The best budget smartwatches 2026
We compare real smartwatches and smart bands from MercadoLibre Argentina —Xiaomi, Samsung and more— by screen, battery, calls and water resistance, to pick the best one for your budget.
Prices verified on July 24, 2026 · How we do it
How we chose: We analyzed 15 real products on the market · MercadoLibre Argentina
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Quick verdict
For most people the Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Active is the best buy: a big screen, Bluetooth calling, submersible and from a brand with a solid app. To spend the least, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Active; for a better screen and a premium brand, the Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 with AMOLED.
What to look for before buying
- Screen (AMOLED vs. LCD) — An AMOLED screen looks far better in sunlight and has true blacks; cheaper LCDs are fine but wash out outdoors. If you'll check the time on the street all day, prioritize AMOLED.
- Bluetooth calling — 'With calls' models have a speaker and mic to answer from your wrist with the phone in your pocket. It's the feature you notice most day to day; models without it only show notifications.
- Battery — A band usually lasts 1-2 weeks; a smartwatch with a big screen and calls, a few days. Check the real figure: the bigger and brighter the screen, the less it lasts.
- Water resistance — Look for at least IP68 (handles splashes and rain) or better 5 ATM / 50 M if you want to swim with it. Without this, you baby it and it loses the point.
- App and compatibility — The ecosystem matters: Xiaomi (Mi Fitness) and Samsung have mature apps with good activity and sleep tracking. Generic brands work, but their app is usually more basic. Check iOS or Android compatibility for your phone.
Our recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Active (Midnight Black)
A big screen, Bluetooth calling and submersible resistance, from a brand with a mature app (Mi Fitness). The best balance of features, price and ecosystem for most people.
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Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Active (Black)
The cheapest entry worth buying: a light band, over a week of battery and Xiaomi's app for steps, sleep and notifications. Perfect as a first smart band.
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Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 (Dark Gray)
A 1.6-inch AMOLED screen that looks great in sunlight and up to 13 days of battery, with Samsung's solid build. The premium pick if you care about screen and brand.
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Xiaomi Smart Band 10 AMOLED 1.72 (Midnight Black)
A band with a 1.72-inch AMOLED screen and 5 ATM resistance, on a steep discount today. If you want the best of a band without stepping up to a smartwatch, it's the most screen for the money.
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Side-by-side comparison
| Product | Price | Installments | Rating | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Active (Midnight Black) | $ 74.199 | 12 | — | MercadoLibre |
| Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Active (Black) | $ 45.999 | 12 | — | MercadoLibre |
| Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 (Dark Gray) | $ 76.890 | 12 | — | MercadoLibre |
| Xiaomi Smart Band 10 AMOLED 1.72 (Midnight Black) | $ 69.399 | 12 | — | MercadoLibre |
A smartwatch brings notifications, steps, heart rate and sleep to your wrist, and there are very decent options today for little money. The decision comes down to the type of screen (AMOLED looks better in sunlight), whether you want Bluetooth calling, the battery and water resistance. We compared the best-sellers on MercadoLibre Argentina.
What to look for
- Screen: AMOLED looks far better outdoors; cheap LCDs wash out in the sun.
- Calls: only ‘with calls’ models have a speaker and mic to answer from the wrist.
- Battery: a band lasts 1-2 weeks; a smartwatch with a big screen, a few days.
- Water: IP68 for rain and splashes; 5 ATM / 50 M if you want to swim.
Our pick
For most people, the Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Active is the most complete buy: a big screen, Bluetooth calling, submersible and with a solid app. To spend the least, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Active is the best entry point; and for a better screen and premium brand, the Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 with AMOLED is the choice.
These are budget smartwatches, not high-end watches like the Apple Watch or Garmin: for activity, notifications and calls they’re more than enough. Prices come from MercadoLibre Argentina and update daily; the link always takes you to the current offer.
Frequently asked
Smart band or smartwatch?
A smart band is a thin, light bracelet with a small screen, 1-2 week battery and a focus on activity and notifications: ideal if you want steps, sleep and alerts without it being noticeable. A smartwatch has a bigger screen, usually Bluetooth calling and more features, in exchange for less battery and more bulk on the wrist. If it's your first one and you want to spend little, a band like the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 is a great entry point.
Can they make calls?
Only the models that say 'with calls' or 'Bluetooth calling': they have a speaker and mic and connect to your phone's Bluetooth, so you answer from your wrist with the phone nearby (in a pocket or bag). They're not a standalone phone: they need the phone close. Models without that feature only show who's calling and notifications.
Do they work with iPhone and Android?
Most are compatible with both via their app, but full features (especially replying to messages) tend to be more polished on Android. On iPhone they work for activity, notifications and calls, with some limitations. Always check compatibility in the listing before buying.
Are prices and stock up to date?
Yes: we take real price and availability from MercadoLibre Argentina and refresh them daily. They can change at any time; the link always takes you to the current offer.
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