Just over a month ago, the Apple Watch 3 was on sale for $199.00 (Wi-fi only). I decided for that price (cheaper then many of the Fitbits) I would give it a try, especially considering the results I linked above.
I have been testing it for 5 weeks.
The good news...
it definitely measures HR (most of the time) much better then any of the others I have tested and almost as accurate as my Polar Chest Strap. Based on my experience, my resting HR, walking HR, exercise HR and my 1 and 2 minute post exercise HR recoveries (a feature I like) were all fairly accurate and for me, more then "good enough." The only negative was that while its responsiveness was much better then the others I have tried when doing intervals and other quick changes in intensity, it was not perfect. Part of the reason is unlike the polar chest strap, it is not a continuous reading. So, it is much better, but not excellent. The stairs tracking seems fairly accurate too.
I have no proven standard to measure the sleep monitor and calories burned with and think most of them are fairly inaccurate. Compared to other similar trackers, the sleep seems about the same and the calories burned on it seems low. Hopefully, they are consistently inaccurate.
It also tracks total movement (in calories), total exercise (in minutes) and standing (hours in which you've stood and moved for at least a minute). During activity, it also breaks calories into active calories (those burned during the activity), and total calories (the active calories plus RMR). I think some of this is confusing and overkill, especially considering it may not be accurate.
https://www.cultofmac.com/387661/apple- ... nt-add-up/It does give me reminders throughout the day if I have not stood up and moved around during the hour.
It is much more convenient then the chest strap and can do 24 hour monitoring.
The bad news...
The battery. You have to recharge it every day. Battery life is "up to" 18 hours and I probably use more of the apps that drain it.
Considering all the above, I am keeping it and will use it.
In Health
Jeff