What’s a pedometer? Pedometers are defined as tech devices, wearables or apps that help clock your steps as you train, exercise or go about your day to day activities. These nifty health tech gizmos can truly help you stay fit and transform your health and well-being.
Well, it’s 2021, and pedometers are a dime a dozen on the market, and they come in all shapes and sizes. So, which pedometers live up to their hype in 2021?
In this article, we are going to walk you through a comprehensive list of the eight best-reviewed pedometers that will continue to make headlines in the next 12 months or so.
8 Best Pedometers you can Buy in 2021
#1. Omron HeartGuide
The Best Pedometer for Overall Health
The truth is that pedometers are no longer just pedometers. They now come with much more robust and helpful features. Talking of extra features, Omron Heartguide is the indisputable champ of the pedometer world. At its core, this nifty device by the health tech company Omron Healthcare, Inc. is a wrist-worn blood pressure taker.
The stand-out feature of Heartguide is the flexible synthetic wristband that is designed to deflate and inflate with ease to keep its shape. This way, it can fit comfortably and snugly on your wrist, continuously take your blood-pressure readings anywhere, at any time. According to preliminary tests and reviews, this state of the art wearable can indeed deliver accurate readings much like high-end sphygmomanometers that are used in modern healthcare facilities.
Of more relevance to this article is that Omron Heartguide can also clock your steps and total walking distance each day. The clinically accurate wearable also uses real-time walking data to draw the connection between your lifestyle and your heart health. Even better, it can help you keep track of not only your distance and steps but also the number of calories you burn in the process. It’s truly a groundbreaking pedometer that can help you stay on top of the health of your ticker. When you finally retire to bed, this innovative pedometer doesn’t sleep. It goes ahead and observes your sleep quality, the pattern of sleep, and sleep period time. You can set your target sleep period, and Omron Heartguide will tell you if you actually reached it or not. What a revolutionary pedometer, right? Well, given that one American experiences a heart attack an average of every 40 seconds, this is a godsent pedometer.
Pros
1) Omron Heartguide can monitor your blood pressure on top of counting your steps. No other pedometer on this list can do that. It’s truly one of a kind.
2) Accurate – in recent tests, Heartguide delivered more accurate step readings than any other pedometer tested. For every 10,000 steps, the device is only off a couple of steps, which is pretty remarkable.
3) It keeps track of your sleep – from sleep quality to sleep pattern, this device monitors nearly every aspect of your sleep. So, it helps you stay fit during the day, and helps you get enough rest at night – what a perfect combo.
4) Counts calories and distance – It’s a holistic weight loss pedometer.
5) Has a great LCD screen – the display shows your calories, distance, steps, blood pressure, and sleep metrics. This means that you can use the device without the need of the supplemental app.
6) Excellent companion app – It’s one of the easiest to use and the best when it comes to making sense of the data collected by the pedometer. You can also set your fitness goals using the app.
7) Stay connected while you keep things active – The device sends your notifications and daily reminders. Besides, it alerts you to emails, calls, and texts on your smartphone.
8) Amazing battery life – It comes with a Li-On polymer battery so you don’t have to keep recharging it.
9) Best of CES Awards – Best Wearable 2018 – yup, this pedometer received the best of the Consumer Electronics Show awards this year. It’s that cool.
10) Lightweight – Tips the scale at only 4 ounces or 115 grams.
Cons
1) While this isn’t exactly something you might be looking for in a pedometer, Omron Heartguide isn’t 100% water-resistant.
2) The price is on the high end – $499. No upgrade options.
#2. Fitbit Ace 2 Activity Tracker for Kids
Fitbit Ace 2 Activity Tracker for Kids, 1 Count, Night Sky + Neon Yellow
out of stock
Amazon.com
as of April 27, 2024 12:15 pm
Features
- Steps & active minutes tracking lets kids skip, jump & move their way to a healthier life. The syncing range is up to 6 meters
- Kids earn virtual badges and fun on screen celebrations when they reach their goals.Operating temperature: 14° to 113° F
- Bring on the pool party cannonballs or lunchtime spills Ace 2 is swim proof (water resistant to 50 meters)
- Kids spend less time charging & more time moving with up to 5 days of battery (varies with use and other factors; animated clock faces require more frequent charging)
- Pair ace 2 to a child account to access a limited kid view. Kids can also challenge their friends to step competitions & send each other messages or cheers in app
Best Pedometer FOR Kids
Health isn’t just something to start caring about when you are an adult. Fitbit Ace 2 offers a fun and intuitive fitness watch for younger users, so they don’t miss a beat. This watch still has many useful features such as accurate step tracking, sleep tracking, and waterproof design. It integrates well with an app to show all of their progress and change settings. Of course, there are various spunky design choices you can choose for the watch and watch band. This is a great pedometer to reinforce the active lifestyle they are already living.
Pros
1) Kid friendly design- These watches use playful colors but are also built to last. You can also enable kid mode on the app itself to limit what your child can see.
2) Accurate – This watch will still accurately track location, steps, and more. Good accuracy is important for your kids to understand their habits as well.
3) It keeps track of your sleep – Sleep is very important for children. This app helps reinforce good sleeping habits
Cons
1) Band strength – There aren’t too many complaints about the actual watch durability, but some have mentioned the band ripping within a month.
#3. Garmin Fenix 6s Pro Solar
Garmin Fenix 6 Pro, Premium Multisport GPS Watch, Features Mapping, Music, Grade-Adjusted Pace Guidance and Pulse Ox Sensors, Black
$599.99
in stock
3 new from $599.99
9 used from $234.99
9 used from $234.99
Free shipping
Amazon.com
as of April 27, 2024 12:15 pm
Features
- Fit for performance with rugged, sophisticated design that features an always-on 1.3” (18% larger than previous Fenix models) sunlight-readable display with bezels in stainless steel, titanium or diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating.Special Feature:Bluetooth.
- Enhanced estimated wrist heart rate and Pulse Ox to support advanced sleep monitoring and altitude acclimation at high elevations (this is not a medical device and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or monitoring of any medical condition)
- Advanced training features include PacePro for grade-adjusted pace guidance throughout your activity plus environmentally adjusted VO2 max and training status estimates
- Navigate the outdoors with preloaded topo maps, ski maps for over 2,000 worldwide ski resorts, multiple global navigation satellite system (GPS, GLONASS and Galileo) support and built-in sensors for 3-axis compass, gyroscope and barometric altimeter
- Support for Garmin Pay contactless payments (not all countries and payment networks are eligible), music storage with premium streaming service (may require subscription with third-party music provider) support, smart notifications and more
Best Pedometer for Innovation and Features
Described as a “super watch” by some, the Garmin Fenix introduces a slew of helpful features for new buyers. You’ll find features like hydration tracking, topography maps, advanced sleep monitoring, and daily workout suggestions. These are only a few of the many features this fitness watch has. Garmin’s pace pro-technology helps keep runners on pace with grade-adjusted guidance. One fascinating new feature is the ability to supplement your watch battery with the sun. Your fitness watch face has small solar cells to get the job done. We can confidently say that this is more than just an ordinary pedometer.
Pros
1) Accurate – It’s pretty accurate for all metrics, including distance, calories, active minutes, and steps.
2) Premium materials – The Garmin Fenix is built to last and look good. You’ll enjoy the stainless steel watch bezel.
3) Watch battery – The solar charging can get this high-powered watch over 9 days of use
Cons
1) Price – This is a pricey pedometer. You get the quality you pay for, but it may not be the right pick for everyone initially.
2) Hard to use – some users have found the device to be a little less intuitive to use
3) Small storage – it stores only 10 days of data which means you will have sync every so often
#4. Whitings Move
Withings Move - Activity Tracking Watch
out of stock
Amazon.com
as of April 27, 2024 12:15 pm
Features
| Part Number | 3700546705458 |
| Model | 3700546705458 |
| Color | White & Blue |
| Is Adult Product | |
| Release Date | 2019-04-03T00:00:01Z |
| Size | 38mm |
| Language | English |
Best Pedometer for Design
Whitings Move is an advanced activity and sleep tracker in the design of a classic watch. This simple yet classy design sets Whitings Move apart from some of the more familiar pedometer designs. It does not have an LED screen but in its innovative style, uses a 3rd watch hand to show activity progress. Of course this watch still links up with their free app. So, you can further track and visualize your workout trends. It is a very elegant yet effective activity and sleep tracker.
Pros
1) Battery Life – Up to 18th months of battery life
2) Design – The wrist band is well designed with a clean and classic watch front.
3) It is water resistant – you can use it to track your steps, active time, and distances even if it is raining
4) Sleep tracking – Smart sleep tracking that lets you know how well you are resting
Cons
1) Non-led screen – A non-led screen means you get less info without an app
2) Slightly shallow – Doesn’t record some of the in-depth niche stats other competitors do.
3) Okay accuracy – Accuracy is fine, but not stellar
#5. 3DFitBud Simple Step Counter Walking
3DFitBud Simple Step Counter Walking 3D Pedometer with Clip and Lanyard, A420S (Black)
$24.99
in stock
Amazon.com
as of April 27, 2024 12:15 pm
Features
- SIMPLE & EASY TO USE - 3D Pedometer for Steps Only. It is ready to use straight out of the package. The simple feature and design makes it user friendly for men, women, kids & the elderly who want to track their steps and stay motivated towards achieving their fitness goal. It´s the simplest pedometer to start with, if you don't want complicated set ups.
- TRACK YOUR DAILY STEPS – Created with simplicity but effectively counts your steps so you can still view your progress on the move motivating you more to achieve your fitness goal. No more other complicated programs, just press the button at the back to start with.
- ACCURATE READING - It has advanced 3D Tri-Axis Sensor technology - much more accurate than most pedometers. 3D Tri-Axis Sensor technology is known to provide superior accuracy in reading steps in any position - up, down, flat on its side, or any angle. Multiple wearing options – Clip to your pocket or hip, wear around your neck or place in your pocket or bag.
- EXTRA LARGE DIGIT DISPLAY - With full screen display you can clearly and easily read the numbers at a glance.
- BATTERY INCLUDED - Enjoy Great Battery Life. Pedometer auto sleeps when you are not moving and auto wakes and counts steps when you start moving again.
Best Minamalist Pedometer
You don’t need all the bells and whistles for an effective pedometer. The 3DFitBud keeps it simple with a large non-led display, fantastic battery life, and accurate step counting. In fact, recharging the battery is not necessary! Setup is nonexistent and you can get moving right after you take it out of the package. You’ll also find a free removable clip and lanyard included with your 3DFitBud, which gives you more flexibility to place the pedometer where you want. With no Bluetooth or smartphone connections, it’s just you and your steps!
Pros
1) Simple and Easy to use – Right out of the box, you can start tracking your steps. Intuitive and effective design.
2) Large Digit Display – The large non-led step count display gives you the info you want without delay.
3) Battery – The pedometer auto sleeps when not in use and auto awakes when in use.
Cons
1) Limited function- Of course this pedometer tracks steps well, but many other entries here have expanded beyond simply tracking steps. This pedometer is better for someone who doesn’t want to get bogged down by other features and modes. sleep and active modes as well as daily progress, it doesn’t have a digital screen to display other metrics. You will have to use its companion app to retrieve and view all other data.
#6. Garmin Vivosmart 4 Fitness Tracker
Garmin Vivosmart 4, Activity and Fitness Tracker w/ Pulse Ox and Heart Rate Monitor, Black
$94.99 in stock
2 new from $94.96
4 used from $64.49
4 used from $64.49
Free shipping
Amazon.com
as of April 27, 2024 12:15 pm
Features
- Slim, smart activity tracker blends fashionable design with stylish metal accents and a bright, easy to read display.Physical size: Small: Fits wrists with a circumference of 122-188 mm. Large:Fits wrists with a circumference of 148-215 mm.Supported Application:Phone. Connectivity technology:Cellular. Wireless comm standard:Bluetooth
- Includes advanced sleep monitoring with REM sleep and can gauge blood oxygen saturation levels during the night with the wrist based Pulse Ox sensor. (Not a medical device and not intended for use in the diagnosis or monitoring of any medical condition)
- Fitness and health monitoring tools include estimated wrist based heart rate, all day stress tracking, Relaxation breathing timer, Vo2 Max, body battery energy monitor and more
- Features dedicated activity timers for walks, runs, strength training, yoga, pool swims and others; Lens material: Polycarbonate. Strap material: Silicone. Compatible Devices VIRB Ultra 30 , VIRB XVIRB X and VIRB XEVIRB XE
- Get vibration alerts for All notifications, including calls, text messages and more (text replies available for Android device users). Display resolution: 48 x 128 pixels
Best Pedometer for value
Garmin Vivosmart 4 Fitness Tracker is an impressive and capable watch that will not break your wallet. Its design is similar to other fitness watch competitors, sleek and simple. The watch pairs well with its app, giving the user even more functionality. It features various sports modes on the watch as well as a heart rate monitor and sleep monitor for you to track our activities properly. .You’ll have a hard time finding a better start watch for you to dip your toes into fitness tracking.
Pros
1) Price – Garmin Vivosmart is a great starter pedometer with a price to match. You don’t need to break the bank!
2) Good Battery Life – with a full charge the Lintelek can run for over a week.
3) Large display – the display is easy to read and intuitive to understand.
Cons
1) Sub-par accuracy- The biggest critique some have had for this pedometer is that it’s accuracy is only mediocre. This also does not use GPS in any way to aid exercise and step counting.
#7. Garmin Forerunner® 945
Garmin Forerunner 945, Premium GPS Running/Triathlon Smartwatch with Music, Black
$299.99 in stock
13 new from $299.99
6 used from $219.99
6 used from $219.99
Amazon.com
as of April 27, 2024 12:15 pm
Features
- Premium GPS running/triathlon smartwatch with music
- Download songs to your watch, including playlists from Spotify, Amazon Music or Deezer (may require premium subscription with a third party music provider)
- Performance monitoring features include Vo2 Max and training status with adjustments for heat, altitude Acclimation status, training load focus, recovery time, and aerobic and anaerobic training effects
- Garmin Pay contactless payment solution (available for supported cards from participating banks) lets you make convenient payments with your watch so you can leave your cash and cards at home
- Full color, onboard maps guide you on your run so you never get lost during your workout
Best High-End pedometer
The Garmin Forerunner 945 boasts elite watch design, built for athletes in a wide variety of sports or activities. The watch itself is sturdy while still sleek. It gives wearers all the useful information they need to perform their best. This includes heart rate monitoring, V02 Max, running dynamics, and workout suggestions. The Forerunner 945 can access multiple global navigation satellite networks beyond GPS, to make sure you can track your location in as many places as possible.
The Garmin is also capable of music storage and streaming, as well as contactless payments. With all of these features and GPS running, it still has up to 10 hours of battery life. If you’re willing to make the investment, this watch will help you blast through your goals.
Pros
1) Quite Accurate – It does a fantastic job of counting straps and tracking distance. Don’t expect it to be off more than 20 steps per 2,500 total steps
2) Has a full touchscreen – The digital display makes it easy to view data and statistics/charts/tables on the go without the need to use the app.
3) Solid features – Besides the handy touchscreen, it comes with features that allow it to sync with your tablet or smartphone and deliver call, alarm and text notification.
4) Onboard Maps – This Garmin comes with full-color onboard map so keep recharging it so often
5) More performance metrics – you have more metrics than ever before, including V02 max, heart rate, and training status.
Cons
1) Pricey- This fitness tracker has a ton of bells and whistles, but it is a splurge. For serious athletes, it’s very worth it.
2) Many features – This usually isn’t a con, but make sure you don’t get flustered by all the different metrics and modes in this watch. Some may find it easier to use a simpler watch.
#8. POLAR IGNITE
Polar Ignite - GPS Smartwatch - Fitness watch with Advanced Wrist-Based Optical Heart Rate Monitor, Training Guide, Waterproof
$217.62 in stock
11 new from $217.62
Amazon.com
as of April 27, 2024 12:15 pm
Features
- BECOME YOUR TRUE POTENTIAL: Polar Ignite, a sports smartwatch for women and men who want to push their limits the right way. Perfect for gym, group and team exercise, swimming, running, cycling, walking.
- SLIM DESIGN OPTIMIZED FOR 24/7 WEAR: Your new-generation smart workout partner with a 1-button interface includes such essentials as a wrist-based OHR monitor, speed, distance and route tracking with integrated GPS, calorie counter, color touch display.
- NIGHTLY RECHARGE: Nightly Recharge measures how well your body recovers from the day stress during the night.
- FitSpark DAILY TRAINING GUIDE: Get your personalised and ready-made daily workout guidance based on your recovery and overall readiness.
- SLEEP PLUS STAGES: Learn about your sleep quality, follow your sleep stages and get detailed sleep insights with the new Sleep Plus Stages feature.
The Polar Ignite is another well-designed and capable fitness tracker. Ignite can track over 100 activities and boasts impressive accuracy. Polar Ignite also has integrated GPS to help make sure your activities are tracked perfectly. The watch has a simple yet premium feel, thanks to the steel bezel. It is less customizable than some competitors but presents users all of the important information with ease.
A user will find plenty of other features to satisfy them, such as sleep tracking, real-time heart rate monitoring, and smart coaching tools. The Polar Ignite is a fairly well-rounded watch that can help you live a better, healthier life.
Pros
1) Features – It comes with impressive features such as breathing exercises, swim tracking, and sleep tracking.
2) Great for swimmers – It is waterproof and can track basic swimming metrics such as distance, strokes, swimming style, and pace.
3) Good app -The polar app is well designed and a great way for you to keep up with your data and to learn how to improve your fitness.
Cons
1) No onboard music storage – Unlike some competitors, Polar Ignite can not store or stream music from the actual watch.
2) Display is dim – Some users have complained that the Polar Ignite display is dim.
Why Invest in a Pedometer?
You need to walk more than 10,000 steps each day, which might not be a magic number but a habit that can do wonders for your health and overall well-being. 10000+ steps should be enough to zap between 200 and 300 calories, an amount which can help you maintain a healthy weight. And given that more than 2-thirds of American adults are struggling with some sort of obesity and overweight issues, this is more important than ever.
Unfortunately, keeping a tab on your daily steps is not only time-intensive but also unrealistic in today’s fast-paced world. The good thing is that there are two ways to do so much more effectively:
1) Use step counter apps on your smartphone, or
2) Use pedometers and their companion apps.
Best pedometer step counter apps help monitor and keep track of your walking/steps around exercising or workouts. They essentially track and display your walking route, speeds (pace), and distances.
Of course, there are plenty of other reasons to fall in love with pedometers.
- Pedometers get you going/moving – sedentary or inactive lifestyle is detrimental to your health and wellbeing. Having a pedometer encourages you to become more active and take more steps in order to reach your target daily goal (preferably 10000+ steps)
- They are virtually inexpensive – don’t confuse them for their much more expensive cousins, the fitness trackers. Pedometers will only cost you around $20 or even cheaper.
- Pedometers are social – They sync up with your smartphone or tablet. More importantly, you can synch pedometers with your friends or family to keep an eye on each other.
What to Consider When Shopping for the Right Pedometer for You
Not all pedometers are created equal. Considering that you have a sea of choices when it comes to best pedometers, you might as well do a little research and shopping around. Here are key factors to keep in mind if you want to pick a picture-perfect pedometer for your lifestyle and fitness needs.
(a) Battery Specs
It’s a no-brainer to invest in the best pedometer that’ll keep track of your steps 24/7, 365 days a year. That last thing you want is a device that’ll run out of juice in the middle of your important hike or run. That’s why the first place to check before deciding which pedometer to buy is the battery life specs. What type of battery does it come with? What is the battery life of your pedometer?
Low-end pedometers usually come with replaceable batteries that can last several weeks or months. In 2021, replaceable batteries in a tech device is a big no-no. The good news is that most fitness trackers and mid to high-end pedometers come equipped with a rechargeable battery that typically lasts several days or a week between charges.
(b) Your Budget
When all’s said and done, your choice often boils down to your budget. How much can you afford? The basic pedometers that simply clock your steps can set you back between $15 and $30. Once you go past $30, you are encroaching the real of smartwatches and fitness trackers.
High-quality yet budget-friendly pedometers are typically available for an under $50 price-tag.
When you go past $50-$100, you’ll begin to find sophisticated pedometers that are stunning-looking, well-designed, and track sports activities automatically. Price is a factor for choosing pedometers, but shouldn’t be the most important one.
(c) Companion Apps
If you are a data junkie, it is crucial that you buy a pedometer with a decent display and ability to present the data in an easily digestible way. Even better, you want a device that will automatically upload your walking data to your smartphone or to your physician/gym instructor, etc.
It should display this data in the form of easy to understand charts, graphs, and whatnot. Omron Heartguide, Garmin lineup, and another state of the art pedometers have handy supplemental apps that do more than count your steps. Some manufacturers have even built Alexa skills for their
trackers (yup we’re in the 21st century, folks!)
Wrap-Up
These are only the 8 best pedometers of 2021. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of other pedometers that you might want to check out, especially if the final price is a factor. Remember key attributes for a great pedometer include:
- The Accuracy across metrics like distances, steps, calories burned, active minutes, and so forth
- The design, including waterproofing, water resistance, versatility, and style
- Companion app
- Ease of use
- Memory size
- Battery life
