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4 Best Health Tracking Smartwatches

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Best Health Tracking Smartwatches

There are a lot of health tracking watches out there, catering for all fitness levels – from casual gym-goers keeping an eye on calories to serious athletes who need accurate analytics. There’s something for everyone and here we bring you our pick of the best health tracking smartwatches.

1. Fitbit Versa 2 

$220/£169

Fitbit is the brand that immediately comes to mind when thinking about the best health tracking smartwatches. With over 10 versions offering you the ability to monitor your body and health, it’s no wonder. The Versa 2, specifically, is a brilliant halfway house between a smartwatch and a fitness tracker. 

Fitbit Versa 2

Smartwatch features include notifications for texts and calls and various compatible notifications (like WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook, including Messenger). You can now use it for Fitbit Pay, which is handy. There are a lot of useful apps you can sync to your Versa 2, including Uber, Google Maps, news and your local weather.

On the health side, it’ll track things like steps, distance, floors climbed and calories burned and provide data on sleep patterns and workout analysis. Women can monitor their menstrual cycles and trends and it will keep an eye on your heart rate round the clock. There are 15 work out types to choose from between running, weights, swimming, yoga and others, so it can accurately measure your activity. When you’re done or need a moment to relax, there’s a guided breathing exercise that you can activate from the watch face. It’s waterproof, too!

Advantages
  • Easily customised
  • Waterproof
  • Great customer service
  • Cost-effective
Disadvantages 
  • Hard to change the band
  • Disappointingly, no GPS
  • Tricky to change the band
  • Tendency to break

2. Garmin Vivosmart 4

$104/£79.99 

Garmin is known for making serious fitness tracking devices that are incredibly popular. The Garmin Vivosmart 4 doesn’t disappoint; it does all the jobs you’d expect from a fitness tracker; steps, floors climbed, calories burned, heart rate, sleep and workouts as well as monitoring all-day stress. It can withstand water up to 50m.

Fitbit Vivosmart

However, where this tracker shines is its health-tracking features. It goes beyond standard sleep monitoring, offering advanced REM analysis. It can tell you blood oxygen saturation levels overnight if used with the Pulse Ox wrist sensor. The Vivosmart 4 offers a breathing timer that pairs nicely with the all-day stress monitoring function. Finally, there’s a ‘body battery’ function that enables you to maximise your activities based on your energy levels.

A couple of frustrations; firstly, a lack of GPS. Secondly, you can’t customise it with a replacement band. There’s no way of replying to notifications if you’re an Apple user, but Android users can enjoy this feature. If you’re more concerned with fitness data over the smartwatch features, then this is a great choice.

Advantages
  • Lightweight design
  • In-depth health and fitness analysis
  • “Body Battery” monitors energy levels
  • Compatible with both Android and iOS
Disadvantages 
  • Doesn’t have GPS
  • Can’t replace the band
  • The screen can be tricky to navigate

3. Apple Watch Series 5

$492/£379 

Apple Watch 5

Two admissions. First, this is strictly for Apple users, but as there are around one billion Apple users using 1.4 billion Apple devices, the Apple Watch Series 5 has a place on this list. Second, the Series 5 is simply an upgrade on the Series 4 and the slightly smaller Series 3, with few additional features, but it would be remiss not to review the latest version.

The Apple Watch Series 5 is a wonderful health tracker. It offers an accurate heart rate monitor with additional ECG feature that further monitors heart health and an accurate GPS system. The screen has an always-on feature so you’ll never miss any information.

You can wear the Apple Watch Series 5 while swimming (waterproof up to 50m) and it’ll recognise when you’re doing activities like HIIT, running or cycling, even yoga – whatever you do during the day to fill up those rings! It has 32GB of memory built-in, which you can use for your workout music or podcasts and there are some cool features like a noise meter and menstrual cycle tracking. 

It has a sleek and instantly-recognisable design and comes in two new sizes to Apple Watches, 40mm and 44mm.

Advantages
  • Always-on screen, never miss information
  • Lots of memory 
  • Comfortable design
Disadvantages 
  • The always-on feature drains the battery
  • Always-on is a pain at night
  • Arguably not different enough from the Apple Watch 4

4. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 

$310/£239 

It’s only fair to include the Apple Watch’s biggest rival on the list, what with Android boasting 2.5 billion users worldwide. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is one of the best health tracking smartwatches out there. 

galaxy active smart watch

Samsung isn’t making it easy for Apple with this smartwatch. The Galaxy Watch Active 2 is not only a beautiful device but it has some great health and fitness tracking features. It offers the same always-on feature, but it’s optional. The sleep tracking accuracy rivals Fitbit, and it has advanced work out tracking capabilities thanks to an ECG sensor. It’ll tell you post-workout data like time elapsed, distance, total step count and calories burned. It also has a running coach with seven programs, designed to improve endurance or speed up your time.

Samsung delivers this device in three colours, Pink Gold, Cloud Silver and Aqua Black. For a little extra money, you can purchase a stainless steel model that comes in gold, silver and black with a leather strap. But the best thing is that even if you’re an iOS user, you can still use this watch.

Advantages
  • Work-out tracking is automatic
  • Beautiful design with many colours and materials to choose from
  • Isn’t locked down to just Android
  • More cost-effective than the Apple Watch
Disadvantages 
  • Sleep tracking function isn’t perfect
  • Third-party app quality is poor

Summary

This is just 4 of the best health tracking smartwatches available. There is a bounty of smartwatch fitness and health trackers out there to choose from, so you have to do your research. To avoid being bogged down by choice, start with a list of features and functions you want from the watch and start from there. The best health tracking watch will be the one that ticks those boxes.

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Best Fitbit for Women: Six Outstanding Fitness Trackers for Her

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Girl walking into the sea

Fitbits are as popular as ever and are a must-have for many people looking to track their fitness and keep up with the latest trends. And the best Fitbits for women double as high-fashion jewellery while being the perfect gym partner. Whether you’re a dedicated athlete or a fashionista, check out the six models below to find the right Fitbit for you.

1. Fitbit Charge 3

The best fitness tracker by Fitbit

The third generation of the Charge range is one of the best fitness trackers out there for either sex. Features include guided breathing, heart rate tracking, swim tracking, and smart notifications so you can stay in touch even on the go.

The Fitbit Charge 3 Special Edition comes with Fitbit Pay, and the smartwatch connects with your phone’s GPS to track your runs or even romantic walks via a dedicated step tracker.

Other useful features include calories burned and a menstrual cycle tracker. Perhaps it’s not the best option for serious runners, but for anyone else, the Charge 3 is no doubt an outstanding fitness tracker.

Main Advantages
  • Bigger screen than the Charge 2 version
  • Sleek, fashionable style
  • Variety of band options
  • Fitbit Pay on the Special Edition Charge 3
Main Disadvantages
  • No integrated GPS

2. Fitbit Inspire HR

The right Fitbit for the fitness geek

The Inspire HR is a great choice for the fitness geek who wants to have lots of stats and notifications on her wrist. Reasonably priced and incredibly stylish, Fitbit Inspire HR exudes personality and packs all features you would expect from the latest generation wearable.

It monitors heart rate and sleep, has several exercise modes, real-time pace and distance through your phone’s GPS and a waterproof design. It doesn’t have any real swim-tracking skills, but you can still wear it in the pool, shower, or even in the hot tub.

Like the Charge 3, it includes guided breathing sessions that’ll help you calm down after you’ve spent your monthly wage on that pair of Jimmy Choos, but it doesn’t have the acclaimed Fitbit Pay. Basically, if you don’t mind taking the phone with you on runs and don’t need to track the activity in the pool, this could be a great option at an excellent price point.

Main Advantages
  • Reminders to move and automatic exercise recognition
  • Up to 5 days of battery life
  • Goal-based exercise modes
  • Variety of bands and accessories
Main Disadvantages
  • No swim tracking features
  • No Fitbit Pay

3. Fitbit Versa 2 Special Edition

Ideal if you want to get Alexa and more on your wrist

The Versa 2 is arguably the most versatile device Fitbit offers, and one of the most stylish smartwatches too. From email, text, and other push notifications on your wrist to 24/7 sleep monitoring and outstanding battery life, it has it all.

All if you don’t really care about a built-in GPS, that is – but like other Fitbits, it syncs with your phone to accurately track your runs and walks.

In the end, who cares about a built-in GPS when you can choose from an array of fashionable bands and inspiring colours. The Amazon Alexa functionality and access to a variety of third-party apps also up this smartwatch’s game and adds appeal.

Other highlights include six-day battery life, feminine health features, and the acclaimed Fitbit Pay, plus a convenient always-on display mode.

Main Advantages
  • Improved, lighter design
  • Swim tracking features
  • Integration with Spotify and Deezer playlists
  • Customisable clock faces
  • High-resolution touchscreen
Main Disadvantages
  • No GPS
  • You can’t use Spotify in offline mode

4. Fitbit Alta HR

Fitbit Watch
Slim, stylish and incredibly accurate heart rate monitoring

The Fitbit Alta HR takes heart rate monitoring to the next level with sleek lines and a slim profile that make it look like a fancy bracelet rather than a fitness tracker. Nevertheless, Fitbit jammed a host of features – like sleep and heart rate monitoring, reminders to move, smartphone notifications, and more – into this slender design.

It’s not the most feature-packed smartwatch out there – it has no GPS and isn’t waterproof – but it does have a long six-day battery life and less of the bulk seen on other models.

Main Advantages
  • Stylish, slim design
  • Wide variety of accessory bands
  • Accurate heart rate monitoring
Main Disadvantages
  • A rather unresponsive touchscreen
  • Difficult to read in bright light

5. Fitbit Flex 2

Excellent fitness tracker for ladies on a budget

The cheapest of the Fitbits tested here, and with a super-subtle design, the Flex 2 is the best Fitbit for those on a budget wanting an uncomplicated fitness tracker.

It comes in a variety of colours, is waterproof, and has all tracking features you’d expect packed in a super-slim and lightweight design.

There are no screen or push notifications to distract you except for calls and text alerts. Fully customisable to suit your fitness goals, it also comes in various styles, including silicone wristband, fashionable bracelet, or a necklace – a feature you’re unlikely to find elsewhere.

Main Advantages
  • Fashionable wearable styles
  • Wireless synchronisation with Android, iOS, and Windows devices
  • Comfortable and lightweight
Main Disadvantages
  • Not-so-great battery life for a screenless device
  • No heart rate monitoring

6. Fitbit Ionic

Big and masculine but packed with outstanding features

The Fitbit Ionic is for you if you’re looking for an outstanding fitness tracker and aren’t so bothered about the looks. Bigger than all other Fitbits on this list, it has a more masculine appearance – but it can still look awesome on a female wrist.

Built-in GPS means you can leave your phone at home and still get accurate run or walk tracking. You’ll also love the Fitbit Coach workouts developed to improve your athletic performance.

It pairs with Bluetooth headphones for an all-round fitness experience, while Fitbit Pay comes as a bonus for the after-gym shopping session. Much cheaper than peers such as the Apple Watch 4 or Samsung Galaxy Watch, but with many of their features, this is undoubtedly a great choice.

Main Advantages
  • Wide variety of fitness options
  • Large and bright display
  • Personal coaching
  • Music storage options
Main Disadvantages
  • A rather slow interface

How Do We Test Smartwatches?

Here at Superwatches, we take pride in thoroughly testing every wearable before reviewing it. We wear and test each smartwatch both while performing fitness activity and during daily life, to make sure it can meet or exceed all expectations. All smartwatches featured in this list bring true value for money and are globally acclaimed by women using them.

Summary

Whether you’re looking for an all-round fitness tracker or fashionable smartwatch with some fitness functionality, Fitbit has it all.

So, what do you say? Did you find the best Fitbit for you on this list? Tell me in a comment below; I’d love to hear from you.

And if you know someone else looking for the best Fitbit for women, don’t forget to share this article with your friends.

Fitbit Charge 3 vs Garmin Vivosmart 4

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Fitbit Charge 3
Fitbit Charge 3

If you are looking for one of the latest fitness trackers there’s a good chance the Fitbit Charge 3 and Garmin Vivosmart 4 will be on your shopping list. These are two of the most recent offerings from two of the giants in the field of fitness trackers – but which one comes out on top?

Hot on the heels of the launch of the Fitbit Charge 3, with its stylish slim design and wealth of features, came the Vivosmart 4 from Garmin. While neither of these is a smartwatch they certainly have a wealth of clever features that make them some of the most technologically advanced fitness trackers out there.

They have appeal for fitness fans and the fashion-conscious, while being fairly similar in features and price.  These are two of the most recent offerings from two of the giants in the field of fitness trackers – but which one comes out on top?

Compare the latest deals for Fitbit Charge 3 and Garmin Vivosmart 4

Who is Fitbit?

Based in San Francisco, California, Fitbit is certainly a well-known American manufacturer of fitness trackers and watches. The company has been around since 2007 and has since won many industry awards.

The first product in the Fitbit range was a tracker. However, the company now manufactures a wide range of products including the Fitbit Zip clip-on tracker, and a selection of wristband style trackers which includes the Fitbit Alta and the Fitbit Alta HR.

Who is Garmin?

Garmin Ltd is another American company, founded in 1989. Initially, its main business was GPS technology for the automobile, marine, aviation and outdoor activities markets. The move to the activity tracker market was made more recently.

Garmin manufactures a wide selection of GPS tracking devices with a number of applications and also a range of fitness trackers as part of the Vivo series; including the Vivosmart, Vivofit and the Vivoactive.

Garmin Range Display
The Garmin Range

Display

The Fitbit Charge 3 fitness tracker offers users a grayscale 22mm OLED touchscreen with a resolution of 100 x 150 pixels. The Vivosmart 4 also has a grayscale OLED screen 19.3mm and a pixel resolution of 48 x 128 pixels.

The display of both trackers remains off by default until the user raises a hand, taps on the screen or if there is an alert of some type. The larger screen of the Fitbit charge 3 makes reading any alerts and stats a little easier than those displayed on the Vivosmart 4.

​Materials and colours

Firstly, the Vivosmart 4 has aluminium case and features a polycarbonate lens and a silicone strap. The Charge 3 is lighter – 16g against 29g – with an aerospace-grade aluminium case and a Corning Gorilla Glass display. The buckle and housing of this tracker are made from anodised aluminium.

For the more fashion-conscious the Vivosmart I available in four different colourways, as is the Charge 3 – although ones of these features a white band which may be less partial for many users. Furthermore, both trackers have easy-clean rubberised straps

Design

Both trackers are very easy on the eye and feature a slim, stylish and sleek design that makes them great for wearing with any outfit, not just sporting gear.

The Vivosmart has the smallest display, making it a little harder to read. And because the menu on the Vivosmart scrolls in a horizontal direction it can be easy to miss an alert if you are not paying attention.

Both trackers come with a small and a large band, so there is no problem ensuring that you have a good fit.

Features

The Vivosmart 4 offers the most basic tracking features. However, it does not have GPS. The Charge 3 can connect to the GPS on your phone in order to not only log mileage but also give you accurate estimates of distance for walking, bike riding and running.

Unlike the Charge 3, the Vivosmart 4 supports an ANT+ connectivity so it can link with a chest strap for use as a heart rate monitor. The Vivosmart 4 offers automatic tracking of walking and running type exercises, so there is no requirement to launch the workout.

These are the major differences in features between the two trackers. The rest of the features are similar, including water-resistance up to 50 metres, sleep tracking and basic daily step counting.

Battery life

Both trackers offer the similar battery life at around seven days. However, it is worth noting that because the Vivosmart 4 includes a Pulse Ox Sensor, the battery may not last as long as it is claimed. This is because it monitors the blood oxygen saturation level of the user for the whole night while they sleep.

Smartwatch features

Both trackers do have some smartwatch features. The Vivosmart 4 offers vibration alert and notifications when you receive calls, texts, emails or social media alerts. It also offers Bluetooth® Smart and ANT+® connectivity. You can also respond or reject calls through the wristband, and you can even control the music on your smartphone with it.

The Charge 3 allows you to view calls, messages, social media updates and weather alerts – this is done with a vibration alert. However, you are not able to make calls or respond to them via the wristband. There is also no music control feature.

The Pros and cons of the Fitbit Charge 3

Pros

  • The OLED display screen is larger
  • 24/7 sleep tracking and heart rate monitor
  • Priced affordably
  • Battery life of 7 days
  • Water-resistant and swim-proof up to 50 meters
  • Features stopwatch, timers, app alerts and weather

Cons

  • Limited number of watch faces
  • No control for music

The Pros and cons of the Garmin Vivosmart 4

Pros

  • Pulse Ox Sensor
  • Body battery energy monitor
  • Offers advanced sleep monitoring
  • All-day stress tracking, VO2 max estimates
  • Water-resistant and swim-proof up to 50 meters
  • Slimmer design

Cons

  • No GPS features
  • Smaller display screen

Conclusion

You’ll pay around £100 ($128) for the Garmin Vivosmart 4 and £120 ($155) for the Fitbit Charge 3 – so price is not much of a deciding factor between these two models.

If you are looking for something with GPS trackability, then only the Charge 3 is going to offer you this feature. Likewise, if you require a tracker with heart rate monitor capabilities, then the Vivosmart 4 is the way forward.

Both of these trackers offer the quality you would expect from their respective manufacturers. So, if neither of these features are of particular importance to you, your final decision may, in fact, be swayed by the look of the tracker and the ease with which you can read the data it provides. If, of course, you need a particular feature, then the choice is very clear. The Vivosmart 4 is great for tracking heart rate or the Charge 3 might be best for its GPS capability.  ​

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. 

New Smartwatches To Watch In 2020

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New watches 2020

The demand for smartwatches is growing year on year. Big name brands worldwide are introducing their latest devices to the market, and competition is becoming intense as every manufacturer is working flat out to have the latest tech on their products.

If you’re buying a smartwatch in 2020 you’re going to need to know which smartwatches are the ones you should be watching, so here is a rundown of the brands and models which are set to dominate this competitive market next year.

Is The Apple Watch The Best Smartwatch?

When many people think about smartwatches, the first one that springs to mind is the Apple Watch. Arguably, this brand is synonymous with the word “smartwatch”, and currently the Apple Watch Series remains the top-selling brand worldwide. At the present time there are four versions of the Apple watch which have already been released, and it’s likely that the next-generation Series 5 watch will be released at some point in 2020.

The Series 5 is set to include the app store for the first time as well as a range of cutting-edge features and different watch faces. There are rumours that the screen will have a new shape and that there will be impressive new fitness features such as face metrics. Even better, the new Apple Watch is said to feature a larger battery as well as an inverse system for sleep tracking – both of these could help cement Apple’s place at the top of the market leaderboard for another year.

How Does The Samsung Galaxy Watch Compare With The Apple Watch?

The previous Samsung Galaxy watch was released in 2018, but rumour has it that 2020 will see the arrival of a new and upgraded version. At the moment there have been very few leaks about what can be expected from the new model, however it’s likely that there will be some significant improvements over the original.

Since the 2018 version was quite bulky, it’s probable that the new version will have a slimmer design. It’s also possible that the OS will be improved along with the assistant, which will hopefully be brought up to a level comparable with Apple’s Siri. It’s also likely that the battery supplied with the new Galaxy watch will be bigger and more powerful, but all this will come a hefty price tag.

Will The Garmin Fenix 6 Be Worth The Cost?

Famous for its accurate GPS systems, Garmin produces some of the very best fitness tracking equipment available. Garmin smartwatches are perfect for anyone who lives an active lifestyle thanks to very effective sports and activity tracking. Garmin’s Fenix smartwatch series has proved to be very popular due to its great features including its preloaded maps and its music storage capacity.

Garmin is likely to introduce its latest model, the Fenix 6, to the market in 2020. Most probably, the new model will have an even more stylish and slim design, and it will almost certainly boast even more impressive features. There are rumours that its GPS will be even better, and that there will be new sensors, ECG functionality, NFC, Easy Payment and the capacity to download music to the device offline.

Can Fitbit’s Latest Smartwatch Compete?

Fitbit is a company which is known only for its fitness trackers and smartwatches. This sets it apart from other brands like Samsung and Apple, which produce a wide range of other tech devices. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean that Fitbit’s devices can’t compete in the marketplace.

The Versa was, arguably, the best device from the entire Fitbit range, offering a host of downloadable fitness apps which work well with the many sensors integrated into the watch. 2020 is likely to see a new version of the Fitbit Versa, the Versa 2, which will be an even better and more upgraded version of this device.

Google buys Fitbit - will google pixel watch come out?

Is Google Going To Release A Smartwatch?

Rumours have abounded for years about the release of the Google Pixel Watch, and 2020 looks like it could finally be the year when this device hits the market! As yet, nothing has been confirmed by the manufacturer about its specifications, but it goes without saying that the hardware will be of the highest quality. It may also come with integrated LTE and Wi-Fi, and rumours suggest that it could come with as much as 1 GB of RAM.

Will Microsoft Be Releasing Its Own Smartwatch?

Everyone knows the Microsoft brand, but it’s a name that’s most commonly associated with PCs and laptops. Previously, when the manufacturer tried to move into the mobile device sector it didn’t have much success. Nevertheless, the gossip is that Microsoft is looking to release a smartwatch of its own, powered by the Windows OS. We’re waiting with bated breath to find out whether this will happen, and if so, what can be expected of this exciting and innovative new device.

The current rumours have suggested it could feature a body made from oxynitride aluminium and a square-shaped design. The battery is rumoured to be long-lasting and it may have both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Currently, the prototype of this watch is being tested, so it’s very likely that 2020 will see the arrival of Microsoft’s first smartwatch.

These are just some of the smartwatches to keep your eye on in 2020. Whether you’re planning to buy one for yourself or for someone special, one of these innovative new devices is sure to fit the bill.

Best Android Watches for 2020

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Fitbit Versa 2
The Fitbit Versa 2

There’s certainly no shortage of Android smartwatches on the market at the moment. These wearables have really hit the mainstream and are proving popular with buyers. However, if you’re planning on purchasing one this year you’re going to need to know which one is the best for you.

Not everyone has the same needs when it comes to choosing a smartwatch. If you’re a serious athlete, you’ll have very different requirements to someone who simply wants to track their sleep and receive notifications. That’s why we’re taking a closer look at the best Android watches for 2020 so you can make a well-informed purchasing decision. There’s sure to be one that’s right for you.

Is The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 The Best Android Smartwatch?

Firstly, of all the Android smartwatches on the market, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is arguably the best. Optimized for use with Samsung smartphones, it runs equally well on all other Android devices too and boasts all the fitness features you could possibly want. Lightweight and compact, it offers an impressively long battery life and ensures a great all-round wearables experience.

The touch display is vivid and sharp while also being fun to use and simple to navigate. This device uses the Tizen operating system and, while there isn’t an enormous range of apps to choose from, you’ll find all of the most popular ones like Strava and Spotify.

When it comes to activity tracking, the Active 2 won’t disappoint. It has inbuilt GPS as well as automatic workout tracking, sleep tracking, caffeine, food and water consumption tracking and an improved Running Coach feature.

If you’re only really wearing a smartwatch to receive notifications, the Active 2 still delivers thanks to its outstanding support for the Android notification system. Furthermore, you can reply using the inbuilt keyboard, with a quick response or by using your voice.

Pros:

  • Well-designed and compact
  • Long 3-day battery life
  • Water resistance to 5 ATM
  • Automated fitness tracking
  • Inbuilt NFC and GPS

Cons:

  • The support for third party apps is limited
  • The Tizen operating system takes some time to understand

The Mobvoi TicWatch E2 – Best Value Watch For The Money

ticwatch-e2
Mobvoi TicWatch E2

If you’re looking for an Android smartwatch which won’t break the bank, but which can compete with the major contenders, the Mobvoi Ticwatch E2 is a great choice. With its large 1.4”display and stylish good looks, this device offers a long battery life, excellent touch response, an inbuilt heartrate monitor, automated workout detection and waterproofing, consequently it’s a serious player in the Android wearables field. This device runs on the Wear OS which offers notification support as well as Google Assistant. In addition, the TicMotion layer automatically detects your workouts, even monitoring your swimming performance and providing stroke analysis.

Pros:

  • Robust construction
  • Waterproofed
  • Automated workout detection
  • Outstanding notification support
  • Inbuilt GPS

Cons:

  • Bulky design

Skagen Falster 2 – A Super-Stylish Watch Design

If you want a smartwatch that looks just like a regular watch but with great functionality built in, the Skagen Falster 2 is the one for you. Its simply design is paired with a high-quality strap while the 3-button layout and rotating crown makes scrolling through the Wear OS a breeze with no need for a touch screen. The body is made from stainless steel while there’s a choice of straps in silicone, metal or leather in a choice of colours. It’s also water-resistant and comes with inbuilt NFC, heartrate monitor and GPS.

Pros:

  • Classic, attractive design
  • Easy to use digital crown
  • Inbuilt heartrate tracker, NFC and GPS
  • Water-resistant

Cons:

  • Short battery life

The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music – A Great Watch For Runners

Garmin Forerunner 245
Garmin Forerunner 245

If you’re a serious athlete who needs excellent fitness tracking, the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is certainly what you need. It might not be the top performing smartwatch on the market, but it can certainly track your swims, bike rides and runs with great accuracy and it’ll even receive phone notifications.

The battery life is impressive while the screen can easily be seen even in direct sunlight so it’s great for outdoor wear. As an added bonus, it offers music storage as well as the ability to stream from Deezer or Spotify, and its sleep tracking, heartrate monitoring, VO2 max estimation, recovery advisor and advanced workout capture certainly make this a popular choice among athletes.

Pros:

  • Inbuilt workout guidance and tracking
  • Long battery life
  • Easy to read transflective display
  • Comfortable to wear
  • Music streaming functionality

Cons:

  • Limited smartwatch features

The Fitbit Versa 2 – Top Watch For Casual Athletes

Fitbit is no longer only about fitness tracking. For example, The Versa 2 comes with a host of smartwatch functions including useful apps and a long battery life to ensure great value for money combined with excellent functionality. The design is modern and sleek while the speedy processor ensures smooth performance. Furthermore, Android users are able to dictate their replies to notifications through the inbuilt microphone and the Alexa inbuilt support gives you quick answers to your queries. The Fitbit syncs seamlessly with Android phones while the Fitbit social network makes it easy to get active thanks to weekly challenges and pre-made adventures.

Pros:

  • Attractive design
  • Long battery life
  • Good smartwatch features
  • Choice of colours
  • Inbuilt Alexa support

Cons:

  • Limited choice of apps

Which Smartwatch Is For Me In 2020?

To sum up, if you’re looking for the perfect smartwatch for you in 2020, any of the models on this list could be a great choice. Whether you’re looking for excellent fitness tracking functionality, plenty of modern style or great all-round capabilities, one of these devices is sure to be perfect for you.

Lastly, if you’re an Android smartphone user, you’re going to benefit from choosing an Android smartwatch to pair with it. With these models from the top manufacturers and brands in the industry, you’re certainly assured excellent fitness tracking, notification support and plenty of other fantastic features that help you to get more done.

Google Buys Fitbit – What Are The Implications

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Google buys Fitbit
Google buys FitBit

2009 was the year in which the first Fitbit activity tracker was launched, opening the gateway to a world of exciting opportunities. Not only did the brand become synonymous with accessible hardware, it was also recognized for its excellent software – its social networking, mobile app, sleep tracking and subscription coaching which set it apart from other fitness wearables.

However, all of that is set to change with the news that Google, one of the world’s biggest software companies, will be acquiring Fitbit in an attempt to bring the best hardware, software and AI together in a wearables innovation. So, what does this revelation mean for those who already own Fitbit products?

Google And Fitbit – What’s Happening?

Is there anyone on the planet that isn’t familiar with the Google brand? This technological giant is slowly permeating through every element of modern life, and doesn’t appear to be slowing any time soon. From its internet search engine to its Pixel entry into the smartphone market, Google is on the rise, so it comes as no surprise that the brand is keen to enter the wearables market too.

The recent news that Google will be acquiring the Fitbit brand for over $2 million marks its entry into the realm of fitness and health data, and, of course, there are several significant antitrust and privacy issues surrounding this pending acquisition. Users are asking, and rightly so, what happens when Google can access all of their fitness and health data then combine that information with all of the other information about them that it has derived from other Google services and its search engine?

Will I Receive Targeted Adverts?

There are now over 27 million active Fitbit users worldwide, wearing a broad spectrum of Fitbit wearables which collect a huge amount of personal data regarding sleep, heartrate, exercise and activity patterns. Fitbit devices also have inbuilt GPS tracking while also being customizable to collect further data about performance, diet and health. Even dates of birth and gender are recorded since users are requested to supply this information in order to have their fitness activity properly tracked and analysed. Now, all of that data will come within reach of Google.

In the past, the tech giant could have made educated guesses about users’ overall diet and health based on their Google searches, but now, precise details will be known. Does this mean that Google will take this data and put it to use to deliver targeted advertising? Will personal health and fitness data become raw material used to create new Google adverts?

How would this look in practice? Well, let’s assume someone has been wearing their Fitbit to track their daily run. Google could easily take that information and use it to show the wearer adverts for running sneakers. Somebody who has been tracking their heartrate with their Fitbit may be sent adverts for specific non-prescription medications.

When we add in the ability of Google to access GPS data in real-time, it’s easy to see how adverts could be even more tailored to the individual. Google could easily pinpoint a Fitbit wearer’s location and show them adverts for local cafes, restaurants and stores.

Will My Insurance Be Affected?

With Google being able to access personal fitness and health data through Fitbit devices, there are some major concerns about whether wearers’ health insurance could be impacted. Some insurers are now providing incentives to encourage people to wear a Fitbit, so it’s only natural to be worried that Google’s combined data about wearers could lead to changes in insurance premiums, or even in the type of policy which users could be offered.

Will Personal Information Really Be At Risk?

One of the top concerns of those who already own a Fitbit is whether there will be any risk to their personal information. The good news is that Google have been clear in their statement that they won’t be selling any personal data to anybody, and no Fitbit wellness or health data will be used for any Google ads. However, there are still concerns about whether or not Google will find other, more creative ways of monetizing Fitbit users’ data. This data could be used to tie services and software together in order to sell more of Google’s other services, and offers yet another access point for this tech giant to enter into users’ lives.

Can I Trust Google With My Wellness Data?

For those who already own a Fitbit or who are considering buying one in the near future, the news of the $2.1 billion acquisition deal is almost certainly going to be met with mixed feelings. Can wearables users really trust Google? Will their wellness and health data be safe in the tech giant’s hands?

Although the Fitbit acquisition by Google may appear to be about hardware, in reality, it’s about data, and Google won’t just be acquiring a raft of fitness trackers, it’ll also be acquiring a host of fitness and health data which it could, in theory, put to work for its own aims and benefit. It isn’t surprising, then, that so many people have already reported their worries on the subject, expressing their fears that they will be bombarded with adverts, face higher medical cover premiums and put themselves at risk of even more security breaches as such major organizations are in the line of fire when it comes to cyberattacks.

Yet, despite these worries, the news that Google is taking over Fitbit could actually be positive in terms of security and privacy. Google is one of the biggest tech companies in the world, and as such, has the essential resources to ensure that any issues in these areas are addressed rapidly and efficiently. If users can’t trust a giant company like Google which has balances and checks in place to secure their data, who can they trust? Who knows what the future will hold, but Fitbit users are waiting in nervous anticipation to find out.