Are you looking for a fitness tracker band or a fitness tracker smartwatch to improve your basketball potency? Well, if you are scouring the internet to find the best fitness trackers for increasing your workout efficiency to prepare yourself for a volatile match, then you’ve arrived at the right place.
Most athletes and fitness enthusiasts are starting to rely on fitness trackers to maximize their workout ability. The activity/ fitness trackers have the potential to make your work easy by letting you know the exact progress of your workout sessions. It also motivates you by setting goals every day.
Here, not only you will come across some of the best fitness trackers for basketball, but along with that, I have also covered several essential factors that will help you choose the best one for you.
Quick Navigation
- Things To Consider Before Choosing A Fitness Tracker For Basketball
- Fitness Tracker & Smartwatch For Basketball Comparison Table
- Best Fitness Trackers For Basketball
- Best Smartwatches For Basketball
- Final Verdict: Best Fitness Trackers For Basketball
- FAQs
Things To Consider Before Choosing A Fitness Tracker For Basketball
1. Comfortability
The top priority should be given to comfort. No sportsperson wants to wear something that is not comfortable, whether it’s a T-shirt, shorts, jacket, or shoes. Well, a fitness tracker shouldn’t be treated differently.
While scrolling the list of best fitness trackers for basketball, do not choose the one that seems to be heavy. That’s because during an important match you definitely don’t want to get bothered by something on your wrist; right?
A fitness tracker that is a little bit heavy can be perfect if it would be used during walks or routine workout sessions due to the one-way nature of those fitness activities. However, we are knowledgeable that basketball is far different because of its competitive approach. You cannot let your basketball match suffer from something that’s irritating you on your wrist.
2. Durability
Secondly, you need to check whether the fitness tracker is durable or not. The materials used to make the tracker should be of good quality because basketball is a game that involves defensive skills such as basket cuts, passing the ball, and a lot more. So, you shouldn’t buy a low-priced or low-quality fitness tracker that can break while you are playing hard to win the game.
3. Accuracy
While you are working on your fitness goals, a tracker that doesn’t show accurate data can hold you back in the game. So, do proper research in regards to data accuracy when viewing a list of fitness trackers.
4. Waterproof
Water-resistance is one of the crucial features that should be looked for when searching for the best fitness tracker for basketball. This is not only a plus point for bathing or swimming, but also sweat. A sweat-resistant fitness tracker can be an excellent option for basketball players.
5. Battery Life
Nobody has the time to charge their fitness tracker every now and then, so it’s important that you keep a watch’s battery life on high priority. Also, having a fitness tracker or smartwatch with a good battery life can be a relief as you don’t have to worry about the battery getting low or discharged when you’re midway in the match.
Fitness Tracker & Smartwatch For Basketball Comparison Table
IMAGE | PRODUCT | SPECIFICATIONS | VIEW ON AMAZON |
Best Fitness Tracker For Basketball  | Fitbit Inspire HR |
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Best Smartwatch For Basketball  | Fitbit Versa 3 |
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Cheap Fitness Band For Basketball  | Amazfit Band 5 |
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Best Smartwatch For Sports Including Basketball  | FitPolo Smartwatch |
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Best Fitness Trackers For Basketball
1. Fitbit Inspire HR
I have started the list with Fitbit Inspire HR, which runs up to 5 days once fully charged. Also, when the tracker gets completely discharged, it gets charged up to 100% in 2 hours.
The fitness band comes with a simple design, and it can easily be used for multi-purposes. It is a lightweight tracker that weighs just 20 grams and it doesn’t let you feel that you are wearing something on your wrist. However, I would suggest that if you are looking for a fitness tracking band that is more on a masculine side, then Fitbit Charge 4 would be a good option as this one is a bit dainty.
It comes with a 24*7 heart rate monitor that lets you know your heart rate while doing any activity. Plus, it comes with a heart rate zones feature that tracks your heart rate and informs you about the intensity of your exercises. There are three heart rate zones namely fat burn, cardio & peak. In the fat burn zone, you perform lightweight fitness activities, cardio is for high-intensity exercises like running, & peak is when you perform difficult sports activities like uphill running. Therefore, depending on your workout, the watch would assign you a heart rate zone which helps you in assessing the impact of your fitness routine.
Moreover, Fitbit Inspire HR does a great job of accurately tracking the speed and the distance traveled during your long walks or while you are out cycling. However, you will have to carry your smartphone with you as the fitness tracker does not have an in-built GPS. So, you will need the GPS of your smartphone to keep a track of your speed and route.
Similar to every Fitbit wearable, Fitbit Inspire HR monitors your sleep automatically. It even keeps a record of your short naps and the recorded data can be viewed on the supporting app on your smartphone.
Moreover, it comes with notification alerts so you don’t have to take the phone out of your pocket every time. You will get an alert whenever a text message or call is received on your smartphone. Hence, you will not get distracted in the middle of the game.
On a final note, Fitbit Inspire HR can be an important tool for basketball players. Also, it is an affordable fitness tracker for beginners.
2. Amazfit Band 5
The next fitness tracker on the list is Amazfit Band 5 which comes with better battery life than the previously listed fitness band. It is also available in 2 more eye-catchy colors – green and orange. Interestingly, the band has a similar build as Xiaomi Mi Band 5, except for the display size. To be more precise, Amazfit Band 5 has a smaller display. However, the size doesn’t matter as the 1.1” sized AMOLED display gives you a bright and clear viewing experience.
It can measure your blood oxygen level anywhere and anytime. Hence, you get a clear picture of your physical state. Not only this, but it also has several other vital health monitoring trackers such as a sleep tracker, stress monitor, women’s health tracker, and many more.
Moreover, the fitness band shows you the metrics using the 11 sports mode once you are done with your fitness activities. Also, throughout your workout session, the 24*7 heart rate monitor keeps an eye on your BPM. Along with that, it also lets you know about the time that you’ve spent in specific heart rate zones, varying from yoga to walking to high-intensity cardio workouts.
However, I would also say that one thing that bothers me about the Amazfit band 5 is that it does not have a GPS. So, whenever I go out running or walking, I have to carry my phone along for tracking my outdoor activities.
Lastly, I would say that the fitness band weighs only 0.4 ounces that will stay wrapped around your wrist comfortably for the entire day.
3. Garmin Vivosmart 4
This fitness tracker band from Garmin features a spectacular slim design with an easy-to-read display. Interestingly, the display light turns on when you actually need it and adapts as per light level in your surroundings.
It is worth pointing out that Garmin Vivosmart 4 comes with a non-detachable silicon band. So, take your time to pick between the 3 other color variants. In addition to that, I have seen that several similar-sized fitness trackers come with a push-in deployant clasp, but this tracker has a closure buckle similar to a traditional watch. Well, that’s a good thing because the push-in deployant clasps are not always dependable, especially during working out.
Talking about health features, the band comes with a Pulse Ox sensor, which keeps tabs on your blood oxygen level. In fact, you can also turn the Pulse Ox before going to sleep; that way, you can see if your oxygen level is what it should be while you are asleep. As we are talking about sleep, there’s an advanced sleep monitor in the band that tells you the light, deep, and REM stages of your sleep. Also, it is worth pointing out that Garmin Vivosmart 4 has one of the best sleeping trackers that does a fabulous job of telling your accurate sleeping motions.
However, the most exciting feature about the watch is the Body Battery energy monitor. Impressively, the band takes a number of factors into account, including stress, heart rate variability, sleep, and activity record to tell your body’s energy reserve. To be more precise, it gives you a number between o-100 that denotes how much energy is left in your body. If the number is high, then you can get on with your daily activities. However, when the number starts to drop, you need some rest before moving on to a hectic schedule.
Lastly, the band comes with a stress and heart rate tracker, which notifies you in case of elevated heart rate and stress levels.
4. Garmin Vívofit 4
Here we are with another fitness band from Garmin that would be perfect for Basketball players. Of course, similar to other fitness bands on the list, this one also tracks your steps, distance, and calories burned. It even features a move bar for a sedentary reminder that notifies you to do some physical activity if you’ve been stationary for too long. Also, unlike the other Garmin wearables, Vivofit 4 comes with a sleek build which makes it hardly noticeable.
The Garmin fitness band gives you a weather widget right on your wrist, making it easier to plan your day. If that isn’t enough, the band also allows you to set a reminder and start a countdown. So, if you want to time your running or swimming session, this fitness band got you covered. Vívofit 4 even lets you track your phone if you’ve lost it; what more could you want from a fitness band.
The Garmin Move IQ feature might feel like a blessing if you’re into multiple physical activities. Apparently, it automatically classifies different activities such as running, biking, swimming, and more. So, if you switch to biking after a running session, the watch will automatically start an activity timer. Also, it’s important to note that the band comes with a battery life of more than a year, which is pretty convenient.
You can use Garmin Connect to socialize with other people on the app by sharing your saved activity data. Overall, the fitness band can be a good pick for beginners.
5. Fitbit Flex 2
No fitness enthusiast is a stranger to Fitbit, a brand that offers several fitness products. Well, Fitbit Flex 2 is one of many examples of the brand’s quality work. For starters, it comes with an activity tracker that records your steps, running, calories, and other workouts and brings you all the data on the Fitbit app, which syncs with iPhone, Android, and Windows devices. Besides recording your exercise and sleep data, the Fitbit app features several fitness videos from professional trainers.
The band is so comfortable that it can be easily worn while sleeping. It also has a decent sleep tracker that allows you to set your sleep goals and keep a tab on your sleep duration and quality. On top of that, you can select the alarm in the band that wakes you up in a peaceful manner.
Of course, what good is a Fitness band if it can’t survive water? You’d be delighted to know that Fitbit Flex 2 can survive swimming. It even tracks your swimming session to tell you how many calories you’ve burned during the workout. Finally, the LED lights notify you whenever you get a text and call on your smartphone. So, you don’t have to worry about missing any important calls during your workout in the gym.
However, the drawbacks that I felt are that it does not have a screen so you won’t be able to able to see any data on the band. Secondly, it does not have a heart rate monitor or a GPS.
Best Smartwatches For Basketball
6. Fitbit Versa 3
Previously in the article, I’ve mentioned that Fitbit offers several high-quality fitness products. Well, the Fitbit Versa 3 is another example of the brand’s brilliant work.
The best thing about Fitbit Versa 3 is the Active Zone Minutes feature. Interestingly, this feature tells you when to take your workout to another level based on your workout intensity in order to reach your weekly target of active zone minutes. Of course, the watch’s 24*7 heart rate monitor makes it a perfect fit for Basketball enthusiasts. However, the in-built GPS also makes it suitable for running, biking, or hiking. The GPS allows you to track the distance covered and pace in real-time. This means that you can monitor the outdoor activities without carrying your phone that you were not able to do on the previous generation Fitbit Versa 2.
On top of everything I’ve mentioned, the watch also features a sleep tracker to record your light, deep, and REM sleep time. And, of course, the watch’s ability to keep an eye on your blood oxygen level with the SpO2 sensor is a cherry on top.
Last but not the least, the watch’s built-in Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa support makes it easier to keep an eye on the daily news. You can also use it to answer calls, set reminders and alarms. And to make it even better, the watch’s built-in mic allows you to take Bluetooth calls with a simple voice command. So, if you get an important call while playing basketball then Fitbit Versa 3 has got you covered.
7. Polar Ignite
If you’re a sportsperson for whom staying fit is the topmost priority, then Polar Ignite is the fitness smartwatch for you. Like most modern fitness bands, it also keeps a check on several fitness activities such as walking, running, or high-intensity workouts such as gym workouts, climbing ropes, and many more. In short, the main motive of Polar Ignite is to help you get fit and stay in your best shape.
With its sleep plus stages, Polar Ignite lets you know the quality of your sleep. Along with that, the internal 3d acceleration sensor records the natural movements of your wrist while you change your sleep position. And the wrist-based smart heart rate sensor monitors your beats per minute. These are used to prepare the sleep score that you view the next morning. Also, this will make you figure out whether you should improve your sleep quality or not.
Along with that, it has everything required by a sportsperson or any athlete, including an integrated GPS that lets you know your exact location while you go running or hiking. The serene app provides you with several guided breathing exercises that help you get relief from stress and keep your mind calm.
Moreover, the fitness smartwatch for basketball features a nightly recharge that monitors your recovery from stress and HIIT during the night so that you can make the schedule for the next day accordingly. You also get your personalized workout routine on your watch by the FitSpark training guide. Interestingly, the exercises depend on several factors like the workouts you did a day before and your sleep quality the night before.
8. Fitpolo Smartwatch
Fitpolo Smartwatch is the cheapest fitness tracker for basketball on the list. However, being a low-priced fitness tracker does not mean that it is not worth buying. It comes with all the necessary fitness tracking features that make it one of the best fitness trackers for basketball. The smartwatch is suitable for both men and women.
The smartwatch features a 1.3″ TFT screen that gives you an excellent touchscreen experience. The three-level brightness ensures easy visibility in daylight as well as during the night. Also, the dial gets to lighten up automatically whenever you move or twist your wrist.
It supports and tracks 9 sports like running, treadmill, walking, bicycle, yoga, hike, mountaineering, dynamic cycling, and yoga. And it monitors your workout routine every day and lets you know the progress. Apart from that, the Fitpolo smartwatch gets connected to the GPS on your smartphone via the VeryFitPro app.
Talking about the health sensors, it comes with a heart rate monitor that tracks your heart rate and keeps a record of your heart fluctuations, ranging from static to dynamic. The data can be viewed in the supporting app. Besides this, the sleep tracker monitors your sleep patterns and also keeps an eye on your waking time and sleeping hours.
Final Verdict: Best Fitness Trackers For Basketball
If you want to excel in your basketball game then it is necessary that you continue to work on your fitness. Well, to track the progress of your fitness routine, I have listed the best fitness trackers for basketball players. Out of which, 5 of them are fitness bands and 4 are fitness smartwatches. And, on top of that, I have also listed out the things that need to be looked for while making your final decision.
I hope you were able to find the necessary information you were looking for. I am sure now you would be able to decide which of the above fitness trackers or smartwatches will be suitable for your game. Happy hunting!
FAQs
What Should I Look For When Buying A Fitness Tracker For Basketball?
A fitness tracking band or a smartwatch that consists of all the crucial health/fitness monitoring sensors can be good to go. Besides these, it should also be durable, comfortable and should possess a good battery life.
In Terms Of Battery Life, Which Of The Listed Watch Can Be A Good Option?
Garmin Vivofit 4 has a battery that can last up to more than a year so it can be easily worn 24*7.
Generally, Which Fitness Tracker Is Mostly Preferred By Athletes?
Honestly, there are several fitness trackers that are mostly preferred by athletes. Some of the brands preferred by them are Garmin, Polar, and Suunto.
