While most people use their smartphones for apps, smartwatches come in handy for passive use that smartphones cannot provide. Health, fitness, sleep, and stress tracking can all be tracked with smartwatches.
Thanks to technological advancements in the industry, some of the top-tier smartwatches are now affordable. After extensive testing and research, we compiled a list of the 5 best smartwatches under $300.
The Best Smartwatches Under $300
- Samsung Galaxy
- Fitbit Versa 2
- Garmin Instinct
- Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle
- Apple Watch Series 3
1. Samsung Galaxy SM-R810NZKAXAR
First, the Samsung Galaxy is a high-quality smartwatch that costs less than $300. A popular and highly-rated watch that recently got a $45 price cut, this watch is a great value.
The watch is available in three different colors; black, silver, and rose gold. You can make calls using Bluetooth by connecting it to your phone. My favorite feature is the rotating bezel. It makes scrolling through settings and apps much easier on the watch.
There is very good lighting on the screen, so it is easily readable no matter where you are. It makes setting changes easy and intuitive by allowing you to swipe left and right.
A wireless charger is included with the purchase. Approximately 48 hours of battery life can be obtained after 2 hours of charging. Depending on how often you use the device, the battery life may vary.
The Samsung Galaxy looks more like a real watch than a smartwatch. It’s comfortable to wear and fits any wrist perfectly. This watch is available in two different sizes: 42mm and 46mm. Both sizes are under $300. Bluetooth pairing is secure and effortless with both iOS and Android smartphones.
2. Fitbit Versa 2
In 2009, when the first Fitbit was released, it was a big hit. It tracked health and exercise very well and quickly gained popularity. Fitbit would have been an even better smartwatch if a few things were changed.
Fitbit took the customer’s criticisms very seriously. Fitbit launched the Fitbit Versa 2 after fixing customer complaints and adding a few extra features.
Compared with the original Versa smartwatch, the Fitbit Versa 2 has fewer buttons, a much better screen, much more vibrancy in colors, extra storage, and Amazon Alexa. It has a long battery life of 5-7 days.
Bluetooth 4.0 provides a reliable and robust connection. It can also be connected via WiFi. The new NFC feature makes payments much easier. It also includes Amazon Alexa, unlike its predecessor.
On this device, you have more than enough storage with 5 gigabytes. Fitbit Versa 2 features include NFC wallet, Amazon Alexa, voice command, Uber, Starbucks, 24/7 heart rate tracking, Spotify, APPs, on-screen workouts, and more.
3. Garmin Instinct
The Garmin Instinct is one of the kings of the smartwatch world. At under $300, this device is one of the best-rated and reviewed on the market. Garmin’s smartwatches are among the most durable and tough they’ve ever created, especially if you’re the adventurous type.
It was specifically designed to withstand vigorous environmental conditions of any kind. It has a long battery life. In smartwatch mode, it has a battery life of 14 days. For GPS, it has a battery life of 16 days. On UltraTrac battery saver mode, you can use the device for 40 consecutive days.
We mean it when we say this watch is designed for adventure. With a long battery life, flawless durability, and a plethora of features, this watch is the perfect watch for camping, hiking, or traveling.
The device is equipped with a barometric altimeter and a 3-axis compass. In addition, the multiple global navigation satellite systems help locate more robust environments than the standard GPS can.
4. Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle
The Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle is another great smartwatch under $300. It has a stainless steel body and a touchscreen that is responsive and intuitive. This watch is available in both male and female versions. You will see three buttons on the right side, each with its own capability.
You can take phone calls and hear alerts with the built-in speaker. There is an integrated sensor on the back of the watch that measures your heart rate. You can get it in either black, brown, or grey.
The Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle smartwatch has a heart rate monitor, NFC, smartphone notifications, and GPS. The charger that connects to the back of the watch is included with the purchase. The watch can be charged up to 80% in one hour.
I also like how it automatically turns on when you lift your wrist upwards when you’re about to look at it. Overall, the Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle is a solid smartwatch running below $300. This product is very intuitive, has a great design, a decent built-in speaker, and is an excellent value at its price point.It’s very intuitive, has a great design, a decent built-in speaker, and is an excellent value for the price.
5. Garmin vívoactive 3
Garmin recently cut the price of this watch in half. A Garmin v*voactive 3 that previously cost $ 250 now costs around $116. The smartwatch is extremely comfortable and lightweight. Smartwatches are generally bulkier due to the amount of hardware they contain. However, the v*voactive 3 is not only slim, but does not even have a bump on the bottom that monitors the heart rate.
Battery life is about 5-7 days. You can receive notifications when connected to a compatible smartphone. However, you cannot reply to messages.
This watch is made from Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which is extremely durable and almost scratch-proof. Garmin v*vocative 3 comes preloaded with 15 GPS and indoor sports apps. Its ability to track your stress level is a very handy feature.
Stress is a silent cause of many illnesses and diseases. It is a huge advantage that vivoactive 3 is able to track your stress levels. The display is also easy to see in direct sunlight. In general, the Garmin v*vocative 3 is a terrific smartwatch for under $300. Check out the reviews on Amazon below.
