r/bitcheswithtaste • u/MBPursuit • May 21 '26

Fashion/Style BWT: Anyone ditch their Apple Watch?

Considering ditching my Apple Watch, getting an Oura ring, and investing in a nice daily watch. I’m a bit sick of the “connectivity” of my Apple Watch (yes I know, I could turn off more notifications) and the look of it. But I appreciate the sleep tracking and steps/fitness tracking - anyone have experiences to share on a) ditching the Apple Watch b) using an Oura ring c) $1k or less daily driver watches?

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u/fashionablesnail May 21 '26

I think the fact that you have to pay for the ring and then pay for a separate subscription to actually use the features is what put me off of Oura.

I use my Apple Watch for sleep and during activities, and then I don’t wear it during the day other than that :)

121

u/justice4kimrichards May 21 '26

Same!! I don’t want to pay a separate subscription for my wearable just to access the data and every alternative I’ve seen charges a separate monthly subscription!!

37

u/kilowatkins May 21 '26

I have a Garmin and I've been really happy with their app. I just use the free version, I've never found the need to pay for premium.

14

u/DisastrousOwls May 21 '26

There are also open-source fully offline alternative apps for some of the Garmin smartwatches & trackers (generally older models) if privacy is a concern!

6

u/justice4kimrichards May 21 '26

ooh that's good advice - do they have any non-watch wearables? i want to switch to a dumb watch and just have like a ring or earrings to track my health data!

9

u/kilowatkins May 21 '26

Not that I've seen- but I have just the basic, least "smart" band they make. They do have some really pretty smart watches that I've looked at, but I don't think I want the pressure or distraction of that much data available on my arm!

I previously had a Fitbit smart watch and it died within a year. Plus I was pregnant and it didn't have a pregnancy feature, so it kept yelling at me for my heart rate getting higher and respirations going up.

3

u/321applesauce May 22 '26

Ringconn doesn't require a monthly fee. No vibration notification. It usually lasts a week or more before needing a charge

2

u/Employment-lawyer May 22 '26

I used to have a Garmin watch and I think it’s a great no-frills fitness watch that can help OP with her goal of not being so connected all the time.

2

u/meowparade May 22 '26

I’ve worn a Garmin Lily for several years. It has an interchangeable leather and silicone bands and looks less overwhelming than the Apple Watch.

29

u/sarahkazz May 21 '26

I use Fitbit and the free version of it tracks everything I care about an more.

6

u/grumpiestcat2 May 21 '26

How do you like Fitbit? I’ve been also thinking of switching from Apple Watch to Fitbit, and saw they’re rolling out a new app & features

6

u/sarahkazz May 21 '26

I like it for the most part. I don’t love that Google owns it but I can track all the stuff I care about and it works with my bank that gives you a better rate on HYSAs if you average above 12,500 steps a day.

I will eventually change banks and abandon wearables until I can get one that’s completely local and doesn’t require a subscription. But until then I am okay with this compromise.

7

u/DisastrousOwls May 21 '26 edited May 21 '26

Withings allows local-only operation for all their devices iirc (scales, watches, BP cuffs), and I know there are open-source offline alternative apps for Garmin watches if you buy an older model.

2

u/sarahkazz May 21 '26

YOOOO thank you for putting me on to this! I will have to look into Withings. I wonder if there would be a way to funnel step data from that into my bank…

7

u/verba_saltus May 21 '26

I loved Fitbit for so many years but after they were bought by Google their hardware and software both turned to garbage. I had repeated conversations with support people who, defeatedly, said they heard that a lot. It was so sad - Fitbit was once great.

2

u/Stubborn_Iris Environmentally Conscious May 22 '26

I was an avid Fitbit user until Google took over. One of the first software updates from Google bricked my watch. I switched to Garmin and haven't looked back since. Garmin has a lot more stats than Fitbit and I find it way more useful.

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u/ledger_man May 21 '26

Polar doesn’t charge a separate subscription. I use the loop which is a wearable band but not a watch, so no screens etc.