![]() ![]() We research the market, survey user reviews, speak with product managers and engineers, and use our own experience riding, running, sleeping, and working out with these devices on our wrists to determine the best options. ![]() Our team of test editors are data nerds and we've used every device on this list to track our rides, stress, runs, hikes, and sleep, not to mention stream music, tell time, and in some cases, navigate unknown roads and trails. While the tech is exciting and potentially helpful, the health professionals we talked to suggested consulting with your own doctor before relying too much on a watch’s tracking. ![]() While there may be instances where the ability to take ECG reading from your wrist can be beneficial, we spoke to several medical experts who had some concerns about the technology, its reliability, and possible instances of misdiagnoses. Manufacturers claim that can aid in the prevention and monitoring of heart-rhythm disorders like Atrial Fibrillation, commonly known as AFib. And increasingly more fitness trackers allow you to use your device to pay for mid-ride snacks using near-field communication.ĭevices that can take ECG readings are becoming popular. If you like to leave your phone at home when riding or cross-training, you’ll want a device that allows you to download music to listen untethered, which can require a smart watch with cellular service. Some also provide access to services like Spotify, Pandora, or Apple Music. To do it, most fitness trackers will need to connect to your phone. One of the best reasons to own a fitness tracker is how convenient it can make accessing and playing music. Some devices might also have access to Galileo, the European Union satellite system that operates in the same fashion as GPS and GLONASS. That gives more accurate readings in congested or remote areas and more consistent tracking throughout the day (which can otherwise be affected by where the satellites are in orbit). The latter is the Russian equivalent of GPS and doubles the number of satellites your watch can communicate with. When looking at a watch with GPS functions, check to see whether it has basic GPS or GPS with GLONASS. GPS is becoming more common on low-cost fitness trackers, which is fantastic for cyclists. Think about how you plan to use your tracker, which features you’ll use most, and how those will affect battery life. Some companies claim their trackers can go days between charges, but that performance can drop dramatically when you start actually tracking your workouts or using GPS. Watches with full GPS, like the Garmin Fenix, give you better battery life, excellent waterproofing, and sophisticated route-mapping features like you’d find on a bar-mounted GPS unit.įor cyclists, one of the most important considerations is battery life. Still, most smart watches have features and connectivity above and beyond basic activity tracking. Some now include GPS capabilities, wireless pay options, and voice and text notifications, blurring the lines between fitness trackers and smart watches. As price increases you get more accurate recording, Bluetooth connectivity, and features like auto start and stop that allow the device to track an activity as soon as you begin moving. Most will also include activity-specific metrics, like miles ridden or run. ![]() They’re great for people who want to monitor their daily activity and health, recording data like calories burned, hours slept, and heart rate. Fitness trackers, generally, are the most basic of the bunch. The first step many of us need to take is deciding whether we’re best served by a fitness tracker, a more robust smart watch, or even a dedicated GPS unit. Read on for help determining which one fits your needs and reviews of the best ones from our testing. Prices range from under $100 for a basic watch that can track your workouts all the way up to $800 for sophisticated smart watches packed with features like precise GPS monitoring and route mapping. More powerful than those first bands that only counted steps and calories, the latest activity trackers have tools and features that are much more relevant to cyclists. ![]()
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