[leadin]With dedicated fitness software and apps for every smartphone device, the Microsoft Band 2 is an easy-to-use, accurate activity tracker that’s looking to make waves in the crowded fitness watch market.[/leadin]
The Microsoft Band 2 is something of a hybrid product. Similar to GPS watches like the Suunto Ambit3, it works alone without being connected to a smartphone. But it has a much shorter battery life and mediocre display compared to the high-powered GPS watches on the market, which can run for a month or more in watch mode.
On the other hand, it has a deep feature set compared with many “activity tracker” bands including: GPS, elevation, heart rate, speed, time, pace, and UV exposure to name a few. In all there are 11 sensors in the Band (see complete list below) which is more than most. From all this, the user can view real-time data on the Band’s digital display.
At $250, it hits a price cheaper than most GPS watches while including a built-in optical heart rate sensor that many such watches lack. But with budget online shops knocking mid-level GPS watches below $300, choosing this Band over a dedicated fitness watch will be a hard sell.
Read the review below to help decide if the Microsoft Band 2 is for you or if you should take the plunge into a full-blown GPS watch.
Microsoft Band 2 Review
The Band 2 is light, yet semi-bulky, with a very clear 320×128 pixel display, 48-hour battery life, and full charge time of 1.5 hours. The battery life is less when the GPS is used, but the same goes for GPS watches, which have an average battery life of 50-100 hours when tracking is used.
A big difference between the Band 2 and GPS watches is that watches work for a month or more between charges when not using GPS. The Band 2 lasts about 48 hours between charges even when no GPS functions are being used.
Microsoft touts the Band as a fitness tracker with smartwatch capabilities. I’d agree. It has just about any sensor you’d want in a fitness tracker and the post-workout statistics are easy to digest in the Microsoft Health app. Its smartwatch capabilities include receiving emails, texts, calls, social media notifications, the weather, and more via a low energy Bluetooth 4.0 when you’re near your phone.
Testing The Band 2

Pros Vs. Cons
- Easy to use, seamless compatibility with impressive Microsoft Health app
- Accurate sensors (GPS, heart rate, time, splits, steps, barometer, etc.)
- Sleep tracking and Smart Alarm
- Participation in “guided workouts” designed by fitness pros
- Tracking stats when strength training
- Syncing with other fitness apps such as MapMyFitness, Strava, Runkeeper
- Activity reminders to keep moving
- Asking Cortana (Microsoft’s Siri) simple questions
- Short battery life renders sleep tracker mostly unused, as most people charge at night
- Not super comfortable, scrapes laptop when typing
- Not waterproof, no swimming or showering with it
- Display can be a little hard to read mid-workout
- No navigation or compass (available on GPS watches)
The Final Decision-Maker
SPECS
- Price: $250
- Band Material: Thermal plastic elastomer silicone vulcanate (TPSiV)
- Display Size: 32mm x 12.8mm
- Battery Type: Li-Polymer
- Temp. Ranges: 14°F to 104° F
- Warranty: 1 year limited
- Sensors: Optical heart rate sensor; 3-axis accelerometer/gyro; Gyrometer; GPS; Ambient light sensor; Skin temperature sensor; UV sensor; Captive sensor; Galvanic skin response; Microphone; Barometer
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0