In this age of ever-evolving technology, I have proven to be somewhat resistant to the latest gadgets. I still wear wired headphones to the gym (much to the chagrin of my little sister), and I’ve been waking up to the same panic-inducing alarm for years. “I don’t need anything else,” I say to myself. “What I have now is just fine.” But there’s something about it Google Pixel Watch 3 ($400) caught my eye.

Like someone with a chronic illnessThe idea of ​​wearable technology is certainly appealing. when i first dealing with COVID long term In 2021, my mother bought me a pulse oximeter to monitor my pulse and oxygen saturation. Although the clip-on oximeter proved impractical for continued daily use, I still remember the comfort these figures provided. While many people use Google Pixel watches as an extension of their Pixel phones, I was most interested in features like sleep tracking and heart rate data.

I expected to learn a little about myself in my testing, but I didn’t realize how much a watch like the Pixel 3 would teach me about my health and fitness (and motivate me to do better). Here are some of my top takeaways after trying the Pixel Watch 3 for a few weeks.

What would you like

I opted for the 45mm Pixel Watch 3 with a shiny silver aluminum case and porcelain active band (though I was also tempted by the pink colorway). Since this was my first smartwatch, I didn’t know what to expect aesthetically, but I was pleasantly surprised when the Pixel Watch arrived. While it looked stylish, it didn’t match any outfits and even the larger watch size looked small on my wrist. Besides the actual watch face, you also get multiple watch straps and a charger that attach to either side of the watch.

Other than the attachable bands, installation was incredibly simple. To be fair, if you don’t have tapered stiletto acrylics, there’s a good chance you’ll have a much easier time installing them than I did. But after about seven failed attempts, I resorted to what I call “letting instincts take over” and mashed the bands on either side of the watch face until I heard a satisfying click. For the record, there’s actually a button you can press on either side, making it easier to slide the bands into place (in theory).

What I Like About Google Pixel Watch 3

I was extremely eager to find out how bad it was my sleep pattern It really was. After wearing my Pixel Watch for a few days, I checked my data through gritted teeth and realized I wasn’t as bad as I thought (an average of around seven hours). If you want to learn more about your sleep patterns, the Pixel Watch can also give you your sleep score (mine tend to be in the “medium” zone), skin temperature change, and a minute-by-minute breakdown of your nightly sleep stages. minutes, so you know exactly how much time you spent in REM, light sleep, deep sleep, etc.

Of course, these were not the only measurements that interested me. One of my favorite parts of the Pixel Watch 3 was the morning briefings that were sent automatically as soon as you woke up each morning. This aims to set you up for success by summarizing your daily readiness score, heart rate variability, training goals, and giving you a quick look at the weather. For example, it’s one thing to say you’ll go to the gym five times a week, but when you wake up and your morning digest informs you that you only went once. . . He really has a way of motivating you.

In fact, Pixel Watch is great for accountability in general. I knew I was working a fairly sedentary job, but I had no idea how little I actually moved until I started working under 1,000 steps full time. In an effort to switch, I set a goal of 5,000 steps, and the Pixel Watch 3 immediately sent me relevant reminders, helping me get up intermittently throughout the workday and get a few steps closer to that number.

When I hit the gym (I’m usually pretty consistent with my cardio and strength training), the Pixel Watch tracked that too, automatically detecting when I was on the elliptical — or even just going for a walk — and giving me precise data. about my heart rate, cardio load, and calories burned. It even showed how intense my workouts were and how much time I spent in each intensity zone.

When it comes to mental health, the Pixel Watch also has the ability to detect signs of stress. While I can’t always pinpoint the exact cause of my stress, I remember my watch chiming me in the middle of an anxiety attack. She clearly sensed something was wrong, but also gave me specific suggestions, like using a breathing app or going for a short walk. It was an unexpectedly wholesome moment that I didn’t expect but thoroughly appreciated, and ended up being one of the highlights of my entire Google Pixel Watch 3 experience.

Things to Consider Before Trying Google Pixel Watch 3

As someone more inclined to Type A, I can see how having access to so many metrics It may be triggering for some. I even realized that I was a little obsessive at times; I was constantly checking in to make sure I was exercising “hard enough” and beating myself up when I didn’t get enough sleep or hit my daily step goals. However, I personally think the clock has proven to be more motivating and less stressful. I approached the data with curiosity rather than cold judgment, and I think that can help new information feel less overwhelming. If you want to learn more about yourself, the Google Pixel Watch 3 will definitely help you do that, but remember not to get too caught up in all the goals and metrics.

Who Is Google Pixel Watch 3 Best For?

I think runners, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts will make the most of the Google Pixel Watch 3, thanks to its advanced fitness tracking capabilities such as a running dashboard, form analysis, and AI-powered running recommendations. I’m also a daily gym goer (and starting runner at best), however, I really appreciated all the metrics and felt like they made a huge difference in the way I approached my own wellness goals.

Is the Google Pixel Watch 3 Worth the Splurge?

The price tag is definitely a cool $400 hurdle. However, given that other smartwatches and similar sleep devices operate at around the same price point, this would be great tech if you have a Pixel phone and want to invest in your health. Because this watch can do so much, you may need fewer gadgets overall depending on your lifestyle.

Additional Details

Where Can Google Pixel Watch 3 Be Used?

You can buy Google Pixel Watch 3 at: Google Store, Aimor Best Buy.

Rating:★★★★★

Chandler Plant (o) is the assistant health and fitness editor at PS. She has more than four years of professional journalism experience, previously working as an editorial assistant at People magazine and contributing to Ladygunn, Millie and Bustle Digital Group.