Looking for the best watches under $100? Short answer: you do not need to spend much for a watch that works well. Our top pick under $100 is the Casio MDV106-1A if you want a steel-cased, 200 m water-resistant watch, the Casio F-91W if you want the simplest reliable digital, and the Timex Weekender 40 mm if you want a casual analog with a light-up dial. Below are six picks and the specs that matter. Prices move often, so check the current listing before you buy.
How we chose: we compared manufacturer specifications and published owner and expert reviews, and picked long-running, widely sold models that normally sell below the $100 mark. We have not tested every watch ourselves, so we note where a claim comes from the maker.
Quick picks
| Watch | Best for | Type | Water resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casio MDV106-1A | Best all-round value | Analog quartz, steel case | 200 m |
| Casio F-91W | Best simple digital | Digital, resin | Splash-proof (30 m rating on most listings) |
| Casio AE-1200WH | Best feature-packed digital | Digital, world time | 100 m |
| Timex Weekender 40 mm | Best casual analog | Analog quartz, Indiglo | 30 m |
| Casio MTP-1302D | Best budget dress style | Analog quartz, steel bracelet | 50 m |
| Casio A168WA-1 | Best retro digital | Digital, steel bracelet | 30 m |
1. Casio MDV106-1A: best all-round value
Known as the “Duro”, the MDV106 pairs a 44 mm stainless-steel case with a rotating bezel, a screw-down crown and caseback, and 200 m water resistance. It uses a Japanese quartz movement with a date window, a mineral crystal and luminous hands and markers. The battery is rated at about 3 years. It is not an ISO-certified dive watch, but it is a very capable one for swimming and water sports at this level. At 44 mm it is large, so check it against your wrist.
Choose it if you want a sturdy, water-ready watch for daily wear. Skip it if you have a small wrist or want a slim watch.
2. Casio F-91W: best simple digital
The F-91W has barely changed since 1989. It has a lightweight resin case, about 34 mm wide and 8.5 mm thick, a 1/100-second stopwatch, a daily alarm, an LED light and a battery rated at about 7 years (CR2016), according to Casio. Casio only calls it “water resistant”, which in practice means rain and hand-washing, not swimming.
Choose it if you want the cheapest, simplest reliable watch. Skip it if you need a strong backlight or real water resistance.
3. Casio AE-1200WH: best feature-packed digital
Nicknamed the “Casio Royale”, the AE-1200WH has a resin case about 42 mm wide, a world-time display covering 48 cities, five alarms, a stopwatch, a countdown timer and an LED light with afterglow. The battery is rated at about 10 years and water resistance is 100 m, so it is fine for swimming. The crystal is resin or acrylic, so it can scratch.
Choose it if you want more features than the F-91W and a bolder look. Skip it if you prefer a classic analog style.
4. Timex Weekender 40 mm: best casual analog
The Weekender is a simple quartz analog watch with a 40 mm case, a mineral crystal, an Indiglo light-up dial and 30 m water resistance, according to Timex, which means splashes only. It takes standard 20 mm straps, so it is easy to restyle with a NATO or leather strap. Versions differ by strap, dial and crystal, so check the exact reference.
Choose it if you want an easy-wearing casual watch. Skip it if you plan to swim in it.
Read more: Are Timex watches good? An honest guide
5. Casio MTP-1302D: best budget dress style
The MTP-1302 is a slim, classic three-hand watch with a date window. The case is about 38.5 mm wide and 9.2 mm thick (44.2 mm lug to lug), with a mineral crystal, a stainless-steel bracelet and 50 m water resistance. Casio rates accuracy at about plus or minus 20 seconds a month and the battery at about 3 years.
Choose it if you want a neat, office-friendly watch for little money. Skip it if you want a sporty or very modern look.
6. Casio A168WA-1: best retro digital
The A168 is the metal-bracelet cousin of the F-91W. It has a 38.6 mm case, a stainless-steel band, an EL backlight, a daily alarm, a 1/100-second stopwatch and a battery rated at about 7 years. Water resistance is for splashes only.
Choose it if you like the retro digital look with a dressier bracelet. Skip it if you want swimming capability.
How to choose a watch under $100
- Quartz is the right choice here: it is accurate and needs only a battery change every few years.
- Water resistance: 30 to 50 m means splashes only, 100 m suits swimming, 200 m suits water sports.
- Digital or analog: digital watches are cheaper and tougher, analog watches look better with smart clothes.
- Size: measure your wrist and check the lug-to-lug length, not only the case diameter.
- Seller: buy from an authorised seller to avoid fakes, which are common for famous Casio models.
If you can spend more, see our best watches under $500. For daily wear, read our guide to the best everyday watch and our watch buying guides.
More watches under $100 on Amazon
FAQ
What is the best watch under $100?
For most people, the Casio MDV106-1A, thanks to its steel case and 200 m water resistance. For the simplest and cheapest option, the Casio F-91W.
Can I swim with a cheap watch?
Only with a proper rating. Of our picks, the MDV106 (200 m) and AE-1200WH (100 m) are suitable for swimming. The others are splash-proof only.
Are cheap watches accurate?
Yes. Quartz watches are typically accurate to about 20 to 30 seconds a month, according to Casio, which beats most mechanical watches.
How long does the battery last?
Casio rates the digital models at 7 to 10 years and the analog models at about 3 years. Real life varies with use of the light and alarms.
Verdict
Get the Casio MDV106-1A for an all-round steel watch, the F-91W for the simplest digital, the AE-1200WH for features, the Timex Weekender for casual analog, the MTP-1302D for a dressier look and the A168WA-1 for retro style. All are long-running models with clear specifications, so check the exact reference and the current listing before you buy.
