You can get a capable smartwatch for under $100—you just have to know which trade-offs matter. At this price you give up the polished ecosystems and on-watch ECG of flagship devices, but the best budget models still deliver accurate heart-rate and sleep tracking, multi-day battery life, smartphone notifications, and built-in or connected GPS. Based on official manufacturer specifications and published expert and user reviews, our standout picks are the Amazfit Bip 5 for an all-around big-screen experience, the Samsung Galaxy Fit3 for Android and Samsung phone owners, the Fitbit Inspire 3 for guided health insights, and the Amazfit Band 7 for the longest battery on the smallest budget. Below we explain why each one fits and who it’s for.
Smartwatch Trends is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
How we picked
- Expect accurate heart-rate, SpO2, and sleep tracking plus multi-day battery, but not medical-grade ECG
- Built-in GPS (Bip 5, Bip 3 Pro) lets you track routes phone-free; connected GPS needs your phone
- Most budget watches work with both iPhone and Android, though some reply features favor Android
- Battery ranges from ~10 days to ~18 days depending on screen, GPS use, and always-on settings
Smartwatch Trends is a research-based resource—we don’t run a lab or assign numeric scores. Instead, these recommendations are drawn from official manufacturer spec sheets, the consensus of published expert reviews, and recurring themes in verified user feedback. For this guide we prioritized devices with a confirmed street price under $100, then weighed four things that matter most in the budget tier: battery life, health and fitness sensors (heart rate, SpO2, sleep), GPS (built-in versus phone-connected), and app and notification support for both Android and iPhone. We deliberately favored watches from established brands with maintained companion apps, because long-term software support is where the cheapest no-name devices tend to fall short. If you want a structured way to weigh these factors for yourself, see our guide on how to choose the right smartwatch for your needs.
Best budget smartwatches under $100 at a glance
| Model | Approx. price | Display | GPS | Battery (typical) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazfit Bip 5 | ~$90 | 1.91″ LCD | Built-in | Up to ~10 days | All-around big screen |
| Samsung Galaxy Fit3 | ~$60 | 1.6″ AMOLED | Connected (phone) | Up to ~13 days | Samsung & Android users |
| Fitbit Inspire 3 | ~$80–$100 | AMOLED band | Connected (phone) | Up to ~10 days | Guided health insights |
| Amazfit Bip 3 Pro | ~$60 | 1.69″ LCD | Built-in | Up to ~14 days | Budget GPS workouts |
| Amazfit Band 7 | ~$50 | 1.47″ AMOLED | Connected (phone) | Up to ~18 days | Longest battery, lowest cost |
Prices and battery figures reflect manufacturer specifications and typical street pricing; real-world battery depends on display brightness, GPS use, and always-on settings. If endurance is your top priority, our deeper comparison of smartwatch battery life is worth a read.
Our top picks
Amazfit Bip 5 — best all-around under $100
Why it fits: The Bip 5 is the closest a sub-$100 watch comes to a full smartwatch feel. Its large 1.91-inch display is easy to read, it includes built-in GPS so you can map runs and rides without carrying your phone, and it supports Amazon Alexa and Bluetooth calling when paired. Amazfit lists battery life of around 10 days in typical use, and the Zepp companion app handles heart rate, blood-oxygen (SpO2), stress, and sleep tracking on both Android and iPhone.
Who it’s for: Buyers who want one device that does a bit of everything—notifications, calls, on-watch GPS, and broad health metrics—without stepping up to a flagship price. It’s a sensible first smartwatch for someone migrating from a basic fitness band.
Samsung Galaxy Fit3 — best for Android and Samsung owners
Why it fits: The Galaxy Fit3 pairs a bright 1.6-inch AMOLED display with an aluminum body that punches above its roughly $60 price. Samsung rates it for up to about 13 days of battery, and it ties neatly into the Samsung Health app for heart rate, sleep, and automatic workout detection. It uses connected GPS, drawing location from your phone during outdoor activities.
Who it’s for: Android users—especially Galaxy phone owners—who want a clean, well-integrated experience and a premium-looking screen for the money. If you eventually move up the Samsung ladder, your data and habits carry over. For a wider look at the platform, see our overview of the Android smartwatch landscape.
Fitbit Inspire 3 — best for guided health insights
Why it fits: The Inspire 3 is technically a tracker, but its slim AMOLED band delivers continuous heart-rate monitoring, SpO2, a daily Stress Management Score, and Fitbit’s well-regarded sleep tracking with a Sleep Score. Fitbit cites up to 10 days of battery. Its real strength is the mature companion app, which turns raw numbers into trends and gentle nudges—though some advanced analysis sits behind a Fitbit Premium subscription.
Who it’s for: People focused on everyday wellness—sleep, stress, and activity—who value an approachable app over on-watch apps and calling. It’s also a comfortable, lightweight option for round-the-clock wear. Note that, like most devices in this tier, it lacks an on-wrist ECG; if that feature matters, our roundup of affordable smartwatches with an ECG feature covers the (pricier) options.
Amazfit Bip 3 Pro — best budget GPS for workouts
Why it fits: At around $60, the Bip 3 Pro stands out for including built-in GPS—uncommon at this price—so runners, hikers, and cyclists can record routes phone-free. Amazfit lists up to roughly 14 days of battery, and the watch covers 60-plus sports modes along with heart rate, SpO2, and sleep tracking through the Zepp app on Android and iOS.
Who it’s for: Active buyers on a tight budget who care most about distance and pace accuracy outdoors. It’s a strong entry point before considering a dedicated fitness watch—see our picks of the best smartwatches for fitness enthusiasts if you outgrow it.
Amazfit Band 7 — longest battery for the lowest price
Why it fits: If you want the most days between charges for around $50, the Band 7 is hard to beat. Amazfit rates it for up to about 18 days in typical use, packed into a lightweight band with a 1.47-inch AMOLED screen, Alexa support, and the usual heart-rate, SpO2, and sleep sensors. It relies on connected GPS rather than its own chip.
Who it’s for: Minimalists and first-time buyers who want notifications and solid health basics without the chore of frequent charging—and without spending much at all.
What you give up under $100
Knowing the limits of this price band helps set expectations:
- No medical-grade ECG or blood pressure. Sub-$100 watches use optical heart-rate sensors for fitness, not clinical diagnostics. They cannot replace medical devices, and none on this list offer an FDA-cleared ECG.
- Connected GPS is common. Several budget models rely on your phone’s GPS rather than a dedicated chip, which means carrying your phone for accurate route tracking.
- Smaller app ecosystems. Don’t expect the third-party app stores or cellular/LTE independence found on an Apple Watch or premium Wear OS device.
- Build and screen compromises. Many use plastic bodies and LCD rather than AMOLED panels at the lowest prices.
For context on where the category is heading—and which premium features eventually trickle down to budget devices—browse the latest trends in smartwatch technology.
Frequently asked questions
Are smartwatches under $100 accurate for heart rate and sleep?
For everyday fitness purposes, optical heart-rate and sleep tracking on reputable budget watches is generally reliable for spotting trends, according to manufacturer specifications and published reviews. Accuracy can drop during high-intensity intervals or if the band is worn too loosely. These readings are wellness estimates, not medical measurements, and should not be used to diagnose any condition.
Do budget smartwatches work with both iPhone and Android?
Most do. The Amazfit (Zepp app), Samsung Galaxy Fit3 (Samsung Health), and Fitbit (Fitbit app) models all support iOS and Android, though some platform-specific features—like replying to messages—work best on Android. Always confirm compatibility with your phone’s current OS version before buying.
Can a smartwatch under $100 track GPS without my phone?
Some can. The Amazfit Bip 5 and Bip 3 Pro include built-in GPS for phone-free route tracking, while the Samsung Galaxy Fit3 and Amazfit Band 7 use connected GPS that relies on your phone. If phone-free workouts matter, prioritize a model that lists “built-in GPS” in its specifications.
Is it worth spending more than $100?
It depends on your needs. Stepping up adds features like on-wrist ECG, brighter always-on displays, LTE connectivity, and richer app ecosystems. If you mainly want notifications, activity, sleep, and long battery life, a sub-$100 watch covers the essentials well. If you want connectivity on the go, our guide on adding a smartwatch to your Verizon plan explains what cellular models require.