Who a smartwatch suits
A smartwatch suits someone who already looks at their wrist: to check the time, count steps, follow a run or see who is calling. It is a good gift for a partner who has started exercising, a dad who tracks his walks, or anyone who has said they would like to sleep and move a bit better.
A fitness band is a smaller, simpler cousin. It tracks steps, sleep and heart rate with a slim screen and a long battery, and it suits someone who wants the numbers without a second screen on their arm.
What to look for in a smartwatch
- Which phone they use. Most work with both iPhone and Android, but a few features, or a whole watch, may suit one brand of phone only. The listing says which.
- Battery life. Some last about a day, others several days or weeks. A watch that needs charging every night is easy to forget.
- GPS. Built-in GPS records a walk, run or ride without the phone. It matters most for someone who exercises outdoors.
- Water resistance. Check the listing before they swim or surf in it. Resistance to rain and a shower is not the same as being made for swimming.
- Fit and strap. The case size and strap should suit their wrist. A small wrist wears a large case awkwardly.
- Health features. Sleep tracking, heart rate and workout modes are common. These are wellness aids, and they are not medical devices.
When a smartwatch is the wrong gift
If they love a particular watch they wear every day, a smartwatch will sit in the box. If they dislike notifications, or don't want another device to charge, they'll feel the watch as a chore. A dress watch, or a fitness band with a long battery, can suit them better.