The Cult Shock X Fitness Tracker: A Basic but Functional Wearable for Budget-Conscious Users
The fitness tracker market is saturated with options, leaving users with a seemingly endless array of choices. The Cult Shock X, launched earlier this year by Cult.sport, promises the basics – activity tracking, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and more – all at an enticing price point. But does it offer enough to stand out from the crowd? After spending nearly a month wearing and testing the Shock X, I’m ready to share my insights on whether it truly delivers on its promises.
Cult Shock X Price in India
The Cult Shock X was initially launched at ₹2,999, but it currently retails for ₹1,999 on Flipkart. This significant price drop brings it in line with other popular fitness trackers in the sub-₹3,000 range. It’s available in four color options: Black, Camo, Green, and Red.
Cult Shock X Review: Design
The Shock X is a sizable fitness tracker, even on my average-sized wrist. Made of plastic with silicone straps, it feels surprisingly lightweight. The straps are easily replaceable with “universal” watch straps, offering some personalization options.
The right side houses two buttons: one to activate the screen and the other to access the sports tracking menu. Between these buttons is a crown that allows you to quickly scroll through menus and fitness modes.
The 1.43-inch AMOLED screen is a standout feature. Despite not being the brightest in its class, it offers decent visibility in most lighting conditions, even in bright sunlight. While the bezels are noticeable, they’re relatively thin and don’t detract significantly from the overall viewing experience.
The Shock X boasts an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, making it capable of handling everyday wear and tear, even during workouts or light rain. However, it lacks a specific water resistance rating, despite including water-related activities like surfing and snorkeling among its tracking modes. After a few weeks, I did notice some discoloration at the bottom of the watch near the sensors.
Cult Shock X Review: Specifications and Performance
The Cult Shock X promises a range of health tracking features, including:
- Blood Oxygen Saturation (SpO2)
- Step Counting
- Blood Pressure
- Heart Rate Monitoring
- Sleep Tracking
- Digital Calculator
- BMI Calculator
Beyond these basic health features, the companion app also provides access to a library of workout training videos across various categories. This is a valuable addition, offering guidance and inspiration for users seeking to incorporate new exercises into their routines.
I tested the Shock X’s step counting accuracy against a manually counted set of 100 steps and a more accurate Apple Watch SE 2. The Shock X counted 94 steps compared to the Apple Watch’s 98 steps, demonstrating a reasonable level of accuracy for a budget fitness tracker.
I also used the device to track workouts on different gym equipment, comparing the readings to those displayed on the machines. The results were generally consistent, confirming its ability to track calories burned during elliptical, treadmill, and exercise cycle sessions.
For blood oxygen and blood pressure monitoring, I compared the readings to those provided by a basic BPL pulse oximeter and an Omron automatic BP monitor respectively. The measurements were mostly consistent, though it’s essential to remember that budget wearables shouldn’t be relied upon as medical-grade devices for precise health monitoring.
In addition to the core health tracking features, the Shock X allows you to receive and make phone calls via Bluetooth connection. It functions similarly to a Bluetooth speaker with a microphone, offering clear audio quality in less noisy environments.
Other Bluetooth-enabled features, such as remote camera control and “find phone” functionality, were inconsistent. The “find phone” feature only worked when the companion app was actively running, rendering it less useful.
The Cult Watch companion app is available for both Android and iOS devices. I downloaded the app on an Android 13 phone and found it to support all the watch’s advertised features, except for the “find phone” function, which remained unreliable.
The Shock X boasts a 420mAh battery, promising up to 10 days of battery life. My experience confirmed this claim. I charged the device only three times over four weeks of testing, This impressive battery life is notably sustained even when the watch goes unused for multiple days.
Cult Shock X Review: Verdict
The Cult Shock X is a budget-friendly fitness tracker that efficiently delivers on its basic promises. It competes with numerous other brands within the sub-₹3,000 price range, including Noise, Fire-Boltt, Boat, Fastrack, and others.
Many models in this price bracket offer overlapping features, often differentiated only by external design. The Shock X excels in providing a functional yet unspectacular experience. Its key strengths include its activity tracking capabilities, notification management, and call functionality.
While it lacks the advanced features of higher-priced models, the Shock X’s current price of ₹1,999 makes it competitive with competing brands. If you’re searching for a reliable fitness tracker that ticks the essential boxes without breaking the bank, then the Shock X is certainly worth considering.
Ratings:
- Design and Comfort: 7/10
- Tracking Accuracy: 8/10
- Companion App: 8/10
- Software and Ecosystem: 7/10
- Battery Life: 9/10
- Overall Rating: 7/10
Pros:
- Comfortable and lightweight on the wrist
- Bright AMOLED screen
- Generally accurate fitness tracking
- Long battery life
- Companion app provides access to fitness content
Cons:
- Slightly bulky for smaller wrists
- Basic operating system with occasional choppiness
- Lacks standout features
