Best Alternative to Microsoft Band

The Charge 2 tracks all the necessities, including steps per day, calories burned, and active minutes, and you can see all that information on a bright OLED black and white display. With the Fitbit PurePulse heart-rate monitor attached to the back, you're bound to get accurate results.Although the Charge 2 does have the ability to display notifications from your phone, notifications are still in beta for the Fitbit ecosystem on Windows 10 Mobile. so expect a few issues here and there. The Charge 2 will also keep an eye on you when you're sleeping, and automatically track some exercises, such as running and biking. It can even help you calm down by taking you through breathing exercises.If you feel you need a more substantial overview, check out our in-depth look at the Fitbit Charge 2.Bottom line: The Charge 2 tracks all the necessities and is simple and reliable making it well worth its price tag of $149.One more thing: The Fitbit app looks great on Windows 10 Mobile and functions smoothly, offering a pleasant user experience while providing you with more in-depth statistics on your fitness levels.

The Blaze lets you see your heart rate, steps per day, calories burned and other fitness statistics, all by swiping through the menu with your finger. It also tracks your sleep data and automatically logs certain exercises, such as running and biking. Call, text, and calendar notifications are possible on the Blaze; however, currently that feature is still in beta on Windows 10 Mobile.Bottom line: Fitbit Blaze is very similar to the Charge 2 in functionality, offering the same fitness tracking abilities but on a much more colorful display that's more like a full-fledged smartwatch.One more thing: Blaze costs a little more money than the Charge 2 (usually starting around $199), but you get the added benefit of phone-connected GPS, so serious runners may want to take note.

The Vivosmart HR+ is a solid activity tracker that can track a multitude of different types of exercises, from basic running and biking to more extreme sports like snowboarding, all while using the built-in GPS. That makes the device pretty appealing to serious fitness fanatics. With its onboard heart-rate monitor and Windows 10 Mobile app, you aren't going to have a problem reviewing your progress, and you can rest easy knowing it's accurate data.A significant advantage to Garmin's offering is the ability to dive into the pool and do some laps. That's right. The Vivosmart HR+ has an impressive 5ATM rating, meaning it can be submerged in up to 50 meters of water. This feature-laden fitness track will set you back approximately $199.Bottom line: If you like the look of the Microsoft Band, the Garmin Vivosmart HR+ is probably the closest thing out there in that regard. But it isn't a complete replacement, as Windows Central reviewer George Ponder pointed out in his review.One more thing: While Garmin's product excels at the fitness tracking side of things, it falters when it comes to the smartwatch side. The Vivosmart HR+ says it can receive notifications. However, whether or not you can get them to work may be another question.

If you're hoping for an alternative to the Band that can do the smartwatch thing with a little more finesse, the Vector Smartwatch is an interesting, although more expensive ($299), option.The Vector blends a more traditional watch experience into its design and functionality. It allows you to receive notifications and track activity, and it even has an app store with some basic apps you can download. You can also download and add "Streams." Streams are widgets that can be added to any watch face. These Streams range from basic ones that show you the current weather conditions, to some more specific data, such as a Twitter follower count. You can change the watch face and handle other customization options through the dedicated Windows 10 Mobile app.Bottom line: The app doesn't work flawlessly and is prone to syncing issues, but there is a Windows 10 Mobile app, which is more than you can say about other smartwatches on the market. Plus, new updates have been fixing a slew of problems with the Windows 10 Mobile Creators Update.One more thing: Check out our Senior Editor Zac Bowden's review of the Vector Smartwatch, to find out why it truly provides a different experience than most smartwatches on the market.

The Charge 2 tracks all the necessities, including steps per day, calories burned, and active minutes, and you can see all that information on a bright OLED black and white display. With the Fitbit PurePulse heart-rate monitor attached to the back, you're bound to get accurate results.Although the Charge 2 does have the ability to display notifications from your phone, notifications are still in beta for the Fitbit ecosystem on Windows 10 Mobile.. The Charge 2 will also keep an eye on you when you're sleeping, and automatically track some exercises, such as running and biking. It can even help you calm down by taking you through breathing exercises.If you feel you need a more substantial overview, check out our in-depth look at the Fitbit Charge 2.Bottom line: The Charge 2 tracks all the necessities and is simple and reliable.One more thing: The Fitbit app looks great on Windows 10 Mobile and functions smoothly, offering a pleasant user experience while providing you with more in-depth statistics on your fitness levels.