The Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 is exactly how people in the 1980s would’ve imagined a smartwatch would look like in the 2020s
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
T3 Verdict
Throwback aesthetic is on point
Case, bezel, and band are made with bio-based resins
Connects to Apple Health
Reasons to avoid-User interface on watch is clunky at best-Tracking your health stats in the Casio app isn’t optimal-Unless you’re a G-SHOCK fan, it’s hard to justify the asking price
User interface on watch is clunky at best
Tracking your health stats in the Casio app isn’t optimal
Unless you’re a G-SHOCK fan, it’s hard to justify the asking price
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Jump to category:Price and availabilitySpecificationsDesign and build qualityFeaturesHealth and fitness trackingVerdictAlso consider
Jump to category:Price and availabilitySpecificationsDesign and build qualityFeaturesHealth and fitness trackingVerdictAlso consider
Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 deals
$299$245View$279.98$264.09View$299View
$299$245View
$299$245View
$299$245View
$299$245
$245
$279.98$264.09View
$279.98$264.09View
$279.98$264.09View
$279.98$264.09
$264.09
$299View
$299View
$299View
$299
$299
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
The wearable market is constantly in motion, which is excellent news for someone like me who makes a living reviewing thebest smartwatches. I only have two wrists, though, limiting the number of intelligent timepieces I can review at the time (two, to be precise). This means that the review of some watches deemed less time-sensitive will always be pushed back, and that’s exactly what happened to the Casio G-Shock DW-H5600.
It’s unfortunate, as this retro-looking watch is actually a fun timepiece. I tested many smart G-Shock watches, including theCasio G-Shock Pro GSW-H1000, theCasio G-Shock GBD-H1000, and most recently, theCasio G-Shock GBD-H2000, the latter of which is most closely related to the DW-H5600, thanks to the Polar integration, allowing the watch to collect and analyse health and fitness data like a ‘proper’running watch.
Unlike the bulky G-Shocks mentioned above, the Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 isn’t bulky, making it better suited for all-day wear. It features a more sustainable resin body and, most importantly, looks and behaves like a wrist wearable people in the 80s thought smartwatches would look like in this day and age. Should you get one? Let’s find out!
Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 review
Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 review: price and availbility
The Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 was announced in April 2023 and launched in May 2023 and is available to buy now directly fromCasio UKandCasio USwith prices from £269/ $299 (approx. AU$ 471).
I tried finding out how many colours it’s available in during my research, but Casio doesn’t make it easy to determine this. The UK site lists three colours, whileCasio’s international websitehas around three million different options. Either way, I tested the DW-H5600-2ER version, which has a pale blue case and strap.
For the best Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 prices in your location, check out the price widgets at the top and bottom of this review.
Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 review: specifications
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 review: design and build quality
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
However, one exciting new addition is the bio-based resin bezel and band made with a new eco-friendly material. Bio-based resin is said to use renewable and sustainable organic resources such as corn but is rugged and offers the same wearing experience as classic plastic G-Shock models. Indeed, the Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 is water-rated to WR20BAR (200 metres) and has the same shock-resistant features as all G-Shock watches.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
The watch features a small memory-in-pixel (MIP) always-on display, similar to classicGarmin watches. MIP displays aren’t as flashy as some of the AMOLED screens you see in modern wearables. They are also less energy-intensive, which helps improve battery life. Surrounding the MIP screen, you’ll find a solar harvesting ring, which is said to improve battery life even more as long as you expose the watch to enough sunlight.
I mentioned that the display isn’t huge, which means the data on the watch is pretty small, too. I usually get away with reading my smartwatches without using my glasses, but not the Casio G-Shock DW-H5600. The menu options are absolutely tiny!
You’ll find four push buttons around the edge of the case, and they are a bit of a pain to control. They are shallow and sit too deep in their recesses, making it impossible to press unless you use your nails. I have pretty big fingers, which I assume didn’t help, but I would’ve appreciated the buttons being operated more efficiently, considering the watch hasn’t got a touchscreen.
Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 review: features
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
It does all the digital watch stuff, though, such as being able to tell world time (38 cities + UTC), sunrise/sunset times, and moon age. It also has a stopwatch functionality, a countdown timer (60 Min.), four daily alarms (with snooze), and a vibration alert. Most smartwatches can do these things, too, so nothing super exciting here.
Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 review: health and fitness tracking
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
What differentiates the Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 from your standard G-Shock watches is its supposed capability to monitor health and fitness. Polar watches are renowned training tools among athletes; the idea of combining this functionality with the retro aesthetics of G-Shock watches is indeed enticing.
Sadly, there is no GNSS, so the watch relies on the motion sensor to determine distance, which will never be as accurate as GPS-backed systems. Remarkably, the Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 isn’t too far off compared to full-blown multisport watches when it comes to tracking distance. That said, I wouldn’t use it for anything too serious.
Another slight hindrance is the Casio app. Unlike well-thought-out companion apps likeGarmin’s Connect, the Casio app feels rather clunky, with the homepage not acting as a dashboard but more like an advertising space for Casio. You’ll find most of your data under the third tab, grouped under the scrollable cards you get for each day you wear the watch.
It’s not the worst system, but there is a complete lack of gamification, and you can’t see your trends either, both of which usually help people stay active over time. For passive tracking, it’s more than enough data, but one wonders what’s the point of having the refined Polar algorithm on board if you aren’t really using it. Maybe Casio has to tweak its app to make it look more like theredesigned Fitbit app.
Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 review: verdict
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
I said many less-than-appealing things about the Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 in this review. The truth is, I don’t dislike the watch, although I wish it were better. It’s the first smart G-Shokz I didn’t want to take off as soon as I finished testing, thanks to the more compact case and the throwback aesthetic. As a millennial, these kinds of wearables will always have a special place in my heart.
That said, unless you’re a G-Shock fan, you’ll find better smartwatches for the same or less money. Casio needs to pivot towards not advertising digital watch features as smart features, like World Time, which a smartwatch should automatically be able to tell anyway since it’s connected to your smartphone. Notifications and breathing exercises without a respiration sensor just won’t cut it in 2023.
Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 review: also consider
There is nothing quite like the Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 on the market today I can recommend. There are plenty of excellent wearables on T3’s best smartwatch guide, but I feel the closest alternative would be something like an older Garmin with a MIP screen, like theGarmin Forerunner 245or theGarmin Forerunner 55. None of them has as much swag as the Casio, but they are much better at tracking fitness.
Casio G-Shock DW-H5600: Price Comparison
$299$245View$279.98$264.09View$299View
$299$245View
$299$245View
$299$245View
$299$245
$245
$279.98$264.09View
$279.98$264.09View
$279.98$264.09View
$279.98$264.09
$264.09
$299View
$299View
$299View
$299
$299
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
This case turns your iPhone or Android phone into an e-reader, but there’s a catchActually, there are a couple…
Actually, there are a couple…
Traeger’s new Woodridge pellet barbecues have got me excited for grilling seasonTraeger debuts three new wood pellet grills
Traeger debuts three new wood pellet grills
How to watch the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct and what to expectWe should get a deep dive and more details on the Switch 2 in April
We should get a deep dive and more details on the Switch 2 in April
