The linked timepieces have become indispensable companions in our daily lives. Both to handle your home routine and to accompany you to your sporting activities. However, not all models are made equal in this field… Indeed, the features in place will determine whether or not your preferred pastime will be beneficial. Although Apple dominates the overall market, this does not imply that the company’s smartwatch are the finest watches for sports.
The great majority of GPS cardio watches on the market can not only measure your heart rate, but also your VO2max and other bodily parameters. In this category, you may choose between linked watches and connected wristbands for sports.
Some considerations must be made before embarking on the model enumeration. We take note of the smartphone’s GPS tracking and compare it to the watch’s display. We choose the Garmin HRM-Pro cardio frequency meter belt for heart monitoring since it provides the most accurate results.
Garmin Forerunner 255
Garmin is a well-known brand in the linked watch industry for sports. In this situation, the Forerunner 255 is an ideal option for individuals looking to create a customized sports program. It is divided into two forms, one of which is known as « s » and has more confined dimensions. One of the sizes will be recommended to you based on your wrist.
Do not believe that her screen is invisible to the light if she is forgotten. In this situation, MIP technology is used with anti-reflective treatment. It is comparable to the e-ink display on reading lamps. You will be able to navigate the watch’s menus using a wheel rather than a touch interface. It is vital to focus on its sporting aspect.
The sensors monitor your amount of steps, your heart rate, and even forecast your driving rate. The “Trend race predictor” tool estimates your performance over a particular distance. Above all, Garmin’s sports software is free to help you customize and schedule your workouts.
According to our test results, the Forerunner 255 excels in two key areas for sports enthusiasts: first, precise GPS tracking. It is compatible with Galileo, Glonass, and Beidou standards thanks to GNSS modes. Furthermore, the heart frequency data are comparable to those seen on an abdominal belt.
The Garmin Forerunner 255 is the linked watch for the reference sport, priced at $350.
Fenix 7 Garmin
For some, investing in sports training is a matter of time rather than money. The Fenix 7 Garmin is the reference in the world of linked watches — provided the price is fixed. It comes in three sizes to accommodate different screen sizes and a build that is more comfortable on your wrist.
The Fenix 7 can dive to a depth of 100 meters with ease. Transflective MIP technology is used on the screen to best respond to fluctuations in light. All the while remaining tactile. It will take a few days to adjust to the optimal navigation control. The Garmin Connect application is used, along with the other models in the catalog.
The watch is a genuine companion in your everyday activities, providing you with a thorough report on the previous 7 days. As previously said, the watch drive component is entirely free and will allow you to closely monitor your performance in jogging, swimming, or even skiing. In terms of sensors, it has an inbuilt barometer, a SpO2 sensor, and a heart sensor. There is a whole arsenal available to track your health data.
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The Sapphire Solar version incorporates a satellite navigation device for GPS tracking ( GPS, GLONASS and Galileo ). This allows you to create a plot that is near to reality and trustworthy measurements while rendering. In terms of cardiac monitoring, the watch provides results similar to the cardio frequency meter belt. The data recorded, whether for a fractional or long-term effort, is near to reality.
The watch’s autonomy allows it to function for up to two weeks without issue. In a nutshell, this is the greatest athletic watch available. Only the price of 699 dollars prevents me from totally recommending it to you.
Polar Pacer Pro
If you’re seeking for a cheap yet effective athletic alternative? The Polar Pacer Pro provides a pretty broad variety of features, yet we lament that this linked watch does not become a true friend of daily life outside of your athletic activities.
The linked watch is easy to put on and take off. However, if you want to replace the bracelet, you must go through the manufacturer’s website. In terms of the screen, MIP technology is back, but with a little black dot: it is not haptic. The dial is pleased with the bare minimum of five distinct components. Furthermore, the Polar Pacer Pro is a standout in terms of functionality and applicability for regular use.
As previously said, the primary purpose of this linked watch is to accompany you throughout sporting activities. It is straightforward to move through the various menus with the 5 buttons in place. The process is carried out via the Polar Flow app on your smartphone, where you may stop notifications from the watch and manage your health data.
With 16 various activities, the linked watch proves to be flexible, but it excels at running. First, since the GPS is also compatible with Glonass, Galileo, and QZSS, as well as additional sensors such as an oxygen meter or a barometer. GPS accuracy is normally good, however we recommend that you avoid running in metropolitan areas to avoid losing the latter.
The heart rate measurement is even worse. To ensure constant data, you must tighten the watch on your wrist. The watch measures your athletic performance, aerobic threshold, and VO2Max. The Polar Pacer Pro tracks your sleep to advise you whether you should relax or embark on an adventure at the start of the day. Your training data may be exported to a file as well as to specialised programs like as Strava.
The stated autonomy is 7 days, to be adjusted based on your usage and behavior. It’s a great watch for sports fans who aren’t always linked to their smartphone.
Huawei Watch GT Runner
Huawei has been attempting to expand its ecosystem outside its devices for some years. The Watch GT Runner is one of the manufacturer’s numerous watches, and it is significantly more athletic than the others. This results to a very basic style that is, above all, pleasant to wear. We recommend the Huawei Watch GT 3 to people searching for a true companion.
Once again, the major strength of this linked sports watch is its personalization. In the prologue, it will request that you participate in a race in order to best modify your training regimen. This will diversify in order to provide you with genuine development throughout time. However, on a smartphone, the sports coach only speaks in English; you must go through the watch to be entitled to Molière’s language.
Unfortunately, this sports instructor is hampered by an essential factor. The Huawei Health application is suggested for getting the most out of it. However, due to the Chinese company’s international troubles, the software is no longer updated. The watch is still totally useable with a smartphone, but you will no longer be eligible to updates for new features.
However, it is unfortunate that it only has 4 days of autonomy, which is much less than the other watches in our choices. In summary, we want to provide you with a memorable experience without causing you any harm.
Garmin Forerunner 955
The Garmin Forerunner 955 is without a doubt the greatest watch available for triathletes. She makes a rather normal choice based only on her appearance. It is nevertheless comfortable to carry in the long run. However, you must be patient if the bracelet provided by the manufacturer does not fit you.
The linked sports watch demonstrates efficiency in autonomy. It may be used for up to a week depending on the settings. The 955, like the Forerunner 255, was first developed for runners. It also excels at cycling and swimming. The watch is also ideal for triathletes. It is on the same level as the Fenix 7, although it responds to different scenarios of use.
It has all of the features found on the previously mentioned watch, as well as an altimeter, SpO2 sensor, and sleep sensor. It is most noticeable in the examination of the data presented. For example, the Body Battery assesses your data on a scale of 100 and recommends that you either play sports or not.
In terms of GPS precision, the Forerunner 955 is on par with its contemporaries. It benefits from multiband for satellite monitoring as near to reality as feasible. Cardiac monitoring is similarly comparable to abdominal belt readings. It is one of the best available for a variety of activities, without the added expense of Fenix 7.
Apple Watch Series 8
In terms of sporting functionality, Apple is also attempting to carve out a growing market share for linked watches. The Apple Watch Series 8 is a smartwatch that is as useful in everyday life as it is on the sports field. Even if it does have certain limitations.
For those who cannot live without Apple, the Apple Watch Series 8 is the greatest connected sports watch. Its 1.69 or 1.9 inch OLED screen, depending on the model, provides enough brightness for the material presented. If you choose stronger materials, the bracelets are readily changeable.
In terms of sporting functionality, the Series 8 retains the previous generation’s GPS tracking. GPS tracking works with both GNSS and L1. The support provided throughout your races is accurate, allowing you to run freely. The watchOS 9 upgrade, in particular, delivers significant enhancements in sport tracking. The watch can manage intervals as well as customize routines using a variety of activities. There are still certain holes, such as the ability to create customized programs depending on your performance.
Monitoring your heart rate is also a good idea. The sole flaw in the Apple Watch Series 8’s sports component is its lack of autonomy. So it was never the manufacturer’s strong suit, but an endurance of only two days is way too short in comparison to other smartwatches.
We suggest this watch to iPhone owners who want to stay in the Apple ecosystem for 499 dollars.
KNOW EVERYTHING BEFORE BUYING A CONNECTED SPORTS WATCH
How To Choose A Connected Watch For Sport ?
Sports watches, as opposed to somewhat more traditional smartwatch, contain additional technological features. In this situation, don’t expect a perfect connection with your smartphone. Above all, data management, particularly data processing, is critical. As a result, the watch can give you with exact information about your sports activities. Elements need for your assistance.
What Are The Best Application For Running?
Without a doubt, linked watches enable you to aggregate performance data. It is, however, important to utilize a smartphone mobile application. On Ag4tech, we chose the finest applications for jogging. Strava is one of the programs we suggest. A racing, swimming, or cycling community application. Some watches enable you to export application training data in order to compare it with peers.
What Are The Signs Of Trust?
You may have noticed in our selection that the best connected watches are not what you think they are. In this case, despite their ultra-connected aspect to daily life, the Apple Watch and the Galaxy Watch are not particularly good in terms of pure sports component. Despite a decent software component, their GPS accuracy and heart rate are occasionally inaccurate. Brands like Garmin and Polar, on the other hand, have proven themselves in this field.
Do I Have To Trust Sports Watches With Multiple Sports Activities?
On the market, some manufacturers are relying on variety by selling extremely adaptable timepieces that can record a variety of athletic activities such as gymnastics or table tennis. If the veracity of the facts cannot be confirmed, do not dismiss it as quackery. The sensors required are unique and will enhance your performance.
