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

Withings Steel review: 163 specs compared

Avg. price:~£180Battery life:240 daysScreen size:N/A inchHeart rate monitor:noGPS:noWaterproof depth rating:50 m

Withings Steel Review: Compare 163 technical specifications, 7 expert reviews and 1 best-of list to see how this product ranks in the Fitness trackers category and whether it is worth buying.

Withings Steel
7.3/10

Overall score

Score
7.3/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 51% of models
Score components

35%

6.8

Technical score

30%

6.8

List score

25%

8.1

Reviews score

10%

8.3

Sentiment score

▲Better than 51% of fitness trackers
8.0

Value for money

Value for money
8.0/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 64% of models
Score components

70%

7.3

Overall score

30%

9.6

Price

▼Worse than 64%
6.8

Technical score

Technical score
6.8/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

20%

7.1

Sports

20%

9.1

Battery

18%

5.9

Health

18%

4.1

Display

8%

6.0

Smart functions

8%

8.4

Wellness

4%

7.4

Connectivity

4%

7.6

Design

▼Worse than 58%
8.1

Reviews score

Reviews score
8.1/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 79% of models

80%

8.4

Average grade

20%

6.9

Popularity

Grades by review (7)
7 reviews: 3 with a printed score, 4 estimated from the review. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
▲Better than 79%
6.8

List score

List score
6.8/ 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 (1)
List score: in 1 of 83 lists (1%)
▲Better than 74%
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Where to buy
    N/A~ £180
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 Withings Steel

Based on 7

Reviewers love the classic look and reliable step and sleep tracking, but heart rate and the strap fall short; the alarm divides opinion.
Praised
Mixed views
Criticised
Pick a topic to see who said what

What owners say about the Withings Steel

Based on 84 owners sharing their experience in online comments

44%positive13%mixed43%negative

Owners love the classic looks and long battery life, while fragile glass, unreliable tracking, and poor support frustrate many.

What owners dislike

  • Owners say the mineral glass scratches quickly and can crack after a light bump, and glass replacement is hard to get.10
  • Owners say steps only count with arms swinging freely, and calorie totals match a set time, ignoring speed or effort.8
  • Owners say support replies take weeks or never come, and faulty watches are hard to replace or repair.7
  • Owners miss running heart-rate zone alerts and swim lane counting, and say heart rate doesn't sync to other fitness apps.7
  • Owners say the minute hand lags randomly and the watch loses time, sometimes freezing until it is reset.6
  • Owners say heart rate drops out after a few seconds in workout mode and reads far below chest-strap readings during hard exercise.6
  • Owners say most notifications often fail or arrive late, while calls work best; some reset the watch every other week to fix it.6
  • Owners say the included strap irritates skin with sweat, the matte silicone shows bare patches after two weeks, and 20mm bands are small.5
  • Owners say recent app updates made it crash more, and the watch crashes completely with Android phones.4
  • Owners say the advertised 25 days is not reached, with one unit empty after 2.5 days and constant phone sync giving about 8 days.3

Points mentioned by at least 3 owners, most mentioned first.

Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of fitness tracker Withings Steel

Technical score
Technical score
6.8/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components:

20%

7.1

Sports

20%

9.1

Battery

18%

5.9

Health

18%

4.1

Display

8%

6.0

Smart functions

8%

8.4

Wellness

4%

7.4

Connectivity

4%

7.6

Design

6.8
Reviews score
8.1
List score
6.8
Value for money
Value for money
8.0/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 64% of models
Score components:

70%

7.3

Overall score

30%

9.6

Price

8.0
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.
no satellite positioning support.
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
yes
This fitness tracker supports vibration alerts. 14.3% 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
What reviewers say
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
no
This fitness tracker does not support coaching. 36.4% of fitness trackers support coaching.
Show more
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.
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
Battery life
240 days
Market range: <5 days – >180 days
This fitness tracker offers a battery life of 240 days which is longer than that of 94.7% of fitness trackers and equal to that of 0.4% of fitness trackers.
About 25 days in power reserve mode is a different low-function state.
Battery life with GPS on
N/A
Battery life in training mode
?
Power-saving battery life
20 h
Market range: <7 h – >37 h
This fitness tracker offers a power-saving battery life of 20 h which is longer than that of 38.9% of fitness trackers and equal to that of 16.7% of fitness trackers.
20 additional days in power reserve mode after the main battery is depleted.
Battery capacity
160 mAh
Market range: <45 mAh – >225 mAh
This fitness tracker has a battery capacity of 160 mAh which is higher than that of 57.7% of fitness trackers and equal to that of 1.8% 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.
Analog watch face; no built-in digital display.
Screen size
N/A
Display type
N/A
Screen resolution
N/A
Pixel density
N/A
Show more
Form factor
watch
Hybrid design
yes
This fitness tracker supports Hybrid design. 98.3% of fitness trackers support Hybrid design.
Mechanical hands with a small OLED display.
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
18 mm
Show more
What reviewers say

Withings Steel vs the average fitness tracker

246810TotalHealthSportsBatteryDisplayConnectivitySmart functionsDesignWellness
  • 230 days longer battery life
    This fitness tracker has a higher battery life than the average fitness tracker (240 days vs 10 days). The average fitness tracker has 10 days of battery life.
    About 25 days in power reserve mode is a different low-function state.
    240 days vs 10 days
  • Low power mode
    This fitness tracker supports low power mode, while the average fitness tracker does not. 23.2% of fitness trackers support low power mode.
    Includes a reduced-function reserve mode.
  • Tracks menstrual cycle
    This fitness tracker supports menstrual cycle tracking, while the average fitness tracker does not. 45.2% of fitness trackers support menstrual cycle tracking.
  • Period notifications
    This fitness tracker has period notifications, while the average fitness tracker does not. 34.6% of fitness trackers have period notifications.
  • Fertile window notifications
    This fitness tracker displays fertile window notifications, while the average fitness tracker does not. 25.1% of fitness trackers display fertile window notifications.
  • Ovulation prediction
    This fitness tracker predicts ovulation, while the average fitness tracker does not. 44.1% of fitness trackers predict ovulation.
  • 11.0% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.1/ 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
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▲ Better than 79% of models

    80%

    8.4

    Average grade

    20%

    6.9

    Popularity

    Grades by review (7)
    7 reviews: 3 with a printed score, 4 estimated from the review. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    8.1 vs 7.3
  • Cycle start prediction
    This fitness tracker predicts the start date, while the average fitness tracker does not. 45.8% of fitness trackers predict the start date.
  • 11.0% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.1/ 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
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▲ Better than 79% of models

    80%

    8.4

    Average grade

    20%

    6.9

    Popularity

    Grades by review (7)
    7 reviews: 3 with a printed score, 4 estimated from the review. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    8.1 vs 7.3
  • Tracks menstrual cycle
    This fitness tracker supports menstrual cycle tracking, while the average fitness tracker does not. 45.2% of fitness trackers support menstrual cycle tracking.
  • Period notifications
    This fitness tracker has period notifications, while the average fitness tracker does not. 34.6% of fitness trackers have period notifications.
  • Fertile window notifications
    This fitness tracker displays fertile window notifications, while the average fitness tracker does not. 25.1% of fitness trackers display fertile window notifications.
  • Ovulation prediction
    This fitness tracker predicts ovulation, while the average fitness tracker does not. 44.1% of fitness trackers predict ovulation.
  • Cycle start prediction
    This fitness tracker predicts the start date, while the average fitness tracker does not. 45.8% of fitness trackers predict the start date.
  • 230 days longer battery life
    This fitness tracker has a higher battery life than the average fitness tracker (240 days vs 10 days). The average fitness tracker has 10 days of battery life.
    About 25 days in power reserve mode is a different low-function state.
    240 days vs 10 days
  • Low power mode
    This fitness tracker supports low power mode, while the average fitness tracker does not. 23.2% of fitness trackers support low power mode.
    Includes a reduced-function reserve mode.
  • 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.
  • 28% larger battery capacity
    This fitness tracker has a higher battery capacity than the average fitness tracker (160 mAh vs 125 mAh). The average fitness tracker has 125 mAh of battery capacity.
    160 mAh vs 125 mAh
  • Hybrid design
    This fitness tracker supports Hybrid design, while the average fitness tracker does not. 2.1% of fitness trackers support Hybrid design.
    Mechanical hands with a small OLED display.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • No pace measurement
    This fitness tracker does not support pace measurement, while the average fitness tracker does. 62.9% of fitness trackers support pace measurement.
  • No notifications
    This fitness tracker does not support notifications, while the average fitness tracker does. 72.3% of fitness trackers support notifications.
  • No shock resistance standard
    This fitness tracker meets a weaker shock resistance standard than the average fitness tracker (none vs MIL-STD-810H). The average fitness tracker meets the MIL-STD-810H shock resistance standard.
    none vs MIL-STD-810H
  • 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.
  • 15.0% lower list score
    List score
    6.8/ 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 (1)
    List score: in 1 of 83 lists (1%)
    6.8 vs 8.0
  • 54.2% heavier
    This fitness tracker is heavier than the average fitness tracker (37 g vs 24 g). The average fitness tracker weighs 24 g.
    37 g vs 24 g
  • 15.0% lower list score
    List score
    6.8/ 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 (1)
    List score: in 1 of 83 lists (1%)
    6.8 vs 8.0
  • 2.57x more expensive
    Withings Steel is more expensive than the average fitness tracker (£180 vs £70).
    £180 vs £70
  • 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.
  • No pace measurement
    This fitness tracker does not support pace measurement, while the average fitness tracker does. 62.9% of fitness trackers support pace measurement.
  • 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.
    Analog watch face; no built-in digital 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 stopwatch
    This fitness tracker does not have a stopwatch, while the average fitness tracker does. 60.5% of fitness trackers have a stopwatch.
  • No shock resistance standard
    This fitness tracker meets a weaker shock resistance standard than the average fitness tracker (none vs MIL-STD-810H). The average fitness tracker meets the MIL-STD-810H shock resistance standard.
    none vs MIL-STD-810H
  • 54.2% heavier
    This fitness tracker is heavier than the average fitness tracker (37 g vs 24 g). The average fitness tracker weighs 24 g.
    37 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.
  • Ads in app
    This fitness tracker shows ads in the app, while the average fitness tracker does not. 50.6% of fitness trackers have an ad-free app.

Video reviews

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

Brand video

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

9.0
androidauthority.com
≈ estimated
16/04/2016
Hands-on review · Analog fitness tracker
Verdict
The Withings Activité Steel is a stylish, accurate step tracker with only basic features, and its one-size case may look small on bigger wrists.
8.0
macworld.com
✓ explicit
24/11/2015
Week-long review · Stylish fitness tracker
Verdict
The Withings Activité Steel is a sleek fitness tracker that looks like an analog watch, but its band is basic and it may be small for some wrists.
9.4
maclife.de
✓ explicit
05/02/2016
Hands-on test · Analog activity watch
Verdict
The Withings Activité Steel is an elegant analog-style tracker with an adjustable step goal, but its vibration alarm is weak.
10
lesnumeriques.com
✓ explicit
07/01/2017
Hands-on test · Analog activity tracker
Verdict
The Withings Activité Steel is an analog tracker with a battery far longer than screen models, but it has no heart rate sensor.
9.0
cloriou.fr
≈ estimated
22/05/2017
Personal test · Analog activity tracker
Verdict
The Withings Activité Steel is a classy analog watch that tracks steps, sleep and swimming, lasts about 8 months on one battery, but shows no notifications.
9.0
lecafedugeek.fr
≈ estimated
07/07/2016
Personal review · Discreet activity watch
Verdict
The Withings Activité Steel is a discreet three-hand watch that tracks steps, swimming and sleep for months, but does not count gym or dance exercise.
9.5
stintup.com
≈ estimated
03/04/2017
Month-long test · Analog activity watch
Verdict
The Withings Activité Steel is a classic-looking watch that detects swimming when you pause at lap ends, but its vibration alarm is too faint to wake you.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Withings Steel

  • Elegant, minimalist analog design that looks like a traditional watch
  • Exceptional battery life, often lasting up to 25 days on a single charge
  • Lightweight and comfortable for 24/7 wear, including sleep tracking
  • User-friendly Health Mate app with clear data visualization
  • Seamless automatic syncing and activity recognition
  • Water-resistant up to 50 meters, suitable for swimming

What customers don't like about Withings Steel

  • Digital OLED screen is very small and difficult to read in direct sunlight
  • Heart rate tracking can be erratic or inaccurate during high-intensity workouts
  • Vibration motor for silent alarms is often too weak to wake heavy sleepers
  • Lacks built-in GPS, requiring a connected phone for distance tracking
  • Mineral glass watch face is prone to scratching over time
  • Proprietary magnetic charger can be finicky and easily disconnected

Verdict

The Withings Steel is a sleek, analog-style hybrid fitness tracker featuring a 36.3mm stainless steel case, water resistance up to 50 meters, and an impressive battery life of up to 8 months using a standard CR2025 coin cell. It focuses on minimalist activity tracking, including steps, distance, and calories, alongside automatic sleep monitoring and swim stroke detection, all of which sync to the Health Mate app. Its main characteristics are its discreet, timeless watch design and seamless automatic tracking, while its chief pros include its lightweight build and no-charging-required operation. However, its notable cons are the lack of a built-in heart rate sensor (found only in 'Steel HR' models), no digital display for notifications, and no GPS connectivity.

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