This Amazon smartwatch is 'just like' pricier brands — it's on sale for under $40 for Black Friday 2024

I haven't worn a watch in years. Truth be told, I'm just not very big into accessories. I don't even have my ears pierced, and I can't remember the last time I wore a piece of jewelry. But recently, I've started to get major envy of my sister's Apple Watch and all of its many features.

I could never imagine paying the hefty price for a device like hers, especially since I don't know how committed I would be to wearing it. Instead, I bought the AITAFY Smart Watch — which is currently on sale as part of Amazon Canada's Black Friday deals for less than $40.

Quick shop:

With its square screen and fitness features, a watch novice like myself was easily impressed by its resemblance — both in appearance and features — to some of its costly competitors. Since receiving the AITAFY Smart Watch a month ago, I haven't left the house without it. It would make for a perfect gift, too.

It's so easy to use, allows me to distance myself from my phone, and has even helped to improve my sleep. It doesn't do everything an Apple Watch does, but that's fine with me. To read my full review, scroll below.

Amazon

AITAFY Smart Watch with Bluetooth Calling

$36$50Save $14

This affordable smartwatch, with all its functions and features, is a bestseller on Amazon.  

$36 at Amazon

The details

With its 1.8-inch HD touchscreen and Android and iOS pairing capabilities, this smartwatch is ideal for a multitude of uses and can receive Bluetooth calls and messages from all your favourite apps.

AITAFY's model includes a built-in fitness tracker that will monitor and measure your heart rate, blood oxygen level, record daily steps and calories burned and even have reminders for hydration. Wear it while you sleep to keep track of sleep patterns and heart functions 24-7.

You can also listen to music, monitor the weather, control your camera, set alarms and more if you have a compatible phone operating system.

The watch itself is customizable with 100 different watch faces, or you can choose your favourite photo for your watch background.

The smartwatch is also IP68 waterproof, which is great for daily activities such as washing hands, sweating or running in the rain. However, do not submerge the watch in water, and never wear it while swimming.

The battery life provides seven full days of normal use and quick charging capability. The magnetic charger included will easily charge the device fully in two hours.

Do you live by Alexa to keep track of your home? You will love this watch with its built-in Alexa assistant.

What I like about it

It looks just like its competitors : OK, maybe I'm shallow, but I like that at first glance, one can easily mistake it for its pricier counterpart. Even my sister was like, Wait, did you get an Apple watch?

It checks all my boxes: Receive messages? Check. Monitors my sleep patterns? Check. Ensures I never miss a call? Also, check. It does everything I'd hoped and more.

It's super affordable: A watch with high-tech features for less than $40? You can't beat that. And with two little kids with a penchant for destruction, if this watch gets broken or lost, it won't be the end of the world.

Easy to use: It didn't take long to set up the watch and pair it with my phone. The VeryFit app that it works with is great, and I can even add family members to it so we can all stay connected. I'm getting this watch for my almost 80-year-old parents. Seriously, it's that easy to use!

Room for improvement

The battery life isn't quite as advertised: I would say that I get about three or four full days of battery life out of the watch. That's fine, but to say that it lasts seven days is definitely a stretch.

You can't reply to texts: This actually doesn't bother me, but I know that some people would find this annoying. It would be nice if you could reply to a text, but, to me, it's not worth buying a more expensive watch just for that feature.

What reviewers are saying

⭐ 4.1 stars

💬 6,500+ reviews

🏆 "It has exceeded my expectations."

"It’s just like a Fitbit without the high price," said one customer. They also praised how easy it was to navigate, taking them five minutes in total to set up.

"This thing is amazing," wrote another shopper. For "most people," it does "everything" a name-brand smartwatch will do at a "fraction of the cost." — It's a "killer."

The health monitoring is "comprehensive," added one user. It "caters to a variety of activities" and "accurately" tracks my workouts.

A few people commented that it would be nice to have more options for watch bands. One customer mentioned the strap is "not suitable" for activities such as gardening and would have appreciated a "stretchier" one.

Another person mentioned that it would be nice to be able to purchase a "protective" cover for the screen, but they aren't offered.

The verdict

I've been wearing this watch for the past month, which is already a personal record for me. It allows me to get some distance from all the apps on my phone and unplug a bit. I won't ever miss a call from my son's school, but I can also keep my phone in another room and be more present in whatever I am doing.

The device won't allow you to reply to messages, so if that's important to you, a pricier model might be worth exploring. Also, I wouldn't rely on it for long unplugged trips as the battery doesn't last as long as advertised. For me, this watch is great. And if my four-year-old accidentally throws it in our pool, I'll survive.

Shop more of the best Amazon Black Friday tech deals:

When is Black Friday 2024?

This year, Black Friday lands on Friday, Nov 29. However, the sale extends far beyond 24 hours for many retailers. Canadians can already shop 100s of early deals — click here to check out the best ones. Cyber Monday is on Monday, Dec. 2.

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

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