Best Fitness Trackers Reviewed & Rated
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Fitness trackers have taken the fitness industry by storm, and they keep on trending more day by day. As of last year, 50% of fitness consumers own a fitness tracker. When used correctly a fitness tracker can take your fitness to levels that you did not imagine. Fitness trackers range from simple step counters to the more complicated ones that can monitor blood pressure. They are customized to be stylish and elegant so that you can put them on even on social occasions. There are hundreds of fitness trackers brands in the market and getting a reliable one can be taxing. We have reviewed the ten most credible and reliable fitness trackers currently in the market.
Our Top 3 Picks
- FitBit
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Our rating - Elegant
- Price: See Here
- Ronten
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Our rating - Versatile
- Price: See Here
- JawBone
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Our rating - Smart Coach
- Price: See Here
10 Best Fitness Trackers
1. Fitbit Charge 2
Features/Specifications
Interchangeable accessory bands
Customizable clock faces
Large OLED screen display
Pure pulse rate monitoring
Multisport tracking
Call, SMS, calendar, and sedentary alerts
Splash and sweatproof
Automatic sleep tracking
Auto exercise recognition
Battery life up to 5 days
Price/Value
Fitbit Charge 2 is pricey but a high-value product worth every coin. It is a trusted brand, elegant, accurate and has sophisticated features, purely focused on physical fitness.
Verdict
If you are conscious and strict on your fitness, then Fitbit Charge 2 is an excellent product to own. It offers both fitness and nutrition tracking and offers a wide user base for you to share your progress and achievements. You can set personalized goals, and it makes your fitness journey objective by giving you individualized fitness scores.
- Bands are a bit large
- Has a weak vibration
2. Ronten R2
Monitors 14 training modes
Real-time heart rate monitor
Sleep duration and quality monitor
Remote control of music and phone camera
Connected to a GPS tracker
Call, SMS, sedentary, and alarm alerts
Sleep quality and duration monitor
Battery standby time is 5-8 days, and full charge requires one hour
Compatible with
Bluetooth 4.0 and above
iOS 7.1 and above
Android 4.4 and above
Price
Ronten R2 is reasonably priced and offers features that can be compared to high-end fitness tracking products. It is connected with GPS, compatible with most smartphones, and its mobile application is comprehensive and easy to use.
Verdict
Ronten R2 has high-end product features and is a good buy for you to track your fitness progress comprehensively. You can set goals and get real-time feedback of your workouts, routes, and sleep. This fitness track is also worth considering if you are on a weight loss journey as its mobile application offers nutrition guidance for weight loss.
3. Jawbone JL03-6565CEI-US
Has a smart coach that offers personalized fitness training
Allows food logging
Can connect with other users
Has idle alerts to keep you moving
Has a silent vibrating alarm
Light; weighs less than 4 ounces
Battery life is more than ten days
Compatible with
Android 4.3 or above
iOS compatibility from iPhone 4S, iPod Touch 5th generation, iPad, iPad Mini 1st generation, iPad Air 1st generation
Price/Value
Jawbone UP2 is easy on the pocket and worth buying for its jewel design and personalized fitness tracking features.
Verdict
Jawbone UP2 is suitable for women who want to look good and at the same time track fitness activities. It is a good buy if you engage in light physical activities, especially walking. In terms of exercise, Jawbone Fitness tracker tracks steps, different physical activities, and overall calorie expenditure. With its Android and iPhone application, you can set nutritional goals, log in daily meals, calculate calories consumed for the day, and get nutritional tips to achieve your desired weight.
If you would like to monitor your workouts and nutrition entirely for weight loss, then this is a product to consider.
4. Nike FuelBand SE
Available in three sizes: small, medium/large, and extra-large.
Comes with a free Fuelband application for iPhone and iPod
Has an ambient light sensor
Has an improved battery life
Built-in USB
Shows daily progress
Offers sleep tracking
Tracks multiple sports
Has hourly reminders to keep you on the move
Compatibility
Bluetooth 4.0
iPhone 5 and above
Price/Verdict
Nike FuelBand SE is highly priced compared to other products with the same features, but then it is sleek, elegant, tells you the intensity of your workouts and offers the kind of motivation that most other fitness trackers cannot compare to.
Verdict
If you need an extra push in your fitness lifestyle, then Nike FuelBand SE is the product to own. It has hourly reminders to move, individualized milestones to achieve and trophies to celebrate your success. If you like connecting socially, the tracker’s application sends your Nike activities to your online profile.
Only compatible with iPhones
No heart rate sensor
5. NewYouDirect
Built-in USB
Bright LED tap display
Waterproof IP67
Has anti-lost vibrate when the phone is out of range
Allows sports target setting
Has a sleep monitor
Call, SMS, alarm, and sedentary alerts
Compatible with
IOS 7.1 and above
Android 4.4 and above
Bluetooth 4.0 and above
Price/Value
NewYouDirect is a budget product but still does not compromise on the quality of its features. With it, you can track multiple sports and enjoy its tailormade fitness application on the phone. It offers most of the features that other high-priced trackers offer.
Verdict
NewYouDirect is an affordable and smart product to buy if you engage in different sports activities. You can also monitor your sleep and exercise routines with its smartphone application. If you do not want to spend too much on a fitness tracker, then this is the product to consider. It does not disappoint on its accuracy level too.
6. Antimi
SMS, call, and sedentary alerts
Anti-lost alert when phone is out of range (5 meters)
0.86 inch OLED HD Display screen
Uses 'Veryfit for heart rate' mobile application
Has a USB plug
Remote phone camera control
Battery full charge is in one hour and has a standby time of seven days
Compatible with
Bluetooth 4.0 and above
Android 4.4 and above
iOS 7.1 and above
Price/Value
Antimi fitness tracker is easy on the pocket and still has excellent features to track your workouts. It is compatible with most smartphones thus gives the advantage of storing and viewing your exercise results for as long as you want to.
Verdict
Antimi is suitable for you if your fitness activities are cardio based. It gives you a chance to know in which cardio zone you are in, and when your fitness level gets better. You can store your data in the 'Veryfit for heart rate' mobile application and keep on reviewing your goals.
7. Ikeepi
Multiple sport functionalities
Heart Rate monitor
Sleep monitor
Connected to GPS
Built-in USB plug
Waterproof IP67
Battery standby time of 7 days
Compatible with
Bluetooth 4.0 and above
IOS 7.1 and above
Android 4.4 and above
Price/Value
Though it does not have all features that other fitness trackers of the same price range have, Ikeepi is worth buying for its accuracy, multiple sports functionalities and compatibility with many smartphones.
Verdict
Ikeepi is a good buy if you want to track several physical activities and monitor heart rate and sleep. Its application is also easy to use and suitable for most ages.
8. Torntisc
Lights Screen when the hand is raised
Monitors heart rate
Call and SMS alerts
Silent vibration
Battery standby time is eight days and charge time is 1 to 2 hours
Keeps data for 7 days
0.96-inch OLED display touchscreen
Waterproof IP67 protection
Compatible with
Bluetooth 4.0 and above
Android 4.4 +
iOS 7.1 +
Price/Value
Torntisc is fairly priced for the features that it has. It is accurate and offers a wide range of functionalities for fitness.
Verdict
Torntisc is a good buy if you like keeping track of your physical activities and reviewing your activity history. It is also excellent if your exercise routines have involves different sports. The tracker’s mobile application keeps data for each activity separately and gives a summary daily, weekly and monthly.
No GPS connection
9. Imoo House
Waterproof
Battery standby time of 5 days
Call and SMS alerts
Connected to GPS
Multisport tracking of indoor and outdoor physical activities
Monitors light and deep sleep
Remote music and phone camera control
Compatible with
Bluetooth 4.0 and above
Android 4.4 and above
iOS 7.1 and above
Price/Value
Imoo House is a value product that is fairly priced for its features. It has multiple sports functions, compatible with smartphones and also monitors sleep and heart rate.
Verdict
Though customers complain that Imoo House fitness tracker is a bit difficult to use, once you learn how to use it, it proves to be a valuable device with superior functions as compared to other devices of the same price range. The user manual is well detailed; it will be easy for you to learn. Also, if you like cycling, this is one of the most accurate trackers for cycling.
10. Coffea H7-HR
Tracks over 14 training activities
Sleep and heart rate monitor
Connected to GPS
Has a 24-hour activity timeline
Has five watch faces
Call and SMS notifications
Silent vibrating alarm
Remote control of phone camera and music
Inbuilt weather forecast system
Has a real-time timer and a breathing guide.
Compatible with
Bluetooth 4.0 and above
Android 4.4 and above
iOS 7.1 and above
Price/Value
Coffea is reasonably priced considering that it offers a broad range of features and compatibility with so many mobile devices.
Verdict
If your exercise routine involves many types of workouts, then Coffea H7 is a worth buy. With it, you can track over fourteen activities, and it comes with a free mobile application that you can use to monitor your fitness progress for over a year.
- Tracks over 14 activities
- Inbuilt weather forecast
- Five watch faces
- Can hang up calls
- Connected to GPS
- Heart rate monitor
- Has a breathing guide
- Waterproof
- Large screen display
- Easy to set up
- Touchscreen display
No user manual
Benefits of Using a Fitness Tracker
Fitness trackers are one of the best ways to monitor your workouts and fitness level. Research studies have shown that using a fitness tracker is likely to improve your fitness by more than 30%. There are different types of trackers with different functionalities, but most of them calculate steps, calories used, distance covered and pace. The more sophisticated ones can monitor heart rate, sleep, the pace of your workouts, are connected to GPS and can tell the altitude and elevation of your workout routes. Most of the modern fitness trackers come with smartphones applications, with which you can track your progress and connect with other users.
Here are the top benefits of using a fitness tracker in your workouts.
Motivation
Most fitness trackers have a feature to set individual goals to compete against yourself. They psychologically motivate you to achieve your goals and encourage you to do better than you did yesterday, last week or last month. By examining your previous performance, you can best learn when to push yourself to your next fitness level. Other trackers connect you with other users, with whom you can make group goals, share motivation and show off your achievements. A fitness tracker motivates you to go beyond your comfort zone; it is not just about taking your daily jog in the same route, same pace, and same distance. It gets you beyond your usual with individual and team competition.
Accountability
Sometimes exercise feels like a punishment, and it is hard to keep up with it. Studies show that about 50% of people give up on their exercise routines within few months of starting. With a fitness tracker, you set goals which you are accountable to yourself. Some trackers have reminders to alert you when it is time for your exercise, and others have personalized coaches that make a fitness calendar for you to follow. With most fitness trackers you get daily results on your performance. It is quite difficult to say no to such efforts.
Health Safety and Improvement
Most fitness trackers can monitor your heart rate. Others can even monitor blood pressure. To some people, this is a powerful tool to can save a life especially if one has a medical condition that requires consistent tracking of heart rate and pressure. The device can give a warning when these health parameters are dangerously high or low.
Understand Your Sleep Pattern
Sleep is often overlooked yet it is a crucial aspect of overall health, fitness and weight loss. Getting sleep in the right quality and quantity protects mental and physical health. Getting enough sleep keeps your mind focused, leaves you refreshed and energized to burn more calories and boosts fat loss. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults should have 7 to 9 hours of sleep to enjoy sleep benefits. However, only 40% of adults consistently get these hours of sleep. A fitness tracker can help you track your sleep duration and quality thus help you fix your sleep pattern. Fitness trackers are also helpful to individuals with sleep disorders.
Key Factors to Consider Before Purchase
Your Fitness Goals
When buying a fitness tracker, choose one that has software and technology suited for your preferred fitness activities. For instance, if you want to use a tracker for cycling, choose one that can be connected to GPS for you to map routes and track your pace and distance. If your main activity is swimming, get a fitness tracker that is waterproof.
Compatibility with Your Phone
It is important for you to ensure that the fitness tracker you are buying is compatible with your phone. Most trackers are compatible with Android and iOS phones, though there are exceptions. If you buy one that is incompatible with your phone, you will miss out a lot since most fitness trackers work best when paired with your phone. For instance, you will need to GPS on your phone to track your routes, control music and the phones’ camera, and also, use the device’s application on your phone to monitor your progress.
Usage Recommendation
Most fitness trackers are ready for use when fresh out of the package. However, there are some few things that you will need to set up, to maximize on accuracy and output of your device. First, set up an online account and download the tracker’s mobile application. The mobile app that comes with the tracker is as important as the fitness tracker itself. All your workouts’ data will be sent to the application for you to keep on reviewing your fitness progress.
We recommend that you set customized goals like the number of calories, steps, and distance that you want to achieve in a day. Some applications also have a feature to set weight loss goals. You will then use the application to monitor the goals and share your achievements.
Some devices may require you to manually switch modes when changing from one exercise to another or when sleeping, while others automatically detect changes using your heart rate. It is crucial for you to know the type of device that you have for you to make the necessary changes and ensure that you are getting the most accurate results.
Battery charging is another factor to consider, before using your device. Most manufacturers recommend that you should charge the tracker for at least one hour before using it, Most of the fitness trackers also require recharging after 5 to 10 days of use.
Product Criteria for Evaluation
Fitness trackers have become popular devices for most fitness products consumers. Manufacturers are producing improved and new tracking devices almost every year. Therefore, there are plenty of great activity trackers in the market and choosing one that is best suited for your needs may be a daunting task. We carried out a rigorous market research and came up with a list of the top best credible and reliable fitness trackers. This is the criteria that we used to come up with the list.
Brand Reputation
According to a study conducted by YouGov, 22% of consumers consider brand reputation before purchasing a product. Therefore, we chose fitness trackers with the strongest reputation in the market. We chose products whose manufacturers are recognized for producing devices that reliable, accurate, and credible. The selected devices are also known to be good value products with excellent features. The carefully chosen products rank the highest in regard to user-friendliness, reliability, and comfort. For instance, our top product FitBit Charge 2 was one of the leading brands for fitness devices as of the first quarter of this year.
User Reviews and Ratings
We sought to get credible feedback from customers who had already bought and used fitness trackers. We went through their in-depth reviews and ratings and chose the products with the best feedbacks and highest ratings. However, most experiences differ from one person to another and not everyone who gets a 100% satisfaction. So, we also identified critique reviews of each the selected products, and gave you pros and cons of each product.
Specifications
We understand that users have different needs and preferences in regard to product features and specifications. Therefore, we selected products that have both simple and complex features. The ones with simple features are easy to use and less costly. The more complicated ones have superior features, give complex output and are pricier.
Product Testing
We tested each product that we have reviewed and proved that they meet manufacturers’ claims. We selected products that were credible, reliable and more than 90% accurate. Other things that we checked were durability, battery life, and ease of use.
FAQs
How do fitness trackers work?
Fitness trackers use accelerometer sensors to detect movements while others use sensors to detect a change of heart rate and thus, determine intensity of the movements. Most of the fitness trackers count steps, calorie expenditure, distance covered, pulse rate, sleep, temperature and sweat levels. Also, the trackers sync with smartphones and computers to store data of your daily physical activities.
What is the difference between a pedometer and a fitness activity tracker?
Fitness trackers give you more than counting steps, which is what most pedometers offer. A fitness tracker gathers more data on calorie intake and usage, sleep quality, and heart rate.
Do fitness trackers monitor all physical activities?
While there are fitness trackers that have multisport functionalities, most cannot adapt to analyzing all types of sports activities. Even those that can track many physical activities, you have to manually switch modes in between the activities.
How will I synchronize my fitness tracker with my phone?
Fitness tracking devices use Bluetooth to sync with your phone.Thus, you will need to turn on your Bluetooth settings to pair with your device. Once you have paired, you will see the fitness tracker transmitting data to your mobile application.
Are they 100% accurate?
Most fitness trackers are not 100% accurate. A margin error of not more than 10% is acceptable.
When should I wear my fitness tracker?
Fitness trackers are designed to be worn either throughout the day or during your specific workouts. Also, your fitness goals can determine when you should put your device on. For instance, if you would like to monitor your daily steps or the number of calories that you burn in a day, put on your device from when you wake up and stay with it throughout the day then read your results just before bedtime.
Where can I buy a reliable fitness tracker?
You can buy a fitness from a sports shop outlet, drug store or online. However, it is the internet that is most convenient. Sites like Amazon give you an opportunity to view various products, compare prices and review users’ feedback and rates. You will most probably make the best-informed decision by purchasing online.
