Smartwatches have taken the market by storm but their often chunky looks aren’t for everyone. Hybrid watches offer the best of both worlds – with traditional looks but plenty of smart capabilities. Take a look at our recommended list to decide which hybrid watch is the one for you.
Withings Move ECG
The Withings Move ECG which can be used to track your heart and make you aware of any signs of atrial fibrillation. It also tracks your walking, exercise and swimming.
It looks stylish and comes in a range of colours, but the plastic cover lets it down and it doesn’t offer the heart rate monitoring we’ve come to expect in a watch these days. The price is a reasonable £129.9 ($166).
Misfit Phase
The Misfit Phase has contemporary classic looks and comes highly recommended. You would be forgiven for not realising that this watch is a smartwatch, yet it comes with features including text and email alerts, a step counter and sleep tracker. At £203 ($260) it is an affordable watch that will be envied for its sleek design.
Unfortunately, there is no GPS or heart rate tracker with the watch but the six-month battery life makes up it. However, if you are a fitness fanatic then this watch may not the best choice for you – the Phase is more suited to those who want to have access to the more basic tracking features such as steps and sleep.
Mondaine Helvetica 1
The Mondaine Helvetica 1 has a fantastic two-year battery life – the best on any hybrid watch we have found. Starting at around £450 ($576) it is not cheap but it has a range of smart features that include activity tracking, sleep monitoring and alerts that push you to move more. It is compatible with both iOS and Android so you can download the companion app to your phone and enjoy all the features it offers to track your fitness and keep you in touch with family and friends.
Garmin Vivomove HR
It’s no surprise that Garmin has entered the hybrid market. The Vivomove HR impresses with its design features but also the price, with it starting at just £169.99 ($217). The watch looks and feels like a traditional watch and yet is waterproof and can track a range of sports easily.
The watch has a good battery life, lasting up to five days, and we think that is one of the best hybrids on the market today as it doesn’t compromise on design or features. There is a hidden smart screen that you can use to see notifications, fitness info and stress levels.
Kronaby Sekel
The Kronaby Sekel is a real contender in the hybrid market and is currently selling for around £180 ($230). It looks like a traditional watch and is both stylish and comfortable to wear. The battery can last up to two years which puts it high up on the list if you don’t want to spend time charging.
The watch has three side buttons that help you to access smart features such as a step counter and notifications. Whilst it may not have many smart features it is ideal if you want a stylish option that helps you to meet your daily step goal.
Fossil Q Commuter
The Fossil Q Commuter is a stunning watch that can be personalised with straps and different finishes. It is a great choice if you want a more subtle smartwatch that isn’t solely focused on fitness.
It has a vibration mode to let you know when you have a call, text or email and it tracks your daily step goal on the screen so you always know how far you have gone each day.
The battery life is the real selling point as it lasts for around a year even when using the smart functions. The price is affordable at around £159 ($204). We’d certainly recommend this watch if you are looking for a stylish option and don’t need a huge range of fitness tracking.
Skagen Holst
Skagen is known worldwide for producing the lightest watches on the market and is now coupling its watch knowledge with smart features.
The Holst has an unpretentious design and focuses on style over substance. It may not have the smartest features but the ones it does have work well. It counts your steps and lets you know when you are being contacted.
The battery life is around six months and the price starts at £209 ($268). It’s a great gift for the person that wants a beautiful watch that can keep them connected to the ones they love.
Summary
Hybrid watches fill a gap in the market for those who can’t decide between a smartwatch or a more traditional watch and there are options to suit all budgets and all requirements. We’d recommend you buy a hybrid if you want to keep the timeless look of a traditional watch and enjoy accessing the smart features that are popular today.
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