Best Smartwatches For Vo2 Max in 2023

Are you ready to kick your workout routine up a notch? 

Say hello to the game-changer in the world of fitness tech – Vo2 max. 

It’s the hot topic that’s got everyone buzzing, and for a good reason. 

Vo2 max gives you a peek into your aerobic fitness level and cardiovascular health like never before, empowering you to train smarter and achieve remarkable results. 

Now, let’s cut to the chase. 

In this ultimate buying guide, we’ve done the research for you and handpicked the top fitness trackers and smartwatches that rock the Vo2 max feature. 

Whether you’re a gym buff, a dedicated runner, or just want to stay on top of your overall fitness, we’ve got your back.

We’ll talk about features, performance, and user experiences of these incredible wearables.

It will help you in making a well-informed choice about the best fitness trackers and smartwatches for Vo2 Max.

So, get ready to fuel your fitness journey with the ideal companion on your wrist. 

Please note that the table contains affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase through those links, we may earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you.

Top 6 Smartwatches and Fitness Trackers for Vo2 Max

ProductBest FeaturesPrice (USD)
Apple Watch Series 8Fitness+ ApplicationCheck Price
Apple Watch UltraAdvanced health trackingCheck Price
Samsung Watch 5Accurate GPS trackingCheck Price
Fitbit Charge 5EDA stress managementCheck Price
Garmin Vivosmart 5Pulse OximeterCheck Price
Xiaomi Band 7Affordable Check Price

We have carefully analyzed different brands and models, considering factors such as features, performance and user feedback.

Some product links are affiliate links, but our recommendations are based solely on the products’ merits and our commitment to providing unbiased information. 

This guide aims to empower our readers in making well-informed decisions, helping them find the perfect fitness tracker or smartwatch to suit their needs.

1. Apple Watch Series 8 

Specs and Features:

  • Battery Performance: Up to 18 hours of typical usage
  • Size: Available in 40mm and 44mm case sizes
  • Display: Retina LTPO OLED display with an always-on option
  • Processor: Apple S8 chip
  • Operating System: watchOS 8
  • Memory: Not specified by the manufacturer
  • Companion App: Apple Health app
  • Water Resistance: Water-resistant up to 50 meters
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz)
  • Bluetooth: 5.0
  • Compatibility: iPhone 6s or later running iOS 15 or later

The Vo2 Max feature on the Apple Watch Series 8 is a standout capability that sets it apart from other smartwatches. 

This feature provides a comprehensive understanding of your aerobic fitness level by measuring the maximum amount of oxygen your body can consume during intense exercise. 

By monitoring your Vo2 max, you can track improvements in your cardiovascular endurance over time.

What makes the Vo2 max feature on the Apple Watch Series 8 truly impressive is its accuracy and real-time tracking

The watch utilizes advanced sensors and algorithms to calculate and update your Vo2 max during workouts, giving you immediate feedback on your performance. This helps you gauge your fitness progress and adjust your training intensity accordingly.

In addition to Vo2 max, the Apple Watch Series 8 offers a wide array of fitness features that further elevate your workout experience. 

With its ECG app, you can keep a close eye on your heart health, while the blood oxygen monitoring feature provides insights into your overall well-being.

The integration of Fitness+ takes your fitness journey to the next level, offering a plethora of workouts led by expert trainers, accompanied by accurate metrics from the watch’s sensors.

Distinctive Feature
Fitness+ Application

Pros:

  • Accurate and real-time Vo2 max tracking
  • ECG app for heart health monitoring
  • Blood oxygen monitoring
  • Integration with Fitness+ for guided workouts
  • Accurate GPS 
  • Cellular connectivity for convenience

Cons:

  • Higher price point 
  • Limited compatibility with non-iPhone users

2. Apple Watch Ultra

Specs and Features:

  • Battery Performance: Up to 18 hours of typical usage
  • Size: Available in various case sizes
  • Display: Retina LTPO OLED display 
  • Processor: Advanced chipset for efficient performance
  • Operating System: Latest watchOS version 
  • Companion App: Apple Health app 
  • Water Resistance: Up to 50 meters
  • Compatibility: Designed to work with iOS devices

The Apple Watch Ultra’s Vo2 max feature takes fitness tracking to a whole new level.

By accurately measuring your maximum oxygen consumption during workouts, it provides valuable insights into your cardiovascular fitness and endurance. 

With the Vo2 max feature, you can set personalized fitness goals based on your current aerobic capacity and work towards improving it over time. 

The Apple Watch Ultra’s precise measurements and intuitive interface allow you to stay motivated and make adjustments to your workout intensity or duration as needed. 

Whether you’re an avid runner, cyclist, or engage in other cardiovascular activities, the Vo2 max feature provides a comprehensive understanding of your fitness level and helps you push your limits.

In addition to the Vo2 max functionality, the Apple Watch Ultra includes heart rate monitoring for continuous tracking of your heart’s activity, sleep tracking.

It will analyze your sleep patterns and improve sleep quality, and activity tracking to monitor your daily movement and encourage an active lifestyle. 

These features work together to provide a holistic approach to your well-being and support your fitness goals.

Distinctive Feature
Advanced health tracking

Pros:

  • Vo2 max tracking for precise fitness monitoring
  • Comprehensive health tracking features
  • Extensive compatibility with fitness apps
  • Seamless integration with other Apple devices 
  • Wide range of sizes and styles

Cons:

  • Higher price range
  • Limited compatibility with non-iOS devices
  • Battery life may require daily charging

3. Samsung Watch 5

Specs and Features:

  • Battery Performance: Up to 2 days of typical usage
  • Size: Available in 40mm, 44mm
  • Display: AMOLED vibrant visuals
  • Operating System: Samsung’s Tizen OS
  • Memory: Sufficient storage for apps, data, and media
  • Companion App: Samsung Health app 
  • Water Resistance: Rated water-resistant up to a certain depth
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi and optional cellular connectivity
  • Compatibility: Works with both Android and iOS devices

By measuring your peak oxygen consumption with accuracy while you work out, the Vo2 max feature offers significant insights into your cardiovascular fitness and endurance.

The watch utilizes advanced sensors and algorithms to deliver real-time monitoring, allowing you to track your progress and make informed decisions to enhance your training sessions.

With the Vo2 max feature, you can set personalized fitness goals based on your current aerobic capacity and work towards improving it over time. 

The Samsung Watch 5’s precise measurements and intuitive interface enable you to stay motivated and adjust your workout intensity or duration accordingly. 

If you are someone who engages himself in other cardiovascular activities, the Vo2 max feature helps you push your boundaries by offering a comprehensive understanding of your blood oxygen level.

The Samsung Watch 5 also monitors your daily movement and encourages an active lifestyle.

It tracks your steps, calories burned, and active minutes, providing you with a comprehensive overview of your activity levels throughout the day.

Distinctive Feature
Accurate GPS tracking

Pros:

  • AMOLED Touchscreen Display
  • Rotating Bezel
  • Samsung Health Ecosystem
  • Wireless Charging
  • Ecosystem Integration
  • Sleek design and intuitive user interface
  • Built-in GPS for accurate outdoor activity tracking

Cons:

  • Limited Third-Party App Support
  • Battery may require daily charging

4. Fitbit Charge 5

Specs and Features:

  • Battery Performance: Up to 7 days
  • Size: Designed to fit comfortably 
  • Display: Boasts a vibrant AMOLED display
  • Operating System: Runs on Fitbit’s proprietary operating system
  • Companion App: Syncs with the Fitbit app
  • Water Resistance: Water resistance up to 50 meters
  • Compatibility: Compatible with both Android and iOS devices

The Fitbit Charge 5 excels in providing accurate and insightful Vo2 max measurements, allowing users to track their progress over time. 

By analyzing the wearer’s oxygen consumption during workouts, the Vo2 max feature offers valuable data on aerobic capacity and endurance.

Fitbit’s Vo2 max feature utilizes advanced sensors and algorithms to deliver precise measurements. It empowers users to gauge their fitness level and make changes in training intensity and goals. 

This functionality proves particularly beneficial for individuals looking to improve their overall fitness or achieve specific performance targets.

Alongside the Vo2 max feature, the Fitbit Charge 5 offers an array of fitness-focused functionalities to support users’ health and well-being. 

These include continuous heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, guided breathing exercises, activity and step tracking, and personalized workout recommendations. 

Combined, these features provide users with comprehensive insights into their daily activity levels, sleep quality, and overall fitness progress.

Distinctive Feature
EDA stress management

Pros:

  • Extended Battery Life
  • Sleek and Comfortable Design
  • Comprehensive Fitness Tracking
  • In-depth Insights and Guidance
  • Water Resistance

Cons:

  • Limited Screen Size

5. Garmin Vivosmart5

Specs and Features

  • Battery: Up to 7 days on a single charge
  • Size: Sleek and compact design
  • Display: Vibrant and easy-to-read OLED touchscreen display
  • Operating System: User-friendly interface 
  • Memory: Ample storage capacity
  • Connectivity: Wireless syncing 
  • Compatibility: Compatible with both Android and iOS devices

The Vo2 Max feature in the Garmin Vivosmart 5 utilizes advanced technology to provide accurate and insightful measurements of your maximum oxygen consumption during physical activities. 

It works by analyzing your heart rate, speed, and other relevant data to estimate the amount of oxygen your body can utilize during intense exercise.

The device combines the information from its built-in heart rate monitor with your workout data to calculate your Vo2 Max level. 

This metric represents your body’s ability to consume oxygen and is widely used as an indicator of cardiovascular fitness and endurance. 

The higher your Vo2 Max value, the more efficient your body is at utilizing oxygen during exercise, indicating better overall fitness.

The Garmin Vivosmart 5’s Vo2 Max feature is backed by sophisticated algorithms that take into account factors such as age, gender, weight, and fitness level to provide personalized and accurate results. 

By regularly tracking your Vo2 Max, you can monitor your fitness progress over time, set achievable goals, and adjust your training intensity accordingly.

Other features include continuous sleep tracking, stress tracking, hydration tracking, advanced sleep analysis, respiration tracking, and more.

The Vivosmart 5 provides a comprehensive suite of tools to help users maintain an active lifestyle, monitor their well-being.  It makes data-driven decisions to improve their overall health.

Distinctive Feature
Pulse Oximeter

Pros:

  • Advanced fitness tracking features including Vo2 Max measurements
  • Water-resistant up to 50 meters
  • Sleek and comfortable design
  • Smart notifications keep you connected on the go
  • Amazing battery life

Cons:

  • Limited display size
  • Limited app ecosystem compared to other platforms
  • No built-in GPS

6. Xiaomi Band 7

Specs and Features:

  • Display: Vibrant OLED display
  • Battery Life: Impressive battery life of up to 10 days 
  • Tracking Features: Heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and calorie tracking.
  • Water Resistance: Designed to withstand water immersion up to 50 meters
  • Companion App: Xiaomi Fitness app
  • Compatibility: Both iOS and Android devices

Like all high-end brands, the Xiaomi Band 7 is equipped with a Vo2 Max feature that allows you to assess your cardiovascular fitness and endurance levels. 

By analyzing your heart rate, activity data, and other relevant metrics, it provides an estimation of your maximum oxygen consumption during workouts. 

This functionality assists in comprehending your fitness advancement and enables you to make knowledgeable choices regarding the intensity of your training and your objectives.

The Xiaomi Band 7 goes beyond just Vo2 Max tracking and offers a diverse set of features to accompany you on your fitness journey. 

It provides continuous heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, step counting, calorie tracking, and various sport modes to cater to your exercise needs. 

Additionally, it keeps you connected with smart notifications, reminds you to stay active with sedentary reminders, and even allows you to control your music, enhancing your daily activities in more ways than one.

Distinctive Feature
Affordable 

Pros:

  • Advanced fitness tracking features
  • Long battery life
  • Water-resistant design
  • Easy connectivity with smartphones
  • Wide compatibility with different devices

Cons:

  • Limited display size
  • Limited customization options
  • Basic design aesthetics

How to Choose the Best Smartwatch/Fitness Tracker for Vo2 Max

Having questions like how accurate is Vo2 Max tracking is natural.

For that, select the perfect smartwatch or fitness tracker with reliable capabilities to optimize your training and achieving your fitness goals.

  • Vo2 Max Capability: Ensure that the smartwatch or fitness tracker you choose has a dedicated Vo2 Max feature. Look for devices that utilize advanced sensors and algorithms to accurately measure your maximum oxygen consumption during workouts.
  • Accuracy and Reliability: Opt for a smartwatch or fitness tracker that has a reputation for delivering precise and reliable Vo2 Max readings. Read reviews and user feedback to gauge the device’s accuracy in measuring fitness-related metrics.
  • Compatibility and Integration: Consider the compatibility of the device with your smartphone or preferred fitness apps. Look for devices that seamlessly sync with popular fitness platforms, allowing you to easily track and analyze your Vo2 Max data over time.
  • Battery Life: Evaluate the battery life of the smartwatch or fitness tracker, especially if you intend to use the Vo2 Max feature extensively. Choose a device that offers sufficient battery longevity to support your workouts and daily tracking needs without frequent recharging.
  • Price and Value: Consider your budget and the value provided by the device. Compare the features, capabilities, and overall quality of different options within your price range to find the best balance between cost and performance.

Wrapping it Up

When it comes to choosing the best high-end smartwatch or fitness tracker for Vo2 Max tracking, the Apple Watch Ultra stands out as a top contender. 

However, if you’re looking for a more affordable option without compromising essential features, the Xiaomi Band 7 provides a budget-friendly alternative. 

Whichever option you choose, investing in a smartwatch or fitness tracker with Vo2 Max capabilities will undoubtedly help you reach new heights of fitness performance.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What Is A Good VO2 Max For My Age?

The good VO2 Max value for individuals can vary depending on age, sex, and fitness level. Generally, higher VO2 Max values are associated with better cardiovascular fitness. 

Age GroupGood VO2 Max Range (ml/kg/min)
Young Adults45-60
Adults40-55
Middle-Aged Adults35-50
Older Adults25-40

Is SpO2 the same as VO2 Max?

No, SpO2 (Peripheral Oxygen Saturation) and VO2 Max are not the same. 

SpO2 measures the oxygen saturation level in your blood, indicating the percentage of hemoglobin carrying oxygen. On the other hand, VO2 Max represents the maximum amount of oxygen your body can utilize during intense exercise. 

Does Fitbit Show VO2 Max?

Yes, Fitbit devices, such as Fitbit Charge 5, Fitbit Sense, and Fitbit Versa, offer the VO2 Max feature. Fitbit uses a combination of heart rate data, activity levels, and other factors to estimate your VO2 Max.

Is VO2 Max Accurate On Garmin?

Garmin devices are known for their accuracy in measuring VO2 Max. Garmin utilizes advanced sensors, algorithms, and performance metrics to estimate VO2 Max during workouts. 

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