Alternatives to Fitbit?

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PANiCnz

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#319762 30-May-2025 07:47

For the last two years I've been using a Fitbit Versa 3 followed by a Charge 6 and they do everything I want/need from a wearable. BUT the connectivity on both is terrible, I'm forever having to resync the device, reinstall the app etc just to get the device to reliably sync with my phone.

Unfortunately, whenever I Google fitness trackers Fitbit continually seems to come out as the most recommended option :(

Can anyone recommend an alternative to Fitbit that is more reliable? I don't want/need a smart watch, really just after a reliable fitness tacker that is comparable to the Charge 6.

I'm currently eyeing up the Galaxy Fit3 because its cheap, and I'm hoping it will play nice with my Samsung phone.

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Mercury

#3378222 30-May-2025 08:28

I used a Xiaomi Band for a few years and worked great, wasn't as feature packed as some of the other brands, but did the job and can't remember having any issues.

Can normally pick them up for about $40-50 shipped on Aliexpress or seems like PB Tech have them about the same price at the moment as well.

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#3378234 30-May-2025 09:41

Are you using it just to track steps and heart, or exercise tracking?

I am currently using a Withings (more dress up) and a Suunto (more exercise). The new suunto is very light (35g), while the Withings Horizon is a diver-style watch. They are both good.

Of course there's also the Samsung and OPPO watches in the market. And if you are on the iPhone ecosystem, the Apple Watch.

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PANiCnz

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#3378237 30-May-2025 09:53

Steps, heart rate, distance, calories, active minutes, sleep stats are the main things I'm tracking. Can live without smart watch features, don't need to take calls, make payments or check messages etc. If the Fitbit would just reliably sync it would be perfect.

The other turn off I have with smart watches is the cost and reduce battery life.

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#3378243 30-May-2025 10:03

PANiCnz:

Steps, heart rate, distance, calories, active minutes, sleep stats are the main things I'm tracking. Can live without smart watch features, don't need to take calls, make payments or check messages etc. If the Fitbit would just reliably sync it would be perfect.

The other turn off I have with smart watches is the cost and reduce battery life.

Yes, both the Withings Horizon/Nova/Scanwatch and Suunto will do all that. It depends on the style you are after.

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#3378245 30-May-2025 10:19

I use a Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro

it has enough features to be useful and battery life that lasts almost 2 weeks.

im holding out for the new Pebble watches that are launching - Google open sourced the OS and the Pebble founder is launching new watches. I miss my pebble so much so that’s my next watch.

Jizah

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#3378249 30-May-2025 10:33

I have the Mi Band 7. Had every iteration of them from 1 through to this one. Does the job, always have a spare strap on hand though as they don't last as well as they could.

I wouldn't mind changing it up, so have been looking at the Amazfit Active 2. I don't want something I need to charge every day or 2 so this is where I am leaning.

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#3379424 31-May-2025 14:50

I grabbed the CMF Watch Pro 2 a couple of months ago for around $130.

I've found the battery life to be even better than advertised (I've had 2 weeks use in between charges), and the health and fitness stuff works fine, but the software feels a bit unpolished in places. Still, it does what it is supposed to most of the time, and not having to take it off every couple of days to charge is a huge plus for me.

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#3379441 31-May-2025 16:41

I find it interesting that people object to charging their watch daily because, regardless of the need to charge, I find that I need to take my watch off for a couple of hours a day to let my wrist breath.

I'm not happy with the battery life of my Apple Watch series 9, but only because it can't get through a full day on days when I do a couple of hours of endurance sports (usually 1.5 hours of running and half an hour of swimming on a Saturday). If I were a bit less active then I imagine I'd be fine with it.

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#3379443 31-May-2025 16:59

alasta:

I find it interesting that people object to charging their watch daily because, regardless of the need to charge, I find that I need to take my watch off for a couple of hours a day to let my wrist breath.

I'm not happy with the battery life of my Apple Watch series 9, but only because it can't get through a full day on days when I do a couple of hours of endurance sports (usually 1.5 hours of running and half an hour of swimming on a Saturday). If I were a bit less active then I imagine I'd be fine with it.

I fully agree with you, if using a silicon or similar type strap. I grew up always wearing a watch (with a cloth or metal strap, so no issues), maybe taking it off a couple of times a year, and I feel kinda naked without one.

As expected, the silicon strap on the CMF watch gave me a rash, so I swapped out for one of these in black - I'm really impressed with how strong it holds, and its ease of adjustment. It also looks pretty classy, too.

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#3379496 31-May-2025 17:53

My objection to daily charging is longevity. A lithium battery only has so many charge cycles. Charging it daily vs weekly or in my case every 2-3 weeks is a massive difference. My Garmin in 3.5 yrs old now and I still get 18-19 days on a full charge. It was 21-22 days when new.

350 charge cycles per year vs ~20 cycles.

djtOtago

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#3379502 31-May-2025 19:12

If I'm away for the weekend, I don't want to have to bring a charger too.

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#3379523 1-Jun-2025 07:43

Gurezaemon:

alasta:

I find it interesting that people object to charging their watch daily because, regardless of the need to charge, I find that I need to take my watch off for a couple of hours a day to let my wrist breath.

I fully agree with you, if using a silicon or similar type strap. I grew up always wearing a watch (with a cloth or metal strap, so no issues), maybe taking it off a couple of times a year, and I feel kinda naked without one.

As expected, the silicon strap on the CMF watch gave me a rash, so I swapped out for one of these in black - I'm really impressed with how strong it holds, and its ease of adjustment. It also looks pretty classy, too.

I mostly wear nylon loops, but I have a milanese loop for special occasions.

My problem is that I have to wear the nylon loop quite tight when running to prevent cadence lock problems with the optical heart rate sensor. This leaves an indent in my wrist which then affects the reliability of the heart rate sensor. Taking the watch off for a couple of hours a day seems to mitigate this problem.

I've tried using ECG chest strap sensors instead, but I really don't like them.

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#3379524 1-Jun-2025 07:45

Senecio:

My objection to daily charging is longevity. A lithium battery only has so many charge cycles. Charging it daily vs weekly or in my case every 2-3 weeks is a massive difference. My Garmin in 3.5 yrs old now and I still get 18-19 days on a full charge. It was 21-22 days when new.

350 charge cycles per year vs ~20 cycles.

This is actually a really good point, and the reason why I would buy an Apple Watch Ultra next time even though I don't like big watches. My series 9 is less than two years old and the battery capacity is down to 90% which is far from ideal.

I really like that new Forerunner 970, but the pricing in NZ is massively inflated. It's the same price point as the Apple Watch Ultra which would be an easier transition from my existing Apple Watch.

freitasm

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#3379667 1-Jun-2025 13:32

That's why I'm happy with the Withings Horizon. A full charge lasts four weeks. Two weeks with exercise.

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