Smartwatches are hugely popular nowadays, whether you want to track exercise and set fitness goals or simply use the device to keep in touch on the go.
There are many watches on the market with some large price tags attached. However, budget friendly options are available too, such as the Nerunsa IP68 Waterproof Fitness Smartwatch.
The smartwatch is available to buy on Amazon for just £29.99 at the moment, reduced by 63 percent from its £79.99 RRP - a much cheaper option compared to the hugely popular Apple Watch. The Nerunsa watch has been hailed a 'dupe' for the Apple device by some shoppers, boasting 4.4 out of five stars in Amazon reviews.
As an avid Apple Watch wearer, I decided to try out the cheaper option for myself to see if it really does compare.
Price
The latest Apple Watch release - the Series 9 - will set you back almost £400. The high-tech device is available from various retailers online, such as Currys for £399 or AO for £399 (41mm model), and Very for £429 (45mm model).
So, first and foremost, the obvious difference between the two watch brands is the price. The Nerunsa is currently available for just £29.99, making it £369 cheaper than the Apple Watch.
My first impression
Once delivered, the Nerunsa watch was simple to set up. I was able to quickly change the date and time following the instructions included before heading to the App Store on my mobile phone to download its companion app.
The app, GloryFit, is free and allowed me to quickly access all the watch's features that monitor the things important to me, such as my activity, sleep quality and heart rate. So, I strapped on the watch and got on with my day.
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Fitness and activity tracking
The main reason I wear my Apple Watch is to track my steps, exercise and active calories burned on a day-to-day basis. It means that I was looking for the Nerunsa watch to help me keep tabs just as easily.
The watch face displays your exercise minutes and steps as well as active calories burned, meaning you can have a quick check of your progress throughout the day. You can set and alter your goals via the GloryFit app, for example, I set my step goal at 10,000 per day.
I decided to head out for a jog to see how my exercise was tracked. Unfortunately, this is when I noticed the main issue. I took on a 5km route familiar to me, with both my phone and Apple Watch recording exactly five kilometres. However, the Nerunsa smartwatch only registered 3.96km during my run.
After deciding to wear one watch on each wrist during a couple of dog walks throughout the week, I found the same issue occurred when walking too. So if you are keen to keep close tabs on runs or walks in order to monitor, improve or set fitness goals, this watch may not be the one for you.
However, if you are looking to track your calories burned when hitting the gym or participating in team sports, the watch provides a huge range of options. You can begin a weight workout, start a game of badminton or even track what you burn during a karate training session with this watch. I found there to be many more options compared to the sports listed on my Apple Watch.
Tech deal of the week
For some of us, wireless earbuds are a daily essential - but they often come with a hefty price tag.
Luckily, we've found a pair of Wireless Earbuds for less than £20 that shoppers say rival both Apple and Beats- the Anker Soundcore P20i True Wireless Earbuds.
For just £19.98, the Anker Earbuds boast 10mm drivers that deliver powerful sound, plus up to 40 hours of battery life with a fully charged case. Compact and lightweight, they slip easily into your pocket and come complete with a clip on lanyard.
With over 5,000 pairs bought in the last month, shoppers are raving about the Anker Soundcore P20i True Wireless Earbuds.
One reviewer wrote: "Apple need to up their game these are amazing for a fraction of the price."
Another buyer said: "Better bass and sound quality than my Beats Flex! I will never pay big prices again."
Sleek and modern, you can also find the Anker Earbuds in blue, pink and white. To snag the coveted Anker Soundcore P20i True Wireless Earbuds for less than £20, head to Amazon now.
Sleep tracker
Another feature I found helpful was the sleep tracking feature. I don't often wear my Apple Watch to bed but decided I wanted to test my sleep quality with the Nerunsa watch. I did this on a couple of my days off work when I knew I would be getting a little extra shut eye.
The tracker identified the hours in which I was in a deep sleep, a light sleep and when I was awake during the night while adding together all of these to give me a total rest time.
I found this feature really helpful as someone who loves some quality shut eye. I reckon this can help me figure out what prevents me from drifting off easily at night by allowing me to compare each night's sleep and look at what I was up to the previous day - such as how much coffee I had, if I exercised or how late I ate that evening.
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Other handy features
The heart rate and blood oxygen trackers were also easy to use. I kept watch on these throughout the day as well as before after a workout when wearing the watch. Compared to these features on my Apple Watch, I did not notice much of a difference in the numbers shown or time taken to show the recorded rates.
One huge positive to mention is the battery life of the Nerunsa. Even when wearing all day long and tracking a workout as well as two dog walks within a day, I was only required to charge the watch once every two or three days. I need to plug in my Apple Watch each night, especially if I have been active during the day.
My calls and messages were shown on the Nerunsa watch as well as notifications for social media apps. However, I found it a little tricky to use the screen to reply. I don't often use my Apple Watch to respond or pick up calls, so the issue applies to both devices.
Final thoughts
Overall, I reckon the £29.99 Nerunsa watch is a good buy for those who are looking to introduce themselves to the world of smartwatches. It could be a great present for pre-teen for example, without having to spend a lot on an Apple device.
The budget friendly buy has not resulted in me shutting my Apple Watch down and swapping over for good, but I will be using it to track my sleep as well as popping it on as a second option if I ever forget to charge or misplace my Apple device.
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