Apple doesn’t discount its own hardware, and although the company is currently holding a Black Friday promotion in which you get gift cards toward a future purchase, there are deals out there that save you money immediately. We’ve scoured the web to find the best Black Friday discounts on Apple hardware, and have come up with a surprising amount of deals. If you’ve been holding off on getting a new piece of gear for the right price, now is the time to shop. We wouldn’t be surprised if many of these items sell out before the day is done.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) $189.99 (Was $249)

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Apple’s AirPods 2 are the company’s latest true wireless earbuds, and they’re down to their lowest price ever on Black Friday thanks to a $60 discount. The earbuds support active noise cancellation, are IPX5 water-resistant, and last up to six hours per charge. Their included battery case can fully recharge them four times. These earbuds support Spatial Audio, which means they can decode music and movie soundtracks with a Dolby Atmos mix and give you the feeling of listening to music in surround sound on speakers. This feature works shockingly well. Additionally, the processor in each earbud optimizes and adjusts its sound in real-time, so you always get the best EQ setting. No true wireless earbuds are as good for all-around use as the AirPods Pro 2, and this discount makes them even easier to recommend.

AirPods deals

• Apple AirPods (2nd Generation) $79.99 (Was $129)
• Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) $139.99 (Was $169)
• Apple AirPods Max $449.99 (Was $549)

MacBook deals

• 15-Inch M2 MacBook Air $1,049 (Was $1,299)
• 13-Inch M1 MacBook Air $749 (Was $999)
• 16-Inch M3 Pro MacBook Pro $2,299 (Was $2,499)

iPad deals

• iPad (9th Generation) $249.99 (Was $329.99)
• iPad (10th Generation) $349 (Was $449)
• iPad Air $649.99 (Was $749.99)
• 11-Inch iPad Pro $849 (Was $899)
• 12.9-Inch iPad Pro $1,139 (Was $1,199)

HomePod deals

• HomePod Mini $94.99 (Was $99.99)
• HomePod (2nd Generation) $284.99 (Was $299.99)

Mac Mini deals

• M2 Mac Mini $499 (Was $599)
• M2 Pro Mac Mini $1,234.05 (was $1,299)

Mac Studio deals

• M2 Max Mac Studio $1,899.05 (Was $1,999)
• M2 Ultra Mac Studio $3,799.05 (Was $3,999)

Apple Watch deals

• Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS) 41mm $349 (Was $399)
• Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS) 45mm $379 (Was $429)
• Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular) 41mm $699 (Was $749)
• Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular) 45mm $749 (Was $799)
• Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + Cellular) 49mm $739 (Was $799)

Need a monitor for that Mac Mini? Samsung has gaming flagships on sale.

Looking for more affordable audio? These headphones and earbuds are all under $100.

The post You can still get the best Apple products at the best prices … if you act fast appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

The Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) is Apple’s budget-friendly wearable, and Amazon has knocked $50 off the price across the board to make it even more attainable. The SE has most of the bells and whistles found on the more expensive Apple Watch models at a fraction of the price. It’s 50m water resistant and includes essential safety features like irregular/unusually high heartbeat notifications and crash detection. It works seamlessly with other Apple devices. Plus, it comes in two sizes and a wide variety of colors. You can buy an older model to save money, but then you won’t get software support for as long as you will with the SE. This is all the smartwatch most people need, and it’s a steal at this price.

Note: You’ll have to be an Amazon Prime member to take advantage of most of these deals, so be sure you’re signed up before making a purchase.

Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) [GPS 40mm] Smartwatch with Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Loop $199 (was $249)

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This is the cheapest version you can get. It has a smaller 40mm face (you can move up to 44mm starting at $229). It’s great if you don’t have a huge wrist or you simply don’t want a giant watch. It monitors your heart rate, gives you your messages, runs all the Apple Watch apps, and does everything most people need.

Other Apple Watch SE options on sale for Prime Day:

• Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) [GPS 44mm] Smartwatch with Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band M/L $229 (was $279)
• Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) [GPS 44mm] Smartwatch with Silver Aluminum Case with Winter Blue Sport Loop $229 (was $279)
• Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) [GPS 44mm] Smartwatch with Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Loop $229 (was $279)

Accessorizing other activities? Take a look at our ongoing list of Big Deal Days discounts.

Want more deals delivered to your inbox weekly? Sign up for PopSci’s Deals newsletter and save money on stuff you’ll really use.

The post The best Apple Watch for most people is just $199 for Amazon Prime Day appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

A TEACHER PET		Little Tikes Tobi Robot Smartwatch		SEE IT	A handy learning tool disguised as a digital pet.
A MONSTER DEAL		VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX3		SEE IT	Fun features without the high price tag make this smartwatch a smart buy.
KEEP KIDS ON TRACK		Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3		SEE IT	A stylish activity monitor that counts sheep, strides, and strokes.

Buying a smartwatch for a kid is actually, well, incredibly smart. Smartwatches can promote healthy habits by tracking steps. They can teach children the responsibility of owning a cool gadget. They can provide parental peace of mind, acting as a GPS tracker for kids to monitor your child’s location (with the kid’s knowledge, of course). And, of course, they can make your little one smile, reminding them that, sometimes, their parents really are pretty cool. But picking the right one isn’t as simple as grabbing a Fitbit or Apple Watch. Outfitting a youngin comes with its own set of considerations: Do you need GPS or a step tracker? Are kid-specific watches better than stepped-down adult models? Here’s how to wrap your head around picking the best smartwatch for kids. 

• Best for communicating without a phone: XPLORA XGO3
• Best health tracker: Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3
• Best for older kids: Apple Watch SE
• Best for younger kids: Little Tikes Tobi Robot Smartwatch 
• Best budget: VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX3

The best smartwatch for kids: Reviews & Recommendations

Any parent knows that kids’ personalities somehow show up in infanthood. So by the time your child is ready for a smartwatch—yes, even if she’s only in preschool—they’ll likely have some fully formed opinions about the device that they want for their wrist. Definitely take note because if the gadget doesn’t have the camera or games they’re hoping for, they may not wear it all. 

Best for phone-free messaging: XPLORA XGO3

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Specs

• 4G, 3G & 2G enabled
• 1.3-inch TFT Touchscreen
• Camera
• Microphone & Speaker
• Make and receive calls, messages
• Pedometer
• Waterproof IP68 rating
• 0.14 ounces

Pros

• A means of communication means kids can explore independence & test boundaries with a safety net
• GPS & Safety Zones
• Pre-programmed responses and emojis make up for no keyboard
• School mode allows its use as just a watch during study hours
• No games means less distractions

Cons

• User guide has limited instructions beyond activation
• Requires parent to use XPLORA app for messaging
• Analog watch face might be difficult to use for younger children
• Short battery life

WiFi and network compatible, the XGO 3 comes with a pre-installed Xplora Connect SIM Card that can be activated to enable voice calls from pre-saved numbers, voice and pre-programmed messages, and more for $9.99 a month. After some initial hiccups setting up the watch for a niece of one of PopSci‘s staff members, assisted via email by very responsive Customer Service, the excited recipient started testing. Not only was she obsessed with trying things out, but mom found that it was great to send her a message or give her a quick call to check on where she was or call her back inside. One of the best features was the child’s ability to record video messages that she could then send to mom. And, in an emergency, an SOS button can be pressed by a child to notify emergency contacts of their location. In addition, pictures can be taken and sent with the onboard camera. A screen protector would be recommended, however, as children are not aware of how easily screens scratch. Overall, the X3GO is a solid prelude for kids who aren’t ready for a phone and for parents who aren’t ready to give their young kid a phone but still want to offer some room to explore without parents standing over them all the time. In the warmer months, this is the kind of watch that can get a lot of use, as all the kids start playing outside around the neighborhood. And, as kids grow and want a higher-resolution screen and camera, there is the XPLORA X6.

Best health tracker: Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3

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The best health trackers are way more than simple pedometers. And the Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3, with a replaceable battery that should last all year, rises to the challenge. This swim-friendly smartwatch can withstand the pressure under 164 feet of water and will monitor your child’s activity, whether they’re in the pool, on the field, or resting. A compatible parent-only smartphone app (Android 4.4 and up and iOS 9.1 and up) lets you load games that will keep kids engaged to hit their 60 minutes of daily activity. (You can also set alerts to remind the kids to do their homework or take out the trash.) The silicone band is made to fit kids ages 4 to 9, with the regular size going up to 145 millimeters and the extra-large stretching to 170 millimeters. 

Best for older kids: Apple Watch SE

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At $150 less than the cost of the Apple Watch Series 9, the Apple Watch SE is perfect for a tween who has a phone and is learning what it means to treat technology responsibly and use it to get things done. Activity tracking features like heart rate monitoring and running routes can help promote your youngster’s budding workout regimen. Plus, they can find the right pump-up tunes by accessing more than 75 million songs on Apple Music. Being able to access their calendar and answer calls and texts from their wrist can help them keep up with increasingly hectic schedules. 

Best for younger kids: Little Tikes Tobi Robot Smartwatch 

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With more than 50 faces, the Tobi 2 really does resemble a robot on your kid’s wrist, and by employing fun games and movement motivators—like an augmented reality seek-and-search game, and a dance activity game—it will help children learn and grow, even if they don’t realize it. Kids will enjoy taking selfies and videos with two cameras—the 512 MB of memory can store up to 3,000 photos or 30 minutes of video. And the lithium-polymer battery is rechargeable via USB plug-in, but the kiddo will have to turn it off to charge. 

Best budget: VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX3

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The KidiZoom Smartwatch DX3 is the latest and greatest model in VTech’s line of affordable kid-friendly watches, featuring two cameras for taking videos and selfies, an easy-to-use touch screen, and over 50 kid-friendly watch faces. In addition to a built-in combo camera flash and flashlight, the KidiZoom features daily routine and alarm apps to help little ones learn about time management. While it doesn’t have two-way calling or GPS functionality like pricier watches, friends can pair two DX3s to send preset messages and play games by scanning each other’s watches in person. Best of all, the watch has no wireless connectivity and uses microUSB for all data transfer, keeping it secure and under parents’ control.

What to consider when buying the best smartwatches for kids 

Modern devices fit a ton of features into incredibly small packages. There are universal needs—like comfort, durability, and long battery life—but if you’re in the market for a child’s smartwatch, weeding out the best choice means focusing on a few broader questions.

Do you want (or need) to track your child’s location? 

A GPS-enabled smartwatch can let parents sleep a little easier. However, we definitely advise being up-front with your kid that you can see their location. The devices are in constant communication with the constellation of satellites orbiting the Earth, so as long as your child is wearing the watch—and you’ve downloaded the corresponding smartphone app—you can find them. The best GPS tracker for kids includes features like SOS alerts, which let kids send distress signals, and two-way calling, akin to a walkie-talkie function. Lastly, you want a watch that’ll last. Most GPS smartwatches will continue to emit a location signal after the battery has died. To further ensure uninterrupted operation, look for the best GPS watch made out of a trustworthy material like non-toxic silicone and rated IP67, which means it can survive being submerged in up to a meter of water for half an hour, and it is dust-tight.

Does your child need help staying active?  

Healthy habits should start young, but only a quarter of kids get the CDC-recommended hour of exercise they need a day. With activity monitors on their wrists, kids can make a game out of their movement. The best health/fitness watches go beyond counting steps. Pairing with smartphone apps over Bluetooth, health trackers motivate users with movement challenges and other activities, and they let wearers set goals and reminders to stay on task. Activity monitors are made to be worn during exercise (and sleep), so they need to be comfortable. Look for silicone bands, especially if your kid likes swimming, and an IP68 waterproof rating. If movement is the main goal, fitness-focused options like the Fitbit Ace and Garmin Vivofit Jr. trade bulkier colorful screens for slimmer fits and more detailed health tracking.   

Is your tween ready for an Apple Watch?

Your middle schooler is likely already begging you for a smartphone. It’ll let them stay in touch with you, they’ll argue. It’ll help them stay organized, they’ll say. Valid points. And if you’re considering caving and buying your tween an older iPhone, an older Apple Watch just might be a good companion purchase. For starters, an Apple Watch can ping the phone it’s paired with, adding insurance against losing the phone. And by pairing the watch with your own phone, you, as the parent, can track your kid’s location (again, be upfront about this). Meanwhile, kids will get the benefits of activity tracking, Siri’s wisdom, and emergency calling right from their wrist with an Apple Watch for kids.

What about a toddler?

The best smartwatches for kids who are younger will be as informative as they are entertaining, with games and other tools imparting lessons like counting, pattern recognition, and time-telling. Smartwatches for little ones should be durable and affordable since all parents know how kids sometimes treat their toys—that means skipping the temptations of expensive upgrades like GPS.  

Can you find a good deal on a smartwatch for kids? 

Let’s face it: A smartwatch is basically a toy. But even on a budget, there’s no reason that toy can’t be cool. Kids will care only about the games, movement activities, or funny filters on the camera—all of which are available in cheap smartwatch options—while parents can rest easy knowing most budget smartwatches can’t text or call anyone.   

FAQs

Final thoughts on buying the best smartwatch for kids

• Best for communicating without a phone: XPLORA XGO3
• Best health tracker: Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3
• Best for older kids: Apple Watch SE
• Best for younger kids: Little Tikes Tobi Robot Smartwatch 
• Best budget: VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX3

Finding the best smartwatch for kids comes down to what single feature is the most important. If location tracking is a top priority, look for a GPS-enabled smartwatch. If fitness tracking is more your tween or teenager’s speed, look for a narrower-banded smartwatch like the Fitbit Ace. Finally, if fun is all you need, you may not have to spend a fortune (the VTech KidiZoom, for instance, is under $40), especially if your smartwatch is destined for the wrist of a preschooler. 

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best smartwatch for kids in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

A TEACHER PET		Little Tikes Tobi Robot Smartwatch		SEE IT	A handy learning tool disguised as a digital pet.
A MONSTER DEAL		VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX3		SEE IT	Fun features without the high price tag make this smartwatch a smart buy.
KEEP KIDS ON TRACK		Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3		SEE IT	A stylish activity monitor that counts sheep, strides, and strokes.

If you lead an active lifestyle, are training for competition, or simply want to keep better track of your health, a fitness watch is a necessary addition to your everyday wear. These devices help you focus on what you’ve set out to do, whether running, cycling, swimming, or hiking. Some even allow you to download your favorite songs to onboard storage or take control of smartphone apps like Spotify. You can gain insight into where to maximize your efforts with detailed monitoring of your distance, steps, calories burned, heart rate, and more. Most wearables even provide data you can use to improve your sleep and offer specific training suggestions. No matter your goals, the best fitness watches will help you keep progressing.  

• Best overall: Apple Watch Ultra 2
• Best for the backcountry: Garmin epix Pro (Gen. 2) Sapphire Edition
• Best fitness tracker: Fitbit Sense 2
• Best for running: Garmin Forerunner 965
• Best budget: COROS Pace 2

How we chose the best fitness watches

As fitness enthusiasts and long-time athletes, we have used our fair share of fitness trackers. We used our personal experience, editorial reviews, and user feedback to select this guide. When considering the wide array of options available, we looked at what sensors and tech each watch used and what each watch did with all that data in terms of insights and suggestions. Accurate on-wrist heart rate monitoring, SpO2 measurements, and GPS were essential. Usability was a key consideration, as was durability. We prioritized watches that provide free access to your information instead of paid subscription models. 

The best fitness watches: Reviews & Recommendations

With so many brands and products available, there is bound to be a watch that aligns perfectly with your wants and needs. The good news is that you might not have to choose only one must-have feature since most smartwatches run the gamut of fitness-tracking features—though some handle particular needs, like running or sleep tracking, better than others. 

Best overall: Apple Watch Ultra 2

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Specs

• Battery life: 36 hours (70 with low power mode)
• Display type: Always-on OLED Retina 
• Water resistance: 328 feet
• Materials: Titanium case
• Size: 49mm case
• Weight: 2.16 ounces

Pros

• Available in three different band styles with multiple colors
• 3000 nit display more easily viewable in bright sun
• Made of recycled materials
• Support for third-party training apps
• Improved cycling features

Cons

• Battery life still lags behind other watches
• Recovery metrics are limited

While the Apple Watch Ultra 2 may be a splurge purchase compared to other fitness watches on this list, its top-shelf feature set makes it worth the cash. Thanks to its (optional) cellular connection, it is the best connected smartwatch for most, meaning you can leave the phone behind. You can listen to music without your phone (just use headphones or earbuds with situational awareness features, please). And you can send and receive messages or calls even if you are trail running (as long as you have service). That’s a great safety feature for fitness watches since you never know when you may twist that ankle and need a ride home. 

The Ultra 2 is highly capable when it comes to insights. The wearable measures your blood oxygen levels and takes electrocardiograms right from your wrist to keep extremely close tabs on your cardiovascular health. Of course, it’ll do the basics, like track your daily activity and measure your workouts, even if they include swimming.

The second iteration of the Apple Watch Ultra brings new cycling features to the table, including the ability to connect Bluetooth power meters, speed, and cadence sensors. It also estimates cycling power and power zones (when using a power meter). Another benefit of the Ultra 2 is that you can connect third-party training apps, such as TrainingPeaks. 

Unfortunately, the battery life of the Ultra 2, while better than the standard Series 9, is still pretty lackluster compared to the competition. And, of course, you’ll only be able to take advantage of all the features we’ve listed with an iPhone. But, the well-rounded features make this the best option for most people looking for a fitness watch. 

Best for the backcountry: Garmin epix Pro (Gen. 2) Sapphire Edition 

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Specs

• Battery life: Up to 10 days in smartwatch mode (42mm case), 
• Display type: AMOLED 
• Water resistance: 10 ATM
• Materials: Sapphire glass lens with steel bezel
• Size: 42mm, 47mm, or 51mm case
• Weight: 2.2 ounces (42mm 

Pros

• Flashlight is powerful and extremely useful
• Available in three sizes to fit your wrist best
• Advanced training metrics and suggestions
• Features topographic maps and weather overlays

Cons

• Expensive

If you like to hit the trail less traveled, the Garmin epix Pro (Gen. 2) is the best fitness watch you can get. The watch comes in two configurations (Pro Standard or Pro Sapphire) and three sizes, so you can dial in what you want and need. We particularly like the Pro Sapphire for backcountry use since the Sapphire lens is incredibly durable and scratch-resistant. In fact, it’s the only screen I’ve not managed to scratch, even after using and abusing it. Plus, Garmin tested the watch to U.S. military standards for thermal, shock, and water resistance, so you can trust it will hold up on even the most rugged adventures.

Beyond durability, the epix Pro (Gen. 2) has a built-in LED flashlight on the front side of the watch case. It is surprisingly handy, and I find myself utilizing it almost every day, but it would be especially nice if you are trying to navigate off a trail after dark. You’ll also have access to multi-band GPS ​​for accurate location information, which enables navigation via the topographical maps. I especially like that the map tells you the distance to the next fork to prevent missing a turn—one of several reasons it tops our best hiking watches. Garmin also added weather overlays so you can keep an eye on any storms that may be headed your way, which I have found extremely useful even when just grabbing a beer on the patio of a local brewery.

As with just about any Garmin smartwatch, you’ll have access to a robust list of sensors, activity recording, and insights. The epix Pro (Gen. 2) tracks your heart rate and blood oxygen levels all day and your HRV status while you sleep. It provides a Morning Report so you can get a picture of your sleep, training outlook, and even the weather. The watch will provide daily suggested workouts and even offers animated workouts for you to follow along. It can predict your race times, help you plan race-day strategies, and more. It’s essentially a helpful coach right on your wrist at all times.

The 42mm epix Pro (Gen. 2) offers 10 days of battery life in smartwatch mode or up to 20 hours in GPS mode. The 42mm case size is ideal for my small wrists, but you can also opt for the 47mm or 51mm sizes and will see a boost to battery life in the larger versions. For example, the 51mm Pro Sapphire provides up to 31 days in smartwatch mode or 62 hours in GPS mode, which is a substantial difference. 

Best fitness tracker: Fitbit Sense 2

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Specs

• Battery life: 6 days
• Display type: AMOLED
• Water resistance: 164 feet
• Materials: Aluminum case
• Size: 1.5 x 1.5 x 0.45 inches
• Weight: 0.8 ounces

Pros

• Slim, minimal design and size
• Plenty of sensors for health tracking
• Bright and responsive touchscreen
• Long battery life

Cons

• No third-party app support
• Subscription required to access all features and insights

The watches we’ve included here can be overkill for many people, which is where a fitness tracker comes in. The Fitbit Sense 2 is essentially a paired-down fitness watch. Though don’t let that fool you, it is still highly capable of helping you track your fitness and health. It is packed full of sensors, including a multi-path optical heart rate sensor, cEDA sensor, SpO2 sensor, skin temperature sensor, built-in GPS and GLONASS, ambient light sensor, and more. 

All of those sensors combine to give you useful health stats. It keeps an eye on your heart rate and alerts you if there is anything abnormal. You can track your sleep and stress levels. It automatically tracks exercises and can guide you on when it’s time to rest or workout. And as a smartwatch, you’ll get notifications right on your wrist. 

The lower price of the Sense 2 does mean there are some compromises. For example, if you want to take advantage of some features, such as the Daily Readiness Score or in-depth sleep information, you’ll need to pay for a Premium Fitbit subscription. And even then, it doesn’t provide as thorough performance and health insights as Garmin or Apple options. It also doesn’t support any third-party apps, so you’re stuck with Fitbit Pay, Google Wallet, and Google Maps. And there are no music controls or storage. But if you just want a basic device to help you stay active, the Fitbit Sense 2 is a great option.

Best for running: Garmin Forerunner 965

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Specs

• Battery life: Up to 23 days in smartwatch mode, 31 hours in GPS mode
• Display type: AMOLED
• Water resistance: 5 ATM
• Materials: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 DX, titanium
• Size: 1.8 x 1.8 x 0.5 inches
• Weight: 1.9 ounces

Pros

• Bright and colorful AMOLED display
• Lots of customization options
• Highly accurate GPS and heart rate
• Lots of training metrics

Cons

• Pricey
• A bit large on small wrists

For runners and triathletes, it’s hard to beat the Forerunner 965 (or any Forerunner, in my opinion). Though all of the fitness watches here offer plenty of running features, this Garmin watch is clearly purpose-built to help you truly improve your running performance. Considering the bright and colorful AMOLED display, it offers impressive battery life. Even with daily runs and the always-on display enabled, you should be able to get nearly a week of life out of your watch. And it charges quickly if you need to top it off before going out for a run. 

Garmin hits its training features out of the park, which is no different on the Forerunner 965. The Training Readiness feature looks at your sleep, recovery, training load, and more to better guide your workouts. And the daily suggested workouts can help you when you’re stuck. Garmin will even build training plans based on your races for truly fine-tuned suggestions. And the Training Status feature helps you understand your overall fitness at a glance. 

The Forerunner 965 can track a wide range of workouts, including multisport profiles for triathlons, duathlons, brick workouts, and swimruns. It’s an ideal tool for those focused on multiple disciplines. You can easily customize what you see on your watch for each activity, putting the information that you rely on front and center. The heart rate data is accurate, though wrist-based heart rate monitors don’t work well during swimming activities, so you will want to invest in that accessory if you’re a triathlete.

Beyond workouts, you can get turn-by-turn directions on courses you find or create in the Garmin Connect app or third-party platforms. Or, you can enter your desired distance for suggested routes, which is helpful when running in new areas. I also love the safety features of the Forerunner 965, which allow you to send a message with your live location right from the watch. It can even sense when an incident occurs and send a message automatically. You have to have your phone on you to use those, but it gives me some peace of mind when I’m out running.

Best budget: COROS Pace 2

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Specs

• Battery life: 20 days of regular use, 30 hours of activity tracking
• Display type: LCD
• Water resistance: 5 ATM
• Materials: 
• Size: 1.2 inch
• Weight: 1.05 ounces

Pros

• Excellent battery life
• Available with silicone or nylon straps
• Very lightweight and low-profile
• Accurate GPS and heart rate

Cons

• No music controls or contactless payment options

The COROS Pace 2 is a generation behind the current model, but it’s still an impressive watch, especially for the price. One of the best features of this fitness watch is the battery life. COROS promises up to 20 days of regular use, which includes tracking daily activity and sleep. It also offers up to 30 hours of full GPS battery life, which can last for serious ultramarathon runs. 

Another big advantage of the Pace 2 is how small it is. The watch weighs only 1.05 ounces (with the band) and is very low profile on the wrist. Despite the slim form factor, it is packed with plenty of sensors, including GPS, heart rate monitor, barometric altimeter, accelerometer, compass, gyroscope, and thermometer. You’ll be able to gather plenty of data to guide your training and monitor your health. The display isn’t as bright or beautiful as more expensive watches, and you won’t have access to music controls or contactless payments, but those are minor details for many.

From a training standpoint, the Pace 2 is highly capable. It offers activity tracking for a wide range of spots, including jump rope, swimming, rowing, weight training, and more. The navigation tools make it easy to find your way on runs or hikes. Like Garmin watches, it gives insight into your training status, training load, and recovery time to manage fatigue and prevent injuries. You’ll even have access to pre-designed workouts and plans or one-on-one support from a team of qualified coaches.

What to consider when shopping for the best fitness watch 

Whether you prefer running outside, spinning, or playing group sports like baseball, purchasing a fitness watch can be a great addition to your accessory collection. With sleek and customizable styles, you can wear your watch daily, no matter your activity. But before you buy a wearable designed to help you prioritize your health, you’ll need to prioritize the features that are your must-haves. 

Activity tracking and preferences

While many fitness watches are fitness omnivores—monitoring workouts of all stripes—some watches will specialize in certain activities. For example, Garmin tailored its Forerunner series of watches to runners with running-specific activity tracking, performance metrics, and more. If you focus on cycling or strength training, such metrics may be irrelevant to you. Also, if you opt for a specialized device that differs from your preferred workout type, you may not be able to track what you need due to limited sports profiles. As a result, it’s important to put some thought into what you most frequently participate in and look at what each fitness watch offers in terms of tracking and insights for that activity.

Battery life

A fitness watch doesn’t do much good if you need to constantly take it off in order to charge the battery. You’ll want to keep an eye on the promised battery life from the manufacturer, but remember to take that with a grain of salt. Individual usage and conditions can impact battery life significantly. For example, if you enable an always-on display and use the most precise level of GPS for long activities on a daily basis, you will burn through the battery much faster than someone who performs short workouts without the display on at all times.

Battery life is especially important for those who participate in long-lasting activities, such as hours-long trail runs or bike rides. For serious athletes, look for a model that offers 20 to 30 hours (or more) of battery life in GPS mode. If you are a more casual user but still hate needing to charge your device frequently, focus on fitness watches with days or even weeks-long battery life in smartwatch mode.

Performance metrics & training features

Some of us need a nudge to push workouts to the next level. Many devices offer lots of training tools to help you understand your current performance level and what you need to do to improve it. Some may feature built-in workout suggestions to specifically guide you. Others include access to fitness communities that put you in touch with both peers and professional coaches, both of which can offer inspiration or exercise routines to keep you motivated or mix up your routine if you get bored. 

Phone connectivity

The line between smartwatch and fitness watch has become incredibly blurry, with the two essentially being synonymous at this point. That said, there are varying levels of phone connectivity options in fitness watches that may impact what is best for you. 

Cheaper fitness trackers typically won’t offer built-in GPS, instead relying on your phone for connected GPS. That means you must have your phone on you for mapping, distance, and pace information. Pricier fitness watches all feature built-in GPS so that you can track your workouts without your phone. Some models will also provide on-board storage to save music or podcasts, meaning you can keep yourself entertained without having your phone on hand. Others may allow you to control your music, but you will need your phone on you to actually listen. 

Lastly, most fitness watches do not have a cellular connection, so you won’t be able to send or make calls on the watch itself. And you won’t be able to receive notifications if you don’t have your phone nearby. Look at the Apple Watch or Samsung Watch LTE versions if you want a device that can do it all. 

Sleep tracking

There are some days when you wake up ready to greet the day and others where you just want to pull the covers back over your head. It can be hard to know the difference between a good night’s sleep and a rough one, but fitness watches with sleep-tracking capabilities can help you get to the bottom of it. Most fitness watches monitor your heart rate and movement, which is closely related to sleep cycles. Once the device’s algorithmic smarts crunch all that information, it’ll help you understand why and when you are waking up. Then, you can take action to resolve the issue. Some watches even come with built-in meditation apps like Breath or Calm to help you wind down before bed. 

Advanced health metrics 

More health-conscious individuals may want a watch that tracks their fitness activity and offers a deeper understanding of their health beyond heart rates and calorie burns. Most Garmin watches, as well as the Apple Watch, include sensors to track your cardiovascular health by measuring your blood oxygen levels and taking electrocardiograms. This provides a better picture of your overall health, which can be very useful. 

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best fitness watch

• Best overall: Apple Watch Ultra 2
• Best for the backcountry: Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) Sapphire Edition
• Best fitness tracker: Fitbit Sense 2
• Best for running: Garmin Forerunner 965
• Best budget: COROS Pace 2

The best fitness watch will track your activity metrics and provide insight as to where improvements can be made. These devices are full of advanced technology to help you progress and monitor your fitness and health while preventing you from overtraining. They can also be used as smartwatches, so you are always connected, even when hitting the gym. The best option for you depends on your goals, priorities, and budget, but with so many options available, you’re sure to find the right fit. 

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best fitness watches in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Garmin vívosmart 5		SEE IT	This Garmin fitness tracker offers the ideal balance of price and features.
Best GPS		Fitbit Charge 5		SEE IT	The Fitbit Charge 5 offers built-in GPS that is fast to connect.
Best budget		Amazfit Band 7		SEE IT	You’ll get plenty of features with a comfortable design in this budget fitness tracker.

Gone are the days of basic pedometers being the only option for cheap fitness trackers. These days, even budget-friendly trackers offer advanced training and data-gathering functionality to help you monitor and push toward your fitness and health goals. Most even offer a plethora of smartwatch features to keep you connected when you’re on the move. While these budget options won’t give you the same level of performance as expensive fitness watches, you don’t need to drop a fortune to get a capable device. The best cheap fitness trackers will provide plenty of insight to keep you motivated and moving. 

• Best overall: Garmin vívosmart 5
• Best for sleep: Fitbit Inspire 3
• Best maximized minimalism: Whoop 4.0
• Best GPS: Fitbit Charge 5
• Best value: Xiaomi Band 7 Pro
• Best advanced: Garmin Forerunner 55
• Best budget: Amazfit Band 7

How we chose the best cheap fitness trackers

As a fitness enthusiast and frequent watch reviewer, I have used countless fitness trackers and smartwatches. When selecting the fitness trackers included in this guide, price was, of course, one of the most important factors. Beyond that, we considered sensors and tracking abilities, battery life, fit, and durability. Although cheap fitness trackers are inherently more basic than expensive fitness watches, we also looked at advanced features, such as sleep tracking, performance metrics, and more. We made our selections on a mix of hands-on experience, editorial reviews, and user feedback. 

The best cheap fitness trackers: Reviews & Recommendations

The best cheap fitness tracker for each person will vary, as your individual needs and goals will dictate which features are necessary. Despite their budget-friendly prices, the options below are highly capable and offer a range of capabilities and designs so that you can find the best device for your lifestyle.

Best overall: Garmin vívosmart 5

SEE IT

Specs

• Built-in GPS: No
• Heart rate monitor: Yes
• Water resistance: 164 feet 
• Battery life: 7 days
• Display size: 0.41 x 0.73 inches
• Weight: 0.86 ounces (small/medium), 0.93 ounces (large)

Pros

• Free access to all your data
• Available in two sizes
• Lightweight, minimal design
• Accurate heart rate and sleep tracking
• Activity tracking for a range of activities

Cons

• No built-in GPS

Garmin’s smartwatches are some of the best fitness watches available, though most come with steep price tags. The vívosmart 5 comes at a much lower price point with more beginner-friendly features. Plus, Garmin doesn’t charge extra to access all of your data and training assistance features, which is why it earns our top spot. 

Despite being a cheap fitness tracker, the vívosmart 5 still gets plenty of Garmin’s advanced technology and accurate data collection so that you can maximize your training without spending too much. The built-in heart rate monitor constantly monitors and can alert you if your rhythm is too high or low while at rest. And it helps you understand how hard you are working during an activity. It also features a pulse ox sensor to check your blood oxygen saturation, though you’ll have to do that during the day manually.

As is typical of cheap fitness trackers, this device doesn’t offer built-in GPS. Instead, it relies on connected GPS with your phone. It also offers limited sports apps for activity tracking compared to Garmin’s more expensive models. But it tracks your sleep, stress, and respiration, and you can log your fluid intake, providing a well-rounded picture of your health. And you can get notifications from your smartphone, which adds a lot of convenience. 

Best for sleep: Fitbit Inspire 3

SEE IT

Specs

• Built-in GPS: No
• Heart rate monitor: Yes
• Water resistance: 164 feet
• Battery life: 10 days
• Display size: 1.5 x 0.7 x 0.5 inches
• Weight: 3.5 ounces

Pros

• Lightweight and slim
• Long battery life
• Bright AMOLED display
• Provides helpful sleep insight

Cons

• Requires a subscription for advanced insights and workout suggestions

While tracking your sleep may seem unnecessary, it can provide lots of insight and benefits to help you improve your health and fitness. The Fitbit Inspire 3 automatically tracks your sleep at night, providing information on how long you spent in light, deep, and REM sleep stages. It provides a Sleep Score at the night’s end so you can get the big picture. Plus, you can set a vibrating alarm to wake you up during the optimal sleep stage so that you actually feel refreshed when you wake up.

To keep things fun, the Inspire 3 pairs you with a sleep animal and shares a monthly personalized analysis of your sleep. However, you’ll need to pay for a Fitbit Premium subscription to get this feature. In fact, you need to pay for the Premium subscription for quite a few insights—including detailed sleep data, wellness reports, and a Daily Readiness Score—which keeps the Inspire 3 from earning the top spot. 

Beyond sleep, the Inspire 3 can track your steps and activities. The built-in heart rate sensor and SpO2 sensors provide useful information for tracking your fitness, such as your VO₂ Max and heart rate zone information. It relies on connected GPS, so you’ll need your phone for accurate distance and pace information. But you can get all your phone notifications on the watch, which is always an added convenience layer. 

Best for minimalists: Whoop 4.0

SEE IT

Specs

• Built-in GPS: No
• Heart rate monitor: Yes
• Water resistance: 32 feet for 2 hours (IP68)
• Battery life: 4 to 5 days
• Display size: N/A
• Weight: 1 ounce

Pros

• Comfortable to wear for extended periods
• Lots of recovery insights
• Minimal, screen-free design
• Can be worn in many ways with Whoop accessories

Cons

• Requires a pricey monthly subscription

The Whoop 4.0 comes across as basic thanks to its minimalist design that bucks the trend of fitness trackers turned smartwatches. This unique device doesn’t feature a screen of any sort. You won’t be distracted by notifications popping up on your wrist or be preoccupied with keeping an eye on all those numbers during your workout. However, although the Whoop is basic in looks, it is not basic in capabilities.

The Whoop 4.0 features blood oxygen, skin temperature, and heart rate sensors to provide plenty of data. It can automatically detect a workout, or you can start one manually in the app. If you are strength training, the Whoop can track weights, reps, and sets. Then, the app takes all that data and provides lots of useful recovery information to help you get the most out of your workouts. 

Another benefit of the Whoop is that you can purchase a range of clothing items, including swimsuits, underwear, shirts, and more, that Whoop designed to hold the fitness tracker, allowing you to go wristband-free. That’s an ideal option for a lot of different sports and activities. Despite the lack of a screen, the Whoop 4.0 is the most expensive option on our list. Unfortunately, it also requires a pricey monthly subscription. But this is a unique device that many people prefer over traditional smartwatch-style trackers. 

Best GPS: Fitbit Charge 5

SEE IT

Specs

• Built-in GPS: Yes
• Heart rate monitor: Yes
• Water resistance: 164 feet
• Battery life: 7 days
• Display size: 0.86 X 0.58 inches
• Weight: 1.02 ounces

Pros

• GPS is fast to connect
• Includes an ECG app for monitoring irregular heart rhythms
• Sleek, slim design
• Bright touchscreen

Cons

• Lack of buttons can be frustrating

Most cheap fitness trackers only offer connected GPS, which isn’t very accurate and requires you to always keep your phone on you. But the Fitbit Charge 5 features built-in GPS, so you can get accurate pace and distance data even if you leave your phone behind. And it’s quick to connect, so you won’t be stuck waiting for it when you want to start your run.

Another bonus with the Charge 5 is the ECG app for detecting heart rhythm issues. You can even share this information directly with your doctor to assist in diagnosing problems. It also tracks your heart rate all day, including during exercise and at night, in order to provide fitness and sleep insights. The automatic exercise tracking is ideal for those who tend to forget to start their watch when beginning activities. And it offers a range of exercise modes with live stats right on your wrist during your workout. 

The Charge 5 features the classic fitness tracker design profile with a slim, minimal look. Fitbit opted for a button-free design on it, though, which means you’ll need to rely on the touchscreen for everything. That can get a bit annoying at times, but the touchscreen is nice and bright, so you’ll easily be able to see it even in bright sunlight. 

Best value: Xiaomi Band 7 Pro

SEE IT

Specs

• Built-in GPS: Yes
• Heart rate monitor: Yes 
• Water resistance: 164 feet
• Battery life: 12 days
• Display size: 1.64 inches
• Weight: 0.7 ounces

Pros

• Large, high-quality display
• Built-in GPS
• Affordable price
• Lots of workout and health-tracking features

Cons

• Sleep tracking isn’t accurate
• Mi Fitness app isn’t very user-friendly

Typically, if you want more advanced fitness tracking features, such as built-in GPS, sleep tracking, and a large display, you’ll need to spend well over $100. The Xiaomi Band 7 Pro offers a much more affordable alternative while ticking those boxes. 

The most surprising feature for a sub-$100 watch is the built-in GPS. It even supports BeiDou, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS satellite systems for more accurate location information. Plus, you can load your running course and track your progress right on your wrist. The Band 7 Pro offers 110 plus fitness modes for all levels of athletes and offers all-day heart rate tracking with a blood oxygen sensor. 

Another feature that makes this cheap fitness tracker stand out is the large display. It offers a 1.64-inch AMOLED touchscreen display. It features an ambient light sensor to automatically adjust brightness, which is not typically found in such budget-friendly devices. The battery should last you 12 days, depending on how you use it, and you’ll even have access to Amazon Alexa voice assistant. Overall, the Band 7 packs a lot of features into an attractive and affordable watch. 

Best advanced: Garmin Forerunner 55

SEE IT

Specs

• Built-in GPS: Yes
• Heart rate monitor: Yes
• Water resistance: 164 feet
• Battery life: Up to 2 weeks (smartwatch mode), or 20 hours (GPS mode)
• Display size: 1.04 inches
• Weight: 1.3 ounces

Pros

• Provides workout and recovery time suggestions
• Highly accurate GPS and heart rate
• Easy to use
• Lightweight

Cons

• Lacks a touchscreen

If you are starting to get more serious with your training, a step above a fitness tracker may be the way to go. The Garmin Forerunner 55 is a beginner-friendly running watch that still comes at a relatively affordable price, especially for what you are getting. For starters, it is lightweight and small, making it ideal even for those with small wrists. 

Garmin packed the watch with highly accurate GPS (as well as GLONASS and Galileo) so you can get detailed pace, distance, and interval data. It also features Garmin’s built-in rate monitor for all-day heart rate monitoring at rest and during activities. And it offers plenty of built-in sports apps for tracking your favorite activities. 

This watch is an ideal choice for runners for a few reasons. It offers cadence alerts to help you keep your cadence consistent. The PacePro technology helps you plan a race strategy for a selected course or distance, and you’ll also get daily suggested workouts based on your training history, fitness level, and recovery time. 

You’ll miss out on some of the more advanced features (sleep tracking, multi-band GPS tracking, and more) of Garmin’s more expensive watches, such as the Forerunner 955. But if you are just getting started on your running journey, you can’t go wrong with the Forerunner 55. To read more about this highly capable cheap fitness tracker, check out our full review. 

Best budget: Amazfit Band 7

SEE IT

Specs

• Built-in GPS: No
• Heart rate monitor: Yes
• Water resistance: 164 feet
• Battery life: 18 days
• Display size: 1.47 inches
• Weight: 0.96 ounces

Pros

• Very lightweight
• Affordable
• Accurate heart rate monitor
• Good battery life

Cons

• Touchscreen is a little finicky

If you’re searching for one of the cheapest fitness trackers available to get you started on the road to better fitness and health, the Amazfit Band 7 is your best bet. The Band 7 features a classic fitness tracker design with a narrow rectangular shape. It’s also very lightweight, which makes it more comfortable to wear, even for days on end. The AMOLED display is colorful and bright, though there is no ambient light sensor, so you’ll have to adjust brightness on your own. But it’s easy to see at full brightness even in full sun. 

The Amazfit Band 7 features a heart rate monitor and blood oxygen sensor wrapped up into one (BioTracker 3.0 PPG biometric sensor), providing accurate data. It can calculate your VO2 Max, stress levels, and sleep. I found those numbers to be on par with the more expensive Garmin watches I’ve used, which is impressive. And Amazfit provides lots of help text to explain what all those numbers actually mean. It can be a great tool for starting a fitness journey. 

As with most cheap fitness trackers, the Band 7 relies on connected GPS, so you’ll need to keep your phone on you for any activities where location, pace, or distance are important. And keep in mind that even with your phone’s GPS, those numbers won’t be very accurate. I found it to vary pretty significantly from my watch with built-in, multi-band GPS. 

Despite the budget-friendly price, the Band 7 promises up to 18 hours of battery life. I got roughly 16 days at a time in my testing, which is impressive for such a cheap fitness tracker. The watch’s touchscreen is almost too sensitive, and there are no physical buttons, so you’ll be stuck relying on that. But despite its shortcomings, I was very impressed with the Band 7. To learn more, check out our full review. 

Things to consider before buying a cheap fitness tracker

Just like any fitness tracker or watch, cheap fitness trackers come in a range of styles with various features. Which is best for you depends on your goals and how you plan to use the watch. But the following categories will help guide your decision in selecting the best cheap fitness tracker for you. 

Steps & heart rate

If you’re looking for a fitness tracker, you likely want to capture data from your workouts and daily life. Fitness trackers come with a wide range of data-collecting sensors. However, this is the one area where companies make sacrifices in order to offer lower-priced models. The result is that you will see fewer options on cheap fitness trackers when compared to more expensive devices. Nevertheless, there are two key sensors to look for if you want to use your tracker for fitness goals. 

The most basic thing to look for is an accelerometer. The accelerometer constantly senses the movements of the body in order to count your steps. All fitness trackers will at least be able to count your steps (just like the good old days). It will give you basic insight into your activity on a particular day.  

Most will also feature a built-in heart rate monitor. Some will offer additional sensors within the heart rate monitor array, including a pulse ox. This combination allows the device to capture additional data, such as blood oxygen levels, heart rate variability, sleep insight, training status, and more. That’s why a heart rate monitor is such a vital component of a well-rounded fitness tracker, as it gives you a much better idea of your fitness and progression to goals. 

GPS

Beyond step counting and heart rate monitoring, you’ll be limited in what the cheap fitness tracker provides. That includes GPS functionality. GPS connectivity helps provide accurate distance and pace information and can also map your activities to show where you ran or biked. 

Most cheap fitness trackers will rely on your phone for GPS, also called tethered or connected GPS. This method isn’t as accurate as built-in GPS, and it means that you have to keep your phone on you. That’s not a problem for some since you would have it on you anyway. And you may not be concerned about super precise pace and distance information either.

Others may get annoyed by the prospect of always carrying around a phone. Or perhaps you want accurate insights. If that is likely to be you, be sure to opt for a fitness tracker that features a built-in GPS unit.

Activity tracking

These days, most fitness trackers will also be able to track specific types of workouts. The types of workouts that a watch can record vary across brands and models, with some only supporting a small handful and others providing a robust list of activities. 

If all you take part in is the most common workouts—such as running, biking, or walking—then a basic fitness tracker with limited tracking abilities will get the job done. However, if you like to participate in racquet sports, swimming, weight lifting, or any other of the less common movements, you’ll want to opt for a fitness tracker with a longer list of options. 

Battery life

Like with any technology, you’ll be at the whim of your cheap fitness tracker’s battery life. The range of battery life across these devices is significant, though. Look carefully at promised battery life numbers, especially if you don’t want to be stuck charging your watch daily. 

Smartwatch abilities

As technology has progressed, the line between fitness tracker and smartwatch has become blurred to the point of nearly being indistinguishable. The result is that even cheap fitness trackers act as connected smartwatches. They won’t offer cell service like the Apple Watch, but they will tell the time and allow you to receive notifications from your phone when you have it nearby. 

Beyond those basic functions, some will even allow you to select from quick responses to respond to text messages. Certain watches may provide weather information or other basic insights that they pull from your phone. If you want a fully connected wearable, look for a device with a long list of smartwatch functions. And you’ll also want to verify that it will work with your phone.  

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best cheap fitness trackers

• Best overall: Garmin vívosmart 5
• Best for sleep: Fitbit Inspire 3
• Best minimalist design: Whoop 4.0
• Best GPS: Fitbit Charge 5
• Best value: Xiaomi Band 7 Pro
• Best advanced: Garmin Forerunner 55
• Best budget: Amazfit Band 7

Though the fancy, expensive fitness watches are certainly cool, they are, quite frankly, overkill for most people. If you are simply focused on getting or staying active, a cheap fitness tracker will be more than enough. The best option for you will depend on what type of activities you like to participate in, what information you want from your watch, and your style preferences. No matter what you’re looking for, one of the watches included here should meet your needs.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best cheap fitness trackers in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Apple Watch Series 8		SEE IT	You’ll get accurate fitness tracking abilities plus all your iPhone notifications.
Best for heart rate monitoring		Polar Ignite 3		SEE IT	It’s accurate heart rate sensor provides plenty of data to track your fitness and health.
Best with GPS		Garmin epix Pro		SEE IT	The highly accurate GPS and detailed maps keep you safer in the outdoors.

The very first fitness trackers were rudimentary step-counters, but technology has progressed drastically since then. Whether you want to hit that 10,000 daily step goal, monitor your sleep, or train in a specific heart rate zone, there’s a wrist-mounted wearable for you. Plus, most don’t just log and display info. They link with your smartphone and use sophisticated apps to show where you are in relation to your fitness goals and how you’re doing compared to historical data. With so many options, how do you know which is the best? From product design to functionality and battery life, we’ve tracked down everything you need to know to pick the best fitness tracker for you.

• Best overall: Apple Watch Series 8
• Best sleep tracker: Fitbit Sense 2
• Best for pure metrics: Whoop 4.0
• Best for heart rate monitoring: Polar Ignite 3
• Best for battery life: Garmin Vivofit 4
• Best with GPS: Garmin epix Pro
• Best budget: Amazfit Band 7

How we chose the best fitness trackers

These days, the line between fitness tracker and advanced smartwatch is incredibly blurred, with the terms essentially used interchangeably. However, not everyone wants an expensive, robust fitness watch. As a result, we aimed to select models that would appeal to serious fitness enthusiasts and casual users alike. 

When selecting the fitness trackers included here, we looked at a range of features. GPS, water resistance, compatibility, and other health-tracking abilities were all important considerations. We also evaluated battery life, build quality, and comfort level. We based our recommendations on a mixture of hands-on experience, editorial reviews, and user feedback. 

The best fitness trackers: Reviews & Recommendations

In a world that already bombards us with information, do we really need more data in our lives? The quick answer, if you’re serious about getting fit, is “yes.” Research shows that setting goals, benchmarking progress, and getting feedback make us more likely to improve our fitness, health, and wellness. Add in accountability—yes, many of these trackers can post directly to social media—which is another proven way of sticking to your healthy lifestyle, and you can see why so many people are devotees. Below are some of our favorite options for a range of situations and preferences.

Best overall: Apple Watch Series 8

SEE IT

Specs

• Battery life: 18 Hours
• Display type: OLED touchscreen
• GPS: Built-in GPS, plus GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, Beidou
• Water resistance: Up to 164 feet
• Compatibility: iOS
• Size: 41mm, 45mm
• Weight: 1.1 ounces (41mm), 1.3 ounces (45mm)

Pros

• Beautiful display
• Real-time updates
• Crash detection and fall detection

Cons 

• Expensive
• Battery life not as long as advertised

Right out of the box, the Apple Watch Series 8 is almost ready to go. I assembled the watch with the included band and powered it up. The included magnetic fast charger works with a USB-C port. I wasn’t able to charge it with a wall adapter, but connected it to my MacBook Air laptop. From there, I connected to the WiFi and used the Apple Watch app to customize the display—a stunning Retina display that makes it a pleasure to look at my wrist and is easy to see, even in bright light. 

It’s the health tracking that truly sets the Series 8 apart. The watch works with thousands of apps, so I could easily record a run on Strava while listening to a podcast or Audible book on my iPhone. It tracked my average pace, heart rate, heart rate zone, and more in a display that was easy to see with a quick glance. Then, once I was done, the Apple Watch synced with the Apple Health app to track and evaluate my progress. 

For the first time, I got insight into my VO₂ Max and where I compared with people in my age group. The Activity Tracker also tracks the calories I’ve burned, my steps, flights climbed, and walk steadiness, plus more granular metrics, like running stride length, ground contact time, and running power. Once an hour, the Watch notifies me it’s time to stand. 

The Apple Watch helps me track these metrics daily and over time, along with sleep. And I get notifications for texts, calls, and Slack messages. It can integrate into your life from a yoga flow to your workflow. One quibble is that the battery life is supposed to last up to 18 hours, but in my experience, it didn’t last that long, and after it died a few times mid-run, I made sure it was charged before heading out. 

But the reminders to complete my Activity rings help keep movement top of mind, even when I’m reluctant to lace up my sneakers for more miles. And the crash and fall detection features provide extra peace of mind. Having the Series 8 feels like having a health coach at my wrist, which, to my mind, is worth the investment. Here is a full review of the Apple Watch Series 8 that breaks down all the new features. We also have a guide to help you determine if the Apple Watch Ultra is worth the upgrade, and we acknowledge that the Apple Watch Series 9 is now an option, but this just means that the price on the more than still adequate Apple Watch Series 8 is that much more approachable.

Best sleep tracker: Fitbit Sense 2

SEE IT

Specs

• Battery life: 6 days
• Display type: AMOLED touchscreen
• GPS: Built-in GPS, GLONASS
• Water resistance: 164 feet
• Compatibility: Android, iOS
• Size: 1.5 x 1.5 x 0.45 inches
• Weight: 0.8 ounces

Pros

• Lightweight and comfortable design
• Lots of sensors for health data and sleep tracking
• Bright, responsive touchscreen display
• Accurate body temperature data

Cons

• No third-party app support
• No music support

The Fitbit Sense 2 is a highly capable fitness watch, but it shines with its sleep tracking. It automatically tracks your sleep, giving you insight into how long you sleep as well as time spent in light, deep, and REM sleep stages. It also shows how your sleep compares to others of the same age and sex. It also offers relaxing breathing sessions to help you wind down before bed. When it’s time to wake up, the Sense 2 can vibrate to wake you up when you are in the optimal sleep stage so you feel as refreshed as possible. 

Beyond sleep tracking, Fitbit built the Sense 2 with plenty of sensors for data collection. I can measure your heart rate, heart rate variability, skin temperature, breathing rate, blood oxygen, blood glucose, and more. And the built-in GPS means you can track your workouts with detailed distance and pace information. 

The app displays the data clearly and lets you see historical data and a 30-day average, too. It provides plenty of metrics to help you keep an eye on your fitness and health and is compatible with iOS and Android phones. You’ll need to pay to take advantage of some features, and unfortunately, there is no third-party app support for the Sense 2. But for detailed sleep tracking, this is a fantastic choice. 

Best for pure metrics: Whoop 4.0

SEE IT

Specs

• Battery life: 4 to 5 days
• Display type: N/A
• GPS: None
• Water resistance: 32 feet for 2 hours (IP68)
• Compatibility: Android, iOS
• Size: 1.7 x 1.1 x 0.4 inches
• Weight: 1 ounce

Pros

• Very comfortable to wear
• Can be worn in multiple ways with Whoop accessories and apparel
• Lots of recovery and health data
• No notifications or bright screen

Cons

• Requires a pricey monthly subscription
• No GPS

Most fitness trackers these days are also smartwatches. But all those notifications and the bright screen can be distracting, potentially taking away from you setting a personal best. If you are looking for a fitness tracker without all the fancy smartwatch features, the Whoop band is your best bet. This unique device is essentially a watch band with a bundle of sensors. There is no screen, so you can stay focused on the task at hand. 

The Whoop 4.0 is a minimal device in terms of looks and sensors. The company opted to stick with the absolute essentials: Blood oxygen, skin temperature, and heart rate sensors. These provide accurate data to help guide your recovery. The fitness tracker can automatically detect a workout, or you can manually start one via the app. It even tracks weights, reps, and sets when you are strength training to provide the impact that has on your body. It does not offer GPS, however, so you won’t be able to map out runs.

The main downside of Whoop is that it is a subscription-based product. Depending on your chosen plan, it will cost you about $20 a month. That comes with an Onyx band, but if you want one of the many other colors, it will cost you extra. Not everyone will love the lack of a screen, either. But you can buy clothing and accessories to wear your Whoop in positions other than your watch, which is very handy for certain types of activities. Whoop certainly is a unique way to gather data and keep track of your fitness and recovery.

Best for heart rate monitoring: Polar Ignite 3

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Specs

• Battery life: Up to 30 hours in training mode
• Display type: AMOLED touchscreen
• GPS: Built-in GPS, plus GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, Beidou
• Water resistance: 98 feet
• Compatibility: Android, iOS
• Size: 1.7 x 1.7 x 0.4 inches
• Weight: 1.2 ounces

Pros

• Very slim and lightweight
• Attractive design
• Provides lots of workout suggestions and guides
• Tracks sleep and other important health metrics

Cons

• Notifications are occasionally delayed
• Battery life isn’t great

Polar is well known for its highly accurate sensors and watches. There’s a reason many physiology and sports science labs rely on its products. The Polar Ignite 3 takes that technology and packs it into a tiny, wrist-based product. The heart rate monitor in the Ignite 3 uses 10 LEDs across multiple wavelengths and four light detectors to gather more accurate heart rate measurements from your wrist. I found it to be as accurate as a chest strap in most situations. 

Beyond heart rate, the Ignite 3 also offers many features to help you stay healthy and fit. It tracks your sleep, including nightly skin temperature, measures your VO2 Max, and provides lots of insights to help you manage your fitness and performance. It even suggests workouts if you want tips on what to do on a given day. Those suggestions include cardio, strength, and stretching, which is more than most watches will do. And it walks you through the workout in an easy-to-understand way. I particularly liked the stretching suggestions for loosening up after hard workouts. 

Even though the Ignite 3 is a highly capable fitness tracker and smartwatch, it’s extremely slim and minimal. It barely sticks up on my wrist, making it more comfortable to wear day in and day out. Unfortunately, the compact size meant a compromise in battery life. Polar promises 30 hours in training mode or 120 hours in watch mode, which lags behind the competition. Luckily, it charges quickly, so you can get back to keeping track of your steps sooner. 

Best for battery life: Garmin Vivofit 4

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Specs

• Battery life: Up to 7 days in smartwatch mode
• Display type: OLED touchscreen
• GPS: Connected GPS only
• Water resistance: 164 feet
• Compatibility: Android, iOS
• Size: Small/medium: 0.7 x 0.4 x 8.54 inches, Large: 0.7 x 0.4 x 10 inches
• Weight: Small/medium: 0.86 ounces, Large: 0.93 ounces

Pros

• Slim, minimal design in four colors
• Available in two sizes
• Advanced health and fitness tracking abilities
• Long battery life

Cons

• Relies on your phone for GPS
• Small screen limits data you can see

The Garmin Vivofit 4 is a true fitness tracker. It’s simple in design with a tiny build. This watch is available in two sizes and four colors with interchangeable bands, so you can pick something that fits you best. It is comfortable to wear all day and even at night, so you can even take advantage of its sleep-tracking abilities. 

Of course, the extra-long battery life comes with a few compromises. The primary downside is that it doesn’t offer built-in GPS (though Garmin makes plenty of multisport watches for that). Instead, if you want location information, you’ll need to keep your phone on you for connected GPS. But those who don’t want to be tied to a charger will appreciate this pared-back tracker.

The Vivofit 4 will track steps, distance, activities, and calories burned. It provides a personalized daily step goal and provides insight into your energy levels and recovery information so you can train smarter. The color display is customizable, and the Garmin Connect app adds functionality and helps you see your information. Plus, despite the budget-friendly price, it provides incident detection and the ability to instantly send messages and location information to emergency contacts, adding peace of mind when out on a run or bike ride.

Best with GPS: Garmin epix Pro

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Specs

• Battery life: Up to 10 days in smartwatch mode
• Display type: AMOLED touchscreen
• GPS: Built-in GPS, GLONASS, Galileo
• Water resistance: 328 feet (10 ATM)
• Compatibility: Android, iOS
• Size: Available in 42mm, 47mm, or 51mm case sizes
• Weight: 2.2 ounces (42mm)

Pros

• Built-in LED flashlight is surprisingly handy
• Advanced training tools and health measurements
• Highly accurate data
• Rugged and durable
• Bright, attractive display

Cons

• No solar charging
• Expensive

The Garmin Epix Pro is a serious watch for those dedicated to their fitness. It measures just about every health and fitness metric you could want, including heart rate, blood oxygen, HRV, VO₂ Max, training load, training effect, and so much more. As with most Garmin watches, the epix Pro gives you various fitness scores—such as Endurance Score, Hill Score, Body Battery, and more. These metrics help you keep an eye on when you may be overtraining and need to back off or when you should pick up the pace. 

This advanced fitness tracker suggests daily workouts and can track nearly an endless list of activities. It can even help you plan for specific races and help you navigate when you are on the course. The Up Ahead mode can show you checkpoints and aid stations, giving you peace of mind and helping you plan accordingly.

Garmin clearly built the epix Pro for the outdoors. It is rugged and durable, with lots of features to help you on adventures. The version linked here uses a scratch-resistant sapphire AMOLED display with a fiber-reinforced polymer case. It is tested to U.S. military standards for thermal, shock, and water resistance, so you’ll know it can handle whatever you throw at it. It comes in three different case sizes and multiple colors.

Additionally, the epix Pro offers terrain maps with relief shading and weather map overlays. I have relied on the weather maps on more than a few occasions to get back home before a storm hits. It also features an LED flashlight, which I have come to rely on in my day-to-day life far more than anticipated. Plus, the display of the watch is bright and vibrant, making it easy to see in the bright sun. Garmin also has plenty of unique and customizable watch faces so that you can personalize your watch quite a lot. 

The Garmin epix Pro is a highly advanced watch. As a result, it’s an expensive option. You can save a little by opting for the Pro Standard version instead of Pro Sapphire. Or, if you want all the robust Garmin health and fitness features for less, check out the Forerunner lineup. The Forerunner 955 Solar is a particularly good watch with impressive battery life. 

Best budget: Amazfit Band 7

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Specs

• Battery life: Up to 18 days
• Display type: AMOLED touchscreen
• GPS: Connected GPS only
• Water resistance: 164 feet (5 ATM)
• Compatibility: Android, iOS
• Size: 1.84 x 0.95 x 0.48 inches
• Weight: 0.96 ounces

Pros

• Compact and lightweight
• Very affordable
• Long battery life
• Accurate heart rate measurements

Cons

• Only offers connected GPS
• Finicky touchscreen

While many fitness trackers are on the pricey side, you don’t have to drop a fortune to get accurate fitness tracking capabilities. The Amazfit Band 7 is the best budget fitness tracker available thanks to its robust feature set, compact build, and sub-$50 price. 

The Band 7 is minimal in design, with a narrow rectangular AMOLED display. It’s large enough to see your important data without being too large, even on small wrists. There aren’t any buttons on the watch, so navigation is entirely based on touchscreen functionality. It’s plenty bright and colorful for bright days, and the information provided during workouts is nicely simplified so that you can quickly glance down and see what you need. 

Inside the band 7 is AMazfit’s ​​BioTracker 3.0 PPG biometric sensor. This is able to measure heart rate and blood oxygen levels. The watch can calculate VO2 Max and stress levels and track your sleep. I found these numbers to be as accurate as the more expensive watches I’ve used, including Garmin. Amazfit also provides lots of help text throughout the watch so that you can better understand what its metrics mean. 

The downside of the budget price is that it relies on tethered GPS, so you’ll need to have your phone on you if you want any GPS data from your activities. And even then, the GPS data isn’t as accurate as a multi-band GPS system. But the upside of this is that the battery life is seriously impressive for a budget watch. Amazfit promises up to 18 days with normal usage. In my testing, I was able to get 16 or so, which is pretty close. 

This fitness tracker won’t cut it for serious athletes wanting all the data, but for those who simply want something to encourage them to stay active, the Amazfit Band 7 is a great choice. To read more about this watch, you can check out our full review. 

What to consider when shopping for the best fitness trackers

It’s easy to get bewildered by all the features and functions available in today’s fitness trackers. But the best fitness tracker for you is the one that will effectively and efficiently monitor exactly what you want it to—maybe your heart rate or the quality of your sleep—and deliver the info in a way that works for you. But it’s also smart to keep in mind that too many functions, such as GPS or an energy-sapping display, can drain your tracker’s battery life. They may also be more than you’ll actually need, leaving you paying for features that you won’t use. 

Heart rate sensors

These days, just about every fitness tracker or watch comes built with a wrist-based heart rate sensor. The accuracy of these depends on the particular watch, as well as how you are wearing the watch. Depending on the activity you are participating in, it won’t be as accurate as a chest-based monitor. But technology has improved significantly in recent years, and most watches provide plenty of accurate data for all but the most serious athletes. 

Sleep tracking

When it comes to fitness, we tend to neglect recovery. Yet it is a key component of fitness and health. That’s partly why sleep monitoring has become a key feature of fitness trackers and smartwatches. Some argue that you should know whether you’ve had a good night’s sleep just based on how you feel in the morning. Trying to beat a sleep score every night, they say, only adds stress and makes it less likely you’ll sleep well.

However, if you’re trying different approaches to improve your sleep—a relaxing pillow spray, avoiding screens before bed, or winding down with a warm shower—a tracking app can help you figure out what works best for you. While sleep trackers in labs use brain activity to measure the different stages of sleep—light, deep, and REM sleep—fitness trackers tend to use a combination of movement and heart rate tracking to estimate your sleep cycles.

You have to notify some trackers that you’re going to bed in order to initiate sleep monitoring, which may not be ideal for you. Others do it automatically as long as you are wearing your device to bed. Keep in mind that if you want to wear your tracker to monitor your activity during the day and your sleep at night, you’ll need a device with a long battery life or a quick charging time so you never have to miss a moment, night or day.

Battery life

When it comes to electronics, particularly small yet powerful ones, battery life can be a major concern. Depending on how you want to use your fitness tracker, battery life might be key when choosing one.

Many of the most popular products blur the line between fitness trackers and smartwatches. They come with a huge number of functions, such as sending and receiving messages, storing music, and GPS tracking. But these bells and whistles can be a real drain on your battery. You might find yourself needing to fast charge your device while you’re in the shower or sacrificing sleep tracking so it can power up overnight.

That might be fine if you just want to keep track of the odd HIIT class. But if you hate being a slave to a charger or want to take your tracker on a camping expedition without access to power, it might be worth sacrificing some features for longer battery life. Or you may need to pay for a more expensive model in order to get the best of both worlds.

GPS & GNSS

GPS—or Global Positioning System—is a series of satellites that circle the Earth. If you have a GPS receiver, it can use the relative positioning of these satellites to tell you exactly where you are. It’s this sort of geolocation technology that is used to help your car company or food delivery service locate you and how the map app on your phone gives you directions.

When it comes to fitness trackers, GPS can be helpful in a number of ways. Using what it knows about your location and the time you were there, you can get an accurate idea of your pace when you’re running or hiking. It can also allow someone who’s not with you to track your progress or help you create a map of your route. Further, on some devices, with an additional app, GPS can be used to help direct you along a pre-programmed route.

Fitness trackers have various ways of capitalizing on GPS. Some may include their own built-in receivers, which means you don’t have to have your phone with you. Others use the GPS in your smartphone to help geolocate you, which is referred to as tethered GPS.

The quality of GPS in fitness trackers varies, too. Sometimes, it’s tricky to squeeze a high-quality receiver into a small band or watch, and if accurate GPS is really important to you—say you’re a competitive runner and need a highly accurate record of your distances and pace—a GPS running watch might be a better option for you. For the most accurate location data, you’ll want to look for multiple GNSS (Global Navigation Satelite System) options in a single tracker. 

Display size & features

How much information do you want to see on the screen of your fitness tracker? Do you want all your info there? Or would you rather have a single piece of data on screen—your step count, calories burned, or heart rate—knowing that you’ll have to scroll through to get the other data you want?

As with so many choices, it’s all about compromises. If you want a full-color, bright, and fully customizable touchscreen, you’re probably going to sacrifice battery life. And if you want loads of information in one place, you’ll need to opt for a large fitness tracker, which may be rather clunky on your wrist. On the other hand, if you opt for a more basic, smaller display, you won’t be able to see your information as easily. 

Whatever you opt for, it’s worth spending a bit of time getting to know your tracker’s screen and working out how you can customize it so that the functions and information you want most are easily and quickly accessible. As with your phone, you may find some apps or functions installed that you don’t need. If you know you’re never going to record a ballet class, for example, delete that option if you can. The less information you have on screen, the easier it will be to zone in on what you want.

It might also be worth considering a screen protector if you’re going for a smartwatch-style tracker. These can be really thin and unobtrusive, and the best don’t interfere with functionality, just protect against scratches, scrapes, and damage.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best fitness trackers

• Best overall: Apple Watch Series 8
• Best sleep tracker: Fitbit Sense 2
• Best for pure metrics: Whoop 4.0
• Best for heart rate monitoring: Polar Ignite 3
• Best for battery life: Garmin Vivofit 4
• Best with GPS: Garmin epix Pro
• Best budget: Amazfit Band 7

There’s no doubt that a fitness tracker can help you up your game when it comes to your workouts and that there are a host of different features and functions out there that can keep you on track, whether you’re a busy parent squeezing in a quick yoga class or a professional athlete trying to shave every last second off your time. The huge leaps and bounds in technology also mean that your fitness tracker can do double duty as a smartwatch, notifying you about everything from news headlines to your next meeting. The type of tracker you opt for will depend on your life, lifestyle, and what you want from it. But the choices are out there like never before.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best fitness trackers of 2023, tested and reviewed appeared first on Popular Science.

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September means it’s new iPhone and Apple Watch time. However, not every Apple Watch model is rugged enough for adventuring, and the activity-minded Apple Watch Ultra sports a hefty price tag. And those products may not have the aesthetic or depth of multisport functionality you want. Thankfully, a different watch company has something to announce in September: Garmin celebrates its 34th birthday with up to $200 in savings on its fitness watches at Amazon.

Garmin epix Gen 2 $689.95 (Was $899.99)

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The Garmin epix (Gen. 2) is one of our favorite Garmin watches thanks to its AMOLED screen that shines through on even the brightest of lakeside sunny days. You can get from 42 hours to 16 days of battery power depending on your settings, and more than 30 built-in sports apps mean you get golf course maps and ski resort charts right from your wrist. 24/7 health monitoring lets you track oxygen saturation, heart rate, respiration, and more, and you can even use it to pay for a post-hike beverage with Garmin Pay contactless payments built-in. Talk about smart and sporty.

Samsung also has its wearables on sale on its website and at Amazon. We’re eyeing this Galaxy Watch 5, which lets you leave your phone behind and still take calls, send texts, and play music.

Here are more smartwatch deals we’ve mapped out:

• Garmin Instinct $172.05 (Was $249.99)
• Garmin vivoactive 4 $189.99 (Was $329.99)
• Garmin Forerunner 45s $129.99 (Was $169.99)
• Amazfit Bip 3 Smart Watch $53.99 (Was $59.99)

The post It’s time to save $200 on Garmin’s best smartwatch at Amazon appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX Men’s Hiking Shoes		SEE IT	A great hike starts with a good sturdy pair of shoes.
Best headlamp		BioLite 800 Pro Headlamp		SEE IT	A long-lasting light that has a bevy of settings.
Best budget		Coghlan’s 1985 Carabiner Compass		SEE IT	Simply attach to your pack for easy navigation.

Hiking is a great way to elevate your mood (and body) and change your outlook(s), letting you change gears from the daily grind and get lots of endorphins. Nature makes you happy, and exercise makes you happy, so why not kill two birds with one stone? You can find hiking trails all around you, even if you’re a city slicker. A great hike starts with being prepared. That means getting a good sturdy pair of hiking shoes, snagging your favorite pack to carry what you need, and bringing a water bottle to stay hydrated—and that’s just the basics. The best hiking gear can help prepare you to get out and get your heart rate up, but not get lost in the wilderness.

• Best overall: Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX Men’s Hiking Shoes
• Best for dogs: Ruffwear Front Range Day Pack
• Best headlamp: BioLite 800 Pro Headlamp
• Best backpack: TETON Sports Explorer Internal Frame Backpack
• Best watch: Garmin epix 2 Pro
• Best water filter: LifeStraw Peak Solo
• Best insulated water bottle: LifeStraw Go Stainless Steel Water Filter Bottle
• Best budget: Coghlan’s 1985 Carabiner Compass

How we chose the best hiking gear

We took what we learned from past camping stories—from camping grills to headlamps to techy gadgets—and expanded our judging from there. We thought about what we’d put into our packs—and what we already throw in there—and sought out products that fit those categories. We also looked at reviews and recommendations.

The best hiking gear: Reviews & Recommendations

One of our choices should help you tuck your phone away while you make your way to get some much-needed air.

Best overall: Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX Men’s Hiking Shoes

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Specs

• Weight: 14 ounces
• Best for: Single-day hikes

Pros

• Breathable
• Waterproof
• Can go from hike to work and back

Cons

• Narrow
• Run hot

A great hike starts with what you put on your feet. These shoes are fit to hit the trails or wear to work—the traction is excellent on all terrains, thanks to its Descent Control Technology, which helps safely descend from tough descends. Don’t worry about stepping in puddles—these shoes are waterproof, thanks to Gore-Tex. Additionally, a protective mudguard protects the lateral and medial sides of your feet from muddy trails. Anti-debris mesh prevents debris from being trapped between your foot and the footbed. An EnergyCell midsole—made from high-performance EVA foam—reduces shock when you hike, which makes them extra comfortable. They’re a bit narrow, so you might want to size up or snag the wide version of the shoe. Plus, they run hot, meaning they might not be the best for use in warmer climates—those with sweaty feet, beware. The comfort outweighed our feet getting sweaty, which was bound to happen anyway. You can always wear wool hiking socks to help wick away moisture. And you can always opt for a true boot with more ankle support (we’ve put some solid miles on the Vasque Men’s Breeze Waterproof Hiking Boots, for one) if you’re going for a longer hike with more elevation changes and uneven terrain.

Best for dogs: Ruffwear Front Range Day Pack

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Specs

• Weight: 9 ounces
• Best for: Single-day hikes; weekend hikes

Pros

• Radial cut saddlebags
• Padded handle
• Multiple colors

Cons

• Pricey

If it doesn’t fit in your pack, try fitting it in your dog’s pack. Ruffwear is our favorite brand for rugged, well-constructed dog harnesses and backpacks, and the Front Range Day Pack tops the charts. A great model for mid-range activity, this pack comes in four sizes and fits dogs with a chest measurement between 17 and 42 inches. Five adjustment points mean you can further customize the fit, and foam-padded construction will continue to keep your dog comfortable. A vertical chest strap and cushioned belly strap improve stability, and a padded top handle means you can help your adventure buddy navigate tricky areas on the trail. 

The saddlebags feature a radial cut, weight-forward design, creating compression to keep each side close to your pup’s body and maintain balance. Inside each bag, a stretchy mesh pocket keeps treats, bags, and bowls organized. You can attach a leash to three points: a tow loop, webbed chest loop, and back V-ring. Available in three colors, the Front Range backpack is perfect for everyday use. It can fit all the essentials for a day hike or long walk without being unnecessarily bulky.

Best headlamp: BioLite 800 Pro Headlamp

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Specs

• Weight: 5.3 ounces
• Best for: Single-day hikes; weekend hikes; thru-hiking

Pros

• Rechargeable
• Long-lasting
• Red light option

Cons

• Learning curve to controls

We’re fans of BioLite for many reasons: we think one of these headlamps is an excellent camping gadget thanks to its internal tech, and they’re rechargeable. The lamp delivers 800 lumens for 150 hours on low; seven hours on high; and eight hours on reserve. A Run Forever cord lets you connect a power bank for even more runtime. A moisture-wicking headband keeps you dry and cool, and integrated electronics prevent slipping and bouncing. A push on the back gives you 30 seconds of max brightness, and Constant mode gives you full illumination sans auto-dimming. There’s a bit of a learning curve if you’ve never used a BioLite headlamp, but it’s one of the best on the market once you get over it. If 800 lumens seems like overkill, consider its lower lumen cousin, the BioLite 325 headlamp, which maxes out at—you guessed it—325 lumens.

Best backpack: TETON Sports Explorer Internal Frame Backpack

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Specs

• Weight: 5 lbs.
• Best for: Weekend hikes; thru-hiking

Pros

• Rugged
• Built-in bladder for water
• Sleeping bag compartment

Cons

• For more experienced hikers

If this isn’t your first time at the camping rodeo, consider this advanced hiking backpack from TETON. Multipoint adjustments and compression straps give you a near-custom fit. Angled water bottle containers, a sleeping bag compartment, and exterior pockets let you pack precisely and keep anything handy (like a granola bar or phone) within reach. A water-repellant exterior and rain cover means your stuff will stay dry in wet conditions. The pack also comes with a lifetime warranty, but you hopefully shouldn’t need it thanks to its durable construction.

Best watch: Garmin epix 2 Pro

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Specs

• Weight: 2.22 ounces
• Best for: Single-day hikes; weekend hikes; thru-hikes

Pros

• Lots of sizes and colors
• Rugged
• Built-in flashlight
• Safety features and health tracking

Cons

• Setting and customizations can be overwhelming

Garmin’s epix watch has been one of the standards for hiking, trail running, and ultra-marathons since its initial release in 2015. The new epix 2 Pro is even more advanced and capable, offering a nearly endless list of features, sensors, and settings. For starters, it comes loaded with a plethora of activities to track, from the basics like hiking, running, and cycling to strength training, surfing, hunting, and more. You’ll also get lots of training tools to help improve your fitness, including Endurance Score, Training Status, Recovery Status, VO2 Max measurements, and more.

As with most Garmin multisport watches, the epix Pro gets a robust list of sensors for health and activity tracking. It offers the essentials for hiking, including a barometric altimeter, compass, and GPS. But it also provides advanced multi-frequency positioning for accurate location data, which allows you to use the watch for navigation purposes. You can even upload specific courses to keep you on track during events. And it offers weather maps to allow you to check the radar for precipitation, cloud cover, wind, and temperature. Something we love about top-of-the-line Garmin watches (this one, as well as the fēnix 7 Pro below) are the maps. Loads of preloaded maps, which look crisp and detailed on the always-on AMOLED screen (available under scratch-resistant sapphire glass or slightly-less-resilient Corning Gorilla Glass, if you want to save $100).

One thing we especially love about this adventure watch is that it is available in three different case sizes—42mm, 47mm, or 51mm—making it more suitable for a wider variety of wrists. It’s important to keep in mind that the case size does impact battery life. For example, the 51mm version offers up to 31 days in smartwatch mode compared to 10 days for the 42mm. So you’ll have to choose whether form factor or less frequent charging is most important to you. 

All sizes of the epix 2 Pro come with an LED flashlight that’s built into the side of the watch. It is surprisingly useful in day-to-day life but is also a game changer when navigating in the woods after dark. It does drain the battery faster, of course, but it is really nice to have. And the Red Shift Mode makes it easier to see the watch at night without blinding yourself or impacting your sleep cycle.

Best water filter: LifeStraw Peak Solo

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Specs

• Weight: 4.48 ounces
• Best for: Single-day hikes; weekend hikes; thru-hikes

Pros

• Helps keep you hydrated safely
• Clips easily to pack or belt
• Can be fitted to a standard water bottle

Cons

• Can only filter up to 2,000 liters of drinking water

Lifestaw’s smallest filter is also its most versatile and easiest to use, thanks to 28mm threading. That means you can attach the filter to a standard water bottle and drink through it like a straw. Or, you can use it as a squeeze filter to filter water into a different container. Using the Peak Solo, you can fill a 1L bottle in 20 seconds—that means more time hiking and less time corraling everyone’s water bottle to fill. If you don’t want to throw it in your backpack or glove compartment, it comes with a loop to attach a carabiner to clip to a keychain or pack. Our favorite feature is its effectiveness: it protects against It offers protection against 99.999999 percent of bacteria (including E.coli and Salmonella), 99.999 percent of parasites (including Giardia and Cryptosporidium), and 99.999 percent of microplastics. It also meets the US EPA and NSF P231 drinking water standards for removing bacteria and parasites. Read more of what we have to say about it.

Best insulated water bottle (with a filter): LifeStraw Go Stainless Steel Water Filter Bottle

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Specs

• Weight: 18-22 ounces
• Best for: Single-day hikes

Pros

• Included carabiner
• Clean water anywhere
• Dishwasher safe

Cons

• Heavy

If you’d rather kill two birds with one stone, consider the LifeStraw Go Stainless Steel Water Filter Bottle. Its Titan Renew and membrane microfilters protect against parasites, microplastics, chlorine, organic chemical matter, dirt, sand, and cloudiness, while also improving taste. Specifically, LifeStraw’s membrane microfilter removes 99.999999% of bacteria, 99.999% of parasites, 99.999% of microplastics, silt, sand, and cloudiness. It meets NSF 42 standard for chlorine reduction and meets U.S. EPA & NSF P231 drinking water standards for the removal of bacteria and parasites. This means you can also have access to clean water internationally. The carbon filter costs around $10 to replace and the replacement two-stage membrane filter costs around $25. However, these filters only need replacing every 1,000 gallons—that’s a lot of lake water. Although it’s heavier than other insulated water bottles and only comes in one size, we think the benefits of clean water anywhere outweigh these cons.

Best budget: Coghlan’s 1985 Carabiner Compass

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Specs

• Weight: .6 ounces
• Best for: Single-day hikes; weekend hikes

Pros

• Clips to belt or backpack
• Body made of metal
• Luminous directional markers

Cons

• Doesn’t work if tilted more than eight degrees

A compass is one of the most important camping gadgets using some interesting-yet-simple tech. Compasses determine where “north” is thanks to its attraction to Earth’s southern magnetic pole, which is near its most northern geographic point. Magnets! They’re cool! Anyway, we love this simple and cheap compass for its durable aluminum construction and luminous directional marks to navigate in low light. Throw it on your pack or attach it to your belt loop to help determine where you’re going. It’s a tool you’ll most likely always bring with you on a trip, and you can’t beat its size and price.

What to consider when buying the best hiking gear

Knowing what you need to bring with you while hiking can prevent you from overpacking and having a heavy pack. Plus, it means that you won’t overspend on stuff you won’t use. Here’s what you should consider before clicking “add to cart.”

Hike length

If you’re going for a short hike or a single-day hike, you don’t need to bring what you would bring on a weekend hike or thru-hike. The longer the hike, the more stuff you’ll need to bring—and you’ll have to do some planning and locate your resupply points. A shorter hike is great for unwinding, while a longer, more strenuous hike can be mentally and physically taxing. Knowing how long you’ll be hiking will help you pack accordingly.

Pack weight

If you’re going on a thru-hike or hiking a long distance, you don’t want to wear an overpacked backpack that weighs you down, slows you down, and could make you tired faster. However, you don’t want to pack too light and miss some essentials. Hiking backpacks are built to distribute weight evenly, and many hiking-specific items are made with weight in mind. Knowing how much each item weighs can help you stay comfortable on your hike.

Experience level

If you’re a beginner hiker, you should at least have a good pair of shoes, something to carry essentials, a water bottle, and some sunscreen. If you’re a more experienced hiker going on longer trips, you can upgrade to a larger pack and incorporate hiking poles and water filters into your packing list. Which is to say, the more experienced you get, the more technical you can get gear-wise.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best hiking gear

• Best overall: Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX Men’s Hiking Shoes
• Best for dogs: Ruffwear Front Range Day Pack
• Best headlamp: BioLite 800 Pro Headlamp
• Best backpack: TETON Sports Explorer Internal Frame Backpack
• Best watch: Garmin epix 2 Pro
• Best water filter: LifeStraw Peak Solo
• Best insulated water bottle: LifeStraw Go Stainless Steel Water Filter Bottle
• Best budget: Coghlan’s 1985 Carabiner Compass

Hiking is an excellent way to unplug and get some exercise while you’re at it. However, you want to be prepared—you don’t want to get lost in the woods. Remember to start small if you’re new to hiking—all you need is a durable pair of closed-toe shoes, a water bottle, an easy-to-follow trail, and something to hold your belongings to get started. You can invest in more technical gear as you hike more. After all, better to hike a short distance than never to have hiked at all.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best hiking gear of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Apple doesn’t discount hardware on its own site, but you can score a discount on several models of the Apple Watch on Amazon during Prime Day 2023. With these discounts, you can score the Apple Watch Series SE and Series 8 down to their lowest prices ever for a limited time. Apple makes some of the best smartwatches we’ve tested—remember, they can only be set up and paired with an iPhone—so don’t skip these deals.

All of these Prime Day deals require an active Amazon Prime Membership. You can sign up here for a free 30-day trial.

Apple Watch Series 8 [GPS 41mm] $279 (Was $389)

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The Apple Watch Series 8 is the company’s latest-generation smartwatch, and it’s an excellent choice for iPhone owners who want to track their fitness and check notifications without fishing their phone out of their pocket. It can also be used to tell the time, of course. The Series 8’s always-on display allows you to check its screen at a glance without lifting up your wrist, and its battery still lasts all day. The waterproof smartwatch has dedicated fitness modes to accurately track how many calories you’ve burned while exercising, whether you’re running, biking, swimming, doing a HIIT workout, etc. Sensors built into the watch can track your heart rate, sleep, and temperature in the background and alert you if something seems off. We highlighted the smaller-sized 41mm GPS version above, which should fit most wrists comfortably and doesn’t support costly cellular connectivity, but there’s a version to suit everybody and every body.

Here are some other Apple Watch Prime Day deals worth your eyeballs

• Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) [40mm GPS], $199.99 (Was $249.99)
• Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) [44mm GPS], $229 (Was $269.99)
• Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) [GPS + Cellular 40mm], $249 (Was $229)
• Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) [GPS + Cellular 44mm], $279 (Was $279)
• Apple Watch Series 8 [GPS 45mm], $309.99 (Was $429.99)
• Apple Watch Series 8 [GPS + Cellular 45mm], $409.99 (Was $519.99)

Or are you in the mood for something more analog? We’ve gathered some of slickest men’s watch deals; click here!

The post The latest, greatest Apple Watch Series 8 models are on sale for Amazon Prime Day appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Garmin makes some of the best fitness watches available. They feature advanced tech and health tracking capabilities along with full smartwatch abilities, giving you the best of both worlds. And if you are training for any sort of event, they are invaluable training tools. And this Prime Day, you can find outstanding savings on a handful of options, from beginner-level devices to watches for competitive athletes.

Garmin epix Gen 2 $699.99 (Was $999.99)

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For adventure lovers, it’s hard to beat the Garmin epix watches. This particular version features premium white titanium and a bright AMOLED display, so it looks sleek even when you’re not on the trails. It promises up to 16 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, which is longer than most other adventure watches out there. And, as with most Garmin watches, it is built with a robust list of sensors for advanced health and performance measurements, accurate GPS tracking, and navigation tools with topographic maps.

More Garmin Prime Day deals

• Garmin Instinct $142.49 (Was $249.99)
• Garmin Vivoactive 4 $169.99 (Was $329.99)
• Garmin Venu 2 $429.99 (Was $399.99)
• Garmin Forerunner 745 $279.99 (Was $499.99)
• Garmin fenix 7X Solar $599.99 (Was $899.99)
• Garmin Edge 830 Sensor Bundle $349.99 (Was $499.99)

Prefer a smartwatch tailormade for an iPhone? We’ve collected the best Apple Watch deals; click here!

In the mood for something more analog? We’ve gathered some of the best men’s watch deals; click here!

The post Save up to $300 on Garmin watches with these Prime Day deals appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Garmin epix 2 Pro		SEE IT	It’s a well-rounded watch with impressive battery life and endless hiking features.
Best smartwatch		Apple Watch Ultra		SEE IT	This rugged smartwatch provides cell connectivity and sleek styling.
Best budget		Amazfit T-Rex 2		SEE IT	A budget-friendly price doesn’t result in fewer features on this watch.

Hiking watches are useful and important tools for those who spend time hitting the trails. At a minimum, a hiking watch should allow you to keep track of the time of day, how long you’ve been out, and how long you might have till sundown. Ideally, it should also provide altitude, barometer, and compass functions. More advanced watches for hiking may also offer various safety features, advanced navigation tools, energy expenditure and endurance estimations, and smartwatch functionality. No matter what, the best hiking watches will help keep you safe on your adventures and be able to handle whatever you throw at them. 

• Best overall: Garmin epix Pro (Gen. 2)
• Best smartwatch: Apple Watch Ultra
• Best for backpacking: Garmin fēnix 7 Pro
• Best basic: Casio G-Shock DWH5600-1
• Best solar-powered: Garmin Instinct 2X Solar
• Best budget: Amazfit T-Rex 2

How we chose the best hiking watches

As an avid hiker and trail runner since a young age, I’ve spent my fair share of time in the woods and have learned what is important to have with you in those situations. In addition, other members of our staff have been known to plan months-long trips around opportunities to explore the National Park System, and have taken their fair share of adventure accessories with them. This insight, along with a mix of hands-on use, reviews, and brand reputation, guided the selection of hiking watches included here. In making our selections, we looked at key features like compass and altimeter functions, GPS, connectivity options, safety features, battery life, and more. 

The best hiking watches: Reviews & Recommendations

Whether you are hitting a short local trail or tackling an epic thru-hike, these watches will help you keep track of your achievements and stay safe on the safest, most efficient route. 

Best overall: Garmin epix 2 Pro

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Specs

• Case diameter: 42mm (also available in 47mm and 51mm sizes)
• Weight: 2.2 ounces (42mm version)
• Display type: AMOLED
• Battery life: Up to 10 days in smartwatch mode (42mm version)
• Sensors: Multi-band GPS, heart rate, barometric altimeter, compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, thermometer, ambient light, pulse oximeter 

Pros

• Available in three different sizes and lots of colors
• Ruggedly built 
• Includes a bright flashlight
• Lots of safety features and health tracking

Cons

• A nearly endless list of settings and customizations can be overwhelming

Garmin’s epix watch has been one of the standards for hiking, trail running, and ultra-marathons since its initial release in 2015. The new epix 2 Pro is even more advanced and capable, offering a nearly endless list of features, sensors, and settings. For starters, it comes loaded with a plethora of activities to track, from the basics like hiking, running, and cycling to strength training, surfing, hunting, and more. You’ll also get lots of training tools to help improve your fitness, including Endurance Score, Training Status, Recovery Status, VO2 Max measurements, and more.

As with most Garmin multisport watches, the epix Pro gets a robust list of sensors for health and activity tracking. It offers the essentials for hiking, including a barometric altimeter, compass, and GPS. But it also provides advanced multi-frequency positioning for accurate location data, which allows you to use the watch for navigation purposes. You can even upload specific courses to keep you on track during events. And it offers weather maps to allow you to check the radar for precipitation, cloud cover, wind, and temperature. Something we love about top-of-the-line Garmin watches (this one, as well as the fēnix 7 Pro below) is maps. Loads of preloaded maps, which look crisp and detailed on the always-on AMOLED screen (available under scratch-resistant sapphire glass or slightly-less-resilient Corning Gorilla Glass, if you want to save $100).

One thing we especially love about this adventure watch is that it is available in three different case sizes—42mm, 47mm, or 51mm—making it more suitable for a wider variety of wrists. It’s important to keep in mind that the case size does impact battery life. For example, the 51mm version offers up to 31 days in smartwatch mode compared to 10 days for the 42mm. So you’ll have to choose whether form factor or less frequent charging is most important to you. 

All sizes of the epix 2 Pro come with an LED flashlight that’s built into the side of the watch. It is surprisingly useful in day-to-day life but is also a game changer when navigating in the woods after dark. It does drain the battery faster, of course, but it is really nice to have. And the Red Shift Mode makes it easier to see the watch at night without blinding yourself or impacting your sleep cycle.

Best smartwatch: Apple Watch Ultra

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Specs

• Case diameter: 49mm
• Weight: 2.2 ounces
• Display type: Always-On Retina LTPO OLED
• Battery life: Up to 36 hours
• Sensors: Multi-band GPS, compass, altimeter, pulse oximeter, heart rate, accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light, water temperature, depth gauge 

Pros

• Built with cellular connectivity
• Larger screen is useful
• Attractive styling
• Accurate GPS with navigation tools

Cons

• Battery life isn’t great
• Training tools are lacking

For many, a dedicated and highly specific sport watch is not the best option. The Apple Watch Ultra offers an easily approachable combination of smartwatch functionality and fitness tools in upgraded Apple Watch hardware. It comes standard with LTE connectivity, and thanks to the dual speakers and three-mic array, you’ll be able to take calls right from your wrist as long as you have cell reception (and pay for compatible coverage). That means you can leave your phone behind on hikes and still have a way to call for help if you need to. 

As a smartwatch, it will blend seamlessly with your day-to-day style while also holding up to your big adventures, thanks to the rugged build quality. The watch’s face features sapphire glass to prevent scratches, and the titanium case is IP6X rated for dust resistance, water resistant to 330 feet, and tested to MIL-STD 810H standards.

The Apple Watch Ultra offers plenty of sensors to capture health data throughout the day as well as when you are tracking a hike. The large display makes it easy to see your information at a glance and navigate through menus. It utilizes dual-frequency L1 and L5 GPS, which results in highly accurate location information. That means you’ll get precise distance measurements and be able to use the watch for navigation as well. 

While the promised 36-hour battery life of the Apple Watch Ultra is longer than Apple’s other watches, it doesn’t come close to what the likes of Garmin and Amazfit are capable of. And it doesn’t offer as many training tools as Garmin watches. But if you want a watch that is for more casual hiking and daily wearing, the Apple Watch Ultra is a great choice.

Best for backpacking: Garmin fēnix 7 Pro

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Specs

• Case diameter: 42mm, 47mm, 51mm 
• Weight: 2.6 ounces
• Display type: Sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel
• Battery life: Up to 18 days or 22 days with solar in smartwatch mode
• Sensors: Multi-band GPS, heart rate, barometric altimeter, compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, thermometer, ambient light, pulse oximeter

Pros

• Solar charging extends battery life
• Available in three sizes
• Accurate health and training data
• Advanced map features
• Built-in LED flashlight

Cons

• Some may prefer an AMOLED display

Garmin’s fēnix 7 Pro is nearly identical to the epix Pro above, with all the same health and fitness tracking features. You can easily keep track of your training and recovery status, track all your activities, and receive recommendations on how to improve. It even provides a Hill Score for working on how you’ll handle elevation changes, a key skill for many backpacking trips. And you get access to detailed maps, including weather map overlays and relief shading on topographical maps for better navigation.

What makes the fēnix 7 Pro different is the sunlight-visible, memory-in-pixel (MIP) display instead of the colorful AMOLED found in the epix. It’s not bright and colorful and crisply detailed like the epix display, but it is plenty visible on even the sunniest days. And it also doesn’t pull near as much battery, providing longer life between charges than the epix 2 Pro. 

Extending battery life even more is the solar-charging capabilities of the fēnix 7 Pro. With solar charging, the 47mm watch promises up to 12 days in Max Battery GPS mode. In Expedition GPS mode, Garmin says you can get up to 74 days with solar (Garmin’s solar-charging numbers assume all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions). 

If you are on a backpacking trip, any extra boost to battery life is appreciated. And, provided the weather conditions are right, you’ll easily hit the solar-charging requirements during your trip. You may even be able to use more precise GPS settings as a result. As with the epix 2 Pro, the different case sizes offer different battery life estimates, so if battery life is critical to you, you may want to go with the 51mm size. 

Best basic: Casio G-Shock DWH5600-1

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Specs

• Case dimensions: 2 x 1.7 x 0.7 inches
• Weight: 2 ounces
• Display type: Memory-in-pixel
• Battery life: 35 hours with activity functions
• Sensors: Heart rate, accelerometer, pulse oximeter

Pros

• Solar charging
• Lightweight and classic design
• Nearly indestructible with classic G-Shock styling
• Includes basic activity tracking

Cons

• Relies on a phone’s GPS

The other watches selected in this buying guide are incredibly feature-rich. But sometimes you want just a basic watch for hiking. The Casio G-Shock DWH5600-1 fits the bill. This watch is an update on the square G-Shock that was first released 40 years ago and looks remarkably similar to that classic watch. It is just as indestructible, with a shock-resistant construction and a whopping 656-foot water resistance. 

Despite similar looks, the newly updated received some modern upgrades. For example, it now features a high-definition memory-in-pixel display that is highly visible even in bright light. And it sports an optical heart rate sensor, accelerometer, and pulse oximeter. Casio teamed up with Polar to offer workout analysis, sleep data, and breath exercises. 

Although you can track your activities, this basic hiking watch does not offer built-in GPS. Instead, it relies on your phone’s GPS for location data, which is not as accurate as watch-based options. There’s also no altimeter or compass, so it won’t offer navigation help. But, it offers just enough for those who want something simple and rugged with the ability to keep track of their hikes.

Best solar-powered: Garmin Instinct 2X Solar

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Specs

• Case diameter: 50mm
• Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Display type: Monochrome, sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel
• Battery life: 40 days or unlimited with solar in smartwatch mode
• Sensors: Multi-band GPS, heart rate, barometric altimeter, compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, thermometer, and pulse oximeter 

Pros

• Built-in flashlight
• Seriously impressive battery life with solar charging
• Plenty of activity and healthy tracking features
• Rugged build 

Cons

• Large size isn’t ideal for all wrists
• Low-resolution display isn’t for everyone

Garmin’s Instinct 2X Solar is one of the best hiking watches for many reasons but foremost is the absurd battery life. With the most accurate GPS settings, you should be able to get up to 27 hours without solar or 36 hours with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions. Or, if you are on a long expedition, you could get unlimited battery life using Expedition GPS with enough sun or 60 days if it’s a winter expedition.

The Instinct 2X is a large watch and, as a result, is best suited for bigger wrists. If you want something smaller, the Instinct 2 Solar also offers impressive battery life in 40mm and 45mm case sizes. But the 2X is fitted with improved Power Glass, resulting in 50 percent more energy from the sun compared to the other Instinct models. That’s a significant difference, especially if you are tackling longer hikes. 

On top of the battery life, the watch is extremely rugged. It’s tested to U.S military 810 standards for thermal, shock, and water resistance and is water-rated to 328 feet. The LED flashlight is both convenient and adds a layer of safety when in the backcountry. And the Instinct 2X features Garmin’s typical advanced fitness and health tracking features so you can successfully prepare for your hikes. You’ll also be able to take advantage of advanced navigation tools. And the smartwatch functionality makes this GPS watch ideal for daily life as well.

Miss ole-fashioned analog watch hands? The Garmin Instinct Crossover Solar has you covered.

Best budget: Amazfit T-Rex 2

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Specs

• Case diameter: 47mm
• Weight: 2.3 ounces
• Display type: AMOLED
• Battery life: Up to 24 days with typical usage
• Sensors: GPS, pulse oximeter, heart rate, compass, barometric altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light

Pros

• Lots of features for the price
• Excellent battery life
• Vibrant display
• Rugged build

Cons

• Very bulky

While most hiking watches get quite expensive, you don’t have to break the bank for an impressive option. Amazfit makes a variety of budget watches that are more than capable, but its T-Rex 2 is especially impressive for the price. It’s extremely rugged, meeting MIL-STD-810G standards for withstanding extreme temperatures and environments. That includes water resistance to 328 feet, 158 degrees F heat resistance, -40 degrees cold resistance, and 96H salt spray resistance. 

Besides the rugged build, this outdoor watch offers dual-band positioning and support for six positioning systems. It enables you to import route files and navigate in real time on the watch. It promises up to 24 days of battery life with normal use or 45 days in battery saver mode, which is quite a bit longer than the Apple Watch Ultra. 

Despite the budget-friendly price, the T-Rex 2 offers really advanced training tools and health tracking. It features more than 150 built-in sport modes and can connect to a heart rate strap if you want the most accurate measurements. It automatically recognizes 15 different types of strength training exercises and can count reps for you. It offers training metrics like VO2 Max measurements and training effect information, and you can build training templates to guide and improve your performance. 

Features to consider when shopping for hiking watches

While any watch that tells the time could be considered a hiking watch, the best hiking watches will offer more advanced features to help you track your hikes and health, improve performance, and stay safe in the wilderness. All those specs can get confusing and overwhelming, though. Here are some of the key features to pay attention to when shopping for an adventure watch:

Battery life

How long a watch battery lasts is a crucial factor when selecting a hiking watch. That’s especially true if you want to take on any long hikes or treks. At a minimum, it is frustrating and annoying when your watch dies out on the trail. But it can result in dangerous consequences as well, especially if you are relying on the watch for navigation or weather alerts. 

Watch manufacturers will list battery life for essentially best-case, minimal-use scenarios, which is important to keep in mind. If all you plan on doing is short hikes, you can get away with a watch that has a battery life of only a few days (just be sure to charge it before your hike). But if you want to tackle long hikes or even multi-day exertions, look for a watch that promises battery life in months, not days. You may also benefit from solar charging and an option that offers lots of customizability in terms of GPS and other features that drain battery life. 

Build quality

Hiking can put you in some rugged situations, so it’s important your watch can withstand that. The watch face should be made of durable materials to prevent scratching, or you’ll soon be unable to read it. Sapphire glass is one of the most durable options, though Corning Gorilla Glass is another tough option. 

Beyond the surface of the watch, you’ll also want to make sure that the case is built for adventure. A hiking watch should be water-resistant in case you get caught in a downpour or fall in a river. And it should be able to handle dust, bumps, and knocks. Military testing is a good sign that the company designed the watch for tough environments, but Ingress Protection (IP) ratings are also useful in judging how robust a watch will be. 

Sensors

While you don’t necessarily need a bunch of sensors on your hiking watch, they can certainly help. ABC (altimeter, barometer, and compass) functions are the most basic for navigating the backcountry. These can alert you to important weather changes, help you keep an eye on the altitude, and give you rudimentary navigation tools. For more advanced navigation, built-in GPS is the way to go. That’s especially true if you won’t have cell reception to access maps on your phone while hiking. 

Beyond those, there are some health-related sensors that you may find beneficial. A heart rate sensor and pulse oximeter can help keep an eye on your health and performance. They can keep you from overexerting yourself, which is especially useful on longer hikes where it’s important to keep a steady, even pace. Plus, they allow for advanced performance measurements that assist in training to improve your performance, helping you build up to bigger hikes. 

Size

A watch doesn’t do much good if it isn’t comfortable enough to wear. The size of the case plays a big role in how comfortable the watch is, so it’s important to pay attention to this before purchasing a hiking watch. A big watch may provide a larger screen, but it can feel annoying on small wrists or even limit movement. Generally speaking, a 50mm case size is considered quite large, while 42mm is more suitable for small wrists. 

If provided, you’ll also want to look at the thickness of the watch, the weight, and the band length. Thick watches can get annoying because they don’t fit under jackets or base layers very well. And you’ll need a band that fits your wrist without excessive amounts of leftover material. 

Additional features

Beyond the necessities, some watches will offer extras that could make hiking even more enjoyable or safer for you. That could be built-in weather apps, maps, and safety features. Also, if you want to use your hiking watch for more than just hikes, activity tracking, and smartwatch functions may be ideal as well. 

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best hiking watches

• Best overall: Garmin epix Pro (Gen. 2)
• Best smartwatch: Apple Watch Ultra
• Best for backpacking: Garmin fēnix 7 Pro
• Best basic: Casio G-Shock DWH5600-1
• Best solar-powered: Garmin Instinct 2X Solar
• Best budget: Amazfit T-Rex 2

As with most things, there isn’t necessarily a one size fits all approach to the best hiking watch. Someone who is going on casual day hikes through a local park will likely have different needs and wants in a watch than someone seeking out week-long treks through the wilderness. No matter what your style, though, one of the watches in this guide should meet your needs and expectations.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best hiking watches for 2023, tested and reviewed appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Withings ScanWatch		SEE IT	The Withings ScanWatch is stylish and comes with a full range of health-focused features.
Best for iPhone		Skagen Jorn Hybrid HR		SEE IT	The Skagen Jorn Hybrid is one of the most visually appealing in the space, and its e-ink display is a one-of-a-kind feature.
Best with heart rate monitor		Garmin Vivomove HR		SEE IT	The Garmin Vivomove HR is a sporty hybrid smartwatch with a nice array of features for fitness junkies.

Hybrid smartwatches are one of the most useful pieces of wearable tech out there. The chunky bodies and digital faces of the sensor-packed Apple Watches and Fitbits of the world don’t appeal to everyone’s sensibilities. So while the biggest tech companies build watches that emphasize the tech, many brands have integrated some of the simplest, most useful smartwatch features into conventional timepieces. The average hybrid smartwatch features analog hour and minute arms, with a small screen or screens underneath to show stats like heart rate and tracked steps. For many people, the best hybrid smartwatches provide a good balance between a watch that will give you the fitness tracking and heart rate monitor you desire without looking out of place in a professional workplace.

• Best overall: Withings ScanWatch
• Best for iPhone: Skagen Jorn Hybrid HR
• Best with heart rate monitor: Garmin Vivomove HR
• Best for smaller wrists: Fossil Women’s Monroe Hybrid Smartwatch HR (38mm)
• Best for adventures: Garmin Instinct Crossover Solar
• Best budget: Withings Steel HR

How we chose the best hybrid smartwatches

I’ve been writing about tech for nearly a decade for publications such as PC Gamer and Input, among others, so I know how to discern between the next big thing and the next big bust. I’m also a watch enthusiast who has owned more than my fair share of smart and traditional timepieces over the years. To determine these recommendations, I consulted technical specs and tests conducted by experts and consumer reviews to find the best hybrid smartwatches for all kinds of people.

The best hybrid smartwatches: Reviews & Recommendations

If you’d like a little help jumpstarting your search, we’ve selected the best hybrid smartwatches for all kinds of users. Whether you want to shell out a bundle for a high-end watch with all the bells and whistles or buy a cheaper model with just the essentials, we have you covered.

Best overall: Withings ScanWatch

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Specs

• Size: 38mm or 42mm
• Heart monitor: Yes, with oxygen levels
• Sleep tracking: Yes
• Activity tracking: Yes, with altimeter
• Water resistance: 50m
• Battery life: 30 days

Pros

• Great feature set
• Water resistance
• Comes in multiple sizes

Cons

• A little expensive

French health tech manufacturer Withings specializes in devices that monitor your body, including smart scales, thermometers, and blood pressure monitors. Their flagship watch, the ScanWatch, integrates deep health-tracking functionality into a simple, elegant hybrid timepiece. Going beyond basic step and heart rate tracking, it features an altimeter to track vertical movements, such as climbing stairs, and a pulse oximeter for blood oxygen (SpO2) tracking. Its 30-day battery life makes it one of the longest-lasting watches. It’s also waterproof and certified for up to 50 meters (or 5 atmospheres) of water pressure. 

It also provides lots of room for you to pick a watch that fits your style. It comes in two sizes, and Withings offers more colors and styles than many competitors. In plain black with metal hardware, it’s a simple and elegant everyday accessory. All of that function pushes the ScanWatch’s price higher than many of our other picks, but it offers a strong blend of style and tech substance.

Best for iPhone: Skagen Jorn Hybrid HR

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Specs

• Size: 38mm or 42mm
• Heart monitor: Yes
• Sleep tracking: Yes
• Activity tracking: Yes
• Water resistance: “Water Resistant”
• Battery life: 14 days+

Pros

• Multiple size options
• Stylish design
• Decent features

Cons

• E-ink display may not appeal to everyone
• Interface can be confusing

Skagen is known for their fashion watches, and the Jorn brings a very appealing “Bauhaus”-like sensibility—a cleanly geometric German retro-modern aesthetic—to the hybrid smartwatch market. Its signature feature is a sharp e-ink display, akin to what you’d find in an Amazon Kindle Paperwhite or the classic Pebble Watch. It shows your steps, heart rate, and other stats with chronograph-like icons that perfectly match the watch’s look. The unique design and controls aren’t as intuitive as other watches, but it’s a small price to pay for such attention to detail.

If you’re a fan of buttons, the Jorn has three for you to play with rather than the traditional “hold/tap” design of the Apple Watch, and its app integration and customizability have received high marks from reviewers. As a whole, the Skagen Jorn is a strong hybrid smartwatch for those who care more about the watch and its aesthetics than smart features. However, it works very well for what it is.

Best heart rate monitor: Garmin Vivomove HR

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Specs

• Size: 40mm, 43mm
• Heart monitor: Yes, with oxygen levels
• Sleep tracking: Yes
• Activity tracking: Yes
• Water resistance: 50m
• Battery life: 5 days (smart mode), 14+ days (watch only)

Pros

• Good fitness features
• Many color options
• Easy to read

Cons

• Expensive
• Short battery life for smart mode

Though it is not specifically a “fitness watch,” the Garmin Vivomove HR delivers more fitness-driven features than most hybrid smartwatches, making it a notable choice for people who specifically want one to monitor their heart discreetly. It has dedicated stress tracking and relaxation timers so you can track your vitals in any situation, as well as SpO2 tracking. It falters a bit on battery life compared to other hybrids, especially when you use the smart features, though.

The design of its face is a bit simple compared to our other picks, and it’s less customizable than most, but it does have that true “Bauhaus” look. While it comes in multiple sizes and many colors, we found that many styles and colors are much harder to come by in the 40mm “small/medium” size. If you’re a fitness enthusiast, the Vivomove has the edge over competitors thanks to its stress monitor and relaxation timers. But its high price limits its appeal compared to other watches in the space.

Best for small wrists: Fossil Women’s Monroe Hybrid

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Specs

• Size: 38mm
• Heart monitor: Yes
• Sleep tracking: Yes
• Activity tracking: Yes
• Water resistance: 30m
• Battery life: 14+ days

Pros

• Fits any wrist
• The feminine silhouette isn’t common among smartwatches
• Competitive feature-set

Cons

• No signature feature

Look, there’s no delicate way to put this: The overwhelming majority of smartwatches out there feature masculine (or at least masculine-leaning) designs. Hybrid watches, in particular, are often based on larger “men’s” watches. If you’re looking for something feminine rather than simply picking a smaller case size, Fossil’s Monroe is definitely the way to go. The mid-sized 38mm case will fit almost any wrist, unlike the 42mm (or even bigger) smartwatches out there.

It doesn’t skimp on the features either, with notification support, activity tracking, a heart rate monitor, and more. The only real downside to this hybrid smartwatch is that it lacks a unique tech-driven feature. The Monroe is purely a style play, but since feminine hybrid watches are fairly rare, that is a signature feature unto itself.

Best for adventures: Garmin Instinct Crossover Solar

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Specs

• Size: 38mm
• Heart monitor: Yes
• Sleep tracking: Yes
• Activity tracking: Yes
• Water resistance: 30m
• Battery life: 70 days in smartwatch mode, 31 hours in GPS mode

Pros

• Advanced performance metrics
• Superb battery life with solar charging
• Navigation tools
• Luminescent analog watch hands

Cons

• Watch hands break up the screen

Most hybrid smartwatches tend toward the watch spectrum’s fashion end. They may offer some health tracking features but aren’t built to withstand adventures. The Garmin Instinct Crossover, however, offers robust fitness watch features in a hybrid body, making it a fantastic hiking watch or companion for the adventurous soul. As the name suggests, the Instinct Crossover Solar has much in common with the Instinct Solar. It’s a rugged watch—water-rated to 10 ATM and thermal- and shock-resistant—so you don’t need to worry when you’re out in the mountains or swimming in the ocean.

The Instinct Crossover Solar offers Garmin’s full suite of fitness features, including VO2 Max measurement, workout suggestions, training tools and metrics, and an expansive list of activities to track. And it provides impressive battery life with plenty of customization to get the right balance for your life. The battery life is unlimited if you put the watch in battery saver mode and get at least 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions. With GPS mode, you can get up to 31 hours with solar or up to 553 hours in Max Battery GPS Mode with solar.

The display of the watch is a monochrome, transflective memory-in-pixel design that is easily visible in sunlight. On top of the display sit the luminescent analog watch hands, making it easy to see even at night. And it utilizes RevoDrive technology to keep the time accurate no matter what. It’s an impressive balance of analog functionality with full smartwatch and fitness watch features.

Best budget: Withings Steel HR

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Specs

• Size: 36mm, 40mm
• Heart monitor: Yes
• Sleep tracking: Yes
• Activity tracking: Yes, with multi-sport support
• Water resistance: 50m
• Battery life: 25 days

Pros

• Competitive price
• Visually appealing
• Good battery life

Cons

• Some may prefer a larger case size
• Older model

The Withings Steel HR is an older, simpler hybrid smartwatch, but one that still holds up. For less than $200, the Steel HR offers only slightly less functionality than our top pick for $100 less. More importantly, the Steel is rated for 50m of water resistance, which means you can take it in the pool or the ocean without worrying about it. It offers great battery life—25 days—and features multi-sport tracking to record more accurate activity-specific health data.

Though many of the watches on this list feature a minimalist style, the Steel features what may be the simplest look. I quite like its two-dial configuration. However, with a 40mm case, it’s smaller than most of the picks on our list and may not be a great fit for people with very large wrists.

Things to consider before buying a hybrid smartwatch

Picking a hybrid smartwatch over a conventional smartwatch or fitness tracker is, more often than not, rooted in taste. You want some smart features, but not at the expense of how a classic wristwatch looks and feels on your wrist. In keeping with that, most hybrid smartwatches have a relatively standardized set of smart features, including step tracking, sleep tracking, and more. Some features, like surfacing notifications from your phone, aren’t on every model, though, so it does pay to think about how “smart” you want your watch to be.

It’s all about the features

Though hybrid smartwatches don’t vary as much in feature set and price range as other tech, like Apple watches or their alternatives, you should remember that they aren’t all identical. Most hybrid smartwatches offer some degree of fitness tracking, sleep tracking, and water resistance. Certain features—like GPS integration, altimeters, blood oxygen (SpO2) tracking, and 100-meter water resistance—tend to be reserved for more expensive models. 

High-end hybrids also tend to have better battery life, though even the least expensive of the bunch last longer than more tech-forward smartwatches like the Apple Watch Series 8 and Samsung Galaxy Watch5. The average battery life of a hybrid smartwatch is around two weeks, though some go as high as 25 to 30 days without a charge.

Aesthetics are everything

There are two main reasons to buy a hybrid smartwatch: less frequent charging and sheer aesthetics. As a watch enthusiast, I strongly prefer the round face and analog movement of a hybrid over the blocky silhouette of a Fitbit. As such, you should really consider the look and feel of the hybrid you want before you buy it. 

You should also measure your wrist before making any purchase. Most hybrid watches have a case diameter of 42mm, which is quite large on those of us with smaller wrists. If you have a wrist size of 6.5 inches or less, you will probably want to invest in a smaller 38mm model instead.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best hybrid smartwatches

• Best overall: Withings ScanWatch
• Best for iPhone: Skagen Jorn Hybrid HR
• Best with heart rate monitor: Garmin Vivomove HR
• Best for smaller wrists: Fossil Women’s Monroe Hybrid Smartwatch HR (38mm)
• Best for adventures: Garmin Instinct Crossover Solar
• Best budget: Withings Steel HR

As with many products out there, these hybrid smartwatches ultimately have quite a lot in common with each other. Still, the devil is in the details. If you’re looking for top-of-the-line features, you may decide to go for a more traditional smartwatch instead. However, if aesthetics are what you’re looking for, all of these watches will have you well-covered. Besides, who wants to charge their watch every day, anyway?

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best hybrid smartwatches of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Garmin has been at the top of the fitness watch game for some time, making a range of smartwatches for beginners and pro-level athletes alike. Though each line of watches is tailored to a specific event—such as running, golf, flying, or diving—they can essentially do it all for the multisport enthusiasts and endurance athletes out there. Right now, Garmin is running sales on many of its smartwatches. That includes many editions from the Forerunner line, which was the world’s first GPS running watch and is celebrating its 20th birthday this year. These watches are a great way to take your training to the next level, perfect as we head into summer (weather and wildfires permitting).

Garmin Forerunner 945 $399.99 (was $499.99)

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The Garmin Forerunner 945 has come a long way since the original Forerunner 201 was released in 2003. This advanced running watch provides the ability to sync music directly to the watch to keep you entertained on your runs. It offers 10 hours of battery life in GPS mode with music or up to two weeks in smartwatch mode. You’ll also have access to full-color onboard maps, a handful of safety and tracking features, and Garmin’s full suite of performance metrics and training insights. It’s not the latest version of the Forerunner, but it is still well worth purchasing.

Garmin fēnix 7 – Sapphire Solar Edition $699.99 (was $899.99)

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Garmin recently announced a Pro version of the adventure-focused fēnix 7, but the fēnix 7 is still a fantastic choice and more than enough watch for most people. This version offers the tougher Sapphire glass, so you won’t have to worry about scratches as much. And it provides solar charging, which promised 22 days of battery life in smartwatch mode when it gets access to enough sun. As with most Garmin watches, it features an accurate heart rate monitor and GPS, along with a long list of data collection and fitness tracking features.

Even more Garmin watches on sale:

• Garmin Forerunner 45 $129.99 (was $199.99)
• Garmin Forerunner 245 $199.99 (was $299.99)
• Garmin Forerunner 745 $349.99 (was $499.99)
• Garmin epix (Gen 2) – Sapphire Edition | 47 mm $799.99 (was $999.99)
• Garmin Instinct 2 Solar – Surf Edition $349.99 (was $448.99)
• Garmin Instinct 2S Solar $349.99 (was $449.99)
• Garmin Instinct Solar – Standard Edition $319.99 (was $399.99)
• Garmin Venu 2 Plus $299.99 (was $349.99)
• Garmin Venu Sq $119.99 (was $199.99)
• Garmin Vivoactive 4 $199.99 (was $329.99)
• Garmin tactix Delta $699.99 (was $899.99)
• Garmin tactix Delta – Solar edition $899.99 (was $1,099.99)
• Garmin quatix 7 Sapphire Edition $799.99 (was $999.99)
• Garmin Approach S12 $149.99 (was $199.99)
• Garmin Approach S42 $249.99 (was $299.99)
• Garmin D2 Mach 1 $1,199.99 (was $1,299.99)
• Garmin D2 Air X10 $499.99 (was $549.99)

More Garmin products on sale:

• Garmin inReach Messenger $249.00 (was $299.99)
• Garmin inReach Mini 2 $349.99 (was $399.99)
• Garmin Approach R10 $549.99 (was $599.99)
• Garmin Striker Cast $129.99 (was $179.99)
• Garmin Striker Plus 4 $139.99 (was $159.99)

Garmin software updates

On top of running sales on many of its watches, Garmin has also announced a software update for the Enduro 2, epix (Gen 2), fēnix 7 series, Forerunner series, Instinct 2 series, and MARQ (Gen 2) watches. This update will include the addition of wrist-based running dynamics such as cadence, stride length, ground contact time, and more. These metrics will be measured right from the wrist, so you won’t need to purchase additional accessories if you are interested in that information.

The free software update also provides a Load Ratio to help you stay in shape and acclimation improvements to assist with altitude acclimation. Garmin also added an obstacle racing activity to keep track of your run time, the number of obstacles, heart rate, and more during obstacle course events. It will also record split times between running and obstacle sections during races. Finally, Targeted Adaptive Coaching for Cycling is now available. This will provide a week of daily suggested cycling workouts directly on the watch, which adapt to your performance and upcoming events that you add to your Gamin Connect calendar.

These updates have already started to roll out to compatible devices. You can update your new smartwatch by turning on automatic updates and syncing with Garmin Connect or by using Garmin Express. Don’t let these prices pass you by (but if they do, it’s probably because they have been training with a Garmin watch)!

The post Up your summer fitness with $200 off select Garmin smartwatches appeared first on Popular Science.

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Garmin is well known for its expansive list of rugged fitness watches, with multiple lines specifically tailored to different activity types. And now, the options for adventurers and serious endurance athletes are even more extensive with the announcement of updated Pro versions of the epix and fēnix 7 watches. 

Most of the updates to these premium next-gen. multisport watches are incremental software changes, such as more activity types and new fitness measurement tools. But there are also a few notable hardware and build upgrades, including a new size option and AMOLED display for the epix Pro and an LED flashlight in all three sizes of both the epix Pro and fēnix 7 Pro. Both watches will also benefit from trickle-down features from the new Forerunners.

Garmin epix Pro details

Garmin just debuted its epix 2 line of watches last year. Despite how new the series is, the company is rolling out some worthwhile updates to make it even better in a new Pro version. With vibrant metrics-rich watch faces and extensive sensors/navigation features in a sleek body, the epix Pro remains a great choice for boardroom-to-backcountry adventures and weekend warriors, from climbers and mountaineers to ultra-marathon trail runners. 

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epix Pro and build changes

The epix came in two sizes—42mm and 47mm—while the Pro version adds a 52mm option for those who really want a statement piece on their wrist. The larger size offers more than just a dramatic look, however. Garmin packed extra battery into the 52mm version, which promises up to 31 days of battery life in smartwatch mode. The 42mm and 47mm both should provide 10 and 16 days of battery life, respectively. 

Like the epix Gen. 2, the Garmin epix Pro will be available in Standard Edition, which features Corning Gorilla Glass and stainless steel case, or the Sapphire Edition, which uses a more durable Sapphire lens and titanium case. And all three sizes get an even brighter upgraded AMOLED display for a colorful, detail-packed watch face. 

All three sizes will offer an LED flashlight, which can vary in intensity and features a strobe mode. We were glad to see the flashlight included even on the smallest watch since it is a potentially game-changing feature. It can illuminate your path while trail running or hiking in the dark and help others see you, which is invaluable if exercising near a road. 

The epix Pro also gets an updated and optimized heart rate sensor. Garmin didn’t provide any information on what exactly that means, but it says these changes will provide “enhanced multisport performance tracking.”

Fitness tracking features

Garmin watches are already robust in their fitness tracking abilities, but the company is not one to just let things be. The epix Pro will offer new activities, which include team sports such as soccer, basketball, and racquet sports, as well as horseback riding and more.

Beyond new tracking modes, Garmin also created new training features. Hill Score gives you a better idea of how your training impacts your ability to run uphill. Uphill segments are automatically detected and analyzed, and that information is combined with other physiological metrics to provide a score from one to 100. It even breaks the score down into Hill Endurance and Hill Strength, which reflect short, fast efforts versus long, sustained climbs. And it offers feedback to improve your training over time. 

The second new feature—Endurance score—looks beyond your VO2 Max, giving a more personalized look at your fitness. It analyzes both short-term and long-term endurance training and takes into account all types of activity, not just running or cycling. And, like Hill Score, it provides training feedback to help you understand your score.

Additional new features

The Garmin epix Pro will provide a unique Red Shift Mode, which changes the display to shares of red. This lessens the impact on your vision when looking at your watch in the dark and reduces any sleep cycle disturbance you might get from the standard display. You can manually turn on this display mode or schedule it to automatically turn on and off based on sunset and sunrise time. And you can even select certain activities that automatically use Red Shift Mode.

Up Ahead mode will allow you to view running points of interest, such as checkpoints and aid stations, right on the map. This allows you to better understand what’s in front of you and plan accordingly on your race or activity. 

The last feature those navigating the backcountry will especially appreciate is the new weather map overlays and relief shading on topographic maps. The weather overlays can display temperature, precipitation, and cloud cover, to help you make more informed decisions on the go. And relief shading will assist in navigation. You can also opt into Outdoor Maps+ for even more map content, including satellite imagery and more detailed maps.  

Garmin epix Pro pricing & availability

The epix Pro is available for purchase as of today, starting at $899.99.

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Garmin fēnix 7 Pro details

Like the epix Pro, most changes to the fēnix 7 Pro are smaller software additions. The fēnix 7 Pro still comes in 42mm, 47mm, or 51mm sizes, though you no longer have the option of a version without solar charging. You can, however, choose between Standard Solar or Sapphire Solar, depending on how robust you want your watch face. 

Like many of Garmin’s new watches lately, including the Instinct 2X, the fēnix 7 Pro will feature an LED flashlight in all sizes. It offers a broad pattern, variable intensities, red safety light, and strobe mode. 

New training features

The fēnix 7 Pro also gets a new heart rate sensor. Garmin says this next-gen sensor utilizes “more spatially diverse optical sensors and sport-specific algorithms.” It should provide even better performance tracking for more activities, giving you even more accurate insight into your training. 

Like the epix Pro, the fēnix 7 Pro will also get the new Endurance Score and Hill Score for better endurance training insight. It also gets its share of new activities, including white water rafting, motocross, overlanding, and dozens more. And the watch will provide access to the weather map overlays, new relief shading, and Up Ahead mode.

Garmin fēnix 7 Pro pricing and availability

All versions of the fēnix 7 Pro are available for purchase at a starting price of $799.99.

The post Garmin’s newest smartwatches are even more adventure-ready appeared first on Popular Science.

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The unofficial kickoff to summer is a great time to get active, indoors or out. The warmer weather invites barbecues and relaxation. So whether you’re training for a race, looking to get out on the water for the first time, or improving your putt, these Memorial Day fitness deals will help you prepare, have fun, and save money while you’re doing it.

Aquaglide Deschutes Inflatable Kayak $543.89 (was $679.99)

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Inflatable kayaks are appealing because they’re generally much easier to transport than traditional models. But you shouldn’t have to sacrifice performance for portability. Aquaglide’s Deschutes Inflatable Kayak provides a solution: It’s both a cinch to toss into your car and includes features that paddlers are looking for. Plus, it’s currently available at its lowest price in months—just in time for the weather and waters to warm up.

This single-person kayak weighs just 18 pounds and fits into an included duffle bag. You’ll need a 12-volt air pump to inflate the three chambers of this open cockpit model, which is not included. Once inflated, this 11-foot kayak is designed with handles for carrying, a cushioned, quick-release seat, and adjustable footrests for a comfortable ride. The package also includes a quick-release fin, cockpit drain, and repair kit should you encounter rough waters. 

More outdoor fitness deals

• Strata Men’s Complete Golf Set $254.15 (was $299.99)
• Intex Challenger Kayak, Inflatable Kayak Set with Aluminum Oars and High Output Air-Pump $121.44 (was $138.99)
• GT Men’s Aggressor Pro Mountain Bike $299.98 (was $799.98)
• GT Laguna Pro Mountain Bike $299.98  (was $799.98)
• GoSports Golf Putting Green for Indoor & Outdoor Putting Practice $301.68 (was $349.99)
• Airhead Super Mable, 1-3 Rider Towable Tube for Boating $256.99 (was $541.99)
• Skywalker Trampolines Epic Series 15′ Rectangle Trampoline $800 (was $899.99)
• BCAN 40/48″ Foldable Mini Trampoline $105.99 with coupon (was $139.99)
• Franklin Sports Fun 5 Combo Outdoor Game Set $23.75 (was $54.99)
• VSSAL Portable All-in-One Badminton, Pickleball and Kids’ Volleyball Net Set $159.99 with coupon (was $169.99) 
• Seray Basketball Hoop with 4.8-10 Foot Height Adjustable for Kids/Adults $155.99 with coupon (was $189.99)

Best home gym equipment deals

• Bowflex T22 Treadmill $2,499 (was $3,599)
• NordicTrack Commercial Series Treadmill + 30-Day iFit Membership $2,299 (was $2,499)
• Hydrow Wave Rower $1,695 (was $1,895)
• Sunny Health & Fitness Space Efficient Multi-Function Magnetic Rowing Machine $169.98 (was $329.99)
• RHYTHM FUN Treadmill Folding Treadmill Desk Treadmill $849.15 (was $999)
• UREVO URTM012 3 in 1 Under Desk Walking Treadmill with Removable Desk $399.99 with coupon (was $499.99)
• UREVO URTM013 Walking Pad, 2 in 1 Under Desk Treadmill with Remote Control, LED Display $299 with coupon (was $389.99)
• Inspire Fitness FT1 Functional Trainer – Compact At Home Workout Machine $2,159.20 (was $2,499)
• FLYBIRD Weight Bench $119.99 (was $239.99)
• Sunny Health & Fitness Evolution Pro Magnetic Belt Drive Indoor Exercise Cycling Bike $720 with coupon (was $849.99)
• Tempo Studio $1,695 (was $2,495)
• Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells $379 (was $549)
• ProsourceFit Slam Medicine Balls $25.19 (was $27.99)
• Bowflex SelectTech Curl Bar $449 (was $749)

Best smartwatch and wearable deals

• Apple Watch Series 8 [GPS + Cellular 45mm] Smart Watch w/Midnight Aluminum Case $459 (was $529)
• SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch Pro 5 45mm LTE Smartwatch $429.99 (was $499.99)
• SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 5 40mm Bluetooth Smartwatch $229.99 (was $279.99)
• Garmin epix Gen 2 $699.99 (was $899.99)
• Garmin Vivoactive 4 $199.99 (was $329.99) 
• Garmin fenix 7 Sapphire Solar Adventure Smartwatch $699.99 (was $899.99)
• Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) $204.99 (was $299)
• Amazfit Band 5 Activity Fitness Tracker $29.95 (was $39.99)

Best fitness accessories

• iGPSPORT iGS630 Bike Computer $169.99 (was $199.99)
• Hypervolt Go 2 Handheld Percussion Massage Gun $125.99 (was $199)
• TOLOCO Massage Gun, Muscle Massage Gun Deep Tissue for Athletes $39.99 with coupon (was $99.99)
• Everest Mini Hiking Pack, Dark Gray/Black, One Size $13.02 (was $14.60)
• Retrospec Solana 1 inch Yoga Mat $33.79 (was $39.99)
• Etekcity Scale for Body Weight and Fat Percentage $23.99 (was $29.99) 
• TRAKK – Multi Speed & Mode Deep Tissue Massage Roller $39.99 (was $69.99)
• Hydro Flask Standard Mouth Bottle with Flex Cap $27 (was $34.95)

The post The best Memorial Day fitness deals let you jump into summer activities and save appeared first on Popular Science.

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This near-mint 2021 Apple Watch Series 7 brings notifications, health information, and more right to your wrist for only $327.99—that’s 36 percent off its original price. 

From workouts to busy work days to running errands, an Apple Watch may make your life a little bit easier. These smartwatches go several steps beyond telling time to deliver notifications, collect health information, and so much more.

Avoid the hefty price tag by grabbing a high-quality, refurbished watch. Get a near-mint Apple Watch Series 7 (2021) for only $327.99 (reg. $529).

Revolutionize your watch experience

Apple describes the Series 7 as the most durable Apple Watch built to its creation date. The redesigned watch has extra watch face options, faster charging, and an improved WatchOS. Use new features like additional fitness tracking, a mindfulness app, and more.

The Series 7 also has a larger, always-on Retina display to make it easier to see the time, notifications, or any of your apps. Here are just some of the things you could do with your watch:

• Track workouts and get data like your heart rate, step count, measured distance, and even personalized reminders to stay active.
• Monitor other health information like your blood oxygen level, take an ECG, use sleep-tracking apps, and get reminders to take medications or wash your hands.
• Receive and respond to notifications, messages, or answer phone calls right from your wrist.
• Access reminders and calendar events without having to pull out your phone.
• Listen to music during your workouts by syncing your earbuds right to your watch. Leave your iPhone behind and control songs from your wrist.
• Make purchases with Apple Pay by tapping your watch for payment.

This specific watch is powered by either WiFi or cellular connections. Enjoy the full functionality of your watch anywhere you can get cell service or WiFi.

Excellent quality and price

You may be a little skeptical about purchasing a refurbished device, but this watch boasts an impressive Grade ‘A’ rating. That means it will arrive in near-mint condition with minimal or zero scuffing on its exterior. Essentially, you get a high-quality device while saving nearly 40 percent of its retail cost.

Take it from one verified buyer, who raved, “I love everything about this watch. I had a first-generation Apple Watch for many years and finally decided to upgrade. I’m very happy I did.”

Meet your new companion: an Apple Watch Series 7 (2021) with Silicone Band, Grade A Refurbished for only $327.99 (reg. $529).

Prices subject to change.

The post Grab a near-mint Apple Watch Series 7 for only $330 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Smartwatches are a handy way to keep weather notifications, health tracking, texts, and music accessible without taking your phone out of your pocket. If you have an iPhone, there’s no better choice than the Apple Watch, which easily syncs to your phone and other Apple devices. Our favorite starter Apple Watch—the Apple Watch SE—is on sale today, warranting you some savings.

Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) [GPS 40mm] $219 (Was $249)

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If you don’t need a blood oxygen sensor like in the Apple Watch 8 or the ultra-long battery life of the Apple Watch Ultra, the Watch SE is the best choice. The 2nd-gen. SE comes in two varieties, appropriately: a GPS and cellular variety (also on sale for $299) and one that just comes with GPS, on sale for $219. As an Apple Watch makes a great fitness tracker, we also like pairing one with our favorite headphones for working out—luckily, the Apple Beats Fit Pro earbuds are also on sale.

Like we say in our Apple Watch comparison explainer, “If you just want an Apple Watch that works, and you don’t necessarily care about getting every kind of data, the SE 2 is probably the move.”

You know what’s also the move? Snagging this deal before it ends.

Here are more Apple, smartwatch, and electronics deals that are the apple of our eyes:

• Apple AirPods Max $479.99 (Was $549)
• Apple 2021 iMac All-in-one Desktop Computer with M1 chip $1,199 (Was $1,299)
• Apple Studio Display-Standard Glass $1,499 (Was $1,599)
• Apple 2023 Mac Mini Desktop Computer M2 Pro Chip, 512 SSD $1,199 (Was $1,299)
• Apple 2023 Mac Mini Desktop Computer M2 Chip, 256 SSD $559 (Was $599)
• Apple 2023 Mac Mini Desktop Computer M2 Chip, 512 SSD $749 (Was $799)
• Fitbit Charge 5 $109 (Was $149.95)
• Fitbit Sense 2 $244 (Was $299.95)
• Fitbit Luxe $89.95 (Was $129.95)
• Fitbit Versa 4 159.95 (Was $199.95)
• Google Pixel Watch (LTE) $329.99 (Was $399.99)
• Google Pixel Watch (WiFi) $299.99 (Was $349.99)
• Garmin Vivoactive 4 $199.99 (Was $329.99)
• SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 5 40mm LTE $249.99 (Was $329.99)
• SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 5 44mm LTE $279 (Was $359.99)

The post Get an Apple Watch SE for less than $250 on Amazon appeared first on Popular Science.

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There aren’t many smartwatches that can stand toe-to-toe with the Apple Watch, but Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 5 is one of those exceptions. The sleek-looking digital timepiece can also display notifications and continuously record key health metrics without intervention, bringing the kind of integration that iOS users are used to over to the Android ecosystem. The best part is that you can snag this smartwatch for $219—its lowest price ever—if you shop at Amazon right now.

SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 5 (40mm), $219 (Was $279.99)

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One of the Galaxy Watch 5’s greatest strengths is that it doesn’t look like a piece of tech at first glance. Watches are fashion accessories regardless of functionality, and subtlety works in Samsung’s favor. This smartwatch’s 1.2-inch color display is large enough that you should be able to easily read text without feeling like you’re carrying a boat on your wrist. The screen is made of scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass, so it shouldn’t chip if you accidentally bump your wrist against a desk or dumbbell. You can change its watch faces and bands to suit your mood or the occasion, too.

Aesthetics are important, but the Galaxy Watch 5’s tech features help it stand out the most. Samsung says its sensors can analyze your sleep and recommend changes to help you get more rest. Additional sensors can track your heart rate, BMI, body water level, basal metabolic rate, blood pressure, and more. If you’re exercising, the Galaxy Watch 5 can automatically assess how you’re working out and accurately track how many calories you’ve burned based on the activity.

If you’re trying to improve your health or want to know what time it is without pulling out your phone, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 5 is an excellent option at this price. Just be mindful that it can only be paired with Android devices, which means it’s incompatible with the iPhone.

If you’re already happy with what’s on your wrist, here are some more deals to accessorize your home:

• Ninja CREAMi, $199 (Was $239)
• Edifier R1280DB Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers, $134.99 (Was $149.99)
• Blink Mini, $45.99 (Was $69.99)
• Blink Outdoor (3rd Gen) + Solar Panel Charging Mount, $90.99 (Was $129.98)
• Fire TV Stick 4K, $31.99 (Was $49.99)
• Beelink MINIS 12 Mini PC, $159.20 (Was $219)
• SAMSUNG PRO Endurance 128GB MicroSDXC Memory Card, $15.36 (Was $27.99)
• SAMSUNG T7 Portable SSD 500GB, $59.99 (Was $94.99)
• AcuRite Iris (5-in-1) Indoor/Outdoor Wireless Weather Station $119.99 (Was $172.79)
• AcuRite Digital Weather Forecaster $29.10 (Was $53.99)
• NutriBullet ZNBF30500Z Blender Combo 1200 Watt $103 (Was $149)
• Vitamix 5200 Blender Professional-Grade, Self-Cleaning 64 oz Container $379 (Was $549)
• De’Longhi EC9355M La Specialista Prestigio Espresso Machine $699 (Was $899)

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The Apple Watch is still far and away the most popular line of wearable devices in the world. According to analyst Counterpoint Research, it accounted for more than 30 percent of all smartwatches sold in 2021. The wider range of Apple Watches also contains the best overall smartwatches you can get right now if you’re looking for a “lifestyle” watch that blends fitness tracking, health features, and a secondary interface for notifications, texts, and calls from your phone. In 2022, however, Apple completely overhauled the Apple Watch line with a wave of three new models: the standard Apple Watch Series 8, the budget-friendly second-generation Apple Watch SE, and a new high-end sports watch, the Apple Watch Ultra. Between those three and all of the past models, which you can still find at Amazon and other retailers, you have many options if you’re considering your first Apple Watch or upgrading from an older design. Before you commit to putting a new computer on your wrist, we’ve put together this Apple Watch comparison to help you figure out how to pick the right one for you.

Apple Watch SE 2 vs. Series 8 vs. Ultra

For the most part, we think it’s prudent to focus on Apple’s current set of Watches. They have the latest and greatest tech inside—perfect to pair with that new iPhone 14 Pro Max. All three 2022 watches—even the relatively affordable SE—feature the same processor and motion sensors that enable car crash detection. The 2022 models will also get more watchOS software updates down the road, which means you can hold onto one (or more) longer before your Watch needs replacing. From cheapest to most expensive, here are the three current options and why you may or may not want them:

Apple Watch SE 2

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The newly remodeled Apple Watch SE is the budget-conscious choice. Starting at $249 for GPS or $299 for a cellular model, it offers much of the core functionality of the standard Apple Watch line, but it’s slightly smaller than the other recent Apple Watches. Its 40mm and 44mm face options match the Apple Watch 6. It also lacks some of the line’s more advanced sensors and features, including a blood oxygen sensor, temperature sensors, or an “always-on” display that keeps the screen partially lit even when it isn’t in use. It also cuts corners in other small ways compared to the standard Apple Watch, like ditching fast-charging.

At the same time, the second-generation SE comes closer to parity with the standard Apple Watch than the last generation. It features the same chipset inside and offers the same battery life. It offers the power and features to work effectively as a fitness tracker, sleep tracker, and iPhone companion device for most people. And it costs substantially less. If you just want an Apple Watch that works, and you don’t necessarily care about getting every kind of data, the SE 2 is probably the move.

Apple Watch Series 8

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In my mind, the Apple Watch Series 8 is the best smartwatch for most people. It offers a wide array of features, including nuanced tracking features for fitness and your overall health. Its upgraded sensor array allows it to track ECG-based heart rate readings, blood oxygen levels, and skin temperature as a means to monitor ovulation and provide enhanced menstrual cycle tracking. It also features a constellation of quality-of-life advantages over the SE 2, like a bigger case size—41mm and 45mm—with a larger, always-on display, which makes it easier to type on and check at a glance.

Starting at $399 for GPS or $499 for Cellular, the Apple Watch Series 8 is the definitive Apple Watch experience. If you plan to use the Apple Watch to monitor your health, the advanced sensors will make a notable difference in what you can track. Even on its most basic level, though, the improved screen, fast-charging, and other small improvements over the SE makes the Watch Series 8 more effective as a half-step for monitoring activity on your phone without actually stopping to pull it out.

Apple Watch Ultra

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The Apple Watch Ultra is the most powerful Apple Watch and, frankly, will be overkill for most people. The $799 Apple Watch Ultra is an outdoor-focused “sport” watch, similar to many of Garmin’s high-end wearables. Unlike the other Apple Watches, it’s only in one size—a huge 49mm case—with cellular support and dual-frequency GPS built in. It features a thicker, more durable build with a redesigned digital crown and an extra “Action” button to quickly start workouts and toggle other functions. 

The Ultra gets double the battery life of the other 2022 Apple Watches—36 hours versus 18 hours on the Series 8 and SE—which is great for everyone, but many of its features are designed for athletes and outdoorsy folk dealing with harsh conditions. Its powerful built-in speakers enable a loud SOS siren if you get lost in the woods. Improved waterproofing, certifications, and a dedicated app qualify it as a diving computer. The three-microphone array is burlier than normal to improve call clarity in situations with power interference from blizzards and powerful winds. It even has specialty bands for specific activities like diving and endurance training.

Given the difference in price and specificity of its feature set, you should only consider getting the Apple Watch Ultra if you are either a serious athlete or a fan of outdoor activities that require specialized equipment like climbing, off-trail hiking, and diving. If that sounds like your speed, you’re better off comparing the Apple Watch Ultra to the best Garmin smartwatches, as well as top picks from other brands like Suunto.

What about the older Apple Watches?

Though Apple’s lineup is limited to those three watches, there are still plenty of ways to get your hands on an older-model Apple Watch. If you aren’t concerned with getting a handful of new features in the Series 8, such as low-power mode, Car Crash Detection, and temperature sensors for ovulation tracking, the Apple Watch Series 7 is still a very appealing, very viable option. Likewise, the Apple Watch Series 6 gives you most of the same functionality as the Series 7 and Series 8, though you’ll be stuck with a smaller display, which makes a bigger difference than you think.

I would not recommend going further back than the Series 6 at this point. Independent of the features you’ll lose access to model by model, the older Apple Watches inevitably offer shorter lifespans. With every new version of watchOS, the Apple Watch’s operating system, the company will inevitably shut off support for each older watch, leaving you without access to new software-enabled features and security updates. It may be cheaper, but we can’t recommend you buy an Apple Watch Series 4, knowing that it will likely become obsolete in less than 12 months. And suppose you’re using an Apple Watch Series 3, which Apple sold until earlier this year but stopped supporting with watchOS 9. In that case, you should consider upgrading soon to ensure your watch remains secure, especially if you use it for Apple Pay.

What size watch face should you get?

The new Apple Watch SE offers two case sizes, 40mm and 44mm. Series 8 features a larger size range at 41mm and 45mm. The Apple Watch Ultra comes in a single, extra-large 49mm size. Though it sounds small, even a 1mm difference can feel quite striking on your wrist and looks substantially larger.

If you’re unsure what size would feel right, we recommend going to an Apple store or other retailer and trying all sizes on to see what feels right. If one Watch feels noticeably better than the others, go with it. A bigger screen is an upgrade, but it won’t matter if the Watch feels bulky or uncomfortable on your wrist. 

Which Apple smartwatch is the best fitness tracker?

The Apple Watch Ultra has special features that make it the best fitness tracker for certain kinds of athletes and workouts. The action button on the side of the watch makes it easier to switch between legs of a race or training if you’re in the middle of a multi-phase workout, for example. It also offers superior GPS for more accurate tracking while using the Apple Watch’s “Race Route” feature to create and follow a work routine.

That said, in terms of heart tracking and data collection, the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra feature the same sensors for tracking your heart rate and movement. If you’re looking for a watch to bring to the gym or track your outdoor runs, the Series 8 is probably the right call.

Is the stainless steel Apple Watch upgrade worth it?

In addition to the standard recycled aluminum body, you can pay extra for an Apple Watch Series 8 made from stainless steel. The Apple Watch Ultra features a highly durable titanium body. Both metals are tougher than aluminum and won’t scratch or dent as easily. Perhaps more importantly, the stainless steel Series 8 and the Ultra come with an extra-hard sapphire crystal over the display. Having worn both models extensively, I can say that the sapphire crystal upgrade clearly resists scratches and damage better than the Ion-X glass used in the standard Series 8 and SE 2 displays. We haven’t had any problems with scratches or breakage with the Ion-X glass, though, so it isn’t a huge concern if you’re not putting it in harm’s way regularly. 

Of course, that extra durability—and the additional colorways—will cost you. The stainless steel case models start at $699, and the Apple Watch Ultra costs $799. If you plan to keep one watch for a long time, the additional durability may be worth it. That said, you shouldn’t worry about your watch being highly fragile if you don’t.

Do you need cellular data on the Apple Watch?

When making your own Apple Watch comparison, whether or not you need cellular data is a major feature difference between models. The Watch itself costs more with cellular built-in: it’s a $50 premium for the SE and an extra $100 on the Series 8. Then you’ll have to factor in the cost of the data itself. Most carriers will charge you about $10 per month extra to add basic data to your Watch. Check with your carrier for compatibility before making a purchase. 

That extra expense may be worth it for some people because it allows them to use many Apple Watch features without lugging around an iPhone. So, if you run without a phone, you can still make calls and listen to music from streaming services. 

So, which Apple Watch should you buy?

I can think of many specific reasons to pick each of the newer Apple Watches. The Apple Watch SE 2 is cost-effective and does most of the things you really need. The Apple Watch Series 8 is the best complement to everyday life and offers all kinds of sensors for advanced health and fitness tracking. For the right kind of hiker/athlete/diver/outdoorsman who wants the very best Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Ultra delivers incredible utility and best-in-class versions of core functions like GPS and battery life.

Without any information about you, dear reader, we think the Apple Watch Series 8 offers the best balance between price and functionality. If that doesn’t ring true, if there are things you really want (or don’t want) that steer you to another watch, we totally get it. That’s why we made this Apple Watch comparison. The important thing is finding the Apple Watch that fits your life.

The post Apple Watch comparison: Which one is right for you? appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

A TEACHER PET		Little Tikes Tobi Robot Smartwatch		SEE IT	A handy learning tool disguised as a digital pet.
A MONSTER DEAL		VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX3		SEE IT	Fun features without the high price tag make this smartwatch a smart buy.
KEEP KIDS ON TRACK		Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3		SEE IT	A stylish activity monitor that counts sheep, strides, and strokes.

The best technology grants us the freedom to work and play whenever and wherever we want. Smartwatches embody this idea. They allow us to keep track of our activities and alerts pretty much anywhere—sometimes even underwater. Waterproofing technology allows top smartwatches to function through all types of weather, whether we’re caught in an unexpected downpour or jumping into the shower, swimming pool, or even the ocean. The best waterproof smartwatch operates safely and helps keep you connected no matter where the day takes you.

• Best overall: Apple Watch Series 8
• Best tactical: Garmin fenix 7X Pro Solar
• Best for kids: Garmin vivofit jr. 3
• Best Android: SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch Active2
• Best fitness tracker: Fitbit Sense 2

How we picked the best waterproof smartwatches

Waterproof smartwatches are a topic we really enjoy, well, diving into. With avid swimmers, cyclists, runners, hikers, and just general outdoors enthusiasts on the staff, we have a lot of experience with watches that can handle the elements. We combined these first-hand perspectives with peer recommendations and other real-world impressions, plus scoured critical reviews and specs sheets, to come up with the best waterproof smartwatches you can buy today.

The best waterproof smartwatches: Reviews & Recommendations

A great waterproof smartwatch will withstand the pressures of water and your level of activity. It won’t be daunted by rain, sleet, or snow, or by a spontaneous trip to splash in the ocean. On top of how much water it will resist, the best waterproof smartwatch can also help you track your own hydration and other levels that will keep you in optimal physical and mental health while out adventuring. The right timepiece for you will always keep pace. Here are some suggestions.

Best overall: Apple Watch Series 8

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: The latest in the Apple Watch Series features crash detection, always-on display, sophisticated health tracking and more.

Specs

• Sizes: 41mm, 45mm
• Battery life: Up to 18 hours
• Swimproof? Yes

Pros

• Alerts first responders in case of emergency
• Provides ECG testing and blood oxygen level testing
• Water-, dust-, and crack-resistant

Cons

• Expensive

Whether you jump into a project or a pool, the Apple Watch Series 8 can handle it. This waterproof smartwatch can sync seamlessly to your iPhone, use apps to measure your vitals, and keep you moving. This new model also helps keep you healthy: It comes with new crash and fall detection features that will alert emergency services in the case of an accident. It will also keep tabs on your blood oxygen level, and alert you to irregular heart rhythms. It also comes with built-in gyroscope and compass and up to 18 hours of battery life. If you’re spending extended periods in liquid, however, it’s best to opt for the sports band that is made from a soft, silicone rubber because it has a little stretch, making it comfortable to wear during activity. Or if you’re serious about endurance sports or off-the-grid adventures, take it up a notch with the Apple Watch Ultra—read more here.

Best tactical: Garmin fenix 7X Pro Solar

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Why it made the cut: The Garmin fenix 7X Pro is designed with sophisticated map features, comes with GPS and a built-in LED flashlight and tracks health metrics, and is solar-powered.

Specs

• Sizes: 42,mm, 47mm, 51mm
• Battery life: Up to 122 hours in direct sunlight
• Swimproof? No

Pros

• Compass, altimeter, and sophisticated mapping built in
• Water-resistant
• Long-lasting solar charging power
• Comes with features to optimize performance in a range of sports

Cons

• Pricey
• Rugged looking for everyday use

This fully-loaded Garmin tactical smartwatch is rated at 10ATM, meaning you could take it just about anywhere but diving (there are even surfing-specific features). It can survive drops and submersion, offers advanced health monitoring features to keep tabs on your blood oxygen saturation levels, altitude, sleep, and pace planning. Features to note include Multi-GNSS tracking, plus maps for at-a-glance navigation. While expensive, this solar tactical smartwatch extends the already long battery life by recharging while on your wrist for weeks of life (or days if GPS is constantly running). Garmin has numerous waterproof sports watches to choose from (including the Instinct 2 Solar we reviewed). However, if you covet the Apple Watch’s AMOLED screen and are willing to put up with “only” about two weeks of battery life at a time, the perfect choice is the epix Gen. 2, which puts all the features of the fenix 7 behind a vivid always-on display shielded by sapphire glass.

Best for kids: Garmin vivofit jr. 3

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Why it made the cut: Kids are excited to wear this fun series of watches that helps them learn how to create healthy habits.  

Specs

• Sizes: One, with adjustable band
• Battery life: Up to a year before requires replacement
• Swimproof? Yes

Pros

• Models feature Marvel’’s Spider Man and Disney princesses 
• Comes with built-in adventures for kids 
• Tracks soccer games and provides step competitions

Cons

• Kids may quickly outgrow

Get your kid excited about swimming with the Garmin vivofit jr. 3. This smartwatch comes with a bright display with multiple faces and a range of fun designs, including Marvel and Disney characters to make the tracking more fun. These smartwatches are waterproof and will help your kids learn healthy habits, and will also let you keep tabs on their steps and sleep.

Best for Android: SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch Active 2

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Why it made the cut: This Android watch comes with pace coaching, monitors your heart rate, tracks your sleep, and you can choose from a range of bands and faces.

Specs

• Sizes: 40mm, 44mm
• Battery life: Days on a single charge
• Swimproof? Yes

Pros

• Also compatible with Apple
• Comes with voice assistant, Bixby
• Sleek design
• Tracks workouts, heart health, and sleep

Cons

• Not super rugged
• Yes

This stylish smartwatch is also resilient, rated at 5ATM and IP68 (meaning it can withstand dust, dirt, and sand, and is resistant to submersion up to a maximum depth of 1.5m underwater for up to 30 minutes). So, whether you accidentally drop it in the pool or intentionally wear it while doing a pike and tuck, the SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch Active2 can survive and thrive. And its digital dial makes it easy to navigate menus full of options for activity tracking and smart assistants, as this smartwatch can connect to almost any phone and extend its connectivity and controls (though, it should be noted, iPhone users will have access to fewer features than Android users).

Best fitness tracker: Fitbit Sense 2

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Why it made the cut: Fitbit’s most advanced smartwatch goes deep on sleep and other health metrics and comes with stress management features.

Specs

• Sizes: Adjustable wristband
• Battery life: Up to 6 days on a single charge
• Swimproof? Yes

Pros

• Works with Apple and Android
• Built-in GPS
• Sophisticated sleep and stress tracking

Cons

• Doesn’t come with the fitness activities other smartwatches do

Swimproof to 50 meters, so you can track laps or just splash around with your kid wearing the similarly equipped Fitbit Ace 3, this fully loaded watch takes fitness and wellness tracking to the next level—monitoring heart rate, skin temperature, oxygen saturation, workout intensity, and more to help you meet your goals. From electrodermal activity to an ECG app, it’s tracking your body’s rhythms and stress—useful information to help you and your doctor tweak your lifestyle. It’s packed with advice and enhancements, good on and off dry land.

What to consider when looking for the best waterproof smartwatches

With the unpredictability of life, everyone can benefit from the added protections found in waterproof smartwatches. While it’s easy to imagine the benefit for hiking and outdoor sports, waterproofing is a smart choice for added protection from far more typical activities like handwashing or gardening. Popular brands—including Apple, Samsung, Fitbit, and Garmin—all offer waterproofing features to boost their overall durability for their customers. Sport models offer even higher levels for outdoor lifestyle customers. LTE-enabled options can make calls and keep you connected without a phone, giving you even more freedom to dive headfirst into adventure. Consider your activities and choose your watch’s level of protection to match.

Travel plans

Whether your plans involve day-tripping into national parks or navigating much longer trips into the backcountry, there’s a level of preparedness that can match. If you’re only worried about getting caught in the rain, or maybe navigating a tricky creek crossing, you should look for a watch with a water rating of 5ATM (5 atmospheres), meaning it can withstand underwater pressures at a depth up to 50 meters. Accordingly, 10ATM and 20ATM correspond with 100 meters and 200 meters—appropriate if you plan to go from just hiking and fishing to sailing, surfing, or snorkeling. This waterproofing protects the full suite of sensors—including GPS, altimeters, barometers, and compasses—that can make a properly specced tactical smartwatch an integral part of an expedition.

Options for kids

If your electronics ended up near a pool, chances are you’d be conscious of whether to leave them safely in a car or locker. Your kid, however, just wants to jump right in. And if you tell them to take something off but look after it, chances are that something isn’t making it home. So a kid’s smartwatch needs to be inexpensive and durable. Luckily, brands have taken this into consideration and made their children’s smartwatches lower in price than their adult versions, but with some surprisingly handy features—like waterproofing. The best kids’ smartwatches are fun and encourage your child to keep moving. And they’re resilient enough to keep up with the child while tracking their health and whereabouts.

Need a watch to go from the workday to weekend?

If your work life is already deeply integrated with Apple’s ecosystem, it makes sense to opt for an Apple Watch to maintain and even increase your productivity. As with most Apple products, they are designed to seamlessly work together, intuitively handing off apps, alerts, and data. On top of that, they’re water-resistant and look as much at home with a sports jacket as they do sportswear…as good with a three-piece suit as a swimsuit. The point is, an Apple Watch balances functionality and finesse.

Android v. Apple

Android smartwatches are offered by a variety of different brands, including TicWatch, Samsung, Fossil, Fitbit, Misfit, and more. Unlike the Apple Watch, Android smartwatch technology is conveniently compatible with both Android smartphones and Apple iPhones. The price point for Android’s best smartwatches varies depending on the number of features you are looking for, but is typically between $150 and $300. Due to the variety of manufacturers, you have a wider range of styles and looks than you do when purchasing the Apple Watch, including plenty designed to withstand the rigors of the office and the outdoors. 

Fitness tracking

When you look at the ratings of waterproof watches, you’re usually considering extreme circumstances. But if your main focus is fitness, considering the water-resistance of a best smartwatch makes sense because of one simple factor: sweat. You want a watch that can stand up to the most intense workout, rain or shine, while also obtaining vital readings such as skin temperature, oxygen saturation, breathing rate, and heart rate. Beyond protecting those sensors, you want the watch to keep running so it can play the music and podcast you need to keep motivated. 

FAQs

The final word on choosing the best waterproof smartwatches

Smartwatches can feel empowering, adding technology that allows wearers to track their vitals, fitness goals, sleep, and stress. Rugged smartwatches can be taken off the grid and offer users trackback maps and GPS-aided navigation, while simpler models help keep us all connected and motivated for a healthier active lifestyle. And the best waterproof smartwatches make sure that this motivation doesn’t end at the shoreline or when it rains. 

The post The best waterproof smartwatches of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

A TEACHER PET		Little Tikes Tobi Robot Smartwatch		SEE IT	A handy learning tool disguised as a digital pet.
A MONSTER DEAL		VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX3		SEE IT	Fun features without the high price tag make this smartwatch a smart buy.
KEEP KIDS ON TRACK		Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3		SEE IT	A stylish activity monitor that counts sheep, strides, and strokes.

Garmin is one of the most popular smartwatch makers in the world, largely due to the multinational GPS-enabled technology company’s focus on hyper-accurate fitness tracking. While Apple still holds 30% of the global market (and over 50% of its revenue), according to a February 2023 Counterpoint Research report, Garmin has achieved a position of prominence on people’s wrists from the boardroom to the backcountry. When it comes to premium multisport wearables, Garmin is the endurance athlete’s top choice because of the depth of activities supported and battery life that can outlast almost any adventure. We’ve pulled together several of the company’s most popular products to help you find the best Garmin smartwatch to fit your lifestyle, sense of style, and budget.   

• Best overall: Garmin fēnix 7 Sapphire Solar and Garmin epix (Gen. 2)
• Best running watch: Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar
• Best for hiking: Garmin Instinct Solar 2
• Best for diving: Garmin Descent G1 Solar
• Best fashion wearable: Garmin Venu 2
• Best budget watch for beginners: Garmin Vivoactive 4

How we chose the best Garmin smartwatches

All Garmin smartwatches provide a degree of wellness metering; they measure steps, monitor your heart rate, and generally check to make sure you’re still alive. But if you take your training seriously, the best smartwatches feature activity tracking, pulse oximeters to measure the oxygen in your blood, stress metering, energy-level monitoring, sleep trackers, customizable training regiments, and challenges designed to help you improve in your favorite sports. The Garmin Connect app syncs to your iOS and Android phones, providing access to customizable coaching and a community of athletes to compete with. If you’re serious about training, durability should also trump style. You don’t want it falling apart the first time you bang the watch against a machine at the gym, or you take a hit on the playing field. And if you’re a swimmer, your watch has to be waterproof, too. We took all these factors, and more, into consideration.

The best Garmin smartwatches for 2023: Reviews & Recommendations

Once you’ve considered your specific needs, it’s time to dig into the Garmin lineup. With multiple models in different lines—including sports & fitness, outdoor recreation, swimming, fashion, luxury, and more—there are plenty of options. Here are our top picks from several categories:

Best overall: Garmin fēnix 7 Sapphire Solar

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: If you want metrics that tell you if you’re in the weeds and guidance that helps you get out of the woods, the fēnix 7 Sapphire Solar can keep up with whatever you’re up to.

Specs

• Display: 1.3-inch sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP)
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Battery life with GPS: Up to 57 hours/73 hours with solar (GPS only mode)
• Weight: 2.68 ounces

Pros

• The battery life, which can stretch from many days to several months depending on usage and solar energy conditions
• Touchscreen and button navigation/controls
• The visibility in sunlight
• The durability of the titanium body and sapphire crystal

Cons

• Expensive
• Bulky

The Garmin fēnix 7 Sapphire Solar is perfect for gym rats, anyone who plays a wide variety of sports, and especially people who believe new terrain equals new gains. It tracks more activities than other watches and includes advanced training features like PacePro for grade-adjusted pace guidance throughout an activity. Plus, the heart monitor works underwater. Adventurous athletes will appreciate the preloaded TopoActive maps (updateable via Wi-Fi), ski maps for more than 2,000 ski resorts, and a multiband global navigation satellite system. Whether it’s jet lag or running laps, the sensor-packed smartwatch gives you insight into your body’s battery (tracking everything from heart rate and blood oxygen to respiration and sleep to stress and hydration). The downside: It’s predictably expensive and chunky. The upsides, though …

Watches need to be charged. Most of Garmin’s smartwatches plug into a wall via a proprietary multi-pin USB cable (don’t lose it!) that attaches to the back of the case. At the higher end of the product line, these watches run for about 26 hours under a constantly tracking GPS load or 173 days in battery-saver mode. However, if you’re someone who spends a lot of time outdoors—whether hiking, gardening, or running, for instance—Garmin’s solar watches can extend that time, well, almost indefinitely. Garmin uses what the company calls “Power Glass,” which is integrated behind tough Corning Gorilla Glass 3 in the standard Solar edition or Power Sapphire in the upgraded flagship (shown catching sunlight on a crisp January hike above), to turn a few hours of direct light into days of use. As a bonus, the Power Glass doesn’t take up real estate on the watch’s face, leaving ample room for all the other information Garmin’s watches provide. 

As its name suggests, the Garmin Solar watches can be powered by the sun; three hours of direct light is enough to keep one running. It’s a boon for outdoor enthusiasts, especially athletic ones who will appreciate the robust set of activity trackers, personal coaching, and other wellness features. It’s a great fitness watch, but the fēnix 7 Sapphire Solar isn’t the prettiest of Garmin’s premium products because it lacks the advanced AMOLED touchscreen found on the Garmin epix (Gen. 2)—though that vivid display (shown below on the same winter day in a bit of shade for comparison) means the epix can’t match the fēnix 7 in battery life even though it’s otherwise as full-featured. Though a week or two, depending on mode, ain’t bad and more than enough if most of your training and traveling centers around convenient recharging stations.  

Best running watch: Forerunner 955 Solar

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: The Forerunner 955 Solar offers excellent battery life with a seemingly endless list of features and capabilities, from training and safety tools to full smartwatch abilities and countless customization options. 

Specs

• Display: 1.3-inch transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP)
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Battery life with GPS: Up to 42 hours/49 hours with solar (GPS only mode)
• Weight: 1.86 ounces

Pros

• Long-lasting battery life
• A plethora of sensors for lots of data
• Full smartwatch capabilities
• Touchscreen

Cons

• Solar charging doesn’t add much to battery life

If you are serious about improvising your fitness and performance, a watch with many sensors is a must. There’s no such thing as too much data for such athletes. That’s where the Forerunner 955 Solar comes in. It’s jam-packed with just about every sensor you could imagine so that you can measure everything from heart rate to stride length and even REM sleep.

Garmin then uses all that data to provide training suggestions and status updates via the watch and the Garmin Connect app. It helps prevent overtraining, offers a rough guide for improving your performance, and suggests workout ideas to keep your training fresh (as we found out in our full review). Your Forerunner 955 can even give predictions on race times for different distances. It’s essentially like having a coach right there on your wrist (or in your pocket).

Beyond fitness tracking, the watch also pairs with your phone for full smartwatch capabilities. It will give you notifications for calls, texts, and all your apps and even let you send some preformatted responses right from the watch. And you’ll have access to important safety features for runners so that they can track your progress on an activity (LiveTrack), and you can quickly request help (Assistance).

Best for hiking: Instinct 2 Solar and Instinct 2S Solar

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Why it made the cut: The Instinct 2 Solar provides truly impressive battery life and rugged design for those who seek out long adventures.

Specs

• Display: 0.79 x 0.79-inch or 0.9 x 0.9-inch monochrome, sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP)
• Touchscreen: No
• Battery life with GPS: Up to 30 hours/48 hours with solar
• Weight: 1.52 ounces or 1.86 ounces

Pros

• Ridiculous battery life
• Available in two sizes
• Robust fitness tracking and health features
• Garmin Pay compatible

Cons

• Black and white display 
• Detailed maps and graphs don’t show up well

Hiking—especially long hikes and backpacking—requires more from a watch than many other activities. Battery life, in particular, is critical. Recording with GPS for long periods can eat through battery life, and having your hike recording disappear because of a dead battery is extremely frustrating. The Instinct 2 Solar attempts to solve this with its absurdly long battery life. For example, in Expedition mode, you can get up to 105 days of battery with the right solar conditions.

Part of the long battery life is thanks to the rather simple monochrome display. It’s not a fancy color touchscreen like some of the more premium Garmin watches, but it’s easily visible even in bright sunlight and fits the rugged design of the watch. Additionally, the Instinct Solar 2 comes in two case sizes: 40mm or 45mm. That’s especially ideal for those with tiny wrists who don’t want a giant watch (like me, for instance). And a newer Instinct 2X Solar has been released with a larger bezel for those who prefer a larger display and longer battery life, so now there are three size options within the family.

The watch comes with more basic sensors, including heart rate, barometric altimeter, accelerometer, thermometer, pulse ox monitor, compass, and a few GPS modes. Even though it doesn’t have as many sensors as the more expensive watches, it still provides training details, statuses, and suggestions to improve your fitness without thinking much about it. 

Best for diving: Garmin Descent G1 Solar

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Why it made the cut: The solar capabilities of the Descent G1 Solar prolong the battery life, allowing you to stay out longer while recording your dives. Plus, it offers a full suite of freediver-friendly features to keep you safe and help you improve your apnea performance. 

Specs

• Display: 0.9 x 0.9-inch monochrome, sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP)
• Touchscreen: No
• Battery life with GPS: Up to 26 hours/39 hours with solar
• Weight: 2.32 ounes

Pros

• Excellent battery life and fast charging
• Dive features are intuitive and easy to use
• Very customizable
• Pairs with other Garmin fitness devices like heart rate monitors and power meters

Cons

• Monochrome screen
• Not as sleek as the more premium Garmin dive watch

While most forms of exercise overlap with what you would want from a watch, diving presents a unique situation. Environmental conditions such as tide and weather are even more critical when diving, and different data types are useful to stay safe. The Garmin Descent G1 Solar is a robust and rugged dive computer and exercise watch that is water-rated to 100 meters. It’s the ideal tool for those who dive but don’t want a separate device for exercise on land.

This watch can keep you updated on the current tide, surf, and weather conditions, provides GPS coordinates of your surface entry and exit points, and can pair with the Garmin InReach communication device. All these features will help keep you safe even if you are in a remote location. Plus, you’ll get up to 25 hours of battery life in dive mode, so you won’t have to worry about your watch dying mid-dive session.

The Descent G1 Solar comes loaded with multiple types of diving, including single and multiple gas dives (including nitrox and trimix), gauge, apnea, apnea hunt, and closed-circuit rebreather. But it’s also ready for just about any other type of activity, from running to cycling and even hunting and yoga. My husband has been using this watch for six months and said it is a fantastic partner to have with you in the field (or in the water) on long days.

Best fashion wearable: Garmin Venu 2 

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Specs

• Display: 1.3-inch AMOLED optional always-on mode
• Touchscreen: No
• Battery life with GPS: Up to 22 hours (GPS without music); 11 days as just a smartwatch
• Weight: 1.73 ounces

Sometimes you want a smartwatch that is less focused on your workouts but can keep you up on work while you’re out. While keeping track of your steps, etc., is valuable, sometimes you want to control your watch and control your life. The Garmin Connect app allows the company’s watches to sync to iOS and Android phones via a robust Bluetooth connection. This opens up advanced wellness features and biometric tracking, as well as a way to further customize the watch’s features. But what I really love is how syncing the two lets me subtly check my messages and calendar alerts by simply glancing at my wrist. I can also control my music, navigate through a new city, and many other things I’d normally use my phone for—all while keeping my hands free. Now, reaching into my back pocket for anything other than answering a call seems like a waste, even when not working out.

The Venu 2 features a colorful, touch-sensitive AMOLED display that’s as easy to read as it is to navigate. This is great because the smartwatch is loaded with features, including activity tracking, a powerful GPS, onboard storage for up to 650 songs, and seamless integration with your smartphone via the Garmin Connect app. This is a watch you can wear all day, in any setting, and it’ll never look out of place (and you can read more about the experience in our full review).

Best budget watch for beginners: Garmin Vivoactive 4

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Specs

• Display: 1.3-inch sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP)
• Touchscreen: No
• Battery life with GPS: Up to 18 hours (GPS without music)
• Weight: 1.78 ounces

Pay attention to your budget when choosing a smartwatch. If you don’t need advanced features, like solar power, and AMOLED screens, then don’t pay extra for them. If you’re looking for a basic fitness tracker and something that syncs with your phone, many of Garmin’s entry-level watches will suit you just fine. 

They still offer basic sports apps, GPS, and access to apps and widgets from the Garmin Connect store, and they’ll integrate with iOS and Android phones. While future-proofing yourself might seem smart, smartwatch technology develops quickly and by the time you’re ready for more advanced features, watches featuring them might drop in price. Only pay for what you’ll use. 

Garmin’s Vivoactive 3 GPS smartwatch features built-in sports apps, a contactless payment system, and the ability to sync with compatible smartphones. It comes housed in a classy package that looks great in the gym and out and about, and the watch face can be personalized by visiting Garmin’s Connect IQ store.

What to consider when choosing a Garmin smartwatch

After holding the pandemic at bay with packaged cookies and streaming TV, people have been reintroducing regular exercise and movement into their lives in living rooms, gyms, trails, and beyond. And achieving goals is easier if you can accurately track them. However, if you’re not a hardcore athlete, you don’t need the same features someone training to hit specific benchmarks would. When choosing the best Garmin watch, focus on finding the health monitoring features you want without paying extra money for those you’ll never use. Here are some things to think about when choosing the best Garmin activity tracker:

Features

Are you looking for a simple workout tracker, or do you need advanced metrics? Will it be closely monitoring your health? How important is the sleep tracker function? Do you prefer a fitness watch that allows you to organize your life by providing access to your phone’s messages and calendars? Will you pay for things by tapping your watch? Download and play music, or control the music player on your phone? How important are GPS features? Different watches offer different combinations of these features and more. There’s a big difference between something like the $199 Garmin Forerunner 55 (reviewed here) or the $169 Garmin Forerunner 35, which are dedicated Garmin running watches, and something like the $399 Garmin Venu 2, which is more of a well-rounded smartwatch you’ll wear all the time.

Style

Many of Garmin’s best sports watches aren’t exactly elegant to look at. Think about when and where you plan on wearing your watch. Do you like the bulky aesthetic of classic sports watches, like the Garmin Instinct Solar, or do you want a watch you can wear all day—maybe even going straight to work from the gym? Don’t forget to look at the different color options available to each watch model, and keep in mind that watch bands are often customizable.  

Battery life

Do you spend a lot of time camping? Do you go weeks without seeing an outlet? Or are you home each night with access to a charging station? Make sure the watch you purchase won’t let you down by running out of juice. This doesn’t necessarily mean larger batteries—Garmin makes solar versions of most watch series that can last for weeks if exposed to enough direct sunlight. For other watches, battery life can come down to usage. The Venu 2, for instance, can last up to 11 days in battery-saver mode, but it will die in just 7 hours if you’re playing music and using GPS. 

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best Garmin smartwatches

• Best overall: Garmin fēnix 7 Sapphire Solar and Garmin epix (Gen. 2)
• Best running watch: Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar
• Best for hiking: Garmin Instinct Solar 2
• Best for diving: Garmin Descent G1 Solar
• Best fashion wearable: Garmin Venu 2
• Best budget watch for beginners: Garmin Vivoactive 4

It’s no mystery why Garmin has become a top smartwatch company. Instead of taking a one-size-fits-all approach to watch design, Garmin has offered up options focusing on health and fitness, all-day wear, and high-tech gadgetry designed to fit individual users’ lifestyles. Sometimes the differences aren’t obvious, and shopping for a Garmin watch can feel daunting. But by identifying your needs first and consulting this guide, you’ll be able to zero in on the smartwatch that’s best for you. 

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best Garmin smartwatches for 2023, tested and reviewed appeared first on Popular Science.

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The rise of smartwatches has made health and fitness tracking seem inherently more expensive. Even fairly straightforward watches containing only the most basic sensors tend to be pricey. There used to be many budget options when “Fitbit” was synonymous with fitness tracker, but many seem to have disappeared as convergence devices have increased. Enter Amazfit. The company is relatively new (established in 2015) but already has a robust lineup of budget-friendly activity accessories. And with the Amazfit Band 7, the brand has a bracelet-style tracker that takes a step back from pricier smartwatches so you can track your steps (and other performance metrics) as you move toward your fitness goals. Let’s take a close look at the conveniences and compromises that accompany a $50 fitness watch.

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The Amazfit Band 7’s design

While all of Amazfit’s watches are more affordable than most options, the Band 7 falls in Amazfit’s Essential Series lineup, which, as you might guess, is its lowest tier. The Band 7 follows in the footsteps of the Band 5 (there was no Band 6) but presents a larger, more rectangular display, better battery life, and some general software upgrades. There’s no built-in GPS, and there are minor usability issues, but the compromises are minimal and, for most, insignificant. The watch is surprisingly capable for such a low price, with a good amount of health data and tracking opportunities. What it is not, however, is flashy.

Minimal is the best word to use when describing the design of the Amazfit Band 7. It is a simple rectangular shape with no buttons or design flourishes whatsoever. The band is one seamless piece that secures the watch face, with no special design or color inserts. The stock models are available in beige, pink, or black (the color I received to review). Should you want something else, you can also buy $10 replacement straps in green, blue, pink, or orange. 

The watch strap connects with a snap button-type design. That makes it easier to put on, but I also had issues with the edge catching on things resulting in the band unsnapping and the watch coming loose on my wrist. The band is also fairly large. I have small wrists, yes, but I used the second to last hole. Amazfit lists the minimum wrist size as 6.5 inches. So if you have smaller wrists than that, you’ll likely want to stay away from the Band 7 unless you don’t mind wearing it higher on your arm. 

Although the band may be a bit long, the watch itself is really slim. It only measures 1.7 x 1 x 0.5 inches, so it looks great, even on my miniature wrists. And it’s low-profile enough that the watch face doesn’t get caught on long sleeves. 

The lack of buttons is either really great or really annoying, depending on your preferences. It was a bit of both for me. I like the sleek look of a button-free design. But there were definitely times when having a button would have been nice. For example, if the watch turns off—either because I turn it off or it goes to sleep after not being worn for a few days—you have to connect the watch to a charger to turn it back on because there’s no power button. I found this very annoying, especially if I wanted to pop out for a run or walk. 

Display

Despite the budget price, the watch features a rather nice display. It’s a 1.47-inch HD ​​AMOLED display with a resolution of 198×368, 282ppi, and very minimal bezels. I really like the narrow rectangular design, as it provides enough screen real estate to see things easily but doesn’t take up my entire wrist to do so. It just looks really nice to me. 

It’s a colorful display and is easy to see in most situations. You have to adjust brightness manually, though, which is tricky if the brightness is turned down and you are out in the sun. You can adjust that setting in the app, but that’s a bit of a pain if you are on a run, for example. The screen is topped with tempered glass and an anti-fingerprint coating. Tempered glass isn’t as durable as other options, such as Gorilla Glass. Yet I haven’t managed to scratch the Band 7 display despite scratching my more expensive, Gorilla Glass-topped Garmin Forerunner 955. 

As you may expect, since there are no buttons, the display is a touchscreen, so you can swipe and tap through menus and settings. It is plenty responsive; in fact, I had issues with it being too responsive. When I crossed my arms, there was enough pressure to activate the touchscreen and enter the menu to change the watch face. It got quite irritating. 

Sensors

Amazfit fitted the Band 7 with its ​​BioTracker 3.0 PPG biometric sensor. Put simply, PPG sensors use low infrared light to measure how much light is absorbed by blood vessels. This provides a constant measurement of heart rate and blood oxygen levels (SpO2). It can also use that data to calculate and track VO2 Max, stress levels, and sleep. You will have to turn on settings to automatically track SpO2, as it defaults to only manual measurement.

The watch also utilizes a geomagnetic sensor and a three-axis acceleration sensor. It connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth 5.2 BLE, and that’s the extent of its sensors and connectivity. 

One of the aforementioned compromises due to the budget price is the lack of GPS connectivity in the watch itself. Instead, it relies on tethered GPS, meaning you’ll need your phone for all GPS data. That leads to some accuracy issues compared to watches with built-in GPS, especially multi-band GPS like the Garmin Instinct 2S Solar. If you want your route tracked or need distance data, you must have your phone along. And even with your phone, distance and route information won’t be as accurate as watches with GPS. 

Setting up the Amazfit Band 7

Setting up the Amazfit Band 7 is mostly straightforward, albeit a bit tedious. Most of the setup process is done on your phone in the Zepp app (Amazfit is powered by Zepp Health’s health management platform). The initial pairing process with my Samsung Galaxy S22 was very easy, with a simple scan of a QR code on the watch using the app. 

From there, however, things get a little bit complicated and a lot annoying. You have to grant a lot of permissions, more than any other watch platform I’ve used before. It seemed to go on forever. I also had a really hard time finding some of the menus for permissions that the Zepp app specified. It mentioned menus that simply do not exist on my phone, even though it says it’s specific to the phone manufacturer. Then, if you want to get notifications on your watch, you have to go through each individual app that you want notifications from. Which, again, was a bit tedious. 

The Amazfit Band 7’s features

As a budget device, you’d expect the Band 7 to be extremely limited in functionality and abilities. And while it certainly doesn’t have as robust a feature set as a $500 watch, the watch is surprisingly feature-rich for $50. It won’t be a replacement for serious athletes that need highly accurate information and robust tools, but it’s more than capable for most people. 

Battery life

The battery life on the Band 7 is quite surprising, given the low price of the watch. The watch offers a 232 mAh rated capacity, and Amazfit promises up to 18 days of battery life with typical usage. It says heavy usage will result in up to 12 days of battery life. Of course, all this depends on your watch settings as well, as the always-on display and certain settings like stress measuring will eat away at battery life. 

In my testing, I got an average of 16 days of battery life. I typically do one dedicated workout (either a run or strength training session) a day with anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour of duration. And I generally track a few short walks per day on top of that because of my dog. I did not have the always-on display running because I wanted to save the battery more, which greatly affected how much battery life I could get.

When the battery did run out, I was able to charge the watch quickly. Amazfit claims that the theoretical charging duration is two hours, and I found that to be accurate. If I needed a quick top-off before a workout, 15 minutes of charging would give me enough juice to record an hour-long session. The charger uses a magnetic design. In line with the watch’s design, it’s a tiny charger, making it easier to bring along on trips than other watches I’ve used. 

Activity tracking

The Amazfit Band 7 can track 120 different types of activities. That includes the basics like outdoor and indoor running, hiking, and cycling. But it also can track badminton, belly and square dancing, jumping rope, jiu-jitsu, and even kite-flying or swinging. Essentially, if there’s an activity you want to do, chances are there’s a unique profile for it on the Amazfit Band 7. 

Tracking is easy, though, by default, the workout widget (where all the activities are) is quite low in the list, so you’ll need to scroll a bit. I thought that was an odd default placement since that’s one of the main reasons to get a watch like this. But you can customize that placement in the Zepp app. Then, you simply tap on Workout and choose the type of workout you want. 

Before you start tracking, you can also adjust settings by tapping the ellipses above the “Go” button. For example, for outdoor running, you can set a workout goal (miles, time, or calories). You can set workout alerts for different metrics like high heart rate or minimum pace. And you can even set the watch up for interval training, which is a nice feature. 

Data collection and insights

The Band 7 is fairly limited in sensors, but it offers the most important ones for basic insights: a  PPG biometric sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, and a three-axis acceleration sensor. It uses these three sensors to collect and calculate heart rate, SpO2, VO2 Max, and stress levels. 

The watch can also track your sleep, breaking it down to give you insights into how long you slept, REM sleep, and how often you were awake during the night. While it doesn’t apply this information to your training, and it isn’t highly accurate, it can at least give you a rough idea of your sleep.

Your training information and data provide a few key insights: PAI and Training Status. PAI, or Personal Activity Intelligence, uses a simple 100-point scale to reflect how active you are, with the goal of keeping it at or above 100 to reduce your risk of disease. It is based on an algorithm that assesses your age, gender, resting heart rate, maximum heart rate, and accumulated heart rate over seven days. Because an algorithm powers it, it’s dynamic and based on you as an individual instead of using generalizations.

While Training Status and PAI are enough for most users, The Band 7 and Zepp app won’t provide the in-depth data and insights serious athletes want or need. For example, Garmin (what I’m most familiar with) provides training stats such as the training effect of each individual workout, power curves, race predictions, training readiness, and heart rate variability (HRV) information. Most of that isn’t relevant to those simply trying to stay active and healthy, but if you want focused training for performance reasons, the Amazfit Band 7 and companion app likely won’t cut it. 

Smartwatch features

On top of all the fitness tracking, the Band 7 provides some smartwatch functionality. It doesn’t provide cellular connectivity, and there is no microphone, which limits its capabilities, though that’s to be expected at this price point. But you can get notifications on the watch from your smartphone from just about any app you use. You can’t interact with those notifications in any way, but you can at least see them to know if it’s something important enough to pick up your phone.

Beyond notifications, the watch also provides access to weather information. And if you are playing music on your phone, you can control it from the watch. I really liked that feature while in the gym working out. If a song started in my UE Fits earbuds that I didn’t want, I could just hit next right on my wrist instead of needing to pick up my phone and sweatily navigate to Spotify. 

Zepp app

The Zepp app is clean and clutter-free, with three primary tabs containing settings and data that you may need. The Homepage of the app features data cards to give you snapshots of what you most want to keep track of. For example, it can show steps, sleep, workout history, exercise status, and more. You can customize this, both in terms of which cards are shown and their order, which is nice. 

The Health tab is also customizable, though with far fewer options. It primarily shows you a breakdown of your workouts and your target goals (which you can edit). Since all of this can be found on the Homepage, it’s a bit confusing that a separate tab is needed.

The third tab is your Profile, which gives you access to settings, goals, connected accounts, and more. It’s also where you access your devices to change device-specific settings.

The app runs very smoothly on my Samsung Galaxy, and it’s quick to sync the watch when I make changes via the app as well. It doesn’t provide as in-depth insights as the Garmin app and doesn’t offer the social component Garmin does, but Zepp works well and provides basic and necessary information. 

The Amazfit Band 7’s usability and accuracy 

Overall, the Amazfit Band 7 is straightforward to use. It has its quirks—such as a lack of buttons for input—that make getting used to it a little tricky at first. But most of the controls are intuitive and easy to figure out. The sensitive touchscreen can be a bit annoying but is small in the grand scheme of things. 

One aspect that I really love about the Amazfit Band 7 is that it provides help text on the watch itself for certain data sets and features. For example, under Workout Status, if you tap the “i” at the bottom of the screen, a rather thorough explanation of EPOC pops up. Since the budget-friendly watch is largely geared toward those who aren’t exercise experts, these terms may be completely new. Explaining what they mean and why they are important right on the watch is extremely helpful and valuable. 

I found the watch’s heart rate monitor to be very accurate, even compared to a dedicated heart rate monitor, which is typically more precise. Likewise, the calculated VO2 Max was in the range it should be for me, though I plan on getting a lab test done for a truly accurate comparison. 

I rarely find sleep tracking very accurate, and that was the case with the Amazfit Band 7. There were nights it seemed spot on, but most of the time, it seemed at least slightly off, and nights it was completely incorrect as well. It also tends to think I’m taking a nap if I take the watch off for more than a few minutes.

How the Amazfit Band 7 stacks up against the competition

There’s no shortage of fitness watches available, with even Amazfit’s own line of devices quite lengthy. I’ve also been using Amazfit’s T-Rex 2. At $200, the T-Rex 2 is still quite a bargain compared to the likes of a Garmin, though it’s four times more expensive than the Band 7. And in most ways, the price difference is noticeable. The T-Rex 2 is decidedly more aggressive looking and significantly larger. It’s much more rugged, having passed 15 Military-Standards Tests (MIL-STD-810G) to withstand harsh conditions. And it comes with more health data and built-in dual-band positioning. You get a lot more watch in the T-Rex 2, albeit in a very different style that isn’t for everyone.

Garmin’s fitness watches tend to be one of the gold standard options for athletes, and the prices certainly match that. The company has done a fantastic job of managing health and fitness data to provide useful and accurate information for training purposes. Amazfit does a nice job of providing useful insights, but it isn’t as thorough as Garmin, especially in the minimal Band 7 watch. Garmin’s watches offer more robust feature sets and data tracking than the Band 7, yet still offer battery life that’s nearly as much as the simpler Band 7.

So, who should buy the Amazfit Band 7?

I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised by the Amazfit Band 7. After exclusively using fairly expensive fitness watches for the past 10 years, I assumed that such a budget-level watch would be lacking and less impressive. But that was not the case. 

The Band 7 has some big wins, no matter what price point you are looking at. It sports a sleek design, lengthy battery life, accurate heart rate measurement, music controls, plenty of fitness-focused features, and a wide array of activity types. Of course, with the low price comes some disadvantages: No built-in GPS, a finicky touchscreen, and a cheap band enclosure design. It also doesn’t provide as in-depth training insights or data compared to more expensive watches. As a result, it isn’t great for serious, focused athletes looking for specific performance improvements. But it offers much more than the $50 price would lead you to believe. 

So who’s the Band 7 ideal for? It’s a fantastic choice for those looking for a simple device that can help encourage them to be more active. Not everyone needs access to race predictions and hyper-accurate pace and stride information. But the Amazfit Band 7 can help you learn more about exercise terms and support you in keeping tabs on your activity levels to work toward a healthier, more active lifestyle. And it can do this while functioning as a general smartwatch, making it even more well-rounded. 

The post Amazfit Band 7 fitness & health tracker review: Back to basics appeared first on Popular Science.

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Garmin is keeping the ball rolling, and you running, this year with exciting releases. The company released two vibrant new watches in its Forerunner series in March. And now, Garmin has announced the newest product in its rugged, adventure-focused Instinct line: the Instinct 2X Solar and the Instinct 2X Solar Tactical Edition (shown below). The new smartwatches get many improvements and exciting editions compared to the Instinct 2 Solar, including even better solar charging and a more rugged, durable design. It’s also the first Instinct to feature a built-in flashlight and the Obstacle Course Racing activity type. We really enjoyed the Instinct 2 Solar, and this adventure watch looks even better. 

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Garmin Instinct training features

In keeping with Garmin’s wearables, the 2X series has robust training features and tools. It offers 24/7 health and wellness tracking, including wrist-based heart rate, sleep monitoring, respiration tracking, heart rate variability, Pulse Ox, and more. 

There’s a vast range of sports and activity types, so you can track whatever you like to do to stay active. New in the Instinct line is the Obstacle Course Racing activity. This new activity mode lets you manually record obstacle splits and automatically track them after your first lap. The data from the activity will include the number of runs on a course, times, the number of obstacles, time spent on each obstacle, basic run metrics, and more. If you’re a fan of Tough Mudders, Spartan Race, or the new military-inspired obstacle competitions, this watch will be a big help. 

You’ll also have access to Garmin’s Training Readiness and Morning Report features. These help you plan and maximize your training and maximize to ensure healthy, well-balanced progress. And the multi-band GNSS provides highly accurate positioning to give you price route information and even navigation tools.

Garmin Instinct 2X Solar details

The Instinct 2X Solar gets some very exciting upgrades from the Instinct 2 Solar. It is even more rugged and built to U.S. military standards (MIL-STD-810). The 50mm polymer case—10mm larger than the Instinct 2 Solar—will withstand just about anything you throw at it.

One of my complaints with the Instinct 2 Solar was that the solar charging didn’t give all that much of a benefit. But Garmin says that the Power Glass lens on the Instinct 2X Solar (both the standard and Tactical Edition) will produce 50% more energy than the Instinct 2 Solar. It requires three hours of direct sunlight, but that’s a significant improvement and should mean that solar charging actually results in a real addition to battery life.

This watch’s other exciting new feature is the built-in LED flashlight (shown below). It even offers variable intensities and strobe modes. It could be a significant asset for hiking or any sort of activity in the backcountry, especially in emergency situations. 

Garmin Instinct 2X Solar Tactical Edition details

The Tactical Edition of the Instinct 2X Solar gets the same training features, sensors, and build qualities as the standard edition. But on top of that, Garmin says it is also “packed with features specific to tactical operations, including Jumpmaster and tactical preloaded activities.” It features a Stealth Mode, which prevents GPS location sharing and disables wireless communication. And the built-in multi-LED flashlight can be set to either white or dedicated green, resulting in natural vision at night.

Garmin Instinct 2X Solar pricing & availability

The Instinct 2X Solar is available in four colors: Flame Red, Graphite, Moss, and Whitestone. It’s available for purchase now for $449.99. The Instinct 2X Solar Tactical Edition is also available now for $499.99 in two colors: Black or Coyote Tan. 

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Best overall		Galaxy Watch 5		SEE IT	Slick styling, optional cellphone connectivity, and lots of health tracking features put this watch on top.
Best dedicated fitness tracker		Fitbit Sense 2		SEE IT	The Fitbit Sense 2 is lightweight and slim but still offers lots of sensors and good battery life.
Best stylish smartwatch		Skagen Jorn Gen 6 Smartwatch		SEE IT	The Skagen Jorn is a unique hybrid watch, featuring traditional watch hands with full smartwatch capabilities.

The Apple Watch was not the first connected watch. Thanks to Dick Tracy, people have been dreaming of wrist-worn communicators since the 1940s, and companies have actually produced usable companion devices since the early 2000s. But since “Apple’s most personal device ever” launched in 2015, it’s come to dominate the smartwatch market by sheer volume. However, the best wearable for everyone, especially Android users, isn’t necessarily Apple’s. Many Apple Watch alternatives provide various tech that can match and even top the Series 8 experience. Really, the phrase “Apple Watch alternative” sometimes does these gadgets a disservice. Apple’s offering is great, but other top smartwatches and fitness trackers deserve recognition for their own forms and features. The best Apple Watch alternatives satisfy all kinds of purposes: collecting health metrics, delivering notifications, tracking outdoor adventures, and much more fantastic functionality without committing to watchOS/iOS. 

• Best overall: Galaxy Watch 5
• Best dedicated fitness tracker: Fitbit Sense 2
• Best smartwatch for Android users: Ticwatch Pro 3
• Best smartwatch for the triathlete in training: Garmin Forerunner 955
• Best stylish smartwatch: Skagen Jorn 38MM Gen 6 Hybrid Smartwatch
• Best for health data: Polar Ignite 3
• Best battery life: Garmin Instinct 2S Solar
• Best budget smartwatch: Amazfit GTS 4

How we chose the best Apple Watch alternatives

When selecting the recommendations included in this list, we evaluated a range of features, specs, and tools that make smartwatches useful and desirable. To function as an Apple Watch alternative, phone connectivity in some capacity was an absolute must. The selected watches also needed a robust array of sensors to capture important health and activity data. We aimed to choose watches with different styles since style is such a subjective topic. And lastly, we assessed important specs such as battery life, display quality, and durability. Combining this research with peer recommendations, critical reviews, and plenty of hands-on experience, we narrowed down our selection to the best Apple Watch alternatives.

The best Apple Watch alternatives: Reviews & Recommendations

The best Apple Watch alternatives are delightfully varied, and you’re sure to find one that strikes your fancy. So let’s look at the non-Apple products that can keep your phone in your pocket but your life connected.

Best overall: Galaxy Watch 5

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Specs

• Weight: 1.2 ounces (44mm), 1 ounce (40mm)
• Case size: 1.7 x 1.74 x 0.38 inches (44mm), 1.54 x 1.59 x 0.38 inches (40mm)
• Display resolution: 450×450 pixels (44mm), 396×396 pixels (40mm) 
• Battery life: Up to 50 hours
• Waterproof rating: IP68
• Connectivity: BT 5.2, Wi-Fi 2.4GHz & 5GHz, NFC, LTE
• Sensors: Accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, ambient light, compass, GPS, BioActive sensor (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis sensor, Electrical Heart sensor (ECG), and Optical Heart Rate sensor), mic/speaker
• App support: Android

Pros

• Attractive design, with swappable straps
• Optional 4G LTE version
• Available in two sizes
• Plenty of health-tracking features
• Excellent third-party app support

Cons

• Battery life is lacking
• Some features only work with Samsung phones

The Galaxy Watch is one of the most direct competitors to the Apple Watch. That’s partly because it is one of the few watches that offer an eSIM for cellular connectivity. The eSim and built-in mic and speakers mean you can take calls and receive and respond to text messages via the watch. You don’t need your phone on you all the time to take advantage of the smart features, which is a nice option to have. The combination of Wear OS and an Android 8.0 or above phone, however, allows for Google Maps navigation, interaction with Google Assistant, and more.

The Galaxy Watch5 has a sleek, minimal design. It’s available in two sizes—40mm and 44mm—and comes in four colors. At only 1.2 ounces for the larger watch (44mm), it’s lightweight, making it more comfortable to wear. It is packed with useful sensors, including Samsung’s BioActive sensor array, responsible for sleep tracking, heart rate, blood oxygen monitoring, ECG, and body composition analysis. It will provide lots of health and fitness insights. It even automatically detects exercise, which is helpful if you tend to forget to start tracking as I do.

The downside of this watch is the battery life. The 40mm watch utilizes a 284mAh battery, while the 44mm features a 410mAh battery. If you use the device for any exercise tracking at all, you’ll need to charge it daily. Nighttime is the most logical time to charge it for most, but that means you’ll miss out on sleep tracking, which is a selling point of the watch. (A titanium-cased Galaxy Watch5 Pro version increases the durability, wellness sensors, and battery life.)

Best dedicated fitness tracker: Fitbit Sense 2

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Specs

• Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Case size: 1.5 by 1.5 by 0.45 inches
• Display resolution: 336 x 336 pixels
• Battery life: Up to 6 days
• Waterproof rating: Water resistant to 164 feet
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, NFC
• Sensors: GPS/GLONASS, heart rate, altimeter, skin temperature, gyroscope, accelerometer, ambient light, SpO2, cEDA, mic/speaker
• App support: Android and iOS

Pros

• Very slim and lightweight
• Lots of sensors
• Good battery life
• Easy to use

Cons

• No music support
• Subscription required to take full advantage of its features

The Fitbit Sense 2 is the company’s best and brightest smartwatch. It packs plenty of sensors, including onboard GPS to track your runs and bike rides. It also features a skin temperature sensor and Fitbit’s cEDA (continuous ElectroDermal Activity) sensor to help track stress. And it promises a six-day battery life (depending on usage), which is very strong.

At less than an ounce, this is one of the lightest smartwatches available, especially for one with such a robust set of sensors. It’s sleek and minimal, fitting nicely even on small wrists. And you can choose between three colorways. In addition, the Sense 2 gets an added physical button compared to the first version, making navigation easier.

Unfortunately, Fitbit removed third-party app support from the Sense 2. That means it isn’t as much of a smartwatch as other options. For example, there’s no Spotify app or music support, so you’ll have to rely on your phone. But there is a built-in speaker and microphone, so you can take calls on your wrist, as long as your phone is nearby. 

Best smartwatch for Android users: Ticwatch Pro 3

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Specs

• Weight: 1.5 ounces
• Case size: 1.8 x 1.9 x 0.5 inches
• Display resolution: 454 x 454 pixels
• Battery life: Up to 72 hours (Smart Mode) or 45 days (Essential Mode)
• Water rating: IP68
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi
• Sensors: GPS/Beidou/Glonass/Galileo/QZSS, accelerometer, gyroscope, PPG heart rate, ambient light, barometer, mic/speaker
• App support: Android and iOS

Pros

• Good battery life
• Dual display helps save battery life
• Fast and responsive
• IP68 waterproof rating

Cons

• Somewhat pricey
• A bit bulky

With a Snapdragon 4100 processor, the TicWatch Pro 3 is among the fastest Apple Watch alternatives on the market. It has all the usual high-end smartwatch features, including onboard GPS and NFC for payments. There’s a whole host of sensors and data tracking features, including a heart rate monitor, barometer, sleep tracking, and SpO2 monitoring.

It also has one very clever feature: a lower-power LCD screen right on top of its regular AMOLED display. That allows you to switch over for up to 45 days of battery life in “essential mode.” And there is an ambient light sensor in the watch, so it can automatically adjust the brightness of the AMOLED display.

The Ticwatch features a rugged design that will hold up to whatever activities you participate in. It’s a waterproof smartwatch with an IP68 rating, so you can even swim in it. That said, even though it is 28 percent lighter than the previous version of this watch, it is still fairly large and chunky. It may not be best for the small of wrist.

Best smartwatch for the triathlete in training: Garmin Forerunner 955

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Specs

• Weight: 1.8 ounces
• Case size: 1.8 x 1.8 x 0.5 inches
• Display resolution: 260 x 260 pixels
• Battery life: Up to 15 days (smartwatch mode)
• Water rating: 5 ATM water resistance
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi
• Sensors: Heart rate, GPS/Glonass/Galileo, thermometer, pulse oximeter, accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, barometric altimeter
• App support: Android and iOS

Pros

• Long battery life
• Highly customizable
• Collects loads of data
• Useful training assistance

Cons

• Pricey

Garmin specializes in super-advanced fitness and outdoor tech gear, making its gear one of the best Apple Watch alternatives for serious athletes. The Forerunner 955 is specifically focused on running, though it can track about any kind of workout you can think of, including ones specific to triathlon training. It includes a dizzying array of sensors to ensure you improve. It calculates elevation changes, measures your pace against an average for your fitness level, calculates VO2 Max, and can even measure stuff like ground contact time and stride length. In addition, the watch provides plenty of training help, such as suggested workouts and training load insights, to help you maximize your fitness. 

Despite all the data it collects, the battery life is fantastic. And You can easily customize battery consumption to get what you need out of the watch in a given situation. In smartwatch mode, Garmin promises 15 days of battery life. And when using the All Systems GNSS plus Multi-Band mode (the most accurate location tracking), Garmin specifies up to 20 hours. Should you want a little extra juice, Garmin also makes a solar version of this watch. Of course, battery life depends on your usage, but I was easily able to get the promised numbers when using the Solar version of this watch, even without getting the minimum sun exposure. 

There is no microphone on the watch or optional cellphone connectivity, so you will need your phone to take advantage of the notifications and safety features (unless you opt for the older Forerunner 945 LTE). But you can send pre-formatted responses to calls and texts and interact with notifications from certain apps. And it is surprisingly sleek for all the sensors that are onboard, even on small wrists. Of course, if you’re more of a weekend warrior and don’t mind charging more often in exchange for the most vivid visual experience, the Garmin epix 2 has an AMOLED touchscreen display that brings it near parity with an Apple Watch presentation.

Best stylish smartwatch: Skagen Jorn 38MM Gen 6 Hybrid Smartwatch

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Specs

• Weight: Not provided
• Case size: 1.5-inch diameter, 0.5 inches thick
• Display resolution: 240 x 240 pixels
• Battery life: Up to 14 days
• Water rating: 3 ATM water resistance
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 LE
• Sensors: Accelerometer, microphone, PPG heart rate
• App support: Android and iOS

Pros

• Sleek, attractive styling
• Unique hybrid design
• Good app support
• Built-in microphone

Cons

• Fitness tracking isn’t great
• Lacks a speaker

Skagen, the Danish-design-inspired imprint of Fossil, has a line of hybrid smartwatches called Jorn, which have uniformly been extremely good-looking watches. The hybrid design may not be for everyone, but it is a unique combination of classic watch looks with smartwatch features. The watch hands cleverly move out of the way so that you can easily read the E Ink display, and it still offers plenty of customization options. And it comes in 38mm or 42mm sizes with different color and band options. 

The Jorn features a built-in microphone as well as Amazon Alexa support. You can use voice control to set timers, reminders, and ask questions. Unfortunately, it lacks a speaker, so responses are displayed on the watch instead of spoken back to you, and you can’t take calls. But it does add a layer of functionality that some may appreciate. And it’s Android and iPhone compatible, so you can use it’s companion app with just about any phone.

The sensors in the Jorn watch are somewhat minimal but include an accelerometer and PPG heart rate monitor for basic exercise and health stats. These will track your steps, sleep, heart rate, and SpO2. Unfortunately, there’s no built-in GPS, so the watch relies on tethered GPS, which requires your phone. If you are looking for a serious fitness watch, this isn’t the best option, but we think it’s the most stylish Apple Watch alternative available. 

Best for health data: Polar Ignite 3

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Specs

• Weight: 1.2 ounces
• Case size: 1.7 x 1.7 x 0.4 inches
• Display resolution: 416 × 416 pixels
• Battery life: Up to 30 hours (training mode)
• Water rating: Water resistant to 98 feet
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1
• Sensors: GPS/Beidou/Glonass/Galileo/QZSS, accelerometer, heart rate 
• App support: Android and iOS

Pros

• Attractive styling 
• Really slim on the wrist
• Lots of smart health and training features
• Vibrant display

Cons

• GPS is inaccurate 

Polar has long been a staple in the fitness and health world, investing heavily in research and offering a range of watches and sensors. The third iteration of the Ignite is the sleekest yet, with attractive yet minimal design features. It’s available in four colorways, some of which (such as the Greige Sand) hardly look like fitness watches. It features an extremely slim profile, barely sticking up from my wrist.

The watch offers fairly minimal sensors, but it still collects plenty of data for excellent health and fitness insights. It provides the Polar Precision Prime sensor for highly accurate heart rate data. Unfortunately, despite the multi-band GPS, the location data is disappointing and inaccurate. This won’t matter for some, but if precise location tracking is essential to you, this watch won’t be your best choice. 

Where the Ignite 3 does shine is the health data it collects and the insights it provides. It provides accurate sleep-tracking information and uses that to help guide daily workout suggestions. It even provides secondary workout suggestions, such as stretching activities to keep you healthy. And Polar’s FitSpark suggests different types of exercise to keep your training well-rounded. It can provide a lot of information to help you stay on top of your training and health in general.

Best battery life: Garmin Instinct 2S Solar

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Specs

• Weight: 1.8 ounces (45mm), 1.5 ounces (40mm)
• Case size: 1.8 x 1.8 x 0.6 inches (45mm), 1.6 x 1.6 x 0.5 inches (40mm)
• Display resolution: 176 x 176 pixels (45mm) 156 x 156 pixels (40mm)
• Battery life: Up to 28 days, unlimited with solar (smartwatch mode)
• Water rating: Waterproof to 328 feet
• Connectivity: Bluetooth and ANT+
• Sensors: Heart rate, GPS/Glonass/Galileo, thermometer, pulse oximeter, accelerometer, compass, barometric altimeter
• App support: Android and iOS

Pros

• Outstanding battery life
• Two sizes available
• Lots of training tools
• Highly accurate data collection

Cons

• Rugged, old-school design isn’t for everyone

Garmin’s Instinct 2S Solar has a lot going for it, but its battery life is certainly the main highlight. In smartwatch mode, Garmin says it offers unlimited battery life if you get three hours of 50,000 lux sunlight conditions a day. Of course, when you use the various GPS modes and tracking exercises, that goes down. But I got about a week of life from my 40mm version while doing some activity once a day, even without getting the required sun exposure per day for the solar benefits.

The watch also gets a robust set of sensors and tracking features, in line with most of Garmin’s products. It can suggest workouts and keep track of your training status to ensure you are getting the most out of your activities and advancing your fitness. You can even use it to navigate should you need help getting back to your starting point. Overall it’s a fantastic training partner.

The Instinct 2 Solar is a vastly different Apple Watch alternative in its styling. It has a rather rugged, old-school watch styling, which some may not like. The display is also a simple monochrome transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) display, so don’t expect fancy color graphics or touchscreen functionality. But it connects to your phone and provides notifications on the watch. There is no microphone or speaker, so you can’t take calls on the watch, but you can use it to reject or accept a call that you then take on your phone. And like the Forerunner 955, you can send prewritten responses to texts or calls directly from the watch, which is handy if you are in the middle of something. 

Best budget smartwatch: Amazfit GTS 4

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Specs

• Weight: 1 ounce
• Case size: 1.7 x 1.4 x 0.4 inches (without heart rate base)
• Display resolution: 390 x 450 pixels
• Battery life: Up to 8 days (typical use)
• Water rating: 5 ATM water resistance
• Connectivity: WLAN 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5.0, and BLE
• Sensors: Geomagnetic, accelerometer, barometric altimeter, gyroscope, ambient light sensor, dual-band & 6 satellite positioning systems, BioTracker™ 4.0 PPG biometric sensor, mic/speaker
• App support: Android 7.0 and above, iOS 12.0 and above

Pros

• Sleek and comfortable design
• Lots of sport modes
• Good battery life

Cons

• Data collection isn’t the most accurate

Amazfit is a well-established maker of budget smartwatches, and the GTS 4 is a great one. It provides an eight-day battery life (depending on usage), which is surprising for a watch of this price. That can even be extended to 16 days in battery saver mode. It also has lots of sensors to measure your heart rate, steps, blood oxygen levels, stress, sleep, location, and more. 

As a smartwatch, the GTS 4 pairs with your phone and delivers notifications right to your wrist. And it can sync with apps like Strava and Google Fit. It features a built-in mic and speaker, so you can receive and make calls from the watch if your phone is near. It has a strikingly Apple Watch-like design, which is sleek and minimal.

Of course, as a somewhat inexpensive watch, there are some downsides. The companion app (called Zepp) is a bit clunky, with some settings difficult to find. And the data collection tends to be a bit inaccurate, especially the sleep data and the automatic stand suggestions. And you’ll lose some features like third-party app compatibility. But it still has a lot to offer as long as you aren’t relying on the data for precise training.

What to consider when looking for the best Apple Watch alternatives

Non-Apple Watch smartwatches are available running all kinds of different software platforms. And many of them will work with both Android and iOS, in case you ever switch phones. Apple Watch alternatives come in a few different flavors. There’s the direct competition, which would be Google’s Wear platform and the Samsung Galaxy Watch. And there are also more fitness-centric offerings, both for casual workouts and intense outdoors lovers, plus a whole crop of budget-friendly smartwatches that provide health tracking and notifications.

What’s the difference between a smartwatch and a fitness tracker?

In general, the phrase “fitness tracker” is used to differentiate these models from a smartwatch in a few ways. Fitness trackers are typically smaller. They often look more like a bracelet with a small screen than a big, fancy watch. They are, as their name suggests, focused on fitness: a good fitness tracker should have not just a step tracker, but also a heart rate monitor and sleep tracking tech. Many high-end fitness watches can also integrate with more robust devices like chest strap heart rate monitors. 

That said, the line between fitness tracker and smartwatch has blurred. Modern fitness trackers have some features we’re more likely to associate with smartwatches They may have the ability to deliver notifications of texts and emails from your phone, might have a speaker so you can activate Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some even sport similar faces and design elements.

But if you plan on wearing your wristpiece all the time, it’s fair to want something less like a fitness tracker and more like a full-featured smartwatch: you want it to have a bigger screen, because you’ll be looking at it more, and to have non-fitness-focused features too.

What watch features and sensors do I need?

A brief comparison of smartwatches will reveal a wide array of features and sensors. Of course, many companies have their proprietary names for traditional sensors, making matters more complicated. What sensors and features you need in a watch depends on how you intend to use it. 

If you mainly want a smartwatch for notification and call purposes, make sure you prioritize a watch with a microphone, speaker, and potentially cellular connectivity as well. Suppose you are more interested in highly accurate fitness information. In that case, you’ll want a multisport watch with a whole suite of features such as multi-band GPS, accelerometer, barometer, gyroscope, heart rate monitor, and more. 

Do I have to spend hundreds of dollars on a smartwatch?

The current generation of Apple Watch, the Series 8, starts at a whopping $399 (and goes up to $799 if you decide the Apple Watch Ultra is the right one for you). If you don’t necessarily need all the bells and whistles, just something that’ll track your health metrics and stick that data into a fitness app, plus maybe deliver some alerts, you don’t need to spend that much. In fact, you can spend barely a tenth of that price and get something surprisingly great.

The biggest use cases for smartwatches, according to Statista, are notifications and fitness tracking—and you can snag a budget smartwatch or fitness bracelet that can do that for you, acting as your everyday connected wearable at a fraction of the price of full-featured smartwatches.

What’s the most stylish smartwatch?

Smartwatches and fitness trackers aren’t known for being the most stylish accessories. They have some fundamental requirements that make being stylish difficult. For example, they have to be big enough to contain a touchscreen, a heart rate monitor, and a battery, which means that even the smallest tend to be on the bulky side.

For those who take wristwatches seriously, even the Apple Watch can be underwhelming from an aesthetic perspective. It’s a basic square made of glass and aluminum. Most Apple Watch alternatives are the same way: either a slim bracelet-style fitness tracker or a square or circular smartwatch. These tend to look just fine at the gym or when out for a run, but in more formal settings can look out of place.

Luckily, a few companies are getting on board with different designs. For example, the Amazfit T-Rex 2 leans into retro-style chunkiness, while hybrid smartwatches like the Skagen Jorn or Garmin vivomove 3 offer traditional analog watch hands with smartwatch features.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best Apple Watch alternatives

• Best overall: Galaxy Watch 5
• Best dedicated fitness tracker: Fitbit Sense 2
• Best smartwatch for Android users: Ticwatch Pro 3
• Best smartwatch for the triathlete in training: Garmin Forerunner 955
• Best stylish smartwatch: Skagen Jorn 38MM Gen 6 Hybrid Smartwatch
• Best for health data: Polar Ignite 3
• Best battery life: Garmin Instinct 2S Solar
• Best budget smartwatch: Amazfit GTS 4

There’s truly no shortage of wearables these days, with most smartphone makers offering watch choices and fitness trackers increasingly becoming more like smartwatches. Thus, choosing the best Apple Watch alternative can be overwhelming. The good news is that whether you are looking for a hyper-focused fitness watch, a stylish smartwatch, or a simple blend between the two, there is an efficiency-boosting accessory for you among the choices we’ve compiled so you can complement your look and lifestyle.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best Apple Watch alternatives in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Since its release in 2022, the Apple Watch Series 8 has been the model to get when it comes to wearables. You, too, can get crash detection, better heart monitoring, and even ovulation tracking thanks to this massive Apple Watch 8 deal on Amazon, which knocks down the price to $329 —that’s the lowest we’ve seen it go for, ever.

Apple Watch Series 8 $329 (Was $399)

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Don’t let the outside—which doesn’t feature any noticeable design changes compared to the Series 7—fool you. Inside, the Apple Watch 8 features improved sensors for more accurate health readings and safety detection. An Always On Retina display shows medication reminders and text messages in stunning clarity, and a crack-resistant, IP6X dust-resistant, and swimproof face and body mean you don’t have to worry about breaking it during everyday wear or while you’re taking laps at the pool. It works across the Apple ecosystem, meaning you can unlock your Mac, locate other devices, and pay for a coffee with a swipe, tap, or touch. An 18-hour battery life means you can take advantage of all of these features without worrying about a dying device.

If you can go without dust resistance, an Always On Display, and blood oxygen and ECG readings, consider the Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), which is also at its lowest price today. You can get sleep tracking, crash detection, water resistance, and some of the same features as the Apple Watch 8 for $219. If you’ve been considering testing the Apple Watch waters for a low price, we can’t recommend the Apple Watch SE enough.

Time is running out on this deal—take advantage of it before they spring forward and fall back to their regular prices.

The post Get an Apple Watch 8 on Amazon today for the lowest price we’ve seen appeared first on Popular Science.

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Garmin already has an extensive lineup of advanced running watches in its Forerunner series, but it just got even larger. The wearable tech company has announced two new smartwatches: the Forerunner 265 and 965. The highlight of the release is their vibrant AMOLED displays, a first for Garmin GPS running smartwatches. Each will offer an optional always-on, full-color touchscreen (though you can lock the display during activity and rely on Garmin’s classic five-button navigation system). We loved the Garmin Forerunner 955, and its fundamentals form the basis of the new models, so we have high expectations for these new additions to the Forerunner family.

Training features of the Garmin Forerunner 265 and 965

Garmin’s watches traditionally offer an impressive suite of sensors and performance tracking/analyzing features. As a result, they make great Apple Watch alternatives, especially for athletes. And this all holds even more true with the two new offerings. Like existing Forerunners (and other Garmin watches), they will calculate VO2 max, performance condition, training effect, and more. And all of that data is used to calculate a training readiness score to help you plan your rest better.

Sleep is a key component of performance, which Garmin clearly understands. Its watches can track your sleep, in part by evaluating heart rate variability, providing a more complete wellness and training picture. And, provided you sleep wearing the watch, a Morning Report summarizes your sleep, your day’s training outlook, and the environmental conditions you can expect. 

These watches will also offer daily suggested workouts, which adapt after every run to help you improve your running performance and prevent overtraining. The race widget, along with Garmin Coach and PacePro, will provide training tips and predictions for race performance based on specific course details, weather, and performance. They can even measure running power and running dynamics without any additional accessories. Now, however, shall of these metrics will be more visible and vivid indoors and out, thanks to the upgrade from memory-in-pixel displays.

Garmin Forerunner 265 details

The Forerunner 265, priced at $449.99, sits right between the Forerunner 255 Music and 955. It gets the full set of sensors found in Garmin’s advanced fitness smartwatches, including the wrist-based Pulse Ox sensor. The 265 also offers Garmin’s safety features, such as incident detection and LiveTrack.

As a smartwatch, it easily connects to your phone for smart notifications and allows you to download music from Spotify, Deezer, or Amazon Music to the watch for phone-free Bluetooth listening. And you can use Garmin Pay for contactless payments. 

The Forerunner 265 will be available in two sizes, each offering different battery life. The 42mm Forerunner 265S promises 24 hours of battery life in GPS mode and up to 15 days in smartwatch mode. The larger Forerunner 265, with a 46mm case, should provide up to 20 hours of battery life in GPS mode and up to 13 days in smartwatch mode. 

Garmin Forerunner 965 details

Garmin designed the Forerunner 965 for seriously dedicated athletes. It’s at the top of the Forerunner lineup, priced at $599.99. As a result, it will feature all the same things mentioned above and more. Garmin says it adds “additional performance metrics, built-in mapping, and the ability to store more songs right on the watch” compared to the 265. 

The 965 also offers a new feature, called load ratio, to “track short-term to mid-term load ratio” to stay healthy while training. Stamina insights will also help track exertion levels for a well-rounded picture of your training. And ClimbPro shows real-time information on climbs during a run, including gradient, distance, and elevation gain. There are also full-color built-in maps for route planning and navigation.

The 965 will feature a 47mm case with a lightweight titanium bezel. The AMOLED display is Garmin’s largest yet at 1.4 inches (the epix Gen. 2), Garmin’s first AMOLED-equipped watch, has a 1.3-inch screen). Garmin says it will provide up to 31 hours of battery life in GPS mode and up to 23 days in smartwatch mode.

Pricing & availability

The Garmin Forerunner 265 will cost you $449.99 for either the 42mm or 46mm versions. It is available for purchase now. The Garmin Forerunner 965 will run you $599.99 and won’t ship until late March/early April, but can be pre-ordered now.

The post Garmin’s latest running watches pair vivid visuals with your vitals appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best overall		Belkin BOOST↑CHARGE PRO 3-in-1 Charging Pad		SEE IT	An Apple enthusiast’s simplest solution for charging all the essentials.
Best charger		Mophie 3-in-1 Travel Charger		SEE IT	Classy as it is convenient, this compact charger helps simplify packing.
Best battery		OtterBox wireless 5K mAh Power Bank		SEE IT	Two-sided MagSafe compatibility adds versatility to this potent pint-sized battery backup.

If you’ve ever woken up and, groggily lumbering toward the bathroom, started the day by tripping over an iPhone charging cable, you know you felt no shame audibly cheering the first time you used a MagSafe accessory. MagSafe, Apple’s magnetic connector for electronic devices, started as an improvement for MacBook power cords in 2006. But it was with the introduction of the iPhone 12 in 2020 that the MagSafe name became synonymous with the much wider world of wireless power transfer and magnetic attachment products. Having a phone and a MagSafe-compatible charger saves you the problem of having the right cord with the right connector that’s the right length to be lined up just right; when that green circle lights up the iPhone screen, one less worry fills your mind. Not every MagSafe accessory involves power but they do all involve that feeling of security. Here’s our selection of the best MagSafe accessories to make sure your iPhone is fully charged and fastened when and where you need it to be.

• Best overall: Belkin BOOST↑CHARGE PRO 3-in-1 Charging Pad
• Best charging dock: Nomad Base One Max
• Best charger: Mophie 3-in-1 Travel Charger
• Best car mount: Belkin BOOST↑CHARGE Magnetic Wireless Car Charger
• Best phone case: Otterbox OtterGrip Symmetry Series
• Best battery: OtterBox wireless 5K mAh Power Bank

How we chose the best MagSafe accessories

As gadget geeks and serial upgraders, many of us have a recent iPhone. And considering how many devices we regularly test, requiring us to keep track of yet another interconnect, being able to wrangle one less tangle is a godsend. This is why we are both fans and intimate friends with many MagSafe accessories. Combining this firsthand experience with peer recommendations, critical reviews, and user impressions, we put together a list of potential inclusions from top manufacturers—including Belkin, Mophie, OtterBox, and more—then narrowed down the dozens of options to these picks.

The best MagSafe accessories: Reviews & Recommendations

MagSafe is a quality-of-life improvement you didn’t know you needed, but once you have it, you don’t understand why you didn’t this whole time. Here are our top picks for some of the best MagSafe accessories, focusing on accessories that offer charging.

Best overall: Belkin BOOST↑CHARGE PRO 3-in-1 charging pad

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Why it made the cut: This unassuming silicone-clad slab packs a sweet suite of Apple device chargers into a low-profile accessory.

Specs

• Dimensions: 9.8 x 5 x 3.66 inches
• Weight: 1.74 pounds
• Power: Up to 15W MagSafe

Pros

• Charges iPhone, Apple Watch, and wireless earbuds simultaneously
• Full 15W MagSafe charging capability
• Apple Watch Series 7 fast charge supported
• Apple Watch can be charged flat or in Nightstand mode

Cons

• Not the cheapest charging pad

Fans of maximized minimalism will love this Belkin 3-in-1 charging stand. It’s an Apple enthusiast’s simplest solution for charging all the essentials, with dedicated spots for a MagSafe-compatible iPhone, an Apple Watch, and wireless-compatible AirPods. 

Despite being a three-device dream, it’s an unassuming silicone-clad slab—available in Black or White with a soft-matte finish and subtle chrome accents—and it’s a lay-flat design that can be easily packed for on-the-go use. The MagSafe iPhone platform offers full 15W charging, with or without an official MagSafe case on your device (an included 40W adapter ensures the full output). While the Watch puck is adjustable, allowing any size Watch to be oriented as an alarm clock in Nightstand mode—and enabling fast charge for compatible Apple Watch Series 8 models. And the AirPods panel includes an LED indicator, so you know the wireless charging is active. 

Stable without being too hefty, the Belkin BOOST↑CHARGE PRO is the top third-party MagSafe charger and fills an important gap in Apple’s own offerings.

Best charging dock: Nomad Base One Max charger

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Why it made the cut: Nomad’s Base One Max is a sturdy 2-in-1 Made for iPhone-certified charger made of metal, glass, and soft-touch rubber.

Specs

• Dimensions: 7.44 x 3.54 x 1.8 inches
• Weight: 2 pounds
• Power: Up to 15W MagSafe, Requires 30W charging brick

Pros

• Beautiful design
• Weight keeps it anchored
• Apple Watch charges in Nightstand Mode

Cons

• Pricey
• Doesn’t support Apple Watch 7 fast charge
• Doesn’t come with a charging brick

Nomad’s Base One Max is a hefty 2-in-1 charger that emphasizes design and utility. Available in Carbide or Silver, it features a solid metal and glass design along with subtle soft-touch accents to keep your devices protected, and it looks and feels more like a centerpiece rather than just another accessory.

The integrated Apple Watch charger props up the wearable in Nightstand Mode, while the 15W MFi MagSafe pad provides a satisfying thunk every time you place your iPhone down to charge. The charging pad is also compatible with other Qi-enabled devices so that you can charge your AirPods in between Zoom meetings.

Although the Base One Max is heavy at 2 pounds, its weight allows it to stay anchored when you reach for your device, and the rubber base ensures it won’t move around. The Base One Max comes with a 6-foot braided USB-C cable, but you’ll have to supply your own charging brick. It also doesn’t support fast charge on the Apple Watch.

While the Base One Max is pricey and not as transportable as our best overall pick, its thoughtful, high-quality design makes it one of the most elegant MagSafe options for a designated iPhone charging station.

Best charger: Mophie 3-in-1 Travel Charger

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Why it made the cut: Simplify your packing without sacrificing anything with this elegant wireless charging solution.

Specs

• Dimensions: 0.4 x 12.3 x 3.2 inches
• Weight: 9.92 ounces
• Power: 7.5W, 15W MagSafe

Pros

• Compact yet complete charging suite
• Sophisticated aesthetics
• Apple Watch can be oriented in Nightstand mode

Cons

• As pricy as a permanent pad, but not as solid

Classy as it is convenient, the Mophie 3-in-1 travel charger with MagSafe is an easily packable trifold charger that comes with all the accessories needed, all tucked within an elegant felt organizer. Inside this backpack, briefcase, or maybe even belt bag-friendly case, you’ll find three pockets for the charger, a 30W USB-C PD wall adapter, and an included 1m USB-C to USB-C cable.

Unfurl the heathered grey fabric-wrapped hub and three pads will be revealed, ​​with a dedicated cradle for AirPods, a magnetized disc for iPhone, and a magnetized puck for Apple Watch. This charger powers all three simultaneously from a single cable plugged into the Watch platform. Perfect for pleasurable jaunts and business trips alike, this stylish set-up starts your devices charging on contact, so you’ll be ready to touch base with all your contacts in the morning.    

Best car mount: Belkin BOOST↑CHARGE Magnetic Wireless Car Charger

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Why it made the cut: This vent-mounted charger helps you steer without your iPhone sliding around and driving you crazy. 

Specs

• Dimensions: 1.68 x 3.98 x 5.43 inches
• Weight: 3.35 ounces
• Power: Up to 10W

Pros

• Easily mounted/removed on a vehicle air vent
• Keeps phone secure, accessible, and charged during navigation

Cons

• Requires you to run a cable from the console to charge
• Placement might require some adjusting, based on vent blades

It may not quite be the jetpacks that the future promised, but having a MagSafe mount in the car definitely changed how I travel for the better. Securing my iPhone conveniently as fast, if not faster, than I fasten my own seatbelt, not having to fish out a charging cable, then detaching the phone just as expediently when I get to my destination is perhaps the greatest expression of MagSafe’s life-changing properties. 

Easily clamped to an air vent, the Belkin BOOST↑CHARGE magnetic wireless charging mount holds an iPhone firmly within sight even when traffic patterns shift abruptly. If you must keep an eye on a screen for navigation purposes (I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt you won’t play videos or other distractions while driving), it’s far better to situate your phone in an optimal place to the side of the steering column rather than have you fumbling for it with only one hand on the wheel. 

In addition to firmly holding the phone in place (in either vertical or horizontal orientation), the Belkin BOOST↑CHARGE can be plugged into (what was once) the cigarette lighter with the included 20W USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 car power supply and charge your iPhone while driving. This helps compensate for energy-intensive programs like Waze and Google Maps keeping your display and GPS continually active. The road may be full of bumps, but at least your phone won’t flip or its battery dip with this convenient accessory.  

Best phone case: Otterbox OtterGrip Symmetry Series

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Why it made the cut: Enter the world of MagSafe without having to get rid of a phone grip.

Specs

• Dimensions: 6.02 x 3.11 x .53 inches
• Weight: 1.76 ounces
• Power: N/A

Pros

• Combines MagSafe compliance with easy grip
• Durable
• Doesn’t interfere with phone buttons

Cons

• OtterGrip not a complete replacement for the PopSocket
• More of a phone grip than a phone stand

Thanks to increasingly more content and the pixels needed to display it, smartphones have gotten bigger and bigger over the last decade. For people with the small, dainty hands of a 19th-century child working in a watch factory, phone grips like PopSockets provided a handle to prevent some accidental drops and smartphone pinky. However, these add-ons meant that anyone using one could never fully experience the convenience of MagSafe—an iPhone‘s back cover has to be easily accessible so that compatible accessories can sit flush and align their magnetic array. Sure, you can buy a PopSocket that attaches using MagSafe, but then you’re taking it on and off and potentially losing it. That changes with the Otterbox OtterGrip Symmetry Series case, originally announced in January 2023 at CES and now available. The OtterGrip gives you the best of both worlds, allowing you to have an integrated phone grip and use any of the MagSafe chargers, mounts, batteries, etc., you see on this page. Simply pull the grip away from the case to use it, and snap it back in place when you decide to place it on a wireless charger or car mount. The grip also rotates 360 degrees for ergonomics.

The OtterGrip is also incredibly durable without the chonk. Some may think “big, bulky case” when they hear the name OtterBox, but that’s no longer the, well, case. There’s a better “click” on the volume and lock buttons compared to my old Speck Gemshell case, which has a slim profile, all things considered. The OtterGrip is actually slimmer than the Speck Gemshell using a separate phone grip, with higher drop protection.

If you use a PopSocket-like grip for a phone stand, however, you might want to pass on the OtterGrip case—it’s hard to balance the phone and get it to stay in place without the grip snapping back into place. The OtterGrip isn’t a one-to-one replacement for the PopSocket in terms of feeling, and there is some getting used to the experience. But being able to use MagSafe and feel more secure when you’re holding your expensive pocket computer is worth the learning curve.

Best battery: OtterBox wireless 5K mAh power bank

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Why it made the cut: Two-sided MagSafe compatibility adds versatility to this potent pint-sized battery backup.

Specs

• Dimensions: 6.69 x 4.25 x 0.39 inches
• Weight: 6.5 ounces
• Power: 5W Qi, 7.5W MagSafe

Pros

• Magnets on both sides allow connections to a phone and mount simultaneously
• Wireless input and wireless output
• LED indicators for charge status/battery life

Cons

• No magnetic stabilizing strip leaves the opportunity for the power bank to rotate 
• Not the biggest capacity available in a wireless power bank

The Otterbox wireless 5K mAh power bank tops the battery category not only because of what it can hold and also how you can hold it. It doesn’t have the capacity of, say, Belkin’s equally recommendable BOOST↑CHARGE Wireless Charger 10K, but only holding half the charge means it also takes up less space—a huge plus for pocketability (though the battery has the potential to rotate/become unaligned if you’re power-walking with purpose). And 5K is enough to fully recharge any iPhone 13 once (or the iPhone 13 mini twice).

What really stands out with this power bank is that it has MagSafe on both sides, meaning you can attach it to a MagSafe charger with your iPhone simultaneously attached, topping off both in the process. I actually store one on a Satechi 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand so it’s primed and ready to easily peel off in case I’m leaving the house without my iPhone at 100%. And if I was without that convenient perch and succumbed to a cable, I could use the bidirectional USB-C port to charge the power bank, as well as to charge my phone.  

Things to consider before buying the best MagSafe accessories

If you have an iPhone 12, iPhone 13, or iPhone 14 of any size/sort, you can access MagSafe. And if you have a debit or credit card, you can access the MagSafe accessories presented here. But before you invest in new accouterments, you might have some questions. And that’s why we’re here.

So, how exactly does MagSafe work?

MagSafe uses a series of internal magnets ringing an iPhone’s charging coil to snap securely to compatible accessories. This assures that any attachments are properly lined up, which is particularly valuable for optimized wireless charging. As for how magnets work in general, that is a tale of electrons spinning and atoms aligning and a miraculous mystery for another time. But when magnetized objects of opposite poles enter each other’s magnetic fields, they are as strongly attracted to each other as a long-time Apple fan is to hearing “… and one more thing.”

Do I need MagSafe accessories?

No. If you are a connoisseur of cables—each one personally, painstakingly labeled as to what it is for—then keep enjoying those curled-up keepsakes and a Jenga-like set of power bricks. USB-A to Lightning, USB-C to Lightning … you do you. Being hardwired to the wall will continue to work … for now (we have no insight into Apple’s plans to discontinue ports on iPhones). And if you always have or prefer to secure your phone in a dashboard-mounted vice while driving, don’t switch up what works for you. So, no, you don’t need MagSafe accessories. But if you’ve gotten tired of trying to find a convenient place to plug in a somehow always slightly too short cable, or finding out that the cable you desperately need to save you from an imminent power-down has a short in it, you definitely may want MagSafe accessories. And don’t even get me started as to how convenient a MagSafe car mount is … (OK, get me started but wait till we get to our top pick in that category, please.)

Do I need a MagSafe case for my iPhone?

To charge wirelessly, no, you don’t need a MagSafe case. But to attach additional accessories to your iPhone while it’s in the case, yes, you need a MagSafe case. Plus the MagSafe system in the case helps alleviate any concerns that it might fall off.

If I buy a MagSafe accessory, does it need to be “Made for MagSafe” to work?

No, though it can’t hurt. There are plenty of “MagSafe compatible” options with the magnetic ring that lets your iPhone snap to them with the precision needed to stay and/or charge properly. We even recommend some. But the “Made for MagSafe” badge does bring some benefits. It means that the device can support 15W charging (12W for iPhone mini models), rather than the 7.5W charging of “MagSafe compatible” alternatives (and more watts=faster charging). To get maximum output, however, be sure you have at least a 20W USB-C PD adapter for the charging pad. In addition, the near-field communication between “Made for MagSafe” charging devices means you get the undeniable satisfaction of seeing your iPhone’s screen light up with the curling green MagSafe animation that guarantees authenticity and efficiency. 

Can I charge anything other than my iPhone with a MagSafe pad?

Sure, you can place anything with Qi-enabled wireless charging on a MagSafe pad and the battery will fill. However, the device won’t snap into place so you won’t know if it’s set down correctly and there’s nothing to stop it from getting knocked off the pad accidentally. There are Android devices, and optional cases, that do have magnetic rings in them, which solves that problem, but Android devices don’t replicate the alert an official MagSafe charger gives when it comes into contact with an iPhone.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best MagSafe accessories

If you’re wired to go wireless and you’re an iPhone owner, MagSafe accessories are the best way to get your fill of features and battery capacity. Matching convenience with efficiency, the best MagSafe accessories are as attached to your pocket computer as you are and can help empower your adventures together.

The post The best MagSafe accessories of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Spring is drawing nearer with each passing day, and the promise of warmer weather gives you the chance to break out those new running shoes and take a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood. No offense to your treadmill, but there’s something especially lovely about feeling the sun on your face and the breeze in your hair. Track how many steps you take—along with distance walked—with Fitbits on sale for up to 20% off on Amazon.

Fitbit Luxe $98.95 (Was $129.95)

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The Fitbit Luxe (which is just one of our favorite Fitbits) has a slimmer face compared to other touchscreen fitness watches. This watch, however, has a stainless steel case for added durability. 24/7 heart rate tracking gives you more accurate numbers, and a gentle, affirming buzz lets you know when you’ve reached your target heart rate while exercising. Five days’ worth of battery on a single charge means you can spend more time using the watch’s stress management tools and less time hooking it up to a charger. And, get real-time pace and distance tracking when you connect it to your phone’s GPS. It’s perfect for someone who is looking for a smartwatch that blends fashion with function.

If you’re looking for something that looks and feels like an analog watch with health features, the Garmin vivomove Sport is on sale for $149.99, down from its original $179.99 pricing. It has a traditional watch face and real hands with a touchscreen display that shows your daily step count, smartphone notifications, and more.

And if a smartwatch isn’t your jam at all, we love plenty of timeless timepieces under $500 including this Timex Unisex Weekender Chronograph watch, which comes with a leather and nylon strap to match practically any outfit in your closet.

These deals will fly away like a bird after it drops below 30 degrees, so take advantage of them before it’s too late.

Here are some other fitness watches we want to get our hands on:

• Fitbit Inspire 3 $79.95 (Was $99.95)
• Fitbit Charge 5 $128.99 (Was $149.95)
• Fitbit Sense 2 $249.95 (Was $299.95)
• Garmin Lily $149.99 (Was $199.99)
• Samsung-Galaxy Watch5 Aluminum Smartwatch 40mm BT-Pink Gold $229.99 (Was $279.99)
• Apple Watch Series 5 (GPS, 40MM)-Space Gray Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band (Renewed) $144.95 (Was $205)
• Apple Watch Ultra [GPS + Cellular 49mm] $749 (Was $799)
• Amazfit Band 5 Activity Fitness Tracker with Alexa Built-in $34.99 (Was $39.99)
• Amazfit [2022 New Version] GTS 2 Mini Smart Watch $84.99 (Was $99.99)
• Amazfit GTS 2e Smart Watch $89.90 (Was $119.99)
• Withings ScanWatch-Hybrid Smartwatch & Activity Tracker $232.60 (Was $279.95)

The post Take time to get more steps in with discounted Fitbits on Amazon appeared first on Popular Science.

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Smartwatch enthusiasts should take note of this surprise deal on the Apple Watch Ultra, which brings its price down to $750 at multiple retailers. The $50 discount is just $10 shy of the Watch Ultra’s lowest price ever and the best price we’ve seen for this accomplished multisport wearable in months. Best Buy, which is honoring this deal, is also offering an open box model in excellent condition for $704, which is nearly $100 off the Ultra’s list price.

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The Apple Watch Ultra is Apple’s most premium smartwatch yet. The durable titanium watch body features a bigger screen (49mm), a brighter display (up to 2,000 nits), longer battery life (up to 36 hours during typical use and 60 hours in low power mode), and a physical function button that can be customized to a specific action. For instance, you can set the button press to start a workout or a timer, so you don’t have to swipe on its screen.

In addition to IP6X dust protection, the smartwatch is swim-proof to 40 meters and water-resistant down to 100 meters. A depth gauge and water temperature sensor can give you vital stats about your dive at a glance while you’re underwater. These advanced features are exclusive to the Apple Watch Ultra, but this model also supports Apple’s improvements to its entire smartwatch line.

The Watch Ultra’s High-g accelerometer and gyroscope enable crash detection, which sends a distress signal to the police and specified contact if it believes you’re in a car crash. The Emergency SOS feature allows the smartwatch to connect to satellites in rural regions in case something goes wrong and you can’t get voice service but need to send an alert. You can also use the watch to drop points on your hike and follow them back to civilization using a map on the Apple Watch if you get lost.

There’s also the standard assortment of health features, like heart rate tracking, sleep tracking, taking an EKG, and alerts if an Apple Watch detects an irregular heartbeat. Apple brought menstrual cycle tracking and temperature tracking to the Apple Watch this year, and that data will be encrypted and stored in Apple’s health app.

Apple doesn’t discount its hardware, and this is the best Apple Watch Ultra deal we’ve seen in months—especially if you pick up a refurbished model. If you’re been curious about the Watch Ultra or want to upgrade from an older model to the most luxe edition yet, this is a great time. If you’re not sure about which Apple Watch suits you best, check out our Apple Watch comparison.

The post The Apple Watch Ultra is $50 off right now at Amazon appeared first on Popular Science.

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Nowadays, watches today don’t just tell time—they can track your steps, play music, and even tell you your pulse. If you’re shopping for someone who raises your heart rate, Garmin has you covered with its fitness watches on sale just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Garmin fenix 6 Pro Solar $399.99 (Was $499.99)

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The biggest deal we saw in this sweet Garmin deal was on the fenix 6 Pro Solar Edition, which is $400 off from its OG $799.99 price.

Don’t discount it for being “last year’s model”—this watch still holds up to its adventure watch competition, thanks to its 16-day battery life and support for multiple global navigation systems like GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo. Combined with preloaded TOPO maps, barometric altimeter, and dedicated activity profiles for different sports, you have a watch made for adventure with your favorite buddy, platonic or romantic.

If you’re looking to gift something that blends into everyday life, consider the Lily or vívomove models. The Lily—on sale for $149.99, down from $199.99—complements your look with stylish leather or silicon bands. However, this watch isn’t just a pretty face, thanks to a built-in pulse oximeter, hydration tracker, and connected sports apps. The vívomove—also on sale for $149.99—is for those who want a less pronounced face like the Lily, but are looking for something with a wider band. It also features an analog look with smart features, like sleep monitoring, stress tracking, and activity profiles.

These are Valentine’s-exclusive deals, meaning they’ll disappear once Cupid has packed his bags and goes back to the heart-shaped arrow factory to prep for next year, so act fast.

Here are other Garmin fitness watch deals that move us:

• Forerunner 735XT $199.99 (Was $349.99)
• vívoactive 4S $199.99 (Was $349.99)
• Instinct Solar–Standard Edition $229.99 (Was $399.99)
• Forerunner 245 Music $269.99 (Was $349.99)
• Forerunner 45 $139.99 (Was $199.99)
• Venu 2S $349.99 (Was $399.99)
• Venu Sq $119.99 (Was $199.99)
• Bounce $139.99 (Was $149.99)
• vívofit jr. 3 $59.99 (Was $89.99)
• vívosmart 4 $99.99 (Was $129.99)

The post A watch is a timeless gift—snag one from Garmin for up to $400 off appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best overall		Panasonic CR2016		SEE IT	Power key fobs, calculators, and other small electronics with the CR2016 battery.
Best for watches		LiCB LR1130		SEE IT	Keep watches, children’s toys, and more powered up with this affordable 15-pack of alkaline batteries.
Best budget		AmVolt LR44		SEE IT	The LR44 batteries in this budget-friendly value pack are ideal for clocks, toys, watches, and more.

Coin batteries are tiny energy sources that power mobile devices, computers, remotes, toys, key fobs, calculators, electronic thermometers, flashlights, watches, and more. These batteries come in a wide range of different sizes and voltages. But while there are many different types of coin batteries, it’s important to note that even if two different batteries have the same voltage, only the type of battery specified by the device will work properly. In addition, some coin batteries also have safety features, such as a bitter-tasting coating, to discourage kids and pets from swallowing them. Keep reading to learn how to choose the best coin batteries for your devices.

• Best overall: Panasonic CR2016
• Best for cameras: Duracell 2032
• Best for remote controls: Energizer 2450
• Best for watches: LiCB LR1130
• Best budget: AmVolt LR44

How we picked the best coin batteries

Coin batteries are known by this name because of their shape and because people often had to put a coin into a slot to twist open the compartments to change the batteries. Key factors that helped to select the top products included the battery type, battery shelf life, safety features, and the overall value of the product.

While coin batteries can be used in many different electronic devices, not every device uses the same type of coin battery, and the different types are not interchangeable. With this in mind, the top products are each a different type of coin battery. In addition, we considered the value and battery shelf life together because while it may seem like a great bargain to invest in a 30-pack, you may risk not being able to use all of them before the end of their useful life.

Finally, safety features aren’t something most people consider when purchasing batteries, but some coin batteries can cause death within two hours of being swallowed, so products that attempted to prevent accidental ingestion were considered superior to similar products.

The best coin batteries: Reviews & Recommendations

Our extensive research into more than 40 different coin batteries is backed by years of firsthand experience dealing with a wide variety of different devices that required specific types of batteries to operate.

Best overall: Panasonic CR2016

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Why it made the cut: These CR2016 coin batteries are excellent for key fobs, alarm sensors, clocks, watches, and many other electronic devices.

Specs

• Type: CR2016
• Quantity: Two batteries
• Voltage: 3 volts

Pros

• Child-resistant packaging
• Shelf life of up to eight years
• Advanced sealing technology reduces the chance of chemical leaks
• Temperature resistant from 14 to 140 degrees F

Cons

• Only two batteries in a pack

Ensure that your wall clock and alarm clock tell the correct time by replacing dead batteries with a Panasonic CR2016 coin battery. This pack includes four lithium coin batteries that have a nominal voltage of 3 volts and can last for up to eight years. Just keep in mind that this is the batteries’ shelf life, so a battery installed in a device will likely need to be replaced within that eight-year window.

These coin batteries should be used only in devices that require CR2016 batteries to ensure that the device receives the appropriate amount of power without any ill-fitting connections that may cause internal damage to the battery compartment. The batteries come in a child-resistant package that must be opened carefully with scissors. This attempts to prevent the batteries from being swallowed by kids and pets. Additionally, the batteries are resistant to extreme cold and hot temperatures, ranging from 14 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, though exposure to these temperatures will still degrade the batteries’ life.

Best for cameras: Duracell 2032

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Why it made the cut: Designed for various electronic devices, such as cameras and medical devices, these CR2032 batteries are one of the most frequently used coin batteries.

Specs

• Type: CR2032
• Quantity: Four batteries
• Voltage: 3 volts

Pros

• Bitter coating to deter ingestion by children and pets
• 10-year shelf life
• Child-resistant packaging
• Popular battery type suitable for many devices

Cons

• Only four batteries in a pack

One of the main benefits of using a coin battery instead of a standard cylinder battery is that coin batteries are lightweight, making them ideal for portable devices such as flashlights and watches. Used in cameras, computer motherboards, key fobs, watches, garage-door openers, toys, doorbells, medical devices, fitness trackers, and more, these CR0232 batteries are one of the most popular types of coin battery available, and this small package of four will likely be put to good use quickly.

The Duracell CR2032 3 Volt coin batteries are an excellent option for homes with kids and mischievous pets because not only do they come in a child-resistant package, but they also have a bitter-tasting coating to deter kids and their furry friends from putting them in their mouths. Each 3-volt battery can last for up to 10 years; however, it should be mentioned that some users found that they received an old, dated package with batteries that were already dead. This situation should be able to be resolved by the company with a replacement package, but always make sure to check the date of manufacture to ensure that the products are indeed new.

Best for remote controls: Energizer 2450

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Why it made the cut: Store these lithium batteries for up to 10 years or use them immediately in various electronic devices for reliable, long-lasting power.

Specs

• Type: CR2450
• Quantity: Two batteries
• Voltage: 3 volts

Pros

• Child-resistant packaging
• 10-year shelf life
• Leak-resistant casing

Cons

• Only two batteries

In contrast to the short shelf life and battery life of alkaline coin batteries, these Energizer 2450 3 Volt lithium coin batteries can last for up to 10 years before the stored energy is fully discharged, which should be more than enough time to put these two batteries to good use instead of worrying about throwing them out unused. Additionally, each battery is individually sealed and cannot be accessed without scissors. While the packaging may frustrate some adults, it was intentionally made difficult to open to protect kids and pets from accidentally swallowing the batteries.

These coin batteries have leak-resistant casings to prevent the battery wall from rupturing and leaking chemicals into the package or within a device. This product only comes with two batteries, so users with more than two devices that operate on CR2450 batteries will need to purchase more than one of these two-packs.

Best for watches: LiCB LR1130

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Why it made the cut: Keep track of the time, stand out during a presentation, and double-check calculations with these LR1130 alkaline batteries for watches, laser pointers, calculators, and more.

Specs

• Type: LR1130
• Quantity: 20 batteries
• Voltage: 1.5 volts

Pros

• Affordable 20-battery pack
• Leak-resistant casing
• Individually sealed compartments for each battery in the package

Cons

• Short shelf life could lead to wasted batteries

While alkaline batteries are known to have a shorter shelf life than most lithium batteries, they are still a popular choice for powering a variety of electronic devices because they cost less than lithium batteries, and the short shelf life isn’t a concern if the batteries are going to be used immediately. This 20-pack of LiCB LR1130 coin batteries can last up to three years, giving users a decent amount of time to use them in small electronics such as watches, calculators, children’s toys, laser pointers, electronic thermometers, and more.

These alkaline coin batteries are made with a leak-resistant casing to help prevent the batteries from rupturing and damaging the devices. To help protect the batteries that are not currently being used, the package has individually sealed compartments for each battery. 

Best budget: AmVolt LR44

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Why it made the cut: The three-year shelf life and leak-resistant construction help preserve the batteries both when in use and when stored for later use.

Specs

• Type: LR44
• Quantity: 15 batteries
• Voltage: 1.5 volts

Pros

• Leak-resistant casing
• 15-battery value pack
• Compatible with a wide variety of devices

Cons

• Packaging is not child-resistant

The AmVolt LR44 1.5 Volt coin battery is an affordable option that can be used on numerous electronic devices, including laser pointers, watches, clocks, calculators, cameras, remote controls, toys, flashlights, cholesterol-testing meters, blood glucose testers, and digital voice recorders. This impressive range of uses makes the 15-battery value pack with a three-year shelf life an ideal option for most homes. 

Additionally, these LR44 1.5V coin batteries are made with a leak-resistant casing intended to prevent the battery from rupturing. However, if these batteries are exposed to extremely high temperatures, even this resistant casing may bulge and break. Also, it should be noted that the packaging of these batteries is not child-resistant, so the package needs to be kept out of reach of kids and pets.

Things to consider before buying coin batteries

Before grabbing the first coin batteries that look like they might work, take some time to learn about the various factors that are important to think about before your purchase, such as the battery type, the battery life, and any safety features that can help prevent accidental ingestion.

Coin battery types

 It’s necessary to differentiate between the various coin batteries because even if two coin battery types have equal voltages, the different types are not interchangeable. With this in mind, it’s necessary to check each electronic device to determine the specific type of coin battery the device needs to operate.

Some of the most common types of coin batteries include CR2032, CR2016, CR450, LR44, and LR1130, but there are many more. They also typically come in alkaline or lithium options and may differ in voltage, though 1.5V and 3V are standard voltages for coin batteries.

Battery life

The life of a coin battery is difficult to determine because the rate at which the stored energy is absorbed and used depends on the amount of energy used by the particular device, the frequency with which the device is used, and the number of batteries in the device. For this reason, manufacturers do not often provide this detail; instead, they advertise the shelf life of the battery, which refers to the amount of time the battery can remain effective while not being used.

Alkaline batteries are an affordable option for low-power devices like watches, and they can last up to three years, but they have a short shelf life compared to lithium batteries, which can last up to 10 years in some cases. If you are looking for a battery value pack, remember that even when batteries are not in use, they can still lose the stored energy and become useless.

Safety features

Coin batteries certainly don’t seem as dangerous as poison or power tools. Still, if these little batteries are accidentally eaten they can cause serious harm to the body’s interior. They may even lead to death if the powerful chemicals inside the batteries leak out. Due to this inherent danger, many coin battery manufacturers have improved the battery packaging in an attempt to prevent kids and pets from opening the packages and swallowing the batteries.

Additionally, some companies have added a bitter flavoring to the exterior of each battery so that if a child or pet puts the battery in their mouth, the bitter taste will make them want to spit the battery out and avoid ingesting batteries in the future.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best coin batteries

• Best overall: Panasonic CR2016
• Best for cameras: Duracell 2032
• Best for remote controls: Energizer 2450
• Best for watches: LiCB LR1130
• Best budget: AmVolt LR44

The child-resistant packaging and convenient four-pack make the Panasonic CR2016 coin batteries an excellent option for a home with kids or pets. Still, if you need LR44 batteries, the 15-pack of AmVolt LR44 coin batteries is an affordable option for watches, clocks, remotes, and even game controllers.

The post The best coin batteries of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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There is no shortage of general fitness and multisport smartwatches these days, but fewer catering hyper-specifically to runners, particularly the way the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar does. This wearable sits at the top of Garmin’s Forerunner line and is jam-packed with helpful training tools, no shortage of smartwatch features, and impressive battery life. Garmin, a multinational specializing in GPS-enabled technology, designed it with endurance athletes in mind, though it still provides many benefits for casual enthusiasts. Following in the footsteps—or is that stride—of the Forerunner 945 (released in 2019), the Forerunner 955 offers several incremental, not necessarily essential updates, as well as a couple of marquee additions. I’ve tested the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar for six months, giving me plenty of time to learn about the watch and whether it’s a worthy upgrade for most people.

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The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar’s design

The changes between the Forerunner 945 and Forerunner 955 are subtle, carrying over most of the design language from the previous iteration. This may explain why the launch price of $599.99 is the same between both models. But there are a few things that stand out on the newer iteration. For starters, the transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) display has been upgraded. The 955 uses a 1.3-inch display with a resolution of 260 x 260 pixels, while the older 945 is 1.2 inches with a resolution of 240 x 240 pixels. It’s not a huge difference, but you will get a slightly larger display with the 955, which is nice for quick glances at your numbers while working out. 

The most notable change is that the 955 now features touchscreen capabilities, which the 945 did not. I appreciated the touchscreen functionality, which is one of the main reasons I have stuck with the 955 over my Forerunner 745 or the Instinct 2S Solar. I’ve found that it makes scrolling through widgets and (sub-sub-sub)menu items much easier than repeatedly pushing buttons. And I enjoy tapping the screen to enter a menu or view a notification more. If you are prone to accidentally swiping, you can turn touch off completely or choose which specific activities have touch functionality turned on (it defaults to off for all activities).

As with the 945, the newest Forerunner features a full-color display. You may expect that it would be more difficult to read in sunny conditions compared to traditional exercise watches’ high-contrast, monochrome display. But that is not the case. I found it as easy to see and read, even at a glance when in direct sun, as my Instinct 2S Solar. And, with the customization options, you can even choose color schemes that are easier to read for you.

Unfortunately, the case and included band are only available in white (technically named “Whitestone,” the version I’ve used) and black instead of a range of colors like other Garmin watches. I was a bit worried about the white staying white. I have been pleasantly surprised by its resilience, however, even while working on a car engine and getting quite greasy. 

The band and large watch case tend to trap water, though, so if you shower or swim in the watch, you will want to take it off to dry things off more thoroughly. I wore my Forerunner 955 for a handful of weeks nonstop and ended up with a bit of a reaction where the sensors are. It was minor and cleared up with some time sans watch, but it’s something to be aware of. 

While the Forerunner is still decidedly a fitness watch in design, it still has rather sleek looks. And considering all the tech that is packed inside, it’s impressively thin (14.4mm). The 46.5 x 46.5mm watch face still looks giant on my wrist, but that’s the trade-off when you want to take advantage of a large screen size on child-sized wrists. 

Materials

The bezel of the watch is made of fiber-reinforced polymer, which seems to be incredibly durable. I have hit this thing on hard surfaces far too many times, and the perimeter doesn’t have a scratch. One of the benefits of the all-plastic design is that it helps cut down on weight. The all-polymer, 46.5mm Forerunner 955 only weighs 1.86 ounces. For comparison, the 47mm fēnix 7 Sapphire Solar features a titanium bezel and fiber-reinforced polymer with a titanium rear cover, weighing 2.57 ounces. That may seem like a tiny amount, but for serious endurance athletes, every fraction of an ounce adds up, making the Forerunner the better choice for those individuals.

Topping the display is rugged Corning Gorilla Glass DX. I managed to scratch mine somehow, so it isn’t impenetrable, but I haven’t exactly babied it either. It would have been nice to get the more durable Power Sapphire glass that tops the fēnix 7 Sapphire Solar or the Sapphire edition of the Garmin epix (Gen 2).

Lastly, the band of the watch is made of silicone. The silicone is a bit thick and, as mentioned, tends to trap moisture, so may not be for everyone. Luckily, it is Garmin QuickFit compatible in the 22mm size so you can purchase bands made of nylon, leather, metal, or titanium instead, should you wish. 

Setting up the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar

Garmin consistently does a fantastic job of making its products easy to set up and use and remains consistent with the Forerunner 955. This is especially true if you are already a Garmin user. The watch comes with a partial charge so that you can get started right away. You’ll need to download the Garmin Connect app, but the watch walks you through all the necessary steps, making setup clear and confusion-free. It’s a fast process if you do the bare minimum for setup.

Where things get a bit more complicated is all of the personalization available on the watch. While you certainly don’t need to mess with most settings just to get started, there are seemingly endless options—with more added semi-regularly. I appreciate Garmin’s Auto Update—it saves me from having to remember to check for OS updates, which I usually forget—and I feel like I am regularly discovering new things in menus or in the post-workout display, which is always fun. 

The watch face can be fully adjusted, as can any of the visible widgets when you scroll down and the layout of each workout screen. You can even adjust things as nitty-gritty as accent and background colors. If you want to really fine-tune your watch, it could take a while. In fact, I’ve had this watch for around six months and I’m still tweaking things.

The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar’s features

The Forerunner 955 Solar is so packed with features that I could easily write an entire book describing everything. It seems that the capabilities of this watch are nearly endless. As such, I’ll be focusing on the items that I used most frequently and those that are the most widely helpful. 

Usability 

Navigating the watch is pretty straightforward, especially if you’ve used a Garmin watch. There are tiny (and hard to see) labels on the bezel and the buttons themselves to point you in the right direction for the most common things you’ll need to access. But, for specific menu items, you’ll likely need to spend some time digging around or reading the manual.

My biggest complaint about the Forerunner 955 is how you turn it off and on. My other Garmin watches have simply involved going to the Power Off menu item, and that was that. But the Forerunner 955 asks you to take the extra step of confirming that you want to turn it off. Given that you have to go into a menu within a menu to get to this, it seems unlikely that you would accidentally turn it off. The extra step is subtle but annoying. 

Additionally, startup time is much slower. Sure, more tech is involved in the Forerunner 955, but it takes just over 20 seconds to turn on fully. It’s nit-picky, sure, but if I’m powering up to get going on a run, it’s a bit annoying to wait for that, especially when that hasn’t been the case on other watches I’ve used.

Data collection and insights

Being at the top of Garmin’s running watch line, the Forerunner 955 comes with just about every possible sensor packed inside. It features the Garmin Elevate Gen4 optical heart rate sensor, barometric altimeter, compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, thermometer, and pulse ox blood oxygen saturation monitor. Those sensors are, of course, used when recording an activity, but many are constantly recording data. For example, you can always check your heart rate and steps. And you can take a pulse ox reading on-demand or while sleeping.

All of those sensor readings are used to provide insights such as Training Status, Training Readiness, stress level, sleep data, and Body Battery. It also provides hyper-specific stats such as run cadence, stride length, vertical ratio, ground contact time, and more. The information is there to help guide your training to maximize your fitness and potentially even assess form issues.

The data collected also helps manage general health with features such as Abnormal Heart Rate alerts. For example, if your heart rate is abnormally high, the watch will suggest breathing exercises to reduce stress and help you calm down. I’ve found this to be a helpful tool in high-stress situations, as it reminds me to reset and mentally take a step back from the thing causing the stress.

GPS

For location tracking and mapping, the Forerunner 955 provides access to three Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)—GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo. There are four settings to choose from—GPS only, All Systems, All Systems + Multi-Band, and Ultratrac—which differ in accuracy and impact on battery life. Ultratrac is the mode for multiday excursions as it provides the best battery life but the worst accuracy. The watch defaults to All + Multi-Band GPS for the most accurate results.

The watch also comes equipped with Garmin’s SatIQ, which determines the optimal GPS mode based on your environment. And new to the 955 is the dual-frequency GPS. This combines the All Systems option but then also connects to two satellites at once for exceptional accuracy, even when in canyons or a city. It does use much more battery, however. 

I only used the watch in pretty wide open spaces but found it to be very accurate with no issues. I compared it to data from a simultaneously worn Instinct 2S Solar (a watch I’ve written extensively about), and they were the same as far as my naked eye could tell. 

Smartwatch features

Beyond that obvious fitness tracking, the Forerunner 955 is also a robust productivity partner. It can connect to your phone, allowing you to receive messages and notifications. You can even select pre-formatted quick replies to text messages to respond right from your watch. 

The watch lacks a cellular connection and a microphone, however, so you cannot take calls like on an Apple Watch 8, etc. But you can at least see who is calling to determine if you want to bother getting your phone out. And you can reject and respond to calls with pre-formatted messages as well. 

Beyond the basics, you’ll also get access to Garmin Pay, which allows you to save cards to your account and pay with your watch. This is great, in theory, but my bank (USAA) isn’t participating in Garmin Pay, so I have been unable to use the watch for payment. Additionally, you can connect music providers, such as Spotify, to save music or podcasts directly to your device when you don’t want to have your phone on you. Again, this is great in theory, but I ran into nothing but issues when trying to set up music and never was able to get more than a handful of songs to sync. So I haven’t really been able to test that feature successfully.

Safety features

As someone who mostly runs alone, the safety features of the Forerunner 955 are extremely appreciated. And, in line with the rest of the watch, there’s no shortage of them, either. It’s important to note right off the bat that you will need to have your connected phone with service on you to take advantage of these features. And all of these features need to be set up within the app in order to be used. 

The most basic feature enables the basic safety tenet of outdoor recreation: Make sure people know where you are and when you expect to be done. When you begin an activity with GPS (weightlifting, for example, is not included), the watch connects to LiveTrack. This emails a real-time view of your location to your preselected contacts. Or you can share a link (accessed via the app on your phone) with anyone you’d like so they can follow along and ensure you are progressing as anticipated.

Additionally, there are some bigger safety features for even more peace of mind. One enables you to quickly call for assistance directly from the watch with the press of a few buttons. By entering the menu accessed with the top left button, you can navigate to “Assistance.” Once there, there are three options: “It’s an emergency. Please get help,” “Not an emergency, but please pick me up,” and “I need help. Follow my location to find me.” 

I tested the “Not an emergency” option with my husband to see what would happen, and Garmin sent him a message with the pre-formatted text along with my coordinates. It sent him multiple messages until I selected that I no longer needed assistance, which triggered a follow-up message to him to let him know I was okay. While you do need your phone to take advantage of this feature, it makes it much faster and easier to get help than getting out your phone and texting or calling someone. 

The last safety feature you’ll have access to is incident detection. If your Forerunner 955 detects an incident, it will display a notification on the watch. If that isn’t dismissed promptly, it automatically sends a message with your name and location to your emergency contacts. Unfortunately, Garmin doesn’t provide any information on what this exactly means or how it detects an incident, but in theory, this is an excellent feature to have. It’s worth noting that, unlike the Apple Watch Ultra, the Forerunner 955 cannot notify emergency services for you since it doesn’t include a cellular connection like the Apple Watch. 

Garmin app

When you set up the watch, you must pair it to the Garmin Connect app. The app allows you to see your data in more detail. Of course, you can access most of your insights on the watch itself, but it is a bit easier to digest and sift through via the app, especially if you really want to dive into the data.

Where the app really comes in especially handy is with customization. Just about every setting can also be changed within the app once you select “Forerunner 955” from the Connected Devices list. Changing settings and customizing things via the app is a bit easier to do than on the watch. That’s especially true of the message and workout data screen settings. And some things, such as Garmin Pay, can only be set up in the app.

Battery life

The battery life of this watch is certainly one area where the Forerunner 955 shines. As with anything, the extent of the battery life depends on how you are using the watch but, no matter what, it is impressive. Of course, it’s worth pointing out that any solar battery life estimates mentioned by Garmin are based on “all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions.” For someone like me, who works inside and is lucky to get outside for an hour or two, that means I’m not really getting any advantage from solar charging on an average day.

Garmin promises 15 days of battery life in smartwatch mode or 20 days with solar. During those times that I wasn’t able to exercise much and was using the watch as, well, a watch, I was absolutely getting the promised battery life. As mentioned, I’m not meeting the full required conditions for solar charging, but I did get some boosts that resulted in a few extra days. 

With the watch set to All Systems GNSS mode plus Multi-Band and without music, Garmin says you’ll get up to 20 hours, or 22 hours with solar. Since I didn’t complete any lengthy (more than a few hours) events while testing this watch, I didn’t fully push this to the limits. But, even with using the most accurate GPS setting, I was able to get a 30-minute to an hour-or-so-long workout in daily and still have my watch battery last a full week.

The thing that drained the battery most was fiddling with the settings and downloading music to the watch. I went from 80% battery to just 1% while trying to get a single small playlist to sync fully over the course of a few hours. So, if you aren’t in a situation where you can charge your watch, it’s best to save the settings adjustments and music syncing for another time. 

While the long battery life is certainly appreciated, the thing I most love about my Forerunner 955 is how quickly it charges. I’m guilty of forgetting to charge it up when needed on a far too regular basis. But I can plug it in as I get ready for a run and have it at 50% battery (depending on how low it was to begin with) in just 10 minutes or so. It’s crazy speedy.

The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar’s activity & fitness tracking experience

As expected, since this is a running watch, the activity tracking options are robust. The 955 comes preloaded with the basic types of workouts—such as running, swimming, and cycling—but you can quickly add just about anything you can think of, including Ultra Run, eMTB, Backcountry Ski, and more. You can even create custom workouts or import workouts from third parties like TrainingPeaks.

Recording workouts is incredibly easy. It’s done by simply pressing the top right button, selecting the type of workout, and then pushing start. Where things can get complicated, as mentioned, is all the customization you can do. You can choose to adjust what fields are displayed on the watch during your workout, customize notifications and audio cues, along with many different options specific to different types of workouts.

Training status and readiness

As you complete activities and wear your watch throughout the day (and night), Garmin collects data to offer insights into your training. The Training Status feature shows whether you are actively getting fitter (productive), holding steady, or even detraining (the worst). It can even tell you what types of activities you should add more of to maximize your training. For example, mine frequently tells me that I have a low aerobic shortage and need to work in easier runs.

Training Readiness is another helpful tool. As the name implies, it helps you assess how ready you are for your training. It may suggest that you back off and give yourself more time to recover or that you are prepared to dive right into a serious workout. It simply helps to keep you from overtraining and gives you a more clear picture of your training load. 

Both are very nice, but you can’t take full advantage of them if you aren’t wearing your watch 24/7. For example, to collect heart rate variability (HRV) data, you’ll need to wear the watch while you sleep. I’m not a fan of sleeping in a watch, so I don’t get highly accurate data for some of these fields as a result.

Suggested workouts

One feature I love about Garmin watches is the “Suggested Workouts” for running or cycling. These can be accessed in the Morning Report or when you start a workout. When providing these suggestions, Garmin factors in the above items, plus your Training Load & Load Focus, VO2 Max, and more. The result is that they are customized to you. It then suggests a workout to improve your fitness based on all that data. It’s great for days when you don’t want to think about what you should do or if you want something different but don’t want to pay for a coach.

Of course, these features should be taken with a grain of salt. Garmin doesn’t know if you are getting over an illness, dealing with stress at work, or managing an injury. It can infer some things based on the data it collects, but it won’t be perfect. There have been many times that my watch suggested a sprint, VO2 Max, or long run when my body could not handle that at the time. Your best bet is to use it all as a guide, listen to your body, and, if you really want results, hire a coach.

So, who should buy the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar?

As the watch’s name suggests, the Forerunner is truly a running watch. Sure, it offers all the basic—and not-so-basic—watch functions to make it suitable for anyone wanting a smartwatch. But if you aren’t an exercise enthusiast, you’ll be paying for many features and tech that you won’t actually be using.

And the extensive list of training features makes the watch more suitable for avid, focused runners looking to improve performance. It’s especially useful for runners competing in races. That said, as someone who is currently more of a casual runner than anything else, I found it rather motivational and aspirational. I’m not currently training for any races or even pushing the limits hard (thanks to some nagging injuries), so while I don’t necessarily care about things like the Race Prediction widget, it is fun to see those numbers changing when I’m consistent with my working out. At the same time, the Forerunner 255 can provide many of the same training and health features for an average of $258 less.

And, in terms of the Solar capabilities, which come at a $100 surcharge, they don’t seem to provide a substantial enough boost over the basic battery version for most. But if you’re one of the runners who can benefit from the lengthy list of features packed into this watch, particularly the touchscreen, the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar will be a fantastic training partner.

The post Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar running watch review: The power to persevere appeared first on Popular Science.

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We’ve made it to 2023, which means the PopSci commerce and gear team has decided what our resolutions will be and what we’ll need to achieve them. It’s okay to be a New Year’s resolution skeptic—there are plenty of potential pitfalls in trying to make literal life-changing decisions overnight—but we’re taking a different approach. Our goals can be accomplished little by little over the course of the year, the gear we’re using won’t take up too much space, and we’re not afraid of facing some setbacks every little while. After all, it’s only self-care if it doesn’t cost you mental health. If you’re scrambling to figure out how to make your New Year’s resolutions happen, we hope our gear suggestions can provide a little clarity (and encouragement).

Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50

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An estimated 30 to 40 percent of the food supply in the United States is wasted, according to the USDA. If you’re looking to cut down on the amount of food waste you send to the landfill in 2023, Vitamix’s FoodCycler FC-50 can help. Just toss your vegetable peelings, egg shells, coffee grounds, and even chicken bones into the 2-liter container and press the on button. About four hours later, your scraps are turned into nutrient-rich soil you can use for your houseplants or in your garden. — Jen McCaffery, Director of Commerce

Kindle Paperwhite

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Too many times in 2022, I found myself laying in bed at 2 a.m., basking in the hypnotizing glow of TikTok. The lure of people arguing with belligerent neighbors or endless strings of air fryer chicken thigh recipes is just too strong. This year, I’m determined to replace those hours spent mindlessly swiping with reading, and I’m counting on Amazon’s Kindle Paperwhite to help me pull it off. The 6.8-inch touchscreen offers soft, warm light that won’t mess with my sleep after a marathon session spent reading Brandon Sanderson. Plus, the latest version charges via USB-C, so it’ll help my other resolution of getting rid of all the MicroUSB cables hanging around my house. — Stanley Horaczek, Executive Editor

Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee machine

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The iced coffee I like at a well-known chain has recently risen to nearly $6. Not even a raging caffeine addiction can justify that cost. This super-simple machine doesn’t rely on wasteful coffee pods and comes with an insulated cup, even though it works with pretty much any other cold up. It simply brews hot coffee over iced cubes, which is sure to make your coffee snob pals bristle, but it’s still better (and even cheaper) than the gas station swill I’ve been known to drink in the past. Plus, all that saved money leaves room in the coffee budget for fancy syrups to spruce up the wallet-friendly brew. — Stanley Horaczek, Executive Editor

Kindle Scribe

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I’m trying to (finally) complete The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron’s crash course in kickstarting your creativity after about two years of stopping halfway. Part of the journey includes journaling three pages every morning—simply called “morning pages.” If you do the math, that’s a lot of pages and trees. I’m hoping the Kindle Scribe—with its paperwhite display and pen that won’t leave ink marks on my hands first thing in the morning—will help protect the environment and be the fancy, shiny, neat thing that gives me enough dopamine to organize my morning pages and complete the separate chapter prompts in one convenient, digital place. Spiritual and creative clarity, here I come. — Amanda Reed, Commerce Updates Writer

Garmin Forerunner 955

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Setting a fitness goal is one thing, but having a way to track your progress and keep you motivated is another beast entirely. Garmin’s Forerunner 955 is sleek and attractive, so you won’t mind wearing it all day, but it has a nearly endless list of features and tricks. Though it’s geared toward runners, it can track a long list of activities. It also connects to your phone for full smartwatch capabilities and provides workout suggestions when you are stumped on how to move on a given day. Plus, it makes it easy to see how your training is going and how you are progressing toward your goals, giving you specific insight on how you can improve when needed. — Abigail Ferguson, Associate Editor PopPhoto

Nest Hub Max Smart Display

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Eating out (and ordering in) has always been pricier than cooking at home, but that is more true than ever right now. It’s hard fighting the temptation just to tap a few buttons and have food magically show up ready to eat at your door but, for me, having an easy way to follow recipes helps. I’m a recent Nest Hub enthusiast but have loved the larger screen that always stays on as I work through the steps of a recipe. And it makes it easy to store recipes I like in one place. But the biggest bonus is the ability to play music on something other than my phone, so I can jam out while I cook. It does wonders for making me not mind being in the kitchen even after a long day of work. — Abigail Ferguson, Associate Editor PopPhoto

Ring Fit Adventure

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I will be making a concerted effort to be more active after years of COVID-inflicted lethargy, but my tool of choice may seem a little strange: a video game. Ring Fit Adventure is a game for the Nintendo Switch that comes with a Pilates ring and leg strap with slots for the system’s Joy-Con controllers. Accelerometers and gyroscopes in the Joy-Con can track your movement, which correlates to actions happening in the game. Instead of passively choosing an attack, you defeat enemies by doing squats, curls, and other exercises. As an avid gamer, I hope Ring Fit Adventure can slot into my lifestyle more easily than a set of barbells. — Brandt Ranj, Commerce Reporter

iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit

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Repairing technology can feel daunting, especially when many companies make documentation and spare parts difficult (if not impossible) to get, but that will not deter me next year. I have a great deal of respect for iFixit, a site that offers step-by-step instructions on how to disassemble and reassemble gadgets along with links to parts when possible. The site offers a tool kit with bits, spudgers, tweezers, and everything else you’ll need to get into your gear safely and easily. This kit is notable for featuring pentalobe screws, which are proprietary and designed by Apple. If you plan on joining the DIY movement next year, this kit deserves a spot in your workspace. — Brandt Ranj, Commerce Reporter

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2

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I’m ashamed to say I have a huge music backlog, but I plan to listen to one new (to me) album from front to back every day in 2023. I reserve the right to listen to one disc of a two-CD (or LP) record because I make the rules. While I love speakers, my tool of choice this time will be Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2s, which are infinitely more portable. These Bluetooth headphones are the closest I’ve come to taking my at-home audio system—which consists of wired headphones, a tube amp, and a DAC—with me everywhere I go. Music sounds superb, the headphones are very comfortable, and their active noise cancellation is always top-notch. This is the resolution I’m most excited about, if for no other reason than spending dozens of hours with the Px7 S2s on my head. Maybe, if I’m feeling extra committed, I’ll even upgrade to the B&W Px8, the brand’s flagship wireless headphones that further refine the physical build and sonic profile. — Brandt Ranj, Commerce Reporter

Brava Oven Starter Set

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Cooking at home more often is my final resolution of 2023, and the Brava Oven is the key to making it happen. The 10-in-1 oven supports multi-zone heating and makes a whole dinner faster than a conventional oven or stovetop. The oven can be operated using an app or its built-in touch screen, and Brava is continually updating its recipe library with new dishes to fit any dietary restrictions. Yes, it’s luxe, but cutting out one takeout order per week using the Brava will allow the machine to pay for itself. — Brandt Ranj, Commerce Reporter

OTOTO Gracula Garlic Crusher

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I love garlic and plan on cooking more. This Gracula garlic crusher takes knife work out of the equation when presentation isn’t important and helps you get close to a minced consistency in a fraction of the time. On top of saving prep time, a way to work more fresh garlic into meals has the benefits of being a natural antibacterial/detoxifier, aiding blood circulation/lowered blood pressure, while also repelling vampires. Plus, it just tastes good. — Billy Cadden, Director of Commerce

AQUAFIT One Gallon Water Bottle

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I wish this fit into my Aarke seltzer maker, but I guess good old-fashioned flat water will do. While attempting to cook more garlic-rich meals and use my Tempo daily, I decided to snag a gallon water bottle to keep me hydrated. Or at least try to convince me to stay hydrated. I bet you $10 it sits on my bedside table with the same water for weeks. — Billy Cadden, Director of Commerce

Arc’teryx Kyanite AR Hoodie and Pearl iZUMi Prospect Barrier Jacket

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In 2023, I want to get outdoors more. Hiking. Biking. Though I love reporting on tech, I need to get away from it more, even if for only a few hours. Just because I’m coming out of my virtual (and real) shell doesn’t mean I won’t need a protective layer or two, however. The Arc’teryx Kyanite AR Hoodie is a multisport midlayer that’s far from middle of the road. A worthwhile investment, it’s light, soft, stretchy, and, most importantly, surprisingly warm when traveling on the trail. Did I say I’m coming out of my shell? That doesn’t mean I won’t need some wind and water resistance if I’m in the saddle in the city, so I’m also hanging the Pearl iZUMi Prospect Barrier Jacket in my closet when I need something to cut a brisk breeze and absorb a bit of light rain and road spray. — Tony Ware, Associate Managing Editor, Commerce

Vasque Men’s Breeze Waterproof Hiking Boots

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If I’m going to maintain my getting-outdoors-more resolution throughout 2023, I need accessories that can also go the distance. And one of the most important is trusty mid-range footwear. Lightweight, breathable, and comfortable to … boot … the Vasque Breeze immediately impressed me by requiring zero break-in, then continued to impress me with its stability and traction. While I haven’t submerged my feet to test the proprietary VasqueDry waterproofing fully, I’ve had no complaints following some light but sustained drizzles. And, with each component of the boot’s construction being made from 25%, 60%, and sometimes 100% recycled materials, I can feel better for the Earth as I explore it. — Tony Ware, Associate Managing Editor, Commerce

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Smartphones are annoying to tote along on a run, but they can come in very handy. A friend of mine once had a medical emergency while jogging and was able to call 911. My wife sometimes receives uncomfortable attention from strangers while training for races, so she likes the reassurance that comes from being able to call me or a friend if she ever feels unsafe. But both have told me that, all things being equal, they don’t enjoy strapping a phone to an arm or finding a way to secure one in small pockets. That’s where the new Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE sports watch comes in. As its name suggests, the company built LTE technology into one of its popular fitness tracker watches, the Forerunner 945 first released in 2019, so that it now provides powerful safety alerts in addition to advanced athletics tracking in a sophisticated wearable. 

However, the Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE can’t break fully from a connected device. You’ll still need your smartphone if you want to stream music from Spotify, get and respond to text messages, make calls, or receive Twitter updates or photos, etc. Replacing your phone isn’t Garmin’s goal. Instead, the company has packed an already feature-rich running watch with a number of reassuring wireless tools. So read on to find out if the latest iteration of the Forerunner 945—and the added cost of its LTE—are right for you. 

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The Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE’s design

This Forerunner is a surprisingly classy athletic watch. It’s not as chunky as the company’s Instinct Solar [check out our hands-on review]. And, while nowhere near as sleek as the Venu 2 [see our thoughts on that model], the understated design looked good when I met some coworkers for dinner. At 44.4 mm in diameter, 13.9 mm thick, and only 49 grams, it’s comfortable, too. Like many of Garmin’s sports watches, the Forerunner dons a familiar array of five control buttons, which I had no problem finding by touch while working out. 

The watch’s lens is made from strong Corning Gorilla Glass DX (similar to the material used on various smartphones) and it’s set into a fiber-reinforced polymer bezel. This watch can take some abuse. The included silicone watchband feels fine, but it traps sweat and I’d prefer something that breathes more. Thankfully, Garmin and third-party providers offer dozens of replacement bands. Finding the right look and feel requires only a quick Internet search. 

The bright, color display provides ample information at a glance, and it’s easy to read in full sunlight. Backlighting helps when it gets darker. Garmin preloaded the Forerunner 945 LTE with a number of watch face options. You can download more from the GarminConnect store or third parties. From there, it’s easy to tweak what information is displayed and how it’s laid out. You can also adjust the colors. Personally, I prefer a simple watch face with the time and date. I included message alerts for a while, but I get so many during the day that I can’t keep up, and seeing an icon with the number 75 next to it was just embarrassing. Three clicks of a button and, unlike all those unanswered message alerts, it was gone.

Setting up the Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE

My watch arrived 92-percent charged out of the box. I still topped it off by plugging it into a USB power source (you’ll need to supply your own adapter). In typical Garmin fashion, it charges via a proprietary multipin cable. Some companies, like Apple, have opted for wireless magnetic charging, but using a cable is definitely faster. 

Garmin reports that the battery lasts up to two weeks in smartwatch mode and up to seven hours in GPS mode with music and LTE LiveTrack activated. In my tests, I was able to go a little more than 13 days before the watch died on me. However, in GPS mode, it did last the reported seven hours, though not much more. 

Once charged, the watch guided me through its setup using helpful prompts that started by linking to my phone through Bluetooth to take advantage of the downloadable Garmin Connect app (available for both iOS and Android). From there, I established my baseline for health tracking, including weight, height, and sleep patterns, as well as other biometrics. I was also able to link the watch’s Spotify app to my account in order to stream music through my device or play music I downloaded to the Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE itself. The app then provided a quick-start guide to the watch’s top-level navigation and functions. You can also activate some of the community features, like challenges.

This is also where you set up your LTE plan. I was thrilled to discover I didn’t need to contact my cellphone service provider to activate a second line. In fact, you don’t need to sign up for a plan with any of the phone providers. The watch uses Garmin’s own cellular service. You’ll have to pay $5.99 per month with an annual subscription ($6.99 a month without). You’ll have to decide for yourself whether that fits your budget, but I found the price more than reasonable for what this watch provides. 

LTE connectivity

I was excited by the prospect of the Forerunner’s new LTE connectivity. I dreamed of owning Dick Tracy’s communicator watch when I was a kid, so the lure of having a wearable that wasn’t tethered to my iPhone was impossible to ignore. But that’s not exactly what Garmin had in mind when they designed this sports watch. 

The Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE, which costs $50 more than the base model, uses its over-the-air functionality to add helpful tracking features for both performance metrics and well-being, such as real-time progress sharing, crash detection, and emergency response team assistance request.

The Assistance tool is the one you hope you never have to use. It sends a message to your emergency contacts if you’re feeling unsafe or you’re lost, and it includes location data so they can find you. Assistance Plus takes this a step further by sending your name and location to the Garmin IERCC, which is a professional emergency response coordination center that then contacts emergency services to get you out of trouble. This is the same technology Garmin uses on its navigation tools to help rescue people at sea, when mountain climbing, and in other extreme situations. For extreme runners, backcountry skiers, wilderness hikers, people who like to swim in the open ocean, this safety tool is a no-brainer.

Taking it for a test run

I tested out LiveTrack, a tool that lets friends and family follow your location in real-time, on a jog through my new neighborhood. My friend, back in his apartment, followed my route without any trouble through an invite-only web portal. Of course, it also showed him how long I chilled out in the park halfway through my run. The tool was accurate enough that he could even figure out which bench I sat on. Busted!  

Spectator Messaging is a fun tool that lets friends, family, coaches, or teammates add some extra motivation during a race by delivering audio and text messages.

Finally, Live Event Sharing automatically sends race updates to your friends so they can stay up-to-date on your pace, location, and time. No need to press a button or do anything else that might break your concentration or interrupt your stride.

The rest of the specs

The Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE puts a lot of information on your wrist, but the lack of touchscreen technology means navigating what to me often felt like a maze of submenus. Expect a learning curve.

That said, hot-buttons take you to convenient widgets that provide snapshots of such biometric data as heart rate, step count, run details, and pulse ox. Some widgets report the weather, provide calendar alerts, notifications, and similar information. This is just surface-level information; dive deeper via the watch or the Garmin Connect app.

Thankfully, dedicated buttons access the music player and stopwatch, two features that I hate hunting for in the middle of a workout.

While navigating the watch is sometimes trickier than I’d like, Garmin does an excellent job of conveying information clearly and concisely through the smart use of icons, colors, and easy-to-read text. I only needed to glance at my wrist to read my lap time and heart rate.

Keep track of your movement and activities

The Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE tracks all sorts of preloaded activities—like biking, paddling, hiking, walking, snowboarding, and rafting. You can easily add new ones. With its focus on running, it’s no surprise this GPS fitness watch provides different running options, including outdoor, indoor track, and trail. You can also get real-time feedback on your form, including cadence, vertical oscillation, ground contact time, stride length, and more by pairing it with a running dynamics accessory. 

The watch suggests times for heat and altitude acclimation, lactate threshold, predicted race times, and training load and focus. It even provides daily suggested workouts. It tracks sleep data and then combines it with other information to help compute body battery, a measurement of energy levels. This, in turn, cycles back into the data set that helps the watch set up workout plans. 

Garmin has a long history of making excellent navigation tools, and the Forerunner 945 LTE includes full-color mapping of streets and trails, plus you can create your own courses in the Garmin Connect app. ClimbPro ascent planner displays real-time information including gradient, distance, and elevation gain. The Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE also includes turn-by-turn navigation and round-trip routing. 

Pay as you play

I like to keep my wallet secured in my locker when working out at the gym. The Garmin Pay feature lets me use my watch to pay for things like juice or a light snack in the same way that I might use my phone and Apple Pay. Just add a credit or debit card to the Garmin Pay wallet and you’re all set. It’s also handy for anyone who worries about losing their credit cards when running, or who spends a lot of time in the water. No one likes a wad of soggy cash.

So, who should buy the Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE?

The Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE is an upgrade to the original Forerunner 945, but it’s not an upgrade everyone needs. It provides peace of mind and fun features for fitness trackers, especially racers, but if you spend most of your workout time in the gym or running on a local track or in a safe neighborhood, you could save some money by considering running watches like the original Forerunner 945 or the Instinct line. They cost less but have nearly the same tracking, measurement, and training capabilities. 

Related: Apple Watch comparison

The post Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE review: A fitness watch that won’t leave you stranded appeared first on Popular Science.

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When it comes to my kids and technology, I often feel at a loss. Technology can engage and stimulate kids in ways our parents never imagined (and probably wish they could have plunked in front of us). And yet, watching my daughter zoned out in front of a “CoComelon” cartoon makes me want to swear off screens entirely. So when I tested out the Little Tikes Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch, I didn’t entirely know how I would feel.

On the one hand, it is yet another screen-based device reaching for—and often clutching tightly—my preschool-age daughter’s attention. On the other hand, many of the smartwatch’s apps and activities are designed to either test her mind, get her on her feet—or both. The Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch, complete with its lively robot who laughs and cries and demands to be played with—literally chiming in with activity and game ideas—accomplishes all of this. And while I did find the Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch, like many of the best kids’ smartwatches, to be more in line with kids’ toys than school supplies, I couldn’t completely overlook some notable benefits.

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What is the Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch?

The Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch truly lives up to both parts of its name. It’s a kids’ smartwatch that can track steps, encourage you to run around, take photos, and send messages. It also has most of the usual functions you’d have on a smartwatch, including a timer, alarm, calculator, and calendar. But its personality—and, oh boy, does it have personality—comes from the Tobi robot face. The Tobi robot can cycle through more than 100 expressions, and frequently speaks gibberish, demanding to be cared for and played with through gestures like shivering and clickable thought bubbles that lead to a menu of activities. It reminded me of the digital pets that were popular when I was a kid (Tamagotchi anyone?). 

A follow-up to last year’s Tobi Smartwatch, the Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch offers many of the same games and activities as the original, while adding to the connectivity between Tobi Robot smartwatches. In addition to sharing voice messages and emoji, the Tobi 2 lets kids send and receive images and videos, and play games head-to-head when two Tobi 2 watches communicate via an ad-hoc Wi-Fi connection. (Plus, kids can use the Tobi 2 as a remote with the separately available Tobi 2 Interactive Karaoke Machine or Tobi 2 Director’s Camera, if you decide to invest more in the Little Tikes ecosystem.)

The Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch’s design 

Like a lot of kid-friendly tech, the Tobi Robot 2 is purposefully oversized. At about 1.5 inches by 1.75 inches, the LED touchscreen face itself isn’t actually much bigger than a regular smartwatch’s face, but the housing around it extends to accommodate metal flippers that the Tobi robot shows off when seeking attention (it reminded me of a pinball machine). My 3.5-year-old daughter, still a bit too young to use the watch completely on her own, loved it whenever those fins popped out. The silicone band, which is available in bright colors like red and purple, is 1 inch wide and dotted with 10 rows of holes that allow for tighter and looser fits. It expanded to fit my wrist and tightened enough for my 3.5-year-old daughter’s wrist. The back of the face is transparent, letting kids see into the smartwatch’s inner workings.  

There are two onboard cameras, both capable of shooting 640- by 480-pixels photos or 320- by 240-pixels video. The first camera, on the face, is motion-activated and primarily for selfies. The second, along the top edge, is an outward-facing P.O.V. camera better for taking footage of the rest of the world.

A physical button below the face lets kids toggle between screens—from Tobi’s face to a clock to a menu of available functions. Below that home button is the micro-USB charging port. Also included is a color-coordinated case that features a clip built into the back that lets the watch attach to a belt or stand on a bedside table.

Setting up the Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch       

The Tobi 2 has an intuitive setup process that puts parents in control. Hold the menu button for five seconds to wake Tobi up. Select your language, and then set the date and time using scrollable menus on the touchscreen. Then name your device by cycling through the alphabet, numbers, and set of symbols to change each unit. Parents can set a passcode, choose whether they want to turn on Wi-Fi to let it talk to other Tobi 2 watches, and limit their kid’s screentime. I opted for an hour. When my daughter hit the limit, the watch locked its games and stopped showing Tobi’s face unless the passcode was entered.

Once set up, it was playtime. If you’re on the clock screen, you can swipe to select from more than 50 watch faces—a kind of game in its own right. My daughter, of course, went with a rainbow face, but the options range from simple analog clocks to a desertscape to themes with dogs and cats.  Meanwhile, on the application menu, four options are displayed at once, and you can swipe between four screens. This lets you do everything from take photos to test your memory to track your steps.

On the Tobi screen, you can interact with the gibberish-speaking robot. Tobi will show icons with activity ideas, and if you’re on that screen the robot won’t stop bugging you unless you’re still for 25 seconds. For many kids, that means Tobi simply won’t stop until the kid—or, let’s face it, the parent—decides it’s time to turn the watch off completely.  

Features of the Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch 

Here are some of the characteristics of a watch brimming with character…

Meet Tobi

Tobi the Robot is literally the face of the watch. The digital friend is certainly fun and spunky, but I’d be lying if I said that little robot never got under my skin. When the watch is set to the Tobi face, the robot makes more than 100 expressions—from a sly smile and plucky grin to a wistful wink and a pensive pursing of the lips. Tobi behaves like a digital pet. Icons pop up with Tobi’s needs—Tobi can be hot, cold, hungry, in need of teeth brushing. Much like my daughter, come to think of it. And if you don’t oblige Tobi’s needs, you’ll be informed. For instance, before realizing that Tobi was cold and wanted a hot water bottle or a scarf, I offered to play soccer. That produced an “uh-uh” and a head shake. Tobi also suggests dance parties and displays the step tracker, encouraging the wearer to walk or run. The gamified approach to fitness is definitely effective. But as with any helpful yet slightly irksome friend, it’s best to hang out only in small doses.  

Mind games and mindless fun 

The Tobi 2 comes with four educational “brain games” and four “arcade games.” The brain games include “Smash Math,” in which players touch the correct solution to the equation, and “Match Match,” which tests memory. Arcade games include “A-Maze-Ing Balance,” in which players guide colored balls into holes, and “Drivin’ Time,” in which players collect tokens and try to avoid crashes. The games can be controlled using the touchscreen as well as motion controls via a built-in gyroscope. The games are fun and run smoothly…most of the time. 

Movement motivation 

Like any good fitness tracker, the Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch is designed to get you moving.  It features a built-in pedometer that logs your steps and rewards progress with unlockable “Tobi World” room decorations, letting you decorate different rooms that Tobi will come to check out. (Playing games and interacting with Tobi also earns you decorations.) All in all, unlocking the decorations is fun and motivating, but the games themselves are fun enough on their own to get you off the couch. For instance, “Freeze Dance” gives you points when you groove to the beat and successfully hold still when the music stops, and Robot-o-Box lets you earn coins as you raise your arm to spar with a robot. Contrast that to a smartwatch that simply buzzes when you reach a set step total, and it really doesn’t compare. 

Also important for your health, the watch can encourage you to take a deep breath. While it won’t monitor your oxygen levels like Dad’s Amazfit Bip U Pro, it promotes slow and steady breathing by having wearers mimic Tobi. 

Well, shoot

Like many of the best smartwatches for kids options, the Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch can shoot videos and photos. The watch can store up to 3,000 photos and up to 30 minutes of video. It all looks grainy compared to what you’d shoot on a phone, but it’s more than functional for an elementary school-aged kid. Plus, you can spruce up photos with digital borders and stickers, like an outer space frame and an ice cream cone sticker. 

Do you see what I see? 

The wireless connection you can establish between two Tobi 2 watches only works if the devices are nearby. I was provided two watches to test these features out but when I brought one watch out to the backyard and left the other in the front of the house, the two devices couldn’t communicate. When close enough, however, there were lots of things they could do. I could beam photos, videos, voice memos (via an onboard microphone), and emoji—which Little Tikes bills as messages—directly to my daughter’s watch. We could also play a couple of games, Tic-tac-toe and a basketball game, though these options felt thin, especially when the activity games, like freeze tag, seem like a great fit for two-player or group multiplayer. 

Power up the robot

Little Tikes says the rechargeable LiPo battery can last anywhere from five days to a few hours, depending on usage. By comparison, the VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX can last anywhere from two weeks to a single day, depending on usage. You can check Tobi’s charge on the quick menu view, and a yellow light lets you when it’s time to plug in.  

So, who should buy the Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch?

If you’re hoping to draw your elementary schooler’s attention away from the TV toward a screen that promotes more engagement and active participation, the Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch can be an effective distraction. Tobi the Robot is certainly a captivating and engaging character, and many of the built-in activities will work your kid’s brain or get your kid to work out in a fun, innovative way. 

​​My honest assessment of this smartwatch for kids is that when children want to play with Tobi the Robot rather than just play the games, parents may want to flee the room after a few minutes. The robot’s clicks and coos and laughter are just too much. But, then again, my daughter is always telling me to “Go away, Daddy,” when I’m trying to brush her hair or put on her shoes. So perhaps with the Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch on her wrist, she won’t have to bother verbally banishing me. And at least when I leave the room I can feel good that the smartwatch asking for her attention seems to have her health and well-being in mind. “CoComelon” on the other hand…

The post Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch review: A kids’ device that brings its game face appeared first on Popular Science.

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Fitness equipment can be an expensive investment if you’re looking for a tricked-out treadmill or the latest smartwatch. Fortunately, some of the best equipment around is steeply discounted for Black Friday. You can save more than $1,000 on a treadmill, or hundreds on a seriously rugged smartwatch. At these prices, this inventory is sure to go fast, so check out a few highlights alongside our curated selection of the best Black Friday fitness deals below and make sure to take advantage of them while you can.

The best Black Friday smartwatch and wearables deals

Garmin fenix 6S Pro, Premium Multisport GPS Watch $339.47 (was $599.99)

If you’ve got a serious skier or a mountain climber on your list, the Garmin fenix 6S Pro is an excellent choice. This rugged smartwatch comes with maps for more than 2,000 ski resorts around the world, plus sophisticated GPS, global satellite tracking, a gyroscope, and barometric altimeter. The watch will also keep tabs on critical health metrics at high altitudes, such as heart rate and oxygen levels. The battery lasts anywhere from 9 to 34 days, and its display is always-on in the sun and comes in stainless steel, titanium, or with a carbon coating that’s as hard as a diamond.

• Garmin Vivoactive 4 GPS Smartwatch $179.99 (Was $329.99)
• Garmin Instinct Rugged Outdoor Watch $159.17 (Was $249.99)
• Apple Watch Ultra, $739 (Was $799)
• Google Pixel Watch Android Smartwatch $299.00 (Was $349.99)
• Fitbit Inspire 3 Health & Fitness Tracker $69.95 (Was $99.95)
• Fitbit Charge 5 Advanced Fitness & Health Tracker $99.95 (Was $149.95)
• Fitbit Versa 4 Fitness Smartwatch $149.95 (Was $229.95)
• Amazfit Bip, $49.99 (Was $69.99)
• Amafit Band 5, $27.99 (Was $39.99)
• SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, $149.00 (Was $349.99)
• Apple Watch SE (1st Gen) $149.00 (Was $279.99)
• Fitbit Inspire 2 Fitness Tracker $49.00 (Was $99.95)

The best Black Friday fitness equipment & home gym deals

Bowflex Treadmill 22 $2,499.00 (was $3,599.00)

Putting in some serious miles on the treadmill is a lot more pleasant when you have something fun to watch. The Bowflex Treadmill 22 lets you stream Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and more from its HD touchscreen. You can also virtually globetrot on 50 routes around the world. A Bluetooth wireless armband and speakers complete the experience. And you can crank up the resistance up to 20 percent or run up to 12 mph.

• NordicTrack Commercial Studio Cycle $899 (Was $1,499)
• Schwinn Fitness IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike $799.00 ($1,199.00)
• Hydrow Rowing Machine $1,994.99 (Was $2,494.99)
• NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 Elliptical $1,599.99 (Was $1,799.99)
• Schwinn Recumbent Bike $549 (Was $599)
• Darchen Mini-Trampoline for Adults $87.99 (Was $117.99)
• Sunny Health and Fitness Pro Indoor Cycling Bike $222.70 (Was $299.00)
• UREVO 2 in 1 Under Desk Treadmill, $309.97 (Was $359.97)
• Tempo Move, $395 (Was $495)
• The Mirror, $745 (Was $1,495)
• Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells (Pair) $349.00 (Was $549.00)
• Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbell Stand with Media Rack $129.00 (Was $229.00)
• PowerBlock Adjustable Kettlebell, $122.55 (Was $169)
• Bowflex SelectTech 840 Kettlebell $119.00 (Was $199.99)
• Bowflex Xceed Home Gym $649.00 (Was $999.99)
• Bowflex 5.1S Stowable Bench $249.00 (Was $499.00)
• PROGEAR 1300 Adjustable and Foldable 12 Position Heavy-Duty Weight Bench $98.64 (Was $118.64)
• Gold’s Gym Classic Weightlifting Wrist Wrap Gloves, Medium/Large $7.99 (Was $12.73)
• Tru Grit Fitness 20 lb Rubber Hex Dumbbell $17.47 (Was $19.97)