If you’re looking for an affordable smartwatch, the options available now are more extensive than ever. Unlike previous years, budget smartwatches have become much more user-friendly. In recent years, the GPS watch segment has advanced rapidly, and it comes at a price—some watches cost over $1,500. The good news is that you don’t need to spend that much. If you don’t require all the advanced features of high-end GPS watches, there are options available for $170 or less that offer all the functionality needed for tracking the activity of beginners and intermediate outdoor enthusiasts.
Some of the best GPS watches from a few years ago are still excellent products and now come at a much lower price. Major watch manufacturers continue to support these devices with software updates, making them a reliable choice. Here is a small selection of the best budget GPS watches available.
Huawei Watch Fit 3
Let’s start with the most expensive option in our list – the Huawei Watch Fit 3, which is the best available smartwatch this year, although there are a few cheaper competitors.
The Watch Fit 3 is priced about half of the Apple Watch SE, from which it takes a lot of design inspiration. The square format is definitely borrowed, but it’s so lightweight and comfortable to wear (weighing just 26g) that it’s hard to be critical. Its accurate GPS makes it a great choice for runners, and it also integrates with Strava. Battery life is impressive, lasting about a week.
Amazfit Active
A bit cheaper, the Amazfit Active is a solid budget fitness watch that offers much more than its price suggests. It features a 1.75-inch AMOLED display, a 14-day battery life, as well as heart rate, sleep, GPS, and activity tracking.
Xiaomi Watch 2
The next contender for your attention is the even more affordable Xiaomi Watch 2. It features a 1.43-inch round AMOLED display, fully protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3 in a steel case. The battery lasts up to 65 hours. Notable features include sleep monitoring, activity tracking, music remote control, NFC payments, GPS, a compass, and a barometer.
Honor Watch 4
The Honor Watch 4 truly impressed us in the budget smartwatch category, as it combines an elegant design, impressive fitness features, and ease of use. It offers a high-quality 1.75-inch AMOLED display with a 450×390 resolution. The Honor Watch 4 includes navigation functions and built-in GPS. Overall, it’s a solid, versatile watch with a refined design that doesn’t feel cheap.
Fitbit Versa 3
The Fitbit Versa 3 also falls within the affordable price range and offers some of the best health and fitness tracking features from one of the brands that started it all. It tracks workouts, provides accurate GPS data, heart rate monitoring, SpO2 tracking, and, of course, deep sleep metrics. Additionally, the screen has been upgraded to a larger, clearer 1.6-inch AMOLED display.
Garmin! Forerunner 55
And of course, no list would be complete without Garmin! The Forerunner 55 is the best affordable smartwatch from Garmin available on the market, costing less than the Apple Watch SE 2 while offering nearly the same outdoor fitness features. This entry-level model is much cheaper than other advanced running smartwatches. Naturally, designed for runners, it comes with excellent built-in GPS from the manufacturer.
In addition to the price, it’s important to check the compatibility of the device with your phone, as some smartwatches are not compatible with iPhones, for example. You should also consider battery life and features. If you’re a runner, it’s crucial to choose the best affordable smartwatch for running, as it will have running-specific features that others may lack. If sleep tracking is important to you, longer battery life is definitely a priority, as you don’t want to charge your watch twice a day. As mentioned earlier, the term “cheap” can be relative. A standard budget smartwatch will be much more affordable than a budget diving smartwatch. Keep this in mind when considering your options.
