Smartwatches have been known to make life slightly easier. You can stay on top of the notifications pinging from your smartphone without doing much more than lifting your wrist. Smartwatches also double as health monitors, because they can, being in constant contact with your body and in close proximity to your pulse. They’re awesome purchases if you value convenience and your health. However, the smartwatch market might seem a tad oversaturated these days, so how do you pick a good smartwatch? Well, we’re here to narrow the list. Check out our recommendations.
Apple Watch SE – Starting at $329
Apple arguably sells the elites of the smartwatches world. While they weren’t the first to invent the smartwatch, their name has somehow become synonymous with the product—so naturally, we were going to put the Apple Watch on our list of best smartwatches. There are a few versions of the Apple Watch to choose from; however, the SE is the most affordable. Yet despite its cheaper price point, you’ll probably still love the SE, if you’re an iPhone user. You’re getting most of the features of other Apple smartwatches including iPhone connectivity, GPS, Emergency SOS and Fall Detection, standard fitness monitoring, and water resistance. Plus, you can customize its look to suit your style. But if you’re keen on blood oxygen monitoring and ECG, a Series 8 Apple Watch or Ultra would be a better match.
Fitbit Sense 2 – $399.95
Fitbit is another popular brand of smartwatches with a lot of similarities to the Apple Watch. However, the Fitbit takes its health monitoring up a few notches and uses sophisticated health-tracking technology. This is the smartwatch to choose if you’re looking for something that’s geared more towards health watching and assisting you in getting your health in order than casual everyday wear. The Fitbit tracks everything from heart rate to calories, from skin temperature variations to breathing rate to menstrual health to sleep stages. The Sense 2 also functions as your personal electronic mood ring, tracking when your stress levels are rising and providing an opportunity to reflect on your emotional state. Plus, the battery should last an average of six days before needing a boost.
Garmin vívosmart 4 – Starting at $179.99
The vívosmart 4 is slim, sleek, and fashionable, making it the right choice for anyone who doesn’t want a bulky smartwatch. Yet, despite its compact size, it’s as beneficial as any other smartwatch. You can, of course, track your health and track your sports activity. You’ll receive feedback on your blood oxygen levels and pulse, your sleep, and even your stress levels. The smartwatch will time your runs, walks, yoga sessions, and pool swims. As expected, you’ll also be able to review phone notifications, check the weather, and control music—plus, find your lost phone even when it’s on silent—from your wrist. Its battery is powerful too, reportedly lasting a week on average before you’ll need to give it a recharge.
Amazfit Bip 3 – Starting at $70.60
You might assume at this budget-friendly price of $70, you wouldn’t be receiving a worthwhile smartwatch; however, the reviews on this one are surprisingly overwhelmingly positive. It even beats some of the more expensive competition in battery life, going a full two weeks without needing a charge. The accompanying ZeppApp keeps a record of your health info including heart rate, blood-oxygen levels, and sleep scores. You’ll be sent call and text notifications from your smartphone, weather forecasts, and be alerted when you’ve been sedentary for too long. You can receive data for 60+ sports, but on the downside, swimming doesn’t seem to be one of them, even though the watch is water resistant. Nevertheless, if you want a nice and useful smartwatch that won’t cost a lot, Amazfit Bip 3 is worth a try.
Withings ScanWatch – $299.95
The ScanWatch isn’t a full smartwatch, it’s a hybrid, but that’s no reason to underestimate it. Choosing a hybrid means you’ll get the aesthetic qualities of an old-fashioned analog watch alongside plenty of the features that have made smartwatches so popular. The Withings ScanWatch will monitor your health and send plus record ECG readings, sleep scores, blood oxygen levels, heart rates, and step counts. You’ll also see notifications about texts, calls, your calendar, and apps from either your iPhone or Android. Another perk of the ScanWatch is its battery life. It’ll go a whole 30 days before you need to recharge. Overall, this is the best choice for someone who wants a no fuss health tracker and timepiece. Withings also offers a wide range of wristbands and models, allowing you to create a watch that perfectly matches your style and needs.
Jacob Carmichael | Staff Writer
