10 Best Budget Smartwatches 2025 in the United States

The Garmin Forerunner 265 is a strong contender in the budget-smartwatch category, especially for users focused on fitness and running. Its vibrant 1.3-inch AMOLED display is bright and clear, offering both touchscreen and physical button controls, which makes navigation easy and responsive. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 13 days in regular smartwatch mode and around 20 hours when using GPS, which is great if you don’t want to charge daily.

The watch excels in fitness tracking with detailed training metrics, recovery insights, and a variety of built-in activity profiles, including running, cycling, and swimming. It also offers advanced features like personalized workout suggestions and a training readiness score, helping users train smarter rather than just harder. Compatibility with both Android and Apple smartphones allows you to receive smart notifications like calls and texts directly on your wrist, and it supports Garmin Pay for contactless payments, which is convenient for everyday use. Safety features include incident detection and location sharing when paired with your phone. The watch includes reliable multi-band GPS for accurate positioning, even in tricky environments.

Some advanced tracking features might be more detailed than what casual users require, and the watch needs a smartphone nearby for certain functions such as emergency assistance and notifications. It provides water resistance suitable for swimming, making it appropriate for moderate water exposure rather than deep diving. This watch delivers substantial value for those seeking a budget-friendly yet feature-rich smartwatch focused on fitness and running without overwhelming complexity.

The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) is a strong choice if you're looking for a budget-friendly smartwatch that still covers the basics well. Its 40mm Retina display offers bright and clear visuals, making it easy to read notifications and track your fitness stats. The built-in GPS is great for tracking outdoor workouts without needing your phone nearby. Battery life typically lasts about a day, so you'll likely need to charge it each night, which is common for smartwatches in this range.

Fitness tracking is solid, including heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and detailed workout metrics, alongside safety features like Fall and Crash Detection that add peace of mind. It’s swimproof with 50m water resistance, so you can wear it while swimming or in the rain without worry. However, the watch only works with iPhones (Xs or later running iOS 17+), so it’s not suitable if you use Android devices.

Notifications and connectivity functions work smoothly if you’re in the Apple ecosystem, letting you send texts, take calls, and use Siri hands-free. While it lacks some advanced health sensors found on pricier models, this smartwatch offers excellent value, especially if you want a reliable, versatile device that blends fitness tracking and smart features in a stylish, customizable design.

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.