Pixel Watch 5, Galaxy Watch 9, and Garmin Cirqa Performance Comparison
How the latest wearables perform in running and step tracking
1The Rise of Wearable Technology
Google's Pixel Watch 5, Samsung's Galaxy Watch 9, and Garmin's Cirqa are standout products in the wearable technology market. These devices are designed to meet user expectations, especially in fitness tracking. The increasing popularity of running and walking activities has made comparing their performance even more crucial.
2Performance Test at Emerald City 5K
During the Emerald City 5K run, the heart rate and GPS performance of Pixel Watch 5, Galaxy Watch 9, and Garmin Cirqa were compared. Galaxy Watch 9 showed higher heart rate values than the others, while Pixel Watch 5 and Cirqa delivered more consistent performance. GPS data revealed that Galaxy Watch 9 was more accurate.
3Differences in Heart Rate Measurements
During the run, Galaxy Watch 9 recorded higher heart rate values compared to the other devices. Pixel Watch 5 and Garmin Cirqa showed more consistent performance. Towards the end of the run, Pixel Watch 5's heart rate measurements dropped, while Galaxy Watch 9 and Cirqa remained higher.
4Comparison of GPS Data
Analysis of GPS data showed that Galaxy Watch 9 recorded the running route more accurately. Pixel Watch 5 failed to track the route due to GPS connectivity issues. Garmin Cirqa, connected via phone, deviated from the actual route.
5Step Counting Performance
During a 5,000-step walk, Pixel Watch 5 demonstrated the most accurate step counting performance. Galaxy Watch 9 slightly overcounted steps, while Garmin Cirqa was only 12 steps over. These results indicate that Pixel Watch 5 is more reliable in step counting.
6Performance in a Short Run
In a second short run, Pixel Watch 5 and Garmin Cirqa showed similar heart rate performance. Galaxy Watch 9 recorded lower heart rate values at the start of the run. This suggests that Galaxy Watch 9 may have inconsistencies in heart rate measurements.
7Heart Rate Measurements During Walking
During the walk, all three devices recorded similar heart rate values. However, Galaxy Watch 9 showed lower values compared to the others. Pixel Watch 5 experienced a drop in heart rate measurements towards the end of the walk. These results indicate that devices perform similarly in low-intensity activities.
8Conclusion and Evaluation
Garmin Cirqa is a lightweight and accurate fitness tracker for users who don't need GPS or can rely on phone connectivity. Pixel Watch 5 offers a more comprehensive smartwatch experience while delivering consistent performance in heart rate and step counting. Galaxy Watch 9, despite accurately recording running routes, shows inconsistencies in heart rate measurements.