Deciding whether or not to buy a wearable can be pretty stressful.
Fitbits. Jawbones. Uber-expensive Apple Watches. The number of devices out there is almost too much to handle.
Before you jump on the latest Garmin, decide what you want from your device.
1. Activity Trackers
Activity trackers do what their name implies: they track your activity throughout the day.
Almost all activity trackers count your steps, caloric burn, and distance travelled. Many also track your sleep quality.
* Pro: You'll understand how active (or wonderfully lazy) you are throughout the day.
* Con: To properly use a wearable's sleep features, you usually have to sleep with it on your wrist. This is easy with smaller devices, like the Jawbone series or the Fitbit Alta — but less easy with bulkier devices like the Garmin Vivosmart.
It's easy to set up activity trackers. Just install the app and follow instructions on your phone.
View this video on YouTube
Setting up a Fitbit Charge HR takes less than a minute once you create your account. #blessed
Get an activity tracker if you want to take control of your fitness, but don't care about smartphone notifications and extra apps.
You can view smartphone notifications on smartwatches, and some even let you reply to texts and calls from your wrist like a proper cyborg.
* Pro: When you can view notifications on your wrist, it's a lot easier to ignore checking your phone.
* Con: Most smartwatches need you to keep Bluetooth on, which can drain your phone's battery life.
Do you want an extension of your phone on your wrist?
Great! The Apple Watch is pretty, but also consider the Pebble Time, Samsung Gear S2 (Android only), Huawei Watch, and Moto 360 for full-featured devices.
Feeling overwhelmed at the thought of so many features?
Don't worry — some wearables straddle the line between "smartwatch" and "activity tracker."
3. Smart Activity Trackers
The Fitbit Alta and Garmin Vivosmart HR are just two examples of devices that track your fitness and show your smartphone notifications.
But they won't smother you in extra stuff, like complicated apps or smartwatch keyboards.
Other devices, like the Fitbit Blaze, are great fitness trackers with smartphone notifications and a big ol' screen to view everything.
But it doesn't have to be.
Explore your options, decide what you like, and determine your budget. You'll find the perfect device for you!
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