10 Best Budget Smartwatches 2026 in the United States

The Fitbit Versa 4 Fitness Smartwatch is a feature-packed option for those seeking a comprehensive fitness companion on a budget. Its 1.58-inch display is crisp and clear, offering an excellent size for viewing fitness stats and notifications. The battery life is impressive, lasting over six days, so you won't need to charge it frequently. Fitness tracking is robust with 40+ exercise modes, built-in GPS, 24/7 heart rate monitoring, and automatic exercise tracking, making it ideal for anyone serious about tracking their physical activities.

Additionally, it includes tools for measuring sleep quality and managing stress, which are great for overall wellness. The smartwatch is water-resistant up to 50 meters, allowing you to swim or shower without worry. It is compatible with both Apple and Android devices, ensuring broad usability. On the downside, the Fitbit Versa 4's build quality is solid but feels less premium than higher-end models. Notifications work well, but the experience can be slightly limited compared to more expensive smartwatches due to the Fitbit OS.

While the smartwatch offers excellent value with features such as on-wrist calls, texts, and payment options, some users may find the additional 6-month premium membership trial to be less useful once it ends, as it requires a subscription for continued use. The Fitbit Versa 4 offers a lot for its price and is particularly well-suited for fitness enthusiasts looking for an affordable yet capable smartwatch.

The Garmin vívoactive 6 is a solid choice for anyone looking for a budget-friendly smartwatch with strong fitness and health tracking features. Its bright 1.2-inch AMOLED round display delivers clear and vibrant visuals, which is a bit unusual at this price point and great for easy readability outdoors. It offers an impressive battery life of up to 11 days in smartwatch mode, so you won’t need to charge it constantly, which is convenient for everyday use.

This watch focuses heavily on health insights, providing detailed data like body energy levels, stress, sleep quality with coaching tips, and even nap tracking. It supports over 80 sports and fitness activities including swimming and golf, making it versatile for different workout preferences. The built-in GPS helps track outdoor activities accurately, and features like animated workouts and personalized training plans add real value if you want guided exercise.

In terms of compatibility, it connects via Bluetooth and works well with Garmin’s app for syncing and customizing your experience. Notifications from your phone are supported, so you can see calls, texts, and alerts on the watch without pulling out your phone. This smartwatch is especially good for fitness enthusiasts who appreciate detailed health insights and a variety of sports modes, though if you need extensive app support or robust water resistance, you might want to explore alternatives.

The Garmin Instinct 2X Solar is a tough, outdoor-focused smartwatch designed to handle rough conditions, meeting military standards for shock, water, and temperature resistance. Its 1.1-inch round display is enhanced with solar charging, which can significantly extend battery life—up to infinite usage in smartwatch mode with enough sunlight. This makes it a strong choice if long battery life is a priority, especially for outdoor activities.

Fitness and health tracking features are comprehensive, including heart rate, sleep, respiration, and Pulse Ox monitoring, plus specialized sports apps for running, biking, swimming, and more. It offers accurate GPS positioning thanks to its multi-band GNSS technology, useful for navigation off the beaten path. The built-in LED flashlight and SOS strobe add practical safety functions that are rare in budget smartwatches. It supports both Android and iOS devices via Bluetooth, providing notifications and syncing capabilities.

The display size is on the smaller side compared to some competitors, which might limit ease of reading notifications or stats quickly. Additionally, while it includes many fitness metrics, some data like Pulse Ox may not be medical-grade. The watch’s rugged and large 50 mm case might feel bulky for smaller wrists. This smartwatch is especially well-suited for users seeking durability, long battery life, and outdoor navigation features rather than those wanting a sleek or fashion-forward design.