I have both an iPhone and Pixel. Because of that, I also have a Pixel Watch and an Apple Watch. I prefer using my Pixel Watch since Fitbit is so much better IMO than Apple Fitness.
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I just want something that auto tracks my fitness, shows the time, and shows notifications from my phone on a nice looking display. Everything else is bloat for me.
I use a Garmin vivomove Sport! It has a physical analog watch with a screen underneath the watch face. It tracks my steps and activities I engage in as well as shows me notifications from my phone. It has quite a lot of other options such as stress and sleep tracking as well but those are purely optional.
I've had a fossil watch for the past 5 years or so and love it. Its a hybrid model so it runs off of a watch batter that needs to be replaced ever 9-12 months so I dont ever need to worry about charging it.
It also looks like a standard watch so nobody ever suspects it has some smart functionality. Its very barebones in that aspect but I can see whos calling/texting me, set vibration alarms, and control my music.
Been using the Apple Watch for the past 3 years (currently on the Ultra) and have been loving it. I’m not a serious athlete but use it to track my daily walks/runs. It keeps me honest and active.
Plus I have a data line for my watch so I can ditch my phone and still talk, text, and check emails as needed. I hate to admit it but I have completed many meetings with just my Apple Watch + AirPods while on a run/walk.
Also, it acts as a wallet replacement for the most part. ~8 out of 10 times I can tap and pay with my watch. I only keep 1 physical card and my state ID on me.
I've been a loyal Fitbit user for a decade, but Google's killed all the features that made it good (challenging friends, playing silly games). I'm thinking of picking up a Garmin next
Garmin Instinct
Ohhh I knew I picked right. I got my dad one too. The esports edition was only 100 bucks and I love It. I stopped using my fitbit versa 2 over it.
I'm an avid paddler/wind sports/surfer, so having good water resistance, cellular connection for emergencies, at least 4+ hours of GPS tracking battery life, and good GPS are requirements. AFAIK only the Apple Watch Ultra ticks all those boxes. I used to use Garmin's but the lack of cellular made me switch. If anyone has other options, I'm open to them.
They all annoy the shit out of me.
I currently have a Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 to replace my Garmin Vivoactive 3, but I prefer the Garmin. It's got a bit less by way of bells and whistles, but I also think that the watch might have been overkill for the most part. I don't end up using the onboard replies as much as I thought I would, and things like ECG and Blood Pressure monitoring are just troublesome enough that it's not worthwhile (Blood Pressure requires recalibration with a proper machine every once in a while).
The only issue that I had with the Garmin was mostly that the body is a bit too fragile. It's just plastic, so the corner will break off due to age, which is what happened with mine. If it wasn't made of plastic, but more durable metal, like the Samsung, I'd still happily wear it. The battery life tended to be better too.
If it was still around, and not incredibly uncomfortable, a Pebble might also not go amiss. I personally don't need a lot of features in my smartwatch (just timers, alarms, activity/HR tracking, and notifications), so a cheaper, hardier one would serve just fine.
I don't wear one anymore I just have the Casio f-91w but if I could I would get a Pixel watch and remove all the spy ware from it
Whoop. It’s something I can easily sleep with. I don’t want extra displays and it works with everything like bike computers as a heart monitor. Steps are worthless strain/HRV is more meaningful.
I'm a cyclist, so I use a dedicated cycling computer (currently a Karoo Hammerhead)
If y'all want good takes on fitness trackers, check out DC Rainmaker
I have a galaxy watch 5 but even 3 days of batteryife is irritating enough I'm looking longingly at the Garmin's. Really don't need a lot of the fluff they come with
I also have a Watchy. The thing is in no way a consumer device but it lasts over a week and the eink display is great. Reminds me of what we lost when pebble went away..
I have the Fenix 7 sapphire solar and it's a perfect trooper. 3 weeks or so in normal mode. And you can use it everywhere. Beach and sea, physical labor, swimming pool, gardening.
I'm still using a huawei gt2 Pro never seen any reason to replace it does most things and the battery is still a week and a half to two weeks I'd guess. If I'm honest though I use it as more of an mp3 player than a tracker.
I have a polar vantage m and i like it, it was relatively cheap and has everything one needs when it comes to running
Apple because I have an iPhone. Garmin makes good stuff, though.
Is there something like a fitness bracelet without a display that one could wear? I already have an old school Casio digital watch, and I like to too much to replace it with a smartwatch.
My cousin has a tracker ring and it's pretty cool
Check. I’ve been looking at something like that as well, but it comes with a $6/mo subscription model on up of the $370 price for the ring itself. The subscription model made me not want it anymore.