If you’re reading this, you’re probably one of the people who are helping to keep fitness trackers alive. A humble fitness tracker is still a viable option for those who want a device that does one thing perfectly every time: accurately track fitness metrics without the constant stream of notifications you’d get from other wearables.
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The majority of the market for mainstream wearables has been dominated by smartwatches like the Apple Watch and the Samsung Galaxy Watch. Despite the obstacles, there are still many fitness bands available for purchase. The admin of WhenwhereHow has put a lot of them to the test and selected the top fitness trackers for the majority of users.
What do fitness trackers do best?
Fitness trackers are the best at keeping track of exercise, whether it’s a brisk 10-minute walk around the block or that half-marathon you’ve been assiduously training for. Of course, smartwatches can help you achieve your fitness goals as well, but fitness bands excel in some areas, such as focus, design, battery life, and price.
- Additionally, they frequently have fewer sensors and internal parts, which keeps them lighter and smaller.
- Fitness trackers are also a better choice for those who simply prefer to wear a less noticeable device throughout the day.
- Fitness trackers also frequently have longer battery lives. Fitness bands provide between five and seven days of battery life, even when using the sleep tracking features. While the majority of smartwatches only last one to two days on a single charge.
- There is no competition in terms of price. A good fitness tracker can be found for as little as $70, but the majority of worthwhile smartwatches cost between $175 and $200. Yes, there are more expensive bands (and we recommend a few here), but the fitness tracker market has more options under $150 than the smartwatch market.
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When to get a smartwatch instead
While fitness trackers and smartwatches have overlapping features, there are certain scenarios where opting for a smartwatch might be more appropriate than a dedicated fitness tracker. Here are a few instances when you might consider getting a smartwatch:
- Smartwatches often provide advanced connectivity features such as notifications, calls, text messaging, and app integration.
- If you have specific health concerns or require detailed health tracking beyond basic activity monitoring, a smartwatch with features like ECG, blood oxygen level monitoring, or stress tracking might be a better fit.
- Smartwatches offer features that include calendar alerts, reminders, voice assistants, music control, and even mobile payment capabilities. If you desire a wearable device that extends beyond fitness-related functions and assists you in managing your daily tasks and activities, a smartwatch could be the right option.
Ultimately, the decision between a fitness tracker and a smartwatch depends on your specific needs, preferences, and how you plan to use the device. Consider your priorities in terms of fitness tracking, health monitoring, connectivity, style, and additional features to make an informed choice.
Best overall: Fitbit Charge 5
The Fitbit Charge 5 fitness tracker has all the features that the majority of people would want. It is not a smartwatch in the first place. This means it has a slightly lower profile on the wrist, lasts days on a single charge, tracks activity, and keeps track of your heart rate, sleep, and other vital signs.
Additionally, it has a full-color AMOLED display, which is a significant upgrade from the Charge 4’s prior grayscale screen’s smaller size. Charge 5 feels more upscale than its predecessor thanks to that display and a slimmer design.
The Charge 5 has EDA sensors for tracking stress, and in the future, it will also support ECG readings and Daily Readiness Scores (the latter of which is only available to Premium subscribers). These are in addition to the Charge 4’s existing features, which include Fitbit Pay compatibility and built-in GPS tracking, among others.
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While the latter helps you map outdoor runs, bike rides, and other activities, the former lets you pay for coffee or groceries with a swipe of your wrist. The Charge 5 is the best choice if you’re looking for a focused, all-purpose wearable fitness watch because of its fast, accurate built-in GPS, which continues to be the star of the show here.
Price of Fitbit Charge 5: Fitbit Charge 5 Fitness and Activity Tracker with GPS, Heart Rate, Sleep & Swim Tracking is currently available in Pakistan for 40,999 Pakistani Rupees. (June 2023 update)
Runner up: Garmin Vivosmart 5
The $150 Garmin Vivosmart 5 is an alternative fitness band with a more understated appearance. It’s a little bit more compatible with bracelets and other pieces of jewelry you might wear frequently because it’s thinner than the Fitbit Charge 5. The Vivosmart 5 proves that you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on one of Garmin’s fitness watches to get a functional device despite its attractive design. Garmin knows how to track fitness.
It has many of the same features as the Charge 5, with the exception of an integrated GPS. However, as long as you have your phone with you, it does support connected GPS, allowing you to map outdoor runs and bike rides. We have always appreciated how many workout profiles Garmin offers, and the Vivosmart 5 tracks all-day heart rhythm and activity in addition to sleep information and workouts.
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On your device, you can change and personalise which apps appear at any time. You’ll also receive additional health data, such as blood oxygen levels, sleep stage data, women’s menstrual cycle monitoring, and more. The Body Battery score from Garmin also tells you how long you’ll need to wait after a challenging workout before you can train at your peak efficiency again.
The absence of a built-in GPS and the slightly more challenging-to-use mobile app of the Vivosmart 5 are the biggest drawbacks to fitness tracking with this device. On the other hand, Fitbit devices still lack the ability to sync with Apple Health, whereas Garmin devices can.
Price of Garmin Vivosmart 5: The price of Germin vivosmart 5 is 54,000 rupess in Pakistan in 2023.
Best budget: Fitbit Inspire 3
The Fitbit Inspire 3 is the best fitness tracker choice if your budget is only $100. It keeps only the necessary tracking features from the Charge 5 and removes all the luxuries. Although there is no built-in GPS tracking, Fitbit Pay, or Spotify control, there is excellent activity tracking, automatic workout detection, smartphone alerts, and a tonne more.
The new model has a more streamlined design, a colour touchscreen, and connected GPS, the latter of which allows you to track pace and distance while riding a bike or running outside while carrying your phone.
Of the two Fitbit devices on this list, the Inspire 3 is unquestionably more stylish. Since it has interchangeable bands, you can change the tracker’s appearance and feel whenever you like, and it is slim enough to go with other jewellery you might be wearing. Additionally, we were pleased with its battery life, which lived up to Fitbit’s claim of up to 10 days between charges. The Inspire 3’s battery life was still 66 percent after four days of nonstop use.
Price of Fitbit Inspire 3: fitbit inspire 3 Fitness Tracker Best Price in Pakistan is Rs. 29999.
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Most fashionable: Withings Move
Although each of the fitness trackers mentioned previously has its own unique appeal (bonus points for those with interchangeable bands), they all have a similar appearance. These devices no longer have many alternate designs available.
The Withings Move watch, which costs $95, is an exception and one of the most conventionally stylish fitness trackers available. It is an analogue watch with a few health monitoring features, such as step, calorie, distance, and sleep tracking, connected GPS, automatic recognition for more than 30 workouts, and a water-resistant construction. We adore it most, though, because the coin cell can last up to 18 months before needing to be replaced.
Price of Withings Move: The price of Withthings Move is in Pakistan is RS Rs 16,599.
