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The VoteTopBest.com team is back again to help you choose the best products on the mark. Today, we’re going to be talking about fitness trackers. We will tell you about the five most sought-after models everyone is talking about, with the highest sales.
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Top 5 fitness trackers for 2021-2022
Xiaomi Mi Band 5
Pros | Cons |
Bright 1.1 inch AMOLED screen; | Unreliable accuracy of foot pod and heart rate monitor, regularly needs to be re-calibrated. |
Works quickly; | |
11 different sports programs; | |
IP68 dust and moisture protection; | |
Convenient magnet charging; | |
Up to 2 weeks without having to recharge; | |
NFC (optional, depends on model choice); | |
Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity; | |
Low price with a wide range of functionalties |
Let’s start our review with the most budget-friendly option, the Xiaomi fitness tracker. It only costs about $30, while its functionalities relative to the price are really quite good. The phrase “the best combination of price and quality” may sound like a bit of a broken record, but it really does apply here.
The first thing that sets it apart is its screen. In the current version, the creators increased the screen by about 20% compared to the Mi Band 4. Now, the screen measures diagonally 1.1 inches and has a resolution of 126 by 294 pixels. Even better, the Mi Band 5 has an AMOLED matrix that will not “fade” even under bright sunlight. The style choices are also quite good – you can choose different watch faces and designs from over 100 themes.
Now let’s go over the functionality. Here is everything a good fitness tracker should have:
- pedometer;
- heart rate counter;
- timer and stopwatch;
- barometer;
- 3-axis gyroscope;
- accelerometer.
All data collected can be stored in the built-in memory, which in the Mi Band 5 amounts to 16 MB. Even better, data collected on your fitness can be quickly transmitted via Bluetooth 5.0 to your smartphone. Once on your phone, they are automatically uploaded to the MiFit app, digitized, and turned into visual infographics and useful tips.
The built-in mobile software truly shows us all the capabilities of the device. With the Mi Band 5, we get sleep phase monitoring, Personal Activity Intelligence (PAI) scores, stress monitoring, and much more.
The operating modes include 11 sports profiles: cycling, running, walking, yoga, and others. The tracker can even help you quickly relax with a set of breathing exercises. They are simple and short (1 to 5 minutes), and are accompanied by on-screen prompts for your convenience.
Another nice upgrade for Xiaomi fitness bracelet fans is the upgraded battery and charging times. Xiaomi claims their new fitness bracelet has 14 days of battery life, and based on massive user reviews, this seems to be about accurate. But the best part is the updated convenient charging. Charging happens magnetically: the connector is simply attached to the body and can be removed just as easily.
Xiaomi Mi Band 5 remains a good choice even compared to the more updated model, the Mi Band 6. In the new model, the screen is even larger, at 1.56 inches. It also has its own GPS module and a few other improvements. The battery remains the same. The new model usually is about $20 more than the Mi Band 5, and not all Xiaomi users see much benefit to upgrading.
Amazfit Band 5
Pros | Cons |
Bright AMOLED touch screen; | The interface font is rather small and cannot be enlarged. |
Alexa voice assistant compatible; | |
Displays smartphone notifications; | |
Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity; | |
IP68 dust and moisture protection; | |
Heart rate monitor; | |
Up to 2 weeks without having to recharge; | |
Convenient magnet charging; | |
Affordable price. |
Another fitness band is Amazfit Band 5, produced by Huami Technology, which, in turn, actually belongs to …also Xiaomi. An interesting chain of ownership most users probably aren’t aware of. The price of the bracelet is not much more than the Mi Band 5, about $40 total. However, the features it offers are more interesting.
This tracker has a lot in common with the previous one, but they are far from being “twin bands”. Let’s look at how they are similar and how they are different. First of all, the screen is the same bright AMOLED with a diagonal measurement of 1.1 inches, including color and touch capabilities. It has a durable polycarbonate body, 2.5D tempered glass, exactly the same water resistance with a load capacity of up to 5 ATM.
In terms of features, it also has a lot in common with the Xiaomi Mi Band 5: the same 11 sports modes, heart rate monitoring with round-the-clock tracking, sleep quality analysis, personal activity index (PAI) calculation, breathing exercises, heart rate monitor, and pedometer.
This model also shares the same amazing battery life of the Mi Band 5. It can be used for two weeks on a full charge, with convenient two-pin magnetic charging.
A notable difference in the Amazfit Band 5 is its pulse oximeter, a sensor for measuring the level of oxygen in the blood. In 2021-22, this is definitely proving to be a popular feature. However, you still have to keep in mind that, officially, this is not technically an approved piece of accurate medical equipment.
The tracker seamlessly synchronizes with your smartphone via Bluetooth 5.0, receives notifications, and allows you to control the camera. If you’re one of those people who likes to use voice commands, the built-in Alexa voice assistant will come in handy.
In general, this is an excellent fitness tracker with a rave reviews from current users, and they appreciate the same combination of a very affordable price, good quality, and decent functionality.
Fitbit Inspire 2
Pros | Cons |
Bright AMOLED touch screen; | Complaints about potentially inaccurate pedometer readings |
IP68 water protection; | |
More than 20 fitness modes | |
Smart tracking and analysis programs; | |
Vibrating notifications | |
Easily syncs with your smartphone and FitBit app | |
Up to 10 days without recharging. |
This model on our list is much more expensive than the previous ones. The Inspire 2 fitness bracelet costs about $90, but keep in mind that it is far from the most expensive of the Fitbit family of devices.
At first glance, comparing its available functions and capabilities, the price may not seem entirely justified. For example, some functions like the pulse monitor, oxygen monitor, or built-in GPS simply aren’t available in this model. However, none of this prevents the Fitbit Inspire 2 from firmly remaining in the top sales reviews of the largest markets.
The secret of its popularity is simple – quality over quantity. Instead of being “stuffed” with functions, most of which very few people use, the manufacturer privileged maximum accuracy and stability. For their trackers, Fitbit even developed their own operating system – FitOS.
As for its available functions, Fitbit concentrated on three areas: health, sports and sleep. More on this in a bit.
The tracker is able to track all key biological indicators. It conducts round-the-clock heart rate monitoring, respiratory rate measurement, stress monitoring, menstrual cycle tracking, nutrition logging, and more.
Based on this initial data, the device uses its artificial intelligence capabilities while going about physical activity; it has more than 20 modes. The tracker will calculate calories burned, remind you to take a break for a short warm-up, suggest a set of breathing exercises, identify increased stresses and warn of excessive exercise stress.
For 2021, Fitbit Inspire 2 is often is counted among the top choices and is the focus of attention of many independent testers. The reaction from experts and users is mostly positive. We have seen some negative remarks about the accuracy of the pedometer, but there are too many subjective concerns here to give a definitive ruling on the issue here. The anatomical features of the user’s hand, wearing style, and environmental conditions can all affect the accuracy of the readings. The manufacturer itself quite openly warns about this on the official Fitbit Inspire 2 page.
Garmin Vivosmart 4
Pros | Cons |
Thin and light; | Narrow screen, can be difficult to see; |
Bright AMOLED screen; | No location tracker |
Water resistant up to 5 atm; | |
Extremely accurate sensors; | |
Contains a pulse oxymeter; | |
Detailed reports on its collection of data on your body’s current state; | |
Multifunctional proprietary application. |
Let’s look at another rather popular, but slightly controversial fitness tracker, the Garmin Vivosmart 4. It costs about the same as the Fitbit Inspire 2, yet in a number of points it is inferior to the Fitbit. However, the Vivosmart 4 remains in high demand and with good reason.
The main advantage of this tracker is its accuracy. It’s not perfect, otherwise its price would be much higher and it would not be possible for it to be so super compact. However, what sets it apart is that the common defects of most fitness trackers are largely absent here. There may be discrepancies, but it will definitely not measure steps when you are driving and will not detect a rapid pulse in a sausage. And this, by the way, is not such just a story, there have been real cases like that with other trackers.
Due to its minimal dimensions and light weight, the tracker is ideal for being worn 24/7. However, the small size does has a downside that can only be expected. For many people, the screen is too narrow and the fonts are too small. Touch control can also be quite difficult for some.
But in terms of available functions, the Garmin Vivosmart 4 is in complete order. There is a whole set of sensors, including a pulse oximeter. The built-in software and branded mobile application unleash the full potential of the device: you get detailed information about your physical activity day and night, stress level, and physical fitness.
One of its more interesting functions is that it can calculate the “Body Battery” index. The device will show how the “patient” is dealing with body energy and whether it is worthwhile to load himself up with physical activity in the coming days. Now you will have an official reason to lie on your favorite couch (or maybe even on the beach) to regain strength.
An obvious drawback of this model, and a very strange one, is its lack of a location function. And it’s not that it doesn’t have its own GPS module. The bracelet does not even know how to ask the smartphone for help, as many other fitness trackers do, that do not have built-in GPS.
Our general conclusion on the Garmin Vivosmart 4 tracker is the following. If you are primarily concerned with the accuracy of sensors, we advise you to pay special attention to the Garmin Vivosmart 4. But, you will have to put up with a rather difficult interface and some functional limitations. However, its branded mobile software is able to significantly compensate for these shortcomings.
Fitbit Charge 4
Pros | Cons |
Responsive touchscreen | Monochrome screen |
Vibrating notifications | The first batches had problems with attaching the band – you have to be precise this when ordering. |
Water resistant up to 50 m | |
More than 20 different sports modes | |
Built-in GPS | |
Pulse oxymeter | |
Up to seven days without re-charging | |
Includes NFC; | |
Auto-detection of types of activity;
Supports Spotify. |
And, at last, we arrive at the leader of our review — the fourth generation of the Fitbit Charge line. This fitness tracker has firmly established itself in the first place of the most influential world rankings. However, at the same time, it is also among the most expensive on the market – about $129. To be clear, we are talking here about fitness bracelets and not smartwatches, which we have already talked about in previous articles.
If you look at the simple figures of their characteristics, then Fitbit Charge 4 seems to differ little from the Amazfit Band 5. And even stranger, its screen is monochrome, and generally not many people like that. Then why does it cost three times as much? Let’s find out.
The main reason for the high cost is the same as other high priced models: placing a priority of quality over quantity. Namely, the accuracy of its sensors, according to which Fitbit Charge 4 easily outperforms more budget options. Much more important is the fact that this model lacks the most common drawback of many other trackers, poor compatibility with sports programs. The Fitbit Charge 4 syncs seamlessly with the popular Strava program, along with most other devices and apps.
Its battery life is also fairly good – it can go up to a week of work with the tracker on moderate mode. But if you turn on the built-in GPS and start tracking your routes, the battery life will drop dramatically.
The first batches of Fitbit Charge 4 caused fairly polarized reactions from users and experts – omissions and obvious defects were found. Such surprises caused quite a lively discussion in the fitness band community, but in its following upgrades, the manufacturer corrected its mistakes, eliminating the previous flaws.
To sum up
Xiaomi, as always, is trying to “infiltrate” all areas, and they do so quite successfully due to their decent quality and affordable prices. In the upper price category, there is certainly a poorly hidden snobbery such as monochrome screens and an almost intentional rejection of some very necessary functions. Nevertheless, the popularity and sales of fitness trackers is off the charts, no matter how much they cost. Choose yours and don’t forget to vote on our website.