

The Garmin Connect app has a load of social features, tons of challenges to complete, works with iOS and Android devices, and doesn’t require any sort of monthly fee. The Garmin Forerunner 265 doesn’t have much in the way of “smart” features, but it absolutely punches above its weight in terms of in-depth activity and health tracking.

It then takes all of this data and uses it to calculate your Body Battery - an estimate of how much energy you’ve charged and drained so you can get an idea of how rested/fatigued you really are. It also tracks your heart rate variability, respiration rate, and your body’s stress throughout the day. What kind of health features? The usual activity and sleep tracking tools are here, as is heart rate monitoring, and SpO2 tracking. But the Forerunner 265 goes beyond running with a suite of health tools that anyone - even non-runners - can seriously benefit from.
#Tritag vs. fitbit free#
Thanks to daily recommended runs, multi-band GPS for unmatched accuracy, and free training programs to help you run a 5K or a marathon, the running experience is outstanding. The Forerunner 265 is marketed as a running watch, and as expected, it excels in this department. But what if you don’t want an all-out smartwatch, and instead want something that’s a dedicated fitness tracker? For you, something like the Garmin Forerunner 265 is hard to beat. Garmin Forerunner 265 Joe Maring/Digital TrendsĪn Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch is a great choice if you want a powerful smartwatch with equally capable health features. The Galaxy Watch 5 technically works with any Android phone, but if you want access to all of its health features, you’ll want to make sure you’re using it specifically with a Samsung phone - like the Galaxy S23. Best of all? All of this is free and doesn’t require any sort of monthly subscription (take that, Fitbit Premium). It provides you with a wealth of data that no Apple Watch or Fitbit can match, and while it won’t always be 100% accurate, it’s a fantastic way to get a deeper look at how your body is functioning.Īll of your health data is tracked in the Samsung Health app, which has easy-to-read breakdowns of your activity, recommended workout suggestions, social challenges you can compete with friends in, and more. Something unique to the Galaxy Watch 5 is its body composition feature, which scans your body to analyze your fat mass, body fat percentage, skeletal muscle, body water, body mass index, and basal metabolic rate. Like the Apple Watch, all of the usual fitness-tracking features are here - including activity and sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring, an ECG app to detect A-fib, and SpO2 tracking. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Joe Maring/Digital Trendsīut what if you don’t have an iPhone? What if you’re like the millions of people with a Samsung phone instead? In that case, you’ll want to consider getting the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5. With excellent notification support, a robust library of smartwatch apps, hands-free Siri voice commands, Apple Pay, and a ton more, this is the go-to Fitbit alternative … so long as you have an iPhone to pair it with. You can also pay for Apple Fitness+ to access a variety of guided workouts (including outdoor runs and walks), though it’s not at all necessary to use the Apple Watch.Īpple’s nailed the health/fitness experience of the Apple Watch over the years, and that’s reflected in all three models. Both watches also come with a temperature sensor for monitoring your body’s temperature, which can be used for retrospective ovulation estimates if you track your cycle.
#Tritag vs. fitbit series#
If you splurge for the Apple Watch Series 8 or Apple Watch Ultra, you can take your fitness tracking up a notch with ECG and SpO2 tracking. All of your activity is tracked via the Apple Fitness and Health apps using Apple’s iconic Rings system, which is one of the best in the business.

All three watches support all-day activity and sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring with irregular rhythm notifications, and cycle tracking, and boast built-in GPS and water resistance. When it comes to health and fitness features, any modern Apple Watch - including the Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE 2, and Apple Watch Ultra - will have you covered. Although the Apple Watch is a full-fledged smartwatch rather than a dedicated fitness tracker like a Fitbit, it’s hard to argue against getting one. If you own an iPhone, one of your best bets for a Fitbit alternative is an Apple Watch. Wearing the Galaxy Watch 5 showed me just how basic the Pixel Watch really isĪpple shrugs off Fitbit and Garmin to remain king of smartwatchesĪny modern Apple Watch (Apple Watch SE 2, (from left) Apple Watch Series 8, and Apple Watch Ultra Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
