Rights & Money

Discover the Top 5 Fitness Trackers

By Katrina Caruso

Looking to take better care of yourself in 2018? A fitness tracker can help you to keep tabs on your progress—and to stay motivated. We’ve compiled a list of the top 5 fitness trackers to check out.

 

# 1. Best in show: Fitbit Charge 2 ($199.95)

Details:

  • Sizes: small and large
  • Battery life: 5 days
  • Syncs with MyFitnessPal app
  • Food and sleep tracking
  • Compatibility: iOS and Android
  • Water-resistance: splash-proof
  • Heart rate monitor
  • Interchangeable bands
  • Large display can show alerts for calls, texts, and calendar
  • Can calculate VO2 Max score

Low points:

  • No GPS
  • Not swim proof

 

# 2. Most affordable: Fitbit Flex 2 ($79.95)

Details:

  • Sizes: small and large
  • Battery life: up to 5 days
  • Syncs with MyFitnessPal app
  • Food and sleep tracking
  • Compatibility: iOS and Android
  • Water-resistant and swim-proof
  • Heart rate monitor
  • Versatile: sensor can be placed into a pendant or wristband
  • Offers smartphone alerts

Low points:

  • No GPS

 

# 3. Best looking: Nokia Steel (formerly Withings Activité Steel) ($159.99)

Details

  • Sizes: small and large
  • Battery life: 8 months
  • Syncs with MyFitnessPal app
  • Food and sleep tracking
  • Compatibility: iOS and Android
  • Water-resistant to 50 metres/swim-proof
  • Heart rate monitor
  • Stylish design (looks like a classic analog watch)
  • Uses Nokia’s Health Mate app
  • Can sync with Nokia’s smart scale (for tracking weight)

Low points:

  • No GPS

 

# 4. Best affordable tracker for running: Garmin Forerunner 25 ($109.92)

Details:

  • Sizes: one size/adjustable strap
  • Battery Life: 10 weeks or 8–10 hours in GPS mode
  • Syncs with MyFitnessPal app
  • Compatibility: Android and iOS
  • Swim-proof
  • Sleep tracking
  • GPS (distance, speed, and pace) plus notifications for every mile run

Low points:

  • Heart rate monitor sold separately
  • No food or sleep tracking

 

# 5. Bestseller on Amazon: Fitbit Blaze ($249.95)

Details:

  • Sizes: small and large
  • Battery Life: 5 days
  • Syncs with MyFitnessPal app
  • Food and sleep tracking
  • Compatibility: iOS and Android
  • Splash-proof
  • Heart rate monitor
  • Interchangeable bands
  • Colourful display

Low points:

  • No GPS

Photo: iStock/TeerawatWinyarat.