Microsoft Bandby Microsoft
PROS
- The Band includes GPS for tracking runs and sensors for tracking steps, heart rate, body temperature, sleep, and UV exposure.
- Microsoft's Band connects to the cross-platform Microsoft Health App; it works with Android, iOS, and Windows Phone devices.
- Microsoft partnered with Gold's Gym and others to offer Guided Workouts that can be accessed directly from the Band.
CONS
- The Band's design is bulky, and its screen, though bright and colorful, is flat, not curved, making the device uncomfortable to wear.
- Battery life is only two days so it needs to be recharged often.
- The Band is not waterproof.
- LIST PRICE$200
$289.99Buy
 |  |  |  |  | |
| Name | Microsoft Band | Charge HR | Vivosmart | Peak | Fuse |
| Manufacturer | Microsoft | Fitbit | Garmin | Basis | Mio |
| Techwalla Score | |||||
| List Price | $200 | $150 | $150 | $200 | $150 |
Daily activity tracker, multi-platform smartwatch, GPS sport watch, heart rate monitor, and fitness coach. The Microsoft Band can be whateve…
Daily activity tracker, multi-platform smartwatch, GPS sport watch, heart rate monitor, and fitness coach. The Microsoft Band can be whatever you want and that is the real power of the Band.
Heart rate, like mileage, is easy to verify for accuracy, and the Band didn't score high marks in this area.
Heart rate, like mileage, is easy to verify for accuracy, and the Band didn't score high marks in this area.
Two of the best features of Microsoft's wearable are the GPS and the band's ability to download workouts.
Two of the best features of Microsoft's wearable are the GPS and the band's ability to download workouts.
For anyone who doesn't know how to start getting fit, the Microsoft Band's guided-workout feature could be a much-needed savior. It's essent…
For anyone who doesn't know how to start getting fit, the Microsoft Band's guided-workout feature could be a much-needed savior. It's essentially a personal trainer on your wrist.
Within two days, the device was so scratched-up it looked as if I'd been wearing it for years while living in the wilderness.
Within two days, the device was so scratched-up it looked as if I'd been wearing it for years while living in the wilderness.
I can live with a less-than-beautiful fitness tracker, but I see no point in buying one I won’t wear all the time.
I can live with a less-than-beautiful fitness tracker, but I see no point in buying one I won’t wear all the time.
Like a fitness shackle or a handcuff: there's no other way to describe the weird fit of the Microsoft Band on our wrists.
Like a fitness shackle or a handcuff: there's no other way to describe the weird fit of the Microsoft Band on our wrists.
If you’re hoping to hop into the shower with it, sadly the Band isn't waterproof. It’ll handle a little sweat and doing the dishes, but that…
If you’re hoping to hop into the shower with it, sadly the Band isn't waterproof. It’ll handle a little sweat and doing the dishes, but that’s about it.
I went so far as to call it “ugly,” which was unfair. It’s really just “ungainly” like a bodybuilder, bulked up on function and ignoring ove…
I went so far as to call it “ugly,” which was unfair. It’s really just “ungainly” like a bodybuilder, bulked up on function and ignoring overall form.
The Microsoft Band packs in a lot of functionality, and this does come at a cost in terms of battery power.
The Microsoft Band packs in a lot of functionality, and this does come at a cost in terms of battery power.
The screen is good enough, but it’s flat. My wrist is not.
The screen is good enough, but it’s flat. My wrist is not.
Having an always-on heart rate monitor was particularly enlightening. I was surprised to learn that listening to crazy music makes my heart …
Having an always-on heart rate monitor was particularly enlightening. I was surprised to learn that listening to crazy music makes my heart race and writing breaking news barely affects me at all.
