The Best Wearable Tech of 2019
Precision data-gathering devices to optimize your workouts
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Garmin Vivo active 3 Music Smartwatch ($300)
Finally, a Garmin with its own SIM card. If you have a Verizon plan, you can ditch your phone without missing a thing. The Vivoactive has a heart-rate monitor, features run and ride tracking, and lets you send and receive text messages, play stored music, and make mobile payments, all from your wrist.
Polar Vantage V Fitness Watch ($500)
The Vantage V is a data lover’s high-end triathlon watch. Not only does it have an eye-poppingly bright and colorful display, but the heart-rate monitor uses both optical and skin-contact measurement for more accuracy. The built-in coaching feature will analyze your training levels and help determine when you should ramp up the load or take a rest day.
Under Armour Hovr Infinite Running Shoes ($120)
Smart kicks are here to stay. Just pair the Hovr Infinite with your phone via Bluetooth, and these trainers use UA’s MapMyRun app to deliver gait analysis and coaching to help correct and improve your form. You can also log your times and share them with friends.
Fitbit Inspire HR Fitness Tracker ($100)
Fitbit’s new band delivers an incredible set of features at an extremely approachable price. Not only does it offer 24/7 activity and sleep tracking, guided workouts, and VO2 max measurement, but it’s water-resistant enough for pool laps and has a thin touchscreen that minimizes bulk.
Suunto 3 Fitness Watch ($229)
If you’re in the market for a good middle-of-the-road workout watch, look no further than the Suunto 3 Fitness. There’s no built-in GPS, so it needs your phone for most activity tracking, but it does boast one of the best heart-rate monitors available, plus built-in coaching to help you manage stress and recovery. And like most watches from the Swedish company, it’s easy on the eyes.
Apple Watch Series 4 ($399)
Basically the best everyday smartwatch out there, the Series 4 is small, stylish, and extremely powerful, with a battery that (finally) lasts all day, a large screen, and the most accurate heart-rate monitoring on this page. Like the Fitbit, it’s water-resistant, so you can wear it in the pool.