SuperWatches

Smartwatches for the Space Age

Roxana Bikfalvi

Smartwatch Gift Ideas – The Best 5 Wearables for Him and Her

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Smartwatches for him and her

Finding the perfect gift for a birthday, Christmas, Valentine’s, or any other occasion is certainly daunting. Whether you’re looking for the perfect present for him or her, the five smartwatch gift ideas below could inspire you. Check them out.

1. Apple Watch Series 5

The perfect smartwatch gift ideas for Apple addicts
Apple watch 5

What better way to satisfy an Apple enthusiast than with an Apple watch? Not any watch, that is, but THE Apple Watch. Series 5 is currently the ultimate watch from the renowned brand, impressing with an array of features.

It comes in two sizes and has a stylish, unisex design. However, it doesn’t really matter who you’re getting it for – rest assured it will fit perfectly on anyone’s wrist.

We have to admit that it’s hard to find another watch with so many functions crammed into such a compact design. Smart notifications vary from general smartphone alerts to social media and notifications from various apps. Acting as a motivational coach, it also integrates sports profiles and lets you access workout videos.

Music storage and control, as well as compatibility with music streaming apps, make it easy to listen to your favourite tunes on the go. The smartwatch also impresses with its always-on display and over 100 customisable faces. Honestly, what more could you wish for?

2. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2

Just the right smartwatch gift ideas for all Samsung enthusiasts

The Galaxy Watch Active 2 is undeniably the best smartwatch gift for the Samsung addict in your life. It’s just as stylish as the Apple Watch, but with a round face rather than a square one.

galaxy active smart watch

Its unisex design makes it an inspired choice for gents and ladies alike, while two sizes let you fit the watch diameter with the wearer’s wrist. Comfortable to wear all day long, it comes with either aluminium or stainless steel case and a variety of bands, cases, and finishes.

Smart features include all you’d expect from the last generation smartwatch, while the fitness tracking capabilities are superlative. Expect it to monitor your heart rate and overall health, sleep, as well as the daily activity.

Music streaming and control and contactless payments on your wrist are other highlights, and you can expect the battery to last for up to five days on a single charge. No doubt, one of the best smartwatch gifts around.

3. Fitbit Versa 2 Health & Fitness Smartwatch

A budget-friendly gift for fitness enthusiasts

Looking for affordable smartwatches gift ideas? Then the Fitbit Versa 2 could be the wearable you were looking for. It’s perfect for fitness-oriented individuals who want to keep an eye on their athletic performance or overall goals.

Fitbit Charge 2

Versa 2’s design is inspired by the iconic Apple Watch but comes at a fraction of the cost. Designed with health and fitness in mind, it can track your daily activity, heart rate, sleep, as well as pace, distance, and burnt calories.


Shop Fitbit Versa Lite Online

It also delivers calls, texts, calendar alerts, and other smartphone notifications on the wrist. Like the more expensive models above, it’s compatible with Pandora, Deezer, and Spotify, so you can listen to your favourite tunes on the go.

Built-in Alexa also gives you quick access to news and weather forecasts, and you can even use the watch to set timers, alarms, or control smart home devices. Affordable but by no means cheap, it also impresses with its sleek, unisex lines that suit both men and women.

4. Garmin vívoactive 3

Garmin Vivoactive 3
One of the best sports watches for athletes

Garmin is one of the most renowned makers of smartwatches for athletes, so the athlete in your life will surely love the vívoactive 3. Packing a wealth of features at a more than affordable price tag, this is Fitbit’s alternative dedicated to the pros.

A wealth of fitness and activity tracking features make it a winner. The VO2 max and 15 pre-loaded sports profiles make it a great choice for most people. It’s not particularly suited for ladies, but it’s still considered unisex.

Thousands of free faces and interchangeable bands make it easy to customise, while an array of apps and widgets make it super-easy to monitor the desired activity and keep an eye on the most important notifications.

As you’d expect from a best-in-class smartwatch, it comes with contactless payments on your wrist, courtesy of Garmin Pay, and it connects with both Android and iOS phones. Built-in GPS and suitability for swimming, yoga, running, and even golf are just some of the other features we like – and you can bet the gift receiver will like them too.

5. Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle Stainless Steel Smartwatch

The perfect smartwatch gift idea for men

Are you looking for the perfect smartwatch for your sweetheart, dad, brother, or a co-worker? Then check out the Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle. This stainless steel smartwatch packs incredible functionality and stylish looks and is perfect for the elegant guy who needs a smartwatch.

A selection of interchangeable bands lets you choose from stainless steel, leather, and silicone, for either classic or sporty look. Powered by Google’s Wear OS, it works with both Android and iPhones.

Built-in GPS makes it easy to track your daily activity, while the swimproof design is perfect on those times when you’d like to swim some laps or jump directly in the shower without taking the watch off.

Smart features include a variety of notifications. You can answer calls on your wrist, interact with the Google Assistant, or do some shopping without worrying too much about your wallet thanks to the Google Pay. Timeless and elegant, this is one of the best smartwatches gift ideas for men.

Summary

Whether it’s for him or for her and regardless of the occasion, we hope the smartwatches gift ideas above inspired you. Now, all you have to do is get the preferred smartwatch, wrap it in gift paper, and surprise that special one in your life!

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Women’s Watches Under $500 – A Brief Overview of The Best Models Around

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womens watch

Check out the best women’s watches under $500 in our rundown. Getting ready for work, gym, a date, or even a girls’ night out is certainly hard for most women. Picking the right outfit, matching accessories, and appropriate makeup takes time and consideration. You could speed up the process by choosing timeless accessories that pair with most garments, such as a stylish wristwatch.

But with so many choices out there how can you find the right one?

1. Michael Kors Access Lexington 2 Smartwatch

The best women’s watches under $500 for fashionistas

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and even if this smartwatch by Michael Kors is not embellished with real diamonds, it’s hard to deny its beauty. Access Lexington 2 is elegance concentrated into a surprisingly functional gadget.

Nothing betrays its smart nature, from the rich watch face decorated with an oversized logo to the absolutely brilliant band. All it takes, though, is a touch to reveal the hidden functionalities. Lexington 2 is a capable smartwatch designed to stay on your wrist wherever you go.

It runs the acclaimed Wear OS by Google and works with both Android and iPhones. Perks include smartphone notifications and alerts, built-in fitness tracker, music storage and control, as well as Google Pay.

With an estimated battery life of about one day in normal mode, or up to three days in low power mode, and water resistance up to 5ATM, this watch is much more than stylish. In summary, it is a hybrid timepiece with top-of-the-range smart features ideal for all fashionistas.

2. Michael Kors Access Bradshaw 2 Smartwatch

Extremely fashionable and slightly more affordable wearable

Bradshaw 2 is the certainly more affordable alternative to Lexington 2. Similarly it comes from the same Access collection and sports the same Wear OS by Google as our top pick. The main difference is the lower 3ATM water resistance and they share a lot of features.

You’ll get the same reliable activity monitoring thanks to the built-in GPS. The built-in Google Assistant makes it super-easy to interact with the watch, while Google Pay lets you go shopping right after a jog without bothering to go home for your wallet.

Features apart, the Bradshaw 2 is all about fashion. Rose gold and blush colours certainly deliver an ultra-feminine look. Customisable dials give you the possibility to choose from a wide range of styles, while Bluetooth-enabled calling brings further value. Oversized yet still feminine, the Access Bradshaw 2 is one of the best women’s watches under $500 you can get your hands on.

3. Kate Spade New York Scallop Smartwatch

Kate Spade Smartwatch
A fine example of modern functionalities packed in a timeless design

Michael Kors might be dominant in the women’s smartwatch world, but Kate Spade shows that even the greatest should fear competition. Its Scallop smartwatch is the definition of fun and elegance. Super-stylish to wear with formal attire, however fun enough to keep on your wrist for a girls’ night out, this watch is the epitome of good taste.

Furthermore you can mix and match various bands with different dials for a unique, customised timepiece. Customisable watch faces – some of which are animated – make it easy to showcase your personality in a simple way. Whether you need a formal accessory or a fun, easy-going one, the Scallop has it all.

Smarts and functions include phone notifications – including incoming calls – time zones, reminders, music control, as well as weather forecasts. It’s ideal for fitness tracking too, as it integrates with Google Fit to count your steps, heart rate, and daily calories.

Like the Michael Kors, the Scallop runs on the Wear OS by Google and is compatible with Android and iOS phones.

4. Garmin Venu

The perfect watch under $500 for fitness enthusiasts

In a world where most brands are focused on creating cute hybrid watches for ladies and huge smartwatches for men, Garmin Venu stands out. It’s beautiful, bright, designed with performance in mind, and perfect for women.

Sure, it might be a bit larger than your regular watch. But in the end, if you aim for performance and need a wearable that can keep up with your progress, then this might be it.

From a visual standpoint, it’s not as stylish as the Michael Kors or Kate Spade, but it’s not ugly either. Perhaps a smaller version would have been better, but all it takes is a quick look at its tech features to change your mind about this beauty.

An array of functions makes it shine. Built-in GPS tracks your activity and records important metrics, such as pace, distance, and burnt calories. All-day heart rate monitoring and a range of predefined sports profiles can cover all needs.

Acting as a motivational coach, the Venu comes with easy-to-follow workouts you can watch on the bright AMOLED screen and is compatible with Spotify, Deezer, and Amazon Music for phone-free listening. No doubt, it’s a great choice for the fitness enthusiast or performance-oriented athlete out there.

5. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2

The best women’s watch for the Samsung addicted
galaxy active smart watch

If you’re addicted to Samsung perhaps the Galaxy Watch Active 2 could be the best choice for you.

It may not be designed specifically for women, but comes in two sizes that make it perfect for most wrists. Customisable watch faces and a variety of colours throw in versatility. Delicate flower faces and other girly designs make it perfect for women.

Looks apart, we love its features. From heart and health monitoring to full smartphone integration, fitness tracking, and both Android and iOS compatibility, this smartwatch knows how to satisfy. It’s lightweight and fit for any occasion, from working out to sleeping in. A perfect choice for all tech-savvy ladies.

Summary

Picking a women’s watch under $500 may not be easy, but it shouldn’t be overly complicated either. We hope this rundown inspires you, but which is the best watch is down to you. Consider your style, needs, then choose your favourite.

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Best Women’s Watches Under $100 – 5 Stylish Models to Wear in 2020

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womens watches

The best women’s watches under $100 are stylish, high-quality, and packed with functions. Whether it’s a classic, hybrid, or smart wearable, nothing can complement a perfect outfit the way a wristwatch does – and it needn’t cost a fortune.

But where to start? If you find it difficult to make a decision, check out our roundup below.

1. Fossil Women’s Stainless Steel Hybrid

Best Women’s Watches Under $100 – Everyday

Women looking for an all-round, stylish wristwatch with some smarts will surely like the Fossil Women’s Stainless Steel Hybrid Watch. This classy timepiece features a lovely rose gold case with a pink champagne dial. It looks like a watch, yet acts like a smartwatch – simply fashionable.

Its hybrid movement requires no battery charging and runs for around 12 months. Tech includes smartphone notifications, custom goal settings, activity tracking, and automatic time zone updates.

We particularly like the way that you can customise the buttons and that it withstands splashes and brief immersions in water. It’s not suitable for swimming or bathing, but you won’t have to worry if you’re caught out in the rain.

A stylish leather band adds the final visual touches with an array of soft, pale colours including mauve, light teal, and deep blue. Compatible with Android OS 5.0+ and iOS 9.0+ devices, this is the perfect women’s watch for all purposes.

2. Fitbit Inspire HR

Best Women’s Watches Under $100 – fitness addicted fashionistas

Fitbit Inspire HR is a widely acclaimed fitness tracker that impresses with smooth, feminine lines and a more than attractive price tag. It’s perfect for fitness enthusiasts as well as all ladies ready to say hello to a healthier lifestyle.

Fitbit Charge 2

It impresses with an elegant design that has managed to stay true to the fitness tracker lines without looking ugly. Perfect for all women – including those with slender wrists – it comes in a range of attractive colours including lilac, bright white, and classic black.

An array of functions makes it perfect to wear at work, at the gym, or even on a Friday night out. Sync it with your phone to receive calls, texts, and calendar alerts.

This compact wearable can also track your daily activity, using your 24/7 heart rate to track calorie burn and workout efficiency, tracks your sleep, and even monitors your progress when you swim. Setting goals and monitoring your progress is easy, thanks to convenient mobile app integration. No doubt, it’s one of the best fitness trackers around.

3. Garmin Forerunner 35

Best Women’s Watches Under $100 – jogging enthusiasts

OK, so the Garmin Forerunner 35 wasn’t designed specifically for women. Yet, this sports wearable can be one of your best bets if you’re an athletic woman looking for the perfect running watch.

This smartwatch is made to impress. It comes with built-in GPS that can quickly track your pace, distance, and route with no phone required. All for under $100 – truly a bargain.

It may be bigger than most women’s watches, but that’s not exactly a negative. While it could look slightly awkward on slender wrists, it’s easier to see the time, date, or other important information at a glance. Vibration alerts for activity tracking milestones, smart notifications, and virtual pacing progress are just some of its highlights.

The screen is fully visible in direct sunlight, and you even get convenient music control directly from your wrist. What more could you want?

4.  Fossil Women’s Sport Smartwatch

A stylish yet performance-focused smartwatch

Fossil makes its second entry on our list with an elegant, yet performance-driven, wearable that combines Fossil Hybrid style with Garmin’s convenience.

Design-wise, the watch presents itself as a classic timepiece with round dial and rose gold bezel. The only thing that betrays its sporty nature is the silicone strap, but we like that it comes in a wide range of attractive colours.

Despite its low cost, it packs a wealth of features. Sporting the acclaimed Google OS, it boasts integration with Google Assistant, a built-in GPS for accurate activity tracking, and waterproof resistance to five atmospheres.

Smart notifications include app, calendar, calls, and text alerts, music control, as well as email and social media alerts.

With a battery life measured in days rather than hours, it’s an excellent choice for fitness addicts as well as casual wear. We also like the customisable watch face and touchscreen functionality. Multiple time zones, LED flashlight, and wireless syncing are some of its other highlights.

It works with both Android and iOS devices, it’s lightweight, it has interchangeable bands and comes cheap. A perfect choice for women on a budget.

5. Garmin vívomove Classic

A classic timepiece with loads of smart functionalities

Ending our roundup of best womens watches under $100 is Garmin’s vívomove Classic. It is incredibly stylish, with a white face, white leather band, and rose gold accents. It can easily team with most outfits and find a place on your wrist in all circumstances.

The watch face is inspired by classic timepieces. Hour and minute marks, stylish hands, and no numbers enhance the wearable from a visual standpoint. It doesn’t deliver smartphone notifications on your wrist, but it discreetly monitors your daily activity, sleep, heart rate, and overall fitness levels.

Acting as a motivational coach, it can help you reach your goals and get in shape in no time. It also works with Garmin Connect to accurately monitor your daily pace and distance. Outstanding battery life and waterproof construction deliver peace of mind, and overall, this is one of the most stylish and functional affordable smartwatches around.

Summary

The best womens watches under $100 offer a lot for the money. As you can see, there are a lot of stylish options to choose from. Before buying, consider your overall style and think of what you’d expect from a watch. Whether it’s a fashionable hybrid model or a more sports-oriented wearable, we hope the choices above inspired you and that you find the right one.

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Garmin Forerunner – An All-Round Sports Watch Family

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Garmin Forerunner

The Garmin Forerunner range is one of the most acclaimed sports watch collections around. It may be intended for runners, but don’t let this detail put you off. Forerunners can track other activities too and also incorporate a wealth of additional smart features.

Here’s a quick overview of the Garmin Forerunner watches.

Forerunner 35

The best choice for beginners

Perhaps the simplest Garmin Forerunner, the 35 is an easy-to-use GPS-enabled running watch designed to focus on your performance. It monitors the key metrics of your training, including distance, calories, pace, and more.

Useful features such as Auto Pause and run/walk mode enhance versatility, while the wrist-based heart rate makes it possible to monitor performance without a chest strap.

Pair it with a compatible smartphone to get call and text alerts on your wrist, or make automatic uploads to Garmin Connect, share your progress, join challenges, or receive insights as you meet your goals.

Simple and unpretentious, the Forerunner 35 is an excellent choice for those who want a no-frills running watch at an affordable price.

Forerunner 45

Ideal for teammates

The upgraded version of Forerunner 35, the Forerunner 45, comes with additional features, and it’s a great choice for team training.

It comes in two variants, the Forerunner 45 and the smaller 45 S that is an excellent choice for slender wrists. No matter which size you choose, you’ll get accurate tracking of your pace and distance thanks to the built-in GPS.

The integration of Garmin Coach adaptive training plans makes it excellent for newbies who want to focus on performance. Like the Forerunner 35, it also integrates wrist heart rate monitoring.

Customisable watch faces and a variety of bands enhance its versatility and make it a great choice for users of either sex.

Forerunner 245 Music

A premier sports watch designed for serious runners

With the Forerunner 245 Music, tracking performance has never been easier. It’s a great choice for those who like to listen to music while running and packs loads of features in as well.

Garmin Forerunner 245

The menus might not be the easiest to navigate, but it’s easy to love once you get used to how it works. Designed with the pros in mind, it tracks and evaluates your performance stats, including aerobic and anaerobic training effects, VO2 max, training status, and more.

Advanced tracking includes running dynamics, such as ground contact time and stride length. On-board music storage and integrated GPS are two other awesome features for those who don’t want to carry a smartphone or other device when training.

Forerunner 645 Music

The more stylish and feature-packed version of the Forerunner 245

If you like the 245 Music and don’t mind spending more money, the Forerunner 645 Music could be a great choice. It has everything the 245 has and more.

The device can store up to 500 songs and syncs your playlists from music streaming services such as Spotify or Pandora. Wrist heart rate monitoring and advanced running performance metrics don’t bring noticeable improvements compared to the 245, but it shines in the smart features department.

You’ll get Garmin Pay, so you don’t have to worry about carrying your wallet, as well as other connected features and a bunch of smart notifications on your wrist, including Live Track function.

Customisable watch faces and compatibility with apps such as AccuWeather, Uber, and SmartThings bring further value for money, making this smartwatch one of the best running watches you can find.

Forerunner 735XT

A top-notch triathlon smartwatch

Designed for running and packed with preloaded sports profiles. The 735XT is one of the pro watches in the Forerunner family.

It includes all the features of other models in the range . It tracks distance, pace, and lap time on all supported activities, and you can choose which metrics to view on the display while training.

Multi-sports profiles include swimming – with underwater heart rate monitoring – cycling, cross-country skiing, hiking, and paddle sports, to name just a few.

An array of smart features are the cherries on top of this sumptuous cake and include Strava live segments, phone syncing, smart notifications, and compatibility with music streaming services. While all these features don’t come cheap, this is undoubtedly a very capable multi-sports watch and one that’s particularly suitable for triathlon training.

Forerunner 945

An all-round sports watch for advanced athletic training

The Forerunner 945 is la crème de la crème of the family. It’s an all-round sports watch designed for professional runners, triathlon athletes and serious fitness lovers.

Its slim and sleek profile retains the lines of the other Forerunner watches and fits both men and women. Two band choices and customisable watch faces add versatility, while a variety of features and compatible apps make it a winner.

Bigger storage capacity compared to the 245 and 645 variants let you keep up to 1,000 songs on your wrist and sync your playlists from Spotify and other music streaming services.

An integrated GPS and VO2 max feature track your training and adjust the results based on heat and altitude. At the same time, the watch also monitors your overall training load and recovery time.

Like the 735XT, it comes with multi-sports profiles, while pre-loaded, full-colour maps keep you on track regardless of how familiar you are with the area. Other highlights include safety and tracking features, smart notifications, as well as Garmin Pay function.

Though the Forerunner 945 is the most expensive of the family, it’s cheaper than the Fenix 5 Plus with which it shares most functions. It’s a great choice for all those who need a capable all-rounder.

Summary

Whether you’re an enthusiastic beginner or a professional athlete, finding the right smartwatch for you in the Garmin Forerunner family is easy.

So, what do you say? Which one would you pick? Tell me in a comment below; I’d love to hear from you.

And if you know other runners or athletes looking for the perfect Garmin wearable, don’t forget to share this article with them too.

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Waterproof Fitbit Watches – Your Best Bets in 2020

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Waterproof Watches

Waterproof Fitbit watches are made for those hoping to get drenched in gallons of sweat during workouts. Throw in an unexpected shower catching you by surprise while you’re jogging, and it’s easy to understand why water resistance is an important feature to look out for when buying your next wearable.

So, which are the best waterproof Fitbit watches? Which one should you get in 2020? To answer those questions, check out our selection below.

1. Fitbit Charge 3

The mightiest waterproof Fitbit

Charge 3 is praised as the best fitness tracker from Fitbit, a wearable appreciated for its larger screen and new functionalities compared to the older versions of the series. With no Charge 4 on the horizon, this is perhaps your best bet in 2020.

Fitness features include all the classics – heart rate monitoring, swim tracking, and guided breathing. Improved notifications and connectivity, alongside sleeker lines and multiple band options make it a great choice for everyday wear too.

The Special Edition of Charge 3 brings even more functions for more money, including contactless payments on your wrist via Fitbit Pay as well as GPS tethering for more accurate pace and distance tracking.

Swim lap tracking and water resistance to 5 ATM make it one of the best options for serious swimmers.

Main Advantages

  • Multi-sports profiles and excellent fitness tracking capabilities
  • Fitbit Pay and GPS on the Special Edition
  • Water-resistant at 5 ATM

Main Disadvantages

  • More expensive than its peers
  • GPS only works when your phone is with you

2. Fitbit Versa 2

Perfect for Amazon Alexa enthusiasts

More than a fitness tracker, the Versa 2 is Fitbit’s praised smartwatch. Arguably one of the most versatile devices the company offers, it incorporates more features while keeping its fitness tracking capabilities on top of its competitors.

Perhaps the most praised feature is the Amazon Alexa functionality, which works pretty much like Amazon’s smart home device.

You can use Alexa in the same way as you do at home, and can even control your house from your wrist. Other improvements include a variety of notifications as well as access to a wealth of third-party apps.

Fitness tracking features include heart rate monitoring and multiple exercise options. You won’t get a built-in GPS, but the Versa 2 can connect to your smartphone’s GPS for accurate tracking.

Furthermore, the Fitbit Premium can bring you personalised coaching and goal guidance if you don’t mind the small monthly fee required to subscribe to the service.

Main Advantages

  • Ultra-lightweight design
  • Always-on display
  • Improved smart functionalities

Main Disadvantages

  • Limited entertainment features

3. Fitbit Inspire HR

Inspiring people to get off the couch

One of the latest additions to the Fitbit range of waterproof wearables, the Inspire HR is a more superior fitness tracker and health monitor to other trackers offered by the company. Reasonably affordable, it appeals to those who look for the obvious but couldn’t care less about advanced features and monitoring.

As its name suggests, it’s built for heart rate tracking, and it does that brilliantly. Guided breathing and sleep tracking are other highlights, and like the Versa 2, it can use a phone’s GPS.

Despite being waterproof, it comes with no swimming tracking skills. That’s not really an issue if you don’t want to track your activity in the pool, but serious swimmers might want to go for one of the two Fitbits reviewed above.

Main Advantages

  • Sleek, premium design
  • Multiple tracked metrics
  • Auto-identifies the exercise type

Main Disadvantages

  • No Fitbit Pay

4. Fitbit Ionic

A fitness-oriented smartwatch

Ionic is Fitbit’s first smartwatch, and while it isn’t exactly fantastic from this standpoint, it’s a capable fitness-focused wearable. It can tackle swimming, running, cycling, and even weight lifting, to name just a few.

Dedicated workout programmes and Fitbit Pay as standard are just some of its highlights. It might not perform as well as the Samsung Galaxy Watch or the Apple Watch, but it doesn’t come at their price point either.

Perhaps you won’t be blown away by its smart capabilities, but you’ll get built-in GPS, great battery life, and – obviously – water resistance. Not bad if you don’t mind its average value for money.

Main Advantages

  • Built-in GPS
  • Accurate fitness and health tracking
  • Fitbit Pay

Main Disadvantages

  • Severe lack of smarts and apps
  • A rather slow interface

5.  Fitbit Versa Lite

Fewer features but a more affordable price tag

Last entry on our list of best waterproof Fitbit watches to buy in 2020, the Versa Lite is lighter than the Versa 2 in both features and price.

It’s similar to the first Fitbit Versa, and despite compromising on some features, it still comes with solid heart rate monitoring and calorie counter, multiple sports profiles, and a fast, intuitive interface.

Like the Versa 2, it connects to your smartphone to provide accurate tracking via GPS but lacks other features including Fitbit Pay, music storage, and music streaming.

It is, however much cheaper than its peers. And while you can’t track swim laps, the smartwatch is water-resistant.

Main Advantages

  • Lightweight and ultra-comfortable to wear
  • Multiple customisation options
  • Solid heart rate monitoring

Main Disadvantages

  • Compromises on smart and fitness features for a lower price

Which Waterproof Fitbit Watch Should I Get in 2020?

Summing it up, all devices on this list could be a great option in 2020. We don’t know yet if Fitbit will launch new wearables this year, but we do know that at least some of the watches on this list will get improved features, such as personal coach services.

Regardless of your fitness goals or budget, all waterproof Fitbit watches above bring outstanding value for money. All you have to do is read their specs and pick the best one for you.

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Nokia Smartwatch Review: A Classy Yet Feature-Packed Timepiece

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Nokia Smartwatch

Smartwatches are rarely praised for their appearance. While brands try their best to create sleeker models, most of them still have chunky designs but the Nokia Smartwatch makes a difference.

Formerly known as Nokia Steel HR and now called Withings Steel HR, the Nokia smartwatch impresses with a gorgeous design that looks like a stylish, classy timepiece rather than a massive fitness tracker.

But don’t be fooled by its looks. The Steel HR certainly packs a punch and comes with all smart functions you’d expect from a modern smartwatch.

Background

The Nokia Steel HR is a timepiece that focuses on smarts and functionality without compromising the design. Developed by the Nokia Health division, the wearable was rebranded in 2018, when Nokia Health was acquired by Withings.

What strikes you right from first glance is the classic timepiece look with physical hands encased in glass rather than a digital display. In its slim casing, the wearable looks just like a regular watch and pairs perfectly with either casual, business, or formal wear.

A tiny OLED screen in the middle of the watch displays notifications and cycles through the wearable’s menu.

Furthermore, it’s made to stay on your wrist 24/7, and tracks your sleep and heart rate plus is waterproof to 5 ATM. It doesn’t have all the functions offered by peers such as Garmin or Fitbit, but provides a different approach.

Features

Nokia Steel HR offers nothing special at first glance, but a closer look reveals a wealth of smart features. Like all modern smartwatches, it delivers text notifications on the wrist, alerts you of incoming phone calls, and buzzes when you receive any calendar notifications.

The small OLED screen shows the type of notification as an icon. A short line of text also reveals more information about the alert, such as a contact name or phone number.

While you can’t answer calls or read texts from your wrist, at least the Steel HR delivers sufficient information to help you decide if it’s worth pulling your phone out.

Perhaps the biggest drawback is that you don’t get any social media notifications, and this is where Nokia is stuck in the past. In a world revolving around social media, you’ll have to check your phone for any email, Facebook, Twitter, or WhatsApp notifications.

You can download third-party apps to solve the issue, but that may paying out more on top of the watch’s already expensive price tag. Hopefully, Withings will decide to rectify this lack of functionality in future with some native solutions.

But if you don’t mind living without email and social media notifications on the wrist, the Steel HR offers good value for money. Not only will you get all the basic functions, but you’ll also get amazing battery life measured in weeks rather than days.

Design

Nokia have gone with a minimalist wristwatch look for its Steel HR. Two sizes – either 36 or 40 mm – make it easy to choose the model that best fits your wrist, while the stainless steel case and curved glass add elegance to the package.

A button on the left-hand side of the dial looks like a crown, but it actually lets you access the menu and cycle through  the various metrics. To save the battery life, the small OLED screen turns itself off when there is nothing to display, disappearing on the black dial and contrasting with the white one.

A second dial of the same size as the OLED screen tracks your steps. The traditional, physical hands indicate the hour, but you’ll have to estimate the exact time due to the lack of marks and numbers.

A standard 18mm or 20mm watch strap – depending on the case size – makes it easy to replace the factory rubber strap and customise the watch’s look to your liking.

Fitness Tracking

Nokia Steel HR doesn’t come with multi-sport profiles or advanced fitness tracking features. It monitors your heart rate and sleep cycles and has a step counter that’s easy to customise with a distance tracker and calories burned counter.

We particularly like the percentage counter that slowly fills as you reach your daily goals rather than showing an abstract number – we find this more motivating.

Waterproof construction and resistance up to 5 ATM also make it possible to wear the Steel HR when swimming. However, the watch doesn’t come with a swim tracker.

Main Advantages

  • Sleek, stylish design inspired by classic watches
  • Outstanding battery life
  • Accurate heart rate monitoring
  • Easily customisable features

Main Disadvantages

  • Expensive considering its limitations
  • Poor app support

Competition

  Nokia/Withings Steel HR Diesel On Axial Puma Smartwatch Kate Spade Scallop 2
Display OLED AMOLED AMOLED AMOLED
Resolution – 328 x 328 pixels 328 x 328 pixels –
Size 36 x 36 mm 44 x 44 x 12 mm 44 x 44 x 11 mm 41 x 41 x 16 mm
Weight – – 28 g –
Band material Rubber Leather / Fabric / Metal Silicone Silicone / Leather / Metal
Water resistance 5 ATM 3 ATM 3 ATM 3 ATM
Connectivity Bluetooth Bluetooth Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Bluetooth
GPS No Yes Yes Yes
Heart rate monitoring Yes Yes Yes Yes
Smart notifications Yes. Texts, calls, and calendar only Yes Yes Yes
Sleep tracking Yes No No No
NFC Payments No Yes Yes Yes
Calorie count Yes No No No
Multi-sport profiles No Yes Yes No
Battery life Up to 25 days Up to 24 hours Up to 24 hours Up to 48 hours

Summary

Nokia Steel HR is not your standard smartwatch, but it is a noteworthy wearable. It’s perfect for ladies and gents aiming for a classy look with some smart and fitness tracking functionality.

You won’t get the whole range of smart notifications nor the ultimate in fitness tracking profiles, but what you do get is accurate metrics and outstanding battery life.

If you want an elegant hybrid watch and don’t mind a slightly higher price point, the Nokia smartwatch undoubtedly offers amazing value for money.

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