Smartwatches stopped being a geek toy a while ago: people buy them on AliExpress by the thousand, with prices running from about £3 to roughly £90. The difference between cheap and expensive models is not always obvious from the pictures, and sellers like to promise everything at once. Here we look at which specifications really matter, what you can safely ignore, and six popular models across different price brackets.
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Start with phone compatibility
This is the first and most important filter. An Apple Watch works only with an iPhone, so you cannot pair one with an Android phone. The reverse is awkward too: Wear OS watches lose some features with an iPhone. Most inexpensive AliExpress watches connect to both Android and iPhone through the manufacturer’s own app. Even then, basic notifications work almost everywhere, while message replies, voice features and payments depend on the phone brand, the software version and the region.
The advice is simple: before buying, open the product page and find the name of the app the watch uses to connect to your phone. Check its reviews on Google Play or the App Store. A bad app will spoil the experience even with a good watch.
Screen: AMOLED is almost always better
AMOLED screens give deep blacks and high contrast, and with a dark watch face they also save battery. Such screens now appear even in budget watches, so there is no reason to pay extra for LCD. For outdoor use brightness matters: reviewers suggest looking for 1,000 nits or more if you often check your watch in sunlight. Flagships in 2026 reach 2,000-3,000 nits, but budget models usually do not state this figure at all.
Think about screen and case size in advance, too. Cases of 40-42 mm suit slim wrists better and are more comfortable at night. Cases of 44-49 mm give you more screen and often a larger battery. A watch with a 1.9-2 inch display looks chunky on a thin wrist, which is worth bearing in mind.
Battery life: what you really get
The spread here is huge. Watches with a full operating system, such as the Apple Watch or Pixel Watch, last 1-2 days. Mid-range fitness watches hold out for 5-7 days, and hiking models for 10 days or more. If you are the sort of person who forgets to charge, UK network EE advises in its guide choosing a model that lasts at least 5 days.
Keep in mind that the figures in a product description are achieved in a gentle mode. The biggest drains are an always-on display, GPS workouts, high brightness and continuous health monitoring. With the features you actually use switched on, real battery life is often one and a half to two times shorter than claimed.
GPS: built-in or through the phone
If you run, cycle or hike, built-in GPS is a must. It records your track without a phone in your pocket, though it drains the battery faster. Connected GPS takes coordinates from your smartphone: that is fine for walks, but you have to carry the phone. Many cheap watches record distance from a step counter instead, and that accuracy is not good enough for running. Look for an explicit mention of built-in GPS in the description, ideally with support for several satellite systems.
Water resistance: IP68 does not mean “for swimming”
This is the most common trap. IP68 means protection against dust and immersion under specific laboratory conditions, but it is not a swimming rating. For the pool you need a rating in atmospheres:
- 3 ATM: splashes, rain, hand washing. No swimming.
- 5 ATM: pool and shallow-water swimming. Enough for most people.
- 10 ATM: active swimming, water sports, snorkelling.
And remember that seals age over time, while chlorine, salt water, hot showers and knocks speed that up.
Health sensors: a guide, not a diagnosis
Heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep and stress tracking are in almost every watch, but optical wrist sensors have limited accuracy. Readings are thrown off by a loose strap, tattoos, cold skin and sharp interval efforts. Wear the watch snugly, just above the wrist bone. Blood pressure and ECG data in budget models should be treated as a trend, not a medical measurement. If something worries you, see a doctor, not an app.
Calls, payments and small details
Bluetooth calling lets you talk through the watch’s speaker and microphone, but the phone has to be nearby. It is handy when driving, in the kitchen or when your phone is charging in another room. Contactless payment is rare in inexpensive watches, and where it exists you need to check whether your bank supports it. One more detail: straps. It helps if the watch has a standard 20 or 22 mm fitting, because a replacement strap will then cost very little.
6 popular smartwatches from AliExpress
Every model has thousands of sales and at least 95% positive reviews. Check compatibility with your version of Android or iOS on the product page. Prices are as of 11 November, the day of the sale.
LAXASFIT: the cheapest option with Bluetooth calls
A basic watch for anyone who wants to try the format for minimal money. According to the seller, it takes calls over Bluetooth, shows message notifications and measures heart rate. No GPS and no claims to accuracy, but fine for notifications and a step counter. More than 5 thousand sales and 98% positive reviews. It costs £3.00.
Price on 11 November: £3.00
Sold: 5333+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
COLMI P91: a big screen for little money
COLMI is one of the best-known budget brands on AliExpress, and this watch is sold in the official store. It has a slim case, a 1.9-inch display, voice calls, round-the-clock health monitoring and more than 100 sports modes. A good choice if a large screen and notifications matter and you do not need GPS. It costs £11.31.
Price on 11 November: £11.31
Sold: 4203+ pcs, positive reviews: 95.5%
View on AliExpress
HAYLOU Solar Lite 2: AMOLED and a round case
Classic round design, a 1.43-inch AMOLED screen, more than 150 sports modes, voice calls and 24-hour health monitoring. Sold in the HAYLOU flagship store. The picture quality is a different level from budget LCD models, at £22.98.
Price on 11 November: £22.98
Sold: 2975+ pcs, positive reviews: 97.5%
View on AliExpress
Zeblaze Btalk 3 PRO: the best seller on the list
Almost 9 thousand sales and 98% positive reviews. A 1.43-inch AMOLED screen, Bluetooth calls, health and activity tracking, and IP68 protection. As we saw above, IP68 is fine for rain and hand washing but not for the pool. A good balance of price and screen for everyday wear, at £32.00.
Price on 11 November: £32.00
Sold: 8712+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
HAYLOU Watch 4S: with built-in GPS
If you run or cycle without a phone, look at this model. It has built-in GPS supporting five satellite systems, a 1.43-inch AMOLED screen and more than 120 workout modes. Sold in the official HAYLOU store. It is the most affordable option on the list with full track recording without a smartphone, at £37.70.
Price on 11 November: £37.70
Sold: 3045+ pcs, positive reviews: 96.0%
View on AliExpress
Redmi Watch 6: a big-brand watch
The global version of the Xiaomi watch, with a large 2.07-inch AMOLED screen, a 550 mAh battery, more than 150 sports modes and 5 ATM protection, which means you can swim in the pool with it. It runs Xiaomi HyperOS 3. It is the most expensive item on the list at £87.94, but it comes from a well-known brand with clear support and an ecosystem.
Price on 11 November: £87.94
Sold: 2598+ pcs, positive reviews: 97.7%
View on AliExpress
What to choose
- You need notifications and calls: COLMI P91 or Zeblaze Btalk 3 PRO.
- You run or cycle without a phone: HAYLOU Watch 4S with built-in GPS.
- You swim in a pool: Redmi Watch 6 with 5 ATM protection.
- You want to try the format almost for free: LAXASFIT.
Before buying, write down the three main jobs you need a watch for, and rule out any model that fails at even one of them. That makes it easier not to overpay for features you will never use.
