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 Garmin Forerunner 165 is a solid choice for those seeking a budget-friendly smartwatch tailored especially for fitness and running enthusiasts. Its standout feature is the vibrant 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen, which offers clear and colorful visuals, making it easy to read your stats during workouts or throughout the day. The watch pairs traditional button controls with the touchscreen, which can be helpful during exercise when precision is needed.

Battery life is impressive for the price, lasting up to 11 days in regular smartwatch mode and about 19 hours with continuous GPS tracking. This means you won't have to charge it frequently, whether you're using it casually or for longer training sessions. With built-in GPS and wrist-based heart rate monitoring, it tracks your pace, distance, and heart rate accurately without needing a phone nearby. The watch supports over 25 activity profiles, covering running, cycling, HIIT, strength training, and more, making it versatile for different workouts.

One of its strengths is the personalized training guidance, including daily workout suggestions that adapt based on your recovery and performance. Features like Garmin Coach and race-adaptive plans are especially useful if you're training for specific events. You also get insights into sleep, recovery, and heart rate variability (HRV), helping you understand your overall fitness and when to rest.

The Forerunner 165 connects seamlessly with both Android and Apple smartphones, delivering notifications for calls and texts right on your wrist. It also supports Garmin Pay for contactless payments, which is a nice touch for convenience. Safety features like incident detection add peace of mind during outdoor activities.

In terms of build, it’s lightweight and comfortable, with a sleek 43mm size that suits most wrists. Garmin watches in this range typically handle sweat and rain well, although it might not be ideal for swimming or deep water use.

If you want a smartwatch that focuses on running and fitness with a bright display, reliable battery, and smart features without a high price tag, the Forerunner 165 is worth considering. For users needing extensive smartwatch apps or very advanced health sensors, there are pricier options that might better suit those needs.