A smartwatch or activity tracker can not only be a good way to keep an eye on your health, but also to actually live a healthier life. However, there is quite a choice on the market, and it is not always clear why you buy one watch and not another.
From a distance, the smartwatches and activity trackers all seem to do the same thing, but if you look at them more closely, you will soon notice that they all offer something slightly different. Whether you are looking for a smart watch that connects to your phone or a device that can track your running sessions: there is more than enough choice. To help you get started, here we discuss some of the most popular activity trackers and smartwatches, along with their most important and distinctive functions.
Curious about the functions of a specific smartwatch? Click below immediately:
Apple Watch SE (2023)
Apple’s smart watches are almost the reference point for the rest of the market. This especially applies to the more expensive ones Apple Watch Series 9 and the Ultra 2, but with the Apple Watch SE, Apple offers an interesting entry-level model for those who do not yet have a smart watch.
- 40/44 mm
- Bluetooth, LTE optional
- Battery life: up to 18 hours
- Storage: 32 GB
- Heart rate measurements
- Sleep tracking
- Water resistant
- Accident detection
- Geen always-ondisplay
- Suitable for: iPhone users
Like many watches, the Apple Watch SE focuses not only on sports, but on health in general. In this watch you will also find applications such as the heart rate app, which warns users if their heart beats irregularly. The watch also helps you follow medication schedules. There is also fall detection and accident detection in the watch. In other words: you really don’t have to be an athlete to experience the added value of a smart watch.
Are you an athlete? Then you can track numerous sports activities with the Apple Watch SE: not only running, walking and cycling, but also HIIT training, swimming, pilates or yoga, for example. The watch lets you choose between no fewer than 19 different workouts, but you can also add extra workouts yourself. The watch also tracks your sleep if you leave it on overnight, although there is a good chance that you will then hang the device on the charger: the battery only lasts a day.
In terms of measurements, the Apple Watch SE offers an optical heart rate sensor, an altimeter, an accelerometer and a gyroscope. The watch also integrates seamlessly with your other Apple products. That is especially bad news for Android fans: they should ignore this smart watch from Apple.
The Apple Watch SE is available from 279 euros for the 40 mm model. If you have a slightly larger wrist and want a larger watch, you can pay 309 euros for the 44mm model. There is also the option to purchase an LTE model, but you pay a little more for that: the standard version does not have that connectivity and you only have GPS.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
Anyone who does not have an iPhone, but wants a watch that integrates well with a smartphone, will soon turn to Samsung. Together with Google, the South Korean brand is the market leader when it comes to WearOS watches that work neatly with Android. Just like Apple, Samsung does not want to sell its watches only to athletes, and is therefore focusing more on health in general, but also on smart functions so that your smartphone is not always necessary.
- 40/44 mm
- Bluetooth, LTE optional
- Battery life: between 30 and 40 hours
- Storage: 16GB
- Heart rate measurements
- Sleep tracking
- Water resistant
- Accident detection
- Always-ondisplay
- Suitable for: Android users
That is why this watch also contains functions to monitor heart rhythm disorders and to track your sleep rhythm. With functions such as the heart rate zone, the device tries to ensure that your training always takes place at the right intensity. With sleep coaching, the device can ensure that you start the day well rested, so that you are in good shape for those training sessions. Do you want to track it? Then you can choose from no fewer than 90 different activities.
In terms of battery, Samsung also does slightly better than Apple. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is said to last between 40 and 30 hours, depending on whether the always-on display is enabled or not.
Would you like to get a Samsung Galaxy Watch 6? Make sure you don’t have an iPhone at home: the watches do not work with Apple phones. So an Android phone is required, and a Samsung Galaxy phone is by far the most ideal.
Samsung watches are available from 259 euros. You still have to purchase a strap separately. The price may vary depending on your preference. You then buy the 40 mm model with only Bluetooth. Those who want can pay extra for a 44mm model with 4G connectivity.
Fitbit Charge 6
Fitbit has been known for several years for its sports trackers. The brand is now part of Google has become a fixture on the sports field. Especially now that the devices also run on Google software, they are only becoming more popular.
- 26,41 mm
- Only Bluetooth, no LTE
- Battery life: up to 7 days, depending on always-on display and measurements
- Storage: only for data, not for apps
- Heart rate measurements
- Sleep tracking
- Water resistant
- Always-ondisplay
- Suitable for: Android and iOS
For tracking sports activities, Fitbit gives you more than 40 different workouts to choose from. Did you forget to do that manually? Fortunately, the tracker can also take care of this automatically for you, so that no data is lost. In addition to workouts, you can also track your general health with the Charge 6. Cardiac arrhythmias can be detected in this way, but the watch also sees, for example, when the temperature of your skin or your breathing changes. You can also track your sleep with the tracker.
The device also offers a full week of battery charge, although you may have to charge it a little earlier during busy weeks. The Fitbit positions itself slightly more as an activity tracker than as a smartwatch, but it is clearly a device that can also remain on your wrist between workouts. This is also reflected in the smart functions. You can link Google Wallet to the watch, but you can also use the Fitbit to find your lost phone. You can also view maps via Google Maps and listen to music with YouTube Premium.
A Fitbit Charge 6 will cost you 159.95 euros. For this you not only get the tracker, but also 6 months of Fitbit Premium. That subscription gives you access to workouts put together by professionals. The subscription also gives you access to extensive analyzes of your sleep and stress measurements. For those functions, including well-being reports, you pay 8.99 euros per month after 6 months.
The Fitbit Charge 6 also works with both Android and iOS. Connecting is done via the app, which is available on both platforms.
Garmin Vivoactive 5
Of Garmin Vivoactive 5 is made for athletes who also want to wear their tracker after exercise. This way you can enjoy the benefits of a sports watch, such as the long battery life of 11 days, a set of health sensors and built-in GPS, without the robust appearance of some models.
- 42,2 mm
- Only Bluetooth, no LTE
- Battery life: 5 to 11 days, depending on always-on display
- Storage: 4GB
- Heart rate measurements
- Sleep tracking
- Water resistant
- Accident detection
- Always-ondisplay
- Suitable for: Android and iOS
While exercising, you can use more than 1,600 workouts in Garmin’s Connect app. Many of these training sessions are focused on running, but this sports watch also helps you with cycling, swimming and walking. The Vivoactive 5 contains more than thirty apps for various sports activities as standard. Some of this also works with the GPS connection in the Vivoactive. As for the sensors, the Vivoactive 5 can measure your heart rate, blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), and sleep sessions.
Garmin stores all these sports activities in its Connect ecosystem. Do you use other apps to track your sports activities? You can probably synchronize the data easily. Almost all (popular) sports apps work with Connect, including Strava. It doesn’t matter which OS your smartphone runs: the Vivoactive 5 is compatible with Android and iOS.
In addition to the emphasis on sports functions, the Vivoactive 5 is also equipped with the necessary ‘smart’ functions. If you receive a message on your phone, you will also see it on your Vivoactive. With an Android phone you can even reply to the message immediately. The clock also has Garmin Pay for contactless payments. Finally, you can download all kinds of useful apps from the Connect IQ store, such as Spotify.
Garmin Forerunner 165
Unlike the Vivoactive 5, the Garmin Forerunner 165 a full-fledged sports watch with a matching robust, but modern appearance. The Forerunner also has a battery life of 11 days, built-in GPS, and sensors for heart rate and SpO2. New is the height sensor, which measures how many stairs you have climbed and keeps track of the altitude meters while cycling in the mountains.
- 43 mm
- Only Bluetooth, no LTE
- Battery life: 5 to 11 days, depending on always-on display
- Storage: 4GB
- Heart rate measurements
- Sleep tracking
- Water resistant
- Accident detection
- Always-ondisplay
- Suitable for: Android and iOS
As the name suggests, Garmin focuses this model on runners who want to kick-start their sports career. The Forerunner 165 uses its GPS connection to track your distance, pace and speed as you run. The watch also monitors your recovery and adjusts your training schedules accordingly.
Are you a novice runner with the goal of running 5 or 10 kilometers? Then the Coach function with free tailor-made training plans is a useful tool. The Garmin Coach even helps you prepare for a running race. Combine this with the personalized workouts (and recovery image) for optimal training.
All collected sports data can be uploaded from the Forerunner 165 to various platforms such as Strava. The smartwatch can receive text messages, has Garmin Pay for contactless payments and can be connected to both Android and iOS devices. Music control is also possible, but you need a smartphone for this. Unfortunately, saving music on the watch is not possible unless you choose the Music model.