A 5-minute guide to fitness bands

Yes, the Apple watch might almost be here but the smartwatch category is still yet to truly catch fire. It’s not the same case with fitness bands though. From serious fitness fanatics to average health conscious types who like to measure their sleep patterns or calorie burns, a growing number of smartphone users are also investing in a smart band. The category seems to be more sorted than the smartwatch category, which is still clearly ‘work in progress; sub par battery life has been a serious impediment for the smartwatch category too. If you’re still playing "wait and watch" you might find our guide quite handy to help you choose the one for you. 


Xiaomi Mi Band (Rs 999)
Ok, so you don’t get a display, but this bargain smart band tracks your fitness levels, monitors sleep patterns (via a companion app), syncs with your smartphone alarm to give you a nudge when it chimes and also offers call alerts. The build quality is quite impressive too – an aluminium sensor and a hypoallergenic silicone band (that comes in heaps of colours). Throw in the IP67 water-resistant credentials with the 30-day battery life claim and the odds are stacked in your favour!


YU Fit (Rs 999)
An OLED display at a sub Rs 1,000 price point. Now, that will take some beating and also more than makes up for some of the other shortcomings of the device. Call and text alerts are quite handy, while the battery life is more than acceptable. The companion app tracks quite a few vitals but the pro version is quite pricey. 


GOQii premium (Rs 3,999)
This versatile band is not just sweat-proof and water resistant, it is also compatible with fitness apps like Fitbit. The virtual coach option (Rs 3,999/3 months and Rs 11,999/12 months) is one of the standout features of the GOQii band while the 7-10 day battery life is a bonus.
 

Garmin Vivofit Fitness Band (Rs 4,999)
Here’s one fitness band you can wear in the shower, as well as not worry about charging – the band comes with two replaceable batteries (just like your regular designer watch) with a one-year battery life. Sign up on the ‘Garmin Connect’ companion App for in-depth analysis and sleep tracking.


Sony SWR 10 (Rs 5,999)
So you’re not a compulsive fitness fanatic but still want to invest in a band. The SWR 10 is pricey, given that it has no display, but can keep track of all kinds of information that may satisfy the number cruncher in you. The device goes beyond a conventional fitness tracker with its ‘Lifelog’ feature. What Apps do you use? How much time you spend clicking images or browsing the web, and more information that you never knew you needed. 


Timex Sports Activity tracker (Rs 7,645)
Timex’s tracker works equally well with iPhones and Android devices and comes in a palette of vibrant colours. The device has an impressive list of fitness functions, including sleep tracking, and is waterproof up to 50 metres. Aside from text and call alerts, the device has a useful phone finder capability that can track your smartphone. 


Samsung Gear Fit (Rs 8,159)
This Samsung wearable might not have received the same attention as some of the company’s more high profile smartwatches, but delivers serious value at its price point. It only works with a select list of Samsung mobile phones though. Aside from the gorgeous Super AMOLED display, the device is water and dust resistant (IP 67) and comes with a cool set of customisable themes.


Fitbit Charge HR (Rs 12,999)
The Charge HR is probably the pick of the Fitbit family of fitness trackers. It might not have the ‘always on’ display of the flagship Fitbit Surge, or a motion sensor, but more than compensates with a whole bunch of tracking options and a five-day battery life. It also benefits from the Fitbit App, one of the best Fitness tracking apps out there.


Jawbone UP3 Rs (18,500)
Just like most Jawbone products, the UP3 boasts of cutting edge design. It might lack a display but makes up with a long list of sensors that include a new tri-axis accelerometer, skin and ambient temperature sensors. It can track anything from your BMI (Body Mass Index) to hydration levels, making it more than a powerful tool for serious fitness buffs. 


Basis Peak (Rs 18,999)
Most activity trackers need you to push buttons to flit from one mode to the other. The Basis Peak automatically selects a mode depending on your activity – start riding your bicycle and it automatically switches to cycling mode. The sleep tracker uses the motion sensor and does more than just track sleep times.