Basis B1 Review | 171 Data compared

The Basis B1 Band is a highly advanced, retro-style digital watch that sets itself apart in the wearable fitness market by utilizing multiple sensors, including an optical blood flow monitor, a perspiration monitor, and a skin temperature sensor. Priced between $179 and $199, its greatest strengths lie in its exceptional, automated activity and sleep tracking features. Thanks to its "Body IQ" algorithm, the band seamlessly and accurately detects and logs physical activities like walking, running, and cycling in real-time, even capturing non-movement-based exercises by measuring sweat and skin temperature. Furthermore, its automatic sleep tracking is remarkably precise at logging sleep duration and quality, including short naps. Users will also appreciate the highly readable, always-on digital watch display, an engaging "Habits" gamification system that uses achievement points to motivate healthy behavior, and an intuitive web and mobile interface that provides a comprehensive breakdown of raw data. Despite its advanced tracking capabilities, the device suffers from several notable drawbacks that may deter casual consumers. A major flaw is the heavily compromised optical heart rate sensor, which is only accurate when the user...

The Basis B1 is a watch-like activity tracker designed for 24/7 wear that distinguishes itself by using biometrics, such as heart rate, skin temperature, and perspiration levels, to analyze sleep patterns and caloric burn rather than relying on arbitrary algorithms. On the positive side, it tracks daily step counts with much greater accuracy than competing contemporary devices like the Nike+ FuelBand or Jawbone UP. Furthermore, its customisable web-based dashboard provides exceptionally detailed, minute-by-minute data visualizations, allowing users to dive deep into custom "habits" and health patterns. Despite being labeled the best tracker available at the time, the B1 suffers from a critical flaw: it lacks a mobile application. Without an app, users cannot receive real-time, actionable alerts—such as idle reminders to stand up—unless they physically sync the device to a computer. Additional drawbacks include an underwhelming battery life caused by constantly firing biometric sensors, low onboard memory that fills up in about six days, and an inability to accurately record peak heart rates above 150 BPM during intense workouts.

The PCMag review by Jill Duffy evaluates the Advanced Sleep Analysis firmware update for the Basis B1 Band, a $199 activity-tracking wristwatch. This update leverages the device's multi-sensor array—which tracks movement, heart rate, and skin temperature—to automatically identify and break down true sleep cycles into deep, light, and REM sleep phases. The data is presented in the companion MyBasis app via color-coded graphs after the user has been awake for at least 30 minutes, allowing users to look for routine patterns or external triggers disrupting their rest. The review highlights several pros, most notably the device's ability to automatically detect when a user falls asleep and wakes up without requiring manual mode switching. Additionally, it provides highly detailed, multi-sensor data tracking that goes beyond basic movement to deliver comprehensive breakdowns of specific sleep zones. However, the cons include significant comfort and design issues, as the large, chunky chassis must be worn tightly to maintain sensor contact, making it the clunkiest device the reviewer tested for bedtime wear. Furthermore, the tracking is not foolproof and can trigger false positives; for example,...

The Live Science review of the Basis B1 fitness tracker rates it 6.8 out of 10, highlighting a unique, habit-based motivational system. Pros include an integrated screen, built-in heart-rate monitoring, and specialized data tracking that focuses on daily health goals. Live Science However, the review cites significant cons, including a bulky design and a lack of calorie intake tracking. Users may also experience occasional software glitches when syncing data with the device.

The Basis B1 Band ($199) is a highly capable, watch-style fitness tracker that stands out from competitors by offering an advanced, multi-sensor approach to wellness. Beyond standard step and calorie tracking, it features an optical heart rate monitor, skin temperature sensors, and perspiration tracking. These sensors allow the device to automatically log and deeply analyze sleep patterns—breaking data down into REM and deep sleep stages—as well as automatically detect specific physical activities like walking, running, or cycling through its "Body IQ" feature. It syncs wirelessly via Bluetooth with iOS and Android devices, and uses an engaging, point-based "healthy habits" software system to motivate users to improve their daily routines and sleep schedules. Despite its robust features, the reviewer notes several drawbacks, primarily focusing on its big, bulky, and uninspiring digital-watch design, which requires a very tight wrist fit to accurately measure heart rate. At double the price of contemporary competitors like the Jawbone Up24, it represents a significant financial investment. Performance quirks also emerged during testing; the device occasionally mistracked sleep duration due to poor wrist contact, misidentified pushing a...

The 2013 Verge review of the $199 Basis B1 band highlights its, advanced biometric capabilities, offering 24/7 heart rate, skin temperature, and perspiration monitoring, along with accurate, automatic sleep tracking. The device features a distinct retro-style design with touch-sensitive navigation. However, the B1 is criticized for being bulky and failing to accurately measure heart rate during high-intensity exercise. Additionally, it lacks a vibrating alarm and relies on a data-heavy, non-mobile-focused interface.

The device features several notable advantages, particularly its highly accurate sleep detection, its ability to easily determine resting heart rate trends, and a step-counter that performs reliably when worn on the dominant wrist. Users also benefit from a solid 4 to 6-day battery life and the convenience of a strap-free design. Conversely, the watch suffers from major performance limitations; its optical heart rate sensor completely fails to track accurate metrics during sports and high-intensity workouts due to body movement and perspiration. Additional cons include a bulky, unappealing aesthetic, a finicky charging cradle, and a fragile watch band design that is prone to unexpectedly snapping apart and dropping the unit. The watch also lacks waterproofing for swimming and suffers from a highly restrictive Bluetooth connection that only pairs with a very limited selection of smartphones.

The GadFit review of the Basis Band frames the device less as a traditional fitness tracker and more as a highly advanced lifestyle tracker meant for data-driven users. Evaluated a year after its initial release, the band stands out for its unique biological sensor array housed at the back of the watch, which continuously tracks optical blood flow, perspiration, and skin temperature alongside standard step counting. It features powerful software upgrades, notably Body IQ for seamless activity tracking and Advanced Sleep Analysis developed with prominent research institutions, which assigns a sleep score between 1–100 based on deep, light, and REM sleep cycles. Data can be synced via Bluetooth to iOS and Android devices, though the reviewer highlights that the sheer abundance of graphs and metrics on the web portal is best suited for those who enjoy meticulously parsing through daily biological patterns. The review breaks down several distinct pros and cons of the device. On the positive side, the pros include highly accurate step counting, reliable calorie tracking, water resistance, and the standout automated activity detection (Body IQ) which completely...

In this 2014 review, Shelly Palmer evaluates the Basis B1 fitness-tracking wristband, positioning it as a highly accurate step up from trackers like the Fitbit and Jawbone UP. The device excels in tracking a wide range of real-time metrics, providing instant on-screen access to step counts, estimated calories burned, motion time, and heart rate. Additionally, it offers exceptional accuracy, an easy-to-read backlit display that works well in direct sunlight, and automated sleep monitoring that tracks rest and naps without requiring manual button presses. Palmer notes that the band's superior accuracy provided him with much better calorie data, making his weight loss projections and "Smartphone Diet" formulas much more precise than his previous trackers. Despite its high-tech capabilities, the tracker has several notable drawbacks, the most severe being its extreme physical discomfort. Palmer highlights that wearing the device tight enough to accurately record heart rate causes actual pain, while loosening it prevents the sensors from functioning properly. Furthermore, the smartphone app and computer syncing introduce data on perspiration and skin temperature that Palmer considers non-actionable "noise" for the average user. The...