It's now become easier than ever to track and improve your fitness journey - introducing the best cheap fitness watch. Fitness trackers have become indispensable tools for enthusiasts and casual users alike. While high-end smartwatches boast a plethora of features, there's a growing demand for affordable options that deliver on quality without breaking the bank.
We're going to take you through the most affordable fitness watches, exploring the best options that offer an incredible bang for your buck. These devices are all packed with features that rival their more expensive counterparts, making them accessible to all fitness enthusiasts.
The best cheap fitness watch at a glance:
• Best overall cheap fitness watch: Honor Band 6 - View now on Amazon
• Best cheap Fitbit fitness watch: Fitbit Inspire 2 - View now on Amazon
• Best cheap fitness watch for small wrists: HUAWEI Band 4 - View now on Amazon
We understand that when it comes to health and fitness, investing wisely in gym essentials is crucial. The right fitness watch can act as your little companion during long runs or intense lifting sessions. They can also offer insights into your daily activity, monitoring your heart rate, tracking sleep patterns, and even motivating you to push your limits.
So, if you're eager to achieve your fitness goals, all while keeping an eye on your spending, read on and discover the perfect fitness watch to accompany you on your path to a healthier you.
The best cheap fitness watches to buy right now
Best overall cheap fitness watch
If you've read a couple of our articles now, it's probably no surprise that the Honor Band is one of our picks. It has an expansive 1.47-inch display, which is a feature that easily competes with far pricier alternatives. Not only this, but this fitness watch goes above and beyond by tracking a wide range of health metrics, including; heart rate, SpO2 levels, sleep patterns and stress levels.
Moreover, it boasts impressive water resistance and an exceptional 14-day battery life. This makes it suitable for a wide range of activities, including swimming. The Honor Band 6, in our opinion, shines as an affordable yet sophisticated choice for those in pursuit of a comprehensive fitness watch that doesn't compromise on features or style.
Pros
- Expansive 1.47-inch AMOLED colour display with touch screen, providing a clear interface for easy navigation
- 14-Day battery life, which means you get seamless metrics
- Ten professional workout modes for ultimate customisation
Cons
- No GPS option meaning it relies on a connected smartphone for tracking during outdoor activities
| Display: | 1.47 inches, AMOLED |
| Sensors: | Heart rate, Sleep, SpO2, Stress, Women's health (including fertility windows) |
| Battery life: | Up to 14 days |
| Additional features: | Waterproof, Can set alarms and timers, Allows users to remotely control their phone's camera for taking photos, Customisable watch faces |
- Customer review: "So coming from the Band 5 which is light weight and you forget you have it on, I was sceptical because the Honor Band 6 looked a lot bigger but it’s no difference it’s light weight with a bigger display!!! Nice fluid display can’t believe it’s only £44.99. It’s not as small as a fitness band and it’s not as big as a smart watch it’s really in between but feels like you are wearing a fitness band. Loads of compliments from family and friends asking what watch I’m wearing. All round great watch / band (don’t know what to call it with some amazing features. Oh and it works perfectly fine with a iPhone."
Best cheap Fitbit fitness watch
Coming in at a close second is the Fitbit Inspire 2, which doesn't disappoint, even when compared to more advanced models. This affordable watch offers 24/7 heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and guided breathing sessions to help manage stress. It also comes with a six-month free trial of Fitbit Premium, which provides access to advanced insights and personalised fitness guidance (think personal trainer). It's fair to say the Fitbit Inspire 2 is the perfect choice for individuals looking for a reputable brand with an affordable price tag.
Pros
- Slim design, which is a massive bonus if you have small wrists as it won't feel cumbersome
- Continuous heart-rate monitoring so you can real-time track any trends
- Automatic exercise recognition, making it convenient for tracking your workouts without manual input
Cons
- Display is relatively small and lacks colour
| Display: | 18.29mm, pOLED screen |
| Sensors: | Heart rate, Distance, Accelerometer, Calories, Sleep, Steps |
| Battery life: | 10 Days |
| Additional features: | Water-resistant, Swimproof, Dust resistant, Can read texts, emails and receive social network notifications |
- Customer review: ""Bought the Fitbit Inspire 2 after my Fitbit charge 4 broke apart. Had to find something cheaper and actually pleasantly surprised with the Inspire 2. Good battery life, clear display although hard to read in outside light."
Best cheap fitness watch for small wrists
This sleek and lightweight fitness watch is great for individuals with small wrists as the band and screen size measures 0.96 inches. The Band 4 also provides at-a-glance access to notifications, messages and calls, ensuring you stay in the loop while on the go. For a watch as inexpensive as this one, its battery life is pretty decent at up to six days, making it a reliable companion for everyday use. It's safe to say the HUAWEI Band 4 is a practical and stylish addition to your wellness journey, offering a myriad of fitness and health tracking capabilities at an accessible price point.
Pros
- 0.96-inch colour touchscreen for an exciting visual experience
- Built-in USB charging, so you can charge it anywhere and anytime without the need for a lead
- HUAWEI TruSeen technology monitors heart rate accurately and provides reminders via vibrations if your heart rate exceeds the maximum average
Cons
- Battery life is not as long as others on our list
- Limited sports modes
| Display: | 0.96 inches |
| Sensors: | Sleep, Heart rate, Steps, |
| Battery life: | 6 Days |
| Additional features: | Built-in USB charger, Water resistant, TruSleep technology, TruSeen technology, 9 Sports modes |
- Customer review: "I've had 2 Fitbits and they just don't compare well to this, and the HUAWEI Band 4 is a fraction of the price! Love that I don't have to take it off to have a shower, love that's it goes from 5% battery to 100% battery in about an hour on a standard USB charge.
"The app interface is really easy to navigate. Data can be saved and shared easily. The GPS functionality is really good, I use it for both walking and cycling and it's incredibly accurate. The only gripe I have is with the range of sports modes you can select. I find that I often use 'free training' where I'd want to input 'circuit training' or 'weight training'… But it's a minor thing that wouldn't stop me buying it again."
Best cheap fitness watch for sports modes
The Amazfit Bip U Pro is a fantastic budget fitness watch that offers a wide range of features. It boasts a nine day battery life on a single charge, making it an excellent choice for those who don't want to worry about charging their watch constantly. The Bip U Pro also includes features like built-in GPS, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking and a whopping 60 sports modes, giving you a comprehensive overview of your health and exercise. With a stylish design, a pink band and an affordable price tag, it's one of the best cheap fitness watches available on the market.
Pros
- Equipped with a PAI Health Assessment so all your health metrics are accurate
- Over 60 sports modes, including swimming, running and cycling, for athletes of all levels
- Has Amazon Alexa integration, so you can ask your watch questions, set alarms and check the weather
Cons
- Some reviewers found the Bluetooth connectivity was poor
| Display: | 1.43 inches |
| Sensors: | SpO2, Heart rate, Steps, Sleep quality, Stress level, Distance, Calories, Period tracking |
| Battery life: | Up to 9 days |
| Additional features: | Water resistance, 60 Sports modes, 70 Exchangeable watch faces, Built-in Alexa |
- Customer review: "I have bought a few smart watches but this Amazfit Bip U Pro is the best. Fantastic battery life, looks lovely, very stylish. I would highly recommend this smart watch. Great value for the money."
Best cheap fitness watch for battery life
Xiaomi has gained quite the reputation for offering high-quality and affordable tech products, with their Smart Band 7 being no exception. This fitness watch comes with a narrow but vibrant AMOLED display, with heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and support for over 110 workout modes. The Smart Band 7 is lightweight and comfortable to wear, making it perfect for everyday use. Plus, its long battery life of 14 days means you won't have to worry about recharging it continuously.
Pros
- Offers over 110 sports modes to help you with tracking metrics like calories burned during a specific exercise
- Always-on mode meaning you can read the date and time without lifting your wrist or tapping the screen
- Interchangeable colour straps for personalisation, so you watch can match your activewear
Cons
- Doesn't pair efficiently with Apple products
| Display: | 1.62 inches, AMOLED |
| Sensors: | Heart rate, SpO2, Sleep quality, VO2 Max, Stress, Steps, Distance, Calories |
| Battery life: | Up to 14 days |
| Additional features: | Water resistant, Tracks 110+ sports, Bluetooth |
- Customer review: ""So far only used the Xiaomi Smart Band for a couple of days and a much bigger improvement to Mii band 5 previously owned. I'm shocked and pleasantly surprised we can now send replies & emojis via WhatsApp (app I used excessively lol).
"Notifications are wonderful, BBC News/Sports updates, Tapo CCTV updates to name but a few. Practically any notification you get on your mobile can be set to notify you on the band but the more botications, the more power 8t uses. Charging is so fast (best charger for these too, 2 pin version).
"Also I use a customisable Mii 7 band face app so I can put my own personalised images e.g. family, as a background. Ok just realised if you give permission to allow photos, you can use any of your personal photos in Zepp Life store (5 stars for that). Powerful enough vibrations are great for waking you up too (what did I do before using Mii band I have no idea).
"Absolutely fantastic. Not really tried other health features as not really what I purchased it for. Excellent bit of kit and would definitely buy again for the price. Ordered a new leather band and screen cover as my last Mii band 5 had chips in 2 areas at the edges, so was not impressed with that as I really did love my Mii band 5. Mii band 7 definitely supersedes Mii 5, as it should anyway. Once you put it on you're not even aware you're wearing it till you get a notification. Very, very happy customer."
Best cheap fitness watch with TruSleep technology
The HUAWEI Band 7 has a generous 1.47-inch display, offering a spacious screen for all your essential information at a glance. What truly distinguishes this fitness tracker is its integrated TruSleep 2.0 technology, capable of identifying six sleep-related concerns. Meanwhile, the TruRelax stress monitoring feature guides you through calming breathing exercises for enhanced focus and composure. Furthermore, the Band 7 boasts an impressive array of 96 workout modes, providing users with comprehensive data and valuable tips to elevate their performance in a variety of sports and physical activities.
Pros
- Two modes to help with sleep quality, TruSleep and TruRelax, for additional sleep monitoring
- 96 Workout modes to support you with any sport you like to take part it or practice
- Available in three colours, green, black and a neutral pink to match any aesthetic or gym wear
Cons
- Some reviewers found the battery life is not as long as the advertised 14 days. With all the features activated, it may be closer to five days
| Display: | 1.47 inches |
| Sensors: | SpO2 levels, Heart rate, Steps, Sleep quality |
| Battery life: | Up to 14 days |
| Additional features: | Fast-charging, TruSleep 2.0, TruRelax, Lightweight (16g), 96 Workout modes |
- Customer review: "I wanted a smartwatch that didn’t have a huge screen (I have small wrists), was easy to use, had a good battery life and had wasn’t over full of extras I didn’t need.
"This Huawei Band 7 has been great. Easy to read screen, keeps track of steps, easy to use app, lots of choices for screen display, easy to set alarms and quite a lot more. The battery life is great, I charge it maybe once every couple of weeks.
"Would recommend if you want a decent priced smartwatch that is reliable and useful but don’t want to spend as much as some of the higher priced ones. Also great if you want it nice and simple."
FAQs: Fitness watches
Are Fitbits worth it?
Fitbit has gained a reputation for reliable fitness tracking and user-friendly apps, making them a popular choice for many. They offer an extensive range of models to cater to lots of different budgets and fitness goals. On top of this, they're also compatible with both Android and iOS devices.
Saying that, as demonstrated by our list, the fitness watch market is highly competitive, and various brands now offer innovative features, styles and price points. So, to determine whether it's a Fitbit you want to invest in. Rather than, let's say, a HUAWEI or Honor, consider the features you're looking for, design preferences and battery life.
Are fitness watches worth the money?
The value of a fitness watch largely depends on how you plan to use it. For many, these devices offer significant benefits, as they provide real-time data on various health and fitness metrics. They also track workouts, monitor sleep patterns and even offer similar features to that of a smartphone. Your fitness watch can also serve as motivation towards a more active and healthier lifestyle, making them worth the investment.
However, their worth also depends on how often you plan on utilising these features. Some individuals find that a basic fitness tracker or even solely smartphone apps will suffice for their needs. Meanwhile, others want all the bells and whistles and advanced features a fitness watch will often provide.
The value of a fitness watch is wholly subjective, and it's crucial to think of your goals and preferences before deciding if it's worth the investment for you.
How do I style a fitness watch for everyday wear?
You want to make the most of having a fitness watch, and you want to wear it every day - we get it. So to seamlessly incorporate a fitness watch into your daily looks, think about the design of the watch and strap colour. As a rule of thumb, opt for a fitness watch with a sleek and understated look. This gives you more versatility when working out what outfits your watch goes with. Black or neutral-coloured bands are the most versatile and pair easily with a range of clothing choices.
Additionally, you could always choose to add bracelets to either wrist to complement your fitness watch and add a touch of personal style. When dressing up for an event or dinner, swap your fitness watch strap to a neutral colour. Alternatively, select one that's metal or leather for a more formal appearance. Ultimately, the key is to strike a balance between functionality and aesthetics. Ensuring your fitness watch not only helps you stay active but also enhances your overall look.
Gemma Lavers is a Health & Fitness Writer for What's The Best. When she’s not travelling or writing, Gemma loves spending her weekend completing home workouts, or attending yoga, Pilates or Zumba classes.
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