Digital watches have evolved from simple timekeeping devices to packed with advanced features and functions. With so many options to consider, it can get overwhelming when shopping for a new digital watch. This buyer’s guide will explain the key features available on modern digital watches so you can determine what combination best fits your needs and lifestyle.
Time and Date Display
The primary purpose of any watch is to conveniently display the current time and date. Digital watches show time numerically making it very easy to glance and read quickly. Date displays can show the day of the week and numeric date, and some even track the month and year. Look for large, crisp, and luminous displays for easy readability. Many digital watches also offer dual time zone options for travelers or keep track of time in two locations.
Alarms and Alerts
Digital watches provide helpful vibrating or audible alerts and alarms. Basic models have daily alarms while more advanced watches have options like multiple alarms, countdown timers, and hourly chimes. Smartwatches can notify you of phone calls, texts, app alerts, and calendar events. It is useful if you need reminders or don’t want to miss notifications when your phone isn’t readily accessible.
Stopwatches and Timers
Built-in stopwatch and countdown timer functions make digital watches useful for tracking intervals during activities or timing events down to the second. Split and lap times are helpful for training. Countdown timers with alerts are handy for timing anything from boiling eggs to presenting speeches. Digital timing features are very precise and most watches store records for recall.
Sensors for Fitness Tracking
Many advanced digital watches now incorporate sensors to track health, fitness, and sports data. Look for watches with optical heart rate monitors, accelerometers for counting steps and tracking movement, altimeters for elevation measurements, and GPS for monitoring pace, distance, and routes during activities. Smartwatches take fitness tracking even further by syncing data with phones and health apps.
Outdoor Features
For hiking, camping, fishing, or water sports, specialized digital field watches offer features tailored for the outdoors. These include things like barometers, compasses, tide graphs, thermometers for ambient temperature, storm alerts, and sunrise/sunset times. Rugged cases provide protection and waterproofing rated for depths of up to 100m. GPS integration maps routes, tracks position, and even guides you back to start.
Smartwatch Connectivity Features
In addition to activity tracking and notifications, smartwatches add features through connectivity with your smartphone. You can make/receive calls, sync calendars, control music playback, find your lost phone, access apps like news and weather, use contactless payments, and more. Check that your smartwatch is compatible with iOS or Android and review supported apps and functions.
Watch Style and Customization
Beyond functionality, also consider the style and aesthetics of your digital watch. There are traditional resin and steel sports watches as well as more elegant leather, titanium, and gold-tone options. Customize with different band colors and materials. Smartwatches aim for a techy yet fashionable look with sleek cases and customizable watch faces. Match to your style.
Battery Life
Depending on features and usage patterns, digital watch battery life ranges from a few days up to a year on a single charge. Basic watches without extra functions will last the longest. Rechargeable lithium batteries are common in smartwatches, typically needing daily or weekly charging. Some models have power-saving modes to extend the battery when not using all features actively.
Digital watches pack useful technology into portable timekeeping devices on your wrist. Evaluating the combination of features that best match your lifestyle needs and preferences will ensure you select a digital watch that will serve you well for years to come.
