2017 RANKING & REVIEWS
TOP RANKING BEST FITNESS TRACKERS
What to Know About Using the Top Fitness Trackers
The concept of wearable fitness trackers isn’t necessarily a new one, but you may still be wondering whether or not there are benefits to using the latest fitness trackers.
Some of the main advantages of the best fitness trackers include:
- Many top fitness trackers have built-in pedometers so you can see how far you’ve walked in a day.
- Fitness trackers tend to be a less expensive alternative to a gym membership. You can do home-based workouts and still know how many calories you’re burning, for example.
- A lot of people who uses the latest fitness trackers or the top fitness trackers find that they’re motivating, and encourage them to get and stay active, as compared to when they didn’t wear them.
- With some of the best fitness trackers, you can integrate workout apps, which can help you beat workout boredom and plateaus.
These are just a few benefits of fitness trackers, but there are so many individual factors to consider when you compare fitness trackers. That’s why we created this fitness tracker comparison and list of fitness tracker reviews.
Award Emblem: Top 6 Best Fitness Trackers
This fitness tracker comparison looks at not only the latest fitness trackers but also some of the cheapest fitness trackers, for consumers on a budget. It highlights their specific features that make them among the best fitness trackers available right now.
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AdvisoryHQ’s List of the Top 6 Best Fitness Trackers
List is sorted alphabetically (click any of the names below to go directly to the detailed review section for that fitness tracker):
Top 6 Best Fitness Trackers | Brief Comparison & Ranking
Top Fitness Trackers | Price | Key Feature |
| Fitbit Charge 2 | Includes all-day activity tracking and multi-sport modes | |
| Garmin Vivofit 2 | 1+ year battery life | |
| Jawbone UP3 | Sleep cycle tracking and a Smart Alarm to wake users up at the optimal time | |
| Samsung Fit Gear 2 | Water-resistant up to 4 feet of water for up to 30 minutes | |
| TomTom Touch | Measures body composition data | |
| Xiamoi Mi Band 2 | Pedometer algorithm filters out unnecessary movements for more accuracy |
How to Compare Fitness Trackers
Along with reading fitness tracker reviews, the following are some specific things you should consider as you compare fitness trackers, whether you’re looking for the cheapest fitness trackers, the latest fitness trackers, or the overall best fitness trackers.
Aesthetics and Design:
Yes, you want a functional fitness tracker that has all the features most important to you, but it’s essential to realize this is also something you’re going to be wearing, potentially all the time.
Image Source: Pexels
With that in mind, you’ll want to select the best fitness trackers that feature a design you like. There are even some fitness tracker brands that offer accessories to complement them.
Is it waterproof?
As you compare fitness trackers, try to find options that are waterproof whenever possible, particularly if swimming is part of your exercise routine.
How does it measure and monitor your heart rate and activity? A big reason a lot of people decide to purchase top-rated fitness trackers is to monitor their heart rate and their heart activity, so pay attention to these features when you compare fitness trackers.
What other kinds of data do you want to measure?
One of the biggest ways a lot of top fitness trackers vary is in the types of data they measure. In addition to heart data, consider other data that’s important to you. Maybe you want to monitor all of the steps you take in a day, your caloric intake, your sleep patterns, or the calories you burn.
What’s the mobile app like?
When you’re reading fitness tracker reviews and doing a fitness tracker comparison, look at the functionality of the app that’s used along with the tracker itself. Can you create goals and easily manage your data? Can you link it with friends’ accounts for some friendly competition? Is the mobile app functional with your smartphone?
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Detailed Review – Top Ranking Best Fitness Trackers
Below, please find the detailed review of each of the top fitness trackers. We have highlighted some of the factors that allowed these latest fitness trackers to score so well in our selection ranking.
Fitbit Charge 2 Review
The Fitbit Charge 2 is a heart rate monitor and fitness wristband with a wide variety of available features as well as accessories.
Image Source: Fitbit
Key Factors That Led To Our Ranking of This As One of the Best Fitness Trackers
Details of the Fitbit Charge 2, one of the latest fitness trackers and top fitness trackers, are highlighted below.
All-Day Activity Tracking
This leader among fitness trackers includes all-day activity tracking. This includes tracking steps, distance, calories burned, floors climbed, active minutes and hourly activity with up to a 5-day battery life.
This pick for one of the top fitness trackers also includes reminders to move throughout the day, encouraging you to take at least 250 steps every hour.
Fitness Features
Along with general all-day activity tracking the Fitbit Charge 2 is included on this list of fitness tracker reviews to compare fitness trackers because of the fitness-based features. These include:
- Users can track specific exercises including weights, running or yoga to see workout stats with the Multi-Sport Modes
- With the Fitbit Charge 2, you can connect to your phone’s GPS to see real-time run stats and a map of your route after your workout
- SmartTrack is a feature that lets you automatically record certain exercises, so you get credit for them even if you forget to log them
Another unique feature that comes with the Fitbit Charge 2, one of the top-rated fitness trackers, is the PurePulse option. This shows you how you can improve your fitness over time with the personalized Cardio Fitness Score.
The Fitbit App
As mentioned at the start of this list of fitness tracker reviews, when you compare fitness trackers, it’s extremely important also to consider the app that it comes with.
The Fitbit app syncs wirelessly and automatically with more than 200 iPhone, Android and Windows devices.
Users can set weekly exercise goals to maintain accountability, and they can see summaries of their key workout stats using the app.
The app lets users record their workouts and see how they’re improving over time and track heart rate.
The app also includes options to plan meals, log food, track weight, BMI, and track lean mass and body fat.
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Garmin Vivofit 2 Review
The Garmin Vivofit 2 tracks activity level, and things such as steps and calories. It excels in terms of battery life, and the move bar and audible alert reminder features.
Key Factors That Led To Our Ranking of This As One of 2017’s Best Fitness Trackers
Among the best fitness trackers, the following are some specifics highlighting why the Garmin Vivofit is ranked on this list of the top fitness trackers.
Reminders
There has been a lot of research showing the harmful effects of a sedentary lifestyle, and the Garmin Vivofit 2 is one of the top fitness trackers on this fitness tracker comparison because it seeks to help users prevent prolonged periods of inactivity. The Vivofit 2 features a red move bar on the display and an alert sound that goes off after one hour of no activity.
The move bar builds every 15 minutes until the user walks for a few minute or does a few minutes of some activity that will reset it.
Battery Life
The Garmin Vivofit is the only name on this list of fitness tracker reviews and fitness tracker brands that features a 1+ year battery life. It can be worn 24/7 as a result, and it can be set to sleep mode to monitor what’s happening when you’re at rest.
It also is the only fitness tracker to feature a backlit display, and there are optional accessory bands in a wide variety of colors so you can coordinate it to whatever you’re wearing.
Garmin Connect
Throughout the day of the user, the Vivofit 2, one of the best fitness trackers, will automatically sync to Garmin Connect. Garmin Connect allows the user to see a comprehensive picture of their activity levels and progress.
They can also find additional motivation by participating in online challenges and earning virtual badges.
To sign up, users can access the community from their computer or through the Garmin Connect Mobile App.
Jawbone UP3 Review
The Jawbone UP3 is one of the top fitness trackers and one of the latest fitness trackers, designed to be stylish, lightweight and comfortable. The Jawbone UP3 is also one of the cheapest fitness trackers on this list of fitness tracker reviews, coming in at less than $35 at most retailers.
Key Factors That Led To Our Ranking of This As 2017’s Best Fitness Trackers
Unique features of Jawbone UP3, one of the cheapest fitness trackers and one of the top-rated fitness trackers, are below.
Heart Health Features
The Jawbone UP3, one of the cheapest fitness trackers and a great option for anyone looking for budget fitness trackers, includes extensive heart health features.
It gives users a full picture of their heart health, starting with the Resting Heart Rate, which provides a baseline rate when the user first wakes up.
Then, the Passive Heart Rate is monitored throughout the day, which helps users understand how their daily actions in their regular life impact their heart.
Sleep Tracking
This pick for one of the cheapest fitness trackers offers advanced sleep features. With the UP3, there are features that allow users to track their sleep automatically.
The sleep tracking feature looks at deep, light and REM sleep cycles, and then there are tips based on this information to help users get a better night’s sleep based on their habits.
The UP3 is one of the top fitness trackers thanks not only to heart and sleep tracking features, but also something called Smart Coach. Smart Coach acts like a virtual personal trainer to help in making better choices and celebrating progress. The more someone wears the UP3, the more tailored the Smart Coach becomes.
Additional Features
Despite being one of the cheapest fitness trackers on this list of the latest fitness trackers and top-rated fitness trackers, the UP3 is packed with advanced features. There are the ones listed above, as well as the following that makes this a leader among budget fitness trackers.
- Activity tracking to understand calorie burn
- Food logging with the UP App that stores menu items for thousands of restaurants. You then get a food score.
- Add teammates and create a step competition.
- Idle alerts let you know when it’s time to move.
- The Smart Alarm is an advanced feature of the UP3, one of the top budget fitness trackers, that wakes you up at the optimal time in your sleep cycle, so you feel rested and refreshed.
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Samsung Gear Fit2 Review
The Samsung Gear Fit2 is a sports band that lets users track their running, compete with other people and more.
Image Source: Samsung
Key Factors That Led To Our Ranking of This As One of the Best Fitness Trackers
Below are some of the key features of the Samsung Gear Fit2 that resulted in its ranking as one of the top fitness trackers on this fitness tracker comparison.
Auto Activity Tracking
One of the key features of the Gear Fit2, a leader among the latest fitness trackers, is the ability to automatically track various activities. You don’t have to let this tracker know what type of activity you’re doing because it intuitively knows.
For example, if you’re running it will show you whether or not your pace is healthy, and it also automatically tracks cycling and exercising on the elliptical trainer.
The Super AMOLED display is large and shows stats clearly for quick reference during your workout with a 1.5-inch screen.
Compatibility
The Samsung Gear Fit2 is a highly compatible fitness tracker, giving users a lot of flexibility. It works with Android 4.4 and higher smartphones, and also iPhone 5 and newer.
Some of the specific smartphone brands this fitness tracker is compatible with include Motorola, LG, Huawei, Sony, Sharp, HTC, and Asus.
Gamification
Unique with the Gear Fit2 as compared to many other fitness trackers compared on this ranking is the focus on competition and gamification, which can be great for motivating users to get more active and make healthier choices.
Users can take advantage of the S Health App to set up a competition with friends who also use the app, and they can see who takes the most steps.
TomTom Touch Fitness Tracker Review
The TomTom Touch Fitness Tracker is available with a large or small strap, and along with constant activity tracking, it also features customizable straps and in-depth health monitoring.
Key Factors That Led To Our Ranking of This As One of the Top Fitness Trackers
Among fitness tracker brands and top-rated fitness trackers, the following are specifics of why this is ranked as one of the best fitness trackers.
Body Composition
The TomTom Touch is one of the only fitness trackers compared on this fitness tracker comparison that looks at not just activity tracking, but also body composition.
Body composition data lets users measure their body fat and their muscle mass composition data to have a greater understanding of their health and the impact of their diet and fitness choices.
It also includes a 24/7 heart rate monitor and 24/7 activity tracking.
Phone Notifications
In addition to health, fitness and body composition tracking, like some of the other fitness trackers compared on this list, the TomTom Touch receives phone notifications for compatible devices, so all of your information is right on your wrist.
You can set this fitness tracker up to receive call and text notifications quickly and easily.
This leader among fitness trackers also features a touchscreen display that’s bright and easy to use.
Other features
Like many of the other fitness trackers compared on this list of fitness tracker reviews, the TomTom offers the ability to set goals for yourself based on daily or weekly milestones.
It includes wireless syncing capabilities via Bluetooth to the TomTom MySports app, and there’s a feature called Sports Mode. With Sports Mode, users can log their sports and workouts including calories burned, heart rate and active time.
This also includes up to five days of battery life before charging is required.
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Xiomi Mi Band 2 Review
The Xiomi Mi Band 2 is the cheapest of the fitness trackers compared on this ranking, and while it may be one of the cheapest fitness trackers available, it doesn’t lack in functionality.
Key Factors That Led To Our Ranking of This As A Leader Among the Best Fitness Trackers
Along with being one of the cheapest fitness trackers, the following are specific features of the Mi Band 2, one of the latest fitness trackers and one of the top-rated fitness trackers.
Pedometer Algorithm
One of the most unique features of Mi Band 2, in addition to the fact that it’s one of the latest fitness trackers and one of the cheapest fitness trackers, is its improved pedometer algorithm. This algorithm is specifically designed to filter out unnecessary movements. The result is more accuracy in the measurement of how many steps the user takes.
This pick for one of the cheapest fitness trackers and latest fitness trackers also has a built-in motion sensor, so users don’t have to do anything before starting a workout.
Resilience
This pick for one of the cheapest fitness trackers and one of the top fitness trackers is resistant and durable. You can shower or wash your hands without worry because it’s splash resistant.
The Mi Band 2 is also resistant against sweat, cosmetics, dust and more, and it’s corrosion resistant.
The glossy display of this leader among budget fitness trackers and the latest fitness trackers is UV coated and textured for easier use as well.
Bluetooth Connectivity
The Mi Band 2, one of the cheapest fitness trackers and one of the latest fitness trackers on this comparison of fitness tracker brands, features Bluetooth 4.0 Connectivity.
The 2nd generation low-energy Bluetooth 4.0 chipset allows for fast and stable connections that require less power. This helps extend the battery life and also ensure stability when it comes to data transmission.
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Conclusion—Top 6 Best Fitness Trackers
The best fitness trackers are no longer only for tracking your steps. Over recent years fitness trackers have advanced significantly. The top fitness trackers, including the names on this fitness tracker comparison, have abundant features ranging from waterproof strength to the ability to compete with friends.
Some of the fitness trackers included on this list are also among the cheapest fitness trackers and are budget fitness trackers.
This list of fitness tracker reviews covers some of the top fitness tracker brands and also highlights specific features that set these individual models apart from the extensive competition.
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