Best Activity, Health & Wellness Monitors
Make every beat count with Fitbit Charge 2—the all-new heart rate and fitness wristband built for all-day, workouts and beyond. PurePulse continuous, automatic wrist-based heart rate tracking to better measure calorie burn all day.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I found the Fitbit to be an incredible fitness device compared to the Apple watch. The fitbit can also track sleep, and give you an estimate of your cardio fitness score (V02 Max). Other features: Clearly the fitbit is not a smart watch, but the text and call notifications are great when you're working out and don't have quick access to your phone. Accuracy: Tie. I have no idea what the negative reviews are talking about (Maybe they received a defective device or have exceptionally hairy arms?). The apple watch is slightly more accurate when it comes to distance, and probably more suited for someone who runs at a competitive pace. I love watching my cardio fitness score change and keeping an eye on my resting heart rate overnight. Apple has a ton of 3rd party apps which are great, but it lacks the complete integration of the fitbit. I haven't decided which one I will be keeping yet, but if I were basing my decision on fitness alone, at a non competitive level, I would choose the fitbit hands down. There are other useful features that make the Apple watch appealing in my line of work, so I'll have to weigh those into my decision. The apple watch doesn't have the same coolness factor with regard to fitness, and really doesn't motivate me to workout anymore than my iPhone would. It is perfect for someone who doesn't care about tracking fitness goals, but wants to leave their phone at home during a workout. The ability to stream music, track distance with a built in GPS, and respond to text messages are wonderful. I have a 7 inch wrist and the large band fits me on the last 2-4 holes (keep it loose when not working out)."
"As a Blaze and original Charge HR owner, figured I'd try my hand at the newest Fitbit Charge 2. It replaces the original best selling Charge & Charge HR. Steps, Flights, Heart Rate, Calories Burned, Connected GPS (shows a little map post workout when tied to your phone, and yes, you need to bring your phone with you on walks/runs), and notifications (as of now, just texts, calendar alerts, and displays phone number of incoming calls). The Charge watch has been the workhorse of the fitbit line. Since you're familiar with the Charge already, let's go over some of the issues you may have experienced and highlights/common questions answered: 1) Build Quality: The Charge 2 is a far far superior quality than the original Charge. **If you had problems with your original Charge band bubbling, the ability to swap bands and how the tracker is connected to the bands should eliminate the issues you have experienced ** Obviously way too early to make a call on how the device will hold up, but given my experience with Blaze & Alta, this feels similar in build quality, if not better, and neither of those devices have suffered from bands falling apart on a wide scale. 5) Display is nice, 4x larger than the original Charge. The font is a bright offwhite, as opposed to the original Charge that had a soft almost blue to it. Some display day & date, and most have option to where when you tap the display it will cycle through stats (may display heart rate, date, steps taken, how far you are in your goals, your hourly movement reminders, etc). Yes, two of the watch faces are digital (numbers display, not hands) and have seconds displayed. There is no 3rd party support at this time such as facebook, instagram, etc (The Blaze watch will be offering these soon in next software upgrade, so I guess there is hope the Charge 2 will get those as well). Heart rate was spot on as it usually was with original Charge HR & my Blaze. Obviously some folks have trouble with them due to body hair and whatnot, but the sensors on Charge HR, Blaze, and now Charge 2 seem to be spot on. An issue I had with the original Charge was it getting "lost" when I hit higher cardio levels. CONS: - vibration is notably weaker than the original Charge. The Charge HR slowly scrolls texts and notifications to you, which can be annoying if you're used to the Blaze. They serve their purpose well though, and I can't ding it for this as it's a step up from the original Charge. The Blaze is their high end product at the moment, but the Charge 2 is a very close second. I'll happily answer questions as I did for when I originally reviewed the Blaze out of the gate, and edit this review to reflect common questions or any issues I face as I put the device through its paces in the coming days."
Make every beat count with Fitbit Charge 2—the all-new heart rate and fitness wristband built for all-day, workouts and beyond. PurePulse continuous, automatic wrist-based heart rate tracking to better measure calorie burn all day.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I found the Fitbit to be an incredible fitness device compared to the Apple watch. The fitbit can also track sleep, and give you an estimate of your cardio fitness score (V02 Max). Other features: Clearly the fitbit is not a smart watch, but the text and call notifications are great when you're working out and don't have quick access to your phone. Accuracy: Tie. I have no idea what the negative reviews are talking about (Maybe they received a defective device or have exceptionally hairy arms?). The apple watch is slightly more accurate when it comes to distance, and probably more suited for someone who runs at a competitive pace. I love watching my cardio fitness score change and keeping an eye on my resting heart rate overnight. Apple has a ton of 3rd party apps which are great, but it lacks the complete integration of the fitbit. I haven't decided which one I will be keeping yet, but if I were basing my decision on fitness alone, at a non competitive level, I would choose the fitbit hands down. There are other useful features that make the Apple watch appealing in my line of work, so I'll have to weigh those into my decision. The apple watch doesn't have the same coolness factor with regard to fitness, and really doesn't motivate me to workout anymore than my iPhone would. It is perfect for someone who doesn't care about tracking fitness goals, but wants to leave their phone at home during a workout. The ability to stream music, track distance with a built in GPS, and respond to text messages are wonderful. I have a 7 inch wrist and the large band fits me on the last 2-4 holes (keep it loose when not working out)."
"As a Blaze and original Charge HR owner, figured I'd try my hand at the newest Fitbit Charge 2. It replaces the original best selling Charge & Charge HR. Steps, Flights, Heart Rate, Calories Burned, Connected GPS (shows a little map post workout when tied to your phone, and yes, you need to bring your phone with you on walks/runs), and notifications (as of now, just texts, calendar alerts, and displays phone number of incoming calls). The Charge watch has been the workhorse of the fitbit line. Since you're familiar with the Charge already, let's go over some of the issues you may have experienced and highlights/common questions answered: 1) Build Quality: The Charge 2 is a far far superior quality than the original Charge. **If you had problems with your original Charge band bubbling, the ability to swap bands and how the tracker is connected to the bands should eliminate the issues you have experienced ** Obviously way too early to make a call on how the device will hold up, but given my experience with Blaze & Alta, this feels similar in build quality, if not better, and neither of those devices have suffered from bands falling apart on a wide scale. 5) Display is nice, 4x larger than the original Charge. The font is a bright offwhite, as opposed to the original Charge that had a soft almost blue to it. Some display day & date, and most have option to where when you tap the display it will cycle through stats (may display heart rate, date, steps taken, how far you are in your goals, your hourly movement reminders, etc). Yes, two of the watch faces are digital (numbers display, not hands) and have seconds displayed. There is no 3rd party support at this time such as facebook, instagram, etc (The Blaze watch will be offering these soon in next software upgrade, so I guess there is hope the Charge 2 will get those as well). Heart rate was spot on as it usually was with original Charge HR & my Blaze. Obviously some folks have trouble with them due to body hair and whatnot, but the sensors on Charge HR, Blaze, and now Charge 2 seem to be spot on. An issue I had with the original Charge was it getting "lost" when I hit higher cardio levels. CONS: - vibration is notably weaker than the original Charge. The Charge HR slowly scrolls texts and notifications to you, which can be annoying if you're used to the Blaze. They serve their purpose well though, and I can't ding it for this as it's a step up from the original Charge. The Blaze is their high end product at the moment, but the Charge 2 is a very close second. I'll happily answer questions as I did for when I originally reviewed the Blaze out of the gate, and edit this review to reflect common questions or any issues I face as I put the device through its paces in the coming days."
3 Omron BP742N 5 Series Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor with Cuff that fits Standard and Large Arms
The 5 Series home blood pressure monitor with Omron’s Advanced Accuracy helps ensure consistent, precise readings. Omron blood pressure monitors are the #1 recommended brand by doctors and pharmacists for clinically-accurate home blood pressure monitoring, and the #1 selling manufacturer of blood pressure monitors for over 40 years.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"2) The D-ring cuff is appropriate for a very wide range of arm circumferences: from 9 to 17 inches (as measured midway between your elbow and your shoulder). A few tips for getting accurate readings from this monitor: - Keep your arm as still as possible while the monitor is taking a reading -- movement can cause erroneous readings. - Rest your arm on a horizontal surface. - Make sure the tube coming from the cuff runs down the center of your arm (the inside of your elbow) because that is where the "bladder" of the cuff is. - Don't let the cuff slip down your arm; you don't want it over your elbow. Not only could this affect your readings, but repeated measurements with the cuff over your elbow could cause injury to your ulnar nerve."
"As a nurse and someone who is beginning to experience pre-hypertension, I can honestly say that this thing works as well or better than any of the automatic blood pressure machines we use in the hospital."
"The day I received the monitor I took it to my doctor and tested the accuracy of the meter against the high end equipment used in the professional setting. Convienence: the device auto magically saves your previous readings for up to 2 people. For a blood pressure monitor that has an easy to read and understand display in this price range it is hard to beat. Thank you for reading my review and good luck in your battle with hyper or even hypo tension!!"
"This device comes with a cuff meant for arms 9-17 inches around."
"Upon receipt of a new Omron, I would strongly recommend that Customers have their new unit professionally checked against accepted, calibrated standards."
Best Basal Thermometers
That is why the Innovo Dual mode infra-red thermometer INV-EF100 is designed to be BOTH an ear thermometer (recommended for age above1) AND a forehead thermometer (recommended for all ages), offering users the freedom to choose between two modes. FEATURES: Dual mode thermometer - Measure temperature via forehead and ear. Accurate and reliable - Utilize newest infra-red detection technology. Upgraded software - NO waiting in between measurements. Easy mode of operation. Safe and Hygienic. 20 readings memory recall. Measures in both Fahrenheit and Celsius. Alarm when temperature exceeds 99.5°F. Comes with 2X AAA batteries that will last thousands of readings. Measure temperature via forehead (suitable for all ages) or ear (recommended for children over 1 year old).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Surprised to see that the doctor was using the same thermometer as me!"
"I am 48 years old and have used old style thermometers my entire life. I was hesitant to give digital thermometers a chance knowing this is still new technology but what made the decision to purchase one easier was seeing my baby’s pediatrician use one of these thermometers. I can’t even remember the last time I had a good night’s sleep and no matter how much you love your child (and Lord knows I love mine), the sound of a crying baby can be haunting. But after speaking with their customer engagement specialists I decided to give it a chance. I experienced a weird jump of 0.5 degrees but after some quick google research I realize this is not only normal but common among all digital thermometers. The instruction manual is very well written and easy to follow; however it is technical as heck so unless you are well informed, all the stats provided in the manual can be a bit overwhelming."
"I found that the positioning of the thermometer inside the ear is critical."
"so much easier and is accurate."
"Love the dual mode."
"Takes temp instantly and actually reads my base temp in the 98.5 range rather than 96 or 97 like other thermometers I’ve owned."
"Used on my son who had 103 Via rectal thermometer and this one showed 100."
Best Blood Pressure Monitors
One 10 Series Blood Pressure Monitor Plus Bluetooth Smart^ Easy-Wrap ComFit Cuff (fits upper arms 9"-17")^ Quick Start Guide^ Instruction Manual (English/Spanish)^ AC Adapter. Omron blood pressure monitors are the #1 recommended brand by doctors and pharmacists for clinically-accurate home blood pressure monitoring, and the #1 selling manufacturer of blood pressure monitors for over 40.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Got this for my husband ... below is his review -. Just got this device today - so this is early impressions: I got this monitor as it came highly recommended for accuracy. It doesn't look too out of place among all the other items I have on my desk (sort of a neat freak..) I do detach the cuff and put that in a drawer. The app will allow you to create an account with Omronwellness, ask you if you are User 1 or 2 on the device, and automatically start uploading data. You do have to hit a button on the Omron and, possibly, pull down on the image of your last reading (this forces a re-sync). For instance if the device is in use by a particular user, and the iPhone is around - to automatically wake up the app and update the phone. Lastly - and I sincerely wish for this to changed in the near future - the app does not support Apple's Heath Kit. Wrapping up - as this was my first bp monitor, I wanted to error on the side of having a device that accurately read my vitals. (Baring a life altering event of course...) As the focus on healthcare gets more attention - there are a lot of players in the market that will produce products (apps, etc) that will attempt to make the more technically savvy folks' lives easier."
"I really like the Bluetooth capability of the machine and the Omron Android app made the pairing of my phone to the machine virtually painless (just be sure to pick the correct model/series in the app, your choice chooses which set of guided instructions you get for pairing)."
"When I went for my latest check-up and showed her my blood pressure readings, she was alarmed - it looked like my BP was significantly higher now than six weeks ago."
"I STRONGLY RECOMMEND, you take your new blood pressure monitor to your Dr's office and check it's accuracy as soon as possible to reduce the chance of you getting one or two months worth of false readings."
"I wouldn't object so much if I could send it to an address in the US, but UK?"
"Not sure why since July if you look at the feedback and reviews, they are shipping out the wrong machine and it has a small cuff which overestimates the readings."
Best Body Composition Monitors
Nokia Body Cardio goes above and beyond to help anyone keep tabs on their health and empower them to take action to improve it. Scale up your health – Manage your weight and keep an eye on your overall health and fitness with a highly-accurate smart scale that provides standing heart rate plus full body composition with every weigh-in.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Because the Body Cardio takes so many comparable readings at the same time I can now track new goals that have inspired me not only exercise differently but to eat in even healthier ways, This is primarily due to the unique measurement called Pulse Wave Velocity which gives me a measurement of how well blood flows through my body and is an important indicator of future health outcomes. When I discovered that all my other measurements like weight, body fat, body water, bone mass, muscle mass, heart rate were all well within the normal range for my age, but that my Pulse Wave Velocity was below normal, I started doing more research and learned that how my blood flows through my body is significantly effected by salt and alcohol intake which I never paid much attention to because all my usual vital signs and blood pressure were always within the range of normal."
"Granted, this is what i want to see, so maybe SkyNet's first move is to make us all docile via gently supportive body measurements, but short of that the scale seems to be at least internally consistent."
"I do not have a smartphone, but the App works great on my Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 Tablet (Android)."
"super hard to set up the device."
"The Pulse Wave Velocity feature of this scale will be turned off by the manufacturer indefinitely starting Jan 24th."
Best Body Fat Monitors
Whether you want to lose weight or keep Shape and Fitness, weight is not the only factor that needs concern. Comprehensive Health Index: Body weight, Body fat, Body water, Muscle mass, BMI(Body mass index) ,BMR(KCAL),Bone mass and Visceral fat. We do not recommend the groups below to use it: Individuals with medical implants, for example, people with a pacemaker, pregnant women. 1.A person's weight lightest at morning and heaviest at night. In Baby mode, you will weigh 2times and get baby’s weight, and ONLY weight available. Measuring Function - Use BIA technology to track your health information about Body weight, Body fat, water, Muscle mass, BMI, BMR, Bone mass visceral fat and Baby Weighing Mode.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I hope this info helps you, so you don't cast this product aside based on your own mistake. The play store has 3 different versions of the app: the one the QR code sends you, the one with the icon example, and a completely different one. - Make sure your Bluetooth is on and the app is open when stepping on the scale (with bare feet, or it will only read your weight). - If there are more than one of you using the scale, don't stand next to each other with both of you having the app open or it will try to connect to the last users phone."
"The one negative for this scale is to get the most use out of it you need to take your phone with you when you weigh yourself. So I weight myself with my phone in hand and the app open everyday, which might be a big enough negative to stay away if you don;t want to be bothered to have your phone on you every time you step on the scale. All in all, If you are looking for a scale that spits out your weight and bodyfat% with no hassle, this may not be the scale for you."
"The app really is slick, its not a chintzy app, it isnt loaded with fluff but it gives half a dozen critical measurements that gives you really nice insight into your health and fitness. The app lets you enter multiple users and will plot your weight and BMI over time."
"The fact that when I opened the package and it says "You are more than just a number, You are Beautiful!," that made me feel all warm and fizzy inside because a normal scale does not give you a feeling as if they care."
"In order to keep my weight and family’s weight in check I wanted to know more than just the numbers a normal scale provides."
Best Bathroom Scales
The EatSmart Precision Digital bathroom scale has our updated EatSmart Auto-On Technology and Sensor Accuracy. Four high precision sensors ensure consistent and accurate measurement up to 400 lbs or 180 kgs with graduation increments of .2 lbs.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I regularly weigh ten 500ml water bottles in a plastic container and expect 5kg plus a bit more for the plastic (see uploaded photos)."
"Best scale I’ve tried."
"I changed my review from a 1 to a 5...here's why I am impressed. However, I could not read the display and as executive/non-athlete I did not need all this information. Then the most amazing thing happened...this really happened...about an hour after I posted my review, I was contacted by the company. They read my review and apologized that my unit was not operating the way that it was supposed, discussed their high quality control and that this should not have happened, and then they sent me a replacement right away."
"A quirk inthe design is that it won't show a weight change of less than 0.2lb so you have to fake it out if you want fresh readings every time."
"This scale is very nice."
"It doesn't call me names or make fun of me in anyway, very respectful."
"Before purchasing, I had researched looking for the top rated home bathroom scales and was surprised when the choice this EatSmart scale."
"Today I walked into my bathroom and found the whole thing had completely shattered into hundreds of pieces. No one was home at the time, so I have no idea how it happened, but I am certain that nothing fell on it or knocked into it, no one stood on it or bumped it, and it wasn’t exposed to water or any extreme temperatures."
Best Breathing Trainers & Monitors
These are the muscles that are strengthened by using the Expand-A-Lung Breathing Resistance Exerciser. THE BEST 7 MINUTE EXERCISE TO BOOST ENDURANCE - THE #1 CHOICE OF THE L.A. TIMES REVIEW- "SUPERIOR QUALITY AND BEST VALUE" - "MOST COMPACT (4") AND PORTABLE" - "EASIEST TO USE " - "MOST EFFECTIVE" - "IMPROVES ENDURANCE, BREATH HOLDING & SHORTNESS OF BREATH" - "PROVIDES 100% ADJUSTABLE RESISTANCE FOR INHALING & EXHALING". 100% ADJUSTABLE RESISTANCE VALVE FOR BOTH, INHALING AND EXHALING BREATHING EXERCISE.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Shallow breathing lowers the blood oxygen levels, weakens the muscles around the diaphragm and rib cage, and closes down the microscopic parts inside the lungs. First of all, Expand-A-Lung works on both the inhale and the exhale, expanding the lungs on the inhale and strengthening the muscles on the exhale."
"You do need to wash this unit every day or two. The design features I like are (1) it's compactness and (2) no need to disassemble it to wash it."
"The exerciser is easy to use, has no bad smell or taste, and seems to produce good lung-strengthening results very quickly. Set out below are the directions from the package insert: EXERCISE INSTRUCTIONS. INSERT THE MOUTHPIECE IN YOUR MOUTH WITH THE ENGRAVED WORD "TOP" AT THE BASE OF THE MOUTHPIECE FACING UP. BREATHE IN & OUT WHILE ADJUSTING THE RESISTANCE VALVE TO SELECT YOUR DESIRED LEVEL OF BREATHING RESISTANCE (MAKE IT CHALLENGING, BUT NOT UNCOMFORTABLE). FOR ATHLETES, DO AN ADDITIONAL SET RIGHT BEFORE YOU START ANY SPORT OR PHYSICAL. ACTIVITY (WALK, RUN, SWIM, BIKE, ROW, DIVE, ETC.)."
"Clean it deli with dishwashing soap and hot water. I used to guess for air when wearing a respirator working on the lawn."
Best Health Alert & Monitoring Systems
When you treat people with respect, they create great things; that’s why we only partner with skilled manufacturers who have chosen to uphold international standards protecting workers’ rights and safety. Then, we set a price that’s fair for everyone along the supply chain, including you—because a good deal doesn’t have to be made at the expense of the people who create a product. THE RIGHT CHOICE: A smart scale that connects you to dependable support on the way to your goals.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Stepped on it today, and the entire thing shattered. Not only where they extremely helpful, they are replacing the scale."
"For a second I thought it was not working because we set it down on carpet and my 140lb husband when he stepped on it said he weighed 27lbs. Every time I turn on my Bluetooth and the scale is on it will sync all the data into my guru and Fitbit app. Every time you weigh in it will record your Weight, Water %, Muscle % and Fat %."
"They should consider making a scale with a manual mode option, where the scale won't record your weight in your smartphone UNLESS you select a user."
"The culprit was some debris that I didn't notice the scale was on when I moved it and as soon as it was cleaned up and totally flat again, it was right back to being accurate Calibrating is easy; just step on it and let it zero out. Plus, you aren't going to have to be in the app often and it'll sync previous weigh ins that you did the next time you open it near the scale."
"Love “Great Customer Service!” Definitely RecommendThis Smart Scale!"
"There are other scales out there 2X to 3X in price."
"I recently started a diet and exercise program, so I bought this scale to keep track of my vitals."
"It is sleek, easy to use, the app is great, and it syncs wonderfully!"
Best Heart Rate Monitors
Make every beat count with Fitbit Charge 2—the all-new heart rate and fitness wristband built for all-day, workouts and beyond. PurePulse continuous, automatic wrist-based heart rate tracking to better measure calorie burn all day.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I found the Fitbit to be an incredible fitness device compared to the Apple watch. The fitbit can also track sleep, and give you an estimate of your cardio fitness score (V02 Max). Other features: Clearly the fitbit is not a smart watch, but the text and call notifications are great when you're working out and don't have quick access to your phone. Accuracy: Tie. I have no idea what the negative reviews are talking about (Maybe they received a defective device or have exceptionally hairy arms?). The apple watch is slightly more accurate when it comes to distance, and probably more suited for someone who runs at a competitive pace. I love watching my cardio fitness score change and keeping an eye on my resting heart rate overnight. Apple has a ton of 3rd party apps which are great, but it lacks the complete integration of the fitbit. I haven't decided which one I will be keeping yet, but if I were basing my decision on fitness alone, at a non competitive level, I would choose the fitbit hands down. There are other useful features that make the Apple watch appealing in my line of work, so I'll have to weigh those into my decision. The apple watch doesn't have the same coolness factor with regard to fitness, and really doesn't motivate me to workout anymore than my iPhone would. It is perfect for someone who doesn't care about tracking fitness goals, but wants to leave their phone at home during a workout. The ability to stream music, track distance with a built in GPS, and respond to text messages are wonderful. I have a 7 inch wrist and the large band fits me on the last 2-4 holes (keep it loose when not working out)."
"As a Blaze and original Charge HR owner, figured I'd try my hand at the newest Fitbit Charge 2. It replaces the original best selling Charge & Charge HR. Steps, Flights, Heart Rate, Calories Burned, Connected GPS (shows a little map post workout when tied to your phone, and yes, you need to bring your phone with you on walks/runs), and notifications (as of now, just texts, calendar alerts, and displays phone number of incoming calls). The Charge watch has been the workhorse of the fitbit line. Since you're familiar with the Charge already, let's go over some of the issues you may have experienced and highlights/common questions answered: 1) Build Quality: The Charge 2 is a far far superior quality than the original Charge. **If you had problems with your original Charge band bubbling, the ability to swap bands and how the tracker is connected to the bands should eliminate the issues you have experienced ** Obviously way too early to make a call on how the device will hold up, but given my experience with Blaze & Alta, this feels similar in build quality, if not better, and neither of those devices have suffered from bands falling apart on a wide scale. 5) Display is nice, 4x larger than the original Charge. The font is a bright offwhite, as opposed to the original Charge that had a soft almost blue to it. Some display day & date, and most have option to where when you tap the display it will cycle through stats (may display heart rate, date, steps taken, how far you are in your goals, your hourly movement reminders, etc). Yes, two of the watch faces are digital (numbers display, not hands) and have seconds displayed. There is no 3rd party support at this time such as facebook, instagram, etc (The Blaze watch will be offering these soon in next software upgrade, so I guess there is hope the Charge 2 will get those as well). Heart rate was spot on as it usually was with original Charge HR & my Blaze. Obviously some folks have trouble with them due to body hair and whatnot, but the sensors on Charge HR, Blaze, and now Charge 2 seem to be spot on. An issue I had with the original Charge was it getting "lost" when I hit higher cardio levels. CONS: - vibration is notably weaker than the original Charge. The Charge HR slowly scrolls texts and notifications to you, which can be annoying if you're used to the Blaze. They serve their purpose well though, and I can't ding it for this as it's a step up from the original Charge. The Blaze is their high end product at the moment, but the Charge 2 is a very close second. I'll happily answer questions as I did for when I originally reviewed the Blaze out of the gate, and edit this review to reflect common questions or any issues I face as I put the device through its paces in the coming days."
Best Pedometers
PurePulse continuous heart rate and multi-sport modes enhance every exercise, while next-generation features like Connected GPS and FitStar workouts on your wrist help you take your fitness to the next level. Stay connected with call, text & calendar alerts and notifications from your favorite apps like Gmail, Facebook and more (when phone is nearby).Start a FitStar workout on your wrist and get step-by-step instructions and graphics to ensure you complete each move correctly.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"PROs: - Large screen, easy to read display. - Nice gorilla glass screen that doesn't get scratched. - Accurate heart rate monitor without the need for chest strap. - Automatically tracks steps, sleep, workouts, heart rate. You really don't need to manually start activities like running, walking, or elliptical, the watch automatically picks up these activities and logs them based on movement and heart rate. CONs: - Hexagonal design may not be aesthetically pleasing (but not bad once you get used to it). - No built-in GPS to map runs and bike rides (need to carry phone to map). - Not waterproof so can't be worn in the pool. - Watch needs to be removed from frame every time for charging. - Screen doesn't always come on when I raise my wrist. **. SCREEN – I am used to wearing somewhat large watches like the Garmin 920XT, and the Blaze is just fine. Yes, the design may seem odd a bit at first given the width and the space between the frame and actual watch, but the benefit of a large size is that the screen is super easy to read without having to pull your wrist up, a simple flick and you can view all snapshots and smart notifications in a discrete way (useful when you're sitting in meetings). The screen, similar to the Apple watch, stays off, and can be turned on with the simple turn of a wrist. I have found that raising the wrist doesn't always turn on the screen (this works flawlessly with the Apple watch), however if you "flick" your wrist towards you, the screen will turn on right away. I have extensively compared heart rate shown by the Blaze to that shown by the Apple watch (which is usually WAY off) and that shown by my Garmin chest strap HRM, which is considered the most accurate. With the built-in heart rate monitor, it automatically tracks your activities and calories burnt in case you forget to manually start a workout on the watch. With the Blaze, it has an Auto-Sleep feature that doesn't require you to turn on the sleep mode, it will automatically detect that you are sleeping based on lack of movement and heart rate. I did notice that if I am using my phone like listening to music (and not looking at the phone screen), notifications do not show on the watch. I charger like the Apple watch would have been ideal where you can simply drop the watch on the charging pad and it will charge right away. That being said, I have accidentally worn the Blaze in the shower a few times already (I'm probably still used to my Garmin watch which I didn't need to take off) and the watch held up just fine. QUICK COMPARISON WITH APPLE WATCH: - Apple watch is sleeker and feels more comfortable on the wrist. - Apple watch has a better and crisper resolution compared to Blaze's screen. Apple watch doesn't track sleep and requires you to manually start logging an activity. - Both have smart notifications and show text messages, calls, calendar appointments, but Apple watch lets you do more like view WhatsApp messages and other phone notifications, and answer calls right on the watch. - Blaze has a 5-6 day battery life with normal use compared to Apple watch which needs to be charged every 1-2 days. - Blaze - $199, Apple watch - $349 for base model. BOTTOM LINE: - If you have an older fitness tracker band like the Fitbit Flex or Jawbone Up, the Blaze is a great upgrade with all its new features (heart rate monitor, auto activity/sleep tracker, smart notifications). - If you have an Apple watch, I guess the Blaze doesn't offer that much more to make it worthy of a switch (though I'm a huge fan of the accurate HRM and auto tracking in the Blaze). Just adding a few minor observations in addition to the initial review: - If you let the watch automatically track a workout, it starts logging it after the first 5-10 minutes, basically only once your heart rate picks up. Minor issue, immaterial in my opinion - if you want a precise log of your workouts, you can manually start the workout on the watch and it will log it as a 1-hour workout. - The watch automatically detects when you're sleeping based on movement (lack of) and heart rate, however it doesn't automatically turn off notifications during this time. To turn off notifications when sleeping, you can either put your phone in sleep mode, or switch off notifications on the watch by simply swiping down on the main screen."
"It continually tracks your heart rate, your steps, stairs climbed, calories burned, active minutes, miles, exercise, and sleep. It seamlessly works with the FitBit app, which can also help you keep track of your calories consumed (works with apps like MyFitnessPal, Weight Watchers, etc), water intake, and weight. All of them have been the Milanese style bands and the ones that came from china caused major hives/break outs on my wrist, one of which required a prescription cream to resolve. One milanese band has worked consistently well for me without skin issues and no problems with the magnet slipping. Please note this is NOT an affiliate link and none of the things in the post are sponsored. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01J0RAP3U/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1. -As of the date of this review, the watch does NOT have "reminder to move" functionality. Doing some reading, it looks like FitBit plans to have a firmware update in the future to include this, but as of now, it does not. What I would like to see is a reminder to move during hours that you set based on the amount of steps you want to achieve in a day. I had a fitness tracker several years ago that would buzz if you had been sedentary for 10 minutes. This functionality would be great for people with office jobs that sit all day. FitBit has a proprietary charger so you can't just use any standard cord to plug it in. You have to take the face of the watch out of the band and put it in a boxed-frame like charger to charge. I haven't had a problem with it, but I did have a couple of glass screen protectors on it and they both broke within a day, but my watch face is still fine without scratches."
Best Athletic & Aviation Pulse Oximeters
Santamedical SM-110 oximeter provides reliable oxygen saturation and heart rate values without compromising accuracy. It can be used by a variety of sports enthusiasts, including mountain climbers, hikers, skiers, bikers, and others interested in measuring oxygen saturation and pulse rate. PRECISE AND RELIABLE - Quickly determine your SpO2 (blood oxygen saturation levels), Fast SpO2 readings, pulse measurements and display it conveniently on a large digital LED display.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This oximeter was an excellent choice."
"I bought this because my 2 year old has asthma and were trying to figure out his needs but sometimes when he has an attack I like to know his oxygen levels just to see how bad we're getting and how fast."
"This device will give us an accurate means to track oxygen levels for my family member with lung disease."
"Just ignore the instruction manual."
"It is well made and is accurate - checked against the one my husband's home nurse has."
"I'v been using another brand and live at high altitude .i wasn't believing the numbers I was getting so tried this product."
"Perfect."
"The price is great and as far as to how exact it is, well, O2 readings can vary from hand to hand and finger to finger, so as long as it is in a normal range, all's good."
Best Stethoscopes
Next-generation tubing provides longer life due to improved resistance to skin oils and alcohol, less likely to pick up stains.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"If you only see adult patients, you can convert the pediatric side to an open bell. Thus, I usually have the adult diaphragm on 1 side, and the bell on the other side. USUALLY, I can hear just fine using the adult side on babies, however there have been times where it was difficult to make a tight seal, and I was able to convert the bell to a pediatric diaphragm which helped greatly."
"My first semesters I had the SE Classic II and it was wonderful. Not only can I hear great lung and heart sounds on adults, but also on peds, CHF patients, and others."
"“Caribbean Blue” looked more dark green than anywhere near blue."
"Lately I’ve noticed the trend of many medical students and nurses with cardiology stethoscopes in the hospital setting, so I just want to set the record straight. I wonder how many of those people understand that cardiology stethoscopes are for advanced medical specialist that truly may need a little more acoustics, and have the proper training and technique to really use and understand what the medical tool is providing. This classic 3 has more than enough acoustics for most nurses and specialist in the medical field. Let me assure you that a well trained professional with good technique and training will do a lot better in terms of diagnosis with a Classic 3 than a person that just relies on having an expensive stethoscope (in other words a professional poser)."
"Same ole Littmann quality but at wonderful Amazon price!"
"the pediatric diaphragm is long gone; the adult one has fallen off few times and I happen to see it rolling, but I expect it'll soon be lost in some hosp hallway."
Best Health Care Thermometers
Size: 1-ct |. Style: Standard |. Product Packaging: Standard Packaging. Used by more pediatricians' offices than any other infrared thermometer brand, the IRT6500 thermometer features a pre-warmed tip that helps ensure accuracy.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"By far the easiest thermometer to use."
"I replaced my last one since the difference was often more than 2 degrees F which is too big a difference to depend on! This is important to us since I better understand body temp in F, my wife in C. 4) Includes 21 lens covers, which are replaceable covers that cover the tip of the device (20 in box + 1 on device). 5) Comes with a nice plastic holder that both stores the box of additional lens covers, as well as protects the piece that enters your ear. 3) No guidance on temperatures. This isn't a big concern for myself since I easily understand body temperatures, but I do admit to missing the sound of the instant indication (like on my last) of the seriousness of the recording. Neither Pro/Con: This device uses consumables - namely, the plastic lens covers. The plastic at the tip of the ear cup is quite thin, so care needs to be taken and if any breaks are noticed it should definitely be replaced immediately."
"Braun Digital Ear Thermometer Suitable for Baby, Infants, Toddlers, and Adults, ThermoScan5 IRT6500 This is a great item that works quickly and is embarrassingly easy to use."
"It is DEFINITELY worth the money, No more holding thermometers in your arm-pits or under your tongue for 30 seconds at a time."
"I love love love this product."
"I love this thermometer so much that I bought one for myself, my sister, my mom and my mother-in-law."
"I have seriously gone through 10+ thermometers since my daughter was born 2 years ago."
"This replaces a unit by the same manufacturer which died after 19 years, hence staying with the same company."
Best Peak Flow Meters
Peak Flow (PEF) and Forced Expiratory Volume in 1-second (FEV1) measurements can tell how well lungs are breathing by monitoring airflow. Enter your model number to make sure this fits.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Great value, better than one I had that didn't last long."
"when it works it works well, the problem is that it wont allow my daughter to breathe into it, have to remove the batteries and restart the meter, even then it doesnt want to work all the time."
"When I had a temporary breathing problem this small dude keep me accurately informed as to my condition."
"As expected from Microlife."
"Great!"
"Easy to use and read - very pleases."
"It took time to get it to pick up recording, although it's not the best at recording readings every instance."
"flow meter is well made, and works great."