PulseGear X1 Pro Review: Is This Budget Fitness Tracker Worth Your Money?

First Impressions & Unboxing

• Box contents: tracker, charging cable, user manual, and two extra bands – all neatly packed without excess plastic.
• Build quality: lightweight matte plastic with a responsive 1.4-inch touchscreen. Feels durable but not premium.
• Initial setup: quick Bluetooth 5.0 pairing via the PulseSync app, firmware update took 3 minutes.

Design, Display & Comfort

• Screen: 1.4-inch AMOLED, 240×240 resolution – bright enough outdoors, but smudges easily.
• Band and fit: silicone band is soft and adjustable; no skin irritation after 8 hours of wear during sleep tracking.
• Water resistance: IP68 rating – survived a 30-minute swim and a shower without issues.

Core Features & Accuracy

• Step tracking: Within 2% of manual count on a 1,000-step test. GPS (connected) works well for outdoor runs.
• Heart rate monitor: Optical sensor matched a chest strap within ±5 bpm during steady-state cardio, but lagged during HIIT.
• Sleep tracking: Accurately detected deep/light sleep phases; missed a 45-minute nap once.

Battery Life & Charging

• Claimed vs real: 7 days with always-on display off; 4 days with AOD on. Heavy GPS use drops it to 2 days.
• Charging speed: 0-100% in 90 minutes via proprietary magnetic cable (USB-A). No fast charge support.
• Standby drain: Minimal – lost only 3% overnight without notifications.

Software, App Experience & Notifications

• PulseSync app: Clean layout with daily trends, but syncs slowly (10-15 seconds). No web dashboard.
• Notifications: Reliable for calls, texts, and WhatsApp; cannot reply, and emoji display is glitchy.
• Customization: 20+ watch faces, limited to 4 complications each. Workout profiles lack auto-detect for weightlifting.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Affordable price ($79), bright AMOLED screen, reliable sleep tracking, and comfortable all-day wear.
• Cons: No built-in GPS, slow app sync, mediocre heart rate accuracy for interval training, and proprietary charger.
• Who it’s for: Casual fitness users and budget-conscious buyers; not for serious athletes or GPS-dependent runners.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?

• Value score: 7.5/10 – competes well with Xiaomi Mi Band 8 and Fitbit Inspire 3 at a lower price point.
• Best alternatives: For GPS, get the Amazfit Bip 5 ($89). For better HR accuracy, save for a Garmin Vivosmart 5.
• Bottom line: A solid entry-level tracker for step counting and sleep, but skip if you need advanced metrics or build quality.

Written byEvan Cole

Evan Cole tests and reviews consumer electronics, fitness trackers, and audio gear for Pulse Gear Reviews. Every product goes through a structured evaluation covering build quality, performance benchmarks, battery life, and value for money.