The best smartbands and fitness trackers to monitor your physical activity

If you are looking for the best smartbands and fitness wristbands of 2018, this is the perfect entry for you. We have selected the best activity monitors for your wrist. For all tastes and pockets. From the cheapest to some a bit more expensive but with many features. We have included some GPS sports watch.

Smartphones, with the help of an Android device, turn into a perfect support for all the sporty users, tracing physical activity, offering moral support during the exercises and even monitoring the sleep cycle. Below you will find a range of smartbands, fitness trackers and fitness smartwatches that we believe deserve your consideration.
Anyone who loves sports and exercises knows the importance of accurately recording your data, progress, calories burned, routes, distances traveled and more. The best bracelet of physical activity will allow you all that and more since it will help you to stay in shape and improve your performance while taking care of your health. The models vary a lot, from the most basic ones that only record your steps and calories burned, to the most complete for elite athletes with heart rate sensor, GPS, ability to play music through Bluetooth headphones and even to have all the notifications of your smartphone on your wrist. Almost like a smartwatch.

The best fitness wristbands and smartbands: Buying guide

What data do we want to register?

The most important thing: we must consider what our sporting activity is, and from there choose the wearable that best suits our needs. Some fitness wristbands collect the number of steps and calories burned. Others add a heart rate monitor that helps us know if we are doing the exercise correctly.

Do we want moral support?

Yes. Motivation is really important when doing sports, and many activity monitors have interesting functions to "force" you to do sports. In most you can select a daily goal and know when you have reached it, while others, through your app, allow you to get medals or compete against your friends. Many have alarms to warn you of your periods of inactivity.

Battery life

The typical battery life of these devices is one week, but we can find one with a duration of only two days and others with a duration of up to more than 1 year. The use of your fitness bracelet will also influence the battery life.

Waterproof

If your main sport is swimming, you need a water-resistant wristband. But you also have to consider if you want a device with which you can get in without a problem in the shower and forget that you have it on you.

Smart functions

Do you want it to work as a smartwatch and give you notifications on your mobile? Incoming calls or messages will appear on your wristband.

Do you want to wear it on your wrist or somewhere else?

Not all of these activity monitors are put on the wrist, others work with a clip to put on clothes or even put in your pocket.

The activity monitor applications

Increasingly important. A good app greatly improves the experience of using the fitness bracelet. Fitbit and Jawbone have excellent applications. We will also be able to consult all our records on the PC or even online websites subscribing to the services provided by some brands.

Price

One of the most important things to keep in mind before buying an activity monitor is its price. The most expensive ones offer impressive features, but many times we will not use them and with a cheaper model it may be enough. Prices can range from 50 $ to more than 200 $.

Best fitness trackers and smartbands

Surely you are already thinking of buying one of these useful bracelets but you do not know where to start. The truth is that there are many options in the market and it can always seem complicated to choose one from scratch without knowing exactly what to look for. But do not worry. First, we have brought you this comparative list with the best fitness bracelets to save you time in long searches, and later we will explain the different types and how to find the right one.

Fitbit Flex 2

To start our selection, it seemed logical to introduce Fitbit Flex 2, a connected bracelet that is effective but also very convenient. Unlike the Charge 2, also included in our selection, it does not have a display but offers an LED system to inform you. Everything else goes through the application of the manufacturer on the smartphone. Good news, the Fitbit app is one of the best on the market with essential information on the home page in the form of blocks that you can reorganize to your liking. You can easily find all the activities you have done and you can always challenge your friends. As always, it is compatible with a large number of third-party services (Alexa, IFTT, MyFitness Pal ...). As always with Fitbit, some smartphone models are not compatible with the smartband. Check the compatibility of your smartphone before making any purchase through the dedicated website.
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Xiaomi Mi Band 2

Xiaomi wanted to show that you can buy a smartband for less than 50 $. The Mi Band 2 has met with great success, as its still more economical predecessor from which it is distinguished mainly by the presence of the OLED display. The design is essential, but resists water (eye to use it in the bathtub) and is very light. Measure steps, heart rate and monitor sleep hours. Its functions end here, but for the price, it can only be noticed in the wearable jungle.
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Fitbit Alta HR

This improved version of Alta is perfect for those looking for a simple, discreet and comfortable bracelet, easy to use, able to follow daily activities to keep fit and sleep better, benefiting from the Fitbit ecosystem (application, accessories, compatibility with other services, etc.). However, more experienced sportspeople will be disappointed with this model due to the lack of GPS and impermeability. In this case, it is better to choose another model.
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Garmin Vivosmart HR +

Although Fitbit is omnipresent in the connected bracelets market, there are also other brands like the giant Garmin. The Vivosmart HR + is the latest model launched by the Americans. Unlike the Charge 2 or Fitbit Alta HR, the smartband has a GPS to monitor your sporting activities. We also find the classic heart rate sensor. Although its design is not in itself exceptional and the application still requires some improvements, the Vivosmart HR + shines for its autonomy and has the merit of offering a practical waterproofing for pool activities.
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Fitbit Charge 2

Fitbit has been a pioneer in the magical world of smartbands and today offers different models for the most diverse needs. The Charge 2 bracelet is able to measure steps, distance, calories burned, steps up and generally spend time on exercise. Fitbit Charge 2, in addition, to automatically monitor sleep, offers a silent alarm (with vibration) and guided breathing sessions. The battery promises an autonomy of about 5 days (you read correctly) and with compatible devices SMS, calendar and incoming calls.
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Best fitness smartwatches

Huawei Fit

The latest wearable of the Chinese house is able to combine an interesting design at an affordable price. The performance? Overall good! Huawei Fit allows, like any self-respecting fitness tracker, to monitor physical activity and sleep, and is also able to understand if the wearer walks, runs or is riding the bike. To use it you need to download Huawei Wear. Absent microphone and speaker: it is therefore not possible to use it as an MP3 player while jogging. However, the battery life is good.
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Fitbit Ionic

The undisputed star of accessories for sportsmen, Fitbit decided to abandon its comfort zone. For the first time, the American manufacturer wants to compete with Apple Watch watches and Android Wear watches. Fitbit Ionic is therefore the first connected clock of the American giant able to exploit the applications developed by third parties. You can use the device for many activities (running, swimming, weightlifting ...) and its autonomy will amaze you. Unfortunately, as the smartwatch, Fitbit OS is not yet very advanced (you can not respond to notifications) and seriously lacks applications to fully convince.
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• Read the review of Fitbit Ionic, the smartwatch for sportsmen

Gear Fit2 Pro

Without introducing any real innovation, the Gear Fit2 Pro is a welcome update to the Gear Fit2 launched last year. Samsung has corrected the main flaw in its smartwatch giving it the opportunity to swim. Some agreements have been reached with other companies to improve its tracker capabilities, in particular with Spotify. Great for its screen and its ergonomics, the Gear Fit2 Pro maintains the qualities of Gear Fit2 and has everything needed to seduce people looking for a more luxurious fitness tracker.
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What is the fitness tracker that best suits your needs? Have you already bought one? Let us know in the comment section below. Thank you.