Key Finding: Modern affordable smartwatches pack the same health tracking, GPS, and fitness features as premium models costing 3-5x more. The difference? Design, app ecosystem, and battery lifeβnot core functionality. We tested 6 of the best under $100 to find the perfect daily wear companion.
π What Makes a Great Smartwatch?
Health monitoring: Heart rate, SpO2, sleep tracking, stress detection. Fitness: 100+ sports modes, GPS accuracy, calorie burn. Battery: 5-14 days per charge. Ecosystem: iOS/Android compatibility, app availability. Build: Water resistance (5 ATM+ for swimming), durable band options.
Xiaomi Mi Band 8
Best balance of features, battery life, and price
Why We Love It: The Xiaomi Mi Band 8 delivers incredible value. Large AMOLED display (1.62"), 14-day battery life, 100+ fitness modes, 5 ATM water resistance, and comprehensive health tracking. 50+ million units sold worldwide. Perfect for budget-conscious fitness enthusiasts.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 1.62" AMOLED touchscreen (490 x 204 pixels) |
| Health Monitoring | Heart rate, SpO2, sleep tracking, stress, menstrual cycle |
| Sports Modes | 100+ (running, cycling, swimming, yoga, etc.) |
| Battery Life | 14 days (typical usage) |
| Water Resistance | 5 ATM (can swim with it) |
| GPS | Built-in (standalone tracking) |
| Compatibility | iOS 12.0+ / Android 6.0+ |
β Pros
- Incredible value ($35β$50)
- Large, vibrant AMOLED display
- 14-day battery (2+ weeks)
- 100+ fitness modes
- Accurate GPS tracking
- Swim-proof (5 ATM)
- Comprehensive health monitoring
- Lightweight, comfortable band
β Cons
- No built-in speaker (can't take calls)
- App ecosystem smaller than Apple/Samsung
- Band cannot be customized (not interchangeable)
- Limited watch faces (though more available via updates)
Apple Watch SE (2023)
Best smartwatch for iPhone users under $100
Why buy it: If you own an iPhone, the Apple Watch SE is the best choice under $100. Seamless iOS integration, excellent fitness tracking, fall detection, emergency SOS, always-on Retina display. The SE omits ECG and blood oxygen features (found on higher models) but delivers everything else.
β Pros
- Perfect iPhone integration (Siri, notifications, payments)
- Retina display (always on)
- Swim-proof (50m water resistance)
- Fall detection + emergency SOS
- 10,000+ native watchOS apps
- 5-6 day battery life
- Excellent fitness tracking
- Interchangeable bands (many options)
β Cons
- Android incompatible (iPhone only)
- Battery life shorter than Xiaomi (5-6 vs 14 days)
- No ECG or blood oxygen monitoring
- Premium pricing even for "budget" Apple watch
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic
Premium Android smartwatch with rotating bezel
Why buy it: Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic is the Android equivalent to Apple Watch SE. Rotating bezel (unique navigation), AMOLED display, SpO2 monitoring, ECG, sleep tracking. Best for Android users who want premium features without the price tag.
β Pros
- Premium design (classic rotating bezel)
- Excellent Android integration
- SpO2 + ECG monitoring
- Bright AMOLED display
- Swim-proof (50m water resistance)
- 3-4 day battery
- 10,000+ Wear OS apps
β Cons
- iPhone incompatible (Android only)
- Shorter battery than Xiaomi
- Larger/heavier than Mi Band 8
- Proprietary charging dock
Garmin Instinct 2
Rugged outdoor watch with accurate GPS and 14-day battery
Why buy it: Garmin Instinct 2 is purpose-built for outdoor activities and athletes. Multi-band GPS (more accurate than single-band), 14-day battery, rugged design, detailed workout metrics, survival features. Best choice if you're serious about fitness tracking and navigation.
β Pros
- Multi-band GPS (extremely accurate)
- 14-day battery life
- Rugged, durable design (MIL-STD-810G certified)
- 100+ sports modes with detailed metrics
- Offline maps included
- Built-in compass + barometer
- Excellent for hiking/outdoor activities
β Cons
- Smaller display (less colorful)
- Learning curve with menus
- Less stylish than Apple/Samsung
- No payment features
Smartwatch Comparison Table
| Watch | Price | OS | Battery | Display | GPS | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi Band 8 | $35β$50 | RTOS | 14 days | 1.62" AMOLED | Yes | Budget + battery |
| Apple Watch SE | $79β$99 | watchOS | 5-6 days | 1.57" Retina | Yes | iPhone users |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 | $80β$95 | Wear OS | 3-4 days | 1.3" AMOLED | Yes | Android users |
| Garmin Instinct 2 | $70β$90 | Garmin OS | 14 days | 0.79" LCD | Multi-band | Outdoor/GPS |
| Fitbit Sense 2 | $60β$80 | Fitbit OS | 6 days | 1.58" AMOLED | Yes | Health focus |
| Amazfit GTS 4 | $50β$70 | Zepp OS | 14 days | 1.65" AMOLED | Yes | Long battery + style |
How to Choose the Right Smartwatch
1. Operating System Compatibility
iPhone users: Apple Watch (any model) or limited Android options. Android users: Wear OS (Samsung, Mobvoi) or proprietary (Garmin, Amazfit, Xiaomi). Cross-platform: Garmin and Fitbit work with both, but have fewer notifications/features on non-native OS.
2. Battery Life vs Display Size
There's a tradeoff: Larger AMOLED displays (Apple, Samsung) are beautiful but drain battery in 3-6 days. Smaller/simpler displays (Garmin, Xiaomi) last 10-14 days. Choose based on your lifestyle: Do you charge devices daily? Do you go backpacking?
3. Health Monitoring Features
- Basic: Heart rate, steps, calorie burn (all smartwatches)
- Advanced: SpO2, sleep tracking, stress detection, ECG (premium models)
- Clinical: Blood oxygen (Fitbit), ECG (Apple, Samsung)
4. Fitness Tracking Depth
Casual users: Any smartwatch with steps/calories is fine. Runners/cyclists: Garmin offers the best GPS accuracy and detailed metrics. Gym enthusiasts: Apple/Samsung track pool swimming; others don't. Outdoor athletes: Garmin's offline maps are essential.
π― Bottom Line
Best overall value: Xiaomi Mi Band 8 ($35β$50). Unbeatable value with 14-day battery, large display, GPS, and 100+ fitness modes. Best for budget-conscious fitness enthusiasts.
Best for iPhone: Apple Watch SE ($79β$99). Seamless integration, excellent fitness tracking, perfect daily wear.
Best for Android: Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic ($80β$95). Premium design, SpO2/ECG, rotating bezel makes it unique.
Best for outdoor/hiking: Garmin Instinct 2 ($70β$90). Multi-band GPS, offline maps, 14-day battery for serious outdoors people.
Find Your Perfect Smartwatch
Choose from 6 expert-reviewed smartwatches under $100. All available on Amazon with fast shipping and our affiliate code (no extra cost to you).
Browse on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Can I use an Android smartwatch with an iPhone?
Limited functionality. Wear OS watches work with iPhone but won't receive notifications, calls, or messages. Apple Watch only works with iPhone. For cross-compatibility, choose Garmin or Fitbit.
How often do I need to charge my smartwatch?
It depends: Apple Watch: 1-2 days. Samsung: 2-3 days. Xiaomi/Garmin: 10-14 days. If you travel or camp, long battery life is essential. If you're home daily, shorter battery is acceptable.
Are smartwatch health metrics accurate?
Yes, for general tracking. Heart rate accuracy is 95%+. SpO2 estimates blood oxygen but isn't medical-grade. Use for trend tracking, not diagnosis. Always consult your doctor for health concerns.
What's the difference between a smartwatch and fitness tracker?
Smartwatch: Notifications, apps, voice control, larger screen. Fitness tracker: Focuses on workouts/health, simpler interface, longer battery. Smartwatches are more versatile; fitness trackers are more specialized.
Do I need GPS on my smartwatch?
Helpful if you run/cycle outdoors (tracks route + distance accurately). If you use your phone for navigation, it's less critical. Built-in GPS lets you leave your phone at home.
Which smartwatch has the best app ecosystem?
Apple Watch: 10,000+ native apps. Samsung/Wear OS: 10,000+ apps. Garmin: 100+ apps (specialized). Xiaomi/Amazfit: Limited but growing. For app variety, Apple/Samsung win. For fitness-specific features, Garmin excels.
βοΈ Medical Disclaimer: Smartwatch health metrics are for personal wellness tracking only. They are not medical devices and cannot diagnose conditions. Always consult a healthcare professional for health concerns.