[Budget Smartwatches 2026] Under $100 Picks (Amazfit vs Xiaomi, Battery Life)

Best Watches Under $100
Flagship Killers of 2026

Welcome back to the lab! This is 'Thirsty Hippo'. It is the first week of the New Year, and you have started your fitness journey. But do you really need a $400 Apple Watch or a $800 Garmin to track your steps? Absolutely not. In 2026, the "Budget" smartwatch market has exploded. Features that used to be exclusive to premium devices—like AMOLED screens, GPS, and 10-day battery life—are now standard in the $50-$100 range. Today, we review the top 3 budget kings that prove you don't need to break the bank to track your health.

🚀 Key Takeaways

• Amazfit Active 2: The best all-rounder. It looks like an Apple Watch, has built-in GPS, and lasts 14 days on a charge.
• CMF Watch Pro 3: The design winner. Nothing's budget brand offers a stunning unique look with a smooth 60Hz interface.
• Xiaomi Band 10 Pro: The value king. For under $60, you get SpO2 tracking and 120 sports modes in a slim form factor.

📌 1. The All-Rounder (Amazfit Active 2)

If you want an Apple Watch clone that actually works, this is it. Amazfit has mastered the budget segment. The Active 2 features a 1.75" AMOLED display that gets bright enough to see in direct sunlight (1000 nits).

But the killer feature is Zepp Coach. This AI-powered algorithm analyzes your fatigue and sleep to suggest workouts. It is essentially the same tech found in high-end Garmins but for a fraction of the price. The GPS accuracy is surprisingly good for city runners, locking on within seconds.

🧮 Hippo's Insight

Why pay $400 for 18 hours of battery? The biggest advantage of budget watches is Battery Life. Because they use a lighter operating system (RTOS) instead of heavy watchOS or WearOS, they sip power. You can go on a week-long hiking trip without bringing a charger.

👉 Verdict: Sacrifice apps, gain freedom.

📊 2. Specs Showdown (Apple vs Budget)

What do you actually lose by paying less? Let's compare.

Feature	Apple Watch SE ($249)	CMF Watch Pro 3 ($69)
Screen	OLED (Retina)	AMOLED (Brighter)
Battery Life	18 Hours	13 Days
Ecosystem	Deep iPhone Integration	Basic Notifications

You lose third-party apps (no Spotify or Maps on your wrist) and the ability to reply to texts via voice. But for pure health tracking and checking notifications, the $69 CMF Watch does 90% of the job.

📢 3. The Design King (CMF by Nothing)

Most cheap watches look like cheap toys. CMF by Nothing is the exception. Their industrial design with bold orange accents and aluminum frames looks like a $300 device.

In 2026, fashion tech is huge. CMF understands this. The UI is minimalist and buttery smooth (60Hz), unlike the laggy interfaces of older cheap watches. It is the only budget watch you can wear with a suit without it looking out of place.

❓ FAQ

Q. Do these work with iPhone?

A. Yes, all of them have iOS apps. However, due to Apple's restrictions, you cannot reply to iMessages from the watch.

Q. Are the heart rate sensors accurate?

A. Surprisingly yes. While not medical grade, testing shows they are within 95% accuracy of a chest strap during steady cardio.

📝 Final Thoughts

You don't need to spend a fortune to get fit. The budget smartwatch market in 2026 has matured to the point where "cheap" no longer means "bad." Grab an Amazfit or CMF, save the extra $300, and invest it in a good pair of running shoes instead.

Coming Up Next (Weekend Fun)

🔜 Best Wireless Earbuds Under $50

"Completing your budget gym kit. Can cheap audio sound good?"

Budget Tech Series!

#BudgetSmartwatch #AmazfitActive #CMFWatchPro #XiaomiBand #FitnessTracker #TechDeals #SmartwatchReview #WearableTech #ThirstyHippo #GadgetGuide