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Top 52 Best Heart Rate Monitor Watches of 2022

Daniel Hessel

Regardless of whether you’re an elite sportsperson or a beginner, a pulse watch is a useful aid for reaching the next level. We’ve tested a large number of pulse watches from brands like Garmin, Apple, Suunto, Polar and others to see which GPS watch is best for you.

Top 52 Best Heart Rate Monitor Watches of 2022

How we did the test

Our tests are independently conducted and reflect the test editor's honest and objective opinions. Selection of products and test results are in no way influenced by manufacturers, retailers or other internal or external parties.

We tested pulse watches in line with how they're intended to be used. The watches were tested both by an experienced sportsperson and a beginner to get a full spectrum of opinions. All of the watches were tested in the different exercise modes they offer, and also in their multisport mode if one was available. As the majority of pulse watches also offer step counting, sleep and similar functions in addition to exercise, they have also been worn over a longer period to investigate these bonus functions.

All of the watches were tested based on the target group they were designed for, and we took the following into account during our tests:

  • Accuracy: The majority of top rated pulse watches have built-in GPS and the option to measure the pulse at the wrist. These have been compared to known distances and more accurate pulse straps to check their function accuracy.

  • Functions: What does the watch do in addition to offering a number of sport modes for running, swimming, cycling and so on? How can you set these modes according to your own performance and medical needs? How does the activity tracking work outside exercise sessions and what other functions are offered? Does it come with an app for phone compatibility and for streaming exercising data between the two?

  • Battery and use: How long does the watch battery last both during exercise and in everyday life? It’s also important that in every mode it’s easy to control the watch and its functions.

1. Garmin Venu 2 Plus - BEST CHOICE HEART RATE MONITOR 2022

Upgrade with smart function

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: Oled screen. 416x416 pixels, 1.3 inches. Dimensions (WxHxD): 43.60x43.60x12.60 mm Weight: 51 g Waterproof/Depth: 5 ATM Wireless technology: bluetooth smart, ANT+ Battery Life (GPS): 8 hours (with music), 24 hours (without music) Battery life (rest): 11 days Altimeter (Barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Heart rate measurement: Yes, integrated optical reading at wrist and via external heart rate bracelet

Garmin Venu 2 Plus

Garmin Venu 2 Plus is in many ways a very lean model. In reality, only the microphones and speakers have been added on from the Venu 2 predecessor. At the same time, Venu 2 was a fantastic all-round watch for both exercise and health, and a major step forward for Garmin smart watches. Venu 2 Plus adds the only big feature that we really feel was missing when it comes to the smartwatch part. The Plus model generally sits between the Venu 2S and 2 in size, but the speaker also makes it the heaviest version in this range family.

Talk to the watch

A surprisingly useful feature of Android watches and Apple Watch has been the ability to take calls with the watch. With a built-in speaker and microphone, we don't even need to find the phone when someone calls. Depending on how you use voice assistants, these watches also work with them.

That's the latest feature of the Venu 2 Plus (Well yes, the ECG measurement hardware is also there, but not activated). If you use an iPhone, you can activate Siri in the watch, or Google Assistant if you use Android. In addition to this, you can also use it as a hands-free function for calls and to play music if you wish. However, activating the voice assistant is pretty slow before it gets started, but after that it never had any trouble hearing us. The speakers and microphones are perfectly fine during calls, albeit at a relatively low speaker volume.

Still very versatile

Besides the talking feature, it’s a Venu 2. This means it has a really nice oled touchscreen and, despite that, a perfectly fine battery life. The exercise modes are plentiful and well-detailed, and so is all forms of activity measurement.

As previously mentioned, it is possible to play music with the watch. Either via the small speaker or a bluetooth headset, and it is one of the few watch brands that is compatible for syncing with Spotify. Apart from Spotify, there are a couple of other streaming services, as well as the option of uploading local music. Of course, there is also the option of paying with the watch, even if it is a bit complicated.

The Garmin Venu 2 Plus may not have all the exact functions for exercise that Garmin’s more expensive watches can boast of, but it is good enough for most people. In addition to this, it feels like it supports most things you might want, except for an activated ECG sensor. The hands-free function could always be improved, but is an incredibly welcome feature.

Full of featuresspotify supportintegrated handsfree
No ECG readingbasically a new thing from the predecessor

Price Comparison

Compare all prices

Garmin [ Renewed ] Venu 2 PLUS, AMOLED GPS Smartwatch with All-day Advanced Health and Fitness Features, Voice Functionality, Music Storage, Up to 9 days battery life, Powder Grey (Renewed)

£259.95

Garmin [ Renewed ] Venu 2 PLUS, AMOLED GPS Smartwatch with All-day Advanced Health and Fitness Features, Voice Functionality, Music Storage, Up to 9 days battery life, Ivory (Renewed)

£273.12

Garmin Venu 2 Plus Powder Grey/Silver

£299.00

2. Garmin Epix Gen 2 - BEST PREMIUM CHOICE

Reinvigorated watch with luxury features

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 1.3" amoled, 416x416 pixels Dimensions (WxHxD): 47x47x14.5 mm Weight: 76 g Waterproof/Depth: 10 ATM Wireless technology: Bluetooth, ant+ Battery life (rest): Up to 16 days Battery Life (GPS): 24-75 hours depending on mode Altimeter (Barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Heart rate measurement: Yes, integrated optical reading at wrist and via external heart rate bracelet (bluetooth or Ant+)

Garmin Epix (Gen 2) 47mm Sapphire Edition with Leather Band

If you’ve been “in the swing of things” for a few years now, perhaps Garmin Epix sounds familiar? This watch is sometimes referred to as generation two of the product, even though they don't really have anything in common. This does not prevent the new Garmin Epix from being a really interesting heart rate watch in the luxury class.

Perfect for maps

The first Epix was an oversized brick of a watch, a bit like they took a handheld GPS and put a wristband on it. Maps were the big thing at the time, and maps actually continue to be the big thing here. In addition to ordinary maps, which have become a common function of Garmin's most expensive watches, golf maps and even maps of a number of different ski resorts have also been built in. It is possible to download extra maps if you want, free of charge, but set aside one afternoon or two until this is done, because the process is very slow.

The big difference between Epix and its sister model, Fenix 7, is the screen, which also records on the maps. Epix even has an Amoled screen, and double the resolution that Fenix has. A full-colour display makes the watch's entire system much more inviting to use. The colours and resolution also work wonders for the maps, which are much easier to use on this watch. In addition, Epix’s touchscreen is really good, unlike the rather sleepy Fenix variant.

Solar cell charging is lacking in Epix, but at the same time the battery life both with and without GPS is so good that this is a minor issue in most situations. However, what we lacked from its cousin, Venu 2 Plus, were speakers and microphones so that we could use it as a hands-free system. Do we dare to hope for an Epix Plus soon?

Does it all

In terms of content, Epix and Fenix are otherwise almost identical, which in this class of watches means almost everything. GPS and heart rate measurement is the best Garmin can offer and, apart from ECG measurement, it has all the sensors you could demand to have integrated. There’s also music storage with Spotify support, multisport support, and more sports modes than expected. Garmin’s software has now also started to become increasingly intelligent in terms of adding up all your exercise and activity, in order to provide tips about exercise intensity or just your health in general.

It’s really great to see Garmins’ more advanced watches also feature more advanced screens. Garmin Epix is another step towards traditional smartwatches, and if you are more focused on exercise and good battery life, this may be the best choice right now.

The screenthe featuresfun to have maps of ski resorts
Lacks ECG and handsfreeno solar cell charging

3. Huawei Watch Fit - BEST BUDGET CHOICE

Really cheap beginner’s watch with fun design

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 454 x 454 pixels, 1.39 ins Dimensions (WxHxD): 46x30x10.7 mm Weight: 21 g Watertight/Depth: Yes/5 atm Battery life: up to 12 hours with GPS Wireless technology: Bluetooth Battery life (standby): up to 10 days Altitude meter (barometric): No Compass: No Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist

Huawei Watch Fit

The Huawei Watch Fit is, regardless of version, a really cheap option for those who want to start training with a heart rate watch and GPS. The watch is available in several different colours, some of which cost £20 or so more but have the same function in other respects.

At the same time, it’s small and slim enough to fit smaller wrists and works well with both Android and iPhone.

pulsklocka-stegraknare-Huawei-watch-fit-001

Excellent screen

Huawei have watches in quite a number of price classes. This is an advantage for the Watch Fit, which has inherited its more expensive siblings' interface more or less straight off. This allows you to have a very wide range of basic functions and training modes from the outset.

At the same time, there’s a lot missing when it comes to training mode settings, and you have no option to expand these with third-party apps. For a beginner who just wants to dip their toes in the world of smartwatches and basic training functions, it's good enough.

pulsklocka-stegraknare-Huawei-watch-fit-011

There are also some basic training programmes you can follow direct on the watch should you be in the mood. The watch can also measure stress levels and help with breathing exercises.

You control the watch almost exclusively using the touch screen (there is one menu button) and the screen itself is really nice thanks to AMOLED technology.

pulsklocka-stegraknare-Huawei-watch-fit-0015

Contains a lot

However, one disadvantage of the Watch Fit is that it’s a bit locked and limited. As well as the lack of third-party apps, it has a fairly limited ability to analyse activities, and only provides simple notifications. The latter is hardly unusual, but with such a nice screen and a fast system, we’d have liked to have seen better possibilities for acting on notifications.

The data collected during workouts and normal activity tracking during the day (steps, sleep, heart rate at the wrist) stays within reasonable limits, including GPS measurement during your workouts. You also get a history of the collected data, but not much more about it.

pulsklocka-stegraknare-Huawei-watch-fit-0121

Depending on how you train – in other words, how you use the GPS part – the battery can last up to 10 days. The reality of mixed use is more like one to two charges a week, which is still a great result in terms of both size and price.

The Huawei Watch Fit gains a lot by having collected its functions from the company’s more expensive watches and packaged it in a amazingly good value and convenient package. That’s why it’s the perfect watch for anyone who wants to start exercising, keeping track of steps and sleep, and who’s taking their first steps into the world of smartwatches.

Attractive designexcellent screencontains a lot for the pricegood battery life
Notifications not greata bit limited for those who aren't beginners

4. Garmin Forerunner 255

A big step forward for the mid-size model

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 1.3" transreflective, 260 x 260 pixels Dimensions (WxHxD): 45.6 x 45.6 x 12.9 mm (Forerunner 255), 41 x 41 x 12.4 mm (Forerunner 255S) Weight: 49 g (Forerunner 255), 39 g (Forerunner 255S) Waterproof/Depth: 5 ATM Wireless technology: Bluetooth, ant+, wifi (music model only) Battery life (rest): up to 14 days (Forerunner 255), 12 days (Forerunner 255S) Battery Life (GPS): 16- 30 hours depending on mode (Forerunner 255), 13-26 hours (Forerunner 255S) Altimeter (Barometric): No Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Heart rate measurement: Yes, integrated optical reading at wrist and via external heart rate bracelet (bluetooth or Ant+)

Garmin Forerunner 255

The 200 series of Garmin's running watches has long been a kind of “running watch plus”. Quite simply, a more advanced and functional version for those of you who find the simplest watches a little too simple. Garmin Forerunner 255 takes a new step and becomes Garmin’s cheapest multi-sport watch.

Four models

A multisport watch isn't really a magic thing in itself. It is mostly a term used for pasting two or more sports together, plus switching time, in the same exercise. Triathlons are, of course, the most obvious sport in this segment, but there is also swimrun and different types of two-part sports. Previously, the Forerunner 700 series was the cheapest variant from Garmin that supported this feature, but now it’s the 255.

Or perhaps we should say the 255s. There is Forerunner 255 and Forerunner 255S, with a diameter of 46 and 41 millimetres, respectively. Both variants are available with and without support for music from Spotify, etc. These four are then available in different shades of white, blue, black, grey and pink –eight different models in total, with exterior dimensions, music support and battery life separating them alongside the colours. So basically, be careful when you order your watch. In our case, we tested a grey Forerunner 255S.

Morning report

The actual training modes are not the most interesting feature here. Garmin does these training modes really well, and you have around 40 sports to choose from right from the start. Logging exercise works well, as does GPS measurement and the built-in heart rate monitor.

What is interesting is that many features that first appeared in its older sister, Forerunner 955, can be found here. They provide the ability to measure heart rate variability alongside the usual heart rate, as well as Garmin’s new morning report that gives you an overview of the data collected and how they interpret your health. It’s not the same detailed log that you get from the Forerunner 955, but you get both recovery as well as suggestions for the day's training. That’s exactly the part that makes it feel like the watch has some control over you and your workouts, rather than just gathering a lot of data.

By adding support for multisport and even running power (if you buy the right accessories), the Forerunner 255 feels like a logical development and a dignified follow-up to its predecessor. At the same time, music support (depending on model) and mobile payment support (all models) are available, which, together with the training features, means that you don't feel like you’re “missing” any important features. The increasingly comprehensive analysis functions of the collected data are also a welcome step, making the Forerunner 255 a really good watch. In terms of price, it is very close to Garmin's Venu 2, which means that, as a user, you can choose between the longer battery life and slightly sharper training modes of Forerunner, or the much sharper screen available from the Venu watches.

Good analysis functionsthe morning summarylots of features
The analysis is not as advanced as more expensive watchesslightly plastic

5. Garmin Forerunner 945

Everything you want in a fitness watch

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 240 x 240 pixels Dimensions (WxHxD): 47x47x13.7 mm Weight: 50 g Watertight/Depth: Yes/5 atm Battery life: 36 hours with GPS, 10 hours with GPS & music Wireless technology: Bluetooth Battery life (standby): up to 14 days Altimeter (Barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist and with external pulse strap

Garmin Forerunner 945

The Garmin Forerunner 945 comes in exactly the same shell as its predecessor. The only differences are changes to a few detail colours (unfortunately for the worse). So the watch feels rather boring to begin with, but it certainly grows on you. So much so in fact, that we have no problems naming the Garmin Forerunner 945 as the best premium choice for its enormous range of useful functions.

Music, swimming pulse, maps

What Garmin has done in practice is to take a Fenix 5 Plus and squeeze the entire package into the same neat form as the Forerunner 935. And they’ve also added to this a few new functions that seem to be only partially included in the older Fenix models.

Music storage is built-in, with support for Bluetooth headphones and offline lists from Spotify. This works in the same trouble-free way as other Garmin watches with this support, although music transfer is a little slow.

Maps are now also included too. The navigation isn’t exactly the most detailed, predictable or easy-to-use in a watch. But it exists, and if you don’t have your phone with you it’s an exceptionally useful function.

Because it’s a multisport watch, you have support for every sport you could think of. What's new this time is that Garmin has also added support for measuring your pulse directly from the watch when you’re swimming. Other manufacturers have had this, but now Garmin has squeezed it into their watches, it feels like the measurement is slightly more stable. And we didn’t run into any problems when it comes to GPS accuracy and so on, just like we’d expect from Garmin.

Neat format

Unlike the Fenix series, the Forerunner 945 is a significantly sportier design, which means that it perhaps won’t fit all lifestyles. But simultaneously, it’s relatively small and neat to contain as many functions as it does. Of course, the slightly smaller format means that you don’t have all the battery life in the world, particularly not if you have music playing. But without music, you certainly have enough battery life to run one or even two marathons.

In addition to standard functions such as mobile notifications, step counting, sleep measurement and others, the watch includes better functions for measuring stress and values for how much your sleep and exercise affect your energy levels (this is what Garmin calls Body Battery). It isn’t as detailed as what Polar have done with their Ignite watch, but it agrees extremely well with how the testers felt and is perfectly sufficient from an everyday perspective. The Garmin Forerunner 945 perhaps won’t suit everyone given its design, and there are watches with a better battery life. But out of the more luxurious pulse watches on the market, it’s really hard to find this combination of functions and size for a competing price to this one. And this makes the watch a worthy winner of our best premium choice award.

All the training functions you needreally good activity trackinggood music playermeasures pulse during swimming too
Music playback uses a lot of battery

6. Garmin Venu 2 & Venu 2S

In many ways Garmin's first real smartwatch

Screen resolution: OLED screen Venu 2: 416x416 pixels, 1.3 in. Venu 2S: 360x360 pixels, 1.1 in. Dimensions (WxHxD): 40.40x40.40x12.10 mm (Venu 2S), 45.40x45.40x12.20 mm (Venu 2) Weight: 38.2 g (Venu 2S), 49 g (Venu 2) Waterproof/Depth: 5 ATM Wireless technology: Bluetooth smart, ANT+ Battery life (GPS): 7 and 8 hours respectively (Venu 2S & Venu 2) Battery life (standby): 11 and 12 days respectively (Venu 2S & Venu 2) Altimeter (Barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Heart rate measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist and via external heart rate monitor

Garmin Venu 2S

The Garmin Venu 2 and Garmin Venu 2S are more or less identical. The screen, battery and physical size differentiate them, but the watches are otherwise the same. The Venu 2S is the smaller of the two, with a shell of 40 mm, a screen of 1.1 inches and a slightly shorter battery life than the Venu 2. The Venu 2 has a shell of 45 mm and a screen of 1.3 inches. Both have an OLED-type touch screen, built-in support for Spotify and a lot of functions focused on "daily health" along with a mostly new interface.

Finally on the right track

Garmin's first Venu was an attempt to make a Garmin watch that felt more like an Apple Watch and less a super-detailed sports watch. The interface felt a bit confused and the new OLED screen meant that battery life was awful. The budget sequel Venu SQ solved many of those problems and the Venu 2 series builds on that concept. Now we’d say that Garmin are really only lacking ECG measurement, but that applies to all their watches.

The good news here, in addition to a battery that actually works, is more powerful hardware to make everything go a bit faster, a better built-in heart rate monitor, more built-in storage for music and a slightly updated screen. There are small updates across the board, and they prove that many small things can add up to big improvements.

In addition to technical aspects, they have also made the design more attractive and now offer a whole bunch of different colours and materials that actually look really nice.

Gamin-Venu-2-2S

It’s all in the software

When it comes to workouts, everything’s familiar. A lot of data is collected and can be displayed both during and after a workout in more or less any way you want. The types of workout covers most things, including golf, and the great screen in combination with a fresh interface means you now get really useful information on the watch itself. One of the new workout aspects is HIIT mode and updated animations for yoga and strength training to show you how to perform exercises.

For running, you can follow a training programme and have the watch tell you what you should do, which it spills over to the area of "daily health". There we find things like steps, heart rate, sleep, stress and the like. The touchscreen allows us to easily fill in the meter for fluid intake and the like. Garmin's Body Battery has been completely redone and now actually feels quite consistent with how fit you feel. Among the exercise modes you will find, a little confusingly, both a breathing exercise and “Health Snapshot”. The latter checks all the watch sensors for two minutes to give you a full battery of health data, where really only the ECG is missing.

In fact, it’s quite difficult to find any real downsides with the Venu 2 and Venu 2S. Maybe more expensive Garmin watches have maps and better battery life. But if you want all the advanced training measurement offered here, along with a watch that blends in really well with everyday life, it's actually hard to find anything better than the Garmin Venu 2.

Lots of great training functionsspotify supportvery good interface
Good battery life, but not top classsmartphone notifications could be better

7. Garmin Forerunner 245 Music

Amazing complete runner’s watch that doesn’t skimp on the details

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 240 x 240 pixels Dimensions (WxHxD): 42.3x42.3x12.2 mm Weight: 38.5 g Watertight/Depth: Yes/5ATM Battery life: 24 hours with GPS, 8 hours with GPS & music Wireless technology: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+ Battery life (standby): up to 7 days Altitude meter (barometric): No, only height from GPS data Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist and with external pulse strap

Garmin Forerunner 245 Music

The Garmin Forerunner 245 takes a big step – pardon the pun! - up from its more budget-focused predecessor and comes straight in as our best heart rate monitor watch of 2020. This neat watch doesn’t have every function, but it has enough for us not to feel left out. Really, Garmin are playing a dangerous game by competing against their own more expensive watches.

Neat format with everything but multisport

In a comparison with the almost-twice-as-expensive sister model, the Forerunner 945, there’s very little missing from a training perspective. There’s no altitude meter, or tracking of swimming in open water, but it does support swimming in a pool. Because this is primarily a runner’s watch, you don’t have any easy way to quickly change between sports, such as triathlon sports. Nor do you receive the most advanced data that the more expensive models are able to collect, but at the same time, that’s data most people can manage without.

Running, cycling, swimming in a pool and a reasonable number of indoor activities are included in the watch. Together with simpler navigation (without a map), a free training programme for beginner runners and also Garmin’s new functions for showing other people where you are and if you’ve been in an accident, the exercise part feels rather complete.

At the same time, you have pretty much the entire range of data (except for altitude) outside the exercise aspects, with steps, pulse, sleep, stress, recovery and much more to hand.

The watch itself is also very compact and suitable for smaller wrists without feeling too big and bulky.

Music eats up battery life

Of course, everything connects to Garmin’s app, where the watch also has functions to reject calls with a message – something only more expensive models had previously. This is combined with increasingly competent notification handling from a smartphone and the option to install new apps and dials via Garmin’s app store.

The major new feature is the inclusion of music in a slightly cheaper Garmin watch. Pop in an earbud and enjoy your run even more with this watch. You can choose either music files from your computer or offline playlists from services including Spotify. Synchronising our Spotify playlists was very simple, if not lightning fast, and so far we haven’t run into any problems connecting Bluetooth headphones to the watch. This is really useful if you want to have music on your run without having to take your phone with you (although you do need to take it with you to use the accident reporting function, even if you’ll hopefully never need it).

But a cheaper price and smaller size is reflected in the battery life. At least it comes with alarm functions so you can remember to charge it. Without music you’d have to be an ultrarunner for the watch to nod off during an exercise session, and the same applies in normal watch mode. But with the music playing, it eats up at least 20% of the battery for just one run, which is understandable but worth bearing in mind.

The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is perfect for anyone doing different sports but doesn’t need a dedicated multisport watch. The inclusion of a music player in this price class is welcome - and the Garmin Forerunner 245 is small and has enough functions to be named as our best heart rate monitor watch of 2020.

Neat formatgood music player with Spotifylots of exercise types
Mediocre battery life when playing music

8. Garmin Forerunner 45/45s

Garmen finally start taking their cheap runner’s watches seriously

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 208 x 208 pixels Dimensions (WxHxD): 39.5 x 39.5 x 11.4 mm (Forerunner 45S), 42 x 42 x 11.4 mm (Forerunner 45) Weight: 32 g (Forerunner 45S), 36 g (Forerunner 45) Watertight/Depth: Yes/5ATM Battery life: 13 hours with GPS Wireless technology: Bluetooth, ANT+ Battery life (standby): up to 7 days Altitude meter (barometric): No, only altitude data via GPS Compass: No Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist and with external pulse strap

Garmin Forerunner 45

The Garmin Forerunner 45 and the smaller model Forerunner 45S is just as big a step forward as the Forerunner 245/945, given what they can do compared with previous models. The whole thing, with a sleek format and good platform, means that we awarded it as our best cheap choice. At the same time, it’s an enormous improvement in terms of quality and functions compared with Garmin’s earlier runner’s watches from their budget watch department.

The difference between the Forerunner 45 and 45S is actually extremely minimal. The S model is a little smaller, with 39.5 mm diameter compared to the “normal” 45 version’s 42 mm. And that’s the only thing that distinguishes them. The screen size, the resolution of the screen, and above all the battery life, are identical. The Forerunner 45S just has a slightly smaller frame – that’s all there is to it!

Functions from more expensive watches

Unlike its predecessor - the Forerunner 35 (and the 25 before that) - this model doesn’t work with a special system that further emphasises the budget tag. Instead, we recognise the major features of the interface from all of Garmin’s more expensive watches. This makes the Forerunner 45 much easier to use. We particularly like the fact that the button to switch on the screen illumination doubles as a way to access the quick menu, where you can find the emergency function, the stopwatch and everything else that isn’t necessarily exercise-related.

The emergency function is new this year and can, if you have a mobile with you, be used to tell emergency contacts that you've been in an accident. This works either manually or automatically, although we haven’t been able to test the latter.

The watch itself is very compact, which means that it also fits narrower wrists well without looking oversized. And despite it being one of the best cheap options, it doesn’t feel overly plasticky either.

Lots of functions for the fitness enthusiast

When it comes to functions, of course, it doesn’t have the same range as the more expensive watches from Garmin, but at the same time, we feel we’re not missing out on too much. Running is obviously the main event, with the majority of functions and support for Garmin’s free training programme. In addition to this, there’s a very reasonable cycling mode, a handful of indoor sports and even very simple swimming measurements available. Finding GPS is fast, and we can’t complain about the accuracy either in that or the built-in pulse meter.

The majority of functions for everyday activity tracking are also included. Steps, sleep and pulse with some additional analysis functions for stress and so on. These are all very welcome.

And of course, the watch talks to your phone, both to synchronise sessions but also to bring up timely notifications from your phone. The notification function works well, even though it doesn’t have the more advanced functions for answering calls and so on. Via your mobile, you can also access the ConnectIQ App, which gives you new dials to pick from, exercise types and data pages for the watch.

The Garmin Forerunner 45 and Forerunner 45S are quite simply excellent introductory watches with the majority of functions you might need. Even if they're obviously missing functions from more expensive watches, they still don’t feel like stingy budget options, but really good value for money.

Very smalllots of functionsbest cheap watchgood functions in the app
Unnecessary division into large and small models

9. Polar Vantage V2

Analyses all of your workouts

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 280 x 280 pixels, 1.4 in Dimensions (WxHxD): 51x51x14.9 mm Weight: 71 g Waterproof/Depth: Yes/10 ATM Battery life: Up to 80 hours with GPS (95 days in expedition mode, 300 hours in low frequency mode) Wireless technology: Bluetooth, ANT+ Battery life (standby): up to 65 days Altimeter (barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Heart rate measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist

Polar Vantage V2

The Polar Vantage V2 builds on the successes of the Vantage V. If you compare what the Vantage V originally looked like with its successor, the differences are huge, but at the same time the older model has received a lot of the new functions through updates over the years. What is clear is that if you want to measure yourself in lots of different situations, the V2 is for you.

Pulsklocka-gps-multisport-polar-vantage-v2-0040

Stylish multisport

The watch itself is incredibly boring to look at. But that’s where most of the negativity ends. Appearance aside, the watch is enormously well-built, with a high feeling of quality throughout.

Looking at the watch’s more everyday functions, these seem to be much like before. Notification from your phone and syncing of workouts are still very patchy, but at least now you can control your phone's music with the watch. Steps, sleep and heart rate, on the other hand, are all really good.

Polar-Vantage-V2-01

After wearing the watch for a couple of days, perhaps the industry’s most thorough analysis functions kick off for various aspects of these things.

Analysis of everything

If we look at new functions in the V2, analysis is the big thing. There’s a mode for measuring running performance, one for measuring cycling performance and even a leg exercise test to see how well your legs have recovered since your last workout. At the other end of the spectrum is a nutrition guide for long workouts that reminds you when it’s time to top up your energy.

Pulsklocka-gps-multisport-polar-vantage-v2-0095

Of course, all functions for sports and multisports remain in the same or slightly improved form since the earlier model. One thing that can be annoying is that the watch sometimes takes a couple of minutes to find GPS (although usually less than half a minute).

The Polar Vantage V2 is a really strong contribution from Polar. The analysis functions are quite different from the competitors and give the watch a completely different angle (although others have different types of analysis functions as well). At the same time, it’s quite weak in terms of side functions such as mobile connection, music, maps and the like. So whether this is the watch for you will depend on how much you need those things. In any case, it’s definitely a good choice for the serious exerciser.

Lots of good analysis functionswell builtgood battery life
GPS sometimes a bit slowdull lookingfairly limited other than training and activity measurement

10. Huawei Watch GT2 (46 mm)

Phenomenal battery life in a decent watch

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 454 x 454 pixels Dimensions (WxHxD): 45.9 x 45.9 x 10.7 mm Weight: 41 g Watertight/Depth: Yes/5 Atm Battery life: 17 hours with GPS Wireless technology: Bluetooth 5.1 Battery life (standby): up to 14 days Altitude meter (barometric): Yes Compass: No Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist

Huawei Watch GT 2 46mm Classic Edition

The Huawei Watch GT2 clearly invests everything in battery life – and beats most of its competitors by a good margin in this race. The sport-oriented watch isn’t entirely problem free though, particularly when it comes to sport ironically, but Huawei have come a good way since the first generation of the Watch GT.

Incredible battery life

As you probably already know, the idea with a fitness watch is that you wear it 24 hours a day to measure your sleep, steps and everything else, even when you’re not actually exercising. And standard battery life is between 4 days and a week, depending on the watch and how much you use it. Huawei smash this record with a whopping two-week battery life.

This is, of course, with the screen switched off, so it only comes on when you raise your arm. There’s a mode where the screen is always on, with a simple analogue or digital watch face (with really strong illumination). If you choose this mode, the watch informs you that the battery life will be halved. But this means that, including exercise, you only need to charge the watch once a week, which is still an impressive battery performance.

And the battery life is just as good when you use it for exercise. It’s in the exercise area too that the watch has been improved, primarily by offering pulse measurement from the wrist while you swim. In addition to swimming, the watch includes most indoor and outdoor sports. But this version still includes strength training in the watch’s “other” category, which is a shame.

More functions

You can adapt what's shown on the screen for some sports, but unfortunately you have to have started an activity to be able to do this, instead of setting it first. Nor is it possible to connect external sensors to the watch. But it picked up GPS position and our pulses well from the wrist during our sessions. It takes a little while to get going in terms of pulse, but once it’s started it stays within reasonable limits. Steps you take outside exercise sessions are also captured very well.

After exercising, you can share the session with an image, but that’s about it. You can’t synchronise it with anything other than Huawei's own app or download Fit/Gpx files.

The watch supports notifications from your phone, sleep logging and a mode for breathing exercises. You get a status report about the effect of your exercise session, together with recovery, but it's a bit basic and could have been better.

The watch also has a built-in MP3 player, if you have any of these files. You can play them via Bluetooth headphones or the speaker – because the watch can be used as a speakerphone for your mobile, which works well and produces good sound.

The Huawei Watch GT2 has notifications and a speakerphone function, but the rest of the watch is firmly focused on sport and health – and on battery life. It copes well with the basic functions in these areas but lacks the majority of more advanced features. Overall, if you want a simpler exercise watch with phenomenal battery life, the Huawei Watch GT2 is an interesting choice.

Phenomenal battery lifePulse measurement during swimmingGood hands-free function
Very basic sports functions

11. Garmin Fenix 5X Plus

The top model for both multisport and hiking that can do pretty much everything

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 240 x 240 pixels Dimensions (WxHxD): 51 x 51 x 17.5 mm Weight: 96 g Watertight/Depth: Yes/10 Atm Battery life: 32 hours with GPS Wireless technology: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+ Battery life (standby): up to 20 days Altitude meter (barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist and with external pulse strap

Garmin Fenix 5X Plus Sapphire

The Garmin Fenix 5X Plus represents pretty much everything Garmin can squeeze into a watch. But while the Fenix 5 series’ X model offered new functions, the differences are less obvious in the 5 Plus series. All three watches in the series (Fenix 5/5S/5X Plus) have support for maps and navigation (previously only available in the Fenix 5X), music playback (locally or via Spotify), mobile payments with Garmin Pay, integrated golf courses and improved battery life. This time the technical differences in the specification are limited to the values for acclimatisation at high altitude (yes, the differences really are that small).

Instead, the Plus series is all about different sizes for different users. A larger size gives a better battery life, and the 5X Plus is clearly the best (and much better than its already persistent predecessor).

Extra everything plus

Here you have everything built in. Maps for easier navigation (the screen is very small) and all of the tools for hiking, fishing and wilderness adventures that you can imagine (the Fenix series began as a wilderness watch rather than a multisport one). Music playback to Bluetooth headphones is built in, and the watch also supports Spotify’s offline playlists now, with everything working surprisingly smooth. Garmin Pay works very well and support for different cards and payment methods is starting to be really impressive. And of course, it includes a range of exercise modes, schedules, internal and external sensors, measurement points and endless data for all types of training. If anything should turn out to be missing, Garmin’s app store is starting to be well equipped with exercise modes, dials and special exercise fields. It also has a solid package of activity tracker functions and a stable connection to your phone for notifications and exercise analysis.

Substantial but still neat

In fact, there are more functions than most people will need, but they are there and only a touch of a button away. The only sour note among all these functions is that notifications from your mobile are still limited, but at least now there’s the possibility to send pre-composed SMS responses. Everything’s squeezed into one of Garmin’s bigger watches with a circumference of 51 mm (the smaller models are 42 and 47 mm, respectively).

That’s quite big, but at the same time it’s well-designed and paradoxically feels quite neat. We rarely experienced the size of the watch as a problem.

If you want the best battery life

Trying to describe everything the Garmin Fenix 5X Plus offers would require much more space than we have here. But if you want a watch for all types of exercise that can also offer the most important functions in a smartwatch, it’s hard to go wrong with this one. If it feels too big you can choose one of the system models without losing any functions.

Good battery lifestraightforward music managementan insane number of well-built functions
Limited smartwatch functionsseveral major music services missing

12. Garmin Forerunner 745

All in one for the multisport fan who doesn’t need maps

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 240 x 240 pixels, 1.2 ins Dimensions (WxHxD): 43.8x43.8x13.3 mm Weight: 47 g Watertight/Depth: Yes/5 Atm Battery life: 16 hours with GPS, 6 hours with GPS & music Wireless technology: Bluetooth Battery life (standby): up to 7 days Altitude meter (barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist and with external pulse strap

Garmin Forerunner 745

In some ways, Garmin’s Forerunner 945 is the watch for a multisport fan who wants everything. But what about if you can get by with almost everything? Put the 945 on a diet and remove the maps so you get a watch that’s about £100 cheaper... And say hello to the Garmin Forerunner 745.

Garmin-Forerunner-745

Neat format

What we said above is actually most of the story. It’s a slightly smaller version of the 945, with a slightly shorter battery life, a bit less memory because it doesn’t need to store maps and they’ve also got rid of golf mode. At the same time, Garmin have pinched “Track mode” from Coros, which means the watch can do almost millimetre-accurate GPS tracking if you’re running outdoors. And that’s a really nice function regardless of the watch that’s using it.

At the same time, the size is probably the thing that will appeal to most people, because unlike both the 945 and the Fenix series, the 745 doesn’t feel too big. At the same time we feel that Garmin should have perhaps updated both the form and the interface a tad, because they’ve both been pretty much unchanged for several years now.

Garmin-Forerunner-745-2

Everything in one place

But essentially, the 745 is a triathlon and multisport watch. In this area, Garmin are veterans and rather hard to beat. Other than maps and golf mode, nothing else has been removed in the form of sensors or advanced analysis features. This means you get the whole of Garmin’s range in these areas, including the really good recovery function. Another new feature is suggestions for what training you should do next. For example, if your watch thinks you should rest your legs from running, it might suggest strength training.

Garmin-Forerunner-745-3

Garmin’s platform as a whole looks like it normally does, which by now is a really stable affair with many features beyond exercise. You have built-in music mobile payments, phone notifications and all kinds of 24/7 activity tracking you could wish for.

To be honest, we’re a little sceptical about the true value of maps in a format as small as a watch, so the Forerunner 745 feels the more natural choice at a more sensible price for the multisport practitioner. But if you really do want “everything”, the more expensive variety is still the best choice.

Accurate and good GPS and heart rate measurementsconvenient formatincredible number of functions
Battery life is a little short for the most demanding

13. Garmin Fenix 7 Solar

Extra everything with solar cells

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 1.3" amoled, 416x416 pixels Dimensions (WxHxD): 47x47x14.5 mm Weight: 73 g Waterproof/Depth: 10 ATM Wireless technology: Bluetooth, ant+, wifi Battery life (rest): up to 18 days (22 with sun) Battery Life (GPS): 23-136 hours depending on mode (26-289 hours with sun) Altimeter (Barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Heart rate measurement: Yes, integrated optical reading at wrist and via external heart rate bracelet (bluetooth or Ant+)

Garmin Fenix 7 Solar Edition

If you want a watch with most of the features that Garmin can achieve, the Fenix series has long been the easy choice. The new trio that makes up Garmin Fenix 7 is in some ways still that, and in other ways not.

Three models

As before, the Fenix 7 series comes in three sizes, the Fenix 7s at 42 millimetres, the Fenix 7 at 47 millimetres, and the Fenix 7x at 51 millimetres. This time all three models come in three designs, which results in a total of nine watches. The simplest model has no solar cell charging, the intermediate model does have solar cell charging, and the luxury model throws in sapphire glass as well. The Fenix 7x also has a built-in flashlight. But other than that, only battery life and screen size distinguishes them.

This time, however, the Fenix series has gained some internal competition in the form of the Oled model Epix (without solar cells) and Venu 2 Plus (with a speaker and hands-free function). This allows you to choose whether the extra battery time that comes with the solar cells, and the simpler screen, is for you, or whether any of the other features carry more weight.

Terrible touch screen

In terms of features, the Fenix and Epix models are almost identical. Naturally, this means all the features that Garmin can push into a watch at the moment. Among the new features are maps of ski slopes from a large number of ski resorts, an energy metre that shows how much power you have left during a race or session, and a really well-developed analysis function that is better than before by leaps and bounds.

The only thing we really have to complain about is the touchscreen, which is also new. On Epix and Venu it works really fast and is responsive, while on Fenix 7 it seems to sleep half of the time. Luckily, the button navigation works just as well as it always has. The buttons also have a small frame around them to protect against accidental pushing from e.g. a jacket sleeve or the like.

Garmin Fenix 7 is a really awesome multisport watch. Your choice is whether you choose a better display (Epix) or longer battery life (Fenix). Besides that, both models are really good.

Solar cell chargingwell-builtlots of features
Slightly low map resolutionsluggish touch screen

14. Xiaomi Watch S1

Half-baked features in a well-built shell

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 1.43" Amoled, 466 x 466 pixels Dimensions (WxHxD): 46.5 x 46.5 x 11 mm Weight: 36 g Waterproof/Depth: 5 ATM Wireless technology: Bluetooth Battery life (rest): Up to 12 days Battery Life (GPS): 10 hrs Altimeter (Barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Heart rate measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at wrist

Xiaomi Watch S1

Xiaomi Watch S1 follows a trend that is becoming increasingly common in smart watches. The more traditional fitness watches look just like fitness watches, while the more advanced smart watches focus more on classical design. Those that fall between these two categories have instead started to focus more on design and look like traditional watches.

Nice construction With the S1, Xiaomi has made a lot of progress in terms of design and construction quality compared to its previous watches. The included strap is made of leather and matches a really stylish, classic watch design. In terms of material and construction quality, Xiaomi is a few steps behind Huawei at this point, but at the same time it is cheaper.

The clock itself boasts a battery life of up to 12 days, seven according to our tests – which is one of its major advantages. It connects easily to both Android phones and Iphones, and there are speakers and microphones in it to function as a handsfree phone. Sadly, you can't make calls with it, only answer calls, and the volume of the speaker is very low.

Scattered inside Unlike Apple Watch, Android Wear, and to some extent some of the pure sports watches, there is no app store here. Instead, you are locked to the features that come pre-installed.

The system in Xiaomi S1 is almost identical to the company’s previous watches. This means that you have a very long list of features that should satisfy most of your needs. Of course, the most important thing is notifications, which are of the simpler kind here. In addition to answering calls, you can actually can't do more than read the notifications on the watch.

Most of the features are related to exercise and health. You can also log most of the sports you can think of, and both GPS and heart rate measurements remain within reasonable levels. At the same time, the pedometer is often a bit enthusiastic in its step count, sleep measurements can go a bit haywire depending on the night, and apart from the collection of data there isn't much that actually gathers it all together and analyses it. In terms of features, Xiaomi S1 is in many ways not very different from the company’s activity band, but here they are presented with a better interface as a result of the larger screen and a really nice shell.

Xiaomi Watch S1 is a stylish smartwatch with good battery life. It doesn't compete for the most advanced features or the most detailed training analyses, but offers quite a good medium at a totally acceptable price.

Excellent construction qualityabsolutely OK heart rate monitor and GPS measurementmany exercise modes
Low speaker volumevarying sleep measurement

15. Garmin Instinct 2 Solar

Up to infinite battery life

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 1.2" transflective LCD, 240 x 240 pixels Dimensions (W x H x D): 45 x 45 x 14.50 mm (Instinct 2/2 Solar), 40 x 40 x 13.3 (Instinct 2S/2S Solar) Weight: 42/43 g (Instinct 2S/Instinct 2S Solar), 52/53 g (Instinct 2/Instinct 2 Solar) Waterproof/Depth: 10 ATM Wireless technology: Bluetooth Battery life (sleep): Up to 28 days, infinite sun + battery saving mode (Instinct 2 Solar only) Battery Life (GPS): 48/370 hours (max mode + solar charging) Altimeter (Barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Heart rate measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist and external heart rate band via ANT+ and Bluetooth

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar

It’s bold of Garmin to release a heart rate watch that it claims has infinite battery life, but the Garmin Instinct 2 lives up to the hype. Clearly, the list of things you need to consider to achieve that battery life is miles long, but it’s possible.

Many different versions

The basic smartwatch is available in two versions: 40 millimetres (Instinct 2s) and 45 millimetres (Instinct 2). Both are available with built-in solar charging lenses, which are the key to that battery life. In addition to this, there are many, many different versions of the above, each with a different colour case or wristband.

Alongside its somewhat unique Casio shape, with a small round auxiliary display inside the standard display, Instinct 2 is a little bit like a cross between the multisport watches and the enduring Enduro from Garmin. The simpler greyscale display technology comes from Enduro. Regrettably, it also appears to have inherited Enduro’s painfully slow hardware, because it often takes a second or two for something to happen after you push a button. Both parts, however, contribute to battery life.

Packed with features

As far as features are concerned, what we have here is a fully fledged multisport watch that by and large is at the same level as the Forerunner 700 and 900 series. You lose all the features related to maps, golf, music playback and wifi in order to save battery power, but apart from that it offers most things. This applies to both working out and activity tracking outside of workouts. On the other hand, we note that the number of dials and apps in the Connect IQ Store is significantly lower, which is due to the slightly odd “display-in-display” format.

The first Garmin Instinct was a slightly odd duck that mostly seemed aimed at fans of Casio’s G-Shock watches who wanted a more contemporary GPS watch. Although it sounds like a very limited target group, we suppose that, combined with the fact that the watch has a rather unique and retro-cool design, this made it a big enough hit to justify its successor.

We must admit that the successor seems just as strange in its bulging and oversized plastic shell. But Garmin Instinct 2, at least the versions with solar charging lenses, provides more justification for the seemingly old-fashioned shape and screen. During the period we were testing this watch, the sun wasn't exactly on our side, but we still got a surprisingly long battery life. However, to achieve the alleged infinite battery life, both battery saving mode and reasonably constant sun are needed, but at least that’s possible. In sunny countries, during the summer months in Sweden and if you don't run a marathon every day, we can actually buy the statement about endless battery life. But you need sunshine and you need to be a fan of the watch’s old-fashioned shape.

Battery lifequite unique designgood solar charging lenses
You either love or hate the designslow at timesrather boring display

16. Suunto 5 Peak

A simple watch that takes several steps forward

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 1.1" 218x218 pixels Dimensions (WxHxD): 43x43x12.9 mm Weight: 39 g Waterproof/Depth: 30m Wireless technology: Bluetooth Battery life (rest): up to 12 days Battery Life (GPS): 20/40/100 hours depending on mode Altimeter (Barometric): No Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Heart rate measurement: Yes, integrated optical reading at wrist and via external heart rate bracelet (bluetooth)

Suunto 5 Peak

Suunto 9 Peak was a big step forward for the Finnish watch company’s flagship model, and not unexpectedly even the simpler models are receiving the same treatment. Suunto 5 Peak is in many ways a refinement of the already existing Suunto 5, while at the same time being released in an even higher price class than its older sibling.

Thinner

Like the 9 Peak, this model has mainly been given a new look. Among other things, the thickness has been reduced a lot, which makes it considerably more flexible to carry. Standard watch strap widths (22 mm) are now also supported. What you lose in terms of hardware compared to 9 Peak is the barometer, and you get a fraction of a smaller screen without a touch function.

All in all, Suunto has succeeded in the design here, with the screen as the only exception. In addition to being a very simple grey-scale screen, there is something about the dial and protective glass that feels very hollow when touched. We didn't get the same feeling when we touched the sides of the watch, but it still felt hollow. Something that’s a bit strange, because one of the big new features here is a really impressive battery life. If you turn on what is called “Tour Mode”, you get a battery life with GPS of up to 100 hours, which is very impressive. Under more normal conditions, with a more accurate GPS, the battery life is 20 hours with GPS (10 days as a watch).

The software is familiar

If there is something Suunto is good at, usually better than its main competitor Garmin, it's to update their watches for a long time. However, it also means that many of the “new features” of the Peak model are those that certainly didn't exist in the normal 5 model when it was launched, but that were added over time. Among these, we find e.g. that the GPS measurement “snaps” to a road when you look at the result, which gives a more accurate result after a run. There is of course also support for Suunto’s recently launched app store.

The watch itself is capable of logging multisports, such as the triathlons, and a whole lot of other sports. The GPS measurement, at least in standard mode, is really good, and so is the heart rate monitor. If you like to keep your exercise reasonably simple, this is a really good option, simply because Suunto does not have as many features as either Polar or Garmin. Of course, the same thing could also be a disadvantage, depending on how you view the matter. As a daily watch, it does a good job, with a log of steps and sleep, as well as simple notifications.

Suunto 5 Peak feels like a good update on the outside compared to its predecessor. The software and interface are very easy to handle, largely due to the fact that there are not too many features. Whether this is an advantage or a disadvantage is mostly up to you as the wearer, because the things that the watch can do, it does really well.

Long battery lifecompact shapeeasy to handle
Few features considering the priceoccasionally feels hollow

17. Suunto 9 Peak

An impressive shake up from Suunto

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 1.2" transflective LCD, 240 x 240 pixels Dimensions (WxHxD): 43 x 43 x 10.6 mm Weight: 62 g Waterproof/Depth: 100 m Wireless technology: Bluetooth Battery life (rest): Up to 14 days Battery Life (GPS): 25–170 hours Altimeter (barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Heart rate monitor: Yes, integrated optical reading at wrist and via Bluetooth heart rate belt

Suunto 9 Peak

Experienced users of heart rate watches tend to big fans of Suunto in Finland, and back in the day there was good reason for this. Even though their basic features have remained very stable, they haven’t kept up with developments in the same way as, say, Garmin. Even in terms of design and materials, they haven’t been as cutting edge. That’s why Suunto 9 Peak is a very nice acquaintance that sets up a really good hardware structure for future software.

Substantial shake up in build quality

The Suunto 9 Peak may share most of its name with the old Suunto 9 series. While a lot of the look is also familiar, it’s much more streamlined. Peak is available in two versions: with either a titanium shell or steel shell, where we tested the latter. This, combined with a significantly thinner profile, means that Peak feels like a watch from a completely different company and there’s been a huge shake up in terms of design.

The display has also been updated, albeit slightly less than the rest of the watch. Behind the touchscreen is a transflective display that works without problems in sunlight. But it lacks the resolution and the colour scale of its more advanced competitors. Generally speaking, both the watch and its internal hardware in the form of a heart rate monitor and GPS are really good.

Slowly but steadily improving

When it comes to software, Suunto has long made it clear that it’s sticking to the sports features and not bothering about the others. With such an improvement in terms of hardware, we had high hopes of something similar for the software. Although there are many familiar components for experienced users, the interface is beginning to feel quite dated and in need of a makeover. But that seems to be on the way, because Suunto has been really busy with updates for all its watches in both the 5 and 9 series, even if things are progressing slowly.

As a sports watch, you get many triathlon features for running, cycling and swimming. But we miss the analysis and recovery features offered by rival watches. Similarly, there is measurement of daily activity, such as steps and sleep, but even that part feels a bit basic in design.

Suunto 9 Peak is a big shake up in terms of hardware – it’s just a pity that they’re making us wait so long for a similar software shake up.

Formatbuild qualitygenerally good hardware
Interface feels outdatedthe display could be more funA slight lack of features

18. Apple Watch Series 7

The bigger screen is the only new feature

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 484x396 pixels, 45 mm Dimensions (WxHxD): 45x38x10.7 mm (45 mm) Weight: 38.8 g (45 mm) Waterproof/depth: 50m Wireless technology: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Battery life (rest): up to 18 hours Altimeter (Barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Heart rate measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at wrist

Apple Watch Series 7 45mm Aluminium Case with Sport Band

Apple Watch Series 7 is a bit of a paradox in that, if you already own an Apple watch, you don't really have to worry about updating, even though it’s the biggest update of the watch ever. Because even though we’ve had a major physical update, it’s not really the update we wanted or that means anything.

Larger screen

Apple Watch 7 has been given a twenty percent larger screen than before. The watch’s design and external format are approximately the same as before, and the larger screen only comes from the fact that the frames around it have been scaled down a bit. With approximately the same outer dimensions, all old straps also fit the Apple Watch Series 7.

A larger screen allows for larger text and graphic elements, which is especially welcome if your eyesight isn't the best. At the same time, a larger screen provides news at the other end of that spectrum as well. Among other things, it is now possible to respond to text messages using a screen keyboard. It’s pretty fiddly and, for space reasons, there’s only an American keyboard. But it is possible, even if dictation via Siri is a hundred times smoother.

Otherwise, there are not really that many new functions, and everything looks and functions as it did on the previous generation’s watch. Any new features are instead connected to the WatchOS operating system, but they are the same for both this watch and its predecessor.

The watch has received dust protection support (IP6X) and can be charged more quickly, but these are mere details. It would have been even better if the watch had support for regular wireless charging via QI technology and perhaps Apple’s own Magsafe on top of that. Then we wouldn't be as locked in to Apple’s chargers. The charger is still needed, as you need to charge at least once a day.

Same exercise

Apple Watch is unbeatable as a smartwatch connected to an iPhone. Technical conditions, such as GPS measurement and heart rate monitor, are also among the best in the industry. In addition to a new function for automatically detecting when you cycle, however, the exercise aspects of the watch are the same as before.

This means a silly flat sleep measurement, a fairly good measurement of everyday activities, and a measurement of exercise that at least covers basic needs. The advantage here is that you can easily expand what is missing via third-party apps. This makes Apple Watch a truly versatile exercise partner. At the same time, the battery life means that we can hardly recommend it for longer workouts and races, but for everyday exercise and training it is sufficient. It is also nicely complemented by the watch’s other app support and functions.

Really good heart rate and GPS measurementgood app supportunrivalled integration with iPhone
Same boring battery lifeno regular wireless charging or Magsafevery few new features compared to its predecessor

19. Huawei Watch GT Runner

Long-lasting with a focus on running

GPS: Yes , Screen resolution: 466x466 pixels, 1.46" Amoled Dimensions (WxHxD): 46.4x46.4x11 mm Weight: 38.5 g Waterproof/Depth: 5 ATM Wireless technology: bluetooth Battery life (rest): up to 14 days Altimeter (Barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Heart rate measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at wrist

Huawei Watch GT Runner

Huawei Watch GT Runner is Huawei’s first niche heart rate watch, especially for runners, if the name didn't give it away. A lot of the basics here come from its sister, the Watch GT3 model, but there are still enough new features here to make the two feel like completely different watches. In most ways, the GT Runner is actually the better of the two watch models.

Adds without removing

If you ask any other manufacturer of heart rate watches, running watches usually imply a slightly simpler model in which many functions have been stripped away. Huawei is apparently not aware of this, because the GT Runner is the opposite. In terms of software, it is basically the same watch as the GT3, but with additional functions that are aimed at runners.

Primarily, it has deeper analytical features to assess your running form. The virtual coach who adapts to your exercise is a previous feature that has been added here.

The fact that the GT Runner has added functions, instead of removing them, means that all other sports modes have been retained, along with daily activity measuring, health functions, etc., making this perhaps the most feature-rich watch aimed at runners on the market.

Overall, all the other functions work really well. Its connection to your phone is a bit sharper for Android phones compared to iPhones, but this has nothing to do with Huawei. It is still really sad that the app does not support friends and interaction with friends.

New GPS antenna

Like its sister model, you are offered an advanced heart rate monitor and dual-band GPS for better reception. This model has moved the antennas to the wristband mount, which is said to improve reception. The watch finds its position quickly and certainly is exact, but dual-band GPS is hardly a revolution. This watch is made of a plastic material rather than metal, as seen on the GT3, which makes it significantly lighter and also slightly thinner.

Nevertheless, the heart rate monitor is sharper compared to the previous model. Now it seems to be reasonably correctly throughout the session (Its predecessor was a little sluggish in the beginning). On the other hand, it shows tendencies to exaggerate when your pulse rate increases a lot – something that will certainly be corrected in future software updates.

Built-in microphone and speaker for hands-free calls. While the receiver seemed to hear us alright, the maximum volume on the speaker is far from what other watches deliver.

They claim that the battery life lasts for up to two weeks, which is certainly true. But if you set the screen to always be on (as a watch should), you can expect a battery life of about five days, which is still good.

The Huawei Watch GT Runner does quite well in providing value to runners, without having to remove any features. The enthusiastic heart rate monitor will soon improve, but the hands-free function will probably be most useful in emergencies.

Long battery lifemany functionsgood GPS
Really weak speakerno friend function in the appOccasional slightly over-energised heart rate monitor

20. Garmin Forerunner 55

Garmin’s cheapest keeps getting better

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 208 x 208 pixels, 1.04 ins Dimensions (WxHxD): 42x42x11.6 mm Weight: 37 g Waterproof/Depth: Yes/5 ATM Battery life: 20 hours with GPS Wireless technology: Bluetooth Battery life (standby): up to 14 days Altimeter (Barometric): No Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Heart rate measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist and via external heart rate monitor

Garmin Forerunner 55

The Garmin Forerunner 55 is continuing down the path started by its predecessor, the Forerunner 45. Then it was all about Garmin’s cheapest watches finally ending up on the same platform as the rest of their sports watches and didn’t feel very exciting. Now it's about building on that foundation to make something that’s starting to get really interesting.

Lots of new software

On the outside, there’s nothing obviously new straight away, but it's almost a challenge to see the difference between the Forerunner 55 and its predecessors. But then again, Garmin aren’t fixing what’s not broken, because the design absolutely worked before. This is a fairly small watch that doesn’t feel heavy to wear or protrude in any way.

Pulsklocka-loparklocka-garmin-forerunner-55-01

Instead, a lot of new stuff has appeared under the bonnet. For runners, both track mode and recovery time have been added. The latter calculates how long you should rest between workouts, and track mode gives even more accurate lengths if you’re run on a running track.

If you do more than just run, Garmin has also added pool swimming and HIIT training among the new exercise modes.

In other respects, this watch retains virtually all the functions it had before – something that makes it really comprehensive for beginner runners and definitely good enough if you also want to throw in some cycling or strength training as well. At the same time, the battery life has improved significantly, doubling in normal smart watch mode from one week to two.

Pulsklocka-loparklocka-garmin-Forerunner-55-005

Measures breathing

Even beyond your workout, the watch has also been updated a fair bit. As before, it measures steps, heart rate and sleep. But new this time is that it also keeps track of your breathing rate during the day. It also has a function to keep track of the menstrual cycle, which was previously something only found in Garmin's more expensive watches.

From the perspective of a cheap heart rate watch, we’re really only missing built-in support for music. The slightly more smartwatch-oriented Garmin Venu SQ is sold with music support and the difference in price isn’t too big, which means that Garmin are competing with themselves a bit here. The same applies to the music edition of the Forerunner 245, which has dropped a lot in price.

The Forerunner 55 is a fantastic first-time choice with lots of functions that will let you cut your teeth, if you want to try training with a running watch and feel you absolutely don’t need Spotify support. At the same time, you don’t have to spend much more to get music support, which makes the choice a little more difficult.

Good battery lifelots of functions for the priceconvenient format
Could easily have had an edition with music support

21. Huawei Watch GT 3 46 & 42 mm

Really attractive watch with most of the functions you need

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 454 x 454 pixels, 1.43 ins (46 mm), 1.32 ins (42 mm) Dimensions (WxHxD): 45.9x45.9x11 mm (46 mm), 42.3x42.3x10.2 mm (42 mm) Weight: 42.6 g (46 mm), 35 g (42 mm) without strap Waterproof/Depth: Yes/5 ATM Wireless technology: Bluetooth 5.2 Battery life (standby): up to 14 days (46 mm), up to 7 days (42 mm) Altimeter (Barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Heart rate measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist

Huawei Watch GT 3 46mm with Silicone Strap

The Huawei Watch GT 3 is both a step forwards and a small step back, exactly as the GT series usually is for Huawei. While the Huawei Watch 3 is relatively complete, with the manufacturer’s own Harmony OS, 4G, Wi-Fi, app store and a lot more, the Watch GT 3 is more back to basics, but a really well thought out version.

Lots of functions

The Huawei Watch GT3, which we had the opportunity to test in both available sizes, 42 and 46 mm, keeps the ‘smart’ part of the watch quite minimal. Here it exclusively means a Bluetooth connection to your phone. It works fine with both Android and iPhone and most of the functions are available regardless of the phone you connect to. During the time we ran the watches on an iPhone, however, it seemed that the constant connection deteriorated, which meant the ‘find my phone’ function rarely worked… even though notifications were still delivered. However, the same problem didn’t occur with the Android phones we connected to. Connected to an iPhone, even emojis in notifications seem to get lost for some reason.

Pulsklocka-smartwatch-gps-h%E2%80%A6watch-gt-3-46mm-44mm-030

In terms of functions, however, the watch does really well. All the types of watch functions you’d expect to be included are there, plus things like a barometer and the ability to use GPS data to find your way if you get lost. There’s also a microphone and speaker for you to handle calls via the watch. These really do work, but even at maximum volume, the sound for both you and the person on the other end of the line is poor.

Everything is controlled via either the touchscreen or the button on one side of the watch. The latter is useful for easily scrolling through training data after a workout, for example, but is otherwise mostly there for aesthetic reasons.

Great design

Because it’s really the design that’s half the thing here. In terms of function, the two different sized versions of the Watch GT 3 are identical, other than a smaller screen and shorter battery life in the smaller one. Both watches are extremely well built, in stainless steel, and offer a real sense of quality throughout. The screen has also been made larger and now covers more or less the entire dial, which contributes to that premium feeling. The other thing about the watch is the exercise functions. Here, Huawei have built in a new heart rate monitor and a satellite receiver that will pick up five different positioning systems (GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo and Qzss) and keep track of your position.

Pulsklocka-smartwatch-gps-h%E2%80%A6watch-gt-3-46mm-44mm-027

During our time testing these watches, the positioning was accurate enough, even though it wasn’t exactly revolutionary. The heart rate monitor seems to be pretty accurate. When walking, doing various indoor workouts and cycling, it showed the same readings as an actual heart rate monitor. When running, the first kilometre during all sessions is a disaster, and then it corrects itself and becomes accurate. The first kilometre, on the other hand, is always way above the real figure and the watch constantly gives warnings, which is most unpleasant. This is probably something that will be fixed in future software updates. Although running is the most comprehensive part, there is a rich flora of other exercise modes and sports as well.

In addition to exercise, it has recovery data, analysis of your running status, training programmes for running and of course all kinds of measurement of heart rate, steps and sleep when you aren’t working out. While running analysis and recovery work really well, we’d have liked a better overview of historical data in Huawei's health app. At the same time, it’s very surprising that the service doesn't support various friend functions or a sensible export of exercise and health data.

The Huawei Watch GT 3, in both 42 and 46 mm versions, is an incredibly stylish and well-designed watch which offers lots of functions without feeling overloaded. The exercise and health elements work really well in most cases, but at the same time Huawei's app for the watch needs to improve a lot.

Very attractive and well builtgood battery lifelots of functions
Sometimes weird heart rate results when runninghuawei Health is pretty poorlow volume during hands-free calls

22. Garmin Venu SQ

Garmin’s really nice attempt to modernise

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 240x240 pixels, 1.3 in Dimensions (WxHxD): 40.6x37.0x11.5 mm Weight: 37.6 g Watertight/Depth: 5 atm Wireless technology: Bluetooth smart, ANT+ Battery life (GPS): 14 hours Battery life (standby): 6 days Altitude meter (barometric): No Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist and with external pulse strap

Garmin Venu Sq

What’s the main visual difference between a smartwatch and a classic runner’s watch? The screen, of course. And while the Apple Watch and others in that league have amazingly good screens, most of the watches from Garmin, Suunto, Polar and so on have rather boring ones. The reason is, of course, the battery life, where the latter are miles ahead. But what if the two worlds could be combined? The Garmin Venu SQ is Garmin’s second attempt to do this.

Square

Or at least the second with a colour display. The Venu series is in the same niche as the company’s Vivo watches, trying to bridge the distance between the runner’s watch and the “lifestyle watch”.

The Venu SQ and Venu SQ Music (identical other than support for music and wireless headphones) is a slimmed-down version of the previous round Venu with the OLED screen. Now the screen is of LCD type and also square. Overall, battery life is the same as on its big brother, but slightly shorter with GPS turned on.

As usual, you get the whole package for measuring heart rate, steps, sleep, and so on, along with mobile payments, Spotify and some support for apps. You’ll miss out on the built-in altimeter and animations for yoga, amongst others, in this cheaper model.

At the same time, we’re happy to see that battery management has improved considerably, especially with “always on” mode, which constantly displays the clock. Now we actually get a couple of days of battery life out of the watch, unlike the case with the Venu.

Still a gym beast

The appearance is clearly more Apple Watch than Forerunner. But it's still Garmin under the surface. This means a lot more functions related to exercise than you’d expect at first glance. Various forms of structured workouts, loads of opportunities to create your own exercise sessions, and relatively stable analysis functions mean the watch shines on that front. We’d have liked to see the recovery functions and even more advanced training elements in the Forerunner and Fenix watches, but for most people this is already really advanced. The GPS and heart rate monitoring are of high quality too, and the GPS finds you very quickly before a workout.

Garmin have also got significantly better at touchscreen interfaces. This isn’t the most beautiful one in the world, but now it feels logical throughout, and as a backup for when you’re wearing gloves there are two physical buttons.

The Garmin Venu SQ is packed with functions for the price, including, unusually, Spotify support. At the same time, the design and screen will most suit someone who feels Garmin’s normal watches are too old-fashioned.

Good heart rate and GPS measurementlots of functions for the pricereally good workout functions
Very dull interfacemore advanced analysis functions missing

23. Apple Watch Series 6

A fine-tuned smartwatch

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 368x448 pixels, 44 mm Dimensions (WxHxD): 44x38x10.4 mm Weight: 36.5/47.1/41.3 g (aluminium/steel/titanium) Watertight/Depth: 50 m Wireless technology: Bluetooth, WiFi Battery life (standby): up to 18 hours Altitude meter (barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist

Apple Watch Series 6 44mm Aluminium Case with Sport Band

The Apple Watch Series 6 is a safe and very familiar update of Apple's smartwatch. If you’d like an Apple Watch, or if you had one with a few years back, this version is an upgrade. But for those of you who bought last year's model, it’s actually quite difficult to find any obvious differences.

Smart smartwatch

Apple's approach to smartwatches is one of the best in the industry – always provided you run an iPhone however, because the watch is locked into those. Built-in functions such as hands-free for the phone, or walkie talkie with other Apple watches, all work flawlessly.

At the same time, third-party apps are really fast both to launch and to display the information you want. On the other hand, Apple only allows its own music app for offline storage of music, so you either use that or have no music at all.

New since last year, and also present in Series 6, is that the screen is always on. This is so that the watch worn on your arm will function as a normal watch without you having to do a drum solo on the screen to wake it up.

The disadvantage is that the battery then needs to be charged at least once a day. And as a result of the new functions, this is even more of a stressful operation than it used to be.

There’s an app for that

Apple's attitude towards health, exercise and activity differs a little from the industry standard. In the case of activity, this is a good thing. Instead of steps, which are actually quite difficult to find, it’s all based on three rings to be filled: Standing, moving and exercise. Filling the rings every day feels both more varied and motivating than the classic step goal, because in the case of the Apple Watch, it works more on the basis of what you do overall.

In the case of health, on the other hand, things aren’t so good. The attitude is very much that if there’s nothing wrong, you don’t need to be told anything. You can take your ECG and even measure the oxygen level in your blood, which is one great new feature for the Series 6. But at the same time, you don’t get any of the values unless it seems as if something may be wrong.

The health app in both the watch and on the iPhone is awfully messy. Viewing your history of what you've done and getting tips to improve your performance is almost impossible.

Unfortunately, the same applies to the new sleep measurement. Sleep isn't an exact science, but the only thing you actually get out of Apple's sleep measurement is knowing when you fell asleep and what time the alarm clock rang in the morning. Light/deep sleep, nocturnal visits to the loo or any assessment of sleep quality (which Polar does brilliantly) is completely lacking. However, there are third-party apps that deal with sleep a bit better.

Sleep mode also means you need to charge the watch an extra once a day so it doesn’t run out during the night.

Apps are also required for training. The basics are all there, but only the minimum requirements such as time, distance and heart rate, and overall Apple's training modes are far too simple. This means you might quickly need to find a bunch of extra apps to measure different forms of exercise, but even then you’ll have the same messy compilation of everything in Apple's Health app.

When it comes to naming the very best smartwatch, none come close to the Apple Watch, for its built-in features and for how well the third-party apps work. A more open ecosystem for apps, however, wouldn't have hurt. When it comes to exercise and health, the activity measurement feels motivating and the watch is good at warning of irregularities in your health, but just about everything else feels messy, missing or is solved better via third-party apps. And then there was the thing with the battery life and the constant stress of having to charge it...

Good and accurate heart rate and step measurementfantastically good integration with the phonegood built-in functions
Battery lifemessy integration of exercise and healthvery basic sleep measurement

24. Huawei Watch GT2 Pro (46 mm)

Simple model with premium looks

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 454 x 454 pixels, 1.39 ins Dimensions (WxHxD): 46.7x46.7x11.4 mm Weight: 52 g Watertight/Depth: Yes/50 m Battery life: 30 hours with GPS Wireless technology: Bluetooth 5.2 Battery life (standby): up to 14 days Altitude meter (barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist

Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro

The Huawei Watch GT2 Pro is the third edition in the GT2 series, after the first model and the slightly simpler GT2e. And in many ways it’s merely the choice of materials that makes this model “pro” compared to earlier versions.

At the same time, this is a good watch for anyone who wants something simpler.

Titanium and sapphire

The watch comes in two models, Sport and Classic, but it’s really only the material on the bracelet that’s different. Classic, with the titanium shell, was the model we tested, and it really impressed us in terms of quality.

The screen, which can be set to always be on so that it actually works like a watch, is covered with sapphire crystal to withstand scratches better. This is a big watch and there’s no smaller model to choose from. You have to have reasonable sized forearms for it to fit well.

The watch has the same decent battery life of up to 14 days as the previous versions. That in itself comes with its limitations, but we prefer long battery life over advanced functions.

Health, health, health

The watch has its own ecosystem, without downloadable apps (but there are more than 150 dials, so you won’t get bored). The notifications are just simple notices and you can rarely do very much with them. Music can be downloaded to the watch, but only in the form of MP3 files, so forget syncing to Spotify and the like.

Music can be played via a headset or through the watch's surprisingly good built-in speakers. It also has the phenomenal function that the watch can be used as a hands-free unit when making phone calls – something all watches should have. Unfortunately, this only works as long as the watch is near your phone, as there’s no eSIM edition.

That aside this watch is purely about exercise. The watch is quite advanced in terms of sleep measurement, and it keeps track of steps and stress via the pulse monitor. Overall it provides a pretty good foundation for everyday life and when it comes to exercise types, there’s a large range to choose from. However, we’d have liked to see greater options for customising what the watch displays during training sessions.

GPS reception is fast and in most cases accurate. There’s also a function to find your way back home if you get lost. All data is then synced to Huawei Health, which acts as a hub on the phone and which is starting to get better at sharing data with third-party services, even though it still has some way to go in that respect.

The Huawei Watch GT2 Pro is ideal if your arms are big enough and you're looking for a watch with premium materials and a good battery life. Other functions are somewhat limited compared to smarter watches, but at least do a reasonable job.

Good battery lifestandard QI technology for wireless charginghigh quality feeling
Not great notification functionsfew customisation options for training

25. Coros Apex Pro

Marathon runner built only for sport

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 240 x 240 pixels, 1.2 ins Dimensions (WxHxD): 47x47x13.4 mm Weight: 59 g Waterproof/Depth Yes/10 atm Battery life: 40 hours with GPS Wireless technology: Bluetooth, ANT+ Battery life (standby): 30 days Altimeter (barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist and with external pulse strap

Coros Apex Pro

Coros is a fairly small player as well as being a fairly young company, globally speaking. The Coros Apex Pro is the top model in terms of multisport watches. What you get is an efficient watch with a fantastic battery life, but one where the software doesn’t always keep up.

Amazing battery life

On the outside, the Apex Pro is a solid looking piece that’s somewhat reminiscent of Garmin's Fenix series. The main difference is in the scroll wheel, which is used to navigate menus instead of up and down buttons. A very convenient solution, except when you’re wearing gloves. Quite often, however, it feels like the wheel misses a notch and you have to turn it more to get where you want to be.

There’s nothing wrong with the build quality, however – the watch is as well built as it is sturdy and despite a couple of months of harsh treatment, our test watch still looks like new.

But what's even more fun is the battery life. The battery lasts 30 days as a watch and 40 hours with GPS. In other words, it lasts so long you’ll often forget where you’ve put the charging cable between times.

Sport only

Coros is clearly aiming at serious athletes. As proof of that, they’ve completely skipped "luxury features" such as payments, music and the like. Only very simple notifications from your mobile are available. The watch counts steps and sleep very well. However, there is no useful compilation of data such as stress warnings and so on.

Instead the watch is purely about sport. There are modes for about 20 different sports, unfortunately without the possibility to set your own variants. Though you do get the most common modes, including swimming and downhill skiing.

Recently, an extensive mode for strength training was added, which shows great potential in its ambition, but which isn't quite there in terms of logic yet. There’s also have a special Track Mode, which keeps a better eye on you when you’re running on a running track, and this is one function that actually works really well.

Technically, the watch also performs fine. GPS measurement in all modes except Track Mode is consistently 1-200 metres shorter than what Polar's and Garmin's watches state. Outdoor swimming works, but for some reason the drawn track "trembles" like an ECG meter.

Heart rate measurement at the wrist (external band via ANT + and Bluetooth) works well. The heart rate monitor, however, is consistently twice as slow to lock in a value than the built-in GPS, which is a bit disturbing when all other watches already know your heart rate.

The mobile app is also a bit on the frugal side. You get all your training information, but not much more. There’s a mode to show how your condition is developing, but it seems to produce an almost random curve.

The Coros Apex Pro is an interesting choice with an even more interesting price. The hardware, mainly the battery life, is very good. However, the software is just not up to the same level. But if the level of ambition in the new strength training mode is an indicator, they’ll quickly raise the bar there as well.

Incredible battery lifegood build quality and hardware functionsrapid development
GPS measurements are a bit outheart rate monitor slow to startmobile app a bit basic

26. Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Solar

A bit of extra power from the sun

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 260x260 pixels, 1.3 in Dimensions (WxHxD): 47x47x15.1 mm Weight: 85 g Watertight/Depth: 10 atm Wireless technology: Bluetooth smart, ANT+, Wi-Fi Battery life (standby): 14 days (16 with sun) Battery life (with GPS): 36 hours (40 with sun) Altitude meter (barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist and with external pulse strap

Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Solar

The Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Solar is exactly what the Fenix 6 Pro was, but with built-in solar cells for an extra battery boost. In a way, this makes the watch a bit of a boring update as it already contains everything you might need for training.

Everyone loves the sun

With the Fenix 6 Pro series, only the largest model, the 6X, had solar cells, and this whole update is actually about Garmin incorporating the same technology into the two smaller models in the series. Of course, there’s added support for training modes as well, but in practice it’s only the solar cells (in the watch case as well as under the screen) that are new here.

Does that give you a watch with infinitely more hours of use as long as you’re out in the sun? No, not really. The Fenix 6 Pro already has a longer battery life than most people will ever need for a workout. What the solar panel does is add a couple of hours to that.

If you train for an hour a day and otherwise use the watch around the clock, the battery will last for about a week instead of five days, thanks to the solar cells. So more of a “nice to have” than something that saves your life when you go out on a hike.

The worst thing about it all is that you have to have a special dial to see how much juice the solar cells generate, because the meter can’t be included as a regular data field.

Lots of functions

Otherwise, it’s the same watch as the Fenix 6 Pro. Which means you get an improved and really good heart rate monitor, fast and accurate GPS and so forth. Maps and music from Spotify amongst others are built in, plus activity measurement, mobile payments and more training modes than you've ever heard of.

The training itself is carefully analysed, but we’d like to see the same level of detail for activity measurement, sleep and health. Those things are there, but don’t feel as developed.

If you’re wondering whether to choose the Fenix 6 Pro or the Fenix 6 Pro Solar, you’re really only paying extra for a function that may take another generation to become really useful. With that said, the Fenix Pro is still one of the most fully-fledged sports watches we’ve ever tested.

Cool to have those solar cellsgood battery lifetons of functions
Solar cells hardly make much difference to the battery lifeanalysis functions for health and activity could have been more detailed

27. Garmin Fenix 6s Pro

Has everything you need

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 240x240 pixels, 1.2 in Dimensions (WxHxD): 42x42x13.8 mm Weight: 61 g Watertight/Depth: 10 atm Wireless technology: Bluetooth smart, ANT+, Wi-Fi Battery life (standby): 9 days Battery life (with GPS): 25 hours Altitude meter (barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist and with external pulse strap

Garmin Fenix 6S Pro

The Garmin Fenix 6s Pro is the smallest model in the Fenix 6 Pro family. For once, the difference between small/medium/large (6S/6/6X) really is just size, battery life and nothing else, except for the 6X which also has built-in solar panels.

Equipped with everything

If you spend the relatively modest amount that a Fenix watch costs, you can expect pretty much everything Garmin has to offer, and that’s true here too. There are an insane number of training modes, a compass, altimeter and updated built-in heart rate monitor all accompanied by a built-in memory for both (simple) map navigation and music storage from the likes of Spotify. Anything else you need can usually found via the app store Connect IQ.

And it’s during training that Garmin shine like never before. The vast majority of training modes feel really well thought out, and via the Garmin Connect app you get all your data as well as a lot of analysis of your training. As a whole, with steps and sleep, Polar have a better overall grasp and the Apple Watch is better at guiding you when it comes to health linked to heart rate, but for training no one beats Garmin's Fenix series.

Long battery life

Even the smallest 6S Pro has an impressive battery life. Not at the same level as Coro's models, but considering how many functions are built in, it holds up really well.

At the same time, it feels a bit like Garmin should start looking more closely at what Polar and Apple are doing. Of course you can get heart rate warnings even when you aren’t exercising, and of course the watch logs your sleep, but we’d have liked to see the solid analysis function for exercise extended across the board. The same goes for notifications or other typical smartwatch features, where Garmin have clearly moved furthest from the original manufacturers of heart rate monitors, but where it still feels like they’re some way behind.

The Fenix 6S Pro is designed for tough training regimes, and on that front it does really well. The same goes for navigation or trips out into the countryside, which is where the Fenix series began, and also on the golf course. What we want now is for Garmin to take the next step when it comes to health and smartwatch functions.

Built-in music & mapsincredible number of training functionsgood analysis functions
Music eats a lot of batterysomewhat limited as a smartwatch

28. Polar Vantage M

Plasticky but competent

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 240x240 pixels, 1.2 inches Dimensions (WxHxD): 46x46x12.5 mm Weight: 45 g Watertight/Depth: 30 m Wireless technology: Bluetooth Smart Battery life (standby): 5 days Battery life (with GPS): 30 hours Altitude meter (barometric): No **Compass: No Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist and with external pulse strap

Polar Vantage M

Polar’s current range of pulse watches is a series of products that’s benefited from being able to mature a little. When we test the Polar Vantage M, it’s a couple of seasons old, but at the same time it’s had the chance to grow quite a bit in terms of software. But it still has a couple of problems.

Papery-feeling bracelet

But let’s start with the outside. The Vantage M is an attractively priced multisport watch with a large number of the functions you’d expect, and in terms of software is very similar to the same company’s significantly more expensive Vantage V.

The watch is very light, even though the diameter may be on the large side for smaller users. The lightness comes from the fact that the majority of the shell is plastic, which unfortunately gives it a slightly cheaper feel. The bracelet is even worse, feeling like it’s been made of rough paper. Fortunately it’s easy to replace the bracelet with something better, even though you do have to pay extra.

The watch itself has a set of LEDs on the back to measure the pulse (10 in total, although only 9 are used), which gives a really good pulse measurement even without an external pulse strap. However, there’s no touch screen or altimeter which you get on the more expensive model. This means that downhill skiing is a bit less accurate in terms of the altitudes the map gives, for example. Instead you navigate using the buttons on the side, which generally work quite well. The only illogical thing is that the back and menu buttons are the same.

There are a large number of sport profiles to use. You mark your favourites in the app on your mobile and these are then available on the watch. You also change most of the settings for the watch using your phone. There’s also support for measurement of open water swimming, which isn’t common in this price class. But you do have to manage without pulse measurement as the watch only runs Bluetooth for external accessories (and you need ANT+ for swimming).

GPS reception is something of a mixed bag. The final result is usually about right for our measured routes, although it tends to give around 100 m too much or too little. But the route has a life of its own on the map, and often shows up a few metres away from where you're actually running. Sometimes it goes off on its own adventure for a while before coming back again. Because the end result isn’t far off reality on average, this works OK, but it does look quite comical when you look back at the map.

Good app, poor mobile connection

When it comes to the associated software, the Vantage M has benefited enormously from being able to mature. The truly exhaustive analysis functions for exercise, sleep and daily activity that were introduced in the budget Ignite watch are also included here. You also get notifications from your mobile, even though they regularly stopped working on both iPhone and Android during our tests. At the same time there’s no “fixed connection” to the mobile. When you finish a session you must manually synchronise it to your phone or computer (with a cable).

The analysis functions deserve a special mention. Because when it comes to sleep measurement, nobody provides as much detail as Polar. Combined with built-in sessions for stretching, simple strength training and condition based on the watch’s assessment of your well-being and exercise, this is really good.

A lot of the functionality has been added over the years for the Vantage M, and as both a pulse watch and an everyday activity assistant it’s become very intelligent and good value for money. For the everyday fitness enthusiast there’s really everything you need here, but if you want a better connection to your mobile or perfect accuracy in how GPS routes are recorded, this may not be the watch for you. But despite that this is a very competent pulse watch and associated app, and in terms of price it’s a good choice for those with a slightly tighter budget.

Lots of functionsGood pulse meterGood analysis functions
Dreadful plasticky braceletSlightly quirky GPS measurementMobile connection not great

29. Polar Vantage V

Luxurious multisport watch with tough competition

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 240x240 pixels, 1.2 inches Dimensions (WxHxD): 46x46x13 mm Weight: 66 g Watertight/Depth: 50m Wireless technology: Bluetooth Smart Battery life (standby): 7 days Battery life (with GPS): 40 hours Altitude meter (barometric): Yes Compass: No Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist and with external pulse strap

Polar Vantage V

Polar’s slightly older watches have benefited from being able to mature over time. At the same time the Polar Vantage V has perhaps not developed as much as it should have. But if you're only after exercise measurement, it may still be of interest.

Well built

The similarities with its little sister, the Vantage M, are striking. If you put them next to each other they're practically identical in terms of appearance. The major difference is that the Vantage V is constructed from robust metal. Strangely, however, it doesn’t have the same standardised system for replacing the bracelet as the cheaper model. But on the other hand, the bracelet that comes with it is incredibly comfortable and solid feeling.

The touchscreen is a relatively pointless extra function. It’s there, but is locked while you’re exercising and at other times never works better than the physical buttons. So it's a nice but unnecessary addition. Polar have put the menu and back functions on the same button, which is confusing.

Good things about the Vantage V, however, are its built-in function for measuring running power and a significantly expanded system for keeping track of exercise recovery. Combined with the phenomenal analysis functions that were first introduced in the Ignite budget watch, this gives you a really good overview of your exercise.

We think the recovery aspect could have been included in the M model too, as it’s only a software function, but in the V you also get an altimeter that provides you with more exact data if you're running in the mountains or doing downhill skiing. Although the downhill part of the watch’s sports functions has significantly less data than the corresponding function in Garmin’s watches.

Tough competition

As a multisport watch in the mid-price segment, the Vantage V faces completely different competition than its cheaper sibling. There’s no lack of functions or sports modes here, but they’re also present to a large extent in the cheaper model. Over time the price has reduced somewhat, which is positive. GPS reception during training sessions and after is quite realistic, where the cheaper model behaves rather erratically.

But alongside the analysis functions, which are certainly very good, the Vantage V doesn’t really stand out from its competitors. ANT+ is missing, which will disappoint anyone with many external sensors using this technology. The battery life is good, but not exceptional for this class. The only extra functions in addition to exercise related ones are breathing exercises and simple notifications from your phone. You still have to synchronise sessions and settings manually. And if you want built-in music, you have to look elsewhere.

The Polar Vantage V is very good at measuring training in all forms, other activities during the day and sleep. It’s really good at converting both sleep and exercise into usable tips and has built-in exercise programmes to support this. This is simply a very good watch that's comfortable to wear – if a bit big for smaller arms – and has plenty of functions. At the same time, the budget version Vantage M is very similar on most points and the competitors in the same price class offer more extra functions that may tempt you more. The Polar Vantage V is a really good exercise watch that only pales in comparison with Polar’s own other products and its competitors in the same price class.

Good build qualityreally good analysis functions for exercisegood built-in pulse meter
Pointless touchscreenrather clumsy navigation

30. Suunto 5

Mid-price multisport watch where Suunto give their best shot

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 218 x 218 pixels Dimensions (WxHxD): 46x46x14.9mm Weight: 66 g Watertight/Depth: Yes/50m Battery life: 20 hours with GPS Wireless technology: Bluetooth Battery life (standby): up to 7 days Altitude meter (barometric): No, only height from GPS data Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist and with external pulse strap

Suunto 5

The Suunto 5 is the mid-range model in Suunto’s new series of watches, but still beats its big brother, the Suunto 9, in many ways. This is a multisport watch that does a lot with your everyday data too.

Poor screen and mediocre battery life

The watch is about the same size as many other multisport watches. The design feels modern, but the screen is quite poor from some viewing angles. From straight in front it’s clear in all environments, but as soon as it’s on a bit of an angle it isn't so clear.

To get all the downsides out of the way at once, it’s also worth mentioning that the interface feels slow and the battery doesn’t last as long as competitors’ if you run a lot. It isn’t exactly catastrophic, but with lots of activities, it’s a day or two shorter than the average watch. Despite the fact that Suunto were once first with apps in pulse watches, there’s no such functionality in their current watches, which is a shame. This also applies to the dials, and there weren’t enough included to suit all of our testers’ tastes.

Full of functions for everyday activities

On the whole, the downsides mentioned above are more annoyances than deal breakers. Because this is a really good watch all the same. For outdoor activities, it finds the GPS quickly and saves sessions accurately. There are a lot of different sports to choose between and creating new ones isn’t a problem. In comparison with its big brother the Suunto 9, it’s only the built-in altitude meter that’s missing, so in practice you won’t notice much difference between them.

At the same time, you get a lot of extra data for everyday things such as pulse and steps that Suunto’s more expensive watches are lacking. It keeps track of steps, sleep and your pulse throughout the day, as you’d expect. In the Suunto 5, this data is used to show how stressed you are, how rested you are and so on. This is a really nice inclusion. Training sessions are also added, with information such as recovery times, exercise programmes, etc.

While most people get more than enough data from the watch, you don’t have the same quantity of data and functions compared to Garmin’s watches. Nor do you have the same options for settings, and luxury functions such as mobile payment or built-in music players are completely lacking. But if it’s multisport mode you’re after, where you can have several activities in a single session without having to stop and start them during the same session or competition, the Suunto 5 is a much cheaper alternative to the majority of Garmin’s equivalents.

The Suunto 5 is a nice piece of kit, which copes with most things and does something with the data it collects. It isn’t perfect but does well for a reasonable price tag.

Good use of everyday datawell-equipped
Not a very good viewing angle on the screen

31. Garmin Forerunner 735XT

Decent watch with most features you'll need

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 215 x 180 pixels Dimensions (WxHxD): 44.5 x 44.5 x 11.9 mm Weight: 40.2 g Width: 44.5 mm Height: 44.5 mm Depth: 11.9 mm Weight: 40.2 g Watertight/Depth: Yes/5 atm Battery life: 14 hours Wireless technology: ANT+ Battery life (standby): 11 days Altimeter: No Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes

Garmin Forerunner 735XT

Garmin are hardly strangers to the multi-sport watch market. But alongside the Fenix series, which officially falls in the leisure category, the Forerunner 735XT is the first purely multi-sport watch from Garmin for a long time. And it’s here that it becomes clear how much technology has advanced since the top model Forerunner 920X was launched, both in terms of hardware and software. Externally it gives a somewhat plasticky impression and is almost confusingly similar to the Forerunner 235 runner's watch, but you can't mistake the feeling of quality once you actually get your hands on the device. The external measurements are ideal for this type of watch, and it never feels clunky on your wrist. Nor is the watch missing many key features. Certainly, it could do with an altitude meter and built-in thermometer, but at least you can buy a sensor for the latter.

If you invest in one of Garmin's more high-end pulse straps, you get everything, from pulse measurements while you swim to more running data than you can possibly need. The watch finds the GPS quickly and measures circuits exactly, and the built-in pulse meter is rarely wrong. The screen lacks a touchscreen function but is sharp and clear. Despite the smaller size, the battery is powerful enough to cope with all of your exercise sessions, and the time in between, without having to be charged more than once or twice per week. The available sports offer pretty much something for everyone. And if anything's missing, there are extra training profiles, new dials and extra functions you can download via your computer or phone. The latter is preferable, as you also get your training sessions, steps and sleep data automatically synced with your mobile. And in the other direction, the watch also displays notifications from your phone, which functions extremely well. There's quite simply a lot to like in the Forerunner 735XT. If you want more options than a pure runner's watch, this is a an affordable alternative to cover most needs.

Neat formatgood mobile connectiongood battery life
Not the most luxurious appearance in the worldlacks altitude and temperature sensors

32. Garmin Forerunner 935

Straightforward multisport watch that’s resisted the passage of time

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 240 x 240 pixels Dimensions (WxHxD): 47 x 47 x 13.9 mm Weight: 49 g Watertight/Depth: Yes/5 Atm Battery life: 24 hours with GPS Wireless technology: Bluetooth, ANT+ Battery life (standby): up to 14 days Altitude meter (barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist and with external pulse strap

Garmin Forerunner 935

The Garmin Forerunner 935 is about two years old and has just been joined by its successor. But this doesn’t make the Forerunner 935 an outdated product. On the contrary, it has resisted the passage of time well due to solid hardware and continuous updates.

Straightforward multisport watch

Just like its predecessor, the Forerunner 735, and the slightly more expensive “does everything” Fenix series from Garmin, there’s a focus on several different sports. You could call this a triathlon watch instead of a multisport watch, but you can combine all sorts of sports.

Compared with its predecessor, the Forerunner 735, this watch has an altitude meter, support for more sensors and more sport modes. If you instead compare it with its successor – the Forerunner 945 – it doesn’t have music playback, payment functions or extra detailed training data.

But with that being said, the Forerunner 935 doesn’t feel old. It’s a straightforward GPS watch, easier to use than the Fenix series, which leaves very little to be desired when it comes to exercise. At the same time, the price is starting to be competitive. The watch itself is without doubt the most slimmed-down version in the Forerunner 900 series. Despite the fact that it’s completely made of plastic and really light, it never feels too cheap or plasticky.

With you wherever you go

As well as recording all the exercise sessions you can think of, you can of course download more via Garmin’s app store, where you can also find dials and new ways of visualising your exercise data. Just like all of Garmin's other watches today, you receive notifications from your mobile and can keep track of your pulse, benefit from automatic sleep measurement and step counting. Via the mobile app, you can also connect various different exercise programmes for running.

The battery lasts well given the watch’s size, regardless of whether you’re exercising or simply wearing it to count your steps and receive mobile notifications. Nor do we have any complaints when it comes to the accuracy of the various sensors. It finds GPS positions swiftly, measures your pulse at the wrist correctly (if you’re wearing it correctly) and counts steps to within a reasonable level of accuracy.

It’s quite simply a straightforward watch for all types of sports, with quick connection to GPS and a solid battery life both during and after exercise. The Garmin Forerunner 935 is excellent value for money, and chosen as our best heart rate monitor watch of 2020 in the multisport pulse watches category.

Good battery lifeneat formatlots of functions
Not that much different from its predecessor

33. Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music

The sports watch that provide music and effortless payments

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 240 x 240 pixels Dimensions (WxHxD): 43.1 x 43.1 x 13.6 mm Weight: 39 g Watertight/Depth: Yes/5 Atm Battery life: Five hours with GPS and music Wireless technology: Bluetooth Smart, ANT+ Battery life (standby): up to 7 days Altitude meter (barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist and with external pulse strap

Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music

Garmin has painted themselves into a bit of a corner with their Vivo models, which run from the simplest activity tracker up to Vivoactive. They quite simply have a confusing range of series in completely different models, beginning with the Vivo and followed by Smart, Sport, Fit, Active and the list goes on.

But the Vivoactive 3 can still be considered as the top model and is really competent while simultaneously attempting to be more discreet than many other variants in this category. The construction isn’t in the same class as the much more expensive Fenix 5 series, but it’s really good all the same - particularly given the price. You navigate around the watch both using physical buttons and a touchscreen, and unfortunately, it’s the latter that Garmin seem to struggle with. You have to use swipe gestures, tap the screen and sometimes even the buttons – which means that navigation is inconsistent. Moreover, the screen and its various animations are significantly more lively than we’ve seen previously, which makes the above-mentioned Fenix series feel rather outdated.

Function rich and with a built-in music player

In terms of functions, this watch offers a lot. A fast and one of the most accurate GPS systems together with a load of different exercise forms to choose between are on offer, from running and cycling to swimming and strength training. Weirdly, the swimming function can only cope with measuring indoors in a pool, while the more expensive models can also deal with outdoor swimming. The watch can be linked to your mobile for synchronisation of sessions, steps, sleep and notifications, but it’s also independent in that it can play music on its own. Pair a Bluetooth headset with your watch, download your music and you can simply leave your mobile at home. This works really well as long as you have physical MP3 files to copy across. Streaming services are minimal, but it recently got support for Spotify, which will satisfy quite a large number of potential buyers.

Pay with your watch

With this model you have access to Garmin Pay, which means you can link your payment card to Garmin and pay via your watch instead of having to carry your card. This is just like when you pay with your mobile or use a contactless payment card. After a long period of only supporting approved credit cards, the service now supports most debit cards. The Vivoactive 3 Music is quite simply a watch that can do an amazing amount in an affordable package. You get less battery life and miss out on a few of the extra functions and more detailed data that the more expensive models offer, but for most people, Garmin offer a very comprehensive package in this option.

Finally music through a Garmin watch!lots of functionsSpotifyattractive user interface
Lacking many of the bigger music servicesinconsistent navigationgood but not great battery life

34. Suunto 9

Multi-sport GPS watch that shows its age

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 320x300 pixels, Dimensions (WxHxD): 50x50x19 mm Weight: 81 g Waterproof/Depth: 10 ATM Wireless technology: Bluetooth Battery life (rest): Up to 14 days Battery life (GPS): Up to 25 hours Altimeter (Barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Heart rate measurement: Yes, integrated optical reading at wrist and via Bluetooth Smart heart rate belt

Suunto 9

Suunto 9 is a mix of efficient multi-sport watch and reheated leftovers. As far as look and features go, it seems to be a clone of the Suunto Spartan, which has now been renamed Suunto 9 to position it in the top segment of Suunto watches. On the outside, only the interchangeable strap and minor cosmetic changes distinguish the two watches. In all other respects they’re bewilderingly similar.

Now with apps

While Suunto 9 has been around for a couple of years and has also been joined by its more modern sibling, Suunto 9 Peak, it’s still keeping up with what Suunto is doing in terms of software. In addition to software updates in general, simpler apps were also introduced in 2022 under the name Suuntoplus. The company was once the first to use apps in heart rate watches, but removed that feature only to now include it again.

Besides software updates, we have to say that the screen is the weak point of this watch. While you have both touchscreen and button control, the screen itself is a little too simple and feels a tad cheap. This is a pity, as the rest of the clock feels very well made.

Stable but tricky

The Suunto 9 holds its own in terms of both exercise and daily activity. It doesn’t have as many analytical functions as its compatriot Polar and not as many features in general as Garmin. That said, Suunto does a really good job with both heart rate monitor and GPS reception. Fewer features and a simpler screen also mean that you get very good battery life.

At the same time, the interface in the watch behaves in an idiosyncratic way that doesn’t always feel completely logical if you come from another platform. The fact that you can navigate with both buttons and a touchscreen helps a bit, and after a few days you’ll have grasped where all the features are located.

As a multi-sport fitness watch, the Suunto 9 is a little cheaper and a little simpler than many of its rivals. It’s not bad at all and has proven to be very long-lasting in many respects, but at the same time it feels rather too simple in comparison to similar watches from competing brands.

Good build qualityGPS receptionlong battery life
Disappointing screennot as many features as its rivals

35. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic

Same number of steps forwards and backwards

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 208 x 208 pixels, 1.04 inches Dimensions (WxHxD): 45.5x45.5x11 mm (46 mm), 41.9x45.7x12.7 mm (42 mm) Weight: 52 g (46 mm) 46.5 g (42 mm) Waterproof/depth: Yes/50 m Battery life: 26–29 hours Cordless technology: Bluetooth (4G LTE version also available) Altimeter (barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Heart rate measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at wrist

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic 46mm Bluetooth

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is the more expensive and luxurious of Samsung’s two new smart watches. Not much has happened to the outside, but everything is new on the inside – for both good and bad.

The Classic versions of Samsung smart watches have more or less followed the same design pattern since the beginning. The popular spin-around menu scroll feature is now back, which is the biggest difference between Samsung’s two Watch 4 variants.

Pulsklocka-smartwatch-andro-watch-4-classic-0001

Back to Google

The biggest news, which is still not all that noticeable during daily use, is that the watch runs using Google Wear OS 4. Almost all of Samsung’s smart watches have previously operated their own Tizen system, but now they have been involved in developing the latest version of Google’s neglected watch system. For Google it’s perfect, because Wear OS now feels as modern as Samsung watches have long felt. For Samsung, we’d say it’s a significant step backwards. In addition to a long-term strategy of not having to maintain your own operating system, it’s hardly as if Samsung’s watches have been given a host of new functions as a result of the change.

Instead, we've ended up with a somewhat silly system. Both immediately after restart, and when the battery level becomes low, the watch will slow down significantly, sadly enough. The battery level also drops worryingly fast and gives us about 24 hours of use before it’s time to recharge. Previous Samsung watches usually had no trouble working for at least two or three days before they needed to be recharged.

Mostly for Samsung owners

With the change of system, support for iPhone is removed from the equation, and now only Android is applicable. Running any Android phone means a stupidly long process of getting started with Samsung’s watch and health apps. No less than 11 logins required (!) on your Samsung account before the apps are satisfied. You will also quickly notice that a substantial portion of the health functions that are available are simply switched off because you don't have a Samsung phone. This insight leaves a sour aftertaste throughout the system. If you have a Samsung phone, however, both login and functions are tops.

We can't complain about the functions available to all users. Apps can be downloaded (Spotify, among others), notifications are fairly advanced, and all the desired fitness and health functions are there. One new feature, which applies to all users, is that the watch can also measure your body composition, much like smart scales often do. Let the watch analyse for a while, and then you will get a reasonably correct value for your body fat. Whether you’re running 4G or the Bluetooth version, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is a highly capable smart watch with good health and fitness features. At the same time, it’s a bit of a first-generation product that can only get better over time. However, this does not apply to the battery life, which is a clear step back compared to Samsung’s previous watches.

Fun measurement of body compositionfairly good valuemany functions
Pretty useless battery lifevery locked to Samsungdifficult to get started

36. Fitbit Sense

Small product with a focus on health

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 1.58 inch Amoled, 300x300 pixels Dimensions (WxHxD): 40.4x40.4x12.4 mm Weight: 38.8 g (45 mm) Waterproof/Depth: 5 ATM Wireless technology: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Battery life (rest): up to 6 days Altimeter (Barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Heart rate measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at wrist

Fitbit Sense

Many products usually have flashy names that make them sound like more than they really are. Fitbit Sense may be the most correctly named product in a long time. This is because more or less all of the functions, especially those introduced in connection with the watch, are only about retrieving data from sensors, or “sensing” if you will.

As well as being a watch with the usual sensors for heart rate, GPS and steps, there is an impressive host of data collected here. The watch collects data and keeps track of oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, skin temperature, ECG, EDA (electrodermal activity), pulse variation, as well as Fitbit’s own “Daily readiness score”, and a set of mindfulness and stress management bits.

The world’s best alarm clock

The skin temperature sensor above is still quite rare, so Fitbit is pretty much alone in providing EDA data and the like. Otherwise, there aren't really any super-unique functions, but it still shows really well why Sense is named that.

In addition, it naturally measures steps and sleep in a number of different ways, just like Fitbit has always done. Sleep measurement comes with a smart wake-up function. You simply set a wake-up window to half an hour and wake up when you're sleeping the most lightly during that period. It works fantastically well and should be a standard on all watches, yet Fitbit is one of the few manufacturers offering this feature.

Despite all its sensors, it’s a really small unit. The screen is Amoled, but the interface feels slightly sluggish in terms of colours. With the screen constantly on, we got about two days of battery life out of the watch, and about twice as much when we put the screen into the mode of lighting up when looked at. Quite simply, it's quite good.

Data clutter

The small problem with all the data that Fitbit collects is that they often don't really know how to show it. Steps, heart rate, calories, sleep, etc. that they “always” provide are clearly visible directly on the watch. Some of the other data is also visible there, but most of it can be found in the app. That's sort of where the interface falls short. Data that falls under the subscription service is, in most cases, separated from other data, and it is not entirely logical to find the store for apps and watch faces. In addition to graphs, no more in-depth analysis of the collected data is offered. The Daily Readiness Score will help some of you make your data understandable and helpful, but we find it a rather pointless tool for viewing how recovered you actually are.

While we usually had no problems with the GPS reception, the heart rate monitor seemed to be quite sluggish. In everyday life, it performs as it should, but during exercise it feels like it is always a couple of minutes behind. If you run up a real killer slope, the heart rate monitor will not show an elevated heart rate until 100 metres after passing the top.

Fitbit Sense wants to do a lot, and feels like a more manageable choice compared to the slightly overloaded Charge 5, which has similar functions in the shape of an activity bracelet. But we’d have liked to see a more alert heart rate monitor and far more practical areas of use for all the collected data.

The alarm clockslim designnumerous data points
Sluggish heart rate monitorcluttered apppoor summary of collected data

37. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4

The streamlined choice

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 208 x 208 pixels, 1.04 inches Dimensions (WxHxD): 45.5x45.5x11 mm (46 mm), 41.9x45.7x12.7 mm (42 mm) Weight: 52 g (46 mm) 46.5 g (42 mm) Waterproof/Depth: Yes/50 m Battery life: 26–29 hours Wireless technology: Bluetooth (4G LTE version also available) Altimeter (Barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Heart rate measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at wrist

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic 46mm Bluetooth

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is the 'budget version' of Samsung’s latest Wear OS watches. However, the price difference is virtually non-existent between Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic. With the smaller price tag, you won't get a rotating case, but you will get a slightly tougher screen glass. This makes Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 the obvious choice of the company’s new watches.

Pulsklocka-smartwatch-andro-watch-4-classic-0001

Measures body fat

As always, Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is committed to health and fitness. Samsung Health is not great at sharing your data with external services, but with the watch it keeps track of steps, heart rate, blood oxygenation, sleep, and much more. One cool feature is that it can measure body composition. Just like a fat scale, the watch measures how much of your body weight is made up of fat, among other things, and it actually works really well.

If you own a Samsung phone, you get an additional battery of functions, including a blood pressure monitor. Other Android phones struggle with these extra features, and iPhones can't connect at all. Non-Samsung phones also have an almost silly process for installing and connecting to the clock, where we counted up to eleven (!) logins to the Samsung account before we got going.

In addition to health functions, the fitness element is also reasonably well-developed and, apart from the battery life, most people will have all the functions they need.

It’s going to be good in the end

Just like the Classic model, Wear OS 4 is the name of the game. The latest version of Google’s smart watch system, and a much-needed update of that system. Apart from being alone on that version for a few six months or so, Samsung does not seem to be gaining much from it.

The Tizen system they previously used was very well developed, had advanced notification management, lots of functions, and a really good app deal. It’s about the same here, but now the clocks are run using some sort of 24 hour battery life. It’s a third of what the Tizen watches could do, and they were really quick. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, on the other hand, suffers from a lot of lag and sluggishness, especially during start-up and when the battery is low.

At the same time, logically all the developments will be focused on Wear OS 4, which means that it is completely pointless to buy any other older Wear OS watch. At present, updates to these are looking bleak, so at the time of writing, Samsung watches are the only future-proof choice. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is a good exercise watch, a good health buddy, and a good smartwatch. The disadvantage is that it feels like a clear step back, primarily in terms of battery life, compared to previous models from Samsung. At the same time, it’s the regular Watch 4 that you should choose in terms of price.

Many health functionsadvanced featuresfun measurement of body composition
Difficult to get started on non-Samsung phonessad battery lifemany features will be lost if you don't use a Samsung phone

38. Huawei Watch 3

Premium watch with a potentially promising future

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 454 x 454 pixels, 1.39 in Dimensions (WxHxD): 46.7x46.7x11.4 mm Weight: 52 g Waterproof/Depth: Yes/50m Battery life: 30 hours with GPS Wireless technology: Bluetooth 5.2 Battery life (standby): Up to 14 days Altimeter (Barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Heart rate measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist

Huawei Watch 3 Active

The Huawei Watch 3 builds on much of what we’ve seen in previous watches from the company. The focus is still on battery life and build quality, and the old disadvantages still remain. With a new operating system also comes an opportunity to make the watch more interesting in the future.

First out with Harmony

If you know what Huawei’s watches looked like before and haven’t heard any of the story about this one, the Watch 3 will mostly feel like a natural development. A little deeper under the bonnet, however, it’s all about a switch to Huawei's own operating system Harmony OS.

For this watch that doesn’t mean very much, but in the future Harmony will provide significantly greater opportunities for synchronisation and interconnection across a variety of devices.

Also new(ish) is the app store Appgallery (this was introduced on the quiet with the predecessor). Appgallery gives you the possibility of downloading apps and so expanding functionality. If you run an iPhone, however, you will be completely without Appgallery, as the same store must be installed on your phone.

Then again, Huawei have packed this watch so full of functions that a lack of apps shouldn’t be too obvious. But that also applied to its predecessors.

At the same time, there is a lot of fun technology in the watch itself. Of course, you can use it as a speakerphone for your regular mobile and there is also support for eSIM so you can go out completely without your phone.

Huawei-Watch-3

Premium and battery

The latter works well with the exercise part. The whole package of monitoring exercise and health is quite well developed and detailed in the watch itself and Huawei's app. However, everything is locked within its own system and sharing data or sessions outside it is virtually impossible. This is also something that the app store could theoretically do something about.

The watch itself follows the trend that Huawei has had for many years now. This means it has a really nice touch screen, with two side buttons to make up the navigation. The watch itself is a solid build, both in terms of size and build quality, and feels really nice (but also quite big if you have small wrists).

Battery life is about 2-3 days during normal use, which is fine. However, that is less than on previous models.

The Huawei Watch 3 should be of interest for anyone who runs Android and wants a really well-built watch. The competition from Google’s new smartwatches (with more apps) and pure training watches from the likes of Garmin (with better training functions) is clear, and so it’s important you fall in love with the design of the Huawei Watch 3, which, to be fair, is quite easy to do.

Good build quality and designlots of functionsdecent battery life
Emptyish app storeslightly locked exercise and health part

39. Xiaomi Mi Watch

Cheap heart rate watch with huge width but no depth

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 454 x 454 pixels, 1.39 ins Dimensions (WxHxD): 45.9x53.3x11.8 mm Weight: 32 g Watertight/Depth: Yes/5 Atm Battery life: up to 50 hours with GPS Wireless technology: Bluetooth Battery life (standby): up to 16 days Altitude meter (barometric): No Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist

Xiaomi Mi Watch

The Xiaomi Mi Watch, sometimes also known as the Mi Watch Sport depending on which part of the app you’re in, is a really cheap heart rate watch. At first sight, it has everything boasted by heart rate watches costing five times the price. But as soon as we begin to dig, we quickly realise that much of it is just on the surface.

Empty app

We’ll talk about the watch a little later, and start with the associated app. This is available for both Android and iOS. To begin with, we can only pair it with Android. It’s only after we have started up the whole thing via Android and reset the watch that it even wants to see our iPhone.

Pulsklocka-xiaomi-mi-watch-sport-01

The app itself should be Mi Fit, Xiaomi’s well-established health app for their activity trackers. This app has some support for sharing activities and data, and half-hearted support for friends. Or you can run the Xiaomi-owned Amazfit app, with great sharing features... But no. Those apps were clearly too good, so instead we’re meant to use Xiaomi Wear, which only works with the company’s watches, forces us to use a very ugly avatar that can’t be changed, lacks friend functions and lacks sharing functions such as sharing a picture of your workout data via Facebook… In other words, not a very well thought out app.

The data collected is, in some places, quite OK. It can do sleep and steps very well. Pulse, stress and the slightly undefined “Energy” seem to jump a little up and down. The calculation of the VO2max shows such positive figures that we almost send our application to the national team. None of the collected data is then used to assist you or guide you in your training.

Pulsklocka-xiaomi-mi-watch-sport-03

Wide but thin

The watch in itself is a fairly simple and convenient affair, with great battery life. The touch screen and the two buttons provide convenient navigation that usually feels logical. You’ll also get basic notifications from your phone and a lot of widgets to check the weather, control the camera and so on.

The watch locks onto GPS quite quickly, taking just under a minute at its worst. The measurement also stays reasonably accurate over short distances. After about five kilometres, however, it starts to get tired and slips steadily down in recorded distance compared to our reference watches.

Pulsklocka-xiaomi-mi-watch-sport-04

The watch comes with hundreds of training modes, but it’s really just running that offers some kind of choice. Most modes are either copies of other ones, or just offer a glorified stopwatch.

If you want a really cheap heart rate watch to test the concept, the Xiaomi Mi Watch can be an interesting choice. If so, we’d recommend the slightly cheaper Lite version from the same company. But as soon as you’ve learned what a heart rate watch is all about, you’ll want to go up to something more versatile.

Good battery lifethe priceexcellent screen
Poor appshallow training modeslocked system

40. Huawei Watch GT2e

May be the smartwatch you really want

Type: Sports watch Dimensions: 53 x 46.8 x 10.8 mm Weight: 43 g SIM card slot: No Screen: 1.39 inch AMOLED, capacitive. OS: Huawei’s own Sensors: Accelerometer, gyro, pulse meter, barometer, compass, SpO2 Battery: 455 mAh Miscellaneous: Support for more than 80 exercise types, built-in GPS, 16 MB RAM

Huawei Watch GT 2e

In recent years, Huawei have become a very popular brand, including with fitness enthusiasts, as their smartwatches under the name Watch GT have offered very competitively priced watches with a clear focus on exercise. Huawei have chosen a different approach than companies like Samsung and Apple, whose smartwatches are intended to be an extension or even a replacement for a smartphone.

A GT watch from Huawei primarily shows notifications from different apps, but other than the exercise side have no other functionality worth mentioning. And this is probably exactly what many users want. Because they've succeeded really well with the exercise bit.

With the GT2e, they take the concept one step further and now you can record more than 80 different exercise activities. Pretty much every sporting activity you can think of is included. For example belly dancing or parkour (and no, we haven't tried out these activities). Another nice thing about the GT2e is that – just like the previous units in the GT series – it has an exceptionally good battery life. During our month-long test, we only needed to charge the watch once! This is despite the fact that it was on our tester's wrist almost all day and went along on runs or cycle trips five times a week. Compared to the battery life delivered by many other manufacturers’ smartwatches, this is simply fantastic, and not needing to worry about whether your watch is charged when you're setting off for a run is a really nice feeling. But you do get used to it quickly, and when it does finally need charging it comes as a nasty shock.

The watch is quite large, but not clumsy. The design is fairly basic, with a circular, reasonable sized 1.39 inch AMOLED screen that’s always easy to read, partly as a result of its size and partly because of really impressive contrast. Even when the sun is shining directly on it, there's no problem seeing how terribly slowly you're actually running!

Like a better GT2

This is a more sport-focused development of its predecessor, the GT2, and lacks a few refinements. For example, there's no built-in speaker, so you can’t have phone conversations directly via your wrist – although to be fair this did feel more like a gimmick than something you'd do on a regular basis. We also note that the bracelet has changed. The new one has lots of perforated holes and, as well as an elegant yet sporty appearance, provides a slightly more comfortable experience as significantly less sweat accumulates under the bracelet.

The watch does very well at pulse measurement, and also keeps track of the blood oxygenation level. We used it very sparingly at night, but the sleep measurement function seems to be on a par with other wearable tech units (in other words, we get the same result). The built-in GPS also delivers what it should and the watch seems to keep accurate track of steps, stress level, oxygen uptake, calorie burning and other details.

If you're looking for a smartwatch primarily to give you reliable information on your condition and health, it’s difficult to find an alternative in this price class that comes close to the Watch GT2e. You'd have to look at considerably more expensive watches from manufacturers such as Garmin and Suunto. The Fitbit Versa 2 is the closest thing in terms of competing products, but that lacks built-in GPS.

If you're looking for more of a standard smartwatch, there are better options on the market. None of them are as good in terms of price as this device, but of course for that extra money they offer a completely different level of smartwatch functionality. But you do need to ask yourself how much you’ll really use it. Perhaps this one’s actually exactly what you're looking for?

Excellent exercise watchfantastic battery life
Not a fully-fledged smartwatch

41. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active

Helpful exercise partner with unreliable battery life

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 360x360 pixels Dimensions (WxHxD): 39.5x39.5x10.5 mm Weight: 25 g Watertight/Depth: Yes/5 Atm Battery life: up to 2 days Wireless technology: Bluetooth Battery life (standby): up to 7 days Altitude meter (barometric): No, only height from GPS data Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active is equal parts successor to the company’s top model Galaxy Watch, which was launched last year, and a cheaper sister model to the same thing. In comparison, this is primarily a much smaller and lighter model, with the same hardware but roughly half the battery life.

Small, attractive smartwatch

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active is a small and neat watch with a huge number of training and health functions. It has built-in GPS, measures your pulse from the wrist (only) and keeps track of everything from steps to sleep.

The watch is driven by Samsung's own Tizen system, which is in all respects a fully-fledged smartwatch system. This means that you can download Spotify direct to the watch, but also that there are lots of other apps for various purposes.

The watch is one of the most easily navigated on the market. Most things are controlled via the touchscreen or one of the two buttons, and it’s rare that we feel confused about how to do something or where to find a specific function. Naturally, it synchronises constantly with your smartphone, both for advanced notification management and to upload your health data to Samsung’s fitness service. Sharing your exercise data is a straightforward matter too, something that not all smartwatches do so well.

And the watch is very quick to use. However, the “raise your hand to wake up the watch screen” movement is still just as unreliable as for every other manufacturer attempting this right now.

Varying battery life

As you can tell from the name, exercise and health are the focus here. This largely involves good training alternatives with many options to edit what's displayed. There are lots of different exercise types to choose between, both for indoor and outdoor use. The only strange aspect is that there’s no standard mode for strength training, but instead a small set of individual exercises – which isn’t an appealing solution for gym-goers.

The watch is charged wirelessly, either via the charger supplied or a smartphone from the Galaxy S10 series - but not from normal wireless chargers for mobiles.

When you aren’t exercising, the battery life lasts for two days without problems, even with all the notification functions switched on. But if you’re using apps or exercising, it varies significantly. One day a 30-minute bicycle ride with GPS switched on used 10% of the battery, while another day it used half of the battery...despite the distance covered being identical. This means that you rarely feel you can rely on the watch and have to carry the charging cable with you just in case.

The unreliable battery life is a major problem for the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active. Because apart from that, it’s a really helpful exercise partner that without doubt is amongst the best smartwatches you can buy today.

Good interfacemany functionsgood range of apps
Inconsistent battery lifelacking some exercise types

42. Wahoo Elemnt Rival

Still a long way to go

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 240x240 pixels, 1.2 in Dimensions (WxHxD): 46.5x46.5x15.3 mm Weight: 54 g Watertight/Depth: 50 m Wireless technology: Bluetooth smart, ANT+ Battery life (GPS): 24 hours Battery life (standby): 14 days Altitude meter (barometric): Yes Compass: No Vibration alarm: No Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist and with external pulse strap

Wahoo Elemnt Rival

Wahoo have a habit of turning markets upside down when they enter them. Their heart rate monitor changed the game, for instance. Similarly, their cycle computers and trainers have mostly been really sharp.

The Wahoo Elemnt Rival is the company's first pulse watch, so naturally it has attracted a lot of interest. Unfortunately, this latest product sort of fails for a couple of reasons.

Platformless

From the outset, one hallmark of Wahoo’s products has been that they work nicely with all the others. They have an app with settings and basic functions for saving data, but their idea has always been to pass that data freely on to whichever service you use.

The same thing applies with the Rival. The app saves your workouts and manages your settings. However, the app doesn’t save fitness tracker data for more than a week, no heart rate outside of training, no sleep data and so on.

And the same applies to the software on the watch itself. The focus is on workouts, but even if all the sensors are in place, outside of the session, you don’t get much more than today's steps and your current heart rate. Basic support for phone notifications is available, although it seems to miss a fair few. Widget support is also available, but it’s nothing to boast about.

In fact, it's all about your workouts and the one you’ve just finished, something that unfortunately makes navigation via the watch's five buttons incredibly messy and confusing – an issue Wahoo could easily have avoided.

At the same time, you have unexpectedly few functions relating to your workouts. The ability to automatically detect switching between sports in duathlon/triathlon is quite fun, but you lack analysis, recovery guides, a heart rate/cadence alarm and other things that are standard today. Outside training, a lot of functions are also missing, including such basics as an alarm.

Good hardware

Many parts of the Rival can be fixed via updates and will probably need to be repaired over time. But in terms of the price tag, the software feels quite poor and slightly unfinished. There are no luxury features such as maps, music or payments.

All of which is a shame because there's nothing wrong with the hardware. In terms of quality, the watch feels and looks like something from Garmin's luxurious Fenix series. During a workout, you get really good accuracy from both the built-in heart rate monitor and the GPS. The battery life may not be on a par with Coros watches, but it’s more than able to last for several longer sessions and work as a watch in between.

As it is today, however, the Wahoo Elemnt Rival is a comparatively basic watch dressed up in luxurious packaging. You can get significantly more functions for a much lower price and at the same time a much more mature platform around the watch. Even if you don’t really see the benefit of such extra functions, other watches also have more purely training-related functions and lots of other small details. The Rival will get there in time, but so far, it’s not really worth it given the price.

Well builtgood triathlon featuresgood heart rate and GPS measurement
Few training functionsalso lacks basic functionsmeagre mobile app

43. Garmin Forerunner 235

Cheap runner's pulse watch

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 215 x 180 pixels Width: 45 mm Height: 45 mm Depth: 11.7 mm Weight: 42 g Watertight/Depth: Yes/50 m Battery life: 11H Wireless technology: ANT+ Bluetooth Battery life (standby): 9 days Altimeter: Yes Compass: No Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Using optical sensor on wrist or with pulse band

Garmin Forerunner 235

The Garmin Forerunner 235 is a couple of years old, but the price has now fallen to the point that it has become more interesting to anyone looking for a cheaper option. Even if it doesn't include the latest functions, it still does the job for most.

A small pulse watch with GPS

The Forerunner 235 is sleek enough in terms of its format and has both a GPS and pulse meter built in. At the same time, like other watches in Garmin's Forerunner series, it's designed to look sporty, which can be a bit off-putting if you want to wear your watch constantly without looking like you just finished up at the gym.

Not that it's a problem to wear it all the time. It copes perfectly measuring your steps, your pulse and how you sleep. It gives a broader image of your activity over the day than just what you do during an exercise session.

Primarily for running

While newer Garmin watches in the lower price bracket have begun to be good at including a greater number of sports, it's obvious that running is the focus here. And outdoor running gives you the most options and opportunities, but also the most data after your session. This includes the ability to create your own sessions directly through the watch. This is fiddly but it does work once you do it.

You can use the watch for cycling, indoor running and a few other sports. But it's clear that running is what this watch is here for. The same is evident during everyday activities, where newer watches have both more ways to measure and give you recommendations based on your performance.

Overall, the Garmin Forerunner 235 is a good runner's watch in a simplistic and pleasing format. If you're looking for a cheap pulse watch, it's an interesting alternative. But newer watches have more functions that can be useful both during your exercise sessions and in everyday life.

Good basic functionssmall format
Newer mid-price watches have more fun functions

44. Fitbit Versa Lite

A good smartwatch without GPS functions

GPS: No (connected via telephone) Screen resolution: 300 x 300 pixels Dimensions (WxHxD): 39.35x39.5x11.24 mm Weight: 38 g Watertight/Depth: Yes/50m Wireless technology: Bluetooth Battery life (standby): up to 4 days Altitude meter (barometric): No, only height from GPS data Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist

Fitbit Versa Lite

The Fitbit Versa Lite is a slightly cheaper smartwatch with a primary focus on exercise. Just like the name indicates, it’s a slimmed-down version of the Fitbit Versa. Essentially, it’s lacking an altitude meter, music playback functionality and functions to measure swimming.

Difficult Bluetooth leads to fiddly GPS

The slightly odd design of the Versa Lite is something you’ll either love or hate. In any case, we like the colours of the watch and band. It sits comfortably on your arm and the battery lasts for about half a week before it needs to be charged. Neither phenomenal nor terrible –just a pretty normal battery life.

The Fitbit Versa Lite doesn’t have built-in GPS on the watch, but instead you can use your smartphone’s GPS chip for runs and such. Of course, this means you have to carry your phone with you, which is one more thing to remember.

While the phone doesn’t have any major problems measuring an accurate GPS route via any of the innumerable training apps, the same is sadly not true of the Versa Lite. The connection is often unstable regardless of the smartphone we tested it with. This isn’t so obvious in normal watch mode, but during a run the connection can spontaneously die and then the watch ‘forgets’ to record the whole or parts of the distance covered. This is really poor and something that means you’d rather use Runkeeper or a similar app in your phone instead of a watch.

Intelligent and comprehensive

That’s a shame, because the watch is very intelligent. It collects data on your pulse, steps and sleep really accurately and Fitbit’s app has long been one of the best for visualising your data in an attractive way. The watch even keeps track of your stress levels and offers breathing exercises to calm you down.

For exercise, there are a satisfactory number of exercise modes for everything from swimming and cycling to running and strength training. The ones that don't rely on the mobile’s GPS coverage work really well, although we’d have liked to see more setting options for each exercise type.

There’s also an app store with a large number of apps for every purpose. A while ago, Fitbit bought smartwatch manufacturer Pebble, and a lot of the range and interface seems to have been transferred directly to Fitbit. Here you can find a lot of standard smartwatch apps to control smart lighting, in addition to the more exercise-related apps. But something that’s completely lacking is the opportunity to store and play music via the watch. The idea is that you’ll carry your phone with you anyway, so this isn’t a major negative, but it feels a bit odd when there are so many other apps.

If you want an activity band with extra everything, the Fitbit Versa is an interesting alternative. But if you're after a true fitness watch for your running sessions, you’re probably better looking elsewhere (scroll up or down!).

Good range of appsexact measurement of stepspulse and sleepstraightforward and easy-to-use app
Mediocre battery lifeunreliable GPS measurement for exercising

45. Garmin Enduro

Lasts for ages if you don’t mind lag

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 280 x 280 pixels, 1.4 ins Dimensions (WxHxD): 51x51x14.9 mm Weight: 71 g Watertight/Depth: Yes/10 atm Battery life: Up to 80 hours with GPS (95 days in expedition mode, 300 hours in low frequency mode) Wireless technology: Bluetooth, ANT+ Battery life (standby): up to 65 days Altitude meter (barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist

Garmin Enduro

Newcomer Coros has some watches with “I've forgotten where I put the charger”-long battery life. We can’t have that, Garmin seems to have thought, and thrown together the Garmin Enduro almost exclusively for the purpose of a stupidly long battery life. This aspect works extremely well, if you want a watch that really copes with an ultra-marathon or logging long mountain hikes. But it comes with a price.

Pulsklocka-garmin-enduro

Fenix 6 with long battery life

So what are we talking about here? Essentially, a really big, multi-sport watch, with the same solar panels as are built into Garmin's Solar watches. The whole shell is actually more or less a Fenix 6X Pro Solar. A load of battery-intensive features, like music and maps, have been removed, and Garmin have squeezed a lot inside in terms of both hardware and software.

The result is 50-65 days (depending on the amount of sun) with the smartwatch connected to your phone, 70-80 hours of normal GPS time, or 200-300 hours of GPS in lowish power mode. And just for fun, they’ve included an expedition mode that can manage 65-95 days.

Pulsklocka-garmin-enduro-05

A big watch and super long battery life, in other words. Even though we understand the battery saving properties, we’d have liked to have seen maps included in the package as well. At the same time, we understand why they’ve been removed when we test the performance.

Slow as treacle

As well as music and maps, you lose the animations for strength training and the more advanced golf lessons that the higher end Fenix watches have. Otherwise, everything’s there in the form of daily activity tracking, exercise modes and multisport.

Pulsklocka-Garmin-Enduro-weights-05

At the same time, we think Garmin has cut back a bit too much on the hardware and software. About half of the times we press a button, it takes one or two seconds before something happens. In many cases we aren’t too bothered by this, but having to wait for a reaction during interval training or to enter your weights and reps during strength training leaves a rather sour aftertaste. The price you pay for an almost endless battery life seems to be a watch that wants to be left alone.

Start your workout and don’t touch your watch until your session is over (whether after half an hour or three days) and it’ll be satisfied. If you don’t need such extreme battery life as the Garmin Enduro offers, you’ll get a lot more from a Fenix watch for about the same price – and without the lag.

Extremely long battery lifelots of functions
Terribly sluggishcould have had maps built-in

46. Garmin Venu

Attractive but poor screen ruins this sports watch

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 390 x 390 pixels Dimensions (WxHxD): 43.2 x 43.2 x 12.4 mm Weight: 46.3 g Watertight/Depth: Yes/5 Atm Battery life: 6 hours with GPS and music Wireless technology: Bluetooth Battery life (standby): up to 7 days Altitude meter (barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist and with external pulse strap

Garmin Venu

The Garmin Venu is a daring attempt to bridge the gap between smart watches and traditional sports watches. While it succeeds to an extent, it falls completely flat in other areas, and is ultimately just frustrating. It’s almost identical to the VivoActive 4/4S, which doesn't have the majority of the Garmin Venu's screen problems.

Lots of functions for everyday life

But let’s start with the positive things. The Venu (or VivoActive 4) series is pretty much Garmin’s ‘sports watch for everyday folk’. It has a neat format, simple and discreet design but boasts multiple functions.

In this case, it has the majority of exercise forms you can imagine: a step counter, sleep measurement, pulse, stress measurement, breathing exercises, hydration log, menstruation cycle log, mobile payments, music support including for Spotify, and a whole lot more. Phew!

The only things it’s really missing are a multisport mode including swimming in open water and recovery times, which the more advanced watches do have. The latter feels like something that would have fitted in well with this watch.

New features include a log for fluid intake and a built-in yoga programme, complete with animations on the watch screen. Nice!

The screen's (not) the thing

When it comes to measuring all the things the watch can do, this is just as good as Garmin’s previous watches. The pulse measurement is exact, it finds the GPS quickly and so on.

But problems emerge with the main watch function – in other words, the screen. Even if Garmin has come a long way when it comes to touchscreen management (something they’ve been notoriously hopeless at over the years), the logic just doesn't always work. For example, you can control start times and rounds/sets during an activity just by using two buttons, but you can only stop an activity using the button on the touchscreen.

The screen is an attractive Oled screen with crisp colours and great sharpness, but even if Garmin has done a lot to take advantage of this, the interface still feels very black and white in many areas.

The major disadvantage is the Oled technology itself; a transflective LCD screen like other companies use in their watches would have been better (although with the advantage of being always on and having many days’ battery life). You can set it to always be on (it actually isn't, but almost), but this has the disadvantage of meaning you barely get two days’ use out of it without training, and just over 24 hours with GPS on during exercise sessions.

If you instead set it to switch off after a while, the battery life is about the same as many of Garmin's other watches. The problem then is that you never see notifications or what the time is. This is because automatic illumination of the screen is, to put it mildly, a joke.

Waking up the screen using one of the buttons is possible, but one of the buttons goes straight into the exercise section, and the other works as the “back” button. If you press the latter when you get a notification from your telephone, you close the notification you wanted to see but couldn’t, all because the screen refused to wake up first.

It’s quite simply a study in frustration. The watch is a shame because otherwise it is a really nice watch. The way the Garmin Venu works currently means that the cheaper and almost identical Garmin VivoActive 4 is a much better buy.

Loads of training functionsLoads of health functionsLoads of extra functions
Terrible screen and equally worse battery life

47. Amazfit Stratos

Budget watch that wants to do everything – and almost succeeds

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 320 x 300 pixels Dimensions (WxHxD): 46 x 46 x 13.9 mm Weight: 70 g Watertight/Depth: Yes/5 Atm Battery life: 35 hours with GPS Wireless technology: Bluetooth Battery life (standby): up to 11 days Altitude meter (barometric): Yes Compass: No Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist

Amazfit Stratos

Amazfit perhaps isn’t a brand of watches you’ve heard of before. But behind the name is the Chinese giant Xiaomi. For some reason, however, they’ve chosen to sell their pulse watches under different branding, and you need to do quite a lot of digging around in menus to even find any connection between the two.

Your own music direct on your watch

The Stratos is the company’s top model and on the surface follows the same pattern as Xiaomi’s other products. In other words, lots of functions for a very attractive price. This is a GPS watch with both a built-in pulse meter and the possibility of storing music directly on the watch for playback via Bluetooth headphones while you exercise. The watch also supports most types of exercise, with everything from triathlon and skiing (cross-country and downhill) to running and cycling both indoors and outdoors.

In addition, it has plenty of functions, such as step and sleep measurement, notifications from your smartphone, the possibility of exporting exercise sessions (a surprisingly uncommon function in cheaper watches) and even a battery life up to 11 days. Both the Bluetooth connection and GPS accuracy and step/sleep measurement work really well.

Lots of functions missing

Yet, not everything in the garden is rosy. If you wanted to connect it to one of the most accurate pulse straps, or another external sensor, you come to a harsh stop. And there are no music streaming services. Even though you can find skipping rope amongst the sports, there isn’t a strength training mode or even an “other” solution. The data fields displayed are extremely restricted and you can’t really change them – and the same thing applies to the various dials and the information they display. At the same time, some parts of the watch work slowly. When we find the GPS position before a run and hit start, the entire watch goes blank for a couple of seconds before the counter begins.

The biggest disadvantage is in the interface. There’s no major problem with the interface, even though it’s a bit confusing to know when you’re supposed to use the touchscreen or the buttons. But the interface is impaired by a touchscreen that reacts pretty much when it wants to. Swipes become clicks and vice versa - and sometimes the screen doesn’t react at all.

The Amazfit Stratos is a watch that wants to, and indeed can, do a lot. And it often does work well. But there are an equal number of times when we come to a stop because the function we expect just isn’t there.

Lots of training typesmusic from the watchgood battery life
Clumsy interface and touchscreenfew setting opportunities for exerciseno support for external sensors

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48. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2

Inviting as a watch, but not for exercise

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 360 x 360 pixels, 1.2/1.35 inches (40/44 mm) Dimensions (WxHxD): 40 x 40 x 10.9 mm (40 mm), 44 x 44 x 10.9 mm (44 mm) Weight: 37/44 g (40/44 mm) Watertight/Depth: Yes/5 Atm Wireless technology: Bluetooth, LTE (some models) Battery life (standby): 24-60 hours Altitude meter (barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 40mm Bluetooth Aluminium

Samsung’s decision to release their Galaxy Watch Active 2 only six months after its predecessor feels like one they didn't think through properly. Even if the differences between the two are very small, the Watch Active 2 is the better product – but it’s still far from perfect.

Attractive, with a gorgeous screen

The model we tested is the smaller, 40 mm version. The same watch is also available in 44 mm diameter, with a slightly larger screen and battery.

Other than a bracelet that feels really cheap, this is a very attractive and discreet watch. The screen can constantly be in simpler mode so you can always see the time. Once it’s running, the screen is beautiful and Samsung have created the interface to really benefit from the lovely colours the AMOLED screen provides. It also works really well in direct sunlight.

Around the screen is a touch sensor that acts as a control in addition to the touch screen. A few generations back, Samsung’s watches had a physical wheel around the screen for navigation, and this is half a step back to that. After something of a learning curve, it works very well.

Unreliable for exercise

The watch works well with the majority of Android phones, even though it has most functions and the best integration with Samsung devices. It does work with iPhones too, but with slightly limited functions.

As a smartwatch it’s extremely efficient, with lots of useful apps and smart notifications. But we’d like to see a really good map app and a sensible voice assistant (the built-in Bixby assistant is nobody’s first choice).

However, it’s quite unreliable as an exercise watch, just like its predecessor. The smaller model we tested has a slightly shorter battery life than the larger one, of course. But the battery life varies significantly even on days where the activity is pretty much identical, lasting anything from half a day to one and a half days A cycling or running session can take from a fraction of battery to more than half, despite being an identical course each time.

And after the session it’s clear that the GPS measurement is extremely overenthusiastic. A 5k run often comes out to as much as half a kilometre longer, and the same thing applies to cycling. The step count is also quite a lot higher than on other activity trackers – very much higher than can be explained by variations in the manufacture’s algorithms.

One of the big things with this watch was meant to be ECG. But this function wasn’t activated during our test period.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is an attractive and extremely competent smartwatch. But for exercise and activity tracking it leaves quite a lot to be desired.

Cool wheel controlAttractive designGood notification functions
GPS overexaggeratesStep counts too highUnreliable battery life

49. Huawei Watch GT

Running watch that completely changes track - and almost succeeds!

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 454 x 454 pixels Dimensions (WxHxD): 46.5 x 46.5 x 10.6 mm Weight: 46 g Watertight/Depth: Yes/50m Battery life: 22 hours with GPS Wireless technology: Bluetooth Battery life (standby): up to 14 days Altitude meter (barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist

Huawei Watch GT Active

Huawei has made a series of top rated smartwatches with Google’s Wear OS under the bonnet, and they’re among the best on the market. So it was rather surprising that the Huawei Watch GT completely avoids Google’s operating system for watches and instead uses Huawei's own OS.

The reason is simple: a watch with Wear OS lasts about a day or two before the battery runs out. The Watch GT claims to last for up to two weeks on a single charge depending on how you use it. And this is a fairly accurate claim.

To achieve this battery life, the operating system is scaled down compared to Wear OS. You have step counting, pulse metering, sleep measurement and notifications from your mobile running the entire time. The screen lights up when you flick your wrist (works about half of the time, as is unfortunately always the case with this technology) and goes off again quickly to save power.

Has lost many functions

Other than the stopwatch and so on, there isn’t much left of the smartwatch functions from before. Instead, the focus has been placed on health and exercise.

GPS is built in so that you can measure runs, and there are a few other sport types for those who exercise indoors. The accuracy of the GPS measurement is adequate and the pulse meter in the watch stays within reasonable limits (there's no support for a separate pulse meter). It also has built-in measurement of VO2 max and recovery, together with a running coach for all levels.

The step counting and sleep measurement are also very good. The disadvantage is that if you're running Android, the app in the phone requires everything to be shown in the status field. Here it counts steps using the smartphone's sensors, which means that there’s always a couple of hundred steps difference between the watch and what’s shown on the phone.

Good exercise without setting options

As long as the correct sport is on the watch, training is fine. But you simply can’t set what should be shown on the screen while you’re exercising. After exercising the sharing options are very poor and it’s a challenge to get your data out of it.

The disadvantages continue in the software. The limited functions make the interface easy to navigate, but you can’t set which data should be shown on the various dials. Notifications don’t work all that well either. Sometimes you see the name or number of the person calling, and sometimes not. Sometimes it shows which app is trying to get your attention, and sometimes not. Sometimes the notification is shown, and… guess what? Sometimes not.

The Huawei Watch GT has taken a brave sidestep by starting something completely different from previous models. But it feels like the watch has been released too early in the development process to be able to give other smartwatches or pulse meters a serious run for their crown; the biggest plus point will remain its battery life.

Good battery lifesimple interfacediscreet design
Inconsistent notificationsvery few setting optionsfew functions

50. Suunto 7

A good idea stuck between two worlds

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 454 x 454 pixels, 1.39 ins Dimensions (WxHxD): 50x50x15.3 mm Weight: 70 g Watertight/Depth: Yes/50 m Battery life: up to 12 hours with GPS Wireless technology: Bluetooth Battery life (standby): up to 2 days Altitude meter (barometric): Yes Compass: Yes Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist

Suunto 7

The Suunto 7 is really a good idea on paper. The Android Wear operating system, recently reinforced by the purchase of Fitbit, combined with Suunto’s long expertise in sports watches and exercise... should be a dream combination. In practice, however, it’s a bit of a different story.

This watch is a really nice piece of hardware, especially the titanium version we received for testing The materials and bracelet are the only thing that sets it apart from the standard Suunto 7. It has a good screen and excellent GPS reception.

The built-in heart rate monitor, however, is rather slow to record changes both up and down compared to the competitors’ equivalents. Just like any other watch with Android Wear, you’ll also have to remember that the average battery life is one day. If you use GPS it gets much shorter. If you only use it as a watch for notifications it can last two days. And unfortunately it doesn’t feel like the processor inside is very modern, because it’s quite often very slow.

Pulsklocka-gps-android-wear-suunto-7-01

Suunto under construction

Over the last few years, it feels a bit like Suunto have started afresh with every major watch release. This is particularly clear here, as Suunto's part on the software side is made up of their own training app. If you sync with the web service, it’s called Sports Tracker (which is owned by the same company). At the same time, the app recently received support for sleep measurement, but many of the more advanced analysis or recovery data is missing.

Then again, other than the physical shortcut button to Suunto’s app, you don’t feel like you’re missing much, for example by downloading Strava onto your watch and just running that app instead.

Some parts feel like Suunto have simply offloaded them onto Android Wear and the Google Fit app, which are built into the watch. Unfortunately, this app leaves much to be desired, as it doesn’t feel like it’s been updated since it was released six years ago.

Pulsklocka-gps-android-wear-suunto-7

Android Wear under construction

The status of Google Fit is similar to that of Android Wear. Development has pretty much stopped completely in recent years. The interface feels a little cluttered and there are very few apps other than fitness ones. Google’s purchase of Fitbit hasn’t really had an impact yet, but at the same time it feels like many of these functions, once they arrive, will be in direct competition with Suunto's own app. Wear OS, however, offers a wealth of watch dials for those who want to play around with them

At the same time, Wear OS is what it’s all about, which takes us to what’s really the biggest problem with this watch. Subtract Suunto’s app from the equation and you get a Wear OS watch with virtually identical specifications for two-thirds or half the price. Even if Suunto’s workout app was pretty good from the start and has improved over the past year, it’s still difficult to justify the price of the Suunto 7. Even more so when the Suunto 5 is £100 less expensive for the same sports functions, and the cheapest form of the Suunto 9 offers many more sports functions for the same price.

Good build qualitynice design
Wear OS feels underdevelopedrelatively very expensiveuncertain heart rate monitor

51. Polar Ignite

Cheap watch with phenomenal ideas and substandard hardware

GPS: Yes Screen resolution: 204 x 204 pixels Dimensions (WxHxD): 43x43x8.5 mm Weight: 35 g Watertight/Depth: Yes/5 Atm Battery life: 17 hours with GPS Wireless technology: Bluetooth Battery life (standby): up to 5 days Altitude meter (barometric): No, only altitude data via GPS Compass: No Vibration alarm: Yes Pulse measurement: Yes, built-in optical reading at the wrist and with external pulse strap

Polar Ignite

The Polar Ignite is meant to represent a revival for the classic sports company. At the same time, the combination of old problems and a cheaper price tag is all too familiar.

Really good analysis

So, let’s start with the positive things. Once upon a time, Polar started out making pulse meters, and this is clear in the Ignite. Their expertise combined with an advanced pulse meter makes a big difference. First, you're offered just the watch, and you can sleep with it for a couple of days for it to learn your patterns.

Once you’ve done this, you’re offered an enormously advanced sleep analysis, which uses a number of parameters to determine how you've slept and how this will probably affect your day. In at least nine cases out of ten, this matched well with how the tester actually felt.

The analysis is then combined with the exercise you record with the watch. After this you get recommendations for what you should do in terms of exercise in the future, divided into condition, strength and mobility. The recommended exercises are adapted to you, rather than being the rigid templates other watches often have. Really good, user-friendly and something we hope becomes standard for the industry from here on.

Incredibly poor watch

The watch itself is small and neat, but the strap included feels like having a piece of card wrapped around your wrist. The battery life is reasonable, and step and activity tracking without GPS works well. But the GPS part is unexpectedly poor. In almost every session, we get one or two detours on the map to places we’ve never been anywhere near. The end total is very accurate, but the tracking definitely isn’t.

There are a reasonable number of sports. But to change something on the watch, such as the order or what's visible on the watch during exercise, you have to go to Polar’s website, change it there and hope that the change is included in at least one of the forthcoming syncs (which occur sporadically). Why this can’t be done in the watch or the app is a mystery.

On the other hand, the app is far from the website in terms of user-friendliness and information display. On a worrying number of occasions, synchronisation between the watch and the app stops working completely and won’t work again before we restart the watch. Once connected, the watch can pick up notifications from your phone. You can’t choose which ones, however, which means that you get absolutely all notifications to Android. At one point we’re worried the vibrator in the watch is going to break when the phone updates ten apps and the watch gives live reports on their progress.

But the most irritating thing is the display. It isn’t on all the time, but activates when you raise the watch to look at it... sometimes... And it always takes three seconds... Except when you’re lying in bed and it thinks it’s time to act like a torch. The same thing applies during exercise despite the fact we set the screen to always be on. Moreover, the touchscreen is poor and always requires several swipes or presses to react. The Polar Ignite is definitely on the right track with its advanced analysis functions. Now we’re just waiting to see them in a watch that isn’t as frustrating to use.

Really good analysis functionsfantastic exercise tipsgood pulse meter
Screen extremely slow to wake upterrible touchscreenunstable synchronisationfiddly settings

Heart rate monitor

Over the last few years, cardiac rate monitors and GPS monitors have become increasingly important tools for a large number of runners, cyclists, swimmers and fitness enthusiasts. Regardless of your level, a top rated heart rate monitor watch with a built-in GPS can help you to achieve the best results from your training. Today there are many affordable models with intelligent functionality that can make your training both more enjoyable and more effective. They’re a bit like having a personal trainer wrapped around your wrist, although you can get these products for arm placement or for ankle placement. We’ll help you to decide what to buy regardless of your level, whether you are an absolute beginner or an elite athlete.

What you should consider before buying

Before you buy a heart rate monitor, you first need to think about what type of exercise you will use it for, how much you will be exercising and what the most important functions are for you. For example, a clear display will be very helpful when you’re out running or cycling, especially in the evenings.

All of the monitors we tested worked well as heart rate monitors when exercising. All could perform basic ECG monitoring, such as measuring heart rate interval in relation to maximum heart rate. These values are based on your weight and height and are measured using optical sensors on the wrist or with a chest band that wirelessly transfers data to the monitor.

The majority of the monitors in the test have GPS and functions to measure speed, distance and calories expenditure. The differences in the models become evident in the advanced functions they provide in addition to basic ones. The more advanced modern exercise monitors have a multitude of functions to help with your training and can provide suggestions for recovery times, analyse your running dynamics or your swimming stroke, or help you with interval training and warn you if your heart rate becomes too high. The most advanced models can even read your VO2 max, your lactate threshold and predict your competition times.

The option to pair the monitor with your phone to receive SMS messages, calls, social media updates and play audio is a function that many users desire today.

Different wireless technologies

Straps worn around the chest record the activity of the heart muscle through the skin. This information on cardiac activity is then sent to the heart rate monitor watch via a wireless transmitter in the chest strap. There are different digital technologies for this, the most common today being ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart. These make it possible for your heart rate monitor watch to talk to other units such as pedal-mounted power meters for bicycles, foot sensors, mobile phones or exercise equipment at the gym. Both Bluetooth Smart and ANT+ are extremely energy-efficient, so the battery in a heart rate band can last for several years. The advantage of these digital transfer technologies over traditional analogue transfer is that your heart rate monitor watch can’t be affected by interference from other units in the vicinity. Some products come with chest strap accessories like the ones mentioned above, but not many.

Unfortunately, these technologies are often not compatible with each other. This can cause real problems if you’ve invested in a lot of accessories for your heart rate monitor watch and then want to change to a model that uses another technology, as your accessories may then become incompatible.

Heart rate monitors with or without GPS

Among the heart rate monitors with built-in GPS, Garmin, Suunto, Polar and TomTom are the dominant market leaders. With these monitors you can easily read speed and distance and can plot out your route via tools such as Garmin Connect, Suunto MovesCount, Polar Flow, Strava, Endomondo or Google Maps.

The GPS receiver is built into the monitor and is extremely small, so size is no longer an issue. However, the receiver does draw a lot of power from the battery, so you will have to recharge the cardiac rate monitor watch quite often. In rest mode with GPS tracking turned off, the battery life of the watches are now good enough to be used throughout your everyday life too.

Because heart rate monitors with GPS draw a lot of power from the battery, our advice is to buy one without GPS if you don’t need this function. If at a later stage you change your mind, you still have the ability to measure speed and distance via a foot pod, which is a type GPS accessory. The accessory is ultra-light and you fasten it to your shoelaces, from where it will connect wirelessly to your heart rate monitor.

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