Some folks still wear watches just to tell the time, but honestly? Not us. It’s 2025, and smartwatches have basically moved in on our wrists—counting steps, tracking heartbeats, and nudging us to stand up when we’d rather just chill.
Getting a smartwatch used to mean spending more than our weekly grocery haul. Now, there are actually some decent options for less than $100.
Cheap doesn’t always mean junk, but picking a good smartwatch in this price range takes a little strategy. We always check battery life and whether it actually works with our phones.
We paid close attention to details—like which sensors work, which watches don’t freeze up after every update, and whether the whole thing just makes sense for a regular day. We researched, compared, and tested a bunch of models to find the smartwatches under $100 actually worth wearing.
Best Smartwatches Under $100
Let’s be real, we all want tech that looks cool and keeps us on track—without torching our bank accounts. We rounded up the best smartwatches under $100 so our wrists can be happy, and our wallets can finally relax.
If you want a smartwatch that keeps you connected, tracks your workouts, and still leaves you enough cash for coffee, this Jacoosa deserves a look.
Pros
Big, bright touchscreen—easy to read and friendly for fat thumbs
Call and message notifications, so you won’t miss the group chat drama
Over 120 sports modes—if you invent a new sport, it’s probably on the list
Cons
The app tests our patience more than assembling flat-pack furniture
Syncing can be a bit fussy, especially for Android folks
Speaker brings calls to your wrist, which is cool… unless everyone hears mom yelling
Wearing the Jacoosa makes us feel a little like secret agents (just with more steps and less danger). That big, colorful screen is easy to read, even when we’re squinting on the run or sneaking glances at red lights (not that we’d recommend that).
Switching up the watch face with a favorite selfie is a blast—who doesn’t want their pet’s face staring back while pretending to count calories?
Answering calls on our wrist feels oddly satisfying, though maybe a bit awkward at the gym. Notifications from our favorite apps show up smoothly, so we never miss when the group chat gets spicy.
There’s no shortage of fitness features, with what feels like a bazillion sports modes. If only taking the stairs counted as mountain climbing.
Of course, it’s not perfect. The Da Fit app could win “Most Likely To Cause Eye-Rolling.” Syncing sometimes needs a little gentle persuasion, and we’d love a better manual—figuring out the buttons took some guesswork.
Still, this Jacoosa does what we want, survives plenty of sweaty days, and doesn’t destroy our wallets.
Looking for a cheap smartwatch that actually does a lot? This one’s like bringing a Swiss Army knife to a tech party.
Pros
Bright, big display—easy on the eyes, even pre-coffee
Battery lasts longer than most people’s patience
Handles calls and notifications, so you don’t miss anything (like pizza coupons)
Cons
Connecting to phones felt like teaching grandparents TikTok—sometimes smooth, sometimes… not
Health stats aren’t always spot-on (our dinner counted as 150 steps)
Weather info thinks we live at the North Pole
Unboxing this watch, we were honestly surprised by how sharp the display looked. It’s huge—if we had to squint, we’d worry about ourselves, not the watch.
Swiping and tapping feels smooth. Setting up custom watch faces made us feel way more stylish than we probably are for under $100.
It handles calls and messages like a champ. No more digging for our phone every five minutes—wrist notifications make us feel downright futuristic.
Calls come through loud and clear, even when we’re drowning in laundry (which is, let’s face it, always).
The battery life is great. We went a solid week between charges and didn’t have to haul a charger everywhere like we’re tethered to the wall.
Setting up with the app took a little patience, but once in, health tracking was fun to check—even if our “steps” mysteriously increased during lunch.
There are more sports modes here than most people need, but hey, it’s nice to know the watch is ready if we ever decide to take up rock climbing or, let’s be honest, serious couch lounging.
If you want a feature-packed smartwatch that won’t make your wallet cry, the WeurGhy Smartwatch is a solid pick—even if your dog walks and dinner prep get counted as marathon training.
Battery life that sticks around like the one friend who never leaves the party early
Cons
Health tracking accuracy could use a tune-up (our step count probably includes fridge trips)
The app experience makes us wish we had a developer on speed dial
The square face isn’t everyone’s cup of tea
Setting up the LICYAPO was simple, even for us serial button mashers. It paired with our phones faster than we could forget our Wi-Fi password, and syncing messages was almost too easy.
We had fun swapping out 100+ watch faces—uploading a dog pic for a personal touch is always tempting.
Notifications from our favorite apps like WhatsApp and Instagram showed up on the big, bright screen. Making and answering calls felt straight out of a spy movie, even if it confused people nearby.
It’s surprisingly handy for tracking daily steps, heart rate, and sleep (though we’re not sure it understands our “laying-lifeless-on-the-couch” routine).
We noticed a few quirks. The health metrics sometimes made us wonder if we’d accidentally run a marathon in our sleep.
The companion app looks like it was designed before touchscreen phones, but at least it covers the basics. For less than $100, this little gadget brings plenty of smartwatch goodness to our days without making our wallets weep.
Want a no-nonsense smartwatch that’s affordable, easy to use, and keeps you from missing texts while microwaving popcorn? The GRV is a solid pick.
Pros
Quick and easy to pair with phones—no tech headaches
Tough enough to survive accidental meetings with walls
Lets us customize the watch face, so our dog finally gets some wrist real estate
Cons
The companion app is as confusing as IKEA instructions
Can’t answer messages from the watch—just read them
Step tracking doesn’t work if we get creative with where we wear it (like on our ankle)
The GRV Smart Watch for iOS and Android won us over right away with its giant touch screen. Our chubby thumbs fit just fine.
Setting it up took about as long as brewing a cup of coffee, and suddenly our wrists buzzed with texts, weather alerts, and gentle reminders that sitting for hours isn’t great for humans.
The fitness tracking is surprisingly handy. It tracks our outdoor jogs, indoor couch-athletics, and everything between, all while pretending to be a much fancier watch.
We’ve smacked it against walls more than once, but it still looks new—so “wristwatch survival” gets a big thumbs up from us.
We appreciate how waterproof it is. Washing our hands or sweating through a workout doesn’t make us worry.
The battery life isn’t mind-blowing, but we get several days before needing another charge. Want to change the watch face to your cat’s selfie or last weekend’s pizza? Go wild—it’s easier than digging for your phone at the bottom of your bag.
If you want to join the smart wrist revolution and keep your wallet happy, the GRV Smart Watch gives you most of what really matters, with just enough style to get a nod from both techies and grandmas.
If you’re on the hunt for a budget smartwatch that doesn’t scream “toy,” this one keeps things stylish and actually useful.
Pros
The clear, big screen is easy on the eyes (and makes life easier for those of us with glasses).
Call and message alerts pop up reliably—no more missing out on the latest group chat drama.
It’s so lightweight that sometimes we totally forget we’re even wearing it.
Cons
Voice assist hides somewhere deep in the settings—good luck finding it.
Swimming with it? You might want to double-check that “waterproof” promise.
No built-in GPS, so you’ll have to trust your own sense of direction on runs.
Wearing the UAUE T60 honestly surprised us. The 1.91-inch display is bright and big, so we can see texts and time even if we left our glasses at home.
Swapping watch faces is weirdly entertaining—almost as fun as actually getting our steps in.
Answering calls on the wrist feels futuristic, especially for a watch under $100. Notifications show up quickly, and being able to control music from the watch means less phone digging, which is a win.
Charging isn’t a daily chore either. The battery lasts nearly a week, so it’s easy to forget where you put the charger.
We love how light it feels, though the manual convinced us to give up on any synchronized swimming dreams. If you dig around in the settings long enough, you’ll eventually find the voice assist, but it’s hardly front and center.
For regular fitness tracking and a setup that won’t make you want to scream, it’s a solid pick for anyone who wants a fun, functional smartwatch without blowing the budget.
If you want a budget smartwatch that covers the basics and helps you look a bit fancier, this one does the trick.
Pros
It tracks steps, heart rate, and those questionable sleep patterns.
Feels comfy enough for all-day wear and guilt-free gym selfies.
You get lots of watch faces, so there’s always one to match your mood (or your questionable outfit).
Cons
You can’t reply to messages—just read them and pretend you’ll answer later.
Some watch faces are, well, pretty useless.
The touchscreen sometimes makes you wish you were using your phone instead.
Let’s be real: sometimes we just want a smartwatch that doesn’t look like a cereal box prize. The Choiknbo actually looks pretty sharp.
The large screen stands out, but it doesn’t feel like you’re wearing a tablet on your wrist.
Syncing with our phone was easy, and notifications on the wrist let us pretend we’re busier than we really are. Even if it’s just another meme from a group chat.
We wore it to work, on runs, and even while washing dishes. It handled our less-than-gentle lifestyle just fine.
Fitness tracking keeps us honest about all those “active” minutes. Most of them are probably just power-walking to the fridge, but hey, it counts.
After chasing the kids or the cat, it keeps a pretty accurate step count. There are more watch faces than moods we have on a Monday.
You can’t text back from this watch, so your witty replies have to wait. But for checking messages, setting timers before dinner burns, or barking at Alexa for the weather, it keeps things simple.
If you put it to the test, the Gydom lasts about a week before begging for a charge. That’s long enough for most of us to forget where the charger even is.
Wearing the Blackview Rugged Adventure Watch kind of makes us feel like secret agents—if secret agents had to answer texts from their moms.
The huge battery means we basically forgot where we left the charger. The flashlight is surprisingly handy when we can’t find the light switch in the middle of the night.
Switching straps is easy, so you don’t have to pick between looking sporty or a bit more sophisticated. Answering calls from your wrist never gets old, though we did scratch our heads a few times learning the menus.
The compass is a nice touch for when we get lost in the woods—or just the mall parking lot. Sure, it’s bulkier than some other watches, but honestly, we feel pretty cool wearing it.
For under $100, it nails the basics and then some. Not bad for anyone who wants more features without breaking the bank (or the watch).
If you’re looking for a feature-packed watch that won’t kill your budget or your patience, the Quican smartwatch is worth a look.
Pros
Alexa is built-in, so you can talk to your wrist and look extra techy.
The battery life finally lets you escape the charging cable.
Tons of sports modes, so whatever exercise phase you’re in, it’s got you covered.
Cons
The screen can develop weird lines if you’re unlucky—it happened to one of us.
You can’t answer texts, so your thumbs stay on your phone.
Setup is easy, unless Bluetooth pairing hates you.
Wearing the Quican smartwatch for a few days almost convinced us we belong in a sci-fi movie. Asking Alexa about the weather while tying our shoes is a little thrill we didn’t know we needed.
The display stays clear even when the sun is being obnoxious. Navigating the screens feels smooth.
Fitness tracking is easy—whether you’re walking, running, splashing around, or just checking if your heart survived the last workout. The watch sticks with us through sweat, splashes, and the drama of washing our hands for the millionth time.
The battery lasted a full week before we remembered where the charger was hiding. That’s impressive.
Not everything is perfect, though. We liked the buzzing notifications, but couldn’t reply “LOL” from the screen. Sometimes, the screen turns into a fuzzy abstract art piece for no reason. Still, for this price, and with Alexa ready to judge our step count, it’s a solid bet for anyone smartwatch-curious on a budget.
If you want to impress your friends with a smartwatch but refuse to spend more than you’d tip a pizza delivery guy, the Motast P99 is a wild gamble.
Pros
Calls and texts work straight from your wrist, so you can pretend you’re in a spy movie.
The huge screen and endless watch face choices keep things fun.
The battery lasts longer than our attention span.
Cons
The app tries way too hard (and apparently wants your bank info, which is a little much).
Fitness tracking isn’t exactly accurate if you’re just waving your arms around.
Connecting and syncing can really test your patience.
Setting up the Motast P99 didn’t make us want to throw it out the window—but it came close. It surprised us with how easy it was to answer calls, check messages, and mess around with custom watch faces.
Swapping designs is addictive, especially during boring meetings. While tracking steps, we noticed the watch congratulated us for furious desk-typing and some intense dishwashing.
It’s not the most accurate, but it’s better at tracking sleep and heart rate. At least, it tells us we need more rest (which we already knew).
Unfortunately, the app asks for things we wouldn’t share on a first date—like our bank card. Getting the watch to sync can take as long as making sourdough from scratch, and sometimes it just refuses to cooperate.
Still, with a battery that keeps going and a price that doesn’t break the bank (unless you give it your info), we get why some might take the risk.
Buying Guide
Let’s be honest—we all want the best deal, especially when we’re working with less than $100.
Nobody wants to end up with a “dumbwatch” by accident. So, it’s worth checking the features before clicking buy.
Battery life really matters. Who wants to charge their watch every single night? I’d say shoot for at least 3–5 days per charge so you’re not tied to an outlet.
Display quality sneaks up on you. If your watch looks like it’s stuck in the ‘80s, you’ll probably hate using it. Go for a bright, clear screen that you can actually see outside.
Notifications? Those are huge. If you’re not getting texts, calls, or app alerts, why bother? Double-check if the watch even works with your phone—some only play nice with Android or iPhone, not both.
Feature
What to Look For
Battery Life
3–5 days or more
Display
Bright, easy to read
Notifications
Texts, calls, apps
Fitness Tracking
Steps, heart rate, sleep
Water Resistance
Splash-proof or better
Fitness tracking is a must-have for most folks. You’ll want basics like step counting and heart rate. If it tracks sleep or nudges you to move, that’s a bonus.
Don’t skip water resistance. Nobody wants their watch ruined just by washing their hands or getting caught in the rain.
And please, don’t forget the band. If it digs into your skin or feels like a medieval trap, you’ll leave it on your dresser—no matter how “smart” it claims to be.
Hi, my name is Garrett Jones, and I am a tech enthusiast. I enjoy researching the new tech that has been released, and have a vast knowledge of the best tech to purchase.
From a young age, I have always had a big interest in technology, and this blog is an extension of that interest. Through this blog, I hope to provide others with all of the information they need regarding tech options to consider, and things such as compatibility. Some of the different items I will be discussing include headphones, smartwatches, and how to fix common issues.
