Best Budget Smartwatches for Accurate Heart Rate Tracking

Get Fit Without Breaking the Bank ❤️⌚

Looking to keep tabs on your heart rate without dropping thousands on a fitness tracker? Good news—the best budget smartwatches for accurate heart rate tracking are now within reach for South Africans. Whether you’re walking around the block or chasing gains in the gym, a reliable smartwatch can be your fitness wingman... without draining your wallet.

Why Heart Rate Tracking Matters

Heart rate data isn't just for elite athletes. It helps you measure how hard you're pushing, how fast you’re recovering, and whether your rest days are doing their job. And let’s be real—seeing your stats jump on a casual jog can be oddly satisfying. 📈

Modern budget watches use optical heart rate sensors that continuously monitor your pulse from the wrist. While not as precise as chest straps, many get surprisingly close. For under R799, you’ll find a solid selection of entry-level fitness smartwatches that punch way above their price point.

Promate xWatch SL 2.01" Fitness Tracker Smartwatch with Bluetooth Calling - Green / IP68 Water Resistance / 2.01" TFT Display / Heart Rate/SPO2/Step/Sleep/ Women Health Tracker / 100+ Customized Watch Faces / XWATCH-SL.GREEN

R749.00In Stock

Promate xWatch RM 1.78" Fitness Tracker Smartwatch with Bluetooth Calling - Silver / IP68 Water Resistance / 1.78" Curved AMOLED Display / Heart Rate/SPO2/Step/Sleep/ Women Health Tracker / 100+ Customized Watch Faces / XWATCH-RM.SILVER

R849.00In Stock

Promate xWatch R20 1.85" Fitness Tracker Smartwatch with Bluetooth Calling - Black / IP67 Water Resistance / 1.85" TFT Round Screen Display / Heart Rate/SPO2/Step/Sleep/ Women Health Tracker / 100+ Customized Watch Faces / xWatch-R20.Black

R949.00In Stock

Promate xWatch RM 1.78" Fitness Tracker Smartwatch with Bluetooth Calling - Gold / IP68 Water Resistance / 1.78" Curved AMOLED Display / Heart Rate/SPO2/Step/Sleep/ Women Health Tracker / 100+ Customized Watch Faces / XWATCH-RM.GOLD

R849.00In Stock

Promate xWatch R20 1.85" Fitness Tracker Smartwatch with Bluetooth Calling - Silver / IP67 Water Resistance / 1.85" TFT Round Screen Display / Heart Rate/SPO2/Step/Sleep/ Women Health Tracker / 100+ Customized Watch Faces / xWatch-R20.Silver

R949.00In Stock

Promate xWatch RM 1.78" Fitness Tracker Smartwatch with Bluetooth Calling - Black / IP68 Water Resistance / 1.78" Curved AMOLED Display / Heart Rate/SPO2/Step/Sleep/ Women Health Tracker / 100+ Customized Watch Faces / XWATCH-RM.BLACK

R849.00In Stock

What to Look for in Budget Fitness Watches

Shopping for smartwatches on a budget? Here’s what to check:

• Sensor Quality: Look for watches with continuous heart rate tracking, not just during workouts.
• App Syncing: Can it send data to your favourite fitness app or ecosystem (Google Fit, Apple Health)?
• Battery Life: Longer battery = more consistent tracking.
• Comfort: If it’s clunky or itchy, you won’t wear it consistently... and that kills tracking accuracy.

Mid-Range Extras for the Step-Up Crowd 🏃‍♀️✨

Willing to stretch your budget a little? You’ll unlock extra goodies like SpO₂ monitoring, better displays, and enhanced activity modes. Some smartwatches priced from R800 even include sleep tracking and VO₂ Max estimates—features usually reserved for higher-end devices.

One example? Certain models track heart rate zones during exercise so you can pace workouts like a pro. It’s not essential, but if you’re training with purpose, it’s incredibly useful.

Final Word: Stay Smart, Stay Healthy

Consistency is key. A smartwatch that tracks your heart rate well—and fits your lifestyle—is more valuable than a flashy device gathering dust. Whether you’re new to fitness or already logging morning runs, Evetech’s full range of smartwatches covers all levels and budgets.