Category: Wearables

Best Earbuds 2026 – Noise Cancelling Picks, I’ve got a special kind of angst that comes from investing in a pair of earbuds that are billed with “industry-leading noise cancellation”, and then they all but fail when the lawn person next door starts up the leaf blower. I’ve been reviewing audio equipment for years, and quite frankly, it’s never been more glaringly evident that the product can’t deliver as the marketing promises than it is in the world of earbuds right now.

The good news? Some great options in 2016. Companies are finally realising that simply bolting ANC chips to the affordable end of their range and hoping for the best is not enough. The technology is getting better, the processing more clever, and some brands are getting ahead of the rest.

What’s Great About Noise Cancellation in 2016

Before I get to the reccomendations, let’s take a look at what makes a good ANC earbud from an average one this year. Today’s active noise cancellation uses two types of microphones: feed-forward (pointed out to capture outside noise) and feedback (pointed in to capture noise from your ear canal). A noise-cancelling processor generates an inverse sound wave to cancel out the noise.

Recent advances have been around the speed of processing and its adaptability. Now the better earbuds are able to adapt their ANC profile on the fly – ramping up when you’re on the subway and ramping down slightly for better sound in less noisy settings. Fixed ANC profiles were the bane of even the highest-end earbuds until two or three years ago.

Sony WF-1000XM6 – Still the Best

It’s been a few years since Sony has been king of earbud noise cancellation, and the XM6 is determined to stay on the throne. The new Integrated Processor V2 chip has faster environmental analysis than before, and it makes a difference, particularly in low-frequency lows such as airplane and train noise.

Audio is a warm and slightly bassy sound that most listeners will love for extended listening. Mid tones are rich but not harsh. The quality of calls has improved over past models, which has been a fault line for Sony earbuds.

The earbuds offer about 8 hours of usage with ANC, and 24 hours with the case. This is good, but not stand-out.

My only real quibble is the fit. Sony offers several sizes of ear tips, but the oval-shaped tips I was provided don’t fit my ears.

Apple AirPods Pro 3 – The Apple Fit

For heavy Apple users, it’s hard to fault the AirPods Pro 3. The new H3 chip has improved the ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) and Transparency mode of the AirPods Pro 3 – the latter particularly sounds so natural that it’s almost startling to hear your surroundings so clearly while still wearing the earbuds.

Personalized Spatial Audio, which uses your phone’s camera to map the shape of your ear, offers an engagingly immersive effect for compatible audio. It’s one of those things that you think will be a gimmick, but then you try it and watch scenes from movies again just to hear the difference.

ANC is a tad worse than Sony in terms of cancellation, but the adaptive ANC switching is also considerably better. In most situations – the office, low-level street noise, air travel – most users will be none the wiser.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds – For the Sensitive Ears

The Bose Ultra Earbuds have a different philosophy. Rather than going for the lowest noise floor possible, they’ve gone for comfort and “Immersive Audio”. The upshot is an earbud that’s incredibly comfortable to wear for four, five, six hours (and beyond) without getting tired – physically or aurally.

The ANC is really good, especially at mid-frequency noise (such as people’s voices in an open office), which is where many people need assistance the most. If you’re working in a very distracting open office, you may be better off with the Bose than the Sony.

It has a flatter sound signature than Sony’s warmer sound. Some will like this, others will think it rather sterile. For the price, it’s a matter of taste.

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro – Android’s Alternative

Samsung has done a great job building a good ANC earbud in the Galaxy Buds series, and with the Buds3 Pro has a very viable alternative. The 360 Audio with head tracking is effective, and the integration with Galaxy AI brings useful features such as real-time translation, which now works pretty well.

ANC is good, especially with a Samsung phone to fully enable the software optimisations. With non-Samsung Android devices, it still performs well, but lacks the adaptive smarts.

Best Budget: Soundcore Liberty 4 NC

Anker’s Soundcore Liberty 4 NC continues to offer great value for money, especially for those who can’t afford the $250. ANC performance isn’t at the forefront, but it’s good enough to deal with typical ambient noise. For the price, the sound quality is outstanding, and 10 hours of battery life with ANC turned on is excellent compared to other high-end models.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the best noise cancellation the most expensive?
Not automatically. Sony and Bose over several more specialised and expensive brands. The seal is important as well as the ANC chip.

Q: Is it OK to use noise cancelling earbuds while walking outdoors?
Walk outside in Transparency mode. ANC is dangerous when walking in traffic – you need to be aware of your surroundings.

Q: Do ANC earbuds have a lifespan?
Battery life typically degrades after 2-3 years’ use. ANC itself will not degrade, it’s the battery.

Q: Is foam better than silicone ear tips?
Generally yes. Foam fits your ear and enhances passive isolation, which allows ANC to be more effective. A good option if you don’t like stock tips.

Q: What earbuds are best for phone calls?
AirPods Pro 3 and Sony XM6 are good choices. Bose is traditionally best for calls and the Ultra Earbuds are no exception.

Top Health Monitoring Wearables in 2026, Wearable health technologies have come a long way in the past couple of years. What once seemed like high-tech pedometers are now some pretty cool tech, able to detect potential heart problems, and even predict your recovery from stress. I’ve been keeping a close eye on this area and, frankly, we’re getting closer and closer to clinical monitoring with consumer wearables than anyone would have thought.

However, with a plethora of devices hitting the market, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to separate the useful from the innovative. Let’s take a look at the must-have health wearables for 2016.

Health Wearables are More Popular than Ever

Managing chronic diseases, preventing illness and taking control of one’s health are all the rage. The world’s health-care systems are over-burdened and consumers are more empowered with their health data. A good wearable device isn’t a substitute for a doctor – don’t get me wrong – but it can provide more information on how your body is working.

Our Favourite Wearables in 2016

Apple Watch Ultra 3

Apple has improved an already great product. The Ultra 3 features more accurate blood oxygen readings, better ECG readings and a skin temperature sensor that works well for tracking your cycle and detecting the flu. The crash detection and fall detection features are likely to have resulted in the saving of lives – there are reports of people being alerted for assistance when they weren’t able to make a call themselves.

The Ultra 3 also features better battery life (up to 72 hours), in normal use. For serious sportspeople or those in need of heart rate monitoring due to conditions, the continuous heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring is useful.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 Pro

Samsung’s health offering has taken a leap forward. The Galaxy Watch 7 Pro can work with Samsung Health Monitor, and now includes blood pressure which has been validated in several countries and cleared by regulators. This is a significant achievement – blood pressure measurement from a wrist device has been difficult to achieve.

The body composition analysis is not as accurate as a DEXA scan, but provides relative tracking that can be used to monitor weight or muscle gains and losses. The sleep monitor is unusually detailed, and accurately measures sleep stages.

Garmin Fenix 8 Solar

If you’re a more serious fitness enthusiast, you can’t go wrong with Garmin. The Fenix 8 Solar is not a mere watch – it’s a health and exercise performance tracking device that is indispensable to triathletes. It has pulse oximetry, HRV status, training readiness and recovery time estimates for training, and is definitely tuned for fitness.

Solar power hugely prolongs the battery life. It’s possible to use it for weeks without recharging when out and about. Garmin’s Body Battery statistic, which predicts your energy level based on several factors including HRV, sleep and stress, is popular among performance-oriented exercisers.

Oura Ring 4

The Oura Ring is one of a kind. It’s subtle, it is comfortable to wear while sleeping, and it is one of the most accurate in measuring sleep and recovery. The new fourth generation Oura Ring has a better algorithm to calculate readiness, and also tracks temperature deviations, which users find to be fairly accurate in predicting illness a day ahead of time.

It doesn’t have a display, which some will consider a benefit and others a drawback. The app is well-designed and offers insight into the data.

Withings ScanWatch Nova

Withings has always pursued the medically-focused approach and the ScanWatch Nova is their best yet. This watch has a traditional analog display, ECG, SpO2 measurement and breathing scan that will be used to detect signs of sleep apnea. The FDA has given the nod to the AFib, which is something not all others have.

The Best Buying Guide

It’s better to have a few sensors that are accurate, than a lot that are not. It’s better to accurately measure four things than to in accurately measure twelve things. Evaluate devices with regulatory approval (FDA, CE) of health-related features.

Data privacy is a real concern. Your health data is private. Look into what the company does with the data, if they sell it on to third parties and how you can export or delete your data.

Comfort determines consistency. The most precise wearable is the one that you’ll use. If you don’t forget you’re wearing it, the ring is better than the watch.

If you can connect your device to your health apps (such as the Apple Health, Google Health Connect or your medical practitioner’s patient portal), then you can do something useful with your data.

Honest Limitations

These devices aren’t medical diagnostic devices. Trends in HRV are helpful, but won’t explain poor recovery. Blood glucose estimates (in some new devices) are not as good as continuous glucose monitoring to track blood glucose in diabetics. And all the monitoring can sometimes be counterproductive – people can suffer from health anxiety.

FAQs

Q: What wearable is best to track heart health?
A: The Withings ScanWatch Nova and Apple Watch Ultra 3 are equipped with FDA-cleared electrocardiograms (ECG), and are the best wearables for heart health.

Q: Does a wearable tell if you have sleep apnea?
A: Yes, devices such as the Withings ScanWatch Nova, can detect irregular breathing that may indicate sleep apnea, but you would need to have a sleep study to be diagnosed.

Q: Should I get an Oura Ring with or without a screen?
A: If you are interested in sleep and recovery. All the information can be viewed in the app, and without a screen it’s less distracting.

Q: How long do health wearables’ batteries last?
A: It depends – Apple Watch Ultra 3 has a battery life of 72 hours, Garmin Fenix 8 Solar can last for weeks and Withings ScanWatch Nova has a battery life of 30 days.

Q: Can wearable health devices be worn by those with pacemakers?
A: Not usually recommended without first discussing with your cardiologist – some sensors could interfere with pacemaker operation.

Smart Rings – The Future of Wearable Tech, It’s poetic in a sense to think about wearing your health information on a ring. For centuries, rings have been a symbol of love, status and identity. But now they’re tracking your heart rate, sleep patterns and levels of stress as well. Smart rings are increasingly becoming an exciting piece of wearable technology, and they’re getting overlooked.

I’ve been tracking the wearable market for a while now, and the move to wearables in the form of a ring feels inevitable. Because we all don’t want to wear smartwatches. Some want something discreet, something that isn’t shunned at dinner parties or an interview.

What’s a Smart Ring?

A smart ring is a wearable device in the form of a ring, which has sensors to monitor different biometric data. Depending on the particular ring, it may track heart rate, SpO2 (blood oxygen), skin temperature, sleep, activity and even menstruation. And, more recently, some are starting to include NFC (Near Field Communication) technology for payments.

Oura Ring is currently the most prominent player in this rapidly growing market, and has a strong following in the health tracking sphere. It’s been worn by athletes, CEOs and biohackers for some time. But now there’s more than just Oura. Samsung has recently launched its Galaxy Ring in 2024 and others.

Rings are More Than a Fashion Statement

I was surprised to learn that when I first started researching the science behind where to put sensors, that fingers are great places for biometric sensors. And the finger has a lot of blood vessels right on the skin’s surface, so it’s easier to perform photoplethysmography (PPG) – the optical technique used to sense blood flow – to get an accurate reading than on a wrist.

That’s a real advantage. Smartwatches can’t get good readings when they slide around your wrist or if someone has a gap between the smartwatch and their wrist. A ring, if it fits, doesn’t move around. It won’t jolt around while running, nor slip off while you sleep.

Your Health Tracker, in a Ring

What’s astounding is the technology that has been miniaturised to fit on your hand. The Oura Ring Gen 3, for instance, is home to a number of sensors (infrared LEDs, a temperature sensor, an accelerometer) in a ring that weigh between 4 and 6 grams. After a couple of days you don’t even notice it there.

Smart rings are not only used to track fitness, but in research and clinical trials. Oura has been collaborating with the NBA and different research institutions during the COVID-19 crisis to research early detection of illness using biometric data such as an elevated resting heart rate and temperature. The findings were very encouraging – the ring picked up changes in physiology in advance of illness.

This use case implies smart rings could one day be used for early disease detection, monitoring of chronic conditions and even tracking of psychological conditions via HRV (heart rate variability).

The Design Factor – An End to Ugly

Perhaps the most important marketing factor for smart ring manufacturers is design, and they should be. Wearable devices have traditionally been more or less ugly. The first fitness trackers were medical looking. Smartwatches are often still cumbersome and “techy”. Smart rings don’t have to.

They’re available in elegant metals like silver, gold, black and rose gold that resemble regular rings. This has a huge impact on uptake. People who don’t want to wear a fitness tracker on their wrist will wear a nice-looking ring.

There’s a Dark Side to Every Ring

While most rings (4-7 days) have good battery life, you need to charge them and it’s irritating if you lose the charger. No screen is by design, but it means you’re reliant on the app to view your data. Without interacting with the app, the ring’s usefulness is diminished.

There’s also a subscription fee. Oura’s monthly subscription cost to unlock all health data annoys some users who perceive they’ve already paid more than enough for the device. Samsung’s Galaxy Ring doesn’t yet have a subscription fee, which puts it ahead of the competition.

The Future of Smart Rings

Smart rings will be a rapidly expanding market in the coming years, and that makes sense. With shrinking sensors and better batteries, we can expect to see rings that track blood sugar levels, measure hydration and do more advanced heart monitoring.

But the change is cultural. We’re headed into a future where we’ll have continuous and passive health monitoring as a matter of routine – not just for hospital stays or yearly doctors’ visits. Smart rings play well into this. They’re discreet, powerful and ever more advanced.

In a world of devices vying for our attention, there’s a real allure to technology that is discrete, worn on our finger and gets out of the way of our lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are smart rings accurate?
Smart rings are not medical devices and accurate enough for monitoring. The data can be used to track trends and patterns, but not for diagnosis.

Q: Are smart rings compatible with non-smartphones?
They can gather data, but need a mobile app to show and interpret this data.

Q: How long does the smart ring battery last?
Typically between 4 to 7 days on a charge, depending on how much you use your smart ring.

Q: Do smart rings get wet?
Yes. Smart rings are generally water-resistant, and can be worn in the shower and while swimming.

Q: Do you have to pay a subscription for a smart ring?
No, not all of them. Oura has a monthly subscription fee but Samsung’s Galaxy Ring does not at this time.

Q: Is it comfortable to sleep in a smart ring?
They are comfortable to wear once you get used to them. Their small size and weight allow most people to wear them comfortably.

Best Budget Smartwatches Under $100 (2026), It used to be a rare occasion when I could find a smartwatch that I didn’t have to sacrifice something for if it cost less than $150. This no longer is the case. The low-end smartwatch market has emerged as one of the most hotly contested in the consumer electronics industry, and in 2016 you’re actually getting a lot of smartwatch for your money.

I’ve had a chance to use several of these watches – some free, some paid – and I’m here to provide some insight into the best options to buy this year.

Top Picks for 2026

Amazfit Bip 5 Unity – Best Overall for Less than $70

If you were to ask me, this is the only cheap smartwatch to buy right now. This Bip 5 Unity sports a big and easy-to-read 1.91-inch screen, reliable GPS, and is actually useful for tracking your health. It provides consistently long battery life (10-12 days with normal use) for its price.

The smartphone app (Zepp) has been much improved. It’s not as sophisticated as Garmin, but will keep track of your daily activity, stress and sleep if that’s what you’re interested in. And it has Alexa support if you’re an Amazon user.

What’s lacking: Plastic construction is a bit flimsy, and it’s not the best for swimming. But it’s a great value at $65.

Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro – Best Fit Band

This fitness device is bordering on being a smartwatch, with a 1.74-inch AMOLED display and the right shape. It monitors more than 150 exercise modes, gives detailed sleep information (including the various stages of sleep) and the pulse detector is not bad for the price point compared to mid-range devices.

I like that Xiaomi isn’t over-promising with this device. It’s a simple, effective device. The battery life is about 14 days, the band is comfortable to wear and the app (for Android and iOS) is straightforward.

Samsung Galaxy Fit 3: Best for Android – if you want a reliable tracker

Samsung’s economy tracker is a tried and true fitness tracker, with the added reliability of the Samsung health software and platform. The 1.6″ AMOLED screen is clear and crisp, and the aluminium body is a step up in quality compared to most of its rivals.

It’s best used as a sleep tracker – Samsung has a lot of resources to play with in their Health app, and they’ve used them well. It’s also one of the few low-cost options to detect snoring.

It isn’t a smartwatch in the complete sense (no GPS, few app options), but if you want a good value health tracker for about $50, then it’s a great option.

Noise ColorFit Ultra 3 – The Sharpest Display

You may not have heard of this one if you’re not in South Asia, but Noise is rapidly getting more widely available. The ColorFit Ultra 3 has a gorgeous 1.96″ Always-On AMOLED screen, GPS and Bluetooth calling for as low as $75-$85.

Bluetooth calling can be a bit of a gamble with budget smartwatches, but Noise has done a good job with mic placement – it’s good enough to be usable in low noise situations. Not the best choice for an important phone call at a meeting, but it will work for casual calls.

Redmi Watch 5 – Longest Battery Life for Less than $100

Xiaomi’s budget brand, Redmi, has the Watch 5 with 24 days of battery life claimed. But this is more like 16-18 days with GPS turned off and great in practice. For people who don’t like to charge their devices, this is the best choice.

It has a large (2.07-in.) display, is accurate for indoor and outdoor workouts, and has a long battery life. Around $80.

What to Look for When Shopping

Manufacturer’s battery life claims are always overstated. Tests are by using only basic features. Multiply by 1.5 to get the battery life you can expect.

Investigate the app scene. Cheaper watches can have poorly-designed apps, which request too many permissions, or stop being updated. Go with companies that have a track record of supporting wireless devices.

GPS is important for outdoorsy cyclists and runners. Many cheap watches claim to have GPS but use your mobile phone (connected GPS). Native GPS is on the other hand and is worth asking for.

The Bottom Line

In 2016 there’s no need to pay more than $100 for a smartwatch that’s just a fancy pedometer. The Amazfit Bip 5 Unity and Xiaomi Band 9 Pro are value for money with an accurate health tracker. Samsung’s Galaxy Fit 3 is the safe choice for Android users. And for a better display, the Noise ColorFit Ultra 3 offers a great deal.

None will be a substitute for a Garmin or Apple Watch if you’re a serious sports enthusiast. But for daily wearers who want a basic fitness tracker that can keep up with text messages, sleep cycles and more, there’s plenty of budget smartwatches to choose from in 2016.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do budget smartwatch have accurate heart rate tracking?
A: All new budget smartwatches are pretty accurate at tracking resting heart rate. At higher heart rates, accuracy may be reduced – optical sensors are not as accurate with rapid wrist movements at any price.

Q: Are cheap smartwatches (less than $100) waterproof?
A: Most have a 5ATM or IP68 rating – they’re rain and shallow waterproof. Never dive with any watch.

Q: Can I use budget smartwatches with iPhone?
A: Yes, most are compatible with both Android and iOS, although some smartwatches (such as quick text replies) may be restricted on iPhone, due to Apple’s closure of its ecosystem.

Q: What’s the lifespan of budget smartwatches?
A: With proper care, 2-3 years before the battery and software support starts to show signs of wear and tear.

Q: do all budget smartwatches have GPS?
A: No. Make sure to check if the watch has built-in GPS or just connected GPS (uses your phone). Built-in is best for outdoor activities.

Fitness Trackers vs Smartwatches – Which Is Better?, I have worn both on my wrist, at length, and at other times together, which likely appeared to be a sight at the gym, but the candid truth is; it is what you literally mean by a wearable. But, that is a vexed non-answer, and I want to have this disaggregated.

The debate between fitness tracker and smartwatch has been rising particularly in the past few years mainly due to the fact that there has been a lot of blur in the line between the two. Smart watch has become able to monitor your sleep and heart rate. Fitness watches are now notified and have options to make contactless payments. And, then, are they not the same products anymore? Yes, kind of–and it is the differences that are important than most buyers know before they give out their cash.

What We areComparing.

We ought to begin with a definite starting point. Classic fitness trackers – consider Fitbit Inspire, Garmin Vivosmart or Xiaomi Smart Band – are slimline, lightweight gadgets that are based mainly on health and activity tracking. They monitor steps, calories, sleep phases, heart rate and blood oxygen and occasionally menstrual cycles or stress levels. The battery life is also high, designs are non obtrusive and the prices are often affordable.

Smartwatches Apple Watch Series 9, Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, Garmin Fenix 7, Fitbit Sense 2 are more ambitious in nature. They play applications, make and take calls, play music, do navigation and, of course, track your health data. They are just small computers that are fastened on your wrist.

Who has the best Health and Fitness Tracking?

Fitness trackers that are dedicated to recording biometric data tend to record more accurate and reliable data due to the fact that they are employed to do nothing but monitor their health. The Garmin fitness bands, e.g., have been applauded by endurance athletes due to their high accuracy of sleep tracking and high quality of heart rate monitoring 24/7. A device does not divide processing power between applications and calls on Bluetooth; this gives it the opportunity to concentrate on what is important.

Still, the ECG function of the Apple Watch, blood oxygen sensor, and crash detection are truly amazing and have a clinical significance among a number of users. On Galaxy Watch, Samsung has taken a step towards body composition analysis. A smartwatch with advanced health capabilities could be medically applicable where a simple fitness tracker is not, in case you’re a person who can use a smartwatch to track their health status, such as atrial fibrillation.

Battery Life: It has nothing to do with it.

Fitness trackers are yet to be challenged in this area. The average length of time a quality fitness band lasts is 7-14 days per charge. Others, such as some of the Garmin models, go up to weeks, based on their mode of usage. Under real-life conditions, Xiaomi bands have been able to reach 14-day battery life routinely.

Smartwatches? The majority of them take 1-2 days. After generations of hardware innovations, Apple Watch is yet to break the normal duration of two days of usage. Samsung is a little bit more successful. The sport smartwatches of Garmin have longer battery modes, which however, when used normally, last shorter than the dedicated trackers.

Smartwatch Strengths: Ecosystem Strength.

The area that the smartwatches really lead is convenience and connectivity. Being able to leave your phone in another room and still receive a text, who is calling, pay attention to your coffee at a checkout, or play your Spotify playlist with your wrist that is truly helpful in everyday life. Not just cool. Actually useful.

Another actual asset is the app ecosystem. Smartwatches are compatible with third-party applications that can be used to do guided breathing exercises, golf GPS, language translation, medication reminders, and dozens of niche applications. The smartwatch integration is enticing, should you be a cyclist with Strava, a runner with Nike Run Club, or a golfer and require real-time course information.

Price/Value.

The entry level of the fitness tracker costs between $30-50 and it goes all the way up to an approximate of 150-200 dollars on the high-end models with GPS and advanced sleep analysis and SpO2 sensor. The basic smartwatches come in the range of 150-200 dollars and the flagships of Apple or Samsung would be 350-500 or higher.

To a person who is more concerned with monitoring his/her health at relatively low costs, a Fitbit Inspire or Xiaomi Smart Band can be a real value. You are not paying features which you will never use. To a person who is well integrated into the ecosystem (iPhone users specifically) the Apple Watch will be productive and lifestyle value-added to a premium.

Who is to Select What?

Select a fitness tracker in case:

• You are not willing to compromise battery life.
• You desire dedicated, quality health information not in distraction.
• You have a more limited budget.
• You want to wear something a bit light, more unobtrusive on your wrist.
• You are health-minded and do not have to use the app ecosystems.

Select a smartwatch when:

• You desire a single device that can be used to communicate, to make payments and to be able to exercise.
• You are a smart phone ecosystem (particularly Apple) investor.
• State-of-the-art health functions such as ECG are important to your particular requirements.
• You have fitness apps which have the advantage of being wrist-based.
• Personality and personalization is important to you.

The Bottom Line

Nor is one of the categories objectively superior. What is better is whatever is the same as your real-life, not what people will be impressed with on paper. I have witnessed gym goers who spent more on a fitness band of between $50 than the tech people who would spend up to 450 on smartwatches since the basic device would make them stick to it and be aware but not bombarded.

Wear something you will put into use. Follow what is really important to you. The wristwatch you put on in the morning and provides you with data that matters is always the right one – no matter what type it belongs to.

FAQs

Can fitness trackers be used with serious athletes?
Yes, there are plenty of serious fitness trackers, particularly Garmin and Polar, precise enough to be used in serious training, and can be as precise as smartwatch-based heart rate and sleep sensors.

Are fitness trackers able to get phone notifications?
The majority of current fitness trackers show call and messaging notifications, but it has fewer options of interaction compared to smartwatches.

Will Apple Watch be a good fitness tracker?
Apple Watch can truly track fitness with good sensors and integration of applications, but with a limited battery life, it is not suitable to serious endurance athletes.

Which has the longest battery life of fitness tracker or smartwatch?
Fitness trackers normally have a battery life of 7-14 days. The majority of smartwatches have a life span of 1-2 days.

Should I purchase a smartwatch in addition to a good fitness tracker?
Not necessarily. In case your fitness tracker has the health monitoring capabilities that you need, a smartwatch will provide communication and application capabilities – helpful, but not necessary to all.

Best Smartwatches 2026 – Features & Price Comparison, Smartwatches have certainly evolved from being fancy pedometers to devices that can do much more. In 2026, smartwatches are more than just health and fitness trackers, productivity enhancers and accessories; they can be all three. I’ve had a lot of experience with different smartwatches over the last several years, and I’m now pleasantly surprised by just how good they’ve all become, and how far they’ve come in just three years.

Whether you want one for fitness, work (and the constant need for connectivity), or to replace your old watch, there’s a great choice for you out there. So let’s have a look at the best options for 2016.

What’s Needed in a 2026 Smartwatch?

Let’s quickly cover the basics of what makes a great smartwatch, before we get into the specifics of what to buy. Receiving notifications, tracking steps and measuring heart rate are must-haves. All good smartwatches will do that. The most important factors in today’s best models are battery life, accuracy of the health sensors, ecosystem of software, physical comfort and ease of integration with your life.

One area I’ve learned from my experience: if you have to charge up your smartwatch every night it’s quickly going to become a pain. Battery is probably the most pragmatic aspect users fail to appreciate until they have lived with a watch.

Top Smartwatches in 2026

Apple Watch Series 10 UltraApple Watch Series 10 Ultra

Apple is once again leading the way in the luxury market with the Series 10 Ultra. The titanium body looks and feels expensive, but it’s not too heavy. Apple’s blood glucose measurement feature, which they have been preparing for, has also been improved, and is now usable in a clinically meaningful way – it is still marked as “reference use” though.

The battery life has improved to be about 60 hours in “normal” mode, up from previous devices. It’s still the best watch for Apple users in terms of integration with the iPhone, Mac and health apps. Siri reactions are quicker, the screen is clearer even in sunny conditions.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 Pro

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 Pro is the “smartest” fit for purpose watch at the moment. It’s based on Wear OS but has Samsung’s One UI Watch interface on top that has really improved. The health monitoring is up to the competition – body composition, smart sleep coaching, and an energy score that tells you if you’re likely to be fatigued as you go about your day.

The sapphire crystal screen is scratch-resistant – quite resistant in fact. Battery life is decent – 72 hours on average use, beating the Apple competition. It’s compatible with both Android and iPhone (to a lesser extent) – although when paired with an iPhone you lose some functions.

Garmin Fenix 8 Solar

If you’re an avid outdoors person and do a lot of hiking, trail running, riding or open water swimming, the Garmin Fenix 8 Solar is in a league of its own. In real-life use, the face-mounted solar panel is good for weeks (not days) of battery life. There are reports of using it for 30+ days in expedition mode.

Garmin’s health features are geared towards training like Apple and Samsung aren’t. Training readiness (how ready you are to train) and time to recovery (how long you should rest after a workout) and tracking of VO2 max (how efficiently your body uses oxygen) are all based on a serious athlete, rather than a casual stroller.

It’s not as slick an interface as Apple or Samsung and the choice of apps from Garmin’s Connect IQ store is not as extensive. But there’s a reason. Garmin wants to be your exercise watch.

Fitbit Sense 3

Google’s Fitbit products are back on track after a few years of turmoil. The Sense 3 is the easiest-to-approach health smartwatch in 2026, for individuals who are health-minded but don’t need elaborate performance tracking for their sport.

Fitbit is best at stress reduction, continuous EDA (electrodermal activity) monitoring and sleep. The six-month free trial of Fitbit Premium that comes with the watch is a valuable addition – the programs and insights are well thought-out.

Amazfit Balance 2

This device is also a good option for those on a budget. The Amazfit Balance 2 offers a great value for money. The Zepp OS software has made great strides, and the health sensors – though not as accurate as Garmin or Apple – are good for monitoring your health.

It includes GPS, heart rate, stress and even measures body fat. It has a colourful screen and up to 14 days of battery life. It’s a great bang for your buck at less than $200.

What Should You Buy?

Well, it depends on your phone, needs and preferences. Apple and Garmin offer the best health monitoring (and in two different ways). Samsung is the most bang-for-your-buck in the mid-premium category. Fitbit is still the easiest to use health tracker.

A word to the wise: don’t buy a smartwatch because you think that it might make Person X happy. Go for one that suits your lifestyle, as the best smartwatch is the one you’re most likely to wear.

FAQs

Q: What’s the smartwatch with the longest battery life in 2016?
A: The Garmin Fenix 8 Solar is hands-down the longest-lasting with weeks of battery life and solar charging in daylight conditions.

Q: Can I use an Apple Watch with Android phone?
A: No. Apple Watch is only compatible with iPhones.

Q: Can I use the Fitbit Sense 3 if I’m older?
A: Yes – it comes with excellent health tracking features, an easy-to-understand display and is very affordable.

Q: What’s the best smartwatch to track fitness?
A: Garmin Fenix 8 Solar (if you are an elite athlete); Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 Pro (if you are an average to moderately fit person).

Q: Is it worth purchasing a cheap smartwatch in 2026?
A: Yes. Options such as the Amazfit Balance 2 are low priced (less than $200), yet have valuable features.