Fitness trackers record different aspects of your workouts so that you can meet your goals and stay healthy. There are plenty of fitness trackers to choose from, and so it can get daunting trying to figure out which one might be best for you. They each have different specs, abilities, battery life, and display features.
There are many aspects of a fitness tracker to consider before buying. Here are the top 5 fitness tracker bracelets available and their top features:
- Fitbit Charge 4: Most accurate
- Apple Watch Series 6: Best user design
- Garmin 4: Top health stats tracking
- Withings Steel HR: Great battery life
- Xiomi Mi Band: Most budget-friendly
Everyone has different fitness goals, preferred workouts, and health concerns, so it’s important to make sure your fitness tracker aligns with your specific needs. Keep reading because we’re taking a closer look at the top 5 fitness bracelets and what makes them the best.
Article Contents
Can You Use a Fitness Tracker Without a Phone?
While most fitness tracker bracelets utilize smartphone applications and Bluetooth to enhance your experience, you can use most fitness trackers without a phone.
Depending on the display area and abilities of your fitness tracker, you may not be able to access all the stats that it keeps a record of without the accompanying smartphone app. However, you’ll likely be able to view all available data that your fitness tracker has with the help of a tablet or computer if it’s Bluetooth and WIFI enabled.
Many people want to work out or do a physical activity like hiking and biking to disconnect from their phones but still want to track their goals. If this is what you’re looking for, most fitness bracelets can meet your needs.
You may want to pay close attention to the display screen of the fitness tracker you choose if you plan to use it without a phone. For example, if you’re interested in tracking the number of steps you took along your hike without your phone, make sure your fitness bracelet display can show that specific stat right there on the screen.
Otherwise, you will need a phone to access certain data that your fitness tracker records. Plus, there are many benefits of online fitness trackers!
What Kind of Information do You Get from a Fitness Tracker Bracelet?
The more information you have at your disposal, the better choices you can make. Fitness tracker bracelets can record so many metrics that you can use to reach your fitness goals.
If you’ve never used a fitness tracker bracelet and are looking to get one, you’re probably wondering what types of information they record.
Here are some common stats that fitness trackers often record:
- Beginning and end time of workout
- Heart rate
- Step count
- Calories burned
- Sleep
Whether you want to improve your running times, see how high your heart rate got during a workout, or see how well you’re sleeping, a fitness tracker bracelet can help you get all the information you need to maintain healthy habits and reach your goals.
(If you need a place to purchase those bracelets or any other workout equipment, check out these online fitness equipment stores!)
The 5 Best Fitness Tracker Bracelets Out There!
With a fitness tracker bracelet, you’ll be well on your way to reaching your health and fitness goals, but it’s vital that you get one that suits your specific needs.
Now that we’ve answered some of the most popular questions about fitness trackers let’s get into the details of the top 5 fitness tracker bracelets out there.
1. Fitbit Charge 4
The Fitbit Charge 4 is a revered favorite among fitness enthusiasts for many reasons. A sleek design, amazing battery life, incredible tracking features, and a budget-friendly price make it a home run when it comes to fitness tracker bracelets.
Fitbit is a household name for fitness trackers, and their bracelet’s abilities have only gotten better and better with each model. When it comes to tracking abilities, there’s nothing that this small bracelet can’t do.
The main cons to this device are aesthetic. The lack of color display and small screen can be a problem if you rely on the device’s screen to check your stats and progress. However, most Fitbit users are fans of syncing their watch with the app on their iPhone to get the best view of their fitness progress.
The Fitbit Charge 4’s long list of specs and features can be seen here on their website.
Pros:
- 24/7 heart rate tracking
- Spotify compatible
- Menstrual health tracking
- Sleep tracking
- 7-day battery life
Cons
- Limited band options
- Small screen
- No-color display
At only $129.95, this fitness tracker is well worth the money. If tracking your fitness progress via steps, workouts, heart rate, or sleep is your priority and you need the battery life to back those goals up, then the Fitbit Charge 4 should be at the top of your list.
2. Apple Watch Series 6
Apple watches are some of the most popular and widely recognizable fitness trackers. While you can get an older model that’s more budget-friendly, the series 6 boasts some amazing features that many reviews claim to make worth the price tag.
One of the biggest upsides to purchasing an apple watch comes with its easy compatibility with other Apple products. It pairs amazingly with an iPhone so that you can easily set up the watch face and other features as well as easily see all the different stats and metrics of your fitness activity.
The compatibility of the fitness tracker with your other devices is an important thing to keep in mind when looking at what fitness tracker bracelets will be best for you.
The Apple Watch Series 6 has so many features and specs that are worth checking out. Here are the main pros and cons of the Apple Watch Series 6:
Pros:
- Measures blood oxygen and sleep levels
- Water-resistant
- Large display screen
Cons:
- Lower battery life (18 hours approx.)
- Expensive
- Requires iPhone for setup
The lower battery life is one of the main complaints about this fitness tracker. Many users really love the ability to track their sleep, but this can be quite cumbersome if you have to charge the device in the morning and at night because of the battery life.
If sleep tracking and battery life are on the top of your lists for fitness trackers, this one might not be the best for you.
However, if you’re looking for a fitness tracker that’s waterproof, easily accessible with your phone, and has a large display screen that’s extremely user-friendly, the Series 6 might be your perfect fitness tracker.
3. Garmin Vivoactive 4
The Garmin Vivoactive 4 is an amazing tracker for anyone looking for that large screen display they might be missing from the Fitbit without sacrificing the amazing tracking abilities. However, it doesn’t offer as seamless of an experience between the tracker and your iPhone as you might find with the Fitbit or Apple watch.
The design of this watch is very elegant and perfectly geared towards anyone that wants their fitness watch to also be clean and stylish. In many ways, the face of the watch and the band make it resemble a luxury mechanical watch, which makes it also a great accessory for every day.
Here are the top pros and cons for the Garmin Vivoactive 4:
Pros:
- Abnormal heart rate alerts
- Stress monitoring
- Over 40 fitness and health apps available
- Large display screen with a high number of stats and features
Cons:
- Low battery life
- More expensive
If you’re working on some serious fitness goals like preparing for a marathon, or if you’re looking to keep a sharp eye on your heart rate throughout the day, the Garmin Vivoactive 4 is perfect for you. The GPS tracking on this device does an amazing job of recording your miles ran or biked.
Definitely make sure to check out this fitness tracker bracelet if you have some more room in your budget and want a pleasing design with a large screen.
4. Withings Steel HR
If charging your devices is the bane of your existence and you’re looking for the fitness tracker with the longest battery life, the Withings Steel HR is what you need.
This watch is nothing short of beautiful, with sleek bands in a ton of colors and an elegantly simple watch face that might make you forget you’re even wearing a fitness tracker.
And with the Withings Health Mate app on your phone, you can get easily see all your fitness progress in an easy-to-use display.
Here are the main pros and cons to the Withings Steel HR:
Pros:
- Battery life up to 25 days
- Sleep monitoring
- Water-resistant
Cons
- Non-touch screen
- Minimal display options
If design and convenience are at the top of your priorities list for fitness trackers, the Withings Steel HR will be ideal. When you don’t have to worry about charging the device after tracking your sleep all night, you’re able to spend more time meeting your fitness goals and ensuring that you’re tracking everything important along the way.
However, if you’re looking to measure a wide variety of more specific health metrics like blood oxygen levels, stairs climbed, or need a wide variety of workout modes, this watch might not meet all your needs.
But for your average runner or swimmer who wants a more stylish watch without the hassle of short battery life or complex tracking abilities, this watch is the best.
5. Xiomi Mi Band
If budget is your priority, but you still want a fitness tracker to get a better sense of your fitness goals and progress, the Xiomi Mi Band is much less expensive than most fitness trackers.
It doesn’t boast as many of the more complex features of other fitness trackers with larger screens and more workout options, but it is a durable device with great battery life.
For anyone with simple fitness tracking needs that don’t want to completely break the bank, the Xiomi Mi is perfect. In terms of tracking different healthy habits such as sleeping, step count, and calories burned, this device provides it all.
Here are the pros and cons to keep in mind when checking out the Xiomi Mi Band:
Pros:
- Stress monitoring
- Amazing battery life
- Water-resistant
- Dozens of workout tracking options
Cons:
- No GPS
- Minimalist design
- Small screen
This tracker is not specifically geared towards more detailed tracking of very active people or anyone looking to heavily train for a marathon or triathlon. However, as a beginner fitness tracker or anyone with simple tracking needs who wants an extremely long battery life, this fitness bracelet is perfect.
It’s an impressive device for the price point of $50.
Outro
Choosing the right fitness tracker bracelet is all about assessing your own fitness goals and tracking needs and choosing the model that works best for you within your budget. It’s like having your own online fitness coach on your wrist!
Design, price point, battery life, and tracking abilities are the major factors to consider when choosing the best option for you.
There are plenty of amazing fitness tracker bracelets to meet your needs. With the information in this article, you’ll be able to choose the top fitness tracker for you and get back out there on the journey to meet your fitness goals.
