Looking for new Smart Watch

[mystang52]

I currently have a Fitbit Versa 2, never fully happy with it, for my needs. I'm now looking to replace it. My 2 requirements for my next watch are accuracy in HR during running and swimming, and fall detection/emergency calling [I always run with my Android phone]. Extra credit but not required are ECG capability and GPS for tracking distance on my runs.
Typical Google searches deluge me with too much information, not to mention I would like to hear from real-world owners. DW and I are leaving for vacation in a few days, so I won't be getting anything until I return. Any suggestions?

 

[braumeister]

Apple Watch.
All those features and more have been in it since version 4 (currently on 9).
But you'll need an iPhone.

 

[Aerides]

If you are android/google, take a look at the new pixel 2. Right now I have it in mind when my fitbit dies.

 

[COcheesehead]

I love my Apple Watch too. They only get better.

 

[jimbee]

I've recently read about the Amazfit GTR 4 and find it interesting as a relatively inexpensive smart watch option. It's $170 on Amazon, $160 with code on Amafit's website. You can read more about it here: https://us.amazfit.com/products/amazfit-gtr-4

 

[Midpack]

While DW loves her Apple Watch, we realize that’s not what you’re asking for.

She had a FitBit, and then Garmin Fitness/Smart watches before the Apple Watch, and she was very happy with the Garmins, they offered some fitness functions she does not get from Apple.

I have a Garmin golf watch and I’ve owned several of their GPS devices. Garmin makes very good products.

Garmin will work with Android. If you’re primarily after fitness functions, and basic smartwatch features, a Garmin fitness watch can cost far less than any mainstream smart watch.

You can look and decide if one has the price and functions you want https://www.garmin.com/en-US/c/wearables-smartwatches/?sorter=price-asc

 

[georgemoe]

Never had an Apple watch but people love them. I'm a Garmin user previously having a Forerunner 35 and now an Instinct. I too use it to track HR on my walks and runs. I'm due for an upgrade and will be purchasing a Garmin Venu 3. Yes it's pricey $450 retail but I use it daily and it will last me quite few years. I'm waiting for a BF sale before I purchase. It does have ECG which is something I'm interested in. Here are a couple different guides/reviews if interested. Great site.

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2023/09/garmin-venu-3-complete-beginners-guide.html

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2023/08...re-sleep-analytics-power-meters-and-more.html

 

[Teacher Terry]

I have a Fitbit that I wear in my sock so it counts all my steps. I got the Apple Watch for safety reasons living alone and it’s much less accurate for counting steps. The watch is always off by 1k steps and sometimes only gets half of them. I googled it and research said this is accurate and that the watch is better for health information.

 

[FIYes]

I have a Samsung Galaxy Watch that I am happy with. Now, I also have a Samsung phone. I do think that for the best performance stay with the same maker for watch and phone. If you have a pixel phone then a pixel watch will be likely your best bet. If you have a Samsung phone the a Samsung watch will likely be your best bet.

Fall detection on my watch does work. A couple of months ago I stumbled and forgot about fall detection. My watch started calling 911! Didn’t need at that time, but I was actually glad to know that it does work. My watch is a Galaxy 6. My previous watch was an Active 2.

What Android phone do you have? I would start with that information when shopping for a watch.

I had a Fitbit Versa a few years ago and was not satisfied with it. I think that you will be happy to move away from the Versa.

 

[Ian S]

If you always have your phone with you, why do you need GPS in the watch? Most watch/fitness straps should be able to piggy back on your phone's GPS. I like being able to go over a week between watch chargings and that only seems possible when GPS isn't a draw on the battery.

 

[NoiseBoy]

If you are android/google, take a look at the new pixel 2. Right now I have it in mind when my fitbit dies.

I have a Pixel 5 phone so I pulled up a review for the Pixel 2 Watch and learned this:

However, you should know that there are no customization options for data fields during various exercises, no customizable workout plans that could use the alerts to help you complete intervals, and very little information beyond the pace, distance, and heart rate for your workouts.

That's a deal breaker for me as I use Jeff Galloway's run/walk method. I run for 3 minutes and walk for 1 minute, rinse and repeat. My ancient Garmin Forerunner supports this, but it's a feature that is hard to find in many smart watches. I'm looking for something that is more wearable than my old Garmin and I'd like my new watch to have a decent heart rate monitor. My Garmin is so old that it came with a chest strap for monitoring your heart rate.

 

[mystang52]

I have a Samsung Galaxy Watch that I am happy with. Now, I also have a Samsung phone. I do think that for the best performance stay with the same maker for watch and phone. If you have a pixel phone then a pixel watch will be likely your best bet. If you have a Samsung phone the a Samsung watch will likely be your best bet.

Fall detection on my watch does work. A couple of months ago I stumbled and forgot about fall detection. My watch started calling 911! Didn’t need at that time, but I was actually glad to know that it does work. My watch is a Galaxy 6. My previous watch was an Active 2.

What Android phone do you have? I would start with that information when shopping for a watch.

I had a Fitbit Versa a few years ago and was not satisfied with it. I think that you will be happy to move away from the Versa.

I have a Samsung S21 phone. This is useful info to consider. Thanks

If you always have your phone with you, why do you need GPS in the watch? Most watch/fitness straps should be able to piggy back on your phone's GPS. I like being able to go over a week between watch chargings and that only seems possible when GPS isn't a draw on the battery.

I want GPS on the watch (like I said, not critical} so while running I can see how far I've run. Granted, I generally run one of the same 12 routes or so, and have rough idea of my distance anyway.

 

[Qs Laptop]

If you are android/google, take a look at the new pixel 2. Right now I have it in mind when my fitbit dies.

I have a Pixel phone and a Mobvoi smart watch (Tic Watch 2020 Pro.) I like everything about the watch except I found the heart rate monitor to be less than accurate. I know this because I wore a Zio medical heart rate monitor for 2 weeks (and on two occasions) and was able to directly compare my watch to the Zio device.

Since you have an Android phone your choice comes down to Pixel Watch 2 or Samsung Galaxy Watch 6.

My next phone will be a Pixel and my next smart watch will be either the Pixel or the Samsung Galaxy, whatever version is the latest when I upgrade my phone.

 

[stedmakr]

The heartrate sensor in my fitbit sense stopped working and I decided to check out non fitbit alternatives. After extensive research I chose the Garmin Venu 3 as a replacement. The fitness and health functions are at an entirely different level thn the fitbit. I normally cycle with my Pixel phone and the watch but the phone isn't absolutely necessary. The Venu 3 has an excellent GPS and the heart rate technology is (as far as I can tell) also excellent. It's pricy but my expectation is that it is much more durable than the fitbit. There are multiple reviews on youtube that lay out all of its extensive capabilities.

 

[Z3Dreamer]

I have 3 Suunto watches. 2 have been severely abused by me and just will not die. The Suunto Ambit 2 watches are older than dirt. I use alternate them/use daily. They do not have the connection features you want.

The Suunto 5 Peak that I have does. I have turned off most of the functions.

The newer Suunto watches do much more. They are made for rough use in many sports.

 

[RonBoyd]

I, too, am partial to Garmin. I have had a VívoActive watch for about ten years now. I haven't considered any other mainly because I also have a Garmin Index BPM (Smart Blood Pressure monitor) and an Index S2 Smart Scale. That way all of my historical health data is in one place with Garmin Connect. Including:

Weight Trend
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Weather
Advanced Body Metrics
BMI
Body Fat %
Skeletal Muscle Mass
Bone Mass
Body Water %
Blood Pressure
Heart Rate
Body Battery
Stress
Steps
Calories
Sleep (Pulse OX, Respiration, etc.)


https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1057989
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/716808/pn/010-02464-00
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/679362

or as a scale/BPM bundle:
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/679362/pn/BUNDLE-IS2SSB-IBPM

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/125677/pn/010-D1303-01

 

[Katsmeow]

I think a Garmin might work for you. I just got a Venu3. I have an iPhone and know it will do more things with an Android phone.

I also have an Apple Watch which is nice for non-fitness related stuff. But Garmin is better for fitness stuff.

 

[FIREd_2015]

I recently started looking for a smart watch. Most of the reviews I found online talks about the features but not their accuracy or how well they perform during different exercises. Here is a site I found that looks at performance under real world conditions. Based on the reviews I'm leaning towards a Pixel Watch 2 with LTE. Other online reviews claim the Pixel Watch 2 also has falls detection capability. Waiting to see if there is Black Friday sale on Amazon in a couple of weeks.

https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuantifiedScientist/videos

 

[Qs Laptop]

I recently started looking for a smart watch. Most of the reviews I found online talks about the features but not their accuracy or how well they perform during different exercises. Here is a site I found that looks at performance under real world conditions. Based on the reviews I'm leaning towards a Pixel Watch 2 with LTE. Other online reviews claim the Pixel Watch 2 also has falls detection capability. Waiting to see if there is Black Friday sale on Amazon in a couple of weeks.

https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuantifiedScientist/videos

Thanks for posting this. I'm a hard data junkie and this guy's tests check a lot of boxes for me. I like that he focused on heart rate accuracy, sleep tracking accuracy, and GPS accuracy, the top three concerns of mine with a smart watch, and in that order.

 

[Chuckanut]

I recently started looking for a smart watch. Most of the reviews I found online talks about the features but not their accuracy or how well they perform during different exercises. Here is a site I found that looks at performance under real world conditions. Based on the reviews I'm leaning towards a Pixel Watch 2 with LTE. Other online reviews claim the Pixel Watch 2 also has falls detection capability. Waiting to see if there is Black Friday sale on Amazon in a couple of weeks.

https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuantifiedScientist/videos

Thanks for the link. I'll keep him in mind for other purchases.