Which one is better for you, a smart fitness tracker or a smartwatch?

When comparing smartwatches to fitness trackers, it becomes evident that smartwatches excel in certain aspects. For instance, smartwatches feature larger screens that allow for clear information display, in addition to the ability to receive and manage phone notifications, make calls, and more.

On the other hand, fitness trackers primarily focus on monitoring health and user activity. These devices are known for providing detailed information about physical activities, heart rate, and more. However, their small screens limit their ability to manage notifications conveniently.

Which is more suitable for you, a fitness tracker or a smart watch?

In general, smartwatches are considered a comprehensive option due to their diverse advantages. However, fitness trackers remain a suitable choice in some cases. For instance, if you have a limited budget or are looking for a device to encourage your child to engage in physical activity without the need for a smartphone, fitness trackers may be a suitable option.

Below, we will provide you with some reasons that might lead you to choose fitness trackers, as well as some reasons that might guide you towards selecting smartwatches.

Reasons that motivate you to choose fitness tracking devices:

The ability to bear the costs

In general, there are many fitness trackers available at much lower prices than smartwatches. For instance, you can take advantage of the Amazfit Band 7, which features a 1.47-inch AMOLED screen and an 18-day battery life, priced at $50.

On the other hand, if you're considering purchasing a Pixel Watch, for example, it would cost you $350 and you would need to subscribe to Fitbit Premium to make the most of its fitness tracking features.

Fitness trackers are more convenient

Smartwatches evolve annually, improving their processors, increasing battery capacities, and utilizing the latest sensors. These watches become the optimal choice for tracking fitness and health indicators. However, this progress comes at a weight cost, ranging between 50-70 grams with the strap, and a thickness of 13 millimeters or more.

On the other hand, fitness trackers are generally lighter, weighing between 20 and 30 grams, and come with much slimmer straps. These devices lack digital crowns or interactive buttons on the wrist. If you're interested in monitoring your sleep, opting for a simple and compact fitness tracker becomes a much easier choice than using smartwatches.

Simplicity and long battery life

Apple smartwatches and Android watches are designed to serve as a means of connecting to your smartphone, aiming to facilitate tracking notifications and calls without the need to directly interact with the phone. Despite their benefits, they might divert your attention during studying, exercising, or working. These watches consume more energy due to running applications, leading to battery depletion quickly, meaning they might last for a day or less.

In contrast, fitness trackers offer greater simplicity, smaller screens, and longer battery life, typically ranging from 6 to 14 days depending on the brand. Some smartwatches combine these advantages, but they often tend to be larger in size and more expensive, such as certain Garmin watches.

Reasons to choose a smart watch:

Here are your reasons to choose between a smartwatch and fitness trackers:

Comes with built-in GPS and other features

Most fitness trackers rely on Global Positioning System (GPS) technology in smartphones. This means you need to carry your phone while exercising. While this might be convenient for some individuals, if you prefer to work out phone-free or engage in group sports where you don't use your phone during activities, you'll need a smartwatch equipped with GPS technology.

On the other hand, most fitness trackers don't come with a microphone and speaker. Consequently, you won't be able to make phone calls through them or interact with voice assistants to quickly ask questions. However, these features are available in smartwatches.

Elegant designs

Many people prefer smart wristwatches due to their aesthetic appeal, such as Apple Watches, Garmin Lily, Vivomove Trend, and Pixel Watch. These watches stand out with their elegance and distinctive design, often not found in traditional fitness trackers with simple designs. Moreover, smartwatches feature large high-quality displays and support a diverse range of applications.

Choose the appropriate device:

If you have a large budget and care about appearance and multiple features, a smartwatch might be the optimal choice. And if you're interested in tracking fitness and device costs are important to you, a fitness tracker could be suitable.

For children, specially designed fitness tracking devices can be chosen to help parents monitor their activity. For college or high school students, a fitness tracker might not be suitable due to the difficulty of receiving notifications, sending text messages, and making calls. On the other hand, a smartwatch would be a more fitting option, offering them a wider variety of designs and colors, along with the ability to track fitness.