I am obsessed with golf. I am also addicted to golf equipment and apparel. I also love shopping for friends and loved ones (and myself), so I figured, why not combine those passions and round up the best golf gifts for any time of year?

Over the years, I've tested hundreds of golf products. I've played with the best game-tracking tool, Arccos, and I've tried some cool training aids. I've used custom golf bags and high-end launch monitors.

I've seen it all and tried most of it (and yet, I'm still not very good at golf, which is a testament to two things: golf is hard and equipment doesn't automatically make someone good).

I've created the ultimate list of gifts for the golf lover in your life, including options for every budget. I could have included way more products, but I kept it to a manageable list of things I actually use (or would happily receive as a gift) so you can be confident you're getting something they'll like.

I didn't include highly preference-based products, especially for experienced golfers.

For example, you won't find golf balls on the list, as serious golfers typically have one ball they play, and unless you know which one it is, balls are almost guaranteed to be returned. The same goes for clubs — many golfers get fitted for the right clubs, so buying them a random 5-wood won't do the job.

Instead, we're focused on useful items golfers might not have that aren't custom or tied to specific preferences.

Does that mean you can't buy balls or clubs if you know what to get? Of course not. If you know your favorite golfer plays Titleist Pro V1 or Vice Pro (my golf ball of choice), for example, then by all means grab them a dozen balls and call it a day!

Quick Links: My top 5 gifts for golfers

1. Arccos Air game tracking system
2. PathPal training aid
3. Quince affordable golf apparel
4. HackMotion Sensor 4
5. Vessel Golf Player V Pro stand bag

Golf apparel

Golf Accessories

Golf Gadgets

Off-Course Golf Gifts

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again — the Fitbit Air is one of my favorite fitness trackers to launch this year. At $99, it’s super affordable, it’s extremely comfortable to wear, and the Google Health app is excellent. Yet my one gripe has been that, while it looks a lot more discreet than a Whoop or Garmin Cirqa, I’d still take it off if I was going out with friends.

That is, until now — along with the Fitbit Edge, Google quietly released some new premium metal bands for the Fitbit Air, and they look beautiful. Move over, Oura; there’s a new device that looks like jewelry — read on to find out more.

Fitbit Air Metal Mesh band: when is it coming and what will it cost?

The Metal Mesh band is made from stainless steel and will be available in champagne gold or polished silver. On its own, it’ll cost $70, but you can also buy one that is paired with an Obsidian Fitbit Air for $149. This gives users the option to buy a more expensive-looking version of the tracker, but even with just the band itself, you won’t be able to see the little pebble when it’s on your wrist.

Of course, I’m yet to see the band up close, but they definitely give the Fitbit Air a premium facelift. The finely woven metal bands allow the device to disappear onto the wrist and look more like jewelry than any of the bands it launched with. At first glance, you probably wouldn’t even notice the tracker, making it more like the Oura Ring in terms of discreet fitness tracking.

The new bands will be available on October 27, when the Fitbit Edge launches. I, personally, can’t wait to get my hands on the Champagne gold band, but let me know what you think of the new launches in the comments below, and whether $70 is too much to spend when the tracker itself only costs $99.

Until then, I’ll sit here patiently waiting for Google to release the armband we’ve all been asking for.

More from Tom's Guide

• Can the $99 Fitbit Air beat the $799 Apple Watch Ultra 3 at fitness tracking? I manually counted 4,500 steps to find out
• I walked 4,000 steps with the Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 — and the winning margin was razor-thin
• Oura vs Whoop vs Fitbit Air — 5 questions to ask yourself before buying a screen-free fitness tracker

Fans of the Fitbit Charge 6, listen up—Google just launched the new $179 Fitbit Edge, and it replaces the Charge in the brand’s fitness-tracker lineup.

But where does it fit in Google’s smartwatch lineup? And should you choose the Fitbit Edge or the $99 Fitbit Air? Read on to find out more

What is the Fitbit Edge?

Google hasn’t released a Fitbit Charge since 2023, and at a glance, the Fitbit Edge seems to be replacing the budget fitness tracker.

On paper, it has a lot of the same features as the Charge: a small display, a week of battery life, built-in GPS, and the ability to track your workouts, sleep, and stress from your wrist. It won’t give you as many apps or notifications as a smartwatch, but it will do all the basics when it comes to keeping an eye on your health and fitness goals.

Design-wise, it looks more modern, with rounded edges compared to the Fitbit Charge 6’s boxier look. It’s also slightly bigger at 39.2 x 25.6 mm, compared to 36.7 x 23.1 mm on the Fitbit Charge 6.

The Fitbit Edge costs $180/£160 and comes in four different colors in the active band option: olive green, black, white, or pink.

The olive version has an olive aluminum casing, and the pink Fitbit Edge has a champagne gold casing. Like the Fitbit Air, there’s also a special edition Stephen Curry band, which is more expensive. Like the Fitbit Air, it’s easy to swap between bands, and from the looks of things, there are plenty more options coming soon.

Like the Fitbit Air, if you want to unlock the Gemini-powered health coach, or some of the more advanced sleep features, you’ll need to pay for a Google Health Premium membership.

This is an extra expense, but in my testing, the Fitbit Air has the best AI-powered health coach out there, so if you use it, it’s worth it.

You can pre-order the Fitbit Edge now, for release on October 27.

Should you buy the Fitbit Edge or the Fitbit Air?

Here’s the big question, though: should you buy the Fitbit Edge or the $99 Fitbit Air? The answer really depends on how much you want your fitness tracker to have a screen.

I’m yet to test the Fitbit Edge, but will, of course, be following up with a full review once I get my hands on one. The Fitbit Air, on the other hand, is one of my favorite fitness trackers of 2026.

Part of the appeal when it comes to the Fitbit Air is its low cost and its comfortable design. For $99, you’re getting an excellent fitness tracker that’s seriously comfortable. However, you obviously can’t see any live feedback during your workouts.

The Fitbit Edge seems to be in the middle. It won’t give you all the notifications and apps as the Pixel Watch 5, but it will give you more than the Fitbit Air, which doesn’t have a screen, an ECG app, or built-in GPS.

Unlike the Google Pixel Watch 5, the Fitbit Edge will work with Android and iOS.

We’ll be testing the Fitbit Edge soon, so keep an eye on Tom’s Guide!

More from Tom's Guide

• Can the $99 Fitbit Air beat the $799 Apple Watch Ultra 3 at fitness tracking? I manually counted 4,500 steps to find out
• I walked 4,000 steps with the Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 — and the winning margin was razor-thin
• Oura vs Whoop vs Fitbit Air — 5 questions to ask yourself before buying a screen-free fitness tracker

Despite debuting back in 2023, the Fitbit Charge 6 remains one of my favorite fitness trackers on the market today because of its onboard GPS, reliable tracking performance, small but bright display, comfy design, impressive battery life, and support for several handy Google apps.

While 2026’s Fitbit Air is in some ways the spiritual successor to the Fitbit Charge 6, the lack of a screen, smart features, and onboard GPS means it doesn’t quite fill the same shoes as its older sibling.

So, will Google ever launch a Charge 6 replacement, or is the brand too concerned about sales potentially cannibalizing interest in the Pixel Watch 5? Based on a host of recent rumors and links, the former now seems likely.

That’s right, a true-blue Fitbit Charge 6 replacement could debut as early as this year. Better yet, it may combine all the best bits of the Fitbit Charge 6 in a smaller, more Fitbit Air-like package.

Here are the five biggest things you should know about the rumored Fitbit Edge.

1. Unlike the Fitbit Air, the Edge is rumored to have a screen

Screen-free fitness trackers are clearly in vogue at the moment. 2026 gave us the Fitbit Air, Garmin Cirqa, Luna Band, and more. While I’m a fan of the distraction-free promise of these devices, sometimes it’s nice to interact with your gadget without having to open an app on your phone.

Google seems to agree, because the Fitbit Edge is rumored to incorporate a 1.34-inch display that’s likely touch-sensitive, according to a report by Forbes. Leaked images, shared by Android Headlines, also suggest that the device will have at least one physical button on the side of the case.

2. Onboard GPS also seems likely

My biggest gripe about the Fitbit Air is that it lacks onboard GPS, which means you need to carry your paired phone with you for outdoor workouts if you want accurate location-based data.

As someone who frequently makes use of the great outdoors for my recreational enjoyment, I much prefer not being forced to bring my bulky iPhone 16 Plus along for the excursion, especially when going for a run or bike ride.

Fortunately, the Fitbit Edge is rumored to include onboard GPS, just like the Fitbit Charge 6. On the flip side, this probably means that battery life won’t be quite as good as the Fitbit Air, which lasts roughly a week per charge. More likely, it will be closer to five days, similar to the Charge 6.

3. The Edge will probably support basic Google apps

Don’t expect the Fitbit Edge to be jam-packed with smart features; that’s what the Pixel Watch line is for, but you can likely expect it to support some basic Google apps, like Google Maps, Google Music, and Google Wallet.

4. Expect a petite, lightweight design

Again, going by leaked images, the Fitbit Edge appears to be slightly smaller than the Fitbit Charge 6, with a more pebble-like case design. The strap shown appears similar in design to the silicone straps that ship with the Pixel Watch 5.

While I don’t have any concrete specs, I suspect the Edge will weigh less than the ~30 g Fitbit Charge 6 but a little more than the ~13 g Fitbit Air.

With only one physical button shown on the right side of the case, it seems likely that the screen on the tracker will be touch-sensitive. Design-wise, I expect Google to launch the Fitbit Edge with a decent selection of eye-catching color combinations to choose from.

5. It will likely cost between $150 and $200

The Fitbit Air is $99, while the Fitbit Charge 6 launched at $159. How much can we expect the Fitbit Edge to go for? Given the rate of inflation over the past three years, it seems likely that the Edge will cost a little bit more than its predecessor, but I highly doubt it will surpass $200.

What are your thoughts on the Fitbit Edge? Does it sound like a proper replacement for the Fitbit Charge 6? Moreover, cost aside, which fitness tracker would you rather own, the screen-free Fitbit Air or a screen- and GPS-equipped Fitbit Edge? Let me know below.

More from Tom's Guide

• Fitbit Air vs Fitbit Charge 6 — which top-performing Fitness tracker wins?
• Fitbit Air vs Fitbit Inspire 3 — which $99 fitness tracker wins?
• I've been using the Fitbit Air for over a week, and my favorite feature has completely changed the way I wake up

If you're looking for a rugged watch and you're reading Tom's Guide then chances are you're thinking about the Apple Watch Ultra 4 or perhaps the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 or even the Garmin Fenix Pro 9.

But those timepieces are kindergarten toys compared to Casio's iconic G-Shock watches. And today the brand has unveiled two new additions to the family — one of which is the most expensive G-Shock ever made, and the other a much more accessible option. As a longtime G-Shock wearer, I need to tell you about these watches.

I'll break the bad news first, the MRG-D5000, known as "The Blue Rose Project" is not something you or I are ever going to be able to buy. Its bezel and outer case are formed entirely from blue sapphire crystal, which gives it clarity, hardness, a distinctive color, and a £67,000 (roughly $88,600) price tag. Moreover, there are only 20 of them being made. So when Casio says it's the "rarest and most valuable production G-Shock to date", it's not kidding.

"The story began with the Dream Project led by G-Shock creator Kikuo Ibe," Casio revealed in a press release.

"In 2018, the project produced the G-D5000, a watch crafted from 18-carat gold while retaining premium shock resistance. The same year, Casio revealed a sapphire crystal concept watch in Basel, Switzerland, that demonstrated the idea’s beauty but could not yet meet G-Shock shock-resistance standards."

"While many thought the challenge impossible, G-Shock’s relentless pursuit of perfection in the search for toughness meant that after years of research, the MR-G engineering team found that dividing the outer case into multiple interacting components could disperse impact more effectively than a conventional single-piece construction. The breakthrough informed the Multi-Guard Structure introduced with the titanium MRG-B5000 in 2022 and, ultimately, the Multi-Guard Structure for Sapphire used in the new MRG-D5000."

These watches will almost certainly be snapped up by collectors and watch fanatics — some of whom have very deep pockets.

As mentioned, it's not like we'll be able to buy it, but the MRG-D5000 boasts 20-bar water resistance; solar power; Multi Band 6 radio control; 1/100-second stopwatch; countdown timer; five daily alarms; full-auto LED backlight.

The Mudman GDG-B100 could beat the Apple Watch to a pulp

With all the glitz and glamour out of the way, let's get down in the dirt with the second G-Shock revealed today — the one we can realistically strap to our wrist while training for the next Hyrox or Ironman.

The G-Shock Mudman GDG-B100 is available from £200 ($264) and has been built with military and first responders in mind. Casio has employed carbon fiber-reinforced resin to increase the rigidity of the case, helping it resist damage and deformation. There's a complete airtight seal on this watch, with gaskets fitted to the button shafts to help prevent mud and dust from entering the case.

The display is a memory-in-pixel (MIP) LCD and, in similar fashion to the Apple Watch Ultra series (and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra), there's also a red LED backlight that kicks in after dark to preserve night vision.

The GDG-B100 measures distance, speed, pace and calories burned in addition to stopwatch timing. It can store up to 100 lap times, offers an interval timer with up to five time settings and counts steps using a built-in accelerometer.

You'll need to use Smartphone Link to connect the watch to the Casio app via Bluetooth where you'll find training and daily activity records. When the watch is connected to your phone, you can also get vibration alerts for incoming calls, emails, social media updates, calendar notifications and reminders. But, if I'm honest, you're not buying a G-Shock to get calendar notifications — you're buying it to survive a weeklong trip into the wilderness.

There are three different styles to choose from: all black, dark green with orange accents or a sand-colored band with a black bezel.

More from Tom's Guide

• Forget sit-ups — I did suitcase carries for a week, and my core was on fire
• 'Stop doing overhead presses until you fix these 3 huge mistakes,' says a personal trainer
• Your using your iPhone Action Button wrong — how iOS 27 unlocks three features at once

There are 24 hours in the day but is your wearable capturing all of them? With the launch of the SL-1 smart band, from $199.95, smart ring brand QALO hopes to deliver non-stop health tracking that combines 24/7 data in an understandable, actionable package. No blank spots, no missing hours.

Geared towards intense movement and workouts — but with the capability to track sleep and stress — the QALO SL-1 is the latest wearable aiming to make health tracking more accessible. It joins the FitBit Air and Oura Ring 5 in arguing that the best sleep trackers of 2026 have all been screenless.

I've been hands-on with the SL-1 smart band and yes, when you're lifting a kettlebell, it's more comfortable to wear than a pricey smart ring. But a lot of us don't lift kettlebells that often, so I spoke to Jake Curreri, CEO of QALO, about the SL-1, non-stop tracking and how wearables might change lives.

QALO SL-1 Smart Band: How it works

QALO is best known for its silicone rings (aka the functional wedding ring.) A brand that puts convenience and athletics at the heart of its production, wearables were the obvious next step. That's where Curreri comes in.

"I've founded several startups in the digital health and fitness space, and then on behalf of one of my companies, consulted with Nike Innovation Labs," he explains.

Brought on to steer QALO into the growing wearables market, Curreri asked a simple question: "What do we want to focus our users' attention on?"

The answer came in three parts.

"Sleep was foundational. Vitality was foundational. And movement was foundational."

'Empower you to make a change in habits you otherwise might not have made'

QALO turned three interests into one easy metric; the Q score. QALO's proprietary 1-100 score synthesizes key metrics to form a snapshot of your day. (Think of it as their version of FitBit's popular readiness score.)

"You don't need a ring or a band to tell you your sleep was terrible," says Curreri. "The important part is how that impacts your overall health."

He explains that having that data equips people, particularly those working in high pressure situations, to understand their readiness. "It's one of the ways we built the product to make health tracking fit into people's lives, rather than asking people to change their lives around the wearable."

But, of course, QALO doesn't want you to simply sit back and watch low scores roll in.

"We really want it to be something that you can easily digest, and then make changes based off of," explains Curreri. "For example, going to bed before 10:30 versus after 10:30."

Alongside your score, the QALO app also delivers "optimal zones", based on the data it collects. From your personal baseline, the app can tell you if you're "high, low or in the optimal zone" for a number of metrics.

"[It's] just enough insights not to overwhelm you, but to empower you to make a change in habits today that you otherwise might not have," says Curreri.

"It truly not just changes lives, it saves lives."

'A continuous, always-on, health monitoring experience'

If QALO is looking to deliver data you can use, the release of the SL-1 hopes to increase the tracking that informs that data.

"The smart ring [released September 2025] and the smart band are designed for interchangeability," says Curreri. "The smart ring fits very well for sleep. The smart band fits very well for day to day activities."

He explains that QALO didn't want to be tied down to a "single form factor" but to provide a "continuous, always on health monitoring experience."

This versatility not only increases the data collected, but can also expand the awareness of the user. You might think fitness tracking is your focus, but learning about sleep explains your off days. Or, you might be the Fittest Man on Earth, but you still want to reach your step goals.

Engineered towards high-intensity movement and hands-on work, the SL-1 is designed to take over where a smart ring can't follow. Think construction work and weight training. (Although if you only want to make one investment, the SL-1 can be used all day long.)

I've been testing the Smart Band and it's made me realize how often I take my Oura Ring 5 off. Everyday activities like cleaning and cooking are often done sans-ring, leaving holes in my data. The SL-1 can plug those gaps, giving me the clearest picture of my metrics. Including just how stressed I get when cleaning the oven.

'It's important for us as wearable companies to push the envelope'

The launch of the SL-1 expands the usability and data collection of the wearable system. But the next frontier for QALO might lie less in new types of trackers, more in expanding just what metrics your wearable can gather.

The SL-1 includes women's health metrics, an area historically overlooked by fitness trackers. Curreri describes the "free, fully integrated cycle tracking solution" as the "bridge between fitness and medical."

So what more metrics should our wearables be tracking that they currently aren't? That's not for us to know just yet, but Curreri notes QALO is looking ahead.

"It's important for us as wearable companies and wearable visionaries and leaders at the intersection of health and fitness, to push the envelope."

QALO SL-1 Smart Band: Price and availability

The QALO SL-1 Smart Band is available right now from $199.95 at QALO. This fall, it will be sold from select Walmart stores (the QALO Smart Ring 2 is currently available from Walmart.)

Unusually for a wearable, the QALO smart ring and band are completely subscription free — no extra charge to see your scores.

This subscription-free philosophy is something Curreri describes as important to QALO and notes that expanding access to wearables backs the brands mission to deliver more data to everyone.

"We can do something pretty magical by both pushing the research component of it, but also pushing the business model."

Mizuno has always been one of the more innovative brands when it comes to carbon plate running shoes, with mixed results.

The Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro line had crazy cutouts and an incredibly high midfoot stack height and was a bit too wild for my liking, but the Mizuno Hyperwarp Pure is an excellent lightweight racer I’ve loved for 5K and 10K events in particular.

While the Pure is light, the new Mizuno Hyperwarp 96 takes things to another level with a design that tips the scales at just 96g/3.4oz, making it the lightest carbon plate racing shoe yet.

It comes in a gram lighter than the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 on listed stats, and given the success of the world-record-breaking Pro Evo 3, runners will be itching to get their feet into the Hyperwarp 96 too — I know I am.

Here’s what you need to know about the Mizuno Hyperwarp 96.

The Hyperwarp 96 goes on sale in December and it will be very expensive

Mizuno has announced the Hyperwarp 96 today ahead of the Berlin Marathon, but it won’t be available to consumers until the end of the year.

The price is yet to be fully confirmed, but is set to be about £400 in the U.K., which I’d expect to translate to a U.S. price of around $450 based on the prices of other Mizuno shoes.

That would make it less expensive than the Adidas Pro Evo 3, which is $500/£450, but more expensive than every other carbon plate super-shoe.

It has a spray-on, laceless upper

The most striking aspect of the Hyperwarp 96’s design is the spray-on upper, which looks a lot like the LightSpray uppers On uses on some of its shoes, like the On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LS.

This 3D-engineered upper is very light and designed to be denser at the bottom.

I like the LightSpay uppers on On’s shoes, but they can be tricky to deal with if you have wide feet or high arches, and you can’t adjust the fit if it’s not perfect out of the box.

The midsole is made from an all-new foam

A new foam called Mizuno Enerzy XP+ is used for the midsole of the Hyperwarp 96. It’s an extremely light material, and Mizuno shaved off every area not critical to performance to reduce weight as much as possible.

Unlike the Hyperwarp Pure, which achieves its low weight partly by having a lower stack height than most super-shoes, the Hyperwarp 96 has as much cushioning as rival racers.

It stands 39mm tall at the heel and 36mm at the forefoot for a 3mm drop, which is exactly the same specs as the Adidas Pro Evo 3.

It has a full-length carbon plate

The Hyperwarp 96 has a full-length carbon plate with a section cut out under the heel to reduce the weight.

This isn’t a novelty with super-shoes in general, but other super-light options have used other systems to add stability and propulsion without the weight of a full-length plate.

The Pro Evo 3 uses a carbon rim rather than a full plate, while the Asics Metaspeed Ray has a teardrop-shaped plate that only sits under the forefoot.

This means Mizuno might have an easy way to make the shoe even lighter if it wishes, by opting for a half plate or some other design, if it can do so without impacting performance.

Maybe this time next year we’ll see the Mizuno Hyperwarp 86?

More from Tom's Guide

• How long do running shoes actually last? I asked an expert who makes them, and they gave me a great tip for recognizing when your shoes are done
• What makes the new Nike Alphafly 4 special? I spoke to the VP of Nike Running Footwear to find out, and the answer surprised me
• I tested shoes from 5 up-and-coming running brands — here are the ones worth your money

2026 seems to be the year of the screenless fitness tracker. We’ve seen the success of the $99 Fitbit Air, as well as the launch of the Garmin Cirqa and the Oura Ring 5. And according to new rumors, Apple might be joining the party.

As reported by Bloomberg, Apple is working on a screenless health tracker, set to take on the likes of Fitbit Air, Garmin Cirqa, and Whoop. There have been rumors for months that Apple has been “exploring” the category and developing prototypes, which feature a fabric band attached to a module that rests on the wrist — similar to the Apple Watch, but without a screen.

It’s said that Tim Cook and services chief Eddy Cue are interested in the product. Cue now leads Apple’s health teams and is thought to be pushing to explore wearables with simpler interfaces. Yet as someone who has been writing about wearables for the past decade, I really don’t see this happening any time soon.

With the Apple Watch Series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4, Apple has made two of its best health trackers yet, with an updated heart rate sensor and built-in recovery tools at last. Yet part of their appeal is that they feel like an extension of the iPhone on your wrist. Without a screen, you’re left with the slightly chaotic Health app (though I’ll wait to test the new version launching in the iOS 27.2 Beta with its new user-friendly interface) and the need to check your phone constantly to see the progress of those all-important rings.

Only time will tell, but if you’re a fan of the Whoop, I wouldn’t hold your breath. The report does state that if we do see a screenless tracker from the brand, it probably won’t be till 2028, as Apple is said to be focusing on AI smart glasses and AirPods with cameras first.

More from Tom's Guide

• Apple Watch Ultra 4 first impressions: 5 reasons to buy and 2 reasons to skip Apple’s new rugged model
• Apple just killed one of my favorite Apple Watch features with the launch of watchOS 27
• How to add Apple's new dynamic step count widget to your Apple Watch

Eight Sleep has today launched its new Pod 6 smart mattress cover, priced from $1,999 /£1,799 at Eight Sleep. Pod 6 is designed with 20% faster cooling, nine times more sensors for precise biometric tracking, and a streamlined Hub. It’s the first Pod to come in a twin / single size, opening up the brand’s next-gen wellness technology to solo sleepers for the first time.

Eight Sleep has also filed for FDA clearance for sleep apnea detection and mitigation.

"Our mission is to fuel human potential through optimal sleep. Pod 6 is the strongest expression of that mission so far," says Matteo Franceschetti, Co-founder & CEO at Eight Sleep.

I’ve been testing sleep tech for several years across T3, TechRadar and Tom’s Guide, and I’m hyped about Pod 6. If it can deliver on these new features (we’ve requested a review sample), then the Eight Sleep Pod 6 will break new ground in making lab-grade sleep optimization – tech that’s normally the reserve of million dollar longevity influencers – accessible to everyday people.

I recently spoke to Eight Sleep about the new Pod 6, its redesigned thermal engine, increased sensor count, sleep apnea detection capabilities and more. Here’s what I discovered…

• Read more: We test the Personal Comfort Rejuvenate mattress review, an exceptional dual-zone comfort for couples with one fatal flaw

Eight Sleep Pod 6 highlights

• 20% faster thermal response: Redesigned Thermoelectric Coolers deliver 550W of power per side to clear night sweats and hot flashes faster.
• 9x sensor density: The Cover jumps from 2 to 18 embedded sensors to isolate your biometrics from partners, kids, or pets.
• 50% smaller under-bed Hub: Re-engineered with an integrated "bottomless" water reservoir so it slides directly under standard bed frames.
• New 'Solo' sizes from $1,999 / £1,799: Single-sized covers allow solo sleepers or one partner in a couple to access Pod tech at Eight Sleep’s lowest price point yet.
• Zippable expansion: Two Solo covers can zip together later without requiring a second Hub.
• FDA clearance filed for sleep apnea: Hardware is built to support contactless sleep apnea detection and mitigation (pending FDA and Abu Dhabi HTA approval).
• Replaces Pod 5: Pod 6 completely replaces the previous generation across 37 launch countries.
• Biological age tracking: Uses overnight cardiovascular metrics (HRV, resting heart rate, and sleep quality trends) to calculate your body's age when sleeping compared to your chronological age.
• Autopilot 4.0 AI engine: Learns your sleep patterns over time and factors in real-time room temperature, local weather, and daily activity, etc. to automatically micro-adjust the Cover's temperature to help you sleep better.
• Pregnancy mode: Tailors thermal regulation and biometric tracking to discomfort and overheating related to pregnancy.

The Pod 6 cools 20% faster than previous generations

The promise of significantly faster cooling is music to my ears – overheating is the biggest cause of my middle-of-the-night wake-ups and I’d do anything to eliminate it.

But what does ‘20% faster cooling and heating’ actually mean? “The 20% figure is measured against Pod 5, our previous generation, under the same test conditions,” a spokesperson for Eight Sleep told me.

“Pod 6 is powered by a redesigned thermal engine with more heat-pumping power per side (550 Watts of cooling/heating power vs. 400 Watts on Pod 5) and a more efficient heatsink.

“The heatsink was shaped to move more air with less resistance, then tuned in an anechoic chamber to eliminate stray tones, so the extra output comes with minimal noise even at peak.”

In practice that means the Pod 6 Cover reaches a target temperature – for example when Autopilot reacts to a hot flash or night sweat – about 20% sooner than Pod 5 did. The temperature range (how much you can cool it down or heat it up) is 55.4°F to 109.4°F / 13°C to 43°C on each side.

• Read more: 'You don't need a ring or a band to tell you your sleep was terrible' QALO's new smart band delivers non-stop tracking for better sleep

An 18 biometric sensor array increases spatial coverage of where you sleep

The Pod 6 also sports 18 sensors per cover (nine embedded on each side), as opposed to one sensor on each side of the Cover used in previous versions. In theory this should deliver more precise biometric tracking.

These non-wearable sensors capture the same data of the Pod 5 – clinical-grade biometric sensing of heart rate, HRV, breathing rate, movement and sleep stages – but with nine times more sensors, the spatial coverage of your sleep surface should be far better.

Some smart beds I’ve tested suffer from a similar fatal flaw: data interference from the person sleeping next to you.

My husband is constantly on the move while sleeping, and my four year old son is a bedhog when he climbs in next to me. I’ll be fascinated to see how the higher amount of sensors on the Pod 6 Cover handle separating my biometric data from my son’s, for example, and whether it really can maintain a cleaner feed.

“Readings stay attributed to the right person no matter how close you sleep to your partner, if you move around during the night, or if kids or pets climb in,” Eight Sleep told me.

“That cleaner signal feeds Autopilot 4.0, which uses biometrics plus connected fitness data and in-app tags to make personalized temperature adjustments.”

FDA clearance filed for sleep apnea detection

According to the National Institutes of Health, sleep apnea affects roughly one billion people globally, leading to a continuous cycle of broken sleep and deep daytime fatigue.

Some of us may have it without realizing, and in the last few years I’ve seen an increased number of wearables (Apple Watch, Oura Ring, Withings Sleep Analyzer) baking in sleep apnea detection. The Eight Sleep Pod 6 hopes to join their ranks soon.

“We've filed for FDA clearance in the U.S. for sleep apnea detection and mitigation, and we're pursuing equivalent clearance in Abu Dhabi as well,” Eight Sleep told me.

“Sleep apnea affects an enormous number of people who don't even know they have it, and we think the Pod is uniquely positioned to help with that, since it's already tracking breathing patterns and respiratory rate every night, contactlessly.”

How the Pod 6 delivers sleep apnea detection and mitigation is something Eight Sleep will share more on once they are further along in the clearance process.

“What we can say is that Pod 6's sensor upgrade, nine times more sensors than before, was built with this kind of medical-grade accuracy in mind, so the hardware is designed to support where we're headed.”

That’s reassuring, as the Pod 6 is expensive enough without having to shell out for hardware upgrades further down the line.

A smaller, slimmer central Hub to fit under beds

The Hub has been redesigned by product designer Joe Tan, and is now slim enough to fit under a wide range of bed frames. But shrinking the Hub by half while increasing its thermal performance by 20% is a massive engineering hurdle.

So I was curious as to how Eight Sleep’s engineering team handled heat dissipation and airflow in a cramped under-bed zone where dust and low air movement are common.

“The Hub went from roughly 25,200 cm³ (40.6 cm × 40.6 cm × 15.2 cm) on Pod 5 to 13,860 cm³ (42 cm × 20 cm × 16.5 cm) on Pod 6 — about 50% less volume, low enough to fit under most bed frames,” a spokesperson for Eight Sleep told Tom’s Guide.

“Two design changes made that possible while increasing output: We replaced the removable water-tank fill system with an integrated, ‘bottomless’ reservoir, which removed a large chunk of internal volume."

Secondly, the team redesigned the heatsink and airflow path fin by fin: “it moves more air with less resistance, meaning a smaller package dissipates more heat. The whole assembly was acoustically tuned in an anechoic chamber, so higher airflow doesn't translate to more noise.”

Bringing Eight Sleep to the Scandi Sleep Method crowd

Sleep divorces are still rife, with many couples carving up their beds and splitting bedding in an effort to sleep better – just the way they like it.

I tried the Scandi Sleep Method with my blanket-hogging husband, and it helped us both sleep more peacefully at night.

Having a twin / single size Pod 6 available is excellent for solo sleepers, but also bedsharers where one person wants and needs sleep optimization tech but the other doesn’t.

According to Eight Sleep, the decision to launch a twin/single size was driven by two groups already in the brand’s member base and ‘inbound requests’.

“First, couples where only one partner wants the Pod... Second, people sleeping on Twin / Twin XL (single / individual in other regions) beds — smaller bedrooms, teenagers, dorms — who were previously outside our size range.

“Solo is the same Pod 6 technology (same cooling/heating, same biometric tracking) in a footprint for one sleeper, and it lets us launch Pod 6 at our lowest starting price yet ($1,999 vs. $2,799 for Pod 5)."

And if your partner gets jealous of your smart cover, they can purchase their own solo Pod 6 later and zip both covers together.

If you’re like me, you’ll be wary of sticking anything on top of your mattress for fear of it moving around, pinging off at the corners, and shifting underneath you in the night.

Eight Sleep has thought of this too: “The Pod comes with a strap system that secures it to the mattress, so it stays anchored in place and won't slip or shift during the night, even with movement."

But surely it will create a ridge in the middle of the bed? “Since the Solo Cover is built to the same height and thickness specs as our Standard Cover, when it's placed on one side of a shared mattress, there isn't a noticeable step up or down between the Pod side and the bare mattress side. It's designed to feel seamless whether you're using one side or two.”

Where to buy the Eight Sleep Pod 6

The Pod 6 Pod is built on more than a decade of sleep research by the company, with five previous models paving the way for this latest smart cover system.

It’s backed by more than 50 clinical studies, and is used by pro athletes, entrepreneurs and wellness influencers around the globe.

If you fancy trying it out for yourself, the Pod 6 is available to buy as of today priced from $1,999 / £1,799 at Eight Sleep.

You will also need to purchase an Autopilot Membership – Eight Sleep's software that tracks biometrics and automatically adjusts temperature, elevation, and sound throughout the night.

Autopilot membership covers two individual sleepers per account and is available in three tiers: Standard, Enhanced, and Elite (this top tier membership adds advanced well-being, cardiovascular, and respiratory monitoring).

Length of warranty is tied to the level of Autopilot membership you purchase, and range from two to five years.

From a luxury bed stuffed with horse hair to a Goop-approved $60,000 mattress, I've covered many organic sleep launches over the last three years that have left me scratching my head in amazement. But the new Pine & Pillow Candle, now $26.99 at Naturepedic, is a release that makes perfect sense to me.

After all, Fall is upon us, and nothing will get me into the cozy, autumnal spirit more than a candle that Naturepedic describes as "warm" and "woodsy".

Plus, for health-conscious shoppers, the non-toxic Pine & Pillow Candle sits in a sustainable amber glass jar and is made from pure beeswax and coconut oil. It also uses FSC-certified cherry wood for its wick.

The Pine & Pillow is the first candle to be launched by Naturpedic, a brand more well known for luxury organic mattresses than aromatherapy, in collaboration with luxury candlemaker Fontana.

While lavender tends to be the default scent for sleep accessories like pillow mists, the Pine & Pillow Candle's notes include black pine, black spruce, ho wood, and vanilla.

Now, I know what you're thinking: Where on earth is the French lavender oil?

"We didn’t choose fragrance notes simply because they appeared on a list of 'sleep-inducing' scents," says Emily Prawda Weiss, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Naturepedic. "We tried to create something people would genuinely look forward to lighting at the end of the day — something warm, comforting, and familiar."

While that sounds heavenly to me, I also asked Dr. Tim Mercer, and Hannah Shore, Head of Sleep Science at retailer MattressOnline, to explain the sleep-promoting effects of different scents and whether the Pine & Pillow Candle's notes can really help you wind down for sleep. Here’s their verdict…

Calm racing thoughts with fresh forest scents

Before we delve into whether the green, earthy scents of the Pine & Pillow will promote relaxation, Shore wants us to know what there is no universal sleep scent.

“There is no real research as to a specific scent that will help everyone sleep better," she says. "The scents that evoke calmness in you can help promote relaxation, with chamomile, lavender, and other natural plants being the most common.

"However, if you do not enjoy these scents or they do not evoke calmness in you, then relaxation will not happen," she adds.

According to Dr. Mercer, woody scents, such as the ones found in the Pine & Pillow Candle, are often linked to "nature, clean air, and open spaces".

"This can make the environment feel fresher and more tranquil, which is particularly useful when you’re trying to leave behind the mental clutter of a busy day," says the holistic health care expert.

Dr. Mercer adds that scents like pine and ho wood have a "grounding" quality that "encourages you to slow down, relax your body and prepare for a restul night.

"The crisp quality of pine can also create a sense of freshness in the room, helping to make the bedroom feel clean, airy and peaceful rather than stuffy or overstimulating," he tells me.

Add winter warmth with comforting vanilla

In contrast to the earthy, green notes of pine and black spruce, vanilla is considered a smooth, gourmand scent. And its sweet fragrance can be a source of comfort and take you to different places, according to Shore.

“For example, the scent of coffee and toast is mainly related to breakfast, which can make you feel like you get up and get ready for the day," says the sleep researcher. "If you see vanilla as a calming scent, then this could help you relax, in turn helping you fall asleep easier.

"However, if you smell vanilla and it makes you think of sweet treats, promoting excitement, then this is less likely to make you feel relaxed and therefore will not help you fall asleep.”

According to Dr. Mercer, most people associate the soft aroma of vanilla with "warmth, relaxation, and home comforts.

"Introducing this type of scent as you begin winding down can help create a clear transition between the busyness of the day and getting ready for sleep," he explains. "Over time, using the same calming scent can help build a familiar association with relaxation, making it easier to mentally switch off and settle into bed.”

Where to buy the Naturepedic Pine & Pillow candle

If the clean, refreshing scent of pine and the sweet, comforting aroma of vanilla sound like a relaxing match to you, then the good news is that, right from today, the Pine & Pillow Candle is available to buy for $26.99 at Naturepedic. The candle is non-returnable, and shipping is free.

After looking at its ingredient list and eco credentials, the Pine & Pillow Candle is something I look forward to trying out. (And you best believe I'm first in line; my eyes are glued to my inbox for shipping info.) Considering the glowing reviews we've given to Naturepedic's mattresses over the years, my expectations are sky high for this candle.

"We spend about a third of our lives in bed, and that's why we believe the bedroom is one of the most important places to be intentional about materials and ingredients," says Naturepedic’s Prawda Weiss. "The Pine & Pillow Candle is one example of that belief in practice."

Peloton today announced a new trio of treadmills, the most interesting (and affordable) of the bunch being the Tread Flex, the company's first folding treadmill that costs $2,195 — which also happens to be the company's least expensive treadmill to date.

However, the company's refreshed Tread Vision and Tread+ Vision models also have some interesting new features, including gait analysis and a Sled Mode, which should appeal to Hyrox enthusiasts.

Tread Flex

While I wouldn't exactly call the Tread Flex small, the fact that it folds does cut down on the floorspace when you're not using it. Peloton says that when folded, the Flex actually takes up less space than the company's bike.

However, it's not nearly as compact as something like the Echelon Stride 6S, which folds completely flat. By comparison, the Tread Flex's deck merely angles upwards, but the arms and display remain as they are.

After releasing the lock, the Tread Flex's base lowers slooooooowly to the floor. Peloton said that it takes about 20 seconds by design, to give you plenty of time to get out of the way.

When folded, the Flex can be rolled around the room using built-in casters; you need to remember to lock them in place before using the treadmill.

Like Peloton's other treadmills, the Flex has a swiveling display, but lacks a camera, so you won't have access to some features of the pricier models.

All three models have a feature called ReRun; if you sync the treadmill with your Garmin watch, you can upload your runs to the treadmill, and then run that course again from the comfort of your home, replicating changes in incline.

In addition to Garmin, Apple Watches and Fitbit, Peloton's devices are being upgraded to support Whoop devices. With all of them, you'll now also be able to perform workouts based on your heart rate zone; on-screen guidance will adapt automatically to keep you in your preferred zone.

The two camera-equipped treadmills can use their cameras to analyze your running cadence, vertical oscillation, and stride length to generate an efficiency score, and suggest workouts and tips to improve upon it.

In addition, the two higher-priced models have a larger tray on top, with larger cupholders to fit your large Yeti and Stanley water bottles.

The top-end Tread+ Vision, which has a slat-belt deck like the older Tread+, also has a new feature called Sled Mode; this builds upon the existing Free Mode — where your movement alone moves the belt — and adds resistance. Now, you can select resistance of up to 300 pounds to replicate the Hyrox sled push.

Of course, regardless of the Peloton treadmill you get, you'll need to get a subscription, which costs $50 per month. However, the lower price of the Tread Flex may help open the company's products to folks who are intrigued by Peloton's trainers but were put off by the premium on its treadmills.

More from Tom's Guide

• Apple Watch Series 12 review: A new heart rate sensor and a readiness score make this the best smartwatch on the market
• iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max deals are live — here's the biggest discounts at T-Mobile, Verizon and more
• I tested the iPhone 18 Pro Max's variable aperture camera — here's the results

Bad news, Apple Watch power users: the latest watchOS 27 software release removes the easiest way to quickly and efficiently jump between apps.

In watchOS 26 and earlier, users could simply double-press the digital crown at any time to jump back into the previous app they were using. This functionality, unofficially called the “app switcher,” is unfortunately no longer available in watchOS 27.

Here’s everything you need to know about the removal of the app switcher function for Apple Watch in watchOS 27.

watchOS 27 removes the app switcher function

I just updated my Apple Watch Series 11 to watchOS 27, a process that took longer than expected (several hours). While I’m largely impressed with the new software — these are the 7 watchOS 27 features you should try first — it falls short in two regards.

First, Apple removed the fan-favorite Walkie-Talkie app for no apparent reason. Second, and perhaps much more noticeable, double-tapping the digital crown no longer brings you to the last app you used. Instead, it defaults to displaying the new “Dynamic App Grid” with your seven most-used apps.

Oddly, a single click of the digital crown also launches the Dynamic App Grid, which seems redundant/oddly un-Apple-like. What gives?

Apple has bigger plans for the digital crown double-tap

Apple apparently has even bigger plans for the digital crown double-tap. Later this year, several intriguing new “Audio Intelligence” features are set to be added to watchOS 27, including “Live Rewind.”

It’s designed to give users an easy and discreet way to relisten to the last 15 seconds of audio captured by their Apple Watch (Series 12 and Ultra 4 only) at any moment, and even generate a transcript. For example, if you’re bad with names, like me, Live Rewind could be a truly useful bit of tech. It's also freaking some users out.

But what does this have to do with the end of the app switcher function? When Live Rewind launches, the digital crown double-tap will default to opening the feature on compatible devices.

What comes next?

Ultimately, it’s possible that if enough folks convey their annoyance with the removal of the app switcher function for Apple Watch, the brand might add it back in future firmware, at least for the devices that don’t support the new Live Rewind feature.

What are your thoughts on Apple removing the app switcher in watchOS 27? Let me know below.

More from Tom's Guide

• Apple Watch Ultra 4 first impressions: 5 reasons to buy and 2 reasons to skip Apple’s new rugged model
• Here's how to enable the new Siri AI on your Apple Watch
• 3 reasons why the Pixel Watch 5 Stephen Curry edition is totally worth it

Living a more active life is a great goal but whether you want to prioritize your health or improve your fitness, you might need a little extra help along the way. That’s where the right tools and devices can really come in handy.

From smartwatches and fitness trackers to log your workouts to the right apparel like running shoes and outwear and even an electric bike or scooter to make starting your next adventure a breeze, there are plenty of great products to help make living an active lifestyle even easier.

For the Tom’s Guide Awards 2026, our team of experts has tested and reviewed all of the latest workout and outdoor gear. Below, we highlight the fitness and health products that impressed us most over the last 12 months and hold in high esteem.

Best smartwatch

Apple Watch Series 12

As a health and fitness editor, I spend my days writing about how heart health is the single best predictor of longevity, which is why the Apple Watch Series 12 blew me away. Powered by the faster S11 chip, the Series 12 features a completely redesigned sensor that measures your heart rate every five seconds — 60 times more frequently than the Series 11. This continuous tracking unlock deeper HRV insights, seamless daytime vitals monitoring, and a game-changing daily Readiness score that gives actionable guidance on when to push hard and when to rest.

Beyond the major health upgrades, Apple addressed some of our biggest pet peeves. You get a native step-count complication on the watch face without third-party apps, faster charging that reaches 80% in 30 minutes, and 10 hours of GPS tracking for long runs. While flashy features like Siri Recap will grab headlines, it's the continuous sensing, better recovery metrics, and unmatched iPhone integration that make the Series 12 the best smartwatch on the market.

— Jane McGuire, Managing Editor Fitness

Best fitness tracker

Fitbit Air

Sometimes, the best fitness tracker is the one you forget you’re even wearing. With no screens, beeps, or annoying notifications to distract you, the lightweight, long-lasting Fitbit Air has just one purpose: monitoring your health and fitness, which it does quite reliably. This is why it’s my pick for the best fitness tracker of 2026.

The Fitbit Air is also just $99, with all of its core features subscription-free. But with no screen, where do you view your health data? In the new Google Health app. There, you’ll find useful insights like daily sleep reports, a dynamic readiness score, logged workouts, training/recovery advice, and more. And unlike some other screen-free trackers, the Fitbit Air is seriously lightweight and comfortable. In fact, it hardly resembles a piece of wearable tech at all.

— Dan Bracaglia, Senior Writer

Best running watch

Garmin Forerunner 170

Last year Garmin updated almost its entire line-up of running watches, but left its entry-level option untouched, so we were certainly due a new Forerunner in 2026, and we actually got two in the form of the Forerunner 170 and Forerunner 70. The Garmin Forerunner 170 gets our vote as the best new running watch of the year thanks to its combination of impeccable accuracy, improved training analysis and useful smart features like NFC payments and music storage.

It’s a great all-round sports watch that has all the features runners of any level really need, all packed into a lightweight, attractive design that offers good value as well as performance.

— Nick Harris-Fry, Senior Writer

Best workout headphones

Shokz OpenDots 2

I’ve long been a fan of Shokz’s bone conduction and earhook open headphones for my workouts, but this year the clip-on design of the Shokz OpenDots 2 completely won me over. The buds fit securely and comfortably, no matter what kind of workout you’re doing, and deliver impressively good sound quality while still leaving your ears open enough to hear what’s going on around you.

It’s no exaggeration to say I’ve used the OpenDots 2 for some kind of workout almost every day since reviewing them in June, and they’re also my go-to buds outside of training sessions as well. The Shokz OpenDots Air also came out this year and offer better value, but for overall performance the OpenDots 2 are worthy winners of the best workout headphones.

— Nick Harris-Fry, Senior Writer

Best recovery tool

Hyperice Normatec Leg Sleeves

There’s a reason elite sportspeople use the Hyperice Normatec leg sleeves in their routines, and that’s because they’re arguably the best alternative recovery tool to massage guns for boosting recovery and reducing inflammation. In fact, when we interviewed Premier League physiotherapist Geoff Scott, he told us players routinely wear the Normatec leg sleeves during travel and in the dressing room.

These recovery compression leg massager boots can help reduce inflammation, stiffness and puffiness after exercise so legs feel well-rested and free. The dynamic air compression mimics natural muscle pumps, speeding up lymphatic drainage and reducing DOMS. Think: restorative leg massage, without the therapist.

— Sam Hopes, Channel Editor, Fitness

Best running shoes

Asics Novablast 6

We’re living in a golden age of running shoes which means it takes a lot to stand out from the crowd, but the Asics Novablast 6 was a pretty easy pick for me as the best shoe of 2026 from the 60+ pairs I’ve tested so far this year. It’s always the first shoe that comes to mind when people ask me for a recommendation, and it’s the first that came to mind for our awards.

That’s because it offers a winning blend of comfort and speed, with enough cushioning for your easiest runs and enough pop for faster efforts, and it does it all at a pretty reasonable price as well. It’s also just a flat-out fun shoe to run in, and one that will appeal to all levels of runner, whether you need a cushioned shoe to rack up the miles in marathon training, or your first running shoe to power through a couch to 5K.

— Nick Harris-Fry, Senior Writer

Best hiking boots

Keen Jasper Zionic

While not technically “boots”, the Keen Jasper Zionic are universally remarkable hiking shoes. Constructed of suede and rubber, the shoes are lightweight, comfortable, and surprisingly waterproof, even without Gore-Tex.

Thanks to the 4mm rubber lugs, the Jasper Zionic provide unbeatable balance, even on precarious terrain. We tested these shoes on waterfall hikes — amongst others — and we didn’t slip or stumble once. The tongue-to-toe laces make feet feel extremely secure and the wide toe box gives a yoga-class-worthy balance.

Not only are the Keen Jasper Zionic stylish and functional, they’re also hardy. The suede is easy to clean and surprisingly hardy. Getting doused in muddy water makes the sneakers look even better. These are shoes desperate to be used in the rugged outdoors, and used they shall be.

— Erin Bashford, Senior Writer

Best outerwear

Nike

Nike has upped the stakes this year with an activewear lineup that matches street-savvy looks with high-performance engineering. There are plenty of newer brands clawing for attention in this space, but Nike is the old favorite I go back to again and again. This year marked a high-profile collaboration with Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS brand as well as providing the jerseys for both Team USA and my national team, England, during this year’s World Cup.

The company offers everything from lightweight cropped windbreakers and softshells to heavy 700-fill down jackets and versatile unisex fits. Nike’s flagship advancements like the Therma-FIT Air Milano incorporate tunable, inflatable air chamber insulation that lets you adjust warmth in real time. Despite a record-setting summer heatwave, these will come in useful once winter bites.

— Jeff Parsons, UK Editor-in-Chief

Best adjustable dumbbells

Bowflex 552

BowFlex dumbbells have consistently been some of the best since the brand established its popular SelectTech 552 weights almost 20 years ago. There's a clear focus on simplicity: you won't find smart features, integrations with smartphone apps or complex adjustment mechanisms. In the best sense, these are more like traditional weights.

The weight plates come with a black coating, which should help prevent wear and rusting in the long term. Our buying guide editor, James Frew, keeps his outdoors, and they’ve still fared well. Like any good set of dumbbells, the handle is wide enough for double-handed use, and the material should fare well in the heat, too. Changing weights is easy — just adjust the dial, which is quick. It's a welcome return to form for BowFlex under their new ownership.

— Sam Hopes, Channel Editor Fitness

Best electric scooter

Segway Max G3 Plus

I thought the Segway Max G3 was one of the best scooters, but then the company went and pretty much addressed every quibble I had with the Max G3 Plus. This model has everything I loved about the Max G3 — great style, excellent range, full suspension, and security features — and then adds one of the key things that had been missing: rear turn signals. Now, cars both in front and behind you will be able to see when you want to turn.

But Segway didn’t stop there. It added a slightly larger 717-Wh battery, so now the top theoretical range is 56 miles, and boosted the motor to up to 2,200 watts, so it’s a touch easier to make it up those steep hills. Yes, it’s not light — 56 pounds — but it’ll get you wherever you need to go.

— Mike Prospero, US Editor-in-Chief

Best electric bike

Segway Muxi/ Muxi Pro

The Segway Muxi was definitely one of the most interesting electric bikes I’ve ridden over the years; its unique styling makes this mini cargo bike both fun and functional. I definitely received more comments about it than any other bike I’ve tested over the years. It has a laid-back design that’s all its own, and, when you outfit it with accessories like the center console, is as practical as it is enjoyable. (One of my favorite features: the cupholder that keeps your mug vertical, great for toting a thermos of coffee.

As much as I enjoyed the Muxi, the Muxi Pro takes things up a notch, adding all the things I wished the starting model had: turn signals, a front suspension, and a nine-speed electronic shifter, which can change gears automatically for you. And, with an impressive 70-mile range, it has the legs to keep you going.

— Mike Prospero, US Editor-in-Chief

Best active accessory

GoRuck Rucking Weighted Vest

No joke, adding a weighted vest has changed the way I train. Now I can turn any hike or just a walk around the block into a physical challenge while keeping both my hands free — just in case I want to hit the dirt and rattle out a string of push-ups to get the sweat dripping.

Florida-based GORUCK’s premiere weighted vest uses two curved cut-out weight plates that sit in slots on the front and back. Because there’s a hole in the middle, your diaphragm isn't restricted while you're wearing the vest and, unlike a backpack, the weight is evenly distributed across your torso. The vest I tested comes with adjustable straps to fit different torso sizes and a wide, stretchable waistband that cinches thanks to some tough Velcro. You can purchase different weight plates going all the way up to 60lbs (27kg) of added heft to really dial up the intensity. This is the real definition of heavy metal.

— Jeff Parsons, UK Editor-in-Chief

Best golf shoe

Skechers Slip-ins Golf: Blade Tour

Skechers has shifted its reputation greatly in the walking shoe space, and the company is suddenly making waves in golf with the most comfortable golf shoes I’ve ever worn. The Slip-ins Golf: Blade Tour offer the same easy-to-put-on heel as the company’s non-golf offerings, but they have high-end performance that rivals golf-specific brands like FootJoy. When you roll up for your tee time, being able to slip into your performance golf shoe without dealing with laces is a huge convenience. Add in the way they lock in the heel, and you have a stable golf shoe that gave me maximum confidence on the course.

Just as importantly, they look fantastic in both colors, though I’m partial to the bright, attention-grabbing teal colorway. If you’re one of those people with an inherent bias against Skechers based on the company’s previous reputation, I implore you to give these a shot, as they truly are 2026’s best golf shoe.

-— Dave LeClair, Managing Editor

Best golf gadget

Arccos Smart Laser

I love Arccos golf products for tracking my game on the course and looking into my stats after the round. The on-course portion of the service was made infinitely better in 2026 with the introduction of the Smart Laser rangefinder. It does everything a normal rangefinder would, with accurate distances and slope measurement, but it also integrates with Arccos game-tracking features to provide more accurate club recommendations and mark the exact location of the flag in the Arccos app.

It comes with an extra subscription on top of the game-tracking, which isn’t ideal, but as a longtime Arccos user, I find it to be an invaluable tool for helping me make better decisions on the course. Arccos had an incredible 2026 with the massive updates to its app, but the Smart Laser really takes the prize as the biggest thing the company dropped this year, and it’s easily my favorite golf gadget of the year.

-— Dave LeClair, Managing Editor

AI chatbots are not your doctors. That's the advice out of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress, which has found that in up to a third of cases AI wrongly reassures sleep apnea patients that their symptoms don't require specialist help.

“I think it is concerning that people are turning to AI for diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders," says Dr. Carleara Weiss, Ph.D., MS, RN, and Sleep Science Advisor for Aeroflow Sleep. "AI is not a trained medical professional; therefore, people should not rely on it for advice on sleep apnea treatment or symptoms.”

Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), including snoring and fatigue, often go overlooked, resulting in under-diagnosis. Left untreated, OSA increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

Study finds AI chatbots are wrongly reassuring sleep apnea patients

Research presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Barcelona, Spain, found that when presented with sleep apnea symptoms, AI chatbots would at times discourage patients from seeking specialist help.

Obstructive sleep apnea is suspected to affect roughly 1 billion members of the population, yet it's thought that 80% of cases are undiagnosed. Diagnosis relies on referrals, with experts noting that patients tend to underreport their symptoms.

During the study, researchers found that when dealing with cooperative people, chatbots correctly advised finding specialist help.

But when patients pushed back or downplayed their symptoms, the AI model would change course. Instead of suggesting referral, they would offer lifestyle changes. This happened in over a quarter of conversations.

Researchers worry that when chatbots refuse to disagree, it will cause a delay in treatment.

4 signs of sleep apnea you should never ignore

Symptoms of OSA are rarely clean cut.

“Symptoms may look different across the lifespan, such as in children, women during pregnancy, or during the menopausal transition,” explains Dr. Weiss. “Thus, if you have concerns about your sleep, please seek medical advice from a specialist.”

However, there are some common signs that often indicate sleep apnea.

1. Loud snoring

Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by the soft tissue in your throat relaxing and blocking the airway. This results in breathing difficulties and often causes loud, persistent snoring.

If you share a bed, your partner is most likely to pick up on this symptom. If you sleep alone, keep an eye out for a dry mouth, morning headaches, and bad breath — common indicators of snoring.

2. Multiple nighttime awakenings

When the airway is blocked as a result of OSA, it causes oxygen levels to drop. This sends a panic signal to your brain, waking you up. These nighttime awakenings are often brief but they can sometimes result in a significant disturbance to your sleep.

3. Daytime sleepiness

If you go to bed on time, wake up eight hours later and still feel tired, it’s likely your sleep quality is suffering. OSA might be the culprit. Even short disruptions caused by OSA can prevent you from cycling through the sleep stages, meaning you miss out on the restorative sleep you need.

As a result, you spend the next day yawning, struggling to concentrate and feeling irritable.

4. Persistent fatigue

If you're experiencing long-term sleep deprivation with no clear cause, OSA may be the culprit.

“Speak with a healthcare professional and get a referral to a specialist as soon as possible," says Dr. Weiss. "Especially if symptoms such as daytime sleepiness, fatigue, brain fog, and irritability persist for more than 4 weeks, despite attempts to improve sleep.”

Can AI chatbots provide sleep health guidance?

For many, AI has become a tool to answer any question. And Dr. Weiss notes that these powerful systems can have benefits in certain medical settings.

“AI has specific, reliable uses in sleep research and clinical practice when medical, engineering, and computer science professionals with years of experience develop it,” she explains.

That’s not the same as asking Gemini for advice on your snoring. If you want to chat with a bot about your medical queries, Dr. Weiss urges caution.

“These platforms are not developed by sleep researchers; therefore, they lack medical accountability,” she explains.

“Their algorithms were not built to perform medical assessments or interpret nuanced signals of severe symptoms or other complications.”

Dr. Weiss further explains that an AI platform should never be the final word in health.

"The FDA-approved AI for sleep research and clinical treatment does not rule out the need for in-person treatment with a trained provider."

“AI should complement, not replace, medical consultation.”

Apple just announced the Apple Watch Ultra 4 alongside the Apple Watch Series 12, iPhone Duo, and iPhone 18 Pro at the September 9th "Surprise and Shine" event in Cupertino, California.

Boasting loads of new wellness tools, improved heart rate tracking, better battery life, an upgraded processor, and a handful of cool AI features, here's everything you need to know about the Apple Watch Ultra 4.

Apple Watch Ultra 4: Upgrades cheat sheet

• Price and release: The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is available for preorder starting today and will be available on September 18; the price is $799, the same as the Ultra 3
• Design: The Apple Watch Ultra 4 looks similar to its predecessor; available in Black or Natural Titanium
• Health features: Updated health sensing system; improved heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) tracking; HRV reflected in Vitals app; new Readiness metric; new Health Age score; redesigned Health app with improved recovery insights and personalized AI health/fitness guidance that updates dynamically; Health app now supports personal health data and lab results
• AI features: Support for Siri AI voice assistant; Live Rewind lets you ‘go back in time’ up to 15 seconds; Sound Recognition can auto-alert users to common sounds like sirens and alarms; Siri Recap takes high-level notes of conversations and generates summaries
• Under-the-hood: Upgraded S11 processor
• Battery life: Improved battery performance lasts up to 50 hours per charge; up to 18 hours when recording a workout with heart rate and GPS tracking

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is a substantial upgrade over the Apple Watch Ultra 3, which is currently one of the best smartwatches you can buy.

Apple Watch Ultra 4: Price and availability

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 costs $799 / AU$1,349, the same as all the Apple Watch Ultra models that came before it. Available for preorder on launch day (September 9), the Apple Watch Ultra 4 will be available globally starting on September 18 in your choice of Black or Natural Titanium.

Apple Watch Ultra 4: Health upgrades

Improved heart rate tracking

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Series 12 boast “the most accurate heart rate tracking in wearables.” That is, of course, according to Apple’s own internal testing. To be fair, Apple completely overhauled the sensor array on the underside of the watch, making a number of significant improvements to its functionality.

Both the optical and electrical components have been reworked for more precise, efficient performance. More powerful LEDs measure your heart rate every five seconds, a 60-fold increase in sampling frequency over prior models.

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is now measured every 15 seconds, a 24-fold increase compared to before. Speaking of HRV, users can now view that dynamic metric from the Heart Rate app. HRV is also logged in your overnight vitals report.

Dynamic Readiness score

Apple is finally adding a daily Readiness metric to the Health app, something nearly every other smartwatch brand has long offered. Based on a scale from one to ten, your Readiness Score updates dynamically and is based on recent workouts, sleep quality, training load, and vitals.

The score is accompanied by a brief, actionable, AI-generated recommendation for how to best tackle the day.

Improved step count tracking

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 should be Cupertino’s most accurate step counter, thanks to a completely overhauled pedometer that uses machine learning to more accurately log your steps and distance covered. There’s also a new step count complication to more easily stay on top of your efforts.

Redesigned Health app focused on trends and actionable advice

A totally overhauled Health app is expected to debut later this year with a greater focus on long-term health trends and personalized wellness and fitness advice, courtesy of Siri AI. The refreshed app is expected to offer new Longevity and Insights tabs. The former features a new Health Age feature that compares your physical fitness to others in your age range.

The Insights tab, meanwhile, is where you’ll find dynamic Siri AI-generated health briefings, workout suggestions, and more.

Finally, the updated Health app will better support the integration of a user’s personal health data, including notes from doctor’s visits and lab test results.

Siri AI with Siri Recap

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 supports Apple Siri AI voice assistant, but AI integration powers much more than just that. Siri Recap, for example, can be set up to listen in on important conversations and meetings, and then automatically generate a report with an overall summary along with key talking points. User control when this feature is active, either manually, via a schedule, or based on location.

Apple Watch Ultra 4: New AI features

Live Rewind and Sound Recognition

One of the more exciting new Siri AI features is Live Rewind. Let’s say you just met someone new at a dinner party, but their name “went in one ear and out the other.” With Live Rewind, I can double-tap the digital crown on the Ultra 4 and relisten to the past 15 seconds of ambient audio anytime I like.

It’s worth noting that Apple doesn’t identify people when using this feature or save any recording. Moreover, any logged audio is end-to-end encrypted.

Finally, the Ultra 4 supports Apple’s Sound Recognition feature, which can alert those who are hard of hearing when sounds like fire alarms, doorbells, sirens, or crying babies are registered.

Apple Watch Ultra 4: Battery life

Battery life on the Apple Watch Ultra 4 has been increased to 450 hours per charge, up from 42 hours per charge for the Ultra 3. When using the Ultra 4 to log an outdoor workout with continuous GPS and heart rate tracking, users can expect about 18 hours of use.

Extended workout tracking mode bumps that number to 25 hours per charge, while a new Max Extended mode increases battery life to an impressive 45 hours per charge.

The Ultra 4 charges a little faster than its predecessor. Apple says a 15-minute charge should provide up to 18 hours of use.

Apple Watch Ultra 4: Outlook

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 isn’t exactly a massive upgrade over the Ultra 3 —externally, the two are identical — but the combination of better health tracking tech, new AI features, improved battery life, and updated holistic tools galore… all for the same price as before, is pretty darn compelling.

Stay tuned for my full Apple Watch Ultra 4 review, coming soon. Until then, what new Apple Watch Ultra 4 features are you most excited about? Let me know in the comments.

More from Tom's Guide

• We asked 368 people what they want from the Apple Watch Ultra 4. Here’s the resounding answer (and it’s not AI)
• I’ve been writing about the Apple Watch for the past decade: Here’s the rumored update I’m most excited about for the Apple Watch Ultra 4
• Leaked Apple Watch 12 design change is the opposite of an upgrade — and that has me worried

Move over, Apple Watch Series 11; there's a new flagship Apple Watch in town. Apple just announced the Apple Watch Series 12 alongside the Apple Watch Ultra 4 during Cupertino's September 9 "Surprise and Shine" event (we also got the new iPhone 18 series and the iPhone Duo).

Boasting a completely redesigned health sensor array, upgraded processor, and tons of new wellness tools, here's everything you need to know about the Apple Watch Series 12.

Apple Watch Series 12: Upgrades cheat sheet

• Price and release: The Apple Watch Series 12 is available for preorder starting today and will be available on September 18, with a starting price of $399, the same as the Series 11
• Design: The Series 12 looks similar to the Series 11; available in Space Grey, Black, Light Gold, and Dark Bronze (aluminum case); Pearl White and Night Blue (ceramic case); Polished Gold and Polished Silver (titanium case)
• Health features: Updated health sensing system; improved heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) tracking; HRV reflected in Vitals app; new Readiness metric; new Health Age score; redesigned Health app with improved recovery insights and personalized AI health/fitness guidance that updates dynamically; Health app now supports personal health data and lab results
• AI features: Support for Siri AI voice assistant; Live Rewind lets you ‘go back in time’ up to 15 seconds; Sound Recognition can auto-alert users to common sounds like sirens and alarms; Siri Recap takes high-level notes of conversations and generates summaries
• Under-the-hood: Upgraded S11 processor
• Battery life: Up to 24 hours per charge, same as Series 11

Last year's Apple Watch Series 11 currently tops our best smartwatch list; will the new Apple Watch Series 12 take its place? Maybe! Here's what's new and exciting about the latest model.

Apple Watch Series 12: Price and release

Unlike Google and Samsung, which increased pricing across their respective smartwatch lines this year, Apple kept the pricing of the Series 12 consistent with last year’s model. The Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399 for the smaller, non-cellular 42mm model.

You can preorder the Apple Watch Series 12 starting today. The device is expected to be available on September 18th.

Apple Watch Series 12: Design

Like the Apple Watch Series 11, the new Apple Watch Series 12 comes in 42mm or 46mm. While the basic design and display remain unchanged, the Series 12 features Apple's Ceramic Shield 2 screen coating, which is 60% tougher than the Ion-X glass used on the Series 11.

Apple has also added some exciting new case options, including two ceramic models in your choice of Pearl White or Night Blue.

The Series 12 is additionally available in Polished Silver titanium and Polished Gold titanium.

Apple Watch Series 12: Health and fitness

The most notable upgrades to the Apple Watch Series 12 are related to health and fitness. Cupertino completely redesigned the sensor array on the bottom of the device for improved accuracy and efficiency.

The electrode surface, used for ECG, has been increased in size for more precise readings. The photodiodes, meanwhile, have been rearranged in a ring, resulting in improved efficiency, and the LEDS, used for monitoring heart rate, are more powerful than before.

The heart rate sensor on the Series 12 now takes a reading every five seconds, day and night, a 60-fold increase in sample frequency compared to the Series 11. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is now sampled every five minutes, or 24 times more frequently than before.

According to Apple’s internal testing, the brand’s latest smartwatches have the “most accurate heart rate tracking in a wearable.”

Meanwhile, a new Heart Rate Variability meter, which lives in the Vitals app, provides dynamic stress and recovery advice. Apple has also added a dynamic Readiness Score, similar to what the competition offers, based on recent activity, sleep quality, and vitals.

Later this year, Cupertino will also be rolling out an updated Health app with a much cleaner design. It also adds a new “Insights” tab where users can view AI-generated summaries of their recent health trends. Speaking of AI, the app also generates custom-tailored workout and recovery suggestions.

There’s also a new “Longevity” tab where users can follow guided assessments to learn how their physical fitness compares to other users in their age range. Apple is additionally adding a new Health Age metric, similar to Garmin’s Fitness Age, which similarly compares your workout habits, VO2 Max, sleep trends, heart health, and more, to the averages for your age group.

Finally, the updated Health app will support the integration of personal health data, like lab results and medical stats. This feature is, of course, optional.

Apple Watch Series 12: AI features

The Apple Watch Series 12 supports Apple's Siri AI voice assistant, but that’s not all. There are a handful of new audio-based AI features that sound (pun intended) promising, like Live Rewind, which lets you relisten to the past 15 seconds of ambient sound at any moment with a double-press of the digital crown.

I’m admittedly bad with names, so I could definitely see this feature being useful at my next social outing. Like the latest iPhones, the Series 12 also supports Sound Recognition, which is designed to alert those who are hard of hearing to common noises like fire alarms, doorbells, and even a crying baby.

Finally, Siri Recap is designed to listen in on your important conversations and create digestible notes with summaries and key points. Users can set when this feature is active or not, either manually or via a schedule/geolocation.

It’s worth noting that when using these audio AI features, no actual audio is saved, speakers aren’t identified, and everything gets end-to-end encrypted. Unfortunately, you’ll need to wait a while to test Live Rewind and Siri Recap out; they won’t be released until later this year (in beta).

Apple Watch Series 12: Outlook

While improved battery performance or a brighter screen topped my upgrade wish list, the Apple Watch Series 12 still seems to be a noteworthy improvement over its predecessor, thanks to a faster processor, better health tracking tech, new wellness metrics galore, and support for some genuinely useful-sounding AI features. I'm also beyond pleased to see no price increases across the Series 12 line.

Stay tuned for our full Apple Watch Series 12 review. In the meantime, what are your thoughts on the new model? Are you excited for its debut, or less than impressed? Let me know below.

More from Tom's Guide

• We asked 368 people what they want from the Apple Watch Ultra 4. Here’s the resounding answer (and it’s not AI)
• I’ve been writing about the Apple Watch for the past decade: Here’s the rumored update I’m most excited about for the Apple Watch Ultra 4
• Leaked Apple Watch 12 design change is the opposite of an upgrade — and that has me worried

The Apple Watch Series 12 is expected to be announced at today's 'Surprise and Shine' event, and insiders report several upgrades that will benefit sleep tracking. As a sleep tech writer, my heart should be aflutter (a problem the Series 12 will pick up on). So why am I feeling... underwhelmed?

The best sleep trackers offer detailed insight into your rest and there's no doubt the Apple Watch is among the best for accuracy. But the sleep tech market is fast evolving and the bulky, passive Apple Watch is starting to look like yesterday's news.

We're still learning just what the Series 12 will encompass (alongside the Apple Watch Ultra 4) and perhaps nestled somewhere in the metrics will be something that will completely change my mind. Until then, here's why the new Apple Watch Series 12 won't be at the top of my Christmas wish-list.

• Read more: 'You don't need a ring or a band to tell you your sleep was terrible' QALO's new smart band delivers non-stop tracking for better sleep

Apple Watch 12 improves sleep tracking features

The Apple Watch 12 rumor mill suggests several upgrades are coming that might benefit sleep tracking capabilities. Including better battery life, meaning you won't miss out on data because your watch drifted off before you did.

We're also expecting to see a readiness score — a new way of exploring and understanding your data. Readiness scores bundle several data points to assess how prepared you are for the day. It's a feature we're seeing from many fitness trackers already. My Oura Ring always (and accurately) notes I should ease back on physical activity when my sleep score is low.

This comes alongside (rumored) improved Siri AI voice support and (possibly) a wellness concierge. So the Series 12 should be putting your sleep score to good use.

Sleep tracking has moved beyond bulky wearables

Watches were once the first word in sleep tracking. (Okay, second after doctor-approved PSG.) But in recent years have these cumbersome devices started to look, whisper it, out of date?

The future of sleep tracking isn't on your wrist. It's on your finger, or perched on your head, or sitting on your nightstand — a sleep tracking sunrise alarm clock, anyone? And it doesn't just track your sleep. In some cases, these smart devices can intervene, in real time, to improve your sleep quality.

That's a step beyond the passive tracking of the Apple Watch Series 12. And what's more, this bulky watch might have missed the mark when it comes to sleep comfort.

The Apple Watch Series 11 weighs between 34.6 and 43.1 grams, sits nearly 1 cm away from the wrist and measures at least 42 mm high. We don't know the exact measurements for the Series 12 just yet, but it's unlikely to be significantly smaller.

A watch that big stops being a passive sleep tracker and becomes a sleep hinderance. Two members of my team have found they lost sleep data after removing the Apple Watch while half-awake at 3 a.m. That's inaccuracy and intrusion, in one bulky package.

With devices like the Oura Ring 5 and Fitbit Air getting increasingly slimmer, do we need our sleep to be weighed down by a watch?

It's not the end for Apple Watch Series 12 sleep tracking

I'm not writing off the Apple Watch Series 12 just yet. These wearables still appeal to those who prioritize fitness tracking or want all-round health tracking in one convenient package.

And smartwatches, like the Series 12, offer the at-a-glance sleep check that screenless wearables can't provide. If you don't want the hassle of an app, a quick look at you Apple Watch screen can provide you with the latest info on your night's sleep.

If that sounds like you, then you'll want to keep a close eye on our Apple Event live blog.

Apple is expected to launch new models of both the Apple Watch and Apple Watch Ultra at today's “Surprise and Shine” event, and according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, a new readiness app is set to be a key new feature on the watches.

Readiness scores are nothing new for wearables and are a key feature of screenless wearables like the Oura ring and Whoop 5.0, along with the best Garmin watches. Adding the holistic health metric to the Apple Watch is a great move in my opinion — I check the score regularly myself on my Garmin Forerunner 970 to help get a picture of the state of my body.

It’s not a perfect metric and as ever with the stats on wearables, a readiness score is just a guideline, not something to stick to rigidly, but if confirmed it would be a useful addition to the Apple Watch.

What is readiness and how is it measured?

Simply put, a readiness score indicates how prepared you are to handle the day ahead of you, based on health metrics measured by your wearable.

It’s sometimes called a recovery score and with many watches and trackers the focus will lean towards how ready you are to train in particular, so you can understand how hard to push in a workout.

The key stats generally used by a wearable to determine readiness are how well you’ve slept — both last night and over the past couple of weeks — the intensity of your recent activity and workouts, and heart rate stats like heart rate variability and your resting heart rate.

Heart rate variability (HRV) in particular is an important metric, because it’s often used as an indication of the stress on your body. Deviations from your normal ranges can indicate that you’re not well recovered, or are even getting ill.

Past Apple Watch models have measured all the key stats needed for readiness, but didn’t measure your heart rate continuously outside of workouts to save battery life, which reduces the accuracy of the stats that would underpin a readiness score.

The Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 are rumored to be getting a continuous heart rate monitor, which would tie in with the launch of a readiness score if true.

At the moment you can get readiness scores from apps like Bevel and Athlytic on the Apple Watch, but I’ve tested these and the lack of continuous heart rate monitoring does throw up some inconsistent results.

What are the benefits of a readiness score?

I use readiness scores as a handy one-stop shop that bundles a lot of data into one easy-to-understand data point I can use to check in on my body.

When I first started using the readiness score on Oura and Garmin devices, I realised I don’t really care exactly how I slept, or what my individual HRV scores were, I just want to know if I’m in good shape to tackle the day, and that’s how readiness works.

You can still dive into all the individual data points if you want, but the convenience of one score you can see quickly in an app or on your watch face is great for busy mornings.

Trends in your readiness score can be great indications of underlying problems too. If I feel like I'm sleeping well and training normally, low scores can be a sign I’m getting ill. This is especially handy as a parent of two young kids who seem to make it their mission to bring as many germs into the house as possible.

When I’m deep into marathon training and feel a little tired all the time, a high readiness score gives me confidence that I’m actually adapting well to training, and I find that aiming to get a high score promotes good habits like maintaining a consistent bedtime.

I don’t completely upend my plans if a low score comes up, but I might take things a little easier on my run if I see my readiness is in the red in the morning.

While it’s not a perfectly accurate score, which I’ll come to, I have found that trends in my Training Readiness score on my Garmin over many years have been a reliable indicator of where my body is at, and that’s useful info to have on your wrist.

What are the drawbacks of a readiness score?

Readiness scores reduces a lot of data to one single score, and if the data underpinning the stat is flawed, then your readiness score can be too.

Wearables are not perfect with regards to sleep tracking in particular, and with Garmin I have to bear in mind the watches tend to overestimate time asleep and account for that when looking at my score.

The Apple Watch is one of the better sleep trackers I’ve tested for accuracy, but does tend to give high sleep scores in my experience, which might in turn inflate your readiness score.

It’s worth checking in on the stats underpinning any readiness score occasionally to see if anything rings false, and in general I think it’s better to look at trends in your data from a device rather than a score on any given day. One very low readiness score might not mean much, but a few days of your score dropping could well be a sign something is wrong.

If the Apple Watch is getting a continuous heart rate monitor then this might reduce battery life too. That said, many wearables still manage to offer this feature while having long battery life, so hopefully the new watches will at least maintain the battery life of the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3.

Perhaps a bigger drawback to readiness scores is that they can mess with your head a little. It’s important not to let them dictate your day too much and worry about a low score — you don’t need to be at 100% readiness to smash your workout or a busy day at the office.

I’ve run some of my best races on low-readiness days and actually usually don’t wear my watch the night before a marathon now, because I don’t find that data helpful on race morning.

Like all the data on your wearable, it’s a tool or a guideline that can help at times, but if it’s not proving helpful or actually even adding to your stress, then I think it’s always best to just ignore it.

As an example of that, Roger Bannister slept poorly and then worked a shift in a hospital the morning of the day he ran the first sub-four-minute mile. He wasn't sure if he'd even run, and if he'd had a watch telling him his readiness was low, maybe he wouldn't have. Data is useful, but don't let it be the boss.

More from Tom's Guide

• ‘I wear an Apple Watch every single day, and I never knew you could do this.’
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I attended my first IFA trade show in Berlin last week, and between countless helpings of currywurst, I found myself genuinely floored by all the cool new wearable tech on display.

From smarter smart rings with onboard NFC for mobile payments to AI-powered pendants that serve as a "second memory," IFA proved to be a treasure trove for gadget lovers like myself. With that in mind, these are the five most incredible pieces of wearable tech I demoed at IFA 2026.

1. Luna Band

I first saw an early version of the Luna Band at CES 2026 in January, long before the arrival of the Garmin Cirqa and Fitbit Air, two of the most capable (mostly) subscription-free alternatives to the popular screenless Whoop 5.0 fitness tracker.

Boasting similar features and specs to the competition, the new Luna Band splits the difference, price-wise, between the Cirqa ($199) and Air ($99), with a cost of $149.

However, one notable advantage the Luna Band has over the competition is a completely subscription-free approach to wellness. While Google (Fitbit) and Garmin make you pony up extra cash for deeper insights and AI-generated personalized recommendations, Luna does not.

In fact, custom-tailored AI-generated workout and health recommendations are a major selling point of the Luna Band. And rather than being overly focused on a cascade of metrics and charts, the companion Luna app is more geared toward digestible, actionable text-based advice based on your holistic trends and personal goals.

Stay tuned for a full review of the Luna Band, along with head-to-head comparisons versus the competition.

2. Circular Ring 3

The launch of the Circular Ring 3 was easily the biggest surprise of IFA, at least when it comes to wearable tech. The Circular Ring 2 was a mighty fine alternative to the latest Oura Ring 5, aka the best smart ring on the market, but when I reviewed it, a buggy app held back the overall user experience.

Since then, Circular completely overhauled and relaunched the companion app, and more notably, debuted not one but two new smart rings: the Circular Ring 3 Pro and Circular Ring 3 Slim.

Unlike Oura, these smart rings are subscription-free. They also support some unique features, most notably onboard NFC, giving you the power to pay for things with the touch of a finger. They also support haptic feedback for alerts and alarms.

The Ring Pro 3 additionally supports a promising new blood pressure trends feature that I look forward to testing when the wearable ships this winter.

3. Moto Watch Ultra

The Moto Watch Ultra was another pleasant IFA surprise announcement. Motorola's first-ever LTE-capable smartwatch, the Moto Watch Ultra is a direct competitor to the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 and Google Pixel Watch 5, two of the best smartwatches for Android in 2026.

The thing is, the Moto Watch Ultra is priced lower than both of the above, while offering similar features. It runs Google's bug-free and user-friendly Wear OS, and for health and fitness tracking, Motorola partnered with the trusted Finnish smartwatch brand Polar.

A lovely-looking brushed stainless steel case additionally gives the Moto Watch Ultra a more premium look than the competition. Available starting on September 10, the Moto Watch Ultra starts at $349 via Motorola and Amazon.

4. Odyss N1

No, it's not a shark tooth necklace; the Odyss N1 is a small, metal pendant sporting an onboard camera and motion sensor designed to automatically log everything you eat. Still just a concept, the Odyss N1 was unknown to me prior to IFA, but when I spotted the brand's booth in the depths of the Berlin Messe, I was instantly drawn in.

In 2026, the best fitness trackers and smartwatches may be able to automatically log sleep, workouts, and stress, but they drop the ball when it comes to recording food intake without user input. This is where the Odyss N1 comes in. Designed to work alongside other fitness wearables, the N1 takes a few weeks to calibrate and learn your eating habits.

During that time, users are encouraged to manually edit any inaccuracies to help train the AI-powered detection algorithm. Afterwards, the Odyss N1 should be able to log everything you munch on and sip with a solid degree of accuracy. Of course, the one downside of the Odyss N1 is you pretty much need to wear it all the time to make the most of it.

No word on a shipping date.

5. iKarios

Last but not least, we have the iKairos, a peculiar circular-shaped pendant with an animated set of cartoonish eyes. But what purpose does this admittedly cute little wearable, which doubles as a tabletop companion when placed in its charging dock, serve?

The folks behind iKairos say that it's designed to be a "second memory," with an onboard microphone for recording notes, reminders, events, and more. It also has a built-in camera that's deployed by sliding the back half of the iKairos downward.

When active, the camera is meant to capture your most important memories; however, the output isn't a lovely photo slideshow or video reel. Instead, the iKairos translates your precious moments into weird, AI-generated images.

Still just a concept, there's a good chance that the iKairos will ultimately evolve into something more than a goofy-faced eavesdropper. And similar to the Odyss N1, we don't have any indication of when or even if the iKairos will be available to the public.

Of these five new tech wearables, which one are you most excited about? Let me know in the poll below.

More from Tom's Guide

• I just went hands-on with the new Circular Ring 3 — and it beats the Oura Ring 5 in 3 big ways
• I just reviewed the Garmin Cirqa — 5 things you need to know about Garmin’s subscription-free Whoop and Fitbit Air alternative
• Exclusive: Garmin Cirqa PM says ‘it just felt like we had all of the pieces in place’ to launch a screen-free fitness tracker

2026 has been a massive year for screen-free fitness wearables, with models like the Fitbit Air and Garmin Cirqa debuting alongside more established players, like the latest Whoop 5.0.

Now, the competition is about to get a little tougher: The $149 Luna Band just officially began shipping worldwide. Not only that, it seems poised to give Garmin, Google, and Whoop a serious run for the money, especially when it comes to free, personalized AI insights.

I initially checked out an early version of the Luna Band back at CES in January 2026. Now, nine months later, the final product is ready for prime time.

Not only that, I just demoed the final Luna Band at IFA 2026 in Berlin, and I have to say, I am impressed. I also had the chance to compare it head-to-head against the Garmin Cirqa (which I was wearing at the time), and even though the two have a lot in common, small but meaningful things set them apart.

With that in mind, here are the three biggest differences between the new Luna Band and the Garmin Cirqa, its closest competition.

1. The Luna Band costs less than the Garmin Cirqa

Unlike the best smartwatches out there, the newest screen-free fitness trackers shouldn't shatter your piggy bank. The Garmin Cirqa, for example, is $199, while the Luna Band is priced $50 cheaper at $149. That said, the Fitbit Air beats them both with a starting price of just $99.

However, both Garmin and Google (Fitbit) place some of their headier training insights and personalized AI-backed features behind a monthly paywall. Luna does not...

2. None of Luna’s features are paywalled

The Luna Band records all the basic holistic data points you expect, like continuous heart rate, sleep quality, workouts, and daily movement, but unlike the Fitbit Air and Garmin Cirqa, the Luna Band companion app is less focused on metrics and charts and more focused on generating actionable insights and reports based on both your current holistic trends and your overall goals. These are, of course, accomplished with the help of AI.

More simply put: Luna's personalized AI recommendations are part of what you're paying for when you spend $149 on the device... no need to cough up extra dough down the line. Meanwhile, similar custom, AI-driven advice from Garmin and Fitbit requires an additional monthly fee even after purchasing either tracker.

3. Only the Garmin Cirqa has a physical button

Finally, while the Luna Band is more compact and affordable than the Garmin Cirqa — with no subscription costs, optional or otherwise — one feature it's missing is a physical button. On the Garmin Cirqa, users can program the wearable's sole control point to start and stop any workout type of their choosing. It can also be used to broadcast heart rate data to another compatible Garmin device.

Personally, I feel that a similarly customizable physical button would feel right at home on the Luna Band (the Fitbit Air, too).

Stay tuned for my full Luna Band review, coming soon. In the meantime, what are your thoughts on the new Luna Band? Would you consider picking it up over the Garmin Cirqa and/or Fitbit Air? Let me know in the poll below.

More from Tom's Guide

• I just went hands-on with the new Circular Ring 3 — and it beats the Oura Ring 5 in 3 big ways
• I just reviewed the Garmin Cirqa — 5 things you need to know about Garmin’s subscription-free Whoop and Fitbit Air alternative
• Exclusive: Garmin Cirqa PM says ‘it just felt like we had all of the pieces in place’ to launch a screen-free fitness tracker

The Coros Pace 4 impressed from the moment I first strapped it to my wrist, and after using it for several months of marathon training I liked it even more.

One of the very few complaints I had about the watch was that it didn’t offer offline maps. Guess what just got added to the Coros Pace 4 via a free software update?

You can now download maps to the Coros Pace 4 and use it to follow routes with turn-by-turn directions, making it one of the most affordable sports watches to offer this feature.

Coros has always done a great job of adding value to its watches with software updates long after they launch, but this is a particularly big upgrade and one I wasn’t expecting. There is, however, a minor catch with the new feature…

You only have 4GB of space to play with

The 4GB of storage on the Pace 4 is a lot less than the minimum of 16GB you usually get on watches with maps, and it limits how much you can download to the watch, especially if you also store your music on the Pace 4.

It’s also important to note that a lot of that 4GB is already taken up with system data, so you can’t manage it — I only have 1.6GB left on my Coros Pace 4 without any music on the watch.

I consider this a fairly small drawback though, because there is still comfortably enough space to download your local area and you can add and remove maps easily through the app, so you can download places you plan to travel to.

For example, the size of two areas around me that cover London and the south east of the U.K. is 151.2MB, and two large areas that cover New York and Philadelphia is 122.4MB, so you should have room to download your local area and anywhere you visit regularly.

You can’t download the whole world and if you do use the music feature you might have to delete some tracks to make space for maps, but I consider that a minor inconvenience to add such a useful feature to the watch.

How to get maps on the Coros Pace 4

To start using the new feature on the Pace 4 you first have to join the get the Public Beta version of the Coros app. Then youcan update your watch in the partner Coros app — this should come up as an option when you log in and sync your watch, or you can find the option to update in the watch section of the app.

Once the update is done you then have to choose and add the areas you want maps for on your watch, which are shown with their file sizes so you can plan how to use your storage accordingly.

Rather than breaking the world down into areas that fit directly with countries or major cities, in the Coros app you select preset squares that each cover an area of the world. Once you’ve picked your squares, hit download and your watch will connect to Wi-Fi and download the maps.

It’s a pretty fast process in my experience, and once on your watch you can see your maps during outdoor activities by using the action button on the Pace 4 to toggle between your stats and your map.

To use routes with the maps you can create them directly in the Coros app in the Explore tab and sync them to your watch.

The Coros Pace 4 doesn’t have the largest display, but the bright AMOLED screen means it’s still easy to see your maps and routes during activities.

This is a big update for an affordable sports watch, and it will be interesting to see if Garmin in particular responds, because downloadable maps have always been a feature restricted to Garmin’s most expensive watches.

• Follow Tom's Guide fitness on Instagram for more workouts, routines, tips, and tricks.

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Today, Circular announced two new smart rings at IFA 2026: the Circular Ring 3 Pro and the Circular Ring 3 Slim. Both rings will enable wearers to make contactless payments with their fingers and receive haptic alerts to wake up without an alarm, as well as set health reminders.

The Circular Ring 3 Pro has FDA-cleared ECG for AFib detection, haptic vibration alerts, and NFC contactless payments. The Circular Ring 3 Slim is a more compact version of the Pro, without on-board ECG readings but with the same contactless payments and essential health monitoring.

To find out more about the two new rings, I sat down with Amaury Kosman, co-founder and CEO of Circular.

Vibrations are back

The Circular Ring 2 saw the removal of the vibrating alerts, but Kosman explains that the decision to add them back to the two new rings was due to user feedback. “At the time, we didn’t have the knowledge to combine the new ECG readings and the vibration, but with the Circular Ring 3 Pro, we’ve succeeded.”

Contactless payments are here

“Payment is something every big ring manufacturer [has been] trying to achieve, and we’re very happy to be able to combine payments and health tracking,” Kosman says. “To our knowledge, we are the first smart ring to do payment and health globally.”

Kosman confirmed that both rings will remain subscription-free; however, users will now have to opt into a subscription to use new blood pressure and glucose monitoring features.

Circular is giving users the option to choose a smaller and lighter ring

The main difference between the Circular Ring 3 Pro and the Circular Ring 3 Slim is that the latter is smaller and lighter and won’t have ECG readings. With the launch of the Oura Ring 5 earlier this year, it seems that smart ring brands have all entered a race to make their devices look more like jewelry and less like fitness trackers.

Kosman explained this decision: “We wanted to do a slimmed-down version of the Circular Ring 3 Pro because, of course, adding a lot of features to a ring makes it — I won’t say bulky, as it’s the same dimensions as the current Circular Ring 2 — but we’ve seen a move towards a slimmer shape. That’s why we came up with the Circular Ring 3 Slim. The only thing we removed is the ECG, because that’s the only feature that would make the ring bigger. It still has the vibrations, payments and other health features.”

The Circular Ring 3 Slim has a width of 5.9mm and a thickness of 2.35mm, weighing 1.9- 3 g depending on size. This makes it pretty similar to the Oura Ring 5, which has a width of 6.09mm and a thickness of 2.28mm.

The Circular Ring 3 Pro has a width of 6.8mm and a thickness of 2.78mm, making it pretty similar in size to the Circular Ring 2. The Circular Ring 3 Pro has a battery life of up to 12 days, whereas the Circular Ring 3 Slim will last up to 10 days. These are both improvements on the Circular Ring 2, which has a battery life of 7 days.

Both rings are expected to launch in 2027. At the time of writing, Circular hasn’t announced an exact release date or pricing for either ring, but we’ll be testing them as soon as possible, so stay tuned.

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As much as IFA 2026 is about computing stuff — we just saw a wild flip-and-swivel handheld from Acer and learned more about when Nvidia's new Apple Silicon competitor is coming — there are plenty of other interesting products launching here in Berlin as well.

Hypershell, the company behind the exoskeleton that made headlines at IFA last year, is back with a new model. If you aren't aware, Hypershell's exoskeletons are designed to assist users during outdoor activities like hiking and running, and this year's model, called the Hypershell Halo, takes that idea even further.

Unlike last year's model, which primarily assisted around the hips, the Halo provides support throughout the lower body, including the knees.

The biggest change this time around is the new architecture. Hypershell is using a continuous carbon fiber load-bearing structure that runs across the hip, thigh, knee, and lower leg, allowing the Halo to provide assistance beyond just the hip area.

The new design should also give you more freedom of movement. Last year's Ultra felt slightly rigid to wear, whereas the Halo has been designed to move more naturally with your body.

The Halo also gets a new HyperDrive Pro motor system capable of delivering up to 1,490W of peak power, which is 49% more than last year's Hypershell Ultra. It can provide assistance at speeds of up to 17 km/h, while Hypershell claims the powered hip and knee system can reduce knee-muscle fatigue by up to 40% during squats.

Of course, there's plenty of AI involved too. The Halo uses more than 30 sensors alongside Hypershell's HyperCore Pro AI chip to understand how you're moving. The company says the system can anticipate your movement around 200 milliseconds in advance and adjust the assistance up to 2,500 times every second.

There's also a new AI assistant called Shelly, which lets users configure the Halo and plan journeys using voice or text through the companion app. Hypershell calls it the industry's first "sidekick AI" developed specifically for consumer exoskeletons. The assistant can also learn your movement habits over time to better adjust the support it provides.

In terms of the build and design, the extra hardware does add some weight compared to the Ultra. The Hypershell Halo weighs around 2.6kg, but thankfully, it can fold down to less than eight liters in volume, meaning you should still be able to carry it inside a backpack. It also retains IP54 dust and water resistance, so you shouldn't have to worry too much about the terrain you're taking it through.

The Hypershell Halo starts at $2,299 and is already available for pre-orders starting today. In the U.S., you'll be able to purchase Halo on Amazon, Best Buy, and other major retailers, and the company is targeting a November 2026 release.

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There hasn’t been a ceramic Apple Watch since 2019’s Apple Watch Series 5, but that could be about to change. With the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 tipped to arrive next week, one notable Apple insider suggests that an optional, elevated ceramic shell could be on the table this year.

In fact, we may get new Apple Watches offered in not one, but two ceramic case choices. Here’s everything you need to know about Apple Watch 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 ceramic case and general design rumors.

No massive Apple Watch design changes for 2026

We’re a little more than a week out from Apple’s big September "Surprise and shine" smartwatch and smartphone launch, and prolific Apple insider Mark Gurman just dropped some juicy details about what we might expect from the Apple Watch 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4.

For starters, it doesn’t sound like either model will look all that different from last year’s Apple Watch 11 or Apple Watch Ultra 3. Instead, Gurman predicts a major redesign for both lines will probably arrive in 2027.

Under the hood, however, there will likely be small improvements, like a faster processor and potentially improved heart rate tracking. However, a much-rumored onboard fingerprint scanner to unlock the Apple Watch doesn't seem to be in the cards, says Gurman.

Apple's first ceramic model in seven years?

Despite Gurman putting the kibosh on some of the more exciting Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 design rumors, he’s fairly certain of one: the return of an optional ceramic case.

Why is a ceramic smartwatch case such a big deal? In addition to being more impact-resistant than stainless steel and aluminum, zirconia ceramic is also more scratch-resistant than the former (though not the latter).

That said, for most folks, the real appeal of a ceramic Apple Watch 12 or Ultra 4 case will come down to aesthetics. For example, the Series 5 in white ceramic (shown at the top of the page) was widely admired for its unique, elevated, pearly appearance.

According to Gurman, new ceramic color options for the latest Apple Watch models might include a similar pearly white and dark grey.

Apple Watch 12 ceramic: price prediction

Here’s the bad news: When the Apple Watch Series 5 launched in 2019, the standard model started at $399 while the ceramic Series 5 started at a whopping $1,299.

I’m not even going to wager how much a ceramic Apple Watch Ultra 4 might go for, as I’m also not convinced Cupertino will offer such a model. The Series 12 ceramic, however, seems much more possible.

I'm already anticipating a potential price increase for the standard flagship Apple Watch 12 (though nothing is confirmed). Let’s assume, for a moment, the new model starts at $449 instead of $399. In that scenario, I could see a ceramic Series 12 starting as high as $1,499. Woof.

What are your thoughts on the possibility of a ceramic Apple Watch Series 12 or ceramic Apple Watch Ultra 4? Let me know in the comments below.

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I’ve been running for just over 10 years and consider myself very fortunate to have taken up the sport when I did, because running shoes have never been better.

The most high-profile area of this is carbon plate running shoes, which have proved controversial in aiding rapid improvements in world records for elites and personal records for amateurs.

However, there’s no controversy over the advances in shoe design that have led to brilliant training shoes that everyone can enjoy.

Right now, the best running shoes are lighter, bouncier and just flat-out more fun than shoes were when I started the sport, and that’s mostly down to what’s going on in their midsoles — the part of the shoe between the sockliner and the outsole on a sneaker.

To find out more about advancements in midsole tech and performance, I spoke to Damion Perry, Senior Product Line Manager at Puma Running.

Why is the midsole so important on a running shoe?

Uppers and outsoles are important, but the key to running shoe performance is the foam in the midsole, which serves two purposes, according to Perry.

“One is to absorb the impact of you landing on the ground,” says Perry, “and the second is to return energy for you to feel that sense of lift and bounce.”

Finding a material that does both those jobs effectively is the tricky part.

“You have something soft like sand which absorbs a lot of impact very well,” says Perry. “Then you have something like a trampoline, which provides an extraordinary amount of energy return.

“In a running shoe, you're trying to use a material that effectively absorbs those forces and then gives them back to you as much as it can. That’s the midsole, and we use foam to do that.”

Why have midsoles improved so much in recent years?

When I started, running shoes were a lot better at absorbing energy than they were at giving it back, but foams have improved dramatically in recent years, and a lot of that comes down to using supercritical foams.

“Previously, foams were injection-moulded or compression-moulded,” says Perry. “Plastic-based materials that are poured into the shape of a sole.

“Inherently, with that, they’re quite dense materials. They provide some level of cushioning, but not at the level of what we're seeing today from using the supercritical foaming process.”

Supercritical foams are created by infusing foams with a gas (usually nitrogen) using a high-pressure, heated chamber called an autoclave. This creates air within the cell structure of the foams, making them lighter and less dense than older foams.

“You can use a lot of different raw materials for it,” says Perry, “but the process of supercritical foaming is what's created this drastically new underfoot feel. Materials that compress feel really airy and bouncy and absorb those forces. It allows for a better cushioning experience.”

What are the differences between the foams you get in midsoles?

This supercritical process is used with all kinds of foam used in running shoes. EVA was the main material used for a long time, before springier modern materials like PEBA and now aliphatic TPU became more popular.

Brands still use a variety of foams in their line-ups, though, because each has properties that make it attractive to certain consumers, including EVA.

“Everyone's running experience or use of running shoes is quite different, right?” says Perry. “There's a difference between clicking off three- or four-minute Ks [five- or six-minute miles] and walking.

“If you need something that feels supportive and secure and familiar underfoot, something like EVA is a great solution for that. But if you want a PR in the 5K, you get this foam [aliphatic TPU] that has an extremely high amount of energy return, and mix that with the modern geometries and plates that allow it to be harnessed in its maximized way, there's a clear preference and purpose for that.”

Right now, the market is certainly skewing toward foams like PEBA and aliphatic TPU that deliver high levels of energy return, but when picking your running shoe, it’s not just about the foam used; it’s also about how the brand uses it.

What is shoe ‘geometry’ and why does it matter?

If you look at a shelf of running shoes, you’ll quickly notice that they don’t all have the same shape. Some are much more rockered than others, with a curved sole that rolls you forward, and they also differ in width, stack height and drop — how much higher the heel stack height is compared with the forefoot stack height.

This is the geometry of the shoe, and it has a huge effect on the ride feel of a shoe, regardless of the foam used. Speaking of foams, those can also differ hugely in feel even if they’re made from the same material.

“There are so many things that can be tweaked to create a particular experience that we on the brand side are trying to curate,” says Perry. “This is a daily trainer, this is a racer, this is a super trainer, this is a recovery shoe. We might be able to use the same ingredients, but there are things that we can toy with.

“At the foam level, density is one — just because something is made of aliphatic TPU does not mean it's going to feel exactly the same in every single shoe, because we can change the density.

“We make decisions on geometry, and we make decisions on density to curate an experience that we want you to have.”

The differences in foam can be drastic even if brands use the same name across different shoes, like Puma’s Nitro Elite material or Nike’s ZoomX. You can’t just go by the label — it’s important to look at what the shoe is designed to do.

Cushioned shoes for daily training will generally have more stable, less springy foams in the midsole to protect your body when racking up a lot of mileage, while racing shoes use the most energetic materials possible to try and help you get faster and more efficient, and those foams are often used in tandem with a carbon plate to boost those benefits.

One of the things I love most about testing running shoes is that there is no one best foam or shoe geometry — we all like different things, and experimenting with a mix of shoes is always a good idea where possible.

Follow Tom's Guide fitness on Instagram for more workouts, routines, tips, and tricks.

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Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event is confirmed for Wednesday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET. And according to rumors, we can expect a new Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 to be unveiled.

Whether these watches appear and what they look like remains to be seen (I’ll be in Cupertino keeping you updated), but for now, this is the Apple Watch Ultra 4 rumor I’m most excited about.

This is the Apple Watch Ultra 4 rumor I’m most excited about

I’ve been writing about the Apple Watch for the past decade, and without a doubt, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the best Apple Watch for runners, cyclists, and fitness fanatics. I wore the Apple Watch Ultra 3 alongside this Garmin for the London Marathon in April, and was impressed with the GPS accuracy, even through the mile 20 Canary Wharf skyscraper dead zone. Yet I have one pretty big issue with the Ultra, and every model that has been released so far: it’s huge on my wrist, and pretty uncomfortable, especially at night.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, this year the big news regarding Apple Watches will be what’s inside. In his Power On newsletter, Gurman wrote, “None of this year’s watches is expected to get a major design overhaul, I’m told. Apple is more focused on what’s inside: There will be health and fitness-tracking improvements, along with a long-awaited bump in chips and speed.”

It’s thought that these health and fitness improvements will include a new high blood pressure notification, but other than that, it’s unclear. I predict vast updates to Workout Buddy, or Apple introducing an AI health coach, similar to the Gemini coach used in the Google Health App.

Yet elsewhere, reports have hinted at a slightly thinner and smaller design for the Apple Watch Ultra 4, a rumor I’m really hoping is true. One day, I’d love to see two different size options for the Ultra 4 to suit different wrist sizes, but this is probably a long way off. Time will tell, but one thing is for sure — we don’t have long to wait.

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Grab a grain of salt and join me; it's time to chew on the biggest Apple Watch rumors of 2026 (so far). With not one but two new models possible on September 9th — the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 — there's a lot to cover. So, let's focus on the flagship.

As is often the case this time of year, leaks and "insider" reports are plentiful, ranging from believable to, well, not. With that in mind, here's everything we think we know about Apple's next flagship wearable, the Apple Watch Series 12, including whether or not it has a chance of making our Best Smartwatch list.

Apple Watch 12: Rumors in brief

• Price and launch: Expected to be revealed on September 9's "Surprise and shine" event; preorders will likely open on Saturday, with units shipping the following week; a price increase is possible following
• Health and fitness: Support for wrist-based blood pressure readings is rumored but remains unlikely; an updated Health app focused on long-term trends is possible; Apple may also (finally) bring users' health, fitness, and medical data under the roof of a singular app
• Design and display: A more efficient LTPO display is possible; a fingerprint scanner for Touch ID is rumored but less likely; an upgraded ceramic case option is possible
• AI features: The Series 12 is expected to support Apple's new Siri AI voice assistant; a personalized wellness concierge is also rumored
• Battery life: A larger capacity battery is possible; the S12 processor could bring efficiency improvements, too

Apple Watch 12: Price and launch predictions

Apple tends to hold an annual launch event in the second week of September, and this year is no exception.

Apple has confirmed a "Surprise and Shine" launch event for Wednesday, September 9th, where we'll likely get our first look at the Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and iPhone 18. That said, with the U.S. Labor Day holiday falling the Monday before, Apple may push the event to Wednesday, September 9th or the following Tuesday, September 15th.

How much will the Apple Watch 12 cost? With both Samsung and Google increasing pricing across their respective smartwatch lineups — the Pixel Watch 5 now starts at $399, and the Galaxy Watch 9 starts at $379 — a price bump for the Apple Watch 12 is possible. Put another way: a $399 starting price for the flagship smartwatch is far from guaranteed.

There are also rumors of a ceramic Apple Watch Series 12. The last time Apple offered such an upgrade was in the 2019 Apple Watch Series 5. That model started at $399 for the standard version, but jumped to $1,299 for the ceramic model. So, yeah, if a ceramic Series 12 does exist, it will surely cost a pretty penny.

In terms of availability, Apple usually opens preorders on the Friday after a Tuesday product announcement, with units hitting store shelves in the weeks that follow; I suspect this will be the case for the Series 12, too.

Apple Watch 12: Health and fitness rumors

The Apple Watch Series 12 could arrive with an updated health sensor array. According to a report in DigiTimes (via Wccftech), such an upgrade might unlock new holistic metrics or trend reports.

We could also see an expansion of Apple’s groundbreaking Hypertension Alerts feature. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, one of the more trusted Apple insiders, Cupertino is hard at work on a wrist-based blood pressure monitor that provides readings similar to a traditional cuff. The question is, when will it be ready? I'm not convinced 2026 is the year.

On-wrist blood glucose monitoring is another focus for the Apple Watch team, but according to Gurman, that tech is even further out than blood pressure monitoring.

You can also expect an overhaul of the onboard Health app, with key metrics better organized in one location and a greater emphasis on long-term wellness trend reporting.

In fact, according to Bloomberg's Gurman, there's a possibility that Apple will finally bring all of a user’s health, fitness, and medical data under the roof of a singular app.

Apple Watch 12: Design and display rumors

The Apple Watch Series 12 is rumored to sport an updated processor (likely dubbed S12), which could make it both faster and less power-hungry than the S10 chip in the Series 11. Less likely but still possible: the Series 12 arrives with an LTPO display, which would be more power-efficient than the OLED panel in the Series 11.

I’d also like to see Apple increase the screen brightness on the Series 12 to 3,000 nits or more (from 2,000 nits) to keep up with the latest Google Pixel Watch 5 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 9.

Changes to the case dimensions and button layout seem unlikely. The Series 10 ushered in an updated case in 2024, and Apple only tends to switch up the design every four-ish launch cycles. Moreover, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also thinks a major design shift is unlikely.

One design-related rumor I'm hoping doesn't come true is the introduction of a new strap attachment system. Such a change would render all previously acquired Apple Watch straps useless, a move that would no doubt annoy longtime customers far and wide.

Some insiders think the Series 12 will sport a front-facing camera hidden beneath the display, not for taking pictures, but for unlocking the screen with Face ID or for AI-backed visual scene and object recognition. The best iPhone models already have a similar Visual Search tool that uses the camera. Perhaps Cupertino is bringing the tech to the Apple Watch next. Either way, this rumor doesn't seem all that likely.

On the other hand, the addition of a long-retired iPhone feature, Touch ID, seems a tad more plausible. According to a report from Macworld, Apple has at the very least explored adding this much-asked-for feature, which would eliminate the need to punch in a passcode every time you want to unlock the watch.

Apple Watch 12: AI features

Apple has already confirmed that the next-gen watchOS 27 operating system will support the company's AI-powered Siri voice assistant. While some older models will also get this feature via a free firmware upgrade, the Apple Watch 12 will likely ship with watchOS 27 pre-installed.

The real question is, will the new Siri AI be ready to roll right from the start when the Series 12 arrives? I'm optimistic it will. Other new AI tools could come in the form of a more personalized wellness concierge that helps you set and maintain goals, sort of like an expansion of Workout Buddy for your overall health.

Apple Watch 12: Battery life predictions

The Apple Watch Series 11 received a nice battery life increase over the models before it, from 18 hours per charge to 24 hours. Might the Apple Watch 12 last even longer? It's certainly possible! But the stars will have to align.

While a more efficient processor and display technology could meaningfully reduce power consumption, a larger-capacity battery — which a handful of insiders have suggested — could mean that the Series 12 lasts substantially longer than the Series 11. But don't get too excited; most of the bigger-battery reports have come from less-than-reliable leakers, so this upgrade is far from guaranteed.

Apple Watch 12: Outlook

Last year’s Apple Watch Series 11 represented a fairly minor upgrade over the Series 10, with the primary benefit being better battery performance. This makes me hopeful that the Series 12 will be an even bigger jump in performance and features.

For example, a next-gen sensor array that unlocks new wellness trend data would be a welcome advancement, while support for on-wrist blood pressure readings would be the ultimate holistic upgrade (and a major flex on the competition), even if it's less likely.

Toss in a fingerprint scanner for unlocking the Series 12, a more power-efficient display, and a larger-capacity battery (why not?), and Apple's new flagship smartwatch starts to look like a legit upgrade over last year's model, rather than an iterative one.

What do you think? Is the Apple Watch Series 12 something you're excited for, and if so, what features are you hoping for the most? Let me know below.

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If you weren’t following along with our Garmin ‘Play Harder’ live blog (where were you?), you might have missed Garmin’s latest announcement: the Garmin Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro just dropped.

Below, we’ve rounded up all the information about Garmin’s latest high-end outdoor watches.

Garmin Fenix 9: Specs

The Garmin Fenix 9 will be available to pre-order on August 28, starting at $999. It’s available in three different sizes: 43mm, 47mm, and 51mm. Here are the key stats:

• Up to 29 days of battery life in smartwatch mode on the 51mm version of the watch; this drops to up to 16 days on the 47mm version and 10 days on the 43mm version.
• The Fenix 9 has an AMOLED display that is double the brightness of the Fenix 8.
• It has a scratch-resistant sapphire lens and is dive-rated up to 40m.
• The watch now has 64GB of memory built-in, which equates to around 7,000 songs. It also means you can download twice as many maps as you could on the Fenix 8.
• Both the Garmin Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro have new CustomFit accessory bands available: this is a fabric band designed for a comfortable fit.

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: Specs

The Garmin Fenix 9 Pro is also available to pre-order later this week, on August 28, and starts at $1099. Here’s what you need to know:

• The Fenix 9 Pro is available in three different sizes: 43mm, 47mm, and 51mm.
• When it comes to battery life, you can get up to 31 days of battery life in smartwatch mode with the 51mm AMOLED display. Solar charging models can get up to 57 days of battery life.
• The Pro models are available with or without inReach connectivity. For the first time, it is available on all Fenix 9 Pro size options.
• The 9 Pro is the first Fenix to feature a titanium watch case, which is thinner than its predecessor.
• The Fenix 9 Pro AMOLED display has 3,000 nits of brightness.
• The 51mm Pro includes Garmin’s first 1.5-inch AMOLED display, which is 15% larger than the Fenix 8.
• The integrated LED flashlight now has a green mode.

What else was announced today?

Two new features were also announced along with the Fenix 9 range. First up, a free Garmin Epic feature, which allows you to turn multiple activities into a cohesive story in the Garmin Connect app. You can group activities recorded over several days, weeks, or months to see your health and performance data during that time. You can also add notes and photos to create an ‘Epic’ that you can share with friends and family.

There were also some new stamina tracking features announced today — stamina zones and stamina curve. The stamina zones will now be available in the post-activity summary.

There's also a new stamina curve feature, which is an easy-to-understand visual representation of your fitness and how aerobic and anaerobic workouts alike contribute to your improving stamina.

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According to a new leak, Garmin is designing a smart ring that could take on the likes of Oura, Samsung, Circular, and Ultrahuman. The leak comes from a Garmin News blog, which reported that on August 12, PT Garmin Indonesia Distribution submitted an official certification application for a “Garmin Cirqa Smart Ring”. These filings are mandatory legal steps companies must complete before selling wireless hardware in a region, so this is pretty concrete confirmation that the product is being worked on.

This comes after the launch of the Garmin Cirqa smart band, a subscription-free, screenless tracker, which looks set to take on the Fitbit Air and Whoop 5.0. You can read my Garmin Cirqa vs Fitbit Air vs Whoop 5.0 vs Oura Ring 5 face-off here.

The Cirqa smart band was Garmin’s first step into screenless tracking, moving away from traditional smartwatches into 24/7 health tracking. The fact that they are using the same “Cirqa” name for a smart ring suggests Garmin might be building out an ecosystem around screenless health tracking. This is similar to what it has done with its Forerunner and Fenix lines.

Shortly after the news leaked, the listing was pulled from Indonesia’s public database. When, or whether or not Garmin will launch the ring remains to be seen. If it does drop, the smart ring will enter a crowded market, mainly dominated by Oura and Samsung.

Personally, I’d love a Garmin ring that would allow me to track my sleep and cycle without having to wear a watch to bed. While I’ve been impressed with the Cirqa band, it’s still pretty bulky, especially compared to my Oura Ring 5. I’ll be keeping an eye on these leaks as and when they drop.

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It's officially running season in Australia, with the Sydney Marathon kicking off this Sunday, August 30. Running any marathon length — even 5km — is a great accomplishment, as sustaining the same pace and energy throughout a miles-long race is no easy feat, even for those who actually enjoy running.

Some adrenaline-fuelled Aussie runners are already in the thick of planning the next few months, with events scheduled every weekend across the country. From park runs to full-on marathons coming up, there's no better time to invest in the best running essentials to get you through your big race.

Whether it's your first marathon or hundredth, IMO, you always need items on hand to give you the motivation to push through. I'm talking comfortable, yet vibrant running shoes, an insulated water bottle, and fun new training gear that'll inspire you to reach your PB. You could even chuck in a new handheld fan or appliance to help fuel you before and after the race.

I've listed 18 of the best running essentials below that are worth considering ahead of your big race, including some top-rated running shoes as chosen by Tom's Guide's fitness team.

Better yet, most of these items have fast shipping, so you can order them now and have them in time for any marathon events you might be attending this weekend. That said, most running experts don't suggest opting for a new pair before a big race weekend (especially if you are competing this weekend). FWIW, you could view this purchase as a consolation prize for, well, running a marathon.

So scroll on to find the best running essentials worth adding to your cart right now.

Apple's annual iPhone event has been officially confirmed to take place on September 9, and it could easily be the biggest Apple event in years. We're expecting a slew of new devices to be unveiled as John Ternus takes the reins as Apple's new CEO.

And all of that is before we discuss the launch of the long-rumored, much-hyped foldable iPhone Ultra — Apple's first attempt at a foldable phone. It's not clear when the device will actually launch, but at the very least, its reveal is almost certainly right around the corner.

In all, Apple is expected to launch up to eight different devices, from the expected new iPhones and upgraded Apple Watches to several new smart home-focused products.

Here's what we expect to see at Apple's 'Surprise and shine' September event, and when it's kicking off

When is the iPhone 18 event?

Apple has officially confirmed its "Surprise and shine" event will be held on Wednesday, September 9 at Apple Park. Although Apple normally holds its events on a Tuesday, the Labor Day weekend means it's being moved forward to Wednesday.

This has happened in the past, and the reasoning is that Apple doesn't want to ask attendees to travel on a holiday weekend. For example, the iPhone 14 launched on Wednesday, September 7, following Labor Day on Monday 5, and that'll likely be the case this year too.

The event is set to take place at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST and will livestreamed on various social media platforms as well as Apple's own site.

iPhones usually go up for pre-order the Friday following the Apple event, but this year that's September 11. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has reported that pre-orders will be pushed to Saturday, September 12.

This year's edition will be hosted by incoming CEO John Ternus, and it looks like his tenure will start with a bang.

New iPhones

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max

This year, Apple is expected to launch only its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models. The entry-level iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Plus reportedly won't debut until next spring alongside the iPhone 18e model.

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are both tipped to feature Apple's new 2nm A20 Pro chip, a smaller Dynamic Island and Apple's new C2 modem. And both phones should get larger batteries.

However, the iPhone 18 Pro Max might have some exclusive upgrades, including a variable aperture camera and longer zoom. For more see our iPhone 18 Pro vs Pro Max comparison.

Unforutnately, analysts have predicted that the new iPhone 18 Pros could cost between $200 and $350 higher than the iPhone 17 Pro family.

iPhone Ultra

The biggest announcement of the Apple event is sure to be the debut of the foldable iPhone Ultra.

Leaks have suggested that it will have more of a wider shape, similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 8, with a 7.8-inch foldable display and a 5.5-inch cover screen. It could measure between 4.5 and 4.8mm when unfolded, making it one of the thinnest iPhones ever.

It's rumored to sport a 4,883 mAh battery, the A20 Pro chipset, Apple's in-house C2 modem, and a Touch ID fingerprint scanner in the power button. The rear is expected to come with a pair of 48MP cameras, horizontally positioned like the back of the iPhone Air, alongside two separate 24MP selfie cameras — one for each screen.

Apple reportedly delayed releasing a folding iPhone until it could eliminate the crease in the display, but whether it's accomplished this remains to be seen. Even Samsung and Oppo, despite their long lead time, have only had moderate success.

One downside is that the iPhone Ultra could be very expensive, costing anywhere from $2,000 to 2,500. And a recent leak suggests that iPhone Ultra may not be immediately available, with only "extremely limited" availability.

Just keep in mind that the iPhone Ultra could have a number of trade-offs versus the iPhone 18 Pro, including the lack of a telephoto zoom.

AirPods Ultra

These ones are a little surprising as based on a previous Gurman report, we weren't expecting the AirPods Ultra until 2027 at the earliest. However, rumor aggregator AppleTrack just reported this week that the Ultra version of AirPods will launch at the iPhone event.

The big change with these headphones is they will allegedly feature a camera that will feed into Siri to allow it to "see" the world.

It would utilize a version of Visual Intelligence to let you ask Siri questions about your surroundings or get turn-by-turn directions from the more powerful AI Siri releasing this fall.

The AirPods Ultra has also just appeared in a leaked video buried within the macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate, and it shows how they'll help you identify objects in the real world.

Apple Watch 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4

Unlike the iPhones, we know a bit less about the next Apple Watches. We are expecting two new models in the Apple Watch Series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4.

The leaks have been sparse, but Apple is reportedly not bringing many upgrades this year. The biggest change might be a new kind of band attachment. This does mean that your old bands might not be compatible with the new watches.

Reportedly, Apple could offer a ceramic case option for the first time in years. It should also sport new health and fitness-related upgrades. We already know that watchOS 27 will bring new AI features, an updated Workout Buddy and more useful data tracking. Plus, it should feature better integration with the upgraded Siri AI which we've already seen in the iOS 27 beta.

Smart Home

Apple's smart home ambitions and the rumors surrounding them need to be taken with a massive grain of salt. Leaks have suggested Apple is planning on introducing a suite of smart home devices starting with a revamped HomePod and an AI-powered Apple TV 4K streaming device.

Those rumors have existed for more than two years and largely feed into the company's promises around the AI-powered Siri.

However, this year with iOS 27, Apple may finally have the chatbot that was promised. If it actually releases and works as pitched, this year could actually be the start of Apple Home.

HomePod Home hub

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, long a reporter of the rumored HomePod updates, believes that a new HomePod mini could launch this September alongside the rumored HomePod Home hub.

Several different iterations of this device have been rumored, including one with a $1,000 robot arm. The most common version involves a wall-mounted touchpad or a HomePod speaker with a touch display about the size of an iPad mini.

This device would have a FaceTime camera for video calls and presence sensors to initiate smart home routines.

HomePod mini 2

A new HomePod mini might also debut, but it might not be as big of an upgrade as the Hub. Most rumors suggest that it will feature a new chip and audio improvements.

To be clear, this one feels even more far-fetched than the Hub; the HomePod mini 2 has been on our rumor radar since at least 2023. The current version debuted in 2020, and like the next device, is long overdue for an update.

Apple TV 4K 2026

Like the HomePod series, Apple hasn't released a new version of the Apple TV 4K since 2022. We're long overdue for an upgrade — even if it's only a more powerful chip for stronger performance.

Previously, it was suggested that a new Apple TV could feature the A17 Pro chip, but it's more likely it'll get the new A20 or, to save some money, last year's A19. The device should also get the rumored N2 chip for better Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

Outside of chips, the big upgrade would be Siri AI, which could let you connect the Apple TV as a hub for smart devices. One rumor suggested that Apple might release a set-top box with a camera, which would allow for FaceTime calls and gesture-based controls.

Will you be tuning in to Apple's event next month? Let me know which device you're most hyped for in the comments.

What we don't expect to see

Even with a huge event like this, there are still going to be devices that won't make an appearance. Due to staggered release schedules and supply-chain timing, Apple is spreading its hardware roadmap across multiple release windows over the next year. As a result, the following devices are unlikely to make any sort of appearance at the event.

• iPhone 18: Apple is reportedly holding back the base model until early 2027 to drive early demand toward the Pro models.
• AirPods Ultra: Rumored AirPods with cameras for Siri AI context are reportedly delayed until 2027 due to software and supply-chain bottlenecks.
• New Macs: Upgraded M6 MacBooks and touchscreen models are typically saved for dedicated computing announcements in October or later.
• OLED iPad mini: The next refresh of the compact tablet is slated for an October arrival rather than competing for stage time with the new iPhones.
• Apple Watch SE (4th gen): The entry-level wearable update will sit out this event, with Apple likely to focus on the Series 12 and Ultra 4 instead.

More from Tom's Guide

• iPhone Ultra leakers reveal new details around release and 'extremely limited' availability
• The 5 accessories that transformed my iPhone 17 Pro Max for under $50
• Ultimate back to school guide 2026: Laptops, Chromebooks, headphones and more

I’m testing the latest Google Pixel Watch 5, and one new feature (no one really asked for) is the ability to generate customized watch faces via generative AI using your voice or a text prompt. What could possibly go wrong?

This feature is, of course, underpinned by Gemini, but is it actually any good? Well, uh, that really depends on how creative you’re feeling and your overall aesthetic preferences/sensibilities (or lack thereof).

“Teddy bears and laser beams”

Generating a customized AI watch face using the Pixel Watch 5 is surprisingly easy. You simply open the “Create Watch Face” app and tap “create your own” using either text input or voice transcription. A cellular connection or Wi-fi connection is required.

Once you submit a prompt, the process takes anywhere from ten to thirty seconds to complete. Note: In my experience, one out of five times the app rejects your prompt, especially if it is hard to understand, overly complicated, or the internet connection is weak.

The first prompt I entered was “Teddy bears and laser beams.” The results are... You decide. To me, it looks more like Pink Floyd-inspired Cheerios than what I entered. Moreover, it seems the app overly prioritizes the first bit of text you've entered as the basis for any textures that appear in the watch face.

Post-generation, the Create Watch Face app provides six options to choose from, along with the ability to create additional versions of the original prompt or start over. As of this writing, there isn’t much variety among the six initial choices.

“Raging river with jumping salmon”

The next prompt I entered was “A raging river with jumping orange salmon.” This resulted in a slightly more visually appealing result, even if it looks more like clip-art koi fish.

Ultimately, I was hoping the feature could generate a watch face with movement, like fish slowly swimming around, but it can’t. Generated watch faces are entirely static, no matter what prompt you enter. (I also tried "Fish actively swimming in a stream" to no avail.)

Should you generate a custom AI watch face on the Pixel Watch 5?

Maybe! But be prepared for slightly underwhelming, generic results... or maybe something a bit more unsettling; my third prompt, "Deli meats," resulted in the masterpiece at the intro of this article

Ultimately, in my opinion, Google already offers a ton of really amazing free watch faces that are far more feature-rich than anything the Create Watch Face app can come up with.

That said, for special occasions — like a koi fish convention — an AI watch face might be fun. Maybe just avoid the prompt “teddy bears and laser beams.”

More from Tom's Guide

• Pixel Watch 5 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 — 5 key differences you need to know
• I just reviewed the Garmin Cirqa — 5 things you need to know about Garmin’s subscription-free Whoop and Fitbit Air alternative
• I trekked the Cascade Mountains with the Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Garmin Instinct 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 — this is the one I'd take on my next hike

The Apple Watch has looked pretty much the same for the last 11+ years — a rectangular wearable with a large screen and some buttons on the side — but that could soon change.

According to a report from Business Insider’s Mark Gurman, a prolific Apple insider, Cupertino is actively exploring a potentially revolutionary redesign of the Apple Watch, and future models could look nothing like today's.

From a circular case design to ditching the screen altogether, here’s everything you need to know about the latest Apple Watch redesign mutterings.

Screen-free is the way to be?

2026 is truly the year of the screen-free fitness tracker. Both Garmin and Google just launched subscription-free competitors to the Whoop 5.0 in the form of the Garmin Cirqa and Fitbit Air. Might Apple do the same?

According to Gurman, it’s doubtful we’ll see a screenless Apple Watch in 2026. However, Apple R&D is apparently actively considering the concept. Of course, this isn’t the first time talk of a screen-free Apple fitness tracker has surfaced.

Over the past decade, Apple has filed numerous patents hinting at the possible development of an Apple smart ring. However, there’s little evidence suggesting such a product is a current priority.

This is to say, I wouldn’t count on an Apple-built Oura Ring competitor anytime soon. But an Apple-built Whoop alternative? That might actually be on the horizon.

A screen-free Apple Watch could solve my biggest gripe

The number one thing holding back full-featured smartwatches, especially Apple Watches, in 2026 is battery life, or rather, lack thereof. Even the best Apple Watch models don’t last more than a few days per charge.

The latest Apple Watch Ultra 3, for instance, gets just 42 hours per charge in the standard operating mode, but what if Apple nixed the display, a notorious power hog?

The results could be an Apple wearable that cruises for closer to a week; the Fitbit Air lasts seven days, the Garmin Cirqa is good for ten days, and the Whoop 5.0 keeps on chooglin for up to two weeks.

Other radical Apple Watch redesigns are also on the table

Apple Watch with a circular design. He also suggests that Cupertino is considering expanding the Apple Watch line to potentially include premium models above the Ultra series and/or more affordable ones below the SE range.

In the more immediate term, Gurman suggests that 2026 may see a return of the ceramic Apple Watch case design as an optional upgrade for the latest models likely arriving this fall. The list may include the Apple Watch Series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4.

Ultimately, while it’s exciting to know that Apple is taking an open-minded approach to the future look and feel of the Apple Watch, Gurman notes that the design team has yet to settle on any one direction.

Of course, as with all insider Apple reports and rumors, digest the above info with a grain of salt or two.

Would you consider a screen-free Apple Watch? Let me know in the poll below.

More from Tom's Guide

• I just reviewed the Garmin Cirqa — 5 things you need to know about Garmin’s subscription-free Whoop and Fitbit Air alternative
• I trekked the Cascade Mountains with the Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Garmin Instinct 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 — this is the one I'd take on my next hike
• Is your old fitness tracker good enough? I tested a 5-year-old Fitbit vs Apple Watch Series 11 on a 5,500-step walk to find out

Today Apple announced its new leasing program, Apple Upgrade which is undergirded by Klarna for iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad.

The program lets customers sign up for a plan, similar to how you would lease a car, for fixed 12-, 24- and 36-month terms depending on the device. There are options to upgrade to a new device early or return it at the end of the lease.

Apple called the new plan a "more flexible way to pay for products."

It's possible this does offer some flexibility from paying an upfront lump sum or tying yourself to an onerous contract via a network carrier like Verizon or T-Mobile.

However, experts I spoke with think the Upgrade plan is meant to cover rising component costs.

"By shifting the focus to lower monthly payments, it helps mask the effect of rising hardware costs and makes premium devices feel more affordable and attainable for a broader range of consumers," Jitesh Ubrani, a director at IDC, said.

They added that it could entice people who don't want to pay the higher upfront costs, as even Apple has hiked prices recently. It also gives Apple a "steady stream of trade-ins" that the company can resell to expand its customer base.

"Many people are effectively leasing their phones already through carrier plans; leasing a watch or a Mac -- when you know that these are also devices that have upgrade cycles -- can make sense," Techsponential's Avi Greengart told Tom's Guide. "it's still a lease, so you won't be able to use it until it dies unless you buy out the lease, and it may not be the absolute most economical approach."

Beyond upfront prices, is Apple Upgrade better for you? Let's take a look at how the program works.

How Apple Upgrade works

Apple Upgrade offers 12- or 24-month lease terms for eligible iPhones and Apple Watches. For those seeking a Mac or iPad, there are 24- or 36-month options.

Prices start as low as $11.99 per month for the Apple Watch and iPad, depending on size and storage capacity. iPhones start at $17.99, while Macs can be leased starting at $24.99 a month.

You can sign up online or at an Apple Store, where you will be approved by Klarna, which does require a soft credit check that should not impact your credit score.

At the end of the lease term, you can return the device or upgrade to a newer generation or purchase it with a one-time payment.

Compared to the outgoing iPhone Upgrade program, the Apple Upgrade Program does not include AppleCare, which is a separate subscription price and varies in price depending on your device.

Per MacRumors, if you miss a payment, it will be rolled into the next month's payment with no late fees. However, if you miss three consecutive payments, the lease will end, and you will have to pay the full outstanding balance, minus the value of the device when returned. If Klarna can't collect, a debt collection agency will be sent your information.

Apple Upgrade prices

Apple is offering the entire iPhone 17 lineup, plus the iPhone Air, both the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 and three iPad options, including the iPad Air, iPad Pro and iPad mini.

For Macs, you can lease the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac and Mac Studio.

Apple defaults to the 24-month leasing option, so we'll share that. The other options can lower or raise your price. Additionally, higher storage capacity or chip versions will also increase the monthly price.

Finally, the price does not include taxes and fees.

Here's how much the base model of each device will cost you.

We've separated the iPads and Macs out because these devices can have the longer 36-month term. Again, the prices below are for the base model of each device and the 24-month term.

No leasing entry-level devices

You may have noticed several Apple devices aren't eligible for the upgrade program. It includes the vanilla iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, as well as the entry-level models of almost every device category.

Here's the full list of Apple products you can't lease:

• iPhone 16
• iPhone 16 Plus
• Apple Watch SE
• MacBook Neo
• Mac mini
• iPad (A16)
• Studio Display

Availability

Apple Upgrade is available now for all of the listed devices. Apple says that a security deposit is not required and that a trade-in device could reduce monthly payments.

I will note that if you end a lease early, you could see termination fees. Also, if you don't do anything at the end of the lease, you'll be charged the purchase fee.

Lastly, hidden in the fine print, upgrading a device could increase your monthly payments, which is true for both higher-capacity versions of devices and more expensive models when new generations launch in the coming years.

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• We asked 368 people what they want from the Apple Watch Ultra 4. Here’s the resounding answer (and it’s not AI)
• iOS 27 finally fixes the most annoying iPhone workaround we all use
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Screen-free wearables like the Fitbit Air, Garmin Cirqa, Oura Ring 5 and Whoop 4 are having a moment, but is screen-free really the best way to be, especially when full-featured, hyper-connected devices like the Garmin Venu 4, Apple Watch 11 and Pixel Watch 4 exist?

That depends entirely on what you hope to get out of your wearable. I've already covered the five biggest things to consider before buying a screen-free wearable. Now, we're here to help you further understand the core differences between the best smartwatches and fitness trackers and the top no-screen trackers, including the best smart rings of 2026.

Howdy, I'm Dan Bracaglia, one of TG's resident experts on smartwatches, fitness trackers, and smart rings. I'm here to help you make sense of today's wearables market and even choose between two devices.

Got a burning question about the difference between the Fitbit Air and Fitbit Inspire 3? Are you deciding between the new Apple Watch SE 3 and the new Garmin Cirqa, two devices surprisingly close in price? Not sure if the latest Oura Ring 5 is right for you?

Responding to your questions are myself, Dan Bracaglia, a senior writer at TG and expert in wearables with nearly two decades of experience covering consumer technology, and TG's U.K editor-in-chief, Jeff Parsons, who's not only an avid runner, but also an expert in consumer tech of all kinds.

Please make sure that all queries are related to wearable tech, specifically, screen vs screen-free trackers. We can't wait to answer your questions! You might also like to let us know your feelings about screen-free wearables in the poll below.

As a reminder, please keep all questions appropriate and on-topic. This is an open space where we hope to foster a positive, helpful environment for all readers, whether you're new to the world of fitness trackers or you're a hardcore athlete shopping for your fifth Garmin.

If you've never left a comment on our site before, then you may need to sign up to post your first question. It's free to sign up and will unlock a host of other Tom's Club member benefits, such as exclusive rewards and savings, the ability to earn badges and enter giveaways, join in with popular conversations and all Live Q&As, and reveal hints for our quizzes and puzzles.

We can't wait to hear from you — let us know what you'd like help with now.

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• Can the $99 Fitbit Air beat the $799 Apple Watch Ultra 3 at fitness tracking? I manually counted 4,500 steps to find out
• The Samsung Galaxy Ring is about to be the world’s first FDA-cleared smart ring for sleep apnea
• I walked 7,000 steps with the Garmin Cirqa vs Fitbit Air — and there's a clear winner

Samsung just dropped the new Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, a larger-than-life, tough-built smartwatch with an ultra-bright display, plenty of battery life, health and fitness tech galore, and legit dive-ready features.

Unlike the original Galaxy Watch Ultra, which isn’t meant for diving or high-impact water sports despite its 100-meter water resistance rating, the new model is not only rated for 100 meters but is also EN13319-certified for scuba diving, not to mention IP69K-certified against dust and moisture.

That’s not all; Samsung has partnered with Mares, a popular and trusted dive app, to turn the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 into a fully-fledged dive computer to track your dives. It also provides real-time nitrogen level monitoring, depth and water temperature, dive time, and more. However, there is a catch.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is built for diving... for a price

To access all of these cool dive-ready features, Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 users will need to subscribe to the Mares app, which is $8.99 a month or $69.99 for the year. For the early birds, it's worth mentioning that support for Mares won't be available right when the smartwatch ships, but a little later this year.

Samsung has a two-year deal with Mares that makes the app exclusive to only the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and no other Android smartwatches. Of course, Apple already has a partnership in place with Mares, which similarly turns the Apple Watch Ultra, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 into wrist-based dive computers.

One other important note: The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is meant for recreational dives only, specifically, those less than 40 meters in depth. Sorry, no deep-sea diving.

What are your thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and its water-based features? Would you trust it on your next dive? More importantly, are you willing to pony up the extra cash for the Mares app? Let me know in the comments below.

More from Tom's Guide

• Smartwatch water resistance ratings explained
• 5 things to know about the new Samsung Galaxy Watch 9
• The Samsung Galaxy Ring is about to be the world’s first FDA-cleared smart ring for sleep apnea

Samsung’s annual summer Galaxy Unpacked event came and went without any mention of a Samsung Galaxy Ring 2. However, there was one important smart ring announcement: The current Samsung Galaxy Ring is getting a cool new health feature.

Slated for a fall roll-out, the Samsung Galaxy Ring is set to become the world’s first smart ring with FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection. Here’s everything you need to know.

Samsung Galaxy Ring is getting FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection

While other smart rings, like the Ringconn Gen 2, have sleep apnea alerts, the feature isn’t FDA-cleared. Meanwhile, the Oura Ring 5 — one of the best smart rings of 2026 right alongside the Galaxy Ring — also doesn’t support FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection, though it does screen for breathing disturbances, which can be a sign of the condition.

Similar to the Galaxy Watch 7, Galaxy Watch 8, Galaxy Watch 9, and Ultra series, sleep apnea detection on the Galaxy Ring will likely require a few nights to calibrate before it’s ready for action. If signs of sleep apnea are detected, users will receive an alert in their morning report with guidance on seeking further medical review.

Sleep apnea notably impacts millions of adults, but often goes undiagnosed. Long-term, the condition can lead to cardiovascular issues.

New Galaxy Watches and smart glasses, too

In other wearables news, in addition to the Galaxy Ring sleep apnea announcement, Samsung also unveiled the latest Samsung Galaxy Watch 9, Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, and a sleek pair of Samsung Galaxy smart glasses.

Better yet, Galaxy Watch owners will be able to control the smart specs using gesture controls when they officially launch later this year. That said, Samsung didn’t mention whether or not users can similarly use the Galaxy Ring.

More from Tom's Guide

• Oura vs Whoop vs Fitbit Air — 5 questions to ask yourself before buying a screen-free fitness tracker
• 3 reasons why Google should make an Oura Ring alternative
• Garmin Cirqa Smart Band launch: Garmin debuts a screen-free Whoop and Fitbit Air competitor

Garmin's long-rumored screenless fitness tracker, the Garmin Cirqa, has finally been unveiled. Pricier than the beginner-friendly Fitbit Air but more affordable than the pro-level Whoop 5.0, the Cirqa aims to offer the best of both in a lightweight, discreet package.

We checked out the new Garmin Cirqa on launch day; find out hands-on impressions below to learn more about the cost, design, features, battery life, and outlook for the new Garmin Cirqa.

Garmin Cirqa: Cheat sheet

• Price: $199/£179, no subscription required
• Design: Lightweight, screen-free fitness-tracking band
• Key features: Basic health and fitness tracking insights, including 24/7 heart rate tracking, Sp02, nightly sleep reports, women's health tracking
• Battery life: Up to 10 days
• Launch date: July 24, 2026

Garmin Cirqa: price and availability

The Garmin Cirqa fitness tracker will be available on July 24 for $199/ £179. The device is subscription-free, but for additional insights, users can optionally sign up for Garmin Connect+ for $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year.

By comparison, the Fitbit Air is just $99 and also subscription-optional. The Whoop 5.0, meanwhile, ranges from $199, $239, or $359 per year depending on your membership tier. However, the device itself is free.

Garmin Cirqa: Design

The Garmin Cirqa looks a whole lot like the Whoop 5.0, a design choice I can only assume was intentional. Users can choose between four band colors, including Black, Captain Blue, Mauve, and French Gray.

Additional bands are available at $49.99/$59.99, depending on whether you want to wear the band around your wrist or upper arm, and include three additional colors: Citron Gray, Dark Olive, and French Blue.

The device comes in two sizes, small/medium and large/extra large.

The tracker itself is held securely within the fabric loop with no screen and just a single button on the side.

Garmin Cirqa: Health and fitness

The Garmin Cirqa sports the brand's Elevate V4 sensor, which is one generation out from the latest/greatest. Onboard health tools include 24/7 heart rate tracking, Sp02 readings, body temperature monitoring, and women's health tracking.

Like the best Garmin watches in 2026, the Cirqa provides detailed nightly sleep reports and can automatically track a range of common workout types.

Garmin Cirqa: Battery

Battery life for the Cirqa is rated at up to 10 days.

By comparison, the Fitbit Air lasts right around one week per charge, while the Whoop 5.0 is good for closer to two weeks per charge.

Garmin Cirqa vs Whoop vs Fitbit Air

Like any screen-free wearable, whether we're talking about the best smart rings or the best fitness trackers/bands, the companion app can make or break the overall experience. With that in mind, the Garmin Connect app is comprehensive enough, though for first-time users, insights can feel a bit scattered and overwhelming.

Ultimately, I look forward to testing the new Garmin Cirqa head-to-head versus both the $99 Fitbit Air and higher-end Whoop 5.0. If it can offer just a little more, holistic-insight-wise, than the Fitbit Air, then it very well may be worth the extra $100.

Stay tuned for my full Garmin Cirqa review.

More from Tom's Guide

• I’ve tested over 100 fitness trackers head-to-head — 3 workout stats I trust the least
• Can the $99 Fitbit Air beat the $799 Apple Watch Ultra 3 at fitness tracking? I manually counted 4,500 steps to find out
• It's time for a Fitbit Ring — 3 reasons why Google should make an Oura Ring alternative

Air conditioning is a sleep saviour when heatwaves have transformed your bedroom into an oven, but it could be the reason why you keep waking up at 3 a.m. This year, research has found that air conditioners can reduce indoor air quality, and now a doctor is warning that the reliance on AC can negatively impact sleep.

"Sleep is critical for recovery and repair, so anything that impairs respiratory comfort can interfere with the body's ability to fully recover overnight," says Dr Dale Christensen, Chief Science Officer for Climatic Health and Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke University Medical Center.

But how exactly does air conditioning impair respiratory comfort? I asked Dr. Christensen to explain how AC can impact air quality and disturb your sleep. Plus, how to fix this issue in three simple steps.

• Read more: Stress was waking me up at 3 a.m. — until two of the world's best sleep doctors shared 5 fast fixes to lower my cortisol at night

Key takeaways: At a glance

• The best smart air conditioners with well-maintained filters have no negative effect on indoor air quality, but AC with neglected filters release harmful air pollutants.
• Airborne pollutants from unkept AC filters can block airwaves, leading to sleep issues such as frequent nighttime awakenings.
• The CDC says AC filters should be replaced every three months to lower harmful germs and viruses in the air and to reduce your chances of respiratory illness.
• The three simple fixes: Check and replace your AC filter every three months, increase ventilation in your bedroom, and avoid using room fragrances and products with high VOCs.

How air conditioners impact sleep

According to the United States Census Bureau, 90% of American households use air conditioning to keep them cool in the summer.

Dr. Christensen points out that air conditioning systems aren't inherently bad for indoor air quality, as long as their filters are properly maintained.

"Air conditioning systems that collect and pass warm air through regularly maintained conditioner filters have minimal effects on air quality since the filters have to allow high airflow in order for the system to cool the air," he explains.

However, as the 2026 DuraPlas Summer Cooling Report, 50% of homeowners admit they have skipped air conditioner maintenance to save money. This neglect not only affects the AC system's cooling performance, it also may lead to indoor air pollution.

"Poorly maintained HVAC systems build up dust, moisture and even mold in filters, ducts and cooling systems," warns Dr Christensen.