4 Best Budget Smartwatch Models for Less Than $250 (2026)

Why WIRED recommends: You get a smartwatch with a gently curved design that’s almost identical to the original Versa but with the welcome return of a physical button. The 1.58-inch AMOLED display touchscreen is large and vibrant, and battery life lasts up to six days.

As for fitness tracking, the Versa 4 is equipped with a built-in GPS to track outdoor workouts and motion sensors to log indoor swims. Google Health Coach offers AI-powered coaching and insights that provide a holistic view of your health and wellness. Lastly, you get access to a suite of Google apps, including Amazon Alexa, Google Maps, and contactless payments with Google Wallet.

The trade-offs: Automatic activity tracking supports only 40 exercise modes, which is fewer than many other fitness trackers. There are no third-party apps or music controls. Voice and texting features are limited to Android users. Finally, it’s water-resistant only up to 50 meters.

Honorable Mentions

Amazfit Bip 6 for $79: Former editor Adrienne So liked the Bip 6 for its aesthetic, responsive AMOLED screen, week-long battery life, and 140 sport modes. She did find its fitness-tracking capabilities and the Zepp app to be occasionally inaccurate. If you’re willing to spend $20 more, get the Amazfit Active 2 instead.

Google Fitbit Charge 6 for $160: The Fitbit Charge 6 remains one of the best entry-level fitness trackers, packed with just enough features to build healthy habits without overwhelming you with data. Its heart rate tracking held up well against more expensive devices in testing, and it can even connect to compatible gym equipment, including Peloton bikes and NordicTrack treadmills. The Charge 6 is now a couple of years old—it launched in 2023—and the Fitbit Air offers most of these features at a lower price point. But if you’re looking for a fitness tracker with a screen, consider the Charge 6. If you don’t care for a built-in GPS, the Fitbit Inspire 3 costs less than $100 and is just as accurate.

Samsung Galaxy Watch FE for $226: The Galaxy Watch FE is a fine budget Wear OS smartwatch. The 40-mm model has a smaller screen that doesn’t get as bright, and it’s equipped with a slower processor and a smaller battery compared with the Watch7 series. The battery lasts just about a day, if not a little less. The health sensors are almost the same, and Gear editor Julian Chokkattu got accurate results for heart rate and sleep tracking.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu