Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Performance
- Uses dated Snapdragon Wear 2100
- 512MB of RAM / 4GB of storage
- Feels snappy in day-to-day use
Even when interacting with an iOS device, the Misfit Vapor 2 was fast enough to get the job done - at least after we got it fully updated. Out of the box, the pairing process and even getting the watch updated were a chore, and you’re going to need to update it, as a lot of the features weren’t working quite right until then.
That might have something to do with the hardware on offer here. You see, the Misfit Vapor 2 is still using the Snapdragon Wear 2100, as opposed to the 3100 chipset that launched a couple months before this watch. It’s an odd decision for Misfit to make with its flagship wearable, and one that puts it behind some of the competition.
Fortunately, the rest of the specs are pretty standard, with 4GB of storage for apps and music, and 512MB of RAM, which is enough that operation feels smooth, apart from the rough startup of the device.
After the first day or so, our day-to-day usage over a week was nice and smooth. We didn’t have any problems using it, whether it was for Google Pay or to track our workouts. However, if you were hoping to use the Misfit Vapor 2 to make calls, you may be disappointed - while there is a microphone here, it doesn’t have a speaker.
The Misfit Vapor 2 is compatible with both Android and iOS, as are all Wear OS devices in 2018, though we think the user experience will be a bit better on Android, as you won’t be limited to the Wear OS app.
Fitness
- GPS and heart rate sensor are reliable
- Plenty of different workouts available
- Fitness on iOS is limited
If you’re looking for a smartwatch that can track your basic stats while working out, you’re in luck. The Misfit Vapor 2 has all the fitness features that a smartwatch requires in 2018.
With a heart rate tracker, built-in GPS and an accelerometer, gyroscope and more, you’ll be able to track your workouts and their efficiency wherever you are, whether or not you deign to drag your phone along with you. However, we were left wanting due to the lack of features the vanilla Wear OS app offers.
This would have been fine if we were able to use the Activity and Health apps on iOS, but for some reason, the data is incompatible. We’re not sure whether to blame Apple or Google for this one, but just exercise caution if you’re picking this watch up to use with an Apple device.
Still, the GPS and the heart rate tracker are both responsive and reliable. We were able to get a GPS signal quickly and easily when going out for a jog without our phone, and we only lost signal once in our entire time using the watch. This makes the Misfit Vapor 2 a great watch for anyone that would like to track their runs without having to lug around their relatively gigantic smartphone.
Misfit claims that the Vapor 2 is ‘Swim-proof’ up to 30 meters. We weren’t able to find an actual resistance rating on the manufacturer’s website, but we tested this feature and contact with water didn’t lead to any problems. But we’d be careful here, we’re not sure exactly how apt this smartwatch will be at handling extended exposure to water.
So, the Misfit Vapor 2 is a competent smartwatch that should be able to tick the boxes for most users who aren’t professional athletes in need of more in-depth fitness statistics. It will easily keep up with the average user’s workout regimen.
Battery life
- Battery manages to last all day
- Charges quickly
The manufacturer claims that the Misfit Vapor 2 has ‘all-day battery life’, and in our time with it, we found that to be basically true.
This reviewer isn’t the type to wear a watch to bed, but even with the always-on display enabled, we didn’t run out of battery throughout the day. So, with judicious use of the watch, you might even be able to get it to run for a couple of days.
Luckily, even if you do run out of battery, the included charger should be able to charge it up pretty quickly. Misfit says it can be charged up to 80% in 50 minutes, and while we didn’t actually time it, the watch seemed to charge rather quickly.
