Amazfit Balance Smartwatch Review: Wellness Tracking Meets Sleek, Everyday Utility
The Amazfit Balance Smartwatch brings a strong mix of wellness tracking, fitness features, and everyday utility — all at a price that seriously undercuts the competition. Priced at $199.99, this model lands squarely in the mid-range tier, yet it delivers features often found on watches that cost $100 more.
It’s powered by Zepp OS 3.0 and integrates wellness-focused tools like Readiness Scores, body composition analysis, and sleep coaching — features rarely seen in this price bracket. Add to that 24/7 heart rate and SpO2 tracking, built-in GPS, Bluetooth calling, and Amazon Alexa support, and you've got a smartwatch that doesn’t feel “budget” at all.
The Amazfit Balance Smartwatch also impresses with its bright AMOLED display, long battery life (up to 14 days), and a design that feels far more premium than you'd expect. It works with both Android and iOS, and the Zepp app provides deep health insights without locking anything behind a paywall.
It’s not perfect — app support is limited compared to Wear OS or Apple Watch, and voice features are a bit underpowered. But for health-first users who value battery life and polished wellness insights, it’s one of the best values in the category.
MSRP (when available or best estimate): $199.99
Price: Check Price on Amazon
✅ Amazfit Balance Smartwatch Pros
✅ Excellent battery life
Up to 14 days on typical use, beating most smartwatches in its price class.
✅ Rich wellness tracking
Includes readiness scores, sleep coaching, stress tracking, and body composition estimates.
✅ Bright AMOLED display
Sharp, vibrant, and easy to read even in direct sunlight.
✅ Built-in GPS and Bluetooth calling
Offers standalone workout tracking and on-wrist call handling.
✅ Works with Android and iOS
Broad compatibility and seamless setup via the Zepp app.
✅ Alexa built-in
Supports basic commands, smart home control, and queries.
✅ Lightweight and stylish design
Aluminum alloy case and thin bezels give it a premium look and feel.
✅ No subscription paywall
All wellness and fitness insights are fully unlocked from day one.
❌ Amazfit Balance Smartwatch Cons
❌ App ecosystem is limited
No third-party app store; you're mostly using what Zepp provides.
❌ Voice assistant is basic
Alexa can feel sluggish and doesn’t support all commands offline.
❌ Fitness accuracy can vary
Especially in strength training or non-GPS workouts.
❌ Touchscreen navigation only
No physical buttons or rotating crowns, which may not suit all users.
❌ No NFC payments in U.S.
Zepp Pay exists but is not widely supported outside select regions.
❌ Zepp app UI can feel cluttered
Some users report needing time to get used to its layered menus.
Smart Features & Core Tech
Amazfit Balance Smartwatch
Health & Wellness Sensors
The Amazfit Balance Smartwatch packs a serious health monitoring toolkit for a watch under $200. It features a BioTracker™ 5.0 PPG sensor for 24/7 heart rate, blood oxygen (SpO₂), and stress monitoring. You’ll also find sleep tracking with sleep stage analysis and breathing quality scores — all tracked automatically.
One standout feature is body composition estimation. While not as accurate as clinical tools, it provides quick measurements for fat percentage, skeletal muscle, and more using bioimpedance sensors — something usually reserved for pricier wearables.
GPS performance is solid, thanks to dual-band positioning (L1+L5), a feature normally found on premium watches. Location lock is fast and accurate during outdoor workouts, even in urban environments.
There’s no ECG or skin temperature sensor, but at this price point, the Balance still outperforms most in terms of biometric depth.
AI Coaching & Readiness Features
What really sets the Amazfit Balance Smartwatch apart from fitness bands and many similarly priced smartwatches is its integration of “readiness” and recovery tools. The Zepp app calculates a daily Readiness Score based on sleep quality, heart rate variability, and other recovery markers. While not medically certified, these scores give helpful insights into when to push your workout — or take it easy.
Sleep coaching is also built-in. Users receive personalized sleep advice based on trends and habits, and the insights feel less generic than what you get from budget wearables. There’s even a “sleep animal” feature that helps categorize your patterns in an engaging way, similar to Fitbit’s Sleep Profile.
Stress tracking and breathing exercises are included, though feedback isn’t as granular as what Garmin or Whoop provides.
Voice Assistant & Offline Functionality
The Amazfit Balance Smartwatch includes Amazon Alexa for voice control. You can ask it to set timers, control smart home devices, check the weather, or perform simple queries. However, it’s cloud-based — meaning no offline capabilities unless you're connected to Wi-Fi or a phone. Performance is hit-or-miss, with some users reporting slow responses or limited command support.
There’s also a basic offline voice assistant for controlling system features (like starting a workout or adjusting settings), but it’s not nearly as responsive or versatile as Google Assistant or Siri.
Bluetooth calling is a plus, though — the watch has a mic and speaker built-in, letting you take calls directly from the wrist when connected to your phone.
Additional Lifestyle Tools
The Amazfit Balance Smartwatch includes a solid set of daily life tools, including alarm, calendar sync, weather, compass, and flashlight. It supports app notifications, music control (but not storage), and remote camera shutter — handy for taking group shots.
There’s Zepp Pay (NFC payments), but this feature is currently limited in availability. U.S. users likely won’t be able to take advantage of contactless payments unless support expands.
It’s rated at 5ATM water resistance, making it safe for swimming and general water exposure. There’s also a built-in Pomodoro timer, breathing app, and menstrual cycle tracking — small touches that add real value to the user experience.
While not feature-packed in the smartwatch app sense, it shines where it counts: wellness, utility, and convenience.
Performance & User Experience
Amazfit Balance Smartwatch
Health & Fitness Accuracy
For everyday tracking, the Amazfit Balance Smartwatch delivers dependable performance. Step counts, daily activity rings, and general calorie burn estimates are on par with other fitness-forward watches. Heart rate tracking is solid during most workouts, though a few users have noted occasional spikes or delays during interval training or fast-paced HIIT.
GPS accuracy is where this watch surprises. With dual-band GNSS (L1 + L5), it competes with more expensive Garmin and Apple devices in terms of location tracking. Routes during runs, rides, or hikes generally map cleanly with little drift, and satellite lock times are fast.
Sleep tracking is detailed, capturing REM, deep, and light stages, along with breathing quality. Most users find the results closely match what they’d expect, though shift workers or irregular sleepers sometimes find the readiness scoring inconsistent.
The body composition feature is a cool addition, but like all wrist-based bioimpedance tools, results should be viewed as rough estimates. It’s helpful for tracking trends over time — not for medical use.
All things considered, the Amazfit Balance Smartwatch punches above its price in the fitness department, with only minor precision trade-offs.
Notifications & App Integration
Notifications on the Amazfit Balance Smartwatch are reliable, but not as interactive as you’d find on a Wear OS or Apple device. You’ll see full message previews from apps like WhatsApp, Gmail, or Slack — but you can’t respond from the watch unless using pre-set quick replies for texts and calls (on Android only).
App integration is one of the watch’s biggest limitations. There’s no third-party app store, which means you’re working entirely within the Zepp ecosystem. You won’t find Spotify, Google Maps, or Strava onboard — and there’s no app companion platform like the Play Store or Apple Watch App Store.
That said, the Zepp app itself is well-developed. Syncing is fast, notifications come through without noticeable delay, and users rarely report major bugs or crashes. You can control basic music playback and camera shutter, and phone call notifications (with Bluetooth calling enabled) work smoothly.
It’s a minimalist smart experience — best suited for users who want notifications at a glance, not a full mobile OS on their wrist.
Smart Assistant & Voice Control
The inclusion of Amazon Alexa feels great on paper, but real-world use is mixed. When connected to Wi-Fi or a phone, Alexa can perform basics like timers, alarms, and smart home control. However, many users report slow response times or limited functionality compared to using Alexa on a speaker or phone.
There is also an offline voice assistant, but it’s very limited — it can start workouts or change watch settings but can’t do much else. Think of it more as a hands-free shortcut tool than a real voice interface.
Bluetooth calling helps elevate the smart utility. It works well for brief conversations and comes in handy if your phone is in another room or pocket. Microphone quality is decent, though don’t expect AirPods-level clarity.
Overall, the voice experience is functional but feels like an add-on rather than a centerpiece.
Battery Life
This is where the Amazfit Balance Smartwatch really stands out. With typical use, most users report 10–14 days of battery life — a number that holds up in real-world conditions. Even with continuous heart rate, sleep tracking, and occasional GPS workouts, the watch goes over a week without a charge.
Heavy GPS usage or always-on display drops it closer to 5–6 days, which is still excellent. By comparison, most Wear OS watches last 1–2 days, and even the Apple Watch SE struggles to get past 36 hours.
Charging is reasonably fast: it takes about 2 hours to go from 0 to full via the included magnetic charger. Unfortunately, there’s no wireless charging support.
If battery life is a top priority, the Amazfit Balance Smartwatch is one of the best picks under $250. You’ll spend less time looking for a cable — and more time tracking your day.
Comfort & Design
Amazfit consistently punches above its weight in design, and the Balance is no exception. The 46mm aluminum alloy case looks and feels more premium than most watches in this price range. At just 35g (without the strap), it’s lightweight enough to sleep in and forget you’re wearing it.
The default silicone strap is comfortable and soft-touch, but easily swappable with any standard 22mm band. Bezels are slim, and the 1.5-inch AMOLED screen stretches nearly edge to edge, making for a clean and modern look.
There are no physical buttons or crowns, which may be a dealbreaker for those who prefer tactile controls — especially during workouts. Still, the touchscreen is responsive and works well with swipe-based navigation.
Visibility outdoors is solid, and brightness can be manually or automatically adjusted. It may not match the polish of an Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch, but it holds its own in both looks and comfort.
Companion App & Ecosystem
The Zepp app — available on Android and iOS — is the brains of the operation. It handles syncing, firmware updates, watch face management, and health analytics. For the most part, the app is well laid out, though a few users mention the interface can feel dense or unintuitive at first.
Health dashboards are data-rich: you’ll see heart rate zones, sleep quality, stress trends, readiness scores, and even a fatigue recovery metric. Unlike Fitbit or Garmin, Amazfit doesn’t hide anything behind a subscription, which is a major plus.
Ecosystem support is where the Balance shows its limits. You won’t find direct app connections to Spotify, MyFitnessPal, or Google Fit without using third-party sync apps. Strava integration does exist, but it’s one-way — you can upload activities to Strava, but not sync back.
If you’re looking for deep third-party compatibility, you may find the platform closed off. But if you’re okay living within the Zepp app’s world, it delivers a complete and polished experience.
Final Verdict
Amazfit Balance Smartwatch
The Amazfit Balance Smartwatch offers a refined, wellness-centric experience that punches well above its $199.99 price tag. While it doesn’t aim to be a full-blown smartwatch like the Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch, it nails the essentials for fitness-minded users who want strong battery life, useful health insights, and an elegant design.
Its strengths are clear: exceptional battery life, detailed sleep and recovery tracking, and a high-resolution AMOLED display. The inclusion of dual-band GPS and body composition tracking are standout features in this tier, and Amazfit’s Zepp app provides in-depth health reporting without pushing users toward a paid subscription model.
That said, the software ecosystem is limited. There’s no app store, no Spotify or Google Maps, and Alexa integration feels a bit sluggish at times. Notification interactivity is basic, particularly for iOS users, and voice control is best described as functional but forgettable.
But for users who care more about tracking health trends than sending emojis from their wrist, the Amazfit Balance Smartwatch makes a strong case. It’s a fitness companion that respects your time, battery, and budget.
Best For: Health-focused users who want a sleek, accurate, and long-lasting smartwatch without needing deep app integration or LTE — especially Android users looking for a fitness-first alternative to mainstream brands.
FAQ
Amazfit Balance Smartwatch
Does the Amazfit Balance Smartwatch require a subscription?
No. All features — including readiness score, body composition, and sleep coaching — are included for free with no paid tiers.
Is it compatible with both Android and iOS?
Yes, the watch works with both platforms via the Zepp app. However, iOS users will have limited reply options for notifications.
Can I respond to messages or take calls from the Amazfit Balance Smartwatch?
Android users can answer calls and reply to texts with quick responses. iOS users can answer calls but cannot send replies from the watch.
Does the Amazfit Balance Smartwatch support NFC payments?
Zepp Pay is technically supported, but it's not currently active for most U.S. users. NFC functionality is limited outside certain regions.
Additional Information
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