I’d love to finish every in‑depth product review before Christmas, but I have to be realistic—it won’t happen. I’m pushing hard, yet the backlog is genuine, and the flood of new releases this fall has been massive, especially with overlapping items and a limited number of wrists to test. On top of that, I tend to over‑engineer the testing phase, often spending months on a product when a shorter cycle would have yielded similar insights.
Generally, I prioritize devices I already own before an embargo so the review can appear on announcement day. If a product arrives after that point, I tackle it based mainly on audience demand. Popular items usually get done first, though that isn’t guaranteed—earlier shipments from other brands can push some reviews further down the line. The cycle repeats.
That doesn’t mean the items waiting in the queue are subpar; many are actually among the best releases of the year. A recent comment asked whether the lack of reviews implied poor quality, prompting this post. I simply have a finite amount of wrist time and rides, so here are my concise, elevator‑pitch thoughts on each pending product. I could write volumes, but this will be a brief snapshot.
Below is the current backlog, followed by a roughly one‑paragraph impression of each. Feel free to ask follow‑up questions in the comments; I’ll try to provide more detail.
Apple Watch Series 11
Elite Rivo
DJI Mavic 4 Pro
DJI Mini 5 Pro
DJI NEO 2
DJI OSMO NANO
Garmin Bounce 2
Garmin Edge 550
Garmin Fenix 8 Pro
Garmin Forerunner 570
Garmin Rally x210
Garmin Venu 4
Garmin Venu X1
GoPro Hero 4K Lit
Insta360/Antigravity A1
Polar Loop
Wahoo KICKR Bike Pro
Whoop 5.0
Whoop 5.0 MG
This list doesn’t guarantee a review is never coming—one could appear tomorrow, Friday, or next week. But if you need to decide on pricing, sales, holiday gifts, or similar, here’s the quick rundown.
Apple Watch Series 11:
My wife has spent the most time with this model over the past months, and I’ve logged a fair share of miles too. Like most Apple updates, it’s an incremental rather than a revolutionary change. Its main aim isn’t to lure Series 10 owners away, but to entice Series 5 users to upgrade, and it succeeds. I’ve encountered no major issues; it functions as expected, with predictable hardware tweaks and notable WatchOS 26 software improvements I’ve previously highlighted.
Elite Rivo:
So far, it’s performed well. Both my wife and I have been alternating on this trainer for the last month or two, including a ride just last night. It offers a solid value at a reasonable price, and its accuracy has been spot‑on throughout our sessions. Compared with the Wahoo KICKR CORE 2, it has a slightly lighter flywheel (less inertia) and a lower retail price, though the CORE 2 often drops further when on sale.
DJI Mavic 4 Pro:
I purchased this in May and ran my full ActiveTrack gauntlet test. It’s a cinematic powerhouse, much like the Mavic 3 Pro, but the upgrade isn’t as obvious. The new constantly rotating gimbal was intended to enable vertical video, yet it can’t tilt downward, which defeats the purpose of aerial vertical shots. Aside from that misstep, the drone performs admirably.
DJI Mini 5 Pro:
In a typical year this would have been DJI’s bestseller, but the U.S. ban, a problematic weight issue, and competition from the NEO series have dampened its appeal. It’s a solid drone, yet being overweight creates legal complications in many regions. Given the NEO 2’s strong quality (see below), I usually reach for the Mavic 4 Pro for scenic shots or the NEO 2 for most other uses.
DJI NEO 2:
I’m thrilled with this device. It’s arguably the drone of the year and one of DJI’s best in recent memory when judged by features‑to‑price ratio. The quality jump from the NEO 1 is massive, and the gesture‑based controls are extremely handy for runners, hikers, and pedestrians. Paired with a remote, it matches most capabilities of the Mini 4/Mini 5 series. For sports tracking, it’s the top pick. The HoverAir X1 Pro/Pro‑Max offers slightly better video and extra features but costs three to four times as much.
DJI OSMO Action 6:
DJI continues its pattern of modest upgrades to its action cams, and this model follows suit. In my testing, it doesn’t look noticeably better than the Action 5, and the “open‑gate square recording” gimmick feels dated given that competitors have offered it for years. It’s still a capable little camera, just not a significant step up, yet it carries a higher price tag. I’d lean toward the GoPro Hero 13 Black for daylight footage or the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 for low‑light scenes.
DJI OSMO Nano:
Designed to rival the Insta360 Go line, it does a respectable job. In practice, I find it a bit quirky and prefer the Insta360 Go series. Like the Go, its camera module is waterproof but the outer case isn’t, making it vulnerable over time. Image quality surpasses the base Insta360 Go 3 series but falls short of the Ultra line. DJI priced it competitively against the Ultra, though I wish it offered an SD‑card slot within the pod, similar to the Ultra.
Garmin Bounce 2:
Probably the best Garmin watch they released this year—for families with kids. It’s pricier than previous models, but now aligns with Apple and Google’s kid‑focused offerings, which also require subscriptions. Having moved my children from Bounce 1 to Bounce 2, I notice a much better battery, enhanced features (including true voice calling), and a design that mirrors a stripped‑down Vivoactive 6. Sport modes, flashlights, and other functions are similar to adult watches, just simplified. If you’re choosing between Bounce 1 and Bounce 2, go with the newer version.
Garmin Edge 550:
The Edge 550 is essentially a button‑only version of the Edge 850 I reviewed earlier. It lacks a touchscreen, the Edge 850’s bike bell, and round‑trip route creation, but those omissions haven’t hindered me. I’ve ridden almost every outing since September with just the Edge 550 (often paired with a Wahoo ROAM V3) and haven’t missed any core functionality. The lack of touch isn’t a dealbreaker, and the unit feels rock‑solid—something many cycling products this year share, unlike most wearables (except the well‑behaved Bounce 2).
Garmin Fenix 8 Pro:
I’ve logged far more miles and adventure testing on this watch than anticipated over the past three months, yet my full review remains unfinished. Overall, it feels like the launch the Fenix 8 should have been, but Garmin’s pricing is aggressive, likely contributing to missed earnings expectations. Early bugs were present, but the device now feels solid. Satellite messaging is a useful backup when cellular coverage drops, though it feels like a first‑generation implementation. If you can find a good sale on the non‑Pro Fenix 8, that’s the smarter buy; otherwise, the Pro version is worth it—just skip the MicroLED variant.
Garmin Forerunner 570:
I covered the Forerunner 970 but haven’t completed the 570 review. The two are nearly identical, except the 970 includes maps while the 570 does not, despite being priced higher than some watches that do. It seems Garmin aimed for a higher‑end Forerunner 270 but bumped up materials and price, resulting in a product that missed its target audience. Had it stayed at Forerunner 270 pricing, I’d be more comfortable with it, but at current levels its niche is unclear.
Garmin HRM‑600 Heart Rate Strap:
This strap has performed excellently since May, with only minor hiccups when pairing with new devices—a side effect of EU regulations that require user acknowledgment before data transmission. Battery life is solid, and it uses Garmin’s standard charging port. The main drawback is price: it costs about twice as much as the Polar H10, so unless you already own Garmin gear and need the extra metrics, the HRM‑200 or Polar H9/H10 are more sensible choices.
Garmin inReach Mini 3 Series:
The Mini 3 Plus is a clear upgrade over the Mini 2, offering voice/photo transmission outside cellular coverage and a handy siren. I’m puzzled by the base Mini 3, which is $50 cheaper yet lacks these new features, especially when the Mini 2 still sells for $249—$200 less with nearly identical core functionality. I’ll publish my full review tomorrow and note a few concerning issues with the Mini 3 Plus, so stay tuned.
Garmin Rally x10 Series:
I’ve been using these pedals since August on road, gravel, and MTB rides, plus trainer sessions. They’re rock‑solid, with minor but appreciated enhancements over earlier Rally models—my wife especially likes the improved square interface for easier travel removal. Battery life exceeds competitors, accuracy is spot‑on, and no early bugs have surfaced. The main downside is price; at this level you could buy two sets of Favero Pro pedals, which is why I’ve added more Favero Pro RS and MX sets to my collection. It’s not that the Rally pedals are inferior, just a less logical purchase.
Garmin Venu 4:
The Venu 4 aims to compete with Apple, Samsung, and Google watches, but it carries a sizable price increase this year. Garmin compensated with many new features, essentially turning it into a Forerunner 570 with added Training Readiness and load metrics, likely in response to Apple’s recent additions. It will be interesting to see if the cheaper Vivoactive 6 cannibalizes Venu 4 sales, as the latter has always been a strong seller.
Garmin Venu X1:
I spent most of my summer with this watch, including several hikes, but got sidetracked by newer releases before finishing the review. My beginner’s guide covers most of my thoughts. It blends elements of the Fenix, Forerunner, and Venu lines into one device, achieving something few asked for. Pricing changes suggest the market is still figuring out its value, yet this year it appears to be the only Garmin watch priced sensibly. Its slim profile reduces battery life, and I wish it had more buttons, but overall I love it, especially at current sale prices.
GoPro Hero 4K Lit:
The main advantage of the Hero 4K (now 4K Lit) series over Insta360 and DJI rivals is that the entire unit, screen included, is fully waterproof. The downside is overall image quality, which lags behind competitors. The “Lit” LED lighting concept is useful for night runs, but pairing it with GoPro’s weaker low‑light performance limits its impact. I hope future models, like a potential Hero 14, combine this lighting with superior low‑light sensors.
Insta360/Antigravity A1:
I flew an early version earlier this year and will receive a full‑production unit soon for deeper testing. The prototype felt half‑baked, but recent reviews show dramatic improvements. It won’t match DJI’s feature set yet, but with DJI products temporarily unavailable in the U.S., Insta360 has an opening. Success will hinge on how quickly they roll out new features—monthly updates would be ideal, and Insta360 has a strong track record of continual enhancements.
Polar Loop:
The Loop feels like the “most improved” award given to a struggling athlete—it highlights how far it is from the target. Designed as a Whoop competitor, it fails to automate data collection, requiring constant user input for accurate results. Firmware updates in November have improved performance versus September, but it still falls short of being a true Whoop alternative.
Wahoo KICKR Bike Pro:
The KICKR Bike Pro is essentially a KICKR Bike V2 with a new handlebar. It works just as well as its predecessor. I posted a short preview and will eventually deliver a full review, though there isn’t much more to add. If you don’t need the up/down functionality of the KICKR series, the KICKR Bike SHIFT or Zwift Ride offer better value.
Wahoo ROAM/BOLT V3:
These two models leave me largely speechless. They launched with a rocky start, and the biggest flaw is the screen—visibility drops dramatically at certain angles and lighting conditions. Battery life tops out at 10–12 hours in real‑world use, so you’re not trading endurance for a superior display, unlike the Edge 550/850. I’ve written extensively about the ROAM V3’s battery discrepancies in my Edge 850 review. Overall, Wahoo spent considerable effort on a model that doesn’t clearly improve on its predecessor and, in some ways, feels worse.
Wahoo TRACKR Radar:
Like the ROAM/BOLT V3, I’ve logged countless miles on this device, perhaps the most of any item on this list. I appreciate the USB‑C connector and its design, and real‑world battery life is acceptable, though it doesn’t match Garmin’s endurance. The radar suffers from frequent false‑positives—often mistaking harmless objects for cars—and occasional false‑negatives, though those have lessened since late summer. It remains our go‑to because of the USB‑C, but the running joke is “Is that a car or just Wahoo?” I’m still torn on its overall value.
Whoop 5.0 & 5.0 MG:
I’ve worn the Whoop 5.0 MG since May, with my wife alternating on the base 5.0. Both perform well, and the 14‑day battery life holds up in my tests. Hardware differences are minor, aside from the MG’s medically certified ECG feature, which only a subset of users will need. The Blood Pressure function isn’t medically certified and still requires occasional calibration with a separate monitor. As always, Whoop is a subscription‑based service rather than a pure hardware purchase. New competitors like Polar and AmazFit have entered the market, but none have significantly dented Whoop’s standing. Whether Garmin will challenge it next year remains to be seen.
Wrap‑Up
That’s the current state of the backlog. Being on this list doesn’t mean a review won’t appear; it just hasn’t been finished yet. I’ll eventually figure out how to handle the relentless flow of new products.
Thanks for reading, and feel free to drop any questions below!
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