Best Smart Watches / Fitness Trackers
Choosing a new smart watch or fitness tracker can be both exciting and overwhelming. After all, there are smart watches for kids, women and men made by Samsung, Apple, Garmin, Kogan and so many other brands.
Whether you're new to the world of smart wearables, or you want to find a waterproof smart watch or cheap fitness tracker, we're here to help point you in the right direction. Continue Reading...
Garmin Forerunner 235
- Price (RRP) $469
- Screen Size 1.23"
- WaterproofingSwim-proof
- Battery Life9 days
Garmin Vivofit 3
- Price (RRP) $159
- Screen Size 0.39"
- WaterproofingWater Resistant
Garmin Vivosmart HR
- Price (RRP) $189
- WaterproofingSwim-proof
- Battery Life5 days
Garmin Forerunner 735XT
- Price (RRP) $599
- Screen Size 1.23"
- WaterproofingSwim-proof
- Battery Life11 days
Garmin Instinct
- Price (RRP) $399 to $549
- Screen Size 0.9"
- WaterproofingWater Resistant
- Battery Life14 days
Garmin Vivosmart 3
- Price (RRP) $139
- WaterproofingWater Resistant
- Battery Life5 days
Apple Watch SE
- WaterproofingSwim-proof and Water Resistant
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FitWatch FW-01
- Price (RRP) $159.95
- WaterproofingNone
- Battery Life9 days
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Apple Watch Series 7
- Price (RRP) $599 to $1,189
- WaterproofingSwim-proof and Water Resistant
Garmin Venu 2 Series
- Price (RRP) $629
- Screen Size 1.1" and 1.3"
- WaterproofingSwim-proof
- Battery Life9 days to 12 days
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Good: Loved it, loved the tracking of runs and other exercise, loved the notifications of text messages and phone calls. Looks smart and stylish. Easy to charge and keep clean.
Bad: in less than a yea... Read morer, one of the buttons on the side of the watch got stuck in the down position. Returned the watch (JB hifi made it easy) and got another. Again, same thing happened within 1 year. Got a replacement. Then, the watch one day just outside of 1year warranty stopped working properly - it had the wrong time and would not reset back to factory settings, would not connect to my phone, and so luckily had taken out a care plan which only offered a JB hifi gift card rather than a replacement watch. I won’t purchase another, as I had so many issues with the first 3 watches.
Garmin Forerunner 35
- Price (RRP) $299
- Screen Size 0.93"
- WaterproofingWater Resistant
- Battery Life9 days
Apple Watch Series 8
- Price (RRP) $629 to $1,179
- WaterproofingSwim-proof and Water Resistant
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I hadn’t had a watch in years. And this is the perfect accessory. I can see what is coming t... Read more
hrough on my phone without having to touch my phone, and can respond / ignore things coming through. I have a lot of fun with the faces. Can opt to have a rolling slideshow of my photos from my phone. Can use Apple Pay on here, track my work outs, turn off phone notifications, text, call etc. It is water resistant so I can swim and shower with it. I was previously a fit bit user - but am fully converted Apple Watch user nowGarmin Fenix 6 Series
- Price (RRP) $999 to $1,649
- Screen Size 1.2", 1.3" and 1.4"
- WaterproofingSwim-proof
- Memory (RAM)0.064 GB and 32 GB
- Battery Life9 days to 21 days
Garmin Vivofit 4
- Price (RRP) $129
- Screen Size 0.43"
- WaterproofingWater Resistant
- Battery Life365 days
Garmin Vivoactive 4
- Screen Size 1.1" and 1.3"
- WaterproofingSwim-proof
- Battery Life7 days to 8 days
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Samsung Galaxy Watch4
- Price (RRP) $399 to $699
- WaterproofingWater Resistant
- Memory (RAM)1.5 GB
- Battery Life2 days
- See all
I had a software update last week and the watch bricked and won't turn on after the update. Took it to the service center and they said it was a know manufacturer's fault, … Read more · 1they said that Samsung doesn't have parts to repair it as they are on backorder and will take a long time to get that part and Samsung will contact you with an alternative resolution. Waited and waited no one contacted me so I had to contact them myself. Got told that there is a case manager assigned to me and he will contact me within 2 days. 3 DAYS later after still no contact I called them and then got told that actually there is no case manager assigned to me yet and I'll just have to be patient. They won't even give me any time frame for repair or replacement or refund. Now it has been over a week and I am still waiting for a response and just called them again, and just got told the same Bull Cr@p that there is still no case manager assigned to me and i'll have to wait even more. I had to lodge a complaint with ACCC, lets see how it goes. Absolutely disgusting customer service samsung, you should be ashamed of yourself.
Realme Band
- Price (RRP) $99
- Screen Size 0.96"
- WaterproofingWater Resistant
- Battery Life10 days
- See all
ALDI Bauhn GPS Fitness Watch
- Price (RRP) $79.99
- Screen Size 1.3"
- WaterproofingWater Resistant
- Battery Life7 days
- See all
Withings Steel HR
- Price (RRP) $299
- WaterproofingSwim-proof and Water Resistant
- Battery Life25 days
Garmin Forerunner 245
- Price (RRP) $499 to $579
- Screen Size 1.2"
- WaterproofingWater Resistant
- Battery Life7 days
Garmin Vivosmart 4
- Price (RRP) $199
- Screen Size 0.7"
- WaterproofingSwim-proof
- Battery Life7 days
- See all
Mine had an issue with the band wh... Read moreich got like a bubble. However, I contacted Garmin and I got an exchange even though my watch's guarantee had expired. Great customer service and good product.
Apple Watch SE (2nd Generation)
- WaterproofingSwim-proof and Water Resistant
- See all
Fitbit Charge 4
- Price (RRP) $179.95
- Screen Size 1.6"
- WaterproofingSwim-proof
- Battery Life7 days
Fitbit Sense
- Price (RRP) $449.95
- Screen Size 1.6"
- WaterproofingSwim-proof
- Battery Life6 days
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Garmin Venu 3
Garmin Venu Sq
- Price (RRP) $179
- Screen Size 1.3"
- WaterproofingSwim-proof
- Battery Life6 days
Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro
- Price (RRP) $499
- WaterproofingWater Resistant
- Battery Life14 days
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro
- Screen Size 1.4"
- WaterproofingWater Resistant
- Memory (RAM)1.5 GB
- Battery Life3 days
Watch was working fine for the first few months - than suddenly stopped charging.
Had the watch checked out by the Samsung Service Centre -> advised that they c... Read more
ould not fix the watch as they didn't have the necessary parts. Contacted Samsung to have this issue resolved and even contacted the CEO's office in Sydney. Received a generic response from both Customer Service and the CEO's office -> in fact that CEO's office have not responded to subsequent emails. Claim to not have a replacement watch available for me -> yet they are still selling the watch of the same website I purchased the watch from. Poor service, poor customer resolutions and even worse the head office here in Australia ignores customers. Seems like Samsung take your money and forget about the aftercare service.Mobvoi TicWatch Pro
- Price (RRP) $369.99
- Screen Size 1.39"
- WaterproofingWater Resistant
- Battery Life5 days
Fitbit Ace 2
- WaterproofingWater Resistant
- Battery Life5 days
The band is well made itself and appears durable. The screen is also good (assuming it is a kids wristband). But unfortunately using thi... Read mores band is a total disaster. Creating the account for children is a pain, and you will find out you cannot change the clock to 24h mode (which can be done on adult band, but strangely through online account, not in the watch). Navigation through the fitbit app is still difficult for me after 2 years-completely not instinctive. Synchronises with my phone easily, bur my kids phone needs to manually start the process in the app and wait around 10 minutes. There are chinese brands far more easier to run...
Should I get a smart watch or a fitness tracker?
Smart watches and fitness trackers are both wearable devices that strap onto your wrist. Fitness trackers mainly keep track of a user’s activity while the device is worn. While smart watches can also track activity, they perform a more diverse range of functions than a fitness tracker.
In a nutshell, a smart watch should be your preferred pick if accessing smartphone-type apps and features on your watch appeals to you.
Put a fitness tracker on your horizons if your main priority is tracking health and fitness stats. If you’re attending a personal training program or a fitness bootcamp, an activity tracker is a good way to track your results as you progress.
Thanks to the popularity of both types of wearables, you might not have to choose between them at all, as there are several crossover models of smart watch and fitness tracker available.
Hybrid models are more expensive, but if you have the money and will genuinely use the features they offer regularly, they can conveniently condense what you need into a single, wrist-sized smart device.
If you know you'd use one type more than the other, there are more affordable smart watches, as well as good cheap fitness trackers.
Smart Watches
Smart Watches at a glance
Smartwatches are similar to a mini smartphone on your wrist. They're often linked with a well-known brand, e.g. Samsung and Apple (Apple's Series 5 Smart Watch is pictured, left).
The main hook of smartwatches is that they’re convenient. Displaying detailed data, they let you navigate apps without having to fish your smartphone out of your pocket.
A smartwatch can be a handy substitute to your phone when the larger device is tricky to handle. For example, if you don't have pockets to house your phone, or your hands are full taking care of kids, a smart watch can let you make digital payments or calls.
Smart watches usually connect to the internet by syncing to your smartphone via Bluetooth. More expensive models can function independently using mobile data plans and SIM cards, or Wi-Fi.
Smart Watch Pros and Cons
Fitness Trackers
Are fitness trackers worth it?
While regular exercise is ideally the best way to keep fit, the hectic pace of modern life means that sometimes workout plans fall through. A fitness tracker can be a good way to measure daily activity, even if this involves climbing a few flights of stairs or walking to and from the train station. It can provide the boost of motivation you need to slowly increase your exercise regimen.
On the flipside, while seeing your stats improve as you progress through your fitness plan should theoretically be positive and helpful, sometimes it can be distracting or even stressful.
Remember to invest in a device offering a majority of features you’ll actually use, and keep in mind that raw data is objective. It doesn’t measure the psychological effort it takes to exercise after a long period of time. Sometimes the proof of success can be found in making the effort to show up and take care of your body and mind by exercising.
Fitness trackers at a glance
While this guide focuses on wearable fitness trackers that look like wristwatches, fitness tracking devices also include titanium motiv rings and basic trackers that clip onto clothes.
A wearable fitness tracker monitors your health using various functions. It will store and report data related to your activity and workouts on its screen. Some models let you connect your tracker either to your smartphone via Bluetooth, or directly to your computer via syncing. These let you view stats on other devices.
Even a cheap tracker will count your daily steps, as well as monitor your sleep patterns and sometimes, calorie intake and heart rate.
Keep an eye out for fitness tracker reviews that praise data accuracy, comfort level on the wrist, and user-friendliness, since you'll be using your fitness tracker on-the-go.
Fitness Tracker Pros and Cons
Smart watch and fitness tracker features
Multiple models of both smart watches and fitness trackers are equipped with the features below. Choose the ones that best suit your lifestyle and purposes.
Appearance and design: Digital or analogue - Smart watches and fitness trackers are fitted with a large, interactive screen and a digital display, or an analogue operation, for a more traditional watch design.
You can either access smart displays on a changing ‘second screen,’ for example using a rotating bezel such as the one on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 42mm Bluetooth. Other analogue models integrate their smart features onto the one screen, for example the Garmin vivomove® HR (pictured, right). Other models yet will show their data via a smartphone app.
Smart jewellery - These fashion-forward wearables are faceless, making them look more like bracelets than watches. The data is transferred to smartphone apps, somewhat mitigating the functionality of a smartwatch and making them less convenient.
Removable wrist bands - If you like matching your watch with your outfit or occasion, more premium models can come with the option of purchasing bands with different colours like black or pink. The same versatility applies to watch materials, such as stainless steel or plastic.
- Activity reminder: Alerts you when you haven’t moved for a while.
- Alarms: Can make audible sounds, or silently vibrate against your wrist. This can be particularly useful if you need to wake, but don't want to disturb anyone still sleeping.
- Altimeter: Takes into account any height changes that increase the degree of difficulty while exercising. For example, if you’re running or walking up a flight of stairs, the altimetre will adjust the results according to the increased effort you expend.
- Battery life: There are two options; rechargeable USB batteries that last for a couple of days, or five days on more premium models, or replaceable batteries that can last from six months to a year.
- Bluetooth: Make sure your phone is equipped with at least Bluetooth 4, for it to be Bluetooth-compatible with your new smartwatch.
- Calorie counter: Records your calorie intake, and can show the number of calories lost depending on the steps you’ve taken in a given day.
- Display and screen size: Some models, with their larger screens and easy-to-navigate, interactive visual displays, make it easier to view instant stats. LCD, OLED and AMOLED screens are available.
- Distance counter: Measures the distance you’ve travelled, based on how many steps you’ve taken. This feature is made more accurate by a GPS function.
- Food tracker: Lets you record foods eaten throughout your day.
- GPS-enabled tracking: More accurately tracks the distance you’ve covered and your speed, based on your locations. An exercise recognition function detects your form of exercise, as well as suggested routes you can follow.
- Heart rate monitor: Helps you monitor the level of effort exerted during exercise. Some models will remind you to take mindful breaths from time to time.
- Milestones: Remind you to reward yourself when you’ve reached a milestone, e.g. 10, 000 steps.
- OS (Operating System): Check that your smart watch or fitness tracker is compatible with your smartphone, for example, Apple smart watches will only pair with iPhones, and Galaxy smart watches can also be selective.
- Price: Smart watches cost between $50-$5000, but you can get an affordable model for up to $500. As a point of reference, the Apple Watch Series 5 costs $649 (Fun fact: the most expensive smart watch is the TAG Heuer Connected Modular at $US180,000!)
- Session tracker: Calculates the number of calories burned in an exercise session.
- Sleep tracking: Measures your level of activity (i.e. lack of restfulness) as you sleep. Most fitness trackers are equipped with this feature, though some need you to wear the band and switch on sleep mode before you sleep.
- Step counter: This is similar to an included pedometer, and also allows you to enter your height and weight for higher accuracy.
- Speaker: this is particularly useful if your smart watch is equipped with a voice assistant, or if you prefer to take calls on speaker.
- Voice assistant: such as Google Assistant can provide you with hands-free information while on the go.
- Voice coach: is a smart watch or fitness tracker’s answer to a personal trainer, offering motivation as well as workout info such as distance travelled and heart rate.
- Water-resistance: The level of water-resistance depends on the model, and ‘sweat-proof’ is the basic minimum required. There are water-resistant models range from being only splash-proof to being safe to wear in the shower. Waterproof smart watches can be worn while swimming to 50m.
We hope this guide has helped you decide whether a smart watch or fitness band can help make your life and exercise goals easier. For related accessories that could also help, you can also browse our reviews of wireless headphones and smart phones.
Hey, as mentioned in our private messages. Your refund is being processed and you have also been sent a voucher via email. Kind Regards... Read more
, Brian Samsung AU