A fitness bracelet helps fight sedentary lifestyle, counts your steps and tracks your heart rate when you’re exercising. But with so many options, choosing the ideal smartband isn’t easy. That’s why we present the right models for each type of person.
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But before we move on to our tips on best fitness bracelets, we need to quickly explain one thing. This article deals with smartbands, which are those discreet bracelets equipped with sensors to measure heart rate or count steps. Smartwatches, on the other hand, are usually larger, have additional smart functions, connect to the Internet even without a smartphone and have a unique list here on the channel:
- The best smartwatches compatible with your Android and iPhone
Take a shortcut:
- The best fitness bracelet: Xiaomi Mi Band 6
- The best alternative to Xiaomi Mi Band 6: Huawei Band 6
- The best smartband for swimmers: Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro or Fitbit Charge 4
- Best value for money: Xiaomi Mi Band 5
- Best Alternative to a Smartwatch: Fitbit Charge 4
- Best smartband with SpO2 sensor: Xiaomi Mi Band 6 and Huawei Band 6
- What to consider when buying an activity monitor?
- Do fitness bracelets have an impact on mental health?
- Where to buy your smartband?
The best fitness bracelet: Xiaomi Mi Band 6
Xiaomi Mi Band 6: the queen of fitness bracelets / ©
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The Mi Band 6 is an improved version of Mi Band 5. Even though we had the same size as the 2020 variant, we had a screen optimization, which is larger, is 1.56 inches. With 152 x 486 pixels, Xiaomi has also increased pixel density and the panel is still bright.
Regarding the extras, the Chinese manufacturer added the SpO2 monitoring sensor to Mi Band 6, but removed the button below the display, which is no longer available in the new generation because of the larger screen. This ended up generating a reduction in battery life too, which is now 10 days, but let’s combine, it’s still very economical, right?
One of our criticisms regarding Xiaomi’s smartband is that it does not yet have integrated GPS. Therefore, to track your running or cycling route, using your smartphone in conjunction with the wristband will be necessary to keep track of your route.
Finally, if you use The Mi Band 5 today, you don’t necessarily need to switch to Mi Band 6 unless the larger screen is important enough for you. For all others who wish to enter the world of fitness bracelets spending little, we recommend the Mi Band 6 without thinking twice. The 6th generation of the category leader is better than ever!
Currently the Xiaomi Mi Band 6 can be found for just under R $ 300, with a small price variation if you risk buying it via import.
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Xiaomi Mi Band 6
- See the offer
R$293.28(American)
The best alternative to Xiaomi Mi Band 6: Huawei Band 6
A larger screen makes everything better / ©
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Huawei Band 6 is great at tracking fitness and vital data. This is due to the 96 sports modes, 24-hour SpO2 tracking and long battery life. In our review of Huawer Band 6, we were able to confirm that the operation and handling of the smartband are also very good.
Just like Xiaomi Mi Band 6, however, the disadvantage here is the absence of integrated GPS. Another downside is the fact that android phones and android scans for Google services can’t use cycle tracking.
However, in favor of Huawei Band 6 we have the water inlet resistant to 5 ATM, which allows to use the bracelet in the pool; you can adjust the brightness of the screen manually; and offers a more fluid experience than the Samsung Galaxy Fit 2.
Added to this, huawei’s smartband offers a long-life battery and fast charging. Which is excellent, since the bracelet screen is relatively large. The Huawei Band 6 can be found in the national retail for about R $ 380.
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Huawei Band 6
- See the offer
R$370.00(Submarine)
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Huwei Band 6
- See the offer
R$341.10(American)
Best Smart Swim Bracelet: Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro or Fitbit Charge 4
The Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro offers a powerful swimming mode / ©
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Swimming punishes the joints less than running, and if that’s your favorite type of activity, it’s worth buying the Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro or the Fitbit Charge 4. Models are not available for direct sale in Brazil, but you can import them.
Both bracelets offer a water resistance rating suitable for swimming, with manufacturers advertising up to 50 meters deep. While there are many fitness bracelets that can go without fear on the wrist when jumping in the water, fitbit and Samsung models offer an important additional feature.
Because with both trackers, you can manually set the current track length (or pool) and have the activity recorded automatically. This means that you do not have to count the number of laps and can evaluate the times after. If you’re also going to run, both devices have a GPS sensor as well as a heart rate monitor.
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Fitbit Charge 4
- Go to the store
R$1 113.00(Amazon [marketplace])
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Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro
- See the offer
$269.00(Amazon [USA])
Best value for money: Xiaomi Mi Band 5
The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 comes with a colorful display and a battery with great duration / ©
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If you are looking for a fitness bracelet in 2021, the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 will probably meet your expectations and needs. This is because the smartband offers a long battery life, reliably aswells heart rate and steps, offers the main functions of the market, the tracked data is processed in the Mi Fit app accurately and is also very accessible. In our opinion, the recording of vital data works very well and completely, helped by the long battery life.
This is because the amount of time that the Mi Band 5 needs to stay plugged into the outlet is very low. Also, because the device is cheap, the concern about eventual damage may be less than the more expensive alternatives such as smartwatches. At the same time, the AMOLED display is easy to read even in natural light, and from the fifth generation, you can also charge the Mi Band with a magnetic recharging accessory. For more information, take a look at our review of the Xiaomi Mi Band 5.
The Mi Band does not have an integrated GPS tracker, which is something that should be considered before buying it. So to keep up with your running or cycling course, you’ll need to carry your smartphone with your wristband. This is the only way the smartband accesses your phone’s GPS receiver via Bluetooth and keeps track of your route.
Currently the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 can be found for just under R $ 220, with a small price variation if you risk buying it via import. However, in the official store Mi Brasil, the price of the device is R $ 524.39.
Affiliate offer
Xiaomi Mi Band 5
- See the offer
R$215.99(American)
Affiliate offer
Xiaomi Mi Band 5
- Go to the store
R$286.00Kabum
Best Alternative to a Smartwatch: Fitbit Charge 4
Fitbit Charge 4 is a good alternative if smartwatches are too clumsy for you/ ©
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If you like the look of a fitness bracelet and expect the functions of a smartwatch, the Fitbit Charge 4 may be your choice. The discreet smartband has an integrated GPS module and offers the Fitbit Pay payment system thanks to NFC, unfortunately not yet released to users in Brazil. In addition, Fitbit Charge 4 supports application installation and allows you to respond to notifications received via quick reply.
As our tip for swimmers, the Fitbit Charge 4 is waterproof to a depth of 50 meters. However, as Fitbit does not offer the model in the Brazilian market, it is more suitable for buyers who are willing to spend a little more than the first suggestions on the list and are willing to import the device. In addition, depending on the final value, consumers can find smartwatches like Fitbit Versa, which already offers more options with a larger screen.
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Fitbit Charge 4
- Go to the store
R$1 113.00(Amazon [marketplace])
Best smartband with SpO2 sensor: Xiaomi Mi Band 6 and Huawei Band 6
Both the
Xiaomi Mi Band 6 as to
Huawei Band 6 are excellent smartband options with SpO2 sensor / ©
Both Xiaomi Mi Band 6 and Huawei Band 6 have appeared on this list. While we consider the first to be the best smartband on the market in 2021, the second is the alternative to the first. It’s as simple as that. Therefore, nothing more logical than indicating one of the two for those looking for an excellent experience with the SpO2 sensor.
Xiaomi did not need to reinvent the wheel with the Mi Band 6, but added the monitoring of oxygen saturation in the blood (SpO2 measurement), which was one of the most important functions integrated into the new generation. This is really relevant when we consider the value of this smartband. In our review of Mi Band 6, the integration of the SpO2 sensor was considered a relevant feature when indicating the purchase of this smartband.
Huawei Band 6 has a heart rate monitor that can also measure blood oxygen saturation. The upside here is that this is done 24 hours a day.
Affiliate offer
Xiaomi Mi Band 6
- See the offer
R$293.28(American)
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Huwei Band 6
- See the offer
R$370.00(Submarine)
Note: SpO2 values are indicated for reference only, i.e., they can be used for guidance and are not medical in nature. Always look for a specialist before making any decisions.
What to consider when buying an activity monitor?
If you are still starting your search for a smartband, it is important to be mind in mind its type of use, which will help filter out the various options available in the market.
Do you need a GPS receiver?
If your smartphone is always with you when you run or do physical activities, you don’t need a GPS receiver on your wristband. After all, almost all devices in the category offer the option to record the distance traveled in partnership with your mobile phone.
Models like the Fitbit Charge 4 can accurately record your route thanks to GPS / ©
In addition, GPS on modern smartphones are often more accurate than modules in smartbands. In my experience, wristbands with an integrated GPS module often lose the connection and you will appear running through walls and houses in the exercise history. In these cases, the race route record loses its meaning and does not serve for personal control or sharing on social networks.
Music control or music player?
Another detail in the choice of fitness device is the difference between music control and the music player. A built-in music app lets you copy the songs to the wristband’s built-in memory and listen to them on the go without the need for a smartphone, using only Bluetooth headphones.
If the manufacturer advertises its fitness tracker only with integrated music control, it can be assumed that the device only works as a remote control. In this case, the bracelet allows you to leave the smartphone in your pocket, with the smartband in charge of the music app options in use on the mobile phone. Some models, such as Fitbit Charge 4, offer a third option, with control exclusively for the Spotify app.
Is an SPO2 sensor really useful?
Keeping an eye on your oxygen saturation (or blood oxygenation) during an activity, as the OnePlus Band does, seems to be an indispensable resource at first glance. However, know that the level of oxygen in the blood hardly fluctuates in healthy people. Therefore, it is more advisable to check it when exercising in mountainous areas or under extreme stress.
If you do not intend to do this, you can leave aside the feature, also known as oximeter. In any case, this type of sensor is available in only a few models, so it does not change the above recommendations.
What synchronization system?
The full range of data collected can only be viewed in the apps that come with the fitness bracelets. To do this, the information must first be transferred from the smartband to your smartphone or PC. At a minimum, your activity monitor should have Bluetooth communication so you can transfer the data without problems to your phone.
In this list you only find models that have at least Bluetooth. Even so, it is also practical that the device is compatible with Wi-Fi. This way, the data goes to the cloud as soon as you get home after training. For wristbands that can download music to play during exercise, downloading files over the wireless network is faster than via Bluetooth. And depending on how important use with Wi-Fi is, especially use without a mobile phone around, it might be the case to consider a smartwatch.
Sleep monitoring and attention
A healthy lifestyle isn’t just about working out, running and swimming! You also need to rest, and fortunately, smartbands also help with that. The most common and useful feature for this is sleep tracking, which monitors the duration and quality of your rest. Human sleep consists of different phases, light, deep and the so-called REM sleep phase.
Each stage is characterized by a certain movement pattern, and for those who sleep like the fitness bracelet, she can monitor her sleep. As convenient as this feature is, a smartband can be annoying while you sleep. In addition to the device itself hinders your cozy sleeping position, wearing a bracelet at night can also be a hygiene problem. A silicone strip that has just been soaked in sweat is probably not something anyone wants to take to bed.
By the way, on the topic of attention, activity monitors have meditation resources or breathing exercises. They often assess your pulse and record whether it changes during the planned rest period.
Compatibility with other devices
If you not only want to run with your smartband, but also want to keep an eye on your vital data during martial arts or gymnastics workouts, it might be interesting to search for Huawei or Garmin models. In the Huawei Health app and Garmin Forerunner watches, you can use additional devices such as chest straps with heart rate monitors. A pieceof accessory can be useful, for example, when you bend your wrist or the fitness tracker slips for other reasons in some movements, which can lead to measurement errors. In addition, Garmin HRM Run models can also record vertical movement and ground contact time.
Special features such as notifications, contactless payment, or telephony
As we said at the beginning, it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between activity monitors and smartwatches. That’s because, with new functions released all the time, new selling arguments also arrive, and so features like wireless payments or microphones and speakers to make phone calls can now also be found on some bracelets. While these specific features are still rare, you can already access your notifications, set an alarm, or check the time with almost all available smartbands.
New features like GPS and contactless payment bring smartbands closer to smartwatches / ©
In addition, the main models can be customized with their own dials. Here weighs your (good?) taste, since a purchase recommendation can not be so influenced by the variety of visual options on the device, even if manufacturers beat in the chest to disclose the absurd amount of options for visual customization.
Materials, box and weight
Similarly, the design of the fitness bracelet is an individual issue and depends on your taste, although there are also practical influences. Leather, fabric or plastic bracelets can be an advantage or disadvantage depending on the type of activity you engage in. When swimming, for example, fabric options can get disgusting quickly, and at night, when sleeping, they are usually more comfortable.
Something worth remembering when deciding to purchase is that while spare bracelets can be purchased and replaced, the weight and dimensions of the activity monitor are set. If you have the possibility to test the smartband in a store, do not miss the opportunity!
What impact do fitness bracelets have on mental health?
The practice of exercise is healthy for most people, that no one disagrees. But is it really advisable to keep an eye on your heart rate and vital signs like oxygen in your blood? In my opinion, the psychological consequences of a fitness bracelet are usually left aside in similar buying guides and for this reason I would like to cite a survey that is worth checking out.
An August 2020 University of Copenhagen study indicates that smartbands have arguably increased motivation in a test group composed of people with heart disease between the age of 28 and 74. At the same time, however, anxiety about his own health increased as the data obtained were interpreted without medical advice.
The researchers tended to treat the data from the device as medical advice and did not see it as data that needed to be interpreted by a health professional. Although they were people with a pre-existing condition, vital signs such as resting pulse or heart rate zones are not adequately explained on many fitness monitors.
Therefore, buying a fitness bracelet does not replace the goings to the doctor, regardless of whether you are an athlete or a person with an active lifestyle. And of course, your body’s responses are still good indicators of your health. If every step hurts, there’s no reason to follow the smartband’s attempts to get you out for a spin.
Where to buy a smartband?
Last but not least, I leave some tips on how to buy a fitness bracelet. As we have already talked about in the size section, devices are usually offered in a standard size. Rarely do we find smartbands with different sizes of boxes, as is common in smartwatches. Therefore, if you have especially thick or thin wrists, the bracelets may not serve properly.
Therefore, it is advisable to try the desired device before purchase. At this point there is the advantage that fitness monitors are not only sold by electronics stores, but there are also devices from Fitbit, Garmin and the company in sports stores. Staff can also assist you with additional accessories or products. In addition to the trained staff in the store, you can also ask your doctor for help. They may not be able to give technical advice, but you can always ask them to interpret their vital signs.
To finish, we hope that after this article you have already defined your fitness bracelet or at least know how to find the right model for you. Share in the comments what are your requirements for a smartband and what tips should we include in this list for the next update?
Wearable
List of best
Fitness bracelet
Fitbit
Xiaomi
Huawei
Samsung
Xiaomi Mi Band 5
Fitbit Charge 4
Xiaomi Mi Band 6
Huawei Band 6
Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro
