How We Picked Our Winners for the 2025 Well being Tech Awards

Right here at Nicely+Good, not a day goes by that we don’t analysis, discuss, or check a brand new wellness-focused product. (It’s a tricky job, however somebody’s gotta do it!) These days, it looks as if well being tech merchandise particularly have been launching at a supersonic tempo. Assume: Every thing from good home-gym gear and health trackers to VR exercise gadgets and transportable saunas. It’s laborious to maintain up with all of it—which is the place we are available in.

This yr, as a part of our inaugural Well being Tech Awards, we examined over TK merchandise inside this class to find out the most effective of the most effective. Positive, high-tech stuff all the time sounds cool, however we needed to know which objects on the market really ship on their guarantees and deserve a spot in your wellness arsenal. So, our editors rigorously examined merchandise to determine which really earned our seal of approval—and, finally, are value clicking “purchase now.”

We all know our readers depend on our suggestions, and we don’t take that duty evenly. Beneath, we laid out precisely how we selected merchandise to check and the standards we used to completely vet every merchandise that got here throughout our desks throughout this months-long course of.

How We Selected Merchandise to Take a look at: We kicked off this awards course of by first opening up submissions to manufacturers again in November 2024. After receiving TK submissions, we narrowed down our testing pool to the TK that have been the most recent and most promising. To assist information our testing course of, we requested well being and health consultants to share what, precisely, we should always check for in every class. We needed to know what options are a very powerful to search for, and the way the professionals recommend testing for every one. Our professional panel additionally famous issues to keep away from or be cautious of as we went all through the testing course of.

Meet Our Specialists

Shannon Ritchey, DPT, founding father of Evlo Health and host of The Dr. Shannon Present
Laura Norris, MS, CPT and run coach, co-host of Tread Calmly
Pete McCall, MS, CSCS, train science professional and writer
Whitney Biaggi, CPT and run coach
Marilisa Morea, PsyD, medical psychologist and proprietor and director of Monarch Remedy and Wellness Heart in Thornhill, Ontario
Courtney Roselle, CPT, USA Weightlifting licensed power coach, and proprietor of Iron Grace Studio

How We Examined Restoration Merchandise

Right here’s what we thought-about when testing restoration merchandise, together with therapeutic massage weapons, vibrating restoration instruments, warmth and vibration pads and compression boots, and good alarm clocks:

Measurement, weight, and luxury. Handheld restoration gadgets needs to be small and light-weight sufficient to comfortably maintain and use. We additionally thought-about if it was travel-friendly for tackling sore muscle mass on-the-go. When testing a therapeutic massage gun, we held it in numerous positions to verify we may comfortably attain the muscle mass we needed to apply it to, noting any points we had maneuvering it. For rollers, we famous the density of surfaces and the way comfy they’re to lie on and use.
Setup. We thought-about if any meeting was required, or if the system got here prepared straight out of the field. If it got here with attachments, we famous what number of have been included and the way simple they have been to placed on and take off
Battery life. A high-tech system is ineffective if it dies midway by means of your session or isn’t charged while you go to seize it from the shelf and really use it. We famous how lengthy every system takes to completely cost and the way lengthy a full cost final (per the producer’s directions and our precise experiences).
Customizability. A very good restoration product needs to be adaptable to your wants. You need to have the ability to modify and management numerous elements throughout use, together with: the velocity, size of time used, and quantity of stress. The attachments included ought to goal completely different physique components or use circumstances, and work successfully within the areas they’re supposed.
Noise. Some merchandise on this class is fairly dang loud. When testing, we thought-about the noise every merchandise made, and whether or not or not we may use it in public, or with a child sleeping in a close-by room, with out disturbing them.
Worth vs. anticipated profit. Lowering tissue tightness and growing circulation, hydration, and/or diet are all elements of restoration; any restoration product ought to have the ability to successfully hit on a kind of. To find out if a product is well worth the cash, we in contrast the fee to not solely the supposed end result (what the producer says it’ll do for you) but additionally how we felt proper after utilizing it, if it appeared to have an effect on our exercises the day after, if we felt like we had extra power/energy or further vitality, and the expertise general.
For alarm clocks: Sound options, gentle, and general expertise. We’re simply going to say it: Some alarm clocks are type of annoying. Whereas testing these merchandise, we famous the number of sound choices and the way a lot we loved them (or didn’t). We additionally paid consideration to the sunshine characteristic and the way good it was at steadily brightening. Total, we famous what the expertise was like and if it really made it simpler to get up within the morning.

How We Examined Wearables

Right here’s what we thought-about when testing health wearables, together with wrist-based watches and trackers, rings, and extra:

Included exercise modes. Some wearables are glorious for monitoring particular sorts of exercises; others are extra Jacks of all trades. We used every system throughout its supposed exercise(s) to gauge how nicely it fulfilled its goal.
GPS and Bluetooth. A satellite tv for pc connection makes it potential to trace routes and distances. Whereas testing, we famous how rapidly the GPS related and if it stayed related by means of the exercise. We additionally regarded for Bluetooth capabilities and the way simple it was to connect with different gadgets like wi-fi earbuds or a smartphone.
Accuracy. What good is a tracker if it’s not correct? To check accuracy, we selected a pair information factors to trace by means of a wide range of exercises, after which examined them in opposition to one thing extra “old skool” however correct, resembling a standard coronary heart charge monitor.
Battery life. It looks like a real betrayal when your tracker dies mid exercise. For every system we examined, we famous the producer’s directions for totally charging, how lengthy it takes to take action, and the way lengthy the battery is predicted to final on a full cost (each with and with out GPS use). Throughout use, we famous real-use particulars resembling how a lot the battery drained throughout a exercise and the way a lot time you have got between getting a low-battery alert and when it really dies.
Companion app. Generally, the app could make or break the tracker—what good is the latter if you happen to can’t simply see all of your stats within the former? For every tracker and app, we thought-about which telephone working programs it’s most appropriate with and the way simple it’s to navigate and use.
Consolation/match. An ill-fitting wearable will be distracting throughout a exercise. For every system, we famous the way it felt to put on (any pinching? rubbing?) and the way adjustable it was. We additionally made certain to get it moist or sweaty and assessed if that modified something.
Sturdiness and upkeep. After utilizing a wearable a couple of occasions, we regarded for any noticeable scratches, smells, or discoloration. Then, we tried cleansing it off, noting how simple that was to do and if it was simple to exchange the strap as soon as it acquired soiled over time.
Water/climate resistance. It’s vital to learn the guide to find out if a wearable is waterproof. If there was a swim characteristic, we examined it by both swimming or submerging it in a sink or tub to see the way it behaved. We additionally famous if a tool was not waterproof, and if it appeared like it might a minimum of maintain as much as the weather whereas coaching.

How We Examined Health Gear and Gear

Right here’s what we thought-about when testing health gear and kit, together with at-home related fitness center gear, weights, treadmills, rowers, bikes, yoga mats, VR gear, and extra:

Weights:

Materials and coating. The fabric of a weight, and particularly the coating on the skin, could make it simpler or more durable to grip, affecting each consolation and performance throughout a exercise. It can also make a weight simpler or more durable to wash, and a few supplies could turn out to be broken whereas utilizing a product like a Clorox wipe.
Form. A weight’s form could make it higher fitted to some workouts than others. For instance, weights which have hexagonal heads on them will be positioned on the ground and used simply for an train like a renegade row, whereas ones with round heads can’t. We famous if a weight’s form made it simpler or more durable to carry and maneuver, and if it affected how/the place you possibly can retailer it when not in use.

Sturdiness. Weights are sometimes an honest funding, so yo wish to be sure that they may maintain up over heavy use. Particularly, we took notice of any chipping, scratching, or different injury that occurred in the course of the testing course of.

Sensible/adjustable weights:

Measurement. Some adjustable weights in the marketplace will be massive and unwieldy. Throughout examined, we paid consideration to the scale and form of those weights, and famous how simple or troublesome it was to maneuver them with numerous workouts.
Weight choices. The purpose of adjustable weights is that they change a set of a number of weights, saving you area and ideally cash. When deciding on a set, you wish to be sure that the burden choices meet your wants, and that the increments they alter by are proper on your power targets and exercises.
Ease of use. Racking and unracking adjustable weights needs to be seamless in order that your exercise appears simpler, not more durable. Throughout testing, we famous how simple and fast it was to rack and modify the weights, and famous in the event that they ever acquired caught or in any other case glitched.

Cardio machines (treadmills, rowers, bikes):

Modes and options. A wide range of guide and computerized exercise modes makes it potential to really customise your exercise on a cardio machine. We famous any that have been distinctive and value calling out, and those who have been notably lacking. One other professional we regarded for: Profiles or one other approach for the machine to recollect our settings, observe progress, and simply swap between customers.
Noise. For those who’re bringing a cardio machine into your property, you need it to be as unobtrusive as potential. So, we paid consideration to how loud the machines have been, and whether or not somebody may hear it within the subsequent room.
Measurement. Most cardio machines are one-size-fits-all, but it surely’s vital to make sure that no matter you’re shopping for is true on your physique. Meaning the arm rails, handles, or pedals are positioned in a approach that lets you have a snug match (or are adjustable) and for a treadmill, that the belt is lengthy sufficient to accommodate your stride.
Stability and sturdiness. For those who’re investing in a cardio machine, you wish to be sure that it’s secure as you employ it, and feels sturdy sufficient to carry up over hours of use.
Ease of use. Once more, easy-to-use gear = extra fulfilling exercises. We famous how simple it was to vary the velocity, incline, resistance, and different settings throughout use on both common dials and buttons or a touchscreen.
Security options. All cardio machines ought to have fundamental security options, like that basic wire you possibly can clip onto your shirt and pull to cease the machine if you happen to fall. Any added security options are additionally value noting.
Sensible options. For good machines that observe and show information, we checked out whether or not it offers biofeedback, how simple it’s to attach headphones, good watches, or coronary heart charge screens through Bluetooth; whether or not it may join with third-party apps; if it related to wifi, and the standard of any related options or streaming talents.
Different options. For treadmills: the horsepower aka the motor power and any shock absorption or cushioning know-how within the belt. For bikes and rowing machines: the kind of flywheel used.
Cleansing. After cleansing the machine in accordance with the producer’s directions, we famous how simple it was, if it dried rapidly, and if any residue or stickiness lingered.

Yoga mats:

Thickness. A thick yoga mat helps cushion your knees, forearms, and different physique components in opposition to a tough ground. We famous the thickness and luxury of every mat.
Weight. Thicker mats will be heavy—which is ok for an at-home observe, however not supreme if you happen to tote it backwards and forwards to the studio. It’s simply one thing to contemplate relying in your typical use.
Grippiness. The feel of the mat’s floor ought to present grip, and assist your palms and toes keep put even while you get sweaty. A yoga mat must also keep placed on the ground and by no means slide or shift below you throughout your observe.
Sturdiness. We paid consideration to every mat’s materials, noting if it appeared sturdy or extra on the flimsy facet. We additionally famous any injury that confirmed up in the course of the testing interval.
Scent. Some yoga mats give off a nasty scent while you first unbox them—and a few have a tendency to hold round for much too lengthy. Throughout testing, we paid consideration to any off-gassing smells, noting how lengthy it took for it to fade and if it was manageable or required a couple of days of airing out earlier than use.
Cleansing. After cleansing in accordance with the producer’s directions, we famous how simple the method was, how rapidly the mat dried, and if it left any residue behind.

Digital actuality (VR) gear:

Price. Since VR can get costly, and will include numerous pricing fashions, we famous not solely the price of the system however any further charges for the app subscription or service.
Performance. A VR health expertise ought to include easy-to-use know-how, together with any companion app. Throughout testing, we famous if issues ran easily and related and synced simply, or if we bumped into any glitches.
Exercise choices. We additionally paid consideration to the forms of exercises supplied, if there’s a massive library of choices (plus how typically it’s up to date), and if there’s a mixture of depth and problem ranges supplied for rookies by means of skilled exercisers.
Instructors. If digital instructors information these exercises, they need to use clear and correct cueing and be simple and fulfilling to take heed to.

Headphones/earbuds:

Weatherproof. If you’re utilizing your headphones or earbuds throughout a exercise, you need them to be waterproof, or a minimum of sweatproof. We additionally paid consideration as to if or not the climate (rain, chilly) appeared to influence their performance or battery life.
Noise cancellation. Noise-canceling options are handy to get within the zone, however you additionally need to have the ability to hear vital noises like approaching visitors or any alarms or sirens.
Match and luxury. Headphones ought to keep put while you’re transferring. We examined these merchandise throughout high-impact actions, like operating, leaping, and many others., to see in the event that they stayed in place or if we would have liked to regulate them all through the exercise.
Sound high quality. So easy but so vital: A very good pair of headphones or earbuds ought to present high-quality, clear, and even sound.

How We Examined Way of life and Nicely-Being Merchandise

Right here’s what we thought-about when testing good life-style merchandise, together with water bottles, air purifiers, humidifiers, meditation apps, and extra:

Sensible water bottles:

Battery. As a part of our testing, we famous how lengthy the battery is predicted to final on a full cost and the way lengthy it takes to completely cost.
Ease of use. A wise water bottle is meant to make life simpler, proper? We famous how simple the setup was and usually what on a regular basis use was like and any points that got here uo.
Cleansing. A tech-packed water bottle often can’t be thrown within the dishwasher. So, we adopted the product’s cleansing directions, and famous how simple or tedious this was.

Sauna blanket and at-home sauna

Air purifiers and humidifiers:

Well being and mindfulness apps and gadgets:

Price. Some apps have free variations which are nice, whereas others are solely value utilizing if you happen to pay for the premium possibility. We seen the variations in price and worth, what the fundamental possibility consists of, any further hidden charges it’s possible you’ll encounter, and if the fee is in keeping with the options and high quality supplied. For gadgets, we thought-about if there was any further price past the preliminary buy of the system.
Ease of use and reliability. When in search of a high quality app, you need a format that’s easy and arranged, making it simple to make use of. We additionally famous how correct and helpful the search characteristic was, whether or not the app gives guided ideas (like Netflix “because you like this, do this…”), and if the app tended to freeze, lag, or crash throughout use. One other vital factor to contemplate is whether or not the app (or a meditation system) requires wifi or if you should use it offline.
Further options. The precise options you’ll need in a wellness app or meditation system will rely in your supposed use, however some we wish to search for embrace: monitoring choices or encouragement options that make it simpler to attain your targets, the power to “favourite” issues so they’re simply accessible later, a wide range of packages/actions accessible, a wide range of size and problem ranges, opinions for syncing information to a different system or pulling and sending a report, and the power to personalize content material or practices to your wants.
Security and help. Earlier than utilizing an app for health-related monitoring, you wish to look into the info safety insurance policies. We famous how simple or troublesome they’re to seek out and perceive for every app.
For psychological well being apps: Along with the above options, we additionally regarded for psychological well being apps which are supported by analysis and reviewed by professionals; supply steering and psychoeducation on related subjects; embrace choices to set targets; embrace an area to journal/log; and supply help choices (i.e.helplines and different sources for members if in disaster mode or want extra help/training).

For health apps:

Along with the above options, we additionally regarded for health apps that comply with the science of muscle constructing; characteristic certified instructors; embrace easy-to-understand cues and steering on weight, reps, and units; and keep away from terminology resembling “burn fats and slim down.”