Best Hybrid Smartwatch in the UK (2024)

A hybrid smartwatch is a mixture of a normal watch and a smartwatch.

It's designed for people who like the look of a normal wristwatch but also want the practical functions of a smartwatch.

These watches look classic but have smart functions like counting your steps or sending notifications.🚶🏼‍♀️

So let's take a look at what makes these watches so unique.

Design

A hybrid smartwatch is like a conventional watch but with a digital twist. 🔀

It resembles a traditional watch, complete with watch hands to indicate the time and typically features a round face, like classic watches.

But it also has a screen that displays the time digitally.

You can adapt these watches to your style by changing the straps.

They come in different materials like silicone, stainless steel or leather.

You can either press the buttons on the side or use the touch screen to use the watch's functions.

Display

Its integrated display is an important feature distinguishing a hybrid smartwatch from a conventional wristwatch.

On the watch face, there are one or more miniature screens where you can read notifications and access your recorded data. 📊

When you aren't using the display, it usually turns off.

This subtle feature makes the hybrid smartwatch blend seamlessly with a traditional watch.

Smart features

Hybrid smartwatches collect health and fitness data as you go about your daily routine.

You can view this data either on the watch display or in a paired app. 👀
These watches are usually Bluetooth compatible, so they can connect to both Android and iOS smartphones.

We'll dive deeper into the smart capabilities in the next section.

Even though a hybrid smartwatch looks similar to a normal watch, it has a variety of additional functions.

Let's dive deeper and find out what a hybrid smartwatch can do. 👇🏻

Heart rate measurement

Every hybrid smartwatch today has a built-in heart rate monitor.🫀

This feature allows you to take your pulse on the go.

Normally, you can see these values directly on the watch display.

Built-in GPS

Today's hybrid smartwatches usually have a built-in GPS.📍

With this function, you can measure the distance you have covered.

It also allows you to accurately monitor your activity level and calories burned.

Setting activity goals

Hybrid smartwatches constantly monitor your daily activities because of the sensors they have.

They keep track of:

• How many steps you've taken
• Floors you've climbed
• How many calories you've burned
• Distance you've walked

You can also use the app on your mobile phone to set goals for what you want to achieve every day. 📱

The watch screen shows you how far you have come in achieving these goals.

Tracking workouts

Hybrid smartwatches can help you track your workouts. Certain models can automatically recognise activities such as running or cycling. 🏃🏼‍♀️

After training, you can access and analyse the recorded data via the corresponding app on your smartphone.
Although these devices can competently track workouts, a dedicated fitness watch would be a more fitting choice if you require a more detailed analysis or preset training plans.

Alex

Smart Home Expert and Product Tester

Smartwatches are little personal trainers on your wrist. They record health data such as steps, heart rate and sleep patterns and help you improve your fitness. But beware: if this data falls into the wrong hands, it can lead to more stress than running a marathon! It is, therefore, advisable to be aware of what data you are sharing and how you can protect your privacy - otherwise, the smartwatch will become a spy on your wrist.

Sleep monitoring

Hybrid smartwatches are also handy for keeping track of your sleep.

They record different stages of sleep and measure how well you slept. 😴

You can then access this information in the associated app.

Automatic time zone recognition

High-quality hybrid smartwatches can automatically recognise the time zone you're in.⏰

All the watches mentioned in our test can set their time without any further intervention.

We found this function very practical.

Staying connected

Hybrid smartwatches help you stay in touch.

They can show you messages and calls from your mobile phone, so you only have to look at your wrist to stay in the loop. 💬

Some watches even let you reply directly from your wrist.

You can also use them to make contactless payments and control the music on your phone.

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But remember that not all watches have the same functions, so check what each model can do before you buy it. 🛍️

One great thing about these watches is that they have a long battery life.

They usually last up to a month before you need to recharge them.

The brand determines the price of the hybrid smartwatch and what functions the watch has. 💷

Models with more functions, such as those from Withings or Fossil, often cost more.

In general, the price of hybrid watches is similar to that of normal smartwatches.

It's worth noting that renowned brands can charge more because of their premium design quality.

If your main goal is to get help for your workouts, it makes sense to choose a smartwatch.

Our recommended smartwatches in the UK:

Are you looking to upgrade your wrist game?

Let's dive into our favourite smartwatch picks for the year 2023.

Hybrid watches look like traditional watches but offer some smart features, such as the ability to track your workouts.

However, if you're serious about exercise and want detailed information about your health and fitness, you should prefer smartwatches or fitness bracelets.

But remember that their batteries usually don't last as long as those of hybrid watches.😞

Brands like Apple, Samsung, Garmin, Polar, Huawei and Fitbit offer great smartwatches.

If you want a watch that gives you a lot of data about your exercise, consider sports watches from Garmin or Polar.
To monitor your sleep, you should check out the Oura Ring as well.

At Smart Home Fox, our approach to testing smartwatches is both methodical and practical.

We begin our process with in-depth online research to identify the most promising models.

Once we've made our selections, we buy them and use them every day for a few weeks.

We see how they work in real life and check how good they are in different situations.

This way, we make sure our reviews are based on real experiences.

If you want to know everything about our method, check out our detailed test procedure for smart wearables.

Testing the smartwatch's workout features

We want to see how good smartwatches are at tracking workouts.

So, we also wear them to the gym. 🏋🏼‍♀️

To check their accuracy, we also wear a chest strap and compare the results from both.

This way, we can tell if the smartwatches are giving correct fitness data.

Testing the smartwatch’s health features

To see how well a smartwatch checks our health, we wear it all the time, even when we sleep.

We compare its sleep tracking to the Oura Ring, a wearable device that is dedicated to tracking sleep. 😴

After the test, we look at all the health data from the watch to see how good it is at monitoring our health.

Testing other smartwatch features

To see how well a smartwatch works, we link it to our phone and try out all its features. 📱

This lets us know how easy and helpful the watch is to use in everyday life.

By doing this, we can give you a full picture of what it's like to use the watch, not just its health features.

Final thoughts and buying advice

After we test the smartwatches, we give our final opinion and suggest if it's worth buying.

We want to help you find the best watch for you.👌
Our goal is to make your choice easier.