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There are plenty of affordable smartwatches out there, but only a few are actually worth your time. The sub-$100 category has become the wild west of wearables; crowded with imposters making big claims and delivering on very few. We haven’t tested every bargain-bin watch on the market, but we’ve tested enough to know when we’ve found a rare gem. A watch that goes beyond just the basics, with solid health and fitness tracking, smartphone features that actually work, and a multi-day battery life that can outlast some pricier models. Here are our picks for the best smartwatches (and smartwatch hybrids) under $100, plus a couple of alternatives that almost made the cut. We also share a few tips on what to look for when shopping in this cluttered (and sometimes sketchy) category.
Our Picks Best budget watch for Android Amazfit Bip 6 Jump to details $80 at Amazon Jump to details Best smartwatch/fitness tracker hybrid for Samsung fans Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 Jump to details $37 at Amazon Jump to details
What's the best cheap smartwatch overall?
The best budget smartwatch by a landslide is the Amazfit Bip 6. This is the kind of watch that makes you forget its sub-$100 price tag, packing features you’d normally expect from models that cost at least twice as much. This includes advanced health metrics like SpO2 (blood oxygen), wrist temperature tracking, stress levels and women’s health insights. It also lasted more than a week on a single charge during our testing, and can be tweaked to stretch even longer with custom settings.
Smartphone integration isn’t as seamless as what you’d get from Wear OS or WatchOS smartwatches, since the Bip 6 runs its own proprietary system. But that also means it’s compatible with both Android phones and iPhones. Just note that iPhone users won’t be able to respond to notifications from the watch.
The Bip 6 delivers where it counts, making it a great option for anyone prioritizing price and willing to spend a little more time setting it up to fit their needs.
Vanessa Hand Orellana / CNET Photo Gallery 1/3 Amazfit Bip 6 Vanessa Hand Orellana / CNET Best budget watch for Android Amazfit Bip 6 Pros $80 price is much less than most watches
Works with Android and iOS
Great battery life (lasts a week with heavy use)
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