These trackers are ranked based on their abilities as heart rate monitors. Other features are considered a bonus though they don’t make up for a poor performance in the tracking area. If you’re looking for something ranked on its’ overall ability as a watch, check out our guide to the best triathlete fitness watches.

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Best Triathlon Heart Rate Monitor – Garmin Forerunner 935

Garmin is a popular and trusted creator of fitness watches. They set a high benchmark, so it’s no surprise the top recommendation goes to their [easyazon_link identifier=”B06XGD6CS4″ locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Forerunner 935[/easyazon_link]. It does a reliable job of heart monitoring via a wrist sensor and has plenty of other features too, including extremely accurate GPS location technology and data storage.

[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”324″ identifier=”B06XGD6CS4″ locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/3137enMjUVL.jpg” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″ width=”500″]View on Amazon

If you’re interested in Garmin watches and want to check out some alternatives, take a look at our guide to the best Garmin watches for triathletes!

Benefits

Compatible with Chest Strap

Most people would be surprised at a watch being the top pick purely because chest straps are considered more accurate. [easyazon_link identifier=”B06XGD6CS4″ locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Garmin 935[/easyazon_link] is compatible with certain chest straps though, so it gives the best of both worlds. Recommended are the [easyazon_link identifier=”B075RPZ3ZY” locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]HRM-Tri and HRM-Swim belts[/easyazon_link], giving waterproof ability alongside comfort and function.

Durable Battery Life

Battery life is massive on this watch, giving 2 weeks of performance in watch mode. The battery runs out quicker when in full-on tracking mode of course, though it’s still got more juice than many other watches and monitors.

Sturdy & Lightweight

Garmin is known for their smart and durable design across all ranges. This case is no exception, with reinforced polymers and chemically strengthened glass forming the body whilst a silicone strap gives extra reliability and a good amount of flex for comfort. It’s comfortable to wear and light enough to pretty much ignore.

[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”324″ identifier=”B06XGD6CS4″ locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41mNJ-5MzML.jpg” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″ width=”500″]View on Amazon

Looks Fantastic

The [easyazon_link identifier=”B06XGD6CS4″ locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Forerunner 935[/easyazon_link] looks great when compared to alternatives. On looks alone, it would be tough to beat in either the heart monitor category, or the watch category. The rounded stylish face and the fact the digital display is high quality and customizable make it massively fashionable.

Accurate Monitoring

With the chest, strap monitoring becomes incredibly accurate. Even without it though the watch can hold its own, being unbeaten as a wrist-based heart rate monitor. The chest strap addition is also top quality and maintains this high standard.

Lots of Extras

There’s so much more to the [easyazon_link identifier=”B06XGD6CS4″ locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Garmin Forerunner 935[/easyazon_link] than heart rate monitoring. It’s capable of being a great all-around triathlon watch, able to give you all sorts of data on your training, including a lap counter for swimming pool work and a highly sophisticated and accurate location system. The system combines an advanced accelerometer and altimeter with accurate GPS to give precise information on distances and speeds.

[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”B073WMPPQN” locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/510c4F92LqL.jpg” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″ width=”487″]View on Amazon

Drawbacks

Expensive

The price is the main reason most people don’t go straight for this option. There are other popular options around at a lower price which do a good job too, though they also don’t feature the extra options of the [easyazon_link identifier=”B073WMPPQN” locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Forerunner 935[/easyazon_link] and often can’t match it for heart rate tracking either. The difference in performance can be small though, so if limited on funds, there are other options.

Less Accurate Without Chest Straps

Neglecting the addition of a chest strap also affects the performance here. Chest straps perform more accurately than wrist monitors can and are therefore preferred by high-level athletes. This probably won’t be as big an issue if you’re a novice athlete, so take that into consideration as well. Those who want ultimate performance and tracking ability would do well to consider this feature-packed [easyazon_link identifier=”B0744PQMSZ” locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Garmin 935 and chest strap combo[/easyazon_link].

[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”330″ identifier=”B0744PQMSZ” locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51DMqm4W6AL.jpg” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″ width=”500″]View on Amazon

Best Chest-Strap Only – Polar H7 Bluetooth Heart Rate Sensor & Fitness Tracker

This pick is perfect for anybody who doesn’t need the extras of something like the [easyazon_link identifier=”B06XGD6CS4″ locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Forerunner 935[/easyazon_link], or those who are interested in purely heart rate monitoring. The accuracy of a chest strap can’t be disputed and makes it the top pick in many ways.  The [easyazon_link identifier=”B007S088F4″ locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Polar H7 Bluetooth Heart Rate Sensor[/easyazon_link] is our top pick for this category and does an admirable job of tracking your stats.

Benefits

Compatible with Most Bluetooth Devices

The transmitter in this uses Bluetooth technology, so it can interact with most Bluetooth phones and watches. There is also an app available from Polar which is free on both iOS and Android systems, again compatible with the monitor and with some extra features too.

[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”B007S088F4″ locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/31wIotFrb2L.jpg” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″ width=”500″]View on Amazon

Allows Extremely Accurate Readings

Wrist monitors usually use optical technology which is less accurate than ECG systems. ECG is the system preferred for medical uses because of its accuracy. It detects the actual electrical pulse triggered by your heart beating, making it unbeatable and spot-on at all times. This level of tracking gives you unbelievable control over your work-rate and development.

Comfortable & Stays in Place

The [easyazon_link identifier=”B007S088F4″ locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Polar H7 Heart Monitor[/easyazon_link] is comfortable to wear, holding its’ position well. A regular complaint with chest straps is that they don’t stay in place once the exercise begins. In this case, you can move around as much as you like without dislodging the belt. It holds tight and does so without being uncomfortable to wear.

Waterproof

There’s a lot of chest strap options around for running though not so many for swimming. Triathletes need both. The [easyazon_link identifier=”B007S088F4″ locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]H7 chest strap[/easyazon_link] is capable of dealing with water just fine. Keep in mind that whatever you’re transmitting to also needs to be waterproof though, and most phones aren’t. This is one of the areas where the [easyazon_link identifier=”B06XGD6CS4″ locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Forerunner 935[/easyazon_link] really pipped this out too, though you can also pick up a compatible [easyazon_link identifier=”B00TXHZIAI” locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Polar watch[/easyazon_link] which does the tracking for you if needed.

Cheap

For a highly accurate heart monitor, this strap is available at a real bargain price. It’s much cheaper than even our mid-range watch and could probably even slip into the budget price range when on sale or with special offers.

[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”400″ identifier=”B0716L31YC” locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/31B963DiTdL.jpg” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″ width=”400″]View on Amazon

Drawbacks

Some Athletes Dislike Chest Straps

As we said earlier, chest strap levels of accuracy are only really important to high-end athletes. For other users, chest straps can be unnecessary and even uncomfortable. The feeling of a chest strap bothers a lot of users and it can actually limit your bodies cooling mechanisms and cause extra sweating.

Usually Requires You to Carry Phone

Also because the [easyazon_link identifier=”B007S088F4″ locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]H7 strap[/easyazon_link] is a monitor and transmitter, there isn’t any way to view the data – so you need a receiver. The receiver would usually be a phone, though this means you also have to carry the phone whilst training, and most people can’t take their phones in the water either.

Best Mid-Range Watch – Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate

The Fitbit has been popular and successful from the launch of its original incarnation. Despite the [easyazon_link identifier=”B01K9S260E” locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Fitbit Charge 2[/easyazon_link]’s release date of September 2016, it remains a popular choice thanks to its functionality and is our top pick from the Fitbit range.

[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B01K9S260E” locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41fEFbolIoL.jpg” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″ width=”387″]View on Amazon

Benefits

Good Accuracy

Of course any chest strap with ECG technology is going to be more accurate than the [easyazon_link identifier=”B01K9S260E” locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Fitbit Charge 2[/easyazon_link]. Do you really need that level of accuracy though? If not, this watch offers a high level of accuracy compared to other optical devices, with the convenience and comfort of a wristwatch monitor.

Light & Comfortable

A sleek design and lightweight materials combine to give you a comfortable heart tracker. It doesn’t get in the way or feel bulky. Most users forget they’re even wearing it after a while.

Large Display & Easy to Use

Fitbit market their products as being accessible and easy to use. The large display adds to this because its easily viewable and gives a larger touchscreen area. The range of information is limited though there’s still more than just basic heart rate. Monitoring of sleep habits, steps, and calories burned are just some of the extras on offer. The way this watch is designed makes it simple to use from the first try as well.

[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B01K9S260E” locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/3173XFlQpjL.jpg” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″ width=”500″]View on Amazon

Looks Great

The sleek design isn’t just lightweight either, it gives the [easyazon_link identifier=”B01K9S260E” locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Charge 2[/easyazon_link] a great minimalist appearance. Having interchangeable straps helps here too because you can pick different colors or even options like leather straps, making it totally customizable.

Drawbacks

Not Waterproof

While being water-resistant, the [easyazon_link identifier=”B01K9S260E” locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Charge 2[/easyazon_link] isn’t waterproof. It can be used for running though for swim training you’re going to need an alternative or leave the monitoring altogether. This is a big sticking point for some triathletes who really want to monitor swim performance separately.

Best Budget – Letsfit Fitness Tracker with Heart Rate Monitor

As our budget pick, I’ve selected the [easyazon_link identifier=”B07B3S3HB6″ locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Letsfit Fitness Tracker[/easyazon_link]. It looks similar to the Fitbit and has many of the same features, though does have a couple of drawbacks in comparison to our other choices, as you would expect from a budget item.

[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B07B3S3HB6″ locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51pAWYXFZWL.jpg” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″ width=”500″]View on Amazon

Benefits

Cheap

The biggest reason why this is popular is the low price. It’s cheap enough that even if it does break or get lost after a while, that won’t really be a huge issue. You could by a few of these for the price of a good [easyazon_link identifier=”B01K9S260E” locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Fitbit[/easyazon_link], and way more for the price of a [easyazon_link identifier=”B06XGD6CS4″ locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Garmin[/easyazon_link].

Comes with Extra Features & Good Tracking

Despite the cheap cost the [easyazon_link identifier=”B07B3S3HB6″ locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Letsfit Fitness Tracker[/easyazon_link] does a respectable job of heart monitoring, giving plenty of bang for your buck. On top of that it has extra features like a calorie counter, sleep monitoring, and even limited phone connectivity.

Drawbacks

Less Reliable Than Alternatives

Lower price means lower quality materials and a lower level of build quality. The straps on these can start to wear down after a few months of heavy use and sometimes break. Replacements are available through and the entire watch can be replaced at a low cost if needed.

[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B07B3S3HB6″ locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51eARIFSV6L.jpg” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″ width=”500″]View on Amazon

Not Waterproof

The [easyazon_link identifier=”B07B3S3HB6″ locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Letsfit Fitness Tracker[/easyazon_link] isn’t waterproof either, so it’s only usable for running and cycling, not swimming. It’s difficult to find a budget option that offers waterproof tracking so this consideration isn’t such a big deal for the budget selection.

Bottom Line – Best Triathlon Heart Rate Monitor      

Overall it’s important to know what you need upfront. Are you in need of highly accurate ECG monitoring? Or is optical enough for your needs? Comfort and convenience also play some role in the chest strap vs wrist monitor debate, with the price being the final decider.

For newcomers a [easyazon_link identifier=”B07B3S3HB6″ locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]LetsFit Fitness Tracker[/easyazon_link] will do fine, and the price difference makes this my preference over even the [easyazon_link identifier=”B01K9S260E” locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Fitbit Charge 2[/easyazon_link]. If you do need the chest strap accuracy I’d go for the [easyazon_link identifier=”B06XFZQZ3Q” locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Garmin Forerunner 935 Tri-Bundle[/easyazon_link] so you get the best of all categories. The level of athlete who needs ECG accuracy will also need the other features available on this watch, like GPS. The [easyazon_link identifier=”B0716L31YC” locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Polar H7[/easyazon_link] gives a much cheaper alternative, although you’d need to carry a phone (or alternative receiver) with you as well, and there aren’t any extra features like GPS.

A good fitness watch is a combination of style and technology, giving you all the data you need to make the most of your exercise and live a healthier life, whilst also having the functions of most modern smart-watches. The reason we went with the [easyazon_link identifier=”B07D9FB15R” locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Fenix 5 Plus[/easyazon_link] is that it scores highly as a fitness tracker and a smart-watch, while also looking great too.

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Best Overall – Garmin Fenix 5 Plus

Our top pick comes with a big list of features – and a big price tag to go with it. Garmin has been a huge name in outdoor watches and trackers for decades, way before the first smartwatches had even been thought of. Their specialty is mainly their GPS technology, which is known to be extremely accurate and reliable. The amount of tech they were already using in these outdoor watches made it a no-brainer for them to enter the fitness tracker market once that began to take off.

With the [easyazon_link identifier=”B07D9FB15R” locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Fenix 5 Plus[/easyazon_link] Garmin have created a complete smartwatch for athletes or the outdoors in general. It comes stuffed with almost every feature offered elsewhere in the Garmin line, to the point you’re unlikely to need everything that it can do. This watch is available in a regular version and a sapphire edition, which comes with a scratch-proof screen. There’s also a titanium sapphire edition available, combining the scratch-proof sapphire screen with a titanium surround, and giving you a very sturdy watch that could survive almost any natural damage or wear and tear.

Benefits

Looks Great

The first thing that stood out to me about the [easyazon_link identifier=”B07D9FB15R” locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Fenix 5 Plus[/easyazon_link] was how good it looks. It comes with a very slick all-black look. You can change this up a bit if you want to because the straps are changeable, so you can go for your own choice of color and either a silicone, leather, or metal wrist-strap. They all work well and the standard resting display for this watch is pretty minimal and neat, with the time being clear to see.

[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”B07D9FB15R” locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41Bht9rmfvL.jpg” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″ width=”500″]
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Very Sturdy

Regardless of what version you buy (sapphire, titanium, standard) your [easyazon_link identifier=”B07D9FB15R” locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Fenix 5 Plus[/easyazon_link] is going to last for a long time. These watches are known to be very reliable electronically, they keep going for many years past purchase just like other Garmin watches. The case is solid enough to withstand most bumps and bangs too, so there’s no worry about breaking it if you or your arm end up bang into anything.

Offers GPS

The GPS on Garmins watches is known to be extremely accurate and a lot faster than most phones. Of course, this is great for finding your way around and never getting lost, but why does it matter to fitness enthusiasts? Because accurate GPS means accurate distance tracking, and accurate pace tracking as well.

Huge Amount of Stats Tracked

Let’s go through a quick list of what [easyazon_link identifier=”B07D9FB15R” locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Garmin Fenix 5 Plus[/easyazon_link] tracks – it includes a heart rate monitor, an altimeter, an accelerometer, a compass, a gyroscope and a thermometer. With all these sensors and the great software included, you are given all kinds of data from VO2 max to recommended recovery time and performance capability.

Compatible with Smartphones

This watch syncs up easily to most smartphones and can transfer data across to them using the integrated app. It can alert you to notifications and allow you to take calls through the watch, allowing you to keep your phone safely stored. It even has included storage and offline music playback, so there’s even less need to physically carry your phone.

Easy to Use Buttons

The buttons on this watch stick out a good distance and are easy to push even whilst sweaty or cold. The easy usability of this watch makes it a popular choice for athletes everywhere.

Waterproof

Fitness trackers are everywhere these days, but they tend to be for use on land, not in water. With the [easyazon_link identifier=”B07D9FB15R” locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Fenix 5 Plus[/easyazon_link], Garmin offers a waterproof option that not only can be used in water but also has some advantages there. For example, there’s a built-in stroke tracker so you can measure exactly how you’re performing in the water. This is a great feature for triathletes and swimmers.

[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”B07D9FB15R” locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41Seh28I7vL.jpg” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″ width=”500″]
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Great Battery Life

This Garmin has a great battery life, it can last well over a week on a single charge even with some GPS usage. The more features you use, the quicker the battery will drain. With that said, you can switch all the features on and still get a good 24 hours of use out of it – and who needs fitness tracking, GPS, and more for a solid 24 hr period without the ability to charge?

Drawbacks

Bulky

One thing which some users dislike about the [easyazon_link identifier=”B07D9FB15R” locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Garmin Fenix 5 Plus[/easyazon_link] is the size of it. The watch comes in at near 16mm thick with a 1.2” display and weighing near 80 grams. That’s quite large for a fitness tracker and stands out even against other, bigger fitness watches. If sleek and discreet is what you like, this isn’t going to be ideal for you.

Expensive

The biggest drawback of this watch is the price. It comes in at a much higher price than the alternatives and is literally well over 10x the price of our budget picks. Garmin is a known high-end brand though, so the cost is expected, and they do offer some cheaper alternatives if you’re interested. Take a look at our articles on the best Garmin for hiking, for triathlons or even for kayaking to get more ideas.

[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”B07F2417VG” locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51tag1w6NJL.jpg” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″ width=”500″]
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Best on a Budget – Moov Now

While this isn’t technically a watch, we had to include it anyway just because the [easyazon_link identifier=”B01CX26IEO” locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Moov Now[/easyazon_link] is such a great fitness tracker (even if it does lack a watch-face). It’s our budget pick because it’s so unbelievably cheap yet still offers a whole load of features.

Benefits

Unique Design

The [easyazon_link identifier=”B01CX26IP8″ locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Moov Now[/easyazon_link] has a unique, distinctive look. It’s not likely to be mistaken for a different tracker. The [easyazon_link identifier=”B01CX26IP8″ locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Moov[/easyazon_link] has a comfortable and breathable strap, and is small in size too. This and the lightweight of this tracker make it really comfortable to wear and use.

Integrated Workouts

This tracker comes with an app, and the app includes free workouts that you can use. You will usually need to pair the tracker with a phone to use these workouts as you’ll need a screen or speakers which aren’t included on the [easyazon_link identifier=”B01CX26IP8″ locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Moov Now[/easyazon_link] to make the most of this feature. The workouts are limited but they’re better than nothing, and the accelerometer is useful because it keeps you working at the right pace throughout the workout.

[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”B01CX26IP8″ locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Afu5cZ7FL.jpg” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″ width=”500″]
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Cheap

This is the cheapest fitness watch on our list by far, which isn’t so surprising when you remember it isn’t an actual watch. Still, it holds its own as a fitness tracker and is so cheap that you could just buy a separate watch anyway.

Long Battery Life

Another bonus to having a basic fitness watch like this one is how long the battery lasts. It uses a changeable battery that powers the unit for around 6 months at a time and isn’t affected much by what features you use or how often. The [easyazon_link identifier=”B01CX26IP8″ locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Moov Now[/easyazon_link] gives long-term reliability, since there isn’t much to go wrong and it’s pretty resistant to accidental damage too.

Waterproof

We already covered the general durability, but this watch is also highly resistant to dust, sweat and water. This makes it great for gym use and ensures you won’t accidentally damage it by sweating too much.

Drawbacks

Limited Features

The data monitoring in this tracker is done purely by an accelerometer, so there isn’t a wide range of stats that some fitness watches offer. There’s no heart rate or altimeter for example, and the sleep tracking works by estimates instead of using actual data from your body metrics.

[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”B01CX26IP8″ locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51NZcWdrs-L.jpg” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″ width=”500″]
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No Watch Face

The [easyazon_link identifier=”B01CX26IP8″ locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Moov Now[/easyazon_link] is a fitness tracker rather than a fitness watch. It’s the best budget pick for a fitness tracker in our opinion. If you really need a watch face, you’re better off looking elsewhere.

Best on a Budget (And an Actual Watch) – Huawei Band 2 Pro

The [easyazon_link identifier=”B074PFG5V3″ locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Huawei Band 2 Pro[/easyazon_link] is our budget choice for people wanting/needing a watch face as well. It’s a little more expensive than the [easyazon_link identifier=”B01CX26IEO” locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Moov Now[/easyazon_link] but is still in the budget range. Huawei are a lesser-known brand, especially for fitness watches. They’re trying to even the playing field by offering more in terms of features at a price point below their competitors. It may lack the finesse of a Garmin or a Fitbit, but it holds its’ own on performance.

Benefits

Cheap

The [easyazon_link identifier=”B074PFG5V3″ locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Huawei Band 2 Pro[/easyazon_link] is a great value deal because it has plenty of features. Some of these features, like the GPS, are usually only offered on fitness watches which cost twice what this one does. That already gives it an edge over the cheaper models it actually competes with. If you want a similar tracker at this price you’re going to have to give up the watch features. If you want a similar fitness watch at this price, you’re going to have to give up other features. There’s no similarly priced alternative which has the same features.

[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”B074PFG5V3″ locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41bk792drOL.jpg” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″ width=”375″]
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Water-Resistant

Huawei have marked their [easyazon_link identifier=”B074PFG5V3″ locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Band 2 Pro[/easyazon_link] as being water-resistant rather than waterproof. The rating is actually 5ATM which is quite high for a low priced watch. You’d be safe swimming with this since it’s safe to 5ATM (5 times atmospheric pressure). That is assuming you aren’t a deep-sea diver or anything…

Plenty of Features

We’ve already mentioned that there are plenty of features. These include GPS, a heart rate monitor blood oxygen monitor, sleep tracking, and phone connectivity.  All of this plus its’ own app to monitor and manage your data. The GPS is definitely the top feature because it has great accuracy. It’s close to what you’d expect from a Garmin device.

Great Battery Life

Huawei’s [easyazon_link identifier=”B074PFG5V3″ locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Band 2 Pro[/easyazon_link] has a rechargeable battery which is claimed to last 21 days on a full charge. If you aren’t GPS’ing all the time, it’ll last all week which is pretty good.

Drawbacks

Uncomfortable

The strap on this watch isn’t changeable. It’s also made from quite a stiff rubber and doesn’t have the best flexibility. You can fasten it looser so the rubber isn’t too tight but then you can’t use the pulse monitoring. Tightening it up properly makes the stiff rubber press against your skin, which is uncomfortable for daily users.

[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”B074PFG5V3″ locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/31zn%2BQpv3bL.jpg” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″ width=”375″]
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Clunky to Use

There isn’t a real touchscreen, instead it uses a button sensor below the main screen. That’s okay for a quick press but it means navigating every setting with a press or hold on the same button. Going through these presses can take a while and gets a little irritating when you have to go through 6 pages of phone notifications before even starting to navigate a menu.

Delicate

The [easyazon_link identifier=”B074PFG5V3″ locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Huawei Band 2 Pro[/easyazon_link] isn’t equipped with a scratch-proof screen or sturdy internals. It’s made more for casual use and can be scratched or marked quite easily. Be aware of this and take good care of yours if you buy one. It’s not overly delicate but it won’t take the beating some high-end watches might.

Final Word – Best Fitness Watch

Ultimately the choice is yours and depends on your needs. Personally if I was on a budget I’d go with the [easyazon_link identifier=”B01CX26IEO” locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Moov Now[/easyazon_link] for fitness uses and pick up a separate cheap watch, like a [easyazon_link identifier=”B000AR7S3A” locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]cheap G-Shock[/easyazon_link], if a watch is also needed.

If the price isn’t so much of an issue there’s no question that the [easyazon_link identifier=”B07D9FB15R” locale=”US” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″]Garmin Fenix 5 Plus[/easyazon_link] wins. With a couple of extra straps, it could look the part in almost any setting and does everything a good fitness watch should – plus more. This is definitely my top pick overall.

[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”B07F2417VG” locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41CUZaY6bdL.jpg” tag=”upbeat-jan-20″ width=”500″]
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