Best Fitness Trackers in 2019 • Top 10 Bands Reviews

Last updated: May 25, 2019

Fitness wristbands, so-called wearables, increasingly very popular. These little helpers in the wristwatch format present with a futuristic design and are filled with much high-tech. With these bracelets, we can create our own individual training plan and achieve athletic goals. These are converted to the day less than 30 minutes. One of the main reasons is a lack of motivation. Many slide also diseases and some time in the foreground. The question arises, how we can motivate people, that they move more. A solution could be a modern fitness bracelet.

With a fitness wrist we can record every move and have our personal performance data at a glance. In our reviews for best fitness activity trackers in 2019 we would show you, what they really afford devices and also issue you a buy recommendation. In the table below we have the 10 best fitness listed bracelets with all important data, so that you can perform a comparison here immediately.

Best Fitness Trackers in 2019

What is a Fitness Tracker?

How does a Fitness Tracker work?

Let you know how our fitness bracelet winner work, we would like to explain you a little closer the functioning. Basically it involves bracelet at a fitness a step counter. Most devices can but a little more like for example :

• Fitness bracelet with GPS
• The distance record and evaluate that.
• Send the data to a Smartphone and
• An individual training plan to put together.

A motion sensor, these devices can record accelerations. Depending on the manufacturer, different metrics are recorded. You should have most definitely a distance Tracker, a timer and a stopwatch. Optional, but also the heart rate and calorie consumption can be measured.Before you create such a fitness bracelet, you must either perform the basic settings of a button on the device, through the sensor-controlled interface or via an app on your Smartphone. To do this, it is important that you connect your bracelet via Bluetooth to your Smartphone. In this way, you can enter different training programs.
Then you can start your first steps. A good fitness bracelet is different, whether you run or just walking. You have about a fitness bracelet with GPS functionality, you can retrieve very accurate distance information. Even slopes can then be obtained through an altimeter.A small tip on the edge: If your fitness wear wrist strap around the clock to get the most accurate training values. Because these devices are waterproof, you can take them in the shower. Your bracelet is to motivate the daily movement. If you have previously set a goal and in the afternoon have not yet achieved this, your fitness will point you bracelet. It makes you then also proposals, whether you should take not maybe a few rounds jogging or a long walk.If we wear our wristband around the clock, such models are, with which we can monitor our rhythm of sleep. Especially soft and gentle awakening in the light phase of sleep is supported by the use of these devices. Your alarm clock is superfluous. You feel much more alert and rested this and can start the day with ELAN.

Benefits and Applications

Anyone can use a fitness bracelet. It is the ideal choice for all those who want to play sports in addition in everyday life with its motivational effect. Bracelets are therefore very well-suited to Office people who rarely find time for sports activities fitness.
Two lovers in activity with HundGehen you to walk more often and avoid short car journeys. Frequently run up the stairs and take long walks. Your electronic guide helps you with important status indications. Those who already own a stylish wristwatch, can certainly access a simple tracking band without display. In conjunction with the appropriate app for your smartphone you can check at any time via your personal training success.

• The benefits of fitness wrist band:
• Particularly good sports motivator
• Attractive design
• Sufficient functionality
• Waterproof
• Attractive price / performance ratio

What kinds of Fitness Trackers are there?

In our fitness tracker reviews would we introduce you to now the various kinds of bracelets. This is the basic designs and manufacturers bring new models with different features on the market.

The fitness bracelet with display

The most popular fitness includes bracelets with integrated display. This is only understandable, you can directly read off immediately all important status messages about this. Models with AMOLED – or OLED display are particularly comfortable. These provide a sufficient resolution. This does not necessarily, you need your Smartphone.To note, it is only that wristbands with extensive functions faster come to the limits of their battery life. In some devices, you must every two to three days, recharge the battery. As an alternative we can recommend the slightly cheaper models with energy-saving LEDs. The basic data are displayed over colored fluorescent strip. These devices achieve a higher battery life.

Advantages of the trackers with display

• Direct display of all important information
• Attractive design,
• Smartphone connection is not necessarily required.

Disadvantages of bracelets with display

• Higher power consumption and
• Thus shorter battery life
• May be expensive.

The fitness bracelet without display

• Accurate positioning,
• Detailed record of routes,
• Comes with or without display.

• Higher power consumption and
• Shorter battery life,
• May be expensive.

How we did our reviews on these Fitness Trackers

For our reviews of best fitness trackers we took various models and have reviewed those thoroughly. The following test criteria we want to draw your attention to the specific characteristics of the product. So you can better compare the different bracelets afterwards and make your personal purchase decision.

Packaging & design

Most fitness wristbands are offered by most manufacturers in an attractive cardboard and plastic packaging. Depending on the model, it is a great gift packaging. Included a loading and data transmission Terminal, if necessary a charger and of course a detailed documentation included in addition to the actual fitness bracelet.
Great value is placed on the design. After all, it must be considered that many customers wear this bracelet around the clock. Therefore you must carefully consider here, whether a stylish exterior may be a higher price is worth. We find bracelets, which are particularly attractive and modern, and others, which first and foremost is the functionality in the foreground. There are striking models and those that don’t immediately fall into the eye.

Material & Comfort

The comfort depends on the material used. The models made of soft flexible plastic have proven particularly. They are generally so easy that we don’t feel on the wrist.Otherwise, it looks at the rigid straps made of hard plastic. These are very robust, could be very disruptive but at everyday work, such as typing on a computer keyboard. A pleasant wearing comfort is also decisive for the models that we want to wear even at night to monitor our sleep cycle.If you want to achieve high value on accurate fitness values, then you should wear formerly bracelet your fitness around the clock. Because most of the models are waterproof, you can use this in the shower.

Display

If you opted for a fitness bracelet display, then you will find out many differences here. Most ads are presented in narrow, elongated shape, that are no wider than the bracelet itself. Some manufacturers offer only a colorless and simple display with the most relevant ads, others are equipped with a colour OLED or AMOLED display.
Here it depends on whatever, how much information you want to be shown. A colored LED bar as a progress bar reaches one, someone else would like to have a highly sensitive touchscreen interface with all important data, however. We find that the choice of the display first and foremost depends on personal preferences. Regardless of using a LED bar display, a monochrome or color display, or a touch-screen interface. in all cases, keep in mind that this battery life can reduce.

Features

In our testing, we have found that every manufacturer offers a range of other functions. While it differs in different series of the same manufacturer. Standard features include in any case:

• The pedometer,
• The distance measurement and
• The display of the calories spent

Alone in the pedometer and distance measurement there are some significant differences. It is interesting that the most accurate results are obtained then if we wear the pedometer not on your wrist, but in your pocket. Distance measurement, we must enter our average step length. Who here wants to achieve the most accurate results, which should lie to a fitness bracelet with GPS functionality. Here we have also the possibility to take into account an altimeter.

Also as a useful function, we find the heart rate measurement. Generally, these can be measured on three methods:

• With an optional chest strap.
• By putting a finger on a particular sensor and
• By an optical measurement of blood flow.

Who would like to use any additional chest strap, can determine the heart rate accurately about the blood flow measurement. This is the optical sensor of the fitness wrist band on the bottom and measures the light reflections of the skin. It is important that we can enter lower and upper bounds for heart rate measurement, so that we can reach a targeted training success on this.

The indication of the calorie consumption is quite useful. To use this function, we need to involve the body size and weight. Similarly, specifying day objectives leads to more motivation. Here we can enter for example a certain number of steps, we must put back a day to achieve the desired training program.

As mentioned above in this topic, bracelets with a built-in sleep monitoring are equipped with some fitness. The presented here fitness bracelet winner meet all the requirements, to wake up in the morning in the pre computed light sleep phase. So we can start the day much more relaxed.
Some bracelets still with multimedia control functions are equipped depending on the manufacturer and model. We can control the sound-control on this for our Smartphone. A Bluetooth connection with some smartphones offers also the possibility at a talk time, inform E-Mail or SMS input.

Compatibility with a Smartphone

At your choice, you should consider that some fitness bracelets are designed by famous Smartphone or mobile phone manufacturers. Therefore, these devices can be used only with the manufacturer’s own smartphones.

Battery life

Of course, also the battery life plays an important role in our test. As we have already noted, these will vary depending on the model. Bracelets with display must generally respawn on the network as such without display. We noted that the most fitness a complete exhibit bracelets by an average of 7 days. Some devices without a display are equipped for example with button cells where the manufacturer provides a run time of up to one year.

Waterproof

Some models guarantee a water resistance up to an hour at a depth up to 50 meters. Others achieve only shorter times and depths.

What should I pay attention when buying a fitness bracelet?

Those who are interested in a fitness Tracker, should necessarily consider the aforementioned test criteria. Previously, think about for what purpose you need such a device. It’s maybe just a nice hobby, then you don’t actually need a model with a wide range of functions. If you are interested in seriously to improve the fitness of your body and move more, over a period of time then the wristbands for you are interesting, that go beyond the basic functionality.
Of course, whatever the price plays an important role. This depends on the functionality and partly to the design. Simple models without display are available already for 50 to 70 euros. In the range between 90 and 200 dollars you will find the most models with good very good facilities. Here are also the most models with display. In addition you will find sometimes fitness wristbands in special editions that border beyond the 200 dollars.

Brief information on leading manufacturers

Garmin

• Arched Super AMOLED screens
• Waterproof to IP67
• Heart rate, acceleration and position sensors
• Step counter, time, stop watch, heart rate monitor, sleep monitor, training programs
• Media controller with remote control
• Call notification, SMS and E-Mail.

Internet vs. Shops : Where is it best to buy Fitness Activity Tracker?

In our fitness wrist bands reviews for 2016 we have gave you many information about this topic. Perhaps you would now like to know where you can buy your desired favourite model. To do this, various possibilities are available.

Shopping in the local electronics store

Bracelets, you can find a corresponding range of fitness in many electronics stores and sporting goods stores. Quite disturbing, however, we find approaches, usually long and complicated search for a free parking space. Also, you should expect not to find the devices here in the shortlist drawn on the spot. Understandably at the shops will not be offered all the listed manufacturers.
It is also problematic that many sellers will try to promote the stock models only. Sometimes the sales pitch can be led very intrusive. This is we all the more annoying when trying to offer you a discontinued model at a lower price, which absolutely does not meet your needs.
There also may be difficulties with a return. If you don’t like the purchased device, not all shops provide a refund of the purchase price.

• Inspection possible
• Personal advice

• Cumbersome directions and parking
• You get not always the desired model
• Generally higher prices.

Shopping on the Internet

• Huge selection
• Prompt delivery, mostly shipping
• Cheap prices
• Right of withdrawal

• No personal inspection

Best Fitness Tracker Buyers Guide

For our fitness trackers we have listed here have a section with interesting facts and figures for best activity trackers in our reviews, which should help you in purchasing decisions.

The history of Fitness Trackers

The origins of our modern fitness wristbands go back to the year 1780. This year, the Swiss watchmaker Abraham-Louis Perrelet developed the first pedometer or step counter. Then rectangular model had four dials and was able to include up to 10,000 steps. Until far in the 80s, this mechanical pedometer were further developed. They were attached to the belt or on the waistband.
The Acitivty trackers are pure data logger, carried close to the body. To record the activities of a person. After the mechanical step counters were initially collect the performance data in writing and manually save the data in tabular form on a computer. A well-known example is that of the President BB´s Council on physical fitness and sports in America presented the President BB´s challenge.Through the continuing development of microprocessors and sensors, the records were automated. The devices were small and could henceforth be worn on the body. It was the first heart rate monitors for athletes from 1981. In the 90s came the bicycle computer on the market, which could monitor speed, distance and travel time.The first mobile fitness Tracker for normal consumers came on the market by 2000. Athletes with devices in fitness studios could check their heart rate via a wireless connection. The now famous tracking models are known since 2006. However only in the last two years these devices have to be the known fitness wristbands developed.

Facts and figures about the fitness bands

With the following data and facts, we want to give you more background knowledge to a fitness gain bracelet.

Waterproof, IP certification

The most offered activity tracker are water- and splash-proof. On the offerings of the manufacturer you find 55 or IP68 for example titles, such as IP. IP is an acronym and stands for international protection. This is a protection type determination for a particular device. This is followed by getting a two-digit number.

The calculation of calories burned

The indication of the calorie consumption furthers particularly motivation. This is based on averages and calculations based on. Be able to determine the so-called basal metabolic rate we our fitness bracelet the body size, gender, age and weight be communicated.

Different mobile phones with AppsWie is known, the human body also at rest burn calories. The BMR describes thus in the amount of energy that a man in complete silence in the sober State at a temperature of approx. 28 ° C needed to maintain its vital functions. The basal metabolic rate is usually calculated for the whole day, can be determined by the hour but also by simple division.
Interests us first and foremost not how many calories we burn at complete rest. Instead, we are looking forward to the number of calories burned in addition that we arrive at a sports. As any sport and any other form of exercise involving a different energy consumption of scientists make use of metabolic equivalent.

The metabolic equivalent of task, short MET, requires always the basal metabolic rate as a starting point and determined this according to a sporting activity, a corresponding value. The calculation could look like this:

• 1 MET – Hibernate,
• 3 MET – slow going for a walk,
• 6 MET – cycling and
• 12 Mead – endurance.

We assume a 35-year-old man with a body weight of 85 kg and a height of 185 cm achieved a BMR of 2,000 calories a day. This corresponds to approximately 83 kcal per hour. Walking, we calculate a power consumption by 83 kcal x 3 MET and received 249 kcal. A continuous operation increases the power consumption by 83 kcal x 12 MET and we received 996 kcal.

Trend with Fitness Tracking Bands

We have been dealing with the current trend development on wearables and making up interesting facts and data from the known statistics portal Statistagewinnen can. These bracelets were considered not only fitness, but also the elegant SmartWatches.

Currently, the Apple Watch applies market observers as a flop. However, has fought for Apple the second place of wearables. As a newcomer, the company was able to sell SmartWatches 2016 at least 3.6 million in the second quarter.

Xiaomi is also a newbie in this area. This has to sell more than three million times his MI-band. So, the Chinese vendor could claim third place. This is because that Xiaomi can offer its products at very competitive prices. Main customers are buyers from China to about 97 percent.
The sole market leader is the Fitbit, which could sell its fitness Tracker more than 4.4 million times. This corresponds to even a rise of 150 percent as compared to last year. Garmin could still have a slight increase in bracelets with his fitness. The company achieved the fourth place but only 700,000 bracelets.
Samsung has to watch a major setback. While the company was able to sell another 800,000 units last year and was therefore before Garmin, it reaches only 600,000 sold piece. To take into account is that Samsung communicate bracelets also only with the hotel’s own smartphones. As the other providers, are up on Apple, cosmopolitan.
The remaining producers of fitness bracelets to tell the rest of no less than 5.7 million sell devices. The trend towards functional fitness Tracker are equipped at relatively low prices with an extensive feature set. Here, we must see a fusion of fitness bracelets with the today’s SmartWatches in the future.

Health and insurance benefits when using fitness tracker

Fitness Bracelet vs. Fitness App – The Comparison

In our fitness tracker reviews we want to strap or bracelet and a fitness app indicate the interplay and differences between a fitness.
Usually be delivered fitness wristbands with the appropriate software (see bracelet comprehensive fitness test), that you can use to monitor your training success. Also in this case we speak of an app. Basically, we must only ensure that this app with a used phone is compatible. Here it is primarily due to the operating system, such as Android or iOS. On the other hand bracelets allow only a use with their own smartphones some fitness manufacturer. This is the case, for example, with Samsung.

Since many Smartphones with their own sensors are equipped, we can use bracelet but also special apps without your own fitness. With these apps, our smartphones in a fitness monitoring device can be transformed. An example is the S-health app, which can be used both for the gear fit for a Samsung Smartphone. Special Samsung Smartphones have a thermometer and a barometer, so that we can involve humidity and outdoor temperature in our analyses. Some even measurements of blood pressure and blood sugar levels are possible.
For example, the app Runtastic require that only a Smartphone is popular apps on the tablet or HandyRecht. Using GPS, we can measure exact distance traveled, speed, average speed and calories. Also, we are hereby in the location, other sports, such as for example biking to choose from cycling, riding or skiing. In addition the app via live tracking transfers all important data with friends on Facebook or users of the fitness Portal runtastic.com on request.

Another free app is MyFitnessPal, which helps to keep a diet. This program documented not only the eating habits and displays the calories burned, but helps us more than 350 fitness exercises. This app did particularly well in test reports. For almost every Smartphone, corresponding apps are now offered on the market.
In contrast, a fitness delivers bracelet but still significantly better results. As already stated, a fitness should be worn strap around the clock. The skintight carry movements be recorded more accurately, than on a Smartphone. However, we can control our training data on a Smartphone or a PC via a supplied or offered free to download app. If you seriously take into consideration, is to coordinate your endurance sports, a fitness bracelet probably the better choice.

Useful accessories

With a modern fitness bracelet, you are generally well equipped. However, there are also useful accessories on the market for many models. We would like to enumerate therefore a small selection of these accessories.

The chest strap

If you are a fitness bracelet quicker, you might even want to check your heart rate. The built-in sensors in a fitness provide bracelet not always very precise values. An optional chest strap would be much better. In most cases you can connect wireless bracelet, a chest strap with her fitness but also with your Smartphone. The recorded data are very accurate and provide information about your physical load condition.

A new bracelet

Different colors of smartwatches if used long-term , is subject to this wear. Most manufacturers offer you therefore replacement wristbands for the change. Here, you need to replace only the electronics with a few simple steps. On the other hand, a such replacement bracelet for fashion reasons advisable. Generally, there are many attractive colors are offered. You can then wear always the right strap according to your outfit.

Transport bag for the Smartphone

Regularly to be able to establish a communication between a fitness bracelet and your Smartphone, you need the latter also during training here. As far as it is, to use a handy sleeve pocket for the Smartphone. While they have opportunity to take a look at your training data also during a running exercise at any time.

Other accessories

In our considerations, we can involve also other training accessories. These include, for example :

• A nice sport outfit
• A training mat
• Good running shoes and
• For example, weights.

Alternatives to Fitness Trackers