What is the best smartwatch under $100? Apart from performing timekeeping functions, the gadget should do many other things. These are the tracking of your physical activity, sleep, and heart rate monitor. Whether you are engaged in a fitness activity, follow a weight loss plan or have some health issues, such a device will come in handy. An affordable smartwatch does not necessarily mean low quality. If you opt for a model from a trusted brand, you can get a budget choice that does the job well.

Another thing to consider is design. Not only should it be appealing and user-friendly, but it should also be sturdy enough and waterproof. Some other features like battery life, access to apps, and the number of exercise modes are also worth considering. We believe that Fitbit Versa Smartwatch meets these criteria best.

The Main Features of Smartwatches Under $100

Nowadays, gadgets tend to be of a smaller size while having increased functionality. Little wonder, since this is consistent with the global trend of technological development. This trend places emphasis on the needs of people. We value our time and want smart gadgets to help us with that. And this is where smartwatches turn out to be particularly helpful.

Not only do smartwatches show you time, as all regular watches do, but they can also help you spend this time more efficiently and wisely.

So what features do smartphones under $100 typically include? First of all, they support most of the common apps that you may have on your phone, including social media applications. Some models even come with sim card slots allowing you to make calls and send text messages.

  • Depending on the model, these devices can have smartphone notifications and built-in GPS. Smartwatches are especially helpful for people who are engaged in fitness and sports activities or have some health issues.
  • Many such gadgets are equipped with a heart rate monitor, a pedometer, a step tracker, and a sleep monitor. There are models that monitor your heart rate, sending a notification once any deviation is detected. While most smartwatches offer these features, not all of them provide you with accurate tracking. That is why, when looking for an affordable smartwatch do not opt for a cheap unbranded one.

  • When it comes to design, smartwatches with a waterproof ability have become increasingly popular now. That said, waterproof smartwatches should not be confused with diving watches. The latter has a water resistance of up to 300 meters, while the former are designed only for swimming, not diving and staying underwater for some time. When the product description says that the smartwatch is water-resistant of up to 50 meters, this does not mean that you can safely dive that deep wearing this gadget. This means the device was successfully tested at this depth in a laboratory setting.

TOP Best Smartwatches Under $100

Below, you will find the best smartwatches under $100. The most expensive and reliable model on the list, Fitbit, comes at a price of around $100, while the others will cost you as little as $40-$70. You can choose a branded gadget with a sleek design, an affordable smartwatch for kids or a cheap smartwatch with all basic features.

1. Fitbit Versa Smartwatch - Best Overall

Fitbit smartwatches are well-known on the market and are considered to be a trusted brand. Based in San Francisco, the company produces wearable devices that track the user’s activity, sleep, heart rate, and other data. With 12-year experience in the market of smartwatches and fitness trackers, Fitbit offers innovative gadgets to help its customers live more active and healthier life.

 

Fitbit products were used in several scientific studies related to physical activity and weight loss issues. For example, a study conducted by Arizona State University explored the effects of wearing a Fitbit gadget. The results show that this is an effective way to make the user's lifestyle healthier.

Today, Fitbit is one of the key players in the global digital fitness market, along with giants such as Apple and Samsung. In 2018, the company partnered with Adidas to launch a smartwatch for runners — Fitbit Ionic. However, the smartwatch mentioned above will cost you more than $200.

If we focus on smartwatches around 100, Fitbit Versa seems to be a prominent leader. Now, let’s take a look at what features this gadget offers. The device will track steps and other fitness data as well as the quality and stages of sleep. On top of that, it will monitor your heart rate throughout the day, so that you could get a complete picture.

This gadget can automatically record your workouts or you can use one of over 15 modes to track your exercise yourself based on your preferences. The battery lasts for more than four days, given you make the most of it and use the watch both day and night. The product has an amazingly sleek design and a swim-proof body. Besides, it will allow you to use not only applications offered by the developer. With this smartwatch, you can also enjoy your favorite apps — social media, business or fitness ones.

And let’s not forget about music. For me, music and sports are two sides of the same coin. So one of the numerous things that I like about Fitbit Versa is that it can control the music that plays out of your smartphone. Just to conclude, you get a branded feature-packed and super convenient smartwatch for some $100. A good deal, isn’t it?

2. Amazfit Bip Smartwatch | Best Budget

This is another reliable smartwatch from a trustworthy brand. Amazfit is an American brand that produces wearable devices based on smart technology. Established 4 years ago, it is owned by Huami, primarily known as a provider for Xiaomi. In recent years, Huami has won several awards from Reddot Design and Good Design. The former is an international design prize, while the latter is a Japanese design evaluation system.

What I particularly like about Amazfit Bip Smartwatch is that it comes with a long-lasting battery. Remarkably, the device can operate for about a month on a single charge. That said, it does not take long to charge the battery — less than 3 hours. So what does the gadget do? If you pay close attention to your health, you will appreciate its ability to monitor heart rate, calories burned, and sleep quality.

The built-in GPS allows for tracking steps and distance walked. Depending on the type of sports activity you are engaged in, you can choose from 4 sports modes. Whether you are an enthusiastic runner or a cyclist, you will be able to customize the smartwatch to your needs. With this device, you will also get missed calls, SMS, and email notifications, along with alerts from social network services.

3. Amazfit Verge Lite Smartwatch

Verge Lite is a more advanced version of the Amazfit smartwatch. This model is a little bit pricier than the one mentioned above but has several advantages. While the smartwatch may seem bulkier, it does not weigh much, only 10 ounces. One of its strong points is its amazingly rugged construction with a brilliant 1.3-inch AMOLED display.

In case you are unfamiliar with the technology, the advantage of an AMOLED display is that it produces brighter colors, consumes less power and is lighter and more flexible than LED ones. This is because an AMOLED display contains an extra layer of TFTs and organic compounds that emit light.

The second advantage of this model lies in the fact that it is equipped with a next-generation PPG sensor. This feature allows the gadget to monitor heart rate with high accuracy day and night. And thirdly, the Amazfit Verge Lite smartwatch tracks more sports than the Amazfit Bip model — you can choose from 7 different modes.

4. VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2, Pink

The kid-friendly design of this smartwatch suggests that it would be an excellent choice for younger users. But I suppose that this item will nicely suit ladies. No, not because the gadget is pink — although many girls see this color as a trigger for purchase decisions. While having all the basic features, this item has a user-friendly, and fun design.

Still, the manufacturer recommends this product for kids aged up to 12. A young user can choose from more than 50 customizable watch faces. The device comes with a motion sensor and a pedometer, as well as the ability to upload videos and photos. It has two cameras allowing the user to take photos and selfies and customize them for the smartwatch face. On top of that, the gadget is splash-proof, meaning your kid will be able to run around and have fun in any weather.

What your kids will be incredibly grateful for is a Monster Catcher Game. I have to tell you a secret: capturing strange creatures in the real world is something any child would do without stopping. The gadget also includes a feature that any parent would undoubtedly appreciate — parental control. Not only will you be aware of your kid’s activities, but you can also be sure that your kid does not spend too much time playing games.

5. SKYGRAND Updated 2019 Version Smart Watch - Best Cheap

You may try this option if you are looking for something less sophisticated than Fitbit. It has all the necessary functions, including sleep monitoring and real-time heart rate tracking. As for the former, the gadget will not only record the duration of your sleep but also evaluate its quality. One of the advantages of this model is a quick charging time ranging from 1 to 2 hours.

Compared to Fitbit, this smartwatch has fewer exercise modes — only nine. However, this may be sufficient for you and in this case, there is no reason to pay extra money for additional modes and features. Besides, this gadget also allows you to see the GPS map of your activities, but some customers complain that the GPS is extremely inaccurate. For those on a diet, this model offers a calorie counter feature. So you can count your steps and miles walked and see how effective your exercise is in weight loss.

With a weight of about 1.3 ounces, the device has a pretty large bright screen. This is where all calls and SMS you receive will be displayed. A slight vibrating sound will notify you of new messages and calls and send you reminders. It has an IP68 water-resistance rating, meaning you can bathe and shower wearing this smartwatch. But keep in mind that swimming with it would be a bad idea. The major downside to this gadget is that it is not as reliable as Fitbit, which is understandable considering the price.

Expert Opinion: Marc Saltzman, Technology Expert

Marc Saltzman, Technology Expert

Marc Saltzman is a technology expert, author, journalist, TV and radio host. He contributes to more than 30 publications, including MSN, USA Today, and Toronto Star. Marc has authored 16 books on gaming and technology and appeared on many TV stations: CNN, FOX News, Al Jazeera, and more. Marc is also a video game enthusiast.

Smartwatches are becoming more and more popular as there is a lot more variety and different designs to choose from. So I have brought four different examples. Some look like a traditional smartwatch — a touchscreen that lets you flick through your texts and emails, your fitness information. Others are more analog- or classic-looking like this one right here. These are both from Fossil. They all work with smartwatches like Android or iOS. And these ones are Michael Kors ones. Again, more of a digital version here on the right and then on the left looks like a regular watch but, in fact, it does have some smarts under the hood. It calculates your steps taken, your estimated calories burn and it sends all that information to a nearby phone.

10 Best-Selling Smartwatches Under 100 Comparative Table

Products with a 5-star rating

 

Testing & Customers Reviews

We found reviews from YouTube bloggers about the products in our article.

Hayls World: "Fitbit Versa 2 does look similar to the previous Versa models, but there are some slight changes, and I've got to admit I think it looks so slick and stylish. And they've gone for such a smooth around an edge on the front. The back has also been modified and slightly changed for a more rounded polished feel which is really nice on the wrist. And then what I really like about this watch is they haven't changed the strap sizes so if you have any previous Fitbit Versa models or maybe a partner of yours has one you can use the straps from any one of the Versa models. Possibly one of the best updates to the Fitbit Versa 2 is it now has an OLED display and that means a lot of great things. An OLED screen is so fantastic because not only does it make the blacks a lot darker and the colors a lot more vivid but it also helps save on battery. It is so bright and vivid, and no matter what the lighting condition you'll always be able to read your displays easy. It now comes with a microphone that is integrated with Amazon Alexa. So what that means is if you lift up your watch and hold down on the button, you can ask or tell Amazon Alexa anything and it will respond. If you receive a WhatsApp notification to your watch you can just click the reply button and you will see a speaker icon if you click on that, you can once again speak into your watch and will dictate your entire message and send it all to your Whatsapp contact.

The next new feature is an integrated Spotify application on your Fitbit Versa that you can use to control your Spotify music. I am really glad they decided to add an always-on display option. This is not on automatically. You do have to enable it in settings, but once it's on you will always be able to see the time and some other key metrics without having to always flick your wrist. Some standard features that still exist on the Fitbit Versa - is of course the watch faces. You can change your clock to anything your heart desires. Then notifications from apps like Whatsapp, Instagram, Facebook, Gmail, you name it are still there. The only difference is that on Android you can use the microphone to respond to messages but on iOS unfortunately not. You can also receive calls as well as the client calls all from your watch and this is a great feature for when you're driving. What's also quite interesting is once you've answered the call it'll actually say your watch if the call is still active so this is really nifty. Then this has had a slight facelift but all the various fitness modes are still there and if you select one it'll obviously take you through all the information that you need while you're busy training.

The Versa 2 body is a lot more compact and for me as someone with small wrists I like that and it fits perfectly. One of the most frustrating things for me about the Versa range is the charging cradle. This little cradle has one major design flaw and that is the cable comes straight out of the back so it's almost impossible for the cradle to stand upright. But besides all of that the battery on this watch lasts beautifully and I've had up to almost four days of full use which is crazy and I love it. Another epic feature that I think a lot of people don't know about is the relax app. What this relax app does is it takes you through a two-minute breathing exercise that is super simple and ultimately just helps you relax. You can also check out the weather on your watch once you've set your location it'll give you all the different weather notifications and information that you want. And then the sleep tracking feature also has an extensive amount of information. So you wear your watch when you go to bed and then the next day you can see how much REM sleep you had, how much deep sleep you had. It is so interesting. And then if you've ever wanted to swim or shower with your watch you can because the Versa 2 is waterproof which is awesome. The heart rate monitor is on the back and constantly tracks your heart rate throughout the entire day and also provides you with a bunch of stats if you go into the Fitbit app on your phone. I've been using Fitbit verses for quite a while now and I have to say all the new features and improvements are so welcomed and make a huge difference."

JDubb: "Amazfit Bip U Pro is a compact watch with a high-end aesthetic that'll make a lot of people assume that it's an Apple watch. The OS itself is smooth and responsive. Something you'd expect to find on a more powerful WEAR OS or iOS device and the single button feels really great and is super functional. With all that kind of said, this could easily depress a lot of these Apple watch users because at the end of the day this thing is pretty darn functional and at a whole lot less cost. The stock band that it comes with is a very basic very comfortable silicone band and they made it really simple to change these out.

So you can buy different bands different models, different materials to match your style which is really convenient. There are a ton of interchangeable display skins making it even more customizable and if you're up to it there is 50 plus different styles to choose from, 40 of which have a matching always on display. And if those customizations aren't enough you can even upload your own pictures to set as the wallpaper making it even more specifically custom to you. Now in the tracking department this guy has a lot to offer: 24 hour heart rate monitoring, sleep monitoring, stress monitoring. It's got an O2 sensor as well.

On top of that you've also got 60 plus fitness tracking modes. This thing can track basketball, swimming, weightlifting, yoga all sorts of stuff. I did mention swim tracking because this can do it. It'll actually track the strokes when you're swimming however it's only 5 atm water resistant so don't dive too deep.

Now another great feature is that it has Amazon Alexa built-in. I'm not a big Amazon Alexa fan. I use Google assistant so I don't have an integration there. Which is fine. I wasn't expecting any type of integration with their assistant. However, if I don't use Amazon Alexa I would like to have it either disabled or removed from my screen so I don't have to kind of deal with it. Now in the battery department, they advertise roughly nine days of battery life with normal use. I am as normal as you get for usage wise and I was able to get actually 10 full days of battery life before I needed to stick this guy back on the charger to bring it back to life.

So it performed better than I had expected. Using a tracking mode definitely will chew up the battery because it's activating all the sensors to really get a ton of data. So if you're a really active person you're using that tracking mode you're going to probably need to charge it maybe once a week or so. But if you're just an average user who just wants to track sleep data heart rate every once in a while steps you know basic fitness stuff like I do this is gonna work great. You should expect somewhere in between nine and ten days of battery life.

So at the end of the day at 69.99 this little watch does a pretty good job. Actually, I was very impressed with it. When I first pulled it out of the box it looked like a lot of the other really more basic trackers that I have tested and reviewed and used and surprisingly it does really really well on tracking data. There's a lot of features here. It's got a lot of functionality it feels very premium. In fact, it feels so premium my wife is waiting for me to finish this review so she can snag it. It's a really cool little watch. I definitely think this is a great deal. The main difference that makes it the Pro version is the fact that it has offline GPS tracking. So there is a GPS unit in this watch that's going to allow you to track your activities when you're out and about without your phone being nearby.

The Bip U uses assisted GPS or a GPS basically relying on the phone to track the GPS location data for the watch which means you have to have the two of them close by for that to function. So if you're considering getting the Bip U or the Bip U Pro and you don't need that offline tracking that kind of standalone GPS tracking you can save yourself 10 bucks and just get the Bip U. Now if you do need that if you want to be able to leave your phone at home and still get all that tracking data because you like to go on runs and not carry anything with you then the Bip U Pro is the way to go."

 

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