Last updated on March 9, 2021
The equipment of fitness trackers has been getting more and more extensive for years, but still the price is falling. We clarify what to look out for when buying wristbands for everyday use and sports and which products are worthwhile in 2020. We also present the test winner of the Stiftung Warentest.
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Fitness-Tracker should rather not be seen as a reliable measuring instrument, but rather as a motivation to exercise regularly and sufficiently. After all, many current fitness wristbands can make use of the GPS of the connected smartphone. This improves the accuracy of some data. However, their main purpose is to motivate the user and to alert him/her when the exercise level drops. And which model is now recommended ?
The best fitness trackers 2020: All test winners at a glance
Budget bestseller at Amazon: Yamay Fitness Bracelet
YAMAY Fitness Bracelet
Price may be higher now. Price from 09.11.2020 18:50
Yamay Fitness Bracelet at the top of the list – probably mainly because of the low price. But apart from a few bugs, the users are satisfied, they award an average of 4.1 out of 5 stars.
image source: Manufacturer
The tracker offers 14 training modes and even delivers pulse values despite its low price. But we dare to doubt that these are better than those of the above mentioned test winner – Stiftung Warentest has not examined the Amazon bestseller. In any case, the functions are impressive: sleep monitoring, alarm clock, vibration notifications for incoming calls or messages on the smartphone. You can also choose between different dials. It is also splash-proof, but not suitable for swimming. With the small price difference to the Honor-Band, the extra charge for the above mentioned test winner should be worth it.
Test winner Fitness-Tracker: Honor Band 5
Honor Volume 5
Price may be higher now. Price from 09.11.2020 16:02
Honor Band 5 because in the discipline “fitness” it scores a bit better than the competitors. The mediocre overall score is not least due to the fact that Stiftung Warentest devalued the bracelet because it only provided sufficient data protection. If other functions are more important to you, you might want to check the Fitbit Charge 3 more suitable.
image source: Manufacturer
The Honor Band 5 does not provide convincing pulse measurement when walking or jogging. It looks better when cycling. Overall, however, it collects more accurate values than other fitness trackers. It also offers all important wristband functions including swim tracking and sleep monitoring. With the very reasonable price it is also a price-performance tip
The exact fitness tracker and test winner: Apple Watch 5
Apple Watch Series 5 GPS
Price may be higher now. Price from 17/10/202020 20:38
Apple Watch Series 5, in aluminium and a size of 44mm (the other housing types do not differ technically). The watch achieves an overall score of 1.8 (“good”). Without the devaluation due to deficiencies in the privacy policy, the grade would be even better.
image source: GIGA.
The Apple Watch is an excellent addition to the iPhone (which is absolutely necessary for the clock to work). The Apple Watch is not only suitable for receiving messages, but also as a hands-free device for making phone calls, calling up information, answering messages and controlling smart home devices via apps or the voice assistant. Athletes benefit from the integrated GPS, accurate heart rate measurement, waterproof case and integrated music player. So when doing sports, the smartphone can stay at home.
update from 04.11.2020: The Apple Watch Series 5 was recently dropped in price. The reason: In September 2020 the Apple Watch Series 6 was introduced as the direct successor of the Series 5. The 2020 top model is available at prices available from 418,15 Euro (RRP) . Among the most important innovations are the ability to measure oxygen saturation in the blood, brighter displays and a faster S6 chip. Stiftung Warentest has not yet looked into the Apple Watch Series 6 – but considering the status “test winner” of the Series 5 and the improvements of the Series 6, the latter can be recommended without reservation – at least if you want the latest technology.
Apple Series 6 (OLED, 32 GB, WLAN, GPS, 40mm)
Price may be higher now. Price from 09.11.2020 16:16
Fitness-Tracker: Alternatives in the Smartwatch warehouse
<Those who find the Apple Watch Series 5 or 6 too expensive can go back to the new Apple Watch SE which is available at prices of around 300 Euro is available. It is comparatively cheap – Apple's "reason model", if you like. But the display is a bit smaller, the performance not as high as in the top models.
Apple SE (GPS, aluminium housing, 40mm)
Price may be higher now. Price from 09.11.2020 16:56
Whoever does not own an iPhone does not have to do without exact training values: The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music achieved a good score of 2.2 in the Stiftung Warentest (second place behind Apple Watch Series 5).
Garmin Forerunner 245 Music
Price may be higher now. Price from 09.11.2020 16:02
For further information see our Smartwatches purchase advisor and our video:
Fitness-Tracker in test: How it was tested and selected
In our own tests of fitness trackers, we found that real steps (depending on the model) were recorded with half an accuracy. At the end of the day, however, the different wristbands came up with very different results. Reason: Some trackers actually tried to count steps in the first place. Other models recorded almost every movement as a step – the main thing is movement! As a user you can find both good or bad. Fitness-Tracker-Test on GIGA.DE: Among others Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro (2017), Xiaomi Mi Band 3 (2018) and Samsung Galaxy Fit e (2019).
<In its study issue 07/2020, Stiftung Warentest (edition 07/2020 wanted the most accurate values possible for distance, calorie consumption and pulse measurement. In addition to walking, jogging, cycling and swimming were also examined. These test results accounted for 40 percent of the overall score. Furthermore, the wristbands were tested for handling, communication and other functions, stability, data protection and harmful substances.
Purchase Fitness Tracker: You should know that
For those who want to go in search of a fitness tracker themselves, here are a few tips for buying one.
Fitness-Tracker: Smooth transition to other types of equipment
Polar Vantage M) or Smartwatch (z.For example Apple Watch Series 5). However, the watches are heavier and less suitable for tracking at night. In addition, some sports watches do not have an integrated pedometer, but only rely on GPS. So they do not measure the movement in everyday life. For more details see our breakdown of the genres from fitness trackers to sports watches to Smartwatches.
Bracelet of the Fitness Tracker: For women, men, colourful, narrow, short, long …
<Some fitness trackers are available in two versions – large and small. In contrast to Smartwatches the versions often only differ in the length of the wristband. If the manufacturer gives a recommendation, for which wrist circumference which version is adapted, one can measure. If not, it is best to go to the local dealer of confidence and try on the bracelet.
For popular fitness trackers, other manufacturers offer more bracelets – especially for women, for men, in different colors, made of silicone, metal, … You should not expect any special quality from cheap China products. Sometimes the customer reviews at Amazon help to find a good bracelet for your personal fitness tracker.
Smartphone-App for the Fitness-Tracker – indispensable
A smartphone app is included with every fitness tracker. Here, the data is compiled, evaluated and sometimes even recommendations are given. The app is an important criterion for taking a product from brands like Fitbit. You can’t expect so much from no-name developers – they sometimes offer no or poorly translated German-language apps. If interfaces to other fitness portals are integrated, this can be overcome.
The corresponding app not only helps with data analysis: Updates are played on the fitness band via the smartphone. During workouts, thanks to the link between the tracker and the mobile phone, the data from the smartphone can also be added (GPS!) to complete the statistics. All major manufacturers offer an app for iOS in the App Store and for Android in the Google Play Store.
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