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The tracker that carries its own charger.

By the eFit team · Updated · 5-minute read

Ink drawing of a hand pushing a strapless tracker into a laptop's USB port while the other hand holds the strap.

A fitness tracker with a built-in USB charger hides a USB plug under its strap. Slide the strap off one end, push the watch into any USB port on a laptop, wall adapter or car charger, and it charges directly, so the charger travels everywhere the tracker goes. MotionCred uses this design and runs up to 12 days on a full charge.

Key takeaways

  • The plug lives inside the band, so the charger is always with you.
  • Any USB port works: laptop, wall adapter, car charger or power bank.
  • One charge lasts up to 12 days of typical use and about 30 days in standby.
  • Hourly sync and a short list of alert apps stretch each charge.

How built-in USB charging works

  1. Slide the strap off. Hold the watch body and pull the strap away from one end. A USB plug sits where the strap was.
  2. Plug it into any USB port. The plug fits one way. If it resists, turn the watch over and try again.
  3. Slide the strap back on. Once the battery icon reads full, push the strap over the plug until it sits flush with the watch.

The plug is a standard USB-A connector, the rectangular kind found on wall adapters, car chargers, power banks and most laptops. Laptops with USB-C ports alone take a small USB-C to USB-A adapter.

Why a built-in plug beats a charging cable

Many trackers charge through a small proprietary cable or magnetic clip. Those cables are easy to leave behind in a dorm, a gym bag or a relative's guest room, and the tracker goes flat until a replacement arrives. A built-in plug solves that for good:

  • Zero extra cables to pack, buy or lose.
  • Every USB port becomes a charger, including the laptop already in the backpack.
  • Holiday travel gets simpler, because the tracker shares the adapter you bring for your phone.

What 12 days of battery looks like

MotionCred runs on a 120 mAh lithium-ion battery rated for up to 12 days of typical use and about 30 days in standby. A charge on Christmas morning carries it through January 5. The watch screen and the Band tile in the MotionCred app both show the battery level, so a low charge is easy to spot.

Five habits that stretch each charge

  1. Choose hourly sync. Under Settings, Sync with eFit, the Every hour option uses less power than Live, which checks every 5 minutes.
  2. Pick alert apps with care. Each buzz uses a little battery, so send alerts from the apps that matter most.
  3. Set the move reminder to suit you. Turn it off on days you prefer to move on your own schedule.
  4. Top up before trips. A full charge before travel covers a long holiday away.
  5. Keep it cool. Store the tracker away from extreme heat, such as a car in summer.

Charge it safely

  • Charge once the watch and plug are fully dry.
  • Wipe the plug with a soft, dry cloth if charging stalls, then try another USB port or a wall adapter.
  • Wear the strap fully seated over the plug, which keeps sweat and water away from the contacts.
  • Recycle the watch with electronics at the end of its life; the battery is sealed inside.

Choosing your first tracker? Our budget activity tracker guide lists the seven features worth paying for.

Quick answers

Which fitness trackers charge with a built-in USB plug?

Several budget bands hide a USB plug under the strap. MotionCred ($49) is one of them: slide the strap off one end and push the watch into any USB port. It pairs with Android 9 and newer through the free MotionCred app and runs up to 12 days per charge.

How do you charge a fitness tracker with a USB plug in the band?

Hold the watch body and pull the strap off one end to uncover the plug. Push the plug into a USB port on a computer or wall adapter; it fits one way, so flip it over if it resists. Charge until the battery icon is full, then slide the strap back on until it sits flush.

Can I charge MotionCred with a phone charger?

Yes. Plug it into the USB port of a phone charger, laptop, car charger or power bank. Chargers and laptops with USB-C ports alone take a small USB-C to USB-A adapter.

How long does the MotionCred battery last?

Up to 12 days of typical use and about 30 days in standby from a 120 mAh battery. Live sync, phone alerts and long workouts use more power; hourly sync stretches each charge.

Is it safe to charge a fitness tracker after a workout?

Wipe off sweat and let the watch and its plug dry fully first. MotionCred is rated IP67 for sweat and rain, and a dry plug keeps charging safe and reliable.