impressive battery life
With a large display, on-board GPS, built-in compass and enough durability certifications to survive Jurassic Park, the Amazfit T-Rex 2 one of the best cheap smartwatches ever made for the outdoors. At $199, its less than half the price of the Garmin Instinct and other popular GPS smartwatches, making it an affordable alternative.
Like other devices on ourbest sports watchpage, the T-Rex offers an impressive battery life, variety of sports modes and sleep tracking all wrapped in its impenetrable shell. With all the sensors you could want, the T-Rex is a beast to be reckoned with, plus who doesn't want a device named after a dinosaur?
Read our full Amazfit T-Rex 2 review
Best cheap golf watch
Best cheap golf watch
Specifications
Works with: Android, iOS
Size: 43mm
Heart Rate: No
GPS: Yes
LTE: No
Battery Life: 30 days
Mobile Payments: No
Reasons to buy
+Most affordable Garmin golf watch
+Dependable GPS accuracy
+Long-lasting battery life
Golf watches can be pricey, and especially for new or casual players, the upfront cost of the game tends to add up. So for the $199 Garmin Approach S12 to pack many of the key game features found in the brands higher-tier devices including 43,000 preloaded courses, shot-distance measurements and compatibility with Garmins other golf accessories its value is hard to beat.That's why it's one of the best cheap smartwatches for golfers, if not the best overall.
It doesnt have the finesse of Garmin's higher-end golf watches, and the lack of a heart rate monitor means it can't replace your fitness tracker. But for mirrored notifications and a simple, yet customizable watch face, there's plenty of versatility on and off the green.
Read our full Garmin Approach S12 review
Also tested
Not every watch we test will make it into the main roundup. This is because we test a lot of cheap smartwatches so we can genuinely only recommend the best. But that doesn't mean that the others aren't also a good option. So, these are the cheap smartwatches that didn't quite make the cut if you're after more choice.
How to choose
When shopping for a cheap smartwatch, you should look for the same things as if you were shopping for a higher-priced model. First, what kind of smartphone do you have? If you own an iPhone, we recommend sticking with the Apple Watch SE or Series 9 (or some other recent version), as the Apple Watch is the only smartwatch that fully works with the iPhone.
If you have an Android smartphone, your best choice is either a Samsung or Wear OS smartwatch like the Google Pixel Watch 2; both of those platforms fully support Android phones, such as making and receiving calls from your wrist, as well as crafting messages.
You also want to consider what you plan to do with the smartwatch. If you're into fitness, you'll want a smartwatch that's water-resistant and has GPS and a heart rate monitor.
How we test
We test cheap smartwatches the same way we do pricier models: By wearing them. We first see how well the watches fit on our wrists, and how easy the displays are to read (especially in sunlight and navigate.
Depending on its capabilities, we also test the watches' sensors, such as GPS and heart rate monitors.If you need a watch that can track your workouts without your phone, check out our guides to the best GPS watches and best running watches instead.
Other criteria that factor into our ratings include the number of apps available for a smartwatch, how well it interacts with our smartphone, and battery life. In all of this, we also take into account the price of the smartwatch.
The less a watch costs, the more leeway we're inclined to give it. Still, there are a lot of lousy cheap smartwatches and plenty of good ones under $200 so our tolerance only goes so far.
