Hybrid smartwatch: a comparison of the best models in 2023

What is the best hybrid smartwatch?Faced with the sometimes questionable autonomy of classic connected watches, manufacturers had to find solutions. The best solution has proven to be the creation of hybrid watches combining connected functions and “old-fashioned” hands. Brands also compete in imagination to impose their flagship models on a market in full speed.

The French Withings has thus established itself among the first in this sector usually dominated by Asian and American brands. He was quickly joined by competitors such as Fossil, Garmin and LG. All hybrid watches from these brands offer impressive autonomy, ranging from one week to several months. However, this is done at the expense of certain options such as GPS or Wi-Fi connectivity. The choice remains very wide, however, with very beautiful connected watches to be discovered regularly.

Pros+ Elegant design+ Discreet and practical OLED screen+ Good autonomyCons– OLED screen unreadable in direct sunlight– A little light sports tracking

If there is one name that stands out in the world of hybrid watches, it is that of Withings. The French brand supplies the market with a whole range of quality smartwatches, aimed at all budgets. The top model Steel HR Sport is the most complete, combining modern design and comprehensive connected functions.

A design that always hits the bull’s eye

Nothing looks more like a Withings watch than another Withings watch. The DNA of the French brand is firmly anchored in Steel HR Sport. The beauty thus adopts a very light 40 mm case. This houses the hands as well as an OLED screen and a second dial which indicates the progress in your daily sports goal. The look of the set proves devilishly effective on a daily basis, making the connected watch look like an analog model all that is most classic. Great art!

Sporty but not too much

Withings has always oriented its connected objects towards health and physical well-being. The Steel HR Sport is therefore aimed above all at athletes with its sleek look and its breathable silicone strap. The tocante can track heart rate, sleep, VO2Max level and up to 30 different sports. But in absolute terms, it remains very basic, content with simple statements. The Health Mate app follows the same voice: simplicity above all. Regular athletes will therefore turn to other solutions such as the Garmin Vivomove 3.

A champion battery

Using only an OLED screen, the Withings hybrid watch does not consume much energy. It can thus operate two to three weeks between each recharge, crushing the classic connected watches which struggle to function more than a few days. Better still: at the end of the battery, the reserve mode cuts off the OLED screen and the heart rate sensor to offer twenty days of additional autonomy!

Our opinion on the Withings Steel HR Sport

The French hybrid is a real favorite. Designed to maintain health in a simple way, it offers a monstrous autonomy and a design with little onions.

Best Price Withings Steel HR Sport

$199.95

in stock

2 new from $199.95

8 used from $148.12

as of March 16, 2023 11:36 am  

$159.96

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$159.96

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Pros+ Invisible OLED screen+ Advanced sports monitoringCons– Disappointing autonomy– OLED screen unreadable in direct sunlight

We especially know Garmin for its excellent sport connected watches. The American manufacturer has however been trying the hybrid market for some time now. And success seems to be there if we believe the recent release of the Vivomove 3.

An invisible OLED screen

When Garmin encroaches on the Withings flower beds, it gives an attractive result. The Vivomove 3 indeed has an OLED screen … completely invisible when it is in standby! Hidden in the lower part of the 44mm case, it displays a lot of information such as the number of steps, the heart rate or even your stress level. When activated, the analog hands are placed so as not to obstruct the view, which is very practical. The Luxe model even uses two screens but its high price does not put it within reach of all budgets …

Sport first

More than all of its competitors, the Vivomove 3 targets athletes. Admittedly, it does not carry GPS like most hybrids, but that does not prevent taking advantage of Garmin’s expertise in the sports field. The hybrid watch thus makes it possible to monitor sleep, daily sports progress, heart rate but also other less widespread parameters such as the climbs or the SpO2 level. The Garmin Connect app, although a little austere, then allows you to display all this data in the form of graphs.

A little light autonomy

As beautiful and efficient as it is, the Vivomove 3 suffers from a big flaw for a hybrid: its autonomy too low. In online mode, it hardly exceeds five days. As long as you use it intensively for sport, it will last even less. To get the best battery time, about twenty days, you will have to switch to classic watch mode without health monitoring or notifications.

Our opinion on the Garmin Vivomove 3

Probably the best cut hybrid watch for athletes. Too bad it costs so much and lacks autonomy from its competitors.

Best Price Garmin Vivomove 3

$134.99

in stock

3 used from $134.99

as of March 16, 2023 11:36 am  

out of stock

as of March 16, 2023 11:36 am  

out of stock

as of March 16, 2023 11:36 am  

Pros+ Light and discreet design+ Impressive autonomyCons– Very limited connected and sports functions– Application in English

Xiaomi launched in 2017 its own brand of connected watches, Amazfit. But more recently, the Chinese brand has also tried hybrid watches with the Mijia Quartz Watch. As often with the Asian manufacturer, it is the price that tips the scales in favor of this smartwatch.

A very discreet watch

Like the Fossil Q Commuter, it is hard to see that the Mijia Quartz Watch is a connected knock. Very fine and ultra-light, it goes unnoticed on the wrist with a case of only 40 mm for a weight of 42 grams. The dial has three hands as with Withings, the smallest indicating the number of steps of the day. Three colors are available for this smartwatch that will appeal to both men and women.

Very reduced connected functions

Of the six hybrid watches in our selection, it is that of Xiaomi which has the least number of connected functions. The very minimalist application only allows you to see the number of steps of the day or to program alarms. There is no monitoring of sleep or heart rate, minimalism is essential. Athletes will therefore go their way without regrets.

Insane autonomy

Like the Fossil Q Commuter, the Mijia Quartz Watch works with a button cell. The absence of a heart rate sensor and OLED screen thus allows it a huge autonomy of six to eight months. It is also water resistant, allowing it to be used in the shower without risk. But what really sets this smartwatch apart from its competitors is its price. It is thus found at less than 60 € where the other models are displayed two or three times more expensive.

Our opinion on the Xiaomi Mijia Quartz Watch

The Xiaomi hybrid watch is inexpensive and we quickly understand why: no heart rate sensor, a minimalist application and anecdotal health monitoring … Despite everything, it is worth a look for its sober design and its monstrous autonomy, all at a truly contained price….

Best Price Xiaomi Mijia Quartz Watch

out of stock

as of March 16, 2023 11:36 am  

out of stock

as of March 16, 2023 11:36 am  

$74.99

out of stock

as of March 16, 2023 11:36 am  

Pros+ Very classy design+ Smart needle management+ Excellent autonomyCons– Anecdotal health monitoring– No heart sensor– Austere application

An essential brand in the field of connected watches, Fossil probably has the widest range of hybrids available on the market. Our choice fell on the Commuter, impressive but devilishly efficient.

No screen but very smart needles

At first glance, there is nothing to say that the Fossil Q Commuter is a connected watch. No visible or hidden OLED screen, just classic hands and a second dial with a small needle. Under the massive aspect of this hybrid however hides a smart mechanism that moves the hands on the two dials when you receive a notification. Even better: everything is customizable thanks to the application!

Several looks for all tastes

Are you looking for a watch that really suits your taste? So the Fossil Q Commuter should be seen urgently. Fossil brilliantly mixes the colors of the cases and the materials of its bracelets. From the vintage leather look to all metal through the discreet urban, the Commuter is available in all sauces. We will only blame this watch for the lack of lighting for the night. Without a secondary screen, it is impossible to see the time in the dark …

A health part in retreat but an impressive autonomy

Let’s be frank: the Fossil Q Commuter is clearly not for athletes. If the hybrid watch is able to track sleep and the number of steps, it does not go any further. The absence of a heart rate sensor penalizes it heavily for monitoring health. However, this allows its battery to provide up to six months of battery life. Note, however, the efforts of Fossil has updated its smartphone application to make it more effective in monitoring sleep.

Our opinion on the Fossil Q Commuter

The American hybrid goes against the trend by focusing more on design than on health monitoring. It succeeds particularly well thanks to a really smart notification system. Its battery life is also one of the best at the moment.

Best Price Fossil Q Commuter

out of stock

as of March 16, 2023 11:36 am  

Pros+ Discreet look+ ECG function+ Superb autonomyCons– Sports tracking too light

Another Withings watch? Well yes. The French brand is really very prolific and has once again been talked about with its latest creation, the MoveECG. Beneath its analog watch appearance hides a very complete hybrid smartwatch.

The Withings design still as effective

More affordable than the Steel HR Sport, the Withings Move ECG skips the OLED screen. The smartwatch always retains this look so typical of the productions of French society. Whatever the situation, the connected watch blends perfectly with the wrist, it’s a real pleasure! On top of that it is very light, weighing barely 30 grams.

The watch that takes care of your heart

No need to invest $ 400 in an Apple Watch to benefit from an ECG at your fingertips. As its name suggests, the Withings watch has an EKG system to monitor the heart. Its child-friendly use makes it possible to obtain precise graphics and recommendations in a few days on the Health Mate application. Coupled with other brand devices like the blood pressure monitor and the connected scale, the Move ECG is particularly useful for keeping an eye on one’s health. Of course, it can also track the quality of your sleep or your sports activities like all other Withings hybrid watches.

Not too sporty but enduring

Like its counterparts from the French brand’s catalog, the Withings Move ECG can follow many sports. But we must admit that it remains limited in the relevance of the statements, especially as soon as we get out of the classic walk or running. It will however be suitable for beginners who want to move more regularly. And with its record 18-month battery life guaranteed, no risk of breaking down during a cycling session!

Our opinion on the Withings Move ECG

Perfectly integrated into the Withings ecosystem, the Move ECG is the only hybrid watch of the moment to monitor heart health. In addition to that, it is versatile and enduring, while remaining affordable.

Pros+ Very complete WearOS+ True color touch screenCons– Disappointing autonomy– Needles not always well managed

A needle watch under WearOS, you had to dare. It is however the daring bet taken by the Korean manufacturer LG with the Watch W7. A one of a kind model that is worth a look.

A very urban look

It is undeniable, the LG Watch W7 is not the most discreet of smartwatches. Its 44 mm case is really imposing, as is its weight of 80 grams. We feel it pass once placed on the wrist! Its look is also reminiscent of that of the Samsung Galaxy Watch. The comparison ends here, however, since LG’s knockout is a truly unique hybrid model on the market.

WearOS + needles = W7

The Watch W7 WearOS operating system is widely used in the connected watch market. However, it never had to work in conjunction with real needles. The final result is not without interest even if there is sometimes a little discomfort from the badly placed needles. However, the presence of a large 1.2 ”touch screen allows more information to be displayed than other hybrids on the market. The W7 is therefore ideal if you like to manage lots of notifications and other information on the wrist.

Smart Health in the background

Without a heart rate sensor or GPS, the LG Watch W7 leaves health monitoring in the background. It will therefore shine more as a companion for notifications, sending messages and other connected functions. Its aging SoC Wear 2100 unfortunately limits its power. Using a hybrid system, however, allows you to enjoy a two-day autonomy in connected mode and more than two months in classic watch mode. Not bad for a WearOS watch!

Our opinion on the LG Watch W7

The Korean hybrid is clearly atypical. The unique WearOS and needles mixture will not convince everyone. However, it allows you to benefit from a hybrid smartwatch very focused on connected functions, even if it is to the detriment of health monitoring. It is recommended to the most curious above all.

  • Product

  • Features

  • Photos

  • Precision LG smart movement delivered by a premium made Gear box (hour/minute) combining smart functions with analog sensibility of real watch hands

  • Stainless Steel, IP 68 water resistant case body

  • Amazing mechanical functions, delivered in a way that ordinary watches and other smart watches cannot perform: compass, altimeter, barometer, Stopwatch and timer

Last update was on: March 16, 2023 11:36 am

  • Precision LG smart movement delivered by a premium made Gear box (hour/minute) combining smart functions with analog sensibility of real watch hands

  • Stainless Steel, IP 68 water resistant case body

  • Amazing mechanical functions, delivered in a way that ordinary watches and other smart watches cannot perform: compass, altimeter, barometer, Stopwatch and timer

  • Accelerometer, magnetic, Gyro & pressure sensors

  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2Le connectivity

How to choose your hybrid smartwatch?

How will I use my watch?

Are you more athletic or want a discreet way to receive your notifications? You should think carefully about what you plan to do with your connected watch. Hybrid models do not have GPS, which penalizes them for sport. Most however have a heart rate sensor to serve as a health coach. There are also smartwatches with more or less large screens to see the notifications received on the smartphone. In any case, be aware that their functionality is less extensive than with more conventional connected watches like the Apple Watch and company.

Battery or battery?

The big advantage of hybrid watches is their impressive autonomy. Where classic smartwatches struggle to last more than five days at most, hybrid models can last for weeks or even months without recharging. The most enduring ones, however, run on batteries, which requires a regular investment of a few euros several times a year. Battery models are less enduring, but only require recharging on their base once a week or a month.

With or without screen:

The goal of hybrid connected watches is to offer a great autonomy by using an analog system with hands. It is indeed the screen that is the most greedy on a smartwatch, so as much to do without! Some hybrids, however, retain a residual digital display in the form of an OLED screen. They are basic models, without colors and generally not tactile. However, they can display essential information such as time, heart rate or notifications. The presence of such a screen however implies a higher price than the hybrids operating only with needles.

What additional elements to take into account?

In addition to the screen, it is worth looking at what other equipment is on board your future hybrid watch. Many models use a heart rate sensor that can work 24/7. The GPS is however absent 99% of the time on this type of connected watch. It’s up to you to see if you want a sporty model or just limited to what is strictly necessary. The more high-tech equipment your watch has, the higher the price.

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