These products are fitness wristbands that tell the user important information about things like their heart rate and step count. Knowing this information helps you stay on track with your fitness goals and reminds you throughout the day to stay active. Their very discreet designs sit comfortably on your wrist as they look like a digital watch.
It can be so difficult finding the right fitness wristband for you. With such a vast array of products to choose from, making a purchase can feel extremely overwhelming. Today, we will be comparing two of the leading fitness wristbands and break it down by their features, quality, pros, and cons.
Table of Contents
Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate + Fitness Wristband
Below is a list of features you would expect a fitness wristband to offer. Let’s see how the Fitbit Charge 2 measures up in providing a high level of service.
- Automatic Tracking
- It doesn’t matter if you are working out or going about your daily business, the Fitbit Charge 2 automatically tracks your calories burnt freeing you up from having to remember to turn the tracker on or off. This feature gives you a more accurate end of the day reading.
- Heart Rate Zone Calculator
Knowing if you are pushing yourself hard enough is essential during a workout. Fitbit Charge 2 tells you when you have reached fat burning, cardio or peak heart rates.
- Alarm Clock
It is a proven fact that being woken up gently in the morning will set you up for a less stressful day. The Fitbit Charge 2 gently vibrates at your chosen times to wake you up softly or to remind you about a meeting.
- Syncs to Mobile Phone
Your mobile phone and Fitbit Charge 2 sync together allowing you to see text messages on your wristband.
- GPS Running Map
Track the distance you are running in real-time with the wristband.
- Operating Temperatures and Altitudes
The maximum temperature and altitude for this band can reach up to 113 degrees Fahrenheit and at 30,000 feet
- Battery Life
A battery lifespan of approximately 5 days.
PROS
- 6 colors to choose from
- Bands are replaceable
- Great graphics
- Accurate heart rate monitor
- Gives you a fitness level score
CONS
- Once an activity starts it can’t be paused
- The screen doesn’t adapt the brightness in different lights
Fitbit Alta HR
The Alta HR is slimmer in design and more discreet. It was released in March 2017 making it only a few months newer than the Fitbit Charge 2 that was released in September 2016.
See Related Topic: Best Fitbit Ionic Bands For 2020 (Our Reviews & Comparisons)
- Automatic Tracking
- Your activity is tracked all day and you may compare heart rate trends.
- Your activity is tracked all day and you may compare heart rate trends.
- The Fitbit Alta HR also tells you when you are in the fat-burning, cardio, and peak heart rates so that you know if you need to push harder or slow down depending on the workout you are doing.
- Alarm Clock
- The Fitbit Alta HR also has a silent alarm, along with a sleep monitoring system that will help you get a better night’s sleep in the long run.
- Syncs to Mobile
- The Fitbit Alta HR will automatically sync to your mobile.
- GPS Running Map
- Unfortunately there isn’t a GPS running map on this model so anyone that uses this will have to plan out a running route in advance and calculate an average pace.
- Operating Temperature and Altitude
- Can handle an altitude of up to 30,000 feet.
- Battery life
- Seven days of battery life. You probably won’t let it get to the point where it’s completely out of juice, however, knowing that you don’t need to pack a charger for a long weekend away is one less thing to be concerned about.
PROS
- Slim and stylish design for those of you that want a more delicate and less eye-catching fitness band
- Available in 6 colours
- Automatically monitors heart rate so that you can get an idea of your activity level throughout the whole day and not just during workouts. This will help you calculate calories in and out to build your diet plan
- Very long battery life
CONS
- No breathing sessions are offered with the Alta HR. The breathing sessions are a brilliant way to slow yourself and cool down after an intense workout or during a meditation session1
- Not waterproof so you will have to remind yourself to take it off before swimming or showering
- No timer setting for activities so tracking workout times is not easy
Winner – Fitbit Charge 2
After comparing the two, the winner has got to be the Fitbit Charge 2.
Although it is a slightly older model, its features are a little bit more supportive of the exercise enthusiast, which will help you in every step of your health and fitness journey. It is the final touches of having a GPS real-time running tracker and slightly better graphics that makes the fitness band more enjoyable for you.
The Fitbit Alta HR is better suited to beginners that maybe don’t need so many little extras. For the price difference, I would even recommend a beginner investment in the Fitbit Charge 2 and slowly but surely they will start to experiment with the added bits.
