2023's Best Smartwatches : A Scientist/Reviewer's Daily Drivers

🟡 Twitter: @QuantifiedRob
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Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:51 Best for Health Tracking Option 1 : Oura Ring
14:59 Best for Health Tracking Option 2 : Whoop Strap
21:41 Best for Sleep Optimization & Tracking : Eight Sleep Pod 3
26:08 Best for Heart Rate Tracking : Polar H10
33:09 Best for Heart Rate + Sleep : Apple Watches
39:10 Best GPS and Battery : Garmin
42:19 Best picks under different circumstances
44:02 Limitations

As a YouTube reviewer and scientist I own about 100 smart watches and other health trackers, so I have almost unlimited choice in devices, but which are the ones I actually use on a day-to-day basis? Well in this video I’ll share my ultimate tracking set up for health and sports tracking, and I’ll explain why I chose to use certain devices. This is based both on my systematic evaluation of their performance, and also the features they provide. However, of course my top choices are somewhat specific to my personal circumstances. So I’ll also discuss some other potential use cases, and what would be my top choices in those circumstances

As you can see, I have a big pile of watches and health trackers right here, and I’ve spent a lot of time testing each of these watches. And there’s a big difference in how some of these watches perform. You can see that for instance in this overview plot of the heart rate performance, and this over your plot of the sleep tracking performance. In both cases, the more to the top right, the better a device performs. Overall, there are a few top contenders and health trackers that I actually use on a day-to-day basis. In order for a device to make the cut, I have two main requirements: first of all, the measurements it takes should be reliable, and second it should be easy to use and understand.

Now, let’s start with my favorite devices when it comes to general health and sleep tracking. I personally use three main devices for this purpose: the Oura ring, the Whoop Strap, and the Eight Sleep Pod 3 cover. I use all three of these every day, and each has their own pros and cons. Let’s start with the Oura Ring, which is actually my favorite device when we only consider health and sleep tracking. The Oura Ring is a smart ring that you connect to an app on your phone, and it does a few things really well. First of all, Oura has one of the most intuitive and best built apps when it comes to health and sleep tracking. When you open the app, you get the most important metrics at a glance, and I can also quite easily dive a bit deeper into some specific metrics. When you first look at the app in the morning, you get a readiness score and sleep score, and I think these are great for people that don’t wanna dive too deeply into anything. They are summaries of a lot of metrics measured by the Oura Ring. This way you get a quick overall impression of your sleep and recovery.

[simonp]

Don't get discouraged by the view count, these series put any tech youtuber to shame. You're the best

[GabsARV]

In my opinion, tech reviewers should stop reviewing smartwatches the same way they review phones, using subjective experiences and preferences be their conclusion. Personally, the way you do reliable reviews on these smartwatches should be the only way for other tech reviewers review smartwatches when it comes to the health related features.

Doing a comparison between the device being reviewed against a device that can consistently and reliably show results can be helpful for the viewers who plan to buy a smartwatch primarily for health and fitness.

Kudos to you, Rob for going the extra mile to produce a multitude of tests with such high quality and reliability.

[talega]

Valuable information with scientific value and not like 99% of the vids on YT that just are advertisements with no real proof of any function on

[melissesilhan]

Sending a thanks here since I won't be ordering directly from Amazon through your affliate link. Really appreciate the thoroughness and scientific basis.

[Vrenatko]

You're doing absolutely fabulous work that is unrivalled on youtube. I often don't even care about the review itself, but rather how detailed and precise the review is.

[raffaelelisisco]

Thanks a lot, this is exactly the kind of video I needed ❤️

[tessc]

The world needs more of this! Your clear, unbiased, scientific (and qualified) evaluation of products is refreshing and so informative. You helped me decide on the Apple Watch for sleep tracking and heart rate monitoring. Thank you!

[autopilot_zutf]

I used to use Apple Watches for their descent heart rate tracking during outdoor cycling. But recently when I watched your review on Huawei GT3 Series, I changed my mind and went for GT3. Sold my Apple Watch in exchange for a Garmin bike computer. What surprise me is that Huawei can broadcast my heart rate directly to my bike computer using bluetooth, and it can even pair with cadence sensor and power meter!

[Zemtex]

Bro I found your channel last week looking at smart watches. I hope you do other tech also because your review style is great. :D

[shadowvariable]

Watching your vid it seems like Apple SE is a good choice for me, but it looks like the newer ones have more features like EKG and Blood Oxygen levels. Do you think these are worth it at all or should I just go with an Apple SE?

[cusebike]

I wear a Garmin Venu 2 on my left wrist and an Apple watch SE on the right. With HR, the SE is clearly superior. I've tested it with straps from both Garmin & Polar and if there is a difference, it's minimal. I'm a cyclist, both indoor & out and I'm a kayaker & indoor rower. I also weight train once a week so I've tested these devices under various conditions.
Garmin used to be a dumpster fire for sleep tracking but it's improving. The sleep score is now useful. The SE data may be more accurate but what to do with the data is still an issue.
I'm 188 cm, 68 kg and look like Rob, only 40 years older. 😄

[KalpeshMange]

As someone who loves and appreciates data and technology in general, this is beautiful work. Subbed!

[Muntan_]

You are definitely the go-to for reviews on these health tracking devices! I would love to see more smart rings and how they perform compared to the oura with its (unfortunate) subscription based service. Houdoe!

[RathOX]

I love my AW ultra for everything apart from fitness & sleep/recovery & battery

[codeandtech]

bro your the best, having an analytical data about your smartwatches and fitness bands and to precisely and accurately tell if the watch and/or band is accurate or not is the best thing ever, you are the first youtuber that judges smartwatches scientifically and not hypothetically

[dagemann]

What about HRV accuricy? This is a very important metric that would be very intereresting to check out.

[LCBChef]

Why don't you test Suunto watches??

[Revrence]

I just found your channel and I'm so hyped to see the amount of depth and analysis. I would love to see some tests for underwater activity tracking such as swimming too!

[Rasyad]

This is crazy good! I hope your channel grows even more so that more people know the quality of their smartwatches objectively.

[h-z]

This is fantastic!
My family and myself are all garmin fans but it's so good to see actual objective data on how it performs on your graphs. Your reviews are so helpful and unbiased!