April 6, 2023, 12:20 pm | Read time: 8 minutes
Do you want to incorporate more exercise into your daily routine or are you already very active? Maybe you just want to move a little more or aim for 10,000 steps a day. All of these are great goals that bring you closer to a healthy lifestyle. However, to track your fitness in a measurable way, users can hardly avoid technical aids these days. Fitness trackers are perfect for both experienced hobby athletes and beginners to record steps and workouts.
Fitness trackers are an ideal alternative to smartwatches: They are significantly lighter and less conspicuous. With a small display, they also consume less energy and can last for days on a single charge. Thanks to tailored fitness apps, they have become excellent analysis tools to document training success and determine personal fitness levels. But as simple as the wristbands may seem at first glance, the technology behind them is complex. Therefore, we recommend some fitness trackers below that may be suitable for beginners (but of course also for experienced athletes).
Overview
What a Good Fitness Tracker Should Be Able to Do
When motivation is lacking or daily life gets in the way, fitness trackers can be a support. For joggers and trail runners, the built-in GPS measures distance, time, and elevation. A lightweight case and ergonomic design ensure comfortable wear. Sports enthusiasts with a desire for variety appreciate the automatic activity recognition and a powerful battery. Tech-savvy? Then the fitness watch should easily connect to the smartphone.
The good news with so much choice: From occasional athletes to top athletes, there is now a suitable fitness gadget for everyone–and even for a small budget, as affordable fitness trackers are available starting at 25 euros.
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The Difference Between a Smartwatch and a Fitness Tracker
The term fitness tracker often includes smartwatches, although the devices are fundamentally different types and have different functionalities.
Fitness trackers are not designed like a watch but more like a wide bracelet. They do not have a round or square design but adapt more inconspicuously to the wrist’s appearance. At the same time, they still display all important values directly on a usually present display (there are also exceptions without a screen). Functionally, fitness trackers do not necessarily have to perform less than a smartwatch, but the latter is generally more comprehensive (such as SMS or email functions and more).
If you’re looking for a supporter specifically and only for sports or want to know how much movement you actually get in daily life, a fitness tracker is a good choice, especially for beginners. But even for experienced hobby athletes, such a tracker can be a useful addition to training equipment.
Also interesting: These video games promote more movement and fitness
Fitbit Charge 5
The Fitbit brand is one of the most popular and well-known destinations in the field of fitness products (and thus also fitness trackers). The Fitbit Charge 5 impresses as a sporty companion on the arm with many fitness functions. These include automatic workout detection, a pulse and acceleration sensor, and an altimeter. The practical heart rate monitor is also included again. Compared to the previous model, the Fitbit Charge 4, there are two significant innovations: The brightness-adjustable AMOLED screen allows the display to be read even in strong sunlight. Additionally, the Daily Readiness Score evaluates individual fitness and suggests an appropriate training program. All in all, the Fitbit Charge 5 positions itself as a good all-rounder among the best fitness trackers.
Advantages:
- automatic workout detection
- bright AMOLED display with always-on function
- up to 7 days of battery life
- many fitness functions
Disadvantages:
- relatively few apps available
- no music function
- no floor counter
Garmin Vivosmart 5
In addition to high-quality smartwatches, Garmin also manufactures fitness trackers. These are more affordable and still have a lot to offer. Sports enthusiasts can look forward to a solid tracker, although it does not offer many sports modes. Nevertheless, you can track your own oxygen saturation and heart rate. Additionally, various sensors are integrated to ensure the health aspect is not neglected. It is not so pleasing that the fitness tracker does not have a standalone GPS tracker, so you have to take your smartphone with you when jogging and cycling. However, the in-house app is very clear and easy to connect.
Advantages:
- clear app
- large display
- useful sensors built-in
- long battery life (about 7 days)
Disadvantages:
- no GPS tracking
- not many sports modes
- no payment function
- no ability to reply to messages
Read also: What is GPS and how does it work?
Honor Band 6
If you want a fitness tracker with decent battery life, you should take a closer look at the Honor Band 6. According to the manufacturer, the battery lasts about 14 days when fully charged. Additionally, ten professional sports modes have been integrated, and continuous heart rate and oxygen level monitoring is ensured. The tracker has a 1.47-inch AMOLED display with various watch faces to choose from. The wristband is also interchangeable and available in black, pink, and gray. Incoming messages, etc., are also displayed on the screen.
Advantages:
- 95 training modes, including 10 professional sports modes, integrated
- very long battery life with 14 days
- various health tracking options
- large display
- quite affordable
Disadvantages:
- not available for iOS devices
- no GPS sensor
- no always-on display
Amazfit Band 7
Amazfit also offers a fitness tracker with several strong features. Among other things, the activity tracker shines with a very long battery life of about 18 days. Additionally, 120 sports modes are integrated, some of which are automatically detected. A 24-hour blood oxygen monitoring is also ensured and complemented by other sensors. The accuracy of the measurements is definitely a plus.
Advantages:
- 120 sports modes integrated
- waterproof fitness tracker
- many useful tracking options
- compatible with iOS and Android devices
- low price
Disadvantages:
- no brightness sensor
Fitbit Luxe
Fitbit offers several fitness trackers, including the Luxe model. The clear Fitbit app provides useful information about the fitness and health status of users. Additionally, the tracker warns of irregular heart rhythms. You can also pair the tracker with your smartphone to receive incoming calls and notifications on the wristband’s display. A major drawback, however, is the battery life, which is limited to five days.
Advantages:
- many sports modes integrated
- many useful health tracking features
- waterproof up to 5 ATM
- good automatic workout detection
Disadvantages:
- weak battery life
- GPS only possible via smartphone
- screen a bit too small
Also interesting: How do smartwatches measure movements and body functions?
Huawei Band 7
Even though Huawei smartphones are hardly usable here due to the Google ban, the fitness trackers from the Chinese company are still very popular. This includes the Huawei Band 7, which has a 1.47-inch AMOLED display and is available in several colors. Three sensors have been integrated, and various sports modes (96) are available to users. It is compatible with iOS and Android devices, provided you download the Huawei Health app from the respective stores.
Advantages:
- many sports and health modes
- waterproof up to 5 ATM
- available for iOS and Android
- up to 14 days of battery life
- clear display
Disadvantages:
- no own GPS
- no NFC
- display sometimes blurry
Xiaomi Mi Band 7
The Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi focuses on affordable devices for budget-conscious fitness fans and brings the Xiaomi Mi Band 7 to the market, which can compete with high-end products in many aspects. You don’t have to miss out on typical smartwatch features like measuring pulse, steps, and calories, nor on screen space on the 1.62-inch AMOLED True Color display. It offers precise analyses of many different performance areas such as cycling, yoga, or swimming. Due to the extremely light weight of the Xiaomi Mi Band 7, the fitness band is a pleasant companion for all sports activities and everyday life alike.
Advantages:
- cost-effective
- AMOLED True Color display
- water resistance 5 ATM for showers and swimming
- reliable measurements
- “Do Not Disturb” function
- 120 sports modes
Disadvantages:
- build quality could be better
- does not offer NFC for payment function
- battery life slightly decreased compared to the predecessor
Conclusion
From the smart all-rounder to the small sports companion on the wrist–fitness trackers are no longer a novelty in the hobby world. They remind you to leave the desk for a walk, analyze successes, and encourage new achievements–all tailored to the individual user. Whether step counter or comprehensive health picture, fitness bands often match the functions of more expensive tech models like smartphones. On the contrary, their handy designs make them perfect training partners. All the better that the variety of bands and smartwatches on the market allows everyone to find the right fitness companion.