10 Best Cheap Smart Watches 2025 in the United States

The Garmin vívoactive 5 is a well-rounded smartwatch suited for those seeking a solid fitness tracker without a high cost. It features a bright and colorful 1.2-inch AMOLED display that offers clear visuals, an upgrade compared to many budget smartwatches with less vibrant screens. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 11 days in smartwatch mode, allowing several days of use without needing a recharge, which reduces daily hassle.

Fitness tracking is comprehensive, covering over 30 sports including running, cycling, swimming, and wheelchair activities, making it versatile for many users. Health insights such as Body Battery energy monitoring, sleep score with coaching, stress tracking, and menstrual cycle tracking provide a deeper look at well-being. The watch pairs smoothly with both Android and iOS devices and supports music downloads from popular services like Spotify, ideal for phone-free workouts. It also features built-in GPS and water resistance, suitable for outdoor activities and swimming sessions.

The build is lightweight and comfortable at just 1.3 ounces, though it may not feel as premium as higher-end models. App support through Garmin Connect is solid but possibly less extensive than some competitors. One limitation is the relatively small 4 GB storage, which restricts the amount of music and apps that can be stored. For those seeking a feature-rich fitness smartwatch with long battery life and a vivid screen at a reasonable price, the vívoactive 5 represents a strong option, especially for active users who value detailed health tracking.

The Garmin Forerunner 165 is a strong option if you're looking for a budget-friendly smartwatch designed mainly for running and fitness. Its bright 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen display offers clear visuals, making it easy to read your stats during workouts. The watch includes built-in GPS and wrist-based heart rate monitoring, which are essential for tracking pace, distance, and heart health without needing your phone. Battery life is impressive for this price range—up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and 19 hours when using GPS, so you won't have to charge it constantly.

It supports over 25 activity profiles, including running, cycling, and strength training, plus smart coaching features that adapt workouts based on your performance and recovery. Compatibility with both Android and Apple devices ensures you can receive call and text notifications, as well as sync data with the Garmin Connect app for deeper insights and community challenges. The lightweight, 43 mm design feels comfortable for everyday wear, and safety features like incident detection add extra peace of mind. Garmin watches typically handle sweat and rain well, though it might not be suited for deep swimming.

The build quality is solid for a budget watch, but if you want a more rugged model, you might need to look higher up in price. Garmin Pay support is a nice bonus for contactless payments, though availability depends on country and bank support. This smartwatch is ideal for runners and active users who want detailed training metrics and good app integration without spending a lot. If you need advanced smartwatch features like music storage or a larger app ecosystem, there are more expensive options, but for fitness tracking and durability, the Forerunner 165 delivers good value.

The Garmin Venu 3S is a compact, stylish smartwatch with a bright 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen that offers sharp and colorful visuals, making it easy to read notifications and fitness stats. Its battery life of up to 10 days in smartwatch mode is impressive for this size, so you won't need to charge it frequently. The watch excels in fitness tracking with over 30 built-in sports apps including running, cycling, swimming, and golf, plus advanced health monitoring like sleep coaching, stress tracking, and Body Battery energy monitoring. This provides detailed insights to help you better understand your daily energy and recovery needs. Compatibility is solid as it works with both iPhone and Android phones through the Garmin Connect app, enabling phone calls and voice assistant features right from your wrist.

The stainless steel bezel and lightweight design make the Garmin Venu 3S feel premium and durable, while it supports water resistance suitable for swimming and everyday use. Compared to some cheaper smartwatches, it might be a bit pricier and relies on GarminOS, which has less third-party app support than more common platforms like Wear OS or Apple watchOS. For those seeking a reliable fitness-focused smartwatch with a bright display and long battery life, this model is an excellent choice. However, if extensive app variety or a lower price is a priority, other options might be more suitable.