I've been wearing fitness trackers in some guise for over a decade. From pedometers to smart rings, I've tried them all, but no device has ever ticked every box.
While knowing my sleep and steps is helpful, and I love watching my stress levels dip of an evening, what I really want to know is in-depth health data, including my blood pressure.
"Knowing our blood pressure is important because if it's high, you could be at an increased risk of stroke and heart attack," says phlebotomist Jamie Burke, who takes blood pressure readings daily while working in a GP practice.
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While at-home blood pressure monitors have long existed, they tend to be clunky, and you need to carve out time in an already busy day to sit down with the device. Plus, it only measures it at that exact moment you're testing, which isn't always the full picture.
Enter the Huawei Watch D3, which has built-in medical-grade blood pressure monitoring, taking blood pressure readings throughout the day and night so you can track easily.
If you've ever had your blood pressure taken, you'll be familiar with the sensation. The watch has a built-in airbag which gently inflates when it takes measurements. It tightens a little bit as the bag inflates but is completely comfortable. It takes readings at night, too, but is subtle so it doesn't wake you up.
During the day, you raise your wrist to heart level, and in less than a minute, your reading is ready for you.
Post-exercise blood pressure monitoring
One of the issues I've found with my various trackers in the past is that they don't take into account the fact that I've been working out, so after a HIIT session, my device tells me I'm stressed for hours.
Huawei has considered this, with a dedicated feature for pre- and post-exercise blood pressure measurements. This is designed to help users work out whether their blood pressure is within a suitable range before exercise, while also tracking changes after their workouts.
Taking your own blood pressure at home is ideal for tracking, but Jamie does note that it should be considered as a guide, helping to paint a picture of your health for when you see your doctor.
Other than blood pressure monitoring, the Huawei Watch D3 does everything you'd expect from a smartwatch, with heart rate sleep, stress and skin temperature monitoring. Steps and workouts are recorded too, and it would be remiss not to mention the design.
The body is slimmer, so it looks elegant, even more so thanks to the stylish leather strap available in black, white and mocha gold. Even the most design-conscious smartwatches tend to look functional, but metallic framing and brushed metal details keep this looking stylish.
The final big tick in my book? The battery life. One charge can last up to six days! My previous smart watch needed to be charged every night, meaning it didn't monitor throughout the night.
Whether you're treating yourself or looking to give the gift of health this Christmas, Huawei's Watch D3 is the perfect gift to find under the tree.
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