Nike+ Fuelband SE : Activity Fitness & Tracker Monitor

With so many wristband fitness trackers on the market and new versions rolling out at what seems like a weekly rate, it's hard to keep track of which does what. Nike has been a leader in the space with its Fuelband lineup, but along with Jawbone and Fitbit, it's looking for more ways to stand out and really help its users get up and get moving. And fortunately for the company — and of course, its users — Nike nails all of the above with its latest iteration, the Nike+ Fuelband SE.
The SE — which stands for "second edition" and is priced at $149 — is Nike's smartest wristband tracker yet. It might not have a beautiful OLED display like the Fitbit Force or be as slim as the Jawbone Up, but for those looking for a true kick to stay active and watch progress in fine detail, the SE's features take initiative like no other competitor. It nudges you if you've been sitting for too long and lets you differentiate between a casual stroll and a heavy workout (or even just pouring a cup of coffee).

And in the spirit of smartwatches, the SE makes it easier than before to view the time: When you double-click the wristband's button, it just displays the time on the screen. It might sound like a simple addition, but it's a helpful shortcut and highlights the various measures Nike has taken to rethink an already successful product.

Design Approach

There are a lot of unattractive smartwatches and wristband trackers out there, but the SE is easily one of the sleekiest I've seen. The first thing you'll notice is Nike's foray into colors with this device— and they aren't exactly understated shades. With options such as crimson (red), pink foil or volt (yellow) splashed on certain parts of the band (the bezel, clasp and battery doors), the colors breathe new personality into the device. There's still an all-black option, too.

The overall design of the band was well received with previous models — attracting positive customer feedback and some awards — but Nike made a few improvements with the SE, mainly with ramping up what's under the hood and increasing battery power. But the design updates are noticeable right away (see picture below).

The band still has the single-button design with LED display. It feels light on the wrist, and the smallest size fits mine perfectly without feeling too snug. It comes with filler pieces, too, so you can add and remove to tailor the fit to your size, whether it's tiny or large. I've been wearing the SE on my left hand to avoid discomfort at the computer mouse.
As usual with wristband trackers, it took me awhile to get used to sleeping with it on — not hitting yourself in the face with it is a learned skill, especially since the band is more solid than the ones on the Fitbit Force and Fitbit Flex (image below), which have more flexible bands.

For the first time, Nike is bringing Bluetooth Smart technology (aka Bluetooth 4.0 or Low Energy) to the Fuelband, which makes the setup process instantaneous. There's no syncing moment or clumsy pairing process.

The most difficult part of setting up the device was trying to remember my Nike+ password.

The most difficult part of setting up the device was trying to remember my Nike+ password. Charging is simple, too. Unlike other wristband trackers, the Fuelband SE plugs right into your computer's USB port without the need for a dongle or cord. By popping the small button near the band's Nike+ logo, the band unhinges and the USB connector appears, the same approach as previous Fuelband models.

Charging this way makes traveling with the SE extremely easy since all you need is the wristband tracker and the accompanying app.

Ramping Up Software

You can get a lot out of the device without syncing it to the free Nike+ Fuelband app, which is the home to the data it collects on your day, but you will learn far more about your activities when you reference it routinely. It doesn't, however, have a wake-up alarm feature like the Fitbit or Jawbone, nor does it track sleeping habits.
The SE still focuses on Fuel points, which is the main metric used throughout the band. Nike is trying to create Fuel points with a scientific algorithm behind it, bumping it up from 50 data points to 250 in its latest device. One of the biggest difficulties from previous models — or in other wristband trackers in general — is it doesn't give you specialized credit for the type of movement you do. Now, Nike will award more Fuel points for a bike ride than, say, clapping your hands.
And sure, you should get credit for making dinner and walking around the kitchen, but it weighs that data based on high and low-intensity activities. You can also label certain periods, such as playing tennis or going for a walk, to better keep track of everything, including calories burned. It also shows you when you're most active: For example, the afternoon may make up 45% of your daily activities, while the evening may make up less of the movement pie.

The strongest addition to the Fuelband SE is the Nike+ Sessions feature

The strongest addition to the Fuelband SE is the Nike+ Sessions feature, which allows you to differentiate times when you're at the gym or working out. By holding down on the start button and watching the display count down from 3, it will kick off a session that can last however long as you choose. The app provides a snapshot of the fuel you earn during that time, such as the average amount earned for each minute. To end a session, you stop it by pressing and holding the band's button once again. Another upgrade: The band can remind you to get up and move every hour. According to research, you're supposed to move for about five minutes every hour, so the Fuelband SE will remind you when you've been sitting for too long. It also shows on the display how many hours you've "won." A gentle poke to stop being a bum.
Although you could team up with other Fuelband users in the past, you can now create groups — friends, co-workers and so on — so you can compare and contrast your progress against others. For those into gamification, there's trophies and achievements that can be earned along the way.

Final Moves

Competitors can learn a lot from what the Nike+ Fuelband SE has to offer, from calling out workout sessions to nudging you to get up for five minutes. It might be $20 more than the Fitbit Force, and lacks the sleekness of a OLED display, but anyone who's already part of the Nike+ network (or interested in joining) will get a lot out of Nike's latest Fuelband.

The Lowdown

What's Good

• Easy setup
• Useful new features
• Intuitive operation

The Bad

• No sleep tracking
• Just a readout, no display

Bottom Line
The Nike+ Fuelband SE costs more than some other fitness trackers, but it's simple to use and will teach you more about how you move throughout the day than ever before.