The market for fitness bands seems to exploding, with manufactures improving on their original models and newcomers trying their hand at these hot gadgets.
These wearable activity monitors are not the boring pedometers of the past; they’re functional and fashionable, making them the perfect holiday gift for anyone on your list. From athletes to those with health-conscious aspirations, it’ll be the gift that stays relevant well into 2014.
I’ve created a table comparison for quick reference on the specs, but here’s how the latest competition stacks up:
FITBIT FORCE
Pros: The Fitbit Force’s backlit display creates the perfect mix between fitness bands like the original Fitbit Flex and the larger, more cumbersome smart watches. I loved not having to load the app just to get a quick read on my daily progress.
Cons: Compared to the original Fitbit Flex band, the Force is noticeably larger, yet no more cumbersome than the average watch. The adjustable band is convenient to ensure a comfortable fit, but still just as frustrating to clasp on your own.
Best for:
- Android users (it’s the only band out of this bunch that’s compatible!)
- Users that want quick updates on their activity throughout the day.
JAWBONE UP24
Pros: Where the original Jawbone UP band lacked wireless syncing ability, the UP24 does just that. With up to seven days of battery life, the new model doesn’t make you concede on battery life for the added convenience of automatic syncing either.
Cons: Sadly, this is the only major difference between the original and the new and improved UP24 band. The Bluetooth syncing is an essential upgrade, however I wish they had tweaked the size or added a visual display. The Jawbone UP24 is also not currently compatible with Android devices, however the original Jawbone UP is.
Best for:
- Fans of the original Jawbone UP. The UP app is still probably my favorite of the bunch. It’s easy to navigate and interpret data from.
- They’ve also recently updated the iOS app to version 3.0. The upgrade finds patterns between your daily and nightly activity and then suggests daily goals—awesome!
MISFIT SHINE
Pros: This band is definitely the most versatile design. The device itself is a small disc, maybe just slightly larger than a quarter. It comes with an adjustable wristband for traditional use, as well as a magnetic clip. This small addition allows you to wear the Shine monitor concealed under clothing, for those who don’t want an obvious wristband monitor. Plus, the Shine is compatible with both iOS and Android devices.
Cons: In order to sync your activity data, you need to place the Shine monitor on the screen of your device, which was a bit of an inconvenience. Luckily, the Shine can store up to weeks of data at a time so I didn’t lose any info when I finally got around to syncing.
Best for:
- The fashion-conscious or anyone who wants a band that’s easy to blend into everyday wardrobe.
- Soccer, Tennis, and Basketball players, cyclists, and especially swimmers (its waterproof!)
- Anyone who would love the added convenience of not having another battery to charge.
Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any one of these bands, they’re convenient and accurate ways to keep track of your activity and sleep. I’d recommend putting it at the top of your wish list this holiday season!
For advice on how these compare to their predecessors, see my original post Battle of the fitness bands.