4 Super Cost-Effective Sports Watches Recommended for 2025!

A friend recently asked me, “I’m thinking of getting a sports watch in 2025. What should I do?” Is the more expensive the better? It’s not necessarily the case; it all depends on your specific needs.

I’ve compiled four sports watches currently on the market at different price points that are truly worth considering, ranging from a few dozen dollars to several hundred. Whether you prioritize value, comprehensive health monitoring, or professional training data, you should be able to find one that suits you.

Coros Pace 3 Review: A high-performance, dual-frequency, all-zodiac sports watch for under $100

If your budget is around $200 but you don’t want to compromise on accuracy and professional features, the Coros Pace 3 is a truly compelling choice this year.

What really appeals to me is that, at this price point, it features dual-frequency five-star positioning, with performance rivaling even some watches costing over 2,000 yuan. For serious runners, the pace accuracy is kept to within 0.5 seconds per kilometer, providing incredibly reliable data.

The entire watch weighs only about 30 grams, making it virtually unnoticeable on the wrist. It also supports running dynamics analysis, lactate threshold testing, and can even connect to a power meter. If you’re on a budget but demand performance, whether you’re a student or an advanced runner, this model is worth a look.

Before purchasing, I compared smartwatches and sports watches from various brands. The price difference between the main brands was generally only a few dozen dollars, and I didn’t need many features beyond fitness tracking. In the end, I chose the Coros Pace 3.

After using it for a week, I found it quite good. It has a wide range of features, accurate tracking for outdoor runs, and the real-time map on the mobile app is very intuitive. The battery lasts about a week.

I usually just jog for an hour, a little over 6 kilometers outdoors, and 8-9 kilometers on the elliptical machine indoors. Such a specialized watch feels a bit overkill for me.

So far, I’ve found the heart rate meter to be accurate, and the calorie count is okay as a guide. I mostly do strength training and treadmill work. While strength training is quite useful for setting my own workouts, it’s not very flexible, and the count is often inaccurate, requiring manual adjustment.

The Coros Pace 3 is convenient for rest time and set counts. I hope third-party apps will soon integrate training tracking; otherwise, it’s really not user-friendly for strength trainers.

HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 Series: Perfect for both daily use and exercise

If you’re looking for a watch that can both professionally track your workouts and comprehensively monitor your health in daily life, the Huawei GT 6 series may be a better fit.

The HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 is specifically optimized for outdoor activities like cycling, skiing, trail running, and golf. The cycling mode is particularly noteworthy, featuring a pioneering power simulation function that allows the watch to estimate power data without the need for a separate power meter, making it extremely useful for cyclists.

As for health, the upgraded Xuanji Sensing system can recognize 12 emotion categories and also includes atrial fibrillation load statistics. Coupled with an exceptional 21-day battery life, it’s ideal for those who enjoy the outdoors and prioritize daily health management.

The HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 is significantly better than its predecessor. The most noticeable improvement is the screen quality, with reduced black borders and increased brightness.

The HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 is a product with a very clear positioning. It perfectly balances long battery life, core health monitoring, and classic design. Heart rate monitoring: 24/7 continuous monitoring, accurate data, and alerts when heart rate is too high or too low, providing peace of mind. Sleep monitoring: It accurately identifies light sleep, deep sleep, REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, and wakefulness, and provides sleep quality analysis and improvement suggestions, which have been very helpful in adjusting my sleep schedule.

The HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 is the first watch equipped with the Kirin chip. It runs smoothly without any problems; it’s incredibly smooth. The battery has been upgraded this time, and I used it for over four hours, and it still had a 100% charge (under normal usage).

For emotional well-being, the device offers more mood management options, expanded exercise modes, and the addition of Star Flash technology. The connection speed and stability are significantly improved compared to the previous generation.

The mood monitoring feature is particularly appealing to me; it displays completely different moods when I’m at work and when I’m leaving. It also tracks menstrual cycles, a feature particularly helpful for women, reminding them to prepare sanitary pads before their period arrives, avoiding awkward situations when going out.

Garmin Forerunner 165 Smart Running Watch: Professional Algorithm

Many runners want Garmin’s professional training analysis but find the high-end models too expensive. The Forerunner 165 fills this gap.

Although it’s an entry-level model, it retains many core Garmin features, such as training status assessment, finish time prediction, and recovery suggestions. It also features built-in Garmin Coach, which allows you to customize training plans for 10Ks or half marathons.

The Garmin Forerunner 165 uses a MiP always-on display, which is very clear in sunlight and has a battery life of approximately 11 days. While the casing feels a bit plasticky, for under $300, you can experience Garmin’s core algorithms, making it a very practical choice for advanced runners looking to systematically improve their running skills.

The sport modes are comprehensive and detailed, and I did a lot of research before ordering. Garmin’s marketing strategy is quite precise. Compared to the 265, the lack of training status and multi-frequency may not be noticeable to ordinary people like us, but the price is almost half, which makes it attractive. I tried it in my neighborhood, and thankfully, the 5-star search function was fast, and I didn’t experience drifting during a light run. I’ll have to circle it and post a follow-up review for more details.

Software differentiates between entry-level and advanced runners, with entry-level runners often overlooking the benefits or being willing to sacrifice performance for value. The Garmin Forerunner 165 has a multi-satellite system, but not multi-frequency; fortunately, the price is attractive.

user reviews:

I slept a full 8 hours today without waking up early, and my Sleep Score is 89! I checked the weather notification on my watch, and it wasn’t raining. Good weather means I need to get up and run!

My running plan was still a 10-kilometer aerobic jog, which I completed at a 5:49 pace, finally getting my heart rate under 145.

Every time I do aerobic and heart-rate-controlled runs, I always need a running watch to check my running data. The Garmin Forerunner 165 displays real-time data on the watch face with just a raise of my hand. It’s fast and accurate, with full constellation positioning, allowing me to automatically count laps while running on the playground. It also has NFC and payment functionality; I can pay by simply tapping the watch to my wrist, which is very convenient.

Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro: Affordable and practical

If you don’t run often and primarily want to track your daily exercise and health data, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro offers a hard-to-beat price/performance ratio and is a perfect fit.

For under $100, it features independent GPS, 50-meter water resistance, and NFC. The screen is also significantly larger than standard fitness trackers, and the battery life is rated at 14 days. Whether you’re going to the gym, commuting, or monitoring your sleep, you never have to worry about charging.

For students, beginner runners, or those who enjoy a more relaxed workout, it offers essential yet practical features that are more than sufficient.

I exercise quite frequently, wearing it daily for exercise and sleep, and the band and screen remain largely unscathed. I’ve become increasingly reliant on the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro’s health monitoring data. I get a sleep quality report when I wake up, and the real-time heart rate alerts during exercise help me avoid overexertion. The battery life is still impressive, with a 20-day charge. The NFC function is incredibly convenient for daily subway commutes.

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