The Smartwatch Market: A Comprehensive Review

As we continue to explore the world of smartwatches, it's clear that Apple has been making waves with their latest offerings. But how do they stack up against the competition? In this article, we'll delve into our comprehensive review of six smartwatches, including the Apple Watch and its main competitors.

The Buzz Around Smartwatches

When it comes to Apple products, there's always a lot of buzz surrounding them. The same can be said for their smartwatch offerings. With estimates suggesting that by 2018, 330 million smartwatches will have been shipped worldwide, it's clear that the market is growing rapidly. As a consumer, choosing the right smartwatch can be overwhelming, which is why we've created a new ratings category to help you make an informed decision.

Our Testing Process

As part of our testing process, we conducted a series of rigorous tests to evaluate each smartwatch's performance. First, we mapped out a route around our Consumer Reports atrium and had our testers wear the smartwatches while carrying a manual click counter. This allowed us to analyze the accuracy of each watch's step tracking feature. Our statisticians found that both versions of the Apple Watch were accurate and comparable to most of the other watches we tested.

Ease of Use Testing

Next, we conducted ease of use testing to assess how well each smartwatch performs in bright and low light conditions. Both versions of the Apple Watch performed excellently in low light, but didn't do as well in bright light. The LG G Watch R was the most accurate in this regard. However, the Pebble Steel excelled in bright light but struggled with low light.

Using Different Functions

We also evaluated how easy it is to use different functions on each smartwatch, such as the clock, alarm, email, messaging, and notifications. The Apple Watch performed well here, along with most of its competitors. Additionally, we found that the Apple Watch was very easy to pair, especially when using the camera on an iPhone.

Scratch Testing

Finally, we put our watches through scratch testing by placing them under our abrasion tester and using picks calibrated to the Mohs Hardness Scale, a scientific standard. The stainless steel Apple Watch proved to be incredibly resistant to scratches, even when exposed to the hardest pick available (number 9 on the Mohs scale), which is equivalent to diamond. The face of this watch should hold up similarly to that of most smartphones and smartwatches we tested.

Water Resistance Testing

When it comes to water resistance, Apple isn't being entirely forthcoming about their claims. However, in a footnote on their website, they mention that the Apple Watch has a water resistance rating of IPX7 under IEC Standard 60529. This means that the watch should withstand 3 feet of water for 30 minutes. We conducted our own test by putting each smartwatch through a pressurized tank and checking to see if it still functioned after 24 hours. Both versions of the Apple Watch passed this test, with one exception – the Sony SmartWatch 3.

Heart Rate Measurements

We also tested the accuracy of each watch's heart rate measurements against our highest-rated heart rate monitor, the Polar H-7 Heart Rate Sensor. The Apple Watch proved to be very accurate in this regard, using a technology called photoplethysmography (try saying that three times fast!). However, it may not work accurately if worn over certain tattoos.

Conclusion

After conducting an exhaustive review of six smartwatches, we've compiled our findings into one comprehensive ratings page. Our top-rated smartwatch is the stainless steel version of the Apple Watch, which has proven to be incredibly accurate in its performance and scratch-resistant features. The Sony SmartWatch 3, on the other hand, landed at the bottom of our ratings due to its poor water resistance testing results.

By choosing a smartwatch that meets your needs and budget, you can make an informed decision when it comes to investing in this rapidly growing market. At Consumer Reports, we're committed to providing you with unbiased information and recommendations to help you navigate the world of smartwatches.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enLet me tell youabout smartwatches.You may still be waiting foryour Apple Watch to arrive.But we've been runningours-- all 6 of them--through a batteryof scientific tests,along with its main smartwatchcompetitors including the AsusZenWatch, the LG G Watch R,Martian Notifier, Motorola Moto360, Pebble Steel, SamsungGear S, and Sony SmartWatch 3.We know any Apple productcomes with a lot of buzz.And the buzz and marketingaround the Apple Watchmay boost the entiresmartwatch sectorby getting people excited andeducated about the technology.One estimate says that by 2018,330 million smartwatches willhave been shipped worldwide.That's up from only4 million in 2013.How to choose?Here at Consumer Reports we'vecreated a new ratings categoryto help you make aninformed decision.And if you're a ConsumerReports subscriber,you can head to our smartwatchratings page for full details.As soon as you're donewatching this video, of course.Earlier we gave you a previewof the Apple Watch's performancein our initial tests.Now here's a more in-depth lookat how the Apple Watch stacksup to its competition.For our step test,we mapped a routearound our ConsumerReports atriumthat our testers followedwearing a smartwatchand carrying amanual click counter.The data was analyzedby our statisticians whofound both versionsof the Apple Watchwere accurate andcomparable to mostof the other watches we tested.The most accuratewas the LG G Watch R.As part of our easeof use testing,we look at how well youcan read the displayin bright and low light.Both versions of the Apple Watchwere excellent in low lightbut didn't do aswell in bright light.That goes for most of theother watches we tested.The Pebble was theonly watch thatwas excellent inbright light, but itdidn't do so well in low light.We also look at how easy itis to use different functionslike the clock, thealarm, email, messagingand notifications.The Apple Watch and mostof the other watchesperformed well here.We also found theApple Watch wasvery easy to pair especiallybecause we were able to do itusing the camera on an iPhone.Other watchesweren't quite as easybut still did well in our test.With scratch testing,we put watchesunder our abrasiontester and usepicks calibrated tothe Mohs HardnessScale, a scientific standard.The stainless steel AppleWatch was the only smartwatchwe tested with SapphireCrystal, which makes its scratchresistance comparable to that ofa high end conventional watch.It didn't scratch even when weused the hardest pick we have--which rates at a number9 on the Mohs scale--just under diamond.That means if you accidentallybrush it against most surfaces,you won't scuff it.The Apple Watch Sport madewith Ion X Glass scratchedwhen we used the number8 pick-- that's about ashard as a masonry drill bit.The face should hold up aboutthe same as most smartphonesand most of theother smartwatcheswe tested-- since many are madewith a similar type of glass.When it comes towater resistance,Apple isn't really sayingin plain English what depthsthe Apple Watch can withstand.But in a footnoteon its website,Apple says the watch has awater resistance rating of IPX7under IEC Standard 60529.It's a mouthful, we know.We also know that it means theApple Watch should withstand3 feet of water for 30 minutes.In our test, we check watchesto see if they're stillworking as soon as they comeout of our pressurized tankand then again 24 hours later.Both versions of the Apple Watchultimately passed our test.But the first AppleWatch Sport we testeddid not work atthe 24 hour mark.In order to findout whether thiswas a consistentfailure of the model,we tested two moresamples of the Sport.Both functioned out of thetank and at the 24 hour mark,so we determined that theApple Watch Sport ultimatelypassed our test.One watch didn't passour water immersion test:the Sony SmartWatch 3.Two different samplesof this watch failed.We checked the Apple Watch'sheart rate measurementsagainst ourhighest-rated heart ratemonitor here at ConsumerReports, the Polar H-7 HeartRate Sensor.Apple Watch's heartrate sensor uses what'sknown as photoplethysmography.Photo, plethys--photoplethysmography.Try saying thatthree times fast.It's a technology that letsthe watch take your heartrate while still moving.That's what those green lightsare on the back of the watch.Wearing both the Apple Watchand the reference heart monitor,our testers hit the treadmilland periodically reportedtheir heart rate readingon the Apple Watch.We found the Apple Watchto be very accuratecompared with the reference.Although we haven'ttested for it,the sensor may not work ifworn over certain tattoos,not seen here.With the testingdone, we compiledand analyzed all the data.Our top-rated smartwatch:the stainless steel versionof the Apple Watch.And since it failed ourwater immersion test,the Sony SmartWatch 3 landedat the bottom of our ratings.Want to see where therest of the pack came in?Our smartwatch ratingshave the complete rundown.Check them out atConsumerReports.org.We're a non-profit andpurchase all productswe test to maintainour independence.Thanks for your support.\n"