In the last couple of years, smartwatches and fitness trackers have been on the rise. There are thousands of options on the market, and quite frankly, it is no easy task choosing one that will work for you. The whole process, can be overwhelming.
There are three names which often come up in the fitness bands industry. Those are: Amazon Halo, Whoop, and Fitbit.
Fitbit has been the world’s leader for fitness trackers, and when look at the affordable prices they have, it seems very reasonable. Plus, you do get a lot of features. But in any case, it isn’t as easy as that.
The three fitness bands that we will be talking about today are all well-known for their reliability, durability, and tracking accuracy. But as I said before, when it comes to these types of trackers, it is really difficult to choose between them.
So, we though it’d be best if we test them out, and see what we like and don’t like about some of them. Let’s see which one is for you!
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Any Differences? Amazon Halo VS Whoop VS Fitbit
From the get-go, there are very notable differences.
For reference, we took the ordinary model Amazon Halo, the Whoop Strap 3.0, and Fitbit’s Charge 4 model. To start things off, the biggest difference between the Charge 4 and the other two, is the fact that the Charge 4 is the only one with a screen. Trackers without a screen have only been out for a short time, and it is only now that they’re gaining some ground, and make sense.
Another difference, not to the bands themselves, but a practical difference is the fact that you can’t buy the Whoop Strap 3.0. Yes, Whoops works on a membership model. So, instead of buying the watch, you need to acquire a membership which comes with other additions, and not just the strap itself. We will get into that more, later on.
Other than that, these are much similar. They offer tracking for the things that you might expect: sleep, fitness activity, steps, heart rate, strain, and similar variables.
Table of Contents
- Any Differences?
- Amazon Halo, Whoop Strap 3.0, & Fitbit Charge 4 VS Smart Watches
- The Fitness Band For You
- Fitness Bands’ Subscriptions or Memberships
- Amazon Halo Review
- Whoop Strap 3.0 Review
- Fitbit Charge 4 Review
- Most Durable Fitness Wearable
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- The Verdict: Amazon Halo, Whoop Strap 3.0, or Fitbit Charge 4?
Amazon Halo, Whoop Strap 3.0, & Fitbit Charge 4 VS Smart Watches
The question on everyone’s mind is why bother with these fitness bands and straps, when you could get a smart watch that on top of the tracking features, has a lot of other practical advantages on top of the tracking abilities. For starters, you can call, see notifications, see messages, have the time, and a lot of others.
But there is a huge reason why these make much more sense compared to regular smart watches. Firstly, the Amazon Halo, Whoop Strap 3.0, and Fitbit Charge 4, all cost relatively cheaper than conventional and well-renowned smartwatch brands.
Plus, if you’re so goal is fitness tracking, these make more sense. Usually, they’re made much more ergonomic for intense exercises, and aren’t as bulky. Additionally, two of them don’t have screens, so it is quite hard do damage them during a workout. Sure, the Fitbit Charge 4 has a screen, but it is also less bulky and features a design, made just for working out.
Common issue people have with smartwatches, is the fact that they’re damaged easily from workouts.
The Fitness Band For You – Amazon Halo VS Whoop VS Fitbit
Let’s start off by saying, in terms of how well and accurate you get your data, there are no differences, and all make sense for a lot of users. One thing which we noted with the Whoop Strap 3.0, is the fact that the data may vary compared to other smartwatches and fitness trackers on the market. Usually, the chest and biceps trackers are more accurate.
However, this is purely down to the specific person, their skin type, their environment, and a lot of other factors. That might be the case for a few among thousands though, and should be discarded.
In any case, there are a lot of factors that come into play when comparing the three, to get the one which is tailored just for you. The first thing that comes to mind about determination of that is functionality. Which ones offer which functionalities, and how well do they fit in your everyday lifestyle.
We compared the three. Here is a table of what you should consider when it comes to choosing the perfect fitness band for you:
| Fitness Tracker Comparison Amazon Halo VS Whoop Strap 3.0 VS Fitbit Charge 4 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen | No | No | Yes |
| Battery-life | Up to 7 days with Tone disabled & 2 days with Tone enabled | Up to 5 days | Up to 7 days |
| Water Resistance | Up to 164 feet | Up to 98 feet | Up to 164 feet |
| Price | $99.99 – With 6 Months Free Subscription | $30 per month | $99.95 – With 3 Months Free Subscription |
| GPS | No | No | Yes |
| Most Durable Fitness Trackers: |
The most notable variable here is the GPS. With the Fitbit Charge 4 you can easily go for a run, without bringing your phone with you. It will track your activity and pace using the built-in GPS sensor. Another interesting thing about these fitness bands are the subscriptions. What are they?
Fitness Bands’ Subscriptions or Memberships – Amazon Halo, Whoop, & Fitbit
The new trend in the fitness band industry is charging for tracking services.
Instead of buying the fitness band one off, and having a free app to measure all of your activity, these are quite different. For starters, with Whoop, you need to pay for the membership, but the strap itself comes free. The membership includes a so-called “community” and a lot of helpful resources, plus your usual tracking features.
With Amazon Halo, you pay for the hardware, but also a subscription for using some of the features. A subscription will set you back $3.99/month, which is reasonable. The same goes for Fitbit Charge 4.
The application in itself is free, but you can pay a subscription fee in order to have all of the features available in the Fitbit app. Fitbit’s subscription will set you back $9.99/month, which again, isn’t anything too expensive.
The Whoop service is quite more expensive than the other two, and even if the strap comes free, it is still a big price tag for the service. Quite frankly, I don’t see why the Whoop service costs so much. Yes, there are a lot more features when it comes to resources and community, but not a $20+ difference.
Amazon Halo Review
Amazon Halo was an invite-only side project that Amazon did a while back. There were many customers which were really impressed with the product, and it is easy to see why. Tracking data accuracy is one of the main strengths of this device, but probably the most detailed tracking feature is the sleep measuring. It is one of the best on the market, but you must get the subscription to get the detailed analysis.
Still, all in all a great device, with one of the best designs of fitness bands on the market. Currently, it comes in three different colors: Black + Onyx, Blush + Rose Gold, Winter + Silver.
The Amazon Halo did come up relatively frequently in news headlines. There were two controversial features that were added to the app, which were the main talking point. The first one was tone analysis, where it records your voice to measure how happy you are during the day. The second one is a body fat measuring tool, for which you must strip down to your underwear and take pictures of yourself.
The reason they were controversial was the fact that many deemed them an invasion of privacy. It is worth to mention though, that you don’t necessarily need to use these features, and Amazon claims that they’re immediately deleted after the application processes the data.
Again, all in all, a reliable and durable fitness tracker. Let’s get into what are some of the pros and cons:
PROS
- Light but durable design
- Elegant color choices
- Relatively cheap
- Up to 164 feet water resistance
- Up to 7 days battery life
- Accurate tracking data
CONS
- No GPS
- Tone analysis and Fat measurement come only with the subscription
- Only 2 days battery life with Tone analysis
- Sold out quite often
Whoop Strap 3.0 Review
When it comes to Whoop, it’s more so the service you get rather than the device.
The device itself isn’t anything too impressive, it has a couple of downsides to it. For example, the charging port is micro–USB Type-B, some straps get quite dirty after a while, and to get the best and most accurate data, it must be worn on the biceps or chest. It has no GPS, and you must be connected to a network on your phone to view your data.
There is a big ‘but’ here. Like I said before, you pay for the service. The Whoop strap application has a lot of functionality and data, and in some cases, it measures your strain from your previous day, then calculates your recovery, to recommend to you the optimal workout you need to do.
Sleep data is impressive, and sleeping with the Whoop Strap 3.0 is really easy, since it has an ergonomic design, and it is relatively thin. What is also impressive is the charger. You plug in your charger, and when it’s full, you just slide it on top of the Whoop Strap 3.0, which means that you don’t have to take off your tracker to charge it. Truly, a great feature.
If you’re considering the Whoop Strap 3.0, you should look at the pros and cons about using Whoop:
PROS
- Great and resourceful application
- Exceptional design
- Whoop community
- Practical charger
- Very light on your hand
- Quite a lot of designs
CONS
- No data while not connected to a network
- No GPS
- Light color straps get dirty quickly
- Expensive service
Fitbit Charge 4 Review
The Fitbit Charge 4 smart fitness trackers is the most you would get for your money. It is great price to performance, as it is one of the most affordable fitness trackers to have both NFC payment options and GPS as well. Granted, the battery lasts for only five hours with GPS, but that is to be expected.
Other than that, this band is great. One thing which may annoy many is the small display. It is quite hard to navigate, but if the screen doesn’t really matter for you, then there are no issues other than that.
It was improved quite a lot compared to its predecessor, and there are two versions for it. One is the special edition which costs a bit more, but you do get some interesting strap designs. The special edition is considered the more elegant options. Differences in functionalities between the two are non-existent.
Like the Whoop, the Fitbit comes with some features that can help you improve. There is a lot of resourceful information on the application, that can help you achieve your goals. The Fitbit Charge 4 is a great wearable, if you don’t mind the screen.
What are some of the positives and negatives though?
PROS
- GPS and NFC
- Battery life up to 7 days
- Water resistant up to 164 feet
- A lot of resourceful information
- Great price to performance
- Sleek design
CONS
- A lot of features are only available with the subscription
- Paying with your watch might not be supported by your bank
- Finnicky screen
- Some features not available in some markets
Most Durable Fitness Wearable – Amazon Halo VS Whoop VS Fitbit
Now, on paper all these wearables seem to be adequate. But when it comes to practical use, how strong are they, and how many punches can they take? After all, some exercises are quite challenging, and might be damaging to the wearables.
Well, interestingly, they all can hold their ground pretty well. One downside to the Fitbit Charge 4 is that it has a screen, but from what we have seen, it is quite hard to damage it. There might be some light scratching after a while, but all in all, the fitness tracker holds up well over time. Now, it is important to mention that the other two seem more durable. Plus, heavy-duty sports like rock-climbing might be a challenge with the Charge 4.
Unfortunately, from the Whoop Strap 3.0 we saw a bit of durability decrease compared to the Halo and the Fitbit. Particularly, the opening and closing system for the strap, might get worn out over time. This might lead to the wearable getting opened while you work out.
However, that only comes after quite some time of use. From what we tested, the Amazon Halo proved to be the most durable, but in all honesty, the other two aren’t that behind. After all, these are fitness trackers, so they’re generally durable.
Head-to-Head Comparisons
All three seem like the perfect option. But what can you do if you’re thinking about two particular ones? Well, in order to truly see which is best fitness trackers, we though it be best to put them head-to-head against each other. Each matchup will be covered.
Which One? Amazon Halo VS Whoop Strap 3.0
These two are similar in a lot of ways. Both are straps with no displays, both have more or less the same functionality, and both don’t have GPS. But the Amazon Halo and the Whoop Strap 3.0 don’t have the same price.
The best way to describe this matchup is that one is more focused towards the fitness lifestyle, and the other is focused about functionality of the wearable. With Whoop Strap 3.0, you will get the helpful information you need to achieve your goals, and the fact that there is a huge community around this wearable, gives you the intrigue and motivation to meet your goals.
There are a lot of cross fit enthusiasts that daily drive this fitness tracker. So, if you’re into cross fit, this might be the perfect choice for you.
As for the Amazon Halo, it is what you need and nothing else. You pay a one-time fee to get the band, instead of monthly, and the subscription for some premium services doesn’t cost as much as Whoop.
If you need the extra battery-life and the extra water resistance, then you should consider the Amazon Halo.
Amazon Halo or Fitbit Charge 4?
Now, between these two, the screen factor might play a big role. Honestly, screen fitness bands aren’t such a bad idea, if the the workouts you usually do, won’t damage the front of the wearable. Things like rock climbing requires you to get a strap like the Amazon Halo, instead of the Charge 4.
But if you’re more geared towards regular workouts which are the most common, then you won’t have an issue going with the Charge 4. As we saw, it has quite a lot more features, and they both have more or less the same price tag. Only that the Fitbit premium service is $9 a month.
However, one thing that you get with Amazon Halo is the Alexa functionality. It can tell you all of your workout, health, and sleep details. Plus, for some the design of the Amazon Halo is much slicker.
All in all, both are great wearables, and we recommend both. But if you need a screen or would like to go for a run without your phone, then consider the Charge 4. If both of those things don’t matter to you, then Amazon Halo might be a good fit for you.
Underdog VS Giant: Whoop Strap 3.0 or Fitbit Charge 4?
Fitbit has been around for quite a while. Over the years, they have amassed quite a following, and quite a name for themselves in the wearables industry. But that doesn’t mean that you should choose Fitbit over Whoop every day of the week.
For one, the fact that there is such a community, and the fact that competition is involved with Whoop, it might give you the motivation required to outperform both yourself, and others. It shows you how active your friends and family have been, granted, if they’re members of Whoop.
But in term of functionality and features, it’s no secret; the Fitbit Charge 4 outperforms the Whoop Strap 3.0. Plus, the price is affordable for the features you get.
Even though Whoop Strap 3.0 doesn’t have a screen, they’ve managed to pull off a great design. Particularly, a design which is much preferred compared to the Charge 4. Yet again though, it comes down to whether the sports you do might damage the screen, and whether you need NFC and GPS on your wearable.
In terms of everyday use, Fitbit Charge 4 is better, but it is hard to ignore how much members of Whoop get for their subscription.
The Verdict: Amazon Halo, Whoop Strap 3.0, or Fitbit Charge 4?
Let’s start off by saying that, all these three fitness bands are exceptional at their field. They’re all available for iOS and Android, so there won’t be compatibility issues, and all of them are worth a try. But there are differences between them, and what might work for some, doesn’t work for many.
In terms of functionality and features, the Fitbit Charge 4 gives you the most bang for the buck. Plus, for everyday use, it is considered the best compared to the Halo and the Strap 3.0. This is mainly due to its GPS and NFC function.
However, if you like to connect with likeminded fitness enthusiasts, and make it a bit of a competition, then the Whoop Strap 3.0 does this best. In addition, it has all the features and tracking abilities that you need for almost any workout or health related measurement.
The alternative to Whoop Strap 3.0 is the Amazon Halo, and it is quite better in every single way, except to how connected you feel to other people. But still, it is much more affordable, with a longer-lasting battery-life, and higher water-resistance.
These fitness bands, seem to be the better alternatives for workouts, compared to regular smartwatches and other similar wearables.
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