Simply counting steps is a thing of the past: The current generation of fitness trackers measures sleep, stress and oxygen saturation.

Nine fitness trackers between 29 and 300 Euro in the test From 30 Euro Inaccurate pulse One-to-one meetings Conclusion and test table Article in c’t 26 / 2020 read If you hid the first fitness tracker with a clip on your waistband, today you proudly wear it on your wrist. But even if the image has changed, the basic idea has remained the same: By measuring behavior, awareness of one’s own lifestyle and thus one’s own health should be increased. We have extensively tested nine current fitness trackers in practice. Smartwatches were explicitly undesirable: This type of device has a significantly shorter battery life and is usually more expensive. Market leader Apple has reached a level of functionality and the accuracy of the measured values ​​that makes the competition sweat – and the entry price is also in the range tested here – but not everyone wants to put up with a one-day runtime or even has what it takes iPhone.

From 30 Euro For this test we have started with entry-level devices 30 Euro up to the high-quality health tracker for almost 300 Euros brought very different products to the editorial office, but limited us to a single model from each manufacturer . Most of the time we have chosen the currently best-selling product according to price search engines, but occasionally we have also selected the latest device from a manufacturer. The cheap models mostly come from Asia – in this segment we have Amazfit Neo, Huawei Band 4, Samsung Galaxy Fit 2, Xiaomi Mi Band 5 and the Yamay SW 336 watched. Garmin Vivosmart 4 and Polar Ignite are especially popular with ambitious athletes. There is also the wearable pioneer Fitbit with the Charge 4 and the Withings ScanWatch, which is particularly focused on health data. Our findings in terms of app functions and the ecosystem apply to all devices from a manufacturer.

The trackers tested can do more than just count steps and measure heart rate. Sleep measurement has long been a standard tracker function, and the stress level is increasingly being determined. But as nice as numbers are – some users need support in implementing the findings. Activity goals, breathing exercises and coaching for fitness and mindfulness help. In addition, health is playing an increasingly important role: Except for Fitbit Charge 4, Polar Ignite and Yamay SW 336 all trackers warn of an abnormally high heart rate. The Withings ScanWatch even offers a full-fledged ECG function.

Access to all contents of heise + exclusive tests, advice & background: independent, critically sound c’t, iX, Technology Review, Mac & i, Make, c’t read photography directly in the browser register once – read on all devices – can be canceled monthly first month free, then monthly 9, 95 € Weekly newsletter with personal reading recommendations from the editor-in-chief Start FREE month Start the FREE month now heise + already subscribed?

Sign in and read Register now and read the article immediately More information about heise + Nine fitness trackers between 29 and 300 Euro in the test From 30 Euro Inaccurate pulse One-to-one meetings Conclusion and test table Article in c’t 26 / 2020 read