Electronics

Electronics at FlipBuy UK: a focused range covering smartwatches with Bluetooth calling and GPS, a portable gaming monitor and content-creation lighting. From £26.99 to £153.99.

How to choose a smartwatch

Smartwatch specifications are written to sound impressive, and only a few of them change daily use.

The features that matter

• Bluetooth calling means the watch has a speaker and microphone, so you can take a call without your phone in hand. Useful when driving, cooking or exercising. It drains battery faster than any other feature.
• Built-in GPS tracks your route without your phone. If you run or cycle and want to leave the phone behind, this is the feature to pay for. Watches without it borrow your phone's GPS instead.
• Screen type. AMOLED screens are brighter, sharper and far more readable in sunlight than standard LCD, the single biggest difference in day-to-day satisfaction.
• Battery life is quoted under light use. Assume roughly half the stated figure with the screen bright, GPS on and calls taken.

Health monitoring: what to expect

Consumer smartwatches estimate heart rate, sleep and activity using optical sensors. They're useful for spotting trends over weeks, whether your resting heart rate is drifting, whether you're sleeping less than you thought, but they are not medical devices and shouldn't be used to diagnose or monitor a health condition. If a reading concerns you, speak to your GP rather than relying on the watch.

Check compatibility before ordering

Most budget smartwatches work with both Android and iOS, but feature support differs, reply-to-message functions in particular are often Android-only. The companion app and supported systems are listed on each product page.

How to choose a portable monitor

• Refresh rate matters for gaming, not for work. 144Hz gives noticeably smoother motion in fast games; for spreadsheets and documents, 60Hz is indistinguishable.
• Check the connection your device actually has. Most portable monitors run over USB-C with a single cable carrying video and power, but only if your laptop's USB-C port supports DisplayPort output. Older laptops and many budget models don't, and need HDMI plus separate power.
• Consider whether you need the stand or a case. Portable monitors are commonly used on trains and in hotels, and the built-in stand is what determines whether that's practical.

How to get more from a ring light

Ring lights improve video calls and content more than any camera upgrade at the same price, but placement does most of the work.

• Put it behind the camera, at eye level or slightly above. Below eye level is the classic mistake and produces an unflattering upward shadow.
• Sit further from it than feels natural: around an arm's length. Too close creates hard shadows and a visible ring reflection in glasses.
• Turn off the overhead light or you'll fight two colour temperatures. Mixed lighting is what makes home video look amateur.
• Warmer settings suit skin tones; cooler settings suit product shots.

How to look after batteries in wearables

Lithium batteries in watches degrade fastest when kept at extremes.

• Avoid charging to 100% and leaving it there overnight every night. Charging to around 80% where the option exists extends battery life considerably.
• Don't let it sit fully flat for weeks. If you're not wearing it, charge to around half before storing.
• Keep it out of the car in summer. Heat is the biggest cause of permanent capacity loss.
• Reduce screen brightness and always-on display if battery life disappoints. These two settings account for most of the drain.

Water resistance ratings explained

Ratings are commonly misunderstood. IP67 means dust-tight and protected against immersion to one metre for 30 minutes, fine for rain, handwashing and sweat. 5ATM is suitable for swimming in a pool. Neither rating covers hot showers, saunas or diving, because heat and steam damage seals. Check the specific rating on each product page rather than assuming.

Common questions

Do the smartwatches work with iPhone?

Most support both iOS and Android, though some features are Android-only. Compatibility is listed on each product page.

Can I swim with a smartwatch?

Only if it's rated 5ATM or higher. Check the individual specification, IP67 is splash and rain resistant, not swim-proof.

Will the portable monitor work with my laptop over one cable?

Only if your laptop's USB-C port supports video output. If it doesn't, you'll need HDMI plus separate power. Check your laptop's specification first.

Are the health features accurate?

They're useful for tracking trends over time rather than for precise readings. They aren't medical devices, and shouldn't be used to manage a health condition.

Related collections

For more wearables, see smartwatches and smart electronics. For home security, security & protection.