A Look at the Hugest Differences Between Popular Fitness Trackers

The Fitbit Flex ($100) is a slim, minimalistic wristband. It tracks your activity level, sleep quality, calories burned, and distance traveled; you can program the lights on the band to indicate real-time progress on hitting your goals. The Flex also vibrates to wake you up and wirelessly syncs to automatically update your stats whenever it's in close range of the included Bluetooth-enabled wireless dongle, which plugs into your computer's USB port; you can also wirelessly sync to your iPhone, iPad 3, iPad Mini, or Samsung Galaxy. If you like the features of the Fitbit Flex but don't want to wear a wristband, then try the Fitbit One or Zip.

Another FitBit Flex sibling, the FitBit Force (currently unavailable), is a similar-looking tracker. However, in 2014 the Force was recalled due to an allergic reaction some users experienced when wearing the band. Like the Fitbit Flex, the Force tracks steps, calories, and distance as well as sleep stats; unlike the Flex, the Force also can gauge how many stairs you've climbed and elevation, and it features a display, as well. The water-resistant Force syncs wirelessly and automatically to your iOS or Android phone or computer, so you can view your stats on an app or browser. Since the current Force has been recalled, keep an eye out for the next-generation model of the band soon.

If you want heart rate monitoring, go for the ChargeHR ($150), which is like the Charge, but with an LED wrist sensor that tracks your pulse. Or, athletes and techies alike may want the Surge ($250), a GPS watch and tracker in one. Check out more on the Charge, Charge HR, and Surge on POPSUGAR Tech.

Released in early 2015, the Garmin Vivofit 2 ($100) is a minor update on the original Vivofit: look for a different button, audible alerts, an activity timer, and a backlight on this new version. Even better are the metallic, patterned, and colorful band options that Garmin will be releasing sometime in Spring 2015. Check out more details on the fun color options for the Vivofit 2 here.

The Microsoft Band ($200) works with iPhone, Android, or Windows phones and is designed to be more than a fitness tracker. While it does track your calories, sleep, and steps, the band is also designed to send you email and call notifications, calendar alerts, and social media updates. Add to that its robust fitness capabilities — including GPS mapping, continuous heart-rate monitoring, workout coaching, and sensors that measure the sun's intensity — and you may start to wonder what the Band can't do. Check out more about the Microsoft Band's features on POPSUGAR Tech.

The newest UP tracker, the Jawbone UP4 ($200) has the same capabilities as previous Jawbone models with the addition of heart rate monitoring and American Express tap-to-pay. The splashproof UP4 has an LED light notifiation system and a battery life that can last up to seven days.

If you like your fitness trackers sleek and minimal, then the Misfit Shine ($70) may be for you. The Shine conceals its technology in a metallic orb (choose from four different colors) and tracks steps, calories, and sleep. It can also track activities (running, cycling, and swimming). The circular, waterproof Shine can be worn on your wrist, clipped to your clothing, or worn as a necklace, depending on which accessory you buy, and includes a watch battery that lasts about four months. The lights on the Shine can tell you how much progress you've made that day, but for more detailed information, you'll need the free iOS or Android app; the Shine syncs with the app when you place it on your phone.

The Polar Loop 2 ($120) has all the same features of the Polar Loop, with the addition of smart notifications for calls, messages, and calendar alerts, vibration alerts, and alarms.

The lightweight Withings Pulse OX ($100) is a wrist tracker that also clips onto your clothing and measures steps, distance, elevation, calories, and sleep. When you run, the Pulse shows you how long and how far you've gone. It also measures heart rate and blood oxygen level with a single touch of your finger. Then, sync data wirelessly to your iOS or Android phone with the free Withings app. The Pulse has a battery life of about two weeks before needing to be recharged.