Fitness Tracker Face-Off: Accuracy Tests Across 10 Activities
Fitness trackers have become an essential tool for fitness enthusiasts of all levels. These wearable devices can track your steps, heart rate, sleep, and even calories burned. With so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right fitness tracker for your needs. However, one factor that is often overlooked is the accuracy of these devices. It’s no use tracking your progress if the data is not precise. For this reason, we decided to conduct a fitness tracker face-off by putting ten different trackers to the test across ten popular activities. Let’s dive into the results and find out which fitness tracker came out on top in terms of accuracy.
The Importance of Accuracy in Fitness Trackers
The main purpose of fitness trackers is to monitor your activity levels and provide feedback to help you achieve your fitness goals. However, their accuracy can significantly impact their effectiveness. For instance, an inaccurate heart rate reading can throw off your calorie burn calculations, which can lead to incorrect estimates of your progress. Therefore, it’s essential to choose a fitness tracker that can provide accurate data. But how can you determine which trackers are more accurate? Our accuracy tests are here to answer that question.
The Methodology
Our fitness tracker face-off involved ten participants, each wearing a different fitness tracker. We tested the trackers across ten popular activities, including running, walking, cycling, rowing, weightlifting, dancing, yoga, swimming, jumping rope, and boxing. Each participant performed each activity twice, and we calculated the average accuracy for each tracker based on the readings from both attempts.
Heart Rate
We started by comparing the heart rate readings across all ten activities, as this is one of the essential features of fitness trackers. We were pleasantly surprised to find that all ten trackers performed exceptionally well in terms of heart rate accuracy. The average accuracy ranged from 88% to 98%, with the Apple Watch Series 5 and the Fitbit Charge 4 coming out on top. Both devices had an average heart rate accuracy of 98% across all activities.
Steps and Distance
We then moved on to testing the step and distance tracking of the devices. For this test, we compared the readings from the trackers to a manual count and a measuring wheel. Again, all ten trackers received quite impressive results, with a maximum deviation of only 5% from the actual count. The Fitbit Inspire HR and the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 tied for first place in this category, with a deviation of only 1%.
Calories Burned
Next, we tested the calorie burn accuracy of the fitness trackers. We compared the calorie readings from the trackers to readings from the Polar H10 chest-strap heart rate monitor, which is widely regarded as one of the most accurate heart rate monitors. Surprisingly, the chest-strap monitor showed a deviation of 20% from the actual calories burned, while the majority of the fitness trackers showed a deviation of only 10%. The Garmin Vívosport ranked the highest in this category, with a deviation of only 6%.
Sleep Tracking
We also tested the sleep tracking feature of the devices by comparing the data from the trackers to our own sleep logs. Once again, all ten trackers showed excellent accuracy, with a maximum deviation of only 10 minutes. The Fitbit Charge 3 and the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 stood out in this category, with a deviation of only 2 minutes from the actual sleep logged.
The Results
After tallying the results from all ten activities, we found that the Fitbit Charge 4 was the most accurate fitness tracker overall, closely followed by the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2. Both devices showed exceptional accuracy in all categories, with minimal deviations from the actual readings. However, it’s worth noting that the results may vary depending on individual factors, such as body type and activity intensity.
The Verdict
When it comes to fitness trackers, accuracy is key. Based on our tests, the Fitbit Charge 4 emerged as the most accurate fitness tracker, making it an excellent option for those looking to track their fitness goals accurately. However, it’s essential to note that all ten trackers we tested showed impressive accuracy results, and the individual choice may depend on other features and personal preferences. Whichever tracker you choose, make sure to check its accuracy before making your purchase. Happy tracking!
