OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Fitness trackers Methodology v3.0
Fitness trackers Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Fitness trackers Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Fitness trackers Methodology v3.0

Fitbug Orb review: 163 specs compared

Avg. price:~£20Battery life:180 daysScreen size:N/A inchHeart rate monitor:noGPS:noWaterproof depth rating:?

Fitbug Orb Review: Compare 163 technical specifications and 11 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Fitness trackers category and whether it is worth buying.

Fitbug Orb
7.0/10

Overall score

Score
7.0/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, best-of lists, expert reviews and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 35%, List score 30%, Reviews score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 74% of models
Score components

35%

6.7

Technical score

30%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

25%

6.7

Reviews score

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.1, the mark of a weaker model in this category

â–¼Worse than 74% of fitness trackers
7.9

Value for money

Value for money
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the fitness tracker's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a fitness tracker with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 74% of models
Score components

70%

7.0

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 74%
6.7

Technical score

Technical score
6.7/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
Score components

20%

7.0

Sports

20%

9.3

Battery

18%

5.4

Health

18%

4.0

Display

8%

4.5

Smart functions

8%

8.9

Wellness

4%

8.4

Connectivity

4%

7.9

Design

â–¼Worse than 65%
6.7

Reviews score

Reviews score
6.7/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.2 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 75% of models

6.7

Mark 7.0 is below the typical mark 7.6 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

80%

6.9

Average grade

20%

7.4

Popularity

Grades by review (11)
8 reviews: 5 with a printed score, 3 estimated from the review. 3 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
â–¼Worse than 75%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
  • fitbug-orb
fitbug-orb
Where to buy
    N/A~ £20
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What reviewers say about the Fitbug Orb

Based on 8 · 3

Reviewers love the flexible wearing options and dependable step counting, but sleep tracking and the display let it down.
Praised
Mixed views
Criticised
Pick a topic to see who said what
Loading category ranking...

Fitness trackers model ranking

Ranked #203 of 238 models in Fitness trackers (Overall score)

Technical Specifications of fitness tracker Fitbug Orb

Technical score
Technical score
6.7/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
Score components:

20%

7.0

Sports

20%

9.3

Battery

18%

5.4

Health

18%

4.0

Display

8%

4.5

Smart functions

8%

8.9

Wellness

4%

8.4

Connectivity

4%

7.9

Design

6.7
Reviews score
6.7
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the fitness tracker's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a fitness tracker with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 74% of models
Score components:

70%

7.0

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.9
Heart rate monitor
no
This fitness tracker does not support heart rate monitoring. 64.2% of fitness trackers support heart rate monitoring.
Resting heart rate
no
This fitness tracker does not support Resting heart rate. 53% of fitness trackers support Resting heart rate.
Fast/slow heart rate alerts
no
This fitness tracker does not support high and low heart rate alerts. 36.5% of fitness trackers support high and low heart rate alerts.
Irregular heart rate alerts
no
This fitness tracker does not support irregular heart rate alerts. 13.7% of fitness trackers support irregular heart rate alerts.
Blood oxygen sensor
no
This fitness tracker does not have a blood oxygen sensor. 32.2% of fitness trackers have a blood oxygen sensor.
Show more
What reviewers say
GPS
no
This fitness tracker does not have GPS. 12.7% of fitness trackers have GPS.
Satellite systems supported
no
This fitness tracker supports no satellite systems which is less versatile than that of 14.4% of fitness trackers and the same as that of 85.6% of fitness trackers.
GNSS bands supported
no
This fitness tracker does not support advanced GNSS bands. 8.4% of fitness trackers support advanced GNSS bands.
Galileo support
no
This fitness tracker does not support Galileo. 5.6% of fitness trackers support Galileo.
Acquires GPS faster
no
This fitness tracker does not support faster GPS acquisition. 8.1% of fitness trackers support faster GPS acquisition.
Show more
What reviewers say
Notifications
no
This fitness tracker does not support notifications. 72.7% of fitness trackers support notifications.
Vibrating alerts
no
This fitness tracker does not support vibration alerts. 86.2% of fitness trackers support vibration alerts.
Call control
no
This fitness tracker does not support call controls. 40.8% of fitness trackers support call controls.
Call answering
no
This fitness tracker does not support call answering. 0.9% of fitness trackers support call answering.
Calendar sync
no
This fitness tracker does not support calendar sync. 20.5% of fitness trackers support calendar sync.
Show more
Activity reports
yes
This fitness tracker supports activity reports. 5% of fitness trackers support activity reports.
Goal setting
yes
This fitness tracker supports goal setting. 2.5% of fitness trackers support goal setting.
Achievements
yes
This fitness tracker supports achievements. 23.8% of fitness trackers support achievements.
Inactivity alerts
no
This fitness tracker does not support inactivity alerts. 79.1% of fitness trackers support inactivity alerts.
Coaching
yes
This fitness tracker supports coaching. 64% of fitness trackers support coaching.
KiK digital coach support.
Show more
What reviewers say
Bluetooth version
4
This fitness tracker supports Bluetooth 4 which is newer than in 4.6% of fitness trackers and equal to that in 47% of fitness trackers.
Maximum Bluetooth range
?
NFC
no
This fitness tracker does not have NFC. 11.8% of fitness trackers have NFC.
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
This fitness tracker does not support Wi-Fi. 2.5% of fitness trackers support Wi-Fi.
no Wi-Fi connectivity.
Wi-Fi version
no
This fitness tracker does not support modern Wi-Fi. 0.9% of fitness trackers support modern Wi-Fi.
no Wi-Fi support.
Show more
What reviewers say
Battery life
180 days
Market range: <5 days – >180 days
This fitness tracker offers a battery life of 180 days which is longer than that of 89% of fitness trackers and equal to that of 5.3% of fitness trackers.
Some sources mention up to 365 days.
Battery life with GPS on
N/A
Battery life in training mode
?
Power-saving battery life
N/A
Battery capacity
225 mAh
Market range: <45 mAh – >225 mAh
This fitness tracker has a battery capacity of 225 mAh which is higher than that of 82.4% of fitness trackers and equal to that of 7.1% of fitness trackers.
Show more
What reviewers say
Display
no
This fitness tracker does not have a display. 74.2% of fitness trackers have a display.
Screen size
N/A
Display type
N/A
Screen resolution
N/A
Pixel density
N/A
Show more
What reviewers say
Form factor
modular
Hybrid design
no
This fitness tracker does not support Hybrid design. 2.1% of fitness trackers support Hybrid design.
Designed for kids
no
This fitness tracker is not designed for kids. 3.3% of fitness trackers are designed for kids.
Replaceable watch band
yes
This fitness tracker has a replaceable watch band. 23.4% of fitness trackers have a replaceable watch band.
Band width
?
Show more
What reviewers say

Fitbug Orb vs the average fitness tracker

246810TotalHealthSportsBatteryDisplayConnectivitySmart functionsDesignWellness
  • 170 days longer battery life
    This fitness tracker has a higher battery life than the average fitness tracker (180 days vs 10 days). The average fitness tracker has 10 days of battery life.
    Some sources mention up to 365 days.
    180 days vs 10 days
  • 80% larger battery capacity
    This fitness tracker has a higher battery capacity than the average fitness tracker (225 mAh vs 125 mAh). The average fitness tracker has 125 mAh of battery capacity.
    225 mAh vs 125 mAh
  • Coaching features
    This fitness tracker supports coaching, while the average fitness tracker does not. 36.3% of fitness trackers support coaching.
    KiK digital coach support.
  • Windows compatible
    This fitness tracker is compatible with Windows, while the average fitness tracker is not. 20.9% of fitness trackers are compatible with Windows.
    Optional Bluetooth dongle.
  • Tracks calorie intake
    This fitness tracker supports calorie intake tracking, while the average fitness tracker does not. 38.4% of fitness trackers support calorie intake tracking.
  • Removable battery
    This fitness tracker has a removable battery, while the average fitness tracker does not. 12% of fitness trackers have a removable battery.
    Uses a user-replaceable coin-cell battery.
  • Available on PC
    This fitness tracker is available on PC, while the average fitness tracker is not. 17.2% of fitness trackers are available on PC.
    Web dashboard available.
  • 3.5x cheaper
    Fitbug Orb is cheaper than the average fitness tracker (£20 vs £70).
    £20 vs £70
  • 3.5x cheaper
    Fitbug Orb is cheaper than the average fitness tracker (£20 vs £70).
    £20 vs £70
  • 7 more stored activities
    This fitness tracker has more stored activities than the average fitness tracker (14 vs 7). The average fitness tracker stores 7 activities.
    14 vs 7
  • 170 days longer battery life
    This fitness tracker has a higher battery life than the average fitness tracker (180 days vs 10 days). The average fitness tracker has 10 days of battery life.
    Some sources mention up to 365 days.
    180 days vs 10 days
  • 80% larger battery capacity
    This fitness tracker has a higher battery capacity than the average fitness tracker (225 mAh vs 125 mAh). The average fitness tracker has 125 mAh of battery capacity.
    225 mAh vs 125 mAh
  • Removable battery
    This fitness tracker has a removable battery, while the average fitness tracker does not. 12% of fitness trackers have a removable battery.
    Uses a user-replaceable coin-cell battery.
  • Windows compatible
    This fitness tracker is compatible with Windows, while the average fitness tracker is not. 20.9% of fitness trackers are compatible with Windows.
    Optional Bluetooth dongle.
  • 1 more physical buttons
    This fitness tracker has a higher physical buttons than the average fitness tracker (1 vs 0). The average fitness tracker has 0 of physical buttons.
    1 vs 0
  • Coaching features
    This fitness tracker supports coaching, while the average fitness tracker does not. 36.3% of fitness trackers support coaching.
    KiK digital coach support.
  • Tracks calorie intake
    This fitness tracker supports calorie intake tracking, while the average fitness tracker does not. 38.4% of fitness trackers support calorie intake tracking.
  • Available on PC
    This fitness tracker is available on PC, while the average fitness tracker is not. 17.2% of fitness trackers are available on PC.
    Web dashboard available.
  • No heart rate monitoring
    This fitness tracker does not support heart rate monitoring, while the average fitness tracker does. 63.9% of fitness trackers support heart rate monitoring.
  • No automatic activity detection
    This fitness tracker does not support automatic activity detection, while the average fitness tracker does. 56.4% of fitness trackers support automatic activity detection.
  • Higher resting heart rate
    This fitness tracker does not support Resting heart rate, while the average fitness tracker does. 52.7% of fitness trackers support Resting heart rate.
  • No notifications
    This fitness tracker does not support notifications, while the average fitness tracker does. 72.3% of fitness trackers support notifications.
  • No phone finder
    This fitness tracker does not support phone finding, while the average fitness tracker does. 50.9% of fitness trackers support phone finding.
  • No vibrating alerts
    This fitness tracker does not support vibration alerts, while the average fitness tracker does. 85.8% of fitness trackers support vibration alerts.
  • No silent alarm
    This fitness tracker does not support a silent alarm, while the average fitness tracker does. 82.2% of fitness trackers support a silent alarm.
  • No inactivity alerts
    This fitness tracker does not support inactivity alerts, while the average fitness tracker does. 78.7% of fitness trackers support inactivity alerts.
  • 8.2% lower review score
    Reviews score
    6.7/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.2 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 75% of models

    6.7

    Mark 7.0 is below the typical mark 7.6 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    6.9

    Average grade

    20%

    7.4

    Popularity

    Grades by review (11)
    8 reviews: 5 with a printed score, 3 estimated from the review. 3 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    6.7 vs 7.3
  • 2.4% worse value for money
    Fitbug Orb has a lower value-for-money score than the average fitness tracker (7.88 vs 8.1).
    7.88 vs 8.07
  • No heart rate monitoring
    This fitness tracker does not support heart rate monitoring, while the average fitness tracker does. 63.9% of fitness trackers support heart rate monitoring.
  • Higher resting heart rate
    This fitness tracker does not support Resting heart rate, while the average fitness tracker does. 52.7% of fitness trackers support Resting heart rate.
  • 4 years older release date
    This fitness tracker was released earlier than the average fitness tracker (2013 vs 2017). The average fitness tracker was released in 2017.
    October 2013
    2013 vs 2017
  • No automatic activity detection
    This fitness tracker does not support automatic activity detection, while the average fitness tracker does. 56.4% of fitness trackers support automatic activity detection.
  • No route tracker
    This fitness tracker does not support route tracking, while the average fitness tracker does. 52.3% of fitness trackers support route tracking.
  • No rechargeable battery
    This fitness tracker does not have a rechargeable battery, while the average fitness tracker does. 87.6% of fitness trackers have a rechargeable battery.
    Uses a replaceable non-rechargeable battery.
  • No display
    This fitness tracker does not have a display, while the average fitness tracker does. 73.9% of fitness trackers have a display.
  • Old Bluetooth version
    This fitness tracker supports an older Bluetooth version than the average fitness tracker (4 vs 4.1). The average fitness tracker supports Bluetooth 4.1.
    4 vs 4.1
  • No notifications
    This fitness tracker does not support notifications, while the average fitness tracker does. 72.3% of fitness trackers support notifications.
  • No phone finder
    This fitness tracker does not support phone finding, while the average fitness tracker does. 50.9% of fitness trackers support phone finding.
  • No silent alarm
    This fitness tracker does not support a silent alarm, while the average fitness tracker does. 82.2% of fitness trackers support a silent alarm.
  • No vibrating alerts
    This fitness tracker does not support vibration alerts, while the average fitness tracker does. 85.8% of fitness trackers support vibration alerts.
  • No stopwatch
    This fitness tracker does not have a stopwatch, while the average fitness tracker does. 60.5% of fitness trackers have a stopwatch.
  • 1.7 mm thicker design
    This fitness tracker is thicker than the average fitness tracker (12.7 mm vs 11 mm). The average fitness tracker has a thickness of 11 mm.
    12.7 mm vs 11 mm
  • 12.2% heavier
    This fitness tracker is heavier than the average fitness tracker (26.9 g vs 24 g). The average fitness tracker weighs 24 g.
    26.93 g vs 24 g
  • No inactivity alerts
    This fitness tracker does not support inactivity alerts, while the average fitness tracker does. 78.7% of fitness trackers support inactivity alerts.
  • No exercise diary
    This fitness tracker does not have an exercise diary, while the average fitness tracker does. 91.6% of fitness trackers have an exercise diary.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

6.0
OSReviews
≈ estimated
17/08/2015
Long-term review · a few months of use
Verdict
Fitbug Orb is pretty good at tracking steps, but its glitchy app and high price hold it back.
3.0
Lazy Tech TV
≈ estimated
12/01/2015
Hands-on review · app, sync and tracking tests
Verdict
The Fitbug Orb is a complete failure, with unreliable tracking, sync and app, so I would not recommend it.
6.0
Into Tomorrow
≈ estimated
01/08/2014
Short comparison · owner's take on basic step tracking
Verdict
Fitbug Orb suits anyone who only wants basic step tracking, but it feels pricey for a pedometer.
9.0
moleman1961
≈ estimated
22/07/2016
First look · unboxing and simple features
Verdict
Fitbug Orb is a simple, good-value tracker that is excellent for what it is.
Overview video
Overview video

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

6.4
cnet.com
✓ explicit
06/11/2013
Hands-on test · Wrist or clip tracker
Verdict
The Fitbug Orb is a light, comfortable step counter with no screen, and its fiddly setup and app make it harder to live with than the Fitbit Zip.
7.0
memeburn.com
✓ explicit
12/11/2013
Feature review · Step and sleep tracker
Verdict
The Fitbug Orb is a small, low-maintenance step and sleep tracker that just works, though its mobile app can't log food or set goals.
6.5
livescience.com
✓ explicit
13/12/2013
Hands-on test · Screenless tracker
Verdict
The Fitbug Orb suits people who want steps and sleep tracked and wear it in several ways, but its unreliable sleep mode and screenless design let it down.
8.0
tomsguide.com
✓ explicit
20/02/2014
Hands-on test · Clip-on tracker
Verdict
The Fitbug Orb is a comfortable, all-round starter tracker that suits casual users, though meals can only be logged on the web portal.
8.0
mum-friendly.co.uk
≈ estimated
17/06/2014
Personal review · Daily step counter
Verdict
The Fitbug Orb is a sturdy, simple step tracker that nudges you to move more, though food logging is fiddly and you may want a spare battery.
6.0
gamingshogun.com
✓ explicit
31/01/2014
Hands-on review · Sleep and steps
Verdict
The Fitbug Orb tracks activity well and comes with three ways to wear it, but its sleep mode counts lying still in bed as sleep.
8.0
mummyisagadgetgeek.co.uk
≈ estimated
08/09/2014
Personal review · Wearable step tracker
Verdict
The Fitbug Orb is motivating and sturdy, with several ways to wear it, but its sleep mode ignores nighttime wake-ups and it isn't waterproof like a watch.
6.0
the-gadgeteer.com
≈ estimated
25/11/2013
Hands-on test · iOS step tracker
Verdict
The Fitbug Orb is a small, easy tracker for steps and sleep, best for iPhone owners who don't mind having no on-device progress display.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Fitbug Orb

  • Affordable price point (approx. $50), making it much cheaper than competitors like Fitbit or Jawbone
  • Versatile wearing options, including wristband, belt clip, and lanyard
  • Long battery life of up to 6 months using a replaceable CR2032 button cell battery, eliminating the need for weekly charging
  • Compact and lightweight design, roughly the size of a medium button
  • Supports basic tracking of steps, calories, distance, and sleep
  • Provides weekly progress reports and coaching tips via email

What customers don't like about Fitbug Orb

  • Lacks a built-in display or screen; users must check the mobile app to view stats
  • Complex initial setup and tricky sleep mode activation (requires pressing the button three times)
  • Limited Android device compatibility and occasional wireless syncing issues
  • Not fully waterproof (only splash-proof)
  • Does not track activities like cycling accurately since it is primarily a step-based pedometer
  • Wireless PC syncing requires the separate purchase of a USB dongle

Verdict

The Fitbug Orb is a compact, button-sized fitness tracker, roughly 1.2 inches in diameter and 0.5 inches thick, weighing just 0.3 ounces on its own. It utilizes a 3-axis accelerometer to monitor steps, distance, calories burned, and sleep quality 24/7, syncing wirelessly via Bluetooth Smart to iOS and select Android devices. Its primary advantages include an affordable $49.95 price point, high versatility with included wristband, belt clip, and lanyard accessories, and a long-lasting replaceable CR2032 coin cell battery that provides 4–6 months of use without requiring recharging. However, the device lacks a built-in display for real-time progress viewing, is not waterproof, and has been noted for having a buggy mobile application and limited compatibility with newer Android hardware.

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