Whether you’re looking for a device to keep you on track with your fitness goals or one that lets you stay connected without having to constantly check your phone, the ones on our list have you covered. In this article, we shall look at some of the best budget smartwatches under $200. But first, you might want to check out the following:
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1. Amazfit GTS 4 Mini
Supported Devices: Android + iOS LTE Connectivity: No | Bluetooth Phone Calls: No
As the name suggests, the Amazfit GTS 4 Mini is the smaller version of the bigger GTS 4 watch. However, that “mini” factor is mainly in terms of the screen size. You get a 1.65-inch HD AMOLED display here, adequate for easy navigation, and bright enough for outdoor usage. There’s an in-built GPS along with over 120 sports modes along with an oximeter to measure your SpO2. The GTS 4 Mini also comes with a water-resistance grade of 5 ATM. As such, you can easily go for a swim while wearing this watch, without having to worry about any damage. Another thing you don’t have to worry about is the battery life. With a claimed 15-day battery life, you won’t have to keep a charger handy.
2. Amazfit T-Rex 2
Supported Devices: Android + iOS LTE Connectivity: No | Bluetooth Phone Calls: No
The Amazfit T-Rex 2 is easily one of the best-rugged smartwatches out there, even if you compare it to more expensive options. The watch has passed 15 military-grade tests, comes with 10 ATM water resistance, 150+ sports modes, and has a huge 24-day battery life. It can work in high temperatures of up to 70°C and lows of -40°C. In fact, the watch was sent to space as well, and it still functioned just fine. Another thing you want from a smartwatch while going on an adventure is good GPS tracking. The T-Rex 2 comes with dual-band positioning and support for six satellite positioning systems. As a result, you get more precise positioning. Add to that, the watch also comes with its own compass and barometric altimeter. Available in a handful of army-styled colors, the Amazfit T-Rex 2 is great for folks who want a watch that complements their adventurous lifestyle.
3. Fitbit Versa 4
Supported Devices: Android + iOS LTE Connectivity: No | Bluetooth Phone Calls: Yes
The 1.34-inch screen size of the Fitbit Versa 4 might seem a bit small for the ton of features that it packs in. You get a built-in GPS with support for over 40 exercise modes. Then there’s the other set of sensors including a heart rate monitor, sleep tracker, and activity tracker. It also helps in tracking the menstrual cycle and SpO2. One unique feature of the Fitbit Versa 4 is that you have support for Google Maps on this. So, if you’re walking somewhere while navigating using Google Maps, you’ll get directions for it straight on your smartwatch. Speaking of Google, there’s support for Google Pay on this watch as well. And while there’s no LTE connectivity here, you can still answer calls via Bluetooth using this. Of course, what makes the whole experience even better is the Fitbit app. It has one of the best UIs out there, is super intuitive, and gives you detailed stats about all your activities. You also get a Daily Readiness score to help you realize if your body is ready for a hectic workout or if it requires rest.
4. Amazfit GTR 4
Supported Devices: Android + iOS LTE Connectivity: No | Bluetooth Phone Calls: Yes
The Amazfit GTR 4 comes with a one-piece metallic middle frame with a 1.43-inch HD AMOLED display. There are more than 200 watch faces available, and you also get support for the always-on display. Speaking of support, you get support for over 150 sports modes with smart recognition of sports and strength training exercises. One of the major USPs of this watch is its tracking. The GTR 4 comes with Dual-band Circularly-polarized GPS Antenna along with support for six satellite positioning systems. It can also track your path and help you guide the way back. For context, this is the same multi-band GPS tracking that you find on the Apple Watch Ultra.
5. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
Supported Devices: Android LTE Connectivity: Yes | Bluetooth Phone Calls: Yes
The Galaxy Watch 4 features Samsung’s Wear OS 3 operating system. As such, you have access to a large selection of apps and widgets. There’s also support for Google Assistant and Samsung’s Bixby voice assistant. Apart from that, it also includes advanced fitness tracking features, such as GPS, heart rate monitoring, and sleep tracking. You also get support for LTE connectivity, a feature not seen otherwise on smartwatches in this price segment. One of the standout features of the Galaxy Watch 4 is its ability to monitor body composition through Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) technology, which provides a detailed breakdown of body fat percentage, muscle mass, and more. As for payments, there’s support for Samsung Pay as well. And for battery, while the 40 hours is a little on the lower side, you have support for convenient wireless charging. Unlike most smartwatches on this list, the Galaxy Watch 4 doesn’t work with iPhones. Even for Android devices that are not from Samsung, users have reported the Galaxy Wearables companion app to drain the battery. However, if you already own a Samsung smartphone, the Galaxy Watch 4 fits in perfectly in the ecosystem.
6. Garmin Vivoactive 4
Supported Devices: Android + iOS LTE Connectivity: No | Bluetooth Phone Calls: No
Most fitness enthusiasts would agree that there are only a handful of companies that can outshine Fitbit in terms of tracking. One of them is Garmin. The Vivoactive 4 offers great fitness and health tracking, with detailed stats. You even benefit from accurate sleep tracking. In fact, Android Authority goes on to call it one of the most accurate smartwatches in this segment. One major highlight of this Garmin watch is that you get Pulse Ox sensors. Unlike the previous generations, these sensors work all day and all night. So, apart from the standard 24×7 heart-rate monitoring, you can also track your SpO2 levels all the time. However, do keep in mind that the Garmin Vivoactive 4, or any smartwatch for that matter, is not a replacement for medical devices. Other than that, you have support for Garmin Pay as well as onboard music storage. A single week’s battery life is not as great as what Amazfit offers. But then again, you’re paying primarily for the best-in-class tracking here, and then settling for everything else.
7. Apple Watch SE (2nd-gen)
Supported Devices: iOS LTE Connectivity: No | Bluetooth Phone Calls: No
The Apple Watch SE (2nd-gen) brings about all the essential features of Apple’s premium smartwatches in a budget-friendly package. You get support for heart-rate monitoring, cycle tracking, and basic sleep tracking. It also has the crash detection feature found on newer Apple Watches. However, unlike its competitors, there’s no support for tracking your SpO2 levels. However, where the Apple Watch excels is the software and fluidity. As noted by Digital Trends, it is super smooth to use and syncs perfectly with your iPhone. You also get access to hundreds of apps that you can download and use straight from your Watch SE (2nd-gen). As for battery life, two-day battery life isn’t great by any means. But it’s double what the earlier watches offered, so there’s that.
Tracking on a Budget
With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right smartwatch for yourself. But we’ve done the research for you and narrowed down some of the best smartwatches under $200. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, a busy professional, or simply someone who wants to stay connected on the go, there’s a smartwatch on this list that will meet your needs. So which of these budget smartwatches will you be going with? Let us know in the comments below. The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
