An everyday tech comparison for people who want to keep an eye on their health, sleep, and physical activity.
My Apple Watch met its demise in the sandy shores of Boracay. I had it for a good 6-7 years. I totally forgot to toggle some settings before I took a dip in the ocean. A few hours later, it wouldn't power on. I knew it was on the verge of conking out as the battery life was getting shorter by the day.
Anyway, I decided not to get another Apple Watch because based on experience, I don't use much of the features except health metrics feature. I figured I could just use an ordinary yet reliable sports band that can cater to my required health metrics requirements-heart rate, blood oxygen, HRV, stress level, menstrual cycle, sleep, and workout activity.
After researching for an immediate replacement for my Apple Watch, I decided on two devices: Huawei Band 11 Pro and HLTH Band. Both are on my budget range and they satisfy my minimum requirements for a health monitoring watch.
Why two devices?
Because sometimes, one fitness tracker isn't enough. Not because we need more gadgets, but because different wearables can serve different purposes.
The HLTH Band and HUAWEI Band 11 Pro are two devices that approach health and fitness tracking from different directions. One focuses on discreet, continuous wellness monitoring, while the other combines fitness features with the convenience of a watch.
I decided to use both devices, not necessarily to find a winner, but to explore how they might complement each other in everyday life.
Meet the Two Wearables
HLTH Band: The Quiet Health Companion
The HLTH Band is designed for people who want to collect wellness data without wearing a traditional smartwatch. Its screenless design keeps things simple, while its companion app provides access to health and activity information.
Its advertised features include continuous heart-rate monitoring, heart-rate variability (HRV), blood oxygen measurements, sleep tracking, stress insights, activity tracking, and blood-pressure insights. It also offers an extended battery life of up to 30 days, depending on usage.
Another appealing feature is that it does not require a subscription to access its advertised tracking features.
The HLTH Band is particularly interesting for people who want to observe longer-term patterns in their sleep, recovery, and daily activity without constantly checking a display.
HUAWEI Band 11 Pro: The Everyday Fitness Watch
The HUAWEI Band 11 Pro takes a more traditional approach. It has a 1.62-inch AMOLED touchscreen, a lightweight design, fitness tracking, health monitoring, and smartwatch conveniences.
It supports heart-rate monitoring, blood oxygen measurements, sleep tracking, stress monitoring, and multiple workout modes. It also includes built-in GNSS for outdoor activity tracking without relying on a phone's GPS.
Its 5 ATM water-resistance rating makes it suitable for swimming under the manufacturer's stated conditions.
With notifications, alarms, a visible clock face, and workout information displayed on the wrist, it can serve as both a fitness companion and an everyday watch.
HLTH Band vs HUAWEI Band 11 Pro: Feature Comparison
| Feature | HLTH Band | HUAWEI Band 11 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Screenless wearable | Fitness band with touchscreen |
| Display | None | 1.62-inch AMOLED |
| Heart-rate monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| HRV tracking | Yes | Check available metrics in the companion app |
| Blood oxygen (SpO₂) | Yes | Yes |
| Blood-pressure insights | Advertised | No direct blood-pressure measurement |
| Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Stress tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Steps and activity | Yes | Yes |
| Outdoor GPS | Connected GPS through phone | Built-in GNSS |
| Swimming | Check the exact water-resistance rating of your HLTH model | 5 ATM |
| Advertised battery life | Up to 30 days | Up to 14 days in light use; around 8 days typical |
| Smartphone compatibility | iOS and Android | iOS and Android |
| Subscription | Not required | Not required for standard band features |
| Best suited for | Discreet wellness tracking | Everyday fitness and smartwatch convenience
|
Specifications are based on manufacturer information. Battery life varies with settings and usage. Health features and compatibility can depend on firmware, app version, and region.
Can You Wear Both Devices at the Same Time?
Yes. Wearing two trackers can be an interesting way to compare their readings and understand how their features differ.
For example, the HLTH Band could be used for discreet, around-the-clock wellness tracking, while the HUAWEI Band 11 Pro could serve as the everyday watch for workouts, walks, and outdoor activities.
However, two wearables will not necessarily produce identical readings. Their sensors, measurement intervals, algorithms, and positioning can differ.
For a fair comparison, it helps to wear them consistently and compare similar measurements over several days rather than relying on a single reading.
What to Compare
Resting heart rate: Look for similar overall trends.
Sleep duration: Compare estimated sleep and wake times, not just the total score.
HRV: Check whether both devices offer comparable measurements and reporting periods.
Steps: Wear both consistently during your usual daily activities.
Walking workouts: Compare duration and heart-rate trends, keeping GPS settings in mind.
Swimming: Compare workout duration and other metrics supported by each device.
One important reminder: agreement between two consumer wearables does not prove that either measurement is medically accurate. For blood pressure, use a validated upper-arm monitor rather than relying on a wearable's estimates.
Which One Is Better for Swimming?
For swimming, the HUAWEI Band 11 Pro has a clear specification advantage with its 5 ATM rating. It is designed to withstand the pressure associated with specified shallow-water activities, including pool swimming.
The HLTH Band's published water-resistance specifications have varied across product pages and versions. Check the documentation supplied with your particular device before taking it into the pool.
Water resistance also does not guarantee that every feature will work underwater exactly as it does on land.
Battery Life: Convenience Matters
Battery life is one of the HLTH Band's strongest selling points. Its advertised maximum of up to 30 days means fewer charging interruptions.
The HUAWEI Band 11 Pro offers up to 14 days under light-use conditions, with approximately eight days quoted for typical use. Features such as always-on display and frequent workouts can shorten that time.
For someone who wants to wear a tracker overnight, fewer charging interruptions can make a difference. On the other hand, the Huawei's display makes it easy to check information without opening an app.
Which One Should You Choose?
The answer depends on how you prefer to use technology.
Choose the HLTH Band if you prefer:
A discreet, screenless design.
Long battery life.
Wellness, sleep, and recovery trends.
A tracker that does not demand much attention.
Choose the HUAWEI Band 11 Pro if you prefer:
A visible watch face and notifications.
Built-in GNSS for outdoor activities.
A convenient display for workouts.
Swimming and everyday fitness tracking.
Or consider using both. If you already own the two devices, there is no need to force them into a competition. They may serve different purposes in your daily routine.
Final Thoughts: Complementary, Not Competing
Fitness trackers can be useful tools for becoming more aware of our habits, but more data does not automatically mean better health.
The most useful device is one that fits your lifestyle, feels comfortable enough to wear consistently, and provides information you can interpret sensibly.
The HLTH Band and HUAWEI Band 11 Pro offer two different ways to approach that goal: one emphasizes discreet wellness tracking, while the other combines activity monitoring with the convenience of a smartwatch.
Using both may even reveal which device you prefer for different activities. The real value lies not in chasing identical numbers, but in learning more about your routines and finding sustainable ways to move, rest, and feel better.
Disclosure: This comparison is based on manufacturer-published specifications. Add your own usage observations and any relevant purchase disclosures before publishing. Health and wellness trackers are not substitutes for medical-grade testing or professional medical advice.
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