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Fitness trackers are popular for good reason: we want to be healthy, but don’t want to think too hard about it.
A basic Fitbit, which can be worn on your wrist or clipped to your clothing, tracks the steps you take each day. Fitbits have a mobile app, making it easy to control the whole experience through your phone. To charge one, all you have to do is plug the charging cable to your computer’s USB port.
Before you decide on a Fitbit, there are some features to consider. Some Fitbits have screens while others don’t. Some Fitbits include music-playing options, some are bulkier than others, and some have longer battery life. We’ll go over all these features, plus pricing, in our reviews.
We’ve compiled the best Fitbits on the market, so take a peek at our recommendations once you’re ready to make a purchase. Keep reading to learn about all the important features to consider before buying a Fitbit.
To track your activity, Fitbit trackers utilize a 3-axis accelerometer to follow your movements. An accelerometer converts motion, or acceleration, into digital measurements when you’re wearing the tracker. By compiling this data, the tracker can give you a detailed account of the frequency, duration, and intensity of your activity. Because it uses a 3-axis accelerometer, a Fitbit is much more accurate than an old-fashioned, single-axis pedometer.
Though extra functionality varies, depending on the device, most Fitbits track:
Calories burned
Steps taken
Distance traveled
Quality of your sleep
A Fitbit tracker makes you keenly aware of how much you’re moving and how many calories you’re burning each day. It also allows you to set goals, such as 10,000 steps a day, and because you can easily see your progress, it provides extra motivation to make sure that you reach that goal number.
You also don’t have to remember to log your workouts. The Fitbit will do it automatically, so you always know exactly how long and how hard you’ve exercised.
The Fitbit app also allows you to track your water and food intake, as well as your weight, so it’s easy to get a complete picture of your fitness journey. If you have a tracker with a heart rate monitor, you can also get more out of your workouts by seeing how hard you’re working and pushing yourself a little harder if necessary.
Most Fitbit trackers have screens that display the fitness data that’s been recorded. You simply press a button to scroll through the information while you’re wearing the device.
Some screens are larger than others, though, so they’re easier to read. If your vision isn’t very good, you should look for a Fitbit with a larger screen.
Some Fitbits also have touchscreen capabilities to make them even more user-friendly.
Other Fitbit models don’t have a screen. Instead, a series of lights alert you to calls, texts, and goals that you’ve met, but you have to access the Fitbit app on your smartphone to see the exact numbers for your activity that day.
All Fitbit trackers have a rechargeable battery that you can charge with the included cable. However, the battery life for the models isn’t necessarily the same.
Some models have batteries with a life of up to six months on a single charge, which makes it extremely easy to track your activity consistently. Other models can go seven to ten days without needing to be recharged, though there are some trackers whose battery life is only five days.
In general, the larger and more sophisticated the Fitbit is, the shorter its battery life will be.
All Fitbit trackers record steps taken, distance covered, and calories burned. Many also track how many flights of stairs and active minutes you have each day. Some track specific workout types, such as hiking, running, and bicycling, rather than just basic steps. The Fitbit trackers that also have smartwatch features can provide workout summaries and the pace for your workouts.
Most Fitbit trackers feature a clock so you know what time it is as you go about your workout. It also allows you to track the specific duration of a workout, and, of course, replaces a non-fitness wristwatch.
For anyone who enjoys listening to music during a workout, Fitbit with music controls can be convenient for managing your playlist. Instead of dragging your smartphone or iPod out of your pocket to adjust the volume or change the song, you can do it through your Fitbit’s display screen without missing a step.
Staying committed to being active means avoiding prolonged periods where you’re just sitting or lying down. Some Fitbit trackers provide reminders to move each hour, so you can make a point to take a walk around your office or to the corner store. In most cases, the tracker will vibrate to let you know that you haven’t met the activity goal for the hour yet.
Part of a healthy lifestyle is getting enough sleep, so many Fitbit models offer sleep tracking.
These trackers let you know how many hours of sleep you’re getting each night. You can also set a silent alarm to wake you in the morning; your tracker will vibrate to let you know that it’s time to wake up. It’s a great option for getting yourself out of bed without disturbing anyone else.
Some trackers provide more detailed sleep monitoring information, such as how many minutes you were awake and restless during the night. That can help you see how good a night’s sleep you had.
For serious fitness tracking, choose a Fitbit with a heart rate monitor.
These trackers use LED lights to detect blood volume changes, which are then run through algorithms to measure your heart rate automatically.
The monitors indicate several different heart rate zones, such as resting, fat burning, cardio, and peak. Using these zones, you can ensure that you’re getting the most out of your workout by pushing yourself into the peak zone for high-intensity training.
All Fitbits are water-resistant to some extent. That means you can splash or sweat on your monitor without worrying about damaging the tracker.
However, you can’t use most of the models to track swimming.
If you’re an avid swimmer, select a Fitbit that is specifically marketed as swim-proof.
If you want a fitness-oriented smartwatch, Fitbit offers a couple of options that will meet your needs. Unlike the traditional Fitbits, these models have special smart features that integrate more thoroughly with your smartphone and provide functionality beyond fitness tracking.
If you’re an avid runner or biker, your Fitbit’s GPS capabilities allow you to track the route that you take during a workout. As a result, you’re able to get an extremely accurate measurement for the distance you’ve covered, as well as the pace. After your run you can even see a map of your route, overlaid with your speed and heart rate during different segments.
If you sync your phone with your Fitbit smartwatch, you’ll receive call and text notifications on your tracker. In most cases, the wristband will vibrate to alert you of an incoming message and then flash the call or text info across the display.
This can be an especially helpful feature if you need to stay in touch with your family or office during a workout, because you won’t have to pull your phone out of your pocket to know who’s trying to reach you.
A smartwatch Fitbit model can also alert you to appointments on your calendar, so you don’t miss any important meetings.
When you need help coming up with an effective workout routine, a Fitbit smartwatch tracker can come in handy.
The tracker offers onscreen workouts that require little or no equipment and can be done in a small space, so you can do them almost anywhere. The onscreen workout function requires a constant internet connection, though, so you’ll usually need access to Wi-Fi.
In addition to workouts, some Fitbit models also offer guided breathing sessions to help you relax. You can choose from 2- and 5-minute sessions that help slow your heart rate and lower your stress levels.
Fitbits come in in a variety of price points, so there’s likely an option to meet any budget. In general, they range in price from $60 to $250.
These trackers which record data for steps, distance covered, flights of stairs, and calories burned cost between $60 and $100, and are a good option for those just beginning their fitness journey.
The Fitbits that track your sleep and heart rate, as well as remind you to move, are typically priced between $130 and $150. These are good options for more serious athletes, runners, and walkers.
Smartwatch Fitbit trackers that provide all of those fitness tracking capabilities and special features, such as GPS, call and text alerts, on-screen workouts, and music controls, range from $200 to $250. These are best for more serious fitness enthusiasts and people who want to integrate their workout technology with their daily life.
