10 Best Budget Smart Watch 2025 in the United States

The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) offers a good balance for those looking for a budget-friendly smartwatch with essential features. The 40mm Retina Display ensures clear, vibrant visuals that are easy to read. Battery life, while not leading in the market, is decent for daily use, typically lasting around 18 hours on a full charge. Fitness tracking is robust, with various workout modes and health metrics, including heart rate monitoring and sleep tracking. Compatibility is seamless with Apple devices, enhancing its usability for iPhone users. Water resistance up to 50 meters makes it suitable for swimming and other water activities.

Notifications are accessible and customizable, helping you stay connected without reaching for your phone. The build quality is solid, with an aluminum case that feels premium despite the budget label, and the design is sleek and modern. However, being an Apple product, it might be on the higher end of the budget spectrum. The lack of certain advanced features, like blood oxygen monitoring, may be a downside for some. Additionally, it is primarily beneficial for those already in the Apple ecosystem due to its integrated services and features. For Android users, this might not be the best fit.

For anyone looking for a solid entry into the smartwatch world, especially iPhone users, the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) stands out as a strong contender.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is a strong contender in the budget-smart-watch category, particularly appealing to fitness enthusiasts and those looking to improve their wellness. One of its standout features is the advanced fitness tracking capabilities, including heart rate monitoring and sleep tracking, powered by Galaxy AI. This technology allows users to gain insights into their performance and health, making it a great motivator for achieving fitness goals. The integration of personalized wellness tips can also help users maintain healthier habits over time.

Battery life is a crucial aspect of any smartwatch, and the Galaxy Watch 7 performs reasonably well, allowing for a full day of use without needing a charge frequently. The water resistance adds to its practicality, making it suitable for users who want to track activities like swimming or outdoor workouts without worrying about damage.

While the design is sleek and modern, some users may find it a bit bulky for all-day wear, especially those with smaller wrists. The watch's compatibility with various smartphones is generally positive, but it’s best suited for Samsung devices, potentially limiting its use for those with other brands. Additionally, while the smart notification features are useful, advanced functionalities may not be as comprehensive compared to higher-end models.

The Amazfit Active 2 Smart Watch offers a lot of features for a budget-friendly price. It has a bright 1.32-inch AMOLED display, which ensures that you can easily read your data, even in bright sunlight. The build quality is stylish yet durable, combining stainless steel and silicone for a sleek look suitable for both workouts and daily wear. One of the standout features is its impressive battery life, lasting up to 10 days on a single charge, making daily recharges unnecessary.

Fitness enthusiasts will appreciate the extensive tracking options with over 160 sport modes and precise heart rate and sleep monitoring, thanks to Amazfit's BioTracker technology. The built-in GPS and support for 5 satellite positioning systems offer accurate and fast location tracking, which is great for outdoor activities like running and cycling. Additionally, the watch is water-resistant up to 50 meters, allowing you to swim without worry. Compatibility with both Android and Apple devices means it can sync seamlessly with most smartphones.

Notifications for calls, messages, and apps work well, keeping you connected without needing to check your phone constantly. However, there are a few downsides. The Zepp OS may not be as widely known or feature-rich as other smartwatch operating systems, and the memory storage capacity is limited to 175 MB. Also, while the watch includes a magnetic charging base, it does not come with a USB Type-C cable, which might be inconvenient for some users. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Amazfit Active 2 Smart Watch is a solid choice for anyone looking for a feature-packed yet affordable smartwatch.