Smartwatches used to cost $300–$500. Today, under $50 you can get a watch with 24/7 heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, step counting, smartphone notifications, GPS activity tracking, and a week-long battery. Budget smartwatches have genuinely caught up to mid-range options from just a few years ago.
Here are the best smartwatches under $50 you can buy right now.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Display | Battery Life | GPS | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazfit Bip U Pro | 1.43" Color LCD | 9 days | Built-in | ~$45 |
| Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 | 1.6" AMOLED | 13 days | Connected | ~$50 |
| Amazfit Bip 3 | 1.69" Color LCD | 14 days | Connected | ~$35 |
| Willful Smartwatch | 1.3" Color Touch | 7 days | No | ~$25 |
| Garmin Vivofit 4 | Reflective LCD | 1 year | No | ~$50 |
Our Top Picks
Amazfit Bip U Pro
The Amazfit Bip U Pro is the best budget smartwatch you can buy. At ~$45, it packs built-in GPS (no phone required for accurate workout routes), a bright color display, 60+ sport modes, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking with REM analysis, SpO2 blood oxygen monitoring, and an Alexa voice assistant. The 9-day battery life is exceptional. Amazfit's app (Zepp) is clean and data-rich. This watch competes with options costing 3x the price.
Pros
- Built-in GPS — works without phone
- 9-day battery life
- 60+ sport modes
- SpO2 and sleep tracking included
Cons
- App has more features than most people need (can feel overwhelming)
- Display isn't as crisp as AMOLED alternatives
Samsung Galaxy Fit 3
The Galaxy Fit 3 has the best screen on this list — a crisp 1.6" AMOLED display that's vivid and easy to read in sunlight. Samsung's integration with Android phones is seamless, and the 13-day battery life is among the best at any price. It's slimmer and lighter than most smartwatches, making it comfortable for 24/7 wear. The Galaxy Fit 3 proves you don't need a Galaxy Watch to get the Samsung experience.
Pros
- Vivid AMOLED display — best screen on the list
- 13-day battery life
- Slim and lightweight — comfortable all day
- Seamless Samsung phone integration
Cons
- No built-in GPS (connected GPS via phone)
- Best experience requires Samsung phone
Amazfit Bip 3
The Amazfit Bip 3 is a slightly simplified version of the Bip U Pro at around $35. You lose built-in GPS but gain a bigger 1.69" display and an incredible 14-day battery. It still tracks heart rate, sleep, SpO2, and 60 sport modes. For anyone who doesn't need GPS accuracy and wants the longest battery life possible at the lowest price, the Bip 3 is a standout value.
Pros
- 14-day battery — best endurance on the list
- Large 1.69" display
- Full health tracking suite
- Only ~$35
Cons
- No built-in GPS (uses phone's GPS)
- LCD display not as vivid as AMOLED
Garmin Vivofit 4
The Garmin Vivofit 4 is a different kind of smartwatch — it's the best pure fitness tracker on this list. Its party trick is a 1-year battery life (not a typo — it runs on a coin cell battery and you charge it once per year). It counts steps with Garmin's class-leading accuracy, tracks calories, and gives Move alerts when you've been sitting too long. No heart rate sensor, but if you just want reliable steps and activity data on a durable device that never needs charging, the Vivofit 4 is unbeatable.
Pros
- 1-year battery life — truly forget-it-and-wear-it
- Garmin step tracking accuracy is best-in-class
- Water-resistant to 50m — swim safe
- Durable build quality
Cons
- No heart rate sensor
- No smartphone notifications
- Very basic display — not color or touchscreen
What to Look for in a Budget Smartwatch
- Battery life: Under $50, aim for 7+ days. Daily charging is annoying; a week or more is much more practical.
- Built-in GPS vs connected GPS: Built-in GPS tracks routes without your phone. Connected GPS uses your phone's GPS — works fine if you always run with your phone.
- Heart rate sensor: Now standard on most options at this price. Make sure it's 24/7 monitoring, not just on-demand.
- SpO2 (blood oxygen): Useful for sleep quality tracking. Most budget watches now include this.
- App quality: The watch is only as good as the app. Amazfit (Zepp), Garmin, and Samsung all have excellent apps. Avoid no-name brands with poorly reviewed apps.