Amazfit Active Smartwatch Review: Budget-Friendly Brilliance with a Surprising Edge
The Amazfit Active Smartwatch proves that a sub-$110 wearable can still punch well above its weight. Offering built-in GPS, offline voice commands, 100+ sports modes, and up to 14 days of battery life — all in a sleek, ultra-light design — it’s one of the most feature-rich smartwatches you can buy without breaking the bank.
Running on Zepp OS 2.0, the Amazfit Active integrates with the Zepp companion app for intuitive health tracking, goal setting, and fitness data visualization. You get 24/7 heart rate, SpO₂ monitoring, stress tracking, sleep analysis, and even readiness scores — all from a device that weighs less than 25g without the strap.
It also includes Amazon Alexa (online) and a limited offline voice assistant for quick commands without an internet connection. While you won’t find an app store, NFC, or support for third-party music apps, the Amazfit Active still manages to include Bluetooth phone call support, music control, and a bright AMOLED display that rivals watches twice its price.
For users who prioritize battery life, fitness tracking, and convenience over deep smart ecosystem integration, the Amazfit Active Smartwatch is an outstanding value.
MSRP (when available or best estimate): $109.99
Price: Check Price on Amazon
✅ Amazfit Active Smartwatch Pros
✅ Excellent Value for the Price
Rare to see GPS, AMOLED, and voice control at $109.99.
✅ Built-in Alexa + Offline Assistant
Works both online and offline for voice commands.
✅ 14-Day Battery Life (Typical Use)
Significantly outlasts most smartwatches in this class.
✅ Lightweight and Comfortable
Just 24g without the strap — barely noticeable on the wrist.
✅ 100+ Workout Modes with Smart Recognition
Covers mainstream and niche activities.
✅ Bright, Colorful AMOLED Display
Sharp visuals and smooth touchscreen navigation.
✅ Bluetooth Call Support
Accept and talk through the watch using the built-in mic and speaker.
✅ Accurate GPS with Route Import
Good for outdoor workouts and casual runners.
❌ Amazfit Active Smartwatch Cons
❌ No App Store or Third-Party App Support
You’re limited to pre-installed tools.
❌ Basic Notification Handling
Can’t respond to texts or interact deeply with messages.
❌ Sleep Tracking Less Refined Than Fitbit or Garmin
Accurate, but lacking in-depth analysis.
❌ Zepp App Isn’t as Polished as Fitbit or Apple Health
Slight learning curve for new users.
❌ No NFC for Payments
No Google Wallet, no Zepp Pay in U.S. models.
❌ Limited Watch Face Customization
Fewer options compared to Wear OS or Apple devices.
❌ Alexa Requires Phone Connection
Offline assistant is limited to basic functions only.
Smart Features & Core Tech
Amazfit Active Smartwatch
Health & Wellness Sensors
Despite its budget-friendly price tag, the Amazfit Active Smartwatch comes loaded with a full suite of health-tracking sensors: - 24/7 heart rate monitoring - Blood oxygen (SpO₂) tracking - Sleep stage analysis (including REM) - Stress level estimation - PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence) - Readiness score (based on sleep and recovery)
The watch automatically monitors these metrics in the background and syncs them to the Zepp app, offering visual breakdowns, daily summaries, and wellness trends. It even includes abnormal heart rate alerts and sedentary reminders — tools usually reserved for more expensive models.
Zepp App & Fitness Tracking
Fitness tracking is where Amazfit shines. The watch supports over 120+ sports modes, from running and cycling to dance, HIIT, yoga, and winter sports. It can auto-detect common workouts like walking, treadmill runs, and elliptical sessions.
GPS accuracy is above average for the price point, with dual-satellite positioning and route tracking that works well for outdoor activities. You can even import routes via the Zepp app and follow them in real time — a feature rare in sub-$150 watches.
The Zepp app is your command center: it logs all health and workout data, lets you configure alerts and widgets, and offers daily goal tracking. While not as polished as Apple Health or Fitbit, it’s robust and feature-rich once you get past the slightly dated UI.
Built-in Alexa & Offline Assistant
The Amazfit Active Smartwatch offers two types of voice assistance: - Amazon Alexa (online) for weather, timers, smart home control, and questions. - Offline voice assistant for basic commands like starting workouts, opening apps, or adjusting settings — even without a connection.
Voice recognition is decent, though not as fast as on premium smartwatches. There's a noticeable delay at times, especially with Alexa. Still, it’s impressive to have both options on a budget device.
Display & Interface
The watch sports a 1.75" AMOLED screen with a resolution of 390 x 450 pixels. It’s bright, colorful, and visible in direct sunlight, with fluid animations and responsive touch input. The UI is intuitive, using swipes and a single side button to navigate tiles, apps, and notifications.
Menus are snappy, with customizable widgets, workout shortcuts, and health dashboards just a swipe away. There’s no lag unless you’re rapidly jumping between apps — and even then, it’s minor.
Bonus Features (Music, GPS, Calls)
- Music Control Only: You can control your phone’s playback, but can’t store music on the watch itself. - Bluetooth Calling: The built-in mic and speaker let you answer calls directly on the watch when connected to your phone — a surprising perk at this price. - Smartphone Notifications: You’ll get alerts from calls, texts, WhatsApp, and more — but replies are view-only.
The Amazfit Active Smartwatch doesn’t pretend to be a full smartwatch like an Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch — but for the core features it does offer, it often over-delivers for the price.
Performance & User Experience
Amazfit Active Smartwatch
Health & Fitness Accuracy
For a sub-$110 smartwatch, the Amazfit Active performs surprisingly well when it comes to core health metrics. Daily step tracking is reliable and generally consistent with phone-based counters or more expensive fitness trackers. The optical heart rate sensor does a solid job during steady-state cardio, such as walking, jogging, or cycling. It does tend to lag slightly behind during interval-based workouts or activities with a lot of wrist movement — which is typical for budget optical sensors.
Sleep tracking is solid but not exceptional. It captures total sleep time, stages (light, deep, REM), and sleep consistency. However, sleep start/end times can sometimes be slightly off if you’re lounging in bed before sleeping. Compared to Fitbit and Garmin, the sleep data is a bit less nuanced, but still helpful for casual users looking to build healthy habits.
SpO₂ readings are available on demand or during sleep (if enabled), and they tend to fall within a normal margin of error. Stress tracking is mostly software-driven (based on heart rate variability) and works decently for general trends, but it’s more of a “nice-to-have” than a clinical tool.
GPS accuracy is better than expected. The watch locks quickly and maps outdoor routes accurately — great for casual runners, walkers, or cyclists. While it's not on par with dual-frequency Garmin watches, the margin of error is small enough that most non-elite users won’t notice.
Overall, the Amazfit Active provides good-to-great health and fitness accuracy for the price — suitable for daily wellness tracking and workout logging, even if it doesn’t compete with medical-grade or pro-athlete devices.
Notifications & App Integration
The Amazfit Active Smartwatch handles smartphone notifications in a basic but functional way. You’ll get call alerts, text messages, and app notifications (WhatsApp, Gmail, Instagram, etc.) delivered to the watch via Bluetooth, with vibration feedback. Notifications are readable and well-formatted on the AMOLED screen, and you can scroll through them easily using swipes.
However, there are limitations. You **can’t respond** to messages or emails from the watch — not even with quick replies. This puts it a step below more advanced smartwatches, but not unexpected at this price.
Notification settings can be customized through the Zepp app, where you can select which apps push alerts to the watch. The setup is straightforward, and pairing works reliably on both Android and iOS, although integration is slightly smoother on Android.
There’s no smart reply system, keyboard, or voice-to-text input, and no interactive elements in notifications (e.g., no ability to archive an email or like a message). Notifications are strictly **view-only**.
That said, most users looking at this price point aren’t expecting full smartwatch functionality — and for basic notification mirroring, the Amazfit Active delivers reliably with minimal delay.
Smart Assistant & Voice Control
The Amazfit Active Smartwatch stands out in this price bracket by offering not one, but two voice assistant options:
- Amazon Alexa (requires phone + internet) - Offline voice assistant (for basic commands without connectivity)
Alexa integration works for tasks like checking the weather, setting timers, asking questions, or controlling compatible smart home devices — as long as your phone is nearby and connected. Voice input is handled through the built-in microphone, and Alexa’s responses appear as on-screen text (there’s no voice playback from Alexa).
The offline voice assistant is surprisingly useful. You can issue commands like: - “Start running” - “Open heart rate” - “Turn on do not disturb” - “Brightness up”
This assistant works even when you’re completely disconnected from Wi-Fi and Bluetooth — perfect for outdoor runs or when you leave your phone behind.
Limitations do exist: - Alexa response speed can be inconsistent. - You can’t dictate or send texts using either assistant. - There’s no speaker output for either voice assistant. - Wake word recognition can be hit or miss depending on noise and wrist position.
Still, the presence of any offline voice control — let alone both Alexa and a local assistant — is virtually unheard of at $109.99. While not a replacement for Siri or Google Assistant on higher-end watches, the voice features here are genuinely useful and go far beyond what most budget wearables offer.
Battery Life
Battery life is one of the Amazfit Active Smartwatch’s most impressive strengths. Zepp rates the watch for up to 14 days of use under typical conditions, and real-world feedback largely supports that claim. Users consistently report 10–12 days of battery life with heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and notifications turned on.
If you activate features like always-on display, continuous SpO₂ monitoring, and frequent GPS use, battery life drops — but it still holds up remarkably well: - Heavy usage: Around 5–7 days - GPS workouts (daily): Roughly 3–4 days - Basic watch mode: Up to 30 days with limited functionality
Charging is done via a proprietary magnetic puck and takes about 1.5 to 2 hours for a full charge. It’s not as fast as Fitbit’s rapid charge or Apple’s magnetic snap charger, but it’s reliable and compact for travel.
You won’t find wireless charging or USB-C, and you’ll need to bring the included cable. That said, the sheer duration between charges makes this a minor inconvenience.
In a world of daily smartwatch charging, the Amazfit Active stands out for users who want low-maintenance endurance. For travelers, busy professionals, or anyone who forgets to charge, it’s one of the best in its class.
Comfort & Design
The Amazfit Active Smartwatch is impressively lightweight and unobtrusive. Weighing just 24g without the strap, it’s one of the lightest full-featured smartwatches in its category. That makes it an excellent choice for all-day wear — whether you’re at the gym, in the office, or tracking sleep overnight.
The rectangular case (42.4 x 36.6 mm) features a gently curved edge and comes in several finishes, including rose pink, lavender purple, and standard black. The single side button blends nicely into the casing and gives a subtle tactile click for menu access and wake-up functions.
The strap uses a 20mm quick-release pin system, which means you can easily swap in third-party bands — a welcome touch for users who want to personalize their look. The included silicone strap is flexible and skin-friendly, though some users with sensitive skin may prefer to upgrade.
The 1.75" AMOLED display is framed by moderately sized bezels, which are less noticeable thanks to Zepp’s dark UI theme. The watch face looks premium for the price, with strong contrast, good color accuracy, and a responsive touch layer.
In short, the Amazfit Active Smartwatch gets the fundamentals of comfort and design right: it’s discreet, light, and stylish enough to pass as a more expensive smartwatch — and it won’t leave your wrist feeling fatigued at the end of the day.
Companion App & Ecosystem
The Amazfit Active Smartwatch runs on Zepp OS and pairs with the Zepp mobile app — a health and fitness platform that has matured significantly in recent years. It may not have the brand polish of Apple Health or Fitbit, but it’s surprisingly robust and filled with features that are useful for both beginners and experienced users.
Within the Zepp app, you’ll find a customizable daily dashboard that displays key health data like steps, heart rate, stress levels, PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence), and sleep scores. The app also logs your workout history, including GPS routes for outdoor activities, and allows you to set goals or track fitness streaks over time. Sleep tracking includes stage breakdowns and recovery metrics, while readiness scores offer insight into how prepared your body is for the day based on overnight data.
Another major advantage: no subscription is required to access any of these features. Unlike Fitbit Premium or WHOOP, all health metrics, fitness summaries, and readiness data are fully unlocked out of the box — no monthly fees or hidden paywalls.
The app supports syncing with Apple Health, Google Fit, Strava, and Relive, although integration is not always real-time. In most cases, data transfers reliably, but some users have reported occasional delays or inconsistencies with third-party services.
What’s missing is a broader smartwatch ecosystem. There’s no app store, and Zepp OS doesn’t support downloadable apps or features like Google Wallet, Spotify, or advanced automation. As a result, the Active feels more like a polished fitness tracker with smart features than a full smartwatch platform.
Still, the experience is smooth, fast, and well-optimized. Zepp OS is stable, and the companion app is powerful enough to keep health-focused users engaged — especially those who value privacy, independence from subscriptions, and long-term trend tracking.
Final Verdict
Amazfit Active Smartwatch
The Amazfit Active Smartwatch delivers a surprisingly rich experience at a price that feels almost too good to be true. For $109.99, you get GPS, voice controls (both online and offline), strong fitness tracking, Bluetooth calling, and a bright AMOLED display — wrapped in a lightweight, stylish design with no subscription required.
It’s not without compromises: the lack of an app store, reply-less notifications, and no contactless payments keep it firmly in the “fitness watch with smart extras” category. But that’s exactly what it aims to be — and in that lane, it overdelivers.
Compared to other budget smartwatches (or fitness bands in the same price range), the Amazfit Active stands out for its reliability, battery life, and ease of use. It won’t satisfy power users or app-hungry smartwatch fans, but it’s an outstanding fit for anyone who wants the essentials — and a little extra — without spending $200+.
Recommended for: Budget-conscious users, casual runners, first-time smartwatch buyers, and anyone who values simplicity, voice control, long battery life, and subscription-free health tracking.
FAQ
Amazfit Active Smartwatch
Does the Amazfit Active Smartwatch require a subscription to use any features?
No. All core features — including sleep tracking, GPS routes, readiness score, and health metrics — are fully unlocked without a subscription. The Zepp app is free to use.
What’s the difference between the Amazfit Active Smartwatch and Amazfit Active 2 Smartwatch?
The Amazfit Active 2 is the newer version and builds on the original Active with a refined design, larger battery, and in some cases a slightly brighter display. However, most of the core features — including Zepp OS, fitness tracking, Alexa, and voice calls — are shared. If the price is similar, the Active 2 may offer slightly better value, but the original Amazfit Active remains an excellent option for its price.
Can I make and receive phone calls on the Amazfit Active?
Yes, the watch includes a built-in mic and speaker, allowing you to answer calls over Bluetooth when your phone is nearby. However, it does not have LTE or cellular support.
Does the watch support music storage or streaming?
No. You can control your phone’s music playback, but the watch itself doesn’t store music or stream from apps like Spotify or Deezer.
Is the Amazfit Active Smartwatch waterproof?
Yes, it has a 5 ATM water resistance rating, meaning it’s safe for swimming and showering — but not for high-pressure water activities like diving or waterskiing.
Can I respond to messages or emails from the watch?
No. Notifications are view-only. There’s no reply option, keyboard, or voice-to-text feature.
How accurate is the GPS?
Very solid for the price. It’s not dual-band like premium watches, but for running, walking, and cycling, GPS locks quickly and tracks reliably.
Additional Information
Amazfit Bip 6 Smartwatch Review Amazfit Balance Smartwatch Review Amazfit Active 2 Smartwatch Amazfit T-Rex 3 Smartwatch Amazfit Band 7 ReviewThis review is based on research, expert analysis, and user feedback. AI Reviews HQ does not conduct hands-on product testing. We may earn a commission from the links in this review. We do our best to provide accurate product details, however AI is not perfect and may make some mistakes in research. Please double-check with the manufacturer or retailer before purchasing. Check out the product page