Pedometer Reviews

Accuracy and cool features for $3 and up

Consumer Reports magazine: February 2012

Taking 10,000 steps a day is often touted as the ideal fitness goal. But even 7,000 steps can have health benefits. Pedometers can help you get motivated, plus track your progress. We found that you don’t have to spend much to get an accurate model.

Our test included 10 regular pedometers, three GPS watches, and three cell phone apps that claim to measure steps and distance through your phone’s movement. The recommended models range in price from $3 (for an iPhone app) to $300 (for a Timex watch).

All of the conventional pedometers had excellent or very good step-count accuracy. Two of the three phone apps were also accurate. We found one exception that didn’t perform well. All three GPS watches were excellent outdoors for distance measurement.

Conventional pedometers count steps by detecting movement. Some also calculate calories and distance based on your weight and a stride length that you program in at the beginning of the workout. GPS models are pricier and measure distance outdoors via satellite information. Since GPS watches track distance, not steps, they can also be used for biking and, in some cases, swimming, though we didn’t test those uses. The phone apps measure steps by sensing body motion. They may take more trial and error to use, but also cost the least; all were $4 or less. Subscribe to ConsumerReports.org to learn more about our tests and see our Ratings.

Sign In or Subscribe to read full article and see Ratings

FREE e-mail Newsletters!
Choose from safety, health, cars, and more!

Already signed-up?
Manage your newsletters here too.

Accuracy and cool features for $3 and up

Sign In or Subscribe to read full article and see Ratings

E-mail Newsletters

Connect

Follow us on:

Mobile

ConsumerReports.org

Consumer Reports Network