Fitbit Is The Still The Leader In Best Fitness Bands

Now that Christmas 2015 (and all of overindulging that goes with it) is behind us, people all over the world are getting ready for the next big event: weight loss 2016. And what better way to aid in that new quest than with some new wearable technology?

What used to be an easy choice, as there were relatively few fitness bands on the market, has become a more complicated venture. Fitfit started the trend and is by far the best known with the brand of fitness bands, but the company has faced some stiff competition from Apple and other Smartwatches this past year. Which device is best for you? PC Magazine offers this advice.

“Several fitness trackers have some smartwatch functionality, and some smartwatches have fitness features, too. But a smartwatch is different than a fitness tracker, so make sure your heart is in the right place and you know which device you want. Fitness trackers put fitness tracking first!”

While each of the different fitness bands out there have their own pluses and minuses, they all have one thing in common: a hefty price tag. The last thing you want to do is fork over a load of cash for one device only to find out that it is inferior to another. So, which fitness band is best? Fitbit’s Charge HR appears to be the clear winner.

Both Ars Technica and Android Headlines like the Fitbit Charge as it has all of the more important features one would want in a fitness band. However, they both suggest that buyers spend a few bucks more for the Charge HR which has the extra ability to track heart rates.

Some might be persuaded to opt for the more expensive Fitbit Surge, which includes a built-in GPS and touchscreen, but Android Headlines says that it could be “better described as a fitness/activity super watch than just a tracker.” And the Surge is about $100 more expensive than the Charge HR too.

“The Fitbit Charge HR is easily the best tracker of the year,” says Android Headlines which praised the product for its variety of colors and band sizes. They especially liked that fact that the band is made with a soft silicone material that is non-chaffing and can be worn for long periods of time without making one feel claustrophobic. It is also water-resistant so that rain or one’s own sweat will not affect the product under normal circumstances. Finally, the Fitbit Charge received high marks for its long battery life.

“Fitbit has been the king of fitness trackers since 2013, and it’s keeping that title this year by making the best tracker for the money,” says Ars Technica. “It monitors steps, distance, calories, floors climbed, and sleep and has a continuous heart rate monitor to use throughout the day, whether during workouts or just sitting around.”

One of the more unique features of the Fitbit Charge HR that caught the attention of Ars Technica is the SmartTrack feature which can figure out on its own when you have moved from relatively seditarary movement to an exercise routine. When it does, it automatically records the activity to the app.

“It’s a no-brainer choice for anyone in need of a tracker but not sure where to start, as it provides the simplicity of the more affordable Fitbits with the heart rate monitor and exercise tracking software similar to the $250 Fitbit Surge.”

PC Magazine also gave Fitbit Charge HR high marks as well especially for those who simply want to count their steps and track how many calories they’ve burned. They too praised the device for its reasonable price, slim design, and the company’s app and website but they were less impressed that the device was only water-resistant and not water proof.

[Photo: Android Headlines]