Fitness trackers are devices that track various fitness-related metrics, including the number of steps, distance walked, calories consumed, sleep patterns, and heart rate. Whether you're working to lose weight, build muscle, or generally lead a healthier lifestyle, a fitness tracker is the ultimate fitness companion.
The best fitness trackers will help you increase your chances of training success. By keeping track of your progress, you'll have a better idea of which areas are doing great and which ones need improvement. To increase your chances of purchasing the right tracker for your needs, we reviewed the best trackers available on the market today.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR fitness trackerS
Before purchasing any fitness tracker, you need to know the factors to consider as you shop around.
Step Counter
This feature helps count how many steps you take in a day. It will include steps taken even while you're moving in place, like jumping or dancing. The technology for counting steps varies from the tracker to tracker, but most of them give fairly accurate results.
OS Compatibility
The two main mobile operating systems are Android and Apple. Some fitness trackers may only work with one of the two, while others are compatible with both systems. You may find that some fitness trackers also only work with specific phone brands like Samsung, iPhone, Sony, HTC, etc.
Distance tracker
This works hand in hand with the step counter since it measures the distance you've walked based on how many steps you've taken. If the fitness tracker has GPS, then the distance calculated is more accurate.
Food tracker
Some fitness trackers allow you to log your meals throughout the day. It will help you identify whether you are in a caloric surplus or deficit. This is handy if you are trying to keep track of your calories for either weight gain or weight loss. You should note that most fitness bands will use US metrics, so if you live in another country, you may need third party apps to help.
Waterproof features
Not all trackers will have this feature, but if you enjoy water sports a lot, it is a handy feature to have. The level of waterproofing varies from being just splash-proof to being submerged. If you swim and need to wear your tracker as you do, make sure you choose one with complete waterproof features.
Battery life
Most of the best fitness trackers claim to offer at least an average of 4 days' worth of battery life on a single charge. However, this may be more or less depending on how you use the tracker. Suppose it is keeping up with many of your fitness goals at once. In that case, it may put more strain on the battery life, compared to using it occasionally.
Calorie counter
What this does is it takes the number of steps you've walked and calculates how many calories you've lost within the distance you covered. This is a handy feature if you are trying to keep track of how many calories you burn.
Best fitness trackers
#1 Fitbit Fitness Tracker
features
Take charge of your fitness journey with this fitness tracker from Fitbit. It helps you monitor your resting heart rate, heart rate when you work out, and even the number of calories you burn. The tracker also helps you track the number of steps you take and the number of hours you were active.
You can fully charge this fitness tracker in 2 hours, and it lasts up to 5 days on a single charge through moderate usage. If you love water sports, this is the tracker since it is waterproof for up to 50 meters. This means that you can still count the calories you burn even if you go on a swim.
The device is comfortable to wear thanks to its elastomer material. It is also flexible and durable, making it the ideal companion during most sports activities. You can also wear it to sleep if you need more information on your sleeping habits. The tracker gives information on your light and deep sleep stages.#2 Xiaomi Fitness Band
features
Xiaomi offers a fitness tracker that lets you view your information on a larger 0.95inch screen. You can simply check the time, or on by the touch of your button, view your updated stats concerning your heart rate, number of steps, and activity information. Through the vibration, you also get alerts to incoming messages, calls, or other notifications. You can view these notifications on your fitness tracker without having to look at your phone.
With a 135mAh battery, you can get up to 20 days of battery life on a single charge, with moderate use. Using the fitness tracker's features constantly will drain the battery significantly faster. It doesn't matter whether you are engaging in low or high-intensity activities; you will barely notice that you are wearing this fitness tracker. Made from thermoplastic elastomer, it is very comfortable and light.
The tracker comes with Bluetooth 5.0 support. Through the help of some third-party applications, you can help you access notifications from apps like Facebook or WhatsApp.#3 Huawei Band Tracker
features
You'll like the AMOLED display that comes on this Huawei fitness tracker. It is touch controlled, with the ability to adjust its brightness. It includes a home button and a built-in GPS that can track your activities even without your phone nearby.
The fitness tracker has a multi-sports mode where you can track your workouts outdoors, indoors, while walking, swimming, or cycling. You can also use the tracker to study your sleeping patterns. It will identify your sleeping problems and suggest ways you can improve your quality of sleep.
In addition to being waterproof up to 50m, this tracker comes with sensors that can track your stroke styles, distance covered, number of laps, and calories lost. This is a handy feature, especially if you swim a lot.
For photo lovers, Huawei included a feature that allows you to use your phone as a remote control for your camera. This is ideal if you need to take better selfies, distance shots, or group photos.#4 Withings Hybrid Smartwatch
features
This smartwatch from Withings doubles up as a fitness tracker. It helps keep track of over ten activities, including running, walking, cycling, and swimming. Knowing your strengths or weaknesses in each of those activities will help you improve and advance in your fitness goals.
If you use swimming to exercise and burn calories, you'll be happy to know that this tracker is waterproof for a depth of up to 50m. You won't have to worry about running out of battery juice since this watch promises 500 days on one battery.
With its built-in GPS, you can easily map your journey, whether you're running, walking, cycling, or swimming, and you can share your journey with others to inspire them. You can also track the quality of sleep you are getting by wearing the watch to bed. Once you wake up, you can check your light and deep sleep phases on the HeartMate app, which is free.
#5 Lintelek Fitness Watch
features
Lintelek offers a fitness watch that is capable of monitoring up to 14 different activities. These include running, walking, cycling, riding, basketball, football, and yoga. To map out your route post-workout, you can connect the tracker to your phone's GPS. You can also share your route on social media to inspire other people to pursue similar fitness goals.
With an intuitive heart rate monitor, you can track your heart rate throughout the day, including when you work. The watch checks your heart rate automatically every 5 minutes.
You can receive important notifications on your fitness tracker as long as it is paired with a compatible smartphone. We like that this fitness watch comes in a variety of colors to choose from. It is available in black, blue, red, green, purple, and pink.
With the fitness tracker, you can also monitor your sleep to see whether you are getting quality sleep or not. The device offers an analysis of your deep, light, and waking sleep for better understanding.
#6 Lintelek Fitness Tracker
features
Lintelek fits this fitness watch with the latest sensors to help monitor your heart rate. You don't even have to activate it; the tracker will automatically monitor your heart rate during the day and night. With 14 sports modes, you can track activities such as running, walking, cycling, and swimming. You can also measure the number of calories lost and the distance covered.
You can receive notifications from apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, calls, and messages, and view them from your smartwatch without looking at your phone. The device comes with a USB port that you can use to recharge it, and it takes up to 3 hours to charge fully.
If you are getting poor sleep, this fitness tracker will help monitor your deep and light sleep cycles. In the morning, you will get an analysis of your sleep pattern, with suggestions on how to improve it. The tracker has a silent alarm that vibrates to wake you up, minus the annoying shrill sound.#7 Letscom Fitness Watch
features
Lestcom offers a fitness tracker with a customizable touch display, various sports mode, and Bluetooth connectivity. Use this device to monitor various activities, your heart rate, and your sleep. It takes up to 3 hours to fully charge this device, and a single charge can last you five or more days.
A handy feature that this fitness watch has is that it can help you find your phone if it's lost. Use the feature to make your phone vibrate or ring wherever it is, making it easy for you to find. You can also set up a reminder for you to stay active if you have been sitting or relaxing for too long.
If you're forgetful, you can use the alarm clocks that come with this fitness tracker. You can set up to 10 alarms to remind you of different things, like taking your medicine, drinking water, exercising, sleeping, finishing a task, and more.