We’ve long expected the watch on our wrist to do more than just tell the time and date, and as all of our devices become ever smarter than before, many smartwatches have become an essential everyday part of our lives.
A good smartwatch is more than just to get your smartphone notifications on a wearable. They have almost all of the features that you have in your phone, and sometimes more. It can be an (almost) ‘everything’ device: an activity and fitness tracker with GPS, a voice-activated internet browser, a wallet, and in some cases even a phone.
Table of Contents
Comparison Table
| PRODUCT | FEATURES | LATEST PRICE |
|---|---|---|
1. TicWatch S2  |
| Check Price |
2. Polar M200  |
| Check Price |
3. Amazfit Bip  |
| Check Price |
4. Yamay Smartwatch  |
| Check Price |
5. Garmin Vivoactive 3  |
| Check Price |
6. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active  |
| Check Price |
7. Samsung Gear S2  |
| Check Price |
8. AERFA Smartwatch  |
| Check Price |
9. Amazfit GTS Fitness  |
| Check Price |
As the popularity of smartwatches has grown, tech manufacturers have sought to incorporate more user-friendly features. But that doesn’t necessarily mean an increasing price. The options at the budget end of the market under $150 are growing. While they may not have every feature, they all offer more than enough to keep you, and your bank balance, happy. With so many options available, knowing which one is the best is not a simple task. So, we’re here to help.
Our Best Smartwatch Under 150 Reviews and Comparisons
1. Polar M200
Product Highlights
Polar M200 is one of the most affordable running watches that money can buy and you’ll find it includes almost all of the fitness features you’ll want from a smartwatch.
There’s an integrated GPS for speed, distance, and route tracking, and even a customizable running plan.
You can monitor and track your health and fitness activities and general wellness 24/7, even while you sleep with an optical heart rate sensor.
Features
- Android/iOS Compatible
- 6 Days Battery Life
- Integrated GPS
- Optical Heart Rate Sensor
- 24/7 Activity Monitoring
- Running Program
What We Like About Polar M200
It may not have all the bells and whistles, but if fitness is the main aim for you then Polar M200 is an affordable choice that offers a variety of top features.
Not only does it have inbuilt accurate GPS, but with seamless communication via Bluetooth Smart to the Polar Flow app on mobile devices, you can track your activities in even more depth. FlowSync is compatible with Mac OS X 10.6 or later and Windows XP, 7, 8, 10.
What We Don’t Like About Polar M200
We found the GPS could be a little slow at times. The 1-inch round face and the UI display screen look a bit dated. The design isn’t as premium as some of Polar’s other devices. And if you want smartphone notifications and standalone apps it isn’t for you.
PROS
- Very simple to use
- Good battery life
- Accurate heart rate with no need for a separate device
- A great beginners’ smartwatch
CONS
- Not pairing properly
- No water-resistance rating
2. Amazfit Bip
Product Highlights
The Amazfit Bip is the third best-selling Smartwatch in the world, and at the price, it’s not difficult to see why.
It has a good 1.28-inch bright display and is compatible with both Android and iOS. On-board GPS and optical heart monitoring let you track daily step count, distance traveled, calories burned, and sleep quality. Plus, there are four different sport modes: outdoor running, treadmill, cycling, and walking which give detailed insights into your likely most frequent activities.
As for the battery life, even with an always-on display, at over 30 days it’s easily the longest of the smartwatches that we reviewed.
Features
- Android/iOS Compatible
- 6 Days Battery Life
- Integrated GPS
- Optical Heart Rate Sensor
- 24/7 Activity Monitoring
- 4 Sport Modes
- IP68 Water-Resistant
What We Like About Amazfit Bip
The stylish design is reminiscent of an Apple Watch. Sure, it doesn’t do nearly as much, but what it does do, it does well.
There are lots of activity and fitness features for cyclists and runners, including a heart rate sensor. There are even some smart notifications from your phone and a weather report.
Add in that amazing battery life, and Amazfit Bip offers incredible value for money.
What We Don’t Like About Amazfit Bip
While its MiFit companion app is good, additional or 3rd party apps aren’t possible. We found the UI a little fiddly, and the auto-pause feature was unreliable.
PROS
- Extremely lightweight
- A very comfortable and soft band that fits well
- See texts without having to look at your phone
- Activity and sleep tracker are good for recovery as well as exercise
CONS
- Low-resolution screen
- Problem syncing with MiFit app
3. TicWatch S2
Product Highlights
This 2019 Reddot Design Award Winner is probably THE smartwatch for outdoor activities. It’s certified by US Military Standard 810G to withstand extreme conditions and environments: high and low-temperature resistance, anti-shock, humidity-proof, sand & dust-proof, etc.
Powered by Google’s Wear OS for IOS 9.3+ Android 4.4+, there’s 512 MB RAM/4GB RO. Download and sync Google Fit and TicMotion to get motivated, stay balanced, and track your health right from your wrist. Workout without your phone thanks to its 24-hour heart rate monitor and onboard GPS.
Features
- Wear OS by Google
- Optical Heart Rate
- 3 Integrated GPS
- Fitness App
- Google Assistant
- 5 ATM Waterproof
What We Like About TicWatch S2
TicWatch S2 provides independent navigation while running and cycling with 3 built-in GPS systems (GPS/Glonass/Beidou). This allows you to accurately track your performance with stats like steps, speed, distance, calories burned, and much more. And if you’re a swimmer it is 5 ATM Waterproof; up to 50 meters.
But it’s not all about the outdoors and fitness. Download your favorite apps via Google Store and stay in the moment. With Smart Ways, you’ll receive notifications and see who’s calling, without pulling out your phone. Even more than that, there’s Google Assistant built-in.
What We Don’t Like About TicWatch S2
It’s not quite the full Google experience as there’s no speaker for Google Assistant (or for other features). And the lack of NFC means you can’t use Google Pay on the watch.
Unfortunately, with a fully-loaded top gun like this, don’t expect too much battery like, because you’ll only get around two days of battery life.
PROS
- Top-notch features at an incredible price
- A good alternative to a stand-alone activity tracker
- Versatile watch
- Easy to use and strong
CONS
- Easy to use only once set-up which took 30 minutes!
- Only 2 days battery life
4. Yamay Smartwatch
Product Highlights
You might not have heard about Yamay but it deserves to get your attention. This smartwatch is an unbelievable bargain for what you get for the price.
It comes with a 1.3-inch TFT LCD Screen that is easy to control, and a choice of 4 stylish faces. It has 14 different modes for tracking activity, connecting to your smartphone’s GPS for distance tracking. Also, it continuously monitors your heart the whole day and is IP68 water-resistant for swimming. You can sync the data with your phone via VeryFitPro to Google Fit.
Also included is a dedicated Female Health Tracker and Reminder whereby women can record and track their menstrual cycle.
Features
- Optical Heart Rate
- Female Health Tracker and Reminder
- Activity Monitoring
- 14 Exercise Modes
- IP68 Water-Resistant
What We Like About Yamay Smartwatch
Automatically track your all-day steps, calories, 24/7 heart rate, and sleep stages. There are 14 exercise modes to record workouts and connect to smartphone GPS for even more precise real-time pace & distance.
Compatible with iOS 8.0 and Android 4.4 and above to get call, text, calendar, and smartphone app notifications when your phone is nearby. Yamay Smartwatch
is slim with a lightweight, anodized aluminum body and a soft breathable band that is very comfortable when wearing
The 210mAh battery charges in 2 hours to give you 7-10 days of active use and 30 days standby.
What We Don’t Like About Yamay Smartwatch
At this price, with this number of features, something’s got to give, and it’s the display, which is far from the best.
With no in-built GPS, you’ll need to have your phone with you to track your exercise. We found that there were some pairing and connectivity issues. Both were inconsistent and patchy.
PROS
- Sleek look
- Comfortable fit
- Durable screen
- Minimal functions mean a minimal learning curve
CONS
- App drained my phone battery and not the watch
- The heart rate feature is way off. Very inaccurate
5. Garmin Vivoactive 3
Product Highlights
As you’d expect from Garmin, this is one of the best fitness-focused smartwatches available in the market right now.
It has more than 15 preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps, including yoga, running, swimming, and more. You can easily customize and manage the activity screen to all your favorites with laps, heart-rate, and target zones.
Personalize the always-on watch face with thousands of free options, apps, and widgets from the Garmin Connect IQ store.
Features
- Optical Heart Rate
- Integrated GPS
- Highly Customizable
- 15 Preloaded Fitness Apps
- Contactless Garmin Pay
- 5ATM Water-Resistant
What We Like About Garmin Vivoactive 3
The 1.2-inch Garmin Chroma Display is easy to read and housed under extra-durable Corning Gorilla Glass. The clear display lets you easily monitor your fitness level with VO2 max and fitness tracking and plans. For swimming too, with water-resistance to 50 meters. It even lets you keep an eye on how you handle stress.
It goes beyond just tracking activities though. The automatic goal-setting feature looks at your level of activity during a certain period and sets goals for improvement based on past achievements. This encourages you to do more while making the goals realistic.
Garmin Vivoactive 3 gives you a host of connected features such as smart notifications, automatic uploads to Garmin Connect, Live Track, and more when paired with a compatible smartphone. And with Garmin Pay contactless payment solution, you can pay for purchases with your watch.
What We Don’t Like About Garmin Vivoactive 3
We had trouble syncing the first watch. When we did manage to with the second, we found there to be a few bugs.
Seeing as it’s well-loaded with other features that let you exercise independent of your phone, it’s a shame that it doesn’t have onboard music storage.
PROS
- Loads of customizable options
- Rugged and strong
- Accurately tracks sleep, even naps
- Helps you set achievable goals
CONS
- Apps only worked some of the time
- Inaccurate swim tracking
6. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active
Product Highlights
A Samsung Galaxy Watch for less than $150? Yup, that’s right! What’s more, the high-end design makes it more suitable for both daily life activities as well as working out.
For fitness freaks, there’s an advanced workout tracking to help you optimize workouts and monitor your progress by tracking up to 40 exercises. It automatically detects up to 6 exercises and is suitable for swimming.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active also monitors your heart and sends real-time alerts in the event of irregular activity. It also assists you to find out your right sleep pattern.
Features
- Optical Heart Rate
- Integrated GPS
- Activity Monitoring
- 40 Exercises Tracking
- Music Storage
- IP68 Dust and Water-Resistant
What We Like About Samsung Galaxy Watch Active
The stylish design features a decent touchscreen, good fitness tracking, and other features that you’d expect from Samsung.
With on-board GPS and music storage you can be completely phone-free when exercising if that’s what you prefer.
When paired with your phone you get all the usual smart notifications, and the battery life isn’t at all bad at 72 hours on standby.
What We Don’t Like About Samsung Galaxy Watch Active
If you’re already familiar with other Samsung smartwatches then you might be disappointed with the absence of their signature rotating bezel.
Likewise, with its low capabilities and compatibility for use with non-Samsung phones and third-party apps other than Samsung. Also, this international version does not have Samsung Pay pre-installed and there doesn’t appear to be a workaround to be able to install it.
PROS
- Sleek and stylish
- Highly recommended product if you have S9 and above smartphone
- Loads of screen faces choosing from
- Good monitoring of your rest and recovery as well as exercise
CONS
- Study the warranty carefully as it’s an international version
- Battery drains quickly with the use
7. Samsung Gear S2
Product Highlights
If you’re going to go with a Samsung to pair with your phone, then the Gear S2 is the better option. With an eye-catching design, beautiful display, solid health tracking, and slightly better battery life than the Galaxy Watch Active.
It’s one of the best-designed wrist smart gadgets in the market. It also features a rotating navigation bezel to provide quick and easy access to notifications, apps, and widgets. It also has numerous advanced features like calendar appointments, fitness tracking, smart notifications, media playback, weather, alarms, and much more.
Track your fitness, check sports scores, skim restaurant reviews, and more. Not only with your Samsung. The Gear S2 is compatible with most Android and iOS devices, so you can sync your devices and get more out of every moment of your day.
Features
- Optical Heart Rate
- Integrated GPS
- Activity Monitoring
- Music Storage
- IP68 Dust and Water-Resistant
What We Like About Samsung Gear S2
The durable design is suitable for all of the demands of your day. Made of durable stainless steel and scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass, its IP68 rated to withstand dust and water. That makes it also sweat-resistant, so you can get the most out of your workouts and confidently wear the Gear S2 to the gym and whatever your work happens to be.
The 360 x 360 pixel AMOLED touchscreen of the Gear S2 offers crisper images and sharper text on the same compact 1.2-inch display as the Galaxy Watch Active. And its OS Tizen based wearable platform with processor dual-core 1GHz Exynos 3250 processor means that its all-round performance and speed is better.
Enjoy convenient built-in wireless charging. Simply place your Samsung Gear S2 on the included wireless charging dock to power up.
What We Don’t Like About Samsung Gear S2
With only 3 customizable faces, perhaps its design is not as fun as its Galaxy Watch Active stablemate.
There’s no speaker, and you can’t make calls on the watch alone.
PROS
- Gorgeous high-resolution screen with beautiful color rendition
- Comes with 4 same-color bands of different lengths
- Voice-activation
- Improved battery life
CONS
- Samsung app store is much more limited in comparison to the mass of Android Wear apps in the Play Store
- Heart rate monitor is not very accurate and you have to tell it to start tracking
8. AERFA Smartwatch
Product Highlights
The 1.3-inch display screen of this classy and stylish watch has full HD touch operating mode. There are 11 HD dial themes for you to choose from to best match your personal style.
As a Bluetooth call smartwatch, you won’t miss any important calls. You can call or answer hands-free when out walking, running, cycling, and even swimming! By using high-fidelity waterproof speakers, it’s not affected even if the watch is immersed in water.
AERFA Smartwatch is also a very good fitness tracker that monitors heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen level.
Features
- Optical Heart Rate
- Integrated GPS
- Activity Monitoring
- Bluetooth Hand-Free Calling
- Quick Text Reply
- Music Storage
- IP68 Dust and Water-Resistant
What We Like About AERFA Smartwatch
The optical heart rate sensor accurately monitors heart rate and SpO2 blood oxygen anywhere and anytime to keep track of your body changes. Not just when exercising, but for sedentary and sleep analysis too.
You can also not only view texts but also quickly reply using a simple template (supported by Android phones only).
AERFA Smartwatch also has many additional features including a calculator, calendar, pedometer, stopwatch, and music player. You can also adjust the brightness not only of the watch but of your smartphone as well as the camera shutter remotely.
What We Don’t Like About AERFA Smartwatch
The text reply function does not support iOS phones. And it has problems connecting to its own proprietary mobile phone app.
PROS
- Excellent Bluetooth calling
- Ability to sync 400 contacts
- The metal band was easy to adjust and clasp
- Excellent post-sale service
CONS
- Low-res display
- Poorly designed mobile app
9. Amazfit GTS Fitness
Product Highlights
Slim and stylish, the metal watch body gives it a very premium look. The large AMOLED displays key information clearly at the center.
Amazfit GTS Fitness supports 12 sports modes, with all the mainstream exercises taken care of. With 5 ATM water resistance that includes swimming without any worry.
The precise optical heart rate monitoring allows you to accurately track real-time steps taken, all-day heart rate monitoring, distance traveled, calories burned, quality of sleep, and sleeping patterns
Features
- Optical Heart Rate
- Integrated GPS
- AMOLED Display
- 12 Sports Modes
- 5 ATM Waterproof
- 14 Days Battery Life
What We Like About Amazfit GTS Fitness
Amazfit GTS Fitness has a customizable 1.65-inch always-on AMOLED display. The stylish square screen offers a larger display area than a round watch face of the same width, so it can carry more information.
Bluetooth Music Control allows you to directly control music from your GTS smartwatch while workout without having to pull out your phone.
5 ATM Waterproof to a depth of 50 meters and supports multiple swimming scenarios. It can automatically recognize your swimming position, and record data like SWOLF, pace, and calorie consumption.
Amazfit GTS Fitness optimizes the power consumption of the components to bring long-lasting endurance of 14 days.
What We Don’t Like About Amazfit GTS Fitness
If you like a lot of customizable options, then this isn’t the one for you with only 2 default watch faces.
Also, if you like taking afternoon naps, the sleep monitor doesn’t track and record them.
PROS
- Light and comfortable
- Fast charging in 45 minutes
- Super long battery life
- Awesome monitor for a great fitness watch
CONS
- Complicated app
- Incompatible with Alexa and no call receiving
FINAL VERDICT
We selected the best that there is, taking into account all of the important considerations: design and personalization, OS and device compatibility, User Interface, health and fitness activity tracking, features, and notifications and alerts.
After putting them through their paces, thoroughly testing and reviewing, our final verdict on the best smartwatch for under $150 is TicWatch S2.
