Google Pixel Watch 3 review 2024

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

If someone with a chronic illnessthe idea of ​​wearable technology is definitely attractive. When I was the first dealing with long COVID In 2021, my mother bought me a pulse oximeter to monitor my heart rate and oxygen saturation. Although the clip-on oximeter ultimately proved impractical for constant daily use, I still remember the comfort these numbers provided. While most people probably use their Google Pixel watches as an extension of their Pixel phones, I was most interested in capabilities like sleep tracking and heart rate data.

During my testing, I expected to learn something about myself, 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). After trying the Pixel Watch 3 for several weeks, here were some of my biggest takeaways.

What you get

I opted for the 45mm Pixel Watch 3 with the polished silver aluminum case and porcelain active band (although I was also tempted by the pink colorway). Since this was my first-ever smartwatch, I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of aesthetics, but I was pleasantly surprised when the Pixel Watch arrived. It looked sleek, didn’t clash with any outfit, and even the larger watch size looked small on my wrist. In addition to the actual watch face, you also receive several watch straps (which can be attached to either side of the watch) and a charger.

Set up was incredibly easy, with the exception of the attachable straps. In all honesty, if you don’t have a tapered stiletto acrylic paint, there’s a very real chance you’ll have a much easier time with the assembly than I did. However, after about seven failed attempts, I resorted to what I call “letting instinct take over,” mashing the straps on either side of the dial until I heard a satisfying click. For the record, there’s actually a button you can press on either side, which makes it easier to slide the straps into place (in theory).

What I like about the Google Pixel Watch 3

I really wanted to know how bad it was my sleep schedule really and truly. After wearing my Pixel Watch for a few days, I checked my data through gritted teeth and discovered that I wasn’t doing as bad as I thought (about seven hours on average). If you want to know more about your sleep patterns, the Pixel Watch can also tell you your sleep score (mine is usually in the ‘reasonable’ zone), skin temperature variation and your nightly sleep stages, broken down minute by minute. minute, so you know exactly how much time you spend in REM, light sleep, deep sleep, etc.

Of course, these weren’t the only statistics I was interested in. One of my favorite parts of the Pixel Watch 3 was the morning briefing, which is automatically delivered as soon as you wake up every morning. This aims to set you up for success by summarizing your daily readiness score, heart rate variability, training goals and ending with a quick look at the weather. It’s one thing to say you go to the gym five times a week, for example, but when you wake up and your morning note says you’ve only been once… . it really has a way of motivating you.

Actually, the Pixel Watch is great for responsibility in general. I knew I had a fairly sedentary job, but I had no idea how little I was actually moving until I started clocking entire days under 1,000 steps. In an effort to change, I set a goal of 5,000 steps and the Pixel Watch 3 immediately sent me corresponding reminders, helping me get up intermittently throughout the workday and get closer to that number.

When I went to 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 taking a walk) and giving me accurate 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.

In terms of 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 do remember my watch pinging me in the middle of an anxiety attack. He clearly sensed something was wrong, but also offered me specific suggestions, such as using a breathing app or taking a short walk. It was an unexpectedly beneficial moment that I didn’t expect but fully appreciated, and it ended up being one of the highlights of my entire Google Pixel Watch 3 experience.

What to consider before trying out the Google Pixel Watch 3

As someone who leans more towards Type A, I can see how I have access to so many statistics could trigger for some. I even found myself becoming a little obsessive at times; I constantly checked to see if I was training “hard enough” and beat myself up if I wasn’t getting enough sleep or meeting my daily step goals. That said, I personally think the watch turned out to be more of a motivator and less of a stressor. I approached the data with curiosity rather than stone-cold judgment, and I think this may have made new information feel less overwhelming. If you want to know more about yourself, the Google Pixel Watch 3 will certainly help you, but remember not to get too caught up in all the goals and metrics.

Who is the Google Pixel Watch 3 best for?

Because of its advanced fitness tracking capabilities like a running dashboard, form analysis, and AI-powered running recommendations, I think runners, athletes, and avid fitness enthusiasts would get the most out of the Google Pixel Watch 3. That said, if more I myself am a casual gym goer (and one novice runner at best), I still really appreciated all the metrics and felt like it made a big 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 potential barrier at a cool $400. However, considering other smart watches and similar sleep gadgets are around the same price, this would be a great piece of tech if you have a Pixel phone and want to invest in your health. Because this watch can do so much, depending on your lifestyle, you generally need fewer gadgets.

Additional details

• The watch is available in four different color options: silver case/porcelain strap, silver case/rose quartz strap, gold case/hazelnut strap and black case/obsidian strap
• The watch has a battery life of up to 36 hours (in battery saving mode)
• The watch charges incredibly quickly (we’re talking minutes) with 20 percent faster charging

Where is the Google Pixel Watch 3 available?

You can shop the Google Pixel Watch 3 at Google Store, Goalor Best buy.

Judgement:★★★★★

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