Is it worth buying a smartwatch
Are Smartwatches Really Worth it in 2024?
There are some serious benefits that come with owning a smartwatch but they arent without their flaws either.
In this article, weve put together a balanced argument for and against owning smartwatches in 2023.
Our honest guide is aimed at helping you make the right purchasing decision.
Smartwatches arent for everyone and well find out which type of person they benefit in this article.
The Benefits of a Smartwatch
Take a look through our selection of the top reasons to get a smartwatch:
Healthy Living Sorted
When you purchase a smartwatch, you are getting full access to a huge range of fitness tracking software that will help you reach your goals as well as maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Each smartwatch offers slightly different features, but you can be pretty certain that you will be able to track many different types of exercise as well as utilize in-built wellbeing features.
The fitness features will also track your steps and heart rate so that you can be fully aware of how healthy your heart is at all times and know when you reach that all-important fat burn zone.
If you are working on getting fitter, then a smartwatch is an excellent choice every time.
Notifications on Your Wrist
For many people, it is important to be in touch with the world at all times; whether its waiting for that important email, getting news updates, or knowing when to stand up and move, we all want to be kept informed.
One of the best smartwatch benefits is that they can be personalized to notify you of the way you want and when you want.
You dont have to accept all notifications and can select app by app, so you know when the notification comes through that, it is something that really matters.
Some smartwatches also let you personalize the way you are notified, and let you choose between vibration, on-screen notice, or both.
This is great if you want your notifications to be totally discreet, especially when you dont want them to disrupt others.
Keeping in Touch with the World
While smartwatches will never replace phones, we can now expect them to help us out when it comes to calls and text messages.
All smartphones will notify you of incoming calls and texts so that you dont miss that important call youve been waiting for.
More modern smartwatches will even let you answer calls and reply to texts so that you dont have to hunt for your phone every time it goes off.
This is a particularly useful option if you want to go out for a run and have either left your phone at home or sealed it away in an arm strap.
You can even answer your call on your phone and transfer it if it turns out to be longer than first expected.
These standalone smartwatches are great for those that hate the extra bulk that smartphones add to your pockets these days.
Entertainment Central
The next on our list of reasons to get a smartwatch is the entertainment facilities that come preinstalled.
You can connect your headphones and play your favorite tunes with no hassle. You are not restricted to one music provider either as each smartwatch has apps ready to download, leaving you free to keep your options open until you find the one that works best for you.
Not only can you access music streaming services on your smartwatch, but you can listen to the radio, fitness workouts, and podcasts, meaning that your entertainment choices can be wholly unique to you.
On Trend
It may sound superficial, but being on trend is hugely important to most of us, and whilst we may not admit it, we all want to fit in with the latest trends.
Owning a smartwatch allows you access to the exclusive world of wearables, and you can take your time to choose the right timepiece for your personality.
There are so many manufacturers and so many choices that you can get the perfect smartwatch for you with ease.
If you really want to be bang on trend, then it is worth surfing social media to check out what your favorite celebs are wearing on their wrists and then getting the same or similar smartwatch. Before you know it, you will be the envy of your friends.
Read Next: Find out how a smartwatch works.
Waterproof Mostly
Being able to jump in the shower, swim, or run in the rain are all realistic options when you own a smartwatch.
The majority of mainstream smartwatches offer water-resistance protection so that you wont find that your smartwatch is spoiled by the weather.
If you are wondering is a smartwatch worth it? then the fact that you can also swim with it may sway your decision.
You can take it to the pool and monitor your lengths and stroke choices, or you can relax in the sea, bobbing around until your heart is content.
Either way, be certain to check the resistance depth offered, as not all watches will stand up to the same levels of pressure.
Theres a big difference between waterproof and water resistant too. Manufacturers are often careful to avoid using the term waterproof. If you do watersports or swim then just water resistant simply wont do.
Most smartwatches including the new Applewatches are built with swimming in mind and dont mind being submerged under water.
Pay Your Way
One of the greatest assets give to us with a smartwatch is the ability to pay from the device.
All smartwatch providers have committed to offering this service, and it makes life a whole lot easier at the drive-thru or when you want to go and grab a coffee with all the hassle of digging around for your wallet.
Smartwatches need you to be signed into the screen, and all you need to do is hold the watch up to the payment reader in order to get your transaction processed.
Emergency Support
Many of us enjoy going out for a walk or run to clear our heads but often forget about the dangers of doing this alone.
With the latest smartwatches, you can expect them to recognize when you have taken a fall and notify emergency services if you are unresponsive.
This ability will share details of your location so that you can get help as soon as it is needed, making you safer when you are next enjoying a jog.
If you are left wondering what are the benefits of smartwatches, then you need to know that most models tend to offer an emergency call feature so that if you find yourself in a situation that has turned bad, you can alert the emergency services to allow you to get help.
This feature has been incredibly popular with parents of teenagers, and its also been well received as an asset for women when out alone.
The Drawbacks of a Smartwatch
With every positive comes a negative, and whilst smartwatches are hugely popular, they also come with some serious negatives.
Here are our smartwatch drawbacks to consider:
Cost
Although smartwatches are a great accessory to have when you see the price tag, you need to consider are smartwatches worth it and how will you afford to purchase one.
The most popular ones sell for a lot of money, and to get all the features that you want, you will need to be willing to part with some serious cash.
Furthermore, if you plan on getting a smartwatch with built-in SIM card for taking and recieving calls then youll be paying a monthly subscription too.
Many people find the cost prohibitive but also feel it is excessive. Luxury watches have long been known for costing inordinate amounts of money, but when you compare the finesse of a Rolex to a modern smartwatch, the latter can pale into insignificance.
Battery Life
Being able to wear a watch for more than a day is purely aspirational when it comes to smartwatches. Many boast fays of wear but neglect to tell you that this is only accurate if you arent using all the smart features installed.
Most smartwatches will get you through the day, and some will even take you through the night, but the reality is they are going to need to be charged within twenty-four hours.
This necessity can be a difficult path to traverse, as we all want to access all the fantastic insights that come with sleep tracking, step counting, and fitness mapping.
When you take your smartwatch off, you cease to track anything until you put it back on, leaving you in a quandary of when the best time is to get it recharged and ready to go.
If youre looking for a smartwatch with significant battery life then dont miss our guide to hybrid watches.
Interface
One huge drawback for me with smartwatches is the user interface. With current technology, it just seems like an impossible task to create a truly fluid interface that doesnt get on your nerves at some point.
Smartwatch touchscreens are decent but limited by their size, and who wants to be pressing buttons in 2023?
Apple and Samsung have made decent strides with gesture and voice controls but these are still in their infancy and wont be fully developed for a few years.
I guess this is just the trade off (for now) that you have to make when buying a smartwatch. Theyre amazing for certain things but truly limited in others. If we hadnt been spoiled by the slick interfaces on modern smartphones then we wouldnt be even mentioning this but its a fact and its probably my biggest pet hate with smartwatches.
Constantly Updated
Its also important to question is a smartwatch worth it when you find yourself out of date a week after you have purchased one.
The sad reality is that tech is moving so fast, and new developments are launched almost on a daily basis.
As such, you can expect to need to install numerous updates on a regular basis and then find yourself longing for the latest device on the market.
Before you jump into buying yourself a shiny new smartwatch, it is well worth taking the time to consider if the model is precisely what you want and how you will cope if an upgraded version hits the shops next week.
One way around this is to look into all freshly announced tech, you may find your perfect smartwatch is a month away from being released, and so it is better to wait for that then it is to settle for second best and end up with regrets.
Conclusion
In our opinion, smartwatches are more worth it than ever.
Its true that they can be expensive if you go with the more popular brands like Apple, Garmin, or Samsung. But, value can be found too. Watches like the Xiaomi Amazfit Bip buck the trend and provide real quality without the price tag.
Battery life is no longer the huge problem it once was either. The first Apple watch for example, was dogged by poor battery life that put many consumers off smartwatches altogether.
Solid watches released in the last 12 months should last 24 hours at a minimum. I recently purchased a Garmin Forerunner 245 Music and I charge it every 3 or 4 days and thats with using GPS and Bluetooth regularly.
What do you think? Wed love to hear from you down in the comments section!
Is a Smartwatch Right for You?
Gone are the days when the answer to most smartwatch questions went like this: Just buy an Apple Watch. Models made by Apple continue to perform very well in our labs, but Android devices are better than ever. In fact, several Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy watches sit near the top of our ratings. Heres what to consider when shopping for a smartwatch.
Apple or Android?For a more seamless experience, try to match your watch to your phone. If you have an iPhone, for example, youll want an Apple Watch. Models that operate on Googles Wear OS work best with an Android phone. And if you have a Samsung phone, you can pair it with any Android smartwatch. But one made by Samsung will offer extra benefits, like compatibility with the companys fitness apps and the ability to control the volume on a pair of Samsung earbuds from your wrist.
Cell ServiceCellular capability adds a bit to a watchs purchase price and roughly $10 a month to your phone bill. But it allows you to leave your smartphone behind when you go out for a walk or a run. With a built-in cell service connection, you can receive phone calls and text messages, and take full advantage of your watchs fall-protection features. (Without one, you need to carry your phone at all times to get those benefits.) A built-in microphone and speaker allow you to place phone calls and also use voice commands for Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant.
The Right SensorsWhile you can add new functionality in seconds by downloading an app, several of the most sophisticated health and safety features require special sensors that are found only on higher-end models. If, for example, you want an Apple Watch that delivers warnings about an abnormal heart rhythm (which needs an ECG sensor), the most accurate sleep tracking (which needs a blood oxygen sensor), or womens health options (which often require a skin-temperature sensor), you need to spring for the $400 Apple Watch Series 8 instead of the otherwise capable $250 Apple Watch SE. Among the higher-end watches that include advanced sensors are the Google Pixel Watch (which has fall-detection sensors), the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 (which can measure body fat and muscle mass), and the Fitbit Sense 2 (which adds a skin-temperature sensor for stress tracking).
Customized Watch FaceThere are lots of simple ways to make a smartwatch your own, just as youd personalize a smartphone. You can, for example, choose between a classy analog watch face or a bold and easy-to-read digital display. On many models you can then add quick access to your favorite information, including hourly weather forecasts and the fluctuations of the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
RemindersSmartwatches are great for reminders, from appointment notifications to medication scheduling. If you enable fitness and mindfulness functions, your watch can even prompt you to stand up or take a few minutes for focused breathing or meditation.
Battery LifeFrom a battery life standpoint, smartwatches tend to be more like smartphones (which often need to be charged daily) than fitness trackers (which last a week or more between top-ups). The precise figure18 to 36 hours and beyonddepends on the model you choose and how you use it. Certain apps, like GPS, can be power-hungry. Pro tip: Many smartwatches come in various case sizes, and the larger cases often have a bigger battery for longer battery life.
Water ResistanceIn our labs, we test smartwatches for water resistance in a pressure tank. Most models survived a 10-minute immersion of 164 feet or more, but if you plan to dive with your watch, choose a model with a deeper rating.
The Best FitFit is important for two reasons. To get the most out of a smartwatch, you need to wear it almost all of your waking hours (and maybe while you sleep). A good, snug fit also improves the accuracy of sensors, like those for ECG and skin temperature, that rely on contact with your skin. So be sure to try on several watches before committing. You can often swap out bands in seconds to fine-tune your fit.
