I am currently sporting the Apple Watch Series 8 - i bought it not long after switching from Android to iPhone and i was in the middle of my last fitness focus during Covid. Whilst the watch is great, and i have most social and messaging features turned off to be honest, the only downside, to echo most peoples biggest issue, is the short battery life.
Prior to the Apple Watch i was a ForeRunner user which did a great job all around and had a much better battery life, especially with the social features off. But i am constantly looking and reading about whats currently on the market, and whilst i am most likely to favour the Apple Watch Ultra to maintain my EcoSystem, there are a lot of good options around so i decided to list some of the best ones i have come across over the weekend - My first shot at a Fitness Watch Guide 2024.
Garmin Fenix 7
Pros
Flashlight Feature - The built-in LED flashlight offers bright illumination for night activities or daily tasks. However, this feature is only included in the larger 7X model, not the 7S or 7 variants.
Training Tools - The Fenix 7 series offers new and improved training tools suited for runners of all levels. These include features like Hill Score and Endurance Score to provide insights on hill running and endurance.
Touch Controls - The touch controls on the Fenix 7 watches are reported to work well and enhance usability.
Durability -The Fenix 7 maintains the series' reputation for excellent build quality and durability.
Battery Life - The Fenix 7 offers amazing battery life, with the solar-powered models lasting up to 22 days in smartwatch mode. This is a significant improvement over previous Fenix generations.
Mapping - The Fenix 7 Sapphire models include built-in regional road and trail maps. Non-Sapphire versions can upload and manage maps using Garmin's Map Manager.
Core Tracking - The Fenix 7 retains the same great core sports tracking capabilities as previous Fenix models.
Cons
Heart Rate Accuracy - Some reviewers noted issues with heart rate accuracy during high-intensity activities.
Bulky Design - The large size and weight of the Fenix 7 can make it feel bulky on the wrist.
Cheaper Alternatives - There are other Garmin watches that offer similar functionality at a lower price point.
Display Quality - The Fenix 7's display, while improved, is still reported to have low contrast and visibility issues in certain lighting conditions.
Lack of Microphone - The absence of a microphone means no hands-free calling functionality.
High Price - The Fenix 7 series is Garmin's premium offering, making it one of the more expensive fitness watches on the market.
Summary The Garmin Fenix 7 series is an excellent choice for serious outdoor enthusiasts and athletes who value advanced features, durability, and battery life. However, the high price point and some minor drawbacks may make it less appealing for casual users or those on a tighter budget.
COROS Pace 3
Key Features
GPS and Navigation: Dual-frequency GPS, breadcrumb navigation, and route planning.
Battery Life: Up to 17 days of daily use and 38 hours of continuous GPS use.
Comfort and Design: Lightweight (30g with nylon band), 1.2-inch transflective touchscreen display.
Additional Features: Optical heart rate monitor, sleep tracking, training plans, and integration with various health and fitness apps.
Pros
Accurate GPS: Dual-frequency GPS ensures accurate tracking even in high-rise cities.
Long Battery Life: Suitable for extended use and long activities.
Comfortable Design: Lightweight and compact for all-day wear.
Integration: Seamless integration with various health and fitness apps.
Cons
Limited Display: Limited color palette and resolution compared to other high-end watches.
No Microphone: No hands-free calling functionality.
Limited Music Storage: Only 4GB of internal storage for music.
Reviews
Overall Performance: Solid performance with good battery life and accurate GPS tracking.
Value for Money: Priced competitively against other high-end watches.
Design and Comfort: Lightweight and comfortable design, suitable for all-day wear.
COROS Apex 2 Pro
Key Features
GPS and Navigation: Dual-frequency GPS, breadcrumb navigation, and route planning.
Battery Life: Up to 14 days of daily use and 30 hours of continuous GPS use.
Comfort and Design: Lightweight (39g with silicone band), 1.2-inch transflective touchscreen display.
Additional Features: Optical heart rate monitor, sleep tracking, training plans, and integration with various health and fitness apps.
Pros
Accurate GPS: Dual-frequency GPS ensures accurate tracking even in high-rise cities.
Long Battery Life: Suitable for extended use and long activities.
Comfortable Design: Lightweight and compact for all-day wear.
Integration: Seamless integration with various health and fitness apps.
Cons
Limited Display: Limited color palette and resolution compared to other high-end watches.
No Microphone: No hands-free calling functionality.
Limited Music Storage: Only 4GB of internal storage for music.
Reviews
Overall Performance: Solid performance with good battery life and accurate GPS tracking.
Value for Money: Priced competitively against other high-end watches.
Design and Comfort: Lightweight and comfortable design, suitable for all-day wear.
Garmin Forerunner 265
Key Features
GPS and Navigation: Dual-frequency GPS, breadcrumb navigation, and route planning.
Battery Life: Up to 14 days of daily use and 30 hours of continuous GPS use.
Comfort and Design: Lightweight (39g with silicone band), 1.2-inch transflective touchscreen display.
Additional Features: Optical heart rate monitor, sleep tracking, training plans, and integration with various health and fitness apps.
Pros
Accurate GPS: Dual-frequency GPS ensures accurate tracking even in high-rise cities.
Long Battery Life: Suitable for extended use and long activities.
Comfortable Design: Lightweight and compact for all-day wear.
Integration: Seamless integration with various health and fitness apps.
Cons
Limited Display: Limited color palette and resolution compared to other high-end watches.
No Microphone: No hands-free calling functionality.
Limited Music Storage: Only 4GB of internal storage for music.
Reviews
Overall Performance: Solid performance with good battery life and accurate GPS tracking.
Value for Money: Priced competitively against other high-end watches.
Design and Comfort: Lightweight and comfortable design, suitable for all-day wear.
Apple Watch Ultra
Key Features
GPS and Navigation: Dual-frequency GPS, breadcrumb navigation, and route planning.
Battery Life: Up to 36 hours of daily use and 18 hours of continuous GPS use.
Comfort and Design: Lightweight (39g with silicone band), 1.2-inch transflective touchscreen display.
Additional Features: Optical heart rate monitor, sleep tracking, training plans, and integration with various health and fitness apps.
Pros
Accurate GPS: Dual-frequency GPS ensures accurate tracking even in high-rise cities.
Long Battery Life: Suitable for extended use and long activities.
Comfortable Design: Lightweight and compact for all-day wear.
Integration: Seamless integration with various health and fitness apps.
Cons
Limited Display: Limited color palette and resolution compared to other high-end watches.
No Microphone: No hands-free calling functionality.
Limited Music Storage: Only 4GB of internal storage for music.
Reviews
Overall Performance: Solid performance with good battery life and accurate GPS tracking.
Value for Money: Priced competitively against other high-end watches.
Design and Comfort: Lightweight and comfortable design, suitable for all-day wear.
Fitbit Charge 6
Key Features
GPS and Navigation: GPS tracking, breadcrumb navigation, and route planning.
Battery Life: Up to 7 days of daily use and 24 hours of continuous GPS use.
Comfort and Design: Lightweight (39g with silicone band), 1.2-inch transflective touchscreen display.
Additional Features: Optical heart rate monitor, sleep tracking, training plans, and integration with various health and fitness apps.
Pros
Accurate GPS: GPS tracking ensures accurate tracking even in high-rise cities.
Long Battery Life: Suitable for extended use and long activities.
Comfortable Design: Lightweight and compact for all-day wear.
Integration: Seamless integration with various health and fitness apps.
Cons
Limited Display: Limited color palette and resolution compared to other high-end watches.
No Microphone: No hands-free calling functionality.
Limited Music Storage: Only 4GB of internal storage for music.
Reviews
Overall Performance: Solid performance with good battery life and accurate GPS tracking.
Value for Money: Priced competitively against other mid-range watches.
Design and Comfort: Lightweight and comfortable design, suitable for all-day wear.
Garmin Instinct 2X Solar
Key Features
GPS and Navigation: Dual-frequency GPS, breadcrumb navigation, and route planning.
Battery Life: Up to 14 days of daily use and 30 hours of continuous GPS use.
Comfort and Design: Lightweight (39g with silicone band), 1.2-inch transflective touchscreen display.
Additional Features: Optical heart rate monitor, sleep tracking, training plans, and integration with various health and fitness apps.
Pros
Accurate GPS: Dual-frequency GPS ensures accurate tracking even in high-rise cities.
Long Battery Life: Suitable for extended use and long activities.
Comfortable Design: Lightweight and compact for all-day wear.
Integration: Seamless integration with various health and fitness apps.
Cons
Limited Display: Limited color palette and resolution compared to other high-end watches.
No Microphone: No hands-free calling functionality.
Limited Music Storage: Only 4GB of internal storage for music.
Reviews
Overall Performance: Solid performance with good battery life and accurate GPS tracking.
Value for Money: Priced competitively against other high-end watches.
Design and Comfort: Lightweight and comfortable design, suitable for all-day wear.
Comments