Smartwatches: tracking health and progress on the go

Heart rate, sleep and steps are only the start. What a watch measures, and how to read it.

Start with what you use most

The best device is the one that fits how you already live. Think about where you use it, for how long and with what else, before you look at the numbers on the box.

Read the numbers that matter

Battery life, how it connects and how long it takes to charge tell you more than the peak figures. A good fit beats the biggest specification.

• Check it works with the phone you have.
• Look at the charging port and the cable it needs.
• Keep the box for thirty days, in case you change your mind.

Set it up once

Ten minutes with the settings saves hours later: turn on updates, name your devices and set the battery saver.

Good technology gets out of the way.

Ask when unsure

We test everything we sell, so write to us with any question about a device and we answer within a working day.