A smartwatch is way more advanced and technology-rich than regular watches you wear for seeing time. It also serves the purpose of a usual wristwatch, as you can see time and manage your schedules. But you get multiple other useful features on a smartwatch.
In addition to seeing the time, you can use a stopwatch for programmed working. Most of these come with a fitness tracking features wallet, and some can also be linked with your smartphone. It won’t be an exaggeration to say that they have more or less become a replacement for smartphones and pretty good ones.
You obviously have to spend a lot of money to get hands-on with all these features. Unfortunately, most high-end watches with all the features to make your life easier cost you a huge sum of money. But you can get a lot of reasonable watches too equipped with some extraordinary features. So, no disappointments there!
I remember struggling too much to get my first-ever smartwatch, especially because I was on a low budget. After a lot of research and struggle, I finally got an amazing watch with all the features I wanted. But trust me on this, it was a lot of work.
Here are some best smartwatches under $150 reviewed for you to make the whole process a lot smoother and more convenient.
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Ticwatch Pro 3 Ultra Watch
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If you are a fitness freak and want to improve your game through swimming, the TicWatch Pro 3 will be your best friend. Most of the major brands making smartwatches keep the customer’s needs in mind.
But the TicWatch Pro 3 went a step ahead and provided them even with the features they didn’t ask for or expected. It’s not only a watch high on technology but has some exciting features you may have never seen before.
Key Features
- Dual Display
- Processor
- Battery Life & Essential Mode
- Sensors
- Comfortable Strap
The TicWatch Pro 3 smartwatch has an exciting feature up its sleeves. You get a 1.4-inch screen and a dual display. The upper part of the display or the top screen is the basic one where you can see the time, date, and battery status. It doesn’t show any notifications for the apps on the watch.
Under the top LCD layer, there is an AMOLED screen that shows all the app notifications, apps, and other features. This feature is especially beneficial for people who are tired of receiving tons of notifications on their watch and want a cleaner interface for the time being.
It comes with the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 processor that makes the watch function fast and well. You won’t face any lagging in the app functions, and it will react to the input commands as soon as you give them. It saves time as you won’t have to wait for your watch to follow the order so you can proceed to the next task.
The extended battery life of the TicWatch Pro 3 smartwatch is another feature making it an ideal purchase for most frequent users. You can do this with the watch for at least three days on a single charge. But for the watch to last this long, you must ensure that not all functions are enabled.
The best part is that its charging time is pretty short. You need merely 1.45 hours to charge it fully and can also charge it without a charger.
You also get an essential mode on the watch. Enabling the essential mode allows you to use only the most important apps and features.
All the unnecessary apps running in the background, taking up a major part of your watch’s battery, are immediately disabled when you turn on the essential mode.
On the sensor part, the app comes with a GPS tracker accompanied by Galileo, Glonass, QZSS satellite support, and other location-tracking sensors to provide you with the correct location coordinates.
It has a PCG monitor to keep your heart rate in check, a sports watch mode for efficient physical activities, and several other sensors.
In addition to being enriched with all these modern technology features, the TicWatch Pro 3 smartwatch feels super comfortable even on a small wrist. You don’t have to take the watch off repeatedly for comfort as it’s lined with comfortable material on the inside. The thin and sleek design of the strap gives it a cleaner look.
Why love the TicWatch Pro 3 smartwatch?
- It comes with extended battery life.
- The dual display of the watch makes its interface clean
- The heart rate monitor gives accurate readings
- It features decent and comfortable straps that can be worn longer.
Why hate the TicWatch Pro 3 smartwatch?
- The Wear OS needs to be updated
- It doesn’t track the sleep cycle precisely
The TicWatch Pro 3 smartwatch is one of the most feature-packed, battery-rich, and technology-equipped watches. It makes the perfect purchase for fitness freaks who want a durable watch to accompany them. Being waterproof, it won’t be ruined with sweat, too, allowing you to wear it everywhere.
Some of the features of the TicWatch Pro 3 smartwatch that make you think again over your decision are its inaccurate sleep tracking and downgraded Wear OS.
Amazfit GTS 2 Smart Watch
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With the launch of Apple smartwatches, people’s craze for these digital gadgets grew. As these Apple gadgets are expensive and not everyone can afford them, they started looking for better alternatives.
Most of these alternatives were based on Google’s Wear OS software or the Samsung system. Another exciting addition to the market is the watches like Amazfit GTS 2e Smart Watch that look and feel like Apple Watch with multiple useful features.
Key Features
- Fine Display
- Zepp App
- Health Trackers
- Battery Life
- Offline Voice Control
The Amazfit GTS 2e Smart Watch features a 1.65-inch fine AMOLED screen display. As the watch’s size, i.e., its straps are not too wide, you will find its display even more prominent. The watch has a vacuum coating on all sides to protect it from scratches. Its 2.5D curved design makes it feel real.
The Amazfit GTS 2e Smart Watch offers a free built-in Zepp app. The app is used for connecting your watch to your smart devices like iPhone and Android devices. Thanks to the Zepp app, the watch is quite convenient, and you won’t have to wait long hours to begin using it.
Setting up the is pretty straightforward. It all begins with charging the watch and installing the Zepp app. You then have to create an account, scan the QR code from the watch, and it will be connected to your mobile device. It’s followed by performing the firmware update, and you are done.
You can track numerous fitness and health metrics using the Amazfit GTS 2e Smart Watch. The best part is that almost all this watch’s readings are super precise and accurate. The only thing the watch goes a bit overboard is the step count. But it is efficient enough to help you keep track of your daily walking goals.
Using the Amazfit GTS 2e Smart Watch, you can measure your body’s blood-oxygen level, atmospheric pressure, and temperature. It also has features to track your progress and log hours for swimming, cycling, running, and other physical sports and activities.
The Amazfit GTS 2e Smart Watch features a 246mAh battery. It can last up to 14 days on a single charge, per the company’s claim. Though the claim is not real, you can still use the app for over nine days without charging it again.
Unlike other smartwatches, you don’t have to use the watch in power-saving mode to make it last longer. Use all the features and apps you want, and the battery will accompany you for as long as possible.
One exciting feature of the Amazfit GTS 2e Smart Watch that differentiates it from similar watches is offline voice control. Even when the screen is off and you are not using any app or feature on the watch, you can still make it do whatever you want by giving voice commands. The twist here is that you won’t even have to be connected to the internet.
Why love the Amazfit GTS 2e Smart Watch?
- The watch comes with multiple sensors like temperature, pressure, etc.
- Its design resembles the expensive smartwatches, especially the Apple 6
- You get numerous color and strap designs to choose from
- The watch is pretty affordable, saving your money
Why hate the Amazfit GTS 2e Smart Watch?
- Its interface lacks a sense of completeness.
- You might face frequent lagging and poor connection with your phone
Though the Amazfit GTS 2e Smart Watch has some pretty good features, including fitness and health trackers, button controls, offline voice commands, and several others, it still doesn’t qualify as your first choice. The watch is affordable so you can go for it with budget constraints.
The poor interface of the watch that seems unfinished, its frequent lagging, and inconsistent connection with the phone are some features stopping users from going for it. The TicWatch Pro 3 smartwatch is far better, but you have to pay a little extra.
Garmin Vivoactive 4 Watch
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The Garmin Vivoactive Smart Watch is a perfect blend of features and design. This variant will give you all the features you want in your dream smartwatch.
The best part is that it allows you to play music and listen to your favorite songs on the go. It has also been ranked among the top fitness smartwatches in the industry. The fact that it was released at the IFA 2018 ceremony makes it even more trustworthy and reliable.
Key Features
- Buttons and Controls
- Customized Plans
- GPS Feature
- Music Storage
- Health Estimates
The Garmin Vivoactive Smart Watch has two buttons other than the power button. For convenience and easy operation, you get a second button on the side of the dial. You can use the button as a shortcut to directly reach your tracking exercises.
There is also a button on the lower side of the watch. By holding and pressing the button, you can quickly reach the app settings menu, clock, and different watch faces.
Although many smartwatches in the market come with GPS features, the Garmin Vivoactive Smart Watch is better than others. While using the app to find a route, I turned on the GPS and found the desired route in less than 10 seconds. That’s how accurate the location and GPS sensors on the watch are.
Unlike other smartwatches under $150, where you can only change the music already playing on your smartphone, the Garmin Vivoactive Smart Watch provides far more control and hold. You can install music apps like Spotify on the watch, download the music of your choice and listen to it whenever you want.
The watch allows you to download music on other third-party apps and use the browser even if you haven’t availed of the premium subscription. You can also connect headphones with your watch to enjoy your music.
This android smartwatch under $150 doesn’t only collect your physical well-being status but provides you with illustrations for better understanding. The watch records your heart rate, blood oxygen level, and other health metrics. It then provides you with a health estimate out of 100%, letting you know if you are in the right physical state to attend a gym.
Why love the Garmin Vivoactive Smart Watch?
- You get built-in music storage on the watch
- The watch features 20 built-in sports apps
- You can even connect your headphones to the watch
- It has additional buttons for convenient control
Why hate the Garmin Vivoactive Smart Watch?
- The app installation process is a bit complicated.
- Its interface is not clean due to numerous built-in apps
If you are a fitness enthusiast and want your watch to be rich in all the apps meant to motivate you for a better physical activities regime, the Garmin Vivoactive Smart Watch is one watch you need to go for.
Though it has its flaws, too, including some connectivity issues at the time and how it takes a long time for app installation, you can still get it.
For users wanting a basic watch equipped with necessary fitness features at an affordable price, the Amazfit GTS 2e is the right fit. On the contrary, the TicWatch Pro 3 smartwatch is the perfect buy for swimmers.
Samsung Gear S2 Smartwatch
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Samsung is one brand known for producing high-quality smartwatches other than Apple watches. It has been making modern design watches equipped with some interesting features to make your daily goals easier. You also get several intimidating features on the watch not found in others of the same range.
Key Features
- Rotating Bezel
- Display
- Hardware
- Strap Replacement
- Third-Party apps
The rotating bezel of the Samsung Gear S2 Smartwatch is one feature that makes it different from all other watches. While brands like Motorola removed the bezel from their watches completely, Samsung did something innovative.
Instead of removing the rotating bezel altogether, it changed the bezel creatively, making it another way to interact with the watch. While you move your fingers above the watch, the innovative UI designs backed with the latest technology make your fingers land on the exact apps you want. This way, you can select different apps and features without touching them.
The bright 1.2-inch display is another highlight of the watch. Samsung is known for enriching its products with attractive graphics and brightness, and the Gear S2 Smartwatch is also like that. It features a 360 x 360 pixels resolution, which is an incredible pixel density for any watch.
If you adjust the font on your watch properly, you can view multiple apps on the screen at once. Despite the watch’s small display, you can have a cleaner look at all the apps on the watch.
The strong and robust hardware of the Gear S2 Smartwatch is another factor making it a durable gadget. Normally when you buy a smartwatch, it comes with multiple protocols to follow so the watch can last a longer duration. That’s not the case with the Gear S2 Smartwatch.
While writing this review, I moved the dial multiple times and have developed a habit of keeping doing it. It’s super fun seeing the watch changing its faces. For instance, the first one is the clock page, also known as the home page. As you rotate the dial, you will get to apps, then comes weather forecasting and some tools, and it gets on and on.
Like the Apple smartwatches, you can use customized straps even on the Gear S2 Smartwatch. You will find multiple options on the market or any online Samsung store. You can easily remove the strap and install it again makes strap customization a lot more fun.
The Gear S2 Smartwatch is one of the few smartwatches under $150 where you get hundreds of third-party apps to choose from. On the watch, there is a built-in app called Gear store, similar to App Store in iOS smartwatches under $150. You get around 1000+ apps on the store from BBC to Spotify and other useful third-party apps you can use.
Why love the Samsung Gear S2 Smartwatch?
- It’s packed with the latest technology features and an intuitive UI
- The rotating bezel is both attractive and user-friendly
- You get a sleek watch with customizable straps
- The watch is quite affordable
Why hate the Samsung Gear S2 Smartwatch?
- The voice recognition feature is not strong
- It comes with less number of high-quality apps
Overall, the Samsung Gear S2 Smartwatch is a well-deserved gadget for users who can’t compromise on the look or functionality of their watch. This is the best option for you if you don’t trust brands that are not as strong as Apple or at least near them. But you must compromise on the quality of third-party apps and voice control systems.
Conversely, for high-quality voice recognition, you can go for the Amazfit GTS 2e, Garmin Vivoactive, and TicWatch Pro 3 if you are high on swimming.
What to do to get the best smartwatch under $150?
Here are the factors you need to consider for getting the most suitable and reliable watch for yourself for under $150.
· Budget
As you are following a set budget, it’s ideal to use a prize filter for online purchases and a thorough visit to the market in case you are getting the watch by yourself. Always set a budget less than your actual one, as this will save you from surpassing the set budget amount.
· Device Compatibility
For maximum advantage and usage of the watch, it’s ideal to go for a smartwatch compatible with iOS and Android. Fortunately, many companies are now focusing on making multi-purpose watches that can be used with various devices. So, if given a chance, choose the one that can work conveniently on both iOS and Android.
· Interface
If you are a beginner and aren’t aware much of the functionality of smartwatches, it’s better to go for one with an intuitive interface. This way, you will be able to focus on the features of your watch rather than getting lost in figuring out how different watch controls work.
FAQs
1. Can I really get a quality smartwatch for under $150?
Yes, While you might miss out on some high-end features, there are plenty of solid options available for under $150 that offer a great mix of functionality and reliability.
2. What features can I expect in a smartwatch under $150?
Expect to see basics like activity tracking, notifications, and perhaps even a heart rate monitor. Some even offer sleep tracking and limited GPS capabilities.
3. Are cheap smartwatches durable?
Just because it’s affordable doesn’t mean it’s flimsy. Many smartwatches under $150 come with water-resistance and scratch-resistant screens.
4. Will I be able to sync the smartwatch with my smartphone?
Most likely, yes. Many budget-friendly smartwatches offer Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to sync with both Android and iOS devices for notifications, calls, and more.
5. Do these smartwatches support third-party apps?
Some do, but many budget options have limited app ecosystems. Always check compatibility if you have specific apps in mind.
6. What’s the average battery life for a smartwatch under $150?
You can generally expect a battery life of 1-3 days, depending on usage. More expensive watches may offer longer battery life, but there are affordable options with decent longevity.
7. Are budget smartwatches bulky or stylish?
Styles vary, but you’ll find both sporty and sleek designs even in the under-$150 price range. You don’t have to sacrifice looks for affordability.
8. Can I use a budget smartwatch for fitness tracking?
Absolutely! Most budget-friendly smartwatches come equipped with at least basic fitness tracking capabilities like step counting and calorie estimation.
9. Is the software experience smooth on cheaper smartwatches?
While you shouldn’t expect lightning-fast speeds, many budget smartwatches offer a satisfactory user experience for basic tasks. Just don’t expect them to run resource-heavy apps as smoothly as high-end models.
10. Is customer support available for budget smartwatches?
Yes, most reputable brands offer customer support, even for their budget options. However, the warranty period may be shorter, so it’s worth checking the terms before you buy.
What’s Next?
Now that you have a list of the best smartwatches you can get under $150, it’s time to hit the store and gift yourself a feature-rich smartwatch. You can use the buying guide above if you get a watch for the first time.
If I were to choose a smartwatch I like the most; the Garmin Vivoactive would be my first choice. Being a music enthusiast, I love the built-in music storage on the watch and how it allows you to download and play music on different third-party apps.
After figuring out your needs, you can also choose a watch you won’t regret buying in the future.
