Closest in shape
Fitbit Versa 4
- Several days of battery
- Built-in GPS
Cheaper alternatives to the Apple Watch SE 3
Three cheaper Fitbits that work with iPhone and last days, not hours.
Updated November 13, 2026
Slim band
Fitbit Charge 6
- Google Maps and Wallet
- Up to 7 days
Lowest price
Fitbit Inspire 3
- Up to 10 days
- Colour AMOLED
The original
Apple Watch SE 3
Worth it if: You want Apple Pay and iMessage replies
- Always-on OLED, very bright
- Accurate heart rate and GPS
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What are you actually paying extra for with the Watch SE 3?
What the extra money buys
- Always-on OLED, very bright
- Accurate heart rate and GPS
- Apple apps and Pay
Worth it if
- You want Apple Pay and iMessage replies
- Daily charging doesn't bother you
Not worth it if
- You want sleep tracking without charging
- You don't use an iPhone
Good to know
Why each one made the list, and our final recommendation.
Fitbit Versa 4
A square watch like the SE, but built for health over apps. Les Numériques called it a small upgrade, and TechRadar thought training features lagged rivals. It suits iPhone owners who want to wear it to bed without charging daily.
Fitbit Charge 6
Tom's Guide liked the Google features and better heart-rate tracking. TechRadar found the GPS flaky and missed an altimeter. It suits iPhone users who want steps, sleep and heart rate, plus tap-to-pay, on something light enough to forget you're wearing, and who can live with a narrow screen.
Fitbit Inspire 3
Tom's Guide called it the top affordable tracker, and TechRadar a good start in health tracking. It borrows GPS from your phone. It suits people who want to try tracking cheaply before spending on a watch.
Final recommendation: Want a square screen that lasts days? Get the Versa 4. The Charge 6 is a slim band with Google Wallet, and the Inspire 3 is the cheapest. Keep the Apple Watch SE 3 for Apple Pay, apps and messages.
Side by side
Specs from each maker. Price levels come from shop prices we checked recently; tap through for today's price.
| Model | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price level | Affordable | Affordable | Affordable | Budget |
| Battery (claimed) | Up to 18 hours | 6+ days | Up to 7 days | Up to 10 days |
| GPS | Yes (L1 GPS) | built-in (GPS + GLONASS) | Built-in (GPS + GLONASS) | connected (phone) |
| Screen | Always-On Retina OLED (LTPO), up to 1000 nits | AMOLED | Colour AMOLED | Colour AMOLED touchscreen |
| Maps | – | – | No | – |
| Water resistance | Water resistant 50m (swimproof) | Water resistant to 50 m | Water resistant to 50 m | Water resistant to 50 m |
| Works with | iPhone | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android |
| Shop | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
Questions people ask
Do Fitbits work with iPhone?
Yes. The Versa 4, Charge 6 and Inspire 3 all pair with iPhone through the Fitbit app.
How long does the Apple Watch SE 3 battery last?
Apple quotes up to 18 hours, so most people charge it daily.
Which SE 3 alternative is best for sleep tracking?
The Inspire 3 or Charge 6. Both are small enough to wear to bed comfortably.
Related guides
How we reached this
We compared the Apple Watch SE 3 with the alternatives most often recommended by independent reviewers, then checked each against the makers' own specs and current prices.
We haven't tested these products ourselves. Our picks weigh independent expert reviews against each maker's published specs and the prices we checked. Opinions are ours; facts link to where they come from. How we choose.
Sources: Apple: Apple Watch SE 3 specs, TechRadar: Apple Watch SE 3 review: The best Apple Watch for most people, Les Numériques: Test Apple Watch SE 3 : la petite montre connectée qui a tout d'une grande, Google: Fitbit Versa 4 specs, TechRadar: Fitbit Versa 4 review, Les Numériques: Test Fitbit Versa 4 : la montre de fitness évolue timidement, Google: Fitbit Charge 6 specs, Tom's Guide: Fitbit Charge 6 review: a brilliant tracker with more Google, TechRadar: Fitbit Charge 6 review: A fun but flawed modern fitness tracker, Android Central: Fitbit Charge 6 review: Familiar hardware, Googleified, Google: Fitbit Inspire 3 specs, Tom's Guide: Fitbit Inspire 3 review: the top affordable fitness tracker just got better, TechRadar: Fitbit Inspire 3 review.