Microsoft Band 2015 Review | 171 Data compared

The Microsoft Band is a cross-platform fitness tracker and smartwatch hybrid designed to be worn innovatively with its flat, 320 x 106 resolution colour display facing on the inside of the wrist. Priced at £170 in the UK, its primary strength lies in its extensive array of nine built-in sensors—including an optical heart rate sensor, GPS, UV sensor, and galvanic skin response—which...Read more

Conversely, the physical design is a major drawback, described as a stiff, unyielding, and highly unattractive "handcuff" that is uncomfortable to wear, especially while sleeping. Performance-wise, the tracker is weighed down by less-than-stellar heart rate accuracy that fails to satisfy elite athletes, slow GPS satellite lock-on times, and an excess of pointless hardware like...Read more

The Microsoft Band is described as a highly capable, feature-packed wearable with robust sensors—including accurate GPS and heart rate monitoring—alongside a stable cross-platform software ecosystem that supports Windows, iOS, and Android. Despite its $199 price point providing good value, the device suffers from a bulky, rigid design that fails to contour to the wrist, causing...Read more

The Trusted Reviews analysis of the Microsoft Band highlights a feature-rich, cross-platform health tracker boasting a sharp touchscreen, integrated GPS, and excellent value for fitness tracking, despite an underwhelming design. However, the device is criticized for being uncomfortable to wear due to its bulky, stiff, and flat construction that fails to conform to the wrist. While...Read more

The Microsoft Band is a fitness-oriented wearable that doubles as a basic smartwatch, acting as a hardware showcase for Microsoft’s health platform. It stands out for its high density of body sensors, including an optical heart rate sensor, GPS, a UV radiation sensor, and a galvanic skin response sensor. Key pros highlighted in the review include its platform-agnostic syncing...Read more

The Microsoft Band is a highly customizable, data-dense wearable that serves as an activity tracker, smartwatch, GPS sports watch, and heart rate monitor all in one. It stands out as the only wearable capable of working across Windows Phone, iOS, and Android platforms. Its responsive touch display, accurate heart rate tracking, and specialized coached bodyweight workouts make it an...Read more

The Telegraph review describes the original Microsoft Band as a surprisingly good, comfortable hybrid device with excellent cross-platform compatibility and robust, detailed fitness tracking via integrated GPS and heart rate monitoring. Despite its utilitarian, less-than-appealing aesthetic, the device excels as a capable, reasonably priced alternative to dedicated running watches....Read more

Microsoft Band Review Summary The Microsoft Band is a highly capable but visually unappealing fitness tracker and notification system that struggles to balance advanced utility with everyday wearability. On the positive side, the device boasts an impressive array of 10 sensors—including built-in GPS, a heart-rate monitor, a skin temperature sensor, and a galvanic skin response...Read more

In a Wall Street Journal review, Joanna Stern outlines significant ergonomic and durability flaws in the first-generation Microsoft Band, describing its wide, flat design as awkward and highlighting that the bezel is highly susceptible to scratching. While the device includes a clever sliding metal clasp for a better fit, the hardware’s overall uncomfortable, rigid build is listed...Read more

The Microsoft Band is reviewed by Samuel Gibbs as a highly accurate, sensor-packed fitness tracker that successfully undercuts major competitors like the Fitbit Surge in price, retailing at £170. It is heavily praised for its cross-platform compatibility with Android and iOS devices, alongside a robust and intuitive Microsoft Health app that provides highly detailed charts and...Read more

The Microsoft Band represents an ambitious but flawed attempt to merge a comprehensive fitness tracker with a feature-rich smartwatch. On the positive side, it stands out for its extensive cross-platform compatibility, functioning smoothly across Android, iOS, and Windows Phone devices. It provides a highly robust notification system that successfully channels calls, texts, emails,...Read more

The Microsoft Band is an ambitious but flawed hybrid fitness tracker and smartwatch that packs an impressive array of features into its design, though it ultimately falls short in everyday wearability. It stands out for its built-in GPS functionality, allowing users to accurately track running routes, distances, and split times without needing a smartphone. Additionally, it provides...Read more

The Verge's review of the 2014 Microsoft Band praises the device for its extensive data tracking capabilities, featuring robust GPS, heart-rate monitoring, and broad cross-platform compatibility. However, the wearable is heavily criticized for its uncomfortable, rigid design, awkward screen orientation, and a cluttered user interface that makes daily navigation difficult.

In this hands-on first impressions review from GeekWire, journalist Todd Bishop evaluates the initial setup, design, and capabilities of the original Microsoft Band wearable. Retailing for $199, the device is positioned as a cross-platform companion featuring 10 sensors and basic messaging capabilities linked to the Microsoft Health platform. Bishop praises the device's...Read more

The Fortune review characterizes the Microsoft Band as a highly capable, data-rich fitness tracker that falters as a functional smartwatch, offering robust health-monitoring metrics and detailed daily activity tracking. Key positives include its comprehensive suite of sensors, such as heart rate, GPS, and UV monitoring, that provide significant, actionable health data. However, the...Read more

The Microsoft Band is a solid activity tracker with helpful smartwatch features that works seamlessly across Windows, iOS, and Android platforms. On the positive side, it features an accurate GPS for tracking runs or bike rides, a continuous heart-rate monitor for precise calorie calculations, and a snappy, highly responsive colour touchscreen. Its smartwatch notifications—such as...Read more

The Microsoft Band provides a comprehensive suite of hardware features and precise data logging, making it a viable entry-level alternative to dedicated running watches. Its main advantages lie in its massive array of integrated sensors, featuring a highly accurate optical heart rate monitor and a standalone GPS module that matched a dedicated TomTom sports watch down to the metre....Read more

Conversely, the review identifies significant drawbacks (cons) related to its physical build and platform limitations. The most severe design issue is the rigid, unyielding form factor; the device feels excessively tight during weightlifting, yet loosening it stops the heart rate sensor from recording correctly. Furthermore, the sensor unit covers physically pulled out arm hair,...Read more

The Microsoft Band is evaluated as a powerful, indestructible, and highly capable fitness tracker rather than a stylish smartwatch. The Huffington Post UK review highlights several major performance advantages, particularly for fitness enthusiasts looking to train without a smartphone. A standout feature is the built-in GPS tracking and continuous heart-rate monitoring, which...Read more

The Microsoft Band is a multi-platform fitness tracker compatible with Windows Phone, iOS, and Android that functions more like a dedicated training aid than a basic step counter. On the positive side, it stands out for its extensive array of on-board sensors, including a heart-rate monitor, skin temperature tracking, UV light exposure measurements, and built-in GPS that allows...Read more

Ewan Spence's Forbes review describes the Microsoft Band as a feature-rich, sensor-packed wearable that excels in health tracking—featuring continuous heart rate, GPS, and cross-platform compatibility—but suffers from a rigid, "brutal" design. While offering extensive data, the device is criticized for being uncomfortable to wear for long periods, having mediocre battery life, and...Read more

The PCMag review characterizes the original Microsoft Band as a feature-rich, ambitious, yet physically flawed activity tracker and smartwatch hybrid. Key strengths include built-in GPS for phone-free tracking, on-wrist workout coaching, actionable mobile notifications, and a customizable color touchscreen. However, significant drawbacks include a rigid, uncomfortable design that is...Read more

However, the reviewer highlights significant drawbacks, focusing heavily on its cumbersome physical design and software limitations. The band is thick (7mm), heavy, made of inflexible rubber, and highly uncomfortable, making it an awkward spectacle on the wrist. Despite having built-in GPS, it fails to be a true standalone device because it lacks the ability to upload a music...Read more