Google Pixel Watch 2 : Independent Scientific Review (2024 retest)

🟡 Twitter: @QuantifiedRob
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Reference devices:

Intro Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
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Timestamps:
00:00 Quick Intro
01:15 Heart Rate Test 1 : Indoor Cycling
05:47 Heart Rate Test 2 : Running
08:37 Heart Rate Test 3 : Outdoor Cycling
11:23 Heart Rate Test 4 : Weight Lifting
12:24 Heart Rate Test 5 : Female Test
16:44 Sleep Test
20:53 Sleep Test : Comparison w/ Other Watches
22:59 GPS Test
26:30 Limitations
26:53 Recommendations & Conclusions

The Google Pixel Watch 2 continues impressing in 2024, even after testing it for several months. However, compared to my initial review, I have encountered some issues, and today I’ll share all those findings with you. We will systematically test the Pixel Watch 2 on myself for heart rate tracking during different exercises, compare the sleep tracking against EEG and also take a look at the GPS tracking.

The Pixel Watch 2 has a bunch of new sensors, which are supposed to make it better than the original Pixel Watch, but is this actually true? That is what we will test in this video. I tested the Pixel Watch 2 when it came out, and I was generally very positive. In the meantime I have tested it much more thoroughly, comparing it against a sleep EEG device for 12 nights and testing the GPS consistency over 10 bike rides. However, I want to start off by testing the heart rate tracking performance, which I tested during a total of 56 workouts on myself and for 13 workouts on Theresa. And to get a fair set of data, I also retested the original Pixel Watch.

OK, with that out of the way, what do I think of the Pixel Watch 2. Well, I am actually quite happy with how it performed overall. It performed quite well in all the different categories that I tested it in, and seems significantly better than the Pixel 1 in terms of heart rate tracking. It was generally amongst the top performers for heart rate and sleep, though not the actual top performer, which is still the Apple Watch. However, for Android users the Apple Watch is not an option, so the Pixel Watch 2 is quite a good alternative. I personally think the design is not that great for men, and I would have preferred for it to be a bit bigger, but that is very subjective of course. Also, the way Fitbit software is integrated into the watch feels a bit messy, and it doesn’t feel like an integral part of the watch. It is unclear for instance when looking in the menu if you should work out with Fit workout, which seems to be part of Google Fit, or Fitbit Exercise, which is part of Fitbit. But ignoring all that, and just focussing on the health and sports tracking, the Pixel Watch 2 is one of the, if not the, top contender on Android. So, if that’s what you are looking for, I can definitely recommend it. So overall for sports and health, I’d give the Pixel Watch 2: 4 out of 5 stars.

[TheQuantifiedScientist]

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🟡 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.
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[aaakmm]

It would be very useful if you could at the end of each video give us a short information about your future plans, e.g. which watches are you planning to test next. Also I am very happy that you started including Teresa results more frequently.

[MrMorton]

Rob I was really happy to see the indepth review of the Pixel Watch (PW) 2 and I especially appreciated the comparison to the PW1. I still have a PW1 but was glad to see just how improved the PW2 is. Nice to see compassion with Theresa too (Thanks!). Keep up the fantastic work!

[dob]

Purchased an PW2 following your review last year - I've enjoyed it! Just wish that battery was a little stronger.

[MrBenigi]

I'm just looking for a watch that can track my heart rate as accurate as possible while weight lifting. And I've found your channel. This is just perfect, thanks so much

[hautomnal]

Thank you for your data and analysis! I'm interested in the pixel watch 2 but I was wondering if you plan on reviewing any newer withings watches? Their design are really great but the accuracy was not there on what you tested. I'm surprised since apparently they have gone through clinical trial regarding heart rate(?) but it might be only a static heart rate.
Anyway great job!

[jacksonn]

Thank you for the review! Please also review the oneplus watch 2, people are saying it's vastly improved over the first generation and it's generating a lot of buzz right now for its 100 hour battery life

[anthonydoherty]

I really find the time stamps on your videos to be very useful, much appreciated

[NPCNPC]

@TheQuantifiedScientist I'm missing an essential comparison: heart rate monitoring throughout the day without activating sport mode. It would be insightful to see how accurately devices like the Apple Watch, Pixel Watch, etc., track heart rate passively.

For instance, Pixel claims to measure heart rate every second. This specific detail is something consumers often struggle to find with other brands.

Given that passive monitoring constitutes the bulk of a smartwatch's usage throughout the day, it would be fascinating to see how these devices compare. Pixel provides a claim here but lacks a comparative context.

Thank you for the deep review of the Pixel Watch 2 🎉!

[ibrahimshaikh]

some insights on new Galaxy fit 3 would be really helpful

[boneslive]

Hey I really like your videos and I was wondering if you are planning on reviewing the Withings Scanwatch 2 or any other of their new devices?

[It-s-me-P]

Thanks for the video Rob. Waiting for the ulrtrahuman ring review please ! Keep it up.

[irma]

Thank you for the update! I got PW2 after your first review and I'm quite content with it.

[reedtan]

love your work! it would be great if you can review the OnePlus Watch 2 as well, it looked amazing

[sanidhyashukla]

Hello Rob, I am considering a Samsung fit 3. Are you currently testing that device?

[pedrofigueiredo]

A long awaited for this review! Thank you Rob! I have an Apple Watch and a Google pixel watch 2 and I love both! happy about how they perform very similarly!

[richardnoble]

Excellent video! I've become a bit of a Pixel Watch convert and have enjoyed getting fit/losing weight with the help of the Fitbit environment -- I now trust it more than I did the system on Ticwatch Pro 5. Now I have the Pixel Watch 2 with better battery/faster charging, topping it up once a day for 30 mins before bed is no hassle. I now fin it the most comfortable and "smartest " of fitness trackers. Just a point on your comment re Fitbit integration - I assume that you have manually installed the Google Fit apps on the watch since they are not their on either of my Pixel Watch 1 or Watch 2. Can't be confused if they are not there. The only issue I have found with my Watch 2 is the GPS cutting out completely at random midway through a tracked exercise - all the rest of the metrics are recorded correctly, the GPS track and altitude tracking just randomly stop. I'm currently in comms with Fitbit/Google to try and work out if this is a hardware/software fault. It seems from the internet that I'm not the only person experiencing this issue.

[MondSemmel]

Thanks for this longer review video! I bought the watch based on your preliminary review, so I appreciate seeing more data on it now.

[stephenhedges]

Hello Rob. Great work. Will you be testing the oneplus watch 2 soon.

[ilko]

Can you please review the OnePlus Watch 2?