Wearable Devices

Ultimate Guide to Wearable Technology

December 4, 2024

Wearable technology refers to any tech gadget that you would wear on your body. As we know, technology has moved to a phase where people expect everything to happen in a flash. When it comes to wearable tech gadgets, the story is even more fascinating.

Modern-day wearable technology devices are used for health tracking, fitness, staying connected, and many more. If you are a newbie to these gadgets, this is the article you wouldn’t want to miss as we discuss everything you want to know about wearable technology and some prominent brands in this niche. Let’s get going!

Table of Contents

Types of Wearable Devices

There is a bucketful of wearable devices in the market, and we have considered the most used device categories to help you identify the products that are going around these days.

Smart Rings

People 100 years back wouldn’t have imagined that they would be using a tiny ring worn on their fingers to measure their heartbeat, count calories, or monitor the quality of sleep they got last night.

That is exactly what a smart ring does. Smart rings are small, discreet wearable devices that fit on your finger. If you don’t like wearing bulky items on your hand for advanced functionality, your go-to option should be smart rings.

Popular smart ring brands include the Oura Ring, known for its detailed sleep tracking, and the Motiv Ring, which focuses on fitness and security features.

Fitness Trackers

Most wearable tech devices are aimed to provide users with health-related metrics. However, fitness trackers, in particular, have more features for health-conscious people compared to other devices.

These devices track steps, heart rate, calories burned, and more. If you are a fitness enthusiast, they are perfect for setting fitness goals and staying motivated to achieve them.

Leading brands in this category include WHOOP, Fitbit, and Garmin. WHOOP 4.0 strap, which we intend to talk more about in the future, is a popular device among top athletes around the world, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and the cricket goat Virat Kohli.

Smartwatches

Smartwatches are one of the most popular wearable tech devices, especially among the younger generation. In addition, smartwatches have been in the market for many years now compared to other wearable tech devices.

Unlike fitness trackers and smart rings, smartwatches have larger screens and offer more functionality. You can even answer your phone calls, send messages to your loved ones or control the smart devices used at your home.

There are tons of smartwatch brands around the world. However, names like Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, and Garmin are front runners in the market and are doing great with their innovative products.

Specialized Wearable Gadgets

Other than the ones we mentioned above, there are wearable devices designed for one particular objective. For example, healthcare wearables, such as blood sugar monitors and ECG devices, help manage chronic conditions and are designed to cater to one specific need of people.

Moreover, if you are a gamer, the AR/VR headsets you wear are another example that falls under this category.

Key Features to Consider When Choosing Wearables

If you have already decided to buy one of the above-mentioned products, we urge you to read this section of the articles to learn what you need to check before opting for a wearable tech product.

Health-Related Tracking Features

Fitness and health tracking are at the core of most wearable devices. Some of the key metrics you would want to have in your devices include heart rate, step count, sleep quality, and recovery monitoring.

If you want to go deeper, there are products available with advanced functionalities such as oxygen saturation, stress levels, and even ECG data. However, you should understand that each of these devices and products measures the metrics slightly differently from the others.

For example, the WHOOP which connects with your smartphone via Bluetooth mainly focuses more on the recovery side of things, whereas smartwatches like the Apple Watch offer general health monitoring. So, we highly recommend you consider the purpose of buying a wearable device without just opting for a device based on the outlook.

Connectivity

Wearables require connectivity with other devices, and most of these devices come with either Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or both. This helps synchronization with smartphones or computers.

When choosing a wearable, you should check its compatibility with your existing devices. Otherwise, you won’t be able to make the most out of the device you would buy.

For instance, Apple Watches work best with iPhones, while Fitbit caters to both Android and iOS users. In addition, compatibility with apps is another key factor to consider. Many wearables use proprietary apps for detailed insights.

Battery Life

This is an important factor that you should not ignore. If the device you choose has a short battery life, using it for extended periods can be problematic, especially if you are a person who tends to be outside more.

However, in general, most contemporary wearable devices come with long-lasting battery life. Fitness trackers like Fitbit and WHOOP and smart rings like Oura often boast long-lasting batteries, lasting up to a week on a single charge.

Moreover, it would be best if you opted for a device with the fast charging feature. This enables you to charge your devices way faster, which can be beneficial if you are a busy person.

Comfort

It doesn’t matter if the product you choose has every sophisticated feature in the world if it doesn’t make you comfortable when worn. Simply put, a wearable device should not only be functional but also comfortable and stylish.

This is where you want to check on the design and the materials used for the production. For example, the WHOOP has many designs with various strap materials. This is super important to avoid skin irritation and other issues.

The right wearable should also cater to specific occasions. For example, a rugged Garmin watch may suit outdoor adventures.