Yes, Cheap but Reliable Smartwatches Under $50 can be worth buying—but only if you know exactly what you’re getting. These watches are not premium gadgets, but they cover the basics well: consistent notifications, step and heart rate tracking, and multi-day battery life. If you’re also shopping for a budget phone, our best smartphones under $200 guide can help you pair your watch with a reliable device.
A reliable smartwatch under $50 means a wearable that doesn’t crash every few hours, gives you accurate-enough step counts, and keeps you connected without draining the battery every night. For seniors or health-focused users, check out our smartwatch for seniors with blood pressure and heart rate monitoring for added wellness tracking.
What NOT to Expect from a Smartwatch Under $50
- Advanced health features like ECG, SpO2, or temperature tracking.
- Premium materials such as stainless steel or sapphire crystal.
- Full Wear OS or watch OS app stores with downloadable apps.
- LTE connectivity or built-in cellular calling.
- Precision GPS tracking for serious athletes.
- Deep integration with third-party apps or ecosystems.
What You Can Reliably Expect from a Sub-$50 Smartwatch
- Consistent smartphone notifications for calls, texts, and app alerts.
- Basic step, calorie, and heart rate tracking.
- Sleep monitoring that shows general trends.
- Battery life of 5–10 days or more due to simpler OS.
- Bluetooth calling (phone connection required).
- Music control, camera shutter features, and simple alarms.
- IP67 or IP68 water resistance for daily splashes or swimming.
- Easy syncing with proprietary companion apps.
Who is a Sub-$50 Smartwatch Truly For?
The First-Timer
Curious about smartwatches but don’t want to invest $300? A budget smartwatch is perfect to test the waters without financial regret.
The Basic Tracker
If step counts and calories are your main goals, these watches excel. For those who also love working out, see our best wireless headphones for gym for a perfect fitness combo.
The Notification Manager
For those who hate constantly pulling out their phone, a cheap smartwatch lets you check calls and texts instantly.
The Kids’/Backup Watch
It’s an affordable choice for teenagers or as a secondary device for outdoor activities where you don’t want to risk a premium watch.
The Non-Techie
Not everyone wants 1,000 features. A simple watch that “just works” is often more appealing, and budget models nail that simplicity.
Our Top Picks: Best Cheap Reliable Smartwatches Under $50
1. Amazfit Band 7: Compact Yet Feature-Packed
This tracker punches above its price, offering a blend of health monitoring, smart features, and great battery life in a slim design.
- Reliability: Consistent heart rate and SpO₂ tracking with stable Bluetooth connectivity.
- Battery Life: Up to 18 days on regular use, 28 days on saver mode.
- Display: 1.47″ HD AMOLED with always-on option; 112% larger than Band 5 for easy reading.
- App Quality: Zepp app integrates seamlessly with Alexa and provides detailed health insights.
- Limitations: No built-in GPS (relies on phone), heart-shaped design might not appeal to all.
- Best For: Daily health monitoring, casual fitness tracking, and Alexa integration on a tight budget.
2. Fitpolo Smartwatch: Feature-Packed and Stylish
This watch blends style with practical fitness and health features, making it a top pick under $50.
- Reliability: Notifications work smoothly, and Bluetooth calls are stable.
- Battery Life: 7–14 days with regular use, depending on call and workout tracking.
- Display: 1.85″ HD touchscreen with 60fps smoothness and customizable watch faces.
- App Quality: VeryFit app is easy to navigate and syncs quickly with iOS and Android.
- Limitations: No message reply support and GPS relies on your phone.
- Best For: Users seeking a stylish design with Bluetooth calling and health tracking features.
3. RUXINGX Smartwatch: The Ultimate Battery Champ
This watch stands out for its incredible 30+ day battery life and a packed list of features that punch above its price range.
- Reliability: Bluetooth calls are crystal clear, and notifications are timely.
- Battery Life: 30 days on a single charge, up to 100 days in standby.
- Display: 1.85″ HD touchscreen with 300+ customizable dials for a personalized look.
- App Quality: FitCloudPro app ensures smooth pairing with Android and iOS.
- Limitations: No text reply feature and GPS relies on your phone.
- Best For: Travelers, adventurers, and users who want ultra-long battery backup with essential smart features.
4. HAYLOU RS5: AMOLED Display & Bluetooth Calling
This watch blends premium features like an AMOLED display and Bluetooth calling—rare at this price.
- Reliability: Notifications and calls work without delay, even with older Android devices.
- Battery Life: 16 days of regular use, 9 days with heavy activity, 3 days with always-on display.
- Display: Stunning 2.01″ AMOLED screen with 1000 nits brightness, visible even under direct sunlight.
- App Quality: HAYLOU app is smooth with clear fitness data.
- Limitations: No third-party app downloads and charging takes longer beyond 80%.
- Best For: Users wanting a premium display, Bluetooth calling, and versatile fitness tracking under $50.
5. Amazfit Bip 5 Unity: Stylish Steel & Smart Features
The Amazfit Bip 5 Unity stands out with its premium stainless steel frame and Zepp OS 3.0 app ecosystem. It combines style, smart features, and long-lasting battery life at a budget-friendly price.
- Reliability: Consistent step tracking and smooth notifications. It syncs flawlessly with Android and iOS.
- Battery Life: Up to 11 days of normal use and 26 days in battery saver mode.
- Display: Large 1.91” high-res screen with anti-fingerprint coating for clear visibility.
- App Quality: Zepp App offers 70+ mini apps and easy customization of watch faces.
- Limitations: No built-in calling function, and GPS requires phone pairing.
- Best For: Users who want style, strong health tracking, and app support under $50.
6. Xiaomi Smartwatch (1.96” AMOLED): Built-in GPS & Calling
This Xiaomi smartwatch delivers premium features rarely seen under $50, including built-in GPS and Bluetooth calling. With a bright AMOLED display and solid battery backup, it’s perfect for fitness lovers and casual users who need a reliable budget smartwatch.
- Reliability: Strong Bluetooth connection, accurate built-in GPS for outdoor runs, and clear call quality.
- Battery Life: Up to 18 days of typical use with its 470 mAh battery.
- Display: Large 1.96” AMOLED screen with Always-On Display (AOD) and 410 x 502 resolution.
- App Quality: Works with the Mi Fit app, offering smooth pairing and detailed fitness insights.
- Limitations: Only supports Android 8.0+ and iOS 12.0+; lacks deep app integration like premium models.
- Best For: Users who want built-in GPS and Bluetooth calling under $50.
7. Wyze Band: Affordable Activity Tracker with Smart Controls
Wyze Band is more of a fitness band with smart features than a full smartwatch, but for under $40, it’s hard to beat its combination of health tracking and smart home integration.
- Reliability: Provides accurate 24/7 heart rate tracking, daily steps, and sleep insights.
- Battery Life: 10–14 days on a single charge, ideal for travelers or busy users.
- Display: 0.95” TFT LCD, bright enough for quick glances.
- App Quality: Works with the Wyze app and can control Wyze smart devices like cameras and lights.
- Limitations: Smaller screen, no GPS or app downloads, more of a fitness band than a watch.
- Best For: Users who want an activity tracker with smartwatch-style notifications and smart home control.
Is a Sub-$50 Smartwatch Worth Buying For YOU?
Ask Yourself:
-
Do you only need notifications, steps, and simple health tracking?
-
Are you okay with a basic UI and no premium app store?
-
Would multi-day battery life be more important than advanced features?
For those pairing these watches with music during workouts, noise-cancelling earbuds for small ears or our best earbuds under $200 will complement your experience.
Decision Table
| Buy Under $50 If… | Consider Spending More If… |
|---|---|
| You need basic notifications. | You want mobile payments or LTE. |
| Your budget is tight. | You require advanced fitness metrics. |
| You prefer longer battery life. | You need premium materials & design. |
Common Myths About Cheap Smartwatches (And the Truth)
Myth: All Sub-$50 Smartwatches Are Unreliable
Truth: Budget brands like Amazfit and Redmi have proven models with dependable performance.
Myth: Cheap Smartwatches Are Just Toys
Truth: While basic, they track steps, monitor sleep, and deliver alerts with solid reliability.
Myth: Battery Life is Always Poor
Truth: Simpler hardware and software often mean better battery life than some premium watches.
Getting Started: Maximizing Your Under-$50 Smartwatch
How to Connect Your Budget Smartwatch to Your Phone
- Download the companion app from Google Play or App Store.
- Turn on Bluetooth on your phone.
- Open the app and select “Pair Device.”
- Confirm the connection on both the watch and phone.
How to Ensure Consistent Notifications
- Enable app alerts in the companion app.
- Turn off battery optimization for the app.
- Keep Bluetooth active and allow background permissions.
Tips for Extending Battery Life
- Lower screen brightness.
- Disable unnecessary sports modes.
- Turn off vibration for all but key notifications.
Are Cheap Smartwatches Reliable? Final Verdict
For basic users, these watches are absolutely worth buying. They are dependable for notifications, steps, and sleep trends while offering multi-day battery life. You won’t get advanced tools, but for under $50, they deliver fantastic value for money.
Conclusion
A smartwatch under $50 isn’t a toy—it’s a practical tool for simple fitness and notifications. Pick from trusted brands like Amazfit or Redmi, and you’ll get solid value. Pairing it with a budget phone or checking apps for work? See our best Android apps for job seekers to maximize productivity with your new wearable.
