Wearable technology can be worn as an accessory, embedded in clothes, and even implanted into your skin (yeah, WTH, I know). One of the most popular wearables is the smartwatch. The introduction of wearables was a gamechanger for the fitness industry and tech companies.
Choosing the best wearables is challenging. We reviewed the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music here. The Forerunner 245 is one of the best running smartwatches. But what about the more general category of fitness wearables?
There are so many brands, all touting a variety of whimsical features. It’s important to consider the price range, user interface, durability, and accuracy in choosing the best fit for you. This article will help you separate fact from fiction and help you select the best possible wearables.
5 Best Wearables by Category
Best Overall Wearable
Apple Watch Series 5
- Aluminum Case with GPS: $399
- Aluminum Case with GPS+Cellular: $499
When you hear or read the word Apple, what comes to mind? I’m sure that it’s not the fruit but instead the iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Being a leading company in manufacturing smartphones, tablets, and laptops, it’s no wonder why Apple jumped on the smartwatch bandwagon. Starting with Series 0, Apple has made strides in developing its Smartwatch, leading to the creation of the Apple Watch Series 5. The Apple Watch Series 5 has four models which are the Aluminum Case, Aluminum Case with GPS+Cellular Model, Steel Case, and Titanium Case. It also comes in with two sizes: 40mm and 44mm. The key feature to the Apple Watch Series 5 is its always-on display that shows you the time without having to move your wrist (unlike its predecessors). Aside from the fitness features, the Series 5 introduced a new app called the Noise Level app. This app notifies you when the surrounding sounds are dangerous enough to affect your hearing.
Features
- LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxid) Oled with 16m Colors Display
- 1.78 inches in size
- 448 x 368 pixels Resolution
- watchOS 6.0
- 32GB Internal Memory
- 1GB Ram
- GPS
- Wifi Connection
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Colors are Space Black, Silver, and Gold
- Heart Rate Monitoring
- ECG
- Accelerometer
- Barometer
- Speaking Mode for commands
- Noise Level App
- Listen to Music with full access to Apple Library
- Apple Pay
- Menstrual Cycle Tracker
- Apple Pay
- Cellular Option
- Customizable Look
- Easy Pairing with iOS
- Cycle Tracking App
- GPS
- 50m Water Resistance
- Progress Tracking
- Compass and Ground Elevation
- App Download
- Call and Text Feature
Pros
- Downloads apps in a matter of seconds
- Stylish and versatile
- Extremely durable even under dire conditions
- Different price ranges lets you choose what they need
- Always-on display
- Compatible with Spotify
Cons
- There are unnecessary apps that aren’t really useful
- The bubble user app screen interface is quite confusing
- Need to charge daily
Hailing from a giant company, the Apple Watch Series 5 has dominated the wearables market. With a huge set of useful features, the best ease of use, reasonable prices for what you’re getting, quality/longevity, and style, it’s also the top smartwatch.
Best Hybrid Wearable
Garmin Vivomove 3
Price: $200
Hybrid smartwatches are those that look like traditional analog watches but have hidden features like heart rate monitoring, activity tracking, sleeping pattern analysis, and stress level reports.
Garmin is known for its innovative designs and interactive features for wristwatches. The fad with smartwatches is to always make it look sporty. However, some customers prefer traditional-looking analog watches. That’s why the company decided to create the Garmin Vivomove series of smartwatches. It’s simplistic design makes it look like an ordinary analog wristwatch. Don’t let that fool you because this analog looking watch has a lot of cool features.
Features
- Heart Rate Sensor with Elevate
- 127-204 mm wrist fitting
- 0.38″ x 0.76″ (9.6 mm x 19.2 mm) Oled Display
- 64 x 128 pixels Resolution
- Barometric Altimeter
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Android and iOS Compatible
- Calculates calories burned
- Monitors your sleeping pattern
- Tracks your Stress and effort levels
- Plays Music
- Shows mileage of your runs
- Control phone camera function
- Shows current weather forecast
- Shows date and time
Pros
- Interchangeable bands to make the watch look either sporty or formal
- Battery life lasts 5 to 6 days even with strenuous activity
- Excellent and accurate accelerometer
Cons
- It’s made out of plastic so it doesn’t look like a luxury watch
- No GPS
- Tiny display makes it difficult to navigate.
- Can only be used in water with a depth of 50m
- Shows messages but you cannot respond to them
Overall, the Garmin Vivomove 3 is a great smartwatch. It may have a few setbacks but it’s pretty useful when it comes to tracking your fitness and other activities. If you prefer a traditional looking watch with hidden useful features, the Garmin Vivomove 3 is the smartwatch for you.
Most Stylish Wearable
Garmin Venu
Price: $300-350
Aside from the useful features of a smartwatch, we can also think about style. Does it look good when worn? Does it complement the outfit you’re wearing? Remember, you always have to get your money’s worth. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone. You benefit from the features and it looks good at the same time.
Another beautiful creation by Garmin, the Garmin Venu is one of the best smartwatches in terms of style and capability. It has a gorgeous full-color AMOLED display and tons of useful features. The Garmin Venu allows users to play music even without their phones. This smartwatch also has a built-in animated trainer that will help you perform exercise routines and achieve daily fitness goals. It also has built-in sports functions that include walking, running, cycling, pool swimming, and more. The Garmin Venu comes in four different variants which are Steel Black, Light Sand, Granite Blue, and Gold Black.
Features
- 1.2″ (30.4mm) diameter Display
- 390 x 390 pixels Screen Resolution
- Clock Features – Time and date, GPS Sync, Auto Daylight Saving, Alarm Clock, Timer, Stopwatch, and Sunrise and Sunset Times
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Compatible with Android and iOS devices
- Energy Tracking provides information regarding your body’s energy levels allowing you to know when is the best time to work out or rest
- Track your blood oxygen saturation with its Pulse OX Sensor
- Stress, Menstrual Cycle, Hydration, and Respiration Tracking
- Top-notch Sleep Monitoring
- Heart Monitor
- Breathing Exercises for relaxation
- On-Screen Workouts
- Built-in Sports Apps
- Garmin Training Coach
- Customizable Workouts
- Track Your Fitness
- Store up to 500 songs
- Running, cycling, swimming, and walking features
Pros
- Vibrant AMOLED display
- Compatible with gym equipment
- Training and planning analysis features
- Detailed activity information via Garmin Connect
- GPS
- Compatible with Spotify
Cons
- Not the best in terms of battery life. If you’re going to use the GPS coupled with playing music, it will only last up to 6 hours
- Expensive at $300 (you can get more for that price)
- Wrist action during workouts will affect the accuracy of the fitness info
The biggest concern that you’ll encounter with Garmin Venu is its battery life. Using the device’s GPS will drain the battery in a matter of hours. The price range is a bit expensive but it can be worth the investment because of the sheer number of activities it supports. We’ve placed it under the category of most stylish because it complements most fashions. So, if you don’t mind the price and want to make a fashion statement, Garmin Venu is a good choice among the many wearables.
Best Budget Wearable
Fitbit Versa Lite
Price: $150
Nowadays, we have to be smart when it comes to investing in gadgets. A lot of people purchase wearables or other tech because they’re popular. Smartwatches are no different. Over the course of time, smartwatches have increased in popularity because of their use in our daily lives. But not all of us can afford a $300 smartwatch let alone a $800 one. This is where Fitbit Versa Lite comes into play. It is hailed as the best smartwatch under $200. For only $150, you can now own a competent smartwatch. Sound likes a good deal right? Fitbit Versa Lite covers guided workouts and allows users to listen to music while doing workout routines. Aside from that, it’s also water resistant allowing for use up to 50m underwater (indoor pool only).
Features
- High Resolution Touch Screen
- SpO2 Monitoring3
- 3-axis Accelerometer
- Fits 5.5” up to 8.7” wrists
- 0.9478″ x 0.9478″ screen size
- Cardio Fitness Score
- Sleep Tracking (Light, Deep, and REM)
- Female Menstrual Cycle Monitoring
- Supported Breathing Exercises
- Heart Rate Monitoring
- Resting Heart Rate
- Activity Monitoring
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Sleep Mode
- Do Not Disturb Mode
- Supports more than 20 physical activities like swimming, running, walking, biking, swimming, and many more
- Weather Forecast
- Text Message Notification
- Weight Monitoring
- Water Consumption Tracking
- Control Music on your Phone
Pros
- Best price for a smartwatch
- 4 days battery life
- Compatible with the majority of computers and phones
- Easy navigation
Cons
- No GPS
- Does not play music
- Does not track floors climbed
- Laps swam is not recorded
- Limited third party apps
- No wifi access
There are a lot of things you may miss with the Fitbit Versa Lite. It lacks certain features that a top of the line smartwatch offers. The good side is, its accuracy when giving fitness readings and health tracking is top-notch. Being priced at $150, the Fitbit Versa Lite covers the basics of what a smartwatch is all about.
Best Fitness Tracker
Polar A370
Price: $112-$180
Polar is renowned as the creator of the world’s first wireless heart monitor. It’s no surprise that back in 2017, it announced the Polar A370, a smartwatch that allows users to track their heart rate. Other big tech companies followed suit and the rest was history. The Polar A370 is a pioneer when it comes to the heart rate monitoring field and has been purchased by millions of people all over the world since its release. It is the best in fitness tracking because its creators are dedicated to monitoring health without sticking wires to your body.
Features
- 24/7 wrist-based heart rate monitor
- Sleep tracking
- Speed and distance tracking
- Progress analysis with Polar Flow
- Personalized daily achievements
- Calorie intake tracker
- Inactivity notification
- Training program for 5k, 10k and marathons
Pros
- Waterproof up to 30m
- Decently priced
- Customized workout routines
Cons
- Bulky
- Only has two day battery life
- No GPS. Requires your phone for GPS
- The screen is grainy
To be completely honest, there are a lot of things that the Polar A370 can improve. Having said that, it is one of the first fitness trackers. Newer models used it as a benchmark and improved. However, the Polar A370 is still a major player in the wearables segment and the best in simple fitness tracking.
Conclusion
The technology of wearables is rapidly evolving. There will always be new devices that will come out yearly with crazy new features. Which you choose will always depend on which features you need. We made this list to give you options. Overall, the wearables featured in this article are able to cover most of what a smartwatch needs to do.
Thank you for reading and message us on Twitter if you need more help choosing the right wearable, smartwatch, or fitness tracker for you.
This article is a guest post by Andrew Woolbert. Andrew operates reviewvpn.com where he writes about the best vpn services, filelinked codes, technology, and kodi.
