Our editors strapped on the latest wearable fitness trackers to inspire daily detachment from our computers (and maybe shed a few pounds in the process).
Tester: Schuyler Bailey
Price: $149.99
Type: bracelet
Did the wearable make you more active?
It made me hyper aware of how often I sit for prolonged periods, and how my body hates me for it. I started opting for longer walks, taking to the stairs, and – gasp! – riding my bike to work.
Ease of syncing: Seamless – it does it via bluetooth automatically and periodically throughout the day, so I’ve never had to think about it.
Battery life: Very good. I’ve charged it about once a week.
Favorite part: Getting a swift kick in the ass (via a subtle vibrating reminder) to get out of my chair.
Worst feature: The UP feed on the app – random Did You Know facts were pretty irrelevant.
Weird moment: Sleep mode – while a novel idea, I know for a fact it’s not that accurate (or perhaps I’m tossing and turning too gently). Tracking how long I’m actually attempting to sleep, though, makes me realize I need much more of it.
Feature you wish it had: A shock reminder – for after the subtle vibration you ignore.
Tester: Leilani Marie Labong
Price: $100
Type: clip-on
Did the wearable make you more active?
It made me curious to see how much more effort it would take to reach the 10,000 step goal.
Ease of syncing: Easy. Uses a wireless toggle. If I come within striking distance of my computer or phone, it syncs with no help from me.
Battery life: Pretty good. 5 days. I only used it for 5 days, so that’s how I know.
Favorite part: I liked the rah-rah chatter, like “Love ya."
Worst feature: I found it to be a tad inaccurate—you could adjust things like stride length online, but I was too lazy to do that.
Weird moment: It records a 75-minute car ride from Sonoma to San Francisco as 150 steps.
Feature you wish it had: I wish it was the size of a micro-chip and that it could be implanted into your body, because unless that happens, ain’t no way I’m clipping this thing on everyday.
Tester: Sarah Medina
Price: $99.99
Type: clip-on, and bracelet
Did the wearable make you more active?
Initially, yes. But then I just got over the fact that my little ring of progress was never going to be complete. Sad.
Ease of syncing: I thought it would be more automatic, but to see the previous night's sleeping pattern I have to manually sync in the morning.
Battery life: Forever. I've never charged it.
Favorite part: The design is super sexy.
Worst feature: When I was wearing it as a clip-on, I lost it for about 6 days. From then on I switched to never-take-it-off bracelet, since it's waterproof anyway.
Feature you wish it had: A zapper to force you to take the stairs.
Tester: Brock Keeling
Price: $100
Type: bracelet
Did the wearable make you more active?
I wore it for a week. It didn't make me more active. But it was fun while it lasted. Living in a city without a car, I am used to walking. Maybe this is more beneficial for those who live in suburbia or drive everywhere. Plus, donuts are my real friends.
Ease of syncing: Seamless. It pretty much always synched. All I had to do was be near my laptop to get my results with little to no fuss.
Battery life: Very good. Lasted five to six before having to recharge.
Favorite part: The little buzzy dance it does after completing daily goals.
Worst feature: The tough clasp made it a pain to put on. Very annoying.
Feature you wish it had: Better design. Its ubiquitousness made me feel like I was wearing a Livestrong bracelet.
Tester: David Lytle
Price: $149.99
Type: watch
Did the wearable make you more active?
The info feedback on steps taken per day prompted me to walk more. I lost nine pounds!
Ease of syncing: It requires a physical syncing band that did not always connect properly to the watch casing. Occasional syncing error messages were frustrating.**
Battery life: Good. I went three days without a charge to see how long it could go.
Favorite part: Sleep measurement, from light sleep to REM to deep sleep, I dug the feedback on my sleep patterns—and it coerced me to go bed at a regular time.
Feature you wish it had: I wish it would ping me when I needed to get up and take a walk, a gentle reminder not to sit on my keester at my desk.
** The Basis can also sync data wirelessly via bluetooth.
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