Can fitness bands detect health problems?

Fitness bands can identify concerning trends — consistently elevated resting heart rate, declining SpO2 levels, or poor sleep quality — that may indicate health issues worth discussing with a doctor. They are not medical devices and cannot diagnose conditions. However, many users have reported that fitness band data prompted them to seek medical attention that led to early detection of conditions like atrial fibrillation and sleep apnea.

Are budget fitness bands accurate enough to be useful?

Yes. Step counting on quality budget bands (Xiaomi, Amazfit, Samsung) is within 3-5% of actual steps — accurate enough for daily activity tracking. Heart rate during moderate exercise is within 5-10 BPM. Sleep tracking identifies sleep/wake periods accurately though sleep stage classification (deep, light, REM) is less precise than dedicated sleep trackers. For general fitness awareness and goal tracking, budget bands are absolutely useful.

Best Fitness Bands Under $40 2026