Fitness trackers are almost synonymous with smartwatches. It is understandable, considering that many models are shaped like smartwatches and contain smartwatch features. However, fitness trackers come in various alternative designs, and not all feature common smartwatch designs or capabilities.
Non-watch health and fitness trackers dedicate more resources to tracking your physique and biometrics. Some are more efficient and sophisticated than others, and you only deserve the best. Here is a comprehensive overview of the top six non-watch fitness trackers, their advantages, and a guide on factors to consider when shopping for one.
What are Non-Watch Fitness Trackers
Non-watch health and fitness trackers don’t differ from watch-based trackers in their designs and features. Their most notable difference is the lack of certain smartwatch features, such as making and picking calls.
Some non-watch fitness trackers also differ in style and design, shifting from the wrist-based style. Some are shaped like rings to be worn around the finger, while others are worn around the chest or ankle. Some also feature a simple clip-on design.
However, non-watch fitness trackers offer many of the tracking features available on watch-based trackers. They also share certain other general features, such as push notifications and phone tracking. Overall, the main aspect of non-watch trackers is their undivided dedication to health and fitness tracking technology.
Top 6 Non-Watch Fitness Trackers in 2023
Some fitness trackers are more stylish, sophisticated, and efficient than others. Here is an overview of the top six non-watch fitness and health trackers for 2023:
1. Fitbit Charge 5 Advanced Health & Fitness Tracker
The Fitbit Charge 5 Advanced health and fitness tracker takes the lead. It is not surprising, considering the sophisticated features packed in its stylish design. You get many impressive basic features, such as heart rate monitoring, and a few premium ones that take fitness and health tracking to the next level.
You get over 20 exercise modes, enough to suit most workout plans. The exercise modes are also customizable according to your unique workout preferences. You can also set and monitor your workout goals using the Active Zone Minutes. Upgrading to a six-month premium membership also unlocks the Daily Readiness feature, which lets you know when to work out and recover. The tracker also facilitates stress management via the Stress Management Score feature that measures your stress levels using an EDA Scan app.
Pros – What We Love About It
- Crystal-clear display and neat user interface.
- Smart notifications for calls, texts, and calendars via the app.
- Accurate heart rate monitoring.
- A reliable onboard GPS.
- A long battery life.
Cons – What We Hate About It
- Some of the features require a premium membership.
- No music controls.
- Limited on-screen exercise data (available on the app).
2. Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor Chest Wrap
The Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor comes with a chest strap with advanced electrodes to monitor your biometrics and silicone dots to make it firm and comfortable. It is versatile and works with various smartwatch models, fitness apps, and HRM-compatible workout equipment. You can use it for diverse workout activities, including running, cycling, swimming, rowing, and indoor training. The tracker is also durable and can withstand extreme temperatures ranging from 140F to 1220F.
This tracker is impressively accurate in monitoring your heart rate. It is worn around the chest and uses electric signals to measure your heartbeat. The positioning and technology make it more accurate than trackers worn around the wrist, which use optical LED sensors to measure your heartbeat.
Pros – What We Love About It
- Waterproof up to depths of 30 meters.
- Bluetooth, ANT+, and 5 kHz network connectivity.
- Dual Bluetooth connections and simultaneous ANT+ and Bluetooth connections.
- Regular software updates for new and improved features.
- A long battery life.
Cons – What We Hate About It
- Lacks trackable sports options.
- Lagging GymLink connections.
- A phone app is needed for detailed data reports.
3. Garmin 010-13118-00 HRM-Pro Plus
The Garmin 010-13118-00 HRM Pro-Plus fitness tracker offers a blend of premium-quality features to ensure that you never miss a beat. Besides your heartbeat rate, the tracker also measures your steps, ground contact time, mileage, stride length, vertical ratio, intensity minutes, calories burned, and more to give you a detailed picture of your overall health and fitness. The data is reliably accurate, thanks to the chest strap design and advanced tracking technology.
This tracker is versatile and compatible with various other fitness-tracking solutions, including smartwatches, apps, and HRM training equipment. It supports connectivity via multiple and simultaneous Bluetooth and ANT+ connections. The battery is easily interchangeable and can last for up to one year.
Pros – What We Love About It
- A comfortable chest strap.
- An easily interchangeable battery with a long life.
- Running dynamic support.
- Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity.
- Real-time data transmission to the app.
- Broad compatibility with other fitness tracking devices and apps.
Cons – What We Hate About It
- Limited on-screen data and statistics.
- The chest strap is not optimized for swimming.
Read Also: The Best Waterproof Fitness Trackers
4. Amazfit Band 7 Fitness & Health Tracker
The Amazfit Band 7 is one of the most affordable health and fitness trackers. However, its affordability doesn’t affect its performance, considering the many premium-grade features. It monitors vital biometrics with incredible accuracy, including your heartbeat rate and blood oxygen levels. It also sends notifications for abnormal heart rates, SpO2 levels, and excess stress levels. The tracker also tracks and grades your sleep quality.
This fitness tracker takes exercising to the next level with more than 12 sports profiles. Additionally, the PeakBeats Workout Status algorithm also monitors relevant biometrics when working out, including your oxygen intake, training loads, recovery times, and training efficiency.
Pros – What We Love About It
- A clear OLED display.
- Conveniently affordable.
- A long battery life.
- Menstrual cycle tracking.
Cons – What We Hate About It
- Unreliable GPS tracking.
- Bugs in the phone app.
5. Xiaomi Mi Band 7 Activity Tracker
The Xiaomi Mi Band 7 Activity Tracker is a big upgrade from previous Xiaomi models. It features a bigger display and a sleek, stylish design. It also packs many impressive features under the sleek display, including 120 sports modes. The tracker monitors and reports your heartbeat rate, blood oxygen levels, stress levels, sleep quality, and other vital health biometrics.
Besides health biometrics, the tracker also monitors various fitness statistics, including steps taken, calories burnt, training load, recovery time, training effect, active hours, and more. It supports diverse workout activities, including running, swimming, cycling, and indoor training.
Read Also: How to Stop MI Band From Counting Steps While Driving
Pros – What We Love About It
- Budget-friendly.
- Advanced tracking features.
- It supports push notifications.
- A large and clear display.
- A stylish design with diverse color options.
Cons – What We Hate About It
- It lacks an in-built GPS.
- Sleep tracking is slightly inconsistent.
6. Fitbit Inspire 3 Health & Fitness Tracker
The Fitbit Inspire 3 features some of the latest health and fitness tracking technology from one of the industry’s leading brands. It measures an impressive range of health biometrics and fitness statistics. For starters, it offers more than 20 exercise modes and supports diverse workout activities. You can also unlock advanced tracking features by upgrading to a six-month premium membership, such as personalized insights for customized workout plans.
Besides fitness, this tracker also monitors your health biometrics. It automatically tracks your sleep and measures its quality using the Sleep Score feature. Additionally, the Stress Management Score measures and grades your stress levels. It packs all of this power in a sleek and stylish design.
Pros – What We Love About It
- A bright and clear display.
- Phone tracking technology.
- A durable battery with a long life.
- Flawless software with regular updates.
Cons – What We Hate About It
- A small screen.
- Some features require a premium subscription.
Honorable Mentions – Other Top Non-Watch Fitness Trackers
We couldn’t get all our picks in this list, and it’s only fair to include a few that I see worth your consideration. Based on several factors, I have a feeling you’ll love the following as well:
What are the Advantages of Non-Watch Fitness Trackers?
Your health should be a paramount concern, and non-watch fitness trackers can help you stay fit and healthy. To this end, they offer many potentially life-changing advantages, including the following:
Health Monitoring
Non-watch fitness trackers monitor various health-related biometrics, such as your heartbeat rate, stress levels, and sleep quality. Their reports are reliably accurate and can help give you a clear picture of your overall health. The health reports and notifications can help you proactively approach your health by identifying potential problems, such as irregular heartbeat rates and excess stress levels.
Tracking Your Fitness Goals
Keeping fit is one of the best ways to improve your overall health. Fitness is in the name, and these gadgets monitor diverse fitness statistics to facilitate efficient exercising. For example, you can track fitness goals such as workout durations, running distances, the number of burnt calories, and more.
Inspiration & Motivation
Losing track of your health and fitness goals is easy without a way of tracking them. Fortunately, non-watch fitness trackers measure and analyze diverse health and fitness data and generate detailed reports to help you track your goals. Some trackers even offer personalized workout and diet recommendations based on your health and fitness data.
How to Choose the Best Non-Watch Fitness Trackers
Low-quality fitness trackers have limited tracking features and are usually unreliable. Your health and fitness are important, and you should only use a reliable fitness tracker with advanced and accurate tracking features. Here is an overview of six factors to consider when choosing the best non-watch fitness trackers:
1. Fitness & Health Tracking Features
Some non-watch fitness trackers are more advanced and sophisticated than others. For example, not all trackers generate personalized workout recommendations based on your data. More tracking features give you a bigger and more accurate picture of your health and fitness, so check the model’s tracking capabilities.
2. Tracking & Analysis Accuracy
Besides tracking your health and fitness data, non-watch trackers also analyze the data and generate detailed reports. Some users base their health and fitness decisions on their trackers’ data reports. Inaccurate data can be misleading, so ensure that the model is accurate.
3. Style & Design
Presentation matters, and non-watch fitness trackers come in various designs and styles. They can be worn around the wrist, finger, chest, or ankle, while others feature clip-on designs. Users’ preferences differ, so choose the most appealing one based on your unique taste.
4. Connectivity & Compatibility
Most fitness trackers need smartphone apps for full functionality. They offer diverse connectivity technologies, including Bluetooth and ANT+. Some trackers are also compatible with other models and tracking equipment. As such, check whether the model is compatible with your other devices.
Read Also: Fitness Tracker Without Phone or Smartphone
5. Battery Life
Do you need to track your health and fitness all day? You need a non-watch fitness tracker with a long battery life. Unfortunately, some fitness trackers only store enough power for short-term use.
Final Words
A good fitness tracker can help improve your overall health and fitness. The six models in this review rank among the best non-watch fitness trackers with advanced tracking features, stylish designs, universal connectivity, and more. The brief buying guide above can also help you expand your options when shopping around for other top-quality non-watch fitness trackers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Types of Non-watch Fitness Trackers are Available?
Non-watch fitness trackers come in various forms, such as clip-on devices that can be attached to clothing or pockets, pendant-style trackers worn around the neck, and even ring-style trackers that can be worn on a finger.
Do Non-watch Fitness Trackers Offer the Same Features as Wristwatch-style Trackers?
Non-watch fitness trackers generally offer similar features, such as step counting, distance tracking, calorie burn estimation, sleep monitoring, and sometimes heart rate tracking. However, some advanced features like GPS tracking might be more commonly found in wristwatch-style trackers.
Are Non-watch Fitness Trackers Comfortable to Wear?
Comfort can vary based on individual preferences and the design of the device. Some people find non-watch fitness trackers comfortable, while others may prefer wristwatch-style devices.
Can I Wear a Non-watch Fitness Tracker Discreetly?
Yes, non-watch fitness trackers are often designed with discreetness in mind. They can be worn under clothing, clipped to a pocket, or as a pendant, making them less noticeable than traditional wristwatches.
Can Non-watch Fitness Trackers be Used for Swimming or Water Activities?
Some non-watch fitness trackers are designed to be water-resistant or even waterproof, allowing them to be used for swimming and other water activities. Check the specifications of the specific tracker to confirm its water resistance level.
Do Non-watch Fitness Trackers Have a Display for Real-time Data?
Not all non-watch fitness trackers have displays, but some models do offer small screens or LED indicators that display basic information like steps taken or activity progress.
Read Also: How to Track Water Aerobics
