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TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition review: Pricey, but almost perfect
1:07 pm | September 11, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Health & Fitness Smartwatches | Comments: Off

TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition: Two-minute review

The TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition is a premium golf watch that also doubles as a superb smartwatch for daily use. It offers a seriously impressive package as a gold watch and smartwatch combo with many top-line golf features, a great design, display, and build quality, and excellently intuitive use.

Yes, it's pricey, but it absolutely earns its place among the best golf watches by offering a top-tier, premium option made by a brand that has some serious pedigree in the history of wristwatch making and the market more widely.

The Calibre E4 Golf Edition channels the TAG Heuer quality pedigree in its design and build and this is evident as soon as you open the box. It's a chic and sleek titanium watch with a matte black finish that oozes quality. The 'Golf Edition' engraved bezel is a beaut, and the two buttons and dial (or 'crown' as TAG Heuer calls it, reminiscent of the Apple Watch's digital crown) are easy to use and engage with while wearing a golf glove. All buttons are satisfying to use, and the dial is a joy on the golf course too.

The display is crisp and clear and has very punchy colors and contrasts. I use a screen protector personally, but the Sapphire crystal screen gives me great confidence if it were to get knocked or bashed.

When it comes to the golf features specifically, the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition excels and is superb. There are more than 40,000 courses preloaded onto the TAG Heuer golf ecosystem, and my experience of getting any amendments or changes made via speaking to TAG has also been very good. Each course's hole is displayed cleanly, crisply, and clearly on the AMOLED display and makes for clear navigation, though some of the colors could be more distinct as the shades used for areas of trees and bunkers can look very similar at a glance. You can use the crown to navigate your way along each and every hole, and 10-yard lines help you to gauge distance quickly and between course locations or hazards.

Then there are the specialist features. The first is the watch's shot-tracking feature which is excellent and automatic and tracks all your shots from drives to putts. The watch and excellent companion TAG Golf app on your phone will be able to build your rounds as you go and allow you to review them afterward in 3D (on your phone, not on the watch). This is a brilliant feature, and as well as relying on the automatic tracking, you can also manually input them - as well as delete any duffers you don't want skewing the data too! This can help you build an invaluable bank of data to rely on when thinking about club choice and golf course management and strategy - especially at those courses or course 

Alongside this, the watch will also measure the distance you've hit shots which builds toward offering an accurate 'virtual caddie' base of information, which you can refer to to get a club suggestion at any yardage when going for the pin or any other location on the hole. Over time, this optimizes and provides distance averages that are reliable and accurate, and the investment you put into it over a period of time really pays off. I've consistently found the whole process with each round of 18 or 9 holes to be extremely satisfying too, from measuring shot data to making changes to my bag when incorporating new clubs, all the way to reviewing shots and scores afterward in the on-course pictures.

The whole experience of having a Calibre E4 Golf Edition for premium golf watch use is also apparently from the presentation and physical extras you get. The box is incredibly sleek, and you also get a sleeve of Tag Heuer-emblazoned Pro V1s inside as well as a replacement ball marker – one of which comes attached to your watch already, magnetized to the clasp.

TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition on a wooden table with its box behind it

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

The TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition also makes a claim to be a premium contender for best smartwatch and best fitness tracker with its broader feature set, too. Running Google's WearOS 3, the watch is a joy to use and navigate for everyday tasks such as message and app notifications, media controls, and checking the weather and my calendar. 

However, I've particularly enjoyed the fitness tracking functionalities measuring steps, and calories, and promoting the WHO's Heart Points to help visualise getting up and about. I've mainly used this only for going for long dog walks and hikes but it'll have you covered for other workouts from running to cycling to swimming.

Battery life is robust all round too. In my months of testing and using the watch I've never been in trouble, always making it to my charger at the end of a day with juice in the tank. For example, with a round of 18 with the full shot tracking on and using it as a smartwatch from dawn till dusk, the Calibre E4 Golf Edition will easily last a full day. Using it as a smartwatch only, I've got two full days of usage out of it. The bespoke charging dock also juices up the watch incredibly quickly which can rapidly get you out of a pinch and is a welcome feature.

As far as downsides go, there are, in 2024, a few of the very latest and very greatest golf features not on the Calibre E4 Golf Edition. For example, more recent entries into the golf watch space, like the Garmin Approach S70, offer excellent and specific features such as green contour mapping to assist putting, and 'plays like' tech that will take into account weather conditions to give you even more precise yardages for shots which might give those watches an advantage on the features front if you're looking for every bell and whistle. 

The value-for-money proposition of the Calibre E4 Golf Edition has also perhaps taken a slight hit in 2024 due to the aforementioned competitors.

If you want a premium watch that offers the best of both golfwatch and smartwatch worlds, then the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition is still hard to beat as a premium golf watch option.

TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition: Specifications

TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition on a wooden table with its box behind it

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition: Scorecard

TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition: Should I buy?

Buy if it...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

How I tested the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition

I have been using the 45mm variant of the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition as my golf watch for eight months now, using it most weeks on the course. It's also been my day-to-day smartwatch for the past six months or so, replacing a Samsung Galaxy Watch 3.

I have committed months to using the Calibre E4 Golf Edition using it for multiple rounds and tracking 100s of shots. I have used it on a few courses and also adapted it, and the app on my Samsung Galaxy S22, to changes in my bag. 

When I first got the TAG Heuer I was able to do some basic side-by-side testing with my previous golf watch, the Garmin Approach S40.

First reviewed July 2024

Apple Watch Series 10 review – this makes me want to ditch the Ultra
8:00 am | September 10, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Health & Fitness Smartwatches | Tags: | Comments: Off

Hands-on Apple Watch Series 10 review: Two-minute preview

Apple Watch Series 10 family.

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

Going into Apple’s September 9, 2024, “It’s Glowtime.” event, I wouldn’t have blamed you for potentially dismissing the rumored Apple Watch Series 10. I heard it would get a larger display, a new health feature, and a thinner build. On paper, that doesn’t do much, but I’ll admit I underestimated it.

Maybe, I should have checked the calendar as today (Sept. 9) marks the tenth anniversary of the Apple Watch, and while the Series 10 casts a familiar look, it’s all in the details.

Ten generations in, it’s clear Apple’s sticking with this rounded square design, and they’re working on perfecting it – or, as my colleague Lance Ulanoff put it, Apple’s well-polishing the Apple.

To sum it up, the Series 10 does indeed resemble the Series 9, but it’s way thinner – Apple shaved off a whole 1-millimeter, which is a lot for something on your wrist – and packed in a way larger display. In fact, the 46-millimeter display is even bigger than the Apple Watch Ultra 2, and while that sounds like a behemoth, it’s not. The smartwatch didn’t feel massive at all on my wrist and looked rather elegant, especially in the Jet Black aluminum finish, which brings me so much joy as someone who waited for hours to get an iPhone 7 Plus in that same shade.

Apple Watch Series 10 vs Apple Watch Series 9

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

The screen here is the star, though, and it’s not just bigger for sheer numbers' sake. In Calculator, you can more easily hit buttons, and when viewing photos, you can pick out more details. Better yet, when reading text in an email or a news article, the screen's large enough to fit an additional line of text.

That’s super functional, but the display is also more visible, so you can make out what is on the display for off-axis viewing, even at extreme angles. Think of this as the second half of what Apple was aiming to do with the Series 7 that curved down the edges.

To accomplish the Apple Watch Series 10 has a “Wide Angle OLED” display with an LTPO-3 panel underneath. In practice, it’s a wicked bright (up to 2,000 nits) screen that offers crisp, vibrant details and can get down to a super low 1Hz refresh rate. Watch and timepiece: fans will appreciate just how good the ticking secondhands look on various watch faces.

You’d likely expect this from an Apple Watch, but the screen on the Series 10, seemingly a pretty simple upgrade, steals the show here and makes a much bigger impact or impression after you see it in real life. The 44-millimeter to 46-millimeter doesn’t sound massive, but it makes me want to ditch my Apple Watch Ultra. Of course, if you don't want the larger Apple Watch, you still get the thinner build and more expansive display with the smaller, 42-millimeter Series 10.

Apple Watch Series 10

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

Second, while Apple is still promising the same 18 hours of battery life, they offer an enhancement in the charging realm. I’d call this battery adjacent, as it can let you stretch the life of the Series 10 with a simple charge. It still ships with the fast-charging USB-C Apple Watch puck that’s been in the box since the Series 7, but thanks to a new coil on the Series 10 it can hit 80% in just 30 minutes. That should make a big impact, and you can still get 8-hours of use in just 8 minutes.

That alone might sway you to wear the Apple Watch Series 10 overnight for sleep tracking, but Apple’s also adding a new health feature. Sleep Apnea detection will arrive on Series 10 the Ultra 2, and Series 9 once the FDA clears it. Essentially, it’s using the accelerometer and a custom algorithm to detect if you potentially have it, and if it detects it, you’ll get an alert in the Apple Health app. It doesn’t need to measure blood oxygen or employ other sessions, and Apple’s only rolling out this feature after extensive testing to root its process in science.

Apple Watch Series 10, rear

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

These three stand out as the most impressive feats Apple pulled off for the Series 10, which debuted on the tenth anniversary of the Apple Watch. Inside, it’s powered by the S10 SIP, which performs similarly to the S9 (in the Series 9 and Ultra 2). Still, because the Series 10 is thinner, Apple had to engineer the inside, so it’s much flatter than the previous one.

Apple also redesigned the speaker, which is now larger and shaved off 1-millimeter of the Digital Crown on the inside. The red circle on the Digital Crown, which noted LTE connectivity, is gone, and the rear panel of the Apple Watch is now metal, matching the rest, which makes it seem like the Series 10 is one hull.

I had my skepticism going in, but I cannot wait to spend more time with the Apple Watch Series 10 and put it through its paces. Though, as I write this after a long, lengthy day at Apple Park, my mind keeps returning to the screen. It’s much more expansive, but it’s not overly large and doesn’t have an extensive bezel around the screen like the Ultra. It’s minimalist, classy, and still feels like an Apple Watch at its core. 

If you're already sold, the Apple Watch Series 10 is up for order now, starting at $399 / £TBC / AU$649 and will begin shipping on September 20, 2024.

@techradar

♬ original sound - TechRadar
Withings ScanWatch 2 review: Probably the best-looking hybrid smartwatch
6:13 pm | September 5, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Health & Fitness Smartwatches | Tags: | Comments: Off

Withings Scanwatch 2: One minute review

Want a smartwatch that doesn’t look like a smartwatch? You may want to check out the Withings ScanWatch 2, the best-looking hybrid watch we've reviewed yet.

It’s as close to looking like an analog watch as you’re likely to get, but with the smarts and tracking of a fitness tracker under the hood. In fact, if it wasn’t for the small display on the watch face, you’d never know.

That makes the ScanWatch 2 a truly gorgeous piece of kit, with a nice, shiny casing and no buttons outside of the crown. The duality of an analog watch design with a more modern set of ambitions does show itself, though: the display is too small for most fitness tracker basics like notifications, while there’s no option to install third-party apps a la watchOS or Wear OS. 

This makes the "smart" nature of Withings' best smartwatch a little redundant: it's a pure fitness tracker combined with an analog watch. Still, if that’s not a dealbreaker for you, there are few better-looking timepieces around.

Withings Scanwatch 2: Price and release date

  • Priced at $349 in the US 
  • £319 in the UK  
  • ‎AU$599 in Australia

The ScanWatch 2 debuted in September of 2023, and you can find it at plenty of retailers. The price of entry is fairly high, however, at $349 / £319 / ‎AU$599.00. 

This price point makes it comparable in price to an Apple Watch Series 9, despite offering less in terms of functionality. You're paying for the premium look and feel, rather than advanced functions and smart capabilities. 

  • Value score: 3.5/5

Withings Scanwatch 2: Specifications

Withings Scanwatch 2: Design

Withings ScanWatch 2 smartwatch

(Image credit: Future / Lloyd Coombes)
  • Beautiful analog design
  • Small digital display
  • Available in Black, Rose Gold, Blue or White

As I’ve alluded to, the reason you may want to pick up a ScanWatch 2, as opposed to something of a similar price, is that distinctive design, which comes in Black or White, as well as a Rose Gold option with a blue strap. It also comes in 38mm and 42mm sizes. All models are 5ATM water resistance rated.

Looking at it on the wrist, it’d be easy to assume it’s an analog watch, and in many ways it is. Hybrid smartwatches, analog watches with discreet smart elements, are gaining traction (alongside other discreet trackers like the best smart rings) because they often look much cooler than most other smartwatches.

However, look a smidge closer, though, and you’ll see a small display at the top of the watch face. This OLED panel is nice and easy to read in all conditions, but naturally comes a bit unstuck if one of the hands happens to be over it when you check. That said, there’s little chance of being sat there looking at it for hours when functionality is a little more stripped back. In fact, for the most part it’ll be showing you how many steps you’ve walked that day.

It also feels shallower than other smartwatches, perhaps because of its analog-like disguise, but it felt much flatter on the wrist than my Apple Watch Ultra.

Straps can be switched out with an elegant sliding pin, while it charges in a sort of mini-cradle that looks like the devices used to remove links from watch straps. It includes a USB-A to USB-C cable, but it’s pretty short. Overall? Looks fantastic, and wonderfully comfortable to wear. 

  • Design score: 5/5

Withings Scanwatch 2: Performance

Withings ScanWatch 2 smartwatch

(Image credit: Future / Lloyd Coombes)
  • Around one month of battery life
  • No GPS
  • Closer to a fitness tracker than a smartwatch

While it is a ‘smartwatch’ in terms of its size, the ScanWatch 2 is less of a smartwatch in terms of functionality and closer to a fitness tracker instead.

It can track your steps, activity, heart rate, and all of those standard fitness tracker features, but you shouldn’t expect to install additional apps or use your watch to pay for your shopping.

You can set timers and use it as a stopwatch, but anything beyond that you might want to go for a full-fat smartwatch.

Thankfully, as a health and fitness tracker it’s solid, although it lacks an internal GPS: you’ll need to connect to your phone. Sleep tracking is supported, and it also has a ECG (medical-grade!) for undertaking one of those wherever you are.

Workout modes are relatively basic but track fairly well so long as you’re connected to your phone’s GPS, but perhaps the ace up its sleeve is the temperature sensor.

This runs continuously, albeit at the cost of the 30-day battery life, but can showcase temperature variations that could be an indication of an oncoming illness. It’s primarily focused on just highlighting increases or decreases, though, so don’t expect to get an exact number for your temperature.

Of all the smartwatches I’ve tested, I feel like the ScanWatch 2 has the simplest pairing procedure. It’s not that it does anything different from its rivals, but it just worked almost instantly. It also offers a slick checklist of things you can tick off as it shows you, meaning you get a sort of tutorial when you first put it on.

Once that’s done, the app is split between Home, Measure, and Achieve. Home gives you some “missions” to check off, like setting a bedtime routine, or reading an article. It also tracks your daily activity to help you hit thirty minutes.

Measure shows your data, letting you drill down into activity and rhythms for any data you’ve collected, while Achieve lets you set Health Goals and work towards them. The app can write directly to Apple Health, and works alongside Strava and MyFitnessPal.

This is all backed up by a subscription service called Withings+ which offers a Health Improvement score that helps you improve your score week-on-week up to 100, while also giving you daily guidance and meal plans. It also unlocks additional data so you can interpret it more easily, but I didn’t see anything that felt super necessary.

  • Performance score: 4/5

Scorecard

Withings ScanWatch 2: Should I buy?

Withings ScanWatch 2 smartwatch

(Image credit: Future / Lloyd Coombes)

Buy it if...

You want a smartwatch that doesn’t look like one

The ScanWatch 2 is slick to look at, and will go with just about any outfit at any time.

You want to track plenty of metrics

The temperature sensor here is a big boon, especially given many rivals have been slow to adopt it.

You’re new to fitness tracking

Even without buying the watch, the app is fantastic in its ease of use and variety of options.

Don't buy it if...

You want more smart features

The Scanwatch 2 can tell you you have a notification, but you won’t be able to read it on your wrist.

You’re a Nike Run Club user

While it can tap into Strava, Nike Run Club users are left in the dust with no integration.

Also consider

Garmin Instinct Crossover

A hybrid watch with physical hands, but in a G-Shock style instead of a classic watch. 

Read our full review

First reviewed: July 2024

Mobvoi Home Walking Treadmill review: a good-quality, affordable under-desk solution
12:30 pm | August 18, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Health & Fitness | Comments: Off

Mobvoi Home Walking treadmill: One-minute review

Walking treadmills are often relatively cheap, easy to store behind a sofa or under a bed when not in use, and an excellent 'cozy cardio' solution, whether you’re looking to pair them with a standing desk or use them to get your steps in while watching TV. The Mobvoi Home Walking Treadmill is a no-frills, super-cheap solution that might be the best under-desk treadmill for users on a budget we’ve tested so far.

The Mobvoi Home Walking Treadmill is typically priced at $229 / £210/ AU$273, but it’s frequently on offer, even up to around half-price, from Mobvoi itself as well as retailers such as Amazon. For a few dollars more, you can get the Home Walking Treadmill Plus, which has an extra few inches of deck space, but no additional features. The Mobvoi Home Treadmill SE is another version of this treadmill with a fold-up bar that puts it into 'running mode' (i.e., it goes faster) so would be a more versatile machine if you’re looking to jog as well as walk – this model is actually slightly cheaper in the US at $220, but more expensive in the UK and Australia at £289.99 / around AU$335. However, on the basic home treadmill, you’re stuck at walking speeds only. 

It’s simple to set up – you just need to screw-in a couple of stabilizing feet – and it took around 10 minutes for me to unbox and assemble the treadmill. With a maximum user weight of 265lbs / 120kg, it’s sturdy despite its slender size, and I was impressed with the build quality during our tests. It doesn’t feel cheal; on the contrary, with its black glass display, it shares a design ethos with some of the best smart scales I’ve tried, and its 5 inches / 13cm depth means it's easy to slide under a bed or into a cupboard when not in use. 

The downside of the Mobvoi Home Walking Treadmill’s compact form factor is that it's quite narrow, so requires a little bit of getting used to at first. I found my foot catching the side on occasion until I’d spent a bit of time on the treadmill. The larger Plus version is two inches wider and one inch longer, so if you have the space I recommend getting that model. 

It offers very little in the way of features: it can connect to a WearOS smartwatch to display the same stats as you can already see on the treadmill’s screen, which I found rather pointless. More irritatingly, there’s no option to program a workout based on time and distance; ironically, you have to do all the legwork yourself. 

Still, as it’s so frequently on sale, I’d certainly recommend it for people looking for a simple, plug-in-and-go device for getting your steps in on the cheap. It’s slim, the remote control is easy and intuitive to use, and it’s perfect for wheeling out, pressing play and just walking, whether that’s for use with a standing desk, or to get your steps in while watching TV. Devices like this make fitness accessible, so you shouldn’t necessarily let the lack of programmable features hold you back from buying the Mobvoi. 

Mobvoi Home Walking Treadmill: Specifications

Mobvoi Home Walking Treadmill

(Image credit: Future / Jessica Downey)

Mobvoi Home Walking treadmill: Scorecard

Check out our video review of the Mobvoi Home Walking Treadmill below:

Mobvoi Home Walking Treadmill: Should I buy?

Buy it if...

You’re on a budget

This is the perfect under-desk treadmill for someone who just wants a cheap walking solution. 

You own a standing desk

Its compact form factor and a remote control that you can leave on the desk make this the ideal work-from-home companion. 

You just want to walk

Uninterested in a running treadmill? Then save yourself some money and pick up the Mobvoi.  

Don't buy it if...

You want to run

The Mobvoi Home Treadmill SE has a running mode, although no incline or programmed workouts. 

You want a big deck

Need space to walk in comfort? Maybe you have long legs? Try an alternative treadmill with a bigger deck, or order the Plus model.

Also consider

JTX Movelight

Another great under-desk treadmill for beginners, and it's easy to set up, but it's more expensive than the Mobvoi.

Read our full JTX Movelight review

Kingsmith Walkingpad C2

Its folding design makes this the best under-desk treadmill for storage, if not for performance. It's a fair bit pricier than the Mobvoi.

Read our full Kingsmith Walkingpad C2 review

How I tested

I spent hours walking on the Mobvoi Home Walking Treadmill in TechRadar's dedicated testing center, as well as unboxing, installing, and programming it. I tested its top speed, checked its programming functions, used the remote control, walked while watching TV, wheeled it around, and stored it both flat and upright. 

First reviewed: July 2024

Google Pixel Watch 3 review – a big redesign with a deeper focus on health
8:10 pm | August 13, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Health & Fitness Smartwatches | Tags: | Comments: Off

Google Pixel Watch 3: One minute review

The Google Pixel Watch has always been a sleek, modern – maybe even beautiful – smartwatch. It's stuck out from an incredibly crowded market with a build that looks like a polished pebble, simple controls, and a comfortable feel on the wrist. 

However, it’s only be available in one size for two generations, and has always been far from a full-on Fitbit replacement. That changes with the third-generation Pixel Watch, and after strapping both the 41mm and 45mm Pixel Watch 3 to my wrist, I can say that it’s a pretty big leap. 

That’s right: the Pixel Watch now comes in two sizes: there's still the 41mm model which was the only option with the Pixel Watch 1 and 2, and a much larger 45mm model, which has been dubbed the Pixel Watch 3 XL.

I’ve spent some hands-on time with both the 41mm and the 45mm watches, so I’m sharing my first impressions and briefly discussing the trove of new health and fitness features that are headed to your wrist.

Google Pixel Watch 3: Specifications

Google Pixel Watch 3: Price and Availability

Google Pixel Watch 3 side dial and button

(Image credit: Future/Lance Ulanoff)

With two sizes of the Pixel Watch 3, pricing is a bit more complex than in years past. Like the previous Pixel Watch 2, the 41mm Pixel Watch 3 with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi is priced at $349 / £349 / AU$579, while you’ll pay more at $449 / £449 / AU$749 for cellular connectivity. The 45mm Pixel Watch 3 will start at $399 / £399 / AU$669, and jump to $499 / £499 / AU$839 for the advanced connectivity.

Both sizes come in Matte Black or Polished Silver; the 41mm is also available in Champagne Gold, and the 45mm in Matte Hazel. Whichever size and model you go for you’ll also get six months of Fitbit Premium for free. All variants of the Pixel Watch 3 are up for preorder now, with a shipping and on-sale date September 10.

Watch our Google Pixel Watch 3 hands-on review on TikTok: 

@techradar

♬ original sound - TechRadar

A modern, sleek build now in two sizes

Google Pixel Watch 3, 41mm and 45mm

(Image credit: Future/Lance Ulanoff)

Like the Galaxy Watch 7 and the Apple Watch Series 9, Google is now letting you choose between two sizes. There’s a smaller 41mm Pixel Watch and a larger 45mm Pixel Watch, both with the same circular design and a dial on the right edge. It’s the classic Pixel Watch design, including the band mechanism on the box, which makes removing and replacing watch bands harder than it needs to be.

The Actua Display now stretches closer to the very edge, even on the smaller 41mm, so it can show you more. It’s also brighter, which makes reading text on a screen much easier – the same goes for hitting touch buttons like numbers on the calculator or buttons on a widget, for example to select a workout type to track. Both displays are LTPO AMOLED, which allows the display to refresh at a rate anywhere between 1Hz and 60Hz.

I think I still prefer the 41mm size, but Google didn’t just make a larger watch for the sake of it. The 45mm Pixel Watch 3 might have more super users or those who want to do more from their wrist, and it will be interesting to see how developers optimize for the extra screen real estate. 

Google Pixel Watch 3, 41mm and 45mm

(Image credit: Future/Lance Ulanoff)

Regardless of size, the Pixel Watch 3 is built from 100% recycled aluminum, and colors vary slightly based on size. The 41mm Pixel Watch 3 comes in Matte Black, Polished Silver, or Champagne Gold, while the 45mm will be available in Matte Hazel, Matte Black, or Polished Silver. 

The Pixel Watch 3 is powered by Qualcomm SW5100, which has a Cortex co-processor and 2GB of RAM. That’s a lot of jargon, but the main takeaway is that while the watch doesn't use Google's powerful Tensor processor, either size felt pretty snappy in my quick demo. You also get a clean version of WearOS 5 out of the box. 

In terms of health and fitness features, there is still a sensor stack on the back that looks sleek and powers all the expected features: daily activity and workout tracking, sleep tracking, Blood Oxygen or Sp02 tracking, heart rate, and the ability to take an electrocardiogram among others.

A few features are made possible through the integration with Fitbit. It seems that Google wants to compete with the run-tracking chops of a Garmin or a Galaxy Watch, so now (specifically for this workout type), you can create several routines with custom metrics you want to hit such as heart rate, pace, distances, and intervals. As you go through the workout, it will alert you if you’re ahead or behind on a metric. That’s pretty cool. After your run, your workout data goes through an AI to give specifics, including your vertical oscillation, cadence, and stride length. You can view this on your wrist or in the companion app on your Android phone.

Fitbit Premium members will also be able to compete against past workouts and the metrics you set, just like a Galaxy Watch. The watch will also consider this data when recommending your daily activities. All Pixel Watch buyers have this option for at least the first six months, and you can cancel the subscription before the free trial ends if you find yourself not using Premium features like this. 

Not just for Premium members, your Daily Readiness Score – delivered each day – will be more accurate as it takes more into account beyond just workouts and activity goals. It will now use sleep, heart rate (active and resting), and variability in all this to paint a better picture. Along with this score, you’ll get a daily recommended cardio load, which can help you decide what workouts to embark on or when to take it easier.

Google Pixel Watch 2 and Google Pixel watch 3

(Image credit: Future/Lance Ulanoff)

I’m eager to try Fitbit’s Morning Brief, which reminds me of the Oura Ring or Samsung Health. Essentially, you’ll get a notification with your most important activity metrics on your wrist. It just groups everything in one place, flags issues – maybe too little sleep or a change in heart rate – and tosses in topical information like the weather or an important meeting.

Of course, beyond health and activity from Fitbit, Google is also putting more work into its first-party applications. There will be a new interface with Nest devices, specifically letting you view a feed from your doorbell when it’s rung or if activity is detected on a connected camera.

Last but not least, there is always the question of battery life. With the 41mm or 45mm Pixel Watch 3, Google promises 24 hours of battery life with the always-on display enabled or up to 36 hours in extreme battery saver, which shuts off always-on but keeps other features like health tracking active. We’ll need to put this to the test and see how long it lasts, as well as a new bedtime detection mode that automatically shuts the always-on feature off. 

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Technogym Run review: The best treadmill I’ve ever tried, but this quality comes at a price
12:00 pm | August 11, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Health & Fitness | Comments: Off

Technogym Run: One minute review

If I could have any treadmill at home, it would be the Technogym Run. It’s a brilliant machine boasting a quiet motor, comfortable running surface and unfettered access to thousands of follow-along workouts. The problem is, it’s also the most expensive piece of kit I’ve ever tested.

The crystal clear 27-inch touchscreen has a better picture than my actual TV, while the 30-watt sound system does away with most treadmills’ historically tinny speakers. It also has a slatted belt fitted with sensors to track extra metrics like cadence and flight time. But even these luxury extras aren’t my favorite thing about the machine. 

The Technogym Run treadmill

(Image credit: Future / Harry Bullmore)

The best feature, for me, was the variety of classes on offer. Alongside the usual running and interval workouts, there are instructor-led skills and drills sessions, power-building routines using the machine’s in-built sled function, and plenty of off-tread options like strength, yoga, and Pilates too. If you’re looking to improve your running performance, or fitness in general, this comprehensive approach is a great way to go.

I tried one bootcamp session, which had me bouncing between the treadmill and dumbbell exercises, developing strength and endurance in just 30 minutes. Another class interspersed running intervals with sled pushes to develop the power needed for speed development. A third class gave me a walking tour of a picturesque Italian town, setting me well on my way to 10,000 steps a day.

The ever-expanding (Technogym films new content daily) smorgasbord of classes not only allowed me to focus on different fitness goals, it also made using the machine more fun and kept me coming back for more. That’s why, if you’re in the market for a top-tier machine and money is no object, I would strongly recommend the Technogym Run.

Technogym Run: Price and release date

  • Very expensive 
  • Access to the Technogym app on phone and treadmill included in price

The Technogym Run was released in 2023 as “the first treadmill for cardio and strength training” (thanks to its in-built sled function). It has an MSRP of $11,850 in the US or £10,340 in the UK, equating to around AU$18,000. 

This puts it out of site of our second-placed treadmill, the still-pricey NordicTrack Commercial 2950 ($3,708 / £2,699 / AU$5,113), and in a completely different league to most commercial exercise machines on the market. 

However, unlike most rivals, it does come with a complimentary and indefinite subscription to the brand’s app thrown in.  But, even with this, it’s a machine made for those with a big budget who want the best of the best. 

TechRadar fitness writer Harry Bullmore testing the Technogym Run treadmill

(Image credit: Future / Harry Bullmore)
  • Value score: 3/5

Technogym Run: Design

  • Springy, slatted belt for great grip and a track-like feel 
  • Large running surface 
  • Powerful yet quiet motor 

The Technogym Run is a big machine. At 78in x 33in x 69in and 456lb, it demands a dedicated home gym space to keep it in. You can't move it around. But, as with most things the Italian brand creates, it’s a worthy centerpiece with an attractive design, by treadmill standards at least.

I found the larger frame served a practical purpose too, with the treadmill benefiting from a wide, cushioned belt which provided a comfortable running surface for even larger users like me (210lb and 6ft 3in tall, on a good day). But despite its size and powerful 7.78hp motor, it was still incredibly quiet – 57 dB at roughly a 6mph speed, according to the company.

In short, the machine does the basics incredibly well, and it doesn’t stop there. There are plenty more clever and practical features to be found, as I discovered when playing around with it for a few hours.

The Technogym Run treadmill

(Image credit: Future / Harry Bullmore)

Sturdy handlebars along the sides and across the front of the machine are ideal for the sled push function, and the slatted belt offers great grip and a slightly springy athletics track-esque feel. The latter addition also allows it to house sensors which provide more in-depth metrics than your average treadmill, such as cadence, run power, step length, flight time and contact time. 

An easy-to-reach lever on the right of the handlebars toggles through speed settings, while a lever on the other side of the machine controls the incline. Around each one there’s a ring of light which flashes to tell you a change is about to happen or in progress so you can adjust your stride accordingly. 

The display is a pleasure to use too. It’s a generous 27in wide, with impressively clear visuals and a 30W sound system, making for a truly immersive experience during studio sessions and virtual runs. 

And to top it all off, my Apple Watch linked to the machine in seconds with a tap on a designated spot of the handlebars (pictured below). I was also pleasantly surprised to find that, if I connected mid-way into a class, it would automatically take the treadmill’s metrics rather than starting to track the workout from scratch.

  • Design score: 5/5

TechRadar fitness writer Harry Bullmore connecting his Apple Watch to the Technogym Run

(Image credit: Future / Harry Bullmore)

Technogym Run: Performance

  • Huge choice and variety of classes
  • Likable instructors 
  • Comfortable, athletics track-like running experience 

It’s hard to fault the Technogym Run’s performance. In the name of thorough testing, I did back-to-back-to-back classes on the machine and (aside from a brief loss of internet connection when selecting one of them) it was flawless throughout.

The belt is an absolute joy to run on with zero juddering. Unlike smaller treadmills I’ve tried like the Echelon Stride, I was always able to plant my feet without worrying about catching the sides or ends of the machine, and the placement of the handlebars never felt constricting.

The slatted belt design is something I’d like to see on more treadmills too. Technogym says it’s intended to “offer the same reactivity and elastic response of an athletic track”, and having taken it for several spins I would say this is a worthy comparison. It offered excellent traction and a nice balance between feeling firm and springy.

The top speed of 15.5mph will delight those looking to become faster over shorter distances – most machines max out at about 12 or 13mph – and the 15% maximum incline is more than most people will need (although it doesn’t match the NordicTrack’s -6% decline).

The Technogym Run treadmill

(Image credit: Future / Harry Bullmore)

When considering performance, the next thing we need to look at is the Technogym platform. Like it or not, Peloton has earned the right to be the yardstick here, and Technogym holds its own against the class-streaming behemoth with separate studios across the globe constantly pumping out new content.

This content is split into seven sections; sessions, programs, custom, routines, third-party apps (like TrainingPeaks and Netflix), strength and outdoor. Within these you’ll find bootcamp classes, instructor-led running workouts, virtual runs, virtual guided tours, skills and drills, and much more. You can also use the Technogym app on your phone to access strength, cardio, mindfulness, Pilates, yoga, boxing and stretching sessions, which you can filter by factors such as difficulty, equipment and duration.

TL;DR, there’s a wealth of easily-navigatable classes available spanning a wide variety of training styles. The instructors I encountered were all affable (I liked how some classes had two coaches so they could bounce off each other) and the videos are bright, polished and simple to follow. You can also keep tabs on everything you do through the Technogym app, which links your phone to the machine in seconds via Bluetooth or by scanning a QR code on the screen.

TechRadar fitness writer Harry Bullmore testing the Technogym Run treadmill

(Image credit: Future / Harry Bullmore)

There’s something for all exercisers on the app, but I especially liked the offering for runners. The provision of strength sessions, skills and drills classes and workouts to improve other running attributes such as power are a welcome alternative to the usual “run x distance in x time” approach of most treadmills. These sessions can also help you break through training plateaus and improve your running performance, if that’s your goal.  

For these alternative classes, the treadmill is used cleverly. The sled push function stars when developing power (although I found it tops out at 55kg, which will fall shy of what Hyrox fans are used to) and instructors also had me perform exercises like carioca drills and A-skips on the belt. 

Bootcamp classes are also handy for those with a hectic schedule. The one I tried used the Technogym Run and Technogym Bench (pictured below, although a couple of dumbbells will also work) to develop full-body strength and conditioning simultaneously within the space of 30 minutes. It did this by alternating running intervals with a short circuit of resistance exercises for two rounds. Of course, this won’t be as effective as 60 minutes dedicated to each activity, but it still delivers plenty of bang for your buck by offering a time-efficient dose of both. 

The Technogym Run treadmill

(Image credit: Future / Harry Bullmore)

To summarize, this is an excellent treadmill, and the best commercial option I’ve  ever tried. That’s why, if you have the money and the space for it, and you want the cream of the crop to support your running or fitness aspirations, this is the direction I would point you.

However, if you’re a passionate runner on a tighter budget, you can enjoy many similar features and a still solid performance from cheaper options like the NordicTrack Commercial 2950, ProForm Premier 900 or even the Peloton Tread.

  • Performance score: 5/5 

Technogym Run: Scorecard

Technogym Run: Should I buy?

Buy it if

You want the best treadmill for your home, regardless of budget

From the plethora of classes on offer to the unrivaled running experience, this is the best commercial treadmill I’ve tried. It’s also the priciest by some margin.

You want to improve your running performance and fitness

This treadmill’s multi-faceted approach to improving your running performance is something I really enjoyed. For example, the sled feature for improving power, strength training options for protecting yourself from injury and drills for working on factors such as cadence. 

You enjoy exercise classes 

The Technogym instructors in every class I tried tread the fine line between engaging and overenthusiasm well, providing handy technique tips throughout. There are also a wealth of options including one-off sessions and lengthier programs, so if you enjoy exercise classes there’s something for you here. 

Don't buy it if

You’re looking for a cost-effective option 

The Technogym Run is the best, but if you just want to get some running done indoors there are plenty more run of the mill options that will give you that for a far lower fee. 

You're looking to save space

It's very big and very heavy. If you want something to store easily, this isn't it. 

How I tested

A trip to Technogym’s Italian factory and its UK “Experience Center” cemented the Technogym Run's place at the top of our best treadmills guide. I played around on the tread for a full day, sampling as many of its features and sessions as I could, and was left to rue my lacking bank balance.

Mobvoi Home Treadmill SE: The ideal under-desk walking pad for runners
5:33 pm | August 8, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Health & Fitness | Comments: Off

Mobvoi Home Treadmill SE: One minute review

The Mobvoi Treadmill SE is a dual-purpose device, both a conventional treadmill and under-desk walking pad, this makes it a versatile product for both exercise and work, especially if you have a standing desk at home. It has a good deck of running space, measuring 100 x 40 x 21 cm, which is similar to (or slightly larger than) other under-desk treads on the market. We found it wide and long enough for running at the treadmill’s top speeds. 

The speed range is from 0.5 to 12km per hour, which can be adjusted very easily with the remote control (ideal for walking mode) or the handle buttons if you’ve got the hande up in “running mode”. The treadmill also has a safety clip that attaches to your clothes and stops the machine if you fall.

It’s easy and quick to set up, requiring only four screws to attach the handle. The cable length is a reasonable 1.8m, which (given that it is likely to be under a desk and near a plug) should be more than sufficient for most users. The treadmill has a LED display that shows the speed, time, distance, and calories burned. It also connects to the Mobvoi app via Bluetooth, where you can track your progress, although there’s not really enough analysis or features here to consider it one of the best fitness apps. The benefits here are really about the hardware rather than software.

The treadmill noise levels were very reasonable at a walking speed and seemed to be easily cancelled out by the noise cancelling functions on MS Teams: there were no complaints from my co-workers that they could hear it and I certainly never felt that the noise from the machine distracted me from my work.  

However, the treadmill is quite heavy, weighing 26kg. Although it does have wheels, the weight makes it difficult to move around and certainly tricky to take up and downstairs alone. This is something to consider if you intend to use it in different rooms. Compared to some of the other treadmills on Amazon and so on, it’s also on the slightly more expensive side. 

However, the higher price is justified by the quality and stability of the treadmill. There’s no incline function in running mode, which some users may prefer to add increased challenge, but that is standard on most walking pads.

Mobvoi Home Treadmill SE: Specifications

Mobvoi Home Treadmill SE

(Image credit: Future)

Mobvoi Home Treadmill SE: Scorecard

Mobvoi Home Treadmill SE: Should I buy?

Mobvoi Home Treadmill SE

(Image credit: Future)

Buy it if....

You are looking for both a treadmill and a walking pad 

Interested in doing some running too? This is the best walking pad to get. 

You are looking for a sturdy product you can run up to 12km per hour on

Beginner joggers not looking for incline runs will feel glad to have an extra use for the walking pad. 

You are looking for a quiet walking pad your colleagues won’t hear

Take meetings without disturbing your colleagues, even off mute. 

Don't buy it if...

You are looking for a cheap walking pad 

There are less expensive models out there to be had, albeit not dual-purpose ones. 

You want to move it between rooms regularly 

The Mobvoi Home Treadmill SE is on the heavier side, and stairs could present an issue. 

Also consider

How I tested

I tested the treadmill for two weeks, mostly walking on it for an hour and a half every day, and ran at the maximum speed of 12 km/h. I tried using it with and without shoes, but preferred wearing trainers because the surface got hot. I experimented with both positions of the handle and preferred the handle down whilst in a walking mode. 

First reviewed: July 2024

Nike Free Metcon 5 review: If you buy one Nike training shoe, make it this one
12:37 pm |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Health & Fitness | Comments: Off

Nike Free Metcon 5: Two-Minute Review

In 2023, Nike released the Nike Metcon 9 – the latest iteration of its immensely popular training shoe line and one of the best gym shoes period. I expected to love it, but after wearing the shoe for a few weeks I found I couldn’t get along with its clunky upper and wide fit. Luckily, Nike had a ready-made alternative waiting in the wings: the Nike Free Metcon 5. 

While the mainline Metcon is designed with CrossFitters in mind, this spin-off caters to the more general gym-goer, with decent stability for lifting weights complimented by more cushioning for cardio bouts. This makes it an incredibly versatile shoe that will see you through most workouts without a hitch. 

Unlike the Metcon 9’s unaccommodating upper (partly down to thick rubber rope guards engulfing the midfoot) the Free Metcon 5 felt buttery soft from day dot, molding to my foot as soon as I slipped it on. 

The Nike Free Metcon 5

(Image credit: Future / Harry Bullmore)

The fit was fairly snug, so it might be worth ordering half a size up if you’re unsure, and I felt the toe box could have been slightly wider to allow more toe splay for balance. But aside from these minor qualms, I had no complaints. 

The midsole knocked spots off the Metcon 9, and most gym shoes, too. For the Metcon 9, Nike introduced a larger Hyperlift plate in the heel – a rigid plastic section designed to add stability – and it felt great for lifting weights. But as soon as I went to do anything more lively like burpees and box jumps, this (and the shoe’s not inconsiderable size) made my movements feel heavy and cumbersome. 

The Free Metcon 5, on the other hand, has a concertina-esque design for flexibility and ample cushioning underfoot, which helped me feel nimble during circuit workouts and even the occasional treadmill session.

The Nike Free Metcon 5

(Image credit: Future / Harry Bullmore)

However, you can still lift weights in the shoe. Squats and deadlifts felt pretty good thanks to the wide, stable heel, and I didn’t notice any compression underfoot until I had worked up to fairly heavy loads (225lb and up). 

If you’re a powerlifter constantly under heavy barbells, this is a reason to avoid this shoe. The same applies to CrossFitters wanting something that can handle Olympic lifting as part of their constantly varied exercise plans – you’ll want more stability, so look instead to the likes of the Reebok Nano X4. 

The Nike Free Metcon 5

(Image credit: Future / Harry Bullmore)

The final point to make about this shoe is that, to my eyes anyway, it looks good. Social media seems to agree, with gym-loving Tiktok-users the world over choosing it as their go-to workout footwear. This is a superficial factor, but one we all take into account when buying new gym sneakers. 

Overall, I think this is an excellent gym shoe. It’s stylish, comfortable and performs well across a range of gym-based activities, from squatting to circuits to treadmill sprints. If your training is more specialized (such as powerlifting, CrossFit or distance running) then you’re going to want a purpose-built shoe to suit your activity of choice, but gym-goers seeking a do-all sneaker will struggle to beat it.

Nike Free Metcon 5: Specifications

The Nike Free Metcon 5

(Image credit: Future / Harry Bullmore)

Nike Free Metcon 5: Scorecard

Nike Free Metcon 5: Should I buy?

Buy if it...

Don't buy it if...

Durability is a key concern

These shoes are well-made, but they don't have the bonus durability features of most CrossFit shoes like midfoot rope guards and raised rubber around the toes. So, they may come off worse for wear if worn for rope climbs or wall walks. 

Also consider

Inov-8 F Lite G300

Another outstanding all-rounder shoe that excels in weightlifting.

Read our full review

How I tested

I wore the Nike Free Metcon 5 for two weeks while training five times per week, using the shoe for bodybuilding workouts and CrossFit sessions. The latter contained a variety of gymnastics movements, strength training, high-intensity training and Olympic weightlifting.  

First reviewed: July 2024

Shokz OpenSwim Pro review: Excellent open-ear headphones for the pool and dry land alike
10:30 am | August 4, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Fitness Headphones Gadgets Health & Fitness | Comments: Off

Shokz OpenSwim Pro: Two minute review

The Shokz OpenSwim Pro is a more capable, upgraded version of the regular Shokz OpenSwim headphones. It adds Bluetooth connectivity for live music streaming to the existing built-in MP3 support, making the headset more attractive to anybody wanting to listen to music in non-swimming settings as well as underwater.

Targeted at both aquatic and regular activities, the OpenSwim Pro is best suited to open-water and pool swimmers. Its IP68 rating means it's protected to depths of up to two meters, for up to two hours. Enough for a pretty intense triathlon swim, and certainly enough for an hour in the pool.

Like the rest of the Shokz range, the OpenSwim Pro sits over the ear, rather than in it, which means it fits more ear shapes. The bone-conducting technology may not match the sound quality of conventional earphones, but the PremiumPitch 2.0+ technology makes sure that the audio is clear and bass is reasonably strong.

It’s a shame that, even though it launched two years after the OpenRun Pro, the OpenSwim Pro uses eighth-gen bone conduction technology, whereas the Run model uses ninth-gen tech (which Shokz calls TurboPitch).

Where the Shokz OpenSwim Pro excels against other earphones is the fact that (just like the rest of the best bone conduction headphones) you can hear ambient sounds, such as traffic and people talking, very clearly. In fact, even as an avid AirPods Pro and AirPods Max user (with Transparency Mode), I found myself choosing to pick up the OpenSwim Pro headphones for a quick run or walking the dog because I felt less disconnected from the outside world. 

The device only weighs 27.3 grams, which means there’s little to no ear fatigue. Plus, you can pick one of two designs that match your style – a vibrant, active-inspired orange headset or a safer grey color.

Shokz OpenSwim Pro

(Image credit: Craig Hale)

Although the device is waterproof, Bluetooth signals aren’t, so you’ll need to use MP3 mode to listen to your tunes when you’re in the water. This is fine, because you’re unlikely to have your phone nearby anyway, and you can switch between MP3 and Bluetooth modes by holding down the two volume buttons.

The 32GB of onboard storage is enough for around 8,000 songs, and transferring files onto the OpenSwim Pro is as easy as dragging and dropping files onto it as if it were a regular flash drive (although this is no good if, like me, you rely on streaming services for most of your auditory needs). It’s a shame that the included cable uses a regular USB connection rather than the newer, increasingly popular, and more versatile USB-C connection.

There are two noise-cancelling mics for taking calls or interacting with voice assistants in Bluetooth mode only. I took a few calls in the office, as well as while walking and cycling, and received no complaints about the quality of the audio.

The battery life is a particular strong point of the OpenSwim Pro, which is capable of up to nine hours of audio playback on Bluetooth mode, or six hours when playing from the built-in MP3 library. It might fall short of the OpenRun Pro’s 10 hours, but it does support the same quick charging speed, with a short 10-minute charge powering up to three hours of extra audio. Put it this way – I used the headphones for an entire working day and they were still ready to keep going for a little longer.

Compared with the regular OpenSwim, the OpenSwim Pro has upgraded bone conducting technology, support for quick charging, 28GB more onboard storage and Bluetooth support for streaming and calls, so it’s easily worth the small premium, priced at $179.95 / £169 / AU$299.

On the whole, the OpenSwim Pro is easy to recommend for anybody who spends a lot of time doing a variety of exercises – the fact that it’s genuinely one of the best waterproof headphones and not just water-resistant is advantageous, but even if swimming has become a failed New Year’s resolution, it’s a versatile, long-lasting and great-performing headset.

Shokz OpenSwim Pro: Specifications

Shokz OpenSwim Pro: Scorecard

AllTrails: Should I buy?

Shokz OpenSwim Pro

(Image credit: Craig Hale)

Buy if it...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

How I tested

I replaced my AirPods with the Shokz OpenSwim Pro for listening to music and taking calls when in the office, walking the dog, running, cycling and swimming – both in the pool and in a lake. I compared speaker and mic quality in various settings, used Bluetooth and MP3 modes, and configured some settings in the Shokz app.

Emeet Airflow review: Air conduction earbuds made for the office
6:51 pm | July 24, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Fitness Headphones Gadgets Health & Fitness | Comments: Off

Emeet Airflow: One minute review

If you haven’t heard of Emeet before, you’re not alone. Previously, the company only made other work-based tech products, like cameras and speakers. It also has two pairs of over-ear headphones, but the Emeet Airflow are the brand’s first pair of earbuds. 

The Emeet Airflow have an open-ear design, which uses air conduction tech by positioning a small speaker on the outside of your ear, not in your ear canal like most of the best wireless earbuds. This style has become popular over the last few years. Our best open-ear headphones guide is filled with options to suit a range of budgets. Smaller audio tech brands are introducing open-ear designs, and big tech companies like Bose are getting in on the action. 

Open-ear headphones are appealing because they free your ear canals, enabling you to listen to music while still hearing sounds around you. The complete opposite proposition to the best noise-cancelling earbuds and best noise-cancelling headphones. Ideal for runners, cyclists or people who generally would like to be more aware of their surroundings in any situation. Like those who need to be on hand at an office or listen out for their kids as they work at home.

They also appeal to people who don’t like the feel and fit of other kinds of headphones. Some people don’t like the stuffed-ear feeling they get from wearing a pair of the best true wireless earbuds in their ear canals. Or the pressure of the cups and headband when they’re wearing over-ears.

But although there’s a lot of appeal to this design, it’s not always easy to get right. I tested many of the buds in our best open-ear headphones guide, and several were a little fiddly to put on when I was also wearing glasses or were unstable when I wore my hair down. So, how did the Emeet Airflow compare? 

Surprisingly well. I initially had some minor fit issues when I had to position them behind my ears alongside glasses. But otherwise, they’re a secure and comfortable fit that I prefer over bigger name brands. The audio on offer here isn’t perfect. But for a pair of open ears, the sound is clear, can get loud, and is ideal for a work-based setting. 

A couple of added features make the Emeet Airflow unique, including a detachable mic – a bonus for upgrading work calls – and a charging case that claims to clean the buds with UV light. 

As long as you’re not expecting sonic excellence – which isn’t really possible where air conduction is concerned – the Emeet Airflow are a surprisingly solid choice of open-ear buds. They’re especially good if you’re looking for a pair of buds predominantly for the office or for making work-based calls, as they straddle the line between buds and a headset.

Emeet Airflow: Price and availability

Emeet Airflow

(Image credit: Becca Caddy)
  • Cost $179.99 in the US 
  • £129.99 in the UK 
  • About AU$272 in Australia (actual pricing tbc)

The Emeet Airflow cost $179.99 / £129.99 / about AU$272, and they’re available now.

How do they compare to rivals? This price makes the Emeet Airflow a little cheaper than the similar 1More Fit Open Earbuds S50, which cost $149.99 / £149.99 / around AU$290, and a similar price to the JBL Soundgear Sense at $149.99 / £129.99 / AU$231.

The Shokz OpenFit are significantly more expensive at $179.95/£179.99/AU$289. Although the Shokz OpenFit are one of my favorite pairs of open-ear buds, so the elevated price does make some sense.

With this in mind, they’re priced in the mid-range, and I’d say performance-wise that adds up. I think it is possible to find better and cheaper true wireless buds, but if it’s the air-conduction style you want, this price represents good value. 

  •  Value score: 4 / 5 

Emeet Airflow: Design

Emeet Airflow

(Image credit: Becca Caddy)
  • Stable fit compared to rivals
  • Comfortable 
  • Simple design

Looks-wise, the Emeet Airflow have a basic design that I’d describe as quite corporate. That’s probably because they strike me as a buds-meet-headset offering. That’s not to say they look bad or you can’t wear them outside of the office and, again, this is down to personal preference – in fact a few people I spoke to liked the more “serious” look and feel of these buds compared to sportier ones.

There are two large, shiny circles on the buds with the Emeet logo. This is the area you can tap to use touch controls. These worked well, especially because I managed to achieve a secure fit. This means activating a touch control doesn’t throw off the stability.

The buds have large hooks to sit behind your ear and position the speaker next to your ear canal. These hooks have a 1mm titanium memory steel wire inside, which makes them flexible and skin-friendly silicone on the outside. These buds also have stabilizing fins, which you can add for an even more secure fit. 

Weighing in at a mere 8.5g per bud, they’re incredibly light and on par with their competitors. The combination of their design, materials, and lightweight form made the Emeet Airflow a joy to wear, especially after I had adjusted them to my liking at the start – a process that took only a minute or two. 

Once I had them on, I found myself forgetting about them several times. The Emeet Airflow's design and fit make them perfect for work, but their comfort and stability also make them a great choice for sports and walking. There’s a little movement, but not enough to be a concern. 

The only time they moved a little was when I took them to the gym and used the cross trainer – then again, these aren’t explicitly for workouts, and they still fared exceptionally well on a rowing machine, while lifting weights and doing some functional fitness. They also have an IPX5 rating, meaning they're sweat-proof. But although sweat won’t damage them, it might have caused the fit to become a bit loose when I tested them. 

This comfortable fit experience elevates them above some key rivals, particularly the 1More Fit S50, a decent pair of open-ear buds that were just not crafted for smaller ears like mine. 

  • Design score: 4 / 5

Emeet Airflow: Features

Emeet Airflow

(Image credit: Becca Caddy)
  • Multi-point connectivity
  • Detachable mic
  • 40-hour battery life

The Emeet Airflow has some handy features onboard, cementing them as a solid choice for offices, work and calls. 

The most interesting is the detachable mic, which easily slots into a port at the base of the buds – you can pick either side – making them more of a headset-meets-earbuds hybrid. This mic is small and thin, but there’s a little spot for it in the charging case, so you can keep it safe when you’re not using it.

Battery life is good at 8 hours from the buds and 40 hours from the case. This is more-or-less exactly the amount of time I got from them during testing; this varied a little depending on how many calls I made. The more calls, the quicker the battery seemed to drain. 

For comparison, the Shokz OpenFit have 7 hours of battery in the buds and 28 hours in the case, so the Emeet outperform them. Then again, the OneOdio OpenRock Pro have an exceptional 19 hours of battery in the buds and 46 hours from the case, so it is possible to get better if long-lasting power from this form factor is a priority.

The charging case isn’t small by true wireless earbuds standards, but it is slim and pocketable. It has a premium look and feel despite feeling like plastic. The case has an added trick up its sleeve as it cleans the earbuds as they charge. Emeet promises the case can sterilize 99.99% of common bacteria. This isn’t common, but I’ve seen similar tech in other true wireless bud cases – given they go into your ear canal it’s probably more necessary there. I doubt anyone would favor the Emeet buds over a rival for this feature, and it is hard to quantify whether it works, but this is down to personal preference.

The Emeet Airflow come with a small USB dongle. This allows you to connect them to a laptop. The process felt a little fiddly and annoying compared to the easy experience I had connecting them to my phone.

Emeet Tune is the accompanying app. It has many simple features, such as showing the status of the buds, allowing you to tweak the EQ, and customizing some on-ear controls.

  • Features score: 4 / 5

Emeet Airflow: Performance

Emeet Airflow

(Image credit: Becca Caddy)

Sound quality here isn’t excellent, but it’s surprisingly good considering the design of the buds. Music sounded clear and detailed with some richness and even bass – especially at higher volumes, likely due to the large 16.2mm drivers.

Tracks like ‘Back on 74’ by Jungle and ‘Got It Bad’ by Leisure sounded clear and melodic across the range, with bright vocals and pleasing drum beats, even at the highest volumes. Overall, I felt the Emeet Airflow were really well-suited to tracks like this, which are soulful and a little poppy with smooth basslines.

But don’t expect strong bass here or the feeling of immersion you’d get from a different, closed design. I noticed this lack of immersion most distinctly when it came to heavier rock or punk tracks, like ‘Beat Your Heart Out’ from The Distillers and ‘Sick, Sick, Sick’ from Queens of the Stone Age, which sounded fine, but flatter and less lively than other kinds of buds, especially at high volumes.

Emeet says the buds are designed to be anti-sound leakage. I tested this and had to ask a friend to get close to hear the sound. Playing ‘Burn The Witch’ by Queens of the Stone Age at full volume stood around 1 meter away; they could make out sound in that sort of tinny, distant way. To some extent, it’s impossible for no sound leakage with a pair of open ears but I felt like this performance was impressive. This makes me confident to recommend them for wear in most offices – just be wary about cranking the volume up to the limits.

As you’d expect, calls here sound great. This is thanks to the detachable mic, which improved clarity and made calls way more pleasing overall. But it isn’t necessary for decent call quality if you don’t like it because there are two built-in omnidirectional microphones in the buds, too. 

Emeet also offers what it calls a “VoiceCore algorithm,” which can filter out noises on both sides of the call up to 50dB. I definitely felt like taking calls with these buds was better than with other air-conduction earbuds I’ve tested.

  • Performance score: 3.5 / 5

Emeet Airflow: Scorecard

Emeet Airflow: Should I buy?

Buy it if...

You want earbuds for the office
These buds are great for work, sitting between buds and a headset. The design is simple, the mic makes calls better and the open-ear design is handy if you need to be readily available. 

You’ve been meaning to try an open-ear design
They’re not budget, but they’re an affordable option if, for whatever reason, you want to see whether open-ear buds are for you. 

Calls are important
The detachable mic elevates calls, making them clearer. You don’t need to use it for calls either. There are mics in the buds.  

Don't buy it if...

You need them for working out
These buds fared surprisingly well on walks and at the gym, but there are more secure options available from the likes of Shokz, as well as bone conduction options, which might suit high impact sports better.

You want audio excellence
For a pair of open-ear buds, they perform well. But if you’re wanting top-tier sound or ANC or anything else you’d expect from a higher-end pair of buds, you’ll need to adjust your budget and look elsewhere.

You want a stylish option
It’s not that these buds look bad, but there’s a corporate vibe to them that makes them a little less cool and sleek-looking than other options I’ve tested.

Also consider

Shokz OpenFit

These buds deliver good sound, awareness of your surroundings and a solid fit that should suit most people. Go for these if you’ll solely be wearing them for working out. 

Shokz OpenFit review

OneOdio OpenRock Pro

You'll get a huge 19 hours of battery from these buds, and 46 hours if you have the charging case with you, making these the best choice for all-day wear.

OneOdio OpenRock Pro review

How I tested

I wore the Emeet Airflow buds every day for three weeks. This gave me the chance to use them in different situations.

I used them to listen to music and podcasts while I was walking around a few different cities and the countryside. As well as on jogs along the beach and when I worked out at the gym. 

I paired them with an iPhone 14 Pro and mostly used Spotify and Apple Music to test them. I paired them with a laptop and used them to listen to movies on Mubi and Disney Plus.

I’ve tested lots of different headphones and earbuds over the past 12 years, especially devices that are designed for fitness. I’m particularly interested in audio tech that prioritizes comfort and ease of use. 

First reviewed: July 2024

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