Choosing the right watch for your needs can take a bit of research and time. There is a good amount to consider, including understanding what your own needs may be. The way in which you plan to use the watch, what features are necessary, like GPS-functionality, for instance, . Will you be using the watch when you are just running or will you be using it daily, or for other physical activities? When you have a good idea of how and where you are going to use your watch and what you need out of it, you can more easily narrow down your search and find the most suitable option for you.

There are two basic styles that you will be choosing from, advanced models and basic models. What is the difference between the two? Basically, the more simple the watch the fewer features it will offer and it should come with a lower price tag. This is compared to more advanced options that will be much techier, have many more features and capabilities, and as a result, will tend to have a larger price tag.

When you are looking at watches it can be easy to get stars in your eyes and be taken by the high priced, fancier options.
But do you really need to spend that amount of money for all that functionality? It is an important question. You may get excited at all the features but in reality, spend a lot on them and really not every uses them. So, you may want to first lay down some basics as to what you really need and what you are looking for. Ask yourself, how often will you wear the watch and for what purposes will you mostly be using it for? If you are only going to use it a couple of times per week for a quick run here and there your needs could be much different from using one daily for everything from your workouts to your daily errands. Some advanced features that are built-in to modern watches nowadays can be very advanced. You may see shrewd options like contactless payments or even barometric altimeters. Gyroscopes are incorporated into some models and for the most convenient ease of use check out options that have voice-activated controls which are really nice. Believe it or not, there are models that can actually order your morning cup of joe from Starbucks for you. That is pretty insane. Others can sync your full music library, give you access to wireless uploads of routes, or even create customized programs to help you better meet your fitness goals.

While all that sounds great, if you just need a watch for the time, maybe heart rate and steps, you are likely looking at a more basic and simple model. Not everyone needs all these functionalities in their watches, as most people have multiple devices that can do a lot of these things already. There's no need to duplicate. This is in contrast to others who like to have the top of their device of the line and ultra-capable. Whichever style you need, getting a grip on your requirements is a good starting point to looking at all the brands and models you can choose from.

Value is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to these devices. The higher-end models are so much more than just watches, they are personal assistants, phones, and computers. For these advanced features, you are going to pay more and perhaps, the cost to get these capabilities would be well worth it and make sense in terms of value because these are functions that you need and will use often. Features that can make your life immensely easier. Others may see all these features unnecessary and the high price tag doesn't come with much value because they wouldn't the full capacity that the watch can provide.

When it comes to cost, budget options are going to be around $100 or less. They may be budget but they aren't just basic.
They can do a variety of things including track time, distance, speed, pace, and many also have additional accessories or can be paired with apps that can track the heart rate and monitor food pods. Even in this category, you can find models that will sync with computers so you can gain access to downloaded workouts.

You will be looking at approximately $100-300 for mid-range options which will offer GPS functionality, heart rate monitors, and most of the other capabilities the budget models offer. They sync with computers, and the battery power you are going to get will be much stronger. Many times, you will be able to program training support features into them.

High-end options will be in excess of the $300 mark. These will be able to provide all accessories and functionalities that are compatible with GPS. They can be programmed, have customizable screens and can be activity specific in their functionality. If you are a swimmer, for instance, you could find a model that would track distance covered or even count the number of strokes you take. They can offer daily assistance like the ability to use the phone for calls or texting. They can also have computer functionality such as access to emails and the ability to search the internet.

There are a ton of features that we could get down into the nitty-gritty on but the time it would take to cover so many technological applications and very specialized options would simply take too long. Therefore, to keep the information concise, here are the general categories you will most likely see all these applications fall into. These categories should cover the majority of the features you may run into.

Hardware
Extended Battery-life, GPS location abilities, and other sensors that are even more advanced and detailed than GPS such as thermometers or accelerometers can be found. The ability to tell direction with a built-in compass is very helpful when you are exercising outside. You may also find barometric altimeters.

Data Fields
This is what you'd want in a model that can track and record information such as pace the number of steps you take. This information can help you monitor your fitness level and your progression over time. Standard features like a watch to tell time, or the ability to track distance and pace are going to be standard on most all products. Calorie expenditure, or elevation measurements, even cadence measurements are some of the other more niche and advanced features you may look at if you are engaging in a particular activity like rock climbing or swimming for example. The list of what can be tracked and recorded doesn't end there.

Maps and Memory
Some watches may have simplistic maps that help track full routes taken. Others may store location points without charting the full route, and use numbered coordinates to navigate location. If you are out hiking in the woods and need to know where a road intersects a lot where you parked your car, these navigational tools are going to be invaluable for you to find your way back once you have gotten deep into the brush. The range of memory depends on the model. Some can store a ton of information while others only have a minimum capacity.

Training Aids and Signals
If you are looking to meet specific fitness goals, like running a certain distance or a number of laps on a course, you can set these alerts to beep or alert you in some way, maybe even vibrate to let you know that you reached your desired distance or goals.

Syncing
Nowadays most of our electronic devices will sync. When you are training, the ability to download a training program and access them with your laptop, computer, or other smart devices can be very helpful. In the modern day of social media, accountability is easier and easier to obtain. Many of these syncing abilities are also functional with social media accounts like say, Facebook, so when you have done a workout or if you ran a tough course not only will you know it but so will all of your friends and family.

Accessories
If you have a watch that doesn't have some of the built-in functionality of say, a heart rate monitor watch for instance, but you do own a separate heart rate monitor you may have the ability to pair each device together. This is also true for an assortment of accessories like cadence sensors for example. There are many accessories you could potentially have the ability to pair together, you just have to take the time to look at all your fitness devices and check to see if that potential exists.

There is almost nothing that cannot be tracked via GPS. There are also a ton of outdoor activities that can benefit from the use of GPS tracking. Running or hiking, maybe even your daily walk can find benefit in GPS tracking.

Because these watches can be made to fit specialty or niche activities like mountain climbing to running, you want to keep in mind that the features associated with one activity specific watch may not translate to the features needed for another activity. A swimmer isn't going to want a watch that is made for bicyclists any more than a runner wants a watch that has information capabilities for skiers. Your best bet in getting the exact features you want is to figure out what specifically you want to use your watch for.

You also would do well to assess how in-depth or how technical you need the features to be. If you are just a casual runner, you may not need a watch that is designed to provide all the detailed feedback that a seasoned triathlete who competes often requires. Knowing these things could not only save you money, increase the value of the product you pick as it will align better to your needs, but also serve you the best way.

As with any type of gear you use when you are active the lighter the better, the less bulky, the better, and of course the more comfortable the better. Nothing that you want will be heavy and awkward to wear. You don't want anything to weigh you down and hold you back from meeting your full potential while exercising and performing at your best. If a piece of gear is uncomfortable to wear, it is less likely you will use it. So finding materials that breathe, that can be easily washed or wiped down, that have some ability to flex without being so loose that they dangle or fall off, designs that don't dig into your skin or cause you rashes or irritation will all go into the comfort level when using your gear.