Checklist · 10 picks · 3 categories
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The first rule of smartwatches: match your phone. Apple Watches only work with iPhones, and Samsung's Galaxy Watch is Android only, so start there.
Tom's Guide picked the best cheap watch for each side, and Engadget picked its favorites if you want the newest model. Then make it yours with a second band: TechGearLab reviewed a cheap silicone band for the gym, a nearly weightless fabric loop and a leather band that dresses up; all three fit Apple Watch. Finally, a charging stand gives your watch a home at night. TechRadar reviewed the chargers, including a foldable 3-in-1 pad for trips; they're built for iPhone, Apple Watch and earbuds. Each card shows the drawback the outlet called out.
Who this is not for. Skip this if you only want a GPS watch for training; the Running Starter Kit has Garmin and COROS running watches.
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Estimates based on typical prices, checked Oct 30, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch SE 3 | mid | $200-300 | a first Apple Watch that doesn't cost a fortune | 1 outlet |
| Apple Watch Series 12 | splurge | $300-500 | iPhone owners who want the full health toolkit | 1 outlet |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 | budget | $200-300 | Android users who want a deal on last year's model | 1 outlet |
| Google Pixel Watch 5 | splurge | $300-500 | Android users who want a watch that looks like a watch | 1 outlet |
Best smartwatch for iphonemid pick · 40mm or 44mm
Best for a first Apple Watch that doesn't cost a fortune
Tom's Guide's best cheap Apple Watch: most of Apple's best wellness, fitness, sleep and safety features, plus an always-on display and 5G.
Heads up. No ECG readings or hypertension alerts, and only 18 hours of battery
1 outlet. Tom's Guide best cheap Apple Watch.
$200-300
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splurge pick · 42mm or 46mm
Best for iPhone owners who want the full health toolkit
Engadget's best smartwatch overall: still the best watch for iPhone users, polished to a fine shine after years of refinement.
Heads up. It looks the same as before, and its upcoming Live Rewind and Siri Recaps features raise privacy questions
1 outlet. Engadget best smartwatch overall.
$300-500
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Best smartwatch for androidbudget pick · 40mm or 44mm
Best for Android users who want a deal on last year's model
Tom's Guide's best cheap smartwatch for Android users: slim and comfortable, with accurate sleep insights and Google's Gemini assistant.
Heads up. 24 hours of battery, and some health tools need a Samsung Galaxy phone
1 outlet. Tom's Guide best cheap smartwatch for Android users.
$200-300
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splurge pick · 41mm or 45mm
Best for Android users who want a watch that looks like a watch
Engadget's best smartwatch for Android users: Google and Fitbit know-how in a round design, with nearly two days of battery.
Heads up. Tom's Guide calls it a very modest improvement on the older Pixel Watch
1 outlet. Engadget best smartwatch for Android users.
$300-500
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IYOU Sport Band | budget | under $15 | workouts and a pop of color for cheap | 1 outlet |
| Tovelo Sport Loop Band | budget | $15-25 | all-day comfort with an easy fit | 1 outlet |
| Nomad Modern Band | splurge | $100-150 | one band for class, work and going out | 1 outlet |
Best watch bandbudget pick · Apple Watch sizes
Best for workouts and a pop of color for cheap
TechGearLab's best buy Apple Watch band: a lightweight silicone band that's great for working out.
Heads up. Doesn't dress up well, and the silicone gets sticky when wet
1 outlet. TechGearLab best Buy Apple Watch band.
under $15
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budget pick · Apple Watch sizes
Best for all-day comfort with an easy fit
TechGearLab's top pick for lightweight comfort: nearly weightless and infinitely adjustable.
Heads up. The hook-and-loop closure isn't as secure when sweaty, and the hardware is cheap plastic
1 outlet. TechGearLab top Pick Apple Watch band.
$15-25
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splurge pick · Apple Watch sizes
Best for one band for class, work and going out
TechGearLab's top pick for versatile performance: high-quality leather that dresses up or down.
Heads up. Only one color available
1 outlet. TechGearLab top Pick Apple Watch band.
$100-150
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Stand | splurge | $100-150 | a nightstand charging spot for iPhone, watch and AirPods | 1 outlet |
| Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Foldable Pad | mid | $50-100 | charging everything on trips with one plug | 1 outlet |
| Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Dock with MagSafe | splurge | $100-150 | small desks with just a phone and a watch | 1 outlet |
Best watch chargersplurge pick · Stand
Best for a nightstand charging spot for iPhone, watch and AirPods
TechRadar's best 3-in-1 Apple charger: fast charging with easy access to all three devices.
Heads up. Collects dust quickly, and you can't adjust the phone's viewing angle
1 outlet. TechRadar best 3-in-1 Apple charger.
$100-150
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mid pick · Foldable
Best for charging everything on trips with one plug
TechRadar's best travel charger: a light 3-in-1 pad that charges an iPhone, an Apple Watch and earbuds at good speeds.
Heads up. Moves on surfaces easily, and it's tricky to take your phone off one-handed
1 outlet. TechRadar best travel charger.
$50-100
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splurge pick · Dock
Best for small desks with just a phone and a watch
TechRadar's best 2-in-1 Apple charger: a compact, super sturdy dock with speedy Apple Watch charging.
Heads up. Below-average iPhone charging speed, and the outer material attracts dust
1 outlet. TechRadar best 2-in-1 Apple charger.
$100-150
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
Apple Watches work only with iPhones, and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 works only with Android phones; Tom's Guide adds that some of its health tools need a Samsung Galaxy phone. Engadget's pick for Android users is the Google Pixel Watch 5.
Tom's Guide calls it the best cheap Apple Watch, with most of Apple's best wellness, fitness, sleep and safety features. The trade-offs are no ECG readings or hypertension alerts, and 18 hours of battery (24 in low-power mode).
No, but it's handy. TechRadar's best 3-in-1 Apple charger, the Anker MagGo stand, charged an Apple Watch fully in 64 minutes in its reviews, and the foldable Anker pad is its pick for travel. Both are made for iPhone and Apple Watch.