Articles by Courtney Lynch

One step ahead

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4

From $145 at Samsung

Pros

GPS, HRM, NFC
Optional LTE connectivity
Wear OS 3 at launch
Superior health tracking
Impressive performance

Cons

No iOS compatibility

As the first smartwatch on the new Wear OS 3 platform, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is one step ahead of other devices on the market. Compared to the Fossil Gen 6, you’ll also get optional LTE connectivity and superior health tracking.

Not far behind

Fossil Gen 6

From $299 at Amazon

Pros

GPS, HRM, NFC
Numerous attractive designs
Improved health sensors
Google Assistant
Built-in mic/speaker

Cons

No LTE connectivity
Wear OS 3 not available yet
Too expensive for some

If you don’t mind waiting until next year to enjoy Wear OS 3, you might be interested in the Fossil Gen 6. It’s a bit more focused on the physical design than the Galaxy Watch 4. Keep in mind you won’t have as many health sensors, though.

Fossil Gen 6 vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4: Battle of Wear …

Whether you’re a new runner, a budget shopper, a casual runner, or a seasoned expert, there are plenty of smartwatches to choose from. You’ll discover that many of the best running watches also happen to be some of the best Android smartwatches you can buy. If you’re craving a well-rounded experience that caters to your passion for running, you’ll have a plethora of options available to you. The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music continues to be the best running watch overall with long-lasting battery life, tons of advanced running features, and accurate activity tracking.

Best overall: Garmin Forerunner 245 Music

If you’re a runner of any kind, chances are you’ve heard a thing or two about the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music. It’s been around for two years, but this is one of those running watches that ages gracefully. Newer models continue to come out — from Garmin as well as other top brands — but the Forerunner 245 Music continues to be a go-to choice for many running enthusiasts.

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Best answer: Yes, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is equipped with a sensor that can easily monitor your blood oxygen levels. This is thanks to a new, first-of-its-kind BioActive sensor.

Track your blood oxygen levels with the Galaxy Watch 4

Once upon a time, tracking for blood oxygen (SpO2) levels wasn’t as common on wearables. In fact, unless you worked in the medical field or had a health condition that required ongoing monitoring of these levels, you might not have known the significance of this health metric.

Today, some of the best Android smartwatches such as the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 offer detailed health tracking, including blood oxygen monitoring. These features are designed to give you an in-depth look at your overall well-being.

You might be wondering about the purpose of this feature. Let’s start with the basics. Monitoring your blood oxygen levels can give you an idea of how effectively your blood is carrying oxygen throughout your body. In turn, this information will …

If you’ve got your finger on the smartwatch pulse, you know that blood oxygen monitoring is a fairly common feature these days. It’s especially helpful during sleep tracking or when you’re at high altitudes. Not to mention, it can alert you to potential issues such as sleep apnea and other respiratory conditions. The Garmin Forerunner 245 is a superior running watch on its own, but it also has a built-in SpO2 sensor, which makes it even more appealing to users who love details. We’ve rounded up some of the best smartwatches with blood oxygen monitoring.

Best overall: Garmin Forerunner 245

Whether you prefer to run, bike or swim, the Garmin Forerunner 245 is an excellent choice. It has the wrist-based Pulse Ox sensor for monitoring blood oxygen saturation levels, which can help gauge how your body is absorbing oxygen. It also comes with built-in GPS, heart-rate tracking, sleep monitoring, 5 ATM water resistance, and seven days of battery life.

We’d be remiss not to mention that t…

Choosing the perfect band for your new Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is easy when there’s such a wide variety of options to pick from. Whether you need something sporty and flexible for your high-intensity activities or you need something classy for special occasions, the options are endless. We’ve collected some of the best Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 bands for your consideration.

Let your skin breathe

Lerobo Soft Silicone Sports Band

Staff Pick

Those who plan to use their wearable for tracking workouts will need a breathable band. This option from Lerobo is one of the best Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 bands out there for active individuals. The band is made of high-grade silicone that’s resistant to both sweat and water. It’s lightweight and flexible with a unique air-hole design for superior comfort.

$8 at Amazon

Soft yet sturdy

Morsey Nylon Sport Band

Another sport band that will provide you with the comfort and durability you need for workouts is this nylon option from Morsey. I…

Wear OS 3 is here

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4

From $250 at Samsung

Pros

GPS, HRM, NFC
Optional LTE
Two size options
Improved performance
ECG, SpO2, BIA

Cons

Key features only work with Samsung phones
No iOS compatibility

The Galaxy Watch lineup has always been impressive, but the new models are a slightly different breed with Wear OS 3. The sleek design is similar to previous models, including the smooth capacitive rotating bezel. There are also electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood oxygen (SpO2) sensors, as well as the new Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) feature.

Still the best for iOS

Apple Watch Series 6

From $319 at Amazon

Pros

GPS, HRM, NFC
Optional LTE
Two size options
Activity/sleep tracking
ECG and SpO2

Cons

No Android compatibility
Short battery life
Expensive

While owning an iPhone is the most obvious reason to choose an Apple Watch, the Series has other attractive perks that health enthusiasts might enjoy. You get ECG and SpO2 sensors, for st…

Expand your horizons

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4

From $250 at Samsung

Pros

GPS, HRM, NFC
New Wear OS 3
Optional LTE
Improved health tracking
Capacitive rotating bezel

Cons

More expensive

If you simply cannot help but get your hands on the latest and greatest tech, you’ll be glad to know the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is now yours for the taking. The sleek design carries over some familiar elements from past models, like the capacitive rotating bezel. You also get a BioActive sensor, improved health/fitness tracking, and Wear OS 3.

Effortless classic

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2

From $220 at Amazon

Pros

GPS, HRM, NFC
Optional LTE
Excellent health/fitness tracking
Capacitive rotating bezel
More affordable

Cons

No Wear OS 3 support

It’s been around for a while now, but the Galaxy Watch Active 2 is still one of the best Android smartwatches out there. Sure, it might not have the successor’s new BioActive sensor, but you still get heart-rate monitoring, ECG, blood…

Best answer: Yes. The new Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 follows the trend of past models, so you’ll have excellent durability and waterproof ratings.

Is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 waterproof?

When a new wearable such as the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 hits the scene, users are eager to learn about the features it’ll have. Whether you’re an avid swimmer or someone who doesn’t always think twice about removing your watch before a shower, a decent waterproof rating is an important feature. Fortunately, you can shower and swim with the new Galaxy Watch 4.

If you’re at all familiar with its predecessor, the Galaxy Watch Active 2, you’ll be happy to know the successor carries over some of the best features. For example, you’ll get a 5ATM + IP68 waterproof rating. It’s water-resistant in depths of up to 50 meters, which means the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 can handle splashes, rain, showering, and swimming.

Not to mention that it’s also certified for MIL-STD-810G durability. In addition to the Samsung …

If you’re looking for a fitness tracker that does it all, we highly recommend the Fitbit Charge 4 for its wide variety of styles and uses, including automatic activity tracking on-device GPS, Fitbit Pay, music controls, and so much more. It’s no wonder that Fitbit continues to be one of the many highly regarded names in the industry with all it has to offer. However, don’t worry if that’s not your cup of tea. There are quite a few other options to choose from. So whether you’re looking for specific software, design, or feature set, you’ll be able to find a fitness tracker that checks all the boxes on your wish list.

What are the best fitness trackers?

You’ll be happy to know that there’s no shortage of options when it comes to choosing a fitness tracker. One of the most reputable names, as you may know, is Fitbit. The industry leader makes up a good portion of our list, including options such as the Charge 4, Versa 3, Luxe, and Inspire 2. They share some features, but each of these …

A compact and versatile design built for everyone.

If you’ve ever dabbled in Fitbit’s ecosystem, you might’ve noticed the new Luxe fitness tracker is somewhat of a departure from the company’s usual suspects. Above all else, the Fitbit Luxe is focused on offering a compact, versatile design that’s suitable for all occasions.

While Fitbit is not exclusively marketing the Luxe as a product made only for women, that’s certainly the intended audience. After all, this tracker does offer a rather sleek and feminine aesthetic that many women will appreciate.

With that said, the Fitbit Luxe is an excellent companion for anyone who doesn’t want to sacrifice form for function. If that sounds like you, then you may very well fall head over heels for this stunning device. You’ll still get your fair share of health and fitness tracking features, too. It’s not nearly as robust as the Charge 4 or the Versa 3, but it does a solid job of handling the basics.

It’s all in the details

Most users …