What used to take thousands of square feet of computer space can now be computed all on the tiny, light-weight smart watch on your wrist. These devices can count calories, measure heart-rate, monitor your daily amount of steps and a whole lot more. One of the coolest features is that many of the top smart watches can keep track of your sleep. With the potential to learn a lot about your sleeping patterns on a night to night basis, it can be a crucial decision when deciding the right smart watch for you. We’ve tested the top brands available to help you decide. Here is what we found:
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How We Picked
Smart watches are equipped with more features than most people can actually learn how to use, let alone familiarize oneself with enough to use on the daily. That being said, what these smart watches are capable of can be just short of amazing. Whether you are interested in learning about your waking and sleep-time activity and behavior, or want to utilize compatibility with your favorite apps, smart watches offer a little bit of something to everyone. In order to figure out which brand fits your lifestyle needs the best, here are some of the differentiating factors to consider:
Comfort
Though watches are made to be an accessory that you don’t need to think about, some smart watches will be more comfortable for some than for others. The material of the band (whether woven, plastic, metal, or rubber), the thickness of the band, the spacing in between the notches on the band that can adjust tightness, and the weight of the watch all can make wearing the watch an unnoticeable or uncomfortable experience. Pay careful attention to the materials and the shape of the watch or band as that may give you clues as to how comfortable it might be for you.
Variety
Some brands come in a variety of colors and band materials. Others stick with very neutral and slick designs, coming in only black or aluminum options. There are brands that offer very bright colors that might be perfect for people hoping to show some flash in their smart watch choice. Though some of the more expensive brands have copious amounts of options, you can even find discounted brands that have slick color combinations that will impress your peers.
Charge length
These are the times we live in: smart watches can be charged in just a few hours and last for days, even weeks, without needing another charge. These different products can have easy USB-compatible charging that can even conveniently plug into your computer. Depending on how often you want to keep track of your charge or if you would prefer a charging method that fits seamlessly into your normal routine, check out the different times it takes to charge, how long the charge stays for, and how you can charge the smart watch or band.
Features
Most of the leading brands have very similar functions. Many will have heart monitoring, step counters, calorie counters, bluetooth compatibility for use with headphones, and options for SMS and phone calls. What is most important however is how easily to use and integrate these features and functions into your daily routine. Look for one-touch access, compatibility with apps you already use, and apps and features that can be accessed online by any device.
Value
Smart watches can be a great gift for someone you love or to treat yourself. That being said, the market for smart watches shows that they are not all valued in the same ballpark. Some users may just want a smart band to monitor their sleep because of some questions they might have for their sleep health. Other users might want an all-encompassing device that in effect combines the usefulness of a smart tablet with the everyday efficiency of a phone. Now the inherent adequacy of the device is not necessarily baked into the price: some of the better value smart watches and smart bands can do a whole lot for you. Determinations about brand reliability and synchronicity with other apps you already use can be the deciding factor
Buying Tips
Not sure which smart watch is best for you? Here are some key things to think about before making the plunge:
- Are you normally a smart-watch-wearer? If this is your first smart watch, there is an equal chance you might be about to level up your fitness and health monitoring, or you might simply be overwhelmed. Some of the smart watches and smart bands on the market can seem overly complicated to first time users. Try to see if you can look up an online instruction manual before purchasing to see if you are ready to handle all of the new features you will be using.
- What is your primary reason for getting a smart watch? Are you hoping to count your steps, distance, or calories burned during the day? Are you hoping to see a schematic of your nightly sleep history, learning patterns that may provide clues as to when and how you might have your sleep disrupted? Or are you trying to integrate all of your smart devices into one, utilizing the call, text, and app options? As these devices come in widely different price ranges, they also feature different functions that they may be better or worse at, depending on what they focus on.
- Are you normally comfortable wearing a watch? These watches are meant to integrate effortlessly into your lifestyle. However, some people may not be accustomed to wearing a watch or band, especially all day or when exercising and sleeping. Some smart watches are quite lightweight, or have a small band, making it less noticeable for everyday wear. Also pay attention to the band – some are made of a woven material, others are rubber or plastic and may irritate the skin if strapped too tightly around the wrist.
- What’s your aesthetic? One of the great things about this era of smart watches and smart bands is the variety in design and color you can select from. Standard black smart watches are available for every product line. If you’re looking for something slightly more stylized or even funky, there are brands that have colored devices and bands that can fulfill your sartorial needs.
