Data protection for fitness trackers
The Fitbit Charge 4 scored highly in the test with precise measurement of the heart rate and convincing analyzes of sleep, sport and exercise. Thanks to its built-in GPS sensor, it records the route while jogging or cycling without a mobile phone. The tape is also clever: it controls Spotify music remotely, is suitable for contactless payment, mirrors incoming messages and sends - in connection with Android - short replies. Shortcomings: The plastic housing quickly gets scratched and doesn't look as valuable, the black and white OLED display is sometimes difficult to read. With the Charge 5 there is now a successor, but it is more expensive.
This is how COMPUTER
BILD tests fitness trackers
Some trackers record
swimming training - and land with a waterproof case. COMPUTER BILD checks the
water column to determine whether the manufacturer's information is correct.
Smartwatch , fitness tracker or sports watch : all wearables
complete the same COMPUTER BILD test. The editors check the sporty and other
functions as well as operation, display, battery, quality and comfort.
• Fitness functions: The most important test point is made
up of the fitness functions, above all the exact heart rate measurement. In the
test, every fitness band competes against a precise reference, the Polar H10
chest strap . The editors rate how well the trackers motivate and how extensive
the functions for exercise and sleep are.
• Other capabilities: COMPUTER BILD also checks whether the fitness trackers also offer messaging, music functions, alarm clocks, calendars and apps.
When doing sports,
the fitness trackers prove how well they record heart rate and the like.
• Operation and display: How quickly the display reacts to
inputs and how clear the menus are, has a decisive effect on the touch for
operation. COMPUTER BILD assesses the legibility in different light situations
in the daylight box in the test laboratory.
• Suitability for everyday use: In a 24-hour long-term test,
the editors assess the wearing comfort, and measurements such as weight and
case size are also important.
• Battery and quality: COMPUTER BILD checks the stamina of
every fitness tracker with pulse measurement and notification reception and -
if possible - with permanent time display. A visual test with checking the gap
dimensions and immersion in the water column as well as a scratch test provide
information about the robustness.
Data protection for
fitness trackers
Fitness trackers collect personal data and health data and save them in an app on the smartphone, which usually sends its data to the manufacturer's cloud. This type of stored data is subject to the strict legal protection of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In February 2021, COMPUTER BILD checked whether the providers comply with the applicable regulations for the most popular fitness apps - and once again found that no provider protects the data "well".