Hybrid smartwatches put all the health and fitness skills of a smartwatch, into something that passes for an ordinary watch.
If you’re put off by full touchscreens, boxy wrist computers and short battery life, the answer could be to explore the world of hybrid smartwatches.
A hybrid smartwatch hides the tech behind a classic analog watch face, meaning it looks traditional but still offers fitness tracking, health tech and notification features. For some people, it’s the best of both worlds.
In 2024, it’s down to Withings and Garmin, which both make excellent health and fitness-focused hybrid smartwatches.
With Fossil exiting the market we can no longer recommend its watches. While it had some decent hardware, it couldn’t keep pace with rivals.
Below, you can peruse our reviews and decide which is best for your wrist.
- Explore cheaper options with our pick of budget smartwatches
- Discover all the best smartwatches for Android users
- Try the best smartwatches for women
Withings ScanWatch 2
Withings ScanWatch 2: specs and features
- 38mm and 42mm case size options
- Works with Android and iOS
- Connected GPS
- View notifications
- Tracks runs, swims, and cycles
- Up to 30 days of battery life
- Automatic run tracking
- Step and sleep tracking
- ECG sensor for detecting Atrial Fibrillation
- Heart rate and SpO2 monitoring
- Detects breathing disturbances
- 5ATM water resistance
- Temperature sensor
The ScanWatch 2 is the latest generation of super-charged hybrid health smartwatch from Withings. The older ScanWatch previously topped our list, but the second-gen offers some big improvements.
It adds a temperature sensor, which tracks changes from your personal baseline, which can be a leading indicator of illness and also menstrual cycle.
It also tracks excessive body temperatures during exercise, and advises on subsequent recovery needs. It’s a good integration, although a minor change from the ScanWatch 1 overall.
Aside from that, the core experience is largely unchanged. It still features the same small monochrome OLED screen on the dial, for basic stats and notification alerts – and comes in 38mm and 42mm sizes. There are also a range of different colour and strap options – most more visually arresting than the one we tested.
> ScanWatch 2 vs. ScanWatch Light
The ScanWatch 2 is a good health tracker, with largely accurate heart rate, and decent – if not world class – sleep tracking. And it has ECG too, for the tracking of Afib, and will monitor for signs of sleep apnea, too.
It’s also a capable tracker of workouts too – and no slouch when it comes to your yoga class or spin session. It will also tap into your phone’s GPS for run tracking, which won’t be as accurate as proper built-in GPS but does a job.
As a health hybrid, it’s the best out there. But also check out the ScanWatch Light (below), which trades off some of the advanced features for a sleeker look.
Withings ScanWatch Light
Withings ScanWatch Light: specs and features
- 38mm and 42mm case size options
- Works with Android and iOS
- Connected GPS
- View notifications
- Tracks runs, swims, and cycles
- Up to 30 days of battery life
- Automatic run tracking
- Step and sleep tracking
- Heart rate
- Detects breathing disturbances
- 5ATM water resistance
The ScanWatch Light is a new addition to the Withings hybrid smartwatch range, offering an even smaller and lighter take.
It drops all of the advanced health features, so if you want ECG, SpO2 and temperature tracking, you’ll need to look at the 38mm ScanWatch 2. That means detection of Afib and sleep apnea is out.
But The ScanWatch Light comes in an even-smaller 37mm case, which is given a glow-up compared to the reserved ScanWatch 2.
It still features heart rate and sleep tracking – both delivering decent accuracy, albeit not the best in the business.
It’s more a fitness tracker than a health watch, without those key health sensors – so it’s better suited to those who want to keep tabs on step count and general heart health.
But if that’s your main aim, then the ScanWatch Light comes recommended.
Read our full ScanWatch 2 Light review
Garmin Vivomove Sport
Garmin Vivomove Sport: specs and features
- 40mm case size options
- Works with Android and iOS
- Connected GPS
- View notifications
- Tracks runs, swims, and cycles
- Up to 5 days of battery life
- Step and sleep tracking
- Heart rate and SpO2 monitoring
- Stress and respiration tracking
- 5ATM water-resistance
The Garmin Vivomove Sport is the cheapest option in Garmin’s hybrid family, and, while it might miss out on the AMOLED screen you get on the Style and Luxe, it’s still a great feature-packed option to strap on.
It’s got the look of a Swatch Pop and comes in three different looks, including the mint version above. The monochrome OLED display shows off smarts, which include the ability to view notifications, reject phone calls or respond with a text (Android only). It makes the experience richer than an analogue watch, but doesn’t feel like a computer on the wrist.
The Sport registers steps, heart rate, blood oxygen levels and stress, with Garmin’s Body Battery energy monitor here, as well. We found decent accuracy during testing, against top devices.
It can also be used to track runs, swims, cycling, and even strength training, though it only offers connected GPS (from your smartphone) and without in-depth training and analysis insights.
Battery life is around five days, which is similar to what you can expect from other Vivomove watches.
If you want a cheaper route to using Garmin’s hybrid smarts and can live without the higher-quality display, there’s plenty to like here.
Wareable verdict: Garmin Vivomove Sport review
Garmin Instinct 2 Crossover
Garmin Instinct 2 Crossover: specs and features
- Hybrid analog & digital watch face
- Solar charging
- Up to 70 days battery life and infinite analog
- 10ATM water-resistant
- MIL-STD-810 shock resistance.
- Built-in GPS
- Smart notifications on your wrist
- Advanced workout analytics
A curious option, the Garmin Instinct 2 Crossover is a full-far Garmin Instinct outdoor watch, but with two physical hands.
It’s water resistant to 10ATM (100m) and features MIL-STD-810 shock resistance.
Garmin says you can get 70 days with smart features enabled and infinite using the analog dial, as long as it gets three hours of solar exposure at 50,000 lux (being out on a bright, if not sunny day.) Our experiences with Garmin solar watches have been good, but it’s difficult to manage in winter when the watch gets tucked under sleeves.
The Garmin Instinct 2 Crossover also boasts 31 hours of GPS battery life, as long as the workout is constantly exposed to light. Achievable in summer, but less easy in winter.
It’s also a proper sports watch, with scores of workout profiles, and when you get back from a workout, you can access VO2 Max, Training Status data and HRV Status insights.
In our review time we found the addition of the hands frustrating to live with, and didn’t add much to the overall Instinct 2 experience.
But if you’re set on an analog experience, no-one can argue that this isn’t one of the most advanced sports options money can buy.
Read our full Instinct 2 Crossover review.
Withings ScanWatch Horizon
Withings ScanWatch Horizon: specs and features
- 38mm and 42mm case size options
- Works with Android and iOS
- Connected GPS
- View notifications
- Tracks running, swimming, and cycling
- Up to 30 days of battery life
- Automatic run tracking
- Step and sleep tracking
- ECG sensor for detecting Atrial Fibrillation
- Heart rate and SpO2 monitoring
- 5ATM water resistance
- Detects breathing disturbances
The Withings ScanWatch Horizon is essentially a version of the ScanWatch with a more formal-friendly look that houses all of the same features as the cheaper version.
You’re getting a larger 44mm case with a stainless steel case with the option of a matching link or sporty rubber straps.
You still get that small AMOLED display up top to show off tracking, notification, and heart rate stats with a digital crown that lets you scroll through available menus.
There’s an optical heart rate monitor and ECG sensor to help detect signs of arrhythmia, and you’re also getting a SpO2 sensor to measure blood oxygen levels and monitor breathing during sleep.
It’ll track steps, too, and there’s a connected GPS to track workouts like runs and rides with basic swim tracking support also on offer.
What you get with the Horizon is a real statement look with a nice mix of fitness, health, and some useful sports tracking features thrown into the mix to make it one worth paying more to strap on.
Wareable verdict: Withings ScanWatch Horizon review
