The best fitness trackers do more than ever before, from tracking sleep, breathing patterns and stress. These fitness trackers have advanced in technology incredibly fast over the last few years, they now are able to monitor all sorts of data and put it to good use improving your workout efficiencies.
Choosing the best one for you is going to be very subjective; models are available from many manufacturers. From well-known class-leading smartphone makers like Apple and Samsung to more specialist companies like Garmin, there will be a model to suit your needs.
There are trackers utilising intelligent technology to read heart rates and track your progress. If your heart starts racing when playing at a PayPal casino, your smart watch will tell you!
Some have built-in sound and can play music or audiobooks when you need them. Strictly fitness trackers come in at a lower price point and with less functionality are going to attract a different client than the full-blown smartwatch. Many fitness enthusiasts and athletes alike will be pleased to purchase a fitness tracker that incorporates GPS as this is a useful feature, other features like heart rate, pulse oximetry, sleep, and stress levels may only interest some users and a choice can be made as to which watch or fitness tracker suits your needs best.
Apple Watch Series 7
As you might imagine, Apple is a popular player in the world of fitness trackers, but not just because of their brand new. It has a range of great features which suit both beginners and those more passionate about fitness.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Screen: 1.61in/1.9in 484 x 396 OLED
- Water resistance: 5ATM
- GPS: Yes
- Compatibility: iOS
- Battery life: 18 hours
Pros
- Peerless smartwatch app library
- Excellent heart rate accuracy
- Supports lots of third-party services
Cons
- One-day battery life
The Apple Watch Series 7 is the product to beat currently in both the smartwatch and fitness tracker marketplace. It is an obvious choice, but it comes at a price.
This is the only watch series that has a large enough following to support a thriving app scene. The App Store will yield many choices of Apps for all kinds of activities.
It can play video workout routines on your TV or iPad, with on-screen personal statistics recorded by the watch. With great heart rate accuracy and built-in GPS, the Apple Watch Series 7 is a great device.
Apple’s built-in fitness software is great for everyday fitness fans, while the support offered to cater for third-party platforms means the more demanding fitness fanatics won’t be disappointed.
One disadvantage this watch has is that it does so much, and that comes at the cost of a shortened battery life. Some may choose a simpler device that has a longer battery life.
Garmin Fenix 7
With a range of built-in features including the capability to connect to various accessories, it is no wonder that the Garmin Fenix 7 appeals to those looking for an all-rounder in the fitness tracker market.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Screen: 1.3in 260 x 260 MiP
- Water resistance: 10ATM
- GPS: Yes
- Compatibility: iOS/Android
- Battery life: 18 days
Pros
- Superb feature depth
- Very good HR accuracy
- Comprehensive on-board offline maps
Cons
May feel a bit heavy/chunky for sleep tracking
- The display may look dull to some
The Garmin Fenix 7 has an excellent set of built-in exercise features as standard with connectivity that extends to heart rate straps, bike trainers and even bike lights. It is practical to leave your phone at home with this one as virtually everything you need is right here on the watch, from maps to music, Fenix 7 has it covered.
It has an impressive GPS capability and great battery life, but again like Apple’s offering, all this comes at a price and it may be a bit expensive if you are just after a basic fitness tracker.
Garmin Epix 2
One of the most appealing features of the Garmin Epix 2 is the screen, which has been upgraded compared to most other Gamin fitness trackers on the market.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Screen: 1.3in 416 x 416 OLED
- Water resistance: 10ATM
- GPS: Yes
- Compatibility: iOS, Android
- Battery life: 6 days (always-on)
Pros
Has a much punchier-looking screen than other Garmins
- Best-in-class fitness software
Cons
- Expensive
- Shorter battery life than Fenix 7
The Garmin Epix 2 is similar to the Fenix 7 but it upgrades the face to OLED. It brings glamour to Garmin’s watch and the screen rivals the clarity of the best smartphones.
With all the features you would expect from a high-end device, the Epix 2 has a best-in-class feeling throughout its use.
Fitbit Sense
SPECIFICATIONS
- Screen: 1.58in 336 x 336 OLED
- Water resistance: 5ATM
- GPS: Yes
- Compatibility: iOS, Android
- Battery life: 6 days
Pros
- Sleek, easy-to-read design
- Simple display
- Handy stats such as Stress Score could be useful.
Cons
- Not the cheapest on the market
- Offline audio is not available as standard
The Fitbit Sense is in our view the most applicable model from Fitbit and that is largely down to a great combination of a lovely display and abundant features. It is not the most expensive fitness tracker here and offers value for money in terms of what is included in its price. It does lack some of the high-end features; its GPS is somewhat limited compared to the competition with no downloadable maps. But other great features and abilities make up for this. You have an EDA stress feature that measures how sweaty your hands are and gives an indication of what to do to reduce it.
A built-in ECG scanner offers some information on heart health and will alert you if your heart rate is too high or low. Surprisingly at this price point, the features are fairly accurate when compared with the class-leading Apple Watch 7. The Fitbit Sense has a ‘Daily Readiness’ indicator that advises you on how hard you should push yourself when working out.
As you might expect from technology in 2022, fitness trackers and smartwatches have a range of features and benefits. This is great news for those that want a handy accessory on their wrist that does more than just tell the time. If you’re in the market for a fitness tracker then the best thing you can do is research all of the options available within your budget and see which best suits your needs. The good news is that with so many different varieties available, whatever you’re looking for from a fitness tracker you can be sure that there will be one to suit you.
