LoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyLike many consumer gadgets and wearables, smartwatches have gotten more expensive in recent months, thanks in part to rising component costs and supply chain pressures. But demand remains high, and I don’t expect that to change anytime soon. Wearables have become extensions of ourselves, much like our phones. We use them as second notification hubs, health and fitness trackers, and, of course, sometimes just to tell the time.
But not everyone can (or should) spend half a month’s rent on a smartwatch. In this economy? That’s why I’ve rounded up the best budget smartwatches, all of which cost $250 or less. My picks, including my top choice—the Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro ($79)—prove that you don’t have to sacrifice performance just because you’re on a budget.
For more recommendations, check out our guides to the Best Smartwatches, Best Fitness Trackers, and Best Apple Watches.
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Best Budget Smartwatch OverallNothing CMF Watch 3 ProJump to review$79 $73 (8% off) Amazon
Most Affordable Apple WatchApple Watch SE 3Jump to review$249 Apple
Best Budget Running WatchGarmin Forerunner 165Jump to review$250 $204 (18% off) Amazon
Best Fitbit SmartwatchFitbit Versa 4Jump to review$200 $175 (13% off) Amazon
Honorable MentionsBest Budget Smartwatch OverallPhotograph: Adrienne SoSave to wishlistSave to wishlistNothing
Nothing is known for the affordability and retro charm of its headphones and phones, so it was unsurprising to discover that the CMF Watch 3 Pro is both fun to use and very affordable. (CMF is a sub-brand of Nothing.)
Why WIRED recommends: This is a feature-packed smartwatch, with wrist-based gesture controls, an onboard microphone for voice calls, a ChatGPT-integrated voice assistant, and a built-in flashlight. Weighing only 51.9 grams (1.8 ounces), it’s super light, but the 1.43-inch AMOLED display is large and bright with more than 120 vibrant watch faces to choose from. The CMF Watch 3 Pro syncs with the Nothing X app on both iOS and Android, and battery life lasts about 13 days.
The suite of health features is pretty comprehensive. Its optical heart rate sensor is accurate; former editor Adrienne So tallied the live readings on the Watch 3 Pro with her Oura Ring 4, and they almost always matched exactly. It also has dual-band GPS tracking for more accurate outdoor tracking, detailed workout summaries, and fun animations that appear when you’re measuring your heart rate or doing breathing exercises.
The trade-offs: It has a more utilitarian look than most smartwatches. The case is made from precision-milled metal, but it looks and feels more like plastic. The app can be a little wonky, the running coach is less flexible than those on other fitness trackers, and the watch occasionally overestimates sleep by as much as an hour compared with other sleep trackers.
Photograph: Adrienne SoSave to wishlistSave to wishlistApple
If you have an iPhone, the Apple Watch SE (3rd Gen) is the best value in Apple’s lineup. It’s a decent upgrade if you’re coming from an older model and also makes a great smartwatch for your parents or kids.
Why WIRED recommends: It has the latest S10 chip, which enables many of the standout health features the previous Apple Watch SE 2 lacked, such as sleep apnea notifications and skin temperature sensing. It runs watchOS 27, so you can view the dynamic app grid with Siri-suggested apps, converse with the new Siri AI assistant, and use Workout Buddy without your iPhone nearby. It has fast charging, and even though it doesn’t have the Apple Watch Series 11’s 24-hour battery life, former editor Adrienne So still managed to get a full day of battery life out of it, even with the always-on display enabled.
The trade-offs: It can’t measure blood oxygen, doesn’t support the ECG app, and lacks the latest hypertension notifications. The screen is only a 1,000-nit display compared with the 2,000-nit display on the Series 11, and it doesn’t have the UWB locator chip. The bezels around the screen are chunkier, and battery life is also restricted to the usual 18 hours.
Courtesy of REISave to wishlistSave to wishlistGarmin
The Garmin Forerunner 165 is an excellent running watch for beginners and anyone who wants plenty of accurate data without paying for a more advanced model.
Why WIRED recommends: The Forerunner 165 has a bright AMOLED display, with both a touchscreen and physical buttons for two different ways to navigate. It has accurate multi-band GPS and a suite of useful sensors, including a pulse oximeter for measuring blood oxygen, a barometric altimeter, a compass, and an ambient light sensor. Alongside personalized training plans, you can view metrics like running power and cadence, as well as proprietary metrics such as Training Effect. Battery life is advertised as 11 days, but former editor Adrienne So got around a week, which is still pretty decent for a smartwatch.
The trade-offs: The Forerunner 165 launched in February 2024, so it’s not Garmin’s latest or greatest running watch. It’s also only water-resistant up to 50 meters.
Courtesy of FitbitSave to wishlistSave to wishlistFitbit
If the idea of owning a Google Pixel Watch 4 is out of your budget, but you still want a Google Fitbit-centric experience, the Versa 4 is the one to go for.
Why WIRED recommends: You get a smartwatch with a gently curved design that’s almost identical to the original Versa but with the welcome return of a physical button. The 1.58-inch AMOLED display touchscreen is large and vibrant, and battery life lasts up to six days.
As for fitness tracking, the Versa 4 is equipped with a built-in GPS to track outdoor workouts and motion sensors to log indoor swims. Google Health Coach offers AI-powered coaching and insights that provide a holistic view of your health and wellness. Lastly, you get access to a suite of Google apps, including Amazon Alexa, Google Maps, and contactless payments with Google Wallet.
The trade-offs: Automatic activity tracking supports only 40 exercise modes, which is fewer than many other fitness trackers. There are no third-party apps or music controls. Voice and texting features are limited to Android users. Finally, it’s water-resistant only up to 50 meters.
Amazfit Bip 6 for $79: Former editor Adrienne So liked the Bip 6 for its aesthetic, responsive AMOLED screen, week-long battery life, and 140 sport modes. She did find its fitness-tracking capabilities and the Zepp app to be occasionally inaccurate. If you’re willing to spend $20 more, get the Amazfit Active 2 instead.
Google Fitbit Charge 6 for $160: The Fitbit Charge 6 remains one of the best entry-level fitness trackers, packed with just enough features to build healthy habits without overwhelming you with data. Its heart rate tracking held up well against more expensive devices in testing, and it can even connect to compatible gym equipment, including Peloton bikes and NordicTrack treadmills. The Charge 6 is now a couple of years old—it launched in 2023—and the Fitbit Air offers most of these features at a lower price point. But if you’re looking for a fitness tracker with a screen, consider the Charge 6. If you don’t care for a built-in GPS, the Fitbit Inspire 3 costs less than $100 and is just as accurate.
Samsung Galaxy Watch FE for $226: The Galaxy Watch FE is a fine budget Wear OS smartwatch. The 40-mm model has a smaller screen that doesn’t get as bright, and it’s equipped with a slower processor and a smaller battery compared with the Watch7 series. The battery lasts just about a day, if not a little less. The health sensors are almost the same, and Gear editor Julian Chokkattu got accurate results for heart rate and sleep tracking.
Photograph: Julian ChokkattuCasio Pro Trek PRG-340B for $221: Editor Julian Chokkattu enjoyed wearing this Casio watch. The LCD is highly visible, with an auto-LED function that lights up the screen when you tilt the watch. Despite being designed for the outdoors—it’s a Tough Solar watch—it looks smart with a range of outfits and works well for various occasions. Julian primarily relied on the timekeeping and the stopwatch during workouts, but you can also monitor barometric pressure, altitude, and temperature, plus check the compass to get your bearings. That said, it doesn’t do heart rate and notifications.
Casio CA53W-1CR Calculator Watch for $31: This cheap calculator watch from Casio is a classic—it’s comfy and lightweight—and you can cycle through a few modes, including a stopwatch, an alarm, and a second time zone. There’s a five-year battery life, and the fully automatic calendar goes through the year 2099 (that’s 15 battery changes).
Apple Watch Series 10 for $371: With watchOS 27, the 2024 Series 10 has many of the same features as the new Series 11, like hypertension notifications and Sleep Score. Avoid paying anywhere close to retail price for this watch. If you can find it for under $300, snag it.
Google Pixel Watch 3 for $300: The Pixel Watch 3 is seeing some steep discounts now that the Pixel Watch 4 is here. It’s an excellent smartwatch, with the caveat that it’s not repairable. (The newer model addresses that.) Gear editor Julian Chokkattu recommends the 45-mm model, which offers a better battery life—just about 24 hours with the always-on display enabled. Still, avoid paying anywhere close to MSRP.
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