What To Know
- It’s a sleek, circular tracker that can be worn as a pendant, clipped to your clothing, or even attached to your shoe.
- The Misfit Shine utilizes its accelerometer to track your movements, while the Polar A370 employs a combination of sensors, including a heart rate monitor.
- Its coin-cell battery can last for up to six months on a single charge, making it a low-maintenance option.
Choosing the right fitness tracker can be a daunting task, especially with the vast array of options available in the market. Two popular contenders that often come up in discussions are the Misfit Shine and the Polar A370. Both trackers offer a range of features designed to help you achieve your fitness goals, but they cater to different needs and preferences. This comprehensive comparison will delve into the key aspects of each device, helping you determine which one aligns best with your fitness journey.
Design and Aesthetics: Minimalist vs. Functional
The Misfit Shine stands out with its minimalist design, available in various colors and materials. It’s a sleek, circular tracker that can be worn as a pendant, clipped to your clothing, or even attached to your shoe. Its water-resistant design allows you to wear it while swimming, making it a versatile option for diverse activities.
The Polar A370, on the other hand, takes a more functional approach. It features a rectangular display with a touch screen, providing a more traditional smartwatch-like look. While it’s not as sleek as the Shine, it offers a more interactive experience with its display and buttons. The A370 is also water-resistant but not designed for swimming.
Activity Tracking: Steps, Sleep, and More
Both trackers excel in activity tracking, accurately recording steps, distance, and calories burned. The Misfit Shine utilizes its accelerometer to track your movements, while the Polar A370 employs a combination of sensors, including a heart rate monitor.
The Shine’s simplicity extends to its activity tracking. It doesn’t provide detailed workout metrics like the A370, but it does offer insights into your sleep patterns.
The Polar A370 goes beyond basic activity tracking. It includes features like continuous heart rate monitoring, GPS for outdoor workouts, and workout summaries that provide detailed information about your performance. You can even customize workout profiles for different activities.
Heart Rate Monitoring: Accuracy and Insights
The Polar A370 boasts a built-in heart rate monitor, allowing for continuous tracking throughout the day. This feature is particularly useful for monitoring your heart rate during workouts, providing valuable insights into your training intensity. The A370 also uses heart rate data to estimate calorie burn more accurately and track your recovery time.
The Misfit Shine, on the other hand, doesn’t include a heart rate monitor. While this might be a drawback for some users, it also contributes to the tracker’s minimalist design and longer battery life.
Sleep Tracking: Quality and Insights
Both trackers offer sleep tracking features, but their approaches differ. The Misfit Shine uses its accelerometer to detect movements and identify sleep patterns. It provides insights into your sleep duration, deep sleep, and light sleep.
The Polar A370 takes a more advanced approach, utilizing heart rate data to analyze your sleep quality. It provides detailed information about your sleep stages, including REM sleep, and even offers personalized sleep insights based on your heart rate variability.
Battery Life: Long-Lasting vs. Frequent Charging
The Misfit Shine shines in terms of battery life. Its coin-cell battery can last for up to six months on a single charge, making it a low-maintenance option.
The Polar A370, with its color touchscreen and heart rate monitor, requires more frequent charging. Its battery life typically lasts for 4-5 days, depending on usage.
App Integration and Features: Comprehensive vs. Minimalist
The Misfit Shine pairs with the Misfit app, which offers a clean and intuitive interface. The app provides a comprehensive overview of your activity data, sleep patterns, and progress towards your goals. It also allows you to customize your tracker’s settings and connect it to other apps, such as MyFitnessPal.
The Polar A370 comes with the Polar Flow app, which offers a more detailed and feature-rich experience. The app provides in-depth workout analysis, personalized training plans, and insights into your recovery status. It also supports integration with other popular fitness apps.
Price and Value: Affordability vs. Advanced Features
The Misfit Shine is generally more affordable than the Polar A370. Its minimalist design and lack of advanced features contribute to its lower price point.
The Polar A370, with its heart rate monitor, GPS, and advanced sleep tracking, comes at a higher price. However, it offers a more comprehensive fitness experience, justifying its cost for users seeking detailed insights and advanced features.
The Verdict: Choosing the Right Tracker for You
Ultimately, the best fitness tracker for you depends on your individual needs and preferences.
Choose the Misfit Shine if:
- You prefer a minimalist design and long battery life.
- You’re looking for a tracker that’s versatile and can be worn in various ways.
- You value simplicity and don’t require advanced features like heart rate monitoring.
Choose the Polar A370 if:
- You prioritize detailed workout analysis and heart rate monitoring.
- You’re interested in personalized training plans and recovery insights.
- You’re willing to pay a premium for a comprehensive fitness experience.
Beyond the Comparison: Exploring Other Options
While the Misfit Shine and Polar A370 are excellent choices, the fitness tracker market is constantly evolving. Consider exploring other options like the Fitbit Charge 4, Garmin Vivosmart 4, or the Samsung Galaxy Fit 2. These trackers offer a range of features and price points, catering to different needs and budgets.
Information You Need to Know
Q: Can I use the Misfit Shine for swimming?
A: Yes, the Misfit Shine is water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming.
Q: Does the Polar A370 have GPS?
A: Yes, the Polar A370 features built-in GPS for tracking outdoor workouts.
Q: What is the battery life of the Polar A370?
A: The Polar A370’s battery life typically lasts for 4-5 days, depending on usage.
Q: Can I track my sleep with the Misfit Shine?
A: Yes, the Misfit Shine uses its accelerometer to track your sleep patterns and provide insights into your sleep duration and quality.
Q: Which tracker is better for tracking heart rate?
A: The Polar A370 is the better choice for heart rate tracking as it features a built-in heart rate monitor. The Misfit Shine doesn‘t include a heart rate monitor.