Fitness Tracker In Test 2020: The Winners Of The Stiftung Warentest

2023 Author: Sheila Hailey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-26 15:18

• Test winner fitness tracker
• Bestselling fitness tracker
• Fitness tracking with the Apple Watch
• Smartwatch alternatives
• Buying a fitness tracker: You should also know that

The best fitness trackers 2020: All test winners at a glance

placement	product	price	offer
Test winner fitness bracelet	Honor Volume 5	about 30 euros	Model at Otto
bestseller	Yamay fitness bracelet	approx. 26 euros	Model on Amazon
Accurate fitness tracking	Apple Watch Series 5	approx. 409 euros	Model on Amazon

Fitness tracker: View bestseller on Amazon

Test winner fitness tracker: Honor Band 5

In the test booklet 7/2020 from Stiftung Warentest there are actually three “test winners” with the same overall grade, namely with the school grade 3.3 (“satisfactory”). So none of them can really shine. We fished out Honor Band 5, because in the "Fitness" discipline it does a bit better than the competition. The moderate overall grade is not least due to the fact that the Stiftung Warentest devalued the bracelet because of only sufficient data protection. If other functions are more important, the Fitbit Charge 3 may be more suitable.

Honor Band 5 does not provide convincing pulse measurement when walking or jogging. It looks better when cycling. Overall, however, it collects more precise values than other fitness trackers. It also offers all the important wristband functions, including swim tracking and sleep monitoring. With its very reasonable price, it is also a price-performance tip.

Honor Volume 5

Now from € 28.99 at Amazon Similar offer at Otto price can now be higher. Price from 2020-26-07 11:48 p.m.

Advantages:

• Comparatively solid fitness tracking
• Cheap

Disadvantage:

Inaccurate pulse measurement

Bestseller at Amazon: Yamay fitness bracelet

The Yamay Fitness Wristband is at the forefront of Amazon's pedometers - probably because of the low price. But apart from a few bugs, users are satisfied, they rate an average of 4.1 out of 5 stars.

The tracker offers 14 training modes and even delivers pulse values despite the low price. We dare to doubt that these are better than the test winner mentioned above - Stiftung Warentest did not investigate the Amazon bestseller. In any case, the functions are impressive: sleep monitoring, alarm clock, vibration notifications when incoming calls or messages on the smartphone. You can also choose between different clock faces. It is splashproof, but not suitable for swimming. Given the small price difference to the Honor Band, the surcharge for the above test winners should be worthwhile.

YAMAY fitness bracelet

Now from € 25.99 at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 27.07.2020 00:04 a.m.

Advantages:

• Attractively priced
• With heart rate monitor

Disadvantage:

Qualitative shortcomings

The exact fitness tracker and test winner: Apple Watch 5

Yes, there are also fitness trackers that, according to the Stiftung Warentest, provide precise values. Strictly speaking, they are smartwatches. The test winner is the Apple Watch Series 5, in aluminum and a size of 44mm (although the other case types are technically no different). The watch has an overall grade of 1.8. Without the devaluation due to deficiencies in the data protection declaration, the grade would be even better.

The Apple Watch is an excellent addition to the iPhone (which is essential for the start-up of the watch). The Apple Watch is not only suitable for receiving messages, but also as a hands-free device for phone calls, calling up information, replying to messages and controlling smart home devices via apps or the voice assistant. Athletes benefit from the integrated GPS, precise pulse measurement, the waterproof housing and the integrated music player. So the smartphone can stay at home during sports.

Apple Watch Series 5 GPS

Now from 410.56 € at Amazon Similar offer at Saturn Similar offer at Cyberport Price can now be higher. Price from 2020-27-07 01:26 a.m.

Advantages:

• Very good quality
• Exact measurements
• Many functions

Disadvantage:

• For iPhone owners only
• Short battery life

Fitness tracker: alternatives in the smartwatch warehouse

If the Apple Watch Series 5 is too expensive, you can fall back on the Series 3. They are now quite cheap, and even this model was able to convince in numerous tests. The display is a bit smaller, the performance is not as high as with the new model.

Apple Watch 3

Now from € 218.00 at Cyberport Similar offer at Mediamarkt Price comparison Price can now be higher. Price from 26.07.2020 11:52 p.m.

If you do not have an iPhone, you do not have to do without precise training values: With a score of 2.2 at Stiftung Warentest, the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music achieved a good result.

Garmin Forerunner 245 Music

Now from € 320.00 on Amazon price comparison price can now be higher. Price from 27.07.2020 00:04 a.m.

See our smartwatch buying guide for more recommendations.

Fitness tracker in the test: How it was tested

In our tests of fitness trackers, we found that real steps (depending on the model) were reasonably accurate. At the end of the day, however, the different bracelets came to very different results. Reason: Many a tracker tried to actually count steps in the first place. Other models recorded almost every movement as a step - the main thing was movement! As a user, you can find both good or bad.

In its investigation, the Stiftung Warentest wanted the most accurate values possible for route length, calorie consumption and pulse measurement. In addition to walking, the sports of jogging, cycling and swimming were examined. 40 percent of these test results were included in the overall grade. Furthermore, the bracelets were examined for handling, communication and other functions, stability, data protection and pollutants.

Buying a fitness tracker: you should know that

If you want to go looking for a fitness tracker yourself, we give you a few tips for your purchase.

Fitness tracker: smooth transition to other device types

A fitness tracker is usually a slim bracelet that can record movement data. The difference in design, as well as functional, is fluid to sports watches and smartwatches. Before buying a fitness tracker, you should first think about it:

Buying a fitness tracker: what data do you want to collect?

What do I want to measure with it? Is the pedometer enough for me, or do I also want to analyze calories, sleep phases and pulse? If the latter is true, a heart rate sensor is necessary. Do I want to use it to record workouts like running, cycling or swimming without a smartphone? Then you need the support of the corresponding sport and possibly GPS. Here, a “hermaphrodite” between smartwatch and tracker (like our last example above) could be the right choice, unless you are looking for a sports watch (e.g. Polar Vantage M) or smartwatch(e.g. Apple Watch Series 5). However, the watches are heavier and are less suitable for tracking at night. In addition, some sports watches have no integrated pedometer, but only rely on GPS. So you don't measure movement in everyday life. For more details, see our breakdown of categories from fitness trackers to sports watches to smartwatches.

Fitness tracker bracelet: For women, men, colorful, narrow, short, long …

Some fitness trackers come in two versions - large and small. In contrast to smartwatches, the designs often differ only in the length of the bracelet. If the manufacturer makes a recommendation, for which wrist circumference which version is adapted, you can measure. If not, it is best to go to the trusted local dealer and try on the tape.

Other manufacturers offer other wristbands for popular fitness trackers - especially for women, for men, in different colors, made of silicone, metal, … You shouldn't expect any special quality from cheap China products. In some cases, the customer reviews at Amazon help to find a good band for the personal fitness tracker.

Fitness tracker: View bestseller on Amazon

Smartphone app for the fitness tracker - indispensable

Every fitness tracker has a smartphone app. Here the data is brought together, evaluated and in some cases recommendations are given. The app is an important criterion to take a product from brands like Fitbit. You can't expect so much from no-name developers - some of them offer no or poorly translated German-language apps. If interfaces to other fitness portals are integrated, this can be overcome.

The associated app not only helps with data analysis: updates are played on the fitness band via the smartphone. Thanks to the link between the tracker and the mobile phone, the data from the smartphone can also be consulted during workouts (GPS!) To make the statistics complete. All major manufacturers offer an app for iOS in the App Store and for Android in the Google Play Store.