Top Wearable Tech of 2021

Wearable gadgets aren’t just about smartwatches anymore. Let’s take a look at some of the latest awesome hands-free gadgets out there.

ThinkReality Creates a Virtual Office

Many of us started working from home when the coronavirus first hit. And it looks like the trend will continue when things get back to normal. Just with better tech. One of the most innovative emerging technologies that seriously ups the cred of a home office is the ThinkReality A3 from Lenovo. The augmented-reality smartglasses create a stunning virtual workspace, literally right before your eyes. You can set the glasses to show up to five hovering screens in stereoscopic 1080p display for a futuristic 3D work experience.

Razer’s AirPop Active+ Smark Mask

Vapers have long known about HALO sensors, which take a host of different measurements such as detecting the presence of airborne chemicals and any changes in air quality. Razer has brought that technology to a high-tech facemask that identifies pollutants in the air and tells you exactly which impurities the facemask has blocked via an app. The mask can also track your breathing while you're exercising, gauging breaths and your pace, sending analysis to your smartphone.

Cove to Counter Stress

Can strapping a gizmo to your head actually reduce stress? Lots of online reviews say that the Cove actually works. It does so by sending gentle vibrations, at a specific frequency, to the areas behind your ears, triggering the part of your brain that regulates stress and anxiety, and thus bringing a sense of calm. Science backs the theory up, as stimulating the insular cortex of large mammals induces positive responses from neuronal networks, and electrical stimulation is a proven form of therapy. You’ll probably have to pick up a Cove to decide for yourself if the wearable really chills you out.

Jabra Elite 85t for Noise Cancelling in Stereo

Way back when Bose dropped the first noise-canceling headphones on the market in 1989 travelers raced to pick up these amazing gadgets. Bulky by today’s standards, the headsets have been a staple of air travel since. But now you can get that same technology, and highly improved, with a pair of discreet earbuds. While 12mm may not sound big for speakers, it is for earbuds and with the Jabra Elite 85t they deliver rich sound with deep bass. Multiple microphones in each earbud do an excellent job of blocking out external noise, while an ergonomic design ensures comfort while wearing.

Honor Band 6 for Affordable Fitness Tracking

While Honor has split with Huawei, the spin-off has retained much of the tech from its established parent brand. This includes Huawei’s optical heart rate monitor and its TruSeen sensor that’s used in taking blood oxygen measurements. Add in an accelerometer and a gyroscope motion detector and you've got some amazing tech in this fitness tracker that has ten different built-in sports modes. And did we mention that the Honor Band 6 is priced under 40 bucks? You wouldn’t think as much looking at its big, bright colorful display, an OLED touch screen that keeps things simple. Plus it’s water-resistant up to 50 meters and has a 14-day battery life. Its lack of GPS aside, this fitness tracker competes with comparable wearables that are way more expensive.

Fossil Gen 5 LTE Touchscreen Smartwatch

Fossil’s foray into the smartwatch arena is an impressive one. The Fossil Gen 5 LTE Touchscreen Smartwatch packs a head-spinning number of features into an understated offering. The cellular-connected device lets you make calls and answer texts with a tap. And you can load up lots of music with 8 GB of storage, pay bills with Google Pay, start your Toyota, and even control your home’s voice-activated devices. And don’t forget that it’s a full-featured fitness tracker too!

Skagen Jorn Hybrid HR for Sheer Style

For a smartwatch that doesn't scream "smartwatch" look to the Skagen Jorn Hybrid HR. As you can probably guess by the name, it's a hybrid that combines the best of tech and traditional timepieces: a digital display with analog hands. And the digital part means that you can customize the face with a host of different displays and backgrounds, with options like the weather, a heart monitor, and all of your different apps. Plus phone calls and texting. All managed through a dashboard on a smartphone app, and all in a package that looks like a classic timepiece. As for battery life? It’ll go strong for two weeks without a charge!

Seems like wearables are getting more and more high-tech by the day. What wearable tech will you soon be putting on?

Written by William McCleary for Knockaround.