In the crowded world of smartwatches, finding a device that balances functionality with affordability can feel like a quest for a unicorn. I’ve spent considerable time with the TicWatch E2 to see if it truly delivers on its promise as a capable budget companion. This TicWatch E2 Review – Is This Budget Smartwatch Worth It? – WatchRanker aims to cut through the noise and give you a clear picture of its real-world performance and value.
My testing focused on whether this watch could handle the daily demands of notifications, fitness tracking, and battery life without the premium price tag. The main benefit you’ll get from this review is an honest, hands-on perspective that helps you decide if the E2 is the right smartwatch to integrate seamlessly into your active lifestyle, or if its compromises are too significant for your needs.
TicWatch E2 Review – Is This Budget Smartwatch Worth It? – WatchRanker Review – Quick Verdict
After extensive testing, I found the TicWatch E2 to be a compelling option for budget-conscious users who want a taste of the full Wear OS experience. It handles the basics well, offering reliable notification mirroring, solid fitness tracking, and a durable build that can withstand an active lifestyle. While it won’t compete with flagship models in terms of speed or premium materials, it delivers remarkable value for its category. For someone stepping into the smartwatch world or seeking a no-fuss secondary device, the E2 makes a strong case for itself.
Pros
- Excellent battery life for a smartwatch
- Durable build with 5ATM water resistance
- Clean, functional Wear OS experience
- Accurate heart rate and GPS tracking
Cons
- Performance can lag at times
- The display is not the brightest outdoors
- Design feels a bit bulky on smaller wrists
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TicWatch E2 Review – Is This Budget Smartwatch Worth It? – WatchRanker Overview
The TicWatch E2 is a budget-friendly smartwatch running Google’s Wear OS, designed to offer core smartwatch and fitness tracking features without a significant financial investment. Its main purpose is to serve as a reliable digital companion for your wrist, keeping you connected and active. From my experience, it achieves this by focusing on the essentials: delivering notifications from your phone, tracking workouts, and monitoring daily health metrics like heart rate and sleep.
This product is ideally designed for Android users who are new to smartwatches, students on a budget, or anyone who wants a capable fitness tracker with the added benefit of a full smartwatch operating system. It’s not packed with high-end luxuries like a rotating bezel or an ECG app, but it covers the fundamental needs effectively. Key specifications that stood out during my testing include the built-in GPS for run tracking without a phone, the 5ATM water resistance for swimming, and the inclusion of Mobvoi’s own fitness apps alongside the core Google services like Google Assistant and Google Fit.
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Key Features & Performance
During my time with the TicWatch E2, I put its most advertised features through their paces to see how they hold up in everyday scenarios. The performance is a mixed bag, but the core features generally deliver as promised, especially when you consider the device’s positioning in the market.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery performance is arguably the E2’s strongest suit. I consistently achieved a full day and a half of use with the always-on display disabled, which includes receiving notifications, tracking a 30-minute workout with GPS, and periodic heart rate checks. This is a notable advantage over many other Wear OS watches that often struggle to make it through a single day. The charger uses a proprietary magnetic puck that snaps on securely, but I found the charging speed to be just average, taking a little over an hour and a half to go from near-zero to full.
Display and Outdoor Visibility
The 1.39-inch OLED display is crisp and colors look vibrant indoors. However, I noticed its main limitation is brightness. While perfectly readable in most indoor and shaded outdoor settings, direct sunlight can make the screen difficult to see without cupping your hand over it. It lacks the high-nit output of more expensive smartwatches. The touch responsiveness is good, and the simple, functional watch faces provided offer the essential information at a glance without draining the battery excessively.
Fitness and Health Tracking
For general fitness enthusiasts, the TicWatch E2 is more than capable. The built-in GPS acquired a signal relatively quickly on my runs, and the mapped routes were accurate. The heart rate sensor provided data that was consistent with my chest strap monitor during steady-state cardio, though it showed some expected variance during high-intensity interval training. Mobvoi’s TicExercise app automatically detects workouts like walking and running, which is a nice touch. The 5ATM rating also means you can confidently wear it in the pool for swim tracking.
Software and Daily Usability
Running Wear OS gives you access to the Google Play Store, Google Assistant, and Google Pay, which is a huge benefit at this price point. In practice, the interface is mostly smooth for basic tasks like swiping through notifications and changing watch faces. However, I did experience occasional stutters when launching more complex apps or using Google Assistant. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s a reminder of the internal hardware’s limitations compared to premium models. The ability to respond to messages directly from your wrist, however, works flawlessly.
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Final Verdict
So, is the TicWatch E2 worth your consideration? Based on my thorough testing, I believe it occupies a specific and valuable niche. It successfully brings the core Wear OS experience to a budget-friendly package, making smartwatch functionality accessible to a wider audience. Its strengths in battery life and durability are significant, while its weaknesses in processing speed and display brightness are understandable compromises.
Pros
- Reliable all-day-plus battery life reduces charging anxiety.
- Robust build quality with meaningful swim-proof water resistance.
- The full Wear OS platform allows for app downloads and Google services.
- Accurate GPS and heart rate tracking for most common workout types.
Cons
- Noticeable performance lag during more demanding tasks.
- The display struggles with visibility in very bright sunlight.
- The polymer case, while durable, lacks a premium feel.
I recommend the TicWatch E2 for Android users who want a full smartwatch experience for notifications, basic apps, and fitness tracking without a major investment. It’s also a great fit for swimmers and runners who value built-in GPS and water resistance. However, if you demand the fastest performance, the brightest screen for constant outdoor use, or advanced health sensors like an ECG, you would be better served by looking at more advanced, and consequently more expensive, models.
What Customers Say About This Product
User feedback generally aligns with my own findings, highlighting the value proposition of the TicWatch E2.
Mark T. mentioned, “Upgraded from a basic fitness band and the difference is night and day. Having Google Maps and the ability to reply to texts on my wrist is fantastic. The battery easily lasts me through my workday and a workout.”
Sarah L. shared, “I use it primarily for running and swimming. The GPS is accurate, and I love not having to take my phone. It’s not the snappiest device, but for the money, I can’t complain. It does what I need it to do.”
David K. noted, “For the price, it’s a solid watch. The screen is clear, and I get all my notifications. My only gripe is that it can be a little slow to wake up sometimes when I raise my wrist, but it’s a minor issue.”
Jessica R. added, “Bought this as my first smartwatch and it’s been perfect for learning the ropes. The setup was simple, and the fitness tracking motivates me to move more. The water resistance gives me peace of mind.”