Looking for a Non-Apple Smart Watch/Fitness Tracker

[Trooper]

During a visit with a cardiologist this week, he instructed me to keep my heart rate under "target" which for me is about 130BPM. So...I guess that makes my analog watch obsolete .

Looking for recommendations from anyone who has purchased on of these recently. As the title says I am not looking for an Apple watch as I don't have an iPhone. I'm really only looking for (I think) heart rate monitoring, maybe Afib alerts, GPS is a nice to have as well. I'm hoping not to have to charge it everyday but if I have to I will. I got a bit of sticker shock after perusing the Garmin website; it would be nice if I could stay under $200.

Thanks.

 

[Aerides]

You probably want to look at fitbits, but if you are an android user, the pixel watch is nice if a little higher than your budget.

fwiw, fitbits tend to last about 18-24 months, for me anyway, and I've been using them for 12 years. So if a pixel lasts longer, that's good.

Aside from that, there are plenty of fitness watches.

However, if you want to stay under a number, and that's all, it's not hard to learn what that feels like and stop what you are doing or slow down when you hit it. 130, for me, isn't very high at all - I get there after about 5 minutes of jogging. But it is age and fitness level dependent I think. Most cardio improvements are in the higher ranges?

 

[Trooper]

130, for me, isn't very high at all - I get there after about 5 minutes of jogging. But it is age and fitness level dependent I think. Most cardio improvements are in the higher ranges?

It didn't seem that high to me either but perhaps my calcium score is making the cardiologist a bit conservative. Thanks for your feedback.

 

[Katsmeow]

I have a Garmin Venu3. It is above your budget but I like it a lot. I also have an Apple Watch that I find inferior for fitness. I use it for other things. Previously I had a Fitbit and they really don't last long and Google is cutting their features right and left. I can't recommend the Fitbit any longer even though I used Fitbits for many years.

 

[Midpack]

DW uses an Apple Watch for fitness because of the overall features, but she liked her Garmin better as a pure fitness watch FWIW. More useful information/settings with the Garmin.

This says Fitbit Best Smartwatch for afib in 2023 (FDA Approved) - SmartwatchCrunch

8 Best Smartwatch for AFIB (FDA Approved): Your Health On Your Wrist!

Explore the top 8 FDA-approved best smartwatch for AFIB. Monitor your health directly from your wrist!

thewearify.com

Polar also makes high quality heart rate monitors, an optical is less than $80, but it needs a phone with an app or something to display numbers. Polar Verity Sense | Polar USA

 

[mystang52]

I HAD a Fibit Versa, which would fit your budget. I stepped up to a Garmin Venu 3 (above your budget), because the Fitbit did not accurately compute HR during exercise, which I do almost daily. I believe the Fitbit was accurate at rest. But if you intend to use it for exercise, I suggest you look elsewhere. BTW, I love the Venu 3.

 

[Sunrise_Ray]

Samsung v5 is really great. It has many of the features of the Apple Watch at a slightly lower price. I have the V4 right now and it is decent also. HR / ECG type of measurements are available for the tech saavy, and also alerts. Lots of screen choices to choose from, and last 3 days on Power Saver mode. Good belt, good feel, and also great features to track. Good amount of customization, and tracking, but no direct reporting to Doctor as yet. You have to take pics from the Android app on your phone and text to doctor. And, it is 150 to 200$.

Ken

 

[DuluthGA]

I see lots of instagram ads for carbinox and alpha gear watches that do all that for less than your target. Plus all the other smart watch tricks

 

[Jerry1]

One thing I really like about my Apple Watch is that it interacts with my phone. If you’re not getting an Apple Watch, I would recommend you find something that interacts with your phone. For example, I like having reminders (my calendar), the alarm clock, and my health tracking working with my phone.

 

[FlaGator]

I've been using a Garmin VivoSmart 4 (the earlier version of this) for 2+ years. Syncs to iPhone or Android phones.

Garmin vivosmart® 5 | Fitness Activity Tracker

vivosmart 5 is a fitness tracker with features that include sleep score, long battery life, step tracking, and more.

www.garmin.com

Small enough, and not a part of the Google personal data collection machine like FitBit. The heart rate measurement is pretty accurate, I see little difference between this and a chest strap when cycling.

 

[timbervest]

I've used a FitBit Sense for years. It has a pretty good battery (couple of days between charging), tracks steps and heartbeat, sleep, and pairs with my iPhone so when I get a call or text, I get an alert (a little hard of hearing so I don't always hear the phone buzz), and I get the text on the Sense. It meets all my needs. Tried an iWatch once at twice the price but didn't like the battery life and it basically duplicated my phone which I always have with me anyways. Basic models are in the your price range. Meets my needs but YMMV.

 

[FIREd_2015]

I suggest checking out the detailed reviews by Rob on youtube. Many of the smart watch heart rate monitors are not very accurate. Based on the reviews I purchased a Pixel Watch 2 on Amazon during last years black friday sale.

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

 

[Qs Laptop]

I've had a Mobvoi Pro 2020 for the past 4 years. It's been pretty good. It's unique dual display saves on battery. When I first got it I could get through 2 days without recharging. Now, four years later I need to charge it every morning.

Since you are concerned about monitoring your heart, definitely take a look at that video FIREd_2015 posted.

I got the Mobvoi smart watch to monitor my heartbeat as I had Afib from 2013 through 2021 (whereupon I had a cardio ablation to treat the Afib.) Since my cardiologist had me wear a Zio heart rate monitor for 2 weeks I had the ability to compare my watch heartbeat readings with the professional Zio heart rate monitor. The Mobvoi was pretty good, but there were some inaccurate readings sprinkled in its data when compared to the Zio. This is enough to make me reconsider my next smartwatch.

When I get a new smartwatch it will likely be a Pixel Watch. My second choice would be a Samsung Galaxy Watch. (Disclosure: I'm a Pixel phone enthusiast.) I would not consider a Mobvoi smartwatch as it does not have Google Assistant integration. Basically, this means I can't verbally ask my watch Googleey questions or get notifications on my watch. This is a dealbreaker for me. If this is not important for you, take a look at the Mobvoi's.

Whatever you do, you should get a device that works with your phone. Since we're talking about your HEART health I would splurge and get a new phone if you have an old one. I would spend the money and upgrade the whole shebang so I would have confidence in my cardio health.

 

[qwerty3656]

I have a google pixel 2 which I like. It tracks heart-rate, but for AFIB, you have to sit still and run the app (its not constantly monitoring - I'm not sure if any watch does?)

 

[Trooper]

Lot of good reviews on the Huawei GT4, but seems like I would have to go through some hoops to use it in the US?