The reality is that you’re probably not going to encounter a wearable designed especially for Zumba classes. However, that’s not to say there aren’t alternatives.
For example, the Fitbit app allows you to enter a Zumba workout, including the duration (e.g. 30 minutes) and difficulty (low or high) on a scale. Then, Fitbit estimates your calories burned. This is fine for people who only go to an exercise class once in a while, but it doesn’t provide much inspiration or fun for this kind of social activity.
Focus on what Zumba does to your body
Instead of focusing on a wearable that tracks every step – as it does for running – it could be better to use a measure to concentrate on instead. If you’re taking a Zumba class to improve your health or lose weight, it’s a good idea to learn about the various heart rate training areas.
If you’re concerned about measuring heart rate speeds, you shouldn’t need an expensive watch with all kinds of mega features. For example, get a smartwatch that will paint an image of how the heart rate has risen and lowered during your class if you’d like to keep an eye on it but don’t need it to alert you in real-time.
Of course, you can forego getting an activity-specific watch entirely and just pick a metric to track when you shake what your mother gave you in a Zumba session.
It might seem weird that there aren’t more activity-specific fitness trackers on the market. However, many got stuck in the early stages of development or crowd-funding and never made it to market. However, this is most definitely since multi-purpose wearables are becoming more innovative. Brands like Zepp tend to specific niches, while Garmin and Fitbit handle the most common.
So, what are the perfect smartwatches for Zumba classes?
We’ll go through six excellent choices, beginning with low-cost options, progressing to mid-range alternatives and finally, advanced choices.
1. Xiaomi Mi Band 6
Xiaomi’s Mi Band, which debuted seven years ago, is now the king of low-cost fitness trackers. Here we have the Mi Band 6, the most recent iteration.
Its screen is incredibly bright, vibrant, and sensitive, and it has some fantastic features you’d expect to see in a much more expensive product (such as all-day tension monitoring and a pulse oximeter). All in all, it’s a great alternative to any lower-end Fitbit for daily use that provides a lot more than you would think.
Pros
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Exceptional display for the cost
Cons
- Style is uninspiring
| Product | Supplier |
| Mi Band 7 | AliExpress |
| Mi Band 7 | eBay |
| Mi Band 7 Pro | Amazon |
| Mi Band 7 | Amazon |
2. Amazfit Band 5 Smart Band
For around $50, Xiaomi has secretly launched a feature-rich new fitness tracker that includes SpO2 (blood oxygen saturation) tracking and Alexa integration.
We first heard about the Amazfit Band 5 in July 2020, but we assumed this was just another title for what would be the Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 5. Given Xiaomi’s erratic naming style, it didn’t seem unreasonable to make that statement.
With built-in SpO2 tracking and Alexa voice commands, as well as a 15-day battery life, this amazingly cheap fitness tracker doesn’t compromise on quality or functionality.
Pros
- Super cheap
- Packed with features
Cons
- For a budget price, don’t expect incredible accuracy
3. Fitbit Charge 4 or Charge 5
The Fitbit Charge 4 is visually identical to the previous model. In particular, its grayscale touchscreen, but the inclusion of built-in GPS makes a significant difference, making it a realistic alternative to full-fledged running watches if you like working out for fun and fitness but don’t need a plethora of details on splits, cadence, and elevation.
The Fitbit charge 5 is better looking and more refined but it comes at a higher cost. It has a luxurious feel a bigger screen and we think it’s even better looking than the Fitbit Luxe.
Pros
- Excellent support for monitoring Zumba via the Fitbit App
Cons
Compare prices and choose your favorite merchant in the table below.
| Product | Supplier | |
| Fitbit Charge 5 | Amazon | View Offer |
| Fitbit Charge 5 | eBay | View Offer |
| Fitbit Charge 4 | eBay | View Offer |
| Fitbit Charge 5 | Fitbit | View Offer |
4. Garmin Vivosmart 4
The Vivosmart 4, an everyday fitness tracker, can measure heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and energy during the day at a comparatively low price, proves that Garmin isn’t just for serious athletes.
The Garmin Vivosmart 4 is the most recent addition to the Vivosmart line. It’s a slim, swim-friendly tracker with a slew of features aimed at helping you get more involved, happier, and less vulnerable to stress and burnout.
It accomplishes this with a variety of features and sensors. Namely, a Pulse Ox sensor that calculates blood oxygen saturation, an optical heart rate sensor, tension tracking, and direct breathing, as well as Body Battery energy control, which lets you determine when you’re primed to be involved or when you may need to relax.
Pros
- Long-lasting battery with a slim build
- Dance app directly acknowledges Zumba
Cons
- Small display
- At times, the screen is unresponsive
- There is no GPS
For more Garmin Ladies options see our full review here.
5. Apple Watch Series 7
The Apple Watch Series 7 has made some notable fitness and health upgrades which consistently keeps it on everyone’s list for wearable tech. Along with core training, strength training, and cold down, we now have dance added to the workout app. Using its advanced sensor function it can accurately track calories during dance mode from heart rate sensors and its accelerometer.
Aside from that, there are some other really great upgrades that came with the oz7 software. The ultimate customizability to the face of the watch was actually one of the best-rated features. Along with that interestingly enough was an auto-handwashing detection mode where the watch would use the sensors to hear the noise and start a 20-second timer.
Other important health aids included volume control to limit exposure to overly loud volumes. And something sort of completely new is the ability to translate languages right there with Siri.
| Product | Supplier | |
| Apple Watch Series 7 | Amazon | View Offer |
| Apple Watch Series 7 | eBay | View Offer |
| Apple Watch Series 7 | Best Buy | View Offer |
| Apple Watch Series 7 | Apple | View Offer |
Pros
- Dedicated dance sport mode
- New fitness mode upgrade to see all data easily
Cons
- Workouts could be more detailed
- Battery life is still poor
6. Garmin Instinct 2 Solar
The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar is a durable beast for anyone into fitness- who also wants detailed data. OK, so the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar isn’t the most visually appealing multi-sports watch on the market. But it is an improvement style-wise when compared to the original Instinct. That smartwatch did not offer quite as much variety as the 2 does.
The best part about the 2 Solar is that it gets charged in daylight and under some artificial light.
Your heart rate, step count, and estimated calories expended are all visible at a glance. Perfect for a Zumba class. Scroll down to see some fascinating observations based on your previous day’s data if you’re a regular class-goer. Things like stress level (based on variations in your heart rate) and Body Battery are really handy. This “tests the level of energy stores you have during the day,” with a higher number indicating a more fully charged battery
Pros
- Exceptional battery
- The interface is well-designed
- Available in a few different models and a variety of designs
- Dance app available that supports Zumba
Cons
- Large and heavier than some other multisport smartwatches
7. Samsung Galaxy Watch4
The Apple Series 7 and Samsung Galaxy Watch4 always go head to head and it is no different when it comes to great watches to track your Zumba and dance workouts. The technical term for this kind of tracking is their aerobics. And if you don’t love this you can always add a widget or app from their app store to enhance your tracking more specifically to dance.
The reason why the Samsung Galaxy Watch4 has such great tracking is that they have thorough heartrate and oxygen monitoring abilities in their sensors. This not only gives you a good idea about how hard you are working but it also keeps you safe.
Accidents happen which is why they have a great incident detection process installed on the smartwatch. If you have a sudden fall or an incident is detected you’ll have 60 seconds to answer your watch if you are OK. If you don’t your location is sent to emergency contacts.
Pros
- All around top watch choice
- Ability to add other apps for preference tracking
- Fall detection
Cons
- Not the most Zumba specific tracker out there
Conclusion
We hope that’s provided a sound basis for looking into the best kind of smartwatch if you’re into Zumba classes! Don’t be disappointed if you don’t see a specific Zumba mode. Remember what you’re trying to achieve during the class and find a device that provides either the metrics or design you need.
- If budget is your main concern, check out our selection of the best budget smartwatches under $100 in 2021.
Last Updated on March 20, 2022
Maygen is a multifaceted writer, proofreader, and experienced smartwatch industry writing and editing professional.
We appreciate her work, contribution to our blog, marketing skills, editing, and expert writing abilities which are second to none.
Truly adept in content strategy and content creation which has immense contribution to our blog.