Fitness trackers can give you a real-time glimpse into your overall physical health by tracking your daily activity, resting heart rate, estimated number of calories burned, and much more. Unfortunately, it’s easy to set health and fitness goals and then push them aside because of our busy lives. A fitness tracker makes it easier to stay on top of our goals easily and conveniently, meaning we’re more likely to stick with it for the long haul.
According to Ashley Randall, BSc in Kinesiology and personal trainer, there could be further benefits to using a fitness tracker. “Many fitness trackers include the ability to track your sleep, which can provide valuable insights into your sleep patterns and quality.” A lack of quality sleep can make us irritable, anxious, or depressed, affecting how we feel throughout the day.
There are, of course, some people who wouldn’t benefit from owning a fitness tracker. “Fitness trackers could make people that compulsively pursue their goals suffer in other areas of their lives. Family, work, or social life could potentially take a back seat to fitness goals for people with this sort of personality trait,” says Joe Johnson, personal trainer and weight loss coach. If you think this may be you, it’s important to speak to your doctor before using one.
To find the best fitness trackers, we tested various popular models for activity tracking, battery life, water resistance, display, cost, and more. We also had a registered dietitian on our Medical Expert Board review this article for medical and scientific accuracy. Whether you’re looking for a basic model or want something more advanced, here are the best fitness trackers on the market.
Table of Contents
Best Overall
Garmin Vivomove Sport
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Garmin
Garmin’s vivomove Sport fitness tracker is easy to set up so you can start using it in a matter of minutes. We noted that the entire setup process was super easy from the moment we opened the box, and the mobile app was easy to download too.
We like that this Garmin fitness tracker looks and feels like a traditional analog watch but provides accurate and detailed metrics for your health and fitness needs. There’s even more detail provided once you open the app. It can track your calories, steps, heart rate, stress, hydration, women’s health, and more. And although it gives you tons of info, it’s broken down in a way that’s easy to understand.
This Garmin tracker watch is also waterproof, so you don’t have to take it off when you get in the shower. One downside, however, is that even though the battery life is reasonable at five to six days, it’s not as long as some other picks on this list.
Price at time of publication: $180
Product Details:
- Screen: Yes
- Battery life: 5 days (smartwatch mode), 6 days (watch mode)
- Water resistant: Yes
- GPS: Yes
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
Health / Tammy Gardini
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Oura
If you’re looking for a fitness ring tracker, we suggest Oura’s Ring Gen 3. We love how small, sleek, and stylish this ring is. So, if you’re someone who doesn’t like wearing watches but still wants to track your health and fitness goals, this may be the right pick for you.
We loved how easy it was to set up this ring. And our tester ended up wearing it every day for two months. Over that time, she eventually forgot she was even wearing it—it was that comfortable. Overall, the metrics we thought were most helpful were the sleep tracking and readiness metrics, which gave our tester an idea of how she could expect to perform in her workouts that day. Plus, we found they were both extremely accurate.
Its main drawback is that the other fitness-tracking capabilities were sometimes inaccurate. There were instances when the activity time recorded on the ring tracker was longer than the actual time performed, which meant that the related metrics were overestimated. This tracker is on the higher end when it comes to price, but if you prefer the look and feel of a ring over a wrist strap or watch, the Oura ring is an awesome option that’s built to last.
Price at time of publication: $349
Product Details:
- Screen: No
- Battery life: 7 days
- Water resistant: Yes
- GPS: No
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
Health / Michelle Parente
Best for Sleep
Fitbit Inspire 3
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Amazon
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The sleep data is excellent, and the silicone band is soft, lightweight, and easy to clean.
For sleep, we recommend Fitbit’s Inspire 3 Fitness Tracker because we found the sleep data on this watch both surprisingly accurate and helpful. It gave us accurate insight into the length and quality of sleep, which helped us plan for a better night’s sleep the following night.
It also surprised us with how soft, lightweight, and easy to clean the silicone band was. When worn, we liked that the tracker wasn’t irritating to the skin, even while sleeping. And we loved that you could even complete fitness challenges with friends who have a Fitbit too.
Although easy to set up, we didn’t love that you couldn’t connect this Fitbit to apps such as Apple Health (unless you use a third-party app to switch your data over). However, at the end of the day, we didn’t mind because the Fitbit app itself is great. Plus, considering all of the awesome data you get with this tracker, the price point is reasonable.
Price at time of publication: $100
Product Details:
- Screen: Yes
- Battery life: 10 days
- Water resistant: Yes
- GPS: Yes
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
Health / Sarah Felbin
Easiest to Use
Fitbit Charge 5
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Fitbit’s Charge 5 earned our best pick for the easiest-to-use fitness tracker because it can automatically register that you’re exercising and starts tracking accordingly.
The battery life of seven days is also a significant win in our eyes, and we noticed that it’s comfortable to wear all day, even when doing an intense activity such as CrossFit training. The setup process was relatively straightforward, although it did force an update from the beginning, which may be slightly irritating if you’re excited to start tracking your health and fitness metrics immediately.
To top it off, we were impressed by how this fitness tracker watch gives you weekly email updates on your health goals and areas for improvement. Unfortunately, there were instances when the Fitbit fitness tracker lagged or powered off for no reason while we were testing. But overall, we think its pros outweigh its cons.
Price at time of publication: $150
Product Details:
- Screen: Yes
- Battery life: 7 days
- Water resistant: Yes
- GPS: Yes
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
Health / Michael Navarro
Best with GPS
Polar Vantage V2 Smartwatch
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Amazon
We were impressed by nearly everything when it came to Polar’s Vantage V2 Smartwatch, but especially its GPS feature. The GPS is so accurate that it’ll even notify you every time there’s a turn coming up. This is ideal if you want to zone out as you run. And, if you get lost, this GPS fitness tracker will take you back to your original starting point. We also thought the built-in compass and altimeter (which shows your altitude) were really cool.
Because it’s waterproof, you don’t have to take it off to run in the rain, do the dishes, or even shower. Something we didn’t love was the battery life, however, which isn’t as long as some other fitness trackers. At $500 a pop, it’s the most expensive fitness tracker on our list. However, when you factor in the detailed metrics it gives you around sleep, resting heart rate, calories burnt, and more, we think the price is worth it if you’re someone who is really dedicated to staying on top of your fitness goals.
Price at time of publication: $500
Product Details:
- Screen: Yes
- Battery life: 1.5 days (training mode), 4 days (power save training mode), 7 days (watch mode)
- Water resistant: Yes
- GPS: Yes
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
Health / Justin Javier
Most Attractive
Garmin Lily
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Garmin
While some fitness trackers can look bulky and unattractive, that’s not the case with Garmin’s Lily. Available in both classic and sports versions and in six different colors, this fitness tracker looks like a classic watch, but with a flick of the wrist, it turns into a modern smartwatch that you’re able to use to track fitness data.
Having an aesthetically pleasing fitness tracker is ideal because you’re likely to wear it more often, meaning the tracker can collect more data. And the more data trackers can collect, the more accurate of a picture you’ll have to improve your overall health.
As we saw with our best overall pick, Garmin’s vivomove Sport, Garmin fitness trackers have a ton of statistics and data for all your needs. We felt like we just kept discovering more and more helpful features as we continued to test this tracker. We especially love the pre-loaded sports apps, including yoga, cardio, strength training, Pilates, and many more. This made doing exercise affordable and easy to stick to.
Price at time of publication: $250
Product Details:
- Screen: Yes
- Battery life: 5 days
- Water resistant: Yes
- GPS: Yes
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
Health / Lily Moe
Best for Hiking
Garmin Instinct 2
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Garmin
Because of its durability and long battery life, we recommended Garmin’s Instinct 2 as the best fitness tracker for hiking. There’s an altimeter for elevation data, advanced GPS technology not seen with many other items on this list, and even a feature that can take you back to a specific point of reference, such as your car or the trailhead.
We loved how durable this Garmin fitness tracker is. It came out unscathed after scenarios where we grazed our wrists against a barbell while weightlifting or against pegs while bouldering. And we thought the data about sleep and blood oxygen levels felt accurate and helpful for our overall health insights.
During the setup process, we didn’t appreciate that you aren’t able to respond to texts directly from it, which may be important for some people. Combine with the fact that it’s the second most expensive fitness tracker on this list, it may not be perfect for everyone. However, like the other Garmins on this list, you get what you pay for. The quality and vast capabilities of this tracker make it worth the price in our eyes.
Price at time of publication: $350
Product Details:
- Screen: Yes
- Battery life: 28 days (smartwatch mode), 65 days (watch mode)
- Water resistant: Yes
- GPS: Yes
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
Best for Running
COROS Pace 2 GPS Sports Watch
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The Coros Pace 2 weighs only 29 grams and is so lightweight that we barely even noticed it was on our wrist while we tested it. We loved that the display usually gives more detail than was expected. For example, as we ran it gave information about stride length, elevation gain, fastest mile, and more.
There are lots of holes on the strap, so it’s easily adjustable to any individual’s needs, and we noted that tracking workouts were easy (for the most part). One downside is the sheer number of options and settings available made it hard to keep track of what metrics to focus on. We felt like some could easily get overlooked.
This fitness tracker was easy to set up, and in-depth instructions were included. And even though we think it’s best for running because of how lightweight it is, it can also be used for a wide variety of workouts, including swimming, biking, or even lifting weights.
Price at time of publication: $199
Product Details:
- Screen: Yes
- Battery life: 20 days
- Water resistant: Yes
- GPS: Yes
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
Health / Holly Klamer
Best for Increasing Daily Movement
Withings ScanWatch Hybrid Smartwatch & Activity Tracker
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Amazon
We chose the Withings ScanWatch as the best fitness tracker for those looking to increase daily movement. If you’re someone who sometimes sits for hours at their desk without getting up, we love how this fitness tracker vibrates to tell you to unwind or to get up and walk 100 steps. It’s also helpful that this fitness tracker has an exceptional battery life of between 30 to 50 days and can be charged from empty to full in a matter of hours.
We found the data was reliable and accurate, and the tracker was easy to use. To start the workout function, we simply had to turn the knob and choose the intended activity. The only thing we didn’t like was that the app requires you to add your weight. If you have a history of disordered eating, you may want to consider if weighing yourself will be triggering. If so, it may be best for you to chose another option from this list.
Price at time of publication: $300
Product Details:
- Screen: Yes
- Battery life: 30 days (normal use), 50 days (power reserve mode)
- Water resistant: Yes
- GPS: Yes
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
Health / Abigail Moore
Best Budget
Amazfit Band 7
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Amazfit
Proving that high-quality products can come at inexpensive prices, the Amazfit Band 7 gets the job done in a budget-friendly way. While we tested, we noted that tracking workouts were easy to do, and there was no question about the level of accuracy of the metrics given. We especially enjoyed the sleep data and noticed substantial improvements in our quality of sleep as we started to learn how our daily practices before bed affected sleep.
This fitness tracker is lightweight, comfortable to wear, and water-resistant. There are no buttons at all, and we liked the display size, which is just right for reading it at a glance.
However, the setup process wasn’t all that straightforward. The only setup instructions we got was a piece of paper telling us to download an app, which was easy to download but didn’t have any extra help. Also, you can’t customize the data and how it shows in the app either.
But if you can see past those drawbacks, it’s a reliable and budget-friendly fitness tracker that has a ton of great features.
Price at time of publication: $50
Product Details:
- Screen: Yes
- Battery life: 12 days (heavy usage), 18 days (normal use), 28 days (battery saver mode)
- Water resistant: Yes
- GPS: Yes
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
Our Testing Process
The Health team tested the most popular fitness trackers to determine which ones were most accurate and comfortable to use. We also spoke to two professional personal trainers to discuss what to look for when selecting a fitness tracker. The experts we spoke to included:
We paid particular attention to things like how easy it was to set up, how comfortable it felt to wear the fitness tracker all day, how accurate the fitness metrics were, and whether or not the data from the fitness tracker was helpful in order to make long-term changes to someone’s overall health and fitness.
What to Know About Fitness Trackers
The Benefits of Using a Fitness Tracker
There are many benefits of using a fitness tracker, including, but not limited to:
- Accountability: Because you can see your goals in black and white, fitness trackers can be a great way to stay accountable. You’re more likely to stick with your goals because the tracker is always with you and not tucked away in an unused drawer at home.
- Motivation: “Many fitness trackers come equipped with reminders and alerts to encourage you to move throughout the day. This can help you stay active and reach your daily activity goals,” says Randall. A gentle reminder that it’s time to move or that you’ve hit your step goal for the day can be great for staying motivated.
- Convenience: Fitness trackers can be a convenient and easy way to track your health and fitness metrics. Unlike other time-consuming methods of tracking (such as logging data on an app) fitness trackers don’t require extra effort and can easily fit into your daily routine. Most trackers even come with a display so with a simple click of a button (or sometimes even a quick glance downward), you can see if you’re on track with your goals. If you’re not, it’s a convenient reminder to change something.
Features to Look for in a Fitness Tracker
Choosing the perfect fitness tracker comes down to understanding your needs and finding one that meets them as best as possible. There’s a lot to take in when shopping for the best fitness tracker. These are the most important features to consider:
- Battery life: If you want to wear your fitness tracker all day, look for one with long battery life. Some fitness tracker watches come with a power-saving mode to help preserve battery life. Also, look at how long the tracker takes to charge from empty to full because some products charge more quickly than others.
- Water resistance: When swimming or doing water activities, or while showering, you’ll want a fitness tracker that’s water resistant. All of our product recommendations on this list are water resistant, but they vary in the level of protection. Carefully consider which is the right one for your needs.
- Activity tracking: A fitness tracker’s most important feature is the data you’ll get from it. “Make sure that your tracker of choice provides adequate data on the areas of your health you want to improve on,” Johnson says. This could include but is not limited to, metrics such as step tracking, heart rate monitoring, calories burned, BMI, distance traveled, hydration tracking, sleep patterns, and more. It’s worth noting that some fitness trackers have more advanced tracking capabilities than others. An individual who’s brand new to health and fitness may look for completely different metrics compared to one who’s an athlete, Johnson notes.
- Display: Fitness tracker watches with a display show your progress throughout the day on the watch, rather than having to look at a mobile app. Some trackers are able to show all of your daily data on the display, whereas others only show some basic information and you’ll need to go to the mobile app to see more. Take a look at each tracker in detail to see what the display shows you (if anything) and whether you’ll be happy with it. If you’re someone who prefers seeing data on their smartphone, this may not be as important.
How Much You Can Expect to Pay for a Fitness Tracker
Fitness trackers can cost between $50 and $500. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly fitness tracker to see if using one is right for you, we recommend Amazfit’s Band 7, which costs just $50.
If you’re someone who’s already sure a fitness tracker is right for you, it may be worth paying slightly more as the more expensive options come with additional features not always seen in budget-friendly versions.
Your Questions, Answered
Are fitness trackers worth it?
If you’re looking to improve your health, and are willing to analyze your physical health data so you can consciously see where you are in terms of meeting your goals, then yes, fitness trackers are worth it. “However, it’s important to understand that fitness trackers are not a magic solution for improving your health and fitness,” says Randall. If you don’t use them properly or ignore the data they collect, they won’t be worth it for you in the end.
What fitness tracker is most accurate?
Different fitness trackers are accurate for different metrics. However, during our testing, we found that our best overall pick, Garmin’s vivomove Sport, as well as the Garmin Lily and Garmin Instinct 2 were especially accurate. If accuracy is your number one priority, you can’t go wrong with a Garmin fitness tracker.
Who may benefit from a fitness tracker more so than others?
Individuals that are new to health and fitness, those who want better ways to monitor their health, or those who have trouble staying active may benefit most from a fitness tracker. “While a fitness tracker can’t offer the same level of motivation that a human might be able to, you can configure daily or weekly goals, and set up reminders to make it more likely that you’ll remember and therefore stick to those goals,” says Johnson.
Are fitness trackers safe to wear?
Generally, yes, fitness trackers are safe to wear. However, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional or your doctor before using a fitness tracker if you have any pre-existing conditions that may impact your health and fitness journey.
Who We Are
As a qualified personal trainer and health and fitness writer, Ravi Davda understands how important quality product recommendations can be. He recommends products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them.
He’s worked with multiple clients who’ve purchased fitness trackers for a range of reasons and he has given product recommendations based on their feedback. He’s also used his knowledge of the best features to have and the metrics that are important to track when it comes to an individual’s health and fitness journey.
