What the Google Pixel Watch 3 Taught Me About Fitness, Sleep, and Mental Health

In an ever-evolving era of technology, I have proven somewhat resistant to the latest gadgets. I still wear wired headphones to the gym (much to my younger sister’s chagrin), and I’ve been waking up to the same panic-inducing alarm for years. “I don’t need anything else,” I tell myself. “What I have now is just fine.” But something about the Google Pixel Watch 3 ($400) caught my eye.

As someone with a chronic illness, the idea of wearable technology is definitely appealing. When I was first dealing with long COVID back in 2021, my mother bought me a pulse oximeter to track my pulse and oxygen saturation. Although the clip-on oximeter ultimately proved impractical for constant everyday use, I still remember the comfort these numbers provided. Although most people likely use their Google Pixel watches as an extension of their Pixel phones, I was most interested in capabilities like sleep tracking and heart rate data.

In my testing, I expected to learn a bit about myself, but I didn’t realize just how much a watch like the Pixel 3 would teach me about my health and fitness (and motivate me to do better). After trying the Pixel Watch 3 for several weeks, here were some of my biggest takeaways.

What You Get

I opted for the 45mm Pixel Watch 3 with the polished silver aluminum case and the porcelain active band (although I was also tempted by the pink colorway). This being my first-ever smart watch, I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of aesthetics, but I was pleasantly surprised when the Pixel Watch arrived. It looked sleek, didn’t clash with any outfits, and even the larger watch size looked small on my wrist. Along with the actual watch face, you also receive multiple watch bands — which attach to either side of the watch — and a charger.

Set up was incredibly straightforward with the exception of the attachable bands. In all fairness, if you do not have tapered stiletto acrylics, there’s a very real chance you’ll have a much easier time with assembly than I did. After about seven failed attempts, however, I resorted to what I call “letting instinct take over,” mashing the bands on either side of the watch face until I heard a satisfying click. For the record, there’s actually a button you can press down on either side, which enables you to more easily slide the bands into place (in theory).

What I Like About the Google Pixel Watch 3

I was extremely eager to learn just how bad my sleep schedule really was. After a few days of wearing my Pixel Watch, I checked my data with gritted teeth and found that I wasn’t doing as horribly as I thought (hitting about seven hours, on average). If you’re interested in learning more about your sleep patterns, the Pixel Watch can also tell you your sleep score (mine is usually in the “fair” zone), skin temperature variation, and your nightly sleep stages broken down minute-by-minute, so you know exactly how much time you’re spending in REM, light sleep, deep sleep, etc.

Of course, these weren’t the only metrics I was interested in. One of my favorite parts of the Pixel Watch 3 was the morning brief, which is automatically delivered every morning as soon as you wake up. This is intended to set you up for success by recapping your daily readiness score, heart rate variability, exercise goals, and ending with a quick look at the weather. It’s one thing to say you’re going to hit the gym five times a week, for instance, but when you wake up and your morning brief informs you that you’ve only been once . . . it really has a way of motivating you.

Actually, the Pixel Watch is great for accountability in general. I knew I worked a fairly sedentary job, but I had no idea how little I actually moved until I started clocking full days under 1,000 steps. In an effort to change, I set a goal for 5,000 steps and the Pixel Watch 3 immediately sent me corresponding reminders, helping me get up intermittently throughout the work day and inch closer to that number.

When I did hit the gym (I’m usually quite consistent with my cardio and strength training), the Pixel Watch tracked that too, automatically sensing when I was on the elliptical — or even just going for a walk — and giving me precise data about my heart rate, cardio load, and calories burned. It even showed how intense my workouts were, and how much time I spent in each intensity zone.

As for mental health, the Pixel Watch also has the ability to detect signs of stress. While I can’t always pinpoint the exact cause of my stress, I do remember my watch pinging me in the middle of an anxiety attack. It had clearly sensed that something was amiss, but it also offered me specific suggestions, like using a breathing app, or going for a brief walk. It was an unexpectedly wholesome moment I hadn’t anticipated, but wholly appreciated, and it ended up being one of the highlights of my entire Google Pixel Watch 3 experience.

What to Consider Before Trying the Google Pixel Watch 3

As someone who leans more Type A, I can see how having access to this many metrics could be triggering for some. I even found myself becoming a bit obsessive at times — constantly checking to make sure I was exercising “hard enough,” and getting down on myself if I didn’t get enough sleep or hit my daily step goals. That said, I personally think the watch proved to be more of a motivator and less of a stressor. I approached the data with curiosity rather than stone-cold judgment, and I think that may have helped new information feel less overwhelming. If you’re interested in learning more about yourself, the Google Pixel Watch 3 will definitely help you do that, but just remember not to get too wrapped up in all the goals and metrics.

Who the Google Pixel Watch 3 Is Best For

Because of advanced fitness tracking capabilities like a running dashboard, form analysis, and AI-powered run recommendations, I think that runners, athletes, and avid fitness enthusiasts would get the most out of the Google Pixel Watch 3. That said, as a more casual gym-goer myself (and a beginner runner at best), I still really appreciated all the metrics, and felt like it made a big difference in the way I approached my own wellness goals.

Is the Google Pixel Watch 3 Worth the Splurge?

The price tag is definitely a potential barrier at a cool $400. However, given that other smart watches and similar sleep gadgets clock in at around the same price point, if you have a Pixel phone and you’re looking to invest in your health, this would be a great piece of tech to have. Since this watch can do so much, you may also need less gadgets in general, depending on your lifestyle.

Additional Details

Where Is the Google Pixel Watch 3 Available?

You can shop the Google Pixel Watch 3 on the Google Store, Target, or Best Buy.

Rating:★★★★★

Chandler Plante (she/her) is an assistant health and fitness editor for PS. She has over four years of professional journalism experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributing to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group.