Emma Morris

Waterproof Watches for Kids

November 7, 2019 By Emma Morris Leave a Comment

For generations, choosing a suitable watch for your son or daughter has been a headache. How do you find a model which offers plenty of functionality and is tough enough to withstand the rigours of everyday life on the wrist of a child! However, there are now some excellent waterproof watches designed specifically for young wearers which give parents peace of mind, but which also suit the tastes of kids. Here are just a few of the very best on the market today for you to choose from.

1. Timex Kids’ T71912 Digital Watch

Timex has been one of the best-known watch brands for more than a century and a half, and this one certainly lives up to its reputation for quality. Functional yet affordable, this digital watch has a camouflage print elastic fabric strap which is stylish and comfortable to wear.

The digital display is easy to read, while a timer and an alarm feature will help your child be on time. There’s also a night-light, a chronograph and water resistance built in. The band can easily be adjusted to fit even the smallest wrist and with its elasticated fabric, it can be put on and taken off with no problems.

Older children can set this watch and adjust it themselves, giving them greater independence; along with its budget-friendly price tag, it’s a great choice for parents who want their kids to have a“proper”watch but without spending a fortune.

2. Timex Kids’ T79051 “My First” Watch

For older children who are transitioning from a watch aimed at young kids to a more adult model, the Timex Kids’ T79051 is a great choice. Its stylish yet robust black canvas strap features a Velcro fastener so your son or daughter can easily put it on or take it off independently.

It also features an analogue display which is very useful when teaching children have to read the time properly. Its quartz movement ensures accuracy while its protective crystal window ensures it remains resilient and resistant to damage and scratches; something which is all-too-likely to occur when worn by a child! The watch also features luminosity, a second hand and is water resistant down to 99 feet.

Thanks to its plain black and stainless steel appearance, this watch can be worn for all occasions, even school. Furthermore, the larger than average numbers on the face make it easier for children to tell the time.

3. Misskt Waterproof/Outdoor Kids’ Digital Watch

If you’re looking for a waterproof watch that will suit your child for years to come, the Misskt Waterproof/Outdoor Kids’ Digital Watch is hard to beat. Available in blue, black or a red/blue combination, this is a unisex choice for children ranging from six up to 15 years of age. Suitable to wear for swimming, it presents the time in an easy to read digital format and features a date display.

4. SKNBC Waterproof Sports Watch For Kids

This sports watch is suitable for children from just 6 years, but older kids and teenagers are still going to love this watch. It comes in a choice of four models; a black/red, black/yellow, black/blue and pink colour schemes to suit both boys and girls. If your son or daughter loves being active, being outdoors or is into sports, they’re sure to love this scratch-resistant, shock-resistant and highly durable watch that will withstand anything they can throw at it. It even has a light-up feature to make it easier to read in poor lighting conditions. Not only can this watch show the time, it also has a day display, a stopwatch and an alarm, and the wearer can choose between a 24 hour or 12 hour format.

5. Timex Girls’ T89022 Floral Elastic “Time Teacher” Watch

If you have a young daughter who is learning how to read the time and wants a watch that reflects their tastes and personality; the Timex Girls’ Floral Elastic Time Teacher watch is ideal. Its minute and hour hands are clearly labelled, and the analogue face is simple to read.

Its Indiglo night light is an appealing feature. Whilst the elastic fabric strap is comfortable to wear and easy to adjust. It’s also water-resistant down to 99 feet, so you won’t have to worry about accidental damage. Suitable for children from just three years old, this easy-fit watch is appealingly colourful and fun to wear.

6. SZBXD Waterproof Kids’ Smartwatch

Smartwatches are all the rage at the moment, but some of the adult-oriented smartwatches are unsuitable for young children because of their complexity or fragility.

The SZBXD waterproof kids’ smartwatch is the ideal solution. Ideally suited to children aged between five and nine years of age; this model comes with its own inbuilt GPS tracker for monitoring your child. It’s capable of both receiving and making calls thanks to the micro-chat voice feature. It is also waterproof for peace of mind. Parents need to be aware that this watch requires a data plan if its call features are going to work, but for those who want their kids to have access to the latest technology in a kid-friendly way, this smartwatch is going to tick all the boxes.

These are just six of the best waterproof watches on the market today aimed at young children. One of these models is sure to be ideal for your son or daughter.

How Do We Test Smartwatches?

We take pride in the amount of time and effort that we put into testing and reviewing smartwatches. We know that you’re relying on us to give you the key information that you need to decide whether a certain model is right for your needs, and that’s why we put each and every one through its paces with a rigorous approach to testing.

We examine the design of each watch to see whether it’s stylish and appealing while also remaining highly functional and easy to use. Is it comfortable to wear? Does it look good on wrists of all sizes? Does it offer customisation options or interchangeable straps and faces? We examine all of these elements.

We look closely at integrated features and fitness tracking capabilities. Is there GPS? Are there LTE capabilities? Can you make contactless payments? Is there storage for songs and podcasts? Sleep tracking and activity tracking for different sports? We test these elements and look at the effect that each have on the power, processing capacity, memory and battery life of each device.

Then we bring all this information together in an informative review so that you can make the best choice about whether the smartwatch that we’re reviewing is really the best one for your requirements.

Popular Sports Watches for Men in 2019

November 5, 2019 By Emma Morris Leave a Comment

Want to know the which are best sports watches for men in 2019? Here is our run down of the most popular brands to consider to improve your sporting performance

Do you want to boost your sports performance? Or do you just want to gett active? There are some truly impressive sports watches out there which use cutting-edge technology to track all popular sports. They won’t just tell you the distance you’ve covered or the number of calories you’ve burned; they’ll give you an in-depth analysis of heart rate, technique and the effect of your training. Some can even give you coaching as you go!

Whatever you want a sports watch for, there’s one out there to suit you – so how to decide? Here’s our roundup of the most popular sports watches for men in 2019.

1. The Garmin Forerunner 735XT

The Garmin brand is well-known for its high quality devices, and the Forerunner 735XT certainly won’t disappoint. If you’re a cyclist, you’ll particularly love this sports watch since it doesn’t just offer Bluetooth, it also offers ANT+. This means you’ll have the possibility of connecting to a huge range of devices like heartrate, cadence and power sensors.

The battery life is pretty amazing too, lasting for a full 14 hours when using GPS or an outstanding 11 days when used without GPS. Even if you aren’t a cyclist, you’ll still find a lot to enjoy with this watch. It can track indoor events, has a multisport mode if you’re a triathlete and is waterproof for use while swimming.

2. Polar M430

Are you a runner? There’s a host of sports watches to choose from to track your favourite sport, but none is better than the Polar M430. Without the premium price tag of some rival models, this device offers all of the essential features and functions that you’re going to need. It comes equipped with a heartrate monitor and inbuilt GPS as well as the ability to set up a customised workout based on your time, heartrate, distance or pace.

On the Polar Flow app and website you can create a customised training plan to suit your individual needs based on a particular target or your fitness level. That plan will then be transmitted to your sports watch which will then guide you through your workouts. Basically, it’s a tracker and running coach in one handy device. The battery life of eight hours when you have GPS enabled or 20 hours without is long enough to suit any runner’s needs. Furthermore, its waterproofing means you won’t have to worry about rain or sweat.

3. Garmin Forerunner 35

If you want a fully featured sports watch but you’re on a tight budget, you might want to consider the Garmin Forerunner 35. As you’d expect from a device from the Garmin brand, this watch comes well-equipped with almost everything you could need. As well as its everyday sports tracking functions, it also comes with inbuilt GPS, indoor and outdoor running, walking and cycling modes.

You can’t use it for tracking your swims, which is a minor downside, but it is waterproofed to 5ATM so you can wear it confidently in the pool or in the rain. It even comes with a heartrate sensor built in, but it’s also compatible with ANT+ chest straps if you want even more accuracy. Even better, you can pair it with the Garmin Footpod if you want the most accurate indoor treadmill tracking. With a long 13 hour battery life if the GPS is active or nine days without, this watch won’t disappoint, especially at this price point.

4. Withings Steel HR

Do you want a functional sports watch but without the added bulk? The Withings Steel HR is the ideal solution, with a discreet appearance that looks exactly like a regular watch. It may have an unassuming façade but it certainly doesn’t compromise on technology; it has all the advanced tech you could possibly need for tracking your everyday sporting activities and recording basic information about your fitness levels.

This watch can automatically track your walks, swims and runs as well as your sleep patterns. It’ll give you subtle insights as to your progress through its OLED display. It doesn’t offer GPS tracking and there are no in-depth workout statistics, but if you’re looking for style with some fitness tracking functions thrown in you’ll find it an ideal choice. It’s waterproof, features a heartrate tracker and has an amazing battery life of 25 days.

5. Apple Watch Series 4

If you’re serious about your sports tracking and want one of the very best sports watches on the market with the top smartwatch functions thrown in, the Apple Watch Series 4 is hard to beat. Offering you all the benefits you would expect from one of the world’s biggest and best-known technology brands, the Series 4 has a fast processor and one of the best swimming trackers available with automatic lap counting and stroke recognition.

Choose the cellular model and you won’t need to take your phone with you while you train – you’ll be able to take calls, use GPS and stream music right from your wrist. All the top tracking apps are fully supported by this device including Cyclemeter, Runkeeper and Strava and there are plenty of other workout applications to choose from too.

Unfortunately, the battery life isn’t the longest at around 18 hours, but its excellent multi-functional features offset this. However, the watch comes with a high price tag, but you’ll have the confidence of knowing you’re buying a sports watch that’s going to last for years.

These are just five of the very best sports watches for men in 2019. We’re sure you’ll find one to suit your needs, budget and taste!

How Do We Test Smartwatches?

Waterproof Watches for Women

November 4, 2019 By Emma Morris Leave a Comment

Are you a woman looking for a great waterproof watch? Here’s our pick of the best ones on the market today.

Whether you’re a woman who loves swimming, sailing or surfing, or whether you just want to make sure that your watch will be safe from sweat, rain or accidental soakings, you need it to be waterproof. With narrower wrists than men, a woman needs a waterproof watch which is comfortable to wear and doesn’t look too bulky. With this in mind, we’ve brought you our selection of contenders for the crown of best waterproof watch for women.

1. Timex Ironman Sleek 50

Don’t be put off by the word“man”in the title! The Timex brand is certainly famous for its high-quality timepieces and the Ironman Sleek 50 won’t disappoint. With its modern, bold design, this model has sporty undertones and a comfortable polyurethane strap which is flexible and well-ventilated. It fits comfortably on even the slimmest wrist without looking bulky or inhibiting movement.

Not only does it boast a sleek design, it also has a simple push-button format so you can access the features with ease; the Indiglo function also means you can read the display easily in low-lighting conditions. Furthermore, there is a training log which records your workouts by lap time, total exercise time and date so you can keep on top of your fitness.

2. Armitron Digital Sports Watch

If you want a watch that’s perfect for swimming and tracking other sports, the Armitron 45/7053 LTG digital sports watch is ideal. Its stylish casing is highly durable while its strap is made from soft-touch resin which remains comfortably in place around your wrist all day long. In addition, this watch is capable of supporting dual time zones, boasts three easy-set alarms, a lap timer and a backlight feature. With water resistance built up down to 100 meters, it’s certainly perfect for swimmers. Above all, its affordable price tag is an even greater bonus.

3. Casio G-Shock S Series

When you need an extremely durable watch that will withstand even the most rigorous sporting activity, the Casio G-Shock S series could definitely be the one. Shock resistant, water resistant to 200m and magnetic resistant. It also has an incredibly accurate stopwatch feature.

Meanwhile, its stylish and slim design is perfect for slim wrists, sitting around the wrist comfortably without hindering its movement or function. It has five daily alarms, a 60-minute time signal, an automatic LED light with an afterglow and the function to record as many as 29 different time zones. It also has both analog and digital faces, a speed indicator and anti-slip buttons.

4. Garmin Vivoactive 3

The Garmin brand is well-known for its high quality sports watches, and its Vivoactive 3 model is perfect for women who want a sleek and modern design with all of the functionality of Garmin’s standard watch range. Suitable for wear both in the gym and in the office; this watch tracks your fitness level and workouts and monitors your health and sleep 24/7. It also boasts a heartrate monitor and a durable and comfortable strap. Thanks to Garmin’s unrivalled GPS system, it’s easier than ever to track both outdoor and indoor activities with no worries about signal dropouts. Although the base model can’t support music, the upgraded model has storage capacity for 500 MP3 files and access to the iHeartRadio app.

5. The Fitbit Ionic

The Fitbit brand is known for its high-quality sports trackers and the Ionic is the first model from this brand to look like a regular watch instead of a basic fitness tracker. Its choice of interchangeable leather or plastic strap makes this a great choice for all occasions. Furthermore, the 384 x 250 LCD display is easy to read with an impressive brightness level.

Thanks to its touchscreen you can cycle rapidly through the various app choices while the side buttons allow even greater choice of functionality. This waterproof watch tracks your activities including swimming, cycling, weightlifting and running, and it also has inbuilt workouts to add into your daily routine. Meanwhile, the inbuilt heartrate monitor gives you accurate measurements and the GPS feature maps your location.

6. Garmin Forerunner 35

Garmin is a popular and high-quality brand and the Forerunner series offers a range of impressive watches with the Forerunner 35 being no exception. Instead of the bulky, industrial design which is seen in the other Garmin models, this watch has a modern, sleek design which won’t impede your movements. It also offers sport tracking features with an inbuilt GPS so you can track your distance, location and speed as well as heartrate and number of calories burned. You can then upload your stats to fitness apps like Strava or Garmin Connect and compare your results with your family and friends. You’ll receive notifications via a vibration alert and with waterproofing down to 50m, you won’t have to worry about getting this watch wet.

7. Suunto Spartan Trainer

Finally, the newest model from Suunto is the Spartan Trainer, a sleek version of its Spartan Sports model. Designed for wear on thin wrists, this lighter watch has a 218 x 218 resolution screen and a bunch of great options. It has a highly accurate heartrate monitor as well as impressive GPS to map your routes. Since this model also uses maps which you’ve downloaded, it’ll give you the optimal running routes. Its long lasting battery can hold its charge for around 3-4 days even when you’re covering lots of activities and while the app isn’t fantastic, it still gives you access to your data just a few seconds after you’ve worked out.

If you’re looking for one of the best waterproof watches for women on the market today, one of these seven options is sure to be the one for you.

How Do We Test Smartwatches?

Here at Superwatches we examine the design of each watch to see whether it’s stylish and appealing while also remaining highly functional and easy to use. Is it comfortable to wear? Does it look good on wrists of all sizes? Does it offer customisation options or interchangeable straps and faces? We examine all of these elements.

Popular Sports Watches For Women In 2019

October 31, 2019 By Emma Morris Leave a Comment

Lady dune surfing and wearing smartwatch

Are you a woman who loves sports and the outdoor life? Then you’re going to need a sports watch that can keep up with you! Check the best ones for 2019!

If you’re a woman who loves the sporting life, you’re definitely going to need a sports watch to keep on top of your fitness goals. It’s the best way to hit your targets and make sure you’re doing the most appropriate workouts in the correct way and at the best time.

There’s no shortage of sports watches on the market today, so how do you go about choosing the best one for you? Lots of the options out there are targeted at men, however, and for ladies with slimmer wrists who want a less bulky watch that won’t restrict their range of movement, it can be hard to select a model that fits the bill. That’s why we’ve brought you this list of popular sports watches for women in 2019 so you can make a well-informed decision.

Garmin Fenix 5S Sapphire

Garmin is one of the biggest and best-known sports watch brands out there today, and the Fenix 5S Sapphire is an especially stylish model with a black band and shiny black finish. This watch comes pre-loaded with adventure and sports profiles for use during running or hiking as well as a complete navigation system consisting of Glonass satellite reception, three-axis compass and GPS as well as a barometer and altimeter. It’ll even track the weather conditions and keep you up to date if a storm is on the horizon. Better still, it has a 14 hour battery life even in GPS mode ensuring you won’t have to recharge until you’re back home.

Fitbit Charge 2

Fitbit is another top fitness tracker and sports watch manufacturer. The Charge 2 smartwatch offers some exciting features for women including a heartrate monitor and a calorie tracker. The OLED display boasts high resolution on which phone notifications are shown via Bluetooth. This watch also has a sleep tracker and will even give you your own personalised cardio score so you can boost your fitness level. There’s also an integrated navigation system with compass and GPS ideal for ladies who love to hit the trail!

Apple Watch Series 3

If you’re in the market for a high-end sports watch with plenty of smartwatch functionality the Apple Watch Series 3 won’t disappoint. With its embedded SIM card which works with several carriers, you can make calls from your wrist. It also has both 4G and GPS connectivity with a high-res screen which clearly displays all your notifications. Apps can be downloaded to the device and seen on the screen. With its integrated heartrate sensor and water-resistance to 50m it’s a great choice for tracking all kinds of workouts. That’s not to mention its stylish good looks. With a choice of sizes available to suit the slim female wrist it’s one of the best premium sports watches available.

Samsung Gear Sports Watch

Samsung is one of the most popular electronics manufacturers today and its Gear Sports Watch is an excellent example of its best tech. Boasting some seriously advanced features, this watch can be used with either the iOS or Android platform for maximum versatility. Not only does it have Bluetooth connectivity, it’s also water-resistant to 50m. You’ll receive your text and call notifications on the screen while its 1 GHz dual-core processor is impressively fast. You’ll enjoy accurate measurements of your heartrate and GPS while its durable construction means that you’ll never have to worry about it not being robust enough to withstand your frantic pace or adventurous activities.

The Fitbit Versa

Another excellent sports watch from the Fitbit brand is the Versa. Boasting a strong and stylish aluminium case, it tracks your heartrate and monitors your sleep to keep you in good shape. It also offers more than 15 different exercise modes so you can ensure your routines are achieving maximum benefit. For those who like to listen to music as they work out, the Versa has sufficient storage to accommodate more than 300 tracks while its four-day battery life is hard to beat. It’s also water-resistant to 50m so you can wear it in the pool.

The Fitbit Ionic

Another popular Fitbit sports watch for women is the Fitbit Ionic. Available in a choice of two stylish and attractive colours, this is a great choice of watch if you’re looking for more personalized and dynamic workout routines. With sufficient storage for more than 300 songs, this watch can tell you the time in different time zones around the world and even features an NFC chip so you can make payments wirelessly. The heartrate and pulse tracker will keep an eye on your fitness levels while the coaching feature maximises your workout potential.

Polar V800 Sports Watch

This advanced training sports watch is the ideal choice for women who are really serious about staying in peak shape. Equipped with impressive advanced features, this watch boasts both Bluetooth and GPS connectivity as well as cycling and running sensors and a heartrate monitor. Its durable construction makes this the perfect watch to wear out on the trail while its wireless connectivity makes this a particularly convenient choice if you want to leave your phone at home while you’re exercising. The sensors have been designed to be extremely sensitive for the most accurate measurements while the attractive ergonomics only add to the feminine appeal.

As a woman who wants to stay fit, having a fully functioning sports watch couldn’t be more important these days. However, whatever type of sports watch you’re looking for, whatever your favourite type of workout and whatever your budget, there’s sure to be a model on this list that’s absolutely ideal for you.

How Do We Test Smartwatches?

Apple Watches for Kids

October 29, 2019 By Emma Morris Leave a Comment

Apple watches on display with multicolored bands

Apple Watches are generally reckoned to be amongst the best smartwatches available. With a host of impressive functions, the Apple Watch gives wearers the opportunity to make calls, listen to music, track their workouts, use apps and much more – including telling the time!

But when it comes to choosing a smartwatch for your children, the question is whether an Apple Watch is really the way to go. The Apple Watch comes at a premium price, even if you choose an older model. If you’re wondering whether to choose one for your son or daughter, you need to consider whether it’s age-appropriate, whether it fits in your budget, and whether there are more affordable alternatives out there.

What Is An Apple Watch?

The first Apple Watch was launched back in 2015 and it is now in its fifth incarnation. Available in a range of styles, colours and sizes, all models all models can track the user’s daily activities and exercises like yoga, swimming and running, along with podcasts, gaming, music and more.

If you’re going to benefit from all the features of an Apple Watch, you need to sync it with your iPhone. This is something to bear in mind when deciding whether or not an Apple Watch is suitable for your child – most children under the age of 10 probably shouldn’t have access to a smartphone and so an Apple Watch isn’t going to be the right choice for your pre-teen either.

Some kids are careless and prone to breaking or losing items. Apple watches are pricey, so you don’t want to be paying for repairs or replacements on a regular basis.

Why Should I Buy An Apple Watch For My Child?

Having said all of the above, there are a number of reasons why you might want to consider investing in an Apple Watch for your son or daughter. For a start, they encourage your child to live in a healthy way, encouraging them to stand up more and exercise for a minimum of half an hour daily.

An Apple Watch can also help kids to burn more calories through a Move goal defined by the parent or the child themselves. Exercise challenges are a lot of fun for kids to take part in, and with lots of third-party apps which can persuade even the most inactive child to get off the couch and start moving, this is one of the most persuasive reasons to purchase an Apple Watch.

Another popular reason for parents to choose an Apple Watch for their child is the“Find My Friend”feature which gives parents the ability to track their child for safety purposes. When a child has an Apple Watch, you can also stay in constant communication through the walkie-talkie feature.

Which Apple Watch Is Best For My Child?

If you’re choosing a smartwatch for a teenager or responsible middle-school child, you may want to consider an older Apple Watch model. It probably isn’t worth buying one of the latest models or a brand-new device for your son or daughter due to its high cost. However, with all of the many benefits that come with such a fully functioning smartwatch, it could be worth the investment in the long-term.

Are There Alternatives To The Apple Watch?

If you feel that your child isn’t yet ready for an Apple Watch or you can’t afford the high cost, the good news is that there are several suitable kid-friendly smartwatches which will offer your kid plenty of functions and style – but without the complexity and expense of an Apple device.

VTECH Kidizoom

The VTech brand has been around for a long time now, and is synonymous with high-quality kid-friendly tech. This smartwatch is a great choice for younger kids who aren’t ready for an Apple Watch. The VTech Kidizoom has an inbuilt camera for taking videos and photographs as well as a customisable face, a timer, an alarm, inbuilt games and more. It doesn’t offer any fitness tracking functionality, but for any young child who wants to feel more mature, it’s a good option.

Garmin Vivofit Jr.2

If you want fitness tracking functions on your child’s smartwatch, the Garmin Vivofit Jr 2 is a great choice. It offers both a reward system and fitness tracker to teach your child about doing chores and living in a healthy way and it can sync with a parent’s smartphone for more control. With its long battery life and wide range of styles to choose from, it’s a good choice for younger kids, although older ones might find the games dull.

Summary

With every year, the Apple Watch moves closer to no longer requiring an iPhone to make it operational. At the moment, however, you still need a smartphone to set up and maintain this wearable device. For that reason alone it isn’t the best choice of smartwatch for kids – and the high cost will be an additional deterrent. However, with lots of other options on the market, your son or daughter can still enjoy excellent smartphone functionality with a different model.