The best thing about buying watches these days is that you can get options across a wide variety of budgets. Even when you’re looking for watches in a moderate budget like $500, the options which you have are staggering. While from a consumer point of view, this can be good news. However, when you try to choose one, it can become a daunting task.
With so many options across different categories, should you go for Best Pilots Watches or Best Dive Watches or Best automotive watches or Best Dress Watches? How can you compare such diverse types of watches?
Best Watches Under $500 – 2024 Review
We have the answer for you. We have gone through all of these categories and even more to pick the top 10 Best watches under $500. Irrespective of the type of watch which you’re looking for, our list will undoubtedly suffice your requirements.
Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch
The main USP of this smartwatch is its compatibility. It is compatible with thousands of third-party applications and also android and iOS smartphones. With the display size of 1.3 inches, it is easy to control your smartphone and monitor your health essentials using this watch. It offers Bluetooth connectivity, which means that you can get the alerts of your smartphone on this watch.
It supports wireless charging, which is another advantage. The watch faces are so realistic that it will not seem digital at the first look. It consists of a 1.15 GHz dual-core display, which is another advantage. With 4 GB internal storage, you cannot go wrong with this smartwatch.
It is water-resistant, which means that you can use it to monitor your swimming session as well, in addition to other activities. With so many features and superior compatibility with thousands of third-party applications makes it a versatile option.
Features
- Water-resistant up to 50 meters
- Incorporates 1.15 GHz dual-core processor
- 1.3-inch display
- Works with Android and iOS smartphones
Pros
- Highly versatile
- Realistic watch faces
- Powerful processor
- Highly versatile
Cons
- Has a learning curve
Related to read: Best Samsung smartwatches
Apple Watch Series 3
The next watch on our list is one of the Best Inexpensive Watches. With the case size of 42mm, you can be sure that the display is large.
It consists of an inbuilt GPS, optical heart sensor, and sensors like accelerometer and gyroscope. That is why; it is compatible with a wide variety of fitness trackers, as well.
Due to the S3 dual-core processor, it offers you a seamless interface. The aluminum case also ensures that the durability is on the higher side.
With the battery life of 18 hours and a weight of 36.7 g, it is comfortable to wear. The compatibility with thousands of apps and the ability to work as a fitness tracker makes it a perfect choice. You can control the various functions of your iOS devices with the help of this watch. The large case size, long battery life, and sensors make it one of the best smartwatches which you can buy.
Features
- Consist of accelerometer and gyroscope
- Helps you in monitoring heart rate
- Swim proof construction
- Case diameter is 42 MM
Pros
- Highly versatile
- Lightweight
- Compatible with thousands of apps
- Sturdy construction
Cons
- The packaging requires improvement
Apple Watch Series 4
Due to its 30% larger display, it is one of the best watches under $500. The smartwatch offers an optical heart sensor along with the electrical one. As a result, monitoring health essentials is quite easy. The inbuilt GPS helps it in working as a real-time fitness tracker as well.
The watch consists of various sensors like accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light sensor, and even retina scanner. With so many different sensors and compatibility with thousands of third-party applications, it is very versatile. The weight is 30.1 g, which makes it easy for you to wear it throughout the day. With the battery life of 18 hours, you will not have charge it again and again.
It also allows you to control your iOS devices easily through the smartwatch. It consists of a loudspeaker as well, which will enable you to play your favorite music with the help of your watch. With a case size of 44 MM, you need not compromise on the display size as well. Thus, it consists of all the essential features which you might look for in a smartwatch.
Features
- Consist of a heart sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, and other sensors
- Incorporates a loudspeaker
- Weighs 30.1 g
- Battery life is 18 hours
Pros
- Highly versatile
- Compatibility with various apps
- Large display
- Inbuilt GPS
Cons
- Battery life could have been more
Garmin Approach S2-Series GPS Golf Watches
Are you looking for a golf watch within this budget?
If yes, you should not miss this one. It has maps of over 38,000 courses worldwide. Moreover, it offers lifetime course updates. That is why; the amount of information which you get in this golf watch is unparalleled.
In the watch mode, it has a battery life of 3 weeks and in the GPS mode of 8 hours. With the help of a GPS receiver, the tracking which it provides is excellent. It allows you to measure the yardage and various other stats on the golf course accurately. It also tracks short distances, as well. Moreover, it will enable you to track your score, and if you want to print it out, that is an option as well.
Thus, it can function not only as a conventional watch but also as a golf rangefinder, which is what makes it one of the best watches.
Features
- Inbuilt maps of 38,000 golf courses
- Updates golf course tracks
- The battery life of 3 weeks
- Allows you to measure the short distance
Pros
- Highly versatile
- Can help you improve your golf skills
- Excellent battery life in watch mode
- In-built GPS
Cons
- Has a learning curve
Garmin Forerunner 735XT Tri-Bundle
The watch which we are discussing now includes HRM-swim and HRM-tri monitors. Besides that, it can help you track various activities like hiking, skiing, paddle sports, swimming, and cycling. With the help of a transflective display, you can view and update the screen in any vicinity. Forerunner also monitors your heart rate 24/7.
It allows you to control your smartphone. Garmin Forerunner will alert you of notifications on your smartphone as well.
Due to its compatibility with various apps like Strava, the functionality is highly versatile. Thus, when you’re looking for a watch for sports enthusiasts, this is the option to consider.
Features
- Transreflective display
- Includes accessories
- Can help you track activities like swimming, hiking and much more
- Incorporates 24/7 heart-rate monitor
Pros
- Compatibility with various apps
- Works as a fitness tracker
- Excellent display quality
- Allows you to control your smartphone
Cons
- Does not include sensors like barometer
Garmin Forerunner 935 GPS Watch
The USP of this watch is that it can measure accurate data and statistics across various activities and sports. It also offers a heart rate monitor to monitor the health essentials consistently.
It also has an inbuilt GPS, which means that monitoring the distance and the speed in real-time is not a problem. With the help of Wi-Fi connectivity, connecting it with your smartphone is quite easy. It will alert you to various occasions on your smartphone.
The 1.2-inch color display makes it easy to operate. It also consists of sensors like accelerometer and barometer. The battery can last up to 2 weeks, which is another advantage. The ability to monitor stats in real-time makes it an excellent choice.
Features
- Display of 1.2 inches
- The battery can last up to 2 weeks
- Offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
- Consist of an inbuilt GPS
Pros
- Highly versatile
- Real-time monitoring
- Incorporates various sensors
- Long battery life
Cons
- Not scratch resistant
Garmin Forerunner 645 Music, GPS Running Watch
You might be thinking, what is unique about this running watch?
The answer is that it provides advanced dynamics for your running session and also provides ground contact time balance. It measures various intricate parameters like stride length, vertical ratio, and so on. That is why, if you’re an avid runner, it is a perfect choice.
Besides that, it has enough space to store 500 songs as well. You can connect it to your Bluetooth headphones as well. As a result, it can work as your music devices well. With the help of third-party application compatibility, you can listen to music through those apps, as well.
In the Smartwatch mode, the battery can last for up to 7 days. Also, in the GPS mode, it can last for 5 hours while listening to music. The water rating of 5 ATM means that some water exposure will not damage it.
It can monitor the health essentials like heart rate and can work as a fitness tracker as well. So, you can use it in the role which you prefer. It supports contactless payments as well with the Garmin pay app. All these features, along with the transflective screen, make it an excellent choice.
Features
- Can store up to 500 sounds
- Inbuilt Bluetooth
- The battery can last up to 7 days
- Can monitor the health essentials
Pros
- Highly versatile
- Tracks various physical activities
- Can store your music
- Compatible with third-party apps
Cons
- Bluetooth range is low
Seiko SKX007J1 Analog Japanese-Automatic Diver’s Watch
Are you looking for a different watch within this budget?
If yes, you can consider this option. It is an automatic self-winding 21 jewel watch. With hardlex mineral crystal and resin strap, durability is not a problem.
The case diameter of 43 MM makes it easy to read the dial. Also, it consists of luminescent hands and markers, which is another advantage. Since it is a diver’s watch, it consists of a unidirectional bezel as well. It will keep track of time. Seiko SKX007J1 also has the day and a date window at the 3 o’clock position.
It utilizes the Japanese quartz movement, which ensures that the time on the display will always be precise.
The watch is water-resistant up to 200 m, which ensures that you can use it during diving easily. The stainless steel case, along with the resin strap coupled with an aesthetically pleasing design, makes it hard to ignore choice.
Features
- The case diameter is 43 MM
- Water-resistant up to 200 m
- Japanese quartz movement
- Stainless steel case
Pros
- Highly durable
- Water-resistant
- Offers a bezel
- Precise time display
Cons
- The packaging is not proper
Victorinox Swiss Army Men’s I.N.O.X. Pro Diver Watch
Are you looking for a watch with an even bigger dial?
The one which we are speaking about now consists of a case of 45 MM. Subsequently, the dial size is bigger, as well. It is available in 10 color options, which provide you with plenty of choices.
The Swiss quartz movement ensures that the time is always precise. It has the date window between the 4 o’clock and 5 o’clock position. With water resistance up to 200 m, you can be sure that you can use it for diving with ease.
The unidirectional bezel can allow you to keep track of time. If you are looking for the Best Men’s Watches within this budget, this one fits your requirements perfectly.
Features
- Case diameter is 45 MM
- Available in 10 color options
- Water-resistant up to 200 m
- Offers a bezel
Pros
- Sturdy construction
- Water-resistant
- Highly precise
- Large dial
Cons
- The bezel is not easy to operate
SEIKO PROSPEX Men’s Watch
So, why is this watch on our list?
The first characteristic which you will notice about this watch is that it is aesthetically pleasing. It is mechanically self-winding and supports manual winding option as well. That is why; you can use it as per your requirement.
The margin of error is just around 25 seconds per day. When you look at the construction, it consists of a stainless steel design. It means that you will not have to worry about its durability at all. With the case of 45 MM, it has a pretty large dial, as well.
The unidirectional bezel makes it perfect for diving expeditions. It utilizes the Swiss automatic movement, which ensures that the time is precise. Also, the luminescent hands, along with the markers, ensure that you can read the time even in the low light conditions.
Along with that, water-resistance up to 200 m means that you can use it for maritime activities with ease. Thus, when looking for the sturdy watch in this budget, you can go with this option.
Features
- Utilizes the stainless steel
- Offers unidirectional bezel
- Incorporates a Swiss automatic movement
- Water-resistant up to 200 meters
Pros
- Sturdy construction
- Large Dial
- Highly durable
- Water-resistant
Cons
- Limited after sales-support
Which Watch Under $500 is Best to Buy?
Thus, if you’re working with a specific budget of $500, these are the ten options to consider. Whether you’re looking for the Best Women’s Watches or best smartwatches or best leather strap watches or best travel watches, this list will certainly help you choose the right one. It will save you days of research and also prevent you from selecting a substandard watch. That is why; you should go with a watch from the top 10 options above if you’re looking for the best watches under $500.
Are you looking for a watch in a different category or budget?
If yes, you can go through our other posts like best watches under $1000, best watches under $200, best watches under $1500, best leather strap watches, and best rectangular watches under $500.
