What are the best ways to test wearables for usability?

1 Define your goals and metrics

Before you start testing, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and how you will measure it. What are the main tasks and scenarios that users will perform with your wearable? What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) that reflect your usability goals, such as completion rate, time, errors, satisfaction, or engagement? How will you collect and analyze the data, such as surveys, interviews, observations, or analytics?

2 Choose the right methods and tools

Depending on your goals and metrics, you can use different methods and tools to test wearables for usability. Lab testing, for example, allows you to control the variables and get detailed insights in a controlled environment; however, it may not reflect the natural context and conditions of use. Field testing, on the other hand, allows you to understand the context and challenges of use in real environments; however, it may be difficult to access, monitor, and measure. Lastly, remote testing enables you to reach a wider and more diverse audience; however, it may have technical limitations and lower quality of data.

3 Consider the form factor and interaction

Wearables have different form factors and interaction modes than other devices, such as smartphones or laptops. They are typically smaller, more personal, and rely heavily on sensors, gestures, voice, or haptics. It is important to consider how these factors impact the usability of your wearable and test them accordingly. For instance, you should consider how comfortable and convenient it is to wear and use your wearable for different activities and postures. Additionally, you should assess how easy and intuitive it is to access and navigate the information and features on your wearable's screen or interface. Moreover, you should evaluate how well your wearable responds to user input, such as touch, motion, or speech. Finally, you should determine how effective and appropriate the feedback and notifications that your wearable provides are, such as sounds, vibrations, or visuals.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?