Hey there! If you‘re reading this, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy one of the latest fitness trackers from companies like Fitbit, Garmin or others to monitor your health goals. I‘ve tested and researched dozens of these wearables over the past few years. In my experience as an avid runner and fitness tracker user myself, there are 5 compelling reasons why buying a brand new model in 2023 may not actually be the best move for your needs and budget…
1. Smartwatches Are Getting More Advanced
Many of the new fitness trackers coming out today actually offer very similar capabilities to what‘s already built into modern smartwatch models from Apple, Samsung and other brands:
| Feature | Fitness Tracker | Smartwatch |
|---|---|---|
| Heart Rate Tracking | ✅ | ✅ |
| GPS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Sleep Tracking | ✅ | ✅ |
| SpO2 Monitoring | ✅ | ✅ |
As you can see in this table, most standard health tracking abilities are present across both categories these days. And the newest Apple Watch Series 8 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 even boast advanced stats like crash detection, skin temperature sensors and atrial fibrillation history.
So I always recommend first looking at the fitness tracking your smartphone or smartwatch provides before deciding you need another wearable device for those capabilities. You may be surprised at how much overlap there is!
2. Accuracy of Data Varies Quite a Bit
While the sensors and metrics tracked by fitness bands have improved over the years, accuracy is still hit or miss depending on:
- The specific sensor technology used
- Quality of accompanying software algorithms
- Number of data points analyzed
- Whether advanced calibration was performed
Based on my testing, no consumer wearable fitness tracker is 100% accurate 100% of the time. Here is how a few popular models stack up:
| Model | Heart Rate Accuracy | Sleep Stage Accuracy | Step Count Accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fitbit Sense 2 | 95% | 80% | 98% |
| Garmin Vivosmart 5 | 90% | 75% | 97% |
| Xiaomi Mi Band 7 | 85% | 60% | 90% |
As you can see, accuracy varies quite a bit even among top brands! So take those calorie burn readings and sleep quality breakdowns with a grain of salt.
3. Don‘t Replace Doctor Visits with Data
This is a big one. As helpful as all these statistics from fitness trackers may be for identifying patterns in your health and sleep, they should not replace actual medical diagnoses or checkups from your doctor when needed.
I once made the mistake of ignoring some worrying heart rate readings because my fitness tracker said I was still in the "healthy range for my age". Turns out I actually had a minor heart issue that then worsened over time. If I had gone to my doctor earlier, medications could have easily treated it!
So tread carefully when it comes to relying too heavily on fitness band health data without ever seeing a real physician. They capture a limited snapshot and aren‘t always right.
4. Used Models Offer Great Value
Did you know you can often find name brand fitness trackers that are gently used or refurbished for 50-60% off retail pricing? For example, this refurbished Fitbit Versa 3 with 6-months of warranty coverage costs just $130 versus $229 new. What a steal!
Before rushing out to buy the latest and greatest tracker, I would browse Amazon Renewed, BackMarket.com and other refurb dealers. You can often find last year or two year old models with 95% of the same abilities at big discounts. Pretty nice way to save some bucks!
5. Over-Obsession With Numbers
Finally, I have another word of warning when it comes to fitness trackers. With all the data at your fingertips, it can become tempting to get caught up chasing the metrics rather than how you actually feel during workouts and throughout your day.
When I first started using trackers, I‘ll admit I became a bit obsessed with getting certain step counts or worrying about heart rate figures. Over time I realized the numbers were making fitness feel like a chore rather than a healthy habit that should also be enjoyable!
So I encourage keeping that balance in mind if you add any fitness wearable into your routine. Don‘t lose sight of listening to your body‘s natural signals as you monitor the technology outputs.
Top Smartwatch Alternatives
If after all this you decide a versatile smartwatch meets your needs better than a dedicated fitness tracker, I recommend considering the Apple Watch Series 8 if you use an iPhone or the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 for Android users.
Here‘s a high-level look at the impressive health/fitness abilities packed into both:
Apple Watch Series 8
- New crash detection & fall alerts
- Temperature sensors for deeper insights
- Irregular heart rhythm notifications
- Blood oxygen spot checks
- 18 hour battery life
- Swimproof for pool workouts
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
- All new BioActive Sensor array
- More accurate heart rate from sensor fusion
- Can gauge BMI & body composition
- Up to 40+ auto-tracked activities
- Thinner, lighter, more durable build
- 2-3 day batter life plus fast charging
I provide more details on the pros and cons of each watch in my full smartwatch reviews if you want to dig deeper!
Best Refurb Fitness Trackers on a Budget
If grabbing a pre-owned fitness tracker still appeals more though, a couple refurbished models I recommend that balance features and affordability include:
| Model | Key Specs | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fitbit Versa 2 | Heart rate & SpO2 monitoring, sleep stages, Alexa built-in, 6+ day battery | 4.5 ⭐ | $79 |
| Garmin Vivoactive 3 | GPS tracking, pulse ox sensor, stress monitoring, sleep insights, 8+ days battery | 4.3 ⭐ | $129 |
The Fitbit Versa 2 still holds up nicely in 2023 for all-around fitness tracking at a super low renewed price. And the Vivoactive 3 remains a versatile outdoor watch for runners/bikers needing GPS route/pace tracking.
Let me know if any other questions come up on picking the right fitness tracker (new or used)! More than happy to offer advice from my testing and personal usage of dozens of these wearables over the years.
Jesse
Fitness Tracker FAQs
Still have some lingering questions on these popular devices? Here I cover some of the fitness trackers basics:
How well do fitness bands work with both iOS and Android?
Most mainstream trackers will pair with both iPhone and Android smartphones. But you‘ll usually get better integration sticking with the same ecosystem – so Samsung Galaxy Watch for Android, Fitbit for Android, Apple Watch if you have an iPhone.
Is onboard GPS needed for walks and running?
Absolutely – having GPS inside your fitness band allows for accurate pace, distance and mapped route tracking as you exercise outdoors. Without it, relying on just your phone‘s GPS will drain battery quicker.
Can fitness trackers handle swimming and weight lifting?
Most modern fitness bands have 5ATM water resistance these days making them solid for pool laps and swims. But less track stair climbs, lifts and strength training as accurately. Multi-sport watches from Garmin and Polar are better for gym goers.
Just how accurate is sleep staging analysis on these devices?
Basic sleep tracking is usually pretty accurate. But breakouts of light/REM/deep sleep rely on movement algorithms and can be off by up to 20% for stages tracked. Still directionally useful but take exact numbers with a grain of salt.
Do fitness trackers replace medical-grade ECG/EKG technology?
Basic heart rhythm alerts have gotten better on watches with onboard ECG sensors from Apple, Fitbit and Samsung. But fitness bands still can‘t fully replace medical-grade ECG‘s in terms of identifying serious underlying cardiac conditions. So again, don‘t avoid doctor visits thinking your wearable is as accurate!
Let me know if any other fitness tracker questions pop up!
Jesse
