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What Are The Best Fitness Trackers in 2024?
Most people find losing weight and getting in shape incredibly hard. Why is that? From my experience, the number one reason for this is lacking the ability to track their progress. Buying the best fitness trackers will give you just that! Seeing how much activity you do (or do not) get, day-by-day and week-by-week, can motivate you to start taking the stairs more or walking the dog an extra lap around the block. At the very least, it will make you more mindful of your present activity level.
Without tracking your results you simply don’t know how much progress you’ve made so it is easy to give up once you hit your first “brick wall.” Gadgets, such as fitness trackers, will track how many calories you burn, monitor your sleeping habits and aggregate all this data into a smartphone app so you can monitor your progress, set goals and achieve them!
QUICK RECOMMENDATIONS
Check out this quick list of our favorites if you’re in a hurry, or continue scrolling to see our full top 7 list with in-depth reviews.
#1: Apple Watch Series 9 (Best overall)
#2: Fitbit Charge 6
#3: Amazfit Band 7 (Best budget)
#4: Apple Watch SE 2
#5: Fitbit Inspire 3 (Best for beginners)
#7: Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 (Best for Android phone users)
Why Buy an Activity Tracker?
Finding the time, motivation and energy to workout is difficult, but it is much simpler with a fitness tracker. Whether you spend most of your time sitting on the couch or are training for a marathon, a fitness tracker helps you take that next step. If you’re starting from square one, exercising with an activity tracker helps you replace bad habits with healthy ones. Fitness trackers support fitness and healthy weight loss by helping you achieve small, frequent success, whereas fad diets and radical lifestyle changes rarely work because they’re too drastic.
If you already have a successful workout regime, fitness trackers keep an accurate record of your daily progress so you work harder and smarter. They also help you find daily motivation to improve by encouraging you with vibrating notifications, smart adaptive goals and coaching tips.
How Does A Fitness Tracker Work?
Instead of having to estimate your activity level on your own, a fitness tracker does the heavy lifting for you. It uses an accelerometer to accurately track your steps and movement metrics, and it is customized to your body type and activity levels. Similar to how your body reacts in a moving car, an accelerometer can sense movement and force, including forward, backward and side-to-side movement. Fitness trackers take this information then interpret it into a number of steps.
Most smart wearable technology now has some form of fitness monitoring. There are even smartphone apps that track how many steps you take in a day. All of the compared activity trackers in our review are wrist devices dedicated to total fitness tracking. While fitness and sleep trackers are the best at tracking your overall fitness levels, other wearable devices can track your health and life. Some smart wearables track your steps or heart rate, but they are less accurate than a dedicated fitness tracker.
While more expensive than fitness trackers, smartwatches are great for checking the weather or text messages. Even though they have fitness tracking features, they also have so many other features that they’re more difficult to use purely for fitness purposes. When you only have a 10 second window at traffic light to check your heart rate, it is inconvenient to push aside new emails on a tiny screen.
If you’re looking to compare fitness trackers on a budget, pedometers are less expensive and great for simple exercises, namely walking. However, fitness trackers do more than step tracking to give you a better, more rounded view of your fitness and health. Unlike pedometers, fitness trackers can help you meet fitness goals by adapting to your habits, wirelessly syncing weeks and months of data, and nudging you with silent vibrating alarms if you’ve been sitting too long.
Instead of solely tracking your daily steps, heart rate monitor watches are dedicated to monitoring your heart rate either passively throughout the day or actively during high-intensity workouts. While most do track steps and other metrics, heart rate monitor watches must be worn a certain way to guarantee accuracy. Wrist-based heart rate monitors need to be the right amount of snug and fit exactly above your wrist bone for the best readings. Chest strap monitors need to be worn at the base of your sternum and the sensor needs to be slightly wet to work properly. Some of these devices do double duty and act as activity trackers with heart rate monitors. Fitness trackers are more versatile in their tracking methods and features.
What Else Is Important in Selecting a Fitness Tracker?
In addition to accuracy, sleep tracking and a great app, it’s important to choose a top-rated fitness tracker with the best monitoring and connectivity features, along with the best design. Each device has its own special recipe for tracking and monitoring, so the following points can guide you to the best device for your unique fitness needs.
Progress Monitoring: Setting and Keeping Goals Equals Progress
Why buy a top activity tracker if you’re not going to improve your fitness? Setting and meeting goals over time is one of the healthiest ways to lose weight or get fit. Fitness trackers ask you to set or adjust goals based on your daily habits. When you meet your goals, vibrating alarms or congratulatory notifications motivate you to keep up the good work. If you aren’t meeting your goals, nothing is more motivating than having a wristband vibrate to let you know you’ve been sitting too long and keep vibrating until you get up and move around.
Connectivity: Apps, Apps and More Apps
The top fitness trackers also have the top apps. Each of the exercise trackers we reviewed works with a free app from the manufacturer that displays your daily metrics such as how many steps you’ve taken and how many calories you’ve burned.
The best of the best fitness trackers connect to any fitness app. This is nice if you already track your runs or hikes or count calories. With this feature, you can continue using your favorite app with your new fitness tracker but gather more accurate and efficient data than before.
All of the wireless activity trackers we reviewed have Bluetooth syncing, but some require that you manually sync, while others automatically sync every time you open the app. Either way, all of your data is wirelessly uploaded and backed up.
Design: Long Battery and Lightweight Bands
While a screen keeps you up to date on your progress, it can also drastically drain the battery. Most batteries last through the work week before needing a charge, but some devices have coin cell batteries that last weeks or months.
The best exercise trackers can be worn many different ways, depending on your preference. You can wear a wristband similar to a watch strap or a thin bracelet, or you can wear a clip-on fitness tracker. You can even carry your device around in your pocket. However, heart rate fitness trackers can only be worn on your wrist.
Also, the lighter the device, the easier it is to wear. Try to find one that weighs less than 30 grams if you have small wrists. The best fitness tracker wristbands are waterproof up to at least 3 ATM or 30 meters under water, so you can track your morning swims or your beach vacations.
The fitness trackers on the market today are much smarter, more accurate, and do a whole lot more than measure how much you walk. Paired with a companion web account, mobile app, and maybe a few auxiliary devices, they can give you better insight into the habits that make up your lifestyle. These include sleep, calorie consumption, heart rate, blood pressure, and more.
So whether your health goals are modest or you’re seeking a full fitness transformation, using a personal fitness tracking device can go a long way toward helping you understand if the exercise and health habits you keep are contributing to the new you. Here are the 7 best and most accurate fitness trackers:
1. Apple Watch Series 9
The Apple Watch Series 9 excels as a premier fitness tracker, offering a comprehensive suite of exercise monitoring features including ECG and blood oxygen tracking. With enhanced screen brightness and a powerful processor, it surpasses its predecessor. Designed for iPhone users running iOS 17 or later, it caters to runners, swimmers, and cyclists with features like wrist-based running power measurements and automatic bike ride detection.
$322.88 in stock
- High-performance processor
- Vibrant screen for clear visibility
- Convenient double-tap feature for hands-free use
- On-board Siri for quick assistance
- Precision Finding feature compatible with the iPhone 15 series
- Option for a carbon-neutral construction
- Battery longevity falls short of expectations
- Compatibility is limited solely to iPhones
2. Fitbit Charge 6
The Fitbit Charge 6 enhances fitness tracking with features like heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and blood oxygen saturation tracking. With a battery life of up to seven days, water resistance, and built-in GPS, it’s ideal for active lifestyles. New additions include 40 sport profiles, Bluetooth heart rate transmission to gym equipment, and sensors for monitoring key health metrics overnight. Lifestyle features like Google Maps and YouTube Music integration add versatility. The companion app offers enhanced customization, making it the top choice for comprehensive fitness tracking. Compatible with most smartphones running Android 9.0 or iOS 15, the Charge 6 is a standout option.
$133.90 in stock
3 used from $129.99
- Cost-effective
- Expanded exercise modes with 40 options (doubled from 20)
- Compatibility with exercise equipment
- Access to Google Maps, Google Wallet, and YouTube Music apps
- Convenient side button
- Outstanding mobile app
- Lack of Spotify controls
- Absence of an app store
- Certain metrics necessitate a Premium subscription
- Inconsistencies in workout tracking reliability
- Limited GPS accuracy
- Unreliable notifications
- Cramped screen space
3. Amazfit Band 7
The latest addition to the Amazfit lineup, the Amazfit Band 7, stands out with its vibrant AMOLED display and extended battery life, lasting over two weeks with light usage or a week with continuous health monitoring and an always-on display. Post-launch updates have introduced support for Alexa commands and music playback controls. While lacking built-in GPS, it competes closely with the Xiaomi Mi Band 7 for the title of the best budget fitness tracker. Renowned for its affordability, the Amazfit Band 7 offers precise tracking for steps and distance during walks, customizable workout options, and a convenient “find my phone” feature. Its impressive battery longevity further enhances its value proposition, making it an attractive choice for budget-conscious consumers.
$39.99 in stock
1 used from $34.99
- Exceptional accuracy for walking activities
- Wide array of tracking options
- Reliable battery life
- Affordable price point
- Convenient “find my phone” feature
- Absence of community engagement features
- Limited depth in fitness data analysis
- Lack of built-in dieting functionality
- Occasional unreliability with connected GPS
4. Apple Watch SE
The Apple Watch SE 2 offers a complete Apple Watch experience at an attractive price, boasting extended battery life and a balance between features. While lacking an always-on screen and advanced health functions, it excels in accurate fitness tracking and seamless connectivity with real-time notifications. The Gen 2 model enhances design and processing power, appealing to users seeking peak performance and intuitive design.
- Abundance of excellent features
- Consistently accurate performance
- Diverse customization choices
- Swift and smooth operation
- Remarkably lightweight and comfortable
- Exceptional mid-tier fitness tracking capabilities
- Added car crash detection feature
- Reduced battery life compared to competitors
- Relatively heavier than alternative trackers
- Absence of an always-on screen feature
- Lack of built-in ECG functionality
5. Fitbit Inspire 3
Consider the Fitbit Inspire 3 if you’re seeking top-tier fitness tracking without breaking the bank. Despite its compact size, this wearable packs a punch with its impressive features, including precise tracking of walking activities and a valuable diet diary in the Fitbit app. The vibrant community groups provide added motivation for your fitness journey. Fitbit Inspire 3 boasts an AMOLED color touch screen, SpO2 sensor, and tracking capabilities for breathing rate, skin temperature, and heart rate variability. Despite a slight reduction in battery life compared to its predecessor, it still outlasts other Fitbit models.
- Affordable price point
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Excellent diet tracking feature
- Engaging community features
- Accurate step counting
- Vibrant color touch screen with optional always-on display
- Longest battery life among Fitbit devices
- Sleeker design compared to previous models
- Includes SpO2 sensor for overnight monitoring
- Reliable “Find Phone” functionality
- Challenging readability due to small text
- Absence of on-demand SpO2 measurements
- Certain metrics locked behind a subscription
- Limited screen size
- Mediocre heart rate monitoring performance
- Visibility issues in bright light conditions
6. Garmin Vivoactive 4
Describing the Garmin Vivoactive 4 in one phrase: “peak performance.” It excels in tracking capabilities, particularly in step tracking, cycling performance, and workout monitoring. Impressive battery life complements its smart features, making it ideal for those prioritizing longevity.
- Spacious screen for enhanced visibility
- Precise step counting functionality
- Excellent exercise tracking capabilities with full GPS support
- Convenient on-watch music streaming
- Comprehensive array of statistics for in-depth analysis
- Bulky design
- Subpar screen quality
- High price point
7. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 continues Samsung’s winning streak, building on the success of its predecessor with enhancements like a larger battery, a more durable display, and an infrared sensor for body temperature monitoring (though data viewing is pending). With its familiar design and practical digital bezel for navigation, the Galaxy Watch 5 retains its appeal. Running Wear OS ensures access to Google’s suite of apps. It is the best alternative to the Apple Watch for most Android users. On the fitness front, it impresses with tracking capabilities for up to 90 workouts, including built-in GPS for accurate monitoring of activities like running, walking, and cycling, along with features like a running coach mode and tracking for swimming and treadmill workouts.
- Exclusive outdoor-oriented features
- Vibrant and resilient display
- Sleek titanium caseWide array of quality apps available
- Exceptional insights for outdoor running activities
- Sturdy, premium construction with a D-buckle clasp
- Enhanced battery life and quicker charging
- Newly added hiking and navigation functionalities
- Dependable heart rate monitoring
- Accurate GPS tracking
- Inconsistent performance of touch bezel
- Risk of D-Buckle Sport band detachment
- Thicker than advertised
