Picking a new smartwatch

May 15, 2024 4:32 PM

It's time for a new, fairly simple/basic smartwatch. Given that I've had only one, plus the overwhelming number of choices and options, hive mind input would be helpful.

I have a Garmin Forerunner 45, which is no longer sold. The battery is running down and can't be replaced. So, I have to pick out a new smartwatch and there are sooo many to choose from. I'm not sure whether to stay with Garmin or try a different brand.

I'm not a runner, but a friend who is recommended the brand, and it's been mostly okay for me. I go for walks and want to track them, and my overall/general activity, with a bit of health/sleep tracking thrown in for fun. Can you suggest something in that falls in the sweet spot described below?

——Must Have's——
Good battery life (I will turn off at least 95% of the notifications, etc., etc.)
Price under $250
Tracks at least daily steps, HR, sleep
Tracks walks, and when I'm on a walk displays: distance, time, and pace
App for iphone (though I will not connect to health programs, public sharing, connect with friends, yada yada)
Watchface absolutely no larger than 1-5/8" (4 cm) diameter and 3/8" (1 cm) deep
Watchface also probably not much smaller because I want to see real time info displayed automatically and easily visible
Watchface display customizable to some extent

posted by concinnity to Shopping (14 answers total)

This is DC Rainmaker's roundup of best GPS watches. He categorizes this by intended use; sounds like you'd be in the "all-rounder" category.
posted by adamrice at 5:02 PM on May 15, 2024 [1 favorite]

I would try a simpler Fitbit like the Inspire 3, which is just a smidge thicker but otherwise meets your requirements. Because it's not a large round face, I don't think the thickness will feel like an issue. If battery life is a priority for you, I would consider one like that instead of a larger smartwatch - it lasts for a week or more, while most bigger smartwatches need to charge every day. I switched to one that needs daily charging and kind of regret it. Even with a smaller display you get plenty of info.
posted by beyond_pink at 6:31 PM on May 15, 2024 [1 favorite]

I've been looking at the Garmin watches that I see advertised at the $150-$250 price point periodically. I've got a lower-end Garmin watch right now and it seems like it does quite a bit more - particularly on the side of tracking activity and health-related things - and does them better than most other brands on the low end of the price range.

My watch is still working fine but I've looked at watches like the Venu, Instinct, maybe a vivoactive or Forerunner in that price range.

You can look at the full list here, sort them by price from low to high, then just keep going down the list until you get to the $250 price point. One or two or three of them is likely to fit most of the things you're looking for.
posted by flug at 6:45 PM on May 15, 2024

If you like your Forerunner 45, you can probably get a decent one used for much less than $250. I bought one for $80 last year. It's in excellent condition and I use it much as you do.
posted by lulu68 at 8:14 PM on May 15, 2024

Fenix has a solar charging option.
posted by HearHere at 9:38 PM on May 15, 2024

I like my Amazfit which is not an Amazon watch but some weird knock-off of the Garmin watches. I have broken so many watches and my Amazfit keeps on going and going. They have all the features you want, and the battery life even with bluetooth is amazing.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 2:52 AM on May 16, 2024

I love Garmin watches and wouldn't look elsewhere. And DC Rainmaker's insanely-in-depth reviews are great.

Another possibility is that Garmin might replace your Forerunner 45 for free, or a low fee.
posted by Klipspringer at 3:34 AM on May 16, 2024

When my Forerunner 45 died recently, I upgraded to the Vivoactive 4 and have been really happy with it. The 4S is a smaller version of the same watch, although both are smaller than your maximum size. Because they just released a Vivoactive 5, you can find the 4s heavily discounted by a number of venders. I got mine for $120.
posted by dr. boludo at 5:40 AM on May 16, 2024

While it isn't the most up-to-date, the Apple Watch SE will do everything you asked and has the added benefit of tying into your iPhone ecosystem more cleanly. You can get a refurb for $209 right now for the smallest size, and $239 for the larger (wifi only).
posted by griffey at 6:24 AM on May 16, 2024 [2 favorites]

I use a Vivoactive 4S, and absolutely love it, and would definitely recommend it, especially given your size constraints. I find most other smart watches WAY to big, but this is just watch sized. It also does everything on your list. If I needed to replace it right this minute I'd either be just upgrading to the 5 or with one of the Withings hybrid watches (which I don't believe track location, so wouldn't fit your requirements).
posted by Gygesringtone at 8:46 AM on May 16, 2024

I have the $39 Wyze watch, and continue to be amazed at the durability and functionality. It has lasted 3 years longer than my Apple Watch did. The heart rate and O2 monitors work as good as the fancy machine at the doctors office.
posted by funkaspuck at 11:58 AM on May 16, 2024

Another vote for Garmin. I love my Venu Sq 2. The battery life is great, I charge it maybe once a week and it recharges amazingly fast (not even an hour). The battery life for this model is up to 11 days, whereas the Apple Watch SE is advertised as up to 18 hours. The physical size is a hair outside your parameters: 40.6 x 37.0 x 11.1 mm (I think this is height x width x depth). I had a Fitbit, but it started failing after Google bought them and I didn't love the idea of giving Google all of my activity data.
posted by hooray at 2:42 PM on May 16, 2024 [1 favorite]

So, a different suggestion, but you can definitely get a replacement battery from AliExpress. I'm not going to guarantee that it will work out, but it looks like it is ten bucks and I would personally give it a try.
posted by Literaryhero at 6:45 AM on May 17, 2024

I have a forerunner 55 and enjoy it. From a quick look it appears to be around the same size as a forerunner 45? In the time that I've had my forerunner (3 years) I previously went through 2 Fitbits over 3 years. I did some research and decided to switch to garmins and am glad I did. My spouses garmin is 8 years old and still going strong, which is pretty cool. Next watch he gets will also be a garmin.
posted by snowysoul at 12:47 PM on May 17, 2024