#10 Best Budget Watches for Hiking 2023
Finding a hiking watch based on your budget can be daunting since you don't know which product offers the best features. Below, you can find our best budget watches for hiking!
👤 Written by: | P.N. Hidayah |
⏳ Updated on: | |
📋 List: | 10 items |
👀 Reader: | 39 views |
We hope you love the shops and products we recommend! Just so you know, our site may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and products in stock as of time of publication.
A hiking watch is a watch that is designed to support your hiking activity. It is designed with a sporty look and enhances its functionality. Some emphasize its use for weatherproof, GPS, compass functions, barometer, altitude, etc. It’s undeniable that you couldn’t wear any watch for hiking since it not only spices up your look, but its features will be specifically helpful for hiking.
This post will discuss the best budget watches for hiking that you can purchase for a reasonable price in the best quality. Some of them cost more and less based on their material and the features that they offer. Therefore, keep on reading to find out our top ten hiking watches!
Table of contents
-
1.Fitbit Versa 2 Health and Fitness Smartwatch: The best hiking smartwatch with long-lasting battery life
-
2.Garmin Instinct Rugged Outdoor Watch: The best hiking watch with complete hiking features
-
3.Suunto Core Alpha Outdoor Sports Watch: The best hiking watch with military-inspired standards
-
4.Garmin Vivoactive 4 GPS Smartwatch: The best hiking smartwatch with health tracking software
-
5.Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Multisport GPS Watch: The best watch with offline map and POV navigation
-
6.Casio F91W-1 Casual Sport Watch: The best timeless watch at a low price
-
7.Casio PRG-270-1 Multifunction Digital Sport Watch: The best watch with solar powered battery
-
8.Polar Grit X Multisport GPS Smart Watch: The best smartwatch with extensive exercise features
-
9.Suunto 9 Baro Multisport GPS Watch: The best hiking smartwatch with FusedTrack technology
-
10.COROS APEX Premium Multisport GPS Watch: The best smartwatch with a rechargeable lithium-powered battery
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Cant find the answer you’re looking for? Reach out to our Q&A community.
Why do I need a certain watch for hiking?
Using a specific hiking watch is essential to help you while hiking in any condition. For example, when you are lost and have no phone signals, a hiking watch can help to find direction. It usually provides GPS, the onboard digital compass, and the altimeter. Its many features can be great for any weather and health monitoring.
Can hike watches with no signal or offline?
Yes. Since it is designed for hiking, this watch is designed for any condition. If you lose connection hiking watch can be used for navigation and counting your steps. However, you will lose the mobile syncing features or all features that need an internet connection.
What is the price range of hiking watches?
The price range of a hiking watch varies from $100-$700. This depends on the features and quality that they offer. Usually, a $100 hiking watch does not provide GPS features beneficial for hiking activity. In contrast, a $700 hiking watches provide a GPS, ABC, water resistance, heart monitor, heart sync, and other features.
What should I look for in a hiking watch?
To ensure you get the most from the hiking watch, you will purchase, consider several things below.
- Features
GPS is important when you hike since you can navigate where you are and keep you on track. In addition, it will connect to the satellite to track your position, which is essential in the thick forest of the mountain. Moreover, you should consider the ABC (altimeter, barometer, compass) functions and other features that will be useful while hiking. - Durability
Since you will use it for outdoor and unexpected weather, you need to take count of its durability. Consider the water, dirt, and longevity of the battery to ensure it won’t run out the battery while hiking. - Comfotablelity and fit
Because you will use it for a whole day, comfortability can be your priority. Find a watch that will fit and won’t slip down when hiking. - The health monitor
Since you will keep moving, a smartwatch can be an excellent option to monitor your heart rate. In addition, aIn addition, a health tracking feature will be beneficial for monitoring your condition to ensure you are in the best need.
Name | Rank | Check Prices |
---|---|---|
![]()
Fitbit
Versa 2 Health and Fitness Smartwatch | #1 | Amazon Fitbit.com eBay |
![]()
Garmin
Instinct Rugged Outdoor Watch | #2 | Amazon Garmin.com eBay |
![]()
Suunto
Core Alpha Outdoor Sports Watch | #3 | Amazon Suunto.com eBay |
![]()
Garmin
Vivoactive 4 GPS Smartwatch | #4 | Amazon Garmin.com eBay |
![]()
Garmin
Fenix 6 Pro Multisport GPS Watch | #5 | Amazon Garmin.com eBay |
![]()
Casio
F91W-1 Casual Sport Watch | #6 | Amazon Casio.com eBay |
![]()
Casio
PRG-270-1 Multifunction Digital Sport Watch | #7 | Amazon Casio.com eBay |
![]()
Polar
Grit X Multisport GPS Smart Watch | #8 | Amazon Polar.com eBay |
![]()
Suunto
9 Baro Multisport GPS Watch | #9 | Amazon Suunto.com eBay |
![]()
COROS
APEX Premium Multisport GPS Watch | #10 | Amazon Coros.com eBay |
10 List of Best Budget Watches for Hiking
- Have a problem
with this product?#1Fitbit Versa 2 Health and Fitness Smartwatch
The best hiking smartwatch with long-lasting battery life
1 readers vote1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:In the range price of $117, this Fitbit Versa 2 Health and Fitness Smartwatch can be used for hiking watches and day-to-day watches. It has a sleek, lightweight design that ensures comfortability and fashionable wear. It has a widescreen and health monitor where you can monitor your step, heart rate, calorie burn, and many more. The battery life that lasts two days can be a good option for hiking that takes a long time. However, this hiking watch lack GPS. That is useful, but you can connect it to your mobile phone to see the accurate map of your workout.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Sleek and lightweight design
Wide monitor
Good battery life
Health MonitorCons (reasons to avoid)
Lacks GPSWhat other experts liked
The Fitbit Versa 2 battery lasts for days and days.What other experts didn't like
No integration with Apple Health or Google Fit. - Have a problem
with this product?#2Garmin Instinct Rugged Outdoor Watch
The best hiking watch with complete hiking features
4 readers vote1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:You can grab this Garmin Instinct Rugged Outdoor Watch in its official store for $299.99. This watch has complete hiking and outdoor activity features, including GPS, breadcrumb navigation, and ABC sensors. It’s lightweight and comfortable to use with complex polymer as its material. The excellent battery management of this watch can be a good option for durable and long-lasting use for hiking. The only downside of this product is it lacks a complete mapping feature.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Comfortable design
Completer sports features
Navigation support
Good battery managementCons (reasons to avoid)
Lack of full mapping featuresWhat other experts liked
It has a comfortable and durable design with precise GPS mapping.What other experts didn't like
This watch lacks full mapping features. - Have a problem
with this product?#3Suunto Core Alpha Outdoor Sports Watch
The best hiking watch with military-inspired standards
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:Suunto Core Alpha Stealth Outdoor Sports Watch aluminum and composite is a military-inspired hiking watch designed using aluminum and composite. It’s durable and comfortable, and you can purchase it for only $299.00. The temperature sensor and ABC feature that intended for outdoor sports. Moreover, the durable and waterproof design can be used for snorkeling up to 10M. The long-lasting battery, which is last for 12month also can be a plus point for this one of the best budget watches for hiking.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Military-inspired standards
LED backlight
Durable and comfortable
Temperature sensor
Long-lasting batteryCons (reasons to avoid)
Non GPSWhat other experts liked
It’s a stylish altimeter watch that is reliable enough to get the job done.What other experts didn't like
The Core is also one of the most expensive non-GPS watches we tested. - Have a problem
with this product?#4Garmin Vivoactive 4 GPS Smartwatch
The best hiking smartwatch with health tracking software
1 readers vote1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:Garmin Vivoactive 4 GPS Smartwatch is a watch that is good for hiking and any workout. It has ABC features, health tracking software, and 20 pre-loaded fitness apps that will benefit exercise addicts. In addition, it has a good health monitoring that will be good to monitor your health while hiking, such as body’s energy levels, stress levels, blood oxygen saturation, sleep, hydration, and women’s health. However, in the price range of $329.99, this smartwatch is not the cheapest option on our list.
Pros (reasons to buy)
GPS tracking
Contactless pay
20 pre-loaded fitness apps
Extensive health tracking software
Battery life lasts for 8 daysCons (reasons to avoid)
ExpensiveWhat other experts liked
Accurate fitness and health tracking.What other experts didn't like
No Performance Condition/training load monitoring. - Have a problem
with this product?#6Casio F91W-1 Casual Sport Watch
The best timeless watch at a low price
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:Casio F91W-1 Casual Sport Watch is the cheapest watch in our list of the best budget watches for hiking that you can purchase for only $18.95. Despite being extremely affordable, it has a durable and classic design. However, you couldn’t expect much from this timeless watch since it has no fancy functions like ABC features and GPS. This watch only checks the date and time with a built-in stopwatch and alarm. Regardless, it’s worth purchasing if you want a cheap option with no fancy features.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Cheap
Check the date and time
Alarm and a built-in stopwatch
Durable and classic designCons (reasons to avoid)
no fancy functionsWhat other experts liked
Despite the cheap price, the watch is immensely durable.What other experts didn't like
Supposedly Water Resistant is roughly equivalent to a 30m rating, so not really recommended. - Have a problem
with this product?#7Casio PRG-270-1 Multifunction Digital Sport Watch
The best watch with solar powered battery
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:Casio PRG-270-1 Multifunction Digital Sport Watch is a watch that you can use for hiking with a simple and useful function. It has accurate ABC reading, solar-powered battery, storm alarm, and sunset and sunrise prediction. Moreover, the resin coating makes this watch water resistant up to 100M, which means it can be used for swimming. The only downside of this $200.00 watch is its alarm is not that loud.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Resin coating
Solar Powered Battery
Water-resistant
Strom alarm
ABC readingCons (reasons to avoid)
The alarm is not that loudWhat other experts liked
It features Casio’s Triple Sensor, which comes with an Altimeter, Barometer/Thermometer, and a digital compass!What other experts didn't like
I could barely hear the alarm from a nightstand next to the bed. - Have a problem
with this product?#8Polar Grit X Multisport GPS Smart Watch
The best smartwatch with extensive exercise features
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:Polar Grit X Multisport GPS Smart Watch has a minimalist, sturdy, and lightweight design that make it comfortable to use. This built-in GPS watch is provided with an altimeter, compass, Hill Splitter Feature, and mapping app that perfectly suits outdoor sport, travel, and backpacking. In addition, the waterproof design grants the use in any climate and can be used for swimming. In the price range of $429.95, this watch provides a vast selection of training apps. However, the only downside of this watch is it has an average battery life that lasts for five days.
Pros (reasons to buy)
Lightweight and sturdy design
Altimeter, built-in GPS, and compass
Hill Splitter feature
WaterproofCons (reasons to avoid)
Average battery life spanWhat other experts liked
Each of the buttons had both a good feels, as well as a very slight haptic vibration from inside the watch when pressedWhat other experts didn't like
Five-day battery life is more average than another watch in that price range. - Have a problem
with this product?#9Suunto 9 Baro Multisport GPS Watch
The best hiking smartwatch with FusedTrack technology
1 experts agree 1 experts disagreeWHY WE LIKE IT:Suunto 9 Baro Multisport GPS Watch is a smartwatch that has a large screen for easy-to-read access. Moreover, this GPS watch has smart battery management and FusedTrack technology to minimize the battery drain. Equipped with a heart rate monitor, Bluetooth, and pulse oximeter, this will be a great option to monitor your performance. However, this hiking watch uses breadcrumbs to track the location instead of topo maps. You can grab this hiking smartwatch for $499.00 in its official online store.
Pros (reasons to buy)
GPS
Smart battery management
FusedTrack technology
Battery last for 120 hoursCons (reasons to avoid)
Lack of topo mapsWhat other experts liked
The watch has a ton of useful features, great battery life, and looks amazing.What other experts didn't like
The screen can be hard to read.
Conclusion: Best Budget Watches for Hiking
Finding a product within your budget range can be challenging since there are many hiking watches. Keep in mind that you need to be not only concerned about the price but also the function and durability that the product offers.
A good hiking watch is a watch that gives you the best function that you can leverage while hiking. Moreover, it has to be durable and equipped with a shockproof and water-resistant design. In this list of the best budget watches for hiking, we hope you can find one that suits your needs. Last, have fun hiking!