Hey everyone, I’m feeling overwhelmed with all the options out there for smart watches. I’m not a tech expert, just someone who needs a watch that covers the basics. I want to track my steps, heart rate, and have notifications on the go. But most importantly, I need an app that lets me edit or add workouts since I walk for hours on the treadmill at home. The treadmill tracks my progress, but the watch doesn’t, so I want to be able to add/edit the stats myself. I also want to control my music and use GPS sometimes. Paying with the watch isn’t a must, I can use my phone for that.
I bought an Amazfit but it’s been a nightmare. The app is terrible, doesn’t track my steps well, and the treadmill doesn’t register anything. I thought the good reviews would be a sign, but I was wrong. Now I’m looking at the Pixel Watch 3 or the OnePlus Watch 2. Maybe I should wait for the OP3, but I’m not sure if it’ll fit my budget. Oh, and the 46mm Amazfit is way too big for my wrist (I’m 5’4”), so I’m worried the OP2 might look too big too.
I don’t care about fancy running stats, I’m not running marathons, but I do like to jog a bit for warm-ups. Also, I’ve heard the PW3 scratches easily, and I really don’t want to cover it with a case. I want something that looks good without a cover. I don’t need the most durable watch, but I also don’t want something too fragile. I’m open to suggestions around the £300 price range. I have a Google Pixel 7 phone, by the way.
Thanks for reading through my ramblings, I’d really appreciate any advice!
Have you looked into the Garmin Vivoactive 5 or the Garmin Venu 3? The Vivoactive 5 is 42mm, which should be a good fit if you’re looking for a smaller watch. You can also edit treadmill stats in the app, and it allows you to make adjustments before saving. It’s great for tracking and adjusting metrics for activities like walking or hiking. The Venu 3 is a bit more expensive but offers more advanced features if you need them. Garmin’s step tracking is pretty accurate, and the watches can adjust steps for treadmill use, which is perfect for you.
@Haru
Thanks for the suggestions! The Vivoactive 5 seems good, but I think it’s missing an altimeter, which is important for me since I hike a lot. I could go for the Venu 3, but I’m not sure if the extra £100 is worth it, especially since I don’t need all the advanced features. I’m also not a fan of the Garmin setup with the app and website, it feels like too many steps just to change some settings. Do you think the Garmin models still require all those extra steps?
@Cael
You’re right that the Vivoactive doesn’t have an altimeter, which could be a dealbreaker for your hiking. As for the Venu 3, the extra cost is mainly for more advanced health and fitness features. Regarding the app and website setup, Garmin has improved things, and now you can manage almost everything through the app. There are some settings only available on the watch, but it’s not as complicated as it used to be. For hiking and accurate sleep tracking, Garmin’s models do offer solid performance.
@Haru
Thanks for clearing that up! I was getting confused by all the mixed reviews. I do like the idea of better sleep tracking, but I’ve seen some users complain about how inaccurate it is. I read that if you wake up in the night or don’t follow the scheduled wake-up time, the watch won’t track sleep properly. Is that true? I also don’t want to mess with a bunch of settings every time I need to change something.
@Cael
I get where you’re coming from. The sleep tracking on Garmin is focused more on recovery, and it has gotten a lot better over time. If you wake up in the middle of the night, the watch won’t stop tracking unless you dismiss the morning report. The key is to run the morning report once you wake up, and it’ll track your sleep properly. As for the settings, once you set everything up, you shouldn’t need to change much. The setup can be detailed, but after that, it’s pretty hands-off.
Hi there! I totally understand your frustration with the Amazfit. The Pixel Watch 3 sounds like a great option for you. It has the 41mm option which should be comfortable on your wrist, and it has all the features you’re looking for—tracking, notifications, and app support for editing workouts. If you’re into running, the Treadmill Buddy app might be helpful to make your sessions more engaging and fun. For the OnePlus Watch 2, it’s a bit bigger, but it might still be a good fit if size isn’t a dealbreaker. Both watches should work well for hiking and cycling. Just make sure to get a screen protector if you’re worried about durability!
I agree with what others have said—based on what you’re looking for, the Garmin Venu 3 or higher would be a good fit. It has all the necessary features for tracking, and it’s durable enough for hiking and cycling. Garmin watches offer great customization options, which could be useful if you want to personalize your experience.