When it comes to advancing your fitness journey, a smartwatch is the way to go. Nowadays, with their impressive array of capabilities, smartwatches are essential tools for keeping tabs on your health and well-being. And, whether you prioritise pushing yourself to the limit or just keeping tabs on your health, there is a smart model for everyone. Having previously covered our best budget-friendly smartwatches, today we widen the price bracket to talk about the best smartwatches under £250.
So, why splash the cash on a more expensive smartwatch?
Of course, the answer to this question depends on the person. For someone who needs an entry-level piece, a budget watch under £100 is perfectly sufficient for a while. However, usually, these budget pieces are easy to outgrow.
As you climb up the price ladder, often you can find watches with far more capabilities. Not only that, but there is also often a marked improvement in each function’s performance and sensitivity. In other words, whilst budget pieces are great for giving you an indication of your health stats, they may not be able to provide as accurate data as a more advanced model can. Moreover, batteries on cheaper pieces can be limiting in comparison to more expensive technology. Consequently, many feel the need to progress up to a more intermediate piece.
The drawback here is that the average price of a decent smartwatches can be quite steep. But if you’re still looking to stick to a reasonable budget, don’t worry just yet! Today, we have rounded up some of the best smartwatches around that fall under the £250 price range.
Three of the Best Smartwatches Under £250
Polar Pacer Teal/Teal S-L Silicone Strap 900102176
First up, we have the Polar Pacer in teal. Polar is one of the most reliable smartwatch brands on the market today, and its Pacer range does this legacy proud. At first glance, there is already a lot to love. Its teal case and silicone strap are stunning, making the piece versatile enough for any gender. Moreover, with a case diameter of 45mm, the face itself makes a considerable impression on the wrist.
Beneath the surface, the Pacer is brimming with functionality. For those who like to indulge in a variety of sports, the series supports over 150 different profiles. As the Pacers have smartphone compatibility, you can add profiles to your favourites tab in the Polar Flow app. Moreover, as well as providing accurate location data, the integrated GPS allows you to track your speed and distance when out running. Meanwhile, functions like the Precision Prime™ heart rate monitor, Training Load Pro and Energy Sources monitor your health stats and analyse them to keep you performing at your best. For any fitness newbies, the FitSpark™ app recommends personalised ready-made daily workouts to get you going.
Beyond fitness, the Pacer is also designed to be a great lifestyle support. To streamline your daily routine, it also has all the smartwatch essentials, including music storage and push notifications. Apps like Serene™ and Sleep Plus Stages™ also highlight the importance of breathing exercises and quality sleep, so you can keep a clear mind.
The perfect all-rounder, the Polar Pacer is certainly a solid contender to open our list.
Garmin Instinct 2S Poppy Red Silicone Strap 010-02563-06
Garmin is one of the industry giants, with the Instinct series being one of its most accessible ranges. However, don’t be fooled by the budget price tag, as the capabilities of the Instinct 2S will pleasantly surprise you.
Housed in a bright poppy red casing, the face measures around 40mm. But within its small build is an excellent array of features. For example, advanced features like the Pulse Ox sensor use light beams to measure how well your body absorbs oxygen. Moreover, using gathered heart rate, weekly activity and BMI data, the Ignite can estimate your Fitness Age. Based on your current training load, the watch can also suggest workouts for you to try in order to meet your goals.
When venturing off the grid, the Instinct 2S is the perfect companion. For outdoor trekking, it’s equipped with an altimeter to measure elevation, a barometer for weather and a 3-axis electronic compass. Moreover, the cutting-edge multi-GNSS support means that you have access to multiple other global navigation satellite systems like GLONASS and Galileoeven when GPS isn’t available. Safety features like the Incident Detection system can also keep you secure by sending your live location to your contacts.
These are just some of the hundreds of features packed into the Instinct 2S. So, for those looking for a little something more than your run-of-the-mill smart sportwatch, this Garmin is certainly worthwhile for the price.
Kronaby 38mm NORD Bluetooth Beige Leather Strap A1000-0712 S0712/1
Although unconventional, this Kronaby is perfect for those wanting smartwatch benefits without the distraction of a screen on their wrist.
It has the dial of a conventional analogue watch, complete with rhodium-tone numeral indices and two central hands. However, its unassuming dial disguises various sensors and expert technology beneath the surface. With a Kronaby BT002 calibre connected movement at its centre, the watch boasts Bluetooth 4.1 Low Energy (BLE) technology. It’s compatible with both Android and iOS, meaning that the watch can be linked to your smartphone via the Kronaby App.
Through this, a wealth of functions including music controls, a camera remote and activity tracking are made possible. Instead of using a touchscreen to control these, the user simply uses the pushers on the watch’s case as buttons. Moreover, to alert you that you have important notifications without distracting you, the watch chimes. Which notifications you receive alerts for can be determined by you on the app, so you can personalise your Kronaby experience to fit your needs and lifestyle. Various activity trackers, including a pedometer, also come with the watch, with the gathered data sent to your phone.
Unassuming but with a brilliant premise, we think this Kronaby is a more than worthwhile contender on our best smartwatches under £250 roundup.
That concludes our Best Smartwatches Under £250 list for today! Did any of our models tick all of your boxes? Let us know down below.
