Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Amazfit Active 2
Best BudgetGoogle Pixel Watch 4
Best for AndroidPrice
$60-$100
$349-$449
Summary
The best smartwatch under $100, and Reddit's go-to recommendation for budget-conscious buyers. Punches well above its price with solid fitness tracking and a wide variety of designs.
The best all-around smartwatch for Android users, with 60-hour battery life, satellite messaging, and Fitbit-powered health metrics that are easy to actually understand. Sleek design that doesn't scream 'fitness tracker.'
Pros
- Best cheap smartwatch under $100 per Tom's Guide testing
- Wide variety of designs and styles available
- Solid fitness and health tracking for the price
- Consistently recommended by Reddit community for budget buyers
- 60-hour battery life (45mm) in real-world Tom's Guide testing
- Satellite messaging support on cellular version
- Fitbit app makes health and fitness metrics easy to understand
- Sleek, comfortable design praised across multiple expert reviews
Cons
- App ecosystem far smaller than Apple or Samsung
- Health tracking accuracy lags behind premium options
- Software updates less consistent than major brands
- Not a major upgrade over Pixel Watch 3 for existing owners
- Smaller app ecosystem compared to Apple Watch
- Cellular version required for satellite messaging feature
Our take
Reddit consistently pushes Amazfit for budget buyers, and Tom's Guide agrees — the Active 2 is the best cheap smartwatch you can buy. At under $100, there's nothing close.
Wirecutter calls it the best all-around smartwatch for Android, and the 60-hour battery life in real testing seals it. Samsung fans will argue, but the Pixel Watch 4's health data presentation via Fitbit is genuinely more digestible.
Buy
