What is the Best Pedometer? Reviews of the Top Rated Brands

With all the health gadgets, one can use, why is that we humans are still bothered by many ailments? Might it be because most do not bother to monitor the basic stats before it’s too late? In this pedometer reviews, I will be discussing the merits of using a good brand and how you can use one to walk or run your way to optimum health.

I can tell you that having one is the ultimate motivation for making a healthier choice in your daily activities. Before I get to the best pedometers with the most desirable features and performance metrics, let’s truly define what a pedometer is.

What is a Pedometer?

In simple terms, a good pedometer can be described as a portable electronic device that can be worn on the wrist or other body parts, and it is capable of counting the steps taken by a runner or walker. The best pedometer will give you other vital stats, including the distance walked within a specific time frame.

Some are capable of giving you the information automatically while some of the best inexpensive pedometers will require you input some data before you can view the required information. At least, most brands will allow you to calibrate the device to make sure it is functioning optimally, with every stride you take.

Pedometers are commonly worn on the wrist, legs, or on a runner’s belt. Most are so comfortable that you can wear them throughout the day. With the advances in computer health technology, it is now possible to transfer the calculated information into health program APPs for better data analysis.

Using most accurate pedometer is one of the best ways to bring precision into your workout routines. Knowing the amount of step or strides will help dieters develop better calorie counting metrics. Knowing the number of stride or steps makes it easier to figure out the number of calories burned, thus making it easier to develop more robust weight loss stories.

Whether you like to walk or run, using a pedometer is the ideal way to track your progress. Until you’ve tried one out, do not judge the device by looking at the small size. I have seen best pedometer watch with advanced features that gives athletes the option of tracking physical improvement with amazing precision.

Different Types of Pedometers

The types of pedometers are increasing in this sports health equipment niche market. The way you intend to use your pedometer will determine what type of design you’ll select. If you’re comfortable wearing one and checking your stats regularly, a wrist watch pedometer might be to your liking.

So the type of pedometers listed might not be totally complete, and if you do run across one we missed, please list it in the comment section. With so many confusions about the types, I have listed the most popular ones and also created a section for the mechanisms embedded in each style.

1 – Pedometer Watches

Pedometer watches are the most popular, and you can find them in three different varieties.

Separate Sensor – Just like the name implies, this type will have a separate sensor you wear in your shoe or waistband. It is the sensor that sends timely information to the watch.

Uses GPS – I have seen pedometer watches designed to use the closest GPS satellites to measure the distance and speed you’ve traveled. The relevant information is instantly transferred to the watch. Some might also require the use of a separate sensor.

The pitfall of using GPS models is that your steps might not be counted. Also, if you conduct any workouts indoors like walking on a treadmill, the distance traveled will not be acknowledged.

Watch Sensor – Most of the top rated pedometer watches are designed with built-in sensors. While the sensor is able to detect arm motion easily, getting it to register all the steps will become a problem if you do not use enough arm motion.

In a nutshell, best wrist pedometer watches will enable you to track running and walking workouts, but might short-change you on total daily steps. Even while using highly rated top models, the battery life will be short-lived if you use it often.

Expect to charge it often, as the battery life will only last for a few days when fully charged. The older models are clunky and not fashionable while the latest designs are more aesthetically pleasing to most joggers and runners.

2 – Computer-Enabled Pedometers

One might call this design style old fashion, but many people still love and buy them. The main similarity is that you can hook one up to a computer or digital device via USB connection.

Some will have a display screen on the pedometer while others will only show you data when you plug it into another network. You usually can only track distance and speed while the step counts are ignored.

3 – Other types of pedometers can be called pocket pedometer, open-face pedometer, and flip-case pedometer. Within each, you’ll find many variations of designs and features, and each has many advantages and disadvantages based on how you need to use the device.

What about Pedometer Mechanisms?

If you open up any pedometer, you’re bound to find many variations of mechanisms. It is the unique mechanism that affects the longevity, accuracy, and the details of the data produced by the pedometer.

Spring-Levered Pedometers – Within your best inexpensive pedometer you’ll find spring-levered mechanisms. A spring is engaged downward for it to be able to count a step. After each count, the spring will return to its original position.

The most annoying aspect of using one is the constant clicking sound heard with every step you take. Among this type you’ll find two types of springs: coiled spring and hairspring. You’ll find that coiled spring pedometers are more accurate, but much more expensive.

Piezo-electric Pedometers – Some might know them as Accelerometers. Since pedometers with Piezo-electric mechanism have no moving parts, they tend to be more accurate than the pedometers with spring levers. An accelerometer produces no clicking sound but uses a strain gauge to measure how fast you’re going. Most are designed to use battery power to function.

What to Look for When Searching for Your Own Pedometer

As you know, pedometers can be found as basic devices or advanced technological gadgets, which makes finding the right one a difficult challenge to say the least. If you have a better perception of your own needs, finding your own best pedometer becomes easier.

If you want a device to calculate your walk around the block, the pedometer for your needs will be quite different than the one desired by a professional runner or jogger. It is also true that the most accurate pedometers are the ones you can wear on your hip.

Here are some of the most notable features you should watch out for:

Watch out for tracking and recording. You pedometer is just as good as the accuracy it can deliver. Fancy designs are meaningless, if it is not accompanied with a device that can accurately give you the data you seek.

Pay attention to the design style. Some might say the best place to wear your pedometer even with a sensor is on your hips. That might be true if all you want to measure is your step count. I do find that pedometers with an additional sensor deliver better accuracy than all in one model.

The battery life should be considered. What good is a pedometer if the battery life does not last as long as you want it to. The battery life will determine how long you can use the device before it needs replacement or recharging.

Do you want other options included? With all the advancement in computer technology, it is now possible to input your workout data into many types of digital devices for further analysis. There are many APPs built for enhancing the functionality of even your cheapest pedometer.

Wearable wrist pedometers might also have features that make it able to deploy the device as stop watches, altimeters, and speedometers. One with a robust memory to store information for days should be chosen over others with the same performance metrics.

Best Pedometer Reviews

1 – Omron HJ-321 Pedometer Reviews

Omron needs no introduction, for they make so many health related products and some of them do dominate their market niches. In this Omron hj 321 reviews, let’s take a closer look at the device some might call one of the most accurate pedometers at an affordable price.

Pros:

It is designed to use the latest smart sensor technology, thus guaranteeing it won’t leave any steps uncounted for the most accurate results you can find in a cheap waistband pedometer.

The tri-axis technology used to design the device allows you to place the pedometer almost anywhere on your body, and the most accurate reliable data will be delivered. You just place the Omron pedometer at your most comfortable body part position, and it will function admirably.

Omron hj 321 pedometer has all the features you need to accurately record your track steps, aerobic or brisk steps, including distance and calories burned. These are the facts you need to keep engaged and motivated each day.

It has an auto reset feature, which automatically wipes off all data at midnight so it is ready for use the next day.

Embedded within is a 7-day memory feature, thus guaranteeing that all your crucial information for the last seven days can be retrieved for further analysis.

Cons:

This pedometer from Omron is fine if you want to track your small walks and daily activities, but might not be feature rich enough for budding athletes or professional runners. The functionality delivered by the device is basic at best, and cannot be integrated with smartphones or other digital devices.

Bottom Line:

Omron hj-321 tri-axis pedometer is ideal for someone new to using this type of activity tracking device. It is not only affordable, but the embedded features will work fine to track some of your daily activities with accurate data stored for your convenience. It is not the best pedometer on the market, but it does deliver accurate information for the activities it can track.

2 – Omron Pedometer HJ-112 Review

Omron hj-112 digital pocket pedometer is supposed to be the next step up from the model reviewed above. Omron hj-112 does have some features that are missing in the Omron hj 321. Most important of all, the customer feedback for this Omron pedometer is one of the best I have seen in the industry.

Pros:

Regardless of how you position the device, it will track steps quietly and accurately.

The automatic reset button will ensure your last day activities data are not combined with another day’s data.

Omron hj-112 pedometer is capable of storing up to 7-days’ worth of data, which you can use for further analysis of your workout progress.

By using the hj-112 from Omron you can keep track of aerobic steps, time, track steps, distance, calories burned, and also fat grams burned.

Best of all, it has the built-in capability to track both brisk and regular steps in separate modes.

Omron pedometer hj-112 can be attached to the user’s body, or a bag the wearer is carrying and the data will still be completely accurate.

The ease of use is also way above the rest, due to the three large buttons and a large text display. You can use it for small walks or other daily life activities, and your outputted data will still be accurate.

Cons:

Despite all the fine and adorable features, this pedometer from Omron lacks backlit features, thus making it more difficult to utilize the device at night.

It is a shame it does not have the features to make seamless integration with smartphones and other digital devices possible.

Bottom Line:

Just for clarity sake, this is a far better model than the Omron HJ-321 Pedometer. The ability to track six different activities makes it ideal for those with an active lifestyle. One might call it an exceptional device, due to the embedded dual-axis technology.

The simple interface and large text makes it easier to read the created data. For those looking to lose weight or keep better track of calories burned, this best pedometer will not disappoint. This model offers better performance metrics over the other best inexpensive pedometers one can find online.

3 – CSX Walking 3d Pedometer Review

CSX walking 3d pedometer activity fitness tracker is designed to help you stay healthy and fit. It has the features needed to keep you motivated and on track towards your weight loss goals. While the company is fairly new, the sales of the device and the outpouring of awesome feedbacks from existing users made it possible to make our pedometer reviews list.

Pros:

CSX walking 3d pedometer uses one of the most advanced tri-axis silent walk sensor technology to track all your movement for accurate data recording.

Where you can put the CSX pedometer is up to you, as long as you’re carrying it on your body or in your purse or bag, the data recorded will be as accurate as you expect.

The sensor technology is so accurate that it will only count consecutive steps for best-recorded data.

CSX 3d walking pedometer gives you the ability to monitor the distance you’re walked in either kilometers or miles. It will also allow you to know the amount of calories burned, and your daily step count.

Apart from the 18 months warranty that comes with your purchase of the CSX walking 3d pedometer, you also get a complimentary eBook Pdf titled “Walk Yourself Fitter”. You can also find online setup demonstration video.

Cons:

With over 95% approval rating, some customers had negative stuff to say about the device. Some users had a problem with the screen going blank after a few days, without any user input.

Some complained that the pedometer from CSX 3d over counted the steps during workouts. Some wished the device came with a longer and stronger clip.

Bottom Line:

CSX walking 3d pedometer is able to help you keep accurate records of your activities. It has a double line LCD display technology and has a clock with 12/24 hours display format. From my research, this model is more comparable to the Omron HJ-321 Pedometer.

4 – Omron HJ-720ITFFP Pocket Pedometer Reviews

In this niche activity tracking devices market, Omron dominates with so many good products like the Omron hj-720itffp pocket pedometer. It’s truly affordable and offers many good performance metrics one can use to achieve better weight loss results.

Pros:

Omron hj-720itffp is as simple as an activity tracker can be. You can use it to create specialized tracking modes including monitoring your steps, calories burned, aerobic exercise steps and distance traveled tracking.

Omron hj-720itc pocket pedometer comes with an additional feature to independently keep track of performance or workout gains on a ten-minute rolling basis.

Omron pedometer hj-720itc is capable of storing your data for an amazing 41 days. With this long-term data accumulated, you can keep better track of your performance with good comparison metrics.

You can use the device as a regular watch, as it has a large display of the current date and time.

Let’s not forget the running software one can use to upload the data into your computer or digital device. There are many health related APPs one can use to analyze the data for better insights into how you’re staying within your weight loss goals.

Cons:

With all the amazing feedbacks from most of the users of the Omron hj-720itc, some considered the device on the large side, which makes it harder to put it inside a regular pocket. Since it has no backlit features, it is close to impossible to read or see the collected data at night.

Bottom Line:

Omron hj-720itc is a good product with a good pricing structure. For less than the cost of a few weeks of Starbucks cappuccino, one can get better results from using Omron HJ-720ITFFP Pocket Pedometer.

The workout data collected is stored for about forty-one days, and you have unlimited options as to how you can utilize it for better optimum health.