Deciding Between A Smartwatch Or Fitness Tracker? Read This First

Norfolk, Virginia. — In the last decade, smartwatches and fitness trackers have become very popular.

They track your steps, monitor your heart rate, and even let you make calls. Some have become fashion statements with gold embellishments and interchangeable straps.

Whether you're an iPhone or Android user, want a stylish smartwatch or a simple fitness tracker, there are a variety of makes, models and styles to choose from.

Michael Glenn bought a Fitbit and it quickly became more than just a watch to him.

“It really made me feel like I had a problem, and I used it to save my life,” he said.

During a camping trip, in addition to chest and shoulder pain, his smartwatch indicated his heart rate was low.

After arriving at the hospital, the doctor confirmed that his condition was bad.

“When I arrived, they told me that your artery is 100% blocked [and if I don't go to hospital] it will close. “I was going to have a complete heart attack,” he said.

Early detection is caused by smart bracelet technology.

“Wow, that's a lot of health and safety features in one,” says Nicholas de Leon.

Nicholas DeLeon is a senior reporter for Consumer Reports' Electronics Group. He has more than a decade of experience in laptops, tablets, and wireless routers.

I asked him what tools he uses to monitor his health.

“If you're worried about heart rate, sleep tracking, EKG, or things like that, that's where a smartwatch comes in,” he said.

Even if you're an athlete and care more about tracking your performance, DeLeon says you'll still want to get the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Keep in mind that it will set you back more than $750.

"You know, if you're more concerned with tracking your steps or whatever, Fitbit makes a lot of trackers," he said.

If you're planning to buy a fitness tracker or smartwatch for yourself or a loved one this year, De Leon says there are a few things to consider:

• Think about the purpose of your desired product; Maintenance, security, performance, battery life.
• Check your phone's current operating system to make sure your device is compatible. While your device doesn't have to be compatible, it helps. (It is also worth checking whether the device you purchased is compatible with the operating system)
• See if the older version meets your needs, as it will likely be cheaper.
• Check what features the watch has, as you may not need all of them.

“I think the Apple Watch is ideal. "It may not be the default choice, but it is a common choice and does very well in [Consumer Reports'] rankings," DeLeon said.
Apple, Fitbit, Google and Samsung offer versions, some of which are currently on sale.

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