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Android Authority
12-07-2025
- Health
- Android Authority
This $99 discreet, subscription-free fitness band is a good budget Whoop tracker alternative
Amazfit Helio Strap The Amazfit Helio Strap isn't trying to be a high-powered training tool, but instead a comfortable, distraction-free fitness and health tracker that delivers solid wellness insights without the bloat of a screen or the burden of a subscription. If you're after a low-maintenance wearable that quietly does its job and lets you focus on your day, it's a great value at $99. I'm a screen fiend as much as the next shopper, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate a distraction-free wearable. Amazfit's Helio Strap is the latest minimalist fitness tracker designed for those who want passive, no-fuss monitoring. At just $99 with no subscription fees, it's an attractive, budget-friendly option with a good amount to offer. After spending some time with it, I can say it's not going to topple Whoop anytime soon, but it holds its own as a solid activity tracker that stays out of your way. Screen-free and comfortable all-day wear Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority Amazfit's new Helio Strap drops into the landscape with an unassuming build and a complete lack of display. The result is a noticeably lightweight design. At just 20 grams, it's one of the lightest wearables I've worn. The strap itself is adjustable with a velcro closure, officially listed as fitting wrist sizes from 145mm to 205mm. It's very slightly big for my wrist, which is just shy of 145mm, so you'll see in the photos how I have to pull the closure all the way up alongside the tracking device. This looks a little less refined than it would otherwise, and it tended to catch on things, but it's still comfortable overall and stayed put throughout my review. If I'm being picky, I would have preferred the logo in a more subtle tone like gray or white, rather than the brand's iconic orange. Unlike Whoop, Amazfit doesn't offer any alternative ways to wear the tracker secured in clothing, but the company's site does tease an armband option coming soon. For now, the simple nylon strap wristband is comfortable for all-day wear. My only complaint is that, like all fabric bands, it takes a long time to dry out, which meant after a sweaty gym session, I was left with that gross feeling akin to wearing socks after you've stepped in a kitchen puddle. The material comes in two colorways. I tested the black option, which still looks good after a week of use. I can't imagine the white colorway would hold up quite as well on the hikes and outdoor workouts I completed. Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority The tracker itself is loaded with sensors to monitor heart rate, HRV, SpO₂, skin temperature, and stress levels, providing continuous, behind-the-scenes tracking while you forget you've even strapped it on. Compared to testing a new smartwatch or traditional tracker, the strap feels incredibly low-maintenance. It doesn't tempt me to tap through arbitrary settings or distract me with notifications. There's a vibration alert available for alarms (which I really appreciate), but otherwise, no pings or pulls on my attention. First and foremost, the Helio Strap is a distraction-free fitness tracker. In a word, it's pleasant. Like the Whoop band, the Helio Strap is ideal for anyone who doesn't need on-wrist data or smart features, just passive health tracking with all the insights waiting in the app. Personally, I'd consider wearing this over a smart ring. It doesn't get in the way during lifts or on handled machines and offers a similar level of subtlety. Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority It also boasts fantastic battery life, so I rarely have to think about it. The strap features a 10-day battery life claim, and so far in my review period, that seems about right if not a little underestimated. After 8 days of testing, I still have about 30 percent left. Compared to smartwatches, or even my Oura Ring 4 (which is my go-to wearable for screenless tracking), more than a week between charges is an amazing luxury. A useful (but basic) activity tracker Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority As mentioned, it tracks a wide range of health and fitness metrics, including daily steps, calories burned, stress levels, and PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence), plus continuous heart rate (resting and during workouts), heart rate variability, skin temperature, and detailed sleep data. It even monitors respiration rate during sleep and can be used for non-medical grade sleep apnea detection. For training purposes, the band also tracks Exertion, or your total daily energy output (in direct contrast to your rest/sleep data), and provides metrics like training status, training load, and recovery time. The strap measures all the basics, plus a readiness-style BioCharge score. Amazfit also introduces BioCharge, a readiness-style energy score similar to Garmin's Body Battery. This metric centers the dashboard of the companion app, and I found these big-picture metrics super useful, though I'm not convinced it's being executed perfectly. My workouts didn't always logically impact my score, and my perceived energy didn't align as closely as I would have expected. Still, if you use your BioCharge for general guidance and throw in the Exertion and sleep scores, the strap offers plenty of general insights. The key to accurate measurement is accurate heart rate data, and there, Amazfit delivers. I tested the strap throughout a variety of workouts and was overall impressed with its heart rate sensor. For a majority of the workouts, the device showed close alignment with my dedicated chest strap, an impressive result at this price. It did, however, struggle at times to pick up heart rate spikes, even compared to other wrist-based wearables. On the graph above, you can see where my Garmin Watch (which aligned with my chest strap) registered my heart rate jumping immediately when I started an intense interval. The Helio Strap, on the other hand, lags behind, recording values roughly 20bpm off. It eventually catches up, though, and did considerably well for the remainder of the workout; it's just worth noting that it isn't going to give you pinpoint accuracy. Still, I was happy with the results overall throughout this review. With that said, the Helio Strap isn't a Whoop strap, and I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for serious athletes. Its companion app lacks the same training depth, and some of the tracking algorithms and software integration need polishing. For part of this review, I ran into issues populating an Exertion score. Automatic workout detection is also laughably unreliable. (If I actually worked out every time the Strap recorded a workout, I'd be much fitter.) Instead, the Helio Strap is better suited for users who care more about daily health trends than fine-tuned recovery or strain scores. Post-workout analysis exists in the Zepp app, but it's not front and center. Like Amazfit's Helio Ring, the strap is also compatible as a partner device to the brand's watches, which remain stronger picks for training with real-time data and guidance. The strap also doesn't pack GPS, so it can't record routes like the Balance 2 or Active lineup. Amazfit Helio Strap review: The verdict Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority The Amazfit Helio Strap isn't trying to be everything, and that's the heart of its appeal. It's not flashy, it's not overloaded with features, and it won't impress hardcore athletes chasing precise training metrics. But if you're looking for a lightweight, screen-free companion that quietly tracks your wellness, the strap makes a strong case. With solid sensor performance, excellent battery life, and no subscription fees, it's a refreshingly simple alternative in a market full of bloated smart tech. Compared to the Whoop 5.0 , it boasts a very attractive one-time price tag of just $99. Just don't expect perfection or a polished training suite, and you'll likely be pleasantly surprised by what Amazfit delivers for the price. Amazfit Helio Strap Budget-friendly price point with no subscription fee • Comfortable, lightweight, screen-free design • Broad range health and fitness tracker MSRP: $99.99 Distraction- and subscription-free fitness tracker. The Amazfit Helio Strap is a comfortable, distraction-free fitness tracker that delivers solid wellness insights without the bloat of a screen or the burden of a subscription. See price at Amazon Positives Budget-friendly price point with no subscription fee Budget-friendly price point with no subscription fee Comfortable, lightweight, screen-free design Comfortable, lightweight, screen-free design Broad range health and fitness tracker Broad range health and fitness tracker Useful haptics for alarms and timers Cons Imperfect heart rate data Imperfect heart rate data Unreliable automatic workout detection Unreliable automatic workout detection Analysis tools could use refinement
Gizmodo
09-07-2025
- Health
- Gizmodo
Oura Ring 4 On Sale for the First Time Ever, Amazon Crushes the Price for Prime Day
The Oura Ring 4th generation entered the market a few months ago, and it immediately became known as one of the most advanced smart rings in existence. Up until today, there was never a discount available on this product – either on Amazon or elsewhere. In honor of Prime Day, Amazon is going against the norm with the first-ever price cut on Oura Ring 4: With a 15% reduction on all sizes, you can now buy the Oura Ring 4 in silver, size 10, for $297 from $349. Other sizes are also on sale, but some of them are already sold out. See at Amazon Oura Ring 4 is a powerful health and wellness tracker that gives you intimate knowledge of your body and habits. The ring tracks over 30 biometrics including sleep, heart rate, movement, stress, and women's health metrics. With its advanced Smart Sensing technology, the Oura Ring 4 adapts to your unique patterns and delivers accurate and continuous data around the clock. The ring quietly collects and analyzes your health data, and helps you make better decisions about your lifestyle. One of the main reasons people are such big fans of the Oura Ring 4 is because of its focus on sleep tracking: The ring monitors your sleep pattern, sleep duration, and sleep quality, and provides you with a detailed report every morning through the Oura app. Whether you aim to improve your sleep hygiene or understand how lifestyle affects your sleep, the Oura Ring 4 provides you with actionable data that is easy to grasp. It also takes your heart rate variability, body temperature rhythms, and even oxygen saturation readings, and presents you with an all-encompassing perspective of your well-being. With a potential battery life of eight days on a single charge, you can wear it without thinking about needing to recharge it often. The ring offers 24/7 wear without screens and vibration to draw your attention away from your normal daily routines. Its all-titanium build makes it extremely resilient and the redesigned style ensures a soothing fit for day and night wear—even for sensitive skin. Water resistance provides the convenience of not needing to remove it for handwashing, showers, or even swimming. The Oura Ring 4 synchronizes effortlessly with both Android and iOS devices and is compatible with more than 40 leading health and fitness apps such as Apple Health, Google Health Connect, Strava, Flo, and Natural Cycles. With this, it is effortless to have all your health information in one location and maximize your preferred wellness platforms. As a part of your purchase, you'll get a free Oura membership month which unlocks all premium features in the Oura app. This Prime Day discount is only for Amazon Prime members, and with the popularity of the Oura Ring 4, it won't stay around long. See at Amazon
CNA
27-06-2025
- Health
- CNA
Samsung Galaxy Ring review: Sleek, discrete approach to health tracking
If you're an Android user looking for detailed health insights from a discrete wearable, the Samsung Galaxy Ring could be up your alley. It offers round-the-clock tracking of your activity and sleep patterns without the bulk of a smartwatch. It also has good battery life and stands up to the rigours of daily use. It presents this information in easy-to-understand charts on the Samsung Health app and doesn't require a monthly subscription to access detailed health data. After two months of use, here are my impressions of the Galaxy Ring's features – kudos, caveats and all. WHAT IS IT? This Samsung smart ring is a wearable health tracker that monitors your health metrics including heart rate, step count, calories burnt and sleep data. It syncs with the Samsung Health app and offers AI-driven Wellness Tips for compatible Samsung phones. The tips – based on your health metrics – are helpful but generic. 'Why not take a moment to relax with some breathing exercises?'. Although its basic, there's still much to be said for timely, common-sense advice. It's available in Titanium Black, Titanium Silver and Titanium Gold. I used the latter, which I felt (and my family confirmed) gave off serious Uncle vibes. WHY USE A SMART RING? I've become more concerned about maintaining my health and trying to stay active. I found this device – an unobtrusive health tracker that fit into my daily routine – intriguing. My smartphone can't track my heart rate during a swim or when I'm asleep. It's also an encumbrance I don't need on a run. Another feature I appreciated: Users don't need to pay a monthly subscription to access detailed health data. However, some features are only available on Samsung devices. HOW DOES ACTIVITY AND SLEEP TRACKING HELP? My daily activity and sleep stats were presented in simple charts that were easy to understand. It presents an overview which includes steps taken, active time and activity calories. More detailed metrics are also available. For instance, it can track sleep stages, skin temperature during sleep, heart and respiratory rates. I know how important deep sleep – when the body regenerates cells – is to overall wellbeing. But seeing the metrics of how more consistent and earlier sleep times improved my amount of deep sleep was enlightening. The net effect? This motivated me to stay more active and sleep earlier to avoid 'bad' scores. On that front alone, it was a win for my personal health goals. WHAT'S IT LIKE TO USE DAILY? Pair it with your phone and your activity metrics are updated whenever you open the Samsung Health app. If your phone is not in range, the ring stores the information first. When your phone is in range again, it updates the app with your latest metrics. I used this IP68-rated device 24/7. It followed me on short swims, when washing dishes and in the shower. I barely noticed it was there. Samsung recommends wearing it on the index finger for double-pinch gesture control. This can be used to take photos on Samsung phones. I used it on my middle finger as it felt more comfortable and was still able to use gesture control. My initial concerns about scratching or scuffing the ring were unfounded – its titanium frame held up well in daily use. GALAXY RING BATTERY LIFE As far as fitness trackers go, its battery life is good. Samsung claims that ring sizes 12 and 13 offer up to 7 days of battery life, while sizes 5-11 last up to 6 days. I used a size 11 ring. After four days of constant use, the ring had about 25 per cent charge left and I usually charged it in the middle or near the end of Day 5 to avoid running the battery flat. WHAT ARE ITS LIMITATIONS? First off, this is an Android-only device – sorry, iPhone users. Some features like your Energy Score are only available to users who have a Samsung Galaxy AI phone. The Energy Score is given at the start of your day and is based on data including sleep, activity and your sleeping heart rate. IS THE SAMSUNG GALAXY RING WORTH IT? If you're an Android user after a sleek, low-key health tracker, the Samsung Galaxy Ring (S$426; Usual Price: S$538; 18% off) might be right for you. It monitors your activity and sleep 24/7, lasts several days on a charge and easily handles daily wear. Your health metrics are shown in simple charts via the Samsung Health app – no subscription needed. Get it if: You want 24/7 sleep and heart rate tracking, gain better health insights and want a low-key health tracker that fits your daily routine. Pros: Good battery life, health information presented in easy-to-understand format, unobtrusive, sleek design
Fast Company
23-06-2025
- Health
- Fast Company
Extreme heat is coming, but CDC's Heat and Health Tracker website says it's no longer being maintained
If you've spent any time reading the news, listening to the radio, or talking to just about anyone, you know that a big heat wave is expected to make its way across the United States. But you might not be able to expect much help from the federal government if you want to monitor heat-related risks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) appears to have stopped updating part of its Heat & Health Tracker. The top of the page reads, 'This website is no longer being maintained, and no new data will be added.' Fast Company has reached out to the CDC for comment and will update this post if we hear back. The Heat & Health Tracker allowed users to gather information about their county, such as daily heat-related illness rates. The map rated each area from 'little to none' to 'extreme' based on emergency department visits due to heat-related illness. The map currently only displays information up until May 21, 2025. Some functions are still working Despite the website's statement that no new data will appear, some of the Heat & Health Tracker's information is still up to date. The HeatRisk tool, which is sourced by the National Weather Service (NWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), was still showing updated data as of Friday. Notably, in May NOAA stopped tracking weather disasters brought on by climate change after decades of doing so. As of publication, visitors to the site can still plug in their zip code and see today's HeatRisk, air quality, and actions they can take to protect their health. It also shows the HeatRisk forecast for the next six days. The HeatRisk map, launched last year, does come with a disclaimer stating, 'HeatRisk is an experimental product and is not supported 24/7. Changes may occur without advance notice.' Under President Donald Trump's second administration, government resources and funding have disappeared left and right. On Tuesday, the Trevor Project received notice that the national suicide hotline must close its LGBTQ+ youth services by July 17. Since 2022, the nonprofit for LGBTQ+ suicide prevention group has worked with the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to support individuals who contact the 988 Lifeline.
Fast Company
20-06-2025
- Health
- Fast Company
A heat wave is coming, but CDC's Heat and Health Tracker website says it's no longer being maintained
If you've spent any time reading the news, listening to the radio, or talking to just about anyone, you know that a big heat wave is expected to make its way across the United States. But you might not be able to expect much help from the federal government if you want to monitor heat-related risks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) appears to have stopped updating part of its Heat & Health Tracker. The top of the page reads, 'This website is no longer being maintained, and no new data will be added.' Fast Company has reached out to the CDC for comment and will update this post if we hear back. The Heat & Health Tracker allowed users to gather information about their county, such as daily heat-related illness rates. The map rated each area from 'little to none' to 'extreme' based on emergency department visits due to heat-related illness. The map currently only displays information up until May 21, 2025. Some functions are still working Despite the website's statement that no new data will appear, some of the Heat & Health Tracker's information is still up to date. The HeatRisk tool, which is sourced by the National Weather Service (NWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), was still showing updated data as of Friday. Notably, in May NOAA stopped tracking weather disasters brought on by climate change after decades of doing so. As of publication, visitors to the site can still plug in their zip code and see today's HeatRisk, air quality, and actions they can take to protect their health. It also shows the HeatRisk forecast for the next six days. The HeatRisk map, launched last year, does come with a disclaimer stating, 'HeatRisk is an experimental product and is not supported 24/7. Changes may occur without advance notice.' Under President Donald Trump's second administration, government resources and funding have disappeared left and right. On Tuesday, the Trevor Project received notice that the national suicide hotline must close its LGBTQ+ youth services by July 17. Since 2022, the nonprofit for LGBTQ+ suicide prevention group has worked with the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to support individuals who contact the 988 Lifeline.
