The regular SmartBand ($100) lacks calling and messages and has no display. The SmartBand Talk ($170) lets you make calls from your wrist and see bits of texts and other message notifications that come to your phone. Many other devices, including the Ups, require you to manually switch to night mode for this analysis. The Charge also automatically detects how long you sleep and looks for signs of restlessness during the night.

For instance, you get a virtual Penguin March badge once you hit 70 miles - the distance emperor penguins make annually to their breeding grounds. Well, you still need to get off the couch, but the device automatically counts your footsteps and rewards you for hitting various milestones. This device is for you if you're looking to do nothing. None of the Up models has a display, though the Move uses an odd system of blinking lights to show how far you are toward your goal.īasic, but functional: Fitbit Charge ($130, free app for iOS, Android, Windows): These devices are good for those new to fitness, but serious athletes will want more. With a rival device, the Fitbit Charge, I also got extra credit for washing the dishes, even with my feet stationary. Because the Move and the 24 count steps based on arm movement, I got credited with a half-mile from heavy clapping during Act 2 of 'The Nutcracker.' They also logged a 5.5-mile run as more than eight miles. With many of these fitness trackers, don't expect a high degree of accuracy.

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