Do you ever wish you had a little helper right on your wrist? Something to keep you on track without all the fancy bells and whistles? Smartwatches are everywhere these days, buzzing with notifications and tracking every step. But sometimes, all that extra stuff can feel like too much, right?
Trying to find a simple smartwatch that just does the basics well can actually be trickier than you think! Stores are packed with models that do everything from ordering pizza to telling you the weather on Mars. If you just want to see the time, check your steps, and maybe get simple text alerts without breaking the bank or learning a whole new computer, it feels like you have to dig deep.
This post cuts through the noise. We will show you exactly what makes a good *basic* smartwatch. You will learn what features truly matter for everyday use and how to spot the best value. Get ready to find the perfect, straightforward watch that fits your life perfectly.
Top Basic Smartwatch Recommendations
No. 1
Smart Watch for Men Women, 1.95"HD Smartwatch (Dial/Answer Calls), Heart Rate/Sleep Monitor Fitness Smartwatch, Curved Screen Watches, 112+ Sports Modes Activity Trackers,IP68 Waterproof, Black
- 112 Sports Modes & IP68 Waterproof Rating: The smart watch supports over 110 sports modes for indoor and outdoor activities, including running, walking, cycling, swimming, jumping rope, basketball, soccer, and more. As a fitness tracker, It accurately record your workout data, such as steps, heart rate, calories, steps, and distance. With its IP68 waterproof rating, ensuring that it can be used effortlessly in the rain or while swimming.
- All-day Health Monitoring: Adopted high-performance optical sensors, this mens fitness watch monitors your real-time heart rate around the clock. At night, it automatically analyzes your sleep (including deep sleep, light sleep, and awake phases), provides a detailed evaluation of your sleep quality, facilitates lifestyle adjustments.
- 1.95"Unique Curved Display: Our Smartwatch for men women features a 1.95-inch HD touchscreen with excellent picture quality and smoother use, bringing you an unprecedented use experience. . And the curved screen provides a more immersive display effect and supports four brightness levels, ensuring optimal visibility even outdoors.
- Make/Receive Calls and Smart Notifications: This Watch for men allows you to make and receive calls directly from your wrist via Bluetooth. It also supports notifications and messages from social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and text. Thanks to the vibration alert, you won’t miss any important calls or messages, even during a walk or workout, when your phone stays in your pocket.
- Customizable Watch Faces & Long Battery Life: With the "Gloryfit" app, this smart watches offers over 200 unique watch faces to choose from. A special feature allows you to use your own photo to create a personalized watch face, giving your watch a unique and stylish look. Equipped with a high-performance 280mAh battery, the watch lasts approximately 7 days with regular use and up to 15 days in standby mode.
No. 2
TRAUSI Smart Watch for Men, 120 Sports Modes Smartwatch with 1.83" HD Touchsreen, IP67 Waterproof, Sleep Monitor, Bluetooth Call & Music Control Fitness Watch for Android/iPhone (Black)
- 【1.83" HD Display & Customizable Watch Faces】Immerse yourself in a vibrant 1.83" IPS display, boasting a sharp resolution of 240*284 for crystal-clear visuals. Effortlessly personalize your smart watch with a wide array of customizable watch faces to suit your personal style for every occasion—whether trendy, artistic, or minimalist—ideal for casual, sporty, or professional. Its sleek, modern design complements any outfit, blending technology and fashion seamlessly for everyday wear
- 【120 Sports Modes & Advanced Health Tracking】Our TG08 smart watches for women men come equipped with 120 sports modes, allowing you to effortlessly track a variety of activities such as walking, running, cycling, and swimming. With integrated heart rate and sleep monitors, you can maintain a comprehensive overview of your health, achieve your fitness goals, and maintain a balanced, active lifestyle with ease. TG08L is your ideal companion for a healthier and more informed lifestyle
- 【Stay Connected Anytime, Anywhere】Stay informed and in control with Bluetooth call and music control features. Receive real-time notifications for calls, messages, and social media apps like Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, and Instagram directly on your smartwatch. Easily manage calls, control your music playlist, and stay updated without needing to reach for your phone. Perfect for work, workouts, or on-the-go, this watch keeps you connected and never miss important updates wherever you are
- 【IP67 Waterproof & Long-Lasting Battery】Designed to keep up with your active lifestyle, this smartwatch features an IP67 waterproof rating, ensuring it can withstand splashes, sweat, and even brief submersion, making it perfect for workouts, outdoor adventures, or rainy days. Its reliable 350mAh battery offering 5-7 days of active use and up to 30 days in standby mode, significantly reducing frequent charging. Ideal for all-day wear, whether you’re at the gym, outdoors, or simply on the go
- 【Multifunction & Wide Compatibility】Seamlessly handle heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and enjoy conveniences like camera/music control, Seamlessly handle heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and more-all directly from your wrist. This 1.83" HD smartwatch is compatible with iPhone (iOS 9.0+) & Android (5.0+), ensuring smooth daily connectivity and convenience throughout your day. More than just a timepiece, it’s a stylish, all-in-one wearable for smarter, healthier living
No. 3
Smart Watch for Men Women SmartWatch 1.83" for iPhone Samsung Android Phone Compatible, Fitness Tracker Watch with Pedometer, Heart Rate/Sleep Monitor, Blood Oxygen, IP68 Waterproof
- Heart Rate and Fitness Tracker: This mans womens watch includes more practical functions, Fitness Tracker watch (Pedometer, Calories, Distance), Heart Rate Monitor, Pressure Monitor, Sleep Monitor, Music & Camera Control, Weather Display, Sedentary Reminder, Alarm Clock, Stopwatch.
- Smart Notificatio: Smart watch for android phones will remind you when your smartphone receives notification, SMS and APP messages (WhatsAPP, Facebook, Messenger, Instagram) so you don't miss every message.
- 1.83 Inch Full Touch Screen: This smart watch for android compatible features a 1.83 inch TFT-LCD color display for outstanding HD quality. Zinc alloy case and silicone strap, make you more comfortable to wear. You can choose from140 + personalized watch faces, or set your favorite photo from your phone as a watch face.
- 24 Hours Health Monitoring: This smart watch for man women features real-time heart rate monitoring,pressure monitoring, exercise recording and sleep monitoring, accurately records all-day activities such as steps, calories burned a fitness watch to monitor your health at all times.
- IP68 Waterproof: This activity trackers and smartwatche is designed with IP68 waterproof rating, so you can have no worries when washing your hands or swimming in the pool.At the same time, this fitness trackers for women man has 8 sports modes include walking, running. cycling, skipping, badminton, basketball, football, swimming.
No. 4
Soudorv Smart Watch with 1.91" HD Touchscreen Fitness Tracker with Bluetooth Calling, Fitness Watch with Heart Rate/Sleep Monitor, 120+ Sports Modes, IP68 Waterproof Smartwatch for Android iOS
- 110+ Fitness Modes and IP68 Waterproof: The fitness tracker watch provides up to 110+ sports modes, covering running, cycling, fitness and other activities to meet the preferences of different users. During your workouts, it will record data like heart rate, steps, calories burned, distance, and active hours in real time. The smartwatch for men is IP68 waterproof, allowing you to wear it during outdoor activities, rainy days, and while washing hands (Note: Do Not use in showers, saunas, swimming etc).
- 1.91" HD Big Screen and DIY Dials: Fitness tracker features a TFT HD color screen (320 * 380 touch screen）and curved 3D curved glass for superior picture quality and touch sensitivity. Watch for men have more than 100+ unique online watch faces to choose from, you can also customize your watch face. It can be any photo, such as your family, star, pets, etc. Meanwhile, 4 levels manually adjust the brightness, so you can clearly see the displayed time and exercise data even in direct sunlight.
- Bluetooth 5.3 Call and Message Notification: Cillso smart watch features an advanced single-chip processor and sensitive microphone, enabling direct call making and answering. When you enable the "VeryFit" App to receive messages, notifications will be displayed on the smartwatch. Get all your messages and notifications (Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, Linkedin,Skype etc.) sent straight to your smartwatch with intuitive customizable vibrations
- 24-Hour Health Activity Tracker: Smart watches for women track your Heart Rate and Sleep patterns around the clock(deep sleep, light sleep, sleep quality analysis). And Your can track your period with menstrual cycle tracking and ovulation prediction as well. All data is presented in the "GloryFit" app, offering a comprehensive view of your health status. Watches women it is compatible with Android 5.0 and higher and iOS 9.0 and higher.
No. 5
Fitness Tracker with Step/Distance/Calories Counter, Activity Tracker with Heart Rate Monitor, Slim Style Watch IP68 Waterproof, Sleep Monitor Tracker, Pedometer Watch for Women Men
- 【All-day Activity Tracker】: ENGERWALL IP68 Waterproof fitness tracker can record and track your daily steps, calories burned, exercise distance and time. It can also monitor your Body Temp, Heart Rate, Blood Oxygen and Blood Pressure. IP68 waterproof ensures that you don't need to take it off for daily hand washing and swimming, but don't soak it in water for a long time or wear it for hot baths, saunas.
- 【Slim and simple band design】The design concept of this tracker’s band is slim and unique, offering a comfortable and lightweight wearing experience. Suitable for men, women and the elderly.
- 【Heart Rate Monitor and Sleep Tracker】: Smart tracker can detect heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen, and body temperature in daily life. Monitor your sleep and analyze your sleep quality through Fall Sleep, Deep Sleep, Light Sleep, REM Sleep. You can view daily, weekly, and monthly data in the APP "Runmefit" to help you better understand your health status and lead a healthy lifestyle.
- 【Call and message notifications】: You can receive text messages and SNS notifications (including Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and Instagram) directly on your wrist. When your phone's Bluetooth is turned on, if you receive a message, the watch will vibrate to remind you and you can view the specific message. This function is very practical whether in work or life.
- 【Working Time】: Smart Fitness Watch is the best partner at work, you can set it on the mobile APP ‘Runmefit’: up to 5 sets of alarms, you don’t have to worry about being late for appointments or forgetting important things. You can set drinking Water Reminders and Sedentary Reminders to establish a healthy way of working.
No. 6
Smart Watch with Alexa Built-in, 1.83" HD Touchscreen Fitness Tracker with Bluetooth Calling, Fitness Watch with Heart Rate/Sleep Monitor, 120+ Sports Modes, IP68 Waterproof Smartwatch for Android iOS
- Bluetooth 5.3 Call and Message Notification: Cillso smart watch features an advanced single-chip processor and sensitive microphone, enabling direct call making and answering. When you enable the "VeryFit" App to receive messages, notifications will be displayed on the smartwatch. Get all your messages and notifications (Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, Linkedin,Skype etc.) sent straight to your smartwatch with intuitive customizable vibrations
- Built-in Alexa Voice Control: This smartwatch integrates Amazon Alexa's intelligent voice assistant, delivering a comprehensive hands-free experience directly from your wrist. Simply speak commands to instantly access news, weather, and calendar updates, set reminders, control smart home devices, and manage music playback. This full suite of voice-activated functionalities streamlines daily routines, enhances multitasking efficiency, and keeps your hands free for the moments that matter most.
- 1.83" HD Display and Personalized Customization: IDW26 smart watches for women men feature a 1.83-inch HDdisplay paired with 3D tempered glass, boasting a resolution of up to 320×385 for excellent image quality and high touch sensitivity. The 4-level adjustable brightness ensures clear visibility even under bright sunlight. Through the "VeryFit" app, users gain access to over 130 stylish watch faces and the ability to create custom designs, allowing for personalized expression
- 120+ Sport Modes and IP68 Waterproof: Fitness tracker supports 120+ professional sport modes, covering diverse indoor/outdoor activities like running, cycling, and soccer to suit all fitness levels. Equipped with high-precision sensors, fitness watch accurately tracks steps, distance, calories burned, and workout duration to help analyze performance and optimize training plans. With an IP68 rating, it's resistant to sweat, rain, and handwashing (Not for swimming or hot showers)
- All-Day Health Monitoring: Android smart watch is equipped with a high-precision optical sensor that supports 24h real-time heart rate monitoring, helping you stay informed about your physical condition. It also intelligently analyzes sleep quality, accurately identifying deep sleep, light sleep, and awake phases to help improve your sleep habits. Paired with its dedicated app, you can view long-term health trends and receive personalized insights to gradually develop a healthier lifestyle
No. 7
Smart Watch with Alexa Built-in, 1.83" HD Touchscreen Fitness Tracker with Bluetooth Calling, Fitness Watch with Heart Rate/Sleep Monitor/120+ Sports, IP68 Waterproof Smartwatch for Android iOS, Pink
- Bluetooth 5.3 Call and Message Notification: Cillso smart watch features an advanced single-chip processor and sensitive microphone, enabling direct call making and answering. When you enable the "VeryFit" App to receive messages, notifications will be displayed on the smartwatch. Get all your messages and notifications (Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, Linkedin,Skype etc.) sent straight to your smartwatch with intuitive customizable vibrations
- Built-in Alexa Voice Control: This smartwatch integrates Amazon Alexa's intelligent voice assistant, delivering a comprehensive hands-free experience directly from your wrist. Simply speak commands to instantly access news, weather, and calendar updates, set reminders, control smart home devices, and manage music playback. This full suite of voice-activated functionalities streamlines daily routines, enhances multitasking efficiency, and keeps your hands free for the moments that matter most.
- 1.83" HD Display and Personalized Customization: IDW26 smart watches for men women feature a 1.83-inch HDdisplay paired with 3D tempered glass, boasting a resolution of up to 320×385 for excellent image quality and high touch sensitivity. The 4-level adjustable brightness ensures clear visibility even under bright sunlight. Through the "VeryFit" app, users gain access to over 130 stylish watch faces and the ability to create custom designs, allowing for personalized expression
- 120+ Sport Modes and IP68 Waterproof: Fitness tracker supports 120+ professional sport modes, covering diverse indoor/outdoor activities like running, cycling, and soccer to suit all fitness levels. Equipped with high-precision sensors, fitness watch accurately tracks steps, distance, calories burned, and workout duration to help analyze performance and optimize training plans. With an IP68 rating, it's resistant to sweat, rain, and handwashing (Not for swimming or hot showers)
- All-Day Health Monitoring: Android smart watch is equipped with a high-precision optical sensor that supports 24h real-time heart rate monitoring, helping you stay informed about your physical condition. It also intelligently analyzes sleep quality, accurately identifying deep sleep, light sleep, and awake phases to help improve your sleep habits. Paired with its dedicated app, you can view long-term health trends and receive personalized insights to gradually develop a healthier lifestyle
No. 8
Jugeman Smart Watches for Women(Answer/Make Call), 1.96" HD New Smartwatch with Heart Rate/Sleep Monitor/Pedometer/Calories, 113+ Sports Modes, Fitness Watch IP68 Waterproof for Android iOS Beige
- 【Bluetooth 5.3 Call and Message Reminder】: With a built-in microphone and Hi-Fi speaker, this new look smart watch lets you stay in touch with your family or friends anytime, anywhere by using Bluetooth to make/receive calls (with call logs, contacts). The men's smartwatch can also receive notifications from apps such as Facebook, Whatsapp, Instagram, SMS and more. Simply lift your wrist to view the information.
- 【1.96 inch HD Touch Screen and 250+ Personalized Watch Face】: Jugeman smart watches for men adopt 1.96”TFT HD color display screen with a 320*386 resolution and 4 levels of brightness offering excellent image quality, high sensitivity touch. This fitness trackers personalized interactive interface can easily catch your eyes and follow your heart, set your personal picture to customize watch face (250+ Personalized Watch Face).
- 【All-day Health Monitoring】: Thanks to the advanced optical sensor, it provides 24-hour heart rate monitoring, SpO2 measurement and sleep quality detection (deep sleep, light sleep, awake time). Our smartwatches provide a comprehensive view of the health of your body in the form of data to help you become healthier. You can check your status in the "GloryFit" APP.
- 【113+ Sports Modes and IP68 Waterproof】: Fitness watch supports multiple sports modes, including running, cycling, walking, basketball, yoga and so on. During your exercise, activity tracker will record your data, like steps, calories burned etc. Besides, IP68 water and dust resistant rating, the sport watch can beused even when washing hands and in the rain. Note: Not suitable for swimming and hot bath.
- 【Multifunctional and Warm Tips】: The mens smart watch is compatible with iOS 10.0 and Android 9.0 and above devices, it has multiple functions such as timer, stopwatch, alarm clock, sedentary reminder, music control, weather forecast, brightness adjustment, photo control, calculator, etc. Please wear your P99 Smart Watch correctly, the strap should be fastened neither too tightly nor too loosely, leaving room for your skin to breathe.
Your Simple Guide to Buying a Basic Smartwatch
Smartwatches are cool gadgets that sit on your wrist. They do more than just tell time. If you want an easy-to-use smartwatch without all the fancy bells and whistles, this guide is for you. We will help you pick the best basic model.
1. Key Features to Look For
Basic smartwatches focus on the essentials. You should check these features first:
Must-Have Functions
- Step Tracking (Pedometer): This counts how many steps you take each day. It helps you stay active.
- Heart Rate Monitor: This checks your heart rate. It gives you a quick look at your health.
- Notifications: The watch should show you texts or calls from your phone. You do not always need to grab your phone.
- Battery Life: For a basic watch, you want it to last several days without charging. Look for 3 to 7 days if possible.
Nice-to-Have Extras
- Sleep Tracking: This feature watches how well you sleep at night.
- Basic Water Resistance: This means you can wear it while washing your hands or in light rain.
2. Important Materials Matter
The materials used affect how long your watch lasts and how it feels.
Strap and Body
Most basic watches use plastic or silicone for the strap. Silicone feels soft and is great for exercise. The watch body is often made of plastic or aluminum. Plastic keeps the watch light. Aluminum feels stronger.
Screen Protection
The screen needs to be tough. Look for watches that use hardened glass. This glass resists scratches better than soft plastic screens. A good screen makes a big difference in daily use.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all basic watches are made equal. A few things show you the quality.
Quality Boosters
- Screen Brightness: A bright screen lets you see the time easily, even in bright sunlight.
- Easy Charging: Simple charging methods, like a magnetic clip, are better than fiddly tiny cables.
- Comfortable Fit: A watch should feel good all day. Heavy or bulky watches often sit unused.
Quality Reducers (Things to Avoid)
- Poor App Connection: If the watch often disconnects from your phone, the experience becomes frustrating. Check reviews for connection problems.
- Flimsy Straps: Thin, cheap plastic straps can snap quickly.
- Inaccurate Sensors: If the step counter is way off, the main feature is not working right.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you plan to use your new watch. This helps narrow down your choices.
Daily Life Use
If you just want to check the time, see who is calling, and track your daily steps, a basic watch is perfect. They simplify your phone use. You leave your phone in your bag, but still see important alerts.
Fitness Use
For light fitness, these watches work well. They track walks and runs. However, if you are a serious athlete, you might need a watch with built-in GPS, which is usually found in more expensive models.
A good basic smartwatch offers simple tracking and notifications without confusing menus. Choose one that feels good on your wrist and lasts a long time between charges.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Basic Smartwatches
Q: Do basic smartwatches need a smartphone to work?
A: Yes, most basic smartwatches need a smartphone (usually running iOS or Android) to set them up and receive notifications. They use Bluetooth to connect.
Q: Can I use a basic smartwatch to make phone calls?
A: Generally, no. Basic smartwatches only show you that you have an incoming call. You still need your phone to answer it.
Q: How long does the battery usually last on these watches?
A: Battery life varies, but many basic models last between 4 to 10 days on a single charge, depending on how many features you use.
Q: Are basic smartwatches good for swimming?
A: Only if the watch specifically says it has a high water resistance rating (like 5 ATM). Many basic watches only handle splashes, so check the rating carefully before swimming.
Q: Is the screen color important on a basic watch?
A: Screen color is mostly about looks. A bright, clear screen is more important than having many colors. Black and white screens often use less battery.
Q: Can I change the watch faces?
A: Yes, most basic smartwatches allow you to change the digital display (the watch face) through the companion app on your phone.
Q: Will a basic watch track my running distance accurately without GPS?
A: It can estimate distance based on your steps and stride length, but the distance will not be as accurate as a watch using built-in GPS.
Q: What happens when I get a new phone? Can I keep using my watch?
A: Yes, as long as the new phone runs the same operating system (iOS or Android) and the manufacturer’s app is compatible, you should be able to reconnect the watch.
Q: Are these watches hard to set up for the first time?
A: No. Setup usually involves downloading an app, turning on Bluetooth, and following simple on-screen prompts. It is generally very easy.
Q: Do I need to pay a monthly fee to use a basic smartwatch?
A: No. The watch itself and the basic tracking features are usually free after purchase. Extra, advanced health features sometimes require a subscription, but this is rare for basic models.