The Apple Watch 10 has emerged as the most precise calorie tracker in recent research. In an era where smartwatches are ubiquitous, they’ve become essential for monitoring health, fitness, and even tracking sleep. But just how accurate are the calorie-tracking algorithms? A new study has uncovered some surprising results: many popular devices are significantly off the mark.
MailOnline conducted a study, testing seven major smartwatch brands to assess which one delivers the most accurate calorie burn results. 
The Apple Watch 10 stood out by being the only one within 10% of a lab-controlled result, which is remarkable compared to others.
The study took place in a high-tech lab in London, where the subjects were rigorously tested. Initial preparations included measuring basal metabolic rate, conducting a Dexa scan for body composition, and performing various medical assessments. These readings were then used to compare against the smartwatch calorie burn data.
The test itself involved using a stationary bike while the subject wore an oxygen mask to measure VO2 max, accompanied by a medical-grade heart rate monitor. This setup provided a highly accurate figure for the number of calories burned, which served as the benchmark for comparison.
The results, measured as a percentage of accuracy relative to the lab test, were as follows:
- Decathlon CW500 S: 37%
- WHOOP 5.0: 66%
- Fitbit Charge 6: 72%
- Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra LTE (47mm): 78%
- Oura Ring 4: 86%
- Apple Watch Series 10: 92%
- Garmin Vivoactive 6: 112%
The Apple Watch 10 showed an impressive 92% match with the lab’s result, making it the most accurate of the group. The Garmin Vivoactive 6 came close with 112%, though it overestimated calorie burn by 12%. In contrast, the Apple Watch 10 was 8% below the true value.
Why such variation between devices? The core issue lies in the differing sensors and data-gathering methods used. Furthermore, many of the algorithms that smartwatches rely on were developed over a century ago and may not be very precise, as MailOnline explains.
Owen Hutchins, the director of the My Vital Metrics lab involved in the test, points out that while wearables are popular for providing “personalized data,” the reality is that these devices are often just predicting your data rather than measuring it accurately.
It’s important to note that the accuracy of the Apple Watch 10 may vary depending on the individual. The 92% figure is specific to the test subject, and if someone else were tested with the same device, the results could differ.
However, the fact that the Apple Watch 10 stands out in accuracy is reassuring for Apple fans. It also boasts one of the best heart-rate sensors in the smartwatch market, which could explain its superior performance in tracking calories burned.
If you’re considering purchasing the Apple Watch 10, there’s a limited-time offer on Amazon that can save you $70 on the 46mm GPS model, bringing the price to just under $360. Keep an eye out for even better deals, as this model has seen discounts of up to $100 recently. If you’re ready to buy, now might be the right time to grab this offer.
What do you think of the Apple Watch 10’s calorie tracking capabilities? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
1 comment
I would totally grab one if I could get a $100 discount! 💸