Finding a decent fitness smartwatch without spending a fortune isn’t as impossible as it used to be, but the options can still be overwhelming. After spending months testing dozens of devices in this price range, I’ve put together this guide to cut through the marketing noise and focus on what actually matters: accurate tracking, battery life that won’t ruin your day, and apps that don’t feel like a punishment to use.
Quick Picks
If you just want the short answer:
Best Overall: Fitbit Charge 6 – The best balance of fitness features and everyday usability. Google Maps on your wrist is actually useful, and the heart rate tracking holds up during serious workouts.
Best Battery Life: Amazfit GTR 14 – Two weeks between charges. You literally forget it’s a gadget until you need it.
Best Budget: Fitbit Inspire 3 – Under $100 and covers everything most people actually need.
How I Tested
I wore each watch for at least two weeks. Real use, not just spec comparisons. Here’s what I checked:
- Heart rate accuracy – compared against a chest strap during runs and weight sessions
- Battery life – used them normally with always-on display, then tested power-saving modes
- Daily usability – how annoying is the app? Does it sync without fighting? Is it comfortable to sleep in?
- Value – does the price actually match what you’re getting?
Fitbit Charge 6 – Best Overall
The Charge 6 is the standard other budget fitness trackers get measured against. It’s not perfect, but it hits the sweet spot for most people.
Key Features:
- GPS tracking (connected, needs phone nearby)
- Heart rate monitoring with continuous tracking
- Sleep tracking with sleep stages and sleep score
- 40+ exercise modes
- Google integration (Maps, YouTube Music)
- 7-day battery life
- 5ATM water resistance
The Google Maps integration is genuinely useful for runners and cyclists who don’t want to carry their phone. You get turn-by-turn directions right on your wrist. The YouTube Music controls are nice for outdoor workouts too, though you can’t store music onboard.
Pros:
- Bright AMOLED display that’s easy to read outdoors
- Heart rate stayed within 3-4 bpm of my chest strap during intervals
- Comfortable band, even for all-day wear
- Sleep tracking gives you useful insights
- Charges to full in about 2 hours
Cons:
- Connected GPS means carrying your phone
- No onboard music storage
- It’s bulkier than slim band-style trackers
Battery Life: With always-on display, expect 5-6 days. Turn it off and you’ll get a full week. About 2 hours to charge from zero.
Fitness Tracking: Quick GPS lock-on (under 10 seconds in open areas). The device auto-recognizes walking, running, and swimming, which is convenient when you just want to start moving.
Amazfit GTR 4 – Best Battery Life
If charging your watch feels like a chore, this is the one. Two weeks of battery life isn’t a gimmick—it actually changes how you think about the device.
Key Features:
- Dual-band GPS (L1 + L5) for accuracy
- 14-day battery life
- 5ATM water resistance
- 150+ sports modes
- BioTracker 4.0 PPG sensor
- Offline voice assistant
- Bluetooth phone calls
The round watch face looks more like a traditional timepiece. The 1.43-inch AMOLED is bigger than most competitors, which makes reading notifications and workout stats actually doable without squinting.
Pros:
- That battery life is for real
- Dual-frequency GPS works well in cities with tall buildings
- The display is gorgeous
- Offline voice assistant doesn’t need WiFi
Cons:
- The Zepp app isn’t as polished as Fitbit’s
- No NFC payments
- Case might be too big for small wrists
Battery Life: I got 10 days with GPS on for an hour daily. With GPS off, two weeks is easy. Battery saver mode stretches it even further.
Fitness Tracking: The dual-band GPS is noticeably better than single-band in urban areas. Heart rate monitoring works well for steady activities, though it’s slightly less accurate than Fitbit during high-intensity intervals.
Display: The circular AMOLED is stunning. Colors pop, text is sharp, and the always-on display doesn’t destroy your battery.
Fitbit Inspire 3 – Best Budget Value
Sometimes you don’t need a computer on your wrist. The Inspire 3 strips away the extras and focuses on what matters—at less than half the price of premium options.
Key Features:
- Heart rate monitoring
- Sleep tracking with sleep stages
- SpO2 sensor
- 10-day battery life
- 20+ exercise modes
- Stress management tracking
- 5ATM water resistance
It’s incredibly light. Seriously, you forget you’re wearing it. This makes it perfect for sleep tracking, which is surprisingly detailed for the price.
Pros:
- Barely there on your wrist
- Sleep tracking rivals devices twice the price
- 10 days between charges
- Simple interface that doesn’t frustrate you
Cons:
- No built-in GPS
- Monochrome display
- Fewer smartwatch features than Charge 6
Battery Life: Ten days is realistic with normal use including sleep tracking. Charges in 1-2 hours.
Fitness Tracking: Accurate for basic tracking. Heart rate holds up during steady cardio but can lag a bit during HIIT. Sleep tracking gives you stages, score, and overnight SpO2.
Display: The vertical PMOLED is simple and functional. Not flashy, but easy to read and contributes to that excellent battery life.
Garmin Forerunner 55 – Best for Runners
Garmin knows GPS sports watches. The Forerunner 55 brings that expertise to a lower price point. If running is your thing, this delivers capabilities that other options in this range can’t touch.
Key Features:
- Dedicated GPS with route tracking
- Running dynamics and recovery suggestions
- Daily suggested workouts
- Body Battery energy monitoring
- 14-day battery life in smartwatch mode
- 20 hours in GPS mode
- 5ATM water resistance
It feels like a serious sports watch. Physical buttons matter when you’re sweating and touchscreen responsiveness fails. The sunlight-readable display works when you’re outside.
Pros:
- GPS accuracy is excellent
- Recovery suggestions help prevent overtraining
- Physical buttons work reliably
- Battery lasts forever in GPS mode
Cons:
- Not a full smartwatch
- Sleep tracking is basic compared to Fitbit
- No music features
Battery Life: 10-14 days in smartwatch mode. With GPS running, you get about 20 hours—enough for two marathons.
Fitness Tracking: Built for runners. GPS locks on fast and stays accurate. Daily suggested workouts adapt to your activity. Less comprehensive for gym or swimming work, but excels at outdoor running.
Display: The transreflective MIP is always readable in direct sunlight. Not as colorful as AMOLED, but incredibly functional for outdoor athletes.
Amazfit Band 7 – Best Fitness Band
The Band 7 bridges the gap between basic bands and full smartwatches. You get more than the essentials without a significant price jump.
Key Features:
- 1.47-inch AMOLED display
- 18-day battery life
- GPS via connected phone
- SpO2 monitoring
- Heart rate and stress tracking
- 120+ sports modes
- Alexa built-in
- 5ATM water resistance
The large colorful AMOLED makes it feel more premium than the price suggests. It’s closer to a proper smartwatch than a basic band.
Pros:
- Big, beautiful display
- 18-day battery is outstanding
- Covers all the fitness bases
- Built-in Alexa is convenient
Cons:
- Connected GPS only
- Zepp app feels cluttered
- No NFC everywhere
Battery Life: I got two weeks easily with always-on display. This matches the Inspire 3 for convenience.
Fitness Tracking: Everything is covered—heart rate, SpO2, stress, sleep, 120+ sports modes. Not as refined as Garmin or Fitbit for specific activities, but the breadth is impressive at this price.
Display: The 1.47-inch AMOLED is genuinely impressive for a band. Bright, colorful, makes interacting with it much better than tiny displays.
Garmin Venu Sq 2 – Best Hybrid
The Venu Sq 2 sits between fitness band and premium smartwatch. You get more smartwatch features than the Forerunner 55 while keeping Garmin’s fitness tracking.
Key Features:
- Built-in GPS
- 11-day battery life
- AMOLED display
- Music storage (500+ songs)
- Garmin Pay
- Sleep tracking with sleep score
- 25+ exercise modes
The square case gives you more screen space while staying relatively compact. It’s the most everyday Garmin at this price.
Pros:
- GPS works without your phone
- Onboard music storage
- Garmin Pay is convenient
- Solid fitness tracking with good battery
Cons:
- Bulkier than band-style trackers
- Higher price point
- Garmin Connect app has a learning curve
Battery Life: Eleven days in smartwatch mode. About 7 hours with GPS on.
Fitness Tracking: Garmin’s Body Battery aggregates stress, sleep, and activity to tell you when to train. GPS accuracy matches the Forerunner series, and you get more smartwatch features.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 – Best for Android
Often found on sale within this range, the Galaxy Watch 4 is worth considering for Android users who want the full Wear OS experience.
Key Features:
- Wear OS by Google
- BioActive sensor (heart rate, ECG, BIA)
- Built-in GPS
- Samsung Health ecosystem
- 40-hour battery life
- 5ATM water resistance
- Sleep tracking with snore detection
You get the full smartwatch experience—Google Maps, Google Assistant, third-party apps. It’s a real computer on your wrist.
Pros:
- Full Wear OS experience
- ECG and body composition sensors
- Excellent display
- Strong Android integration
Cons:
- Battery is much shorter than competitors
- Older model now
- Slower than newer watches
Battery Life: This is the trade-off. Expect 1-2 days with normal use. You’ll charge it every night.
Fitness Tracking: The BioActive sensor adds ECG and body composition—rare at this price. Standard tracking is solid, though Samsung Health isn’t as intuitive as Fitbit or Garmin.
Comparison Table
| Model | Price Range | Battery Life | GPS | Display | Water Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitbit Charge 6 | ~$160 | 7 days | Connected | AMOLED | 5ATM |
| Amazfit GTR 4 | ~$130 | 14 days | Built-in | AMOLED | 5ATM |
| Fitbit Inspire 3 | ~$100 | 10 days | Connected | PMOLED | 5ATM |
| Garmin Forerunner 55 | ~$200 | 14 days | Built-in | MIP | 5ATM |
| Amazfit Band 7 | ~$80 | 18 days | Connected | AMOLED | 5ATM |
| Garmin Venu Sq 2 | ~$250 | 11 days | Built-in | AMOLED | 5ATM |
What to Look For
Think about how you’ll actually use it:
Battery Life: Ranges from 1-2 days (full smartwatches) to 2-3 weeks (basic bands). Pick based on how much you hate charging.
GPS: Built-in GPS means tracking without your phone. Connected GPS saves battery but limits you.
Heart Rate Accuracy: Most devices are within 5-10% during steady activities. Accuracy varies more during intense interval work.
Sleep Tracking: Fitbit and Garmin lead here. Basic trackers give you data; premium models give you insights.
App Ecosystem: Your watch is only as good as its app. Fitbit’s is most intuitive. Garmin’s is best for serious athletes.
FAQ
What’s the best smartwatch under $150 for fitness?
Fitbit Charge 6 for most people. It balances fitness tracking, smartwatch features, and price better than anything else.
Are cheap smartwatches actually good for fitness?
Yes. Many under $150 track nearly as well as models costing three times more. The trade-offs are battery life (for full smartwatches), build quality, and app polish.
What features matter most?
Heart rate accuracy, GPS type, battery life matching your preferences, and sleep tracking quality if recovery matters to you.
Fitbit or Garmin?
Fitbit for everyday fitness and sleep. Garmin for serious athletic training with advanced metrics. Casual fitness users get better value from Fitbit in this price range.
Conclusion
The Fitbit Charge 6 is my top recommendation for most people. It covers bases without making you pay for things you won’t use.
Battery anxiety? The Amazfit GTR 4’s two-week life is unbeatable. Budget constraints? The Inspire 3 and Band 7 both punch above their weight.
The best watch is the one you’ll actually wear. All the metrics in the world don’t help if it’s sitting in a drawer. Think about how you’ll use it, check that the app works with your phone, and pick what fits your life.
