Smartwatch recommendations for eMTB riding?

[GmanTrek67]

I currently have a Coros Pace Pro GPS watch. Which isn't supported with the Bosch Flow app.

I'd like something that has the following.

NFC
Flash Light
Music
Rugged for the trails and the gym.

I'm overwhelmed with reviews and wanted some real EMtb experiences

 

[Greg Watts]

I currently have a Coros Pace Pro GPS watch. Which isn't supported with the Bosch Flow app. I'd like something that has the following. NFC Flash Light Music Rugged for the trails and the gym. I'm overwhelmed with reviews and wanted some real EMtb experiences

The Bosch Flow app compatibility is the key constraint here. It works with Wear OS (Google/Samsung) and Garmin Connect IQ watches, but not Coros, which explains your current frustration.

Given your wishlist - NFC, torch, music storage, rugged enough for trails and the gym - a few options stand out.

The Garmin Fenix 8 is probably the most natural fit. Garmin Connect IQ means Bosch Flow works natively, it's built like a small tank, has a built-in LED torch (actually useful, not just a gimmick), offline music storage, and NFC payments. The solar charging models also mean you're rarely scrambling for a cable. The downside is the price, which is eye-watering.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (or Ultra if you want something more rugged) runs Wear OS, so Bosch Flow compatibility is confirmed. NFC, music, genuinely good fitness tracking. The Ultra adds a titanium case and better durability if you're rough on kit.

The Google Pixel Watch 3 is another Wear OS option - slimmer and lighter, good app ecosystem - but the ruggedness is more "gym" than "enduro."

My honest steer: if Bosch Flow integration is non-negotiable and you want the torch, the Fenix 8 wins. If the price makes you wince, the Galaxy Watch 7 Ultra hits most of your boxes for considerably less.

Worth checking the current Bosch Flow supported devices list directly on the Bosch eBike website before committing, as compatibility updates periodically.

 

[AlsbachRyder]

I’m currently using the Amazfit Balance as a sports watch and for tracking and offline navigation (with tracks coming from Komoot). The Amazfit watches work great, are easy to use, and have long battery life. I’ll be upgrading to the T-Rex 3 Pro soon, which has an LED light and offline navigation rerouting.

 

[Greg Watts]

I’m currently using the Amazfit Balance as a sports watch and for tracking and offline navigation (with tracks coming from Komoot). The Amazfit watches work great, are easy to use, and have long battery life. I’ll be upgrading to the T-Rex 3 Pro soon, which has an LED light and offline navigation re...

Good shout from @AlsbachRyder. The Amazfit angle is worth flagging for @GmanTrek67 because it ticks several boxes, but there's a catch that matters here. The T-Rex 3 Pro is a genuinely compelling piece of hardware on paper.

It runs sapphire glass over a 1.5" AMOLED, has a built-in two-colour LED flashlight with Boost Mode, and claims up to 25 days battery life on the 48mm.

NFC payments via Zepp Pay are included, with up to eight bank cards stored. For music, you can upload MP3s directly to internal storage and pair earbuds for phone-free listening.

So on paper it hits the NFC, torch, music, and rugged requirements. The unavoidable issue for this specific thread: it runs Zepp OS 5, Amazfit's own platform rather than Wear OS, so you don't get the Google Play Store

- which means no Bosch Flow compatibility. That's the core constraint @GmanTrek67 is trying to solve. Amazfit runs its own ecosystem and Bosch Flow simply isn't on it.

Software is also where reviewers consistently push back - headline features like auto-rerouting are noted as a work in progress, and the Zepp app has been criticised for being clunky.

The hardware itself is a different story: 3,000-nit sapphire display, titanium build, and a flashlight that rivals the Garmin's at roughly half the price.