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Best Smartwatch for Every Budget! Scientific Health Tracking Review of 75 Watches (2022)
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Best Smartwatch for Every Budget! Scientific Health Tracking Review of 75 Watches (2022)

Smartwatch Performance Analysis

Introduction to Smartwatch Testing

  • The speaker, Rob, has tested over 75 smartwatches in two years, ranging from $20 to $1,000.
  • Focus will be on sports and health tracking features to help viewers choose the best watch for their needs.
  • Key metrics include heart rate accuracy and sleep tracking performance, along with GPS tracking and step counting.

Price Categories of Smartwatches

  • Watches are divided into four price categories:
  • Under $50
  • $50-$100
  • $100-$200
  • Over $200
  • This categorization ensures a balanced number of watches in each group for comparison.

Heart Rate Tracking Accuracy Overview

  • Heart rate measurements will be compared against the Polar H10 ECG chest strap for accuracy.
  • A general overview graph displays correlation scores; higher values indicate better agreement with the reference device.

Best Performing Watches by Price Category

Under $50 Category

  • The Honor Band 6 and Huawei Band 6 are top performers in this category.
  • Other models like Mi Band 6 and Fitbit Inspire 2 perform adequately but not as well as the top two.

Between $50 and $100 Category

  • The Huawei Watch Fit is noted as the best performer here, alongside Polar devices which are heart rate straps rather than smartwatches.
  • Fitbit Charge 5 and Huawei Band 7 also show good performance; however, some brands do poorly in heart rate tracking.

Between $100 and $200 Category

  • The previous generation Apple Watch SE is highlighted as a strong recommendation under this price point due to its excellent heart rate tracking capabilities.

Watch Performance Analysis

Overview of Expensive Watches

  • The most expensive watches, including Apple and Huawei models, show strong performance. Notable mentions are the Apple Watch Series 6, 7, 8, Ultra, and SE from 2022.
  • Huawei's GT3 Pro also performs well alongside Galaxy watches and the Google Pixel watch. Whoop straps are decent options as well.

Price Correlation with Performance

  • More expensive watches generally perform better; however, good options exist in lower price categories. The Huawei Watch One is a solid budget choice.
  • Newer Apple Watches are recommended for those willing to spend more despite their limited battery life requiring daily charging.

Cycling Exercise Tracking Challenges

  • Outdoor cycling presents challenges for accurate heart rate readings due to wrist movement. Fewer watches were tested for this exercise.
  • Watches under $50 are not recommended for tracking heart rates while cycling; the Mi Band 6 has a low correlation score of 0.67.

Best Performing Watches for Cycling

  • The Huawei Band 6 offers good performance at around $65. Garmin Instinct 2 and Forerunner 255 also perform adequately along with Galaxy Watch models.
  • Overall, Apple and select Huawei watches excel in outdoor cycling heart rate tracking compared to cheaper alternatives.

Weightlifting Tracking Difficulties

  • Weightlifting poses significant challenges for accurate heart rate monitoring due to arm tension affecting signal clarity.

Performance Overview in Weightlifting

  • Some affordable devices show relatively good performance; green and blue markings indicate better results among cheaper options.
  • The Huawei Bands (4, 6, and 7), along with the Google Pixel watch and Whoop Strap 4.0, perform decently but come at higher prices.

Recommendations Based on Price Ranges

  • Among watches under $50, the Huawei Band series performs best despite overall mediocre results.
  • In the $50-$100 range, Polar OH1 Plus and Verity Sense offer acceptable performance alongside the Huawei Band 7.

Recommended Models for Weightlifting

Heart Rate Tracking in Smart Watches

Recommendations for Weightlifting

  • Only watches with a correlation of 0.95 or higher are recommended for weightlifting; the only two that meet this standard at this price point are Apple and Huawei watches.
  • For effective heart rate tracking during weightlifting, either use an Apple or Huawei watch, or opt for an HD chest strap if budget is a concern.

Sleep Stage Tracking Features

  • Many smartwatches track sleep stages (REM, deep sleep, light sleep, awake), but their accuracy varies; comparison will be made against the EEG device called The Dream 2.
  • The Dream 2 is considered reliable for measuring brain waves and will serve as a benchmark for evaluating smartwatch performance in sleep stage tracking.

Performance Overview of Sleep Trackers

Analysis of Sleep Stage Tracking Accuracy

  • A graph illustrates the agreement between various watches and the EEG device across different sleep stages; better-performing devices appear towards the top right.
  • In the under $50 category, only four devices effectively track all four sleep stages; some cheaper models only indicate awake/asleep status.

Notable Devices Under $50

  • The Fitbit Inspire 2 is highlighted as a strong budget option for accurate sleep stage tracking.
  • Google Nest Hub Generation 2 performs similarly to Fitbits after algorithm updates post-Google's acquisition of Fitbit.

Mid-range and High-end Sleep Trackers

Performance Insights Between $50 - $100

  • In this price range, Fitbit Charge 5 stands out as a solid performer; however, no significant improvement in performance is noted compared to cheaper options.

Performance Insights Between $100 - $200

  • Fitbits consistently perform well across categories; Garmin watches show varied results with some performing excellently while others do not.

Top Performers in Sleep Stage Tracking

Premium Category Insights

  • Apple watches excel in sleep stage tracking within their ecosystem; Whoop straps also perform comparably well.
  • Google Pixel Watch benefits from using Fitbit’s algorithm due to Google's ownership of Fitbit. Aura Ring 3's new algorithm may improve its performance soon.

Conclusion on Overall Reliability

Heart Rate and Sleep Stage Tracking Performance

Overview of Heart Rate and Sleep Stage Tracking

  • The analysis compares heart rate agreement (horizontal axis) with sleep stage tracking performance (vertical axis), showing that Apple Watches excel in both metrics.
  • Huawei watches are noted for their strong heart rate tracking but lack effectiveness in sleep stage monitoring. Fitbit Charge 5 and Whoop Strap 4.0 perform decently in both areas, yet Apple remains superior.

Device Recommendations Based on Testing

  • The speaker expresses a mixed view on the Google Pixel Watch, indicating it performs reasonably well according to the discussed metrics.
  • Garmin devices are highlighted as top performers for GPS accuracy, while Apple also shows good results; however, Fitbit struggles in this area based on testing experiences.

Step Counting Accuracy Insights

  • Most smartwatches accurately count steps during walking but some inaccurately inflate step counts when not moving.
  • Fitbit's step counting has improved significantly over time after previously being criticized for inaccuracies.

Limitations of Testing Methodology

Considerations Regarding Test Subjects and Methods

  • The tests were conducted solely on one individual (Caucasian male), suggesting results may vary across different demographics.
  • Sleep stage testing utilized an EEG device with fewer electrodes than standard polysomnography, indicating potential limitations in accuracy.

Focus Areas of the Review

  • The review primarily emphasizes sports and health tracking features rather than general smartwatch functionalities, encouraging viewers to conduct further research on those aspects.

Personal Recommendations for Smartwatch Purchases

Ideal Choices Based on Needs and Budget

  • If budget is not a concern, the Whoop Strap is recommended due to its comprehensive fitness tracking capabilities and health feedback features.
  • Despite its benefits, the Whoop Strap requires a monthly membership fee ranging from $18 to $30.

Alternative Options for Different Budgets

  • For those focused mainly on sleep stage and heart rate tracking, the Apple Watch Ultra is favored for its battery life and screen size; however, the more affordable Apple Watch SE is also suitable.

Health Tracking Devices: A Comparison

Overview of Health Trackers

  • The Aura Ring 3 is highlighted as a solid health tracker, particularly for monitoring sleep stages.
  • There is anticipation regarding the new sleep stage algorithm, which could significantly enhance its tracking capabilities.
  • Despite its strengths in health tracking, the Aura Ring 3 may not be ideal for hardware tracking purposes.
  • Recommendations are made for Apple Watch reviews for those interested in that ecosystem.
Video description

🔴 General Amazon link*: https://geni.us/thequantifiedscientist 🟢 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quantified_scientist/ 🟠 Shorts: https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCcpARGzXNaC62UQWns2dh2Q 🔵 Newsletter: www.robterhorst.com 🟡 Twitter: @QuantifiedRob * Affiliate (paid) links support the channel by earning me a commission on any sale, and it doesn't cost you any more! My opinions are completely my own, and this content is not sponsored. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 👇 $30 off any new WHOOP membership, affiliate* (paid) link, supports the channel!👇 https://join.whoop.com/QuantifiedScientist ($30 off any new WHOOP membership) ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 👇Amazon Affiliate* (paid) links. Supports the channel, doesn't cost you any more!👇 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬BEST WATCHES▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Whoop Strap 4.0: https://join.whoop.com/QuantifiedScientist ($30 off any new WHOOP membership) 👇Amazon general link (any purchase): https://geni.us/thequantifiedscientist Fitbit Sense 2: https://geni.us/Fitbit_Sense2 Fitbit Versa 4: https://geni.us/Fitbit_Versa4 Google Pixel Watch: https://geni.us/GooglePixelWatch Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: https://geni.us/SamsungWatch5 Huawei Watch Fit 2: https://geni.us/HuaweiWatchFit2 Huawei Watch GT3 Pro: https://geni.us/thequantifiedscientist Huawei Watch GT Runner: https://geni.us/HuaweiWatchGtRunner Huawei Watch GT 3: https://geni.us/Huawei_Watch_GT3 Apple Watch Ultra: https://geni.us/AppleWatch_Ultra Apple Watch 8: https://geni.us/AppleWatchSeries8 Apple Watch 7 41 mm: https://geni.us/AppleWatch7_41 Apple Watch 7 45 mm: https://geni.us/AppleWatch7 Apple Watch 6: https://geni.us/0gNGeO Apple Watch SE: https://geni.us/Apple_Watch_SE_44 Garmin Fenix 7: https://geni.us/Garmin_Fenix_7 Garmin Venu 2: https://geni.us/Garmin_Venu_2 Garmin Instinct 2: https://geni.us/Garmin_Instinct_2 Polar H10: https://geni.us/hnXc Polar OH1+: https://geni.us/D7bs5 Polar Verity Sense: https://geni.us/polarVeritySense ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 📸My Gear* (paid links, supports the channel and doesn’t cost you any more)📸 Camera body (main): https://geni.us/SonyA6600_body Camera lense (main): https://geni.us/SigmaContemporary Camera (B-roll): https://geni.us/CanonEosM50MarkII and https://geni.us/Sony_ZVE10 Light: https://geni.us/Godox_VL150 Softbox: https://geni.us/NiceFotoSoftbox Light stand: https://geni.us/WalimexLightstand ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:11 Price Categories 01:58 Heart Rate Spinning: General Overview 03:28 Heart Rate Spinning: $0-$50 03:57 Heart Rate Spinning: $50-$100 04:45 Heart Rate Spinning: $100-$200 05:35 Heart Rate Spinning: $200-$1000 06:54 Heart Rate Cycling: All Prices 09:14 Heart Rate Weight Lifting: General Overview 10:13 Heart Rate Weight Lifting: $0-$50 10:31 Heart Rate Weight Lifting: $50-$100 10:55 Heart Rate Weight Lifting: $100-$200 11:16 Heart Rate Weight Lifting: $200-$1000 10:51 Sleep Tracking: Overview 12:58 Sleep Tracking: $0-$50 14:10 Sleep Tracking: $50-$100 14:34 Sleep Tracking: $100-$200 15:08 Sleep Tracking: $200-$1000 16:05 Heart Rate and Sleep Combined 17:19 GPS, Steps, Health 18:21 Test Limitations 19:24 Which Watch Would I Recommend? Intro: I’ve tested more than 75 smartwatches over the last 2 years, some of which cost as little as 20 dollars, whereas others set me back 1000 dollars. In this video we are going to use objective measurements to see which of these watches performed best at different price points, to help you decide which watch is best for you. I will particularly focus on the sports and health tracking features of each of these watches; so let’s take a look at those results! In this video I will show you which smartwatches and health trackers performed best in my testing, also taking into account the prices of the different watches. So, whether you are looking for a premium smartwatch, or you have a small budget, this video will help you make your decision. Now, I will spend most of the video looking at the heart rate accuracy and sleep tracking performance; but I will also discuss some other features, like GPS tracking, step counting and general health tracking. But, let’s start by looking at the heart rate tracking accuracy, since this is important for most people. I would only buy the Whoop Strap if money isn’t an issue, and I want my aim is to get a general solid health and fitness tracker. On the other hand, if I was mostly interested in just the sleep stage and heart rate tracking, I would buy an Apple Watch. My favorite Apple Watch is the Apple Watch Ultra, given its longer battery life and bigger screen. However, the Apple Watch SE is good enough for the majority of people, and this is much much cheaper. If I was really on a strict budget, I would probably get the Huawei Band 6 or 7, or maybe the Huawei Watch Fit 2 if I wanted really good heart rate tracking. If my focus was on sleep stage tracking on a budget, I would probably get the Fitbit Inspire 3.