Amazfit Balance ZDNET's key takeaways The Amazfit Balance smartwatch is available now for $150.
It features a sleek and stylish design with a brilliant AMOLED display, accurate GPS, and a list of health-tracking features.
Just be prepared for the data-heavy companion app, which will take some time to familiarize with. $129.99 at Amazon
As a wearables reviewer here on ZDNET, I've been spoiled by the opportunity to test out flagship smartwatches from Apple, Samsung, Garmin, Coros, and many others. One that fell into my review desk last year was the Amazfit Balance Special Edition, which remains one of my top picks for users eyeing a reliable smartwatch that won't break the bank.
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Over the years, I have tested several Amazfit watches and have been impressed with the hardware and software experience that I've gotten for the money -- so much so that I bought myself the Woodland model of the Balance series. It's not the latest model available, but still a viable option for many people.
After months of use, the Amazfit Balance remains on my wrist and continues to meet the needs of a casual athlete like myself. In fact, it even beats out my Apple Watch in some ways, like importing interval workouts from my phone. Here's why else the latest smartwatch is worth considering.
For fit and finish, the Amazfit Balance is only 10.6mm thick and just over 40 grams (with a strap), so it fits seamlessly on my wrist and under my winter long-sleeve shirts. Sleeping with the watch hasn't been a problem either, and thanks to the 5 ATM water-resistant rating, it's handled being worn out in the rainy Pacific Northwest.
In my testing with two other, more expensive watches, the overall heart rate readings were mostly the same, though there were moments when the Amazfit would trail by 5 to 8 beats per minute. Again, this is a $200 wearable competing against ones that cost two to three times as much.
Matthew Miller/ZDNET
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