Best Cheap Fitness Trackers: Fitness trackers appeared on the market relatively recently, very quickly occupying their niche. Although their primary function was counting steps initially, in 2019, even trackers in the lower price category are equipped with many other features: synchronization with the phone to view notifications and calls, work with the application for building graphs, and keeping statistics of physical activity, sleep, vital indications.
Contents
- 1 Best Cheap Fitness Trackers in 2020
- 1.1 1. Xiaomi Mi Band 4 – the Premium Level at the Price of a Budget Employee
- 1.2 2. Huawei Band 4 – a Budget With New Features
- 1.3 3. Xiaomi Mi Band 3 – the Choice of Buyers
- 1.4 4. Huawei Band 4e – a Tracker for Running and Basketball
- 1.5 5. Abay Qw16 – an Inexpensive Solution for Women
- 1.6 6. Honor Band 3 is the Best Deal From Huawei for the Money
- 1.7 7. Honor Band 4 Running Edition – the Best Running Solution
- 1.8 8. Doolnng F1 – the Most Budgetary Fitness Tracker With Blood Pressure Measurement
- 1.9 9. Doolnng M4 – Cheap Doesn’t Mean Bad
- 1.10 10. IWOWN i6 HR with large display
- 2 Outcome
Best Cheap Fitness Trackers in 2020
Motivate to achieve the planned results, help monitor health, and regularly engage in physical activity. And let’s talk about other features of useful gadgets using the example of nine models that are included in our rating.
1. Xiaomi Mi Band 4 – the Premium Level at the Price of a Budget Employee
The official presentation of the fourth generation of Mi Band 4 trackers was held on June 11, 2019.
For lovers of Xiaomi fitness trackers, the release of the Mi Band 4 is a real treat. Since at a low price, the tracker became better than the Mi Band 3 in all respects. Also, do not think that Xiaomi Mi Band 4 is a version of Xiaomi Hey Plus adapted, which has been sold in China since 2018. Mi Band 4 is a brand new, redesigned fitness tracker that has already become a bestseller worldwide.
- Year of issue: 2019
- Manufacturer Country: China
- Battery life: 10 days
- Diagonal: 0.95 “
- Screen resolution: 240×120 px
- Moisture protection: WR50 (shower, swim without diving)
- Sensors: accelerometer, heart rate monitor, gyroscope
- Weight: 22.1 g
- smart alarm: not
Let’s highlight the main advantages of Mi Band 4:
- Display. For the first time in the history of Mi Bands, a smart tracker was equipped with a color AMOLED display with 240×120 pixels. The screen size is also impressive at 0.95 inches. Now the tracker provides a bright and vibrant picture; notifications are much more convenient to read than on previous versions of the tracker. The display itself is protected by oleophobic 2.5D glass, which was an innovation for the Mi Band line (there used to be a plastic cover).
- Monitoring physical activity. Thanks to the built-in 3-axis accelerometer and a 3-axis gyroscope, the fitness tracker can now take into account 6 types of events: running on the street, running on a treadmill, walking, cycling, swimming, and working out in the gym. Of particular interest is swim monitoring, made possible by the WR50 waterproof rating.
- Continuous heart rate monitoring. On Mi Band 4, 24-hour heart rate recording is available with an interval of 1/5/10/30 minutes.
- Music control. The fitness tracker provides the ability to control music on your smartphone, and it doesn’t matter in which application you want to play music. On the device screen, you can switch tracks, pause, change the volume.
- Weather forecast. Mi Smart Band 4 shows the current air temperature and a detailed estimate for 4 days ahead.
- Autonomy. Depending on how actively you use the fitness tracker, its autonomy can vary from 10 to 20 days.
- Dial personalization. You can set one of 380 available watch faces to your home screen.
Pros
- Concise and discreet design (great for any outfit)
- Lightweight and compact, comfortable to wear
- 2.5D protective glass
- Bright and informative display
- Autonomy from 10 to 20 days
- A large number of sports modes
- Swimming accounting
- Choice of suitable dial design
- 4 days weather forecast
- Smartphone player control (volume control, track switching, pause)
- Waterproof according to WR50 (swimming, shower)
- Measures heart rate accurately at rest (error 1-2%)
- Low cost
Cons
- The tracker does not know how to track daytime sleep
- The notification font is too small
- The error in measuring the pulse after 150 beats/min
- To charge the tracker, you need to remove the capsule from the strap
- The buckle of the strap may periodically unfasten
- No built-in GPS sensor
- Lack of smart alarm
- The swimming training mode is poorly developed (there is an error in measurements, poor statistics)
2. Huawei Band 4 – a Budget With New Features
The design of Huawei Band 4 combines elegance and conciseness. Smooth transitions, a rectangular screen with rounded corners and a plastic edging create the feeling of a stylish and modern gadget.
The tracker has a TFT display with a diagonal of 0.96 inches and a resolution of 80 by 160 pixels. These characteristics are far from ideal, but you can’t just call them average. It’s a pretty decent display for a low-end device. The color rendition is excellent; the brightness is enough to use the tracker on the street in sunny weather.
- Year of issue: 2019
- Manufacturer Country: China
- Battery life: 6 days
- Diagonal: 0.96 “
- Screen resolution: 80×160 px
- Moisture protection: WR50 (shower, swim without diving)
- Sensors: accelerometer, heart rate monitor
- Weight: 24 g
- smart alarm: there is
Band 4, at a low price, has excellent functionality. The main features include: receiving and viewing notifications, counting steps and distance, counting calories burned, sleep monitoring, continuous heart rate monitoring, smart alarm clock, setting goals, weather forecast, sedentary reminder, music control, smartphone search, screen activation by lifting the wrist.
There are 9 sports modes:
- running on the street
- running on the treadmill
- walking on the street, indoor walking, cycling, exercise bike, elliptical trainer
- rowing machine
- free training
The accuracy of the heart rate monitor at rest is less than 3%. During exercise, it can increase by up to 10%. Despite the lack of a gyroscope, the pedometer also copes with its tasks. The average error in calculating the steps for us was 7%.
The autonomy of the device is, on average 6 days. If you use the tracker to a minimum, it will stretch all 9.
Pros
- Modern and clean design
- The abundance of training modes
- Convenient charging method
- Motion control
- Sleep tracking with TruSleep technology
- Optimal feature set
- Continuous heart rate monitoring
- Quality sensor
- Affordable price
- Water-resistant
- Smartphone Music Control
Cons
- No swimming mode
- TFT display
- Camera control is only available on Huawei smartphones
- The tracker can only store 10 notifications
- There are false alarms on the pedometer
3. Xiaomi Mi Band 3 – the Choice of Buyers
Xiaomi trackers have been popular with customers for several years. This is due to the fact: the price in relation to the quality.
Also, new types of sports training have been added (only running – 5 types), while in the new model, you can monitor the indicators in real-time, and when the heart rate or pressure increases, the gadget warns with a sound signal. Thus, the third generation is more suitable for athletes or people with an active lifestyle.
- Year of issue: 2018
- Manufacturer Country: China
- Battery life: 11 days
- Diagonal: 0.78 “
- Screen resolution: 128×80 px
- Moisture protection: WR50 (shower, swim without diving)
- Sensors: accelerometer, heart rate monitor
- Weight: 20 g
- smart alarm: not
Pros
- Generous OLED display
- Wide functionality
- Function accuracy
- Long time without charging (10-15 days)
- Thoughtful application
- Water-resistant WR50 (swimming without diving)
Cons
- Doesn’t keep more than 5 notifications in memory
- The heart rate monitor may not work correctly during training
- Poor sun visibility
- There are errors in the pedometer
- Poor screen visibility outdoors
4. Huawei Band 4e – a Tracker for Running and Basketball
In addition to standard things like charging and documentation, the tracker comes with a plastic shoe mount that allows you to mark the tracker on your shoe and increase the accuracy and detail of monitoring your activity.
The tracker is perfect for those who love compact gadgets. The capsule is 40.5 mm long, 14.8 mm wide, and 11.2 mm thick. And the weight of the entire fitness tracker is 13 grams.
- Year of issue: 2019
- Manufacturer Country: China
- Battery life: 14 days
- Diagonal: 0.5 “
- Screen resolution: 88×48 px
- Moisture protection: WR50 (shower, swim without diving)
- Sensors: accelerometer, gyroscope
- Weight: 13 g
- smart alarm: not
The thoughtful and stylish design should be noted in the formation of which the fabric strap and the silicone case for the main capsule play an important role.
The display of the device is designed using PMOLED technology and has a resolution of 88 by 48 pixels with a diagonal of 0.5 inches. The screen is monochrome, non-touch. Navigation through the interface is carried out by a single touch button at the bottom of the capsule.
The Basketball Wizard Edition is in the name of the fitness tracker for a reason. Huawei Band 4 can not only track the user’s basketball activity but also gives detailed statistics: the number and height of jumps, the maximum and the average height of jumps, the duration of freezes, the speed of movement, the length of the game, the distance traveled, the number of steps, calories burned. After the game, the tracker calculates its effectiveness in points.
Pedometer error is less than 5%. Test results during a walk: took 100 steps, the tracker counted 103; took 300 steps, the tracker counted 309.
Pros
- Compactness and lightness
- 2 wearing modes: on the arm and the leg
- Low cost
- Hypoallergenic strap
- Detailed running activity analysis
- 5ATM water-resistant
- There is a mode of “Basketball.”
- Accuracy of work
Cons
- No heart rate sensor
- Small monochrome screen
- Notification text cannot be read
- Specialization: for running and basketball
5. Abay Qw16 – an Inexpensive Solution for Women
The tracker is made of quality materials. The silicone strap is soft and cuddly. Buckle closure secures it securely to your hand, preventing accidental loss. The strap is non-removable, or rather it can be removed, but for this, you will have to unscrew 4 screws.
The image on the displays is quite clear; the numbers are significant. Of course, there is a little lack of detail, but it is tolerable for the price. There are 3 types of dials available on the tracker.
- Year of issue: 2019
- Manufacturer Country: China
- Battery life: 3 days
- Diagonal: 0.96 “
- Screen resolution: 160×80 px
- Moisture protection: not
- Sensors: accelerometer, heart rate monitor
- Weight: 32 g
- smart alarm: not
The main functions are receiving and reading notifications, notification of an incoming call, counting steps and distance traveled, monitoring sleep, calculating calories burned, measuring your heart rate, smartphone search function, reminding you to move around, activating the display by raising your hand.
Abay QW16 can operate in 7 sports modes: walking, running, cycling, basketball, table tennis, football, and mountaineering.
Separately, we note that the screen of the device does not have a sensor, only the bottom button is touch-sensitive, with which the navigation through the interface of the tracker takes place.
The fitness tracker often overestimates the number of steps taken. This is due to the 3-axis accelerometer, which counts any hand movements and sudden movements as steps. But a similar trend is observed in all devices for such a cost.
Pros
- Attractive appearance
- Quality materials
- Many functions
- Low price
- Bright display with excellent graphics
- Clear and user-friendly interface
Cons
- The battery holds 3 days
- Minimum moisture protection
- Non-touch screen
6. Honor Band 3 is the Best Deal From Huawei for the Money
A fitness gadget is suitable for athletes, runners, marathon runners, swimmers, and those who are losing weight or just looking after their health.
There is also a sleep analyzer that records statistics, taking into account the phases (deep, shallow sleep), the number of awakenings, the total sleep time.
- Year of issue: 2017
- Manufacturer Country: China
- Battery life: 14 days
- Diagonal: 0.91 “
- Screen resolution: 128×32 px
- Moisture protection: WR50 (shower, swim without diving)
- Sensors: accelerometer, heart rate monitor
- Weight: 18 g
- smart alarm: there is
Using to view messages is not very convenient since only the first line is displayed. Users note that the smart alarm function does not always work.
Pros
- High water resistance
- Continuous heart rate measurement
- Build quality, reliability, durability
- Autonomy up to 15 days
- Well-developed application
Cons
- Pedometer counts vertical hand waves
- No option to turn off the gadget
- Black and white screen with only one button
- Heart rate measurement with an error of up to 8 beats
7. Honor Band 4 Running Edition – the Best Running Solution
Honor Band 4 Running Edition is a unique line of trackers designed for running, so the device comes with a plastic nozzle for attaching to shoes.
The hypoallergenic strap is pleasant to the touch and does not look cheap. A classic buckle clasp secures the tracker securely to your wrist. The strap is available in 5 colors. The main module with the screen is easily pulled out of its slot due to the flexibility of the strap.
- Year of issue: 2019
- Manufacturer Country: China
- Battery life: 10 days
- Diagonal: 0.5 “
- Screen resolution: 48×88 px
- Moisture protection: WR50 (shower, swim without diving)
- Sensors: accelerometer
- Weight: 20 g
- smart alarm: there is
The monochrome P-OLED screen with a diagonal of 0.5 inches does not have a sensor, and all control is assigned to the touch button below it.
Unlike its older brother, the model does not have a heart rate sensor (Honor Band 4). But the device is not without other functions: counting steps, distance traveled and calories, notifications from the phone, smart alarm, phone search, a reminder of the lack of activity, activating the screen by raising your wrist and switching menu items with a turn of your hand.
The 77 mAh battery allows the tracker to work in standby mode for 20 days, and with active use for about 10 days.
The wristband is designed for running; it calculates average pace, average speed, stride length, average contact time with the ground, ordinary push when landing, average eversion, average ascent angle, and analysis and recommendations.
Pros
- Low price
- Water-resistant WR50 (can swim and take a shower)
- Lightweight and compact
- Attractive design
- Shoe nozzle
- Measuring a large number of running parameters
- Keeps in touch with the phone up to 40 meters
- Smart alarm clock
- More than a week without charging
- High accuracy
Cons
- No heart rate sensor
- Small monochrome display
- Does not show notification text and recipient
- Sleep monitoring is not the most correct
8. Doolnng F1 – the Most Budgetary Fitness Tracker With Blood Pressure Measurement
The color OLED display (0.96 inches) has a sufficient level of brightness to see information indoors and outdoors in the shade clearly, but you will have to look closely at the sun. The screen is not equipped with a sensor, so all control was assigned to the touch button below.
You shouldn’t swim and go to the bathhouse with a tracker, but you can wash your hands or walk in the rain.
- Year of issue: 2019
- Manufacturer Country: China
- Battery life: 3 days
- Diagonal: 0.96 “
- Screen resolution: 80×160 px
- Moisture protection: IP67
- Sensors: accelerometer, heart rate monitor
- Weight: 20 g
- smart alarm: not
The pedometer error was 10-15%, which can be considered excellent for such a device. The pulsometer at rest can diverge from the medical equipment for a maximum of 2-4 strokes.
Pros
- Low cost
- Pressure measurement
- Determination of oxygen level in the blood
- Adequate measurement error
- Multifunctionality
- Color display
Cons
- Weak battery
- Moisture protection does not allow taking the tracker to the pool or sauna
- In bright sun the information on the tracker is difficult to see
- Increasing the error of the heart rate monitor during physical activity
9. Doolnng M4 – Cheap Doesn’t Mean Bad
DOOLNNG M4 is an updated version of the fitness tracker from the M line. This line is an alternative to the Xiaomi Mi Band series of fitness trackers. The M4 is designed to provide the functionality of the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 at a more affordable price, but in reality, it all looks more like a copy, albeit not the worst.
The tracker design is entirely identical to its prototype (Xiaomi Mi Band 4). The tracker is equipped with a one-touch button, with which the interface is navigated. The tracker display does not have a sensor.
- Year of issue: 2019
- Manufacturer Country: China
- Battery life: 4 days
- Diagonal: 0.96 “
- Screen resolution: 80×160 px
- Moisture protection: not
- Sensors: accelerometer, heart rate monitor
- Weight: 21.8 g
- smart alarm: there is
The device has a 0.96-inch display with a resolution of 80×160 pixels. The main drawback of the screen is the backlight is too dim, which is why it is challenging to read information from the tracker in bright light.
The tracker is able to determine the phases of your sleep (wakefulness, light sleep, deep sleep). There is also a smart alarm clock, which is rare for most modern trackers.
As for the pedometer, there are no complaints about its work – everything is pretty accurate. Of course, there is no escape from false positives, but this feature is inherent in many smart trackers.
Pros
- Low cost
- High functionality
- Attractive design
- Smart alarm clock
Cons
- Non-touch screen
- Dim display backlight
- Few sports modes
- Display glass scratches easily
- Most functions are imprecise
- Weak battery
10. IWOWN i6 HR with large display
The gadget is suitable for those who go in for sports at home since using the application; you can select several training options (running, playing table tennis, walking, etc.), adding them for quick selection in the tracker menu. The tracker will carry out all the calculations with high accuracy: the time spent on the lesson, the calories burned, it will keep the heart rate readings.
What are the disadvantages of the model? Quickly scratching screen that does not meet the manufacturer’s statements autonomy. The error in the operation of the pedometer and heart rate monitor (lowers the heart rate during sports). Not the most accurate calculation of calories burned.
- Year of issue: 2017
- Manufacturer Country: China
- Battery life: 4 days
- Diagonal: 0.96 “
- Screen resolution: 128×64 px
- Moisture protection: not
- Sensors: accelerometer, heart rate monitor
- Weight: 18 g
- smart alarm: not
Pros
- Storing messages in your memory
- Large display
- Communication with a smartphone up to 20 meters
- Choice of up to 4 workouts
- Convenient application
Cons
- The inaccuracy of some functions
- Lack of smart alarm
- Operating time no more than 4 days
- If the connection with the smartphone is lost, there is no sound
Outcome
Xiaomi Mi Band 4 is the best value for money and the best cheap fitness trackers in the entire market. For a minimal price, you get the functionality and quality of premium devices. In addition, Mi Band 4 has unique features that are not found in all best cheap fitness trackers.
If you want to save a little, then Xiaomi Mi Band 3 is still a right and reliable choice. No wonder this device was in the top sales from 2018 to 2019.
Huawei Band 4 is a new budget tracker, which is not inferior in functionality to the leader of this review and is clearly ahead of it in design. If you are not confused by the lack of a gyroscope and a TFT display, then this tracker will be a perfect choice. Of particular note is the built-in USB-connector, which allows you to charge the tracker without wires and cradles. DOOLNNG M4 will be the perfect solution as the first best cheap fitness trackers.
If you regularly go jogging or use a treadmill, we recommend Honor Band 4 Running Edition or Huawei Band 4e. best cheap fitness trackers do not have a heart rate sensor, but they have one of the most detailed running statistics and an accurate pedometer.
Honor Band 3 can be recommended to people who lead a healthy lifestyle. The tracker is suitable for constant heart rate tracking and sports activities monitoring (running, swimming, strength training).
If you are a girl who cares more about the aesthetic component and considers the best cheap fitness trackers exclusively as an accessory, then the Abay QW16 will surprise you with an attractive design and low cost.