Fitbit may be one of the best-known names in the fitness tracker world, but lots of other companies make Fitbit alternatives that are as good (if not better) than the more famous brand. If you’re looking for a replacement for your Fitbit, or just want to avoid the brand’s known problems with skin irritation, here are some solid options to consider.
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1. Motiv Ring
Pros:- Lightweight & waterproof
- Sizing kit ensures perfect fit and increased accuracy of HR readings
- Companion app is easy to navigate
Cons:- Three day bettery life is impressive for this size, but still less than many on-wrist trackers
- It's so small, you may misplace it (or the charger)
- Material is durable, but can still scratch
One of the main reasons people with sensitive skin avoid Fitbits is because of their known history to cause skin irritation around the wrist. While this is a rare issue, those with sensitive skin, or those who dislike wearing bracelets, should consider a tracker that sits someplace other than the wrist.
Enter the Motiv Ring, a compact fitness tracker that’s a great alternative to the Fitbit. It has three day battery life, a built-in heart rate monitor, and tracks both exercise and sleep. Made from titanium, this ring is so lightweight, you have to try it to believe it.
Where Motiv distinguishes itself from competitors is its focus on active minutes. Inspired by guidance from healthcare professionals, Motiv inspires users to hit a minimum number of active minutes per week where you are hitting a target heart rate.
Motiv is great for tracking all kinds of exercise, from running and walking to swimming and boxing. The only minor annoyance is having to occasionally correct the type of exercise I was doing, as sometimes the ring does not get that right.
Purchasing a Motiv Ring is a different kind of gadget buying experience. Rather than ordering a ring and wearing it right out of the box, the company first sends you a sizing kit, so you can wear a mock-up of the ring for 24 hours and see how it fits at work, at play, in the shower, and while sleeping. Once you’re happy with a fit, you then order that specific size (shipping is included).
I’ve had a Motiv Ring since they launched in 2017, purchased with my own money and not provided as a review sample. The ring has definitely inspired me to be more active, thanks to a great UI in the app, and the fact that I forgot that I’m wearing this ring all the time because it is so lightweight.
No fitness tracker is a magic bullet for weight loss. That being said, I’ve received a number of tracker review samples over the years, and used three different trackers religiously before I got my Motiv Ring…and it was only after I got the Motiv Ring that I was able to blast through a weight loss plateau where I had been stuck for years. As someone who has lost over 40 pounds this year while wearing the Motiv Ring, I’m a convert.
It’s backed by a 45-day money back guarantee, a one-year warranty, and the darn thing is even waterproof.
Find more Best Fitbit Alternative Tracker Ring: Motiv Ring information and reviews here.
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2. Moov Now
Pros:- More sensors mean more accurate tracking
- Waterproof
- Real-time coaching
Cons:- Some users dislike app interface
- Really only provides the best coaching for a small number of activities
- While real-time coaching can help correct form, it cannot prevent all injuries
The Moov Now is an updated fitness tracker from the Moov company. Moov trackers are unique in that they can be worn on the wrist OR the ankle. The ideal placement depends on the activity you are enjoying. Runners, for example, wear it on their ankle, while boxers find that on-wrist placement makes the most sense.
Thanks to advanced sensors, you can get real-time coaching via a companion app during your workout. This is great news for people who work out alone and don’t have someone to correct their form. The real-time coaching is great for inspiration, as well as injury prevention.
We also love their seven-minute workout, which you can do with body weight alone. Simply set up your phone nearby while starting the regime, and Moov will walk you through the exercise, even going so far as to count your reps for you.
Find more Best for Injury Prevention: Moov Now information and reviews here.
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3. Bellabeat Leaf Womens Smart Jewelry Health Tracker
Pros:- Offers stress and reproductive health info
- Hypoallergenic stainless steel clip
- Cute design you'll love to pair with your fave outfits
Cons:- Only water-resistant, not water-proof
- Not as accurate as other trackers on the market
- Stress/reproductive info may not be your main concern in a tracker
The Bellabeat Leaf is a great option for those with sensitive skin. There’s no sweaty wristband to irritate your skin, just a simple, elegant pendant to wear around the neck. The pendant is made from hypoallergenic materials, so if you have an issue with metal or other materials irritating your skin, this tracker should not pose a problem for you.
In addition to the typical fitness and sleep tracking features you can get anywhere else, Bellabeat makes sure they stand out with additional features like reproductive health tracking and stress resistance calculation. The tracker is also made from healing crystals, if you believe in that sort of thing, making this a great option for the ultra-chic, ultra-spiritual person.
Find more Best Fashion Fitness Tracker Necklace: Bellabeat Leaf information and reviews here.
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4. Realalt 3DTriSport Walking 3D Pedometer with Clip and Strap
Pros:- Display is easy to read
- Inexpensive
- Multiple color options to choose from
Cons:- Not ideal for other types of activity like swimming or boxing
- Some users note accuracy drops if not worn at the waist
- Extreme technophobes may still find settings confusing
Just want something simple? Don’t feel like investing in something you have to wear all day, every day? Just hate having to drag your smartphone with you on walks and runs? A pedometer may make more sense for you than a Fitbit or other fitness tracker.
This pedometer is well-reviewed, and tracks steps while either running or walking. The large display and month-long memory make this ideal for older people, or folks who just want to track their activity levels without investing hundreds of dollars in a top of the line tracker with more features than they’ll really ever use. This is also a nice option for people who work in secure facilities, where a Bluetooth capable tracker would be forbidden.
Find more Best Pedometer: Realalt 3DTriSport Walking Pedometer information and reviews here.
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5. Garmin Vivofit Fitness Band
Pros:- Water-resistant
- Many color options available
- Long lasting battery
Cons:- Older model
- Small, limited screen
- Limited size options to choose from
Looking for a simple tracker without a lot of distracting bells and whistles? While this is not the latest and greatest tracker on the market, the durable design, long-lasting battery, and low price combine to make this older model a viable choice for bargain hunters and technophobes alike.
If you really hate the UI of Fitbit apps, or if you just prefer Garmin’s runner-focused approach, this is a solid alternative to check out. And if you do want something a little more upmarket, consider the newest tracker in this line, the Garmin Vivofit 4.
Find more Best Cheap Fitbit Alternative : Garmin Vivofit information and reviews here.
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6. Versuswolf Fitness Tracker
Pros:- Compatible with iOS and Android
- Bluetooth 4.0 technology
- Push button smart notifications
Cons:- Lacks GPS technology
- Not waterproof
- Only comes in one size
The colorful and versatile Versuswolf Fitness Tracker tracks fitness and health-related stats, from distance covered and steps taken throughout the day to blood pleasure measurements and sleep data. There are also several reminders, including pushes to move more if you’re too sedentary throughout the day, and reminders to drink water. In terms of staying connected, all you have to do is push a button to get notifications such as Twitter, Facebook, SnapChat, WhatsApp, WeChat and more.
Battery life is roughly five to seven days per charge. A built-in USB plug makes it easy to recharge via a computer or USB block. This smart watch is compatible with Android and iOS systems. Bluetooth 4.0 technology expands compatibility even more.
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7. Wahoo TICKR FIT
Pros:- Optical heart rate technology
- Compatible with many popular apps
- Sweatproof exterior
Cons:- Doesn't work with chest straps
- Strap may delaminate over time
- Some find the forearm position a bit awkward
The Wahoo TICKR FIT is designed with accuracy in mind. This tracker relies on optical heart rate technology for dependable heart rate monitoring. A combination of Bluetooth and ANT+ technology allows the tracker to easily pair with your favorite apps, as well as GPS bike computers, smartphones and more. As with previous Wahoo fitness trackers, this one is worn on the forearm and has an adjustable band. The TICKR FIT has an IPX7 water resistance rating, and is even waterproof up to five feet. You can subject the watch to splashes and workouts in inclement weather.
The TICKR FIT is compatible with many popular fitness apps, including Strava, Runkeeper, Wahoo Fitness, MapMyFitness and more. Its combined Bluetooth and ANT+ technology allows the tracker to connect with GPS watches, tablets and smartphones. You can also use the device with select bike computers. The rechargeable battery delivers up to 30 hours of use per charge.
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8. Garmin vívosmart 4
Pros:- Records pulse ox and sleep data
- Bright display, even in sunlight
- Bluetooth Smart and ANT+ technology
Cons:- Small watch face
- Silicone band may cause skin irritation
- Some say the pulse ox readings aren't the most accurate
The Garmin vívosmart 4 is just as stylish as it is functional. The fitness tracker stands out for its slender design, which makes it a popular choice for those who prefer a smaller wrist-based tracker. Another unique feature is the fact that this Garmin fitness tracker measures blood oxygen saturation levels with a built-in sensor. However, using the pulse ox or sleep tracking functions could mean that you won’t get the full battery life, which is up to seven days per charge.
The tracker features Bluetooth Smart and ANT+ technology, and delivers smart notifications on the go. You’ll get notifications for incoming text messages, calls and more. Android users can even take advantage of the available pre-typed text replies. Vibration alerts let you know when you have a new call or text message. This tracker can be worn for your favorite workouts on land and in the water, as its waterproof construction means you can use the tracker when swimming.
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9. LETSCOM Fitness Tracker (ID115Plus HR)
Pros:- Available in several colors
- Displays incoming calls and texts
- Sleep monitoring
Cons:- Can't answer calls or texts
- Doesn't have built-in GPS
- Only comes in one size
This fitness tracker by LETSCOM covers all the basics and stands out for its affordable price tag. The tracker offers all-day activity tracking, along with a built-in heart rate monitor. There’s also multi-sport tracking to quickly and effectively record your favorite activities such as running, cycling and walking. Instead of scrolling through a cumbersome menu, all you need to do is tap the screen to start tracking your workouts.
When it’s not recording your daily activities, the monitor keeps tabs on your sleep patterns and habits with sleep monitoring. If you’re not active enough during the day, you’ll get a gentle reminder via a sedentary alert. While this tracker doesn’t have a built-in GPS, it does have GPS connectivity, so you can see information such as your speed and distance when the tracker is connected to your phone.
The tracker is outfitted with Bluetooth 4.0 technology. The USB-rechargeable battery can last up to seven days on a single charge. Its sweatproof and waterproof construction makes the tracker a safe choice for workouts during inclement weather, as well as your favorite aerobic activities.
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10. Xiaomi Mi Band 3
Pros:- Users can set up goals and goal reminders
- Smart notifications displayed on wrist
- Large display
Cons:- Only comes in one size
- Small display text
- Can't answer incoming calls
The Xiaomi Mi Band 3 may be best known for its large, user-friendly OLED touchscreen display. Not only does the bigger display make it easier to see numbers and details, all you need to do is raise your wrist to see smart notifications, including WhatsApp and Instagram messages. Incoming calls are also displayed. When it comes to working out, you can periodically check the screen to keep tabs on your current activity, heart rate and more.
The Mi Band 3 is water resistant up to 50 meters and can be worn when swimming, showering or exercising outdoors when it’s raining. If you’re looking for a bit more than your average battery life (most trackers can last for several days on a charge), you’ll appreciate knowing that this watch has a battery life up to 20 days, depending on the useage. For example, when the watch is set to automatically detect your heart rate, you can expect a battery life of three to nine days.
Instead of checking your phone to view the latest weather forecast, especially if you’re wondering whether you should work out outdoors or inside, you can simply check with the Xiaomi Mi Band 3. In fact, the tracker displays the forecast up to three days. Other handy features include vibrating alarms and a secondary activity tracking screen for real-time results.
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11. Polar A370 Fitness Tracker
Pros:- Offers workout guidance for various activities
- Wristbands can be swapped
- Has a running-specific program
Cons:- Doesn't have built-in GPS
- Battery life could be better
- Doesn't automatically sync with the app
The Polar A370 Fitness Tracker provides continuous heart rate monitoring and fitness tracking. When you’re on the go, you can take advantage of the built-in activity guide, which gives you feedback as to how active you’ve been, and encourages you towards your daily activity goals. For runners,t he running program allows you to choose from popular distances, from 5Ks to marathons, then develops a training plan that’s right for you. If you’re just getting started or could use a bit of guidance, consider using the fitness test to determine your current fitness level.
Your total distance and steps are measured throughout the day. Your daily activities are stored in the app, where you can find more detailed information about your overall health habits. There’s also sleep tracking, which measures the time you spent sleeping along with the quality. An inactivity alert lets you know that it’s time to move around a bit more during the day.
While it lacks built-in GPS, the Polar A370 can use the GPS signal on your phone to track your distance, speed and routes. You can also see smart notifications thanks to Bluetooth Smart technology. The tracker is water resistant up to 30 meters, and can safely withstand splashes. Other features include changeable wristbands and unique sport profiles.
Fitbit is arguably the most well-known fitness tracker brand, but the company has come under fire several times in recent years. In 2014, Fitbit issued a voluntary recall of their Fitbit Force fitness tracker. The recall happened after a small number of Force owners reported rashes and contact dermatitis after wearing the tracker. As we reported then, under two percent of Fitbit Force owners reported skin irritation.
And then in 2015, Fitbit came under fire again after consumers reported more skin problems after wearing the fitness trackers. Yahoo's Alyssa Bereznak caused a stir when she posted pictures on Twitter which show the skin rash she got after wearing a Fitbit Charge fitness tracker.
Fitbit blames the rashes on a variety of causes. Fitbit argues that people are wearing their bands too tightly, or that perhaps skin irritants like sweat and soap are being trapped under the band. Fitbit tells people that the rash will go away after a few hours or days without wearing the tracker. However, Bereznak and others have noted that not wearing a tracker for that length of time sort of defeats the purpose of having a tracker in the first place.
It's been a while since similar issues with today's Fitbits dominated the headlines. That being said, cautious consumers with sensitive skin are still a bit concerned about forking over their hard-earned cash for a wearable that might not work for them.
Skin issues aside, there are other consumers looking for cheaper trackers, or trackers with unique feature sets that Fitbit doesn't offer. With consumers losing confidence in the Fitbit line, many shoppers are looking for an alternative to Fitbit trackers. We hope this list helped you discover some cool alternatives that may have flown under your radar.