Unlike smart watches or smartwatches, activity bracelets or smartbands are a much more affordable and less cumbersome option, but, at the same time, just as complete. The advancement of technology has made it possible to compact many tracking sensors, including GPS, good battery, etc., into the smallest devices. To convert these small watches with an elongated shape into the perfect companion for practicing sports.
One of the virtues that these wearable accessories offer is that they are really comfortable when it comes to their use. The reasons for this is that they are worn on the wrist and, therefore, do not prevent the grip of accessories such as weights or the handlebar of the stationary bike. In addition, their weight is very light, which makes them practically imperceptible.
If you are looking for the best fitness bracelets to practice any type of sport, here we are going to detail the best ones and the issues that you should take into account first. The best physical activity bracelets to place on your wrist. For all tastes and pockets. We are going to show you bracelets of all prices, smartbands from the cheapest to some that are a little more expensive, but always loaded with functionalities and utilities for practicing sports.
What you should keep in mind to buy any of the smartbands
First of all, before launching to buy one, is to make a general review of the essential questions that these bracelets must have (or not, depending on your needs):
- GPS . We’ll cover the importance of GPS below, but keep in mind that it’s the difference between carrying your phone and not. It automatically searches for satellites without the need for your mobile to do so and will track the places where you do sports and then automatically transfer it to your mobile.
- Bluetooth . Yes or yes. There is no doubt about this matter. Every smartband that we buy must have built-in Bluetooth, it is the number 1 requirement. If we want to track sports activity, it must have Bluetooth to transfer the information to your smartphone. That includes, at least, Bluetooth 4.2 or higher.
- Autonomy. It all depends on the budget, the higher it is, the greater autonomy it will have, and if it has GPS, more sensors that use battery… But the minimum required to ensure a good experience is that it reaches a week of usual use . If so, you are quite satisfied.
- Resistance to water and sweat . Among the sports modes, those activities in the water cannot be missing. For example, swimming or diving, both in pools and in open water. An essential feature that the smartband must have is that it has protection against water. If you find a model without water protection, discard it directly. When we refer to water, protection also includes sweat, so it is unthinkable that we do sports and not sweat. This means that, if our body sweats too much, the bracelet will end up deteriorating. We find three different ratings that will determine the level of water protection, and that we must choose depending on the water sport that we do:
- IP66: it is resistant to splashes.
- IP67: submersible to a depth of one meter for approximately half an hour.
- IP68: submersible deeper and longer.
- Screen. The screen is one of the key elements in this type of device, since it is where we will be able to see all the information that they provide us. Depending on the size of our wrist or our own tastes, we will have to determine if we prefer a more compact model or one that has a larger screen. The brightness is also important, especially if you do sports outdoors and you do not want to have problems seeing the screen in bright sunlight. Make it at least 1.1 inches so it’s not too small.
- Bonus features . Some of the models of sports bracelets have other added functions, such as being able to play music and even save it in the bracelet itself, so that you don’t have to carry your mobile with you again. They may also have the possibility of NFC to make payments without taking out the card, but these are two extra functions that you will value if you want, since they do not influence sports practice at all.
- Google Fit compatibility . It is an ideal complement for practicing sports that shares data with the Google app. Many athletes use the famous Google Fit app that allows you to do a complete activity tracking. It allows you to see statistics, progression, types of training, etc. It is still an additional complement with compatibility that some smartbands include, and that does not hurt.
- Weight. At most, that it has a weight of about 150 grams, because otherwise, it will weigh down your wrist when doing sports and it will be uncomfortable.
- Sports modes . Naturally, if we’re looking for sports activity wristbands, they’ll have to include sports modes, right? Ideally, they have the basics, which include cycling, running, gym, athletics and indoor sports such as yoga or pilates. Then, each bracelet and brand will develop more or less specific modes that, depending on the type of sensors they have, will measure the sport we do with more or less precision. There are models with up to 90 modes, like Samsung‘s, but really with one that measures the most basic, we can use them for other variants, such as cycling, and then indoor or mountain biking. Usually they have at least ten.
- Sensors . They are especially relevant in smartbands. They are the ones that provide all the statistics and algorithms related to health measurement. You should know that they should have them, but we will specify them in another section.
- Compatibility . Usually, all of them are compatible with Android and iOS. Of course, you will need a version higher than Android 6 and iPhone models 6 and later. Each one usually uses its own application. Some of Amazfit and Xiaomi even use the same one. Use the one you like the most, because in it you will see statistics, sports data, measurements…
- Price . The price range moves between 20 and 60 euros, approximately. They are not as technologically advanced as a smartwatch, so everything that moves in that range will be the right thing to do.
Sensors for sports practice in smartbands
Activity wristbands use sensors and algorithms to monitor and quantify movements during sports practice, something that implies a certain degree of inaccuracy. The usual thing is to find activity bracelets that monitor daily activities such as the steps we take throughout the day, hours of sleep, heart rate and calorie estimation. There are also models that allow you to record certain metrics related to specific sports activities, so if we practice a sport regularly.
Among the sensors that we can find, they usually have accelerometers to measure steps, gyroscopes to determine what we are doing (we are sitting, standing, on the bike…). The most complete add a heart rate monitor, GPS to track our location (which we’ll talk about later), a magnetometer to detect specific movements, a barometer to detect altitude… In a short list, these are the most complete sensors:
- Magnetometer. It will detect the movements made by the person wearing the bracelet and automatically indicate the most appropriate sports mode. It will help you to know where you are and where you are looking.
- Barometer. Ideal for mountaineers or hikers who climb high latitudes, we will want to measure the level of altitude and latitude at which we are.
- Accelerometer. It measures the force of acceleration, direction, gravity and orientation of the device. It would be nice if it had at least 3 axes.
- compass If you go out to the mountains a lot, it will be good for you to know which way is north, south, east or west, because if you get lost, it could save you.
- Heart rate . Being able to measure heart rate will help you keep track of your heart per minute and the intensity at which it beats.
- Oxygen meter or Sp02 . It emits light impulses through the skin to know the color of the blood and how it varies as the heart does it to calculate your oxygen level, indicated as a percentage (ideally between 95% and 100%).
GPS in smartbands: important depends on what for
We advance it at the top, and expand on it here because we feel it’s important to discern between models with GPS and those without. Keep in mind that any smartband can be linked to your phone’s GPS in order to more accurately monitor the route or route you’ve taken.
In addition to the multitude of advantages that GPS offers, the main one, by far, is that you will not have to carry your phone with you at any time. It may seem silly, but the mobile is a physical burden, not only in terms of weight (depending on the mobile, they weigh up to more than 200 grams), but also in terms of mobility, since it is uncomfortable to have to carry it in your hand or tied in the arm. Maybe you like to play sports outdoors and you don’t want to take your phone with you to prevent a bad fall from damaging it.
Most GPS of these devices, when you get home, will be linked to your phone so that you have all the records of your physical activity saved. But of course… This supposes an inconvenience that, a priori, is not too great, but it does affect: autonomy .
When using GPS, the battery is consumed much faster , since the device locates the different satellites to monitor your position in the most precise way. Therefore, you must bear in mind that when you are using the GPS of your smartband, the device’s battery will be significantly reduced. Although the vast majority of models offer an autonomy of more than 5 hours with this element activated, so you should not worry too much about this aspect.
Affordable smartbands without GPS
If, for example, you are going to do some type of indoor sports activity, it will not be necessary for you to have GPS on your smartband, or you simply want to track time, heart rate, regardless of the route taken. In that case, a bracelet without GPS will be a wise decision, with less budget. We show you some of the best models.
Electric Giant
The first smartband we have to mention is this one from Electric Giant , and it’s also the most affordable. For €16.99 you can have an interesting bracelet with you, capable of doing a lot of things.
On an aesthetic level it is simple, discreet. It is perfect if you want it to go completely unnoticed. Of course: you will not be able to change the strap. Nothing happens, since it is black and will combine you with all outfits.
As for the specifications, it is IP67 waterproof and dustproof, allowing you to use it at all times. It has a heart rate and sleep monitor , sending all the information to the application. As for autonomy, it promises up to 7 days . And the notifications will reach your bracelet without problems.
Honor Band 5: one of the best smartbands
Meet the basics and at the best price. It has a good design and construction, with a sufficient 0.95-inch AMOLED screen, which is also curved, to give it a more premium touch. As for sports, it is capable of recording up to 10 different modes, including a multi-sport mode that monitors heart rate in real time, reduces the risks of exercise, duration, distance, speed and race.
It also has blood oxygen measurement and heart rate. It is available in three different colors: black, pink and blue. It even has notifications of incoming calls, SMS, email, reminders… Very complete for its low price of 29.74 euros .
Samsung Galaxy Fit2
In this selection, the Samsung model could not be missing, which is one of the best sellers in all stores. It is discreet, complete and at a good price. We like how compact it is and its great autonomy capable of lasting up to 15 days even using sports modes. It is water resistant up to 50 meters to practice all kinds of underwater activities.
It has a comfortable 1.1-inch AMOLED color screen, 3D curved glass, with the possibility of customizing up to 75 different covers. We like it because it is one of the ones that has the most sports modes: up to 90. Among its sensors we find the heart rate, accelerometer and gyroscope, with water resistance of 5 atmospheres IP68 . It has the latest version of Bluetooth 5.0.
Its price is about 50 euros in the following Amazon link:
Xiaomi MiBand 7
In our selection, the successful Xiaomi Mi Band 7 could not be missing. The latest model of the famous bracelet of the Chinese brand and that brings important improvements. Among them, a better screen of 192 × 490 pixels and 1.62 inches. This represents a 25% higher screen ratio compared to the previous model.
This model is great for sports, as it includes 120 different training modes . That exponentially improves the few models that the 6 series had. As if that were not enough, it brings all kinds of sensors for monitoring health and sports.
Among them, monitoring of the percentage of oxygen in the blood (SpO2) throughout the day, with alerts for unbalanced levels. Of course, it will continue to monitor your heart rate 24 hours a day. It also adds breathing tracking during sleep, stress, and the female cycle.
It is completely waterproof , with water resistance up to 5 atmospheres, for those water sports. In fact, it has resistance up to 5 ATM or 50 meters of surface. Its price is about 70 euros.
Smartband models with GPS
The superior models are those that equip GPS, like these:
Huawei Band 4 Pro
The current jewel in the crown within the smartbands catalog of the Asian manufacturer. The HUAWEI Band 4 Pro is a wearable that will more than meet your expectations. To do this, not only does it have GPS, but it also boasts all kinds of sensors, including an SpO2 to monitor blood oxygen levels accurately.
Its screen is somewhat more compact than the rest of the models, with only 0.95 inches. In some cases it could be a small inconvenience. Its resolution is 240 x 120 pixels.
It stands out for its training mode with 9 different types , and all monitored thanks to TruSeen. It also has water resistance, it is submersible up to 50 meters. Among its sensors we find the heart rate and oxygen monitoring , with many sports modes and a price of approximately 79 euros, although its design is not the most modern.
Fitbit Charge 4
It is a model compatible with both iOS and Android devices, it has integrated GPS and offers complete control of physical activity. It incorporates a heart rate sensor, sleep analysis , blood oxygen saturation, calories consumed and control of minutes in the active zone.
The screen of this model is even smaller than the previous ones seen. We are talking about 1.5 inches but with a too large bezel. However, it is rewarded that it is from the Fitbit brand, with the most precise sensors and integrated GPS . You won’t need to carry your mobile with you when you want to exercise.
Compatible with Google Fit. An activity bracelet with an attractive design, OLED touch screen, submersible up to 50 meters and more than 20 exercise modes. It costs about 150 euros .
Fitbit Charge 5
Something more advanced in time is this Fitbit Charge 5, the renewal of the previous model. An activity bracelet that stands out for lasting up to 7 days and being submersible up to 50 meters, compatible with Android and iOS. Among its functions we find monitoring through electrocardiograms and its particular advanced sensor, stress management tools, skin temperature sensor, female health monitoring and blood oxygen monitoring . In addition, it has full compatibility with Google Fit.
GPS is fully integrated to combine with 20 different exercise modes, capable of providing recovery level statistics, continuous monitoring, automatic activity detection, entertainment intensity map and movement reminders. It is the most complete for the 150 euros that it usually costs on Amazon.
Amazfit X
This selection ends with one of the most complete models at all levels. It is the Amazfit bracelet, model X. It is the most complete that we can find on the current market, with a titanium body and a 92º curved screen for a perfect fit to any wrist of any size. The body is made of metal, but it is still light and resistant. Its screen is HD, AMOLED and 2.07 inches with a high resolution, one of the best.
Equip Huami’s BioTracker 2 sensor, with heart rate monitor, oxygen measurement, sleep quality and stress. Its water resistance is 5 atmospheres , that is, about 50 meters to take it to the beach, pool, or in the shower. It is capable of providing up to 7 days of battery life at full capacity and yes, it has GPS. The Amazfit X has nine built-in sports modes. Without clicking the start button, the watch can automatically recognize four types of exercise (walking, treadmill activity, outdoor running, outdoor cycling), inform you and record the exercise data.
The price of this Amazfit bracelet is 300 euros .
The recommendation
At this point it is not easy to make a decision, right? We have proposed a series of models both with GPS and without it. If you are looking for a recommendation, we help you.
Choosing a model without integrated GPS is easy: the Xiaomi Mi Band 6 is one of the most reputable on the market, which is updated every year to bring us news in all aspects, including in the sports section. We like that it has the most advanced and best quality sensors at a very competitive price.
In the case of having to choose an activity bracelet with GPS, the chosen one is the Fitbit Charge 5 , one of the most renewed models in 2022, with integrated GPS and many sensors that guarantee needle precision.