Digital watches are durable and multi-functional tools that are convenient in most situations. Although digital watches usually are not fashion accessories, you should consider one that matches your style harmoniously.
Here are my top picks for the best digital watches under $100:
- Casio Pro Trek PRG-270-1 – The best hiking watch
- Casio G-Shock GA100MB – The best ana-digi watch
- Casio G-shock DW5600E-1V – The best watch for small wrist folk
- Timex Full-Size Ironman Rugged 30 – The best fitness watch
- Timex Unisex Expedition Classic – The best unisex watch
- Timex Expedition Grid Shock – The ISO-certified shock resistant watch
Best Casio Digital Watches under $100
Casio is a Japanese multinational consumer electronics company headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. They manufacture calculators, mobile phones, digital cameras, electronic musical instruments, and digital watches. The company was founded in 1946 and is now one of the biggest brands in the home electronics industry all over the World.
In terms of watches, Casio’s G-Shock is one of the most popular watch lines. They are designed to resist mechanical shock and vibration, making them desired watches for sports, military, and outdoors-oriented activities.
Besides G-Shock, Casio is well-known for its Pro-Trek and Classic watch lines.
Casio Pro Trek PRG-270-1 – The best hiking watch
Pros
- Triple sensors
- Severe weather resistant
- Great features for prolonged adventures
Cons
- Sometimes, the sensors are not totally accurate
Casio Protrek PRG 270-1 is designed for prolonged outdoor use. It has an undefeatable design with 100m water resistance, low-temperature resistance, and the ability to run continuously for nine months on a full charge without further exposure to light.
Casio Protrek PRG 270-1 has ABC features that are desired by adventurers: Altimeter, Barometer for weather predicting, and Digital Compass. It has a triple sensor: an Air pressure sensor for the barometer and the altimeter, a Direction sensor for the compass, and a Temperature sensor for the thermometer.
Besides those particular features, Casio Protrek PRG 270-1 also has basic features like an alarm, stopwatch, and backlight.
No matter what kind of adventure you’d like, Casio Protrek PRG 270-1 is ready to be with you.
Product Specifications
| Water resistant | 330 Feet (100 m) |
| Case diameter | 2.05 inches (52 mm) |
| Case material | Stainless steel |
| Movement | Japanese-Quartz |
| Special features | Altimeter, Barometer, Compass, Thermometer |
You can’t find a better ABC (Altimeter, Barometer, Compass) watch than Casio Protrek PRG 270-1 for backpackers under $100.
Casio G-Shock GA100MB – The best ana-digi watch
Pros
- A watch that never breaks” with triple 10 standard
- Both analog and digital display
Cons
- It’s hard to read the watch in the dark environment
Casio Men’s G-Shock GA100MB is designed for life-long use. People call it the watch that never breaks because of its triple 10 concept – 10-meter free-fall endurance, 10-bar water resistance, and 10-year battery life. Casio Men’s G-Shock GA100MB exceeds that standard with 200m water resistance and magnetic Resistance. That’s the reason this model is a favorite of the infantries.
Casio Men’s G-Shock GA100MB has a dual analog and digital display that shows any information you need, such as World Time, Perpetual Calendar, 1/1000 Second Stopwatch, Multi-functional Alarm, Day Date, etc.
The only drawback of this watch is it’s hard to read time in the dark. Even there is a backlight.
Product Specifications
| Water resistant | 660 feet (200 m) |
| Case diameter | 2.05 inches (52 mm) |
| Case material | Black Resin |
| Movement | Japanese Quartz |
| Special features | World Time, Perpetual Calendar, 1/1000 Second Stopwatch, Magnetic Resistant |
Casio Men’s G-Shock GA100MB is the unbreakable ana-digi watch suitable for sporty men.
Casio G-shock DW5600E-1V – The best watch for small wrist folk
Pros
- Compact and simple design
- Solid and sturdy
Cons
- The buttons are small and tough
Do the two watches above seem quite muscular and bulky? Try Casio Men’s G-shock DW5600E-1V. Despite being a ‘boring watch,’ it will fit smaller wrists.
This watch has the basic features of the Casio G-shock line, which means it’s super durable and functional.
The drawback of Casio Men’s G-shock DW5600E-1V is that the setting buttons are small and tough, that’s not so comfortable when you have to use it.
Product Specifications
| Water resistant | 660 feet (200 m) |
| Case diameter | 1.78 inches (45 mm) |
| Case material | Black Resin |
| Movement | Japanese Quartz |
| Special features | EL backlight, Stopwatch |
Casio Men’s G-shock DW5600E-1V is the basic digital watch that is suitable for small wrist folk.
Best Timex Digital Watches Under $100
Timex is an American watch manufacturing company founded in 1854. Because the brand is the witness of American history, Americans have called Timex’s watches a favored name – the best watches money can buy.
The brand has stood for American classicism for a century and, recently, has absorbed the Italian design philosophy. Timex is famous for its elegant watch design – “We have to sell the watch as a fashion accessory” – the procedure takes a significant part of Timex watches’ value.
Digital watches are not Timex’s signature products. However, they provide a very good line of digital watches at a really affordable price.
Timex Full-Size Ironman Rugged 30 – The best fitness watch
Pros
- Great features for tracking your fitness progress
- Big numbers
Cons
- It’s hard to read under the sunlight
If you are a fitness enthusiast or a trainer, you should look at Timex Full-Size Ironman Rugged 30. It has some great features for you to track workout progress.
A Sports stopwatch with 30-lap memory, a 100-hour Chronograph with a 99-lap counter, a 24-hour countdown timer with the ability to repeat up to 99 times, Occasion reminders with 15 occasions, etc.
The watch seems complicated to read under the sunlight. However, you can turn the backlight on and read the numbers easily.
Product Specifications
| Water resistant | 330 Feet (100 m) |
| Case diameter | 1.73 inches (44 mm) |
| Case material | Resin |
| Movement | Quartz |
| Special features | Stopwatch with 30-lap memory, Chronograph, Backlight, 24-hour Countdown timer, Customizable alarms. |
Timex Full-Size Ironman Rugged 30 is the perfect watch for those want to track their workout progress.
Timex Unisex Expedition Classic – The best unisex watch
Pros
- Good-looking design that suitable for both males and females
- Easy to read, easy to set, and easy to use
- The strap is made of fabric
Cons
- The band holder is nylon and big, which would leave scratches on your wrist
- Not suitable for those have big wrist
It’s unfair that digital watches are more suitable for men than women, especially for under the $100 segment. You need to look no further than Timex Unisex Expedition Classic – a unisex digital watch suitable for both males and females.
The watch has a resin case with a fabric fast wrap strap. The features are basic – timer, alarm, stopwatch, etc. It’s an easy-to-read, easy-to-set, and easy-to-use digital hand watch.
However, Timex Unisex Expedition Classic has some drawbacks. First, the band holder is nylon and big, which would leave scratches on your wrist. Second, the watch overall is small and unsuitable for those with big wrists.
Product Specifications
| Water resistant | 330 Feet (100 m) |
| Case diameter | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
| Case material | Resin |
| Movement | Quartz |
| Special features | Alarm-feature, Water Resistant, Chronograph |
Timex Unisex Expedition Classic is the best unisex digital watch under $100.
Timex Expedition Grid Shock – The ISO-certified shock resistant watch
Pros
- Casio G-Shock’s competitor in terms of durability
- Easy to read, easy to set, and easy to use
- Neat design
Cons
- The display is easy to get nicked and scratched
Timex Expedition Grid Shock can be compared with the Casio G-Shock line in terms of durability. Timex’s watch has ISO-certified Shock resistance and a top plate made of stainless steel. Both are equally rock-solid, but the Timex Expedition Grid Shock is much neater than the muscular-designed watches of Casio.
However, the display made of plastic on the Timex Expedition Grid Shock is a big drawback as it can easily get nicked and scratched.
Product Specifications
| Water resistant | 330 Feet (100 m) |
| Case diameter | 1.97 inches (50 mm) |
| Case material | Resin |
| Movement | Quartz |
| Special features | Back light, Alarm, Chronograph, Timer, Water Resistant, ISO-certified Shock resistance |
Timex Expedition Grid Shock is the watch for those want a rock-solid but still neat watch.
How to choose the best digital watches under 100? (Buying guide)
Digital watches are designed for casual use and outdoor activities. So they are not focused on the design but the functions and features. The best digital watches under 100 are the most enduring and the most functional ones. Here are some highlighted features that you should consider:
- Water resistance: With 100 dollars, you can find at least a digital watch with 100m waterproof ability, which means you can take a shower or go swimming without the need to take off the watch (of course, not scuba diving).
- Shock resistance: A regular watch has an acceptable ability of shock resistance, which means it can survive hitting tables or dropping from 1 meter. However, if you want something that can survive dropping from 10 meters, you should go for a Casio G-shock or SO-certified Shock resistant watch.
- Magnetic resistance: Antimagnetic watches can run with minimal deviation when exposed to a specific magnetic field level.
- Sensors: There are three standard sensors for a digital watch: 1- Air pressure sensor for the barometer and altimeter, 2 – Direction sensor for the compass, and 3 – Temperature sensor for the thermometer.
- Easy to read the screen in any environment: Almost every digital watch has backlighting. However, it’s not always that a watch is easy to read in any environment. So, you’ll need to pay more attention to the screen before purchasing.
FAQs
Which brand is better, Casio or Timex?
Casio and Timex are both reputable and great watchmakers. While Casio is famous for their Calculating electronic circuit and the durable of their products, Timex is famous for their tradition and the elegant designs of their products.
Both are in the same price segment and equally have good watches.
How does a digital watch work?
Digital watches or quartz watches are battery powered watches. They have electric circuits inside to count the seconds, minutes, and hours and display on the screen. The electric circuits are regulated by tiny crystals of quartz.
How long do solar watches last?
A solar watch’s battery needs to be replaced after 5 years, which is more than enough for a watch. Casio’s G-shock watches can last for a longer time – maybe 10 or 15 years, but most people won’t wear a watch that long time.
Do quartz watches last forever?
No, they don’t last forever. The fact that they use batteries to run means that you need to replace the battery when it died. However, the battery on a quartz watch normally last at least for 5 years, so you don’t have to worry about that.
Conclusion
Above are my full review of the best digital watches under 100. Hope that the information in this article will help you find the suitable watch for you.
Abid
Hi, This is Abid from watches idea, I read your article it is very informative.
I appreciate it.