Healthy shopping: Low-EMF fitness trackers

If you’re looking to buy a fitness tracker, make it a low-EMF one, says Joanna Evans

Wearable fitness trackers can motivate you to move more and live healthier, whether you’re simply counting daily steps or tracking more advanced metrics like heart rate, sleep, blood oxygen levels and calories burned. A study of nearly 164,000 people of varying ages and health found that fitness trackers encouraged people to walk an extra 40 minutes each day, resulting in about two pounds (1 kg) of weight loss per person over roughly five months.¹

But a downside of these devices is the radiation they can emit. Wearing a fitness tracker—especially if you wear one day and night—can significantly add to your exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs), which has been linked to a wide range of health problems, from cancer to infertility.

Although radiation from fitness trackers will likely be much lower than that from a typical smartphone, EMF exposure is cumulative, so it’s wise to minimize it where possible.

The good news is that low-EMF fitness trackers do exist. Here are a few tips on what to look for and some top picks to try.

What to look for

If your priority is minimal EMF exposure, follow these tips:

Skip Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Avoid devices that constantly sync with your phone.

Keep it simple. Basic models that track steps, distance and sleep offline are your best bet.

Check for airplane mode. If you do want more advanced features and connectivity, ensure any wireless features can be fully disabled when you’re not using them.

Charge with cables. Choose wired over wireless charging for less EMF.

Products to try

Here’s a small selection of simple, affordable fitness trackers with no Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, all available via Amazon in the US and UK. If you need a more advanced model, consider the Oura Ring or Garmin Vivosmart 5, which allow you to disable Bluetooth.

Cloudpoem

No Bluetooth Fitness Tracker, $33.99/£25.81

EMF information and protection site Tech Wellness (techwellness.com) recommends this fitness tracker watch, which is designed without Bluetooth and doesn’t need to connect to a mobile phone or app. It tracks steps, calories burned, distance and sleep time, and you can set reminders to stretch and drink water. It’s IP68 waterproof, has a full touchscreen display and is available in three colors.

Omron

Walking Style IV Step Counter, $51.35/£32.89

If you’re looking for a no-frills way to simply count steps, consider a basic, Bluetooth-free pedometer like this one from trusted brand Omron. It measures steps, aerobic steps, distance and calories burned and is easy to use with minimal setup time.

It’s lightweight, fits inside your pocket and comes with a clip and strap. Since it doesn’t have to be strapped to your wrist, this one may be more accurate for measuring steps during activity that doesn’t involve consistently swinging the arms (such as household chores).

GRV

Fitness Tracker Non-Bluetooth, $25.99/£18.36

One of the top low-EMF fitness trackers recommended by EMF Academy (emfacademy.com), an EMF education and exposure-reduction resource, this basic watch is IP68 waterproof, comes in six colors and records steps, distance, sleep and calories burned. It’s easy to use with a touch button at the bottom of the screen, and the sleek design is comfortable to wear.

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