Apple doesn’t discount its own hardware, and although the company is currently holding a Black Friday promotion in which you get gift cards toward a future purchase, there are deals out there that save you money immediately. We’ve scoured the web to find the best Black Friday discounts on Apple hardware, and have come up with a surprising amount of deals. If you’ve been holding off on getting a new piece of gear for the right price, now is the time to shop. We wouldn’t be surprised if many of these items sell out before the day is done.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) $189.99 (Was $249)

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Apple’s AirPods 2 are the company’s latest true wireless earbuds, and they’re down to their lowest price ever on Black Friday thanks to a $60 discount. The earbuds support active noise cancellation, are IPX5 water-resistant, and last up to six hours per charge. Their included battery case can fully recharge them four times. These earbuds support Spatial Audio, which means they can decode music and movie soundtracks with a Dolby Atmos mix and give you the feeling of listening to music in surround sound on speakers. This feature works shockingly well. Additionally, the processor in each earbud optimizes and adjusts its sound in real-time, so you always get the best EQ setting. No true wireless earbuds are as good for all-around use as the AirPods Pro 2, and this discount makes them even easier to recommend.

AirPods deals

• Apple AirPods (2nd Generation) $79.99 (Was $129)
• Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) $139.99 (Was $169)
• Apple AirPods Max $449.99 (Was $549)

MacBook deals

• 15-Inch M2 MacBook Air $1,049 (Was $1,299)
• 13-Inch M1 MacBook Air $749 (Was $999)
• 16-Inch M3 Pro MacBook Pro $2,299 (Was $2,499)

iPad deals

• iPad (9th Generation) $249.99 (Was $329.99)
• iPad (10th Generation) $349 (Was $449)
• iPad Air $649.99 (Was $749.99)
• 11-Inch iPad Pro $849 (Was $899)
• 12.9-Inch iPad Pro $1,139 (Was $1,199)

HomePod deals

• HomePod Mini $94.99 (Was $99.99)
• HomePod (2nd Generation) $284.99 (Was $299.99)

Mac Mini deals

• M2 Mac Mini $499 (Was $599)
• M2 Pro Mac Mini $1,234.05 (was $1,299)

Mac Studio deals

• M2 Max Mac Studio $1,899.05 (Was $1,999)
• M2 Ultra Mac Studio $3,799.05 (Was $3,999)

Apple Watch deals

• Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS) 41mm $349 (Was $399)
• Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS) 45mm $379 (Was $429)
• Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular) 41mm $699 (Was $749)
• Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular) 45mm $749 (Was $799)
• Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + Cellular) 49mm $739 (Was $799)

Need a monitor for that Mac Mini? Samsung has gaming flagships on sale.

Looking for more affordable audio? These headphones and earbuds are all under $100.

The post You can still get the best Apple products at the best prices … if you act fast appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best anti-theft protection		Pacsafe Z50		SEE IT	If your first priority is security when looking for a RFID wallet, this one will likely be a good fit.
Best hard-sided wallet		The Ridge		SEE IT	This wallet is made for your front pocket
Best for passports		Zoppen		SEE IT	Its slim chic design is still capable of being functional and practical.

Electronic pickpocketing can result in fraud and identity theft, but an RFID wallet can help protect you. When in close enough proximity, scanning devices can possibly be used to steal account information stored in credit and debit cards. This is known as radio-frequency identification (RFID) skimming. It’s uncommon, but it’s also relatively simple to protect yourself against. The bad news is your traditional wallet likely won’t do the trick. The good news is there are now plenty of RFID-blocking wallets so that you won’t have to constantly worry about someone skimming your information without you even realizing it. So, if you want to create a virtual shield for your tap-to-pay cards, check out our selection of the best RFID wallets.

• Best overall: The Ridge
• Best for minimalists: Buffway Slim
• Best zippered: Travelambo
• Best billfold: Fossil
• Best for passports: Zoppen
• Most anti-theft protection: PacSafe Z50

How we chose the best RFID wallets

There’s a decent selection of RFID wallets, ranging in price, style, size, and functionality. For our final recommended list of best RFID wallets, we first looked at dozens of choices. We considered key features such as the level of RFID protection, the size of the wallet, style versus functionality, the material used to produce the wallet, and manufacturer reputation. Skimmers can use a wide array of devices to snoop on your info, so it’s important to consider all the potential attack vectors.

The best RFID wallets: Reviews & Recommendations

Choosing the right RFID wallet can be overwhelming. We have selected options to fit practically any lifestyle and budget, as prices can range from as little as $10 to upwards of a couple of hundred dollars. The highest-priced wallet on this list starts just shy of $100, and you don’t need to pay more for RFID benefits, though you can based on material preferences. If paying with your phone isn’t your jam, one of our choices should keep the cards in your pocket protected.

Best overall: The Ridge

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Why it made the cut: Its design is unique compared to other wallets, and it’s super-durable. 

Specs

• 6061-T6 aluminum, as well as titanium, Damascus steel, and 3k carbon weave options
• Anodized gunmetal plates
• Weighs 2.5 ounces or less
• Easily accessed and adjusted elastic and screws
• Interchangeable money clip or cash strap

Pros

• Military-grade materials
• Minimal design
• Lots of material options

Cons

• Highest price on the list
• Limited edition coatings, prints, and engravings may sell out quickly
• Some finishes are more prone to scratch and chip than others

The Ridge Wallet is an excellent choice for individuals seeking a durable and modern solution to secure their essentials. With design and functionality in mind, the Ridge Wallet takes up minimal space without limiting its use. Made primarily from metal (aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, or carbon fiber, depending on the variant you choose), the Ridge Wallet is designed to last for years without degrading in quality. It easily protects credit and ID cards within its elastic-attached casing, keeping everything safe from falling out even if you drop the wallet. The main compartment is expandable but hard-sided, allowing it to stretch to hold 1-12 cards and prevent both physical and digital defilement of the contents.

It might take time to get used to fanning out the cards and picking the one you need, especially if you’re transitioning from a traditional wallet. And the wallet is optimized more for cards than cash. However, the wallet’s design allows users to disassemble and reassemble it, meaning parts can be replaced if they wear out or the owner wishes to customize it. For instance, you can choose between a money clip or a cash strap based on personal preference. The kit even includes a small Torx bit driver and instructions to modify the wallet.

This wallet has a dual-track design, which includes RFID-blocking inner plates to protect all of your important information and valuable cards. It works in a front pocket, but it can also survive in a purse. You might not want to put it in your back pocket, however, since its hard sides won’t be comfortable to sit on, and if there’s one thing that might bend or dent it, it’s your entire body weight shifting. But the Ridge Wallet is an excellent choice for individuals seeking both minimalism and maximized peace of mind. — Scott Ferguson

Best for minimalists: Buffway Slim

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Why it made the cut: It’s slim and lightweight but still provides RFID-blocking technology and space for your essentials, ultimately making it great for individuals looking to lighten their load while protecting their identity. 

Specs

• Measures 3 ⅛” x 4 7/16” x 1/8” 
• Weighs 1.05 oz
• Includes 8 slots
• Front pocket money clip

Pros

• Extremely compact
• Comes in 20-plus colors 
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Not able to block 125KHz signals (i.e., hotel room keys and access cards)
• Doesn’t form a complete cage around cards

Having a wallet that is strong, durable, and offers RFID protection doesn’t have to mean bulky automatically. Whether you’re traveling or just prefer not to feel weighed down by a clunky wallet, a slim, minimalist wallet is a must. 

We were impressed with the lightweight and slimness of the Buffway Slim Wallet and how it proves that big things can come in small packages. While weighing just over 1 ounce and ⅛ of an inch in thickness, this wallet still provides plenty of space to carry your essential cards and cash. Included are four slots that can hold credit, debit, and bank cards; one clear slot made for your ID, work badge, or driver’s license; two side-slip pockets for items such as business cards or train passes; and one middle pocket for cash, tickets, receipts, and more.

This wallet is equipped with a protective layer that blocks 13-14Mhz electronic signals, which includes the most common radio frequencies, from trying to retrieve your personal information.

The Buffway Slim Wallet is available in almost 30 different colors, ranging from neutrals to pastels to bright hues. Each wallet is 100-percent genuine leather with a polyester lining.

Best zippered: Travelambo

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Why it made the cut: Its design includes zipper and button closures, giving users an alternative to a bifold or trifold. 

Specs

• Measures 8” x 4” x 1”
• 100-percent leather

Pros

• Plenty of space
• Comes in 30-plus colors 
• Affordable

Cons

• Requires some breaking-in
• Can get bulky fairly quickly 
• Doesn’t fit more recent (larger) smartphones

The Travelambo zippered wallet is impressive, first and foremost, for its large capacity. It offers 16 slots for cards, one window slot for an ID card, and two zippered pockets. Your credit and debit cards, receipts, coupons, cash, and more can all easily fit in this practical and stylish wallet without feeling like it’s overloaded and unorganized. You can use the inner button when the wallet is on the fuller side and the further button while empty.

The Travelambo wallet is available in more than 30 color options ranging from basic neutrals to bold colors. Each wallet is handmade from genuine leather. Because it fully closes around the cards, it creates a more effective layer of RFID protection than an open-faced wallet.

Best billfold: Fossil

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Why it made the cut: Its traditional look and design are perfect for individuals weary of change.

Specs

• 100-percent leather
• Bifold closure
• Flip ID windows
• Front slide pocket
• Measures 4.25″ x 0.75″ x 3.5″

Pros

• Several compartments
• Traditional look

Cons

• Fewer color choices than others

The initial impression of this Fossil wallet may be that it looks like one you currently own. That’s because it still has Fossil’s highly loved look while providing extra levels of protection for essentially the same price and without adding extra bulk.

This RFID wallet has what has traditionally been referred to as a masculine design. Perfectly fitting in your front or back pocket, it is a great size for someone who isn’t quite ready to go as small as a minimalist design but still wants something that will fit in their pocket. If you still pay with a balance of cash and cards and like to collect physical receipts, this is the best design for you.

Best for passports: Zoppen

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Why it made the cut: Its design combines practicality, plenty of space, and style into one slim package. 

Specs

• Faux leather
• Tri fold closure
• Measures 7.75” x 5” x 1”
• Weighs 6 ounces

Pros

• Great for travel
• Several compartments
• Over 30+ color options

Cons

• Only effective on a frequency of 13.56Mhz
• Small coin pocket

This extremely spacious wallet is made with travelers in mind. The multiple compartments will hold all of your daily and travel essentials, including a passport pouch that can hold up to two standard US passports. Other compartments include eight card slots, a flap compartment for coupons or receipts, a coin zipper pocket, a pen holder, and a SIM card slot.

What is really impressive about the Zoppen Passport Holder is the capability to hold things outside of financial-related items. It also includes a smartphone pocket that holds a phone with a maximum size of 154 x 77 x 7.7mm. It also includes a key ring so you can keep your phone, money, and keys all connected. 

This wallet makes for a great choice for someone who likes the cosmetic look of leather wallets but prefers not to have genuine leather. It is produced using premium polyurethane (PU) leather and faux suede.

Best for anti-theft protection: PacSafe

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Why it made the cut: It’s great for travel, durability, and the added level of protection. 

Specs

• Bifold
• Measures 5.1″ x 3.5″ x 0.6″ 
• Weighs 5.99 ounces
• Nylon and polyester
• Blocks transmission of 10Mhz to 3GHz

Pros

• Great for travel
• Extra security
• Unisex
• Mid-range pricing

Cons

• Not as stylish as other options
• May be slightly bulky for a pocket

PacSafe is a brand known for its dedication to security and mobility. The PacSafe Z50 RFID Travel Wallet is made with PacSafe’s award-winning RFIDsafe blocking material and a detachable, hard-to-cut metal chain. This strap makes it harder for pickpockets to slash the strap in their attempt to steal it. It can also be used to wrap it around your wrist or secured to a belt loop while in your pocket.

As for the storage capabilities, this wallet includes a zippered note slot, a slip note slot, six slots for cards, and a split pocket. The RFIDsafe blocking material blocks out between 10MHz and 3GHz, which covers the radio frequency used in most e-passports, credit cards, ID cards, and key cards.

What to consider when buying the best RFID wallets

What should you consider when you’re searching to buy a quality RFID wallet? Here are some things you’ll want to keep in mind before making your purchase:

• Price: RFID wallets come in a wide variety of materials, and it will be up to personal preference on what type of material you’d like to utilize. Options include genuine and synthetic leather, military-grade materials, and other synthetic materials. 
• Material: Higher price points usually are due to special features such as lifetime guarantees, anti-theft properties, or mainstream brand names. However, if you have a small budget, there are plenty of stylish and practical options for under $20.
• Planned Usage: Deciding whether you’re looking for something to use in your day-to-day life, just when you travel, or for all occasions will likely drive your decision by a decent amount. Some very minimalist designs may not be practical if you’re headed on a trip with travel documents and other additional items you need to keep safe. On the other hand, a wallet made with travel in mind may just be too bulky to use every day for your taste.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best RFID wallets

• Best overall: The Ridge
• Best for minimalists: Buffway Slim
• Best zippered: Travelambo
• Best billfold: Fossil
• Best for passports: Zoppen
• Most anti-theft protection: PacSafe Z50

If you still have the same wallet from high school, you may consider that it’s time to update the item that carries some of the most important information in your life. Taking just a little bit of time to find and pick the best RFID wallets will pay off in the long run. Having a wallet that protects you against theft in your back pocket will give you some peace of mind. 

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best RFID wallets of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Ace 3		SEE IT	It’s made specifically for children.
Best for style		Fitbit Luxe		SEE IT	Its good looks make it appealing to a wide audience.
Best for teens		Inspire 3		SEE IT	Get slightly older kids some more advanced features.

Fitbits for kids can be a great way to encourage children to develop healthy habits and active lifestyles from an early age. Beyond serving as motivational tools to get moving, they also help you monitor how much exercise your child is getting. Some even offer kid-specific features to gamify movement, making it fun to get active. Fitbits don’t just monitor exercise, though. They can help keep track of stress levels, monitor heart rate, store music, receive phone notifications, and even track sleep. No matter your child’s age, there’s something for them on our list of the best Fitbits for kids. 

• Best overall: Ace 3
• Best for teens: Inspire 3
• Best for style: Fitbit Luxe
• Best with GPS: Fitbit Charge 6
• Best Fitbit alternative: Amazfit Band 7

How we chose the best Fitbits for kids

When selecting the best Fitbits for kids, we started by comparing the entire Fitbit lineup, many of which we have actually reviewed. We focused on models offering kid-friendly features, reasonable pricing, and designs that appeal to a younger crowd. While one model is specifically made for kids, other models can appeal to slightly older children and teens with different needs. We also included a Fiitbit alternative if you want a budget-friendly fitness tracker outside the Fitbit brand.

The best Fitbits for kids: Reviews & Recommendations

A Fitbit, one of the leading brands of activity trackers, can motivate your child to get the recommended daily amount of exercise. According to the Centers for Disease Control, kids from ages 6 to 17 need about 60 minutes of physical movement per day to stay healthy. Fitbits can easily help track those minutes to ensure adequate movement. Below are the best Fitbits for kids, no matter what their current level of activity may be.

Best overall: Ace 3

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Why it made the cut: With a touchscreen display, eight days of battery life, impressive memory, and Parent and Kid View, this is the obvious choice for most young ones.

Specs

• Ages: 6+
• Water resistance: Up to 164 feet
• Battery life: Up to 8 days
• Charge time: 2 hours

Pros

• 8 days of battery life
• Bedtime and alarms
• Parent and Kid View
• Water-resistant 
• Interchangeable bands 

Cons

• Pricey for young kids
• No heart rate monitoring

The only Fitbit specifically made for children, the Ace 3 has many great features relevant to young ones. With eight days of battery life, a touchscreen display, bedtime alerts, reminders to move, a step counter, and gentle alarms to wake your kids up, this Fitbit comes fully stocked.

One of the most kid-friendly aspects of the Ace 3 is the fun virtual badges, animated clock faces, and personalized avatars that add a healthy sense of competition and play to their activity. Your kids can also personalize their Fitbit with interchangeable accessories, like Minions bands, for an added fee. 

There’s both parent and kid view, and it’s also water-resistant up to 164 feet, so they can even wear it while swimming. It’s by no means cheap, but with all the bells and whistles, we think it’s worth the investment. 

Best for teens: Inspire 3

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Why it made the cut: Easy to use and accessible for teens with a one-year premium trial included, this is a great starter tracker for young adults looking to track calories, heart rate, steps, and more at home and at school.

Specs

• Ages: 13+
• Water resistance: Up to 164 feet
• Battery life: Up to 10 days
• Charge time: 2 hours

Pros

• Easy to use and accessible
• Affordable 
• Up to 10 days of battery
• Six-month Fitbit Premium membership included
• Competitive games

Cons

• Screen may be hard to read in the sunlight
• Band wears after some time

The Inspire 3 is Fitbit’s most accessible and easy-to-use fitness tracker, which makes it a solid option for teens. It’s also a New Fitbit users get a six-month free trial of Fitbit Premium so they can have access to guided meditations, exercises, and accountability to make their fitness and health journey even easier. 

The Inspire 3 connects to a smartphone, providing call, text, and app notifications right on your teen’s wrist. That means they won’t have as much of an excuse for ignoring your calls or texts. Come nighttime, it offers a sleep mode to pause notifications and turns the screen off so that their sleep isn’t interrupted.

With its sleek design and simple interface, Inspire 3 is a great starter Fitbit for tracking steps, heart rate, distance, calories, food logging, menstrual health, sleep, and more. This waterproof smartwatch can go as deep as 164 feet, so your teen can wear it during swim team practice to keep track of their workouts. The battery lasts up to 10 days, and there are even fun games in the app like Get Fit Bingo, for more competitive-minded teens.

Best for style: Fitbit Luxe

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Why it made the cut: Fashion-forward and stylish, the Fitbit Luxe features a menstrual health tracker, several stress management tools, and sleep aids useful for teens.

Specs

• Ages: 13+
• Water resistance: Up to 164 feet
• Battery life: Up to 5 days
• Charge time: 2 hours

Pros

• Call/text notifications 
• Connects to phone GPS to track pace and distance
• Menstrual health tracker
• Stylish design
• Stress management features

Cons

• Pricey
• Website says the battery lasts five days, but depletes quicker depending on use

Swimproof, slim, and fashion-forward, the Fitbit Luxe is the perfect tracker for teens who want to be more hands-on (or is that wrists-on?) with their health. It not only takes care of all-day tracking but also connects to a phone’s GPS to track pace and distance and allows wearers to stay connected with friends via call and text notifications. 

If your teenager has periods, they can track ovulation, record period symptoms, and log flow with the built-in menstrual health tracker, which can help them feel informed about their menstrual health. It also has several stress-management features, such as guided breathing, to help with mood and stress levels. We want to note that teenage girls have enough societal pressure, and we love that Fitbit’s team is committed to helping teenage girls stay healthy and happy without focusing on striving for perfection.

It’s not the cheapest option, but the Special Edition gorjana Soft Gold Stainless Steel Parker Link Bracelet doubles as a bracelet that goes with every outfit, making the perfect birthday or holiday gift!

Best with GPS: Fitbit Charge 6

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Why it made the cut: This Fitbit with GPS can track over 40 workouts, including swimming, and has a built-in GPS system for more accurate location and distance information during workouts. 

Specs

• Ages: 13+
• Water resistance: Up to 164 feet
• Battery life: Up to 7 days
• Charge time: 2 hours

Pros

• Comfortable to wear 24/7
• Built-in GPS with access to Google Maps
• Bigger touchscreen display 
• Heart rate tracker
• Built-in YouTube Music controls

Cons

• Music controls require a subscription
• Expensive compared to other options

Fitbit’s most advanced fitness and health tracker yet, this Fitbit with GPS comes with tons of elite features in a slim and lightweight design. It features an on-wrist ECG app, step tracker, calorie tracker, automatic exercise recognition, swim-tracking, and sleep monitoring. It also allows your kids to set goals and it buzzes when they hit certain heart rate zones. Plus, the main draw: built-in GPS for tracking routes and workouts.

The built-in GPS allows for much more accurate data related to distance and pace during workouts. The Charge 6 also comes with Google Maps, which provides turn-by-turn directions right on their wrist, giving you peace of mind that your child won’t get lost on a run or bike ride.

Fitbit also included YouTube Music controls on the Charge 6, though you will need a subscription to access that feature.

Best Fitbit alternative: Amazfit Band 7

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Why it made the cut: This budget-friendly Fitbit alternative offers accurate heart rate data, movement goals, and a vibrant display without the subscription fee.

Specs

• Ages: 13+
• Water resistance: Up to 164 feet
• Battery life: Up to 18 days
• Charge time: 2 hours

Pros

• Long battery life
• Accurate heart rate data
• No subscription required to access all features
• Affordable

Cons

• Touchscreen is finicky
• Lack of buttons takes time to get used to

While Fitbit makes some excellent fitness trackers, you’ll need a subscription to access all features and data. For many, that makes Fitbits for kids a less-than-ideal choice. The Amazfit Band 7 is a great alternative in part thanks to the lack of a subscription but also due to the initial budget-friendly price. You’ll spend less upfront and overtime with this cheap fitness tracker.

Despite the low price, the Band 7 has a lot to offer. Amazfit promises up to 18 days of battery life, and during my testing, I got 16 days or so with a daily workout. Of course, actual battery life heavily depends on how you use the watch and if you have the always-on display on, but it is still impressive for the price. It also charges quickly, so you can get back to tracking movement in no time.

The built-in BioTracker 3.0 PPG biometric sensor tracks heart rate and blood oxygen levels. I found the heart rate data to be very accurate during runs and weightlifting sessions, even when compared to more expensive hiking and Garmin watches. The watch uses that information to calculate VO2 Max, stress levels, and to track sleep. It also provides a PAI, or Personal Activity Intelligence, score, which gives you a picture of how active you are and what your activity level should be for you as an individual.

The Amazfit Band 7 can track 120 different workout types. That includes basics like running, cycling, and yoga but also more obscure things like kite-flying, jumping rope, and badminton. No matter what your child is into, there’s a good chance this fitness tracker can track it. It also pairs with a phone so that your kid can receive phone notifications on their wrist.

Check out our full review to learn more about the Amazfit Band 7.

What to consider when shopping for the best Fitbits for kids

The best Fitbits for kids will fall into the fitness tracker category due to the inherent lower price and slim design. While many of these options share features, there are still some key things to consider before purchasing a device for your child.

A quick note on the term “Fitbit”

For some people, the term “Fitbit” has taken on a more general meaning—it’s a catch-all that references any fitness tracker. It’s like how we often call plastic storage bags Ziploc bags. In reality, Fitbit is a specific brand that’s owned by Alphabet, Google’s parent company. We’re keeping this list almost entirely specific to that brand because the company makes a lot of excellent devices, but have included an alternative as well.

Battery life

Battery life is a key component of any device for kids. If their fitness tracker needs to be charged daily, there’s a good chance it won’t actually be worn very much. Most Fitbits promise a battery life of up to five days, but actual battery life is dependent on how your child is using the watch and what types of settings and features are turned on. You’ll want to consider how responsible your kid is—or how much you want to be hands-on with charging—and choose a watch with a battery life that matches.

Features

While Fitbit products have commonalities, some trackers come with unique features. It’s important to identify what you want to get out of your Fitbit. Do you want a hybrid tracker and smartwatch that can sync with a smartphone and offer more complex functionality? Or do you want simple fitness tracking? Do you need GPS built in? How important are stress management tools?

Sleep tracking may also be an important feature for your child. The Sleep Foundation says that sleep not only helps your child’s energy levels but also impacts a slew of other important developmental areas such as memory, focus, mood, learning, motor skill development, and overall happiness. Keeping track of their sleep can help you get your kids on a healthy sleep schedule, which will only have benefits down the road.

Luckily, Fitbit has a tool to help you narrow in on the best option for your particular needs. Take the company’s Fitbit quiz to help you make your decision. 

Budget

How much are you looking to spend? While some budget Fitbits are around $80, they can go all the way up to several hundred, depending on features and frills like GPS tracking and smartwatch capabilities. The kid-specific Ace is one of Fitbit’s cheaper models, which makes sense since kids are prone to breaking and losing gadgets on the regular. Buying a kid a $250 smartwatch can be a real gamble. 

Style

Your Fitbit’s style should reflect your child’s age and development. Some Fitbits, like the Ace 3, are meant for small children around six years, and others are meant for older teens, like the Inspire 3 or Luxe. A kid won’t wear something if they hate the way it looks.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best Fitbits for kids

• Best overall: Ace 3
• Best for teens: Inspire 3
• Best for style: Fitbit Luxe
• Best with GPS: Fitbit Charge 6
• Best Fitbit alternative: Amazfit Band 7

More focused on fitness than the average smartwatches for kids, Fitbits for kids are a great tool to make healthy living a convenient part of your child’s daily life. From fun incentives, cool features, and built-in tracking, teaching your child how to have agency over their health has never been easier. Hopefully, this article helps you narrow down the best Fitbits for kids so you can find the one that is right for your child.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best Fitbits for kids in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best jacket		Gobi Grit Men's Heated Work Jacket		SEE IT	Working outside doesn’t mean you have to be chilly while you do it.
Best vest		ORORO Men's Lightweight Heated Vest		SEE IT	This vest heats up fast to get you warm quick.
Best slippers		Volt Resistance Rechargeable Heated Slippers		SEE IT	Perfect for walking the dog or fetching the morning paper.

If the temperatures are dropping and layers aren’t cutting it, consider upping your cozy game with heated clothing. Heated clothing provides covert, fireside-esque warmth while remaining sleek and lightweight. Clothing that uses thermal lining relies on your own body heat to create warmth. Heated clothing uses a network of small, heat-conducting flexible wires powered by a detachable, rechargeable battery. Both the wires and the rechargeable batteries are slim and hardly noticeable. Wearing a piece of heated clothing should feel just like wearing a regular jacket, vest, or pair of gloves. A button—usually on the glove’s cuff or front of the jacket—lets you control the temperature. The best heated clothing keeps you warm and comfy even when outside feels like the Arctic Circle.

• Best jacket: Gobi Grit Men’s Heated Work Jacket
• Best vest: ORORO Men’s Lightweight Heated Vest
• Best gloves: SAVIOR HEAT Heated Gloves
• Best socks: Gobi Tread Heated Socks
• Best slippers: Volt Resistance Rechargeable Heated Slippers
• Best blanket: Beautyrest Reversible Sherpa to Fleece Electric Wrap
• Best hand warmers: HotHands Hand Warmer

How we chose the best heated clothing

It’s highly unlikely you can go the entire winter without going outside. Eventually, you’ll have to walk away from one of the best space heaters. However, just because you must stand out in the cold doesn’t mean you should freeze. We looked at our past heated gear coverage, rounded up our favorites, and tested new options. We also looked at critical reviews and user recommendations and conducted heavy research to separate the tepid from the hot.

The best heated clothing: Reviews & Recommendations

If you’ve considered wearing something, it most likely comes in heated form. One of our choices will channel your inner Heat Miser when you’re about to turn into Mr. Snow.

Best jacket: Gobi Grit Men’s Heated Work Jacket

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Specs

• Material: Cotton with nylon lining
• Max temp: 140 degrees
• Heat settings: 3
• Battery life: Up to 9 hours

Pros

• 5 heating zones provide full coverage
• Big, durable jacket with inner lining
• Decent battery life

Cons

• Fewer heat settings than other options

If you’re working outside in cold weather, not simply enduring it, you need something heavier than a shell, a fleece, or a hoodie. The Gobi Grit heated workwear jacket offers a heavier layer of electric warmth, ensuring you are ready to spend a full day in the cold. When things get rough, you can turn on the heat, which should last between 4.5 and 9 hours, depending on the setting. The company also makes heated hoodies for when you are enduring the cold. And, if you’re looking for something in a specific style, check out our other favorite heated jackets.

Best vest: ORORO Men’s Lightweight Heated Vest

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Specs

• Material: Nylon
• Temperature settings: Low (100°F), Medium (120°F), High (130°F)
• Battery life: 10 hours

Pros

• Quick heating
• Machine washable
• Zippered pockets

Cons

• Might be too tight to fit under bulkier jackets
• Only a 10-degree difference between medium and high settings

This heated vest for men is tailored neatly to the body and is machine washable. In seconds, the heating elements warm up the vest, which can be adjusted according to your comfort. It even includes a USB charging port within the vest battery that you can use for your cell phone. If you’re looking for a heated vest for a specific activity, like riding your motorcycle, check out our complete list of heated vests.

Best gloves: SAVIOR HEAT Heated Gloves

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Specs

• Material: Soft lambskin and polyester; cotton inner layer
• Temperature range: 113°F (low)-150°F (high)
• Battery life: 2200 mAh
• Sizes: XS-3X
• Special features: Touchscreen-sensitive index finger and thumb, anti-slip material on palms

Pros

• Soft and flexible
• Anti-slip
• Versatile
• Warm even without heating element turned on

Cons

• Not as effective in temperatures below 10°F
• Not waterproof

Savior’s rechargeable heated gloves provide the best, most versatile protection from the cold that we’ve felt in a pair of gloves. They are well suited for a variety of outdoor adventures and reasonably priced, to boot.

In a field full of very similar products from companies with little reputation, they serve as a good example of what to look for in a pair of heated gloves. First and foremost, they’re quite warm with or without the heat turned on. They have three temperature settings, water-resistance and windproofing, heating elements that cover the back of your hand and fingertips, and touchscreen-sensitive material. Meanwhile, a leather palm ensures you won’t lose your grip when you need it the most.

They’re a bit thick but still flexible enough to shift gears on a bicycle or hold ski poles. One personal complaint about these heated gloves is that the “on” indicator light is oddly bright when it’s on in the dark—but we’ve always had issues with bright lights in darkness being distracting.

All in all, it’s exactly what you’re looking for, and you don’t need to spend too much to get it.

Best socks: Gobi Tread Heated Socks

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Specs

• Material: Cotton
• Power level settings: Low, medium, high (113°F-140°F)
• Approximate heat time: 12 hours
• Machine washable: Yes

Pros

• Separate keychain remote
• Slim battery pack
• Long-lasting

Cons

• Expensive

With a range of heat settings from a balmy 113 degrees to a toasty 140, these machine-washable heated socks from Gobi can last up to 12 hours on the lowest charge. The toes are designed with their own individual heat zone to keep your pinky from feeling frozen, plus the slim battery is hardly noticeable in its calf pocket or while wearing tight pants. Our favorite feature is the remote, which lets you change the heat settings without bending over. Consider our other favorite heated socks if you want to stock up on multiple pairs.

Best slippers: Volt Resistance Rechargeable Heated Slipper

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Specs

• Levels of heat: High, medium, and low
• Power: Two included USB 5V VB550 batteries
• Sizes: Small-3XL

Pros

• Lasts for up to 12 hours on a single charge
• Provides three levels of heat
• Comes in multiple sizes for men and women
• Can wear indoors and outside

Cons

• Only come in one color
• Heating pad may not provide a lot of warmth

Volt is one of the first brands to design heated slippers, and the company has continued to innovate since coming out with its first pair 10 years ago. These comfy slippers are heated with included rechargeable batteries. They provide three heat levels (high, medium, and low) and can last up to 12 hours on a single full charge. Best of all, you can wear them indoors or outside. The previous iteration had a faux fur lining—although we loved the extra snuggliness, the new version ditches the bulky, a-little-too-hot fur for soft fleece that doesn’t make your feet feel like a sauna. You can also get insole warmers (even battery-powered ones) to turn any house shoe into a heated slipper.

Best wearable electric blanket: Beautyrest Reversible Sherpa to Fleece Electric Wrap

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Specs

• Fabric type: Plush Fabric
• Heat Settings: 3
• Machine washable: Yes

Pros 

• Affordable  
• Hands-free design 
• Heats up quickly

Cons 

• Control panel is bulky and can be uncomfortable
• Variations in heat

As a wearable heated blanket, the Beautyrest Reversible Sherpa to Fleece Electric Wrap lets you stay warm while your hands can type, scroll on your phone, or flip between TV channels. It sits on your shoulders just like a shawl with the added luxury of heat, which you can control through three different settings. And it’s available in 10 different designs to suit your unique style and fashion sense. It’s also fully reversible with an ultra-soft beige plush fabric on the reverse side. 

The 2-hour auto shut-off prevents overheating. Fully machine washable, this wearable heated blanket provides warmth and comfort to relax anywhere in your home. This blanket would suit teens in particular because of the range of colors and styles. Like our top budget pick, also made by Beautyrest, the controller can become quite hot if covered. Simply unplug to machine wash and keep your new favorite blanket clean. Need something a bit less wearable and a bit more shareable? Check out our other heated blanket picks.

Best hand warmers: HotHands Hand Warmer

SEE IT

Specs

• Reusable: No
• Temperature range: 140-160°F
• Duration: Up to 10 hours

Pros

• Easy to use
• Long-lasting
• Provides consistent heat

Cons

• Not reusable
• Takes 15-30 minutes to heat up

Want to save money on a handy choice from above? Any gloves are heated gloves with these disposable hand warmers from HotHands—a budget-friendly staple for keeping warm. All you need to do is shake the pack vigorously for a couple of seconds, triggering a safe chemical reaction that will lead to up to 10 hours of consistent heat in 15 to 30 minutes. Keep them in your glovebox or purse so you’ll never be caught with cold hands. If you’re looking for something reusable, we have an entire list for you.

Things to consider when buying the best heated clothing

With an entire closet’s-worth of options to choose from, what should you know when clicking “add to cart”? Here’s the short of it so you can spend more time exploring in your new hot digs:

Charging times

Heated clothing requires the use of a lithium-ion battery to power the heating elements. And, like other portable batteries and power banks, they take a bit of time to reach 100 percent. Prepare accordingly if you’re going to spend all day hitting the slopes or all night cheering in the stands. Most batteries in heated clothing also double as a portable charger in a pinch. We love killing two birds with one stone.

Machine washability

“Heated elements” plus “water” must equal “disaster” when it comes to heated clothing, right? Wrong! Most heated clothing can be washed—emphasis on the “most.” Read the care label before throwing the item in the wash, and make sure to remove the rechargeable batteries. You most definitely don’t want to run those through the washer.

Temperature

A piece of heated clothing that’s too hot leads to a sweaty person, which is not good when exposed to cold temperatures. You want to limit sweating since rapidly evaporating perspiration chills you … not exactly what you want when you’re wearing heated clothing to stay warm.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best heated clothing

• Best jacket: Gobi Grit Men’s Heated Work Jacket
• Best vest: ORORO Men’s Lightweight Heated Vest
• Best gloves: SAVIOR HEAT Heated Gloves
• Best socks: Gobi Tread Heated Socks
• Best slippers: Volt Resistance Rechargeable Heated Slippers
• Best blanket: Beautyrest Reversible Sherpa to Fleece Electric Wrap
• Best hand warmers: HotHands Hand Warmer

If you’d rather not look like Randy in that one scene from A Christmas Story, consider some heated clothing for more warmth with fewer layers. The heated elements and batteries in heated clothing are thin and discreet—no one would know you’re wearing a heated jacket or vest unless you told them. And, with incredible choices like these, you’ll want to tell the entire world how cozy you are.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best heated clothing in 2023, tested and reviewed appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Fitbit Versa 4		SEE IT	The Versa 4 is the company’s most well-rounded smartwatch.
Best fitness tracker		Fitbit Charge 6		SEE IT	The Charge 6 offers advanced data-driven insights to help you optimize your workouts.
Best budget		Fitbit Inspire 3		SEE IT	The Inspire 3 is a low-cost fitness tracker for people who just want the basics.

For many tech and health enthusiasts, Fitbits are the first devices that come to mind when you say “fitness tracker.” In some circles, the company had briefly achieved that level of cultural ubiquity where people referred to all fitness trackers as “Fitbits.” The market is now saturated—with options from Garmin, Apple, Polar, and Amazfit, just to name a few—but there are still plenty of reasons to choose devices made by Fitbit. These fitness trackers and watches deliver outstanding levels of functionality, each with its own particular benefits. With so many types of Fitbits—not to mention multiple generations of each version—it might not be readily apparent which one makes the most sense for you. To that end, we’re looking at the top options for a range of intentions so you can work out (or even sleep) with confidence, knowing that these are truly the best Fitbits.

• Best overall: Fitbit Versa 4
• Best fitness tracker: Fitbit Charge 6
• Best watch: Fitbit Sense 2
• Best for women: Fitbit Luxe
• Best for men: Google Pixel Watch 2
• Best budget: Fitbit Inspire 3
• Best for kids: Fitbit Ace 3

How we chose the best Fitbits

I selected these Fitbits like I do ebikes and gear for van-lifers (such as solar generators): through first-hand testing and input from real buyers. I tested these alongside fitness trackers from Fitbit and other leading brands, such as the Polar Ignite 2 Plus and the Garmin Venu 2 Plus. While testing, I looked to determine core functionality like tracker accuracy and battery, as well as the relative ease of use

The Fitbit versions that didn’t make the cut were not always significantly different from those included above, but our picks stood out for a reason. You can choose yours from these Fitbit reviews, knowing that these truly are the best options available right now.

The best Fitbits: Reviews & Recommendations

While the features offered by the various models tend to overlap—most build up from a base of 20 health and fitness metrics—each individual package tailors itself to a specific set of needs or parameters. Plenty of people want access to this data but don’t need the battery life for the backcountry and don’t necessarily want the bulk of a sensor-packed hiking/multisport watch. To that end, here are the best Fitbits for most people.

Best overall: Fitbit Versa 4

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Why it made the cut: With its broad range of fitness tracking capabilities, smartwatch functions, and lower price, the Versa 4 is a balanced fitness watch that plays to Fitbit’s strengths.

Specs

• Heart rate monitor: Yes
• Built-in GPS: Yes
• Battery life: 6 days
• Premium membership: Free for 6 months

Pros

• Plenty of fitness tracking functions
• Detailed sleep-tracking information
• Wide range of smart features

Cons

• Higher price than most Fitbits
• Relatively short battery life

For all practical purposes, the Fitbit Versa 4 can do everything that most users want from their fitness tracker. It provides info about steps, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, calories burned, and sleep tracking. It’s also water-resistant down to 50 meters, in case you’re a swimmer. It even buzzes to let you know when you’ve entered your personalized target heart rate for exercise, which it refers to as your “active zone.”

At the same time, the Versa 4 includes plenty of smart functions. You can use it to take calls and receive notifications from your phone or ask Alexa about the weather. Fitbit also features an app ecosystem that’s smaller than iOS or Android but includes apps for music, payments, and more. The Versa 4 and more powerful Sense watch bring a lot of value to the table, but the Versa does so at a lower price, making it a slightly more accessible pick. If you’re looking for a less expensive version, read our review of the Fitbit Versa 3.

Best fitness tracker: Fitbit Charge 6

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Why it made the cut: With its expansive suite of fitness trackers and detailed workout insights, the Charge 6 is a gym rat’s best friend.

Specs

• Heart rate monitor: Yes
• Built-in GPS: Yes
• Battery life: 7 days
• Premium membership: Free for 6 months

Pros

• Provides access to Google Maps, Wallet, and YouTube Music
• Stress management tools
• Provides recommendations for workouts, mindfulness, and challenges

Cons

• Subscription required for advanced insights
• Reply to calls and texts function for Android only

If you’re looking for the utmost in fitness-tracking power, the Fitbit Charge 6 delivers. With a full range of fitness and health tracking options, it records all the stats you need. What makes it stand out, however, is its workout intensity map, which leverages GPS and various physical data points to highlight when you’re getting the most and least out of your workout. Between workouts, it sends guidance to maintain mindfulness and workout optimization.

Though it’s primarily fitness-focused, it also features a smattering of basic smart functions that allow you to manage payments plus receive calls, texts, and calendar notifications. It also offers access to Google features such as YouTube Music controls, Google Wallet, and Google Maps. Some of these functions only work with Android phones, however.

The one drawback to the Charge 6—like all Fitbit devices—is its reliance on a subscription. Like the Whoop 4.0 and other recent high-end fitness trackers, Fitbit gates off many of its most detailed workout insights unless you pay for its Premium membership. You get six months of free access to see if it’s worth the $9.99 a month, but you should probably decide whether or not you’re even open to such an arrangement in the first place.

Best watch: Fitbit Sense 2

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Why it made the cut: The Sense 2 is a sleek, powerful smartwatch with advanced fitness-tracking capabilities.

Specs

• Heart rate monitor: Yes
• Built-in GPS: Yes
• Battery life: 6 days
• Premium membership: Free for 6 months

Pros

• Fitbit’s largest suite of smart apps
• Includes ECG monitoring and EDA Scan for tracking heart health and stress
• Works with Alexa

Cons

• The most expensive Fitbit
• Relatively short battery life
• Large

If you want a fitness tracker that really leans into smart features, the sleek Fitbit Sense 2 delivers. With the largest suite of smart apps on any Fitbit device, as well as most of the key fitness and health tracking functions, it is the most powerful Fitbit we recommend. Most notably, the Sense includes an ECG for detecting heart health, as well as an EDA Scan app that monitors electrodermal activity and then provides a graph of how your body responds to stress. It is also the only Fitbit to come with a 6-month free trial of the guided meditation app Calm to support any stress management goals you might have.

Given all that, it’s worth noting that the Sense is the second most expensive device you can get from Fitbit right now. If you want all the features, the Sense may be the best choice, but it is bigger and more expensive than most of the pack.

Best for women: Fitbit Luxe

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Why it made the cut: The Fitbit Luxe is a great option if you want a fitness tracker that can double as a piece of jewelry. 

Specs

• Heart rate monitor: Yes
• Built-in GPS: No
• Battery life: 5 days
• Premium membership: Free for 6 months

Pros

• Stylish design
• Heart tracking
• Stress management tools included

Cons

• Need to connect to phone for GPS
• Doesn’t let you play music

If you’re looking for a fitness tracker that looks more like a bracelet than a military-grade smartwatch, the Fitbit Luxe is a good option. The slim design, polished stainless steel case, and bands available in a range of hues make this an option that works for both work and working out, and one of the best Fitbit watches for women. The Luxe also tracks heart rate, sleep, and breathing rate, plus provides some stress management tools. You can also text and receive call notifications, but you can’t access music or make calls. 

This tracker is water-resistant up to 50 meters, and has a battery life of up to five days. Unfortunately, you’ll need to connect to the GPS in your phone to see your pace in real-time, as it doesn’t offer built-in GPS. It won’t be the best option for those serious about accurate pace and mileage information as a result, but it does help keep the cost and size down.

Best for men: Google Pixel Watch 2

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Why it made the cut: This sleek watch can double as a sophisticated timepiece and a high-end fitness tracker. 

Specs

• Heart rate monitor: Yes
• Built-in GPS: No
• Battery life: 24 hours
• Premium membership: Free for 6 months

Pros

• Tracks heart rhythms 
• Comes with emergency SOS system
• Sophisticated design
• Available with 4G LTE service as well

Cons

• Only works for Android users

Google bought Fitbit in November 2019, and some of Fitbit’s fitness trackers feature the integration of the parent company’s features. Conversely, Google’s Pixel Watch 2 uses Fitbit’s tracking technology to monitor activity, calories burned, and sleep patterns. It also provides in-depth tracking of the heart rhythm with the ECG feature and can track skin temperature. Additionally, it has an SOS feature that allows users to contact 911 in case of an emergency. And the Android-compatible device pairs with Google’s Wear OS system, Pixel phones, and Pixel buds for running.

This Fitbit for men also allows users to get turn-by-turn guidance from Google Maps, make contactless payments, and receive calendar alerts. You can opt for a Bluetooth version if you want to keep your phone on you for notifications or spend $50 more for the 4G LTE version. But beyond the device’s functionality, it’s also a timepiece that looks great on the wrist with its domed design and AMOLED touchscreen display. Plus, it comes in a variety of color options, so you can choose one that fits your style best.

Best budget: Fitbit Inspire 3

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Why it made the cut: With all the essential fitness tracking capabilities, the Inspire 3 gives you the features you need at a more affordable price.

Specs

• Heart rate monitor: Yes
• Built-in GPS: No
• Battery life: Up to 10 days
• Premium membership: Free for 6 months

Pros

• 20 fitness functions
• Long battery life
• Long premium trial

Cons

• Limited smartphone notifications
• Small, hard-to-read screen

If you just need a basic fitness tracker, try the Fitbit Inspire 3. It tracks all the basics—steps, calories, heart rate, etc. It also has more advanced features than other trackers, including active zone alert, cardio fitness scores, and a “daily readiness score” to make sure you let your body recover between workouts.

That said, this cheap Fitbit is very much an essentialist fitness tracker. It has some smartwatch functionality, including notifications for calls, text, and social media. It also offers stress management features and menstrual health tracking. These features require looking at the Inspire 3’s tiny screen, which isn’t ideal for anything beyond the quickest of glances. This is definitely a tracker for people who actively want to avoid the “smart features” and stay focused on working out. Looking to save a few dollars with an older version? Read our review of the Fitbit Inspire 2.

Best for kids: Fitbit Ace 3

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Why it made the cut: Arguably the most feature-rich fitness tracker designed specifically for kids, the Ace 3 helps keep your little one moving.

Specs

• Heart rate monitor: No
• Built-in GPS: No
• Battery life: Up to 8 days
• Premium membership: Not included

Pros

• Parent View safety feature
• Incentivizes fitness in kids
• Bedtime reminders and sleep tracking

Cons

• Single wristband size doesn’t fit all wrists
• Some users have reported durability issues with the buckle

There aren’t too many quality fitness trackers designed specifically for kids, so the Fitbit Ace 3 is incredibly useful and the best Fitbit for kids. It primarily tracks steps and sleep but can also set challenges to keep kids motivated and active. You can also set reminders to prompt children to get up, move, stretch, or sleep at specific times. Its features are comparatively very limited beyond the basics, but it is water-resistant for up to 50 meters, so it is durable and can stay on in the pool.

The Ace 3 supports the Fitbit app, which features separate viewing modes for parents and kids when you activate the Family Account mode. In Parent View mode, parents can monitor their kid’s activity and approve any connections in the Fitbit social community. Meanwhile, Kid View presents a child-friendly version of the fitness tracker experience, with access to stats, badges, personalized avatars, and challenges. Like many of the best smartwatches for kids, it’s cute but quite feature-packed.

What to consider before buying a Fitbit

Each Fitbit variety offers its unique features and benefits, so it’s important to keep a few things in mind when choosing which is the best one for you and whether that’s the latest Fitbit or old Fitbit models. These are, for the most part, the same considerations to keep in mind when picking any fitness tracker or fitness watch. 

Health goals

To judge any fitness tracker, you must know how you plan to use it. Are you looking to track your high-impact workouts or simply ensure you get your steps in? Monitor heart health or blood oxygen levels? Or maybe sleep tracking and monitoring mindfulness? Different Fitbits come with varying feature sets that will accommodate different goals. Often, more complex trackers will be larger, more complicated, and more expensive. Finding the right balance among those three factors will set you up to use your Fitbit to the fullest.

Cost

Fitbits come in many shapes and sizes, meaning some are more expensive than others. Some models cost as little as $60. Others get as high as $400. Again, you want to find a balance between feature-set and price that works for you, but it’s also generally important to keep your budget in mind as you shop.

Smart functions

While some Fitbits act as fairly basic fitness trackers, others are much more elaborate smartwatches. Which is right for you depends on whether or not you need all those smarts.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best Fitbits

• Best overall: Fitbit Versa 4
• Best fitness tracker: Fitbit Charge 6
• Best watch: Fitbit Sense 2
• Best for women: Fitbit Luxe
• Best for men: Google Pixel Watch 2
• Best budget: Fitbit Inspire 3
• Best for kids: Fitbit Ace 3

The best Fitbit for you comes down to one of two factors: whether you want a smartwatch or a fitness tracker and your budget. The core fitness tracking features are largely consistent among most models. Hence, you need to consider whether you care about smartphone-related lifestyle features and the advanced fitness analytics that come with Fitbit’s premium subscription. Ultimately, most Fitbits are great so long as their features and your expectations are in sync.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best Fitbits for 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Part of the reason augmented reality has had difficulty gaining a foothold comes down to the whole “augmented” part of the equation. Is there a way to create unobtrusive devices that are easy to use while still delivering solid performance? Apart from holding your smartphone awkwardly in front of your face or strapping a headset the approximate size and comfort level of a microwave to your face, the options are limited. 

TCL, however, is doing its best to bring AR to more people with their NXTWEAR S XR glasses. Lightweight and designed to look more like cool (if slightly bulkier) Ray-Bans than VR headsets, the NXTWEAR S smart glasses are meant to bring the “personal screen” experience out into the real world in a more comfortable and potentially useful way.

SEE IT

Overview

• The NXTWEAR S XR glasses feature a pair of micro-OLED FHD displays that project a 201-inch 16:9 60Hz image at 6-meter distance. With up to 400 nits of brightness, you can see clearly even outdoors. Their resolution is 1920 x 1080 in 2D mode and also 3D compatible, offering 3840 x 1080 resolution in that mode.
• They come with three pairs of lenses, including “sunglasses” that can help improve the viewing experience in sunlight and myopia glass frames for nearsighted people. 
• The NXTWEAR S also features fully immersive audio and adjustable volume and brightness settings. 
• The glasses connect to smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles via magnetic USB-C DisplayPort cable. However, most devices, such as older iPhones and Nintendo Switches, need a separate adapter. 

Pros

• Intuitive to connect and use right out of the box
• Lightweight (85g) and stylish design—it actually looks like something you wouldn’t mind wearing in public
• Image and sound quality are excellent, with its 1080p projection particularly impressive

Cons

• Although the glasses themselves are lightweight and generally pretty stylish, the device is still cumbersome, especially with the 30g cord and additional adapters required for specific devices
• The NXTWEAR S can connect to, say, a laptop right out of the box but requires one kind of adapter for iPhones and yet another for the Nintendo Switch. The adapters, in turn, also often need to be charged, so you can run into a problem with your device and your adapter running out of steam at opposing times
• The image quality is generally excellent, but the transparency of the image is a little distracting (especially when watching movies) and takes getting used to—it feels like a hybrid of a second screen and an AR headset but with the weaknesses of both  
• There is a noticeable lag when playing mobile games

Verdict: There’s no doubt this is a great (if incremental) step forward for wearable second-screen/AR devices, but it’s not quite there yet. Technically impressive and “only” $349 (honestly, there are far more expensive fashion sunglasses), the NXTWEAR S XR glasses further cement TCL’s reputation for making affordable devices that don’t skimp on quality (just like their TVs). However, it’s hard to see the NXTWEAR S being a go-to device for people except in very specific cases. 

On a plane and don’t want to risk tech-neck staring at your smartphone? This is a great alternative (just be prepared for a flight attendant to casually walk through a car chase in the middle of Fast X). Are you in bed and want to watch Better Call Saul, but your partner is asleep? Again, this is great for that. But when doing, say, laptop work, it’s nice not to have the option to look up and see your desktop floating in space above your latte. And, unless you’re a supremely gifted typist, you’ll still need to look down and occasionally lift the glasses to type or move your cursor around. It’s cool but not exactly practical.  

The TCL NXTWEAR XR glasses build

Right out of the box, the TCL NXTWEAR S XR glasses are (pardon the expression) Apple-like in their stylish simplicity. You get a small carrying case, the magnetic USB-C cable, a separate eyeglass pad so you can adjust fit and comfort level, and Ray Ban-like sunglass overlays that attach to the front of the NXTWEAR magnetically (and with TÜV Rheinland Certified lenses, they do actually provide sun and blue light protection). 

Everything you need can be placed into the carry case, which has a nice, padded interior and a hard plastic shell, making it perfectly easy to store in a laptop bag or stuff into your airline carry-on without worrying about scratching the lenses or crushing the device. 

The TCL NXTWEAR XR glasses setup

Overall, the core device is unfussy and well-designed, with set-up generally very easy (as long as you have a compatible device handy). I was able to hook the NXTWEAR S to my MacBook immediately, and the computer was able to recognize the device and switch into “second screen” mode without my having to do anything. Again, this device is intuitive and a great step forward, but it needs to be more device-agnostic.

The TCL NXTWEAR XR glasses performance

The TCL NXTWEAR gets right to work without any complicated or annoying setup. Once plugged in, you can immediately access the second screen, which looks crisp and clear with CONTRAST > 100000:1 and sRGB 108%, among other specs. Volume and brightness adjustments can be made easily via small buttons on the right temple. I used it primarily on a MacBook and iPhone and didn’t even have to download an app to start enjoying it immediately. 

The magnetic eyepiece not only improves the look of the glasses (you go from cybernetic accountant in 2099 to Tom Cruise on an aircraft carrier in a flash), but it does help temper some of the transparency and gives you richer, more “TV”-like colors. On the negative side, the device does have some compatibility issues with apps like Amazon Prime and MoviesAnywhere. 

So, who should buy the TCL NXTWEAR S XR glasses? 

Early adopters, who love a good gadget more than they look for practicality, will find that the NXTWEAR S XR glasses offer a fantastic design that delivers on its promises—it’s just that what it promises isn’t something you’ll necessarily have to or want to integrate into your everyday life. 

It seems clear that TCL will keep iterating on this idea, and each phase will likely smooth out some of the roughness and cumbersome annoyance. At around $400, it’s an expensive novelty, but it has potential and is fun to play with in small doses (allow your eyes to re-adjust to the real world after wearing them for a bit).

The post TCL NXTWEAR S XR glasses review: A smart wearable with an emphasis on wearability appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

The Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) is Apple’s budget-friendly wearable, and Amazon has knocked $50 off the price across the board to make it even more attainable. The SE has most of the bells and whistles found on the more expensive Apple Watch models at a fraction of the price. It’s 50m water resistant and includes essential safety features like irregular/unusually high heartbeat notifications and crash detection. It works seamlessly with other Apple devices. Plus, it comes in two sizes and a wide variety of colors. You can buy an older model to save money, but then you won’t get software support for as long as you will with the SE. This is all the smartwatch most people need, and it’s a steal at this price.

Note: You’ll have to be an Amazon Prime member to take advantage of most of these deals, so be sure you’re signed up before making a purchase.

Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) [GPS 40mm] Smartwatch with Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Loop $199 (was $249)

SEE IT

This is the cheapest version you can get. It has a smaller 40mm face (you can move up to 44mm starting at $229). It’s great if you don’t have a huge wrist or you simply don’t want a giant watch. It monitors your heart rate, gives you your messages, runs all the Apple Watch apps, and does everything most people need.

Other Apple Watch SE options on sale for Prime Day:

• Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) [GPS 44mm] Smartwatch with Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band M/L $229 (was $279)
• Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) [GPS 44mm] Smartwatch with Silver Aluminum Case with Winter Blue Sport Loop $229 (was $279)
• Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) [GPS 44mm] Smartwatch with Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Loop $229 (was $279)

Accessorizing other activities? Take a look at our ongoing list of Big Deal Days discounts.

Want more deals delivered to your inbox weekly? Sign up for PopSci’s Deals newsletter and save money on stuff you’ll really use.

The post The best Apple Watch for most people is just $199 for Amazon Prime Day appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

A TEACHER PET		Little Tikes Tobi Robot Smartwatch		SEE IT	A handy learning tool disguised as a digital pet.
A MONSTER DEAL		VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX3		SEE IT	Fun features without the high price tag make this smartwatch a smart buy.
KEEP KIDS ON TRACK		Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3		SEE IT	A stylish activity monitor that counts sheep, strides, and strokes.

Buying a smartwatch for a kid is actually, well, incredibly smart. Smartwatches can promote healthy habits by tracking steps. They can teach children the responsibility of owning a cool gadget. They can provide parental peace of mind, acting as a GPS tracker for kids to monitor your child’s location (with the kid’s knowledge, of course). And, of course, they can make your little one smile, reminding them that, sometimes, their parents really are pretty cool. But picking the right one isn’t as simple as grabbing a Fitbit or Apple Watch. Outfitting a youngin comes with its own set of considerations: Do you need GPS or a step tracker? Are kid-specific watches better than stepped-down adult models? Here’s how to wrap your head around picking the best smartwatch for kids. 

• Best for communicating without a phone: XPLORA XGO3
• Best health tracker: Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3
• Best for older kids: Apple Watch SE
• Best for younger kids: Little Tikes Tobi Robot Smartwatch 
• Best budget: VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX3

The best smartwatch for kids: Reviews & Recommendations

Any parent knows that kids’ personalities somehow show up in infanthood. So by the time your child is ready for a smartwatch—yes, even if she’s only in preschool—they’ll likely have some fully formed opinions about the device that they want for their wrist. Definitely take note because if the gadget doesn’t have the camera or games they’re hoping for, they may not wear it all. 

Best for phone-free messaging: XPLORA XGO3

SEE IT

Specs

• 4G, 3G & 2G enabled
• 1.3-inch TFT Touchscreen
• Camera
• Microphone & Speaker
• Make and receive calls, messages
• Pedometer
• Waterproof IP68 rating
• 0.14 ounces

Pros

• A means of communication means kids can explore independence & test boundaries with a safety net
• GPS & Safety Zones
• Pre-programmed responses and emojis make up for no keyboard
• School mode allows its use as just a watch during study hours
• No games means less distractions

Cons

• User guide has limited instructions beyond activation
• Requires parent to use XPLORA app for messaging
• Analog watch face might be difficult to use for younger children
• Short battery life

WiFi and network compatible, the XGO 3 comes with a pre-installed Xplora Connect SIM Card that can be activated to enable voice calls from pre-saved numbers, voice and pre-programmed messages, and more for $9.99 a month. After some initial hiccups setting up the watch for a niece of one of PopSci‘s staff members, assisted via email by very responsive Customer Service, the excited recipient started testing. Not only was she obsessed with trying things out, but mom found that it was great to send her a message or give her a quick call to check on where she was or call her back inside. One of the best features was the child’s ability to record video messages that she could then send to mom. And, in an emergency, an SOS button can be pressed by a child to notify emergency contacts of their location. In addition, pictures can be taken and sent with the onboard camera. A screen protector would be recommended, however, as children are not aware of how easily screens scratch. Overall, the X3GO is a solid prelude for kids who aren’t ready for a phone and for parents who aren’t ready to give their young kid a phone but still want to offer some room to explore without parents standing over them all the time. In the warmer months, this is the kind of watch that can get a lot of use, as all the kids start playing outside around the neighborhood. And, as kids grow and want a higher-resolution screen and camera, there is the XPLORA X6.

Best health tracker: Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3

SEE IT

The best health trackers are way more than simple pedometers. And the Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3, with a replaceable battery that should last all year, rises to the challenge. This swim-friendly smartwatch can withstand the pressure under 164 feet of water and will monitor your child’s activity, whether they’re in the pool, on the field, or resting. A compatible parent-only smartphone app (Android 4.4 and up and iOS 9.1 and up) lets you load games that will keep kids engaged to hit their 60 minutes of daily activity. (You can also set alerts to remind the kids to do their homework or take out the trash.) The silicone band is made to fit kids ages 4 to 9, with the regular size going up to 145 millimeters and the extra-large stretching to 170 millimeters. 

Best for older kids: Apple Watch SE

SEE IT

At $150 less than the cost of the Apple Watch Series 9, the Apple Watch SE is perfect for a tween who has a phone and is learning what it means to treat technology responsibly and use it to get things done. Activity tracking features like heart rate monitoring and running routes can help promote your youngster’s budding workout regimen. Plus, they can find the right pump-up tunes by accessing more than 75 million songs on Apple Music. Being able to access their calendar and answer calls and texts from their wrist can help them keep up with increasingly hectic schedules. 

Best for younger kids: Little Tikes Tobi Robot Smartwatch 

SEE IT

With more than 50 faces, the Tobi 2 really does resemble a robot on your kid’s wrist, and by employing fun games and movement motivators—like an augmented reality seek-and-search game, and a dance activity game—it will help children learn and grow, even if they don’t realize it. Kids will enjoy taking selfies and videos with two cameras—the 512 MB of memory can store up to 3,000 photos or 30 minutes of video. And the lithium-polymer battery is rechargeable via USB plug-in, but the kiddo will have to turn it off to charge. 

Best budget: VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX3

SEE IT

The KidiZoom Smartwatch DX3 is the latest and greatest model in VTech’s line of affordable kid-friendly watches, featuring two cameras for taking videos and selfies, an easy-to-use touch screen, and over 50 kid-friendly watch faces. In addition to a built-in combo camera flash and flashlight, the KidiZoom features daily routine and alarm apps to help little ones learn about time management. While it doesn’t have two-way calling or GPS functionality like pricier watches, friends can pair two DX3s to send preset messages and play games by scanning each other’s watches in person. Best of all, the watch has no wireless connectivity and uses microUSB for all data transfer, keeping it secure and under parents’ control.

What to consider when buying the best smartwatches for kids 

Modern devices fit a ton of features into incredibly small packages. There are universal needs—like comfort, durability, and long battery life—but if you’re in the market for a child’s smartwatch, weeding out the best choice means focusing on a few broader questions.

Do you want (or need) to track your child’s location? 

A GPS-enabled smartwatch can let parents sleep a little easier. However, we definitely advise being up-front with your kid that you can see their location. The devices are in constant communication with the constellation of satellites orbiting the Earth, so as long as your child is wearing the watch—and you’ve downloaded the corresponding smartphone app—you can find them. The best GPS tracker for kids includes features like SOS alerts, which let kids send distress signals, and two-way calling, akin to a walkie-talkie function. Lastly, you want a watch that’ll last. Most GPS smartwatches will continue to emit a location signal after the battery has died. To further ensure uninterrupted operation, look for the best GPS watch made out of a trustworthy material like non-toxic silicone and rated IP67, which means it can survive being submerged in up to a meter of water for half an hour, and it is dust-tight.

Does your child need help staying active?  

Healthy habits should start young, but only a quarter of kids get the CDC-recommended hour of exercise they need a day. With activity monitors on their wrists, kids can make a game out of their movement. The best health/fitness watches go beyond counting steps. Pairing with smartphone apps over Bluetooth, health trackers motivate users with movement challenges and other activities, and they let wearers set goals and reminders to stay on task. Activity monitors are made to be worn during exercise (and sleep), so they need to be comfortable. Look for silicone bands, especially if your kid likes swimming, and an IP68 waterproof rating. If movement is the main goal, fitness-focused options like the Fitbit Ace and Garmin Vivofit Jr. trade bulkier colorful screens for slimmer fits and more detailed health tracking.   

Is your tween ready for an Apple Watch?

Your middle schooler is likely already begging you for a smartphone. It’ll let them stay in touch with you, they’ll argue. It’ll help them stay organized, they’ll say. Valid points. And if you’re considering caving and buying your tween an older iPhone, an older Apple Watch just might be a good companion purchase. For starters, an Apple Watch can ping the phone it’s paired with, adding insurance against losing the phone. And by pairing the watch with your own phone, you, as the parent, can track your kid’s location (again, be upfront about this). Meanwhile, kids will get the benefits of activity tracking, Siri’s wisdom, and emergency calling right from their wrist with an Apple Watch for kids.

What about a toddler?

The best smartwatches for kids who are younger will be as informative as they are entertaining, with games and other tools imparting lessons like counting, pattern recognition, and time-telling. Smartwatches for little ones should be durable and affordable since all parents know how kids sometimes treat their toys—that means skipping the temptations of expensive upgrades like GPS.  

Can you find a good deal on a smartwatch for kids? 

Let’s face it: A smartwatch is basically a toy. But even on a budget, there’s no reason that toy can’t be cool. Kids will care only about the games, movement activities, or funny filters on the camera—all of which are available in cheap smartwatch options—while parents can rest easy knowing most budget smartwatches can’t text or call anyone.   

FAQs

Final thoughts on buying the best smartwatch for kids

• Best for communicating without a phone: XPLORA XGO3
• Best health tracker: Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3
• Best for older kids: Apple Watch SE
• Best for younger kids: Little Tikes Tobi Robot Smartwatch 
• Best budget: VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX3

Finding the best smartwatch for kids comes down to what single feature is the most important. If location tracking is a top priority, look for a GPS-enabled smartwatch. If fitness tracking is more your tween or teenager’s speed, look for a narrower-banded smartwatch like the Fitbit Ace. Finally, if fun is all you need, you may not have to spend a fortune (the VTech KidiZoom, for instance, is under $40), especially if your smartwatch is destined for the wrist of a preschooler. 

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best smartwatch for kids in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best for cycling		Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor		SEE IT	An accurate heart monitor that pairs with Peloton.
Best for triathletes		Myzone MZ-Switch		SEE IT	You customize your workout and now you can customize how you use your heart rate monitor with the MZ-Switch, which can be worn on your wrist, arm, or chest.
Best for running		Garmin HRM-Pro Premium Heart Rate Strap		SEE IT	A heart rate monitor that’s easy to use and runs well in more than one way.

If you aren’t wearing a heart rate monitor, you aren’t getting the most from exercising. According to the Cleveland Clinic, heart rate is a primary indicator of how intensely you’re exerting yourself and what energy source you’re using. When you work out, you burn calories, but if your heart rate is too high, you’ll actually be burning more carbohydrates, since your body can’t burn fat fast enough to keep up. Therefore, knowing your heart rate lets you keep your workout in the fat-burning zone. (This is the underlying theory behind Orangetheory workouts, for example.) The best heart rate monitors give you reliable, real-time readings and can beam data to a synced device for further analysis so you can work out your best workout. 

And, sure, you could use your fingers to check your pulse, but how realistic—or reliable—is that when you’re on a bike or in the pool? Heart rate monitors offer ease of use and accuracy suited for high-intensity activity and environments. So if you’re trying to figure out a monitor for cycling, swimming, or running, whether an armband or a chest strap is better for you, read on. We’ve got our finger on the pulse of the best heart rate monitors. 

• Best for cycling: Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor
• Best for running: Garmin HRM-Pro Premium Heart Rate Strap
• Best for swimming: Apple Watch Series 7
• Best for rowing: Scosche Rhythm 24 Heart Rate Monitor
• Best for exercises of all sorts: Myzone MZ-Switch
• Best budget: Wahoo Tickr Heart Rate Monitor

How we selected the best heart rate monitors

The core function of the best heart rate monitors is to provide an accurate, real-time look at your heart rate. So we only considered the ones made by top manufacturers whose sensor technology cannot be beat and whose products we’ve tested and trust. From there, we read what users and critics had to say about how they felt and functioned in the real world, and we considered critical features like Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity and compatibility with popular fitness apps. That heartfelt work led us to a list we love. 

Best heart rate monitors: Reviews & Recommendations

Best for cycling: Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: Polar’s ECG heart rate measurement provides pinpoint accuracy whether road biking or open-water swimming.

Specs:

• Weight: Connector 21 g (0.74 oz), strap 39 g (1.38 oz)
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, ANT+
• Battery life: Up to 400 hours

Pros:

• Accurate
• Connects to multiple devices at once
• Waterproof up to 30 meteres
• Over-the-air software updates

Cons:

• Replacement batteries may not last as long as the original

Garmin, Apple, Strava, Nike—these are just some of the brands that this Polar monitor works with. It can support iOS mobile devices with iOS 13 or later; Android mobile devices with Bluetooth 4.0 capability and Android 7 or later; Huawei mobile devices with Huawei App Gallery and Huawei Mobile Services installed. That makes this chest strap one of the best heart rate monitors for cycling. But it excels as one of the best monitors for Peloton and cycling in general, as its accurate reader and comfortable fit don’t falter at high speeds thanks to silicone dots that help it stay firmly in place.

Best for running: Garmin HRM-Pro Premium Heart Rate Strap

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: By tracking metrics such as vertical oscillation, ground contact time, stride length, and vertical ratio, this Garmin heart rate monitor can improve your running form.

Specs:

• Weight: 2.1 ounces
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, ANT+
• Battery life: 1 year (training once a day)

Pros:

• 5 ATM water resistance (can withstand depths of 50 meters)
• Lightweight
• Seamless connectivity

Cons:

• Must connect via ANT+ for running dynamics
• Optimized for Garmin products

This Garmin strap is the best heart rate monitor for running because it’ll monitor how effectively your feet are pounding the pavement in addition to how forcefully your heart is pounding in your chest. While it’s made to share data with Garmin watches and other devices, it can also connect to third-party apps, including Zwift. Plus, the chest monitor offers an unlimited number of connections via ANT+ (Bluetooth is limited to two), allowing you to share data between multiple devices. The strap is waterproof up to 50 meters and it’ll store heart rate data when your smartwatch, or another device, is out of range (which is 3 meters).

Best for swimming: Apple Watch Series 7

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: It’s Apple’s most durable, most advanced fitness tracker to date.

Specs:

• Weight: 32-51.5 grams, depending on model/case materials
• Connectivity: Bluetooth
• Battery life: 18 hours

Pros:

• ECG app
• 50 meters of water resistance
• Detailed fitness tracking

Cons:

• Expensive
• Requires iOS 15 or later

If you want the best heart rate monitor for swimming that’ll also track your health in great detail, the recently announced Apple Watch Series 7 (which is replacing the Series 6) is the right fit. It carries over the electrical heart sensor and ECG app, which can create a detailed electrocardiogram that’s doctor-office-worthy. The SE and Series 3 (which will remain available) can monitor your heart rate, but they don’t have the ECG app—nor can they monitor your blood oxygen levels. Like the 6, the 7 is capable of withstanding 50 meters of water pressure, and it includes a fitness tracking app that’s tailored to swimming, recording laps and yards in addition to elapsed time and calories burned. The latest Apple Watch also charges 33-times faster than the Series 6, capable of going from 0 to 80 percent in 45 minutes, so it should have energy as you build yours up.

Best for rowing: Scosche Rhythm24 Heart Rate Monitor

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: This armband lets you find your personal heart rate zone. It also has a battery life that can go the distance and a waterproofing rating that makes it ready to row.  

Specs:

• Connectivity: Bluetooth Low Energy / ANT+ Connection
• Battery life: 24 hours
• Sensor type: Green and Yellow Optical Sensors

Pros:

• 24 hours of battery life
• Personalized monitoring
• Wide compatability
• IP68 Waterproofing (can survive submersion up to 10 feet)

Cons:

• Can be difficult to use

If you spend the day on the water, you need a heart rate monitor that will, too. This Scosche monitor offers 24 hours of battery life, as well as up to 13 hours of onboard memory training time (ANT+ FIT file transfer). Plus, the IP68 means splashing won’t bother it and you can even keep it on when you swim laps. This is one of the best monitors for rowing, with LED lights displaying battery life and five heart rate zone indications that are designed to work with different sports. For instance, the running mode focuses on cadence plus distance, while the swimming mode tracks heart rate variability. It’s versatile in its compatibility, too, pairing with many devices, including iPhone models up to 12 and the Galaxy S10.

Best for exercises of all sorts: Myzone MZ-Switch

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: Versatility, durability, reliability. Three is a magic number.

Specs:

• Weight: Roughly 5.5 grams (sensor)
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, ANT+
• Battery life: Up to 6 months
• Sensor type: ECG and PPG

Pros:

• Two kinds of sensors
• Three ways to wear
• Wide compatibility

Cons:

• Somewhat pricey
• Only tracks heart rate

Whether you’re a triathlete or just into multiple sports, this versatile device is the perfect training companion. The best heart rate monitor for exercises of all sorts, the MZ-Switch can be worn three ways, meaning it’s “customized” for whatever your pursuits: swimming laps in the pool, skinning up a steep slope, ultramarathoning through grueling terrain, hang-gliding from a plateau, etc. I wore it as a chest strap on bike rides and as a wrist strap on runs, easily switching out the sensor (roughly the size and weight of a quarter) and optimally situating it by using the plastic clip (wrist and arm bands) and metal snaps (chest monitor). 

Using Bluetooth or ANT+, this Myzone heart rate monitor can also sync with an array of devices and programs, from Peloton bikes to the Strava app to Apple watches to MyFitness Pal. I used the Myzone app to log workouts and track stats like calories burned and to easily see what fat burning zone I’d entered based on the color-coded charts—the gray-to-blue-to-green-to-yellow-to-red-system matches the LED flashes of the heart rate monitor’s face. Two sensors, ECG and PPG, help ensure accurate, real-time heart rate readings, no matter where you’re wearing the MZ-Switch. Without comparison to a doctor’s reading, it’s hard to say just how accurate this Myzone monitor was, but I found it consistently delivered a higher heart rate than my Amazfit GTR3 when I was really churning my legs, making it feel more aligned with how I felt my system was pumping.   

Best budget: Wahoo Tickr Heart Rate Monitor

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: This Wahoo heart rate monitor is relatively versatile but most of all inexpensive.

Specs:

• Weight: 1.07 ounces
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, ANT+
• Battery life: Coin cell that lasts for 500 hours of workouts

Pros:

• Affordable
• Lightweight
• Compatible with many devices

Cons:

• Users have reported inaccurate readings
• Only waterproof up to 5-feet deep

This chest strap has top-mounted LED lights, letting you easily check your heart rate level and connectivity, plus a front clip lets you put it on quickly. The Wahoo monitor works with more than 50 fitness apps such as Zwift, Peloton, and MapMyRun. But if you’re looking to track underwater, you’ll need a deeper dive—this monitor only offers IPX7 protection. And, be warned, some users say this model is “hit and miss,” so this very well could be an example of “you get what you pay for.” At the same time, reviewers also said it “worked fine” and was “easy to use.” Making this our choice for the best heart rate monitor chest strap on a budget.

What to consider when shopping for the best heart rate monitors

From connectivity to comfort, here are some things to consider when shopping for tools to improve your workouts. 

Do you want a wrist band or a chest strap?

Monitors are typically worn one of three ways: either on your wrist, on your arm, or around your chest. Generally, the wrist and armbands are easier to use, while the chest straps boast better accuracy. But, actually, the technology has advanced so much in the past few years that each type of monitor can provide both benefits. Chest straps place electrodes against your skin to measure your heart’s electrical activity. Fitness trackers on the wrist and arm use optical sensors to measure the blood flow in your veins. Both types of sensors provide accurate readings, but that reading is compromised if the sensor is knocked out of position, so it’s important to find a heart rate monitor that provides a secure fit on your body. 

Is the heart rate monitor compatible?

Heart rate monitors connect to phones, smartwatches, and other devices to share data. While Bluetooth heart rate monitors can meet the needs of most people—pairing the monitor with a smartwatch, say—ANT+ allows you to connect the heart monitor to multiple devices at once. So if you’ve got Strava running on your phone and also want to map your run on your wrist, ANT+ can make it a go.

It’s also important to check that the heart rate monitor you purchase supports the operating system on the device you’re planning to pair it with. (Some heart monitors can’t yet communicate with the Apple 13 iPhone, for instance.) Pay attention to app compatibility, as well. Most of the best ones will work with common fitness apps, but it’s a good idea to make sure.

Will you wear it all day? 

The best monitors have batteries that can last for hours and even days. That means the limiting factor in how long you wear a monitor while working out—aside from your own energy level—is often how comfortable it feels on your body. The weight of the device matters some, but materials and fit tend to matter more. Silicone works for wrist bands, and it also adds grip to the softer chest straps. Ultimately, fit and comfort are something you have to decide for yourself.  

How low can it go?

Especially if you’re a swimmer, you need a watertight monitor. Devices with ATM 5 ratings and WR50 can withstand going 50 meters below the surface, while IP68-rated monitors can withstand at least a meter of water for half an hour. Any ratings lower than these can’t reliably go underwater.

What else does it track?

Some monitors track your heartbeat and not much else. Others can monitor your running stride, record steps, and count calories. In addition, some devices can monitor different data points depending on the type of exercise you’re doing—for instance they monitor rhythm and distance while you’re running and heart rate variability while you’re swimming—while other heart monitors track what zone of fat burning you’re in, meaning you don’t have to do any math.  

FAQs

The final word on finding the best heart rate monitors

• Best for cycling: Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor
• Best for running: Garmin HRM-Pro Premium Heart Rate Strap
• Best for swimming: Apple Watch Series 7
• Best for rowing: Scosche Rhythm 24 Heart Rate Monitor
• Best for exercises of all sorts: Myzone MZ-Switch
• Best budget: Wahoo Tickr Heart Rate Monitor

The best heart rate monitors instantly tell you how fast your heart is beating, helping you exercise at the right intensity. So whether you’re a novice runner, a beginning bicyclist, or a seasoned swimmer—or one of those superhumans who does all three in a day—the right monitor will help you exercise as efficiently as possible.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best heart rate monitors of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

A TEACHER PET		Little Tikes Tobi Robot Smartwatch		SEE IT	A handy learning tool disguised as a digital pet.
A MONSTER DEAL		VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX3		SEE IT	Fun features without the high price tag make this smartwatch a smart buy.
KEEP KIDS ON TRACK		Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3		SEE IT	A stylish activity monitor that counts sheep, strides, and strokes.

If you lead an active lifestyle, are training for competition, or simply want to keep better track of your health, a fitness watch is a necessary addition to your everyday wear. These devices help you focus on what you’ve set out to do, whether running, cycling, swimming, or hiking. Some even allow you to download your favorite songs to onboard storage or take control of smartphone apps like Spotify. You can gain insight into where to maximize your efforts with detailed monitoring of your distance, steps, calories burned, heart rate, and more. Most wearables even provide data you can use to improve your sleep and offer specific training suggestions. No matter your goals, the best fitness watches will help you keep progressing.  

• Best overall: Apple Watch Ultra 2
• Best for the backcountry: Garmin epix Pro (Gen. 2) Sapphire Edition
• Best fitness tracker: Fitbit Sense 2
• Best for running: Garmin Forerunner 965
• Best budget: COROS Pace 2

How we chose the best fitness watches

As fitness enthusiasts and long-time athletes, we have used our fair share of fitness trackers. We used our personal experience, editorial reviews, and user feedback to select this guide. When considering the wide array of options available, we looked at what sensors and tech each watch used and what each watch did with all that data in terms of insights and suggestions. Accurate on-wrist heart rate monitoring, SpO2 measurements, and GPS were essential. Usability was a key consideration, as was durability. We prioritized watches that provide free access to your information instead of paid subscription models. 

The best fitness watches: Reviews & Recommendations

With so many brands and products available, there is bound to be a watch that aligns perfectly with your wants and needs. The good news is that you might not have to choose only one must-have feature since most smartwatches run the gamut of fitness-tracking features—though some handle particular needs, like running or sleep tracking, better than others. 

Best overall: Apple Watch Ultra 2

SEE IT

Specs

• Battery life: 36 hours (70 with low power mode)
• Display type: Always-on OLED Retina 
• Water resistance: 328 feet
• Materials: Titanium case
• Size: 49mm case
• Weight: 2.16 ounces

Pros

• Available in three different band styles with multiple colors
• 3000 nit display more easily viewable in bright sun
• Made of recycled materials
• Support for third-party training apps
• Improved cycling features

Cons

• Battery life still lags behind other watches
• Recovery metrics are limited

While the Apple Watch Ultra 2 may be a splurge purchase compared to other fitness watches on this list, its top-shelf feature set makes it worth the cash. Thanks to its (optional) cellular connection, it is the best connected smartwatch for most, meaning you can leave the phone behind. You can listen to music without your phone (just use headphones or earbuds with situational awareness features, please). And you can send and receive messages or calls even if you are trail running (as long as you have service). That’s a great safety feature for fitness watches since you never know when you may twist that ankle and need a ride home. 

The Ultra 2 is highly capable when it comes to insights. The wearable measures your blood oxygen levels and takes electrocardiograms right from your wrist to keep extremely close tabs on your cardiovascular health. Of course, it’ll do the basics, like track your daily activity and measure your workouts, even if they include swimming.

The second iteration of the Apple Watch Ultra brings new cycling features to the table, including the ability to connect Bluetooth power meters, speed, and cadence sensors. It also estimates cycling power and power zones (when using a power meter). Another benefit of the Ultra 2 is that you can connect third-party training apps, such as TrainingPeaks. 

Unfortunately, the battery life of the Ultra 2, while better than the standard Series 9, is still pretty lackluster compared to the competition. And, of course, you’ll only be able to take advantage of all the features we’ve listed with an iPhone. But, the well-rounded features make this the best option for most people looking for a fitness watch. 

Best for the backcountry: Garmin epix Pro (Gen. 2) Sapphire Edition 

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Specs

• Battery life: Up to 10 days in smartwatch mode (42mm case), 
• Display type: AMOLED 
• Water resistance: 10 ATM
• Materials: Sapphire glass lens with steel bezel
• Size: 42mm, 47mm, or 51mm case
• Weight: 2.2 ounces (42mm 

Pros

• Flashlight is powerful and extremely useful
• Available in three sizes to fit your wrist best
• Advanced training metrics and suggestions
• Features topographic maps and weather overlays

Cons

• Expensive

If you like to hit the trail less traveled, the Garmin epix Pro (Gen. 2) is the best fitness watch you can get. The watch comes in two configurations (Pro Standard or Pro Sapphire) and three sizes, so you can dial in what you want and need. We particularly like the Pro Sapphire for backcountry use since the Sapphire lens is incredibly durable and scratch-resistant. In fact, it’s the only screen I’ve not managed to scratch, even after using and abusing it. Plus, Garmin tested the watch to U.S. military standards for thermal, shock, and water resistance, so you can trust it will hold up on even the most rugged adventures.

Beyond durability, the epix Pro (Gen. 2) has a built-in LED flashlight on the front side of the watch case. It is surprisingly handy, and I find myself utilizing it almost every day, but it would be especially nice if you are trying to navigate off a trail after dark. You’ll also have access to multi-band GPS ​​for accurate location information, which enables navigation via the topographical maps. I especially like that the map tells you the distance to the next fork to prevent missing a turn—one of several reasons it tops our best hiking watches. Garmin also added weather overlays so you can keep an eye on any storms that may be headed your way, which I have found extremely useful even when just grabbing a beer on the patio of a local brewery.

As with just about any Garmin smartwatch, you’ll have access to a robust list of sensors, activity recording, and insights. The epix Pro (Gen. 2) tracks your heart rate and blood oxygen levels all day and your HRV status while you sleep. It provides a Morning Report so you can get a picture of your sleep, training outlook, and even the weather. The watch will provide daily suggested workouts and even offers animated workouts for you to follow along. It can predict your race times, help you plan race-day strategies, and more. It’s essentially a helpful coach right on your wrist at all times.

The 42mm epix Pro (Gen. 2) offers 10 days of battery life in smartwatch mode or up to 20 hours in GPS mode. The 42mm case size is ideal for my small wrists, but you can also opt for the 47mm or 51mm sizes and will see a boost to battery life in the larger versions. For example, the 51mm Pro Sapphire provides up to 31 days in smartwatch mode or 62 hours in GPS mode, which is a substantial difference. 

Best fitness tracker: Fitbit Sense 2

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Specs

• Battery life: 6 days
• Display type: AMOLED
• Water resistance: 164 feet
• Materials: Aluminum case
• Size: 1.5 x 1.5 x 0.45 inches
• Weight: 0.8 ounces

Pros

• Slim, minimal design and size
• Plenty of sensors for health tracking
• Bright and responsive touchscreen
• Long battery life

Cons

• No third-party app support
• Subscription required to access all features and insights

The watches we’ve included here can be overkill for many people, which is where a fitness tracker comes in. The Fitbit Sense 2 is essentially a paired-down fitness watch. Though don’t let that fool you, it is still highly capable of helping you track your fitness and health. It is packed full of sensors, including a multi-path optical heart rate sensor, cEDA sensor, SpO2 sensor, skin temperature sensor, built-in GPS and GLONASS, ambient light sensor, and more. 

All of those sensors combine to give you useful health stats. It keeps an eye on your heart rate and alerts you if there is anything abnormal. You can track your sleep and stress levels. It automatically tracks exercises and can guide you on when it’s time to rest or workout. And as a smartwatch, you’ll get notifications right on your wrist. 

The lower price of the Sense 2 does mean there are some compromises. For example, if you want to take advantage of some features, such as the Daily Readiness Score or in-depth sleep information, you’ll need to pay for a Premium Fitbit subscription. And even then, it doesn’t provide as thorough performance and health insights as Garmin or Apple options. It also doesn’t support any third-party apps, so you’re stuck with Fitbit Pay, Google Wallet, and Google Maps. And there are no music controls or storage. But if you just want a basic device to help you stay active, the Fitbit Sense 2 is a great option.

Best for running: Garmin Forerunner 965

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Specs

• Battery life: Up to 23 days in smartwatch mode, 31 hours in GPS mode
• Display type: AMOLED
• Water resistance: 5 ATM
• Materials: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 DX, titanium
• Size: 1.8 x 1.8 x 0.5 inches
• Weight: 1.9 ounces

Pros

• Bright and colorful AMOLED display
• Lots of customization options
• Highly accurate GPS and heart rate
• Lots of training metrics

Cons

• Pricey
• A bit large on small wrists

For runners and triathletes, it’s hard to beat the Forerunner 965 (or any Forerunner, in my opinion). Though all of the fitness watches here offer plenty of running features, this Garmin watch is clearly purpose-built to help you truly improve your running performance. Considering the bright and colorful AMOLED display, it offers impressive battery life. Even with daily runs and the always-on display enabled, you should be able to get nearly a week of life out of your watch. And it charges quickly if you need to top it off before going out for a run. 

Garmin hits its training features out of the park, which is no different on the Forerunner 965. The Training Readiness feature looks at your sleep, recovery, training load, and more to better guide your workouts. And the daily suggested workouts can help you when you’re stuck. Garmin will even build training plans based on your races for truly fine-tuned suggestions. And the Training Status feature helps you understand your overall fitness at a glance. 

The Forerunner 965 can track a wide range of workouts, including multisport profiles for triathlons, duathlons, brick workouts, and swimruns. It’s an ideal tool for those focused on multiple disciplines. You can easily customize what you see on your watch for each activity, putting the information that you rely on front and center. The heart rate data is accurate, though wrist-based heart rate monitors don’t work well during swimming activities, so you will want to invest in that accessory if you’re a triathlete.

Beyond workouts, you can get turn-by-turn directions on courses you find or create in the Garmin Connect app or third-party platforms. Or, you can enter your desired distance for suggested routes, which is helpful when running in new areas. I also love the safety features of the Forerunner 965, which allow you to send a message with your live location right from the watch. It can even sense when an incident occurs and send a message automatically. You have to have your phone on you to use those, but it gives me some peace of mind when I’m out running.

Best budget: COROS Pace 2

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Specs

• Battery life: 20 days of regular use, 30 hours of activity tracking
• Display type: LCD
• Water resistance: 5 ATM
• Materials: 
• Size: 1.2 inch
• Weight: 1.05 ounces

Pros

• Excellent battery life
• Available with silicone or nylon straps
• Very lightweight and low-profile
• Accurate GPS and heart rate

Cons

• No music controls or contactless payment options

The COROS Pace 2 is a generation behind the current model, but it’s still an impressive watch, especially for the price. One of the best features of this fitness watch is the battery life. COROS promises up to 20 days of regular use, which includes tracking daily activity and sleep. It also offers up to 30 hours of full GPS battery life, which can last for serious ultramarathon runs. 

Another big advantage of the Pace 2 is how small it is. The watch weighs only 1.05 ounces (with the band) and is very low profile on the wrist. Despite the slim form factor, it is packed with plenty of sensors, including GPS, heart rate monitor, barometric altimeter, accelerometer, compass, gyroscope, and thermometer. You’ll be able to gather plenty of data to guide your training and monitor your health. The display isn’t as bright or beautiful as more expensive watches, and you won’t have access to music controls or contactless payments, but those are minor details for many.

From a training standpoint, the Pace 2 is highly capable. It offers activity tracking for a wide range of spots, including jump rope, swimming, rowing, weight training, and more. The navigation tools make it easy to find your way on runs or hikes. Like Garmin watches, it gives insight into your training status, training load, and recovery time to manage fatigue and prevent injuries. You’ll even have access to pre-designed workouts and plans or one-on-one support from a team of qualified coaches.

What to consider when shopping for the best fitness watch 

Whether you prefer running outside, spinning, or playing group sports like baseball, purchasing a fitness watch can be a great addition to your accessory collection. With sleek and customizable styles, you can wear your watch daily, no matter your activity. But before you buy a wearable designed to help you prioritize your health, you’ll need to prioritize the features that are your must-haves. 

Activity tracking and preferences

While many fitness watches are fitness omnivores—monitoring workouts of all stripes—some watches will specialize in certain activities. For example, Garmin tailored its Forerunner series of watches to runners with running-specific activity tracking, performance metrics, and more. If you focus on cycling or strength training, such metrics may be irrelevant to you. Also, if you opt for a specialized device that differs from your preferred workout type, you may not be able to track what you need due to limited sports profiles. As a result, it’s important to put some thought into what you most frequently participate in and look at what each fitness watch offers in terms of tracking and insights for that activity.

Battery life

A fitness watch doesn’t do much good if you need to constantly take it off in order to charge the battery. You’ll want to keep an eye on the promised battery life from the manufacturer, but remember to take that with a grain of salt. Individual usage and conditions can impact battery life significantly. For example, if you enable an always-on display and use the most precise level of GPS for long activities on a daily basis, you will burn through the battery much faster than someone who performs short workouts without the display on at all times.

Battery life is especially important for those who participate in long-lasting activities, such as hours-long trail runs or bike rides. For serious athletes, look for a model that offers 20 to 30 hours (or more) of battery life in GPS mode. If you are a more casual user but still hate needing to charge your device frequently, focus on fitness watches with days or even weeks-long battery life in smartwatch mode.

Performance metrics & training features

Some of us need a nudge to push workouts to the next level. Many devices offer lots of training tools to help you understand your current performance level and what you need to do to improve it. Some may feature built-in workout suggestions to specifically guide you. Others include access to fitness communities that put you in touch with both peers and professional coaches, both of which can offer inspiration or exercise routines to keep you motivated or mix up your routine if you get bored. 

Phone connectivity

The line between smartwatch and fitness watch has become incredibly blurry, with the two essentially being synonymous at this point. That said, there are varying levels of phone connectivity options in fitness watches that may impact what is best for you. 

Cheaper fitness trackers typically won’t offer built-in GPS, instead relying on your phone for connected GPS. That means you must have your phone on you for mapping, distance, and pace information. Pricier fitness watches all feature built-in GPS so that you can track your workouts without your phone. Some models will also provide on-board storage to save music or podcasts, meaning you can keep yourself entertained without having your phone on hand. Others may allow you to control your music, but you will need your phone on you to actually listen. 

Lastly, most fitness watches do not have a cellular connection, so you won’t be able to send or make calls on the watch itself. And you won’t be able to receive notifications if you don’t have your phone nearby. Look at the Apple Watch or Samsung Watch LTE versions if you want a device that can do it all. 

Sleep tracking

There are some days when you wake up ready to greet the day and others where you just want to pull the covers back over your head. It can be hard to know the difference between a good night’s sleep and a rough one, but fitness watches with sleep-tracking capabilities can help you get to the bottom of it. Most fitness watches monitor your heart rate and movement, which is closely related to sleep cycles. Once the device’s algorithmic smarts crunch all that information, it’ll help you understand why and when you are waking up. Then, you can take action to resolve the issue. Some watches even come with built-in meditation apps like Breath or Calm to help you wind down before bed. 

Advanced health metrics 

More health-conscious individuals may want a watch that tracks their fitness activity and offers a deeper understanding of their health beyond heart rates and calorie burns. Most Garmin watches, as well as the Apple Watch, include sensors to track your cardiovascular health by measuring your blood oxygen levels and taking electrocardiograms. This provides a better picture of your overall health, which can be very useful. 

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best fitness watch

• Best overall: Apple Watch Ultra 2
• Best for the backcountry: Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) Sapphire Edition
• Best fitness tracker: Fitbit Sense 2
• Best for running: Garmin Forerunner 965
• Best budget: COROS Pace 2

The best fitness watch will track your activity metrics and provide insight as to where improvements can be made. These devices are full of advanced technology to help you progress and monitor your fitness and health while preventing you from overtraining. They can also be used as smartwatches, so you are always connected, even when hitting the gym. The best option for you depends on your goals, priorities, and budget, but with so many options available, you’re sure to find the right fit. 

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

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Best overall		Garmin vívosmart 5		SEE IT	This Garmin fitness tracker offers the ideal balance of price and features.
Best GPS		Fitbit Charge 5		SEE IT	The Fitbit Charge 5 offers built-in GPS that is fast to connect.
Best budget		Amazfit Band 7		SEE IT	You’ll get plenty of features with a comfortable design in this budget fitness tracker.

Gone are the days of basic pedometers being the only option for cheap fitness trackers. These days, even budget-friendly trackers offer advanced training and data-gathering functionality to help you monitor and push toward your fitness and health goals. Most even offer a plethora of smartwatch features to keep you connected when you’re on the move. While these budget options won’t give you the same level of performance as expensive fitness watches, you don’t need to drop a fortune to get a capable device. The best cheap fitness trackers will provide plenty of insight to keep you motivated and moving. 

• Best overall: Garmin vívosmart 5
• Best for sleep: Fitbit Inspire 3
• Best maximized minimalism: Whoop 4.0
• Best GPS: Fitbit Charge 5
• Best value: Xiaomi Band 7 Pro
• Best advanced: Garmin Forerunner 55
• Best budget: Amazfit Band 7

How we chose the best cheap fitness trackers

As a fitness enthusiast and frequent watch reviewer, I have used countless fitness trackers and smartwatches. When selecting the fitness trackers included in this guide, price was, of course, one of the most important factors. Beyond that, we considered sensors and tracking abilities, battery life, fit, and durability. Although cheap fitness trackers are inherently more basic than expensive fitness watches, we also looked at advanced features, such as sleep tracking, performance metrics, and more. We made our selections on a mix of hands-on experience, editorial reviews, and user feedback. 

The best cheap fitness trackers: Reviews & Recommendations

The best cheap fitness tracker for each person will vary, as your individual needs and goals will dictate which features are necessary. Despite their budget-friendly prices, the options below are highly capable and offer a range of capabilities and designs so that you can find the best device for your lifestyle.

Best overall: Garmin vívosmart 5

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Specs

• Built-in GPS: No
• Heart rate monitor: Yes
• Water resistance: 164 feet 
• Battery life: 7 days
• Display size: 0.41 x 0.73 inches
• Weight: 0.86 ounces (small/medium), 0.93 ounces (large)

Pros

• Free access to all your data
• Available in two sizes
• Lightweight, minimal design
• Accurate heart rate and sleep tracking
• Activity tracking for a range of activities

Cons

• No built-in GPS

Garmin’s smartwatches are some of the best fitness watches available, though most come with steep price tags. The vívosmart 5 comes at a much lower price point with more beginner-friendly features. Plus, Garmin doesn’t charge extra to access all of your data and training assistance features, which is why it earns our top spot. 

Despite being a cheap fitness tracker, the vívosmart 5 still gets plenty of Garmin’s advanced technology and accurate data collection so that you can maximize your training without spending too much. The built-in heart rate monitor constantly monitors and can alert you if your rhythm is too high or low while at rest. And it helps you understand how hard you are working during an activity. It also features a pulse ox sensor to check your blood oxygen saturation, though you’ll have to do that during the day manually.

As is typical of cheap fitness trackers, this device doesn’t offer built-in GPS. Instead, it relies on connected GPS with your phone. It also offers limited sports apps for activity tracking compared to Garmin’s more expensive models. But it tracks your sleep, stress, and respiration, and you can log your fluid intake, providing a well-rounded picture of your health. And you can get notifications from your smartphone, which adds a lot of convenience. 

Best for sleep: Fitbit Inspire 3

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Specs

• Built-in GPS: No
• Heart rate monitor: Yes
• Water resistance: 164 feet
• Battery life: 10 days
• Display size: 1.5 x 0.7 x 0.5 inches
• Weight: 3.5 ounces

Pros

• Lightweight and slim
• Long battery life
• Bright AMOLED display
• Provides helpful sleep insight

Cons

• Requires a subscription for advanced insights and workout suggestions

While tracking your sleep may seem unnecessary, it can provide lots of insight and benefits to help you improve your health and fitness. The Fitbit Inspire 3 automatically tracks your sleep at night, providing information on how long you spent in light, deep, and REM sleep stages. It provides a Sleep Score at the night’s end so you can get the big picture. Plus, you can set a vibrating alarm to wake you up during the optimal sleep stage so that you actually feel refreshed when you wake up.

To keep things fun, the Inspire 3 pairs you with a sleep animal and shares a monthly personalized analysis of your sleep. However, you’ll need to pay for a Fitbit Premium subscription to get this feature. In fact, you need to pay for the Premium subscription for quite a few insights—including detailed sleep data, wellness reports, and a Daily Readiness Score—which keeps the Inspire 3 from earning the top spot. 

Beyond sleep, the Inspire 3 can track your steps and activities. The built-in heart rate sensor and SpO2 sensors provide useful information for tracking your fitness, such as your VO₂ Max and heart rate zone information. It relies on connected GPS, so you’ll need your phone for accurate distance and pace information. But you can get all your phone notifications on the watch, which is always an added convenience layer. 

Best for minimalists: Whoop 4.0

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Specs

• Built-in GPS: No
• Heart rate monitor: Yes
• Water resistance: 32 feet for 2 hours (IP68)
• Battery life: 4 to 5 days
• Display size: N/A
• Weight: 1 ounce

Pros

• Comfortable to wear for extended periods
• Lots of recovery insights
• Minimal, screen-free design
• Can be worn in many ways with Whoop accessories

Cons

• Requires a pricey monthly subscription

The Whoop 4.0 comes across as basic thanks to its minimalist design that bucks the trend of fitness trackers turned smartwatches. This unique device doesn’t feature a screen of any sort. You won’t be distracted by notifications popping up on your wrist or be preoccupied with keeping an eye on all those numbers during your workout. However, although the Whoop is basic in looks, it is not basic in capabilities.

The Whoop 4.0 features blood oxygen, skin temperature, and heart rate sensors to provide plenty of data. It can automatically detect a workout, or you can start one manually in the app. If you are strength training, the Whoop can track weights, reps, and sets. Then, the app takes all that data and provides lots of useful recovery information to help you get the most out of your workouts. 

Another benefit of the Whoop is that you can purchase a range of clothing items, including swimsuits, underwear, shirts, and more, that Whoop designed to hold the fitness tracker, allowing you to go wristband-free. That’s an ideal option for a lot of different sports and activities. Despite the lack of a screen, the Whoop 4.0 is the most expensive option on our list. Unfortunately, it also requires a pricey monthly subscription. But this is a unique device that many people prefer over traditional smartwatch-style trackers. 

Best GPS: Fitbit Charge 5

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Specs

• Built-in GPS: Yes
• Heart rate monitor: Yes
• Water resistance: 164 feet
• Battery life: 7 days
• Display size: 0.86 X 0.58 inches
• Weight: 1.02 ounces

Pros

• GPS is fast to connect
• Includes an ECG app for monitoring irregular heart rhythms
• Sleek, slim design
• Bright touchscreen

Cons

• Lack of buttons can be frustrating

Most cheap fitness trackers only offer connected GPS, which isn’t very accurate and requires you to always keep your phone on you. But the Fitbit Charge 5 features built-in GPS, so you can get accurate pace and distance data even if you leave your phone behind. And it’s quick to connect, so you won’t be stuck waiting for it when you want to start your run.

Another bonus with the Charge 5 is the ECG app for detecting heart rhythm issues. You can even share this information directly with your doctor to assist in diagnosing problems. It also tracks your heart rate all day, including during exercise and at night, in order to provide fitness and sleep insights. The automatic exercise tracking is ideal for those who tend to forget to start their watch when beginning activities. And it offers a range of exercise modes with live stats right on your wrist during your workout. 

The Charge 5 features the classic fitness tracker design profile with a slim, minimal look. Fitbit opted for a button-free design on it, though, which means you’ll need to rely on the touchscreen for everything. That can get a bit annoying at times, but the touchscreen is nice and bright, so you’ll easily be able to see it even in bright sunlight. 

Best value: Xiaomi Band 7 Pro

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Specs

• Built-in GPS: Yes
• Heart rate monitor: Yes 
• Water resistance: 164 feet
• Battery life: 12 days
• Display size: 1.64 inches
• Weight: 0.7 ounces

Pros

• Large, high-quality display
• Built-in GPS
• Affordable price
• Lots of workout and health-tracking features

Cons

• Sleep tracking isn’t accurate
• Mi Fitness app isn’t very user-friendly

Typically, if you want more advanced fitness tracking features, such as built-in GPS, sleep tracking, and a large display, you’ll need to spend well over $100. The Xiaomi Band 7 Pro offers a much more affordable alternative while ticking those boxes. 

The most surprising feature for a sub-$100 watch is the built-in GPS. It even supports BeiDou, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS satellite systems for more accurate location information. Plus, you can load your running course and track your progress right on your wrist. The Band 7 Pro offers 110 plus fitness modes for all levels of athletes and offers all-day heart rate tracking with a blood oxygen sensor. 

Another feature that makes this cheap fitness tracker stand out is the large display. It offers a 1.64-inch AMOLED touchscreen display. It features an ambient light sensor to automatically adjust brightness, which is not typically found in such budget-friendly devices. The battery should last you 12 days, depending on how you use it, and you’ll even have access to Amazon Alexa voice assistant. Overall, the Band 7 packs a lot of features into an attractive and affordable watch. 

Best advanced: Garmin Forerunner 55

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Specs

• Built-in GPS: Yes
• Heart rate monitor: Yes
• Water resistance: 164 feet
• Battery life: Up to 2 weeks (smartwatch mode), or 20 hours (GPS mode)
• Display size: 1.04 inches
• Weight: 1.3 ounces

Pros

• Provides workout and recovery time suggestions
• Highly accurate GPS and heart rate
• Easy to use
• Lightweight

Cons

• Lacks a touchscreen

If you are starting to get more serious with your training, a step above a fitness tracker may be the way to go. The Garmin Forerunner 55 is a beginner-friendly running watch that still comes at a relatively affordable price, especially for what you are getting. For starters, it is lightweight and small, making it ideal even for those with small wrists. 

Garmin packed the watch with highly accurate GPS (as well as GLONASS and Galileo) so you can get detailed pace, distance, and interval data. It also features Garmin’s built-in rate monitor for all-day heart rate monitoring at rest and during activities. And it offers plenty of built-in sports apps for tracking your favorite activities. 

This watch is an ideal choice for runners for a few reasons. It offers cadence alerts to help you keep your cadence consistent. The PacePro technology helps you plan a race strategy for a selected course or distance, and you’ll also get daily suggested workouts based on your training history, fitness level, and recovery time. 

You’ll miss out on some of the more advanced features (sleep tracking, multi-band GPS tracking, and more) of Garmin’s more expensive watches, such as the Forerunner 955. But if you are just getting started on your running journey, you can’t go wrong with the Forerunner 55. To read more about this highly capable cheap fitness tracker, check out our full review. 

Best budget: Amazfit Band 7

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Specs

• Built-in GPS: No
• Heart rate monitor: Yes
• Water resistance: 164 feet
• Battery life: 18 days
• Display size: 1.47 inches
• Weight: 0.96 ounces

Pros

• Very lightweight
• Affordable
• Accurate heart rate monitor
• Good battery life

Cons

• Touchscreen is a little finicky

If you’re searching for one of the cheapest fitness trackers available to get you started on the road to better fitness and health, the Amazfit Band 7 is your best bet. The Band 7 features a classic fitness tracker design with a narrow rectangular shape. It’s also very lightweight, which makes it more comfortable to wear, even for days on end. The AMOLED display is colorful and bright, though there is no ambient light sensor, so you’ll have to adjust brightness on your own. But it’s easy to see at full brightness even in full sun. 

The Amazfit Band 7 features a heart rate monitor and blood oxygen sensor wrapped up into one (BioTracker 3.0 PPG biometric sensor), providing accurate data. It can calculate your VO2 Max, stress levels, and sleep. I found those numbers to be on par with the more expensive Garmin watches I’ve used, which is impressive. And Amazfit provides lots of help text to explain what all those numbers actually mean. It can be a great tool for starting a fitness journey. 

As with most cheap fitness trackers, the Band 7 relies on connected GPS, so you’ll need to keep your phone on you for any activities where location, pace, or distance are important. And keep in mind that even with your phone’s GPS, those numbers won’t be very accurate. I found it to vary pretty significantly from my watch with built-in, multi-band GPS. 

Despite the budget-friendly price, the Band 7 promises up to 18 hours of battery life. I got roughly 16 days at a time in my testing, which is impressive for such a cheap fitness tracker. The watch’s touchscreen is almost too sensitive, and there are no physical buttons, so you’ll be stuck relying on that. But despite its shortcomings, I was very impressed with the Band 7. To learn more, check out our full review. 

Things to consider before buying a cheap fitness tracker

Just like any fitness tracker or watch, cheap fitness trackers come in a range of styles with various features. Which is best for you depends on your goals and how you plan to use the watch. But the following categories will help guide your decision in selecting the best cheap fitness tracker for you. 

Steps & heart rate

If you’re looking for a fitness tracker, you likely want to capture data from your workouts and daily life. Fitness trackers come with a wide range of data-collecting sensors. However, this is the one area where companies make sacrifices in order to offer lower-priced models. The result is that you will see fewer options on cheap fitness trackers when compared to more expensive devices. Nevertheless, there are two key sensors to look for if you want to use your tracker for fitness goals. 

The most basic thing to look for is an accelerometer. The accelerometer constantly senses the movements of the body in order to count your steps. All fitness trackers will at least be able to count your steps (just like the good old days). It will give you basic insight into your activity on a particular day.  

Most will also feature a built-in heart rate monitor. Some will offer additional sensors within the heart rate monitor array, including a pulse ox. This combination allows the device to capture additional data, such as blood oxygen levels, heart rate variability, sleep insight, training status, and more. That’s why a heart rate monitor is such a vital component of a well-rounded fitness tracker, as it gives you a much better idea of your fitness and progression to goals. 

GPS

Beyond step counting and heart rate monitoring, you’ll be limited in what the cheap fitness tracker provides. That includes GPS functionality. GPS connectivity helps provide accurate distance and pace information and can also map your activities to show where you ran or biked. 

Most cheap fitness trackers will rely on your phone for GPS, also called tethered or connected GPS. This method isn’t as accurate as built-in GPS, and it means that you have to keep your phone on you. That’s not a problem for some since you would have it on you anyway. And you may not be concerned about super precise pace and distance information either.

Others may get annoyed by the prospect of always carrying around a phone. Or perhaps you want accurate insights. If that is likely to be you, be sure to opt for a fitness tracker that features a built-in GPS unit.

Activity tracking

These days, most fitness trackers will also be able to track specific types of workouts. The types of workouts that a watch can record vary across brands and models, with some only supporting a small handful and others providing a robust list of activities. 

If all you take part in is the most common workouts—such as running, biking, or walking—then a basic fitness tracker with limited tracking abilities will get the job done. However, if you like to participate in racquet sports, swimming, weight lifting, or any other of the less common movements, you’ll want to opt for a fitness tracker with a longer list of options. 

Battery life

Like with any technology, you’ll be at the whim of your cheap fitness tracker’s battery life. The range of battery life across these devices is significant, though. Look carefully at promised battery life numbers, especially if you don’t want to be stuck charging your watch daily. 

Smartwatch abilities

As technology has progressed, the line between fitness tracker and smartwatch has become blurred to the point of nearly being indistinguishable. The result is that even cheap fitness trackers act as connected smartwatches. They won’t offer cell service like the Apple Watch, but they will tell the time and allow you to receive notifications from your phone when you have it nearby. 

Beyond those basic functions, some will even allow you to select from quick responses to respond to text messages. Certain watches may provide weather information or other basic insights that they pull from your phone. If you want a fully connected wearable, look for a device with a long list of smartwatch functions. And you’ll also want to verify that it will work with your phone.  

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best cheap fitness trackers

• Best overall: Garmin vívosmart 5
• Best for sleep: Fitbit Inspire 3
• Best minimalist design: Whoop 4.0
• Best GPS: Fitbit Charge 5
• Best value: Xiaomi Band 7 Pro
• Best advanced: Garmin Forerunner 55
• Best budget: Amazfit Band 7

Though the fancy, expensive fitness watches are certainly cool, they are, quite frankly, overkill for most people. If you are simply focused on getting or staying active, a cheap fitness tracker will be more than enough. The best option for you will depend on what type of activities you like to participate in, what information you want from your watch, and your style preferences. No matter what you’re looking for, one of the watches included here should meet your needs.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best cheap fitness trackers in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Bose Frames Tempo		SEE IT	Audio hardware mainstay Bose predictably delivers the best sound in smart glasses.
Best for video		iVue Vista		SEE IT	Polarized lenses provide the best protection for your eyes in effectively prevent ultraviolet rays.
Best for social media		Ray-Ban Stories		SEE IT	Facebook and Ray-Bans made a solid pair of smart glasses with speakers and camera features.

Phones, watches, TVs—they can make anything smart these days, even glasses! We may not have flying cars yet but we can live out our cyborg fantasies with high-tech glasses that take pictures and video, let us talk to our digital assistants hands-free, and more! They can still be a fun tech toy for early adopters or a life-changing accessibility tool. The expectations of what “smart glasses” can and/or should do haven’t quite crystallized yet, so the capabilities they offer vary widely—as do their price tags. That’s why we’re here to help you navigate the market to find the best smart glasses for your particular needs and budget.

• Best overall: Bose Frames Tempo
• Best for social media: Ray-Ban Stories
• Best budget: TechKen Sunglasses

How we chose the best smart glasses

The smart glasses space is still taking shape, so it’s hard to say what glasses are universally “the best.” Judging glasses with AR functionality requires a different approach than judging glasses that play music and take pictures. To cover the gamut fairly, we’ve divided our selections by their strengths, whether you want to listen to music, record videos, post to social media, etc. We looked for smart glasses that were well-reviewed by both consumers and professionals and, as much as possible, came from manufacturers with proven track records for delivering resilient and comparably sophisticated consumer tech.

The best smart glasses: Reviews & Recommendations

Although most smart glasses fall short of the dream established by Google Glass nearly a decade ago—repackaging functions from our phones and earbuds into a new form—there are still standouts that marry fun and function. If you’re looking to get on the start of the smart glasses wave, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled the cream of the crop to help you find the perfect pair of cutting-edge smart specs, no matter your needs or budget.

Best overall: Bose Frames Tempo

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: Bose Frames Tempo sounds better than any other smart glasses out there.

Specs

• Lens: Polarized in various colors (prescription options available)
• Battery: 8 hours play time, 1 hour charge time
• Camera: N/A
• Audio: Open-ear
• Microphone: 2 mic array
• Connectivity: Bluetooth
• Water resistance: IPX4

Pros

• Clear speakers
• Excellent microphone
• Intuitive controls
• Long battery life

Cons

• Expensive
• Tight on large heads

Bose has been a leader in the American audio industry since the 1960s, and its take on smart glasses, the Bose Frames, lives up to that legacy with the highest-quality speakers and microphone array available in a pair of shades. Bose makes three second-generation variations on the Frames—Tenor, Soprano, and Tempo—with varying styles and specs. We recommend the Tempo, the athletic style, out of the three because it has the best speakers, gets longer battery life, and charges by generic USB-C, rather than a proprietary cable. That said, the other models are close enough to the Tempo in overall quality that you shouldn’t be afraid to pick the glasses that fit your style.

Best for social media: Ray-Ban Stories

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: Meta wisely partnered with a company that understands the “glasses” part of smart glasses.

Specs

• Lens: Colors, blue light, non-polarized, UV-protection, transitions (prescription options available)
• Battery: 3 hours use, 1 hour to charge
• Camera: 5MP sensor, up to 1414 x 1414p/30fps video, up to 2592 x 1944p stills
• Audio: Open-ear
• Microphone: 3 mic array
• Connectivity: Bluetooth
• Water resistance: N/A

Pros

• Classic Ray-Ban style
• Great speakers and call quality
• Charging case
• Easy controls

Cons

• Require Facebook account

Facebook/Meta is an obvious tech vertical stakeholder for smart glasses, whether they take photos or deliver the “metaverse” via AR. For its first foray into smart glasses, it teamed up with Ray-Ban to create a stylish pair of shades that people will want to wear. The Ray-Ban Stories come in various styles, including the iconic Wayfarers, with prescriptions available. The photo/video camera controls are intuitive both on the frames or with voice commands. The main downside is that you need to have a Facebook account to use them, even though you don’t have to funnel the pictures through Facebook or Instagram. As we noted in our full review, that connection may leave some people conflicted. In the end, though, they’re solid, sharp-looking shades with both audio and camera functionality.

Best budget: TechKen Sunglasses

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: The TechKen Sunglasses are a bargain-basement pair of smart sporting sunglasses for when you just need the basics.

Specs

• Lens: Colors, clear, polarized (no prescription options)
• Battery: 7-9 hours use, 2 hours charge time
• Video: N/A
• Audio: Earbuds
• Microphone: Yes
• Connectivity: Bluetooth
• Water resistance: N/A

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Built-in earbuds and microphone
• Great battery life

Cons

• Minimal smart features
• Cheap construction

TechKen’s Sunglasses are the least “smart” of the glasses on our list. They’re effectively just a pair of Bluetooth earbuds and a microphone built into a pair of sports sunglasses and no other intelligent features to speak of. Then again, they cost $16 versus $100-$300 for any option from a major manufacturer. Earbuds tend to fall out, and headphones conflict with helmets or hats, so these can be a great way to listen to music or podcasts and take hands-free calls while having outdoor adventures without worrying that you’ll lose an expensive wireless earbud.

What to consider when buying the best smart glasses

Right now, most smart glasses feature conventional eyeglass or sunglass lenses with some combination of cameras, microphones, and speakers built into the frames, offloading the core features of your smartphone into a wearable device you can operate without reaching into your pocket. And they connect to your phone via Bluetooth, just like an Apple Watch, etc. You might think of them as a more casual alternative to a pair of wireless headphones—they play music and let you take phone calls, but without blocking the outside world.

The more advanced version(s) of smart glasses—those that support augmented reality—technically exist but are highly niche products with very limited functionality. Unless you’re an AR developer, you will probably have more fun with the speakers and cameras.

Open-ear audio and bone conduction

Almost all of our current picks that have audio playback (besides the budget option with attached earbuds) use “open-ear audio.” Rather than covering or inserting something into the ear, these glasses have little speakers built into the frames that point down toward your ears, playing music that you can hear clearly while allowing you to maintain awareness of your surroundings.

Some smart glasses avoid speakers altogether and use bone-conduction technology, which transmits audio through direct vibrations onto your facial bones, rather than through the air as sound waves. Directional speakers seem to be more common at the moment since they sound a bit clearer, with the caveat that some of their sound bleeds to your surroundings. By contrast, bone conduction sounds slightly less clear but is extremely discreet. Do not, however, set your expectations for audio quality especially high in either case. Smart glasses are optimized for convenience and comfort, not high-fidelity sound.

Battery life and storage

Whatever your smart glasses do, their battery life informs how long they’ll be able to do it. Consider how long you hope to be out and about taking pictures and calls without needing to plug your glasses in. Likewise, most smart glasses have very limited internal storage. You will need to wirelessly offload your photos and videos from your glasses to your phone regularly to keep its hard drive clear, as well as edit, caption, and post anything you take.

Water resistance

Since smart glasses pack delicate electronics into the frames, they are usually rated for some amount of protection against water and dust. The standard maintained by the International Electrotechnical Commission, or IEC, is called an IP rating, which is short for “Ingress Protection.” The water/dust resistance rating features two numbers, which you’ll see on a spec sheet as part of an IP rating—“IPXX.” The first X is a score from 0 to 6, measuring how well it keeps out solids—dust, sand, etc. The second, rated between 0 and 9, indicates how well it keeps out liquids. An X left in either spot means that the product was not tested for that resistance, respectively. 

Every pair of glasses on our list maxes out either number at “4” ratings, which translates to protection against physical objects larger than 1mm and against splashing liquids but not being submerged. That seems to be the current standard, though there are exceptions. For example, the Snapchat Spectacles 2 featured IPX7 protection, allowing shallow immersion to take underwater pics, but that capability was removed for the next iteration.

State of the AR(t)

If this is your first foray into the smart glasses space, you might have some lofty expectations about the current state of augmented reality (AR), which you’ll need to temper. AR glasses are still too new, complicated, and expensive for wide consumer use. Names you may have heard like the Microsoft Hololens 2 start at $3,500, as they’re designed for research and industrial applications, not laying out Google Maps directions on the street in front of you. We’ve included one option on our list, the Vuzix Blade, which splits the difference between function and cost better than most for the most enthusiastic early adopters. For the rest of us, true AR is still on the backburner.

Don’t forget: They’re also glasses!

Many people need their smart glasses to also function as regular old eyewear that provides vision correction on top of their onboard A/V suite. Some manufacturers offer the ability to purchase glasses with prescription options upfront. Others require you to find and purchase your own after-market lenses (which we will note below). Either way, be prepared to pay significantly more money for a pair of smart glasses with your prescription.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best smart glasses

• Best overall: Bose Frames Tempo
• Best for social media: Ray-Ban Stories
• Best budget: TechKen Sunglasses

Smart glasses are still a new form of technology, which makes this an exciting time to get into them. Each new iteration has the potential to make massive functional improvements over the last. Whether you just want to more conveniently listen to music on the go, or you’re excited about the posthuman future of technological enhancement, there’s probably a pair of smart glasses out there for you, or there will be soon.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best smart glasses of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Apple Watch Series 8		SEE IT	You’ll get accurate fitness tracking abilities plus all your iPhone notifications.
Best for heart rate monitoring		Polar Ignite 3		SEE IT	It’s accurate heart rate sensor provides plenty of data to track your fitness and health.
Best with GPS		Garmin epix Pro		SEE IT	The highly accurate GPS and detailed maps keep you safer in the outdoors.

The very first fitness trackers were rudimentary step-counters, but technology has progressed drastically since then. Whether you want to hit that 10,000 daily step goal, monitor your sleep, or train in a specific heart rate zone, there’s a wrist-mounted wearable for you. Plus, most don’t just log and display info. They link with your smartphone and use sophisticated apps to show where you are in relation to your fitness goals and how you’re doing compared to historical data. With so many options, how do you know which is the best? From product design to functionality and battery life, we’ve tracked down everything you need to know to pick the best fitness tracker for you.

• Best overall: Apple Watch Series 8
• Best sleep tracker: Fitbit Sense 2
• Best for pure metrics: Whoop 4.0
• Best for heart rate monitoring: Polar Ignite 3
• Best for battery life: Garmin Vivofit 4
• Best with GPS: Garmin epix Pro
• Best budget: Amazfit Band 7

How we chose the best fitness trackers

These days, the line between fitness tracker and advanced smartwatch is incredibly blurred, with the terms essentially used interchangeably. However, not everyone wants an expensive, robust fitness watch. As a result, we aimed to select models that would appeal to serious fitness enthusiasts and casual users alike. 

When selecting the fitness trackers included here, we looked at a range of features. GPS, water resistance, compatibility, and other health-tracking abilities were all important considerations. We also evaluated battery life, build quality, and comfort level. We based our recommendations on a mixture of hands-on experience, editorial reviews, and user feedback. 

The best fitness trackers: Reviews & Recommendations

In a world that already bombards us with information, do we really need more data in our lives? The quick answer, if you’re serious about getting fit, is “yes.” Research shows that setting goals, benchmarking progress, and getting feedback make us more likely to improve our fitness, health, and wellness. Add in accountability—yes, many of these trackers can post directly to social media—which is another proven way of sticking to your healthy lifestyle, and you can see why so many people are devotees. Below are some of our favorite options for a range of situations and preferences.

Best overall: Apple Watch Series 8

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Specs

• Battery life: 18 Hours
• Display type: OLED touchscreen
• GPS: Built-in GPS, plus GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, Beidou
• Water resistance: Up to 164 feet
• Compatibility: iOS
• Size: 41mm, 45mm
• Weight: 1.1 ounces (41mm), 1.3 ounces (45mm)

Pros

• Beautiful display
• Real-time updates
• Crash detection and fall detection

Cons 

• Expensive
• Battery life not as long as advertised

Right out of the box, the Apple Watch Series 8 is almost ready to go. I assembled the watch with the included band and powered it up. The included magnetic fast charger works with a USB-C port. I wasn’t able to charge it with a wall adapter, but connected it to my MacBook Air laptop. From there, I connected to the WiFi and used the Apple Watch app to customize the display—a stunning Retina display that makes it a pleasure to look at my wrist and is easy to see, even in bright light. 

It’s the health tracking that truly sets the Series 8 apart. The watch works with thousands of apps, so I could easily record a run on Strava while listening to a podcast or Audible book on my iPhone. It tracked my average pace, heart rate, heart rate zone, and more in a display that was easy to see with a quick glance. Then, once I was done, the Apple Watch synced with the Apple Health app to track and evaluate my progress. 

For the first time, I got insight into my VO₂ Max and where I compared with people in my age group. The Activity Tracker also tracks the calories I’ve burned, my steps, flights climbed, and walk steadiness, plus more granular metrics, like running stride length, ground contact time, and running power. Once an hour, the Watch notifies me it’s time to stand. 

The Apple Watch helps me track these metrics daily and over time, along with sleep. And I get notifications for texts, calls, and Slack messages. It can integrate into your life from a yoga flow to your workflow. One quibble is that the battery life is supposed to last up to 18 hours, but in my experience, it didn’t last that long, and after it died a few times mid-run, I made sure it was charged before heading out. 

But the reminders to complete my Activity rings help keep movement top of mind, even when I’m reluctant to lace up my sneakers for more miles. And the crash and fall detection features provide extra peace of mind. Having the Series 8 feels like having a health coach at my wrist, which, to my mind, is worth the investment. Here is a full review of the Apple Watch Series 8 that breaks down all the new features. We also have a guide to help you determine if the Apple Watch Ultra is worth the upgrade, and we acknowledge that the Apple Watch Series 9 is now an option, but this just means that the price on the more than still adequate Apple Watch Series 8 is that much more approachable.

Best sleep tracker: Fitbit Sense 2

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Specs

• Battery life: 6 days
• Display type: AMOLED touchscreen
• GPS: Built-in GPS, GLONASS
• Water resistance: 164 feet
• Compatibility: Android, iOS
• Size: 1.5 x 1.5 x 0.45 inches
• Weight: 0.8 ounces

Pros

• Lightweight and comfortable design
• Lots of sensors for health data and sleep tracking
• Bright, responsive touchscreen display
• Accurate body temperature data

Cons

• No third-party app support
• No music support

The Fitbit Sense 2 is a highly capable fitness watch, but it shines with its sleep tracking. It automatically tracks your sleep, giving you insight into how long you sleep as well as time spent in light, deep, and REM sleep stages. It also shows how your sleep compares to others of the same age and sex. It also offers relaxing breathing sessions to help you wind down before bed. When it’s time to wake up, the Sense 2 can vibrate to wake you up when you are in the optimal sleep stage so you feel as refreshed as possible. 

Beyond sleep tracking, Fitbit built the Sense 2 with plenty of sensors for data collection. I can measure your heart rate, heart rate variability, skin temperature, breathing rate, blood oxygen, blood glucose, and more. And the built-in GPS means you can track your workouts with detailed distance and pace information. 

The app displays the data clearly and lets you see historical data and a 30-day average, too. It provides plenty of metrics to help you keep an eye on your fitness and health and is compatible with iOS and Android phones. You’ll need to pay to take advantage of some features, and unfortunately, there is no third-party app support for the Sense 2. But for detailed sleep tracking, this is a fantastic choice. 

Best for pure metrics: Whoop 4.0

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Specs

• Battery life: 4 to 5 days
• Display type: N/A
• GPS: None
• Water resistance: 32 feet for 2 hours (IP68)
• Compatibility: Android, iOS
• Size: 1.7 x 1.1 x 0.4 inches
• Weight: 1 ounce

Pros

• Very comfortable to wear
• Can be worn in multiple ways with Whoop accessories and apparel
• Lots of recovery and health data
• No notifications or bright screen

Cons

• Requires a pricey monthly subscription
• No GPS

Most fitness trackers these days are also smartwatches. But all those notifications and the bright screen can be distracting, potentially taking away from you setting a personal best. If you are looking for a fitness tracker without all the fancy smartwatch features, the Whoop band is your best bet. This unique device is essentially a watch band with a bundle of sensors. There is no screen, so you can stay focused on the task at hand. 

The Whoop 4.0 is a minimal device in terms of looks and sensors. The company opted to stick with the absolute essentials: Blood oxygen, skin temperature, and heart rate sensors. These provide accurate data to help guide your recovery. The fitness tracker can automatically detect a workout, or you can manually start one via the app. It even tracks weights, reps, and sets when you are strength training to provide the impact that has on your body. It does not offer GPS, however, so you won’t be able to map out runs.

The main downside of Whoop is that it is a subscription-based product. Depending on your chosen plan, it will cost you about $20 a month. That comes with an Onyx band, but if you want one of the many other colors, it will cost you extra. Not everyone will love the lack of a screen, either. But you can buy clothing and accessories to wear your Whoop in positions other than your watch, which is very handy for certain types of activities. Whoop certainly is a unique way to gather data and keep track of your fitness and recovery.

Best for heart rate monitoring: Polar Ignite 3

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Specs

• Battery life: Up to 30 hours in training mode
• Display type: AMOLED touchscreen
• GPS: Built-in GPS, plus GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, Beidou
• Water resistance: 98 feet
• Compatibility: Android, iOS
• Size: 1.7 x 1.7 x 0.4 inches
• Weight: 1.2 ounces

Pros

• Very slim and lightweight
• Attractive design
• Provides lots of workout suggestions and guides
• Tracks sleep and other important health metrics

Cons

• Notifications are occasionally delayed
• Battery life isn’t great

Polar is well known for its highly accurate sensors and watches. There’s a reason many physiology and sports science labs rely on its products. The Polar Ignite 3 takes that technology and packs it into a tiny, wrist-based product. The heart rate monitor in the Ignite 3 uses 10 LEDs across multiple wavelengths and four light detectors to gather more accurate heart rate measurements from your wrist. I found it to be as accurate as a chest strap in most situations. 

Beyond heart rate, the Ignite 3 also offers many features to help you stay healthy and fit. It tracks your sleep, including nightly skin temperature, measures your VO2 Max, and provides lots of insights to help you manage your fitness and performance. It even suggests workouts if you want tips on what to do on a given day. Those suggestions include cardio, strength, and stretching, which is more than most watches will do. And it walks you through the workout in an easy-to-understand way. I particularly liked the stretching suggestions for loosening up after hard workouts. 

Even though the Ignite 3 is a highly capable fitness tracker and smartwatch, it’s extremely slim and minimal. It barely sticks up on my wrist, making it more comfortable to wear day in and day out. Unfortunately, the compact size meant a compromise in battery life. Polar promises 30 hours in training mode or 120 hours in watch mode, which lags behind the competition. Luckily, it charges quickly, so you can get back to keeping track of your steps sooner. 

Best for battery life: Garmin Vivofit 4

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Specs

• Battery life: Up to 7 days in smartwatch mode
• Display type: OLED touchscreen
• GPS: Connected GPS only
• Water resistance: 164 feet
• Compatibility: Android, iOS
• Size: Small/medium: 0.7 x 0.4 x 8.54 inches, Large: 0.7 x 0.4 x 10 inches
• Weight: Small/medium: 0.86 ounces, Large: 0.93 ounces

Pros

• Slim, minimal design in four colors
• Available in two sizes
• Advanced health and fitness tracking abilities
• Long battery life

Cons

• Relies on your phone for GPS
• Small screen limits data you can see

The Garmin Vivofit 4 is a true fitness tracker. It’s simple in design with a tiny build. This watch is available in two sizes and four colors with interchangeable bands, so you can pick something that fits you best. It is comfortable to wear all day and even at night, so you can even take advantage of its sleep-tracking abilities. 

Of course, the extra-long battery life comes with a few compromises. The primary downside is that it doesn’t offer built-in GPS (though Garmin makes plenty of multisport watches for that). Instead, if you want location information, you’ll need to keep your phone on you for connected GPS. But those who don’t want to be tied to a charger will appreciate this pared-back tracker.

The Vivofit 4 will track steps, distance, activities, and calories burned. It provides a personalized daily step goal and provides insight into your energy levels and recovery information so you can train smarter. The color display is customizable, and the Garmin Connect app adds functionality and helps you see your information. Plus, despite the budget-friendly price, it provides incident detection and the ability to instantly send messages and location information to emergency contacts, adding peace of mind when out on a run or bike ride.

Best with GPS: Garmin epix Pro

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Specs

• Battery life: Up to 10 days in smartwatch mode
• Display type: AMOLED touchscreen
• GPS: Built-in GPS, GLONASS, Galileo
• Water resistance: 328 feet (10 ATM)
• Compatibility: Android, iOS
• Size: Available in 42mm, 47mm, or 51mm case sizes
• Weight: 2.2 ounces (42mm)

Pros

• Built-in LED flashlight is surprisingly handy
• Advanced training tools and health measurements
• Highly accurate data
• Rugged and durable
• Bright, attractive display

Cons

• No solar charging
• Expensive

The Garmin Epix Pro is a serious watch for those dedicated to their fitness. It measures just about every health and fitness metric you could want, including heart rate, blood oxygen, HRV, VO₂ Max, training load, training effect, and so much more. As with most Garmin watches, the epix Pro gives you various fitness scores—such as Endurance Score, Hill Score, Body Battery, and more. These metrics help you keep an eye on when you may be overtraining and need to back off or when you should pick up the pace. 

This advanced fitness tracker suggests daily workouts and can track nearly an endless list of activities. It can even help you plan for specific races and help you navigate when you are on the course. The Up Ahead mode can show you checkpoints and aid stations, giving you peace of mind and helping you plan accordingly.

Garmin clearly built the epix Pro for the outdoors. It is rugged and durable, with lots of features to help you on adventures. The version linked here uses a scratch-resistant sapphire AMOLED display with a fiber-reinforced polymer case. It is tested to U.S. military standards for thermal, shock, and water resistance, so you’ll know it can handle whatever you throw at it. It comes in three different case sizes and multiple colors.

Additionally, the epix Pro offers terrain maps with relief shading and weather map overlays. I have relied on the weather maps on more than a few occasions to get back home before a storm hits. It also features an LED flashlight, which I have come to rely on in my day-to-day life far more than anticipated. Plus, the display of the watch is bright and vibrant, making it easy to see in the bright sun. Garmin also has plenty of unique and customizable watch faces so that you can personalize your watch quite a lot. 

The Garmin epix Pro is a highly advanced watch. As a result, it’s an expensive option. You can save a little by opting for the Pro Standard version instead of Pro Sapphire. Or, if you want all the robust Garmin health and fitness features for less, check out the Forerunner lineup. The Forerunner 955 Solar is a particularly good watch with impressive battery life. 

Best budget: Amazfit Band 7

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Specs

• Battery life: Up to 18 days
• Display type: AMOLED touchscreen
• GPS: Connected GPS only
• Water resistance: 164 feet (5 ATM)
• Compatibility: Android, iOS
• Size: 1.84 x 0.95 x 0.48 inches
• Weight: 0.96 ounces

Pros

• Compact and lightweight
• Very affordable
• Long battery life
• Accurate heart rate measurements

Cons

• Only offers connected GPS
• Finicky touchscreen

While many fitness trackers are on the pricey side, you don’t have to drop a fortune to get accurate fitness tracking capabilities. The Amazfit Band 7 is the best budget fitness tracker available thanks to its robust feature set, compact build, and sub-$50 price. 

The Band 7 is minimal in design, with a narrow rectangular AMOLED display. It’s large enough to see your important data without being too large, even on small wrists. There aren’t any buttons on the watch, so navigation is entirely based on touchscreen functionality. It’s plenty bright and colorful for bright days, and the information provided during workouts is nicely simplified so that you can quickly glance down and see what you need. 

Inside the band 7 is AMazfit’s ​​BioTracker 3.0 PPG biometric sensor. This is able to measure heart rate and blood oxygen levels. The watch can calculate VO2 Max and stress levels and track your sleep. I found these numbers to be as accurate as the more expensive watches I’ve used, including Garmin. Amazfit also provides lots of help text throughout the watch so that you can better understand what its metrics mean. 

The downside of the budget price is that it relies on tethered GPS, so you’ll need to have your phone on you if you want any GPS data from your activities. And even then, the GPS data isn’t as accurate as a multi-band GPS system. But the upside of this is that the battery life is seriously impressive for a budget watch. Amazfit promises up to 18 days with normal usage. In my testing, I was able to get 16 or so, which is pretty close. 

This fitness tracker won’t cut it for serious athletes wanting all the data, but for those who simply want something to encourage them to stay active, the Amazfit Band 7 is a great choice. To read more about this watch, you can check out our full review. 

What to consider when shopping for the best fitness trackers

It’s easy to get bewildered by all the features and functions available in today’s fitness trackers. But the best fitness tracker for you is the one that will effectively and efficiently monitor exactly what you want it to—maybe your heart rate or the quality of your sleep—and deliver the info in a way that works for you. But it’s also smart to keep in mind that too many functions, such as GPS or an energy-sapping display, can drain your tracker’s battery life. They may also be more than you’ll actually need, leaving you paying for features that you won’t use. 

Heart rate sensors

These days, just about every fitness tracker or watch comes built with a wrist-based heart rate sensor. The accuracy of these depends on the particular watch, as well as how you are wearing the watch. Depending on the activity you are participating in, it won’t be as accurate as a chest-based monitor. But technology has improved significantly in recent years, and most watches provide plenty of accurate data for all but the most serious athletes. 

Sleep tracking

When it comes to fitness, we tend to neglect recovery. Yet it is a key component of fitness and health. That’s partly why sleep monitoring has become a key feature of fitness trackers and smartwatches. Some argue that you should know whether you’ve had a good night’s sleep just based on how you feel in the morning. Trying to beat a sleep score every night, they say, only adds stress and makes it less likely you’ll sleep well.

However, if you’re trying different approaches to improve your sleep—a relaxing pillow spray, avoiding screens before bed, or winding down with a warm shower—a tracking app can help you figure out what works best for you. While sleep trackers in labs use brain activity to measure the different stages of sleep—light, deep, and REM sleep—fitness trackers tend to use a combination of movement and heart rate tracking to estimate your sleep cycles.

You have to notify some trackers that you’re going to bed in order to initiate sleep monitoring, which may not be ideal for you. Others do it automatically as long as you are wearing your device to bed. Keep in mind that if you want to wear your tracker to monitor your activity during the day and your sleep at night, you’ll need a device with a long battery life or a quick charging time so you never have to miss a moment, night or day.

Battery life

When it comes to electronics, particularly small yet powerful ones, battery life can be a major concern. Depending on how you want to use your fitness tracker, battery life might be key when choosing one.

Many of the most popular products blur the line between fitness trackers and smartwatches. They come with a huge number of functions, such as sending and receiving messages, storing music, and GPS tracking. But these bells and whistles can be a real drain on your battery. You might find yourself needing to fast charge your device while you’re in the shower or sacrificing sleep tracking so it can power up overnight.

That might be fine if you just want to keep track of the odd HIIT class. But if you hate being a slave to a charger or want to take your tracker on a camping expedition without access to power, it might be worth sacrificing some features for longer battery life. Or you may need to pay for a more expensive model in order to get the best of both worlds.

GPS & GNSS

GPS—or Global Positioning System—is a series of satellites that circle the Earth. If you have a GPS receiver, it can use the relative positioning of these satellites to tell you exactly where you are. It’s this sort of geolocation technology that is used to help your car company or food delivery service locate you and how the map app on your phone gives you directions.

When it comes to fitness trackers, GPS can be helpful in a number of ways. Using what it knows about your location and the time you were there, you can get an accurate idea of your pace when you’re running or hiking. It can also allow someone who’s not with you to track your progress or help you create a map of your route. Further, on some devices, with an additional app, GPS can be used to help direct you along a pre-programmed route.

Fitness trackers have various ways of capitalizing on GPS. Some may include their own built-in receivers, which means you don’t have to have your phone with you. Others use the GPS in your smartphone to help geolocate you, which is referred to as tethered GPS.

The quality of GPS in fitness trackers varies, too. Sometimes, it’s tricky to squeeze a high-quality receiver into a small band or watch, and if accurate GPS is really important to you—say you’re a competitive runner and need a highly accurate record of your distances and pace—a GPS running watch might be a better option for you. For the most accurate location data, you’ll want to look for multiple GNSS (Global Navigation Satelite System) options in a single tracker. 

Display size & features

How much information do you want to see on the screen of your fitness tracker? Do you want all your info there? Or would you rather have a single piece of data on screen—your step count, calories burned, or heart rate—knowing that you’ll have to scroll through to get the other data you want?

As with so many choices, it’s all about compromises. If you want a full-color, bright, and fully customizable touchscreen, you’re probably going to sacrifice battery life. And if you want loads of information in one place, you’ll need to opt for a large fitness tracker, which may be rather clunky on your wrist. On the other hand, if you opt for a more basic, smaller display, you won’t be able to see your information as easily. 

Whatever you opt for, it’s worth spending a bit of time getting to know your tracker’s screen and working out how you can customize it so that the functions and information you want most are easily and quickly accessible. As with your phone, you may find some apps or functions installed that you don’t need. If you know you’re never going to record a ballet class, for example, delete that option if you can. The less information you have on screen, the easier it will be to zone in on what you want.

It might also be worth considering a screen protector if you’re going for a smartwatch-style tracker. These can be really thin and unobtrusive, and the best don’t interfere with functionality, just protect against scratches, scrapes, and damage.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best fitness trackers

• Best overall: Apple Watch Series 8
• Best sleep tracker: Fitbit Sense 2
• Best for pure metrics: Whoop 4.0
• Best for heart rate monitoring: Polar Ignite 3
• Best for battery life: Garmin Vivofit 4
• Best with GPS: Garmin epix Pro
• Best budget: Amazfit Band 7

There’s no doubt that a fitness tracker can help you up your game when it comes to your workouts and that there are a host of different features and functions out there that can keep you on track, whether you’re a busy parent squeezing in a quick yoga class or a professional athlete trying to shave every last second off your time. The huge leaps and bounds in technology also mean that your fitness tracker can do double duty as a smartwatch, notifying you about everything from news headlines to your next meeting. The type of tracker you opt for will depend on your life, lifestyle, and what you want from it. But the choices are out there like never before.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best fitness trackers of 2023, tested and reviewed appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best Overall		Wolf Heritage Double		SEE IT	The winder itself is able to accommodate watches of all sizes, but what really stands out are the winding programs.
Best affordable battery-powered		JQueen Double Watch Winder		SEE IT	A great option for the collector just starting who wants a handsome winder that will leave them plenty of cash to invest in new watches rather than cases.
Best budget		Triple Tree Watch Winder		SEE IT	The size is great for those who want to keep their watch stored on their desk or bedside table where space can be a premium.

Watch winders help keep automatic watches stay powered up. Automatic watches don’t have a battery. Rather, an internal mechanism helps turn motion into power for the watch. But this usually only powers the watch for about 24 to 48 hours. If you don’t wear the watch often enough, or leave it on your shelf saved up for a special occasion, the watch won’t get the motion it needs and will run out of power, meaning you’ll take it out only to find it dead. To prevent this, watch winders help keep your watch moving by using a small motor that mimics the motion of your wrist. Store your watch in the box, which often also makes a great display case, and it will move every so often to keep the watch ready to wear, displaying the correct time, at a moment’s notice. If you are a budding collector with a rotation of watches, a watch you only wear occasionally, or you just hate having to wind and reset your watch, here are some of the best watch winders to keep you ticking. 

• Best overall: Wolf Heritage Double
• Best affordable: Versa Automatic Single Watch Winder
• Best box: Wolf Roadster Triple
• Best space-saving: Heiden Monaco Double Watch Winder
• Best affordable battery-powered: JQueen Double Watch Winder
• Best for large collections: Aevitas Watch Winder
• Best budget: Triple Tree Watch Winder

How we chose the best watch winders

This is a relatively specialized market segment with tons of options ranging across a wide pricing spectrum. We started our search with trusted reliable brands that watch collectors generally trust. 

Since watch collections can vary from a single model to multiple options, we chose options that can accommodate various numbers of timepieces. We relied on a combination of personal experience, editorial reviews, user feedback, and feature comparisons to narrow down a list of dozens to these specific picks. Unlike some other consumer electronics segments, these devices don’t get revamped every year, so there’s little worry about your purchase going out of date quickly once you buy. 

The best watch winders: Reviews & Recommendations

With those important considerations out of the way, it’s time to get into our specific picks for best watch winders. While we’ve broken these down into categories, there’s always overlap between the products, so be sure to peruse the entire list before making a purchase. There may be more than one device that meets your needs.

Best overall: Wolf Heritage Double

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Why it made the cut: Wolf is a reliable brand that makes great winders, and this is no exception. It’s perfect for two watches, even if they are vastly different sizes with vastly different program needs. 

Specs

• Number of Watches: 2
• Materials: Faux leather, tempered glass
• Calibration Settings: 900 TBD, 3-direction clockwise, counterclockwise, and bi-directional
• Power: Plug or 4 D batteries
• Size: 12.75 x 7.75 x 8.75 inches

Pros 

• Durable construction 

Cons

• Exterior leather is faux, a surprise at this price
• Large size isn’t great fit for all

Wolf is a favorite brand among many watch collectors and watch winder users for its reliable products and durable construction. We particularly like the durable materials in this build, including the faux leather exterior (though real leather would have been a nice touch), chrome clasps, and a tempered glass window so that you can see and display your watches while they wind. It’s a handsome winder worthy of display and thanks to the option of D battery power, you can display it anywhere without a cord poking out.

The winder itself is able to accommodate watches of all sizes, but what really stands out are the winding programs. The winder can do 900 TPD and also pre-programmed rotations phases that even include sleep and pause phases to prevent your watch from being overwound. The programs are easy to select thanks to the front knobs, and you can set the two watches separately.

Best value: Versa Automatic Single Watch Winder

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Why it made the cut: This simple option won’t take up a ton of room and will save you some cash to spend on more watches.

Specs

• Number of Watches: 1
• Materials: Plastic
• Calibration Settings: 4 Turns Per Day 650-850-1050-1250, 3-direction clockwise, counterclockwise, and bi-directional. 
• Power: Plug
• Size: ‎5.75 x 5.75 x 5.75 inches;

Pros

• Inexpensive but effective
• Customizable settings
• Fits large watches
• Quiet dependable function

Cons

• Plastic exterior construction
• Large for only accommodating a single watch
• Settings, while easy to adjust, are not robust enough for all watch brands. 

This watch winder is a favorite of many for its pleasant design, simple use, and perhaps most of all, affordable price. 

Even with all of this in mind, the winder is reliable thanks to the Japanese Mabuchi motor that has a gearbox capable of 12 settings in 350, 650, 850, and 1050, as well as clockwise, counterclockwise, and bidirectional winding. This way you can pick the number and direction that best suits your watch. 

One of the best features of this winder is just how quiet it is during operation. You can hardly hear it function as it winds your watch, which makes it a great option for those in small quarters who might need the watch winder on a bedside table. 

The design itself is modern, though the plastic construction might not match every watch owner’s aesthetic, and can look cheap, so it’s not the best for displaying a prestige piece. It is relatively large for a single watch winder, but with this size comes the ability to accommodate large and oversized watches, even up to 70mm wide and 14 mm thick.

Best box: Wolf Roadster Triple

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Why it made the cut: Enough space for a large or growing collection and easy, quiet operation that will make you smile as much as wearing your favorite watch. 

Specs

• Number of Watches: 3
• Programs: 300 to 1800 TPD, 3-direction clockwise, counterclockwise and bi-directional
• Power: Plug or 4 D batteries
• Size: 18 x 8  x 9 inches

Pros 

• Leather exterior and premium finishes
• Operates quietly
• Top storage compartment for other accessories 

Cons

• Premium price for a premium product
• Wood veneer may not match all home styles

While this winder can wind up to three watches, it also has storage for five additional watches. This is great if you have battery-powered watches as well or prefer to cycle your automatic watches through the winter. It’s great for the collector with many watches or the collector who is just starting to add automatic watches to a primarily battery-powered collection

Even with three winders, the Wolf Heritage is impressively quiet. Despite this, it is powerful enough to wind even the heaviest and largest watches. 

The programs are easy to customize to meet the exact needs of your watches and can be adjusted between 300 and 1,200 TPD or doubled if you make the winder bi-directional. A power reserve function will let your watch cycle between winding, and releasing energy so it does not overwind. 

Many will like the handsome design with rich wood veneer and leather exterior, though we would have expected genuine rather than faux leather at this price point. It is a premium look at a premium price. 

Best space-saving: Heiden Monaco Double Watch Winder

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Why it made the cut: The Heiden Monaco Double Watch Winder offers a wide range of independently controlled TPD rates in a stylish upright form factor.

Specs

• Number of Watches: Two
• Materials: Faux leather, glass
• Calibration Settings: 650, 950, 1,250, and 1,850 TPD (turns per day), clockwise, counterclockwise, and bi-directional
• Power: Plug or two D batteries
• Size: 7.13 inches L x 5 inches W x 13 inches H

Pros

• Stores and winds two watches in an upright space-saving design
• Can charge each watch at different speeds
• Extremely quiet Mabuchi motor

Cons

• Pillow design requires handling watch directly for removal

If you’re looking for a watch winder that saves surface area in your closet or on your dresser, the Heiden Monaco Double Watch Winder is a great space-saving option that also happens to be a great value. This stitched faux-leather-bound watch winder can store two automatic watches in a vertical configuration, each with its own independently controlled turn-per-day rate. Like many of the best watch winders, the Heiden Monaco also uses a Japanese Mabuchi motor for incredibly quiet and sleep-friendly operation. Some reviewers took issue with this model’s pillow design, which lacks the traditional removable cuffs of other designs and requires users to directly handle their watch upon removal and placement. If you’re willing to look past that, the Heiden Monaco Double Watch Winder is incredibly reliable and capable for its price tag.

Best affordable battery-powered: JQueen Double Watch Winder

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Why it made the cut: An affordable two-watch option with a classic design, and reliable, though simple, function. 

Specs:

• Number of Watches: 2
• Materials: acrylic glass, wood, copper fittings
• Programs: Clockwise, clockwise, 2 bi-directional
• Power: Plug or 2 AA batteries
• Size: 7 x 7 x 7.8 inches

Pros 

• Available in a variety of finishes
• Large display window
• Affordable price
• 18-month warranty

Cons

• Lacks quantitative turn per day setting
• Can look cheap when compared to other more expensive winders

This winder is powered by a Japanese Mabuchi motor, which operates supremely quietly. While not silent, it’s impressively unobtrusive for its price point. Similarly, the construction is impressive for less than $100. This JQueen is made by hand with acrylic glass, real wood, high-quality lacquer, and smooth copper components. It’s a handsome design that looks great with most watches, though you may notice that affordability when it is compared to more expensive and elegant cases. 

Some may not like that the winder doesn’t have quantitative TPD settings. Still, the four programs are easy to choose from with a simple knob and include clockwise, counterclockwise, and two different time periods for bidirectional. 

It’s a great option for the collector just starting their collection who wants a handsome winder that will leave them plenty of cash to invest in new watches rather than their cases.

Best for large collections: Aevitas Watch Winder

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Why it made the cut: A premium option for the premium collector. This winter works well for large collections and collectors with high demands for their accessories. 

Specs

• Number of Watches: 6
• Materials: Carbon fiber finish
• Programs: 650, 750, 850, 1000, or 1950 TPD, clockwise, counterclockwise, bidirectional
• Power: Plug
• Size: 13.1 x 7.5 x 12.2 inches

Pros 

• Large capacity
• Neat “fast” design
• Delivered in gift box

Cons

• No battery-powered option
• Price is for a premium product
• Only works for large collections

This winder is best for the collector with a robust collection, as it has room to wind up to six watches, a lot for most when you consider we only have two arms. But if you have different types of watches with different TPD needs.

The carbon fiber design is sleek and modern and has a fun, fast look, but might not match the classical design of some watches, or collectors. Rather than a knob to select the programs, this winder has a touchscreen. While it is convenient and easy to operate, the glow of the screen adds to the modern aesthetic that might not match your style. 

The winder also has a large glass front, which makes it great for displaying and protecting your watches, and the storage compartment on top works great for storing your other accessories like cufflinks. 

Best budget: Triple Tree Watch Winder

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Why it made the cut: The Triple Tree is an affordable, consistent, and compact option that punches above its weight class when it comes to performance and quality. 

Specs

• Number of Watches: 1
• Materials: Wood and faux leather
• Programs: Clockwise, counterclockwise, bi-directional, non-intermittent bi-directional 
• Power: Plug or 2 AA batteries
• Size: 5.3 x 5.3 x 6.1Inches

Pros 

• Solid wood construction with a pleasant aesthetic
• Affordable price for solid operation
• Small size

Cons

• Textured leather not for everyone
• Branding on front of case

For an affordable device, this Triple Tree works incredibly well and has earned itself many loyal customers. For the single watch owner, it is a great and impressively compact option. The size is great for those who want to keep their watch stored on their desk or bedside table where space can be a premium. 

The Japanese motor works well and is impressively quiet. The motor comes with four winding programs, which may be limiting to some watch owners who want more precise control over TPD rather than just direction and timing. The settings are easy to use thanks to a simple control knob. While setting 3 and 4 are both bi-directional, setting 4 has longer wind periods that can fully wind your watch in 3 hours.

The wood construction makes the box feel solid, though the textured leather exterior may not match all styles and aesthetics. The acrylic window gives a good view of your watch, and we liked the velvet interior. The pillow makes it easy to fit your watch, regardless of size. 

Things to consider when shopping for the best watch winders

Before we dig into the specific picks on this list, we’ll outline a few common features and terms that will help you shop smarter no matter which model you choose. 

Do I need a watch winder? 

If your watch has a battery, you don’t need a watch winder, though you may appreciate its elegant display. Unless you wear your automatic watch every day, a winder is a great choice because it ensures that your timepiece will be ticking whenever you’re ready to wear it.

What size do I need? 

The best watch winders come in a variety of sizes to accommodate the number of watches you have. Do you need a single, double, or multi-watch winder? It’s alright to buy a watch winder with more winders than watches in your growing collection, but this will likely affect your price. Pay attention to the size of the watch that will fit inside, usually measured by the size of the watch case width and thickness in mm.

How much am I willing to spend? 

Watch winders, like watches, come in a wide variety of price points. Do you need a simple machine to keep in your closet, or are you looking for a beautiful and impressive machine to show your guests?

Is it right for my watch? 

Check your watch’s manual to see what it needs to get power. Some watches only capture energy when they turn clockwise or counterclockwise, and some watches need different amounts of turns per day (TPD) to keep them wound, but not overwound. A programmable watch winder will help you get exactly what you need, though more robust and customizable programs often come at a higher price. 

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best watch winders

• Best overall: Wolf Heritage Double
• Best affordable: Versa Automatic Single Watch Winder
• Best box: Wolf Roadster Triple
• Best space-saving: Heiden Monaco Double Watch Winder
• Best affordable battery-powered: JQueen Double Watch Winder
• Best for large collections: Aevitas Watch Winder
• Best budget: Triple Tree Watch Winder

Whether you’re just getting into watches or expanding your collection, the best watch winders will keep your timepiece ticking and ready to head out into the world at a moment’s notice. If you’re expanding your collection from watches under $500 into high-end watches, it’s worth spending a little extra for a reliable, customizable model that will keep your watch’s internals safe and working perfectly for years to come.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best watch winders of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Seiko Prospex Samurai		SEE IT	Handsome, with accurate timekeeping and excellent water resistance, it’s sharp enough to wear daily.
Best budget		Timex Unisex Weekender		SEE IT	With its nylon band and large numbered dial, this timepiece resembles the classic military field watch and has a surprising amount of features.
Best digital		G-Shock GWM5610		SEE IT	A tank built to withstand heavy impact from the dings of daily wear and up to 200 meters of water resistance.

Watches under $500 should have a baseline function of telling time. After that, the bells and whistles are just bonuses, or, technically speaking, complications. When considering the plethora of choices you can find in a watch—be it mechanical or quartz, analog or digital, field or diver—things get a little bogged down in spec-reading over features. Affordable watches are no less useful than expensive ones because, well, even the best watches under half a grand perform the same task as a pricey one. You don’t need to shell out thousands of dollars to add an accessory to your wrist for styling purposes or simple timekeeping. These are the best watches under $500 for casual fans and collectors alike.

• Best overall: Seiko Prospex Samurai
• Most sustainable: NIXON Light-Wave A1322
• Best hybrid: Withings ScanWatch
• Best automatic: Seiko 5 SNZG09K1
• Best GPS: Garmin Instinct 2S Solar
• Best gift: Citizen Death Star 2 Eco-Drive
• Best for diving: Orient Mako II
• Best digital: G-Shock GWM5610 
• Best for adventure: Amazfit T-Rex 2
• Best field watch: Citizen Chandler Eco-Drive
• Best budget: Timex Unisex Weekender

How we chose the best watches under $500

When finding the best watches under $500, we used a combination of personal experience, hands-on testing, past recommendations, and online research to narrow down what’s worth wearing. We compared specs like crystal quality (the glass dome that goes over a dial), water resistance, brand names, and band types to discover what timepieces are best for most people. We also consulted professionals and collectors, combed through hundreds of critical reviews and consumer impressions, and kept an eye on the most frequently cited value-oriented watches. We narrowed down our picks with the budget, accessibility, color variety, size, band and crystal quality, and water resistance in mind. One note: These aren’t smartwatches (if you want that, check out our thoughts on the Apple Watch 8 or some of our favorite hiking watches), but they are smartly selected for those who want a timeless timepiece.

The best watches under $500: Reviews & Recommendations

With some of the key terms defined, it’s time to dive into our picks. While we’ve chosen models for specific categories, watches are highly subjective, and there’s a lot of overlap here. Be sure to check out the entire list of best watches under $500 before committing to one model. 

Best overall: Seiko Prospex Samurai 

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Specs

• Case diameter: 44mm
• Weight: 7 ounces
• Movement: Manual and automatic
• Materials: Stainless steel
• Water resistance: 660 feet

Pros

• Casual enough for daily wear
• Stainless steel
• Attractive face

Cons

• Chapter ring can appear slightly misaligned
• Band feels cheap

The Seiko Prospex Samurai is consistently cited as a top contender for sub-$500 watches, and we have to agree. A sturdy diver that doubles as a casual watch, the Seiko Prospex Samurai has a stainless steel case and band that ensures durability and protection against water and minor scuffing. Though simple in design, its face is gorgeous and can match any occasion or outfit you pair with it. Plus, its date window and easy-to-read face make it a solid everyday watch for work and weekends alike.

This Seiko comes from the brand’s series nicknamed Samurai, due to its hands resembling a samurai sword, and is a Prospex, or “Professional Specifications,” variant initially introduced in 2017. While we believe the black and white colorway is the most versatile, this timepiece also comes in other hues, like blue and green, so grab one that suits your mood. Its downside is one that’s notorious with Seiko’s value watches: misalignments. Some buyers report a slightly misaligned date window and chapter ring, so beware of an off-centered dial.

Most sustainable: NIXON Light-Wave A1322

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Specs

• Case diameter: 37mm
• Weight: Not provided
• Movement: Epson solar-powered quartz movement
• Materials: Plastic, stainless steel, quartz
• Water resistance: 328 feet

Pros

• Water-resistant
• Solar-powered for battery-free operation
• Band made of recycled ocean plastic

Cons

• Takes a while to charge if left indoors
• Watch interface is confusing

The NIXON Light-Wave A1322-100m is a stylish mariner’s watch that puts its oceanic theme right up at the bow. With an attractive band made of recycled ocean plastic, paired with a battery-free design that capitalizes on solar power, this watch will appeal to ocean advocates and those interested in green product design.

The NIXON Light-Wave comes in seven colorways, with a range of band designs and hues. With so many available colors, this watch is easy to style with lots of different aesthetics and will work well with sporty outfits, as well as polished office wear. In some ways, the NIXON may be more married to its aesthetics than its function, as the uniform minute-hands and the double-sided second-hand make it difficult to tell precisely what time it is. Still, it achieves its aesthetic aims—this is a good-looking watch—and dignifies itself with its strong green-focused design.

Best hybrid: Withings ScanWatch

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Specs

• Case diameter: 42mm
• Weight: 2.9 ounces
• Movement: Automatic
• Materials: Sapphire glass, stainless steel, silicone band
• Water resistance: 164 feet

Pros

• Plenty of features
• Water-resistant
• Sleek styling 

Cons

• Relies on your phone’s GPS

Hybrid smartwatches offer a unique set of features. They look like classic analog watches with physical watch hands but also provide smartwatch capabilities. The Withings ScanWatch is one of our favorite hybrid options, in part because of its large feature set. It provides an extensive list of health monitoring, including heart rate details, sleep tracking, and oxygen saturation level measurements. It also features an altimeter and dedicated workout metrics such as VO2 Max. 

The Withings ScanWatch is sleek and modern looking, so despite all its fitness tracking capabilities, it will blend in seamlessly with your daily attire. It is waterproof to 164 feet, so you can even get your swim workouts in with this waterproof watch. And it promises a battery life of up to 30 days. It offers full smartwatch functionality, providing your phone’s notifications right on your wrist. You will need to keep your phone on you to take advantage of GPS tracking while working out, but for the price, this watch still has a lot to offer. 

Best automatic: Seiko 5 SNZG09K1

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Specs

• Case diameter: 45mm
• Weight: 2.82 ounces
• Movement: Automatic
• Materials: Canvas, stainless steel, Hardlex
• Water resistance: 328 feet

Pros

• Large size for a field watch
• Bold, easy-to-read dial
• 48-hour power reserve

Cons

• May be too big for those with smaller wrists
• May not provide accurate timekeeping

Our pick for the best automatic watch under $500 is also the best-looking field watch we’ve found: the Seiko 5 SNZG09K1. This attractive timepiece is slightly larger than most military-styled field watches with a case size of 45mm, compared to the industry standard 38mm to 44mm, making it a much bolder watch built for sport and casual use. The large dial is clear and easily digestible, especially its day and date function, and its secondhand wields a bright red pointer for easy tracking. With 100m water resistance, this timepiece can freely withstand rain and occasional immersion if needed.

As far as self-winding automatic watches are concerned, this one’s got efficiency. The Seiko 5 SNZG09K1 has a 48-hour power reserve, which means you can take it off, and it’ll run for up to two days before it needs to wind up again. And, of course, like all automatic watches, no batteries are required. Those who have smaller wrists may want to try the Seiko 5 SNK805 for a better fit.

Best GPS: Garmin Instinct 2S Solar

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Specs

• Case diameter: 40mm
• Weight: 1.52 ounces
• Movement: Not applicable (digital)
• Materials: Fiber-reinforced polymer, Power Glass
• Water resistance: 328 feet

Pros

• Rugged and durable build
• Solar charging prolongs battery life
• Extensive health and fitness tracking features

Cons

• Detailed maps don’t show up very well

Garmin’s Instinct 2S Solar is a watch built for adventure and outdoor pursuits. It is a rugged watch with a rather old-school design, including a monochrome memory-in-pixel display. But, the guts (and surface) of the watch are far from old-school. It is topped off with Garmin’s Power Glass, which enables solar charging, lengthening the already impressive battery life when it gets enough sun. In smartwatch mode, it can get up to 51 days if you are in the bright sun for three hours per day. 

The Instinct 2S connects to three Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)—GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo—for excellent accuracy. You can even use it to navigate if you need some help getting back from a hike. The watch comes with an extensive list of trackable activities and provides lots of health and fitness metrics, making it an ideal training companion. 

The 2S is the smallest version of the Instinct 2, offering a 40mm case size that’s ideal for smaller wrists. Should you want something larger, the Instinct 2 Solar provides a bigger 45mm case size. And if you want to save $100 from either size, you can skip the solar charging. 

Best gift: Citizen Death Star 2 Eco-Drive

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Why it made the cut: The Citizen Death Star 2 is fully solar-powered and can go from business to casual without missing a beat.

Specs

• Case Diameter: 41mm
• Weight: Not provided
• Movement: Japanese quartz
• Materials: Stainless steel
• Water Resistance: 328 feet

Pros

• Solar-powered design charges using ambient light
• Glow-in-the-dark 3D-style face
• Stylish and waterproof black stainless steel case

Cons

• May need direct sunlight for initial charge

If you’re looking for a watch that’s fun to wear but subtle and stylish enough to bring anywhere, the Citizen Death Star 2 is a unique option to please any Star Wars fan. Its two-tone dial features a minimalist graphic of the Death Star topped with lightsaber-inspired hands, an X-wing, and 12 and 6 markers based on the film’s iconic opening credits. In dark environments, nearly every white element of the watch face glows in the dark, adding a subtle 3D effect. Like many of Citizen’s best watches, the Death Star 2 is also waterproof to a depth of 328 feet and is charged up using ambient light, making it a great low-maintenance choice for active people. For best results, the Citizen Death Star 2 may need to be charged in direct sunlight when it’s first used or after extended periods in the dark, but this shouldn’t be a big issue if worn frequently.

Best for diving: Orient Mako II

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Specs

• Case diameter: 41.5mm
• Weight: Not provided
• Movement: Automatic
• Materials: Stainless steel
• Water resistance: 660 feet

Pros

• 200m water-resistance
• 120-click unidirectional bezel
• Classic style

Cons

• Must be hand-wound
• Crown can be tough to wind

Ask any serious watch collector, and they’ll agree: Orient’s Mako II is the quintessential diver. Considered a classic by many, this stylish diving watch presents a reasonably sized timepiece with unique details that make it more attractive. This diver offers up to 200 meters of water resistance, which means you can take it into the shower or a hot tub without worry. Of course, that also means you can take it underwater for a dive. In the dark, it has a powerful lume that glows the hands and numerals of the dial, as well as an accent at the 12-o-clock on the outer bezel. An added day-and-date function makes this watch suited for daily wear.

Although it’s automatic, the Orient Mako II needs manual winding, with its movement clocking in at around 4+ to 6+ a day. It also features second hacking, so you can manually adjust the secondhand for precision timekeeping. Its polished and brushed stainless steel band will look sharp and handle any water tossed its way.

Best digital: G-Shock GWM5610

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Specs

• Case size: 46.7 × 43.2 × 12.7mm
• Weight: 1.8 ounces
• Movement: Not applicable (digital)
• Materials: Resin
• Water resistance: 660 feet

Pros

• Impact- and water-resistant
• Atomic (radio-controlled) timekeeping
• Clear display with backlight
• Solar powered

Cons

• Different colorways get pricey

The best digital watch under $500 is also an upgrade to the most durable. The GWM5610, an update to the classic DW5600, is a tank built to withstand heavy impact from the dings of daily wear and up to 200 meters of water resistance. It’s equipped with five daily alarms, a backlight, a countdown timer, a stopwatch, and an auto-calendar, which means that once set, you no longer have to tweak it to account for leap years or shorter months. Unique to the GWM5610 is its atomic timekeeping, which uses radio signals to auto-synchronize the time at midnight. Its Tough Solar can power this watch for up to a whopping 18 months without exposure to light.

The best part about the GWM5610 is its uncluttered display, which, unlike other G-Shock watches, makes reading the time and date a cinch. That display is made of mineral, which is extremely tough to scratch. Its 43mm case width makes it a smart digital option, and paired with its durability, it’ll warrant daily wear.

Best for budget adventures: Amazfit T-Rex 2

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Specs

• Case diameter: 47mm
• Weight: 2.3 ounces
• Movement: Not applicable (digital)
• Materials: Polymer alloy, silicone band
• Water resistance: 328 feet

Pros

• Rugged build
• Affordable
• Advanced fitness and health tracking

Cons

• Very large size doesn’t work well on small wrists

The Amazfit T-Rex 2 is a fantastic budget option that still provides plenty of advanced features. This smartwatch offers dual-band positioning and support for six satellite positioning systems, as well as a built-in compass and barometric altimeter. You can import your own routes and use the watch to navigate your adventures. And it offers an extensive list of training features, including the ability to detect 15 types of strength training exercises and automatically count reps for you.

The T-Rex 2 is fitted with a 1.39-inch HD AMOLED always-on display that is easily visible outside. It’s a bulky watch, which isn’t great for those of us with small wrists, but it passed 15 military-standard tests, meaning it’s able to withstand extreme environments and temperatures. And it promises a battery life of up to 24 days with normal usage so that it will last even on longer trips.

Best field watch: Citizen Chandler Eco-Drive

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Specs

• Case diameter: 37mm
• Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Movement: Japanese quartz
• Materials: Stainless steel, nylon
• Water resistance: 328 feet

Pros

• Clear, large dial
• Solid lume on hands and hour marks
• Excellent movement and battery

Cons

• Grommets on band hinder buckle

With its rugged appeal, the Citizen Chandler Chronograph is a simple watch with a large display that makes it distraction-free, and a bright lux for easy reading at night. It’s equipped with two push buttons that start and stop its chronograph feature, while its subdials at 10- and 6-o-clock keep track of its passing seconds and minutes (its 2-o-clock sundial presents the military time).

This watch’s nylon strap is built tough to prevent ripping, though its grommets are somewhat large, which hinders adjusting its buckle. Because it’s solar-powered, the Citizen Chandler Chronograph never needs a battery change, and its power reserve keeps it ticking for 150 days without light exposure.

Its water resistance, while not as high as other picks on this list, provides ample protection in the rain and in moist conditions, which also makes it suitable for hikes and unpredictable weekends. Available in green and blue, this timepiece lends an outdoorsy look to any ensemble.

Want an even more luxe, but still not luxury-priced option? Check out the Ridge Field Watch, which features a Grade 2 titanium case (30 percent lighter than stainless steel) and high-clarity, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal for a lightweight, scratch- and corrosion-resistant build. In addition, it is self-winding, with a 42-hour battery reserve, and its water resistance is rated 200m—meaning it will be reliable and legible any, well, time you need it.

Best budget: Timex Unisex Weekender

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Specs

• Case diameter: 38mm
• Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Movement: Quartz
• Materials: Brass, nylon
• Water resistance: 100 feet

Pros

• Backlight
• Versatile and lightweight
• Plenty of color options

Cons

• Not built for water immersion
• Loud ticking

The Timex Weekender may be the perfect candidate for an entry-level watch that won’t break the bank. Resembling the classic military field watch with its nylon band and large numbered dial, this timepiece has a surprising amount of features that make it a solid value pick. It has a backlight that illuminates the entire dial with a cool blue hue to help you read it in the dark. It’s unisex-appropriate at 38mm wide, and its bands come in a variety of colors for styling. Furthermore, those bands can also be switched out, as the back of the watch features a slip-thru design that lets you slide a new strap in place without the use of tools.

Here’s a solid timepiece that you can toss on without having to worry about feeling its presence due to its lightweight. It has its cons, though. For one, owners frequently say that the Timex Weekender has a pretty loud tick to it. It’s also not suited for much water activity, with its resistance at 30m, so you may need to take it off if you get caught in the rain or need to wash dishes.

Things to consider before buying the best watches under $500

A watch can offer many features, also known as complications, that may boost its value, appeal, and usefulness. But complications aside, there are a number of things to keep in mind when shopping for a new watch under $500.

Movement

Think of the movement of a watch as its engine, or the way it gets its power. Three types of movements exist for a watch: mechanical, automatic, and quartz.

Mechanical is the oldest type of watch movement, and it requires periodic hand-winding of a spring to maintain its power. An automatic movement is technically mechanical, but it self-winds through the wearer’s natural wrist motion. Quartz replaces the mechanical workings of a watch with a crystal and battery, which will need replacing every few years, depending on the watch’s specific functions. It must be noted that the movement of a quartz watch provides the most accurate timekeeping. 

Brand

Like a television set or digital camera, a watch’s brand is usually an indicator of its quality. Names like Rolex, Patek Philippe, Omega, and Roger Dubuis are that of luxury and skew higher in price due to their intricate details and dependable movements. For this list, we’ve compiled more budget-friendly, though reliable brands popular with collectors and retailers today: Orient, Seiko, G-Shock, Citizen, and Timex. Though not on this list, value-oriented brands Bulova, Hamilton, Dan Henry, and Tissot are also known for quality timepieces.

Band

It’s important to be mindful of a watch’s band, or strap, when purchasing a new timepiece. Bands made with fiber-like nylon are usually built for a rugged aesthetic, often found in field watches, and are tough to rip and tear. Stainless steel bands are made of metal and provide durability against the elements, including rust resistance. These are often with a finish that leaves the band looking polished. To adjust a stainless steel band, you’ll have to use tools to remove its links.

Water resistance

Even if you’re not a diver, a watch’s water resistance is a vital piece of information that can tell you what occasion it can be worn. A watch with no or low water resistance will cause corrosion and damage its inner workings. A timepiece that can handle minor splashes, steam, and light rain is one that offers roughly 50 meters of water resistance. One hundred meters of water resistance can handle the above, plus the pressure of swimming. The higher the meter number, the better it can handle pressure underwater. For a watch used daily, we recommend aiming for a piece with at least 100 meters of resistance for durability.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best watches under $500

• Best overall: Seiko Prospex Samurai
• Most sustainable: NIXON Light-Wave A1322
• Best hybrid: Withings ScanWatch
• Best automatic: Seiko 5 SNZG09K1
• Best GPS: Garmin Instinct 2S Solar
• Best gift: Citizen Death Star 2 Eco-Drive
• Best for diving: Orient Mako II
• Best digital: G-Shock GWM5610 
• Best for adventure: Amazfit T-Rex 2
• Best field watch: Citizen Chandler Eco-Drive
• Best budget: Timex Unisex Weekender

The best watches under $500 prove you don’t have to sacrifice an entire paycheck for comfort and quality. When it comes to a striking timepiece that’s reliable, water-resistant, and casual enough for daily wear, the Seiko Prospex Samurai proves it can hold a mantle to even the most extravagant of watches. Its simple design is easy-to-read and will match any outfit you can throw at it. 

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best watches under $500 of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

September means it’s new iPhone and Apple Watch time. However, not every Apple Watch model is rugged enough for adventuring, and the activity-minded Apple Watch Ultra sports a hefty price tag. And those products may not have the aesthetic or depth of multisport functionality you want. Thankfully, a different watch company has something to announce in September: Garmin celebrates its 34th birthday with up to $200 in savings on its fitness watches at Amazon.

Garmin epix Gen 2 $689.95 (Was $899.99)

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The Garmin epix (Gen. 2) is one of our favorite Garmin watches thanks to its AMOLED screen that shines through on even the brightest of lakeside sunny days. You can get from 42 hours to 16 days of battery power depending on your settings, and more than 30 built-in sports apps mean you get golf course maps and ski resort charts right from your wrist. 24/7 health monitoring lets you track oxygen saturation, heart rate, respiration, and more, and you can even use it to pay for a post-hike beverage with Garmin Pay contactless payments built-in. Talk about smart and sporty.

Samsung also has its wearables on sale on its website and at Amazon. We’re eyeing this Galaxy Watch 5, which lets you leave your phone behind and still take calls, send texts, and play music.

Here are more smartwatch deals we’ve mapped out:

• Garmin Instinct $172.05 (Was $249.99)
• Garmin vivoactive 4 $189.99 (Was $329.99)
• Garmin Forerunner 45s $129.99 (Was $169.99)
• Amazfit Bip 3 Smart Watch $53.99 (Was $59.99)

The post It’s time to save $200 on Garmin’s best smartwatch at Amazon appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		JisuLife Bladeless Neck Cooler		SEE IT	This lightweight fan can last up to 16 hours on a single charge.
Best for cooling		Torras Coolify Portable Air Conditioner Neck Fan		SEE IT	This air conditioner and neck fan in one features a powerful motor.
Best budget		Comlife Portable Beck Fan		SEE IT	This wallet-friendly model includes two fans for extra cooling.

Neck fans have already racked up millions of searches on TikTok because they’re cool. Or at least they’re cooling. These wearable fans provide a steady breeze exactly where you need it: right next to your face. They’re ideal for walks in the heat or keeping cool in the office, cost a fraction of bigger fans, and can be a stylish accessory. Here are some tips on what to look for before purchasing and our recommendations for the best neck fans.

• Best overall: JisuLife Bladeless Neck Cooler
• Best for cooling: Torras Coolify Portable Air Conditioner Neck Fan
• Best adjustable: AMACOOL Bladeless Neck Fan
• Best for kids: ICEBIRDS Portable Neck Fan for Kids
• Best budget: Comlife Portable Neck Fan

How we chose the best neck fans

In the face of increasing heat, we’re on the lookout for ways to stay cool that don’t contribute to global warming. We looked to brands that are using the latest technology to provide relief in a package that’s lightweight and easy to use. In addition, we searched for models that would work for different uses. We considered the design, noise level, and time each charge lasted.  Finally, we included fans at a variety of price points.

The best neck fans: Reviews & Recommendations

Neck fans provide welcome relief from scorching sidewalks and on humid hikes, all while keeping your hands free. The best fans for your neck are lightweight, provide several levels of cooling breezes, and last at least 5 hours on a single charge. Here are our favorite options to help you chill.

Best overall: JisuLife Bladeless Neck Cooler

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Specs

• Type: Bladeless 
• Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Battery: 4,000 mAh
• Battery life: Up to 16 hours

Pros

• Lightweight
• Stellar battery life
• Available in five colors

Cons

• Wayward strands of hair may get caught

The highly rated JisuLife Bladeless Neck Cooler is ready to go right from the box. Just connect the included USB-C cord and charge the included lithium-ion battery for up to 16 hours of use. Impressive! This bladeless fan is lightweight and felt good around my neck. This 360-degree fan features 78 vents and three speeds, providing a steady, refreshing breeze to the underside of my face without blowing my hair all over the place. This JisuLife fan is also reasonably quiet, though louder at Level 3—the highest wind speed.

That said, when I let my hair down, a few strands did get a little caught in the fan. And while this JisuLife model is great for a walk or hike on a hot day, it’s not particularly suited for running if you bounce up and down a lot as you stride. But it’s an attractive and affordable way to stay cool on the go. And it comes in five colors (dark green, dark blue, gray, green, and yellow).

Best for cooling: Torras Coolify Portable Air Conditioner Neck Fan

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Specs

• Type: Bladeless 
• Weight: .77 pounds
• Battery: 5,000 mAh
• Battery life: Up to 4 hours in cooling mode; up to 8 hours in fan mode

Pros

• Air conditioner and fan in one
• Lightweight
• Long-lasting battery

Cons

• Expensive
• Some users say battery can run hot

Why not get the best of both worlds with a neck fan and air conditioner in one? Torras’ Coolify neck fan comes with a built-in ceramic semiconductor radiator that provides air conditioning the company says can cool the skin by 18 degrees Fahrenheit in three seconds. It also features a fan with a motor that operates at a speedy 500 rpm, blowing cool air out and up to your face through 36 vents. At just .77 pounds, it’s lightweight and has a sleek design. The included lithium-ion battery charges in about 2.5 hours and lasts up to 4 hours in cooling mode and up to 8 hours in fan mode.

Best adjustable: AMACOOL Bladeless Neck Fan

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Specs

• Type: Bladeless
• Weight: 9.7 ounces
• Battery: 5,000 mAh
• Battery life: Up to 7 hours

Pros

• Adjustable neck band
• Comes with two motors
• Features energy-saving mode

Cons

• Some users say it’s not that powerful

A neck fan is an ingenious solution for on-the-spot cooling, but if it doesn’t feel comfortable on your neck, you’re not going to wear it. AMACOOL’s Bladeless Neck Fan was designed from silicone to be adjustable so that the neckband can fit everyone from a child to an adult with a large neck. At 5,000mAh, the battery is powerful for a neck fan. This device features two motors that power four speeds, including an energy-saving mode. It can also provide up to 9 hours of cooling (depending on the fan speed) from its 60 air vents. You can also use it with a stroller. Consider one of the best outdoor misting fans for a more comprehensive option.

Best for kids: ICEBIRDS Portable Neck Fan for Kids

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Specs

• Type: Bladeless 
• Weight: 9.2 ounces
• Battery: 1,800mAh
• Battery life: Up to 9 hours

Pros

• Comes in animal designs
• Affordable
• Features three speeds

Cons

• Battery not very powerful

Getting a kid to wear something is a lot easier if it has a fun design. ICEBIRDS Portable Neck Fan fits the bill. Designed specifically for children, these fans come in several animal-inspired models, including Bear Orange, Dinosaur Cyan, and Swan White. At 11.9 ounces, this neck fan is lightweight. It also has three speeds, though the 1,800-mAh battery isn’t particularly powerful. But depending on the speed, the charge can last for up to 9 hours. 

Best budget: Comlife Portable Neck Fan

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Specs

• Type: Blades
• Weight: 6.9 ounces
• Battery: 2,600 mAh
• Battery life: Up to 9 hours

Pros

• Affordable
• Features two heads 
• Long battery life

Cons

• Battery may get hot
• Some users say it’s not that powerful

Comlife’s wearable fan is an ideal way to stay cool without spending a lot of cash.  This double-headed small portable fan hangs comfortably on the neck and is 360-degree adjustable. It features six fan speeds, battery life between two and 9 hours depending on use, and an included USB cable for simple charging. This necklace fan weighs just 6.9 ounces, so you can even wear it during a vigorous workout or just for a walk around the neighborhood. — Carsen Joenk

Things to consider before you buy a neck fan

Neck fans are deceptively easy to use; just charge them and put them on for instant relief. But there are some features to look for when making your decision.

Bladeless v. with blades

The makers of bladeless fans say the benefit of their design is that users’ hair won’t get caught in blades and that they’re safer for kids. While that’s generally true, sometimes longer strands can still get caught in a neck fan’s vents. But hair is easier to remove and doesn’t get tangled as it would for models made with blades.

Power

The batteries of the neck fans on this list range from 1,800mAh to 5,000mAh. The best overall one we tested provided plenty of relief, but some users have said certain models aren’t powerful enough. While a neck fan should provide a cool breeze to your face and neck, keep in mind that at their size, they’re not a replacement for more powerful portable fans.

Two-in-one functionality

Some models are designed with additional features for extra cooling, such as the Torras Coolify Portable Air Conditioner Neck Fan, which is a neck fan and air conditioner in one. You’ll appreciate the added cooling power, but remember that this more advanced technology will cost more and may be harder to repair.

Battery life

Many of the picks on this list come with USB-C cords for charging. It’s important to remember that most of the neck fans on this list can operate at three levels of wind speed. The battery will last longer (up to 16 hours) if you use a lower speed or an energy-saving mode if the fan has one.

Noise levels

You don’t want a neck fan close to your face that’s so loud you can’t hear. The range of wind speeds also results in different noise levels. Look for neck fans that are quieter, such as the JisuLife Bladeless Neck Cooler, which operates at about 25 decibels.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best neck fans

• Best overall: JisuLife Bladeless Neck Cooler
• Best for cooling: Torras Coolify Portable Air Conditioner Neck Fan
• Best adjustable: AMACOOL Bladeless Neck Fan
• Best necklace: Outxe Personal Necklace Mini Fan
• Best for kids: ICEBIRDS Portable Neck Fan for Kids
• Best budget: Comlife Portable Neck Fan

Just as headphones and earbuds help you create a serene bubble on the go, a neck fan can help add some physical cool to that mental oasis. These adaptable options can provide targeted relief for hours, saving energy and money. As the hot days linger, a neck fan is an essential tool to add to your collection of weather-related accessories.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best neck fans in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Swatch Space Collection		SEE IT	These watches were inspired by iconic astronaut gear.
Best premium		Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch		SEE IT	Issued to every American astronaut, this watch is a classic.
Best for smartwatch owners		MobyFox Smartwatch Band		SEE IT	Turn your Apple Watch into a space-themed showpiece.

The history of space watches ranges from the Russian cosmonaut programs to modern residents of the International Space Station. They’re designed with a wide array of functionality, but the concept of space has also left its aesthetic mark on watch design.

Space watches are popular for a few different reasons. When we’re talking about the specific models of wristwatches that have gone into space, those models have a certain cachet: they were durable enough for some of the most extreme environments a human can experience. And owning one provides a cool feeling of connection to astronauts and cosmonauts. Here are some of our favorite space watches.

• Best overall: Swatch Space Collection
• Best classic: Bulova Moonwatch
• Best for smartwatch owners: MobyFox NASA Band
• Best premium: Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch

How we chose the best space watches

For a watch to be rated space-worthy, you know that the watch has passed a whole battery of tests. These watches must be waterproof, airproof, resistant to both extreme heat and extreme cold, and capable of withstanding the bumpiest of landings. In other words, these are the toughest of the tough.

There are also simply space-themed watches, which tie into the broader trend of affinity for the classic NASA logo. Space is, you know, cool right now. That NASA logo is both vintage and forward-looking. Companies do need approval from NASA to use the logo, but it’s not especially hard to get. Not surprisingly, those have been flooding in lately; according to an LA Times story, NASA gets multiple requests per day these days. We looked for a range of options from top watchmakers in a variety of styles and prices in compiling our list.

The best space watches: Reviews & Recommendations

In the early days of the Space Race, wristwatches had an outsized level of importance. Buzz Aldrin, for example, actually wore his on the outside of his spacesuit; he used its chronograph (that means “timer”) feature as soon as he stepped onto the Moon. Some astronauts even wear two watches, for backup or to conduct multiple simultaneous operations with timers and alarms. So if you don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on the same watch Neil Armstrong wore, you can still show your love of the universe outside our home planet.

Best overall: Swatch Space Collection

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Swatch, the Swiss company known for its vibrant, endlessly quirky plastic watches, has a newish collection dedicated to celebrating NASA and its famous missions. The watch designs—there are five—are inspired by different elements of the space missions: the orange jumpsuits, the Space Race, and even the Omega Speedmaster itself (Swatch and Omega are owned by the same company). Three of the watches in the collection are also made of a new material Swatch calls “bioceramic,” a combination of renewable plastics and ceramics.

Best classic: Bulova Moonwatch

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In 1971, Apollo 15 mission commander Dave Scott actually damaged his NASA-provided Omega Speedmaster during the flight. But he had brought along his own personal backup, a Bulova, which he slapped on his wrist before becoming the seventh man on the Moon. Today, Bulova makes a replica of that watch, and it’s much more affordable than the Omega. 

Best for smartwatch owners: MobyFox NASA Band

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As far as we can tell, no astronaut or cosmonaut has taken a smartwatch into space yet. They’re not really designed for that kind of high-intensity, long-lasting kind of reliability. This MobyFox band, which advertises that it’s officially licensed, can bring that space flavor to your ground-bound Apple Watch. It’s compatible with all sizes of Apple Watch and is made of tough silicone. It also sports that iconic orange color made famous by American astronauts.

Best premium: Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch

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There’s no getting around it: the Omega Speedmaster is the watch more associated with space travel than any other. It was the first watch approved by NASA, and it passed every test with flying colors. It’s stainless steel, 42 mm case, equipped with a chronograph (timer) and tachymeter (those numbers around the outside of the dial, used to measure speed). It’s pricey, but look, if you want to tell time like an astronaut, this is your opportunity.

Things to consider before purchasing a space watch 

What you should look for in a space watch depends on budget, taste, and exactly why you want a space watch in the first place. If you’re into the aesthetics of the NASA logo, there are more inexpensive options available. After all, as a government agency, NASA isn’t allowed to make money from the sale of products with its logo, and dozens of companies have created NASA-themed gear. Some of these collaborations have come and gone, but you can still find them on eBay and Etsy; search for “Timex x NASA,” for example, and you’ll find a whole bunch of them. (Some even double down on Timex’s collaborations, with an image of Snoopy in space on the watch face.)

If you want something unusual, look to the watches worn by the Russian cosmonauts, from makers like Sturmanskie and Poljot. If you want the absolute classic, well, there’s only ever been one watch that’s been approved by NASA for outer space travel (though astronauts have worn many different, unapproved watches, too). That’s the Omega Speedmaster.

Final thoughts on the best space watches

• Best overall: Swatch Space Collection
• Best classic: Bulova Moonwatch
• Best for smartwatch owners: MobyFox NASA Band
• Best premium: Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch

Owning one of the best space watches allows you to celebrate the extraterrestial achievements of astronauts and the space program through the years. Whether you prefer a a classic look or just want to swap the band for your smartwatch, there’s an option that’s out of this world for you.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

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What if you could walk into a grocery store, scan the barcode on a Rice Krispie treat, and find out how it would affect your blood sugar before buying it? That’s the promise of January, a virtual continuous glucose monitor (CGM) system that the company describes as a “24/7 AI health coach to change the way you live.”

As a middle-aged woman with a family history of diabetes and a pizza weakness, I’ve wanted to try a CGM. After more than a week of testing the January AI system, I found it to be an effective tool that gave me more insight into my metabolic health and actually helped me lose a few pounds. It’s a sizeable investment but can return equally valuable insights if you sign up for a subscription and keep a few things in mind.

SEE IT

Overview

• After filling out your health history in an online telehealth session, if you’re approved, January will send you a CGM
• Once you attach the CGM to your arm, you log the food you’ve eaten, scan the sensor with your phone, and the January app shows your glucose levels in real-time
• You must also sync with an Apple Watch or an Oura Ring to record your activity levels
• After five days, January will provide detailed recommendations for foods to eat and activities, taking your preferences into account
• A one-month subscription costs $288, and an annual subscription is $380

Pros

• Provides feedback in real-time on how various foods will affect your glucose levels
• Includes a comprehensive database of foods. You can also enter using a QR code on-site in a store
• Fun to use
• Recommends activity to counteract high glucose levels
• Provides meal plans and activity recommendations based on your nutritional needs and preferences

Cons

• Somewhat expensive
• Might not be good for someone with a history of disordered eating around calorie restriction
• Sensor came out somewhat easily

Verdict: If you’re concerned about your risk of diabetes because of family history, physical health, or age, or you just want personalized recommendations on how to live healthier, the January AI system is a useful and fun tool.

What is a continuous glucose monitor (CGM)?

Continuous glucose monitors were originally developed in the 1980s to help diabetics keep tabs on their blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels. People with diabetes have trouble making insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas that allows glucose to be used by cells for energy. Glucose then remains in the bloodstream, keeping blood sugar levels high over time. Chronic high blood sugar can also damage the kidneys, heart, and nervous system.

While CGMs used to require users to prick their fingers to test their blood sugar, newer CGMs include a small sensor that goes under the skin. The sensor will then transmit readings of your glucose levels to a device that will analyze them. Pioneering CGM makers include Dexcom, which made the first CGM that didn’t require a finger pricking and got FDA approval for diabetics in 2016.

Increasingly, people who aren’t diabetic, including elite athletes, are using CGMs to get a more granular sense of their metabolic health. Other popular CGMs that keep popping up in my Instagram feed include Nutrisense and Levels. Tech sites have speculated for years about Apple’s possible plan to build a CGM into the Apple Watch. However, CGMs still require a medical prescription, and their use by people who haven’t been diagnosed with diabetes has generated debate in the medical community. One perspective published in the journal JAMA described CGMs for non-diabetics as a “waste of time and money.” 

Other doctors point to the more than 120 million Americans who either already have diabetes or are prediabetic. Peter Attia, M.D., who co-authored the bestselling book, Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity, makes the case that the typical blood sugar tests that patients get annually don’t reveal daily spikes that can signal a brewing problem.

“In the vast majority of cases, today’s normal individual is tomorrow’s diabetic patient if something isn’t done to detect and prevent this slide,” Attia writes. Fluctuating glucose levels have also been associated with an increased risk of heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease, he notes.

While I’m generally healthy, I was interested in learning more about my blood sugar levels and how they might affect my life. My parents had been diagnosed with Type II diabetes in their 40s, so I checked the family history box. After losing weight early in the pandemic, I put on some pounds last year. And despite training for my first marathon, I found that all the exercise wasn’t helping get me into better shape as easily as running did when I was younger. 

True, the lab results from the last time I was tested after a visit to my primary care doctor in September 2022 passed muster. My glucose level of 87 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) was in the middle of the normal range, but my hemoglobin A1C—the standard test that measures the average of blood glucose over 90 days—was 5.5%, on the high side of normal.

According to the CDC,  a reading of 99 mg/dL or lower is normal for fasting blood sugar, while 100 to 125 mg/dL signals that you’re prediabetic, and 126 mg/dL or higher indicates you have diabetes. Would seeing those spikes on my phone just after eating help me make better decisions?

The background

Monitoring daily fluctuations in blood sugar can provide a much better window into your metabolic health, says Noosheen Hashemi, January’s co-founder and CEO. She became passionate about a more holistic approach to health care after learning the truth about her parents’ medical conditions. Doctors failed to diagnose her father with prostate cancer while he was being treated for another cancer. And her mother’s heart failure was misdiagnosed as asthma.

“Once you fall into that sick journey, all sorts of things can happen to you,” Hashemi says. “So I became obsessed with: ‘How can we know sooner, what can we know, and why do we know so little?’”

She teamed up with Michael Snyder, Ph.D., chair of Genetics and Director of Genomics and Personalized Medicine at Stanford School of Medicine. Snyder was conducting research that revealed a population of people who looked to have healthy blood sugar levels actually frequently had spikes in which their glucose reached diabetic levels.

“He believed this was a ticking time bomb and that we should look into it,” Hashemi says. “That’s how we got started.”

That was more than five years ago. They’ve since used machine learning to develop a library of foods complete with nutritional information and incorporated data from their clinical studies and thousands of users to develop and refine models for predicting glucose spikes.

They also realized that most of the their users were not diabetics, but instead what Hashemi describes as “optimizers and discoverers”: fit people looking to optimize their health or people who had potential risk factors, such as a family history, like me. Hashemi is optimistic that the FDA will approve CGMs for non-diabetics next year.

The setup

People interested in using January have to complete a telehealth evaluation online. The process involves filling out an online form, not a virtual interaction with a live healthcare professional.

For $288 ($260 for the gear and $28 for the membership), you get a Freestyle Libre CGM, access to January AI’s glycemic food database and recommendations through its app, and $40 off an Oura Ring (Gen 2 or Gen 3) to track your activity. (You can also use an Apple Watch, which I did.) If you’re approved, the Freestyle Libre will arrive in the mail shortly. 

Easy-to-follow videos on the Freestyle LibreLink app showed me how to apply the CGM sensor. I felt a slight pin prick and mild soreness when I installed the sensor on my left upper arm. The app is connected to a medical practice based in California. After agreeing to use of my health data, I was up and running. 

Then using the January app, I was instructed how to scan the sensor with my phone and sync my Apple Watch. Once the sensor is active, it’s ready to deliver real-time glucose readings after each scan. Over the next five days, January’s AI would analyze my glucose levels, activity, and what I was eating and compare it to its thousands of users to predict my body’s response to various foods and exercise. “It takes inputs from your heart rate monitor and your food log and your CGM to build a digital twin for you,” Hashemi says. 

The performance

I began using January at the end of June, logging my meals and scanning the CGM. I found the food database reasonably comprehensive, although sometimes it took some scrolling down to find the exact food.

I was warned that the initial glucose levels could be either high or very low within the first 24 to 48 hours as the CGM calibrated to my system. My first blood sugar reading was very low—58 mg/dL—which got me googling hypoglycemia. 

Then I ate a small bowl of vegetable ramen leftover from a night out at a restaurant the night before. I scanned the CGM with my phone about 5 minutes after eating and found my glucose was in the normal range: 90 mg/dL.

The January app provides reports on the previous day in three categories: Nourish (calories, fiber intake, and macros); Move (post-meal activity, time exercised, and calories burned); and Recharge (fasting period, last-meal sleep gap, and sleep duration). After the five initial days of analysis, January’s AI notified me that it had created my digital twin and began making recommendations for food choices and activity.

I’ve never stuck with food logs in the past, but the ability to quickly see how specific items affected my blood sugar became something I looked forward to testing. I also discovered that requirement to log what I was eating provided additional incentive to eat better. I had been prioritizing protein over refined carbs over the past few months and was glad to see that eating Greek yogurt, flax seeds, and blueberries for breakfast got me a shoutout for protein and fiber goals. I also dialed back on the snacking that’s too easy to do when working from home about six feet from the fridge.

I felt compelled in the name of science to see how a slice of pesto pizza and a Rice Krispie treat would affect my readings. As expected, these foods spiked my blood sugar more than my virtuous breakfast. When I had a high reading, the app recommended a walk after the meal. The January app also provided alternatives based on your preferences (although I was wasn’t excited to replace chia seeds with dried spirulina).

You can also reach out through the app to a virtual health coach named Jan, who provides chatbot answers on everything from what you should eat for lunch to creating a new exercise plan. The company is also in the process of adding more FAQs, such as what is a normal glucose level. Hashemi is quick to point out, however, that January is not a healthcare provider, but it does provide lifestyle recommendations based on their (and your) data. 

In fact, January has explicit behaviors that it’s leading users toward, including adopting intermittent fasting, increasing fiber consumption, aligning calorie intake with activity level, getting post-meal movement, and reducing glucose-spiking foods.

I was doing reasonably well with all of these, but unfortunately, after eight days of testing, I accidentally dislodged my sensor while getting dressed. But January’s AI still provided plenty of valuable insights during the time I used it. My blood sugar was mostly low to normal, but I did see a few spikes that took me out of my normal range. And I did lose a few pounds and came to appreciate the importance of better discipline and regular meals. I did wish there was more information for people with readings on the low side.

But while the nudge toward intermittent fasting might be helpful for many (myself included), I saw how it could also cause problems for people with a propensity for disordered eating around calorie restriction. It concerned me that after I stopped logging meals, the app indicated on days when I didn’t enter food that the number of calories I consumed was “excellent.”

So, who should buy the January system?

Yes, $288 for a month’s subscription sounds expensive. But if you generally eat the same things, 30 days will give you plenty of time to analyze your health data and see how different foods affect you. I’m hopeful that glucose level monitoring will become more accessible and affordable, bearing in mind the estimated 96 million Americans over age 18 characterized as prediabetic.

Technological advances have made it possible for us to see our heart rate with a quick glance at our wrist, a luxury many of our parents didn’t have. Now, the ability to test our blood sugar is now almost as frictionless as posting on Instagram. If you’re concerned about your glucose levels due to family history or just want to fine-tune your health, January’s AI can help with daily insights and personalized recommendations. Just remember that it’s a tool and doesn’t replace regular visits to your healthcare provider. 

The post January AI glucose monitor review: A pricey but effective approach to fine-tune your diet appeared first on Popular Science.

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Back to school is almost here, meaning it’s time to pull out the blazers, trousers, and coats for professor-inspired, college-core, dark academia drip. Nothing says, “I am an adjunct at a New England college and also the mysterious protagonist in a romance novel,” quite like a really nice watch. Thankfully, you don’t need to spend much to put the cherry on top of your literary cosplay cake with up to 50% off Citizen, Timex, and Bulova watches at Amazon.

Tissot T-Sport PRC200 Chronograph Mens Watch-Stainless Steel, Grey $221.99 (Was $595)

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On sale for a massive 63% off, the Tissot T-Sport PRC200 Chronograph Mens Watch features a thin, 42-millimeter 316L stainless steel case and sleek light and dark grey band. You get Arabic numbers and thick stick indices on the face, with the typical chronograph watch subdials. Don’t let its stylish face fool you: it’s water-resistant up to 20 bars of pressure and includes a diver extension closure to fit over a wetsuit if you wish. You might want to save it for swimming laps, as it’s not made for diving or snorkeling.

If you’d rather channel Jedi Knight, Citizen’s Star Wars-inspired watches are back in stock. You sold them out the first time we wrote about them, so now is your chance to get your hands (or hand, in Luke Skywalker’s case) on one.

Citizen Eco-Drive Star Wars Men’s Watch, Stainless Steel with Orange Leather strap, Rebel Pilot, Silver-Tone, 44mm $244.41 (Was $395)

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We love the “May the Force be with you” engraving on the back of this watch, along with symbols—a helmet and an X-Wing fighter—that show you’re part of the Rebel cause. Even better, it’s 38% off.

These are the Citizen x Star Wars watches you’re looking for:

• Citizen Star Wars ANI-Digi Quartz Watch $340 (Was $395)
• Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Star Wars Death Star Black IP Stainless Steel Watch $335.75 (Was $395)
• Citizen Eco-Drive Men’s Star Wars Millennium Falcon Stainless Steel Chronograph Watch $297.50 (Was $375)
• Citizen Eco-Drive Men’s Star Wars Mandalorian Watch $232.03 (Was $375)
• Citizen Quartz Star Wars Men’s Watch, Stainless Steel $300 (Was $375)
• Citizen Eco-Drive Men’s Star Wars Chewbacca Black IP Stainless Steel on Brown Leather Strap $200.91 (Was $325)
• Citizen Eco-Drive Men’s Star Wars Force Awakening Watch $237.50 (Was $295)
• Citizen Eco-Drive Men’s Limited Edition 40th Anniversary Star Wars Bespin Watch $262.50 (Was $375)

And here are more watch deals that are not a trap:

• Bulova Men’s 3-Hand Calendar Date Quartz Watch, Patterned Dial, 38mm $151 (Was $295)
• Timex Men’s Expedition Grid Shock 50mm Watch $45.12 (Was $83.30)
• Fossil Minimalist Men’s Watch $71.94 (Was $150)
• Tissot Mens Tradition 5.5 316L Stainless Steel case Swiss Quartz Watch $171.24 (Was $450)
• Citizen Men’s Sport Casual Garrison 3-Hand Day/Date Eco-Drive Watch $276.25 (Was $425)
• Bulova Men’s Classic Stainless Steel Six-Hand Chronograph Quartz Watch $226.24 (Was $375)
• Fossil Everett Men’s Watch $88.29 (Was $190)
• Fossil Machine Men’s Watch $76.50 (Was $160)
• Bulova Men’s Classic American Clipper 3-Hand Automatic Leather Strap Watch $237 (Was $395)

The post Update your fall wardrobe with up to 50% off Citizen, Timex, and Bulova watches at Amazon appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best overall		Sound World Solutions CS50+		SEE IT	It costs more than $100, but it’s worth the extra money.
Best budget		Britzgo Otto (BH-220)		SEE IT	It’s extremely affordable, but don’t expect many advanced features.
Best headset-style option		BeHear Access		SEE IT	Its familiar form factor should make it more comfortable for some.

Virtually all hearing aids cost $1,000 or more, which makes finding the best hearing aids under $100 prohibitively challenging. Modern hearing aids contain advanced digital technology, including tiny computing systems that allow them to be highly customizable and amplify only certain sounds. Most inexpensive hearing amplifiers have not been approved as hearing aids by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and, like the hearing aids of the past, focus on simply amplifying sound without the same level of customization. Earlier this year, the FDA legalized the sale of over-the-counter hearing aids, which should open up the market for cheaper devices, but it will be a relatively slow process. For now, cheap hearing devices are tricky to navigate.

“If you go back 10, 15, 20 years ago to what hearing aids used to be, they’re now becoming more of a direct-to-consumer solution,” said Dr. Vinaya Manchaiah, director of audiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. These products are called personal sound amplification products (PSAPs) and can technically only be marketed to people without hearing loss who want to amplify their hearing.

However, many people use these items to help them with hearing loss out of necessity, either because insurance will not cover the cost of hearing aids or because they do not have insurance and cannot afford to buy a hearing aid out-of-pocket. While some cheap PSAPS have minimal benefit and can actually further damage hearing, research shows that others can benefit people with hearing loss. Here are some personal sound amplifiers that can help you hear better for under or around $100 per device.

• Best overall: Sound World Solutions CS50+
• Best headset-style option: BeHear Access
• Best body-worn device: Pocketalker Ultra
• Best discreet device: Tweak Focus+T
• Best budget: Britzgo Otto (BH-220)

How we chose the best hearing aids under $100

To find out general information on hearing aids, personal sound amplification products, the differences between them, and what determines if an amplifier is safe to use, we spoke with five audiologists and heard from a sixth over email. All sources answered questions about affordable hearing aids and amplifiers, though two answered questions focused on PSAPs and direct-to-consumer hearing aids. For more general information and our recommendations for true hearing aids, please see our article on top hearing aids.

To determine our product picks, we looked at products compared in scientific studies, a comparison published in a professional magazine, and comparative tests done by staffers at Wirecutter and Consumer Reports. We also looked at recommendations for limits on safe hearing aid sound amplification. In choosing, we mainly primarily considered each product’s price, how well it worked compared to true hearing aids, and whether it was safe to use without the potential of damaging hearing. The size and discreetness of the best hearing aids under $100 were also considered, as was ease of use.

The best hearing aids under $100: Reviews & Recommendations

Best overall: Sound World Solutions CS50+

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Why it made the cut: Though it’s on the more expensive side, this device is one of the few that can truly stack up favorably against a traditional hearing aid.

Specs

• 12 hours of battery life, rechargeable
• 3 presets, complete customization through app
• 112 dB maximum sound amplification

Pros

• Data on effectiveness when compared to a hearing aid
• Helpful features like Bluetooth for calls and music
• Highly customizable through both presets and the app
• Hundreds to thousands less than hearing aids

Cons

• More expensive than some PSAPs
• Not discreet

These devices are some of the few that stack up well against true hearing aids, according to multiple studies. In a 2017 comparison published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, these devices performed the closest to hearing aids of the five PSAPs tested, as measured by participants’ accuracy in interpreting speech. In another study published in 2018, the CS50+ performed the closest to a true hearing aid out of three PSAPs when tested for audibility, speech recognition, listening effort, and sound quality. As a well-studied and tested product, you can also be sure it’s safe to use.

The SWS CS50+ has three pre-set frequency modes, though you can customize the amplification further through the accompanying app. It uses rechargeable batteries, which have a 12-hour charge, that come with the device. You can also use the device’s Bluetooth to listen to music or take phone calls.  

The main disadvantage of these PSAPs is their significantly higher price and, since they are sold individually, you need to buy two. Still, they are hundreds or thousands of dollars less than almost any hearing aid and in many ways compare favorably in terms of quality. They are also quite bulky and noticeable, though reportedly not uncomfortable to wear.

Most affordable: Britzgo Otto (BH-220)

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Why it made the cut: If you’re on a tight budget, these affordable devices are likely safe, amplify sound effectively, and are helpful for many.

Specs

• 500 hours battery life, disposable
• 4 preset modes
• 129 dB maximum sound amplification

Pros

• Ultra-affordable
• Extremely long battery life
• Somewhat customizable
• Positive reviews

Cons

• Limited information on safety and effectiveness
• Not rechargeable or Bluetooth compatible

At $60 per device or $113 for a pair, these Britzgo hearing amplifiers work for you if you are on a tight budget. They come in two colors—blue and silver—and are relatively discrete. The style is similar to “receiver in the ear” hearing aids, though they are bulkier than most similar-looking hearing aids.  It has four pre-set modes: one for low frequency (pitch) sounds, as well as for high frequencies, medium frequencies, and a wide range of frequencies. You can switch between them based on your preferences, hearing loss, and environment. The device is fairly easy to control and it has easily replaceable batteries that last a long time.

Not many studies evaluate devices in Otto’s price range and many do find that these devices have little benefit or are even harmful. However, with over 2,000 positive reviews on Amazon, it’s clear that many people feel that they have benefitted from these inexpensive devices. In a frequency response test done by Wirecutter, the devices amplified sound in much the same way as other amplifiers, including ones that are much more expensive, though they didn’t do as well with some of the highest frequencies.

These amplifiers are generally considered to be safe and not harmful. Birtzgo’s devices are designed by doctors and audiologists, and the Jobs Accommodations Network claims on its website that they are certified to be safe by 96% of audiologists, though it’s unclear where this claim comes from. Consumer Reports found that all but the cheapest PSAPs are generally safe to use. That said, the maximum sound amplification level and full-on gain of the Otto, two measures of sound amplification, are both above what the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) has suggested (110 dB and 35 dB, respectively) as a safe maximum level for an over-the-counter product. That means some very loud, sustained noises (such as a siren) could be dangerously loud when amplified, especially if the person still has a substantial hearing at that frequency.

Best headset-style option: BeHear Access

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Why it made the cut: This versatile and affordable device looks like a normal Bluetooth headset but can also amplify sound and reduce noise. in a variety of situations.

Specs

• 13 hours of battery life, rechargeable
• 4 preset modes + 2 telecoil modes
• 116 dB maximum sound amplification

Pros

• Bluetooth capability for calls and music
• Somewhat customizable
• Affordable
• Amplifies sound effectively and likely safely

Cons

• Limited information on safety and effectiveness
• Not discreet or appropriate in all situations

The BeHear Access costs $300 dollars in total but it only requires a single device. That means you’re effectively paying $150 per ear. That’s the general price range of many devices listed here. This device looks and in many ways works like a regular Bluetooth headset, but can also amplify sound in a wide variety of situations. Like many amplifiers, it’s especially recommended for one-on-one conversations, watching TV, and talking on the phone. It works best in situations with limited background noise. It has three modes for amplifying different frequencies and incorporates a host of technologies, including noise reduction. Like a regular Bluetooth headset, you can also use it to take cell phone calls or listen to music.

The same Wirecutter sound comparison that looked at the Otto above also found that this product amplified sound in a similar way to many other devices—specifically, in a way that would amplify high frequencies more (age-related hearing loss tends to impact higher-frequency hearing first). If anything, the BeHear Access amplified the highest-frequency sound slightly more effectively.

Like other mid-range PSAPs, this device is likely safe to use. Its maximum sound amplification is also lower than the Britzgo Otto amplifier, though still slightly over ASHA’s recommendation, though its full-on gain is higher. The device is rechargeable and features a telecoil, which can be used with some landline phones as well as with amplification systems in places like churches and movie theaters to amplify sound directly through the device. This device can be used with or without its corresponding app.

Best body-worn device: Pocketalker Ultra

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Why it made the cut: The Pocketalker is an affordable, easy-to-use hearing device that has been shown to be able to meet guidelines met by hearing aids for people with mild hearing loss.

Specs

• 200 hours of battery life, disposable
• Only one mode, adjustable tone and volume
• Roughly 123.8 dB maximum sound amplification

Pros

• Easy to use
• Some data on quality/effectiveness
• Likely safe
• Long battery life

Cons

• Virtually no customization
• Data suggests only appropriate for mild hearing loss

One of the least expensive types of PSAPs, as well as the simplest to use, body-worn devices amplify sound from a person’s surroundings through a box-like device connected to headphones. Wearers only need one device to work in both ears. 

In a 2016 analysis, the Pocketalker Ultra met many of the same sound targets met by hearing aids for mild hearing loss, as well as some for moderate hearing loss, though for moderate hearing loss it fell below the typical standard.

A main advantage of a device like the Pocketalker is that it’s extremely simple to use. There’s no app to figure out and it doesn’t have multiple modes. You simply plug in the included earbud or headphones, listen, and adjust the tone and volume as needed. Of course, this simplicity can also be a disadvantage, since it’s not as customizable as other PSAPs and far less so than hearing aids.

Though the Pocketalker comes with two headphone options, it can be used with a variety of headphones, making it somewhat more uncertain what the maximum sound amplification might be. Its specs indicate that it falls into the same place as the other devices on this list. That’s over ASHA recommendations, though not substantially, and so is likely safe to use. The Pocketalker uses two AAA batteries and boasts a battery life of 200 hours, far longer than any true hearing aid.

Best discreet device: Tweak Focus+T

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Why it made the cut: For those who value a more discreet device, the Tweak Focus+T is much less visible but still has been shown to be effective and compare favorably to hearing aids.

Specs

• 5-7 days of battery life, disposable
• 2 environment presets + telecoil, 4 amplification modes
• Unknown maximum amplification

Pros

• Data on effectiveness
• Small and discreet
• Long battery life

Cons

• Not rechargeable
•  No Bluetooth calls or music
• Not as effective as the SWS CS50+

If a larger, more noticeable hearing amplifier is a major drawback for you, this product might fit your needs. In the same 2017 JAMA study that tested the CS50+, researchers found that this device also compared favorably to hearing aids, though it did not work at well as the Sound World Solutions device. 

The Tweak Focus has a longer battery life (five to seven days) than our previous pick but its batteries aren’t rechargeable, and there is no Bluetooth compatibility for taking calls or listening to music. It’s also less customizable, though it has two presets for different environments and four ranges of amplification for different severities of hearing loss (in addition to volume control). It also has a telecoil.

Like the Sound World Solution device, this one has a higher cost but is also more easily comparable to traditional hearing aids. It’s also likely very safe because it’s been well-studied and was designed by an audiologist.

Things to consider before buying a personal sound amplification device

Get your hearing tested

The first step you should take before buying any hearing device is to take a hearing test. You’ll get the best results at a doctor’s office but there are also hearing tests that you can take online. The doctor will be able to diagnose possible causes for hearing issues, such as ear infections, injuries, or blocked canals. 

Generally, PSAPs are appropriate for those with mild or moderate hearing loss, the two least severe categories of hearing loss. If your hearing loss is categorized as severe or profound, PSAPs—even the best hearing aids under $100—may not be helpful for you. You’ll likely need true FDA-approved hearing aids to improve your hearing.

Check your insurance and consider your options

It’s worth double-checking that you aren’t able to get insurance to cover the cost of hearing aids before investing in a PSAP. Though these devices are affordable, studies show that many people tend to be more satisfied with a true hearing aid that can be customized for their hearing loss. Insurance companies will likely not cover the cost of any PSAP because they are not considered medical devices. If your barrier is not cost, but rather a hesitancy to seek or lack of access to medical care, you may also want to consider online providers of true hearing aids, such as Lively and Lexie.

Consider the risks

PSAPs range in price from less than $30 to around $500 or even more for a pair. The cheapest PSAPs are simple sound amplifiers, amplifying all sounds equally regardless of relevance. That might be okay if you are talking to only one person in a quiet room but will likely be confusing in any noisy environment. Research shows that around 90% of these devices have poor sound quality and don’t meet sound standards set for hearing aids.

“They are simply general amplifiers,” said Dr. Rachel Smith, a clinical associate professor of audiology at the University of Rhode Island.  “So they’re just kind of making everything louder.”

Other studies have found that because cheap hearing amplifiers can block the ears without amplifying sound properly, people tend to hear worse while wearing them. Very cheap amplifiers also have the potential to do more harm than good, overamplifying sound and causing further damage to hearing. Even investing more in one of the best hearing aids under $100 is usually a better choice if you want a device that has the best chance of working for you without causing further damage.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best hearing aids under $100

• Best overall: Sound World Solutions CS50+
• Best headset-style option: BeHear Access
• Best body-worn device: Pocketalker Ultra
• Best discreet device: Tweak Focus+T
• Best budget: Britzgo Otto (BH-220)

Selecting an affordable personal sound amplification product can be tricky, especially with many products that are functionally useless or could damage hearing. Though truly effective products may come with a steeper price tag, and the best hearing aids under $100 are more likely to be a true help to you in addressing hearing loss if you cannot currently access a true hearing aid, and can help you feel less cut off from the sound and the people you love. 

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best hearing aids under $100 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best overall		Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX Men’s Hiking Shoes		SEE IT	A great hike starts with a good sturdy pair of shoes.
Best headlamp		BioLite 800 Pro Headlamp		SEE IT	A long-lasting light that has a bevy of settings.
Best budget		Coghlan’s 1985 Carabiner Compass		SEE IT	Simply attach to your pack for easy navigation.

Hiking is a great way to elevate your mood (and body) and change your outlook(s), letting you change gears from the daily grind and get lots of endorphins. Nature makes you happy, and exercise makes you happy, so why not kill two birds with one stone? You can find hiking trails all around you, even if you’re a city slicker. A great hike starts with being prepared. That means getting a good sturdy pair of hiking shoes, snagging your favorite pack to carry what you need, and bringing a water bottle to stay hydrated—and that’s just the basics. The best hiking gear can help prepare you to get out and get your heart rate up, but not get lost in the wilderness.

• Best overall: Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX Men’s Hiking Shoes
• Best for dogs: Ruffwear Front Range Day Pack
• Best headlamp: BioLite 800 Pro Headlamp
• Best backpack: TETON Sports Explorer Internal Frame Backpack
• Best watch: Garmin epix 2 Pro
• Best water filter: LifeStraw Peak Solo
• Best insulated water bottle: LifeStraw Go Stainless Steel Water Filter Bottle
• Best budget: Coghlan’s 1985 Carabiner Compass

How we chose the best hiking gear

We took what we learned from past camping stories—from camping grills to headlamps to techy gadgets—and expanded our judging from there. We thought about what we’d put into our packs—and what we already throw in there—and sought out products that fit those categories. We also looked at reviews and recommendations.

The best hiking gear: Reviews & Recommendations

One of our choices should help you tuck your phone away while you make your way to get some much-needed air.

Best overall: Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX Men’s Hiking Shoes

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Specs

• Weight: 14 ounces
• Best for: Single-day hikes

Pros

• Breathable
• Waterproof
• Can go from hike to work and back

Cons

• Narrow
• Run hot

A great hike starts with what you put on your feet. These shoes are fit to hit the trails or wear to work—the traction is excellent on all terrains, thanks to its Descent Control Technology, which helps safely descend from tough descends. Don’t worry about stepping in puddles—these shoes are waterproof, thanks to Gore-Tex. Additionally, a protective mudguard protects the lateral and medial sides of your feet from muddy trails. Anti-debris mesh prevents debris from being trapped between your foot and the footbed. An EnergyCell midsole—made from high-performance EVA foam—reduces shock when you hike, which makes them extra comfortable. They’re a bit narrow, so you might want to size up or snag the wide version of the shoe. Plus, they run hot, meaning they might not be the best for use in warmer climates—those with sweaty feet, beware. The comfort outweighed our feet getting sweaty, which was bound to happen anyway. You can always wear wool hiking socks to help wick away moisture. And you can always opt for a true boot with more ankle support (we’ve put some solid miles on the Vasque Men’s Breeze Waterproof Hiking Boots, for one) if you’re going for a longer hike with more elevation changes and uneven terrain.

Best for dogs: Ruffwear Front Range Day Pack

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Specs

• Weight: 9 ounces
• Best for: Single-day hikes; weekend hikes

Pros

• Radial cut saddlebags
• Padded handle
• Multiple colors

Cons

• Pricey

If it doesn’t fit in your pack, try fitting it in your dog’s pack. Ruffwear is our favorite brand for rugged, well-constructed dog harnesses and backpacks, and the Front Range Day Pack tops the charts. A great model for mid-range activity, this pack comes in four sizes and fits dogs with a chest measurement between 17 and 42 inches. Five adjustment points mean you can further customize the fit, and foam-padded construction will continue to keep your dog comfortable. A vertical chest strap and cushioned belly strap improve stability, and a padded top handle means you can help your adventure buddy navigate tricky areas on the trail. 

The saddlebags feature a radial cut, weight-forward design, creating compression to keep each side close to your pup’s body and maintain balance. Inside each bag, a stretchy mesh pocket keeps treats, bags, and bowls organized. You can attach a leash to three points: a tow loop, webbed chest loop, and back V-ring. Available in three colors, the Front Range backpack is perfect for everyday use. It can fit all the essentials for a day hike or long walk without being unnecessarily bulky.

Best headlamp: BioLite 800 Pro Headlamp

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Specs

• Weight: 5.3 ounces
• Best for: Single-day hikes; weekend hikes; thru-hiking

Pros

• Rechargeable
• Long-lasting
• Red light option

Cons

• Learning curve to controls

We’re fans of BioLite for many reasons: we think one of these headlamps is an excellent camping gadget thanks to its internal tech, and they’re rechargeable. The lamp delivers 800 lumens for 150 hours on low; seven hours on high; and eight hours on reserve. A Run Forever cord lets you connect a power bank for even more runtime. A moisture-wicking headband keeps you dry and cool, and integrated electronics prevent slipping and bouncing. A push on the back gives you 30 seconds of max brightness, and Constant mode gives you full illumination sans auto-dimming. There’s a bit of a learning curve if you’ve never used a BioLite headlamp, but it’s one of the best on the market once you get over it. If 800 lumens seems like overkill, consider its lower lumen cousin, the BioLite 325 headlamp, which maxes out at—you guessed it—325 lumens.

Best backpack: TETON Sports Explorer Internal Frame Backpack

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Specs

• Weight: 5 lbs.
• Best for: Weekend hikes; thru-hiking

Pros

• Rugged
• Built-in bladder for water
• Sleeping bag compartment

Cons

• For more experienced hikers

If this isn’t your first time at the camping rodeo, consider this advanced hiking backpack from TETON. Multipoint adjustments and compression straps give you a near-custom fit. Angled water bottle containers, a sleeping bag compartment, and exterior pockets let you pack precisely and keep anything handy (like a granola bar or phone) within reach. A water-repellant exterior and rain cover means your stuff will stay dry in wet conditions. The pack also comes with a lifetime warranty, but you hopefully shouldn’t need it thanks to its durable construction.

Best watch: Garmin epix 2 Pro

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Specs

• Weight: 2.22 ounces
• Best for: Single-day hikes; weekend hikes; thru-hikes

Pros

• Lots of sizes and colors
• Rugged
• Built-in flashlight
• Safety features and health tracking

Cons

• Setting and customizations can be overwhelming

Garmin’s epix watch has been one of the standards for hiking, trail running, and ultra-marathons since its initial release in 2015. The new epix 2 Pro is even more advanced and capable, offering a nearly endless list of features, sensors, and settings. For starters, it comes loaded with a plethora of activities to track, from the basics like hiking, running, and cycling to strength training, surfing, hunting, and more. You’ll also get lots of training tools to help improve your fitness, including Endurance Score, Training Status, Recovery Status, VO2 Max measurements, and more.

As with most Garmin multisport watches, the epix Pro gets a robust list of sensors for health and activity tracking. It offers the essentials for hiking, including a barometric altimeter, compass, and GPS. But it also provides advanced multi-frequency positioning for accurate location data, which allows you to use the watch for navigation purposes. You can even upload specific courses to keep you on track during events. And it offers weather maps to allow you to check the radar for precipitation, cloud cover, wind, and temperature. Something we love about top-of-the-line Garmin watches (this one, as well as the fēnix 7 Pro below) are the maps. Loads of preloaded maps, which look crisp and detailed on the always-on AMOLED screen (available under scratch-resistant sapphire glass or slightly-less-resilient Corning Gorilla Glass, if you want to save $100).

One thing we especially love about this adventure watch is that it is available in three different case sizes—42mm, 47mm, or 51mm—making it more suitable for a wider variety of wrists. It’s important to keep in mind that the case size does impact battery life. For example, the 51mm version offers up to 31 days in smartwatch mode compared to 10 days for the 42mm. So you’ll have to choose whether form factor or less frequent charging is most important to you. 

All sizes of the epix 2 Pro come with an LED flashlight that’s built into the side of the watch. It is surprisingly useful in day-to-day life but is also a game changer when navigating in the woods after dark. It does drain the battery faster, of course, but it is really nice to have. And the Red Shift Mode makes it easier to see the watch at night without blinding yourself or impacting your sleep cycle.

Best water filter: LifeStraw Peak Solo

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Specs

• Weight: 4.48 ounces
• Best for: Single-day hikes; weekend hikes; thru-hikes

Pros

• Helps keep you hydrated safely
• Clips easily to pack or belt
• Can be fitted to a standard water bottle

Cons

• Can only filter up to 2,000 liters of drinking water

Lifestaw’s smallest filter is also its most versatile and easiest to use, thanks to 28mm threading. That means you can attach the filter to a standard water bottle and drink through it like a straw. Or, you can use it as a squeeze filter to filter water into a different container. Using the Peak Solo, you can fill a 1L bottle in 20 seconds—that means more time hiking and less time corraling everyone’s water bottle to fill. If you don’t want to throw it in your backpack or glove compartment, it comes with a loop to attach a carabiner to clip to a keychain or pack. Our favorite feature is its effectiveness: it protects against It offers protection against 99.999999 percent of bacteria (including E.coli and Salmonella), 99.999 percent of parasites (including Giardia and Cryptosporidium), and 99.999 percent of microplastics. It also meets the US EPA and NSF P231 drinking water standards for removing bacteria and parasites. Read more of what we have to say about it.

Best insulated water bottle (with a filter): LifeStraw Go Stainless Steel Water Filter Bottle

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Specs

• Weight: 18-22 ounces
• Best for: Single-day hikes

Pros

• Included carabiner
• Clean water anywhere
• Dishwasher safe

Cons

• Heavy

If you’d rather kill two birds with one stone, consider the LifeStraw Go Stainless Steel Water Filter Bottle. Its Titan Renew and membrane microfilters protect against parasites, microplastics, chlorine, organic chemical matter, dirt, sand, and cloudiness, while also improving taste. Specifically, LifeStraw’s membrane microfilter removes 99.999999% of bacteria, 99.999% of parasites, 99.999% of microplastics, silt, sand, and cloudiness. It meets NSF 42 standard for chlorine reduction and meets U.S. EPA & NSF P231 drinking water standards for the removal of bacteria and parasites. This means you can also have access to clean water internationally. The carbon filter costs around $10 to replace and the replacement two-stage membrane filter costs around $25. However, these filters only need replacing every 1,000 gallons—that’s a lot of lake water. Although it’s heavier than other insulated water bottles and only comes in one size, we think the benefits of clean water anywhere outweigh these cons.

Best budget: Coghlan’s 1985 Carabiner Compass

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Specs

• Weight: .6 ounces
• Best for: Single-day hikes; weekend hikes

Pros

• Clips to belt or backpack
• Body made of metal
• Luminous directional markers

Cons

• Doesn’t work if tilted more than eight degrees