Last Updated on May 23, 2024 by Jhonni Jets
Wearable technology has revolutionized the way we monitor our health and fitness. From simple pedometers to fully-featured smartwatches, today’s wearables offer innovative tools to help users reach their goals. This guide reviews 7 of the top options for wearable fitness trackers on the market.
Wearable technology that tracks fitness and health metrics has become increasingly popular in recent years. Devices like activity trackers, smartwatches, and dedicated sports watches give users insight into metrics like steps, distance, calories burned, sleep quality, heart rate, and more. This data helps motivate individuals to be more active and make healthier choices.
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The wearables market offers a wide range of choices at various price points. Basic trackers focus on step counting and sleep, while more advanced models function as mini computers on the wrist with extensive apps and sensors. Choosing the right wearable depends on an individual’s specific needs and budget. This guide reviews 7 top fitness trackers currently available to help users pick the ideal option for their fitness and wellness goals.
Fitbit Charge 5
The Fitbit Charge 5 is one of Fitbit’s most advanced trackers to date. In addition to tracking steps, distance, calories burned, hourly activity, and sleep, the Charge 5 features an electrocardiogram (ECG) app and built-in GPS. Its large, full-color AMOLED display is easy to read both indoors and out. Stress management tools like a breathing session guide and relaxation timer help users unwind. Battery life lasts up to 7 days in smartwatch mode or up to 8 hours when using GPS and HR.
The Charge 5 tracks heart rate throughout the day and night both continuously and during workouts. Zone minutes data shows time spent in fat burn, cardio, and peak heart rate zones. Guided breathing sessions and a relaxation timer help lower stress. Built-in GPS allows for pace and distance tracking during outdoor activities without needing a phone. Additional features include smartphone notifications, female health tracking, skin temperature, and SpO2 monitoring.
At $180, the Fitbit Charge 5 provides an impressive array of health and fitness metrics in an attractive, comfortable design suitable for all-day wear. Its bright display, extended battery life, and comprehensive metrics make it a top choice for users seeking a do-it-all activity tracker.
Apple Watch Series 7
As the current flagship smartwatch from Apple, the Series 7 Watch builds on the popular Series 6 with a larger always-on display, faster charging, and enhanced durability. Its Retina display stretches nearly edge-to-edge with 20% more screen area than previous models and is 2.5x brighter indoors than the Series 6. The watch is crack-resistant, dust-resistant and water resistant up to 50 meters. It charges 33% faster than the Series 6 via USB-C or wireless charging.
In terms of fitness tracking, the Apple Watch Series 7 monitors all-day activity like steps, calories burned, and active stand hours. Advanced metrics include workout tracking for over 100 exercise types with automatic activity detection. Additional features comprise an ECG app, blood oxygen monitoring, heart rate notifications, and menstrual cycle/ovulation tracking.
Connected GPS allows for outdoor run, hike, and bike routes to be tracked phone-free. Perfect for runners, the Workout app has a refreshed altimeter and cycling directions. All exercise and health data sync seamlessly with the Fitness+ app for on-demand and live workouts. Battery life is rated up to 18 hours but often lasts 1-2 days between charges.
While not the most affordable smartwatch at $399+, the Series 7 is an excellent choice for avid athletes seeking a comprehensive package of fitness/health features and deep iOS integration. Its bright display, onboard GPS, multisport tracking modes, and wide app selection make it a favorite of many dedicated wellness users.
Garmin Venu 2/2s
With an AMOLED display and sophisticated health/wellness tracking, the Garmin Venu 2/2s are perfect companions for active lifestyles. Screen brightness of 1,000 nits allows for easy viewing outdoors in direct sunlight. Premium sensor-packed models track heart rate, Pulse Ox, respiration, stress, menstrual cycle and more. Proprietary Body Battery energy monitoring indicates when the body is ready for activity or resting.
The Venu 2/2s track a wide variety of workouts including walks, runs, cycling, swimming, golf, strength and more with real-time stats. Built-in GPS on certain models logs pace, distance and routes outdoors without tethering to a phone. Dynamic performance monitoring provides indicators of recovery time, training status and ability to handle additional workload. Sleep tracking logs quality, efficiency and resting heart rate at night. Smartwatch features allow for notifications, music control, contactless payments and more.
Battery life endures up to 9 days in smartwatch mode or 8 hours GPS activity mode with regular usage. Advanced metrics, multisport tracking modes, on-wrist health insights, and long power make these watches an excellent value suited for health-conscious athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike.
Polar Ignite 2
For a well-rounded tracking experience at an affordable price, the Polar Ignite 2 stands out. In addition to activity/workout tracking, it continuously measures heart rate from the wrist and provides personalized guided workouts based on fitness level. Nightly Recharge tracking analyzes heart rate variability while sleeping to determine overall stress and recovery.
The lightweight, scratch-resistant design is comfortable for long-term wear. Its full-color touchscreen display is easy to view outdoors in any lighting condition. Various workout profiles automatically recognize and record exercises like running, cycling, swimming and strength training with real-time stats. Connected GPS allows for outdoor route tracking independent of a phone.
Exciting new features include daily training load measurement, FitSpark daily personalized workout suggestions and animated workout guide. It also offers sleep tracking, VO2 Max estimation, respiration tracking, guided breathing and stress management tools. Smartwatch basics like notifications, music control and contactless payments complement its fitness focus.
offering extensive workout and recovery guidance at a wallet-friendly $180, the Ignite 2 gives tremendous value and insight to all types of exercisers and wellness enthusiasts.
Withings ScanWatch
An analog-hybrid smartwatch with medical-grade sensors, the ScanWatch tracks activity alongside key health metrics like heart rate, sleep, ECG, blood oxygen and respiratory rate. The dual-layer watch face displays time conventionally via hands and digitally shows notifications and metrics as needed. Its circular design looks dressy enough for any occasion.
Built-in GPS logs outdoor workout routes and pace directly from the watch face without using a phone. Heart rate is continuously measured, including at night. An ECG function detects irregular heartbeats and alerts users to record and share with physicians. An oximeter tracks blood oxygen levels for altitude, sleeping and respiratory insights.
A wide band of fitness profiles automatically recognize and record exercises. Step counts, calories burned and activity goals are displayed daily. Comprehensive sleep monitoring logs stages and quality and disturbances. Multi-day battery life is achieved between weekly one-hour charges.
Though feature-rich and priced at $300-350 depending on model, many appreciate the hybrid analog/digital design for those wanting fitness/health tracking in a more traditional watch. It offers medical-grade data without compromising style.
Oura Ring (3rd generation)
A comfy ring that slips on as effortlessly as any other, the latest Oura Ring conceals an expansive array of sensors for health insights from the finger. Continuous heart rate data reflects autonomic activation like stress or vigorous workouts. Skin temperature measurements indicate rises and dips related to menstrual/ovulation cycles, inflammation, and sleep stages.
Aside from basic activity monitoring, the ring specially focuses on sleep quality via individualized daily sleep scores and guidance. Metrics encompass duration, efficiency, REM/deep sleep, resting heart rate and temperature variations through the night. Recovery and Readiness scores reveal how well the body has rested compared to exertion levels.
Additional holistic metrics include respiration rate, blood oxygen saturation, and heart rate variability trends. Premium features involve guided meditation sessions and a premium subscription unlocks wellness reports and personalized programs. Water-resistant up to 30 minutes, it tracks activity and sleep 24/7 for a full 7 days per charge.
Though priced at $300, the ring-style form factor appeals greatly to those wanting discrete tracking. Its emphasis on recovery, readiness and dynamics of the entire sleep/wake cycle offer unparalleled insight for high performance athletes and wellness enthusiasts.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4/Watch 4 Classic
Known for their refined circular touchscreen designs, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 4 models take things a step further using the Wear OS x Samsung interface. Both the standard and classic versions offer advanced health sensors, onboard GPS and sophisticated fitness tracking in beautiful packages suitable for every occasion.
Thanks to BioActive chip sensors, the watch and companion Samsung Health program provide on-wrist body composition analysis including body fat percentage, skeletal muscle, BMI and more. Continuous heart rate, ECG and blood oxygen monitoring go beyond simple steps or workout logging. Sleep scores, stress management tools and guided breathing aid restoration.
The watches support over 90 workout modes including running, cycling, swimming and group activities. Complementing comprehensive tracking are Google Assistant, smartphone notifications, LTE connectivity in certain models and durable, swim-proof designs up to 50 meters. Battery life is about 2 days.
Offering advanced health insights via new BioActive sensors and seamless Google-based smartwatch utility, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4/4 Classic are enticing high-tech options for dedicated wellness enthusiasts.
Conclusion
From basic step trackers to robust full-featured smartwatches, today’s wearable technology gives users powerful tools to kickstart healthy habits and reach fitness milestones. This guide covered 7 top performing models that holistically track activity, workouts, sleep, heart rate, ECG and other key metrics. Choices span various forms from wristbands and watches to discrete rings suited for different needs and preferences.
Whether an individual’s goal is to shed a few pounds through daily movement, train for a marathon or triathlon, gain insights into stress levels, or better understand overall health and wellness, there is a high-quality tracker to match. Constantly evolving sensors and intuitive software deliver increased motivation through easy-to-digest data and guidance without phones needed during activities. Wearables have undoubtedly changed how people lead healthier lifestyles through commitment to fitness tracking.