Whether you’re working out in your spare time or a determined fitness enthusiast, having a high-quality sports watch can help you achieve your goals.
Sports watches have progressed from being a novelty among gym rats to an indispensable gadget that provides real-time monitoring of your performance and other amazing features.
Usually, these watches could easily cost over a grand due to their design and number of capabilities.
That is why we reviewed five of the highly-rated models to determine which is the best sports watch under 1000 dollars.
We looked into each of their features, pros, and cons to help decide which watch works best for you.
Comparison Chart
Best Sports Watch Under 1000: A Review
1. Fitbit Versa 2 Smartwatch
With over 100 million devices sold, Fitbit is one of the world leaders in fitness electronics today.
One of their products is the Fitbit Versa 2 Smartwatch, which was first released in 2019.
Packed with different types of functionality, it can help elevate your fitness intensity to new heights.
Review
You can use your voice via the built-in AI assistant Amazon Alexa on this sports watch to get the information you need or adjust the settings of your smart home devices.
This hands-free feature provides so much convenience, especially if you are in the middle of your workouts.
The Fitbit Versa 2 Smartwatch also has All-Day Activity Tracking technology.
It essentially monitors the number of steps, distance traveled, estimated calories burned, your active and stationary time.
It also monitors your heart rate and time asleep.
The watch can therefore aid in understanding your sleep quality every night due to the Sleep Tracking with Light, Deep, REM feature.
The tracker on the Fitbit Versa 2 Smartwatch can improve your menstrual health by following your cycle, record symptoms, and other related aspects.
On the other hand, 24/7 heart rate tracking makes tracking calorie burn and resting heart rate trends more precise.
This feature offers real-time guidance to improve the quality of your workouts.
The watch also has an Oxygen Saturation or SpO2 monitoring capability, which helps you be aware of important updates in your health and wellness.
The SpO2 is the oxygen level in your blood.
Due to the inclusion of the Find My Phone app on this sports watch, you can locate a misplaced smartphone right from your wrist.
With a single tap, your phone will consistently ring and vibrate to get your attention.
You can get personalized on-screen exercises that play on your watch, guide you through each move, and change based on your feedback.
This is extremely helpful if you want to follow a strict workout regimen.
Also, with its 50-meter water-resistant feature, you can wear the watch while swimming in the pool, taking a shower, and many other activities that involve water.
You can automatically record workouts, such as jogging, biking, and other cardio activities, via the SmartTrack™ Auto Exercise Recognition feature of the Versa 2 Smartwatch.
Pros:
- Premium specs
- Durable screen
- Long battery life
- Multiple color options
Cons:
- Pandora only works in the USA
- No integration with Google Fit and Apple Health
2. Apple Watch Series 6
As one of the top brands in technology, Apple is a household name for their premium set of popular products that most of us have owned or, at the very least, know.
The Apple Watch Series 6 is one of the latest entries in the series that promises itself as the ultimate device for a healthy life.
Review
Similar to its predecessor, the Apple Watch Series 6 features an Always-On Retina display.
That is all thanks to the OLED LTPO (Ultra-Low Power Temperature Polysilicon and Oxide).
This aspect makes it possible to continuously display time and other information on the screen, even when the watch is idle.
Apple also boasts the blood oxygen measurement capability of this watch. You can take on-demand readings whenever you please.
One of the watch’s highlights is the ECG app, capable of creating an ECG that shares a resemblance to a single-lead electrocardiogram.
Obviously, this is not meant to replace the more accurate readings than the ones clinics use.
Still, it is a welcome feature if you are very health-conscious.
To help you get the appropriate amount of sleep, Apple equipped the Sleep app into the Series 6 Watch.
This app aids you in establishing a regular bedtime routine and monitors your sleep trends every night.
This entry has the Digital Crown, the signature primary physical control dial of the Apple watches.
You can spin, press, and hold it to activate numerous features.
The Apple Watch Series 6 Watch also includes the Activity Rings app.
It helps remind you of your daily activity level to keep you motivated to avoid a sedentary lifestyle.
You can also share your Activity Rings with loved ones to encourage each other to do more.
Apple Music hosts over 75 million songs to help you relax or get in the mood while working out.
As you might have guessed, you need to pay a subscription to access its functions.
The custom face is also one of the signature features of Apple Watches.
This version allows you to have numerous options to personalize the face you prefer, whether it’s to match your actual facial features, mood, or style.
If you want to see a day and night cycle visualization, the SolarWatch app got you covered.
The Apple Watch Series 6’s Night Sky, on the other hand, provides stargazing conditions.
Pros:
- Water-resistant
- Distinct color options
- Interchangeable band
- Clear display
Cons:
- Expensive
- Battery life could be better
3. Fitbit Sense Smartwatch
The company Fitbit offers an array of smartwatches and trackers tailored for health and fitness monitoring.
As the second Fitbit product in this list, the Fitbit Sense sports watch shares many similar features that help you control your health.
Review
With the EDA Scan app, you can be aware of the electrodermal activity that could indicate your body’s response to stress.
You can also monitor your skin temperature via the built-in sensor that logs your measurements every night so you can see the variations.
The ECG app on this smartwatch monitors your heart for atrial fibrillation and irregularities in rhythm.
You can share the results with the doctor for a more detailed analysis of the findings.
Logging your mood into the Sense watch from very calm to very stressed helps you reflect on what makes you feel your best.
Heart rate is one of the critical indicators of your state of health, so you will get notifications whenever you have a high or low heart rate.
You can choose from more than 20 goal-based exercise modes that provide real-time stats during workouts.
If you don’t feel that the preset modes are for you, the SmartTrack™ is also capable of automatically recording your stats.
The Fitbit app logs your daily Sleep Score, which displays all your time with the lights on, deep, and REM sleep.
This information will aid you in understanding your quality of sleep better every night.
Customizing the clock face is also possible with the Fitbit Sense Smartwatch.
There are hundreds of designs to choose from, and you can save up to five of them as favorites.
This sports watch features a custom AMOLED and polished stainless steel ring that make up for a sleek, premium appearance.
Answering calls on this watch is viable due to the built-in mic and speaker.
You can do this by establishing a Bluetooth connection between your phone and the watch.
Labeled as the “Smart Wake”, this gadget can wake you up with a quiet vibration whenever you are on a power nap or light sleep.
This function allows you to be awake without excessive noise.
AI Assistant apps such as Google Assistance or Amazon Alexa are available on the Fitbit Sense.
Get your news, write your emails, play music, and more by just using your voice.
The Fitbit Sense Smartwatch also comes with a free six-month trial version of the Fitbit Premium.
This service offers to help you manage your wellness and stress while keeping you stay active.
You can use this watch to pay for various purchases via the Fitbit app.
This feature is advantageous if you prefer not to bring any cash or card with you whenever you are shopping.
If you’re looking for a water-resistant smartwatch, the Fitbit Sense can withstand up to 50 meters deep water.
Thus, you can use the watch to track your progress during laps on a pool, wear it during shower time, kayaking, and other related activities.
Pros:
- Fast charging
- Lightweight band
- Slim design
- Multiple accessory bands available
Cons:
- No built-in music storage
- Paywall on some tracking features
4. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2
The South Korean-based tech giant Samsung is one of the top brands in consumer electronics today.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 is one of the latest additions to their collection of smartwatches, which offers a diverse set of functions.
Review
The UnderArmour edition of this Samsung Galaxy smartwatch comes with free six-month access to MapMyRun.
You can take advantage of the real-time Form Coaching feature that provides feedback based on your cadence data and other related stats.
With a fully charged battery, the watch can function throughout a whole day with regular use.
As such, you can do your usual workout routine without worrying that the watch will not last.
Among the main highlights of this entry is the military-grade durability with its IP68 and 5ATM dust and water resistance capabilities.
This feature allows you to have peace of mind while doing various strenuous outdoor activities.
Samsung believes that exercise is more fun and rewarding when you share it with others.
Thus, you can compare your progress via the Group Challenge function of the watch.
Like other sports watches, the Galaxy Watch Active2 monitors your movements as soon as you wear it.
Numerous exercises such as swimming, rowing, and dynamic workout are also included in its automatic tracking function.
Additionally, logging your stress levels is possible with the built-in stress tracker.
Besides the stress tracker, it also displays suggested breathing techniques to relieve some of the tension.
This sports watch automatically detects whenever you’re washing your hands.
After recognizing that you are making the gesture, the gadget displays a countdown to make sure you are doing it properly.
Using the Samsung Health Monitor App, you can check your blood pressure without routinely needing a cuff.
You can also activate the heart rhythm tracking function via ECG by holding the Galaxy Watch2’s back button for about 30 seconds.
Sharing the report with a professional is suggested to get more insights.
Numerous sensors included are gyro, accelerometer, ambient light, and HRM for optimal tracking of various aspects of your health and fitness.
This device recognizes formats such as MP3, OGG, AAC, WAV, and many others.
So, if you have custom audio files that you prefer to listen to, then this watch is for you.
Pros:
- Wireless charging
- LTE models available
- Digital haptic dial
- Minimalist design
Cons:
- Color options not diverse
- Requires a Galaxy phone to activate ECG
5. Samsung Galaxy Watch3
As one of the dominant tech brands we have today, Samsung offers a vast collection of consumer electronics, from phones to air purifiers.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch3 is one of those models that people label as the best “non-Apple” smartwatch.
Review
Samsung is proud of the unique precision rotating bezel that allows you to navigate through the apps with relative ease.
This release is thinner and smaller than its predecessors but makes up for it by being 15% lighter.
Its design also gives a sophisticated look to your wrist.
The high-quality design of the Galaxy Watch3 is not only due to the actual watch but also extends to its strap made from genuine leather.
This type of leather gives off a natural, classic look that many users can surely appreciate.
Using a red LED and infrared rays, this sports watch calculates the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream.
Since oxygen saturation is connected to physical activity, this gadget can help you elevate your current performance.
The enhanced accelerometer of this device allows it to detect hard falls automatically.
So, whenever you encounter such incidents, your emergency contact will receive an SOS with your location.
Like other smartwatches on this list, the Galaxy Watch3 monitors your deep sleep, REM cycles, and total sleep time.
By tracking your metrics, you can improve your rest quality.
You can also choose from over 120 built-in workout programs that you can do at home.
Watching the programs on your TV is possible as long as your phone is capable of casting content.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch3 also has an advanced algorithm that analyzes the way you move.
It can help you improve your form, which could lead to better results and fewer injuries.
When you connect your phone to this sports watch, you can see the chat history, in addition to every new text.
As such, you can easily give concise and accurate responses because you can follow the flow of the conversation.
Pros:
- Durable
- Premium design
- Multiple color options
- Diverse strap models
- Compatible with many non-Samsung devices
Cons:
- Expensive
- Underwhelming battery life
- Not too many improvements from the previous model
Conclusion
Considering the features, price, and design, we picked the Apple Watch Series 6 as the best sports watch under 1000.
Many of its features are similar to other watches on this list.
Still, the strong set of fitness-tracking features, music storage capabilities, high-resolution OLED display, plus the VO2 max readings makes it stand out among others.
Sure, Apple Watch 6 may be the most expensive watch of them all, but we believe that its set of features justifies it.