Lava ProWatch ZN Review: Accurate Health Tracking on a Budget

The smartwatch space in India is perhaps the most confusing due to the number of brands selling rebranded Chinese smart bands. This has filled the market with inaccurate watches claiming to track your health and made things difficult for the average consumer who doesn’t know how to spot the differences.

Therefore, when Lava announced its foray into the smartwatch space, we were a bit skeptical about whether the ProWatch ZN would be a genuine option. Now, after testing the watch for over two weeks, we believe it is. Let’s get straight into the review of the Lava ProWatch ZN.

Lava ProWatch ZN Review: Design & Hardware

Starting with the unboxing experience, Lava hasn’t skimmed on the essentials; the box includes the watch, a charging cable, and a pair of silicone straps. Considering the price, the ProWatch ZN felt surprisingly premium with its build quality. The circular front houses the display, surrounded by thin bezels and two round dials. Additionally, you can use the top button as a scroll wheel to navigate the watch. Flipping the watch over reveals a slew of health-tracking sensors and the charging port, which magnetically attaches to the charger.

While the watch did feel a bit big on my wrists, considering their size, it shouldn’t be a problem for most people as it is comfortable to wear. However, there is one small downside: the straps. The company decided to save costs here, as the straps weren’t breathable. In the summer heat, they can cause some irritation if you have sensitive skin. Nevertheless, you can always swap out the bands for something else.

Lava ProWatch ZN Review: Display & Performance

The Lava ProWatch ZN features a 1.43-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 466×466, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. With a peak brightness of 600 nits, it is much better than many competitors and allows the watch to be visible outdoors. Additionally, the AMOLED display supports an always-on display, which should already be the standard for any watch.

However, perhaps the best thing about the ProWatch ZN’s display is its responsiveness. Unlike many watches in this segment that feel sluggish due to the 30Hz display, Lava has generously included a full 60Hz display in the ProWatch ZN, which significantly improves performance. It is important to note, though, that we did notice some drops in performance when navigating the UI occasionally, which was a bit unusual.

Lava ProWatch ZN Review: Features & Health Tracking

Before we get into the specifics, the ProWatch ZN houses a slew of health-tracking features, including heart rate tracking, blood oxygen level measurement, sleep tracking, stress monitoring, and some female-specific health options. In addition, the watch allows you to track various activities such as steps, calories burned, and 110 more, including sports.

To test the accuracy of the tracking, we compared the ProWatch ZN against the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and were not disappointed. The ProWatch ZN consistently delivered results similar to the Watch 6 in step tracking and heart rate monitoring, deviating by only about 5%-7%. This already makes the ProWatch better than many of its competitors, which can sometimes be off by over 40%. Furthermore, the ProWatch also didn’t take heart rate measurements from a table, which is a common theme among other brands.

However, it is important to note that smartwatch measurements shouldn’t be taken as definitive health metrics and that you should visit a doctor in case of an emergency.

Companion app

Unlike other brands, the ProSpot app is perhaps the simplest companion app we have tested. The setup process only involved scanning a QR code, installing the app, and connecting the watch via Bluetooth. Additionally, the app includes numerous features for users to easily monitor their health metrics and even set goals for things such as weight.

Furthermore, the app offers over 150 customizable watch faces to keep your watch looking fresh. While some of these faces are a bit tacky, others are aesthetically pleasing.

Lava ProWatch ZN Review: Battery Life

In our testing, which involved using the watch for the whole day along with workout tracking, I managed to get a whole week on a single charge. However, it is important to note that I had the always-on display turned off during the first week. Once enabled, I got an average battery life of about four days, which is still impressive.

Should you buy it?

Starting at Rs. 2,599, the Lava ProWatch ZN is a solid first attempt with its great display, good health tracking, and ample battery life. While the watch still needs some optimizations in the UI, if you are in the market for a budget smartwatch, be sure to check it out.