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Time to look at smartwatches and fitness trackers for school

Start off the fall with something new on your wrist! Here's the best stuff right now.

Scott Stein
I started with CNET reviewing laptops in 2009. Now I explore wearable tech, VR/AR, tablets, gaming and future/emerging trends in our changing world. Other obsessions include magic, immersive theater, puzzles, board games, cooking, improv and the New York Jets. My background includes an MFA in theater which I apply to thinking about immersive experiences of the future.
Scott Stein
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Apple Watch

Should you get an Apple Watch? If you have an iPhone, want a smartwatch that's also a fitness tracker, and don't mind charging your watch every day, yes: but go with the more affordable $350-$400 Sport model. New apps and functions coming this fall could make it even better, fast.

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2 of 9 Sarah Tew/CNET

Pebble Time

Want a watch that lasts about a week on a charge, has an always-on screen and can be worn in the shower (or, pool)? The Pebble Time works with iOS or Android, and there are plenty of weird watch faces and apps to explore. The difference with the Time is a reflective color screen, more storage space for apps, and smart straps with added functions that are coming later this year.

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3 of 9 Sarah Tew/CNET

Moto 360

The Moto 360's been out for over a year, but it costs less than before and still does most of what other competing Android Wear watches do. If you have an Android phone and are looking for a smartwatch, this is still a good budget pick.

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4 of 9 Sarah Tew/CNET

LG Watch Urbane

Looking for a smartwatch you can also wear to a wedding or job interview? The Urbane's step-up style makes it almost look like a normal analog watch. It's more expensive, but this is the latest and greatest Android Wear watch available.

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5 of 9 Sarah Tew/CNET

Withings Activite Pop

It looks like a regular watch, but it's also a fitness tracker. The Pop is affordable ($150), and cleverly adds built-in step counting and sleep tracking. The Pop also wirelessly syncs with iPhones and Android phones, has a vibrating alarm, and lasts for eight months on a replaceable battery.

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6 of 9 Sarah Tew/CNET

Fitbit Charge HR

Interested in a more premium device? The Fitbit Charge HR may be what you're looking for. The Charge HR adds continuous heart-rate monitoring and an OLED display, in addition to tracking steps, calories burned, distance and sleep. There are even some smart features on board. The Charge HR will vibrate when you receive a call and show you it is.

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7 of 9 Sarah Tew/CNET

Jawbone Up2

Jawbone has one of the best lifestyle, fitness and health coaching apps around. Don't spring for fancier Up3 band: get the Up2 instead. It doesn't track heart rate, but its small design is low-key and still tracks activity and sleep. It also vibrates you awake in time to get to class.

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8 of 9 Sarah Tew/CNET

Misfit Flash

Affordable, small, and swim-friendly: the Flash comes with band and clip-on attachments, automatically tracks sleep and activity, and even tells the time with a ring with LED lights. And, you don't have to charge it: the battery lasts over six months.

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9 of 9 Sarah Tew/CNET

Polar M400

Activity tracking is useful, but runners will want something with GPS. The Polar M400 has everything you would expect from a tracker (measuring steps, distance and sleep tracking), but adds built-in GPS to map running routes and track pace, distance, calories burned, altitude, and steps.

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