4 Best Budget Smartwatch Models for Less Than $250 (2026)
Why WIRED recommends: This is a feature-packed smartwatch, with wrist-based gesture controls, an onboard microphone for voice calls, a ChatGPT-integrated voice assistant, and a built-in
Why WIRED recommends: This is a feature-packed smartwatch, with wrist-based gesture controls, an onboard microphone for voice calls, a ChatGPT-integrated voice assistant, and a built-in flashlight. Weighing only 51.9 grams (1.8 ounces), it’s super light, but the 1.43-inch AMOLED display is large and bright with more than 120 vibrant watch faces to choose from. The CMF Watch 3 Pro syncs with the Nothing X app on both iOS and Android, and battery life lasts about 13 days. The suite of health features is pretty comprehensive. Its optical heart rate sensor is accurate; former editor Adrienne So tallied the live readings on the Watch 3 Pro with her Oura Ring 4, and they almost always matched exactly.
It also has dual-band GPS tracking for more accurate outdoor tracking, detailed workout summaries, and fun animations that appear when you’re measuring your heart rate or doing breathing exercises. The trade-offs: It has a more utilitarian look than most smartwatches. The case is made from precision-milled metal, but it looks and feels more like plastic. The app can be a little wonky, the running coach is less flexible than those on other fitness trackers, and the watch occasionally overestimates sleep by as much as an hour compared with other sleep trackers. Specs Case Size 47 mm Display 1.43-inch AMOLED display Battery Life Up to 13 days Durability IP68 rated Compatibility iOS and Android Connectivity Bluetooth Most Affordable Apple Watch If you have an iPhone, the Apple Watch SE (3rd Gen) is the best value in Apple’s lineup.
It’s a decent upgrade if you’re coming from an older model and also makes a great smartwatch for your parents or kids. Why WIRED recommends: It has the latest S10 chip, which enables many of the standout health features the previous Apple Watch SE 2 lacked, such as sleep apnea notifications and skin temperature sensing. It runs watchOS 27, so you can view
the dynamic app grid with Siri-suggested apps, converse with the new Siri AI assistant, and use Workout Buddy without your iPhone nearby. It has fast charging, and even though it doesn’t have the Apple Watch Series 11’s 24-hour battery life, former editor Adrienne So still managed to get a full day of battery life out of it, even with the always-on display enabled.
The BriefWire