What To Know
- If you’re looking for a stylish and functional tracker that fits your wrist comfortably, the Fitbit Alta and Fitbit Alta HR are two popular contenders.
- The Fitbit Alta boasts a battery life of up to 5 days, while the Alta HR offers a slightly shorter battery life of up to 7 days.
- The Alta offers a budget-friendly option with basic activity tracking features, while the Alta HR provides a more advanced experience with heart rate monitoring and additional features.
Choosing the right fitness tracker can be a daunting task, especially with so many options available. If you’re looking for a stylish and functional tracker that fits your wrist comfortably, the Fitbit Alta and Fitbit Alta HR are two popular contenders. While both devices share a sleek design and basic activity tracking features, there are some key differences that might make one a better fit for your needs than the other. This blog post will delve into the key features of each device, comparing and contrasting their functionalities to help you make an informed decision for your fitness journey.
Design and Comfort: A Stylish Choice
Both the Fitbit Alta and Alta HR boast a sleek and minimalist design, making them suitable for everyday wear. They come in a variety of stylish band colors and materials, allowing you to personalize your tracker to match your style. The Alta features a slim, rectangular display, while the Alta HR has a slightly larger, circular display. Both devices are lightweight and comfortable to wear, even during sleep.
Activity Tracking: Keeping You Moving
Both the Alta and Alta HR track your steps, distance, calories burned, and active minutes. They also monitor your sleep patterns, providing insights into your sleep quality and duration. However, the Alta HR offers a significant advantage with its heart rate tracking capabilities. This allows you to gain a deeper understanding of your fitness progress and optimize your workouts.
Heart Rate Tracking: A Deeper Dive into Fitness
The Fitbit Alta HR is the clear winner in this category. Its built-in heart rate sensor provides continuous heart rate monitoring, enabling you to track your heart rate zones during workouts, calculate calories burned more accurately, and monitor your overall cardiovascular health. The Alta HR also offers a feature called “Cardio Fitness Level,” which estimates your VO2 Max, a measure of your aerobic fitness.
Connected GPS: Tracking Your Outdoor Adventures
While neither the Alta nor the Alta HR has built-in GPS, both devices can connect to your smartphone’s GPS to track your outdoor runs, walks, and bike rides. This feature allows you to see your route, pace, and distance during your activities, providing a more comprehensive view of your performance.
Notifications and Smart Features: Staying Connected
Both trackers offer basic smart notifications, allowing you to receive calls, texts, and calendar alerts on your wrist. They also have a silent alarm feature that gently vibrates to wake you up without disturbing others. However, the Alta HR has a slightly more advanced notification system, including app notifications from select apps.
Battery Life: Powering Your Fitness
The Fitbit Alta boasts a battery life of up to 5 days, while the Alta HR offers a slightly shorter battery life of up to 7 days. Both devices are capable of lasting through a week of use on a single charge, making them convenient for everyday wear.
Price and Value: Finding the Right Fit for Your Budget
The Fitbit Alta is generally priced lower than the Alta HR. This makes it a more budget-friendly option for those who are looking for a basic fitness tracker with essential features. However, the Alta HR’s heart rate tracking and additional features might be worth the extra cost for users who are serious about their fitness goals.
Which Fitbit Alta is Right for You?
Ultimately, the best Fitbit Alta for you depends on your individual needs and priorities. If you’re looking for a stylish and affordable tracker that monitors your basic activity levels, the Fitbit Alta is a solid choice. However, if you’re interested in heart rate tracking, more accurate calorie burn estimates, and deeper fitness insights, the Fitbit Alta HR offers a more comprehensive experience.
The Verdict: A Fitness Tracker for Every Need
Both the Fitbit Alta and Fitbit Alta HR are excellent choices for fitness enthusiasts looking for a stylish and functional tracker. The Alta offers a budget-friendly option with basic activity tracking features, while the Alta HR provides a more advanced experience with heart rate monitoring and additional features.
Answers to Your Questions
Q: Can I use the Fitbit Alta or Alta HR to track my sleep?
A: Yes, both devices track your sleep patterns, including your sleep duration, sleep stages (light, deep, REM), and wake-up times.
Q: Are the Fitbit Alta and Alta HR waterproof?
A: Both trackers are water-resistant up to 50 meters, meaning you can wear them while swimming or showering. However, they are not designed for diving or other high-pressure water activities.
Q: Can I customize the watch faces on the Fitbit Alta and Alta HR?
A: You can customize the watch faces on both devices by choosing from a selection of pre-designed faces within the Fitbit app. However, you cannot upload custom images or personalize the faces beyond the available options.
Q: What are the main differences between the Fitbit Alta and Alta HR?
A: The main difference between the two devices is the inclusion of a heart rate sensor in the Alta HR. This allows the Alta HR to track your heart rate continuously, provide more accurate calorie burn estimates, and offer features like Cardio Fitness Level.
Q: Which Fitbit Alta is better for tracking workouts?
A: If you’re serious about tracking your workouts, the Fitbit Alta HR is the better choice due to its heart rate tracking capabilities. This allows you to monitor your heart rate zones during workouts, calculate calories burned more accurately, and track your progress over time.