Best Smartwatch Under $50 (Cheap Smartwatches for 2022)

The smartwatch industry has certainly come a long way since the launch of the first modern wearable in 2014.

LG G was a big hit at that time but, quite understandably, wasn’t the cheapest. Nowadays, it’s considered pretty much an archaic item. All the features offered by that model are now available even with smartwatches at the lower end of the pricing table.

Naturally, if you’ve got money to burn, you should consider going for the likes of the Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Active series. Without a doubt, these are the most advanced models at present and come with a myriad of premium health-tracking apps and functions. For instance, they can take accurate ECG readings or function as standalone devices, allowing you to make and receive calls without your smartphone.

On the other hand, if you’re shopping on a budget but would still like to wear a capable smartwatch, not all hope is lost. Although you can’t expect it to come with the premium features like the series mentioned above do, some of the most essential apps are usually on board even when shopping for products at bargain-basement pricing.

In this article, we will help you pick the best smartwatch under $50 by reviewing 5 hand-picked products.

To begin with, we will take a look at the top three (in our opinion) models, all selected for contrasting reasons. If none of these cater to your taste, in the latter part of the article you will find 3 alternative models.

So, what is the best 50-dollar smartwatch?

As an affiliate, Timepieceking might earn a commission (at no additional cost to you) for purchases made via links in the article.

At a Glance: TOP 3

• Best Value: Poplgory Smartwatch
• Cheapest: Iowodo Smartwatch
• Most Stylish: CanMixS Smartwatch

Best Smartwatch Under 50 (Top 3 Reviewed)

Popglory Smartwatch

We open up today’s list with what is arguably the best dollar-for-dollar smartwatch under 50 dollars. In fact, in terms of the number of positive reviews online, the smartwatch can be stacked against much more well-known and mainstream brands.

Features

Looking at the number and quality of useful functions and apps, the Popglory wearable easily puts to shame some smartwatch models that can cost 3-4x times more.

To begin with, it’s unseen for a smart watch under $50 to offer accurate blood pressure and blood oxygen measurements. Yet, Popglory does. With the help of the HeroBandl app that’s free to download, you will get great insights into two metrics that are considered essential to our everyday well-being.

Naturally, the model also offers what are considered essential smartwatch features, such as:

• heart rate monitor
• step counter
• sleep tracker
• distance traveled

The fact there are many sports modes to pick from makes the product a great multisport watch. If you’re into walking, running, cycling, skipping, badminton, basketball, or football, you’re going to love the Popglory product.

Appearance-wise, the watch is highly customizable. It offers plenty of free watch faces that are eligible for further tinkering on your side.

Naturally, the watch allows for on-screen calls, text and app notifications. What’s important, it’s fully compatible with both Android and iOS smartphones.

Exterior

The watch is available in four variations: black, green, pink, and pink-gold. It has a rectangular stainless steel case and a rubber band, somewhat resembling an Apple Watch.

The smartwatch comes with an IP67 water resistance rating, meaning it’s splashproof. Wearing it while washing hands or running in the rain is safe. However, going for a swim poses a big risk of unrepairable damage.

Battery Life

The impressive battery life is another field in which the Popglory smartwatch has a lot to boast about.

With regular use, you can expect the model to work for up to 10 days on a full charge. The lifespan in the standby mode is also impressive as it can reach a full month.

CanMixs Smartwatch

If you want to combine useful smartwatch features with a bit more stylish design, look no further. The CanMixs smartwatch will certainly turn many heads and look great even with more formal outfits.

Features

Akin to the Popglory model above, the CanMixs smartwatch has nothing to be embarrassed about when it comes to the number and quality of useful features it offers.

Crucially, it also offers the much sought-after blood pressure and blood oxygen monitors.

Unsurprisingly, basic health-tracking apps such as a 24/7 heart rate monitor, pedometer, calorie counter and sleep quality tracker are also available. The smartwatch holds an advantage over the Popglory model in terms of the number of sport modes. With as many as 24 of them available, you are bound to get some really good insights into your performance.

The round touchscreen can notify you about all sorts of updates, including incoming phone calls, text messages, or app alerts.

Whether you own an iPhone or an Android smartphone, this CanMixs model works perfectly fine with both.

Exterior

Design-wise, the smartwatch is a clear departure from the Apple Watch-inspired Popglory model. It comes with a round face that’s typical of the vast majority of regular wristwatches.

The smartwatch is available in three versions. The one you see above has a gold-tone, elegant look and boats a stainless steel case and mesh bracelet. In our opinion, it’s the most stylish product of all smart watches under 50 dollars listed in the article. The other two versions are definitely more sporty as they come with rubber bands. Both have gold-tone cases but the bands are either black or pink.

The watch offers a plethora of free watch faces for easy screen customization.

As far as protection against water damage goes, the smartwatch has an IP68 waterproof rating which is a slight improvement on Popglory. The rating ensures that the watch is safe even during short swimming sessions.

Battery Life

Depending on how you exploit the battery, it can last anywhere between 1 to 2 weeks. In the standby time (while fully charged), the smartwatch can reach even 45 days.

Iowodo Smartwatch

Closing the top three list of best smartwatches under $50 is this Iowodo model. It’s the perfect choice for those who want to spend considerably less than the quoted 50 dollars as it’s the cheapest smartwatch reviewed in the article.

Features

The considerable drop in price means the smartwatch doesn’t offer the two premium health-monitoring apps included with both models above.

Despite the understandable omission of the monitors tracking blood pressure and blood oxygen levels, the most basic wellness apps are on board. These include:

• 24/7 HR monitor
• sleep quality insights
• pedometer
• calorie counter

On top of that, there are also 9 sports modes that help track your daily activities and fitness goals. With the help of the “H Band” application that’s available for free, the smartwatch can notify you of incoming text messages, calls and social media alerts.

IOWODO offers full compatibility with Android and iOS smartphones.

Exterior

Unlike the two products discussed before, the IOWODO smartwatch comes in a unified design.

The all-black, masculine exterior includes a round stainless steel case and a rugged silicone band. The number of screen customization options is huge as IOWODO offers many free watch faces.

If you’re a person that loves a swim, the IOWODO model is probably your best bet. The smartwatch offers the highest water resistance of all products on the list (5ATM / 50m).

Battery Life

Considering the extremely low price, IOWODO provides a surprisingly solid battery performance.

On a full charge, this model can deliver up to 10 days of hassle-free use. In standby mode, it can run for as many as 40 days.

Best Smartwatch Under $50: Alternative Picks

If none of the smartwatches mentioned above appeal to you, there are two other options listed below.

Should the unexpected occur and your demands remain unmet, the article concludes with an easy-to-understand Buying Guide that will assist you in finding the correct product on your own.

AOKESI Smartwatch

Still looking for a capable smartwatch under 50 bucks? Well, Aokesi certainly provides good value while keeping the expenses low at the same time.

Features

The smartwatch is the closest to the $50 mark from all reviewed in today’s article but it comes with many interesting perks.

Apart from the blood oxygen monitor, it also offers unique features that aren’t present in any of the 3 models above.

One of these is a built-in Alexa sensor that helps you connect with your Amazon Alexa device for quick access to weather, news, or music.

Another feature that deserves a mention is the Stress Levels monitor. Working with an around-the-clock heart rate monitor and sleep quality tracker, the feature gives you great insights into your everyday stress levels and sends reminders when to relax.

Other essential apps are also included:

• 24/7 heart rate monitor (with too low/too high HR alerts)
• burned calories
• pedometer
• sleep quality tracker

Crucially, the Aokesi smartwatch allows for all sorts of on-screen notifications. It’s also compatible with Android and iOS mobiles.

Exterior

You can pick from two color variations: black and pink. Both versions of the smartwatch use an aluminum casing and rubber strap.

As expected, the smartwatch allows for easy customization with plenty of free watch faces available.

Akin to the IOWODO model above, the watch offers solid protection against water with a 5ATM (50m) water resistance rating.

Battery Life

On a full charge, you can expect the smartwatch to run for at least 10 days. In the standby mode, it should reach a full month.

Kalinco Smartwatch

Last but not least, closing the list of best smart watches under 50 dollars is this ultra-affordable model from Kalinco.

Features

The Kalinco model in question here is another smartwatch on today’s list that offers both blood pressure and blood oxygen monitors which is awesome for a product in this price range.

Adding to the list of useful health-tracking apps are the 24/7 heart rate monitor, sleep quality tracking, pedometer, and burned calories monitor. Naturally, the watch is also able to measure distance traveled thanks to the presence of GPS.

In terms of the specific sport modes, the watch offers 7: walking, running, cycling, skipping, badminton, basketball, and football. It allows you to select as many on-screen notifications as you wish to have, ranging from calls to text messages to social media alerts to calendar reminders.

Exterior

The Kalinco smartwatch is available in three colors. Apart from the pink version you see above, there are also black and purple variations.

The case is made from aluminum while the band from silicone. Like all the products described in today’s article, Kalinco provides you with a huge choice of screen customization thanks to a number of free watch faces.

With an IP67 water resistance rating, the smartwatch is safe to wear while washing hands or showering but swimming would be a bridge too far.

Battery Life

There’s not much to complain about in terms of the battery performance as the smartwatch can easily reach a lifespan of one week on a full charge. What’s more, in standby mode the battery can reach +30 days.

Best Smart Watches Under $50: Buying Guide

We’re hoping that from all the 5 best smartwatches under $50 reviewed in today’s article, at least one feels like a worthy purchase.

With that said, we’re aware that there’s no accounting for taste, especially when it comes to wearables. Just because we love all 5 picks doesn’t necessarily mean you will too. Hence, below you will find an easy-to-grasp Buying Guide that will help you find the right product on your own.

To squeeze as much as possible out of today’s subject, at the very bottom of the article you will find a FAQ section in which we answer some of the most popular questions.

• Durability

You can buy the most beautiful smartwatch in the world but if the durability standards aren’t up to scratch, the joy of using it won’t last long.

Although while looking for the best smartwatch for 50 dollars you can’t expect it to be made from the most enduring materials, it’s still possible to get a reliable and lasting product.

a) Glass – due to their AMOLED or LED touchscreens, smartwatches are more prone to damage than traditional wristwatches with more durable glass.

In the ideal world, you’d like to stay away from products using plastic glass. Recommended glass types include mineral crystal, sapphire crystal or Corning Gorilla glass. Unfortunately, finding a smartwatch under $50 that uses any of the three types is really difficult. However, you can always buy an additional layer of protection for your smartwatch, by choosing endless tempered glass deals on Amazon.

b) Band – despite the fact that smartwatches are suitable for any occasion, they are frequently utilized during fitness activities. Therefore, they should be as light as a feather and easy to maintain. Silicone or rubber straps are thought to be the finest options.

Naturally, if you want to turn your wristwatch into a trendy fashion piece, you may acquire extra bands. Interchangeable straps are available from a variety of manufacturers. For more formal occasions, stainless steel or leather bracelets are a preferable choice.

c) Water resistance — smartwatch’s ability to endure water damage is rather crucial. Regrettably, the vast majority of smartwatches on the market do not support more dangerous sports such as diving.

With that said, many of them are completely safe to wear in the rain, showers, or even while swimming. At the very least, search for devices with an IP67 (splashproof) rating. A smartwatch offering 5ATM (50m) water resistance would be ideal, though.

• Style

Getting a smartwatch that can take a beating is important but so is the comfort of wearing it. Consider smartwatches that can be used on different occasions so you don’t have to chop and change your gear all the time.

Don’t forget about the importance of measures like case size and weight. In an ideal scenario, at times you should be able to forget you’re even wearing it. Bulky casings should be avoided if you have a small wrist. Larger casings (45mm+) are advised if your wrist is massive.

• Features

More often than not, the longer the list of features, the higher the price of the smartwatch. While shopping on a budget and looking for smartwatches under $50, you can’t expect the most advanced technology and apps.

The good news is, a lion’s share of low-budget models still offer the most essential features that give you solid insights into your everyday well-being and performance.

At the very least, make sure the smartwatch offers a 24/7 heart rate monitor, step and calorie counter, as well as a reliable GPS for measuring distance and speed.

50 Dollar Smartwatch: FAQ

Below find some of the popular questions asked by folks mulling over the purchase of a low-budget (<$50) smartwatch.

Do smartwatches provide reliable health data?

Most smartwatch manufacturers, especially those operating in the low-price basket, would agree that their gadgets’ health-tracking capabilities aren’t perfect. With that said, most of the data such as heart rate or the number of steps you make daily are fairly accurate.

For the most accurate insights into your health, consider renowned brands such as Apple, Samsung, or Garmin. These are extremely popular amongst different types of wearers looking for the most accurate data, from seniors to nurses to firefighters.

How do smartwatches measure heart rate?

To monitor heart rate, most smartwatches employ a technique known as photoplethysmography (or PPG). A green light is often projected on the skin hundreds of times per minute, and the light’s reflection is collected.

Because more light is reflected between heartbeats, it may be used to estimate heart rate (with the help of algorithmic software). PPG hardware is sometimes referred to as an ‘optical heart rate monitor.’

How do smartwatches measure sleep quality?

Most of the newly-released smartwatches contain sensors that can track movement and heart rate. This information may be used to calculate (1) how long you slept and (2) how long you spent in each of the four sleep phases.

Since heart rate, respiration, and physical movements all increase during rapid-eye-movement sleep (REM), the sensors will detect this. Most importantly, a lion’s share of smartwatches lets you know about the duration of your deep sleep which plays an integral part in your body’s recovery process.

How do smartwatches keep track of steps?

Hardware called ‘3-Axis Accelerometer’ is used in most smartwatches to compute steps. The same feature is present in most smartphones so it’s hardly a ground-breaking technology.

Some watches, on the other hand, have a gyroscope for determining direction and an altimeter for determining height. Smartwatches that contain all three sensors allow you to track your endeavors more precisely. They are particularly popular amongst folks in outdoor activities such as hiking, hunting, or mountain biking.

What’s the best Android smartwatch under 50 bucks?

If you’ve gone through all 5 models discussed in today’s article, picking the best smartwatch for Android under $50 shouldn’t be a difficult task. All 5 products support Android smartphones and, considering the impressive number of features and reliable battery lifespans, you shouldn’t be disappointed with any.

Also, feel free to read our guide to Top Android Smartwatches Under $100.

What’s the best smartwatch for iPhone under $50?

Just like in the case of Android-supporting wearables, if you’re looking for the best smartwatch under $50 for iPhone, trust any of the 5 products described in the article to deliver satisfactory performance. All run equally fine with iOS.

What’s the best Chinese smartwatch under $50?

There are quite a few brands originating from China that offer solid value in their smartwatch collections.

One of the most trusted and highly-rated Chinese manufacturers is LIGE. Although most LIGE smartwatches oscillate in the $50-$100 price basket, there are some models available below the $50 mark. Before going ahead with the purchase, you can learn more about the brand by reading our Lige watch review.

What’s the best fitness tracker under 50 dollars?

Thankfully, it’s not difficult to find a capable fitness watch under 50 bucks. All 5 products described above provide excellent insights into your everyday performance and can help you keep track of your fitness goals. You can explore more budget fitness trackers on marketplaces such as Amazon or eBay.

Alternatively, consider getting a smartband. These can be considerably cheaper than smartwatches despite offering most of the essential fitness-tracking features.

What’s the best running watch under 50 dollars?

If you’re a running enthusiast, make sure the smartwatch you’re about to buy offers the GPS function. This enables you to get insights into data such as distance traveled, average pace, etc. All products reviewed in the article offer the GPS feature so you should be satisfied with any of the above.

Is it possible to buy an Apple watch under 50 dollars?

Unfortunately, no.

At the time of writing, the cheapest series is Apple Watch 3 as the first two have already been discontinued. Refurbished Apple Watch 3 is likely to set you back anywhere between $150-$200.