Dan Bracaglia

Dan Bracaglia

Senior Writer, Fitness & Wearables

Dan Bracaglia is the Tom’s Guide editorial lead for all things smartwatches, fitness trackers and outdoor gear. With 15 years of experience as a consumer technology journalist testing everything from Oura Rings to instant cameras, Dan is deeply passionate about helping readers save money and make informed purchasing decisions. In the past year alone, Dan has assessed major product releases from the likes of Apple, Garmin, Google, Samsung, Polar and many others. 

An avid outdoor adventurer, Dan is based in the U.S. Pacific Northwest where he takes advantage of the beautiful surroundings every chance he gets. A lover of kayaking, hiking, swimming, biking, snowboarding and exploring, he also makes every effort to combine his day job with his passions. When not assessing the sleep tracking and heart rate accuracy of the latest tach gadgets, you can find him photographing Seattle’s vibrant underground music community.

Latest articles by Dan Bracaglia

Close-up of the Ringconn Gen 2 Air smart ring

I tested the best smart rings for tracking your health without a smartwatch

By Dan Bracaglia last updated

I've tested the best smart rings available right now to help you find a finger-based tracker to record your steps, sleep and more.

Smart Rings
Garmin Forerunner 570

Best Garmin watch 2025 tested and rated: Top picks to hit your fitness goals this year

By Nick Harris-Fry last updated

We put Garmin's best fitness and adventure watches to the test, and these are our top picks for runners, hikers, marathoners, triathletes and casual exercisers alike.

Smartwatches
Close up of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 8 and Apple Watch Series 10 next to each other against a green, foliage background

I walked 5,000 steps with the Apple Watch 10 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 — there’s a clear winner

By Dan Bracaglia last updated

Here's how Samsung's latest smartwatch stacks up against Apple's when it comes to accurately tracking outdoor workouts.

Smartwatches
The Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Ultra 2 sitting next to each other on a wooden table

Best Apple Watch in 2025: Each model tested and rated by our experts

By Jane McGuire last updated

Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Ultra 2 vs. SE: Based on our team's tests and reviews, these are the best Apple Watch models for fitness, battery life and value.

Smartwatches
Close-up of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic on the writer's wrist

Forget the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 — the ‘Classic’ model is the real star of the lineup

By Dan Bracaglia published

The new Galaxy Watch 8 comes in several varieties. But there's one model in particular that stands out from the rest.

Smartwatches
Close-up of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 on the writer's wrist showing the Gemini AI assistant feature

Meet the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 — the first Android smartwatch with Gemini AI built in

By Dan Bracaglia published

The Galaxy Watch 8 series ushers in a new era of design and onboard AI features. Plus: The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic edition is back, baby.

Smartwatches
The Apple Watch Series 10 on a user's wrist showing a colorful orange and pink home screen

It's almost time for new Apple Watches — 5 upgrades I’m hoping for most

By Dan Bracaglia last updated

I’ve got high hopes for the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3. Here's why.

Smartwatches
Close-up of the Casio G-Shock Move GBA950 fitness-tracking smartwatch on the writer's wrist

Forget the Apple Watch — 5 reasons I’ll be wearing the new Casio G-Shock this summer instead

By Dan Bracaglia last updated

The new Casio G-Shock Move GBA950 tracks your steps, calories and physical activity. It also looks nothing like a smartwatch.

Fitness Trackers
A Fitbit Charge 6 shown on a wrist next to the Amazfit Bip 5.

We've tested the best cheap fitness trackers available right now

By Dan Bracaglia last updated

We put the best cheap fitness trackers to the test to help you cover the essentials like sleep tracking, steps, and heart rate without breaking the bank.

Fitness Trackers
Close up of an Apple Watch Series 10 showing the steps to install the Google Calendar app, including navigating to the app store, searching and downloading the app and syncing it with your iPhone

Apple Watch finally has a Google Calendar app — here’s how to set it up

By Dan Bracaglia published

Google Calendar is now available in the Apple Watch App Store. Here’s how to get it up and running in five simple steps.

Smartwatches
Renders of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic on a blue background

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 — these 5 rumored upgrades could be game-changing

By Dan Bracaglia published

We’re less than two weeks from Galaxy Unpacked, where we’ll likely get our first look at the new Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and possibly Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.

Smartwatches
Side shot of the Timberland Motion Access Mid Waterproof Sneakers (black) shown on the reviewers feet

2025 hiker’s gear guide — 9 pieces of outdoor gear I can’t live without

By Dan Bracaglia published

Presented by Timberland

Get your hike on with these trail-approved staples, picked by our resident outdoor gear expert, from no-break-in footwear to the perfect camping chair.

Fitness
Close up of the Garmin Venu X1 smartwatch next to the Apple Watch Ultra 2

I walked 7,000 steps with the Garmin Venu X1 vs. the Apple Watch Ultra 2 — this watch won

By Dan Bracaglia last updated

Our Garmin Venu X1 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2 comparison looks to answer one question: Which is the more accurate fitness tracker?

Smartwatches
Apple Watch Series 10 next to a Garmin Forerunner 570 on a user's wrist with green foliage out of focus in the background

I walked 5,500 steps with the Garmin Forerunner 570 vs Apple Watch 10 — this smartwatch won

By Dan Bracaglia last updated

I tested the step count tracking accuracy of the Apple Watch Series 10 versus the Garmin Forerunner 570.

Smartwatches
Close-up of the Amazfit Balance 2 smartwatch on an orange rubber strap

I just went hands-on with the Amazfit Balance 2 — this new multisport smartwatch boasts 21 days of battery life

By Dan Bracaglia published

Amazfit also announced the new Helio Strap, a screen-less device similar to Whoop 5.0.

Smartwatches
Garmin Venu X1

5 reasons why the Garmin Venu X1 could be my new favorite Apple Watch Ultra 2 alternative

By Dan Bracaglia published

The Garmin Venu X1 is unlike any Garmin smartwatch I've encountered and may finally be the Apple Watch Ultra 2 alternative I've been craving.

Smartwatches
The Google Pixel Watch 3 in 41mm and 45mm sitting beside each other on a red table next to blue earbuds, purple flowers and a yellow compass

Google Exclusive: How the Pixel Watch 3 got a life-saving feature the Apple Watch can't match

By Dan Bracaglia last updated

From concept to crisis averted, a Google product manager tells all about the Pixel Watch 3's Loss of Pulse Detection feature.

Smartwatches
The Fitbit Charge 6 on an orange strap next to the Pixel Watch 3 on a black strap on a user's wrist with blue and pink flowers in the background

I walked 6,500 steps with the Fitbit Charge 6 vs Pixel Watch 3 — and I’m surprised by the winner

By Dan Bracaglia published

This Fitbit Charge 6 versus Google Pixel Watch 3 face-off looks at which Google wearable tracks daily walking goals with better accuracy.

Smartwatches
Apple Watch Series 9 on an orange band, Apple Watch Ultra 2 on a black band and Apple Watch Series 10 on a turquoise knit strap

watchOS 26 preview: 5 new Apple Watch features I can’t wait to try

By Dan Bracaglia published

I test smartwatches for a living — and these are the 5 new Apple Watch features I’m most excited to try.

Smartwatches
Nocs Zero Tube rugged monocular in orange shown close-up in a user's hand

Nocs Zero Tube hands-on — 5 reasons this tiny, tough-built telescope will be joining me on all my future hikes

By Dan Bracaglia last updated

This palm-sized, rugged telescope has quickly become a core part of my outdoor gear kit thanks to a ten times zoom and a pocket-friendly design.

Fitness
A render of the watchOS 26 logo on an Apple Watch.

watchOS 26 — all the rumored upgrades coming to Apple Watch

By Scott Younker, Dan Bracaglia last updated

We're getting closer to our first look at the new Apple Watch operating system. Here's what we expect.

Smartwatches
Close-up of a user's wrist wearing both the Apple Watch 10 on a multi-colored fabric strap (right) next to the Garmin Vivoactive 6 (left) on an emerald green strap

I biked 12 miles with the Apple Watch 10 vs Garmin Vivoactive 6 — here's the winner

By Dan Bracaglia published

I biked 12 miles with the Apple Watch 10 versus the Garmin Vivoactive 6 to find out which device was more accurate.

Smartwatches
Samsung Galaxy Ring

Samsung Galaxy Ring 2 — everything we know so far

By Dan Bracaglia last updated

The Samsung Galaxy Ring 2 may boast better battery life, a comfier design and new health sensors, but its release date is unclear at this time.

Fitness Trackers
Nocs Tube Zero monocular in bright orange

I’m an avid hiker — and these are the 7 essentials I pack every time I hit the trails

By Dan Bracaglia published

I never hit the trail without these seven hiking essentials, including my faviorite footwear, backpack, jacket, spotting scope and more.

Fitness
Close-up a user's wrist wearing both the Garmin Instinct 3 in teal and Apple Watch Series 10 on a blue band

I hiked up New York's highest waterfall with the Apple Watch 10 vs Garmin Instinct 3 — 5 things I learned

By Dan Bracaglia published

I hiked to Kaaterskill Falls in the New York Catskill Mountains while wearing two of my favorite smartwatches. Here's how the data compares.

Smartwatches
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