Smart watches

For counting steps you don't need a wearable - you can just install a fitness app on your mobile & it can track your steps, GPS, routes & distance.

I've been using Huawei for a few years now & their app - mainly for steps & general stuff - I upgraded to their GT Pro 3 watch as it had an updated & more accurate heart rate monitor ( certified more accurate by some gov / testing agency - can't find the link )

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09ZFC9DCN ( they are up to GT5 now )

Mine is mainly for steps, how long standing up & via the watch it will also say how active I am ( even in which 'target' zone ) though I pay pretty much zero attention to this - steps is the main one for me.
 
For counting steps you don't need a wearable - you can just install a fitness app on your mobile & it can track your steps, GPS, routes & distance.
Not great for tracking daily steps though as it misses all the steps you do when you don't have your phone with you. Mainly the ones you do at home or in the office unless you pick your phone up every time you move.

I'm quite interested in the whoop if anyone has any experience with it. Is it worth the money? Although the lack of screen and GPS does put me off.
 
Not great for tracking daily steps though as it misses all the steps you do when you don't have your phone with you. Mainly the ones you do at home or in the office unless you pick your phone up every time you move.

I'm quite interested in the whoop if anyone has any experience with it. Is it worth the money? Although the lack of screen and GPS does put me off.
Not my experience - I just sync them up later & it's fine.
 
HUAWEI Watch Fit 3
Very light, great battery life.

Props for posting a video from the world’s most decent makem: Techspurt. I like his videos.

FWIW I have a couple of smart watches but can’t really give much advice except I would steer clear of the one plus watch 2r. I managed to get it for free but I’m not impressed. It’s bang average as a smart watch and I have no problems with its functionality except the GPS is pretty poor. Have just looked back over my last few runs and the lines are very wobbly. Ok I was running between tall building but still it’s lacking a lot in accuracy
 
Mine kept telling me I haven't been active for a while time to get moving, then patronising me by saying "well done you are active". So I let the battery die on it and now it's sat on the side and every now and again I will look at it and think "I might be lazy, but I have more energy than you do now". Revenge is a dish best served petty.
 
I have a Galaxy Watch 7 from Samsung. Was a freebie with a phone contract - they were supposed to send me the entry-level Galaxy Watch FE (basically a Galaxy Watch 4) but somebody's made a mistake and sent me the newest version.

Battery lasts a day but it charges very quickly. The football score updates are good when you're out and about, WhatsApp is useful and I like the Google Assistant function. It's good at tracking general activity automatically. Happy with it all round. I had a Garmin Forerunner before and that was good for tracking runs on GPS, and is more for fitness, but this is a good all all-rounder.
I've had a couple of Galaxy watches and wear them every day. Definitely a good option if you have a Samsung phone as they integrate well into that ecosystem. I like the Strava app on there for tracking runs and bike rides and uploading direct to Strava (not very good at swims though). It's good to have Spotify on there too, so I can listen to music on a run without needing to carry my phone. Lots of health functions too, even blood pressure which is surprisingly accurate compared to an armband monitor. You do have to charge every 2 days minimum, but it sits by my bed on the charger overnight so not an issue for me. You can also wirelessly charge on the back of the phone if it needs a top up.
 
I was going to comment similar to Kilburn.
I would say that if you have a Samsung phone (??), go for a samsung smart watch. I've had the Watch 3, Watch 4 and just about to pull the trigger on their new Galaxy Watch Ultra. As you can tell I've been very impressed with the Samsung watches.
If it's sleep tracking you are after as one of the main features, I can attest to the fact that these watches are excellent for that.
Mine tracks my sleep (heart rate, O2 levels, awake time, REM sleep, deep sleep, etc etc.) It also uses your phone (if it's near to you while you sleep), to record your snoring. You can play back the audio file if it detects you snoring. Handy for detecting sleep apneoa (there was a thread on this the other day).
That's my experience with the galaxy watches for what it's worth. I think they're excellent.
 
Garmin Forerunner 55 which I believe is their most basic model (available for around £100) and its brilliant.
Only minor issue is while running it only shows current pace per km in multiples of 5 seconds e.g. you can be running at 3:53 per km and it shows as 3:55 or 3:50, but this is a minor gripe.

If you're only using it for basic things there's little point going for one of the more expensive models.

Battery life is amazing; had an expensive Apple Watch beforehand which was terrible.
 
I have an Apple Watch with an eSIM and I do value it to be honest. Sometimes I go to the pub now and don't even take my phone.
 
I don’t think you can go wrong with a Garmin, I use a forerunner 245 and I can’t fault it, one of the best value purchases I think I’ve made. They have quite a broad price range, but I’m sure you will be able to pick one up for what you need, at a reasonable price. If I ever upgrade I will definitely be sticking with Garmin.
 
I have an Apple Watch and I like it but will be going for a Garmin Fenix next as it’s a bit more robust. The screens picked up a few scratches on this. I do like the always on display on the Apple Watch.
 
I have a Garmin forerunner 55, quite cheap but I’ve found it brilliant. Use it for hiking & walking, great stats and spot on as far as I can tell 👍
 
I own both an Apple watch and a garmin, and my Apple Watch never gets used. I bought the Garmin Instinct 2 solar and I swear by it, robust as anything, I’ve smashed it off any number of surfaces (not intentionally) and it still looks brand new. Does all the fitness and health measurements you’d want, really good kit. If you have the cash I think they’ve just released the 3rd generation. There are higher end garmin such as the epix, enduro and fenix, but if you want somitt a bit more resilient and low key with I can’t recommend the instinct enough
 
I have an Apple Watch and I like it but will be going for a Garmin Fenix next as it’s a bit more robust. The screens picked up a few scratches on this. I do like the always on display on the Apple Watch.
Hope you like charging it twice a day too
 
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