Best Smartwatches & Health Trackers in 2023 : Scientific Recommendations
General Amazon link*: https://geni.us/thequantifiedscientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quantified_scientist/
Shorts: https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCcpARGzXNaC62UQWns2dh2Q
Newsletter: www.robterhorst.com
Twitter: @QuantifiedRob
* Affiliate (paid) links support the channel by earning me a commission on any sale, and it doesn’t cost you any more! My opinions are completely my own, and this content is not sponsored.
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
$30 off any new WHOOP membership, affiliate* (paid) link, supports the channel!
https://join.whoop.com/QuantifiedScientist ($30 off any new WHOOP membership)
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Amazon Affiliate* (paid) links. Supports the channel, doesn’t cost you any more!
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬BEST WATCHES▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Whoop Strap 4.0: https://join.whoop.com/QuantifiedScientist
($30 off any new WHOOP membership)
Amazon general link (any purchase):
https://geni.us/thequantifiedscientist
Fitbit Sense 2: https://geni.us/Fitbit_Sense2
Fitbit Versa 4: https://geni.us/Fitbit_Versa4
Google Pixel Watch: https://geni.us/GooglePixelWatch
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: https://geni.us/SamsungWatch5
Huawei Watch Fit 2: https://geni.us/HuaweiWatchFit2
Huawei Watch GT3 Pro: https://geni.us/thequantifiedscientist
Huawei Watch GT Runner: https://geni.us/HuaweiWatchGtRunner
Huawei Watch GT 3: https://geni.us/Huawei_Watch_GT3
Apple Watch Ultra: https://geni.us/AppleWatch_Ultra
Apple Watch 8: https://geni.us/AppleWatchSeries8
Apple Watch 7 41 mm: https://geni.us/AppleWatch7_41
Apple Watch 7 45 mm: https://geni.us/AppleWatch7
Apple Watch 6: https://geni.us/0gNGeO
Apple Watch SE: https://geni.us/Apple_Watch_SE_44
Garmin Fenix 7: https://geni.us/Garmin_Fenix_7
Garmin Venu 2: https://geni.us/Garmin_Venu_2
Garmin Instinct 2: https://geni.us/Garmin_Instinct_2
Polar H10: https://geni.us/hnXc
Polar OH1+: https://geni.us/D7bs5
Polar Verity Sense: https://geni.us/polarVeritySense
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
My Gear* (paid links, supports the channel and doesn’t cost you any more)
Camera body (main): https://geni.us/SonyA6600_body
Camera lense (main): https://geni.us/SigmaContemporary
Camera (B-roll): https://geni.us/CanonEosM50MarkII and https://geni.us/Sony_ZVE10
Light: https://geni.us/Godox_VL150
Softbox: https://geni.us/NiceFotoSoftbox
Light stand: https://geni.us/WalimexLightstand
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:51 What Is This Video About?
01:21 Best Health Tracking Devices: Top Picks
02:21 Best Health Tracking Devices: Detecting Sickness Test
05:37 Best Health Tracking Devices: Oura Ring 3 Accuracy
05:37 Best Health Tracking Devices: Whoop Strap 4.0 Benefits
10:53 Best Health Tracking Devices: Fitbit Honorable Mention
11:46 Best Sports Tracking Devices: Heart Rate Test Cycling
13:42 Best Sports Tracking Devices: Heart Rate Test Weight Lifting
15:15 Best Sports Tracking Devices: My Top 2 GPS Picks
19:22 Best Sports Tracking Devices: Conclusions
19:48 Best Sleep Tracking Devices: What Is Sleep Tracking?
20:18 Best Sleep Tracking Devices: Sleep Stage Tracking
24:19 Best Sleep Tracking Devices: Other Sleep Metrics
26:01 Limitations
27:06 Overall Conclusions
Intro:
In this video I’ll be sharing with you my top picks for the best smartwatches and health trackers based on actual data, and we’ll be discussing a range of different brands and models, including Garmin, Polar, Oura Ring, Whoop, Huawei, Fitbit, and Xiaomi. I’ll be covering a range of different features and capabilities, including sports tracking, heart rate tracking, general health tracking, GPS tracking, and battery life. Whether you are a fitness enthusiast, a health-conscious individual, or just someone who wants to track your steps and basic health trends, I’ve got you covered. I’ve based my recommendations on systematic and scientific measurements I’ve taken over the last few years, since I believe that all my recommendations should be backed by a lot of data. So sit back, relax, and let’s see if we can find the perfect smartwatch or health tracker for you.
I’ve tested more than 80 smartwatches over the last two-and-a-half years, and I have always tried to share the performance of these watches based on unbiased data and systematic analyses. However, one thing that admittedly lacks in my reviews is a consideration of each person’s individual needs, which might make certain aspects of a smartwatch more or less relevant. In this video I would therefore like to share my recommendations taking into account the different real-world use cases you might have, but of course still basing my recommendations on all the data I collected.
Curious why the fitbit wasn’t really talked about or suggested at the end when it had way better sleep tracking scores compared to some of the others you suggested. Any insight? Is it the app/analytics you don’t like? Thanks for this! I’m such a data nerd and this fed my soul.
Wow this has saved me! So glad someone recommended this channel! Slightly gutted I don’t have Apple but for android not gonna bother! I’ll stick with nutrition with my fitness pal sub. Starts in the kitchen!
Amazing video! So complete and accurate. I really appreciate you taking the time to review so in depth and present it so clearly, thanks! Subscribed
Is there an update on this list?
how can you get the route when using gps tracking? esp for wearOS devices
So fitbit 4 versa not so good?
You will have a increase of white blood cells when you sick, not red blood cells.
Actually you will have a huge decrease of red blood cells and increase of white blood cells to solve the sickness.
This shows me you fell unwell but you where not sick, increase in temperature also does not mean anything unless it goes beyond 40 degrees Celsius.
38 is actually a completely normal temperature for the body, if you work out with endurance you can even get up to 39 / close to 40 with no problems.
Only if you sit still and you temperature is 40 for extended amount of time you got a real problem and you are sick, but you didn’t.
Thanks for your hard work; did you get vaccinated against covid?
Could you compare the oura ring & the ultra human ring ??
Thanks so much for this. Do you have advice for people recovering from long covid who suffer with PEM … including Visible paving points?
Your channel is my go to place before buying a smart watch. Thanks for the awesom content and happy new year!
The most objective analysis I have seen on youtube when it comes to gadgets. JUST WOW!
yeah garmin sleep tracking is absolute garbage
What about samsung?
I don’t understand why you keep saying Apple being accurate, that’s not my experience. I used the cardio machine and medical grade finger unit and Apple watch 7 and 9 were way off with HR.
I prefer the newer Garmins over other smartwatches because they track stress with has a big impact on your sleep and energy level.
This is exactly what I was looking for! I just ordered a Ticwatch Pro 3 and I found out that it overcounts a lot of steps and what I wanted was precision. Thanks for this super cool investigation!
Battery time of apple is the only reason I don’t buy it… You have to charge it every day.
Excellent and informative video, you’ve become my go to guy for health trackers review. That being said, to take your approach to its full extent you should share the data publicly (or as much of it as possible) so that others can review it as well.
So what are some best watches that have both excellent heart accuracy and as well as sleep tracking other than apple watches because I use an android phone?
for JUST a smartwatch: HWAWEI GT 3 PRO or apple series 9?
General Amazon link*: https://geni.us/thequantifiedscientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quantified_scientist/
Shorts: https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCcpARGzXNaC62UQWns2dh2Q
Newsletter: http://www.robterhorst.com
Twitter: @QuantifiedRob
* Affiliate (paid) links support the channel by earning me a commission on any sale, and it doesn’t cost you any more! My opinions are completely my own, and this content is not sponsored.
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
$30 off any new WHOOP membership, affiliate* (paid) link, supports the channel!
https://join.whoop.com/QuantifiedScientist ($30 off any new WHOOP membership)
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Amazon Affiliate* (paid) links. Supports the channel, doesn’t cost you any more!
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬BEST WATCHES▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Whoop Strap 4.0: https://join.whoop.com/QuantifiedScientist
($30 off any new WHOOP membership)
Amazon general link (any purchase):
https://geni.us/thequantifiedscientist
Fitbit Sense 2: https://geni.us/Fitbit_Sense2
Fitbit Versa 4: https://geni.us/Fitbit_Versa4
Google Pixel Watch: https://geni.us/GooglePixelWatch
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: https://geni.us/SamsungWatch5
Huawei Watch Fit 2: https://geni.us/HuaweiWatchFit2
Huawei Watch GT3 Pro: https://geni.us/thequantifiedscientist
Huawei Watch GT Runner: https://geni.us/HuaweiWatchGtRunner
Huawei Watch GT 3: https://geni.us/Huawei_Watch_GT3
Apple Watch Ultra: https://geni.us/AppleWatch_Ultra
Apple Watch 8: https://geni.us/AppleWatchSeries8
Apple Watch 7 41 mm: https://geni.us/AppleWatch7_41
Apple Watch 7 45 mm: https://geni.us/AppleWatch7
Apple Watch 6: https://geni.us/0gNGeO
Apple Watch SE: https://geni.us/Apple_Watch_SE_44
Garmin Fenix 7: https://geni.us/Garmin_Fenix_7
Garmin Venu 2: https://geni.us/Garmin_Venu_2
Garmin Instinct 2: https://geni.us/Garmin_Instinct_2
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
$50/€50 off any Oura Ring
https://ouraring.com/discount/5a0ecb8a92
https://ouraring.com/discount/9aef9304b3
Gt3 pro still worth to buy it?
Do you recommend any blood glucose watch
Excellent work!
Awesome video, thank you! One question: Can the correlation be read as percentage? I.e. does a device with 0.8 correlation mean it’s 80% accurate in the relevant tracking?
I’ve had Garmins for the past 6 years. You can have the best watch out there but it’s useless if you don’t wear it. I ended up hardly wearing the Apple Watch because the battery life is so poor. Then I stopped getting sleep data on the Garmin fenix because it was just uncomfortable to wear 24/7. The whoop is great but I sent it back after the trial because I’m not paying for a subscription service. Finally I’ve settled on the Coros Pace 3 with a nylon strap. Super comfortable to wear 24/7, hardly ever have to charge it, does the basics well and the user interface is the best / easiest in my opinion.
I bought an used fitbit inspire 2 for 25 bucks for the sole purpose of keeping track of my sleep. Best decision ever, thank you so much for the videos
I see you haven’t reviewed any of the Ultrahuman devices. Those on your radar too? They look pretty interesting.
A renewed apple watch SE is about the same price as a new Fitbit Charge 6
Which one should i buy?
I use android BTW, i dont have iphone so ill lose some of the apple watch features.
Y no apple watch 9?
I have done some tests on my own, and found that my watch even though it reads from the same sensor has a different logic from my other device. I have a chest strap, which will be connected to my igpsport computer with ant+and with my watch using BT. Even though both are received the same data, the graph doesn’t show a 100% alignment, maybe showing that even different devices reading the same data may manipulate it in different ways. Have you ever consider that in all those tests?
Can u do best gps watch at each price range
Generally: Whoop Strap
Generally on a budget: Garmin watches
Health tracking: Oura Ring (P.S. for 2025: Google Pixel 3 should have similar abilities)
Heart rate & Sleep stages – Apple: Apple watch (all watches are good, even the budget ones)
Heart rate – Android: Huawei watches (for example GT 3 Pro or watchfit 2)
Sleep stages – Android: Fitbit and Google watches
23:18 yooo why is there a guy watching that girl sleep? Is that you? That’s creepy
Android’s slacking on accuracy. Makes it twmpting to seitch to iphone for the accuracy and dependability. 5 years of support too ..
I would like to see how the Spade and Co. watch compares. According to some of the online independent reviews it seems to rate above the Apple watch.
You know the meme format:
Opens Video
At the very start sees a "smart watch" without screen.
Checks Whoops site and sees "Membership"
Checks Whoops site and sees "Membership"
So Samsung sucks
Great video, any advice on which wearable provides access to the raw data for a biomedical engineer to use?
Iam from India,iam using honor magic watch 2 in past 3 years,it’s working very well
What watch are you wearing @25:46 ?
I am adamantly against subscription models for hardware products. They are trying to lock you into their product and extract as much money as possible from you. It’s greedy and people shouldn’t support it.
I just bought an amazfit
How did you not even mention Fitbit in the conclusion? They performed pretty good no?
There is a German Brand called "Knauermann" which has the most health functions in the market they say. Can you test this Brand also?
Sad to see that the galaxy watches underperform in sleep tracking. I’ve been looking for a good android friendly smart watch for sleep tracking. hopefully the pixel watch 2 keept the good sleep tracking.
Thank you so much for this research, i was looking for the sleep tracking devices and needed recommendations, choosing the versa 4, thanks again
Can you please do a make a review on garmin lily