Introduction
The best budget smartwatches for cycling aren’t just a luxury they’re essential tools for anyone serious about fitness and cycling. A good smartwatch can help track your heart rate, monitor your speed, provide GPS directions, and even offer health insights without costing a fortune.
In this guide, we’ll review the best affordable smartwatches for cycling, explaining what makes them great choices and what features you should look for in a budget-friendly cycling smartwatch.
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Why Choose a Smartwatch for Cycling?
Cycling is not just about speed; it’s also about staying safe, improving performance, and tracking your progress. A good budget smartwatch can help with all these things. Here’s why you should consider one:
- Tracking: Smartwatches track your cycling stats like distance, speed, and elevation, giving you useful data about your ride.
- Health Insights: They can also monitor your heart rate, calories burned, and even your sleep, helping you stay on top of your fitness goals.
- Convenience: A smartwatch allows you to navigate, get notifications, and control music – all without taking your hands off the handlebars.
- Affordability: You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to get a quality smartwatch that does all of this.
What to Look for in a Cycling Smartwatch on a Budget
When shopping for a budget-friendly cycling smartwatch, there are a few key features to consider:
1. GPS Tracking
For cyclists, GPS is essential. It helps you track your route, measure your speed, and monitor your elevation. Some budget watches have built-in GPS, while others use your phone’s GPS connection.
2. Battery Life
Long battery life is important, especially for long rides. Look for smartwatches that last at least 7-10 hours when using GPS.
3. Heart Rate Monitoring
Cycling can be tough, so tracking your heart rate is key to improving endurance and staying safe. Choose a watch with continuous heart rate monitoring.
4. Water Resistance
Cycling often means getting sweaty or caught in the rain. A water-resistant smartwatch can handle those conditions without damage.
5. Durability and Display
Ensure your watch is durable enough for outdoor use and the display is clear enough to read while riding, even in sunlight.
Top Budget Smart Watches for Cycling
1. Amazfit Bip U Pro
The Amazfit Bip U Pro combines affordability and functionality. It’s ideal for cyclists because of its built-in GPS and long battery life. Plus, it offers detailed health insights with a PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence) health assessment system. Apple Watch 10 Review
Specifications:
- Display: 1.43″ TFT Color Display
- GPS: Built-in GPS
- Battery Life: Up to 9 days
- Water Resistance: 5 ATM
- Health Monitoring: Continuous heart rate tracking, blood oxygen (SpO2) monitoring, and sleep analysis.
- Sport Modes: 60+ modes
Pros:
- Affordable price with built-in GPS
- Good battery life for daily cycling
- Lightweight and comfortable for extended wear
Cons:
- TFT display is not as bright in direct sunlight
- Limited smart features (no music storage or playback)
2. Garmin Forerunner 45
Garmin’s Forerunner 45 offers robust features for cyclists on a budget. Its GPS tracking is accurate, and the heart rate monitor provides valuable insights for fitness improvement. It is one of the best smartwatches of 2025.
Specifications:
- Display: 1.04″ color display
- GPS: Built-in GPS
- Battery Life: Lasts up to 13 hours with GPS active
- Water Resistance: 5 ATM
- Health Monitoring: Continuous heart rate tracking and stress assessment.
- Compatibility: Garmin Coach, smartphone notifications
Pros:
- Accurate GPS tracking for detailed cycling metrics
- Strong battery life, even with GPS-enabled
- Lightweight design with a durable, water-resistant build
Cons:
- Smaller displays can be harder to read while riding
- Slightly higher price point for budget-conscious buyers
3. Fitbit Versa 3
While slightly pricier, the Fitbit Versa 3 is packed with features. It offers built-in GPS and voice assistant capabilities, making checking stats or changing settings hands-free during rides easy. Best Smartwatch for Android
Specifications:
- Display: 1.58″ AMOLED
- GPS: Built-in GPS
- Battery Life: Up to 6+ days
- Water Resistance: 5 ATM
- Health Monitoring: 24/7 heart rate, sleep stages, SpO2
- Smart Features: Google Assistant, Alexa, smartphone notifications
Pros:
- Crisp, vibrant AMOLED display for easy reading
- Includes voice assistants (Google and Alexa) for hands-free use
- Detailed health insights for performance tracking
Cons:
- Higher cost within budget smartwatch category
- Battery life decreases quickly with GPS in use
4. Xiaomi Mi Watch
Xiaomi Mi Watch offers excellent battery life, making it perfect for long-distance cycling. With multiple sports modes, this smartwatch is versatile enough to cover other fitness needs. Luxium Crusader Durable Smartwatch Review
Specifications:
- Display: 1.39″ AMOLED display
- GPS: Built-in GPS and GLONASS
- Battery Life: Up to 16 days in standard mode
- Water Resistance: 5 ATM
- Health Monitoring: Heart rate, SpO2, sleep tracking
- Sport Modes: 117 exercise modes
Pros:
- Impressive battery life, ideal for long-distance cyclists
- Bright AMOLED display with sharp visuals
- A wide variety of exercise modes
Cons:
- Built-in GPS can occasionally lag
- Limited smart features compared to other models
5. Honor Band 8
While it doesn’t have a standalone GPS, the Honor Band 8 is a reliable choice for budget-conscious cyclists. It’s compact and lightweight and offers useful health features like SpO2 monitoring. Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 Review
Specifications:
- GPS: Requires smartphone connection
- Battery Life: Up to 14 days
- Water Resistance: 5 ATM
- Health Monitoring: SpO2 monitoring, heart rate, sleep tracking
- Compatibility: Smartphone notifications
Pros:
- Lightweight and compact, it is comfortable for daily cycling
- Excellent battery life for extended use
- Affordable, great entry-level option
Cons:
- No built-in GPS, relying on phone connection
- Fewer advanced features for serious athletes
6. Samsung Galaxy Fit2
Although the Samsung Galaxy Fit2 does not have a built-in GPS, it is affordable for casual cyclists. It tracks basic fitness metrics and offers a durable, water-resistant design.
Specifications:
- Display: 1.1″ AMOLED
- GPS: Requires smartphone connection
- Battery Life: Up to 15 days
- Water Resistance: 5 ATM
- Health Monitoring: Heart rate, sleep score analysis
- Compatibility: Smartphone notifications, music control
Pros:
- Slim design and lightweight for all-day comfort
- Bright AMOLED display with good visibility
- Affordable with solid battery performance
Cons:
- No standalone GPS function
- Limited app support and smart features
Comparing the Best Budget Smart Watches for Cycling
| Model | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Amazfit Bip U Pro | PAI health, sleep analysis, sport modes |
| Garmin Forerunner 45 | Heart rate, Garmin Coach |
| Fitbit Versa 3 | Voice assistant, heart tracking |
| Xiaomi Mi Watch | Exercise modes, blood oxygen measurement |
| Honor Band 6 | SpO2 monitoring, workout modes |
| Samsung Galaxy Fit2 | Sleep score, water resistance |
Tips for Maximizing Your Cycling Smart Watch’s Performance
- Optimize GPS Settings
To save battery, use GPS only when needed or switch to “low-power mode” if available. - Regular Updates
Keep the smartwatch firmware updated for optimal performance and accuracy. - Understand Health Metrics
Understand your watch’s health insights to improve your cycling routines. - Pairing with Smartphone Apps
Use cycling apps like Strava or Garmin Connect to sync data, analyze your performance, and set future goals.
Conclusion
Finding the best budget smartwatch for cycling doesn’t mean compromising quality or essential features. From built-in GPS to extended battery life and health monitoring, there are affordable options to meet your cycling needs. Best Budget Smartwatches for Women
Whether you prefer the durability of the Amazfit Bip U Pro, the versatility of the Fitbit Versa 3, or the simplicity of the Honor Band 6, each smartwatch on this list offers great value. Embrace the journey to fitness and cycling goals without overspending, and find a smartwatch that suits your lifestyle and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use a budget smartwatch for competitive cycling?
Budget smartwatches are excellent for tracking general fitness and casual cycling. However, a higher-end model with more advanced tracking capabilities may be necessary for competitive cycling.
2. Is built-in GPS necessary?
While not mandatory, built-in GPS offers greater accuracy and freedom, especially if you don’t want to carry your phone on rides.
3. How accurate are budget smartwatches for tracking?
Budget smartwatches may have minor variances compared to premium models, but they still offer reliable data for most fitness goals.
4. What are alternative ways to track my cycling performance?
Smartphone apps and cycling computers are alternatives if you’re not ready to invest in a smartwatch. They may offer even more detailed data and are often designed exclusively for cyclists.
