Several months ago, I was able to use earned points on a card I had to purchase an activity tracker. I decided to get the Jawbone UP24, after looking at several reviews. For months I have been faithfully wearing my UP and love it! Now we are looking at piloting activity trackers with individuals we serve and the staff that support them. Last week I bought 3 additional activity trackers to see how they compare. Here are my results after only a few days using 2 of them:

Jawbone UP24

  • Still love this one, but doesn’t like to talk to my phone when I have other activity trackers on that are also using Bluetooth for connection
  • Easy to put and take off
  • Silent wake alarm (only happens when you are sleeping lightly)
  • Activity (lack of) and time silent alarms can be set throughout the day
  • Best view of stats for both sleeping and walking (in my opinion)
  • Only lasts about 7 days before needing charged
  • No progress throughout the day – have to look at phone
  • Bracelet charges by removing small cap

Fitbit Flex

  • I can’t put it on myself – maybe due to the arthritis in my finger joints! (The worst thing about it so far)
  • Can track a lot of things – water, food, calories, weight
  • Has a nice feature that helps you lose weight
  • Sleep stats are very difficult to look at compared to UP24
  • Best Dashboard view for everything
  • Progress info available on device
  • Have to take out the little device from the bracelet to charge
  • Wake alarm – but goes off at specific time, not based on sleep

Misfit Shine

  • Lightweight
  • Doesn’t need charging – simple watch battery lasts up to 6 months
  • Comes with watch band and magnetic clip (note, reviews said that sleep tracking isn’t as good when worn as clip)
  • Easier to put on as a watch than the Fitbit Flex – Magnetic clip is VERY easy to put on
  • Fairly easy to remove Shine from watch and clip bands
  • Waterproof to 50m (don’t have to take it off!)
  • Also functions as a watch – takes a little bit of thought to read the watch though
  • Not sure how to read the Sleep graph (I like to try things without reading the instructions)
  • Provides progress info
  • Walking is by points – not steps (I don’t like this – have to View More to see steps)

My favorite is still up in the air between Jawbone UP24 and Misfit Shine. I love the look of the Shine and that it is super lightweight (and doesn’t have to be charged or taken off). I think the stats are better on the UP24, but wish they were more like the Fitbit Flex. The big downfall with the Fitbit Flex is putting it on – I don’t want to struggle with something I can’t put on.