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Best Pedometers
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Use
In the beginning, it was described what exactly a pedometer is. In general, it is a device that is designed to monitor the number of steps that you are taking in a specific day, over a week, etc. But, as you quickly realized throughout this list, many pedometers allow functionality past just steps taken. Even if they are basic, most should also keep track of the calories that you have burned and the amount of time you have been active. But, more advanced models may also allow you to set personal goals for yourself and even monitor your sleeping to see if there is room for improvement.
However, at the end of the day, pedometers live and die with how accurately they track your steps. All will do so, but some may not do so with great precision. If you take 1000 steps in one day and the device only registers around 700 of them, you are not getting an accurate interpretation of how much you are walking which can defeat the purpose of owning the pedometer in the first place.
Ease of Use
This is the primary reason why some people may prefer pedometers without additional functionality and features. In general, these are not meant to be full-fledged computers and smartphones with a complex and in-depth operating system. Instead, they are supposed to be simple devices that should do the work for you. However, some are and some are not. At least, when it comes to the initial set-up. Several times throughout this list, you saw a reference to a pedometer that many users had issues with in terms of the set-up. Clearly, it is nice when the manufacturer includes a user manual as a point of reference.
Past the set-up, the display and overall complexity of the device are factors to look out for. Those that are not designed to be used alongside an application should sport an interface that is easy to navigate through and see without squinting constantly. Of course, this also means that those that use apps in conjunction with their pedometer, need to use apps that are user-friendly. No need to be confused with a device that is supposed to be as simple as it gets.
Battery Life
In terms of batteries, there are two types (speaking in general) that normal pedometers will sport. One that either needs to be charged after it dies or one that is designed to last for a certain time before needing to be replaced. Typically, the pedometers that feature Bluetooth technology and advanced features are the versions that utilize the former battery. With these, you want to know how long they will last on one charge. In will quickly become a nuisance if you need to recharge the battery every few days. Instead, shoot for a model that will last one or two weeks without needing to be charged.
Then, the other type of battery, which is commonly used for classic pedometers, can be seen as more convenient as you do not need to charge them. They will simply last a certain amount of time, whether six months, eight months, one year, etc. before they end up dying. At this point, you simply need to replace the battery.
Connectivity
This is what transforms a classic pedometer into a modern piece of technology. However, this may not be something that you are interested in. Bluetooth technology is something that is not required for a pedometer to perform well, but, instead, is used to add convenience and extra functionality for them. So, what exactly will Bluetooth on a pedometer allows you to do? For starters, when you are able to sync the device to your smartphone or tablet, you then have the capability of uploading the data on any platform you wish. Thus, this allows you to log your fitness data and this may help you strive to do better.
Top Ten Pedometers
1. Fitbit Zip
Well, that did not take long. Fitbit makes their second straight appearance and this time, it is their Zip Tracker. Granted, small deficiencies are present in terms of hardware. However, it allows for basic fitness needs and can sync with Bluetooth.
Read morePerformance
The metrics that the Fitbit Zip analyzes and tracks, which includes distance, calories burned, and steps taken, it does so very accurate and not too many users have complained otherwise. Plus, you can also set personal goals and view your progress accordingly.
Simplicity
Some may believe that this is the Fit’s best feature; the fact that it is a zero-maintenance device. What this means for you is that there are no buttons that you must tamper with and it only needs to be on to be operational.
Battery Life
The integrated battery is replaceable and does not need to be charged. You can roughly expect, depending on the severity of use, the battery to last up to six months.
Wireless Syncing
This has the capability and technology to wirelessly sync to over 150 devices, including your smartphones, computers, and tablets. When doing so, you can sync your statistics and access fitness applications.
Additional Convenience
The iPhone and Android application that you can utilize in conjunction with this device is free of charge.
Overall
While this still may be too in-depth for some, others will appreciate the useful and abundant features present here (both with the device and the app). Plus, it sports a simplistic nature and a solid battery life.
2. Fitbit Touch
Fitbit is a brand that you are probably familiar with, even if you have never physically owned a device like this. Their name is plastered all over fitness devices and their Fitbit One acts as a terrific pedometer with additional “advanced” capabilities.
Read morePerformance
This all-in-one pedometer and activity tracker will track your distance, calories burned, active minutes, steps taken, and even floors climbed. Also, you can monitor your sleeping patterns and set alarms. As a whole, it performs very well when tracking your steps.
Simplicity
Thanks to the OLED display, which is one of the most advanced display types you will find, you can easily see your daily stats and time on the interface. In general, not too many users have complained about over-complexity.
Battery Life
The battery life of the Fitbit One is superb and Fitbit claims that you can enjoy up to 14 days of battery life on a single charge before you need to charge it back to full power.
Wireless Syncing
With the integrated Bluetooth technology, this device will automatically sync to either your computer, smartphone, or tablet. The accompanying app that you can use with it has been praised for its vast features including daily goals and tracking.
Additional Convenience
Due to the design of the clip, while it is not the most durable or highest of quality, you can wear this on your belt, bra, or even in your pocket.
Overall
It should not be much of a surprise that Fitbit reigns supreme here as they are the leaders of this technology. While you can question the durability of their One model, for pure performance, it is near impossible to beat.
3. Realalt 3DTriSport
This pedometer is known for it's ease of use an simplicity in design. If you are looking for something that won't require a lot of learning and a huge manual to get started, this is your pedometer.
Read morePerformance
This pedometer excels in accuracy when it comes to tracking your steps. As a bonus, this can hold up to 30 days of activity in its memory and 30 weeks of accumulated data.
Simplicity
The set up of this pedometer is very user friendly and simple to get going; however, users state that it may take a try or two to get it going.
Battery Life
If you were to use this pedometer on a regular basis, you can expect the battery to last up to one year before it needs to be replaced.
Wireless Syncing
There is no Bluetooth or wireless functionality here, but because it stores up to 30 days of activity, you can keep track yourself on an Excel spreadsheet.
Additional Convenience
This little pedometer comes with an 18 month warranty and a guarantee of 100% satisfaction.
Overall
If you are looking for a device that is accurate, easy to use, and absolutely simple in it's design, this is the pedometer for you.
4. Fitbit Flex 2
Certainly, the Flex 2 from Fitbit is not a prototypical pedometer. Instead, it utilizes modern technology to create a morph of a pedometer and a smart band. While not foolproof, those looking for an advanced pedometer will certainly appeal to this one.
Read morePerformance
You can use this device to track simple metrics such as steps, distance, calories burned and active minutes. Or, it can track advanced metrics such as swimming and your sleep. The LED lights on the interface will light-up to indicate your progress. But, unfortunately, if you do not sway your arms it may not record your steps.
Simplicity
The included app that this works with is user-friendly and overall stress-free to work with.
Battery Life
Before needing to be charged again, the battery should last up to five days (depending on how frequently you use it).
Wireless Syncing
Not only does the SmartTrack automatically recognize your workouts and sync them with the Fitbit app, but the LED lights can display for you call and text notifications from your smartphone.
Additional Convenience
Because this can be used to track swimming metrics, it is water-resistant and can handle showers, pools, and general bodies of water.
Overall
Clearly, this is more than a pedometer. But, at its core, that is exactly what it can be for you. It is just that the Fitbit Flex 2 offers certain features and luxuries that other pedometers do not.
5. Onetweak
Speaking of pedometers with a minimal amount of content (in a good way), how about the model from OneTweak? While the initial set-up can be a pain, several users have proclaimed, when it gets going, it will perform admirably for you.
Read morePerformance
Based upon Fit&Me, this is actually the number one pedometer in terms of accuracy. In conjunction with its ability to track time, calories burned, and hold up to 30 days’ worth of information, it blows away expectations in terms of performance.
Simplicity
There have been many, nearly every reviewer, that have griped and complained about the set-up process. It is a hassle and while the manufacturer offers a setup service, it should not be this much of a pain.
Battery Life
With normal use, the lithium-ion battery should provide you with an utmost of one year of life.
Wireless Syncing
This device is a pedometer at its core and nothing else. It does not sport the bells and whistles of Bluetooth technology and the ability to sync your smartphone for additional activities.
Additional Convenience
When it is not in motion, the pedometer will go into a hibernation mode. Then, it will reactivate with motion. This can enhance the battery life and prevent you from needing to turn the device on and off.
Overall
The accuracy that OneTweak provides for its users is superb and it automatically makes this model a worthy investment. For those looking for more, however, you will be a tad bit disappointed.
6. Omron Alvita
This is more of a traditional pedometer that you may think of when you hear the word “pedometer”. It does not possess the Bluetooth functionality of the last two, but, instead, accurately tracks steps and features a tremendous battery life.
Read morePerformance
All the basics are tracked here including total distance, calories burned, aerobic steps and regular steps taken. Thanks to the integrated Tri-Axis technology, this will accurately track these metrics no matter the orientation. In memory, it will store up to seven days of activity.
Simplicity
For a quick and easy set-up, this pedometer will automatically calculate stride based on your height and weight input. In addition, the large buttons allow for quick access to your data.
Battery Life
Due to the innovative and efficient design, as the display powers down when not in use, the battery life is increased over time. If you used it for 14 hours a day, it could last up to six months.
Wireless Syncing
As opposed to the Fitbit models, there are no Bluetooth or wireless syncing capabilities. Instead, it relies more on being a standard pedometer.
Additional Convenience
After 20 seconds of inactivity, the screen will shut down to preserve and extend the battery over time. Plus, you can strap the device anywhere with the included clip.
Overall
Bluetooth fans may be disappointed that there is no functionality but overall, this is a fantastic pedometer perfect for those not looking for an all-in-one type device.
7. Striiv Smart
This here is a little different pedometer than any that have made an appearance so far. Instead of relying on an accompanying app or being simple to the core, it sports a touchscreen interface with integrated apps for fitness.
Read morePerformance
Thanks to the applications that are installed in this device, with some offering fitness goals that you can set for yourself, there is plenty of fitness fun to be had. For tracking steps, if you regularly update the software, it does so with great precision.
Simplicity
While this was designed to be easy to use with its 2” touchscreen display, an included manual or guidebook would have been ideal. For some, navigating through the interface can prove a daunting task.
Battery Life
This is powered by a lithium-ion battery and while Striiv claims it holds a batter life of a week, many have stated otherwise and have gotten nowhere near that amount.
Wireless Syncing
While you can’t connect wirelessly with this model, you can connect the USB to a computer. You can do so to sync and update the pedometer.
Additional Convenience
Any way you can think of to hold this, it can be done and performed normally. This could include stuffing it in your pocket, holding it, or attaching it to a band.
Overall
In a way, this almost seems like a fusion of a traditional pedometer with an old-school touch-screen device. Ironically, that is probably the best way to describe this piece of tech.
8. Nokia Go
While this device relies heavily on Bluetooth and your smartphone, as you can’t use it otherwise, it is a fantastic pedometer when you get it synced. Many have complained running into issues in this area, but, as a whole, still performs well and is designed to achieve what you need.
Read morePerformance
Past the traditional tracking of steps, distance and calories burned, this can also monitor your sleep and more than 10 other activities.
Simplicity
With a simple press of the screen, you can access the watch function. In addition, the screen as a whole is incredibly easy to view and visualize.
Battery Life
There is no charging required on your part with the Nokia Go. Instead, the internal battery is designed to last up to eight months of normal use.
Wireless Syncing
This can be automatically synchronized to either your iPhone or Android smartphone. When doing so, you can receive coaching feedback to improve your overall fitness.
Additional Convenience
Being able to be worn in several different manners, such as in your pocket, on your wrist, or clipped to your pants, everyone should find a style that suits them best.
Overall
One of the downsides of a device that is solely dependent on another is if it can’t sync to it, it can’t be used. Unfortunately, that is what makes the syncing issues of the Nokia Go frustrating. But, it can’t be understated, when you get this synced up, it is utterly fantastic.
9. Active
The first point to note is that this comes with a designed in a sturdy clip so it can be easily carried. This is designed to be ultra user-friendly, skip uploading procedures or any need to connect to other wireless devices, this will conveniently let you monitor all of your activity throughout your fitness schedules.
The features of pedometers are broad and impressive and exactly what we want in this current technical age, monitor your steps through sensitive accurate tech, the distance which you go in both miles or kilometers, how long you took to go the distance and keep an eye on how many calories you burn-up. This is easy to operate and the dual screen is large so you can easily see your readouts and this will remember your activities for up to 30 days at a time, so you can review your progress. The device will reset at midnight on each day ready to start afresh for 24 hours tracking which is held in the memory for you to check.
When you are not on the move this will be noticed and a sensor will put the device to sleep in order to prolong battery life and the general lifespan of the battery is one year. A very accurate system which performs well horizontally and vertically.
Read morePerformance
A whopping thirty days memory which means for an entire month you can review and compare your progress. The step counter is 100% accurate due to the 3D motion sensor and you get reliable feedback for how many calories are burned in conjunction with the distance you have covered.
The dual digit display face is really easy to work with and just a glance at it gives you clear information, the clock works for either a 24 hour or 12-hour format. At the end of the day as midnight strikes the tracker will reset and be ready to start monitoring for a new day.
Performance excels due to the designed in 3D Pedometer activity tracker. This model comes with an informative user manual so you can read and double check and master the state of the art tracker features.
Simplicity
Designed with simplicity and ease of use. No need to upload or connect wirelessly to other devices and you can view your activity records on the move.
Battery Life
Built-in low battery system which will monitor and inform you if your battery is getting low on juice. Battery life is prolonged through the designed in a sensor which will put your system to sleep and save power when it detects that you are not active.
Wireless Syncing
Remember earlier devices and having to upload, you won't have the need to do that because this model does not rely on connecting to the wireless via other devices, you get a personal wireless connection so that you are in full control and fully independent.
Additional Convenience
Don't worry about the odd unexpected bump or knock bringing the tracker out of battery power saving sleep mode and constantly restarting your battery, you are protected by a delay sensor which will wait for ten successive steps before activating the tracker's features.
Overall
This is a tracker which presents positively, user-friendly, durable and reliable and offering an impressive combination of reliable high tech capabilities all of which ensure that your capability for tracking personal activity is at 100%
Cost
Nice price, very comfortable on the wallet, a lot of performance at an affordable outlay.
10. Omron Optimized
Omron is a terrific manufacturer and their Alvita Optimized Pedometer is ideal for those looking for a classic design. It does not sport the bells and whistles of other models but has a simplistic nature, accurate design, and great battery.
Read morePerformance
Everything you would expect from a pedometer is integrated here. This includes the tracking of steps, distance, and calories burned, up to seven days of activity monitoring, an automatic reset of the data at midnight, and Tri-Axis technology for improved accuracy and precision.
Simplicity
Not too many users have complained about the interface or the complexity of the device as a whole.
Battery Life
While it may vary from user to user, the internal battery should last most up to one year of extended use before needing to be replaced.
Wireless Syncing
Being a basic and inexpensive model, there is no Bluetooth or wireless technology that can be found here.
Additional Convenience
With the included clip holder, you can clip this device almost anywhere that you can imagine.
Overall
This may not be an overly-impressive pedometer or even one that turns your head at all. But, it ditches all the aesthetics and advanced technology for a device that performs well.
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