When it comes to choosing the best smartwatch for your workout, it can be extremely overwhelming to try and figure out if you are getting the best. There are so many different brands and models to choose from that it can be very difficult to keep track of all the unique features and costs. When you are choosing your smartwatch you must find one that has the best possible combination of features that you want and price. To make it easier for you, I have taken the time to scour around multiple websites and stores to find the top 7 smartwatches that are great for working out and tracking your fitness. For each watch, this article will lay out the features and pros/cons and prices in an organized list so that you don’t have to. Hopefully, by the time you get to the end, you find the one you are looking for!
List of The Best Smartwatches for Working Out
1. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active
This watch is one of the newest smartwatches from Samsung and while it doesn’t have all of the features as a regular Galaxy smartwatch, it is very capable if it is being used purely for fitness and workout purposes. It is extremely compact which is great news for people with smaller wrists who sometimes have problems finding smartwatches that fit snugly. It tracks your activity all day and detects a variety of different exercises. Also, it is compatible with other non-Samsung Android devices which means that you wouldn’t have to worry about buying a Samsung device just to benefit from its great features. This watch is not exactly cheap coming in at 200 dollars but it does offer a lot to choose from compared to some of the other watches on this list. If affordability isn’t your main focus and you don’t want to sacrifice features, this is the perfect watch for you.
Features
- Automatically detects and tracks your workouts
- Analyzes your sleep patterns and helps get a better rest
- Real-time heart rate alerts
- GPS system
- OLED display
Pros
- Compatible with any Android device
- Fits slim wrists
- Waterproof
- Receives phone notifications
- Can sync your playlist
Cons
Might be too small for people with larger wrists
Battery Life is not the best
2. Amazfit Bip Smartwatch
This option is even cheaper than the first, but there aren’t as many features involved. This watch is designed by Huami which is a sub brand of the company Huawei. This watch is also small and sleek, made out of plastic, and is dust and water-resistant. This option would be really good for runners or bike riders as those are the main workouts that this watch tracks, but not automatically the way the first option did. The best thing about this watch is the fact that it has an extremely long 30-day battery life! That is an amazing amount of battery life for a smartwatch to offer its user and it is the one area in which this watch beats Samsung. People who want to save some money and just need a basic smartwatch to track more simple workouts would get the best value out of this choice.
Features
- Bright display that can be seen in direct sunlight
- Five Brightness level
- Barometer
- Built-in GPS
Pros
- Only a 2.5-hour charge for extreme battery usage
- Dust resistant
- 30-day battery life
- Low-price
- Customizable face and band
Cons
- Limited capabilities
- Tracking can be a little inconsistent
3. Fitbit Versa
Features
- All-Day Activity Tracking
- Workouts On-screen
- All-day Heart rate tracking
- Receives Notifications from Phone
- Female health tracker
Pros
- Stores your music (300 songs)
- Waterproof (good for swimmers)
- 4-day battery life
- Customizable wristband
Cons
- Have to use smartphone GPS
- Some issues with Bluetooth connection
4. Suunto 9 Baro GPS Watch
This watch is one of the most expensive options on the list, but it packs quite a punch in the features that you get from it. The user can get 120 hours of battery life from this watch, and it has an intelligence feature that will let the user know to switch to a lower battery mode so that it can continue to track your workout until the end. This is not the sleekest design option on the list and visually is geared toward a more outdoorsy masculine audience, so if the design is a big part of what you want, then this may not be the best option for you on this list. The screen is round like a regular watch, but it is a touchscreen, so you can navigate it as easily as any other watch on the list. It tracks a huge range of activities, both indoor and outdoor, and provides the user with a detailed analysis of the different aspects of their workouts including elevation, distance, and pace.
Features
- Long battery life
- Smart battery usage
- GPS system
- Storm/weather alerts
Pros
- Indoor and outdoor activities
- Easy to Navigate
- Sturdy for outdoor use
Cons
- Very expensive
- Not a sleek design
5. Apple Watch Series 4
There are a lot of people who will probably read this suggestion and scoff, but the fact of the matter is the Apple Watch is a great option for those who use Apple phones. Yes, that is correct, you have to have an Apple phone to use an Apple watch as they are not compatible with androids of any brand. This watch is very stylish and appropriate for men and women. It is also really strong and durable so it can withstand a strenuous workout and keep ongoing. The battery lasts anywhere from 3 to 5 days so you can get a lot of use out of a single charge. The watch is also swim-proof so you can use it to track your swim time as well. There is a lot of health tracking features that you don’t see on too many other workout watches and it has been certified by the FDA to take ECG readings.
Features
- Built-in GPS
- 5-day battery life
- Customizable watch
- Unique health tracking
- Receives notifications from phone
Pros
- Waterproof
- Long-lasting battery life
- Stylish and durable
Cons
- Can only be used with Apple phone
- Expensive
6. Polar Vantage M
This design is not a sleek as some of the other watches on the list, but it is way better than the Suunto watch’s design. The wrist band comes in four colors: white, black, red, and green, so there is a little customization available for the wearer. The watch gives you about a week of battery life on a single charge and has extremely accurate reading systems for fitness and heart rate. It also provides the user with feedback about how each workout activity that they do contributes to their overall workout goal and progress. The watch is swim-proof and perfect for tracking long-distance running or cycling. It is very easy to navigate and set up and the companion app is straightforward and helpful as well. The only downside is that this is more of a fitness watch than a smartwatch even though it does have some smartwatch capabilities. If you’re looking for a better combination of smartwatch and fitness watch you might be slightly disappointed, but if you are looking for something a little more full-throttle on the fitness end, you should be pleased with this choice.
Features
- Built-in GPS tracker
- Lightweight design
- Accurate Fitness/wellness tracker
- Workout Feedback
- Comes with a companion app
Pros
- Customizable wristband
- Week of battery life
- Waterproof
- Easy to navigate
Cons
- Not many smartwatch capabilities
7. Garmin Forerunner 35
This watch is another slightly affordable option that still has a lot of cool and unique features. This watch is made for GPS tracking, so it is perfect and more suitable for long-distance runners or even bike riders. The Garmin watch does come with a companion app as most fitness watches do, but the one awesome thing that Garmin has is an active online fitness community forum where users can get together to talk about there workouts, give each other tips, and also challenge each other. It does also have more smartwatch features than the last option and receives notifications from your phone with a simple vibration. It also has a nice high-resolution screen design that is very user-friendly and perfect for indoor or outdoor viewing.
Features
- All-day heart rate tracking
- Vibration alerts
- Online fitness community
- 9-day battery life
Pros
Professional design
Smart notifications
Cons
Limited workout functions
Not very customizable in design
Final Verdict on Choosing The Best Smartwatches for Working Out
So there you have it! Now that you have made it to the end of this article, hopefully, you have found a good smartwatch that works in your price range and also provides you with some of the key features you were looking for. All of the options are amazing and very capable of providing you with good feedback before, during, and after your workout, plus most of them come with features that track other things as well giving you an overall composition of your health. I hope that these options have made your search easier and that you can get started tracking your progress and reaching your goal! Good luck!
