The market for affordable smartwatches has expanded significantly, offering high-quality options under $150/£150. Brands like Huawei, Amazfit, and Honor are leading the charge, delivering capable devices at accessible prices. Meanwhile, emerging players such as Redmi, CMF by Nothing, and Realme are intensifying competition with feature-rich alternatives.
While premium models like the Apple Watch Series 10 and Google Pixel Watch 3 dominate with advanced health sensors and extensive app ecosystems, budget-friendly wearables now provide impressive functionality at a fraction of the cost. After rigorous testing, we’ve compiled the best value-driven smartwatches available today—along with insights into upcoming 2025 releases.
Upcoming Budget Smartwatches to Watch in 2025
For those willing to wait, several promising budget smartwatches are slated for release in 2025. Xiaomi recently unveiled its latest Redmi device, which has already undergone testing and earned a spot in our recommendations.
Additionally, Wareable secured an exclusive hands-on preview of the Amazfit Bip 6 ahead of its official launch. The wearable was announced during Amazfit’s Active 2 European event on February 18, showcasing notable upgrades.
With MWC 2025 just around the corner in March, industry watchers anticipate further announcements, including potential updates to the Honor Watch 5, which debuted last September.
How We Tested and Selected the Best Budget Smartwatches
Choosing the top affordable smartwatches requires more than just identifying the highest-rated models under a specific price. Our selection process emphasizes real-world value, combining in-depth reviews with long-term testing across design, features, health tracking accuracy, and manufacturer claims.
Huawei Watch Fit 3: The Best Budget Smartwatch
Key Features
Lightweight design: Weighing just 26g and measuring 9.9mm thick
Vivid 1.82-inch AMOLED display
Comprehensive fitness tracking: GPS, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, stress analysis, and over 100 workout modes
10-day battery life (4 days with always-on display enabled)
Cross-platform compatibility: Supports Android and iOS
Priced at £109 (approximately $130), the Huawei Watch Fit 3 stands out as the best budget smartwatch we’ve tested. Drawing design cues from the Apple Watch SE, it offers a comfortable, lightweight build without sacrificing performance.
Fitness enthusiasts will appreciate its accurate GPS tracking and Strava integration, while health metrics like heart rate monitoring proved reliable. Though it lacks advanced features like ECG (found in Huawei’s pricier models), it includes stress tracking and resting heart rate insights.
Sleep tracking showed minor inconsistencies, occasionally missing naps or overestimating sleep duration. However, for casual users, the data remains useful. Battery life lasts roughly a week, though HarmonyOS lacks third-party app support, mobile payments, and music streaming.
For buyers prioritizing affordability and core functionality, the Huawei Watch Fit 3 is the top choice in today’s budget smartwatch market.
