Brief Summary
The Amazfit Helio Strap is a screenless fitness tracker that offers a one-time purchase alternative to subscription-based models like the Whoop band. It tracks various health and fitness metrics, including heart rate, HRV, blood oxygen saturation, and sleep data, using its sixth-generation biotracker. The data is analyzed via the Zepp app, which provides insights into biocharge levels, sleep quality, and workout performance. While it excels in daily health tracking, its limitations include the absence of a built-in GPS and a display, making it less suitable for advanced sports training without a smartphone.
- Tracks key health metrics like heart rate, HRV, and sleep.
- No subscription fees, one-time purchase.
- Accurate data compared to other devices.
Intro
The Amazfit Helio Strap is presented as a competitor to the Whoop band, offering similar fitness tracking capabilities without ongoing subscription fees. The reviewer expresses excitement about testing the device, highlighting the growing popularity of screenless fitness trackers. He mentions that other companies like Garmin and Polar are also entering this market. The reviewer shares his plan to wear the Helio Strap 24/7 to evaluate its pros and cons, aiming to provide viewers with enough information to decide if it's the right choice for them. He also promotes his new Instagram account where he will share behind-the-scenes content and personal adventures.
Specs, Looks & Battey
The Amazfit Helio Strap is available in a single version with a 22mm black nylon band, which the reviewer finds comfortable and easy to adjust. Weighing only 20g, it is lightweight and water-resistant up to 5 ATM, suitable for showering and swimming but not diving. The core of the band features Amazfit's sixth-generation biotracker, monitoring heart rate, HRV, blood oxygen saturation, and stress, and includes an accelerometer, gyroscope, and temperature sensor. The device has a 232 mAh battery, providing up to 10 days of battery life, with the reviewer experiencing around 8 days with continuous SPO2 monitoring enabled. Charging is done via a small adapter and a standard USBC cable, taking about 1.5 to 2 hours.
Health & Fitness
The Zepp app analyzes the data collected by the Helio Strap, presenting it in an organized and easy-to-understand format. The home screen displays daily stats, including the biocharge score, which indicates energy levels throughout the day based on workouts, stress, and rest. The app provides detailed insights into sleep patterns, showing sleep scores, total sleep duration, and breakdowns of sleep phases, though the reviewer notes that sleep stage accuracy can vary. The app also tracks resting heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV), which are key parameters for recovery, and the reviewer compares this data with devices like the Garmin Venue X1 and Ultra Human Ring Air, finding consistent results. The app includes a nutrition section for logging food intake and tracking macronutrients and calories, as well as sections for stress monitoring, PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence) score, and weight tracking.
Sports & Training
The Helio Strap can track various health and fitness metrics, but its limitations become apparent in the training section. While it can track workouts through the Zepp app, the statistics are limited compared to sports watches, lacking advanced metrics like ground contact time and vertical oscillation. The heart rate data during runs is accurate when compared to a chest strap, but strength training accuracy is slightly lower. The device can recognize certain exercises and provides a visual animation of trained muscle groups. A significant limitation is the absence of built-in GPS, relying on a smartphone's GPS for route tracking, and the lack of a display means users cannot view real-time stats during workouts. The device offers 27 sport modes, including a special Hierrox mode, and can auto-detect workouts, but it does not support the Zepp Coach for creating training plans.
Final Thoughts
The reviewer concludes that the Amazfit Helio Strap is a good product, especially for tracking daily health and fitness data. While it lacks a display and built-in GPS, making it less ideal for serious athletes needing instant feedback or precise route tracking, it excels in collecting and presenting a wide range of health stats accurately. The reviewer considers it a strong competitor to the Whoop band, highlighting its one-time cost of $99 as a significant advantage over Whoop's subscription model. He acknowledges that Whoop's software may be more refined, but the Amazfit features are sufficient for most users, making the Helio Strap a fantastic choice for those prioritizing health tracking without subscription fees.
