7 Great Smartwatches for Less Than $150

Several weeks ago, I was given the assignment of finding the 10 best smartwatches that sell for less than $150. I started by going through hundreds of descriptions of smartwatches online. Then I went to store after store and tried out 35 models in person.

This article is my list of seven great values in smartwatches that you can get for $150 or less. There is at least one watch with the features you need on this list.

But first, here are some fast facts about my search:

• There aren’t a lot of smartwatches with high-end features available for $150 or less—but I managed to find a few,
• There are some affordable smartwatches from well-known brands like Apple, Garmin, and Samsung. But most affordable smartwatches are from Chinese manufacturers such as Huawei and Amazfit.
• I didn’t find a lot of good reviews for Letsfit and YAMAY smart watches, so I didn’t try them out in the store.

Now, let’s go to my top seven smartwatches under $150.

Best Smartwatch with Standalone Voice Assistant and GPS: Amazfit Bip U Pro

There is a lot to love about the Amazfit Bip U Pro.

It has Alexa built in. It also has standalone GPS, and it comes in several styles. 

This smartwatch has a razor-sharp 1.43-inch color screen, over 60 fitness functions, heart rate and blood O₂ monitors, and a battery that lasts for up to nine days. It has a clunky software system, but it also has one feature that makes it stand out for all the rest of the smartwatches I tried out:

You can buy an Amazfit Bit U Pro for as little as $70.

You can get Amazfit’s Bit U (which came out a month before the Bit U Pro) for $10 less, but who needs to scrimp at these prices? Amazfit is a reputable company and you’ll have a good experience with this watch.

Best Smartwatch for Standing Up to Rugged Use: Amazfit T-Rex

The name T-Rex tells you what you need to know about this smartwatch. The Amazfit T-Rex is certified to a military standard and it stands up to even extreme abuse. It has a manly, oversized build, and it looks like it is ready for outdoor adventure.

Like all Amafit smartwatches, the T-Rex comes at a lower price point. Even so, it has some great features.

The Amazfit T-Rex tracks heart rate. It also tracks sleep. It plays back music, though you can’t stream it on your watch. Unlike the Amazfit Bit U Pro, it has an always-on option.

And this smartwatch has amazing battery life. In mixed mode (not always-on), the battery can last 20 days between charges. If you use all the GPS features, however, the battery needs recharging after just five days.

Best Affordable Sportswatch (Usually) Under $150: Amazfit Stratos 3

If you are looking for an affordable smartwatch with the most sports modes, over 80, the Amazfit Stratos 3 is for you. Usually, you can find it online for $150 or less, but sometimes you won’t be able to find it for less than $170.

The Amazfit Stratos 3 doesn’t have the greatest display. Its GPS can be inaccurate, too. But it has step and heart tracking to match the best models on the market, plus a built in wi-fi option, 2 gigs of storage, a 5 ATM rating for underwater use, and a battery that can last up to 14 days.

Best Smartwatch for Runners Under $150: Garmin Forerunner 235

Looking for a runners’ smartwatch with great GPS that you can operate with sweaty fingers? Then the Garmin Forerunner 235 is a good choice for you.

The Garmin Forerunner 235 has been around for a while. It made a splash on the market back in 2017. 

This means it doesn’t have all the advanced features you can get with even Wyze and Letsfits smartwatches these days. But it continues to be a top seller because it has the navigation buttons that some runners prefer when they are out on the trail or on the track.

If you want a smartwatch with more versatility for a variety of workouts, however, consider my next pick.

Best GPS-Enabled Smartwatch Under $150: Garmin Vivoactive 3

Need a watch you can wear when you are swimming, not just when you are running? Consider an upgrade to Garmin’s Vivoactive 3.

The Garmin Vivoactive 3 has built-in GPS, the latest in sleep tracking, and an advanced heart rate tracker. It supports a variety of workouts. 

But if you want the ability to play back music, you will have to spend about $100 more. Many runners are happy with the older Garmin Forerunner 235.

Best Android Compatible (Wear OS) Smartwatch Under $150: Ticwatch C2 Plus

The Ticwatch C2 Plus smartwatch has both GPS and Google Assistant. It is decked out to run Wear OS with 1GB of RAM and 16 GM storage.

This watch has a 360 pixels x 360 pixels display screen. It’s integrated with Spotify and it has an option for music storage. You can use it with Google Pay in 29 countries. And it comes with a large selection of straps that allow you to personalize it the way you like.

If you like all these features, but you need a larger (400 pixels x 450 pixels) screen and a sturdier look on your wrist, consider the Ticwatch E2.

Best Smartwatch with ECG under $150: Withings Move ECG

Need to monitor your heart for A-fib and other arrhythmias? The Withings Move ECG can produce a medical-grade ECG in 30 seconds. And its CR2430 button-cell battery lasts a full year.

There are some other great smartwatches that didn’t quite make my list. The Apple Watch Series 3 has razor-sharp Retina display, over 20 thousand applications, and Siri. But it is only occasionally on sale for $150 or less.

Likewise, the Samsung Galaxy Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 are great selections that aren’t always available for $150 or less. But when they are on sale, they are usually a great choice.