Live Science Verdict
With good trailing performance , lightweight build , multiple wellness apps and long battery life , the Amazfit Balance smartwatch biff way above its affordable price level , making it a capital option for fitness initiate and mass purport to meliorate their sleep and post - exercise recovery .
Accurate tracking features
illumination and thickset
longsighted battery life
Great value for money
No Gorilla Glass or Sapphire Crystal on the concealment
Some additional feature are subscription - only
Why you could hope Live ScienceOur expert reviewers drop hour testing and equate ware and serve so you could choose the best ones for you . ascertain out more about how we examine .
The Amazfit Balance is the in vogue addition to the range of low-priced fitness trackers offered by the fast - growing Chinese make . However , this time around Amazfit decided to focus on holistic health rather than exert performance . According to the ship’s company , Amazfit Balance is designed to help its user strike the correct balance between forcible body process and recuperation , largely due to its extensive sleep - tracking features and wellness apps . But can this budget smartwatch deliver on the hope ?
Display : AMOLED 1.5 inch - 480x480 ( Round )
Always - On : Yes
Dimensions : 46x46x10.6 mm
Colors : Sunset Gray , Midnight Black
Finish : Aluminum
GPS : Yes
reach : Yes
Altimeter : Yes
Water underground : 5 ATM
NFC payment : Zepp Pay
Sensors : Body writing , body temperature , heart rate , substance charge per unit variability , rake atomic number 8 , breathing rate
Compatibility : Android 7.0 and above , iOS 14.0 and above
store : 2.2 GB depot for music
bombardment life : around 14 daytime
set up in 2015 , Amazfit is still a relatively young brand , but it does make products that can contend with some of thebest fitness trackerson the market . At Live Science , we know Amazfit ’s smartwatches offer good value for money and the equalizer seems no different . This silken - looking fitness tracker comes with a lightweight build , powerful barrage fire , twofold - circle GPS navigation and multiple wellness - tracking features , including for body composition , sleep quality and stress levels — all for a sane $ 229.99 .
So is the Amazfit Balance smartwatch worth investing in ? To find out , we put it through its paces in our at - base tests . Read on to see how it pass .
Amazfit Balance: How we tested
We expend a calendar month test the Amazfit Balance smartwatch , face at its features , lastingness , stamp battery lifetime , connectivity with third - company devices and ease of use of goods and services . We wore it during the day , while sleeping , and when doing different cardio and strong suit workouts . Finally , we checked the accuracy of our Amazfit Balance smartwatch by compare some of its measurements with the data point we receive using more professional devices , such as a chest of drawers - strap nerve rate monitor .
Amazfit Balance: Design
The Amazfit Balance is one of the most summary and unnoticeable smartwatches we have ever tested . Most of the time we even forgot that we were wearing it . We also care its simple yet stylish look , well-fixed - to - mesh controls and well-off shoulder strap .
In the spirit of sustainability , the Amazfit Balance smartwatch derive in a modest cardboard package , alongside a short user guide and pouch - sized charging loading dock . The setup process is quick and well-heeled — download the Zepp app , partner off the gimmick using a QR code expose on the watch face , and then follow a brief but elaborated tutorial . We like this minimal utilization of plastic and a hands - on approach to learning the control . However , this also have in mind that the instruction manual of arms — which is the sizing of a pinky finger , no more — covers only basic data about the gadget , and some multitude may retrieve the tiny folder difficult to read .
The Amazfit Balance weigh only 1.2 ounces ( 35 grams ) — for comparison , the Apple Watch Series 8 weighs 1.48 ounces ( 42.3 g ) , and many Garmin models load down more than 1.75 ounces ( 50 gibibyte ) . The lookout man face is suave and slender , and comes with two controls put on the ripe side : a button and a cap . Both controls are on the small side , but we found them responsive and well-to-do to operate on , and at no point during testing did they catch on clothes or workout equipment .
The Amazfit Balance smartwatch come in two main gloss option : Midnight Black , with a silicone strap and a pin buckle , and Sunset Gray , with a patterned nylon hook - and - loop-the-loop strap . At the time of write this review , Amazfit also offer four ’ especial edition ’ options , all with silicone straps in beautiful gross colors .
Here , we tested the Midnight Black option — and we really liked it . The shoulder strap was buttery soft and comfortable to wear , did not slide or aggravate the skin during sweaty physical exertion , and worked just as well with our bright gym wear as it did with everyday outfit . It did not seem to draw in dirt , either .
Amazfit Balance: Display
The Amazfit Balance smartwatch impressed us with its crisp 1.5 - in HD AMOLED display . With a high 480x480 result and an anti - glare glass bezel , the cover was bright , colorful and easy to learn , even under the artificial lights of our local gym . The touch screen was reactive , did not lag during tycoon - intensive tasks , and for the most part , stayed free from fingerprint marks and dust .
We also liked how customizable the display was . There are several pre - fuddled lookout man faces to choose from , and freight more can be purchased in the Zepp store . icon can be moved around or delete as needed , and widgets arranged in an order that suits you the most .
We did not notice any scratches or wear - and - split terms on our Amazfit Balance after a month of testing , but then we did not have the chance to don it in ambitious weather condition . We would not depend on it faring well , though . Tempered ice is not as durable as Gorilla Glass or other sturdy cloth typically used in more premium fitness trackers . As such , we mistrust that the Amazfit Balance smartwatch may not be the best option for fans of utmost outdoor sports or those who work with heavy instrument , for lesson .
Amazfit Balance: Features
The Amazfit Balance measures heart pace , heart charge per unit variability , breathing pace , rake atomic number 8 , physical structure temperature and body constitution , include organic structure fat portion , heftiness mass , pearl mass and hydration levels . Based on these data power point , the smartwatch can then valuate other system of measurement , such as how many kilogram calorie you need , how accentuate you are , the lineament of your sleep , and your exercise carrying into action .
The Amazfit Balance also uses a set of simplified stats to give a more holistic picture of your health . For example , when wear at night , the watch will calculate a Readiness Score in the first light — a mensuration of " how mentally and physically recharged you are for the raw day , " on a scale of measurement of 1 to 100 . When that score is scurvy , or changes over time , the Amazfit Balance will charge out possible causes and give notice you on how to improve your vigour grade . The Readiness Score may not be very " sciencey , " but we found it amazingly insightful and hardheaded .
survive up to its name , the Amazfit Balance offers mountain of mini wellness apps , most of which are loose of charge , including the flagship Zepp Fitness , Breathing Exercises and Meditation apps . Some app features call for a subscription , though — Zepp Aura , an AI - power sopor coaching service , or the AI - power chatbot in the Zepp Coach app , for good example . Having such a digital coach could be helpful for beginners and those who fight with motivation or sopor hygienics . For others , however , opting out of these subscription will probably not impact their overall experience with the smartwatch .
The Amazfit Balance can trail over 150 sports , let in snowboarding , lastingness training and consortium swimming . It can auto - detect and track 25 unlike types of exercise with metrics such as reps , sets and residual times . The Zepp Coach app can make personalized workout plan and guide you to get the most out of your workout quotidian — even if it is in the great open . That is because the Amazfit Balance is fit with dual - band Global Positioning System tracking that utilizes signals from six satellite organization , a ambit and an altimeter .
This smartwatch also get along with a built - in talker and microphone , and can be used for make call , play medicine , contactless defrayal ( but only with the Zepp Pay app ) and many other facet of day-by-day life story .
Amazfit Balance: Performance
The Amazfit Balance smartwatch impressed us with its tenacious battery living . On low to restrained GPS truth stage setting , a single charge can power up the vigil for up to two weeks . But even with intense day-after-day economic consumption , uninterrupted wellness - tracking and gamy GPS truth enable at all times , our Amazfit Balance still deal to last a full workweek . It is not usual to see such a trooper .
The sensors in the Amazfit Balance appeared surprisingly accurate . During one exercising , we wore the watch alongside a chest - shoulder strap heart charge per unit reminder , and incessantly assess the heart rate on both devices . Our Amazfit Balance accurately identified all peaks and fall in affection rate , albeit clearly not with quite the same precision as the chest - shoulder strap equipment .
Then , we used a standing bioimpedance simple machine to quiz the truth of its body composition sensors . These giant scales with handles are far superior to diminutive sentinel in calculating body productive percentage , brawniness mass and other metrics , so it was quite a surprise to see a striking similarity between the readings — the Amazfit Balance underestimated the fat percentage by only 1.5 % , for example . The only detector that seemed to habitually underrate the values was organic structure temperature . It did , however , seem to pick up on trends , such as lower body temperature when sleeping .
The nap tracking feature was loosely accurate . For the most part , the Amazfit Balance did a good job at name times when we fall asleep , woke up during the nighttime or get under one’s skin out of seam in the morning . However , we also found that make relaxed with a book or idiot box show in the even may trick the watch into think you are sleeping — but that is something we have seen in more premium fitness trackers , too .
The workout tracking features also performed relatively well , especially with running , rowing and other cardiovascular activities . Amazfit Balance maintain up with our steps , strokes and saltation , and was pretty ripe at calculate our tempo and length . We were , however , slightly disappointed with its forte - training lineament . The watch struggled to capture movements properly at times , especially during lower trunk exercise , and often underrate the number of repetition .
Amazfit Balance: User reviews
The Amazfit Balance smartwatch scores a respectable 4.3 out of 5 stars onAmazon , with 64 % of user giving it a full five stars . Positive reviews praise this watch for its compact , fashionable blueprint , the accuracy of its tracking features , and long electric battery aliveness . Many users deliberate the Amazfit Balance smartwatch great value for money , and a effective via media between role and word form .
As one user annotate , " If you ’re a fitness fanatic I ’d look elsewhere ( Garmin ? Fitbit ? ) . If you ’re a data junkie , check Apple Watch or Google Pixel . If you ’re after a bit of both on ( probably ) the best - looking smartwatch you’re able to corrupt then I ’d recommend the proportion . "
electronegative review , though few and far between , mention problem with connectivity to mobile devices and strike - and - miss trailing of set and repp during resistance workout . One user also commented , " check that you get a projection screen protector as it ’s easy to scratch . "
Should you buy the Amazfit Balance smartwatch?
If you are looking for a high - perform smartwatch at an low-priced toll , the Amazfit Balance should be on your radar . It swash a wide range of wellness - tracking features and stylish looks , all without overload your wrist with labored machinery or compromising on barrage fire life sentence . The Amazfit Balance is a keen all - libertine for most people , but it can be peculiarly utilitarian for founder and citizenry direct to ameliorate their eternal rest and post - exercise convalescence .
However , if you are looking for a smartwatch that can handle severe atmospheric condition conditions or hold up fall from great heights , you may need to observe a different , potentially much pricier model . The Amazfit Balance seems unadulterated for a sweaty spin family or a treadwheel run , but it may not be tough enough to deal with more challenging outdoor condition .
If this product is not for you
If you are wait for a smartwatch that has standardized functionality to Amazfit Balance , but add up with a sturdier build , insure out theGarmin Venu 2 Plus . Its display boast Gorilla Glass , stainless steel and a hardy PVC app , making it more resistive to scratch and equipment casualty .
If you would rather find something more low-priced , Amazfit Bip 3 Procould be a better pick . This user - friendly smartwatch comes with a two - week barrage life , a big exhibit and a built - in GPS . However , it does sacrifice some of the tracking accuracy .
