The smartwatch might have pushed fashion watches to the brink but many consumers are still not quite ready to dump their old-school watch just yet. If you’re one of those who still prefers your heirloom Swiss watch but would still like to keep tabs of your wellness metrics, an unobtrusive activity tracker or fitness band might just be what you need. From ECG to SpO2 tracking, these bands have become ‘smarter’. We round up some of the best bands you can buy now:
Fitbit Charge 5: The Fitbit Charge 5 makes the strongest case for an activity tracker over a smartwatch. It’s finished in aluminium, the OLED display (1.04-inches/326 PPI) offers great visibility even under sunlight. There’s in-built GPS in case you decide to leave your smartphone behind when going for a run. It’s the wellness features that set it apart.
Fitbit has packed the fifth-gen Charge with features that are available on the top-of-the-line Fitbit Sense. Aside from SpO2 tracking, there’s an EDA sensor (for stress levels), a temperature sensor that measures skin temperature variation and ECG monitoring. It’s easy to swap straps with the new design. Fitbit has also thrown in a bunch of cool optional straps that allow you to customise. (Rs 14,999)
OnePlus Band Steve Harrington edition: The OnePlus band adds a funky style element to this category. OnePlus worked with LA-based artist and designer Steve Harrington for this limited-edition model that features his signature stylised graffiti along with artistic caricatures and design.
This fitness band sports a vibrant 1.1-inch AMOLED display with customisable watchfaces. You get 13 exercise modes, sleep tracking, SpO2 tracking and is pool-proof too (5ATM / IPS 68 certified). With two weeks of battery life, you won’t be reaching out for your charger too often. (Rs 3,299)
Huawei Band 6: The major trade-off with an activity tracker (vs. a smartwatch) is the display size. That’s, however, not the case with the Huawei Band 6 that boasts a 1.47-inch AMOLED display (194 x 368 pixels / 282 PPI) with great visibility even under direct sunlight.
Thanks to Huawei’s new smart power-saving algorithm, the Band 6 supports all day SpO2 monitoring to keep a constant tab on your oxygen saturation levels.The band also provides continuous, real-time and accurate heart rate, sleep and stress monitoring. And then there’s the 14-day battery life with fast charging – a five minute charge gives you two days of battery life. (Rs 3,999)
Oppo Band Style: This Oppo is one of the most elegantly designed fitness bands in the sub-Rs 3,000 price category with a refined gold metal buckle (with a beige band) that encircles the display. You can swap this for an all-black band and case that’s bundled in the box. The band features a vibrant 1.1-inch AMOLED display (126 x 294 pixels) but it’s standout feature is Oppo’s Continuous SpO2 monitoring feature that keeps a tab on your blood oxygen levels.
The band offers other wellness regulars like sleep monitoring, continuous heart rate monitoring and comes with 12 workout modes and 5ATM water resistance. (Rs 2,999)
Mi SmartBand 6: The rounded edges and large screen improve visibility on the 1.56-inch AMOLED display (326 PPI).
There’s a choice of over 60 band displays that have been optimised for this full screen. You can choose from six colours (optional accessory) to customise your band. Wellness features include Mi’s ‘Personal Activity Intelligence’ that uses your heart rate and other data to give you suggestions to improve your score. Other features include SpO2 and sleep tracking, in addition to automatic recognition of six fitness modes. (Rs 3,499)