Over the last few days, I’ve been wearing the Jawbone UP2 tracker, and during that time, it has shown no signs of coming off. Nor has anything on the tracking front changed; the device will continue to offer all of the monitoring and access to all the same software that have been available before. The secure design makes me feel more comfortable recommending this tracker.

What is the Jawbone UP2?

It is the successor to the Jawbone UP24, the fitness band that we named our favourite wearable for 2014, we loved it so much. The UP2 sits between the cheaper Jawbone Move and the new and more elaborate Jawbone UP3 for heart-rate tracking, it offers the same basic activity tracking, with the same sensors as the previous version. Its design has, however, been radically overhauled.

The UP2 costs S$199.99, less than its predecessor did when it was first launched. This price puts it up against two devices that offer pretty much the same features — the Fitbit Charge. We have gone walking and running, exercised and logged meals using the UP2 and can still say that it leads the way in its approach to improving fitness and health.

Design and features

The Jawbone UP24 was not by any means perfect as far as design is concerned. You couldn’t go swimming in it because it wasn’t waterproof. It is splash-proof, however, so you can wear it while taking a shower. The cap covering the charging port was the main issue: It got lost too easily; we did so twice, which is really a shame considering what fans we had otherwise been of this stylish, sleek band.

With the UP2, Jawbone solved that issue and, while they were at it, rethought the band’s overall appearance; they have now replaced the textured and slightly rigid rubber with a more flexible rubber strip. A metal casing, on which three notification LEDs sit, has been placed at the top of the band. All these radical differences between the UP2 on the one hand, and the UP24 and the original UP2 on the other, make it look more like a bracelet than a tracker. We personally like it as it offers a snug fit.

As to the easily-lost cap we mentioned, that has been replaced by a movable metal clasp which can suit the fit and size of the band. A third notification LED has been added for phone notifications (the other two are for activity and sleep tracking).

The Jawbone UP2 App

The Jawbone app and its ecosystem still shine for the most part, even if the hardware department is making questionable decisions. You still need your smartphone to review all the data because there the UP hardware has no screen. It remains compatible with the same platforms, and like the UP2, it calls for a different app than the one used by the UP24.

Pros and cons

Pros

• The ecosystem that it offers continues to be more insightful than those of its rivals.
• The battery can last for as long as a week.
• The fit of the UP2 is more secure than that of the first generation.

Cons

• The new design is not as elegant as that of the UP24.
• Sleep tracking and switch modes are difficult to activate.

Key features

• a medical-grade hypoallergenic TPU rubber strap
• fits 140-190mm (-inch) wrists
• splash-proof
• 38mAh rechargeable battery that lasts up to seven days
• Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity
• three single-colour LEDs
• compatible with iOS and Android systems
• a triple-axis accelerometer

Overall

I am convinced that these new changes from the UP and UP24 models have made the UP2 tracker more satisfying to use. Those of you who’ve read my original review for the Jawbone UP will know my disappointment and frustration with it, especially after the praise that I showered on its predecessor, the UP24. I had every reason to think that the UP2 would make a great successor after Jawbone made a number of big blunders in designing their original UP model especially when it came to the strap. With the UP2, Jawbone has introduced a radically different clasp, made the new strap with rubber and included a small metal hook that clips into the opposite part of the clasp.

In addition, the Jawbone app was insightful and smart, and the battery life was strong. And by including new software features such as automatic sleep tracking; this eliminated the need to interact with the touch-sensitive surface that was built into the top of the device.

In summary, if you’re after a simple, elegant and chic activity tracker without heart rate monitoring, the UP2 is one of the most highest quality trackers on the market at the moment.