When it comes to finding the best budget fitness watch, most people expect the basics — a touchscreen, heart rate sensor, step counter, sleep tracking, and maybe GPS for outdoor activities. However, the Amazfit Active 2 breaks all expectations.
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At just $129 (or $99 for the standard version), this smartwatch delivers an impressive range of features that rival models twice its price. From a sapphire lens and altimeter to offline maps, a built-in microphone, and speaker, it’s redefining what “budget-friendly” really means.
But the real question is — does it actually perform well? How accurate are its sensors? And can it truly be considered a reliable daily fitness companion? Let’s dive into a detailed hands-on review to find out.
Design and Build Quality: Premium Feel at a Budget Price
The Amazfit Active 2 offers two versions — the Premium ($129) and the Standard ($99). The main differences lie in materials and a few features:
- Premium version: Sapphire lens, faux leather & silicone straps, contactless payments (EU only).
- Standard version: Tempered glass lens, silicone strap.
For just $30 more, the sapphire lens upgrade is a smart investment, as it offers much better scratch resistance.
Visually, the Active 2 feels far from “cheap.” The stainless steel bezel with minimalist tick marks gives it a polished look. Amazfit’s design team seems to have nailed it this time—clean lines, balanced proportions, and a comfortable 44mm case that fits most wrists.
It’s also incredibly light (≈30g) and thin (<10mm), making it comfortable for all-day wear and even sleep tracking.
Display and Navigation
The 1.32-inch AMOLED touchscreen offers 2,000 nits of brightness, vivid colors, and deep contrast—easily viewable under direct sunlight. Navigation is handled via two physical buttons plus touch controls. The top button serves as a back/menu button, while the bottom button opens the workout list.
The touchscreen is extremely responsive—sometimes even too sensitive when swiping quickly. However, during workouts, physical buttons are handy when your hands get sweaty. A minor annoyance: when the screen is dimmed, you need to double-press to wake and pause workouts. Not a dealbreaker, but a behavior that needs refining.
Smart Features: Notifications, Calls, and Voice Control
Despite its low price, the Amazfit Active 2 functions like a true smartwatch:
- Notifications: Works with both Android and iPhone for calls, texts, and app alerts.
- Replying: Android users can reply with quick responses, emojis, or even voice dictation. iPhone users can receive texts but cannot reply (Apple limitation).
- Calls: Thanks to the built-in microphone and speaker, you can answer calls directly on the watch (both iOS and Android, with phone nearby).
- Zep Flow Voice Assistant: Enables voice commands for starting workouts, setting timers, etc. (requires phone connection).
While there’s no onboard music storage, you can control your phone’s playback easily.
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Battery Life and Charging
Amazfit claims up to 10 days of battery life with typical usage, and 5 days under heavy use. In real testing, these numbers hold up:
- Around 4–5 days with always-on display and frequent workouts.
- Up to 6 days during lighter indoor usage.
Charging uses a magnetic USB-C puck (cable not included). It’s worth noting that this charger differs from other Amazfit models like the T-Rex 3.
Health Tracking and Accuracy
The Active 2 includes:
- Heart rate monitoring
- SpO₂ (blood oxygen) tracking
- Skin temperature measurement during sleep
- Floors climbed (altimeter)
- Calorie and step tracking
Sleep Tracking
It provides detailed sleep stage analysis and a sleep score. While it generally detects sleep and wake times accurately, the scoring algorithm feels a bit limited—most nights fall within the 80–90 range, even with different sleep qualities.
Readiness Score
Each morning, you’ll get a “Readiness” score based on sleep, HRV, and oxygen levels. However, these readings often seem overly generous, rarely dropping below 80, even after intense training days. Overall, the hardware collects accurate data, but the algorithms behind sleep and readiness analysis need refinement.
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Fitness and Sports Features
This is where the Amazfit Active 2 truly shines for a budget fitness watch.
It supports over 100 workout modes, including:
- Running, cycling, swimming, triathlon
- Weight training and HIIT
- Skiing and snowboarding
- Even niche options like hula hooping and dance profiles
Exercise Recognition and Rep Counting
In strength training, it can automatically count reps and recognize common exercises. It’s impressively accurate—missing only a few reps or mislabeling occasional movements.
Training Load and Performance Metrics
Tracks heart rate zones, calories, and training load trends. While its load calculations differ from brands like Garmin, the trend tracking is still reliable.
Offline Maps and Navigation
Unbelievably, the Active 2 includes offline maps—a feature almost unheard of under $150.
You can:
- Download maps directly to the watch.
- View street and trail labels.
- Follow preloaded routes.
Storage is limited, though—you might need to delete old maps to install updates.
GPS and Altimeter Performance
GPS Accuracy
- Acquires satellite signal in about 5–10 seconds.
- Tracks distance and route accurately during running and cycling.
- Occasionally overshoots sharp cycling turns at high speed but not significantly.
Altimeter Accuracy
Generally good, except for one software glitch that caused an absurd elevation reading. After disabling “altitude calibration,” results aligned perfectly with other premium devices.
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Heart Rate Sensor Performance
The optical heart rate sensor performs well across most activities:
- Running & indoor cycling: Excellent accuracy, nearly matching chest straps.
- Outdoor cycling: Occasionally spikes or drops, but acceptable for casual use.
- HIIT & weight training: Inconsistent due to wrist motion — use an external chest strap for best results.
Notably, the Active 2 supports external heart rate monitors and cycling power meters, which is rare for budget devices. It now even syncs running and cycling power data to Strava, though cadence metrics are still missing.
Software and App Experience
The watch integrates with the Zepp App, which provides detailed analytics for workouts, sleep, HRV, and readiness. While data collection is reliable, some of the insights and algorithms need improvement for more meaningful feedback. Still, the app experience is clean, user-friendly, and feature-rich for this price range.
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Pros and Cons
✅ Pros:
- Incredible value for the price
- Lightweight and premium design
- Offline maps and sapphire glass option
- Strong GPS and HR accuracy for running
- Supports external sensors and Strava syncing
- Bright, colorful AMOLED display
❌ Cons:
- Sleep and readiness scores need refinement
- No onboard music storage
- Limited storage for maps and updates
- Overly sensitive touchscreen at times
- No text replies on iPhone
Final Verdict: A True Budget Champion
After thorough testing, it’s clear that the Amazfit Active 2 is one of the best budget fitness watches of 2025. It offers premium features—offline maps, sapphire glass, voice control, external sensor support—at a price far below its competitors. While it’s not perfect, especially on the software side, its hardware performance, comfort, and accuracy make it an unbeatable value.
If you want a reliable, feature-packed smartwatch without spending $300+, the Amazfit Active 2 is an easy recommendation.
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FAQs About the Amazfit Active 2
1. Is the Amazfit Active 2 waterproof?
Yes, it’s water-resistant and suitable for pool and open-water swimming.
2. Does it support GPS navigation without a phone?
Yes, it includes offline maps and GPS tracking directly from the watch.
3. Can I reply to texts on iPhone?
No, iPhone users can receive notifications but cannot reply due to iOS restrictions.
4. How long does the battery last?
Up to 10 days with light use and around 5 days with heavy use.
5. Is it worth upgrading to the premium version?
Definitely—the sapphire glass and extra band make the $30 upgrade worthwhile.
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A Full Review of the Amazfit Active 2: the Conclusion
In a market flooded with overpriced smartwatches, the Amazfit Active 2 proves that affordability doesn’t have to mean compromise. With exceptional design, accurate tracking, and features previously reserved for high-end models, it stands tall as the best budget fitness watch you can buy today. If you’re looking for a dependable fitness companion that won’t break the bank, the Amazfit Active 2 is your answer.
Sophia Oliver is a tech-savvy writer who specializes in technology reviews, delivering in-depth and unbiased insights into the latest gadgets, devices, and software. Her content helps readers stay up-to-date with the rapidly evolving tech world.
Sophia’s reviews are known for their clarity and balance, offering both pros and cons to give readers a full picture before making a purchase. She covers smartphones, laptops, smart home devices, wearables, and emerging tech products.
Her mission is to simplify technology for everyday users, while also offering valuable insights for tech enthusiasts who seek detailed performance analysis. Sophia’s work inspires confidence in readers to make informed choices in a fast-paced digital marketplace.