The Apple Sport Band is a basic, albeit high-quality Apple Watch strap that’s ready for all activity, whether that be a stroll in the park or a run around the block. At $49 / £49, it’s not the cheapest Apple Watch band in the world, but its price is very much in-line with other official first-party accessories, like the Sport Loop, for instance.
This band is made of fluoroelastomer – ideal for sports due to its inherently sweat and waterproof nature. When I went on walks and did a home workout, I never found that the band was irritating on my skin or accrued any kind of damage.
On top of that, it’s super comfortable for everyday use. Even fastening the band on is quick and easy – just poke the aluminum pin through one of the strap’s holes and you’re good to go. That combination of comfort and convenience is a must-have for all of the best Apple Watch bands.
Something I would have liked to see, though, is a few more holes in the strap for fitness activity. That’s something that I loved about the Apple Nike Sport Band, for example, because it offers added breathability when you’re working up a sweat. Another aspect of the Nike Sport Band I appreciated was that it is composed of 30% recycled fluoroelastomer, but the Apple Sport Band doesn’t come with this sustainability pledge.
But enough moaning – I want to get back to the positives again. This band is available in a wide array of colorways – seven to be precise. I tested out the Plum variant, but this strap also comes in: Black; Denim; Lake Green; Light Blush; Starlight; and Stone Gray. All of these look fairly understated, making for a more discreet look, if that’s what you’re after.
In addition, this strap is compatible with three different case sizes: 40, 42 and 46mm. You can grab it either in small-to-medium (130-180mm) or medium-to-large (150-200mm).
Even if this band comes in at $49 / £49, you’re still getting value for money. Sure, you could opt for a third-party alternative – like the Yoohoo Adjustable Metal Strap – for less than $15 / £15, but this will be more prone to scuffs and won’t be so easy on the eye. Meanwhile, the Apple Sport Band has a satisfying material, reliable fastening method and classy looks. That makes it well worth the extra spend as far as I’m concerned.
All in all, I think the identically priced Apple Nike Sport Band beats this one out thanks to its more airy design and vibrant looks. But for anyone that likes a more reserved aesthetic, I’d say the Apple Sport Band is a great option for you. It has that real quality feel and it's super simple to slip on if you’re on-the-go. That alone earns it a recommendation in my book.
(Image credit: Future)
Apple Sport Band review: Price & specs
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Apple Sport Band?
Buy it if…
You want an understated look The Apple Sport Band comes in seven color options. None of these are dazzling and vibrant, but all of them play into a smooth, discreet look very nicely. When testing out the plum band, for example, I never felt that it stuck out like a sore thumb against my clothing.
You want to get fastened up quickly and easily Just poke the aluminum pin through one of the Apple Sport Band’s holes and bam! It will lock into place straight away. There’s no frustrating buckle or unorthodox contraption to wrestle with here, just pop and go. Simple, yet effective.
Don't buy it if…
You want a cheap replacement strap If you’re on the hunt for the ultimate bargain option, this ain’t it, I’m afraid. The Apple Sport Band will set you back $49 / £49 – by no means cheap for an Apple Watch accessory. Sure, that’s in line with the Nike Sport Loop, for example, but there are some really cheap third-party alternatives, like the CeMiKa Silicone Sport Straps if you’re looking for savings.
You want a super-classy band If you want a super swanky band, then you’re in luck – there are plenty of premium alternatives to be discovered on the Apple Store. Options like the Milanese Loop or Hermès En Mer, for instance, carry that air of high class that some of you may be craving – but these options will set you back by at least $100 / £100.
Apple Sport Band review: Also consider
Apple Nike Sport Band This one’s extremely similar – it even comes in at the same price. But if you want a bit more flair in your watch band’s design, the Apple Nike Sport Band is the perfect option. It has more vibrant, loud color options, eye-catching fluoroelastomer flakes throughout and breathable holes when you need to sweat it out. It’s been my go-to band since I started using the Apple Watch SE, so why not give it a try? Read our full Apple Nike Sport Band review.
The Apple Nike Sport Band is a workout-ready wrist strap that’s built for the sporty type. At $49 / £49, this is by no means one of the cheaper Apple Watch bands available, but it does, admittedly, have a premium feel to it that takes your workout monitoring to the next level.
Specifically, this band is constructed of the sweat and waterproof material, fluoroelastomer. Apple says that each strap has at least 30% recycled fluoroelastomer and that the flakes littered across the strap are made from a minimum of 66% fluoroelastomer – pretty neat. Interestingly, these flakes are scattered in a randomized manner, ensuring that each Nike Sport Band is unique.
More generally, this is a very nice looking band. I tested the Midnight Sky variant, where the flakes created a starry sky impression against the gray-black strap. Other than Midnight Sky, you can choose from: Blue Flame (blue and orange); Cargo Khaki (green and blue); Desert Stone (a sandy color with orange and blue details); Magic Ember (pink); Pure Platinum (white with mulit-colored splodges); and Volt Splash (green). I was a big fan of the many color options available – whether you want a more muted, professional looking option like Midnight Sky or an in-your-face vibrant band like Magic Ember, there’s a style for anyone – something we always look for on our hunt for the best Apple Watch bands.
That’s not the only variability to mention, though, because there are also a number of size options. This strap is compatible with three different case sizes: 40, 42 and 46mm. You can also get it in either small-to-medium (140-190mm) or medium-to-large (160-210mm). I used the former and found it very easy to get a comfortable fit – just poke the aluminum pin through one of the many holes in the strap and you’re good to go.
Even when keeping this strap on for entire days at a time, I never felt any irritation or annoyance. The high density of holes means there’s plenty of room for your wrist to breathe and the material is inherently resistant against water and sweat, making this strap ideal for workouts, for instance. I went on a run and many a walk and never realized any strain or damage, so you can rest assured that there’s plenty of quality here.
And quality is exactly what you’d expect for an Apple Watch band of this price. At $49 / £49 this thing isn’t cheap. There are some third-party alternatives – like the CeMiKa Silicone Sport Straps or Yoohoo Adjustable Metal Strap – that can be yours for less than $15 / £15. But really, I think you’ll feel the difference. The quality of material, excellent color design and more premium look of the Nike Sport Band makes it a superior companion for your Apple Watch – especially if you’re someone that loves to get active.
(Image credit: Future)
Apple Nike Sport Band review: Price & specs
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Apple Nike Sport Band?
Buy it if…
You’re the active type If you’re someone that likes to stay in shape – whether that’s running, lifting weights, swimming (maybe all of the above?) – this is the ideal watch strap for you. It’s made from a water-resistant material and has holes to let your wrists breathe – it doesn’t get much better than that.
You want an easy-to-fasten strap Something I love about the Apple Nike Sport Band is how easy it is to fasten to your wrist. Just poke the aluminum pin through one of the strap’s holes and it will lock into place. No more messing around with an awkward buckle.
Don't buy it if…
You’re on a tight budget The only real issue I can take with this strap is its price. I don’t think it’s crazy expensive given the quality on offer, but it’s certainly not cheap. If you’re looking for a massively budget-friendly strap, this one is to be avoided, unless you find it at a significantly discounted price.
You want an ultra premium option If you’re on the other end of the spectrum and want a top-tier premium watch strap, this might not be flashy enough for you. There are high-calibre metallic options like the Milanese Loop, for instance, but that will set you back almost $100 / £100.
Apple Nike Sport Band review: Also consider
Apple Braided Solo Loop We’ve been hands on with the Apple Braided Solo Loop and found it to be comfortable, easy to fit and conveniently waterproof. It is certainly quite pricey though, coming in at $99 / £99 – ouch. The stretchy band is ultra-easy to slip on, but it may cause some overhang – so maybe stick with this Nike strap if you want a more practical, fitness-oriented option. Read our full Apple Braided Solo Loop review.
The Upeak Sport Strap is an Apple Watch band designed for physical activity, and for those who want something light and comfortable. It adopts a fairly typical sports band aesthetic, with its silicone material and perforated holes.
There are multiple colorways available, from monochromatic shades to more vibrant, multi-hued combinations, so there’s a good match for everyone. The Charcoal variant I had was understated, making it suitable for all sorts of occasions.
It feels reasonably durable, although it’s perhaps not as tough as some of the best Apple Watch bands out there. It also picks up blemishes and small scratches relatively easily too.
It installs quite easily into an Apple Watch. I did notice a small amount of play, wobbling very slightly from side to side within the strap recess, although not enough to cause a problem or warrant concern.
The Upeak Sport Strap is pleasingly light and reasonably thin. It’s also quite pliant with a small amount of elasticity, meaning you can stretch it slightly to adjust on your wrist.
These aspects help to make it very comfortable. The multiple fastening holes ensure an easy fit, while the material is soft enough to prevent irritation occurring. In fact, I could barely feel it on my wrist at times, which is always a good sign in a watch strap.
Despite this, the Upeak Sport Strap also offers a good amount of grip. Even when I had it relatively loose on my wrist, my Apple Watch still didn’t move around. The buckle is equally secure, so I wasn’t worried about it coming loose. This makes it great for physical activity, and means you don’t need an uncomfortably tight fit to keep it stable.
What also supports physical activity is how the Upeak Sport Strap deals with sweat and water. It stays comfortable even when drenched, without rubbing on the skin or causing irritation. Even better is just how quickly it dries, and a small dab of a towel is all that’s required in the most extreme cases.
One drawback of the Upeak Sport Strap, though, is just how easily it picks up debris, such as dust and hair, thanks to the sticky nature of the silicone. This can be hard to remove without the aid of a brush or lint remover.
Despite this, the Upeak Sport Strap remains good value for money at under £10. The comfort levels and ease of use are great, so even though it mightn’t be the most premium Apple Watch band out there, it still makes for the ideal workout partner.
(Image credit: Future)
Upeak Sport Strap review: Price & specs
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Upeak Sport Strap?
Buy it if…
You want supreme comfort Regardless of what you’re doing, the Upeak Sport Strap remains comfortable in all situations.
You want to save money Many equivalent sports bands, especially those from the big brands and Apple itself, are considerably more expensive.
Don't buy it if…
You want minimal upkeep Thanks to the sticky nature of the Silicone, dust and debris stick easily to the Upeak Sport Strap, which can be awkward to clean.
You want something formal Despite being relatively understated, it still isn’t among the most premium or elegant of Apple Watch straps.
Upeak Sport Strap review: Also consider
Nike Sport Band If you’re after something more premium, then the Nike Sport Band is a good choice. It’s made from fluoroelastomer and is comfortable and breathable no matter what kind of activity you’re up to. It’s also durable, and the range of colors, including a Pride option, mean there’s a variant for everyone. We think it’s one of the best Apple Watch bands for working out with.
The Apple Milanese Loop can be considered a mid-range Apple Watch band offering, coming in at $99 / £99 / AU$149. It’s neither as cheap and cheerful as the $49 / £49 / AU$69 Sport Bands, nor as unabashedly expensive as the premium $349 / £299 / AU$549 Link Bracelet bands. It can also be picked up in a newer Titanium edition for the Apple Watch Ultra 2, which retails for $199 / £199 / AU$299.
Its stainless steel mesh wraps smoothly around the wrist, free of any kinks or rigidity, feeling comfortable yet suitably premium. And for those who are sustainability conscious, it’s made of 65% recycled materials, while 100% of the energy used for manufacture is from renewable sources. Here we review the dark gray Slate color; but the Milanese Loop is available in a Gold and silvery Natural finish, too.
Putting it on and taking it off is a breeze. As is the case with all of the best Apple Watch bands, clicking it into place simply requires you to slide it into the connectors on either side of the Apple Watch, while to disconnect it, you simply press the release buttons on the Watch’s underside. Tightening and fastening the clasp is achieved via a magnetic clasp that affixes to the band itself, which feels delightfully innovative and typically Apple-esque. Unfortunately, it does have a slight tendency to snap to itself when you’re just trying to adjust the strap; this isn't a deal breaker, but it can make things more fiddly than they need to be.
We found during our Yoohoo Adjustable Metal Strap review that the lookalike band showed quite a bit of scuffing after just a few weeks of wear. Conversely, the Apple Milanese Loop looks as perfect now as the day I first clasped it round my wrist. While I didn’t risk wearing it during high-risk activities such as weightlifting, this band's superior build quality will shrug off damage like John Wick wearing a kevlar business suit.
Its mesh build also makes it far more breathable than many other Apple Watch bands. During my weekly bouldering session, the skin beneath my Milanese Loop strap didn’t become sweaty as it can with synthetic rubber straps, while flexing sufficiently to remain comfortable. I also found I rarely needed to take it off to shower; in contrast to Apple’s sports bands, which trapped water against my skin, the Milanese Loop allowed my skin to stay dry and protected, even when wearing it for days on end.
The weave of the Milanese Loop does periodically pick up fibers here and there. Unlike the Yoohoo Adjustable Metal Strap, it doesn’t tend to leave your garments looking like a shorn spring lamb, although it does occasionally require you to undo it to pluck out rogue threads. All in all, I didn’t find this happened often enough to be a bother, however.
All in all, the Apple Milanese Loop is a fantastic Apple Watch band. It looks great, it’s relatively sustainable, and it's more hard-wearing than cheaper rivals. Ultimately, whether you decide it’s the right strap for you will come down to cost. If you’re happy parting with $99 / £99 / AU$149 for an accessory for your smartwatch, it’s an easy recommend. If not, a cheaper lookalike such as the Yoohoo Adjustable Metal Strap might suit you better.
(Image credit: Future)
Apple Milanese Loop review: Price & specs
Released alongside the original Apple Watch back on September 9, 2014, the Milanese Loop is available now direct from Apple for $99 / £99 / AU$149. It arrives in Natural, Gold and Slate finishes. Alternatively, if you own a Titanium watch such as the Apple Watch Ultra 2 or Apple Watch 10, you can pick up the Titanium edition of the strap to match, which will be as hard-wearing as your wearable.
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Apple Milanese Loop?
Buy it if…
You want a band that will always look its best Not only is Apple’s Milanese Loop gorgeously premium in its design, it’s hardy too. After two weeks of solid testing, it looks as good as it did out of the box – which is more than we can say for some of its cheaper rivals.
You’re interested in sustainability Given 65% of it is made from recycled sources, while 100% of the energy used to make it comes from renewables, this is a suitably green option for anyone wanting a strap that doesn’t deplete the earth’s resources.
Don’t buy it if…
You want an affordable Apple Watch band At $99 / £99 / AU$149, the Milanese Loop is hardly the most inexpensive Apple Watch band on the market. While not an unreasonable price to pay, given its quality, if you don’t want a quarter of the cost of your Apple Watch to be its band, you’d be wise to look elsewhere.
You don’t want a lint trap on your wrist It isn't quite as bad as options such as the Yoohoo Adjustable Metal Strap, but the Milanese Loop still likes to accumulate errant fibers. It won’t depilate your favourite cardigan, but you will occasionally need to pluck the odd filament out of its mesh.
Apple Milanese Loop review: also consider
Yoohoo Adjustable Metal Strap The Yoohoo Adjustable Metal Strap comes with a couple of compromises: it can be a bit stiff to slide in and out of your Apple Watch, and it scuffs more easily. On the flip side, however, it looks great, it’s breathable and, most importantly, it’s super affordable – it costs from as little as £8.99 to a max price of £15.99, making it an easy choice for someone who wants their Watch to look fancy but can’t quite stretch to the Milanese Loop’s asking price.
In my 10 years of using Apple Watch, the Amazfit Active 2 is the closest I've ever come to ditching my Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Subjectively, the styling of the Active 2 isn't normally what I'd lean to, but Amazfit has nailed a clearly classic stainless steel design that will delight fans looking for a more subtle, understated smartwatch.
For just $99, the Amazfit Active 2 far outstrips its price tag, punching well above its weight in terms of features, fitness tracking accuracy, and more. Its battery life is to be lauded and definitely holds up to Amazfit's claims.
It's not perfect: it doesn't quite sit flush on my wrist, and to get NFC you have to pay $30 extra for the premium model. However, the astonishing $99 price tag covers up all of the quirks to render this a pure five-star pick in my book.
It's miles ahead of the CMF Watch Pro 2, and easily on a par with some more expensive mainstream offerings.
Nitfy features including an on-board AI assistant add to the experience. The Strength Training feature could use a little refinement, but its intelligent rep counter and timer are handy in the gym.
Overall, there's very little not to like here, and even the $129 premium model (not tested here) strikes me as good value for money.
Amazfit Active 2: Specifications
Amazfit Active 2: Price and Availability
(Image credit: Future)
$99/£99/AU(tbc)
Two versions
Premium version is more expensive and includes premium strap, NFC
The Amazfit Active 2 is available now from the company's website, as well as Amazon and a range of third-party retailers.
The base model reviewed here costs $99/£99, with Australia pricing and availability to be confirmed. For that you get the Watch, a sport strap, and the charging puck (but no USB-C cable).
The premium version is $129/£129 and includes a more premium leather strap, as well as a free silicone sport band. Upgrading to the premium version also gets you more durable sapphire glass and NFC for contactless payments.
Given the overall quality and what you get for your money, I think it's a fantastic price and a real value-for-money pick.
I'll touch on this more in my review, but given the overall price and what you get extra, I'd also have no reservations recommending the more premium model. However, both are excellent value.
Value score: 5/5
Amazfit Active 2: Design
(Image credit: Future)
New round display
Classic look with premium stainless steel
Imperfect fit
When it comes to smartwatches, I'm definitely team squircle. However, Amazfit made a big change with the design of the Active 2 that is slowly growing on me.
Where the original was really a clone of the Apple Watch in many respects, the Amazfit Active 2 boasts a stunning round design with a stainless steel body.
This is absolutely a smartwatch designed to look like a classic watch, with a really premium feel and finish. It's much more refined and less bulky than the CMF Watch Pro 2 I tested recently, and it's also really comfortable.
You get two buttons used for power, triggering workouts, and activating the AI assistant, as well as various other tasks you can assign.
I honestly can't believe how premium the design feels for a $99 smartwatch, Amazfit has really smashed it with this one and there's very little not to like.
(Image credit: Future)
Of course, it's not perfect: the bezel between the stainless steel chassis and the edge of the display is a little large, but even this doesn't look out of place and actually lends to the overall aesthetic.
The display is a 1.32-inch AMOLED display identical (in size and shape) to the aforementioned CMF Watch Pro 2. However, this one puts out 2,000 nits of peak brightness rather than Nothing's 600 nits.
On the back you get your usual array of heart rate tracking paraphernalia and LED sensors. The Active 2 is extremely light; our model tested here weighs less than 30 grams. It's super comfortable, although I did find the fit to be slightly imperfect, as it doesn't quite sit flush to my wrist. However, this is a very minor issue and doesn't detract from the overall experience. The sport strap, while comfortable, is also a little finicky to apply at first. The premium version features a more elegant black leather strap that I'd wager is easier to put on, and you get the sports strap included for free anyway.
These are very small gripes though. I have to say that at this price point, the Active 2 is one of the most impressive-looking smartwatches on the market, and will delight prospective users looking for a more classic look and feel rather than the chunkier aesthetic of other cheap smartwatches.
It's also one of the most comfortable I've ever worn, and you'll forget you're wearing it after a few hours out of the box.
Compared to the slightly cheaper CMF Watch Pro 2, a top pick in our best cheap smartwatch guide, the Active 2 has several key design advantages despite only being 30 bucks more.
There's the aforementioned brightness gulf, and crucially the Active 2 also has 5 ATM water-resistance, meaning it can withstand up to 50 meters of pressure, and can be worn for showers or brief swims. It's not waterproof by any means, but it's a lot better than most other options in this cheap smartwatch bracket, and it's really nice to know you don't have to take it off for every shower, cold plunge, or hot tub session.
Other impressive features include anti-fingerprint coating glass on the standard version. If you opt for the premium model, you don't get this, but you do get sapphire glass, which is much harder to scratch.
Design score: 4.5/5
Amazfit Active 2: Features
(Image credit: Future)
Vast feature set
Unique strength training and HYROX Race modes
AI coach, 164 sport modes, extensive health tracking
I'm frankly astounded at how many features you get with the Amazfit Active 2 considering its price tag.
I'd say the Active 2's feature-set is impressive for a smartwatch of any price tag, let alone one that costs less than $100. Starting with sport, exercise, and health, the Active 2 features nearly every feature you'd expect in a cheap smartwatch.
There's workout tracking for 164 sport modes, with a couple of unique advanced features. If you're training strength, there's smart recognition of 25 movements, automatic rep tracking, and a built-in exercise timer/workout plan generator you can follow. (I'll address the efficacy of this more in the performance section).
Runners will find a Track Run mode, smart trajectory correction, and even a virtual pacer. There's also Zepp Coach, an AI-powered workout companion that can generate customized training plans.
Health-wise, you'll find a daily Readiness score and insights and monitoring for heart rate, as well as blood oxygen, stress, temperature, heart rate, sleep heart rate variability, sleep stages and schedule, sleep scores, and more. There are reminders on board for high and low heart rates, low blood oxygen, and even high stress levels with prompts to perform breathing exercises.
Elsewhere, there's an onboard AI companion, Zepp Flow, that can pull up metrics with voice commands and change settings. Zepp Pay, powered by NFC, is only available on the more expensive premium model we didn't test, so if that's an important feature to you, it might be worth paying the extra.
You do get a separate wallet app for membership cards though, and other cool software features like To Do List. The Active 2 works with both Android and iPhone, and can be used to control your phone's music via Bluetooth, you'll also get call and SMS notifications as well as app notifications, and even Find My Phone.
Under the hood, you get GPS (Amazfit says there are five satellite positioning systems but hasn't shared any further info) and Bluetooth 5.2 BLE, as well as a microphone and speaker. It also, rather essentially for a watch, tells the time.
If I were being harsh, reserving NFC for the premium model is arguably a shame, but this is a technicality. Honestly, I can't believe how much smartwatch you get from the Active 2 for $99. You don't find features like ECG at this price point in the smartwatch market(even the doubly expensive Apple Watch SE doesn't offer it), but it's important to note that there are always going to be limitations in a $99 smartwatch.
Still, at this price, you'll struggle to find a more extensive set of features in a smartwatch, and the lack of NFC isn't enough to merit deducting any points when you can add it for $30.
Features score: 5/5
Amazfit Active 2: Performance
(Image credit: Future)
Exceptional battery life
Very accurate fitness and heart rate tracking
Snappy everyday use
Useful AI assistant
All of these features don't mean much if a smartwatch can't perform, but I'm happy to report that the Amazfit Active 2 has excelled in testing, handling everything I've thrown at it with ease.
Starting off with everyday use, the Active 2 is very snappy to use in day-to-day tasks. I've found scrolling menus, changing settings, reading messages, and more to all be very responsive and seamless.
Obviously, the Active 2 doesn't have the same polish as Apple's watchOS 11, and doesn't even run Wear OS, but it's still very impressive. It also features some very sharp-looking faces including the Vital face pictured here.
I conducted a series of tests to check the accuracy of the Active 2's exercise tracking and was really impressed. A gentle 34-minute run with the Active 2 on my left wrist and the best Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Ultra 2, on my right wrist, yielded exceptional parity.
The Active 2 nailed the GPS route map and the exact distance within two decimal places. Apple Watch gave my average heart rate as 135 bpm, while the Active 2 said 136.
Active calories for the Apple Watch and Active 2 were listed as 341 and 372 respectively, which is a bigger gap but still respectable. The jury is out on just how accurate any smartwatch calorie tracker is, so just being in the relative ballpark is enough for us here. For all we know, the Active 2 could well be the more accurate reading.
The Active 2 pinged 1km intervals at exactly the same time as the Ultra 2, and its heart rate monitor is actually more responsive, delivering more frequent reading updates than Apple's version, always within one or two bpm.
Comparing every metric gave a positive match, which I can only conclude indicates that this Active 2 can keep up with pretty much any smartwatch on the market when it comes to fitness tracking. It of course lacks the depth of the best Garmins, but so does pretty much every other smartwatch out there.
(Image credit: Future)
The Active 2 delivered similar competitive measurements versus the Ultra 2 during a strength workout test I did. It was here that I was first exposed to the Active 2's unique Strength Training features.
The watch features a built-in rep counter and system for logging weight, timing rest, and more. I can see that with plenty of practice, this could be a handy tool for strength training, because you can track your weightlifting on the fly and check your progress after the fact.
I found the automatic rep tracking worked most of the time, it's not perfect and obviously not as useful for exercises that don't involve moving your arms, but there's promise here. There's also a gym routine planner in the app, however, this is less intuitive. I was able to put together a test workout and follow the plan in the gym, but was left bamboozled by a number of strange quirks.
Each unit you add to the training is called an "interval", not to be confused with actual interval training. The app refers to reps (how many times you lift in a single set) as "times", and these are, somewhat confusingly, logged under the duration section of the exercise you want to add.
Likewise, sets (the number of times you do a certain number of reps) are referred to as "repeats" or "loop counts". The terminology is very confusing, and the first few times I tried to create a workout I really mangled it. The language is generic so that it can also be applied to other workout modes including intervals, running, and more, which is fine, but it's definitely clunky.
Furthermore, rest isn't added automatically between sets, but has to be put in manually. With practice I'm sure it's helpful but it is definitely not easy to do.
(Image credit: Future)
This was my only wrinkle in an otherwise flawless performance. The Strength Training feature is a very small part of the overall experience, so again it doesn't detract too much, and it's nice to have.
In my opinion, the coup de grace is battery life. Rated for up to 10 days of "typical usage," I started my battery life testing at around 9 am with 55%. 24 hours later I had used barely 15% battery.
53 hours later, my battery was 13%, using up less than 0.8% an hour, almost bang on the up to 5 days of heavy usage Amazfit promises. During that time I conducted three strength workouts, a run, and two full nights of sleep tracking, never taking the watch off or charging it.
As with any smartwatch, your mileage may vary and battery life can be influenced by a ton of factors including GPS usage and the always-on display. As it stands, though, the Active 2 is certainly good for its promised longevity.
The Active 2 also has an AI assistant party piece dubbed Zepp Flow. Powered by OpenAI, it's like Amazfit's own version of Siri, except it actually works and is useful. You can assign it one of the buttons for quick access, and use your voice to input simple commands.
You can adjust and tweak settings, call up health metrics using questions such as "How many steps have I walked today?", and even reply to messages on Android with the feature. Of all the prompts and questions I tried, Zepp Flow didn't put a foot wrong once, and it's incredible to see an AI-powered wrist assistant that's actually useful, especially on a $99 smartwatch.
Performance score: 4.5/5
Amazfit Active 2: Scorecard
Amazfit Active 2: Should I buy?
(Image credit: Future)
Buy it if...
You want the ultimate cheap smartwatch
You won't find a better smartwatch at this price, or one with this many features.
You're on a budget
This is much less expensive than cheap options from the likes of Garmin and Apple.
Don't buy it if...
You want elite fitness tracking
The Active 2 can't keep up with Garmin's industry-leading fitness tracking, and there are more capable pure fitness watches out there.
You want full iPhone or Android integration
Eschewing watchOS or Wear OS will always lead to quirks, so if you want the most seamless experience with your iPhone or Android, buy an Apple Watch or Wear OS model respectively.
Amazfit Active 2: How we tested
I used the Amazfit Active 2 as my main smartwatch for an entire week. I tested it during running and strength workouts, as well as overnight for sleep tracking. Comparisons were conducted using the Apple Watch Ultra 2, and I tried and tested all of the Zepp app features and functionality using an iPhone 16 Pro.
Amazfit Active 2: Also consider
The Original CMF Watch Pro is a pretty stylish and capable watch. It's cheaper than the Active 2, and has better battery life and a larger display over the newer CMF Watch Pro 2.
In terms of features and performance, the Active 2 is actually closer to the Apple Watch SE 2 than it does a lot of cheap smartwatches. Apple's version is more polished and the perfect iPhone option, but is much more expensive.
Writing this OnePlus Watch 3 review, I was struck by how much smaller of a leap we've seen from the OnePlus Watch 2 to the OnePlus Watch 3, compared to the leap the Watch 2 made from the original. The first OnePlus Watch was considered bad by every metric, but the OnePlus Watch 2 was a spectacular improvement in every way.
The OnePlus Watch 3 has much less work to do, iterating on an already successful design. Like the OnePlus Watch 2, it’s got the look of a classic dress watch with its outer casing and bezel, now upgraded from stainless steel to titanium. Its AMOLED display is now comprised of 2D sapphire crystal for improved durability, and its battery life has been extended from the OnePlus Watch 2’s 100 hours to 120 hours, beating rivals like the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Ultra for longevity.
I’ve only used it for a few hours, but functionally it performs as smoothly and as well as any Wear OS watch I’ve yet used, including the Google Pixel Watch 3. It’s an option most Android phone users should consider, and it’s sure to make its way into our best Android watches list in future.
Its usability is vastly improved by the addition of a rotating digital crown, allowing for easier scrolling and navigation, especially during sweaty workouts in which the touchscreen would be harder (or grosser) to use.
My main gripe is with the watch’s size: I would have loved to see OnePlus bring out a second, smaller model for those with smaller wrists. Many people, including a lot of women, will find it’s just too big and heavy for daily wear. However, this issue aside, it’s a powerful, robust daily driver with modern health tools and a timeless look.
OnePlus Watch 3: Specifications
OnePlus Watch 3: price and availability
(Image credit: Future)
£319 in the UK (approximately $400 / AU$630)
Available in the UK / EU
Availability for other regions is TBC
The OnePlus Watch 3 is available in the UK, where it's priced at £319 (approximately $400 / AU$630), and in the EU. It's available to order from today.
We’re currently unsure if the watch will be available in the US and AU markets, but will update this full review with that information when we get it.
OnePlus Watch 3: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Sumptuous screen
Rotating crown
Very big for smaller wrists
As mentioned, the OnePlus Watch 3 shares many design similarities with the OnePlus Watch 2. However, there are a few changes both under the hood and, erm, over it. The watch still runs Wear OS 5 on its Snapdragon W5 chipset, but it also runs a second operating system, RTOS, powered by a new BES2800 MCU chip.
By switching from Wear OS to the low-power RTOS, the OnePLus Watch 3 is able to extend its battery life. In conjunction with the new chip, a bigger 631mAh battery means the Watch 3 lasts up to 120 hours, compared with the older model's 100 hours.
The shape and design of the OnePlus Watch 3 are very similar to the Watch 2 pictured below. At 46.6mm x 47.6mm x 11mm, not including the thickness of the sensor, it’s a hefty watch at 81g including strap. It might look like a timeless metal dress watch, which helps, but the sheer size of it will be off-putting to a lot of people.
However, its size does mean it’s packing a lovely big screen. Its 2D sapphire crystal and buttery-smooth AMOLED puts out 2,000 nits, the same brightness as the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The big screen makes reading messages and notifications a pleasure rather than an annoyance to, doubly so thanks to the other big new addition: a rotating digital crown. Pressing the crown takes you back to the main menu, and its wheel is used for scrolling, while the side button starts workouts. Coupled with the touchscreen, it’s all very intuitive, and a design that will be familiar to users of the best Apple Watches.
OnePlus Watch 3: Features
(Image credit: Future)
60-second heart health check-in
New ECG functionality
Dual-frequency GPS
As well as the rotating digital crown, tougher new screen and bezel, and longer battery life, there are software features aplenty, both new and returning. The beauty of the best Android watches (much like the best Apple Watches) is that you can stuff them full of third-party apps, and it’s the same case here. I’ve already got Strava, Spotify, AllTrails, Audible… all my usual suspects.
First up among the new stuff is the 60-second health check-in. By pressing your finger on the All-In_one sensor button, the OnePlus Watch 3 measures your heart rate, conducts an electrocardiograph scan (this feature will be available later in the year), and tracks blood oxygen levels, mental wellness, wrist temperature, sleep quality, and a new metric called ‘vascular age’, similar to Garmin’s Fitness Age, but specifically tailored to heart health.
A big emphasis is placed on heart heath, with vascular elasticity measured and the new ECG functionality working with this to create benchmarks based on age. Essentially, the OnePlus Watch 3 can tell you a rough idea of how 'old' your heart is in comparison to the rest of your body. If you’re in your thirties but very fit, you might have the heart of a 25-year-old for example, whereas someone out-of-shape might have a heart age edging towards the forties.
GPS is now dual-frequency for additional accuracy. The Watch’s basic workout app supports over 100 different sports mode, but only 11 of these offer ‘professional modes’ or unique metrics, such as running. The rest are nice-to-haves for instant input into your digital training diary.
I’ll be adding a Performance section, along with final scores, in my full review after I've worn and tested the watch over a longer period. Check back soon!
The CMF Watch Pro 2 is undoubtedly one of the best cheap smartwatches you can buy right now, if not the absolute best pick, and it wins huge points purely for its incredibly affordable price tag.
Despite the cost-saving efforts, it has an impressive design and build and comes with plenty of features that make it a perfect beginner smartwatch for anyone new to the form factor. The screen is perfectly adequate, the software works well enough, and there are myriad smartwatch features including workout tracking, sleep monitoring, GPS, and more.
However, it lacks a couple of key features, including NFC payments, and it can't really be used in water. Also, some of its features, like raise and tap to wake, as well as workout detection, are a little temperamental. Perhaps my biggest issue with it is that I prefer the larger, squircle shape of the previous model, but I've reviewed it here on its own merits.
Nothing still sells both, and it's a big departure from what I believe is the ultimate smartwatch success formula. However, it does deliver some good upgrades, including a better display and more watch faces.
CMF Watch Pro 2: Specifications
CMF Watch Pro 2: Price and Availability
(Image credit: Future)
$69 / £69 / AU$99
Four colors
The CMF Watch Pro 2 is available now in two colors from Nothing's website as well as from retailers like Amazon. It costs $69 / £69 / AU$99 but does occasionally see discounts of up to 25%.
There's only one size, the 42mm watch face, available in four colors: Blue, Ash Grey, Orange, and Dark Grey pictured here.
Pound for pound, this has to be the best-value smartwatch you can buy on the market right now, considering it's compatible with both iPhone and Android and it has an impressive feature set. It only gets a 5/5 because I can't award a higher score.
Value score: 5/5
CMF Watch Pro 2: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Cool circular display
Divisive change from the 1st-gen
Solid, premium build
You're going to hear a lot of "for a $69 watch" in the next few minutes. But honestly, for a $69 Watch, the CMF Watch Pro 2 is a really impressive piece of design.
Nothing is famous for making cool-looking tech gadgets, and the CMF Watch Pro 2 is no different. However, we need to talk about the elephant in the room. I'm very much team "smartwatches should be squircle," but the CMF Watch Pro 2 eschews the design of the first CMF Watch Pro in favor of a completely circular design more akin to the Google Pixel Watch 3. It's a big change, and one fans of the first watch might not like. The 42mm display is housed in a 45mm chassis, and the rather thick bezel is tapered towards the middle to create a unique bowl effect.
While the styling is divisive, it's certainly not generic. The digital crown is also premium and feels nice and responsive to use. My only build gripe is the liquid silicon strap, which is pretty thin and not very premium-feeling. That being said, it is comfortable, and I didn't experience much in the way of wrist fatigue during any of my testing.
The bezel is interchangeable, so you can pop it off and replace it with a purchased alternative to change up the style and color of your watch pretty quickly. This is another fairly unique feature that you won't really find on other smartwatches.
(Image credit: Future)
The display is a 1.32-inch AMOLED measuring 466x466. It's a slight upgrade on the previous generation, now putting out 620 nits of peak brightness with a 60fps refresh rate, vs 58Hz and 600 nits in the old one. The display is considerably smaller than the previous model, another divisive change. However, the overall shift makes the watch much smaller in profile, so people with smaller wrists or those who want a more unintrusive experience will prefer this.
The screen has a new auto-brightness feature, as well as five levels you can manually select from. At 620 nits peak, it's not exactly a looker (even the Apple Watch SE 2 puts out 1,000 nits) but it's perfectly adequate. In fact, for a $69 watch, it's definitely a decent display.
Some colors look a little washed out, like the temperature dials on my multifunction face. But colorful faces like the Prismatic Time face definitely have some pop to them. There are some weird pixel-shifting issues I've seen on some of the interfaces, lines that should be straight are wonky in places, but I can't tell if this is a hardware or a software issue. At a glance, it's not really that noticeable.
Durability-wise, the CMF Watch Pro 2 comes with an IP68 water rating. That means it's dustproof and can withstand immersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. However, Nothing says the Watch Pro isn't suitable for use while swimming, in the shower, saunas, steam rooms, or any kind of water sports or activity. Basically, water is a no-go, which is definitely a key weak spot.
Design score: 4/5
CMF Watch Pro 2: Features
(Image credit: Future)
Lots of sports tracking and health metrics
Bluetooth, GPS, heart rate metrics
No NFC
For a $69 watch (I won't stop), there's an awful lot going on here. The CMF Watch Pro 2 offers a myriad of features you'd expect to find in a smartwatch, with a couple of key missing features reflective of the price.
Let's start with what you do get. Underpinning most of the best smartwatches these days is health and fitness, and the CMF Watch Pro 2 offers 120 sport modes, as well as five smart recognition activities that can detect your workouts without manual input (I'll get to whether this works in the Performance section). Some exercises even have a warm-up option that triggers a quick slew of animated warm-up stretches and movements before you work out, something you won't even find on any of the best Apple Watches.
Health tracking delivers an Active Score, round-the-clock heart rate and blood oxygen monitoring, sleep tracking, menstrual cycle tracking, step count, calories, resting heart rate, and alerts for abnormal heart rate and blood oxygen.
You also get key features like reminders, music controls, a remote camera control, a calendar, a calculator, and alarms. The Watch Pro 2 works with both iOS (13 and above) or Android (8.0 and above), so you should get plenty of cross-compatibility and synchronization between features like reminders and alarms on your watch and whichever smartphone you use.
You'll also get a Find My Phone feature, flashlight, and a voice assistant functionality, although I found the latter one is a bit of a gimmick, it's supposed to trigger your phone's voice assistant, and while I could see the watch waking up Siri on my iPhone, I couldn't actually ask questions or use it for anything.
Crucially, the Watch Pro 2 lacks NFC, so can't be used to make mobile payments from your wrist, which might be a deal breaker for some.
Features score: 4.5/5
CMF Watch Pro 2: Performance
(Image credit: Future)
Decent workout tracking
Some obvious quirks
Snappy day-to-day use
Good battery life
I'll start with the performance positives because there are a couple of quirks with the CMF Watch Pro 2 you should be aware of.
I generally found workout tracking to be consistent. A direct test with my Apple Watch Series 10 for an indoor run measured almost identical readings for distance traveled. The average heart rate was just one bpm off, and the range was pretty much spot-on. As far as workout tracking on a smartwatch can be accurate (the jury is out on just how useful it is generally), I'd say the CMF Watch Pro 2 delivers pretty reasonable accuracy across the board.
I've seen other reviews comment on GPS quirks, but I didn't experience any issues with it. Battery life on the Watch Pro 2 is pretty impressive, rated for up to 11 days of typical use, 9 days of heavy use, or 25 hours using GPS. I've found that generally to hold true in testing, and the battery life is definitely one of the positives.
(Image credit: Future)
While syncing with iOS and my iPhone was generally seamless, it doesn't play nice with Apple's notifications because these are restricted for third-party hardware. As such, iOS Focus modes don't work, one consideration for iPhone users. Notifications are pretty limited in use also, whereas you can respond to them in watchOS on devices like the Apple Watch or Wear OS, all you can do is read and dismiss them here.
As you might have picked up, the CMF Watch Pro 2 runs Nothing's proprietary smartwatch software rather than Wear OS. I actually prefer the look and feel over Wear OS, but like Wear OS, some elements of the UI remain poorly optimized for the circular display. Scrolling and swiping were very snappy overall, and I never experienced any performance lags. In fact, the Watch Pro 2 is noticeably snappier than even the Garmin Instinct 3 I was recently hands-on with.
Throughout my testing, I couldn't get 'raise to wake' to work at all. I even wrote this portion of the review, describing it as the CMF Watch Pro 2's biggest flaw and one that really hobbled the user experience. Then, out of nowhere, the feature began to work perfectly.
Now, whenever I lift my wrist, the watch immediately springs into life. Tap to wake is less reliable, and I've seen other reviews flag that raise to wake is an issue. So while I can no longer say it doesn't work full stop, it is definitely quirky and a problem to watch out for.
Workout detection does work, sort of. While out walking, my watch notified me that I was doing exactly that and asked if I'd like to track the experience. I tapped yes, but the tracker started from zero. Workout detection on Apple Watch is always running in the background, so if you get a detection notice after 10 minutes of walking, that 10 minutes of activity is included in your metrics. The Watch Pro 2 starts from scratch, which isn't exactly how I'd expect workout detection to function. Basically, it's handy if you forget to start your workout and need a reminder.
One final flaw, the vibration motor isn't nice. It resonates at just the wrong frequency and shakes the whole watch with an annoying, high-pitched buzz, it's the only part of the experience that feels cheap.
Performance score: 3/5
CMF Watch Pro 2: Scorecard
CMF Watch Pro 2: Should I buy?
Buy it if...
You've never had a smartwatch before
This is a perfect beginner smartwatch, an easy investment to see if using one is for you.
You're on a budget
You'll struggle to find a better smartwatch at this price.
Don't buy it if...
You like water
Nothing warns against use in any kind of water, so this is not the pick if you want a watch you never have to take off.
You want true software synchronization
Both Apple Watch or Wear OS models are going to offer better integration with their respective operating systems
CMF Watch Pro 2: How we tested
I used the CMF Watch Pro 2 over a number of weeks, as a daily smartwatch, during workouts, and more. I tested all of its main features and it was connected to an iPhone for the duration of testing.
CMF Watch Pro 2: Also consider
The original CMF Watch Pro is still fantastic, similarly priced, bigger, and has more battery life. It's a great alternative, as there aren't a ton of improvements in the new one.
For exactly the same price, this Amazfit offers a similar experience with a more Apple Watch-esque design. It's GPS is impressive and it's light and comfortable, but you won't get the same build quality or workout tracking accuracy. Really, consider this pick vindication that Nothing is king of the cheap smartwatch.
It's possible to buy super-affordable smartwatches, but sometimes they tend to fall short in terms of design and features. By way of example, the standout cheap watch in our best smartwatches guide is the CMF Watch Pro by Nothing, which is stylish but quite basic, although our best cheap smartwatches guide offers plenty of sub-$300 / £250 / AU$500 alternatives.
That's why I was so intrigued when the Watch GS Explorer dropped through my door. At $155 / £121, the latest smartwatch from Mibro appears to hit all the right notes when it comes to specs. Let me list just a few: rugged military-grade durability, an AMOLED display, dual-frequency GPS with 5 satellites, and comprehensive sports & health modes.
Does that sound too good to be true? Surely they've cut some corners somewhere. I was so excited and determined to find out that I threw the watch on charge and got it on my wrist as soon as was humanly possible. It's been sitting there for around two months.
Let’s begin with the design. The watch itself has passed a total of 15 military standard tests in compliance with MIL-STD-810H-2019, which guarantees stability and reliability in extreme environments. Having used the watch in wet and cold conditions, I can testify that it's durable and waterproof. I also dropped it a few times and didn't suffer any scratches or screen cracks thanks to its Corning Gorilla glass.
All of this 'ruggedness' comes with some tradeoffs, though, the first of which is that it's enormous. If your wrist is on the slender side, then this is not the watch for you. The design is also far too chunky and lacking detail. You could even call it brutalist. The stretchy rubber strap also makes it sit a little uncomfortably on the skin and, at times, grip painfully onto any hair that gets caught underneath it.
(Image credit: Future)
At the centre of the watch is a 1.32-inch AMOLED display with a 466x466 resolution and 353 PPI. There’s little not to love about the display and at 1500 nits, it’s bright enough in almost all environments. However, while operating the touch screen, the chunky outer bezel gets in the way of efficient swiping. I appreciate that this probably provides protection to the glass, but in my opinion it simply gets in the way.
While we’re on the subject of operation, the three buttons, located on the right-hand side of the watch, are a little clunky and even a little 'sticky’ at times, which hampered efficient and enjoyable navigation. I think if Mibro reduces the protrusion of the bezel and engineers the buttons better, then the user experience will be greatly improved.
The abundance of health and fitness tracking features and data can be accessed through both the watch and the associated Mibro app. You’ll find the ability to track basic health measurements, including heart rate and SpO2, but not much beyond that. Heart rate and SpO2 measurements were commensurate with the accurate Huawei GT 5 Pro, although the latter was slow to read.
The GS Explorer wants to come into its own when users are undertaking outdoor activities including climbing, swimming, and running. It is here that I experienced some of the more significant problems, namely to do with GPS accuracy. Tracking lines went off route and therefore couldn’t be trusted for distances and as a result, pacing was off. Exercise graphs are displayed on the screen but are unfortunately too small to really tell what’s going on outside of the companion app. More positively, training stats including heart rate tracking and ground contact time during runs appeared more accurate.
My general feeling of this watch was a mixed bag. It has some impressive features that perform well especially considering the low price, while other more basic and necessary measurements struggle for accuracy. As a result, this is a watch to get if you value premium features at a budget price, but is certainly not to be purchased if accuracy is paramount.
Mibro Watch GS Explorer: Specifications
Mibro Watch GS Explorer: Price and availability
$155 / £121
Extremely cheap for features
Not available in Australia
The Mibro Watch GS Explorer is only available in one size and retails at $155 US / £121 UK (around $238 AUS), which is insanely cheap for the screen and number of features available.
The only part of the watch that can be customized is the strap color with black, white, or green being your available options. The watch is not available in Australia or China.
Value score: 4.5/5
Mibro Watch GS Explorer: Scorecard
Mibro Watch GS Explorer: Should I buy?
(Image credit: Future)
Buy if it...
You’re on a budget At $155 / £121, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more capable Garmin Fenix clone at this price point.
You want a smartwatch that’s as hard as nails The Mibro Watch GS Explorer is built to last so you can rest assured it’ll stand the test of time.
You like chunky smartwatches With a 47.8mm diameter, this smartwatch sits solidly and proudly on your wrist.
Don't buy it if...
You need top-notch accuracy The GS Explorer has some accuracy issues so can’t be relied upon for super accurate measurements.
You have a slender wrist This smartwatch is too large for smaller wrists. You might be better off getting one of the best fitness trackers.
I wore the Mibro Watch GS Explorer for around eight weeks, which gave me a good period of time to fully test the watch features and battery life. As it’s billed as an outdoor watch, I also made sure to get out and about for special ‘assignments’ as well as integrate it into my daily activities.
The Coros Pace Pro is a higher-priced model for the brand as the company sets its sights on the Garmin, Suunto, and Polar competition. As such you have a watch that's crammed with all the best features you'd expect from a premium all-sports smartwatch.
So why pay for this over a similarly priced Garmin Forerunner 265? Well, the AMOLED screen on this is the same one found in the Apple Watch with a whopping 1500-nits of brightness, making it a stunner you can read in all light conditions. It does this while remaining battery efficient too for a top class 38 hours with all sensors up and running, or a good 20 days of standby time – with a zippy two-hour recharge time.
It is a lot lighter than a lot of the competition too, as light as 37g with the right strap, yet is still made from robust casing materials and features a useful rotating crown button. The display covering does let it down though, as it's made from mineral glass rather than the hardier Gorilla Glass you'll find from the competition.
GPS and HR accuracy aren't perfect but will be more than good enough to serve most needs, and it's the best on a Coros device yet. If you want even more accuracy you'll need to pay more for the top-end kit or factor in buying a chest or arm strap HR monitor too.
Coros Pace Pro: Specs
Coros Pace Pro (Image credit: Future)
Coros Pace Pro: Price and Availability
Coros Pace Pro (Image credit: Future)
$349 / £349 / AU$599
Cheaper than some premium smartwatches
Relatively affordable despite AMOLED
The Coros Pace Pro steps out from the usual business model for this company - of undercutting the competition - instead standing more alongside. As such it is more expensive than many models that have gone before.
The Coros Pace Pro is available to buy now starting at $349 / £349 / AU$599.
For all the specs this offers - including AMOLED display, multi-band GPS, mapping and navigation, and music onboard - this is a really well-priced option. The mineral glass screen is not as impressive as the competition and means it will be more prone to damage.
The watch comes in Black, Grey, or Blue options. There are silicone or nylon band options, which vary the weight from 49g for silicon to just 37g for nylon. The silicon comes as standard but these bands are in the optional extras section, charged at $29 on top of the standard price if you want a second type.
All decent, but when you consider you can buy a Garmin Forerunner 265 for the same price, which is a far more established and reliable brand, this price doesn't seem quite so impressive.
Value score: 4/5
Coros Pace Pro: Design
Coros Pace Pro (Image credit: Future)
Useful rotating crown
Bright AMOLED display
Super lightweight
Right from the outset the Coros Pace Pro feels so light compared to the competition, which is great news for runners and longer-distance triathletes. I did think it felt a bit less premium as a result, but once I got used to it I realized it's built to a very high-quality finish just with lightness in mind rather than flashy materials.
The watch features a stunning 1.3-inch AMOLED, with a whopping 1500-nits brightness. This is actually the same screen technology used in the recent Apple Watch models – meaning a very bright and color-rich display no matter the conditions. Even reading it underwater feels better than any of the competition.
Unfortunately, the use of mineral glass, instead of the sapphire crystal that Garmin uses, can mean more damage is likely from this less resilient material. Not that I got any damage while testing this, even with heavy gym use.
The watch is a touchscreen, which works fantastically well in a super responsive way, but there is also a rotating crown option. This doubles as one of the two buttons on the watch. Press and hold to unlock then push again to access the various sports which you can scroll through using the rotation. This is so effortless and effective that I found myself using that instead of the touchscreen mostly – keeping the screen lovely and smudge-free.
The second button can be touched to cycle through on-screen metrics, like steps, heart rate, sunset and sunrise, and more. Or press and hold that to access the system settings, alarms, maps, music, and more.
Coros Pace Pro (Image credit: Future)
The menus in general deserve a mention as part of the design section as they're clearly well thought out with a minimalism that makes use intuitive and – crucially – fast. You can go from locked to run tracking in as little as four button touches. That crown comes into use again when training as a quick roll can often be easier than using the touchscreen, thanks to that very tactile analog feel.
Round the back, you've got a new optical heart rate sensor with green lights, which also come with the more advanced red light for the detection of SpO2 data and even ECG recordings. Despite the case size moving up to 46mm from the Pace 3's 42mm, this is still compact enough to be worn comfortably on most wrists.
The charger is similar to Garmin's, but is bespoke. It uses a cable that plugs into USB-C so can work with many outlets and charger blocks too. All that and it charges back to full in just two hours.
Design score: 4/5
Coros Pace Pro: Features
Lots of sensors
Always-on display
Offline TOPO maps
Coros Pace Pro (Image credit: Future)
The Coros Pace Pro is packed full of smart sensors meaning you can enjoy a broad range of tracking. That includes – deep breath – Optical Heart Rate Sensor, Barometric Altimeter, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Electronic Compass, Pulse Oximeter (SpO2) and ECG.
That all means this will offer tracking while exercising, sleeping, walking, and on-demand for things like SpO2 measurement. But it also means everything can be combined to offer smarter overall measurements and more effective feedback on things like training readiness or recovery needs.
That super bright display is also worth mentioning here as it's very clear even in direct sunlight, but won't cost you too much battery – with a decent 38 hours with all systems tracking. There is the option to go for always-on, or intermittent, with the former costing you about 6 days on that 20-day standby battery life. In always-on, you'll see the clock dimmed and it will brighten when you lift to look, as opposed to only doing that to turn on with the intermittent option. I found it super responsive either way.
Coros Pace Pro (Image credit: Future)
The inclusion of offline TOPO maps elevates this model forward over its predecessor. It means you can have maps and routes, although it doesn't offer auto re-routing when on the move, unfortunately. Much like the maps, which can be a faff to get routes loaded onto the watch, music is also a drag-and-drop affair as there's no offline Spotify support – although the 32GB storage is plenty.
Run-specific features are fantastic, with this clearly aimed at the racers or those who want to get to that level. You have a workout builder to plan training with dedicated plans, training status so you know if it's time to rest or get out there, a virtual pacer, and a race predictor. All really useful features that can be viewed both in the app and on the watch itself.
The watch does offer notifications for text and WhatsApp messages which come through right away and with that big screen, messages are clear and easy to read. Unfortunately, there isn't yet support for emojis, which might have been a nice touch given the AMOLED display.
Features score: 3.5/5
Coros Pace Pro: Performance
Coros Pace Pro (Image credit: Future)
Decent battery life
Fantastic display
Good GPS but average HR
To start on a really positive point, the display is stunning not only to view but also to control. Thanks to a new processor in this model that doubles the speed, the sensitivity and responsiveness are super-premium meaning accessing all the menus is a pleasure. The large and clear display is good for going through your data, including graphs, without the need to reach for the phone and app as it's so fast, responsive, and clear. That applies to mid-training too where even movements don't seem to put off that tactile responsiveness.
Tracking is good but not amazing when you consider how many GPS systems are at play here. GPS acquisition is fast and a helpful bar system shows you signal strength too. While tracking is very accurate over longer distances (5K+), you may find that shorter than that and with hills in the mix can leave you a little less clear. And cycling performance was a little off too, even over longer distances. We're talking meters here, nothing huge, but still not quite as accurate as the smarter algorithms that the competition uses to work out your movements. To be clear, it performs well compared to most watches – and is the best Coros yet – just not quite as well as the latest top-end premium offerings from more established brands.
Heart rate tracking is the other area that wasn't perfect. While some longer runs and gym sessions were well-recorded – compared to a leading brand chest strap there were some inaccuracies. For higher heart rate bursts or longer rides, the accuracy wasn't as good as it perhaps could have been. That said, I've found similar issues with higher-priced competitors so it's not a deal breaker – I'm just being super clear. Coros does offer an armband heart rate monitor which may help improve this output if high-intensity work is what you need to track very accurately – or you're working in zone training.
Coros Pace Pro (Image credit: Future)
Battery life is excellent with the 20-day standby time easily being reached or surpassed in my testing. Even training, with all sensors on and music playing over a Bluetooth headset, was still as good as predicted at 38 hours, if not better. I did use the watch with the display off when not in use though, so if you want the always-on display option expect the standby figure to drop by a few days. The USB charger and two-hour charge time combination do make battery something you won't really need to worry about often – which is the goal right?
Get into the app and you're met with clear, bright, and helpful displays that give you data in various forms without getting too complex as some of the competition does. I found it refreshing to have everything I needed there, with breakdowns available front and center, but without feeling like I had to dig around menus or be overwhelmed with too much information in my face. A difficult combination to achieve which Coros seems to have managed in record time.
I did have a few connectivity issues where the WiFi wouldn't work on the watch until I tried to sync a few times. Usefully you can also sync over Bluetooth, which takes longer but gets the job done. Hopefully, the WiFi issue will be fixed with updates although I've had two while testing this and it's still not working perfectly.
The silicon strap is super comfortable, very accurate to fit many wrist sizes, and it doesn't move about at all. That secure fit does mean it's a bit fiddly to get back on each time, so if you remove your watch regularly this might be worth keeping in mind if you're considering buying a different strap.
Performance score: 3.5/5
Coros Pace Pro: Scorecard
Coros Pace Pro: Should I buy?
Buy it if...
You want a superb display
That 1500-nits of brightness on the rich AMOLED display is stunning and the responsiveness of the touchscreen is second-to-none.
You want better battery life
The battery life is long enough that you don't need to charge often, and can use it regularly.
You want comfort
This is super lightweight and a perfect fit with that strap making it ideal for longer distance training and sleep tracking comfort.
Don't buy it if...
You want durability
The mineral glass display cover isn't the strongest so you'll have to be careful not to damage it.
You want music streaming
Yes, this has onboard music but not streaming support for the likes of Spotify making loading up a bit more effort.
You want adaptive navigation
You have maps here, and navigation, but it won't adapt on the fly so it's not ideal for all uses.
Also consider
Apple Watch Ultra 2
A fully fledgedhigh-performance premium smartwatch.
I've been putting the Apple Braided Solo Loop through its paces to see how well it compared to the Sport Band that came with my Apple Watch. Everything was rosy at first (helped along by the gorgeous magenta color), and I was feeling set to give the Apple Braided Solo Loop a blinding review. But then I saw the price.
The Apple Braided Solo Loop has a list price of $99 / £99 / AU$149 on the official Apple website. I understand that large brands such as Apple sell a high enough volume of products to allow them access to higher-quality materials and more sustainable production processes, which warrants them charging a premium, but £99 for, in my case at least, a teeny-tiny Watch band feels somewhat far-fetched. My mind was made up further when I found that the 80% recycled stainless steel Apple Milanese Loop strap is the same price, despite using what I would imagine to be more expensive materials.
I liked the nifty tool on the Apple website that gave me step-by-step instructions to measure my wrist to ensure I ordered the correct Watch band size. I can confirm that the size of the Apple Braided Solo Loop I received was a good fit, sitting comfortably tight on my wrist. However, this tightness and lack of adjustability brought with it one slight issue, this being the squeezing caused a slight bulging of skin on either side, which isn’t the most attractive of looks.
As the name suggests, the Apple Braided Solo Loop consists of one continuous braided strap made from weaving 16,000 recycled polyester yarn filaments around ultra-thin silicone threads, which made this Watch strap stretchy enough to get over my hand without losing its structure once in place around my slimmer-than-average wrists. Despite my beef with the cost, I must applaud Apple for their sustainable practice here, with this strap stated to be carbon-neutral, with the 100 percent post-consumer recycled polyester yarn and 80% recycled stainless steel manufactured using clean energy.
The Apple Braided Solo Loop is compatible with 40, 41, and 42mm Apple Watch models and there are ten watch band lengths to choose from. It’s water and sweat-resistant and so far has proven to be adequately breathable, unlike my previous silicone strap, which I would have to remove and dry off after every skincare routine as it would never dry on its own.
In a nutshell, I am a big fan of the Apple Braided Solo Loop, and I support Apple’s sustainable approach, but the cost has proven a major turn-off for me – especially considering this is a quarter of the price of an Apple Watch Series 10 with a silicone strap included. That being said, if you’re looking into this before purchasing an Apple Watch, there is a saving to be made if you select an Apple Braided Solo Loop as part of the initial Apple Watch purchase, which at the time of writing is around fifty percent, so that’s definitely something to keep in mind.
If you’d like to see what other Apple Watch band options are out there, we’ve got a broad range of options over in our guide to the best Apple Watch bands.
(Image credit: Cesci Angell / Future)
Apple Braided Solo Loop review: Price & specs
(Image credit: Cesci Angell / Future)
Should I buy the Apple Braided Solo Loop?
Buy it if…
You want a guaranteed fit With its stretchy nature and the help of the Apple sizing guide, getting a good fit is super easy.
You want something breathable If you're not a fan of water-trapping silicone Watch bands, then this woven polyester alternative should prove more suitable.
Don't buy it if…
You're on a budget The cost will be fine for some who expect to pay sky-high prices for Apple quality, but for most of us mere mortals, this cost is bonkers for an unessential purchase.
You want a smooth silhouette One issue with close-fitting, stretchable Watch bands such as the Apple Braided Solo Loop is that it reduces its size to fit, inevitably leaving a little overhang above and below the band. This may not be bothersome for some, but it's worth considering before you buy.
Apple Braided Solo Loop review: Also consider
Apple Solo Loop Again, this is a continuous band with no closure, made from liquid silicone rubber, so it's a simple case of pulling it on and off. The upside of the silicone material is that it's perfect for swimming, so if you're someone who likes to take a dip in the pool on the reg, this would be the best alternative.View Deal
