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Reviews / Health and fitness

Microsoft Band

Reviews / Health and fitness

Microsoft Band

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65 Engadget Score
It has some redeeming qualities, but you could still do better.
65

It has some redeeming qualities, but you could still do better.

How we score

The Engadget Score is a unique ranking of products based on extensive independent research and analysis by our expert editorial and research teams. The Global Score is arrived at only after curating hundreds, sometimes thousands of weighted data points (such as critic and user reviews).

Engadget Review

If Microsoft Health ever lives up to its ambitious goals, it could be game-changing. But right now, the Microsoft Band is the only device available for it. And the Band seems more like a prototype than a consumer device. It's bulky, uncomfortable and has disappointing battery life. You could get a comfortable fitness tracker for less, or a capable smartwatch for a few bucks more.

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Pros
  • Works on iOS, Android and Windows Phone
  • Lots of data, thanks to a raft of sensors
  • App has a clean design and shows promise
  • Connects to Cortana on Windows Phone
  • Guided workouts are extremely helpful
Cons
  • Hardware is uncomfortable and poorly designed
  • Microsoft Health is mostly promise
  • Smartwatch-like battery life
  • Does too many things, many of them poorly
  • Seriously, the Band is really uncomfortable

Reviews

65
 
Average Critic Score
Critic Reviews 8
86
 
Average User Score
User Reviews 47
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Specs

Key Specs

Type
Watch-style
Tracking metrics
Motion, Distance, Gps, Heart rate, Calories, Sleep
Display
Yes
Battery life
Up to 4820
Media playback controls
No
Type
Tracking metrics
Display
Battery life
Media playback controls
Watch-style
Motion, Distance, Gps, Heart rate, Calories, Sleep
Yes
Up to 4820
No

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65 Engadget Score
It has some redeeming qualities, but you could still do better.
65

It has some redeeming qualities, but you could still do better.

How we score

The Engadget Score is a unique ranking of products based on extensive independent research and analysis by our expert editorial and research teams. The Global Score is arrived at only after curating hundreds, sometimes thousands of weighted data points (such as critic and user reviews).

See all scores

Scores

Engadget

65
 

User Reviews

40
siepod
Purchased the band upon initial release, and like many was excited. As with...read more
90
ALEXSWLI
Full Disclosure--I do work for Microsoft. But I'm not a loyalist for personal...read more
90
steveharris17
As mentioned by others I have felt compelled to write this review following...read more
Write a Review