Amazfit Band 7 Review: The Disappearance of Budget Trackers
Despite its incorporation of a remarkable array of features, this cost-effective fitness band underscores the dwindling popularity of budget trackers, a trend quite distinct from what we’ve seen in the past.
I could conclude my review right here—a nod to Ernest Hemingway’s six-word story, “Baby Shoes.” However, I’m not Hemingway. What I mean to convey is that everything, both positive and negative, regarding the Band 7 can be attributed to its remarkably affordable price.
Normally, when purchasing something at this price point, I brace myself for numerous compromises that make me exclaim, “Ah, that’s why it’s $50.” (Strictly speaking, it’s priced at $49.99, but let’s not fuss over a cent.) Admittedly, I experienced a few of these instances during my time with the Amazfit Band 7 over the past weeks. However, akin to the Fitbit Inspire 3 priced at $99.95, donning the Band 7 transported me back to the early days of wearable technology. This experience highlighted how uncommon fitness bands have become today.
This shift is understandable. The distinction between fitness bands and smartwatches continues to blur, to the extent that I frequently pondered during testing whether anyone would miss fitness bands should they vanish completely. The verdict on that matter is still pending, yet it prompted another query: Where have all the budget fitness trackers disappeared to?
Functional, But Not a Showstopper in Appearance
The Amazfit Band 7 doesn’t exactly win points in the aesthetics department. Donning it won’t attract compliments, and I doubt anyone would give it a second look unless they inquire, “Is that a Fitbit?”
Consider its design. It’s hard to argue otherwise—this gadget isn’t exactly a fashion statement. And to make matters worse, the choice of black as its primary color adds to the lackluster impression. While there are alternatives like pink and beige, their appeal mainly lies in the fact that they deviate from black. This tracker seems tailored for those who prioritize utility over the allure of premium design touches, possibly thinking, “Why would I need any of that?”
Wearing it, however, can be a challenge—especially for those of us in the Tiny Wrist Club. I had to steady it against a table to prevent it from slipping around my wrist as I attempted to fasten the strap. This might be a unique problem for small wrists, but even after succeeding in putting it on, it remained somewhat loose. To achieve a secure fit, I had to position it further up my arm since I was already using the smallest hole on the strap.
On the bright side, changing straps is straightforward. Similar to the Garmin Vivosmart 5, there are no pins; you simply pop the tracker out. However, the downside is that you need a strap designed specifically for the Band 7, limiting your options mostly to alternate colors. Yet, I did discover an attractive third-party strap on Amazon for around $13.
While the default strap feels somewhat rigid, it doesn’t seem on the verge of falling apart. (However, it does tend to accumulate dead skin and dust.) The entire device has a plasticky feel to it, but that’s par for the course with a $50 tracker. Weighing in at 28g, the Band 7 is lightweight and comfortable enough for sleeping. It’s slightly “heavier” than the Inspire 3, which weighs 17.7g, but I doubt most people would discern the distinction.
Everyday Activity, Not Training Focus
The Band 7 is ideally suited for individuals seeking to enhance their daily activity levels. It proved most effective for activities such as walking, yoga, and bodyweight strength training. These are exercises where I might occasionally glance at my wrist to check exercise duration or heart rate. This aligns well with the Band 7’s display, which isn’t as expansive as that of larger smartwatches. When it comes to accuracy, metrics such as step count and heart rate closely aligned with other devices I tested concurrently, including the Apple Watch Ultra and Garmin Forerunner 265S.
One feature I particularly appreciate is Amazfit’s PAI system. It offers an indication of whether you’re engaging in sufficient activity by assessing the number of PAI points you accumulate over a week. PAI points are earned by elevating your heart rate. I delve further into PAI in my Amazfit GTR 4 review, but the essence is that it provides a more holistic and beginner-friendly approach to fulfilling the recommended 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.
That being said, I wouldn’t rely on the Band 7 for preparing for an upcoming race. When undertaking 12-16 weeks of training, I seek more accurate GPS data than a tethered device can deliver. In a 3.03-mile run recorded by my iPhone, the Band 7 registered only 2.45 miles, whereas the Apple Watch Ultra tracked 3.01 miles. Consequently, metrics for pace and VO2 Max were affected. (To some extent, this discrepancy was attributed to a delay in the Band 7 acquiring a GPS signal.) While this is acceptable for short, casual runs (ranging from 1 to 4 miles), it isn’t what I needed during the critical phase of my half-marathon training. Given the choice between the Forerunner 265S and the Band 7, it’s evident which one I left on my nightstand on race day.
