Fitness trackers have come a long way. A few years ago it was hard find a device that could track your fitness beyond the simple clip-on pedometer and an atrocious wrist watch. Today, there are dozens of options that collect a broad swath of biometric data all in a tiny, wearable device no larger than a bracelet. And while 2013 didn’t favor fitness gadgets in a statistical sense, 2014 could be a different story thanks to a growing interest in wearable technology and the ever-persistent swath of smartwatch rumors. The industry is bustling, with giants like Sony, LG, and Nike taking the helm and lesser-known companies such as Fitbit closing the gap.
That said, there are dozens of fitness devices on the market. Most are conveniently designed to be worn directly around your wrist or neck, while others easily clip to your pocket or zipper. Though each device touts different capabilities and functionality, most chart everything from the amount of calories you burn on a run to the number of times you wake up while sleeping, while curating data on your heart rate, elevation gain, and travel distance among other statistics. The bulk of fitness devices even connect your smartphone via built-in Bluetooth, automatically syncing health data with accompanying apps and showcasing your progress through wealth of analytical trends and charts.
Here are our top picks for the best fitness gadgets, so you can keep track of all those calories you burn — or don’t — on your daily commute around town or jog through the park. Additionally, check out our handpicked selection of the best fitness apps for Android and the best fitness apps for the iPhone, or our choices for the best headphones for running.
This article has been updated since it was originally published to reflect new product releases. Staff Writer Drew Prindle contributed to this article.
Garmin Vivofit (Android/iOS) — $ 130
Garmin Vivofit
As the GPS giant’s first offering in the wearable fitness world, the Garmin Vivofit appears similar to your standard, run-of-the-mill fitness device. What Garmin’s device lacks in unique functionality however, it makes up for with superb battery life. Two user-replaceable coin cell batteries power the water-resistant band, allowing users to wear the device for more than a year before having to swap out the low-cost batteries, and users can record data for three weeks without syncing to their Android or iOS device. The curved, gold-and-red LED display is always on — though not backlit — and resembles a simple digital watch, while displaying your heart rate, daily step count, burned calories, and other statistics. Additionally, the device monitors your sleep patters, highlighting periods of movement and restful sleep 24/7.
The VivoFit is sleek and discrete, featuring silicon-like construction that’s both comfortable and attractive. Furthermore, the device dynamically adjusts your daily goals based on your activity level, calibrating your achievements to something more attainable as you surpass various health milestones, while allowing you to wirelesssly manage and share your data via Garmin’s online community. Users can even compete against other users to complete challenges and earn virtual badges, and though it can be nagging at times, the band features a red bar on the display altering you of prolonged periods of physical inactivity. Simply take a short walk to read yourself of the disparaging red bar, and in the process, become a bit healthier. After all, no one should sit at a cubicle for eight-hour intervals without a stretch break.
Misfit Shine (Android/iOS) — $ 120
Misfit Shine
Let’s be honest, the rubber bracelets populating most of the wearable market aren’t exceptionally fashionable. Meet Misfit’s Shine, a fitness tracker designed to record biometric data while moonlight as a desirable piece of high-tech jewelry. The device allows the user to choose between several different wearable options, such as necklace and clip-on accessory— and yes, even a rubber bracelet equipped with a magnetic clasp. As the name implies, Misfit is a bit of an anomaly in the wearable-tech industry. Roughly the size of a quarter, the space age contraption is essentially a pedometer that’ll measure your motion walking, running, swimming, and cycling. The accompanying Misfit App allows users to set specific goals pertaining to the aforementioned activities, which users can then chart with a simple tap of the Shine’s surface, conveniently displaying daily progress through a series of LED lights rounding the device’s perimeter. The same feature also works as analogue time display, with blinking LED lights representing traditional hands.
The Shine is a minimalist device, one sporting a meticulously-polished and powder-blasted finish, and reveling in one of four color options (champagne, topaz, jet, grey). Additionally, the device tracks your various sleeping habits, boasts a waterproof exterior capable of being submerged up to 50 meters, and wirelessly syncs when placed atop your smartphone screen. The downside? You’ll have to pay extra for the various accessories that convert the device into a necklace or armband, and though the LED design shows your goal progress toward your current goal, you can only view in-depth statistics on your smartphone. Still, sometimes fashion trumps function.
Check out our comprehensive, four-star Misfit Shine review for a closer look.
Withings Pulse (Android/iOS) — $ 100
Withings Pulse
Wearable fitness trackers may be getting a good deal of love in 2014, but that’s not to say there aren’t some quality, non-bracelet trackers worth mentioning. Much like the Fitbit One, the Withings Pulse is an effective tool for recording biometric data without having to worn around the wrist. That said, there is a bundled wristband accessory that comes bundled with the device, but users will likely find the attachable click far more convenient and attractive. Although the Pulse touts much of the same functionality as other trackers on our list — i .e. tools for monitoring your sleep sleep cycle, burned calories, elevation gain, travel distance —what distinguishes it from the rest of the pack is the built-in, heart rate scanner. It allows users to test their stress level and track their rest heart rate over time by simply their finger down on the back of the device, and though not unique to the Withings’ offering alone, most manufacturers tack on the additional functionality as a separate purchase.
The Pulse is remarkably small, measuring 1.69 by 0.87 by 0.31 inches, and sports rounded sides with a soft-coated finish. Moreover, battery life hovers around two weeks for a single charge and the device automatically syncs via Bluetooth 4.0 throughout the day, wirelessly transmitting and displaying data within the device’s dedicated Web and mobile apps. Users can track their day-to-day progress through a slew of charts and graphs accessible within the mobile app, and even swipe through 10 days of data history directly on the device’s display. The syncing can be finicky from time to time, but the bundled heart rate monitor is an industry first.
Fitbit Flex (Android/iOS) — $ 100
Fitbit Flex
When you think of wearable fitness gadgets, it’s likely your mind will immediately skip to Fitbit given the company’s sole purpose is manufacturing fitness trackers. Fitbit’s most advanced — and dare we say, stylish— option remains the Flitbit Flex. The device has long been heralded as the tried-and-true option for anyone looking to record basic biometric data, as it easily pairs with both Android and iOS devices while boasting a discrete figure available in five distinct colors (black, lime, violet, slate, pink). Sporting a light elastomer design and stainless steel clasp, it’s comfortable and durable, while offering statistical data encompassing your traveling distance, burned calories, sleep quality, and the like. The device automatically syncs your data to your PC, Mac, or smartphone, additionally providing real-time access to graphs, charts, and other monitoring tools. Plus, those with NFC-enabled Android devices merely need to tap their device together to launch the statistics.
Although completely manageable as solo venture, the accompanying Fitbit Flex software even allows users to compete in online leaderboards with their friends. Much like the Misfit Shine, users can set goals and monitor progress through the simple LED display, and earn daily, weekly, and lifetime achievements. Moreover, the device is compatible with a variety of other fitness apps and features a silent alarm that gently vibrates to wake you at specified time. It’s feature-rich to say the least, and significantly less expensive than the similarly-equipped Nike + Fuelband SE.
Check out our in-depth Fitbit Flex review for further details.
LG Lifeband Touch (Android/iOS) — $ TBA
LG Lifeband Touch and Heart Rate Earphones
Many major consumer electronic companies are getting into the wearable-tech space, and LG is no different with the Lifeband Touch. The OLED, touch-scroll screen allows the user to track steps, calories burned, elevation, and monitor messages from Android and iOS devices with the swipe of a finger. Furthermore, the device is compatible with third-party apps like Runkeeper and MapMyRun, and features a 3-axis accelerator measuring acceleration forward, backward, and side to side. When paired with the LG HRM Earphone Heart Rate Monitor and your smartphone, you can even access incoming phone calls and control a swath of essentially music functions directly from the device.Additionally, the earphones monitor your oxygen consumption, the blood flow within your ear, and other metrics measuring your workout.
Like most fitness gadgets, the Lifeband Touch tracks primary statistics such burned calories, travel distance, pace, and steps taken. Available in several sizes, the device is stiff yet comfortable, and touts a battery designed to last up to three days on a single charge. There’s no word on pricing yet, but the fitness trackers is currently slated for a mid-2014 release. In the mean time, check out our hands-on impressions with the Lifeband Touch.
What do you think of our handpicked selection of the best fitness trackers? Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments below.
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