Precision & sensors: GPS, cardio, BIA – the heart of the matter
Dual-band GPS: clean, even in the city
Open field, it goes straight. Under the plane trees, it held the line. In the “urban canyon” (Toulouse center), we saw a few zigzags, but nothing catastrophic: total distance difference observed between 0.5 and 1.8% on our 5 to 10 km loops (cross-comparisons with a Stryd and a Garmin reference). Basically, it’s enough for serious training and leisure running. If you’re doing split-second pacing in a marathon… it depends on your requirements. But for 95% of people, it’s good enough. Point.
Optical cardio: stable on a daily basis, more sensitive in intervals
At rest, when walking, in basic endurance, the curve is clean, legible, without holes. Typical deviation vs HRM belt: ±3–6 bpm on cool jogging. In short intervals (30/30), the optics have the usual wrist delay: attenuated peaks, 10–15 bpm latency sometimes. Nothing new under the sun, but it remains in the high average of well-adjusted optics. Field tip: tighten it a little more before fast sessions. Not glamorous. Effective.
BIA on the wrist: useful for trending, not for diagnosis
The Scale measures via bio-impedance (electrodes in the case/bracelet) and gives you estimates: fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, body water. Over 4 weeks, our differences compared to a premium impedance meter scale were between 2 and 4 points on relative fat mass, sometimes 5 at the end of the day (hydration, salt – normal). No-fuss conclusion: this is not a DEXA scanner. But to follow the slope (trends), it’s valuable. Especially if you measure at a fixed time, in similar conditions, and you log honestly.
Small downside admitted: cold hands, dry skin, more erratic results. Run your wrists under lukewarm water for 20 seconds. It changes everything.
A word about false good ideas
Based on a single BIA figure to change your diet? That’s a bad idea. Look at the trajectory, cross with your mirror, your jeans, your perfs. The watch guides you; you decide.
See the Amazfit Balance price and reviews on Amazon
Readiness, sleep, stress: what it really brings you
Readiness Score: a traffic light… but credible
The readiness score includes heart rate variability, sleep quality/structure, training load, and sometimes stress context. Frankly, we feared the gadget. We ended up taking a look at it every morning. For what ? Because it often sticks to the perceived sensation. Broken night + late dinner = low score. Dense night, low RHR = green light. Not magic. Logic.
Point of attention: if you put your smartphone next to it and scroll until 1 a.m., the score will not work a miracle. Nobody does. But the tool pokes your nose in, calmly.
Sleep: reliable detection, sober advice
Falling asleep/lags well identified, long phases roughly consistent with our parallel readings (Oura/Garmin). The score is not there to scold you; it gives you direction. And yes, the “sleep sounds” option via paid services can help some. Others don’t. It depends.
If you want to explore the impact of autonomy on daily serenity, here is a useful home resource on the real autonomy of connected watches on a daily basis. A watch that lasts means less stress. Obvious.
Stress & breathing: simple, but not simplistic
Stress measurements based on heart variability give you trends. The built-in breathing exercises (1–5 minutes) serve as an express reset. We used this between two meetings. It doesn’t save a day. This sometimes avoids spoiling it. Important nuance.
Autonomy, OS and daily use: the reason we stay
Autonomy: the real differentiator
Classic “smartwatch” mode, active notifications, 4 GPS workouts/week, some BIA measurements: between 9 and 14 days with us, depending on intensity. Dual band GPS still ON? More like 7–9 days. We’ve been saying it for years: a watch that requires less load lets you live simpler. You forget the charger on the weekend, and… nothing breaks. Immediate mental comfort.
Zepp OS (3.x): fluid, no fuss
Clear interface, useful tiles, well-thought-out complications. The dial shop is overflowing (too much?); we keep three favorites and we rotate. Third-party apps exist but let’s be honest: we rarely use them. The heart of the experience is activity, sleep, readiness score. And there, it’s fast. Stable. Reagent.
Do you want to call on your wrist? Yes, microphone/speaker do the job in troubleshooting. If this is a key criterion, read our article on answering calls from a connected watch. You will avoid unpleasant surprises (accounts, compatibility, codecs).
Notifications & sport: effective, period
Filterable notifications, basic quick replies. On the sports side, essential profiles present (running, cycling, weight training, hiking, swimming). No need for 150 modes. So, we mainly tested the ones we really do: running, home gym, light mountain biking. No blocking bugs. Readable data. Fast Zepp sync.
Direct competition & price positioning: where Libra stands
Comparing Garmin Venu 3
Venu 3 is very versatile, with already solid battery life, good health widgets and the Garmin Connect ecosystem. But the Balance retains the “long-lasting” autonomy advantage and the integrated BIA for body composition (Garmin does not offer one on the wrist). On the other hand, for interval cardio precision + advanced training metrics (aero/anaero load, status), Garmin remains more specific. It’s up to you to see what your priority is at the moment.
Facing Samsung Galaxy Watch6
Samsung is top in smart features (screen, apps, Android integration). But the autonomy remains short for regular athletes. The Samsung BIA also exists, yes, with similar results and precautions. Libra wins if you want to load less and keep a more “focused” sport-health framework. Do you prefer the native Android ecosystem and apps? Samsung takes the advantage.
Facing Apple Watch SE
Apple remains unbeatable in the overall iPhone experience, but the battery life is… let’s say, limited. Solid health monitoring, decent GPS, slick design. If you have an iPhone and want First of all a smart watch, the Apple Watch SE remains an obvious choice. If you are looking for breathing autonomy and more “long-term” health/sleep monitoring, Libra is frankly more relaxing.
Price-wise, the Libra is lower than many premium equivalents. And for tight budgets, take a look at our overview of really complete connected watches at 30 euros. Yes, it exists. No, it’s not the same category.
See the Amazfit Balance price and reviews on Amazon
For whom? And for whom not?
You’ll love it if…
- You want a clear dashboard of your form: sleep + readiness + charge.
- You refuse to charge every night. Really.
- You want to monitor the trend of your body composition without breaking the bank.
- You practice 3 to 6 sessions/week and you like to go out running without asking yourself any questions.
You risk grinding your teeth if…
- You want “scientific coach” training metrics like on the high-end Garmin/Polar ranges.
- You do a lot of loose wrist splits: optics remain optics.
- You want third-party apps galore, full Android watch style.
Design, comfort, finishes (we promise, we’ll keep it short)
Round case, sober bezel, comfortable strap (good-wearing silicone). AMOLED screen readable in daylight. Always-On practical but energy-consuming (classic). It’s clean, discreet, suitable for the office and in shorts. Nothing extravagant. Nothing cheap either.
Purchasing experience: versions, prices, small useful checks
Check the presence of the functions you want (wrist payment, voice assistant, BIA active in your region). Look at the bracelet bundles (size, material); an elastic nylon is a game changer in 24/7 comfort. If you are hesitating between this one and the last generation, we also have our full opinion on Amazfit Balance 2. The autonomy/function differential can tip the scales (no pun intended… or yes).
Guarantee-wise, nothing exotic. Just read the waterproof conditions (pool OK, diving no). Classic, but we’d rather remind you now than fix it afterwards.
Test method (L’Swiss Made Watch in-house protocol)
- 2 replicated GPS loops (5 km & 10 km) — Auterive & Toulouse — compared to a reference watch + Stryd pedometer.
- 4 weeks of daily use: notifications, 3–5 sessions/week, BIA measurements 3x/week. at a fixed time.
- Cardio comparisons: ANT+/BLE belt vs optical wrist sensor (endurance/interval).
- Sleep: cross-correlation with a second wrist device + subjective diary (falling asleep, waking up).
Clear limits: weather, bracelet tightening variation, individual BIA variability (hydration, cycle, salt). We’re not a medical lab. We are field testers. It’s different, and that’s intentional.
What we would keep. What we would leave behind.
We keep: relaxed autonomy, Readiness which pushes you to make reasonable choices, BIA to follow the trajectory (not the absolute figure), Zepp ergonomics which does not come between you and your life.
We would leave: the temptation to measure everything all the time (decision fatigue), the garish dials, and the fashion for “100+ sports” which are useless. In short, simple, robust, relevant. The rest is trash.
Minute FAQ
Can you run a marathon with Libra? Yes. Correct GPS, sufficient autonomy, readable screens. For “pro” pacing, add an external sensor if you’re a fan.
Is BIA enough to lose fat? No. It helps you follow the trend. You do the work (eating, sleeping, training). The watch is a witness, not a wizard.
Can I answer calls? Yes, for repairs. Decent quality in a quiet environment. Noisy car, it’s average; normal.
iOS/Android compatibility? Both. The experience is a little more flexible on the Android side for certain integrations, but nothing prohibitive on the iPhone side.
Verdict — the “big yes” without forcing
You know that feeling: you get up, you know if the day will be productive. Libra puts numbers on this hunch, saves you from stupid mistakes, and doesn’t suck you into a labyrinthine app. She accompanies you. Discreetly.
Frankly, we had doubts about the BIA on the wrist. We keep the nuance: this is not a clinical examination. But to monitor your fitness over several weeks, to sort the good days from the gray days, to align your training with your sleep, this watch does the job. Simply. A long time. And without drama.
So yes, this model ticks the essentials. And we understand why it appeals so much.
Quick recap (read again before clicking)
- GPS : solid double band, gap 0.5–1.8% on our loops.
- Optical Cardio : reliable in endurance, latency in intervals (classic). Belt = best idea if you often do short/fast riding.
- Integrated BIA : useful for following the trend; measurement at a fixed time recommended.
- Readiness + sleep : score aligned with sensation, pushes you to better distribute the load.
- Autonomy : 9–14 usual days; 7–9 if you hit dual band GPS hard.
- BONE : Fluid Zepp, useful widgets, third-party apps present but incidental.
- Competition : more durable than Watch6/SE; less “scientific coach” than high-end Garmin.
- Audience : regular athletes, busy professionals, profiles “I want useful figures, not a zoo of menus”.
Small initial “yes” → big final “yes”: the common thread
Little yes — you want to stop charging every night. Yes, us too.
Yes, comfort — you want clear numbers that don’t add noise. It’s healthy.
Yes, logical — more autonomy = less mental load. Obvious.
Yes of membership — Libra puts sleep/load/stress in order. Without harassing you.
Big yes — you save energy for your life, not for your watch. So.
Credits, context, transparency
Watch tested over 4 weeks, mix of urban and green outings, home and office sessions. No paid partnership. If you purchase via our links, you can earn a commission, at no additional cost. This helps us continue long and demanding tests. THANKS.
