I’ve never owned an Apple Watch, and after spending months with the CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro, I don’t feel like I’m missing out. This budget-friendly smartwatch does everything I want from tech on my wrist: it tracks my runs and sleep, monitors my heart rate, sends notifications and it has a battery that lasts over 10 days (!) — not to mention, it looks damn good while doing it all. Basically, this watch taught me that functional personal tech doesn’t have to be pricey, which is exactly why it earned a spot on this year’s HuffPost Shopping Awards for the Tech category.
Well, some good news about my favorite budget watch: Today, it’s made even more affordable. Right now on Amazon, you can grab the Watch 3 Pro in Ash Grey or Light Green (if you clip the on-page $10 off coupon) for 34% off! That’s just $65 for something one reviewer deems “truly brilliant device,” and what another sums up as “feature-packed, stylish and extremely accurate.”
Compared to other smartwatches on the market, my CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro feels laser-focused on perfecting the basics.
This smartwatch nails the essentials in just the right way. The Watch 3 Pro’s design is smart, clean and minimalist, with several digital watch faces to match your style and easy-to-navigate menus. The interface is intuitive, too — it doesn’t require a manual or watching a tutorial to figure it out. The companion Nothing X app keeps things simple and distraction-free, letting you customize the watch’s menu and add or remove modules and workouts whenever you want.
Personally, it’s been a reliable tool for tracking my laps around D.C.’s National Mall to treadmill 5Ks at the gym. Step tracking is simple and displays right on the watch’s home page in big, bold numbers. Whether I’m out for a run or just moving through the day, it does a good job logging activity without making it feel like I need to constantly manage the watch. It even vibrates each mile and shows my running zone mid-workout, so I can check my stats with a quick flick of the wrist.
It still has a few smart features that makes it feel premium: most notably, its AI-assisted running coach.
This feature lets you set a target distance like a 5K or 10K, choose a goal time, and enter how long you’d like to train. From there, it builds a training plan based on how many days a week you want to run and when you want to start. This is such a cool feature that utilizes your data so you don’t have to make a training plan for yourself.
The watch also includes a dual-band GPS tracker, which makes a noticeable difference when you’re running outdoors. It’s accurate enough to map your route down to the exact side of the road you’re on. That level of precision is something you usually see on more expensive fitness watches, and it makes the run data feel far more reliable when reviewing it later.
At its price, its functionality fantastic.
To temper expectations, this isn’t an Apple Watch killer, nor is it a Garmin — but for me, it outperforms in every way. It’s not waterproof, so those who love tracking swims won’t be able to. It’s also not excessively hardy — you can definitely scratch the paint off the case if you bang it hard enough. It’s important to note that this is a frequently returned item on Amazon for these reasons, leaving more to be desired by serious gym goers and sportsmen.
However, this is a simplified smartwatch that does what it says and does it well. It’s a choice smartwatch for people who couldn’t be bothered with exclusive brand ecosystems, chasing the most accurate stats possible or downloading a bunch of third-party apps. No status signifiers bragging rights needed. It’s just a simple, really functional smartwatch.
For the price, the Watch 3 Pro delivers nearly everything most people actually want from a smartwatch, all without the hundred-dollar commitment.
Don’t just take my word for it. Check out what other reviewers have to say about this personal tech upgrade on Amazon.
“A Smartwatch That Nails the Basics and Looks Great Doing It
The CMF by NOTHING Watch 3 Pro is a genuine surprise in the smartwatch market. The design is sleek and minimalist, making it look far more premium than its price point suggests—the distinctive aesthetic truly stands out.
Beyond the style, the watch delivers excellent core functionality. The display is bright and responsive, making it easy to read notifications and track stats even in direct sunlight. Battery life is fantastic; I barely think about charging it, which is a massive win for daily wear.
Health tracking is accurate and comprehensive, covering everything from steps to sleep with reliable precision. If you’re looking for a smartwatch that balances standout design, long battery life, and essential features without breaking the bank, the Watch 3 Pro is an easy recommendation. It’s a truly brilliant device.” — Vikas“I’ve been using this watch for about one week, and honestly it’s one of the best value smartwatches I’ve tried. The screen is bright and sharp, the battery easily lasts several days, and the interface feels smoother than I expected at this price. The health tracking seems accurate enough for daily use, and the watch face options are surprisingly good. My only complaint is that some notifications can feel a bit delayed, but nothing deal-breaking. For the price, this thing punches way above its weight.” — Natsuki
“Great smartwatch at a great price. This thing is really good. The software doesn’t feel like it’s cheap knockoffs. Nothing really out is e thought into and made a great product. Does everything I needed it to and then some. Just got an iPhone and I did not wanna spend $300 for an apple watch. After researching this watch kept popping up… and I’m glad I got it. Works great and the battery life is outstanding! Easy to set up, feels good to wear and tracks my health AND I GET NOTIFICATIONS ! Win!” — C. Jasso
“This is a simple and effective smart watch. It works very well with my Nothing Phone 3, and is easy to use and navigate itself. The weight feels right for a watch of its size and it isn’t fatiguing or uncomfortable to wear; in fact, it’s the only watch I’ve ever been able to comfortably sleep wearing. Usually I’d take mine off at bedtime, but I don’t really notice I’m wearing it. Battery life is also good so far. As of writing this, I’m at about 48 hours of use since my last charge and the battery is 83%. I don’t have always on display enabled, which probably helps a bit too.
If you enjoy a minimalist style and don’t need the frills of the more expensive Garmin smart watches this will probably be a good fit for you.” — Hank
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