What is the best smartwatch on the market? It depends on what you want it for. Although factors such as our environment and expectations are decisive, the reality is that if we are not very clear about which smartwatch to buy, several models are a success due to their good value for money.
Choosing the best smartwatch at a quality price
The first question we should ask ourselves is whether we are looking for a watch or can we “settle” for an activity bracelet, which in addition to offering a different form factor, is usually simpler, thinner, and have a simpler metric. From here, to find the best smartwatch at a quality price, we must solve the following questions:
- The operating system of the watch, regardless of taste, the OS affects not only the interface and usability but also whether there are applications available to incorporate
- Which operating system is it compatible with and allows you to get the most out of its functions? And it is not the same as a smartwatch being compatible with your mobile so that you can pair it and use it in your day-to-day, and with which you can take advantage of all its features. Whatever operating system you have on your mobile, it must be updated.
- The screen is the queen of the smartwatch, the piece where we visualize everything and interact. Ideally, it should have as large a size as possible (yes, finding a balance between comfort and the box’s volume), an acceptable brightness level for viewing outdoors, and good resolution. This is where the most affordable smartwatches tend to fall apart, although models with good-quality OLED panels can be found at a reasonable price. Our reviews are a good reference for understanding the screen experience.
- Do not neglect the design. The first thing to consider is the size of the box. The bulkier models may offer a larger viewing area but may be large for you. Fortunately, some models offer different versions to fit smaller wrists, generally between 40 and 44 millimeters. Likewise, taking into account that it is a device that will be part of our outfit, it is interesting that it admits the change of straps to personalize it. We leave the form factor to the taste of each one, although we will find rectangular and circular
- We discussed the importance of the watch being aesthetically attractive as it forms part of our outfit. It also has to be successful in the face of inevitable blows and exposure to water. In this sense, the resistant and hypoallergenic straps, screens with Gorilla Glass crystals, and that the set is resistant to water are key to supporting our routine.
- One of the critical points of smartwatches is autonomy, with notable differences ranging from a couple of days to several weeks. Although there are notable exceptions, it is common for simpler models to offer greater autonomy as they have less demanding features. Find the balance.
- Finally, it’s time to talk about the price. Here you will find smartwatches with a high value for money, from 50 euros to 400 euros. How is it possible? It depends on the experience you are looking for.
Featured models
Amazfit Beep U
We start with the latest installment of an old acquaintance among cheap smartwatches for its very high autonomy and low price. In this sense, the Bip U ( 35 euros ) is one of the cheapest Amazfit smartwatches. With sensors such as SpO2, BioTrack 2 PPG, and accelerometer, it has more than 60 sports modes, PAI metrics, and sleep monitoring to see if we rest well or badly.
Inheritor of the Bip bestsellers, it remains a basic smartwatch with simple aesthetics, practically like an activity bracelet in terms of features, but with the form factor of a watch. It is a great candidate if you are looking for a cheap and easy-to-use watch to control your activity without much fanfare.
Huawei Watch Fit New
This Huawei Watch Fit New ( 69 euros ) is from the beginning a firm candidate for the best smartwatch in value for money, especially if we take into account its usual price
It stands out for its elongated shape, which is out of the usual circular or square pattern. With a good 1.64-inch AMOLED panel, it is up to the mark in autonomy, offering up to 10 days, and comes with fast charging.
For just over 100 euros, this watch has GPS, a heart rate sensor, and 12 sports disciplines to monitor your activity and training.
Amazfit GTS 3
The latest installment in the saga is the Amazfit GTS 3 ( 129 euros ) which maintains the strengths of the previous generation, standing out for its attractive appearance, great autonomy, and the precision of its sensors.
A very versatile smartwatch with a high cost-performance ratio that in this third version comes with a larger screen, more autonomy and Alexa integrated into a more refined design. To highlight its 12 days of autonomy, blood oxygen measurement, and more than 150 sports modes.
Fitbit versa 3
For those looking for an easy-to-use smartwatch with a sports vocation, the Fitbit Versa 3 ( 169 euros ) is a very striking option that is positioned within the firm’s catalog just below the ambitious Fitbit Sense. By the way, a new model has just been launched, the Fitbit Versa 4 ( 229 euros ).
The Fitbit Versa 3 implements features such as a GPS sensor so as not to require the phone to monitor our routes, Alexa or Google Assistant to choose from, and fast magnetic charging.
The rest was already present in the Versa 2: sleep and heart rate monitoring, active zone minutes, 20 sports disciplines, the ability to answer calls and messages using the integrated microphone and speaker, and payments with Fitbit Pay.
Huawei Watch GT2 Pro
Although there is already a new model, the Huawei Watch GT2 Pro ( 149 euros ) is a great option for those looking for a watch with a premium traditional aesthetic (high-end jewelry watch type) for a sports vacation. Among the weapons of the Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro, is its large 1.39″ AMOLED quality screen, complete with sensors for sports and health, plus 100 sports modes and two weeks of autonomy.
Samsung Galaxy Watch4
With the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 just released, the Samsung Galaxy Watch4 ( $175 ) is still a great option, especially considering it’s half the price right now.
Among its assets, are the smooth operation and options of Google’s Wear OS, the good interaction offered by its bezel, and the completeness of the Health section. With a very versatile design, its 1.2″ SuperAMOLED screen and 396 x 396-pixel resolution are the stars, both for its quality and for the classic look it gives it.
If you are an athlete, you will appreciate the 100 different modes that it integrates and its sensors, with BioActive (PPG), electrocardiogram (ECG), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and SPo2 measurement, among others.
Apple Watch SE (2022)
If you have an iPhone, the Apple Watch is the best value-for-money smartwatch for iOS, purely for features and integration.
This second generation of Apple Watch SE retains the vocation of a cheap Apple ecosystem watch from its predecessor, the original Apple Watch SE ( 279 euros ), offering a product that offers good features but with some resignations compared to standard models and the complete Ultra.
This Apple Watch SE 2022 ( 288 euros ) has undergone the fair and necessary renovation, keeping GPS, fall detection, sleep monitoring, altimeter, and compass as assets, in addition to integrating with the Series 8 chip as the main novelty and some of its features, such as accident detection.
Sharlene Meriel is an avid gamer with a knack for technology. He has been writing about the latest technologies for the past 5 years. His contribution in technology journalism has been noteworthy. He is also a day trader with interest in the Forex market.
