There was a time when people put watches on their wrists to be aware of time (seconds, minutes, and hours) themselves on a day and to state the same to others when asked about it. Those days have gone. Now, people have more advanced watches, smartwatches, which help them stay updated on their health along with telling the time on a day.
Are you willing to buy a smartwatch? If yes, it’s sure you’ll have several questions in mind, especially if you are a first-time buyer. The question, like what steps/tips you should follow while buying a water-resistant smartwatch, is one of them. Here are some useful tips for you:
Know the Compatibility
Never buy a smartwatch without knowing whether it is compatible with your smartphone. For instance, you can take Apple Watches. They work well only with the best iPhones and do not work with any android smartwatches.
Explore Battery Life
Most of you love using your smartwatch throughout the day without any interruptions like battery low. In your purchase, pay attention to top-rated battery life. Hybrid smartwatches that look like analog timepieces have the longest battery life while some are solar-powered. However, they have no touchscreens. In simple words, buy a smartwatch with a longer battery life.
Inquire about Fitness Features
As a health-conscious person, you must inquire about the fitness features of a smartwatch, especially when you are looking for a fitness watch for men. A good smartwatch has a GPS and heart rate sensor. In addition, you can look for fitness features like blood glucose monitoring and blood pressure monitoring.
Comprehend Water Resistance Ratings
One of the most important things to look for in a water-resistant smartwatch is its rating. Water resistance is usually measured by meters or through an IP rating. It is crucial that the consumer can make informed decisions based on those ratings.
It is one of the most frequently used ratings for water-resistant watches. So, if a watch is rated at 5 ATM, it can be stated that this specific watch features resistance against pressure, equivalent to a depth of 50 meters. However, in no case does it signify that you can dive down to a depth of 50 meters; these watches are more often suitable for light swimming or even for showering.
An IP rating refers to the international standard defined with regard to how secure the watch is against dust and water. Most smartwatches come with IP68, meaning they are securely protected from dust and can survive submersion in up to about 1.5 meters of water for a minute.
Make sure you will have one that suits your planned activities. If you’ll just do casual swimming, then a watch with a 5 ATM rating or IP68 rating should be enough. But if you are a diver or swimmer who spends much time in the water, then you would have a more specific device.
Check for Specialized Swim and Dive Modes
Not all water-resistant smartwatches are the same for water sports. Some watches are arriving with swim-tracking capabilities, while others can handle the depths of scuba diving.
Swim tracking watches will track metrics like stroke type, lap count, and calories burned during a swim. If swimming is an important aspect of your routine, consider getting a watch that tracks your swim in depth.
For the scuba diving enthusiast, some of the high-end smartwatches should be able to track in terms of depth and time spent underwater. Look for those watches that mention features with a dive mode or chance encounters that meet ISO standards for scuba diving.
Think about Durability and Build Quality
Since you’ll be wearing your watch perhaps in harsh conditions, like saltwater, chlorinated pools, or when playing high-impact sports, the hardness of your smartwatch is what matters most.
When it comes to material, corrosion resistance is key. Ideally, the watch cases should be made from stainless steel, titanium, or other advanced plastics. Sapphire crystal for glasses is another important feature if you will be putting the watch under a lot of hard use.
These straps are nice, but silicone or fluoroelastomer would be better to provide water resistance because these feel softer and more durable wet. Leather straps look good but should not be in contact with water for a long time.
Conclusion
The best water-resistant smartwatch for you depends on what you need it for, your lifestyle, and your budget. Get the water resistance rating, durability, battery life, and whether or not it fits into your ecosystem. Whether it’s for the casual swimmer who dives on occasion or for the professional divers, there are smartwatches for you. Take your time to compare different options.