5 Best Cheap Smartwatch of 2019

1. Best Value: Amazfit Bip

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Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5

When it comes to cheap smartwatches, there really is no better place to start than with the Amazfit Bip. This device is a complete fitness smartwatch in a very affordable package and it received rave reviews from tech enthusiasts all over the world.

Design

The Amazfit Bip has a very similar aesthetic to the Apple Watch with a square watch face and a silicone strap. Although there are some clear differences in quality between these two devices, the Bip still maintains a very clean, minimalistic look which will appeal to many people.

The watch has a display size of 32.5mm which means it should fit comfortably on most wrists without looking bulky. Unfortunately, however, Amazfit hasn’t specified the exact dimensions of the Bip’s casing, but given how large the bezels are on this device, the overall size of the watch will be considerably greater than that of the display.

These thick bezels also have an impact on the appearance of the device. In the smartphone world right now, manufacturers are doing whatever they can to improve the screen-to-body ratio of their devices and this is a trend that we are also starting to see with smartwatches as well. Because of this, the thick bezels on the Bip give it a slightly outdated appearance and this is hopefully something they will address in future versions of the device.

Another downside to this device is that the casing is made from plastic. Although this material keeps the device very lightweight it is less durable than the metals used on most smartwatches and it is also a lot easier to scratch.

The watch is also IP68-rated, meaning it is perfectly fine to use in the shower but you should avoid using it while swimming or doing any other water-based activity.

Features

One of the best aspects of this smartwatch is how diverse its range of features are. The Bip might have a low price point but Amazfit certainly hasn’t cut corners in the functionality department with the device including activity tracking, heart rate monitoring, GPS, sleep tracking, sports modes, and one-way notifications.

This is a feature list that not only rivals many premium smartwatches but also tops a few of them as well. The two obvious examples of this are the heart rate monitor and sleep tracking. Although these features can be found on a number of fitness trackers, they are not commonplace just yet on smartwatches, so to see both of these functions implemented on a device like this is truly impressive.

The Bip also has an always-on display, meaning you don’t need to press a button or tap on the screen every time you would like to view the time which is very convenient. The device uses a transflective color display to achieve this which essentially works like an old Game Boy.

In direct light, the display looks great and the information is easily visible but in dimmer light, it is harder to see meaning you will need to activate the backlight by either raising the watch up or pressing the side button.

Battery life

The battery life on this device is also excellent with the Bip lasting up to 30 days on a single charge. The exact battery life you will get from this watch will largely depend on usage but thanks to its transflective display, this device is able to last considerably longer than most other rechargeable smartwatches on a single charge.

This is because it is the display on smartwatches that usually causes the most battery drain. Therefore, not needing to use the backlight as often, coupled with the fact that this smartwatch has a relatively small display, means that this device can last a very long time between charges.

If your main concern is durability this isn’t the device for you. If, however, you are looking for a feature-rich device that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, this is a great option, as it is easily at the top of the pile when it comes to functionality among cheap smartwatches.

2. Skagen Connected Men’s Hagen Titanium and Leather Hybrid Smartwatch

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Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5

The Skagen Connected is a hybrid smartwatch meaning that unlike most of the other devices on this list it doesn’t have a digital display. This doesn’t mean it isn’t smart, however, as it still offers a number of features that make it far more functional than a traditional analog timepiece.

Design

When you first look at this watch the world sophisticated will probably spring to mind. Unlike Amazfit, Skagen has taken a completely different approach to design when it comes to smartwatches with the Connected looking much more reminiscent of a traditional watch, rather than a smartwatch.

This will likely appeal to you if you are not a fan of the modern styling used on a lot of smartwatches, however, it does impact performance from a sports point of view. This is because the watch doesn’t fit quite as snug as most sports smartwatches, meaning it may move around a bit if you use it while jogging, for example. It also has a leather strap which will no doubt soak up sweat and begin to smell after a while.

For this reason, if your main reason for buying a smartwatch is to use it for sports-related activities, you should probably look at something else. If, on the other hand, you are interested in watches that offer some fitness features while remaining a classy looking timepiece, this is an excellent option for you.

The casing on the watch has a diameter of 42mm and thanks to the thin bezel, the watch face isn’t much smaller. This means that the watch is very well sized and it should fit well on most wrists provided you aren’t moving it around excessively.

The casing is also made from titanium making it very lightweight as well as durable. This is a very premium material to find on a smartwatch so the fact that it is being used on a watch at this price point is very impressive.

As for water-resistance, the device is splashproof but Skagen doesn’t recommend submerging it in water. This is quite disappointing, however, cheap smartwatches usually have to cut a few corners in one way or another and given that Skagen has managed to include a titanium casing on this device, the trade-off isn’t too bad.

Features

The watch also runs into some downsides when it comes to features. This isn’t surprising as most hybrids aren’t able to offer many of the features found on fully-fledged smartwatches, however, it would have been nice for Skagen to include a little bit more than just activity tracking, sleep tracking, and one-way notifications.

Again, with the premium construction that this device is boasting, it isn’t surprising to see Skagen cutting corners in other areas but this device is clearly more limited in terms of features than many of the other watches in this guide.

It does offer sleep tracking though and the data for this can be viewed on Skagen’s companion app. This app can also be used to view other data as well, such as anything else the watch has gathered with its activity tracking features.

As for notifications, the watch informs you by vibrating. Although this is a useful feature it is a bit limited, as it lets you know which type of notification you have received by pointing its hands at a numeral that you have specified. The problem here is that it only works with calls, SMS, and your phone’s built-in email app, meaning that Facebook, Whatsapp, and other apps don’t work with this function.

On the side of the device, there are three buttons that can be set up to perform a variety of functions. These buttons are excellent and work really well allowing you to control media, find your phone, and set up a custom button for an activity of your choice.

Battery life

The watch also has an excellent battery life, lasting up to 5 months on a single battery. The downside here though is that the battery isn’t rechargeable, meaning you will need to replace it at least twice a year. This might not be an issue for you but it is an added cost to factor in, even though watch batteries are pretty cheap.

This device certainly isn’t for anyone looking for the most feature-rich smartwatch in the world, but it is very stylish and has a very premium construction. The classy aesthetic is also very appealing and it means the device won’t look out of place paired up with a nice suit, which is often an issue with smartwatches.

3. Top Pick: Mobvoi TicWatch E Smartwatch

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Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5

The Mobvoi Ticwatch E has been around for a while now but it still remains one of the top options available when it comes to cheap smartwatches. It is a fairly basic smartwatch in truth, but it does include a few interesting features that allow it to serve as both a smartwatch and a fitness tracker.

Design

The watch has a fairly simple design but this is a good thing as it allows the device to look more premium, rather than gimmicky. This simple aesthetic has been made possible thanks to the thin bezel around the watch face that gives the device a sleek, modern look. The watch is also stealthy in appearance thanks to its matte black finish.

The casing measures 44mm across and it has a thickness of 13.5mm. This puts it on the larger side for a smartwatch, but unless your wrists are quite small, you shouldn’t have any issues with the fit of this device. Also, thanks to the thin bezel, the watch has a nice large display that is easy to interact with when using touch inputs.

One of the downsides to this device from a design perspective is that the casing is made from plastic. The glass on the watch face is also plastic which is extremely disappointing as it can scratch easily.

Although it is common for manufacturers to bring down the cost of their devices by using less-premium materials, Mobvoi really should have kept a glass cover for the watch face is this the area of the watch that is likely to receive the most punishment.

The strap, however, is made from silicone. It is a very basic strap but it works well and complements the minimalistic appearance of the watch pretty well.

The Ticwatch E is also splashproof, meaning it is fine to use in the rain but we wouldn’t recommend showering or swimming with it on.

Features

For a smartwatch at this price point, the features are pretty good with the device including activity tracking, heart rate monitoring, Google Assistant, and one-way notifications. Although most of these features can be found on other smartwatches at this price, the Ticwatch E also uses Wear OS which is a big bonus as it means it can use a number of Play Store apps as well.

Not only does this bring an extra layer of functionality to the device, but it also means that the one-way notifications feature on this device is superb, as it will inform you of any notification you need it to.

Another big benefit of using Wear OS is that you get access to Google Assistant which is a very intuitive feature to have on a smartwatch as it somewhat eliminates the need to navigate around a small device with your hands.

The downside to using Wear OS, however, is that the watch is far better suited to working with Android phones. This doesn’t mean it won’t work with iPhones, for example, but there have been reports of connectivity issues.

The watch also features an always-on display, however, unlike with the Amazfit Bip, it doesn’t use a transflective display, meaning that it will slowly eat away at the watch’s battery life if left on all the time.

As for the heart rate monitor and GPS, both of these features work pretty well, but the GPS, in particular, should really be used for rough tracking more than anything, as it doesn’t offer pinpoint accuracy.

Battery life

The battery life on this device is decent with the watch lasting up to two days on a single charge. Depending on your usage, however, this is more likely to work out as a day and a half so don’t be fooled too much by Mobvois spec sheet.

You will probably be able to get the full 48 hours out of the device if you decide not to use the always-on display or the GPS at all times but with these being two of the more standout features of the device, this seems rather silly.

The device bests a lot of its competition purely by offering Wear OS, as this is a premium piece of software not seen on many budget smartwatches. On top of this though, the Ticwatch E also has a very nice design that makes it look a lot more premium than it technically is.

4. Garmin Forerunner 35 Smartwatch

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Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5

If fitness is your main reason for buying a smartwatch but you would like something that offers a bit more than a simple fitness tracker, the Garmin Forerunner 35 could be a great option for you. It may be a few years old now, but it has seen a significant drop in price during this time and it can now be picked up for quite a bargain.

Design

When it comes to design, this device certainly leaves a lot to be desired, especially from an aesthetic perspective. It is clear just from looking at the Forerunner 35, that this is a device intended to be functional above anything else. This is fine for when you want to do fitness related activities, but you are best off picking something else if you also need your watch to pair up well with a nice suit.

The casing has a width of almost 41mm and a thickness of 13.4mm, meaning it reasonably sized and doesn’t offer too much in the way of bulkiness. It does have a considerable bezel around the display though, making the display itself rather small, measuring on 23.5mm across.

The watch is also made from plastic making it extremely lightweight, but not the most durable. As it is a compact device, durability shouldn’t really be an issue, but the plastic casing will scratch pretty easily. Garmin has made sure to keep a glass cover on the display though so any cosmetic scratches to this area should be minimal.

The watch also uses a silicone strap which has a very simple, no-frills design, meaning it suits the rest of the device really well. A stylish metal or leather strap, for example, would look rather out of place on a watch that has clearly been designed to do a job, rather than attract attention.

The Forerunner 35 is also water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it perfectly fine to swim and shower with. We wouldn’t recommend using it for anything more than this though, as it is only water-resistant, not waterproof.

Features

The Forerunner 35 doesn’t the most extensive list of features on a smartwatch but the ones it does include work very well and have clearly been refined over a rigorous period of development and testing.

The main functions it includes are activity tracking, heart rate monitoring, GPS, one-way notifications, and an interesting sports profiles feature that allows you to set the watch to a certain type of workout.

There is also no touch screen on this device and instead, everything is controlled by four buttons that are spread across the left and right sides of the watch. This isn’t a problem though, as the navigation works well and using a touch screen would have been difficult to use anyway, given how small the display is.

The top left button is used to turn the device on and off, the bottom left button takes you to the settings and can also be used as a back button, the top right button takes you to workout mode, and the bottom right button can be used to control media playback and scroll through notifications.

One annoying thing about viewing notifications on this device is that you can’t see emojis. Instead, you are given the question mark symbol you will sometimes get on your phone when it doesn’t recognize a graphical character.

Another interesting thing about this smartwatch is that it supports external ANT+ sensors. This means that you can use the device with a chest strap heart rate monitor, or with Garmin’s Foot Pod to track indoor workouts with greater accuracy.

Battery life

The battery life on this smartwatch is good with the device lasting up to 9 days when used in its regular mode. You will, however, get significantly less battery life when using it in a sports mode with the length of time dropping to just 13 hours.

For the right person, this is an excellent smartwatch with a robust set of features. Aesthetically, however, it leaves a lot to be desired so you should avoid this watch if appearance is important to you.

5. Best Budget: Withings Move Activity Tracking Smartwatch

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Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5

Withings has really made a name for itself when it comes to reasonably priced hybrid smartwatches and over the last few years, they have released a number of exceptional models onto the market which have received praise from a number of tech publications.

The Withings Move is the companies cheapest model that they currently do, and although it is clearly limited when it comes to features, it still offers some great value thanks to its classy design and premium build.

Design

Withings are well known for their attention to detail when it comes to design and this evident with their entire range of products, including the Move. Every part of the watch has been crafted with precision and it all fits seamlessly together, giving the device a level of build quality not seen on most smartwatches at this price point.

The watch has a diameter of 38mm and thanks to its thin bezel, the watch face is only slightly smaller. This gives the device a very modern appearance that doesn’t look out of place with any form of attire, which is quite hard to achieve.

The construction of the device has taken a slight hit by the low price point, however, as the watch is made of plastic. There is a stainless steel option as well, but this, of course, comes at a higher cost so, for the purpose of this guide, we will be focusing on the more affordable, plastic version.

As far as looks go, the plastic casing doesn’t actually look too bad and at a glance, it can easily be mistaken for metal. What can’t be mistaken, however, is the fact that plastic scratches far more easily than metal and considering that this device is more focused on form rather than function, this is a bit of a problem.

The strap on the watch is made from silicone and although it suits the rest of the device well it is a bit bland-looking. Other straps are available though, so if you really don’t like it you can always switch it for something else.

The watch is also water-resistant up to 50 meters, meaning it is fine to leave on while swimming or taking a shower. As with all water-resistant watches though, you should still be cautious about using them in large bodies of water as they are not fully waterproof.

Features

As mentioned, the Withings Move doesn’t have the most impressive set of features. It includes activity tracking, sleep tracking, and GPS, but unfortunately, not much else. Although this is disappointing, it is not an uncommon occurrence with hybrid smartwatches as most of them haven’t been designed to function like regular smartwatches in the first place.

Of all the missing features on this device, however, the lack of a one-way notifications system has to be the most annoying. The reason for this is because a feature like this isn’t really that hard to implement as a simple vibration on the wrist would have sufficed.

Battery life

The battery life on this device is one area where the Withings Move really shines. Although the battery is non-rechargeable, it can last up to 18 months which is impressive for a watch that has smart functionality.

This does, of course, mean you need to buy a new battery every so often but as it will likely be every other year, this is hardly an inconvenience.

If you are looking for a simple device that looks good and offers some basic functionality other than telling the time, this is a great option. On the other hand, if you are more concerned about health and fitness, you are better off looking at another option in this guide as this isn’t the watch for you.