In the fast-paced world we live in, where health and wellness take center stage, the importance of proper breathing often goes unnoticed. While there may not be many wearables dedicated solely to breath monitoring and the promotion of optimal breathing techniques just yet, the tide is shifting. Leading smart wearables in the market are beginning to recognize the significance of proper breathing and have started incorporating it into their suite of features. As we at Anda strive to develop the first proactive smart wearable specifically designed to assist individuals with proper breathing, let's explore the current landscape of wearables that have taken a step towards embracing the power of breath.
Top 10 Smart Wearables that Monitor your Breathing
To help you choose the right wearable device for breath tracking, we've compiled a list of the top 10 smart wearables in the market. Each device offers unique features and functionalities, so you can find the one that best suits your needs. Here are the top 10 smart wearables that monitor your breathing_
Apple Watch Series 7:
Description: The latest iteration of Apple's smartwatch boasts advanced health monitoring features, including breath tracking.
Pros:
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Advanced health features_ The Apple Watch Series 7 offers breath tracking, heart rate monitoring, ECG functionality, and a wide range of health and fitness features.
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Integration with Apple ecosystem_ Seamlessly integrates with other Apple devices and services, allowing for a unified experience.
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Stylish design and customization_ The device offers a sleek design and a variety of customizable watch faces and bands.
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Large display_ The Apple Watch Series 7 features a larger and brighter display compared to previous models.
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App ecosystem_ Provides access to a vast array of apps specifically designed for the Apple Watch.
Cons:
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Expensive: The Apple Watch Series 7 is priced at the higher end of the smart wearable market.
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Limited compatibility_ It is only compatible with iOS devices, limiting its usability for Android users.
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Battery life_ While improvements have been made, the battery life may still require daily charging for heavy usage.
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Proprietary charger_ The Apple Watch uses a proprietary charging cable, which may be less convenient for users with other standard USB chargers.
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Reliance on iPhone_ Certain features and functionalities require an iPhone to be fully utilized.
Website: Apple Watch Series 7 Official Website
Fitbit Sense:
Description: Fitbit Sense offers comprehensive health and fitness tracking, including breath tracking and guided breathing exercises.
Pros:
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Advanced health tracking_ The Fitbit Sense offers comprehensive health monitoring features, including breath tracking, heart rate monitoring, EDA scan, and stress management.
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Sleek design_ It features a sleek and stylish design that appeals to fashion-conscious users.
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ECG functionality_ The device includes an ECG app that can detect heart rhythm irregularities.
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Extensive ecosystem_ Fitbit provides a robust ecosystem with a user-friendly app, social features, and a variety of compatible accessories.
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Long battery life_ The Fitbit Sense offers an impressive battery life, allowing for several days of use on a single charge.
Cons:
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Expensive: The Fitbit Sense is relatively more expensive compared to some other smart wearables on the market.
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Limited third-party app support_ While it supports popular apps like Spotify and Strava, the range of compatible third-party apps may be more limited compared to other platforms.
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Sleep tracking accuracy_ Some users have reported occasional inaccuracies in sleep tracking metrics.
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Limited customization_ The device offers limited customization options for watch faces and straps compared to some other smart wearables.
Website: Fitbit Sense Official Website
Garmin Venu 2:
Description: The Garmin Venu 2 combines fitness tracking with breath tracking, stress monitoring, and guided breathing exercises.
Pros:
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Advanced health tracking: The Garmin Venu 2 offers comprehensive health monitoring features, including breath tracking, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and stress management.
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AMOLED display: It features a vibrant AMOLED display that provides clear visibility even in bright conditions.
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GPS and offline music storage: The device includes built-in GPS and the ability to store music directly on the watch, allowing for phone-free workouts.
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Long battery life: The Garmin Venu 2 boasts an impressive battery life, offering several days of use on a single charge.
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Extensive sports and fitness tracking_ Garmin is known for its robust sports and fitness tracking capabilities, making it suitable for athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
Cons:
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Bulky design: The Garmin Venu 2 has a relatively bulkier design compared to some other smart wearables.
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Limited app ecosystem: While it supports popular apps like Spotify and Deezer, the range of compatible third-party apps may be more limited compared to other platforms.
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Learning curve: The device has a steeper learning curve compared to more user-friendly options.
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Limited smartwatch features: The Garmin Venu 2 focuses more on fitness tracking and may lack some of the advanced smartwatch features found in other devices.
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Price: The Garmin Venu 2 is priced at the higher end of the smart wearable market.
Website: Garmin Venu 2 Official Website
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4:
Description: The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 offers comprehensive health and wellness tracking, including breath tracking and stress management.
Pros:
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Advanced health tracking: The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 offers comprehensive health monitoring features, including breath tracking, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and blood oxygen monitoring.
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Sleek design: It features a sleek and stylish design that appeals to fashion-conscious users.
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Rich app ecosystem: The device runs on Wear OS, providing access to a wide range of apps from the Google Play Store.
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Built-in GPS: It includes built-in GPS for accurate tracking of outdoor activities.
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Integration with Samsung ecosystem_ Seamlessly integrates with other Samsung devices and services, offering a cohesive user experience.
Cons:
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Battery life: The battery life may not be as long-lasting as some other smart wearables, requiring daily charging with heavy usage.
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Limited third-party app optimization: While the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 runs on Wear OS, some third-party apps may not be fully optimized for this specific device.
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Limited strap options: The selection of interchangeable straps may be more limited compared to other smart wearables.
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Slightly higher price: The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is priced at a slightly higher range compared to some other competitors.
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Compatibility: It is primarily designed for Android users and may offer limited functionality when paired with iOS devices.
Website: Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Official Website
Oura Ring:
Description: The Oura Ring is a sleep and wellness tracker that also includes breath tracking capabilities.
Pros:
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Sleep tracking: The Oura ring excels in sleep tracking, providing detailed insights into sleep stages, sleep quality, and readiness for the day.
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Minimal design: It features a sleek and lightweight design that resembles a traditional ring, making it comfortable to wear throughout the day and night.
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Long battery life: The Oura ring offers an impressive battery life, lasting several days on a single charge.
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Personalized recommendations: It provides personalized recommendations for improving sleep, recovery, and overall well-being based on the gathered data.
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Water-resistant: The ring is water-resistant, allowing you to wear it during activities such as swimming or showering.
Cons:
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Limited display: Due to its small form factor, the Oura ring has limited display capabilities, relying mostly on syncing with a smartphone app for detailed data analysis.
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Limited fitness tracking: While it offers basic activity tracking features, it may not be as comprehensive in terms of fitness tracking compared to dedicated fitness wearables.
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Size limitations: The ring comes in different sizes, and finding the perfect fit can be challenging for some individuals.
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Price: The Oura ring is priced at the higher end of the wearable market, making it a premium investment.
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Limited customization: The design and appearance of the Oura ring may not offer as much customization compared to other wearables.
Website: Oura Ring Official Website
Whoop Strap 4.0:
Description: Whoop Strap 4.0 is a fitness tracker that monitors various health metrics, including breath rate and recovery.
Pros:
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Comprehensive fitness tracking: The Whoop strap offers advanced fitness tracking capabilities, including heart rate variability, sleep analysis, recovery tracking, and personalized strain scores.
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Continuous heart rate monitoring: It provides 24/7 heart rate monitoring, offering valuable insights into your body's response to different activities and stress levels.
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Advanced sleep tracking: The Whoop strap provides detailed sleep analysis, including sleep stages, sleep quality, and recommendations for optimizing recovery.
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Data-driven coaching: It offers personalized recommendations and insights based on the gathered data, helping users optimize their performance and recovery.
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Community and social features: Whoop has a vibrant community, allowing users to compare and compete with friends and other Whoop users.
Cons:
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Subscription-based service: To unlock the full features of the Whoop strap, a monthly or annual subscription is required, adding to the overall cost.
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Limited display: The strap has a basic LED display that shows limited information, relying mostly on syncing with a smartphone app for detailed analysis.
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Strap design limitations: The strap design may not suit everyone's preferences, and finding the right fit and comfort level can be a factor for some users.
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Price: The combination of the initial strap cost and ongoing subscription fees may be considered a significant investment.
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Limited smartwatch features: While it provides essential smartwatch features, the Whoop strap's focus is primarily on fitness tracking rather than advanced smartwatch functionality.
Website: Whoop Official Website
Withings ScanWatch:
Description: The Withings ScanWatch combines fitness tracking with medical-grade health monitoring, including breath tracking.
Pros:
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Hybrid design: The ScanWatch combines the appearance of a traditional analog watch with advanced health tracking features, providing a stylish and versatile wearable.
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ECG and SpO2 monitoring: It offers ECG (electrocardiogram) functionality to detect abnormal heart rhythms and SpO2 monitoring for blood oxygen level measurements.
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Sleep tracking: The ScanWatch provides detailed sleep tracking insights, including sleep stages, sleep quality, and disturbances, helping you improve your sleep habits.
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Activity tracking: It offers comprehensive activity tracking features, including step counting, distance tracking, and automatic workout detection.
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Connected GPS: With connected GPS, the ScanWatch can map your outdoor workouts accurately by leveraging the GPS capabilities of your smartphone.
Cons:
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Limited third-party app integration: The ScanWatch has limited support for third-party app integration compared to some other wearables.
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Limited smartwatch features: While it provides basic smartwatch features like notifications and music control, it may not offer the same level of functionality as dedicated smartwatches.
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Size options: The ScanWatch comes in limited size options, which may not be a perfect fit for everyone.
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Price: It is priced at a higher end of the wearable market, which may be a consideration for budget-conscious individuals.
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Battery life: The battery life of the ScanWatch is decent but may require frequent charging, especially with heavy usage of health tracking features.
Website: Withings ScanWatch Official Website
Biostrap:
Description: Biostrap is a comprehensive health and fitness tracker that includes breath tracking and detailed sleep analysis.
Pros:
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Comprehensive health tracking: The Biostrap offers a wide range of health metrics, including heart rate variability, respiratory rate, sleep analysis, and recovery tracking.
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Dual-device system: Biostrap consists of a wristband and a shoe pod, providing more accurate and detailed data for activities like running and movement analysis.
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Advanced sleep analysis: It offers detailed sleep analysis, including sleep stages, sleep efficiency, and insights into sleep quality and patterns.
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Data-driven insights: Biostrap provides personalized recommendations and insights based on the gathered data, helping users optimize their health and well-being.
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Integration with popular fitness apps: It seamlessly integrates with popular fitness apps like Apple Health and Google Fit, allowing easy data synchronization.
Cons:
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Initial setup complexity: Setting up the Biostrap system and understanding its features may require some initial effort and learning.
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Limited smartwatch features: While it provides essential smartwatch features, the focus of Biostrap is primarily on health and fitness tracking.
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Size and comfort: Ensuring the correct fit and comfort of the wristband and shoe pod may be a consideration for some users.
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Price: The cost of Biostrap may be relatively higher compared to some other wearable options on the market.
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Battery life: The battery life of the Biostrap wristband is decent but may require regular charging, especially with continuous health tracking.
Website: Biostrap Official Website
Polar Ignite 2:
Description: The Polar Ignite 2 is a fitness watch that offers breath tracking, heart rate monitoring, and personalized training guidance.
Pros:
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Advanced sleep tracking: The Ignite 2 offers comprehensive sleep tracking, including sleep stages, sleep score, and insights to help improve sleep quality.
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Integrated GPS: With built-in GPS, the Ignite 2 accurately tracks outdoor activities like running, cycling, and hiking without needing to carry a smartphone.
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Training features: It provides personalized training guidance, including daily workouts, fitness tests, and recovery tracking, helping users optimize their training routines.
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Continuous heart rate monitoring: The Ignite 2 monitors your heart rate throughout the day and during workouts, providing valuable insights into your cardiovascular health.
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Waterproof design: It is water-resistant and suitable for swimming, allowing you to track your swimming workouts and monitor your heart rate while swimming.
Cons:
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Limited smartwatch features: While it offers basic smartwatch features like notifications and music control, it may not have the same level of functionality as dedicated smartwatches.
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Limited third-party app ecosystem: The Ignite 2 has limited support for third-party app integration compared to some other wearables.
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Screen visibility in bright sunlight: The visibility of the display may be slightly compromised in bright sunlight, making it less readable outdoors.
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Size and comfort: Ensuring the correct fit and comfort of the Ignite 2 on your wrist may be a consideration for some users.
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Battery life: The battery life of the Ignite 2 is decent but may require regular charging, especially with continuous heart rate monitoring and GPS usage.
Website: Polar Ignite 2 Official Website
Xiaomi Mi Band 6:
Description: The Xiaomi Mi Band 6 is an affordable fitness band that includes breath tracking and various health monitoring features.
Pros:
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Affordable: The Xiaomi Mi Band 6 offers great value for its price, making it an accessible option for users.
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Comprehensive health tracking: In addition to breath tracking, it provides various health monitoring features like heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and activity tracking.
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Long battery life: The device boasts an impressive battery life, allowing users to go days or even weeks without needing to recharge.
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Water-resistant: The Mi Band 6 is water-resistant, making it suitable for use during water-based activities and ensuring durability.
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Large display: It features a larger color display compared to its predecessor, providing a better visual experience.
Cons:
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Limited breath tracking functionality: While the Xiaomi Mi Band 6 offers breath tracking, it may not have the same level of precision and accuracy as dedicated breathwork devices.
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Limited customization: The device offers limited customization options, both in terms of appearance and functionality, compared to some other smart wearables.
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Limited third-party app support: The range of compatible third-party apps and integrations may be more limited compared to other smart wearables.
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Design may not appeal to everyone: The design of the Xiaomi Mi Band 6 is functional but may not have the same aesthetic appeal as some other devices on the market.
Website: Xiaomi Mi Band 6 Official Website
While the market may not yet offer wearables that solely focus on breath and the importance of proper breathing, we applaud the leading smart wearables for recognizing its significance and integrating breath-monitoring features. As we continue our journey at Anda to build the first proactive smart wearable dedicated to helping individuals with proper breathing, we are inspired by the strides being made in this space. The top 10 wearables we've explored in this article showcase the initial steps taken by these devices to incorporate breath monitoring and promote mindfulness.
As the awareness of proper breathing continues to grow, we look forward to a future where wearables play a more prominent role in guiding individuals towards optimal breath control and overall well-being. Stay tuned as we work diligently to create a wearable that revolutionizes the way we approach breathing and empowers individuals to harness the power of their breath for improved health and vitality.