Best Budget Smartwatches in 2026
TechRadar’s best cheap smartwatch is the $99 Amazfit Active 2. iPhone owners should get the Apple Watch SE 3, and the CMF Watch 3 Pro is the cheapest pick at about $79.
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Quick answer
TechRadar’s best cheap smartwatch is the $99 Amazfit Active 2. iPhone owners should get the Apple Watch SE 3, and the CMF Watch 3 Pro is the cheapest pick at about $79. Best overall: Amazfit Active 2, from $99. Best for iPhone: Apple Watch SE 3, from $249. Best for fitness: Amazfit Active 3 Premium, $169.99.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Amazfit Active 2 | most people | From $99 |
| Best for iPhone | Apple Watch SE 3 | iPhone owners | From $249 |
| Best for fitness | Amazfit Active 3 Premium | fitness tracking | $169.99 |
| Cheapest | CMF Watch 3 Pro | the lowest price | About $79 |
| Best cheap Garmin | Garmin Forerunner 165 | runners on a budget | $249.99 |
This guide follows TechRadar’s[1] best cheap smartwatch guide (updated October 21, 2026), with prices checked October 2026. For pricier models, see best smartwatches.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| Watch | Price | Works with | Standout | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazfit Active 2 | From $99 | Android and iPhone | Very long battery; NFC costs extra | Most people |
| Apple Watch SE 3 | From $249 ($239 seen) | iPhone only | Full Apple Watch experience | IPhone owners |
| Amazfit Active 3 Premium | $169.99 | Android and iPhone | Sapphire glass, NFC, color maps | Fitness tracking |
| CMF Watch 3 Pro | About $79 | Android and iPhone | 13-day battery | The lowest price |
| Garmin Forerunner 165 | $249.99 ($196.10 seen) | Android and iPhone | Workout and recovery suggestions | Runners on a budget |
The picks in detail
1. Amazfit Active 2
Best for: most peopleThis is TechRadar’s[1] best cheap smartwatch. At $99 it has a classic design, detailed health tracking and very long battery life, and works with Android and iPhone. TechRadar says NFC payments cost extra and the strength workout feature is clunky.
Price (Oct 2026): From $99 Source
Pros
- Very long battery
- Works with any phone
- Five-star TechRadar review
Cons
- NFC costs extra
- Clunky strength workouts
2. Apple Watch SE 3
Best for: iPhone ownersTechRadar[1] says it delivers the full Apple Watch experience, including hypertension notifications and crash detection, at the same price as the SE 2. It only works with iPhone. TechRadar saw it at $239.
Price (Oct 2026): From $249 Source
Pros
- Full watchOS experience
- Safety features
- Same price as the SE 2
Cons
- iPhone only
- Pricier than most budget picks
4. CMF Watch 3 Pro
Best for: the lowest priceNothing’s CMF Watch 3 Pro is TechRadar’s[1] pick for Android fans. It’s cheaper than the Active 2 and deliberately minimalist, with 13 days of battery and accurate GPS for a sub-$100 watch. It has no NFC payments.
Price (Oct 2026): About $79 Source
Pros
- Very cheap
- 13-day battery
- Accurate GPS for the price
Cons
- No NFC payments
- Limited features
- Awkward charging puck
5. Garmin Forerunner 165
Best for: runners on a budgetTechRadar[1] calls it the best affordable Garmin in 2026, with workout and recovery suggestions and well-designed controls. Its display is lower resolution than pricier models. It’s $249.99 and TechRadar has seen it at $196.10.
Price (Oct 2026): $249.99 Source
Pros
- Workout suggestions
- Garmin’s training tools
Cons
- Lower-res display
- No on-watch sleep widget
Also considered
Coros Pace 4: TechRadar’s[1] cheap pick for runners at $249, with long battery life but stripped-back smart features.
Garmin Forerunner 70: Garmin’s newest entry runner at $249; see best Garmin for running.
Fitbit: For a band instead of a watch, see best Fitbit.
Check your phone first
The Apple Watch SE 3 only works with iPhone, and Wear OS watches like the Pixel Watch work best with Android. Amazfit, CMF and Garmin watches work with both. For Android-only picks, see best Android smartwatches; for iPhone, see best Apple Watch.
What you give up
Cheap watches usually have fewer apps, simpler voice assistants and sometimes no NFC payments. In return, many last much longer between charges than an Apple Watch or Wear OS watch. For basic step and sleep tracking, see best fitness trackers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cheap smartwatch?
What is the best cheap smartwatch for iPhone?
Do cheap smartwatches have contactless payments?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- TechRadar: The best cheap smartwatch (techradar.com)
- Apple: Apple Watch SE 3 (apple.com)
Related
Best Smartwatches
If you have an iPhone, get an Apple Watch Series 12 (or the SE 3 to save money). On Android, the Pixel Watch 5 has the best battery life of the big three, and the Galaxy Watch9 is the pick for Samsung phones.
best ofBest Android Smartwatches in 2026
The Pixel Watch 5 is the best Android smartwatch for most people. Samsung phone owners should get the Galaxy Watch9, and the OnePlus Watch 3 lasts the longest between charges.
best ofBest Garmin Watch for Running in 2026
The Forerunner 570 is the Garmin for most serious runners at $549.99. The 970 adds maps, ECG and a flashlight for $749.99. New runners should look at the $249 Forerunner 70 or $299 Forerunner 170.
best ofBest Fitness Trackers
The Garmin Vivoactive 6 is the best overall, the screenless Fitbit Air is the value pick, and the Oura Ring 5 is the best if you don’t want anything on your wrist.
best ofWhich Apple Watch Should You Buy in 2026?
The Series 12 (from $399) is the right Apple Watch for most iPhone owners. The SE 3 (from $249) saves $150 if you can skip some health features, and the Ultra 4 ($799) is for battery life and outdoor sports.