Technology

I have both an iPhone and Pixel. Because of that, I also have a Pixel Watch and an Apple Watch. I prefer using my Pixel Watch since Fitbit is so much better IMO than Apple Fitness.

Withings Scanwatch is cross-platform. No need for a branded device to use it, does all the usual tracking stuff plus afib detection. One of the reasons I chose it was that it looks like a watch and not a toy. Also, depending on how you use it, it can go for days between charges. Most of the similar "brand locked" devices seem to only go 1 or 2 days max.

I only really need something to keep track of my notifications, and maybe as a flashlight occasionally. So I just wear a PineTime, and it links up with my phone with Gadget Bridge. It's really nice, completely free and open source, and it's pretty cheap too. Week long battery life is nice, but I don't know what it's like with other smartwatches.

I've used fossil watches, they look really nice, but the software can be flaky

Is there something like a fitness bracelet without a display that one could wear? I already have an old school Casio digital watch, and I like to too much to replace it with a smartwatch.

Garmin Instinct

Been using the Apple Watch for the past 3 years (currently on the Ultra) and have been loving it. I’m not a serious athlete but use it to track my daily walks/runs. It keeps me honest and active.

Plus I have a data line for my watch so I can ditch my phone and still talk, text, and check emails as needed. I hate to admit it but I have completed many meetings with just my Apple Watch + AirPods while on a run/walk.

Also, it acts as a wallet replacement for the most part. ~8 out of 10 times I can tap and pay with my watch. I only keep 1 physical card and my state ID on me.

I've been a loyal Fitbit user for a decade, but Google's killed all the features that made it good (challenging friends, playing silly games). I'm thinking of picking up a Garmin next

I'm an avid paddler/wind sports/surfer, so having good water resistance, cellular connection for emergencies, at least 4+ hours of GPS tracking battery life, and good GPS are requirements. AFAIK only the Apple Watch Ultra ticks all those boxes. I used to use Garmin's but the lack of cellular made me switch. If anyone has other options, I'm open to them.

PineTime my beloved

I've had a fossil watch for the past 5 years or so and love it. Its a hybrid model so it runs off of a watch batter that needs to be replaced ever 9-12 months so I dont ever need to worry about charging it.

It also looks like a standard watch so nobody ever suspects it has some smart functionality. Its very barebones in that aspect but I can see whos calling/texting me, set vibration alarms, and control my music.

Casio for sure! Best quality. Made in Japan

I'm a cyclist, so I use a dedicated cycling computer (currently a Karoo Hammerhead)

If y'all want good takes on fitness trackers, check out DC Rainmaker

I currently have a Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 to replace my Garmin Vivoactive 3, but I prefer the Garmin. It's got a bit less by way of bells and whistles, but I also think that the watch might have been overkill for the most part. I don't end up using the onboard replies as much as I thought I would, and things like ECG and Blood Pressure monitoring are just troublesome enough that it's not worthwhile (Blood Pressure requires recalibration with a proper machine every once in a while).

The only issue that I had with the Garmin was mostly that the body is a bit too fragile. It's just plastic, so the corner will break off due to age, which is what happened with mine. If it wasn't made of plastic, but more durable metal, like the Samsung, I'd still happily wear it. The battery life tended to be better too.

If it was still around, and not incredibly uncomfortable, a Pebble might also not go amiss. I personally don't need a lot of features in my smartwatch (just timers, alarms, activity/HR tracking, and notifications), so a cheaper, hardier one would serve just fine.

I don't wear one anymore I just have the Casio f-91w but if I could I would get a Pixel watch and remove all the spy ware from it

I'm still using a huawei gt2 Pro never seen any reason to replace it does most things and the battery is still a week and a half to two weeks I'd guess. If I'm honest though I use it as more of an mp3 player than a tracker.

Whoop. It’s something I can easily sleep with. I don’t want extra displays and it works with everything like bike computers as a heart monitor. Steps are worthless strain/HRV is more meaningful.

Apple because I have an iPhone. Garmin makes good stuff, though.

The one I wish still existed: The Pebble Steel. This beast had a battery that lasted an entire week on a single charge, kept basic step tracking, etc., and notifications from my phone to my wrist. It was the perfect device. I was devastated when mine stopped working.

What I used for a long time: Fitbit Versa / Versa 2. Same deal, shittier battery life. But worked really well. Build quality declined dramatically, and I had to warranty my original Versa something like 4 times and ended up with a Versa 2 as a "We're all out of the 1st gen, take this and shut up" upgrade.

What I use now: The Pixel Watch. The battery life is trash, but the features are solid. I've used an Apple Watch while carrying an iPhone for a few months, and the integration with my Pixel phone is just as seamless. The weird transition from Fitbit to Pixel Watch and how the apps interact make it blindingly obvious Fitbit as a brand is done and Google intends the "Pixel Watch" brand to replace it. I actually appreciate the round watchface.

My selections are always driven though, by my desire to see data from my continuous glucose monitor (type 1 diabetes) on my wrist. Android Wear / WearOS handles that far better than an Apple Watch, and I didn't need the insane features (or price point) from a lot of the other WearOS devices out there.