Daily workout and exercise is definitely an effectively way to be healthy and fit. Knowing your progress and how far you need to go to reach your goal may however require a tracker that can consistently keep you abreast of your stats, heart rate and calories burned per activity every single day. Living in a world where everything is made to be handy, technology has gifted these fitness enthusiasts with a fitness tracker that does not only monitors your development conveniently on a daily basis but keep tracks of your sleeping patterns and connects you to your mobile for easy access to several apps and services.
It has become essential that with higher demand follows an abundance of supply of different models, and specifications. There is, however, a few that stood out from the rest, like these five best fitness trackers of 2018.
#1. Fitbit Alta HR – US Version
The slim and sleek design may be the first noticeable feature of this fitness tracker, however, what makes it superior from its class is its advanced PurePulse heart rate, which measures your calories burned efficiently and the new and improved auto sleep tracking system that displays your time spent in Light, Deep and Rem sleep automatically using your heart rate.
It, therefore, does not only monitors your movements and exercises during sun up but even after you have retired from the whole day’s activities. Alta HR is also designed with a SmartTrack Exercise Recognition system that detects your workout spontaneously including running, biking, elliptical and jogging and records them to your dashboard for monitoring of progress. And with a 7-day battery life, you can keep it on the entire time, while still being chic as bands are interchangeable and available in different colors.
Our Conclusion: The promising part of this fitness tracker is its auto sleep tracking feature that is very distinct because it distinguishes and records each of the stages that you go through during sleep. With this, a better understanding about getting quality sleep will be achieved, which is essential in order to function productively during the day. It is versatile and accessible to use on any mobile device you have whether iPhone, Android or Windows.
- Sets reminders, alerts and notifications
- With multiple usages, you will not need any other fitness, nutrition or sleep app
- Comfortable, ultra-thin, stylish and provides minimal distraction
- Easy to charge and use
- Sometimes touch screen needs to be tap several times
- Not water resistant
#2. Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate + Fitness Wristband (US Version)
Maximize your workout using this Fitbit Charge 2 tracker through a simplified PurePulse Heart Rate zone that consistently track your calorie burn all day, steps taken, distance, and floor climbed and displays it on its large OLED screen. This also helps you stay connected to call, text, alerts, notifications, calendar, reminders to move, and even track your sleep and wake pattern through a silent vibrating alarm.
Monitoring and recording your daily activities to see your progress can be done on its SmartTrack feature, with the real-time stats being viewed through its multi-sport mode and by connecting through GPS. And after a rigorous workout and exercise, find time to stay calm with its personalized breathing session based on your heart rate.
Our Conclusion: Fitbit has introduced different models of fitness tracker with different standout features, however, the Charge 2 is considered to be a bestseller because it not only monitors your daily stats and activities but at the same time provides you with the real-time data by connecting through GPS. The guided breathing session is also a useful and unique addition, as not all fitness trackers have this feature. Women especially adore the variety of designs, hence they will surely appreciate the interchangeable band feature of this Fitbit tracker.
- Syncs to any phone automatically with notifications, reminders, and alerts
- Accurate step counter feature
- Provides comprehensive data readings
- Advanced features
- Requires hard tap to get it on
- Charging cord that comes with it is a little short
- The band sometimes fall apart
#3. Samsung Gear Fit 2 – Built-in GPS
With the advancement of technology making everything handy and accessible, tracking your fitness goals is no different. Samsung Gear Fit 2 is designed with a built-in GPS that conveniently provides you with real-time data including calories burned, floors climbed, and sleep quality to easily track your progress. It also keeps count of your steps using a pedometer and monitors heart beat every second during workouts.
The multi-sport tracking system can identify the type of activity you are performing and provides a thorough summary of your sessions on a curved full-color Super AMOLED display. And just like most high-end fitness trackers it posts reminders and notifications and allows you to even respond to texts and calls without needing to take your phone out. One of its amazing features is its ability to be able to connect and control your phone’s Spotify or store your own music, thus exercise just became more fun and enjoyable to do.
Our Conclusion: This Samsung Gear Fit 2 is compatible with not only Android smartphones but also to iOS, so if you are an iPhone user, rest assured that you can still use this fitness tracker without any problem. Its most notable feature is the built-in GPS so you can enjoy different apps, services and even listen to your phone’s music while you work out either by connecting it to Bluetooth speaker or using headphones. It is a multi-purpose tracker with features that are definitely well thought out that you can use even on tough exercise conditions because it is water-resistant.
- Changeable watch faces
- Comes with a built-in GPS
- Water-resistant
- Integrates with mail and other apps for quick message responses
- Hard to get it charged on the cradle
- Several customers complained about the band breaking easily
- Battery drains faster than expected
#4. Moov Now 3D Fitness Tracker – Real Time Audio Coach
Nothing can motivate you to exercise more than a real-time audio coaching that tracks your activities including running, boxing, cycling, cardio exercises and even swimming. It offers free programs that will guide you through the process of achieving your fitness goals effectively in a timely manner.
One of the great things about Moov Now is it does not only update your progress but also educate and reinforces you to complete your daily workout routine, with its Omni-motion sensor that makes use of the military and gaming technology that analyzes your actions in 3D. Its swimming app is uniquely designed with advanced stroke style recognition and lap metrics such as lap time, strokes, turn time and rest.
Our Conclusion: With audio coaching and various sports workout available, this fitness tracker helps reach your goal efficiently, making it one of the best in its class. It is waterproof and offers advanced swimming tracking system on top of its other exercise and fitness routines and posts it on 3D. You may like the fact that it will save you from constant trouble as the batteries do not require charging and may last a maximum of 6 months.
- Replaceable battery up to 6 months of use
- Great tool for swimming, as it is completely waterproof
- The band is securely made and never falls off
- Useful coaching features
- The band collects dust easily
- It has no screen
- Does not register step counts
More: The Review of Best Night Vision Glasses You Should Buy.
#5. Misfit Ray Fitness and Sleep Tracker with Black Sport Band
Combining fashion and functionality makes this fitness tracker one of the top on the list. It keeps you motivated and invigorated to stay fit by providing you with both fitness and sleep data on both your light and deep sleep.
Misfit Ray Tracker is highly versatile because it is water resistant up to 50 meters, hence you can wear at all time. With this, you will be able to connect to some fitness app, set vibration reminders, call and text notifications, and alarms, connect to music and even take a selfie.
Another cool feature is the smart button that allows you control over connected household devices. The “no charging” feature provides convenience as it is powered by a button cell batteries replaceable up to six months of use. And to keep you in style, you can wear it with your watch, or by using its hidden 8-mm spring bars, make it a statement bracelet or necklace.
Our Conclusion: What may look like a minimal tracker, however, makes up for performance and reliability. And in case you decide to extend your activities on the pool, you may do so while keeping it on as it is water resistant. It is also a huge advantage that it is compatible to sync with any IPhones, IPads, Samsung Galaxy and Note and Google Nexus. Aside from workout and fitness exercises, it tracks other sports activities as well like soccer, tennis basketball making it an all-around tracker.
- Replaceable battery up to six months
- Consistently vibrates for message, call and text notifications
- Provides activity goals and detailed data about your sleep, calories burned, and number of steps
- Easy to set up and use even without display
- Sync is not stable and inconsistent that may require you shut down all your other apps
- Difficult to track the steps when you are holding something in your arms.
- The design does not have a screen
Advantages of Using a Fitness Tracker
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Fitness Tracker
Before we get excited and hit the purchase button, we may need to consider the following key points which are vital in choosing for the best fitness tracker that best suit our needs.
- Advanced fitness tracking system
- Battery Life
- Display and design features
- Waterproof
- GPS connectivity and accessibility
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