Smart wristbands to monitor your activity in the water
While most share many characteristics, we have focused on all of them being water resistant. In addition, for today we forget about smartwatches with more features and focus only on smartbands. These are the key points to pay attention to:
- Waterproof. It will be the first parameter that we will look at. The simplest models on the market have resistance to water, splashes and are safe for swimming. If, in addition, you are going to dive with them, you will have to look for a higher resistance standard.
- IP or ATM? When looking for waterproof smartbands, we find two standards: IP (which measures the resistance to the entry of liquids or dust into the device) and ATM, which measures how much pressure or meters the bracelet can withstand under water. As standard, the water resistance 5 ATM It will be the most normal thing in these bracelets, which offers resistance up to 50 meters of immersion, for activities in shallow water, such as swimming in a pool or in the sea.
- Features. Most smartbands on the market offer activity monitoring and simple but practical functions, such as a clock, stopwatch and even notifications. In addition, we will look at whether or not they offer a sport mode to measure lengths while you practice swimming.
- Screen. It will be the main way to interact with the device, so we will value that it has an adequate size and resolution. Although, when it comes to smartband, the most common is that the screen oscillates between 1 and 2 inches maximum.
- Battery. By having a smaller screen than smartwatches, the activity wristbands are capable of achieving better autonomy. Along these lines, we will compare those with the highest battery, which usually ranges from a week to 15 days of normal use.
- Connectivity. Last but not least, the connectivity of the bracelet will be key to be able to link it with your smartphone, or with other devices to monitor your physical activity.
To swim and get wet without problems
As we have commented previously, the activity bracelets cheaper offer resistance to splashes and you can use them in water sports such as swimming without fear of damage.
Samsung Galaxy Fit2: the cheapest
We start with a simple and inexpensive bracelet that will probably meet all the expectations of most users. The Galaxy Fit2 It has a 1.1-inch AMOLED screen with 3D glass technology, which optimizes every last pixel on the screen to be seen in the best way.
Regarding its resistance to water, we are certified by 5 ATM, so it is suitable for use up to 50 meters deep, water sports such as swimming in the pool or in the sea and surfing. Regarding batteryAlthough it depends a lot on the use we give it, the manufacturer ensures up to 15 days of normal use, something quite standard.
Moov Now: physical activity monitoring and nothing else
Here we find a somewhat different concept, since the Moov now is a smartband that does not have a screen. Thus, all the information that this activity bracelet collects can only be found using its app through a smartphone. In return, it offers us up to six months of battery life, resistance to dust and water and the most precise activity monitoring.
To this can be added two more wearables: the HR Sweat and the HR Burn, capable of measuring heart rate and guiding each training precisely so that we do not exceed the set heart rate thresholds. In other words, a system that probably only the most demanding athletes will take advantage of.
Oppo Band: sport without complications
Another of the more standard models on the list is the Oppo Band, a bracelet that has a 1.1-inch AMOLED screen, continuous monitoring of blood oxygen, a battery of up to 14 days, water resistance of up to 50 meters and 12 sports modes, including swimming.
An economic activity bracelet, but with great features, such as being able to control the music playback of your smartphone or use its camera mode to take photos from your phone. A good alternative for all types of users.
Garmin Vívosmart 4: monitoring to the fullest
Garmin is one of the most recognized brands when it comes to sports watches and also offers smartband one of the most basic for those looking to monitor their activity without asking much more. This is the Vívosmart 4, designed to monitor your body’s sleep or energy (through stress and heart rate data).
On the contrary, it must be recognized that having a monochrome screen and only 7 days of autonomy in 2021 can be somewhat problematic for some users. But it makes up for it with its water resistance for practicing all kinds of water sports.
Mi Smart Band 6: one for all
We continue with one of the smartbands most sold each year: the My Smart Band 6 from Xiaomi. This activity bracelet usually tops all the lists for its surprising quality – price. And no wonder, because it has a large number of features that make it compete with much more expensive options.
It has a 1.56 ″ AMOLED screen, somewhat larger than its predecessors, and a resolution of 326 dpi. Within its 30 sports modes we can find five specific of swimming, which will allow you to accurately measure how many laps you do in the pool. It is submersible up to 40 meters thanks to its water resistance rating of 5 ATM and its battery reaches 14 days of use without problems. Who gives more?
Huawei Band 6: more screen and activity rings
Huawei has been ‘inspired’ for quite some time by brands such as Apple and Xiaomi for the look & feel of its products and Band 6 is no exception. In terms of screen and features, we could say that it is very similar to the Smart Band 6: 1.47-inch AMOLED screen, two weeks of autonomy and water resistance up to 50 meters thanks to the ATM 5 standard.
The inclusion of activity rings, something that seems to be no longer exclusive to Apple Watch, will allow you to improve your physical activity, receiving notifications to get up at least one minute of every hour of the day, or inviting you to do at least 30 minutes of physical activity.
High-end activity wristbands
If you can raise the budget a little more, you will be able to find more premium models with extra features, such as a more elegant design, more premium materials and finishes that you will want to show off in your day-to-day life.
Honor Band 6: smartband or smartwatch?
In the fine line that separates hypervitamin activity bracelets from mid-range smartwatches we can find the Honor Band 6. A smartband that has a 1.47-inch AMOLED screen with a stylish, rectangular shape, but pulling towards the square.
As for its functionalities, it offers intelligent monitoring of heart rate and blood oxygen saturation. In addition, it has what seems to have become the standard of autonomy: 14 days of normal use. Its only downside is that, although it promises that you can exercise underwater, it is not certified against any standards.
Fitbit Luxe: luxury design
Another of the common brands when we talk about wearables is Fitbit, that with his new Luxe It allows you to carry out all your sports activities while wearing an activity bracelet with an elegant design, very well finished in stainless steel.
It has water resistance to practice swimming, not certified, and a system for improving physical health thanks to its payment application. Of course, when you buy the Luxe they give you a 6-month subscription to make use of its complete training and monitoring system of your physical activity.
Garmin Vivosport: sport and notifications
The second model from Garmin list has a screen tiny but bully, with which you can interact with the device and also with your smartphone. Its battery has up to 7 days of autonomy and offers swimming mode.
However, it is somewhat far from the rest of the options on the list, as it does not include a somewhat better screen. A shame, because its modes of training and monitoring of physical activity are among the best on the market.
Amazfit X: the perfect circle
We end with another of the smartband most commented on by users: the Amazfit X (which in case you had any questions has nothing to do with Amazon). This activity bracelet has the standard ATM 5, so you can do dives of up to 50 meters without worrying about it.
But its great point in favor is the 2.07-inch AMOLED screen, fully curved, which adapts perfectly to any wrist. A somewhat different design but that looks quite good and that will allow you to do everything you imagine with your smartband.
Smartbands for swimming … but not for diving
After diving deep into the smartband From this list, we can be sure of one thing: there are no smartbands for diving. The most powerful in this sense have the ATM 5 certification, which makes them ready for swimming and dives of up to 50 meters.
However, for certifications ATM 10 or 20, which would be the most suitable for diving, we would have to go for very specific smartwatches that allow us this depth without damaging themselves. Wearables that can reach up to 1,500 euros in price and that, of course, are not for all audiences.
That said, our favorite this time has been very close between the My Smart Band 6 from Xiaomi and the Samsung Galaxy Fit2. The first offers everything you could need from a submersible activity bracelet and has a very attractive design. While the second does practically the same for half the price.
As for a little more premium bracelets, where the quality of materials, the overall design and the choice of straps are the most important, we are left with the FitBit Luxe. A very careful and elegant design, but without giving up that you can use it in the pool or the sea.