Video summary

BEST Budget Wearables Under 100$! Scientific Review.

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product scope (what’s being reviewed)

The video is a systematic, science-focused roundup of the best sports/smartwatches and wearable bands/straps under $100, evaluating mainly:

  • Heart-rate tracking during exercise
    • Compared against Polar H10 ECG chest strap
    • Also compared against Wahoo TICKR as another reference chest strap
  • Sleep stage tracking
    • Deep/light/REM agreement vs polysomnography (in literature)
    • Agreement vs Zeo Max EEG headband (in the creator’s own test)
  • GPS tracking
    • Often via phone GPS, because many under-$100 devices lack built-in GPS

No single “one product” is reviewed; it’s a category comparison to recommend the best options by use-case.

Testing method / context

  • Prices: based on recent Amazon prices (or reputable sites if not available on Amazon)
    • Prices are acknowledged as imperfect due to fluctuation.
  • Data quality focus: correlation/agreement plots vs reference devices.
  • Generalizability note: most testing is on the creator’s own body; results may differ for others.

Key findings: Heart-rate tracking (exercise)

Indoor cycling (spinning)

Top performers (wrist/biceps; non-chest-strap focus):

  • Amazfit Bip 6 (good; newer generation)
  • Amazfit Helio strap (biceps and also wrist)
    • Good
    • Retested on wrist and stayed strong
  • Mi Band 10 (surprisingly good; limited test)
  • Huawei Watch Fit 2 (older model; did well)
  • CMF Watch 3 Pro (surprisingly good; later weaker in other exercises)
  • Huawei Watch Fit 3 and Huawei Band 10 (decent / similar category)

Brands that lag more:

  • Fitbit devices (not terrible, but generally behind others for indoor cycling)
  • Older Mi Band 9 Pro and Fitbit Inspire 3 / Charge 6 / Luxe (worse performance in this set)

Running

Patterns are similar to indoor cycling, with a few shifts.

Best options mentioned:

  • Amazfit Helio strap (biceps best; wrist also good)
  • Mi Band 10 (surprisingly good; limited test)
  • Amazfit Helio on wrist (also recommended)
  • Huawei Watch Fit 2 (good)
  • Pixel Watch 2 (surprisingly well)

Weaker:

  • CMF Watch 3 Pro not as strong for running vs indoor cycling
  • Fitbit still “not amazing” here

Outdoor cycling

  • Amazfit Helio strap (biceps): described as the “real top performer”
  • Also doing really well:
    • CMF Watch 3 Pro
    • Huawei Watch Fit 2
    • Huawei Watch Fit 3
    • Fitbit Charge 6 (did “quite well” vs competition)
    • Mi Band 10 (wasn’t bad)
  • Borderline:
    • Pixel Watch 2 (described as “on the edge of being good enough”)

General note: results are “more or less consistent across different exercises,” but may shift somewhat for other users.

Weightlifting (hardest for most wearables)

This section focuses on heart-rate accuracy during lifting form/tension.

Creator’s core recommendation (non-chest-strap):

  • Amazfit Helio strap on biceps
    • Presented as one of the only realistic options under $100 for HR during weightlifting
    • Besides using an ECG chest strap

Why it’s hard: wrist tension obscures the signal.

Wrist vs biceps:

  • Helio strap on wrist struggles much more than on biceps.

Second option:

  • Huawei Watch Fit 2 (mentioned as possible but weaker)

Key findings: Sleep stage tracking (deep/light/REM)

Literature-based brand trends (polysomnography)

“Not so great” sleep tracking brands:

  • Some Chinese brands like Huawei and Xiaomi
  • Garmin and Polar (not great in those studies)

“Best brands” overall (often expensive; mentioned for context):

  • Oura, Eight Sleep, Whoop Strap, Fitbit/Google, Apple

Creator’s own under-$100 testing (Zeo Max EEG headband reference)

Within the under-$100 bracket, the creator says the list is very small.

Best performing in this category:

  • Fitbit/Google devices
    • “Good sleep stage tracking”
    • Updated algorithms “a few months ago” reportedly make them top contenders now
    • Examples: Fitbit Charge 6 / Charge 5 and Pixel Watch 1
    • Pixel Watch 1 may require refurbished pricing to fit under $100.

Purchase guidance / tradeoff:

  • Pixel Watch (build quality): recommended over Fitbit
    • Creator claims Fitbits break a lot
  • Heart-rate vs sleep tradeoff on Pixels:
    • Sleep can be “very good” on older Pixel Watch models
    • HR is better on Pixel Watch 3/4, so spending more may be worth it depending on priorities.

Mid tier / “works but not well for REM”:

  • Amazfit Helio strap
    • Deep sleep: “okay”
    • REM sleep: struggles badly
    • Visual sleep cycles aren’t clear in the data

Explicit “not recommended” for sleep stage tracking:

  • Huawei and Xiaomi again called out as not great in this category.

GPS tracking findings (limitations + what to buy)

Main limitation under $100

  • Many devices don’t have built-in GPS.
  • Typical solution: use phone GPS (device connects and uses phone location).

What this means for the user experience

  • You may need to carry your phone for GPS features.
  • GPS quality depends on the phone.

Built-in GPS suggestions (rare under $100)

The creator implies built-in GPS under $100 is uncommon, but mentioned:

  • Pixel Watch 1: likely “good enough” due to built-in GPS
  • Huawei note: some Huawei “Watch Fit” models likely have built-in GPS (e.g., Watch Fit 2/3), but sleep tracking likely isn’t great
  • Amazfit clarification:
    • Helio strap may not have built-in GPS
    • Some other Amazfit devices do:
      • Active 2 (sure)
      • Bip 6 (also mentioned as having built-in GPS)

Both Active 2 and Bip 6 are described as being under $100.

Recommendation beyond this video’s price band

For clearly better GPS, the creator points to $100–$250 wearables (Garmin/Coros/Suunto).

Pros / cons (consolidated from the video)

Pros (where under-$100 devices can shine)

  • Excellent heart-rate tracking for the money (especially Amazfit Helio strap on biceps and certain Amazfit/Huawei devices)
  • Sleep stage tracking can be strong on Fitbit/Google devices
    • Not many under-$100 options, but they’re among the best
  • Usability: phone-based GPS is often “good enough” for pace/speed/distance if you don’t mind carrying your phone

Cons / limitations

  • Weightlifting HR accuracy is broadly weak for wrist-worn sensors; biceps mounting is much better (chest straps remain the realistic solution)
  • REM sleep tracking is a weak point for some otherwise-strong HR devices (notably Amazfit Helio strap)
  • GPS convenience is reduced because many devices lack built-in GPS
  • Reliability/build quality: the creator highlights potential concerns, especially with Fitbit (frequent breakage per creator)

Direct recommendations by goal (the “who should buy what” conclusions)

If you care most about heart-rate tracking during exercise

  • Amazfit Helio strap (worn on biceps)
    • Standout option, especially for running, outdoor cycling, and weightlifting
  • Also strong depending on exercise type:
    • Amazfit Bip 6
    • Mi Band 10 (limited tests, but good)
    • Huawei Watch Fit series (Fit 2/3)
    • CMF Watch 3 Pro (best in indoor/outdoor cycling, weaker in running)
    • Fitbit Charge 6 for outdoor cycling and generally decent—though not the top for HR across comparisons

If you care most about sleep stage tracking (deep/light/REM)

  • Fitbit/Google is the main under-$100 winner:
    • Fitbit Charge 6 / Charge 5
    • Pixel Watch 1 (may need refurbished pricing)
  • For build quality, the creator prefers Pixel Watch over Fitbit.

If you care most about GPS under $100

  • Expect phone GPS unless you pick a model with built-in GPS
  • Built-in GPS models mentioned:
    • Pixel Watch 1
    • Some Amazfit devices like Active 2 and Bip 6
    • Some Huawei Watch Fit models (Fit 2/3)

Numerical ratings / scores

  • The video uses correlation/agreement plots (“further to the top right is better”).
  • No explicit numerical scores are stated in the provided subtitles.

Overall concise verdict

For under $100, there isn’t one universal “best wearable.”

  • Best overall for exercise heart-rate (especially weightlifting): Amazfit Helio strap on biceps

  • Best for sleep stage accuracy under $100: Fitbit/Google devices (especially Pixel Watch 1 or Fitbit Charge 6/Charge 5, depending on price/build preference)

  • For GPS: expect phone-based GPS, unless you choose a model with built-in GPS (rare in this budget).

Unique points mentioned (all key items collected)

  • Price-based inclusion: under $100; uses Amazon/reputable site pricing.
  • Scientific testing focus: HR tracking (exercise), sleep stage tracking, and GPS review.
  • Reference standards:
    • HR: Polar H10 ECG (and Wahoo TICKR as secondary chest reference)
    • Sleep: polysomnography (literature) and Zeo Max EEG (creator’s test)
  • Heart-rate highlights:
    • Indoor cycling: Amazfit Bip 6, Amazfit Helio (biceps/wrist), Mi Band 10, Huawei Watch Fit 2, CMF Watch 3 Pro (context-dependent), Huawei Watch Fit 3/Band 10
    • Running: Amazfit Helio (biceps/wrist strong), Mi Band 10 surprisingly good, Huawei Watch Fit 2 good, Pixel Watch 2 surprisingly well; CMF Watch 3 Pro weaker; Fitbit not top
    • Outdoor cycling: Amazfit Helio (biceps) best; CMF Watch 3 Pro / Huawei Watch Fit 2/3 strong; Fitbit Charge 6 quite well; Mi Band 10 not bad; Pixel Watch 2 borderline
    • Weightlifting: under-$100 non-chest option mainly Amazfit Helio on biceps; wrist version struggles due to tension and signal visibility
  • Sleep stage patterns in literature: best overall Apple/Oura/Eight Sleep/Whoop/Fitbit/Google; weaker includes certain Huawei/Xiaomi/Garmin/Polar
  • Under-$100 sleep stage winner: Fitbit/Google (recent algorithm improvements noted); Pixel Watch 1 may require refurbished pricing
  • Build quality note: Fitbits break frequently (creator claim); Pixel Watch preferred for durability
  • Amazfit Helio sleep weakness: REM tracking poor; deep sleep okay
  • GPS reality under $100: often no built-in GPS; uses phone GPS, quality depends on phone
  • Built-in GPS mentions:
    • Pixel Watch 1
    • Huawei Watch Fit 2/3 (implied)
    • Amazfit Active 2 and Amazfit Bip 6 (noted; Helio may not have it)
  • Ecosystem comfort: Chinese brands may be less preferred depending on user preferences
  • Affiliate links / channel support: mentioned but not treated as product features

Speakers/views

  • Main speaker only: Rob (post-doctoral scientist specializing in biological data analysis)
  • No other speakers provide distinct product opinions in the provided subtitles.

Original video