2toneWhat is your preferred fitness tracker/smartwatch?
a Mi Band storing everything offline with Gadgetbridge, because I don’t need Xiaomi to know how many steps I’ve made and what’s my heartbeat at a given moment.
I’ve made and what’s my heartbeat at a given moment.
Only if they at least could dial 911 if they detect you are dying /s
Gadgetbridge looks cool. I wish I had known about this before buying a Fitbit. I wonder how hard it would be to add support.
probably depends on how got you are with the 'puter.
I scanned the comments way too long to find this. I’m still sporting my MI fit 2 that’s like…8 years old or something. I’m going to have to look at gadget bridge though, first time in hearing about it. Thanks!
TeknikalI’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.
none of them, i’d rather not have any extra data on me out there that’s digitally storing it anywhere, even locally.
i keep my odometer and a pulse monitor with me, but they’re both local dumb.
kaduI really like Samsung’s Watch 5, both in terms of appearance but also software and tracking performance. It’s the only sleep tracker that actually matches my subjective experience with sleep (how tired I feel, how many times I remember waking up, etc).
Needs More Spice 🌶️If they didn’t lock features to Samsung phones I might be interested in the 6.
burgersc12The rotating bezel is awesome, glad they’re bringing it back!
There are APKs for samsung health that unlock all features on non-samsung phones
For the most detailed exercise/health tracking, I’d highly recommend Garmin watches. First, no subscription fees, you buy the hardware and you own it and can customize it. Second, the battery life can’t be beat. Third, stats, graphs, analytics! Plus it works just as well whether you’re an apple or android user.
I have the Forerunner 265 and it is so much fun for a stats and graph loving nerd like myself. My gf chose the Venu 2 Sq because she wanted a square screen and she is really happy with it.
I’ve always associated Garmin with big over the top styling, but I like that Venu Sq 2. Garmin also seems best quality
yeah that’s the issue for me with choosing a watch. I like the Charge 4 because it’s sorta small and doesn’t have a huge face.
Waiting for the new garmin smartwatch to finally move away from fitbit.
I have a vivoactive 4s and it’s got all the features I want in a smartwatch while also being discreet and small. It doesn’t feel any different on my wrist than an analog watch and that’s what I love most
Been going through their product line now and this is the one I’ve landed on. Battery?
I can get mine to last 5-6 days depending on usage. The GPS function obviously drains it faster so if I’m going on bike rides multiple days in a row it’ll be about 4 days tops, but if I do stationary bike and weight lifting it’ll get 5 days easy, even going on GPS walks it usually doesn’t drain as bad as the bike tracking.
Also worth noting I don’t have any phone notifications on my watch because I just don’t need another device getting my attention. So I think that helps to extend my battery life.
Additionally, I disabled the Pulse Ox sensor by default as that thing drains juice so fast. My girlfriend had hers on 24/7 and was getting like maybe 2 days out of a full charge.
I have this watch and can confirm it is excellent
Can you use apps with this? I’m getting into weightlifting a bit and want to use the Strong app to record my lifting routine without needing to take out my phone. The only other features I really want are decent heart rate monitoring and good pairing with AirPods.
The watches have a second app called connect IQ which is their app store where they support third party developers to make apps, widget, ultra customizable watchfaces, integration of new connected sensors.
It does not support common phone apps or have incredible advanced phone integration like an apple or Google watch would have but we like that because we already get enough screen time. I’m able to see and reply to text messages though, see and interact with all notifications, control audio/media that is playing and more though so it’s not devoid of features at all.
It seems like it has some great features. I think I saw the battery life is quite good which would be nice. I know next to nothing about smartwatches so I’m just trying to figure out what would work for me. I’m pretty sure I will end up getting something used, I just haven’t decided on what. Apps are an pretty important factor for me.
If you are an apple user, then the Apple watch is clear choice. As an Android user, Huawei could be a decent option but not in the United States. The Google watch is still first generation and might be ok for early adopters but I’m weary of it, and that’s coming from a long time google phone user since the first one. I’m hoping they release more generations of it with improvements.
I have an iPhone. Apple Watch probably makes more sense for me, I think I’ll try to get an old used one and see how I like it. I could see Garmin being really good for a lot of people though.
jennwiththeseaI’ve been a happy Fitbit user for years, but am finding their Premium push increasingly annoying. I shouldn’t have to pay a subscription fee to see data that my tracker is already getting. I almost switched to Garmin last time but didn’t, and I regret that now. My current Fitbit is still in great shape so it’ll be a while until I can justify a new tracker.
Garmin for sure.
I’ve had a Fitbit, Samsung Smart, and Garmin. Fitbit and Samsung were almost a daily charge where my Garmin Solar lasts about a week. Both Fitbit and Samsung died on me roughly after a year and a half, Garmin has shown no issues.
I’ll be switching to Garmin next time for other reasons, but my current Fitbit (Versa 3) actually has great battery life. 6-7 days between charges, unless I’m using the screen a lot.
I think both my Fitbit and Samsung were first or so gen, so I’m sure they’ve improved since then. But even still, I also like the simplicity of the Garmin screen vs having a small smart phone screen on my wrist.
CallieSame here on the battery charge. Lasts me about 1-2 weeks on a single charge with the screen set to wake when turning my wrist.
Honestly the only real issue I have with Fitbit is the major syncing issues
I’ve only tried my Pixel Watch, and it’s not perfect, but I do really enjoy it. Fitness tracking is pretty on point with sleep tracking being really solid and important for me since sleeping has always been a more difficult part of my life.
chakan2I still like fitbit. The metrics are solid, and the battery life is decent.
PineapplePartisanYep. I love my Charge 5 and don’t foresee changing to anything else in the near future. My only annoyance is google taking it over and enshitifying the app experience.
emptyotherSame. A solid watch. And lightweight and comfortable. And a style I enjoy. A decent app. Just too bad it ate another smart watch company, before itself got eaten by google, who so far has done nothing with it except slowly killing features. We are truly living in the age of #enshittification.
I bought it years ago because it was the most accurate on tracking sleep. The fact that the battery lasts a week is also great. I wonder if there’s been any new tests on the other metrics (heart rate, temperature etc)
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.
They all annoy the shit out of me.
anonionfinelymincedWithings Scanwatch is cross-platform. No need for a branded device to use it, does all the usual tracking stuff plus afib detection. One of the reasons I chose it was that it looks like a watch and not a toy. Also, depending on how you use it, it can go for days between charges. Most of the similar "brand locked" devices seem to only go 1 or 2 days max.
This. I get about 30 days out of mine. I only use it for running purposes and I’m not too serious about my split times so it’s perfect for what I need a smart watch to do. Had an Apple Watch and got tired of charging it every day. They also look like fisher price toys.
I have an older Withings watch and will buy another once I need to. Even bought a set for my parents.
I really dont need a tiny phone strapped to my wrist, I have an actually usable one right in my pocket. The battery lasts weeks, the heartrate and sleep tracking stuff works, I can keep the phone on silent and still get notifications… it really is the perfect smart watch as far as I’m concerned.
Amazfit with Gadgetbridge, FLOSS smartwatch app, a recent really good discovery!
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.
I only really need something to keep track of my notifications, and maybe as a flashlight occasionally. So I just wear a PineTime, and it links up with my phone with Gadget Bridge. It’s really nice, completely free and open source, and it’s pretty cheap too. Week long battery life is nice, but I don’t know what it’s like with other smartwatches.
Apple Watch just makes sense if you are already on iPhone. I resisted it for a long time but now after getting one it is so useful for things like having access to DUO codes on your risk without a phone and maintaining healthy habits
SloganLessonsWhen I had an Note 10 Lite, I had a xiaimi smart band. I still think that it's impressive for the price, but the little guy had issues left and right with any app that wasn't xiaomi's own apps. (although sometimes, even those had issues)
Then I got an iphone, and later a apple watch. It just works, even with third party apps. Expensive as hell though
Yeah I just picked up an Ultra after not having one since the first gen. Very useful for sleep tracking, short cuts (if you have a smart home) and all kinds of other crap. Works nice with AirPod max too.
Love my Apple Watch! Its main downside compared to the rest is weak battery life, you basically need to charge it every day. It’s an easy habit to form though (I just throw mine on the charger when I shower).
My battery health has gotten awful recently too. I’ve got a series 5, so yes it’s 4 years old, but I genuinely only get about 12 hours of battery life these days. I went through and uninstalled every single app I don’t use, but it’s still awful.
Love everything else about it though, so I set a slickdeals alert to hopefully pick up a cheaper series 8 sometime between now and when the series 9 launches
AcidLook into an SE version 2, those aren’t half bad either if you’re trying to save a bit of money.
Milanpersonally i am fine with the garmin on ios, only annoyance is double notifications
Garmin’s are great step trackers, I have read in reviews they are a lot more accurate in that regard compared to Apple Watch. The other integrations into the apple ecosystem is what I appreciate about my series 8
thehatfoxI’ve been an Apple Watch user for several years now. When I first purchased one I wondered if it might turn out to be a bit of a gimmick. But now I don’t think I would want to be without one.
The Apple Watch integrates seemlessly with the iPhone. The fitness features may not be quite as in depth as Garmin offers, but they are good enough for casual exercise and have been effective and keeping me more active. If you are numbers person the value of seeing your activity metrics can’t be overstated.
Apple Pay and hands free messaging come in handy often.
I also like the general design. The Apple Watch is square, and I think a square display works much better for a smartwatch. There is also a thriving marketplace for alternate watch bands and they are super easy to swap - no more mangling my finger nails trying to fiddle with those spring pins most watches use.
khelmrThe Pebble watches. They may not be made anymore, but they are the only smart watches I have used that felt like an actual smart watch instead of a phone for your wrist.
iAmTheTotIsn't the point of making a watch smart is that you can get your phone onto your wrist?
In some ways yes, but I think a smart watch is optimal for performing tasks quickly and and giving me information at a glance. A smart watch should feel like a dashboard on my wrist that stops me from using my phone unnecessarily. Most smart watches feel like a small second display for my phone with a worse user experience that make me want to always perform those tasks on my phone.
It is still the best "dumb" smartwatch out there. Long battery life, physical buttons, no touch screen nonsense and it just works.
I am still rocking my Pebble2 but unfortunately the silicon buttons are starting to deteriorate. It will be difficult to make repairs/upgrades to the watch, but I don't see a 1to1 replacement for it.
NeighborlyNomadI like fitbit but that’s because I basically strictly use it for calorie counting. The battery life is good enough that I just charge it when I’m in the shower and it’ll never die on me.
I’ve had a Garmin vivofit 3 unsmart watch since 2017. I’ve replaced the band and battery a few times but it’s been a pretty good tracker. the watch battery has been a great feature as I don’t have to charge it, just replace it once a year or so.
I have been using a PineTime for quite a while now which is an absolute no-brainer for 27$.
Even if it’s marketed for tech/foss enthusiasts it’s really easy to use, would recommend if you just want simple step tracking and heart rate monitoring.
Even if it’s marketed for tech/foss enthusiasts it’s really easy to use, would recommend if you just want simple step tracking and heart rate monitoring.
I tried random Android watches. They all sucked.
I bought a Garmin Instinct 2 Solar. I love it. Charge it when I shower and that gets me by, have never had to charge it overnight. Battery is at 15 days currently.