Overview
- Jump To Details
Apple Watch Series 8 41mm GPS Smart Watch
Best iPhone-Compatible Smartwatch - Jump To Details
Fitbit Charge 5
Fitbit's Most Advanced Tracker - Jump To Details
Fitbit Inspire 3
Best for Beginners - Jump To Details
Fitbit Versa 3
Best for Android-Compatible Smartwatches - Jump To Details
Garmin Venu Sq 2
Best Affordable Fitbit - Jump To Details
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
Best Apple Watch Alternative for Android Users - Jump To Details
Apple Watch SE (2022)
Best Affordable Apple Watch - Jump To Details
Garmin Lily
A Jewelry-Inspired Design - Jump To Details
Polar Ignite 2
An Attractive Fitness Watch
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There has never been a better selection of fitness trackers available, but with choice comes confusion.
Each year, we test and review dozens of models to help you find the best one for your needs and budget. We evaluate numerous factors including accuracy, battery life, ease of setup and use, features, price, specs, and style.
With so many excellent options on the market, which one is right for you? We've gathered the best models we've tested here to help you decide. Read on for our top picks, followed by what to look for when choosing a fitness tracker.
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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Apple Watch Series 8 41mm GPS Smart Watch
Best iPhone-Compatible SmartwatchWhy We Picked It
The Apple Watch Series 8 offers a broad suite of built-in fitness, health, and safety tools, not to mention the best selection of third-party apps (such as Runkeeper, Strava, and Nike Run Club) for any smartwatch.
Its watchOS 9 software includes a new Multisport tracking option for triathletes, heart rate zone data, and support for Custom Workouts. When tracking a run, it can now even show your real-time power, stride length, ground contact time, and vertical oscillation.
Its Activity, Exercise, and Stand rings can help motivate you to get moving, while its companion Fitness+ workout streaming service ($9.99 per month or $79.99 per year after a three-month trial) offers a variety of studio-style classes with excellent music and instruction for the home or gym. On the health front, it accurately tracks your activity, blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), body temperature deviations, fertility windows, menstrual cycle, overnight respiration, sleep, and more.
The Series 8 can alert you if it detects a high or low heart rate, irregular heart rhythm, and loud sounds that can damage your hearing. It also supports Emergency SOS and international emergency calling, as well as automatically calls for help if it detects a hard fall. We also like the Series 8's automatic 20-second handwashing timer, which keeps you honest when you scrub up.
Who It's For
The Apple Watch Series 8 is best for iPhone users in search of a wearable that doubles as a fitness tracker for workouts and a smartwatch for connectivity features. It requires an iPhone 8 or later that runs iOS 16 or higher, so it's not an option if you use Android.
It's a particularly excellent choice for runners, swimmers, and cyclists. Its wrist-based running power measurements help you gauge your effort in real time, a WR50 rating makes it safe for shallow-water activities like swimming in a pool or the ocean, and automatic bike ride detection ensures you never lose credit for an Outdoor Cycle workout.
Meanwhile, the $799 Apple Watch Ultra, which features a more rugged build and longer battery life, should strongly appeal to outdoor adventurers, endurance athletes, and ocean enthusiasts with deep pockets. With its WR100 water-resistance rating, the Ultra is suitable for high-speed water sports and recreational diving.
Pros
- Overnight temperature sensing
- Car crash detection
- Improved battery life
- More accurate period predictions
Cons
- Same design as previous model
- Limited usefulness for retrospective ovulation estimates
Fitbit Charge 5
Fitbit's Most Advanced TrackerWhy We Picked It
The Fitbit Charge 5 offers more bang for your buck than any other fitness tracker we've tested.
This generation builds on its excellent predecessors with an attractive AMOLED color touch screen and metal case. It also adds several advanced health-monitoring features, including an electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor that tracks your body's response to stress, and an electrocardiogram (ECG) app that checks for signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib), an irregular heart rhythm.
For fitness tracking, the Charge 5 features 20 sport profiles (six of which you can add to the device at a time), a built-in GPS so you don't need to bring your phone to track your route during outdoor runs, and a 24/7 heart rate monitor. Its SmartTrack feature automatically recognizes and records certain workouts including walking and running, while its Active Zone Minutes metric motivates you to meet the American Heart Association's recommendation of 150 minutes of moderate to intense activity per week. The Fitbit app offers plenty of post-workout data, including intensity maps showing your pace and heart rate zones throughout your route. On the safety front, the Charge 5 alerts you if your heart rate is unusually high or low.
When you wear it to bed at night, it tracks the duration and quality of your shut-eye, as well as your sleep stages (light, deep, and REM). It also tracks some more advanced overnight metrics, including respiration, heart rate variability (HRV, a measure of your nervous system activity and an indicator of stress levels), skin temperature variation (whether you were hotter or colder compared with your baseline), and SpO2.
Who It's For
With top-notch fitness, sleep, and stress-tracking features; an attractive design; and a reasonable price, the Fitbit Charge 5 is the best standalone fitness tracker for most people. It motivates you to meet your workout goals, get to bed earlier, and incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine.
The Charge 5 works with both iPhone and Android devices, is water-resistant to 164 feet, and offers up to a week of battery life on a charge, which is pretty impressive given its color touch screen and slim design. It supports the following exercise shortcuts: bike, bootcamp, circuit training, elliptical, golf, hike, interval workout, kickboxing, martial arts, outdoor workout, pilates, run, spinning, stairclimber, swim, tennis, treadmill, walk, weights, workout (a general-purpose tracking mode), and yoga.
One limitation, however, is that the Charge 5 lacks Spotify support. If you need music streaming controls on your wrist, look elsewhere. Moreover, if you're new to fitness or don't see yourself tracking outdoor runs, bike rides, or hikes, consider a more affordable wearable without a built-in GPS.
Pros
- Color touch screen with always-on display option
- Attractive design with metal case
- Automatically tracks certain activities
- Excellent companion mobile app
- Robust stress management and sleep tracking features
- Tracks overnight HRV, breathing rate, SpO2 and skin temperature variations
- Supports mobile payments
Cons
- No Spotify support
- Limited exercise shortcut list
- Clock faces aren't customizable
Learn MoreFitbit Charge 5 ReviewFitbit Inspire 3
Best for BeginnersWhy We Picked It
With long battery life, a color AMOLED touch screen, and all the basic activity and sleep features you need, the Fitbit Inspire 3 is the best fitness tracker you can get for less than $100. Its design screams basic unlike the pricier, jewelry-inspired Fitbit Luxe, but we appreciate its bright screen that can stay on all day. The tracker's simple interface and well-designed companion app make it easy to monitor key fitness and health metrics, including your steps, heart rate, calories burned, sleep, overnight SpO2, and more. Despite a slight decrease in battery life from the previous model, it's still the longest-lasting Fitbit available, and the most affordable.
Who It's For
The Fitbit Inspire 3 is a top choice for fitness beginners who are just starting on a path to better health, as well as those on a budget. It lacks a built-in GPS, so it must connect to your phone to accurately track your pace and distance during outdoor walks, runs, hikes, and bike rides. This won't be a problem if you plan to tote your phone during outdoor workouts, but it may be a drawback if you prefer to disconnect while you work up a sweat.
Pros
- Color touch screen with always-on option
- Longest battery life in Fitbit lineup
- Thinner design than last generation
- SpO2 sensor for overnight readings
- Find Phone feature works well
Cons
- Tiny text can be hard to read
- Minor accuracy issues in testing
- No on-demand SpO2 measurements
- Some metrics require a subscription
Learn MoreFitbit Inspire 3 ReviewFitbit Versa 3
Best for Android-Compatible SmartwatchesWhy We Picked It
The Fitbit Versa 3 is one of the best budget-friendly smartwatches you can buy.
The third-generation model offers all the excellent fitness and health features that made the Versa line a favorite of ours for years, including 24/7 heart rate monitoring, guided breathing exercises, and automatic exercise recognition. It also adds a GPS for pace, distance, and route-tracking without your phone, plus features an SpO2 sensor to measure the amount of oxygen in your blood while you sleep.
And now, with support for Amazon Alexa, Deezer, and Pandora music and podcast storage, downloadable apps, on-wrist payments, smartphone notifications, and Spotify music controls, the Versa 3 is the most feature-rich Android-compatible smartwatch in this price range. It features a bright, colorful 1.58-inch AMOLED display, an aluminum case, and a workout-friendly silicone strap. It's water-resistant to 164 feet and lasts more than six days on a charge.
Who It's For
If you're in the market for a budget-friendly fitness tracker and smartwatch hybrid, the Versa 3 is a strong contender, especially for Android users. With an always-on color touch screen, long battery life, ample fitness and sleep tracking tools, and key lifestyle features, it offers tremendous value for the price.
That said, if you're an iPhone user, you should also consider the Apple Watch SE, which boasts a wider selection of downloadable apps; better integration with the iPhone for calls and texts; plus some nice health and safety features you don't get on the Versa 3, including an automatic handwashing countdown timer and fall detection (but no SpO2 readings).
Pros
- Attractive design with large, always-on color display
- Integrated GPS
- Battery charges quickly and lasts for days
- Measures blood oxygen level while sleeping
- Supports Amazon Alexa, Fitbit Pay, and Spotify
Cons
- Laggy touch screen
- No stress tracking, skin temperature, or ECG sensors
- Doesn't provide high and low heart rate notifications
Learn MoreFitbit Versa 3 ReviewGarmin Venu Sq 2
Best Affordable FitbitWhy We Picked It
In the crowded fitness smartwatch market, Garmin's Venu Sq 2 stands out for its practicality. It's the least expensive of the excellent Garmin Venu 2 lineup, with a squarish design that improves text legibility and a battery that lasted for up to nine days in testing. It doesn't track the number of floors you climb and lacks animated workout graphics, but otherwise offers all the excellent health and fitness features of the round Venu 2 for $150 less, including an integrated GPS, support for on-demand SpO2 readings, and Garmin Pay.
Who It's For
If you're searching for a reasonably priced smartwatch with a fitness focus, the Garmin Venu Sq 2 is worth checking out. The similarly priced Apple Watch SE and Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 offer more apps and lifestyle features, but can't last nearly as long per charge.
Pros
- Large AMOLED touch screen
- Weeklong battery life
- Lightweight design
- Plenty of health metrics
- Contactless payments
- Integrated GPS
Cons
- Does not track floors climbed
- Preloaded workouts are not animated
- Limited lifestyle features
Learn MoreGarmin Venu Sq 2 ReviewSamsung Galaxy Watch 5
Best Apple Watch Alternative for Android UsersWhy We Picked It
Samsung's smartwatches offer some of the most innovative health-tracking features we've seen, including wrist-based body composition measurements and overnight snore tracking, tools that are not available on the Apple Watch.
In addition to its ability to read your heart rate and take an electrocardiogram (ECG), the Watch Series 5 can also assess your body composition using a process called bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA, the same technology found in smart scales). After a 15-second scan, the watch displays your skeletal muscle mass, fat mass, body fat percentage, body mass index (BMI, a measure of body size based on your weight and height), body water mass, and basal metabolic rate (BMR, or the minimum necessary energy needed in an inactive state). It also shows whether your results for each metric fall within the low, normal, or high range.
When you wear the watch to bed and place a compatible smartphone on your nightstand, they can work together to listen for snoring and even record it. The watch also tracks your sleep duration, stages (awake, light, deep, and REM), and overnight SpO2. For fitness tracking, the Watch5 series supports more than 90 different workouts (everything from walking and running to archery and flying disc), and can automatically detect certain activities.
Who It's For
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 series is best for Android users in the market for a feature-rich smartwatch with cutting-edge fitness- and health-tracking tools. Similar to how the Apple Watch only works with iOS devices, the Galaxy Watch 5 series is exclusive to Android. Samsung's latest smartwatches work with smartphones running Android 8.0 (or newer) that have more than 1.5GB of RAM.
The Pro version doubles the battery life of the standard model and adds exclusive outdoor adventuring features, including turn-by-turn cycling and hiking directions, for $170 more. It's a nice choice for mountain bikers, runners, hikers, and those who work outdoors, as well as anyone who wants a fully-featured Android-compatible smartwatch that lasts more than a single day on a charge.
Pros
- Competitive price
- Sleek design
- Bright, durable display
- Good app selection
- Slight battery life improvement over previous generation
- Digital bezel for quick scrolling
Cons
- Temperature data unavailable at launch
- Lacks outdoor-specific features of Pro model
- Questionable SpO2 measurements
- No heart rate variability or respiration data
Learn MoreSamsung Galaxy Watch 5 ReviewApple Watch SE (2022)
Best Affordable Apple WatchWhy We Picked It
The Watch SE is the smallest and least expensive smartwatch in Apple's lineup. Except for an always-on display and a few health sensors (ECG, SpO2, and temperature), it includes almost all the same connectivity, safety, and fitness features of the Series 8 for $150 less.
The second-generation SE, which launched in the fall of 2022, looks just like its predecessor, but costs $30 less and packs some nice under-the-hood upgrades, including a faster processor, a new motion sensor for Crash Detection, and significantly more battery life. It offered excellent performance overall in testing, with a responsive touch screen and 37 hours of battery life per charge.
Who It's For
The Apple Watch SE is a solid option for its target audience of first-time smartwatch users, children, teens, and older adults. The Series 8 is our top pick for most Apple Watch buyers, but the second-gen SE is a worthy alternative for staying active, connected, and safe on a budget.
It notably works with Apple's Family Setup feature, which lets you set up and manage an Apple Watch for a family member who doesn't have an iPhone. During the setup process, the iPhone-based Watch app asks if you're setting it up for yourself or a family member, then guides you through the process.
Pros
- Upgraded processor from previous model
- New motion sensor with support for Crash Detection
- Improved real-world battery life
- Lightweight
- Excellent app selection and safety features
- Lower price than first-generation model
Cons
- No always-on display
- Lacks sensors for ECG, SpO2, or body temperature
- No rating for dust resistance
Learn MoreApple Watch SE (2022) ReviewGarmin Lily
A Jewelry-Inspired DesignWhy We Picked It
Designed specifically for women, the Garmin Lily fitness tracker and smartwatch hybrid stands out for its classic, jewelry-like design. It features a beautiful, patterned face, an aluminum or stainless steel bezel, and a 14mm band that's much slimmer than most smartwatch straps, so you can wear it alongside other bracelets. More than just attractive, the Lily can track health stats such as your calories burned, energy level, heart rate, respiration, sleep, SpO2, steps, stress, and workouts. It also offers smartwatch features such as phone notifications, music playback controls, and useful calendar and weather widgets. It's water-resistant to 164 feet and can last up to five days on a charge.
Who It's For
If you want a fitness tracker that doesn't look like one, the Garmin Lily might be perfect. Its attractive, female-focused design is its biggest selling point, but the Garmin Lily also offers an impressive feature set for its small size.
It lacks a color, always-on display and several other features you get with the Vivoactive 4 and 4S, but it also costs significantly less. And while it isn't quite as value-rich as the similarly priced Versa 3, the Lily is a top choice if you're looking for a fitness-focused tracker and smartwatch hybrid that prioritizes style.
Pros
- Stylish classic watch design
- Measures breathing, energy level, and stress
- SpO2 sensor
- Lots of useful widgets
- Excellent companion app
Cons
- No built-in GPS
- Lacks a color display
Learn MoreGarmin Lily ReviewPolar Ignite 2
An Attractive Fitness WatchWhy We Picked It
Polar's products are popular for their accuracy, if not necessarily their style. With the latest version of its Ignite fitness tracker, Polar is appealing to fitness fans who also value aesthetics.
It tracks your activities, heart rate, sleep, and recovery, plus offers personalized daily workout guidance to help you train smarter as well as guided breathing exercises to help you de-stress. On the design front, the Ignite 2 features stylish engravings on its metal bezel, a bright color touch screen, and accessory bands with Swarovski crystals (sold separately) for those who like a bit of bling.
For fitness tracking, it supports up to 20 sport profiles on the device at a time and offers more than 100 options to choose from—everything from baseball to roller skating. It offers more variety than the Charge 5, which, as mentioned, supports up to six sport profiles on the device at a time, out of a list of 20 options.
The Ignite 2 lasts up to five days on a charge, or up to 20 hours if you turn on the GPS and heart rate tracking features. It's water-resistant to around 98 feet, which makes it safe to wear in the shower or when you swim. Though it's primarily a fitness-focused wearable, the Ignite 2 offers smartwatch features like music controls and weather forecasts, too.
Who It's For
The Ignite 2 is meant for fitness enthusiasts who prioritize style. If you're looking for a capable GPS fitness watch that transitions well from the gym to a night out, the Polar Ignite 2 is an excellent choice.
With a longer list of supported sports and activities than many competing devices, it's a top choice for those who often mix up their fitness routine. Although the Ignite 2 lacks an always-on display, mobile payment support, and an SpO2 sensor— features that are all available on the similarly-priced Versa 3—it's still a strong alternative that deftly balances form and function.
Pros
- Stylish design with engraved metal bezel
- Large color touch screen
- New weekly summary dashboard
- Connects with Bluetooth gym equipment and cycling computers
- Features music controls and weather reports
Cons
- Lacks an always-on display
- Occasional phone syncing issues
- No downloadable apps, mobile payments support, or onboard music storage
Learn MorePolar Ignite 2 Review
Buying Guide: The Best Fitness Trackers for 2024
What Is the Best Fitness Tracker for the Money?
Fitness trackers range in price from $25 to $400 or more. The simplest and least expensive trackers often lack a display, so you can't check your step count unless you look at your smartphone.
More expensive trackers usually include built-in optical heart rate monitors and GPS. Often, these features are meant to tempt athletes and exercise enthusiasts. Don't get suckered into buying an expensive tracker if your primary activity is walking. If you walk and don't do much else, there are great options in the $25 to $99 range. If you work out a lot and want ample fitness-tracking features, we recommend spending at least $99 to get the tracking tools you might want or need.
With most fitness trackers, you pay one price for the device and can access all or most of its accompanying software features for free. Some, like the Whoop strap, have a different pricing model. Whoop offers its basic black wristband for free with the purchase of a membership, which unlocks access to its app. Whoop justifies its ongoing membership fees through regular app updates and timely features.
What Are the Different Types of Fitness Trackers?
One important question to ask yourself before choosing a fitness tracker is the type of design you want. Most trackers are wrist-based, though there are also clip-on options and fitness-tracking rings. Bracelets and watches are typically hard to lose. That said, they can get in the way of some daily activities, such as sleep and computer work, for example.
A clip-on is another option, although this style isn't nearly as popular anymore. Fitbit sells a clip for the Inspire 3 that can be helpful if the included bands don't fit, but it prevents heart rate and sleep score measurements. Clip-on devices, moreover, can fall off or accidentally end up in the wash.
The Oura Ring, meanwhile, brings health tracking to your fingers. The Oura's ability to track workouts is pretty basic compared with a wrist-worn model, but it offers comprehensive sleep tracking and is more comfortable to wear to bed than a watch or wristband.
There are also trackers for children, like the Fitbit Ace 3. And don't forget about Fido. That's right, there are even trackers specifically for pets.
The Best Fitness Tracker for Monitoring Your Heart Rate
Training intelligently means using heart rate data to guide your workouts. Sometimes you might want to keep your heart rate relatively low to burn fat or pace yourself for a longer workout. Other times you might want to push it higher for different health benefits, like building stamina.
Chest straps are slightly more accurate than wrist-based wearables for heart rate tracking because you wear them closer to your heart and they measure its activity directly. For comparison, the optical heart rate sensors in wrist-based fitness trackers calculate your heart rate by shining light into your skin and measuring blood flow. So, for the most precise heart rate readings, consider a dedicated chest strap. Not all smart home gym machines work seamlessly with fitness trackers, but most support chest straps like the excellent Polar H10.
The main benefit of a wrist-based heart rate tracker is that you can comfortably wear it all day long. They're more convenient than chest straps and give you a picture of your heart rate 24/7.
If you're simply interested in knowing your resting heart rate, you don't necessarily need a heart rate-tracking device to find it. Many smartphone apps let you take your heart rate in about 15 seconds via your phone's camera.
For more, see the best heart rate monitors.
The Best Fitness Tracker for Sleep
Many fitness trackers record your sleep. When they do, they generally watch for movement using a three-axis accelerometer to a more sensitive degree than they do during the day. Most devices offer graphs in their companion app that show the duration of your light, deep, and REM sleep. Some also track your overnight respiration (the number of breaths you take per minute), a feature that is available on the Apple Watch. Samsung Galaxy Watches can even track your snoring.
Some dedicated sleep trackers attach to your mattress, but we haven't found them to offer an appreciable advantage over wrist-based trackers. And wearable trackers can do a lot more than simply track your rest. But if you don't like the idea of wearing something on your wrist to bed, you can always spring for the sleep-tracking Sleep Number 360 Smart Bed or the Eight Sleep Pod Pro Cover smart mattress topper. As a more affordable option, the second-generation Nest Hub can track your sleep from the bedside table without being in contact with your body.
The Best Sport-Specific Fitness Tracker
Swimmers who want a waterproof tracker need to keep in mind that not all water-safe trackers actually record swimming data. Runners should probably pick a watch that shows time, distance, pace, and lap time, at the very least. If you want good accuracy for those metrics without also carrying a smartphone, you need a runner's watch with built-in GPS.
You also need to consider the display. If you want to view your stats at all times or simply use your tracker as a wristwatch, look for one with an always-on display. How you control the tracker is also important. If you like to run in the cold, or wear gloves, you might want to steer clear of devices that use touch-screen controls.
Cyclists have even more to consider. There's a difference between tracking how many miles you pedal and the calories you burn versus monitoring your power and cadence. If all you want is the former, a few fitness trackers support bicycling as an activity. More serious cyclists should opt for a device that pairs with additional bike equipment, like a cadence sensor, and should consider devices from sport-specific companies, like Garmin and Polar.
Which Fitness Tracker Has the Best App?
A fitness tracker's app (or website) matters because it is where you view and process the information the tracker collects. Fitbit has one of the best apps and websites we've tested. It lets you record all kinds of data, such as your weight, menstrual cycles, calories and water consumed, and stress level.
If you want total body analysis, look for a system that incorporates a smart bathroom scale. The Fitbit Aria Air sends your weight directly to your account, so you can't cheat the system by entering a lower number.
What's the Difference Between Fitness Trackers and Smartwatches?
Most fitness trackers have some smartwatch functionality and most smartwatches offer some fitness features. The Fitbit Versa 3 comes close to blending both worlds, but it still lags far behind the Apple Watch in terms of third-party app support.
The Apple Watch Series 8 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 place more of an emphasis on health and fitness tracking than any other smartwatches we've seen. They can calculate your blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) level, take an electrocardiogram (ECG), automatically detect workouts, and track your sleep. The Apple Watch SE lacks an always-on display and a few of the advanced health sensors from the Series 8, but otherwise delivers the same winning app, fitness, and safety features for $150 less. With deep Fitbit integration, the Google Pixel Watch is another good alternative to a dedicated fitness tracker.
For a detailed comparison of all the available Apple Watches, see our story on which Apple Watch you should buy. And if you're willing to consider companies other than Apple, see our list of the best smartwatches overall, the best Samsung watches, and the best Android watches.
With so many good fitness trackers available and more promising ones on the horizon, it's hard to contain them all in just one list. We've limited our picks here to trackers that scored four stars or higher, though there are lots of other good options that might fit your needs. We update this article often, so make sure to check back for our latest recommendations. And also make sure to consult our latest fitness tracker coverage.
