Fitness Trackers:
Fitbit Charge 5 – One of Fitbit’s most popular trackers, the Charge 5 tracks steps, distance, active minutes and calories burned. It also monitors heart rate, offers exercise modes, sleep tracking and more. It has a color touchscreen display, connects to the Fitbit app and offers features like guided breathing sessions. Battery lasts around 7 days. Retails for around $150.
Apple Watch Series 7 – The latest Apple Watch has a larger display area and faster charging than previous models. It tracks activities, workouts, heart rate, sleep and more. Offers ECG app, fall detection and integration with Apple Fitness+ workouts. Connects to iPhone and various apps. Battery lasts around 18 hours. Pricing starts at $399.
Garmin Vivosmart 5 – A simple, durable tracker from Garmin that monitors steps, distance, sleep, calories and intensity minutes. Heart rate is monitored continuously. Offers relaxation timer, breathing sessions and estimated stress levels. Connects to the Garmin Connect app on phone. Battery lasts 7 days. Around $150.
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 – The latest Galaxy Watch runs Wear OS and offers extensive health/fitness tracking including heart rate, ECG, blood oxygen, body composition, sleep and over 90 workout modes. Has GPS, LTE option, ecobattery modes claims 1.5 days on a charge. Integrates with Samsung Health. Starts around $280.
Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 6 – An affordable basic tracker that monitors steps, calories, distance, sleep, heart rate and offers over 30 exercise modes. Has AMOLED color touch display. connects to Mi Fit app. Can receive call/app notifications. Battery lasts around 14 days. Only $50.
Continuous Glucose Monitors:
Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitoring System – Considered the top CGM available, the Dexcom G6 displays glucose levels every 5 minutes. Small sensor inserts under the skin and transmits to a receiver/sharing device. Smartphone app where readings are viewable and to set alerts. Sensor lasts 10 days. Requires fingerpricks for calibrations. Around $400/month if not covered by insurance.
Abbott Freestyle Libre 2 – Like the Dexcom, it has a small sensor inserted that lasts 14 days and transmits readings every minute to a reader or smartphone. No finger pricks needed except initial calibration. Provides glucose trend arrows and customizable alerts. Readings accessible via an app. Retails around $75/14 days but costs vary by insurance coverage.
Medtronic Guardian Connect – Considered the most discreet CGM device, it has a small sensor inserted that lasts 6 days and transmits to a separate transmitter clipped to clothes. Readings viewed on smartphone app. Provides custom alerts, thresholds and shares data with healthcare providers. Sensors need to be changed every 6 days. Monthly costs vary by insurance but often over $100/month.
Eversense Continuous Glucose Monitoring System – Unlike other CGMs, the Eversense sensor inside the body lasts 90 days and is inserted under the skin by a health provider. It transmits to a smart transmitter worn on the arm that displays readings. No fingerpricks needed once sensor inserted. Sensor and transmitter replaced every 3 months. Majority of costs often covered by insurance due to longevity.
All CGMs allow diabetics to closely monitor their glucose levels to better manage their diabetes through diet/exercise/medication adjustments based on the continuous readings. This helps avoid dangerous highs and lows. Insurance coverage and costs remain barriers preventing greater access and adoption of this important medical technology for many people with diabetes.
Fitness trackers have become ubiquitous wellness devices in recent years that allow users to easily track their daily activities, exercise, sleep quality and other health metrics from their wrist. While basic trackers just monitor steps, distance, activity etc, higher-end models from Apple, Samsung, Fitbit offer extensive workout tracking options, heart rate monitoring, ECG/EKG functions, stress tracking, sleep analysis and more. The wide array of trackers at various price points has democratized health monitoring for the masses while also sparking healthy competition between tech giants. As new sensors are incorporated, data privacy and regulation remain ongoing concerns as these devices become central hubs of personal wellness information. Both types of devices reviewed here represent important advancements in digital health and personalized, preventative care through constant, 24/7 monitoring of key indicators. As technology improves further and costs decrease, their potential to positively transform global health is vast.