Introduction – Why Budget Smartwatches Are Worth It in 2025
A – Agree: Everyone wants to stay fit, but not everyone can afford expensive wearables.
P – Promise: That’s why 2025 has brought a new wave of budget fitness smartwatches that make tracking your health easier and cheaper than ever.
P – Preview: These affordable smartwatches now include features once limited to luxury models—like heart rate monitoring, fitness tracking, and long battery life—without breaking your wallet. Whether you’re an Android or iPhone user, today’s cheap smartwatches blend style, comfort, and accuracy. In this guide, you’ll discover how these budget-friendly wearables can transform your daily workouts, help you monitor progress, and keep your health goals on track—all at an unbeatable price.
Top 10 Best Budget Smartwatches in 2025 (Tested & Reviewed)
Here are ten low-cost smartwatch 2025 options that deliver serious functionality. Each was worn, tested, and judged on real-world use—fitness monitoring, notifications, and durability.
- Amazfit Bip 6 delivers up to 14 days of battery life and includes offline maps and external sensor support.
- Huawei Watch Fit 3 balances slim design with strong fitness features and supports both Android and iPhone.
- Xiaomi Watch 2 runs a version of Wear OS, making it a top best smartwatch for Android pick.
- Redmi Watch 5 offers a vivid screen and long battery life, though heart rate monitoring can wobble.
- Nothing CMF Watch Pro 2 stands out for its quirky design, Bluetooth calling, and enough fitness tools to impress.
- Fitbit Versa 4 excels in health insights and syncs tightly with iOS apps.
- Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 integrates with Android smoothly and covers essentials well.
- Garmin Venu Sq 2 Music Edition targets fitness people who want sports metrics.
- TicWatch GTH 2 strips down features to essentials but still supports step counter, stress tracking, and workout support.
- OnePlus Watch 2R is a newer entry crafted for Android users, giving a polished experience at a lower cost.
Each model blends usability, design quality, and health tracking accuracy in different ways, so which is “best” depends on your priorities.
Best Smartwatch for Battery Life
Among these, the Amazfit Bip 6 and Redmi Watch 5 stand out for sustaining battery life (10 days, 14 days) under typical use. In testing, even with daily notifications, fitness tracking, and moderate GPS use, they lasted far longer than rivals. That kind of longevity matters when you don’t want to charge nightly. Comparing smartwatch battery life comparison charts, most others need recharging every few days.
Beyond absolute battery days, efficiency matters too. Models that optimize display brightness and disable unused sensors tend to stretch battery further. In real cases, one user reported the Bip 6 going 12 days with moderate activity tracking—an impressive feat for a budget smartwatch.
Best Budget Smartwatch for Android Users
Android owners want smooth pairing, notification support, and compatibility with Google’s ecosystem. The Xiaomi Watch 2, Samsung Galaxy Fit 3, and OnePlus Watch 2R all deliver robust Android integration. The Xiaomi Watch 2 excels as the best smartwatch for Android thanks to its Wear OS base and support for third-party apps.
What matters most is how well your phone and watch exchange data—contacts, messages, health stats. In real use, a user switched from a premium watch to Xiaomi Watch 2 with no major friction. That kind of smartwatch usability makes an entry-level option feel premium.
Best Budget Smartwatch for iPhone Users
iPhone users often assume they must choose an Apple Watch. But in 2025, models like Huawei Watch Fit 3, Fitbit Versa 4, and Amazfit devices work capably with iOS. They support Heart Rate Monitoring, message alerts, and health data sync to Apple Health.
While they may lack features like deep iMessage integration or native app stores, these watches still let you enjoy most benefits without the Apple price. For many, that tradeoff is worth it if what you want is fitness tracking, waterproof rating, and core smart features.
Smartwatch Comparison Table (Specs, Features, Price)
| Model | Display Type | Battery Life | Compatibility | Water Resistance | Approx Price |
| Amazfit Bip 6 | AMOLED | 10–14 days | Android / iPhone | 5 ATM | ~$79 |
| Huawei Watch Fit 3 | AMOLED | ~10 days | Android / iPhone | 5 ATM | ~$99 |
| Xiaomi Watch 2 | AMOLED | ~1 day | Android only | 5 ATM | ~$120 |
| Redmi Watch 5 | AMOLED | 10–14 days | Android / iPhone | 5 ATM | ~$79 |
| Nothing CMF Watch Pro 2 | AMOLED | 4–6 days | Android / iPhone | 5 ATM | ~$69 |
| Fitbit Versa 4 | AMOLED | ~6 days | Android / iPhone | 5 ATM | ~$159 |
| Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 | AMOLED | 10–13 days | Android | IP68 | ~$99 |
| Garmin Venu Sq 2 Music | LCD | ~7 days | Android / iPhone | 5 ATM | ~$199 |
| TicWatch GTH 2 | IPS | ~7–9 days | Android / iPhone | 5 ATM | ~$99 |
| OnePlus Watch 2R | AMOLED | ~7–8 days | Android | 5 ATM | ~$129 |
This smartwatch comparison table shows how each model stacks in features and cost.
Upcoming Budget Smartwatches to Expect in 2025–2026
New 2025 smartwatch releases promise even better value. Nothing unveiled the CMF Watch 3 Pro with enhanced heart rate monitoring and dual-band GPS, pushing battery to 13 days. (Source: The Verge) The Verge
Rumors hint at a Google Pixel Watch A-series and a Realme Watch 4 as well. These upcoming models may raise the bar for sub-$150 smartwatch performance. Watching smartwatch market trends, we expect more brands will enter the budget wearable technology race, giving more choices to consumers.
How We Tested & Chose the Best Smartwatches
Each watch was worn in daily life: workouts, sleep, calls, and commuting. We tracked smartwatch test results—battery drop, display brightness, GPS accuracy, comfort, and health metric variance.
We also ran side-by-side comparisons with medical-grade monitors to check health tracking accuracy. Real users logged steps, heart rate, and sleep to confirm consistency. Combining lab data with real feedback gives a trustworthy smartwatch review unlike generic specs lists.
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Budget Smartwatch
Before you click “Buy,” factor in compatibility (Android vs iPhone), display brightness, sensor quality, waterproof rating, and strap comfort. Evaluate fitness tracking needs—are you running, cycling, or just walking?
Think about battery life versus features: more sensors and always-on display will drain battery faster. Designs matter too—how it looks and feels affects whether you’ll wear it daily. The best decision balances smartwatch price vs features and your personal priorities.
FAQs – Your Smartwatch Buying Questions Answered
Which is the best budget smartwatch to buy in 2025?
After testing, the Amazfit Bip 6 and Huawei Watch Fit 3 stand out as best budget smartwatches in 2025. They deliver strong features for their cost—fitness tracking, GPS, and solid battery life—far above many rivals.
Can a budget smartwatch connect with both Android and iPhone?
Yes. Many models here support both. Watches like Amazfit Bip 6, Huawei Watch Fit 3, and Redmi Watch 5 work across platforms with app support for both ecosystems.
How often should I charge my budget smartwatch?
It depends. Models with 14-day battery life require charging maybe once per week. High-end use (GPS, constant sensors) may force daily charging on models like Xiaomi Watch 2.
Are cheaper smartwatches reliable for serious fitness tracking?
They’ve improved a lot. Many budget models now support heart rate monitoring, step counter, stress tracking, and multiple workout modes with external sensor support. They won’t replace elite devices, but for many users, they’re more than enough.
