Why opt for a low -cost connected watch?
Most of the Wearable technology accessible to all
The democratization of Wearable technologies has made an impressive leap. What struck me by testing these models is that most of the features found only on watches at 200 € a few years ago are now available for a fraction of the price.
These low -budget watches are perfect for several user profiles:
- Beginners who want to discover the universe of connected watches
- Occasional users who do not justify a substantial investment
- Those who wish a secondary watch for specific activities
What can really be expected from a watch connected at € 30
Let’s be honest – at this price, you have to expect a few compromises. But you would be surprised to see what these little technological gems can offer! Most offer:
Guaranteed essentials: Smartphone notifications, basic follow -up of activity, and even often a heart rate monitor which, if it is not precise to the beating, gives reliable trends.
According to my experience, autonomy is generally the strong point of these economic models – fewer energy -energy features often means a battery that takes longer than a premium model! Some may last up to 7-10 days, where your Apple Watch claims its daily dose of electricity.
The essential features to look for
Activity and health monitoring
Even at this price, require at least:
- A reliable podometer that counts your steps with an acceptable margin of error
- A basic heart rate – useful for having an idea of your rhythm during the effort
- Sleep monitoring which distinguishes at least light and deep sleep
I noticed that some models at less than 30 € even offer up to 10-15 different sports modes! ???? ♂️ That said, do not expect extensive analyzes as on a Garmin at 300 €.
Connectivity and notifications
Compatibility is rarely a problem – almost all models work with Android and iOS. On the other hand, experience can vary considerably. On Android, you will generally benefit from more features and better integration.
For notifications, expect to receive call alerts, SMS and popular applications like WhatsApp or Facebook. But complete reading of messages or the possibility of receiving all notifications is often limited to this price.
Important technical characteristics
Here are the technical points not to be overlooked during your choice:
Autonomy: A good economic connected watch must last at least 4-5 days, some reach 7-10 days with normal use.
Water resistance: Look for at least IP67 certification (splash resistance and temporary immersion). For swimming, target the IP68.
The screen also plays a crucial role in daily experience. At 30 €, you will mainly find LCD screens, but a few models now offer completely decent color tactile screens, with an adaptive brightness that allows reading even in full sun.
Our selection of the 5 best watches connected at less than 30 €
After testing a good fifteen models for several weeks, I ended up giving five watches that really stand out. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, but all offer an amazing value for money.
Xiaomi Mi Band 5 (basic version)
See the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 and opinions on Amazon
The reference in this price range! I was amazed by the quality of its AMOLED screen – frankly, it doesn’t look like a watch for less than 30 € when you see it on the wrist.
What I liked:
- The autonomy that keeps its promises (I have reached 12 days with normal use)
- The precision of the sensors, especially for the heart rate
- The MI app application, much more successful than those of less known brands
The points that disappointed me? The absence of integrated GPS (but it remains logical at this price) and sometimes capricious notification alerts with certain smartphones.
Amazfit BIP U
See the Amazfit Bip U and opinions on Amazon
If you like big screens, it’s probably your best choice. Its rectangular design vaguely recalls an Apple Watch, and frankly, for less than 30 €, it is quite impressive.
What convinced me with the Amazfit was above all the amount of sporting modes offered – more than 60! Of course, I could not test them all, but those for running and bicycle work rather properly.
On the other hand, the application still lacks maturity. I met some bugs and the interface is not always intuitive. Autonomy is about 7 days, which remains correct but less impressive than the Mi Band.
Realme Band
See Realme Band and Amazon reviews
This is a new new one who deserves to dwell on it! Its design is probably the most elegant selection, with a fine bracelet that is particularly suitable for smaller wrists.
I particularly appreciated its very simple interface to handle – no need for manual to understand how it works. Perfect for technophobes!
Autonomy is its main weak point in my opinion: count 3-4 days maximum, where others easily hold a week. Too bad, but compact design explains this limitation.
Umidigi Uwatch GT
See the Umidigi Uwatch GT and the opinions on Amazon
If you are looking for a watch that looks more “traditional” and less than a fitness bracelet, the Umidigi could seduce you. Its round housing and its interface which imitates a classic watch give it a fairly premium style.
Waterproof IP68 (I tested it in the shower without problem), it also offers 12 sports modes. Sleep monitoring seemed particularly precise to me compared to the other models tested.
However, I found the sensors a little less reliable, especially for the heart rate which tends to “jump” measures during the intense effort.
Ruimen H1
See the Ruimen H1 and the opinions on Amazon
For smaller budgets (often found around 25 €), this watch makes the job without frills. The HD screen is surprisingly bright, even in full sun.
It is distinguished by its simplicity and its universal compatibility. I was able to connect it without worry to an old Android smartphone and a recent iPhone.
The back of the medal? The brand is less established, which raises questions on long -term support and updates. I also have some doubts about the sustainability of materials after a few weeks of intensive use.
Detailed technical comparison
| Model | Autonomy | Tightness | Main sensors | Screen type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi Band 5 | 10-14 days | 5 ATM | Heart, accelerometer | AMOLED Color 1.1 “ |
| Amazfit BIP U | 5-9 days | 5 ATM | Heart, SPO2, accelerometer | TFT Color 1.43 “ |
| Realme Band | 3-5 days | IP68 | Heart, accelerometer | LCD Color 0.96 “ |
| Umidigi Uwatch GT | 7-10 days | IP68 | Heart, accelerometer | LCD Color 1.3 “ |
| Ruimen H1 | 5-7 days | IP68 | Heart, accelerometer | LCD Color 1.3 “ |
Exclusive features by model
Each watch has its small peculiarities that could tip the scales according to your needs:
The Mi Band 5 has an intelligent “not disturbing” mode which activates automatically during your sleep – a detail that I found really practical.
The Amazfit BIP U is the only one to offer a SPO2 sensor to measure the oxygenation of the blood in this price range. Not always precise but interesting to follow your recovery after effort.
As for Realme Band, it incorporates a unique hydration recall function that I find particularly useful – I systematically forget to drink enough water during the day! ????
Buying guide according to your user profile
For occasional athletes
If you mainly practice running or walking, the Mi Band 5 or the Amazfit Bip U will be your best allies. Their more precise sensors will give you relatively reliable data.
For swimming, favor 5 ATM watches like the Mi Band or the Amazfit – they support real swimming sessions, unlike the simply IP68 models which resist splashing but not to prolonged immersion.
I tested the Mi Band 5 for several swimming pool sessions and it resisted perfectly, in addition to counting my lengths quite precisely.
For daily and professional use
In a professional context, the Umidigi Uwatch GT has my preference for its more discreet and classic design that passes everywhere. Its impressive autonomy will also save you from recharging it in the middle of work.
If you are constantly on your phone, the Realme Band offers clearly visible notifications even in direct sunlight and vibrations sufficiently perceptible not to miss an important call.
For health and well-being follow-up
I noticed that even these affordable models do a rather correct job to follow your sleep. The Mi Band 5 stands out particularly in this area – it quite faithfully detects my periods of light, deep and paradoxical sleep. Not at the level of a medical bracelet, of course, but the trends are there.
Sedwarding reminders have become my secret ally since I have been working from home. The Amazfit BIP U and the Realme Band excels in this area with discreet but effective vibrations when you stay too long. My back thanks you! ????
For those who seek to manage their stress, some models like the Amazfit offer guided breathing exercises. Nothing revolutionary, but it is a more appreciable when the day was tense.
Maintenance and optimization of your affordable connected watch
Maximize battery life
With my test weeks, I developed a few tips to stretch autonomy as much as possible:
- Disable notifications for non -essential applications – each vibration consumes energy
- Reduce the heart measurement frequency (every 30 minutes rather than continuous)
- Lower the screen brightness or activate the automatic adjustment
Little little -known tip: avoid loading your watch 100% if you don’t need it immediately. I found that maintaining the battery between 20% and 80% prolongs its long -term lifespan, especially on the Mi Band.
Maintain performance over time
These little technological gems require a minimum of maintenance. Regularly clean the sensors on the back of the watch with a slightly damp cloth – sweat and residue can distort heart measurements.
Do not hesitate to restart your watch completely once a week. It may seem basic, but I resolved a lot of small random bugs with this very simple method.
For bracelets, a piece of advice that saved me: invest in an additional bracelet (often available for € 5-10). The original bracelets at this price are rarely very durable, especially if you sweat a lot.
FAQ: What our readers want to know
Can a 30 € watch compete with an Apple Watch?
Let’s be realistic – no. But it can cover 70% of the features that most people use daily. I owned both and, honestly, for the monitoring of basic activity and notifications, these small watches do a completely honorable job.
What is the average lifespan of a low -cost connected watch?
According to my experience, count between 1 and 2 years of regular use before seeing a significant degradation of the battery or sensors. It is much less than a premium watch, but at this price, the calculation remains largely favorable.
Can we answer calls with these models?
Generally no, at least not directly. You can see who calls and reject the call, but to answer, you will have to take out your phone. Some models like the UMIDIGI allow you to take the call via the watch, but you will always speak through your phone.
Are health data reliable?
To be taken with tweezers. These watches give good indications to follow your trends, but I would not rely on their measures for medical decisions. I compared with medical devices – the difference can reach 5-10% for the heart rate.
Are there specific models for children in this price range?
Yes! Several brands offer suitable models with colored bracelets and simplified interfaces. But beware, advanced parental monitoring features are generally limited to this price.
