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Choosing the right fitness tracker to meet your needs can be a bit of a challenge, given the multitude of options available in today's market. When making your choice, consider aspects such as functionality, design, price, and compatibility with your lifestyle.
Some folks might need a waterproof device for swimming, while others may want one with a built-in GPS for running. Battery life is another big consideration, especially for those who use their tracker continuously. And let's not forget about the design - it's important to choose a device you'll feel comfortable wearing all day.
To help you find the right tracker for your health needs, our team has researched and reviewed the top fitness trackers on the market. We've examined each tracker's features, design, and compatibility to provide you with a comprehensive guide on which device might be the best fit for your lifestyle.
The Fitbit Charge 5 effortlessly secures its position as the best fitness tracker out there, with a rating of 4.2 stars from over 7,000 reviews on Amazon.
This device isn't just a tracker; it's a comprehensive wellness companion that takes a holistic approach to health. With its 6-month Premium membership, it ties together your activity, sleep and stress, offering personalised recommendations to optimise your routines. Its cutting-edge features like AFib heart rhythm assessments, EDA sensors for stress management, and built-in GPS make it a standout device in the market.
One of the key features that sets Fitbit Charge 5 apart is its Daily Readiness Score. This score, based on your activity levels, sleep quality and heart rate variability (HRV), helps you understand how ready your body is for physical activity. A low score signals that you may need to take it easy and focus on
However, no product is perfect. Although advertised as lasting up to 7 days, battery life can be significantly less if you're using all the features intensively. The Fitbit Charge 5 could also benefit from a better touchscreen as its current one is a tad unresponsive.
Check out our comprehensive review of the Fitbit Charge 5 here to learn more.
The Amazfit Band 7 has carved out its niche as the best budget tracker on the market, and for good reason. With a stellar 4.2 out of 5 stars on Amazon, it's clear this little gadget is a crowd favourite.
Its large 1.47" HD AMOLED display offers 112% more viewable area than the previous model, making it easier to keep track of your vital statistics. Plus, it boasts 24-hour blood oxygen monitoring so that you can keep tabs on your SpO2 levels around the clock. Got a question? Just ask Alexa, who's built right into the band. And there's the impressive 18-day battery life.
There are, however, a couple of drawbacks to consider. The Band 7 has no built-in GPS, so you'll need to take your phone with you if you want accurate distance tracking. Also, while the selection of 120 sports modes is impressive, some users may find it difficult to navigate and customise. But overall, the Amazfit Band 7 offers an outstanding balance between affordability and functionality.
Garmin's Vivosmart 4 isn't its newest tracker, but it's one that scores well in online reviews, largely due to the stylish design of its band, which dodges that issue of wearing something that looks either too fussy or too "tech" inspired. Its status as an older device also makes it one that you can often score for a lower price than similar newer bands. Reviewers did note that its smaller size while keeping it inconspicuous did present challenges around accuracy of run tracking and interacting with its display after a heavy workout.
With a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon, our team has chosen the Fitbit Sense 2 as the best fitness tracker watch.
This smartwatch goes beyond the ordinary by offering features like all-day stress detection and a daily Stress Management Score, an ECG app for atrial fibrillation assessment, and mindfulness content to help manage stress and live healthier. Not to mention, the sleep quality measurements and fitness enhancements make it a comprehensive health and fitness companion.
There is also a built-in GPS and workout intensity map, Daily Readiness Score, Active Zone Minutes, all-day activity tracking with 24/7 heart rate monitoring, and over 40 exercise modes. And with its water-resistant design up to 50 meters, you can take it on any adventure without worry.
But one con is that the Google Maps feature is currently exclusive to Android users, making it less convenient for those in the Apple ecosystem. Another downside is that Fitbit Pay may not be compatible with all banks.
The Oura Ring Generation 3 is, without a doubt, the best non-wrist fitness tracker out there. Its compact and sleek design and top-notch biometric tracking capabilities set it apart.
From the moment you slip this titanium ring on your finger, it quietly collects data on your sleep stages, heart rate, and activity levels, helping you understand your body better and optimise your health. The next-level features of personalised sleep guidance, automatic activity detection, and guided audio sessions make it a cut above the rest. Plus, it's durable, water-resistant and has a battery life of up to 7 days, which is pretty impressive for such a small device.
However, the Oura Ring Generation 3 is quite pricey, which might not make it the first choice for those on a tight budget. Additionally, although it's been made to be comfortable enough for continuous wear, some users might take a while to get used to the presence of a ring on their finger instead of a wristband.
The Apple Watch Series 9 stands out as the ultimate fitness tracker for iPhone users. Its S9 chip offers an ultra-bright display and an impressive touch-free interaction with the screen. Advanced health features like blood oxygen monitoring, ECG recording, sleep stage tracking, and even emotional awareness building are just a tap away.
For fitness enthusiasts, the Workout app provides in-depth insights into your performance with various training options and advanced metrics. The safety features, including Fall Detection and Crash Detection, add a layer of security that connects you to emergency services when you need them the most.
However, it's not all smooth sailing. The Apple Watch Series 9 heavily depends on the iPhone, which can be a downside for those who want a standalone smartwatch. Furthermore, while the watch is packed with features, the battery life doesn't exactly keep pace, requiring frequent charging.
The Fitbit Charge 5 is also our pick for the best option for exercise. It has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
This Fitbit has a built-in GPS and Active Zone Minutes, making it easier to track your workouts and ensure you're hitting your fitness goals. The Cardio Fitness and Daily Readiness Scores give you valuable insights into your overall health and readiness to work out, a clear step forward in personal fitness technology.
Moreover, the device is water-resistant, making it perfect for those intense sweat sessions or a quick swim. You can even get your workouts right on your phone, a game changer for fitness enthusiasts constantly on the go.
The Fitbit Charge 5's health tracking suite is impressive, with features like SpO2 (Blood Oxygen) Tracking, an ECG app for heart rhythm assessment and even in-app blood glucose tracking. It serves as a comprehensive health hub right on your wrist.
But while the 7-day battery life is generally sufficient, heavy users might need to charge their Fitbit more frequently. Additionally, while the device is compatible with both iOS and Android, some users have reported connectivity issues with certain devices.
The Garmin Venu 2S is our pick for those pursuing weight loss goals, deserving of its solid 4.5 out of 5-star rating on Amazon. This smartwatch offers an extensive array of health monitoring features that help you understand your body better. From the Health Snapshot feature to tracking your Body Battery energy levels, sleep score, and stress levels, it's like having your health coach on your wrist.
It also has over 25 inbuilt indoor and GPS sports apps encouraging you to keep active in various ways, including walking, running, cycling, HIIT, swimming, and golf. It also provides preloaded cardio, yoga, strength, HIIT, and Pilates workouts. If you want to create customised workouts, you can easily do so on the Garmin Connect app on your compatible smartphone.
Music lovers will appreciate the ability to download up to 650 songs, including Spotify, Amazon Music, or Deezer playlists, onto the watch for phone-free listening during workouts. And with the smart notifications feature, you'll never miss a call, text, or social media alert when paired with a compatible smartphone.
One of the downsides of the Garmin Venu 2S is its high price point. It's definitely an investment. Furthermore, learning how to use all of the features might take some time. But if you're serious about weight loss and need a device to keep up with your goals, the Garmin Venu 2S is worth considering.
The Fitbit Ace 3 is a fantastic choice designed specifically for children. With its vibrant colours and interchangeable bands, it's a hit among youngsters. It's no wonder it has earned a solid rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
The Ace 3 offers a variety of features tailored to help kids develop healthier habits. A sleep tracking function, bedtime reminders, and silent alarms are just a few examples of the thoughtful features Fitbit has included.
However, it's worth mentioning that the Ace 3 does keep its functionality relatively basic. Advanced metrics one might find in adult fitness trackers are deliberately left out. While appealing to some, this simplicity may not satisfy those looking for in-depth data. Additionally, some users have reported that the band can sometimes feel a bit loose, so keep that in mind when considering the Ace 3.
We picked the Apple Watch Ultra 2 as the best fitness tracker for swimming enthusiasts. Its blend of cutting-edge technology and excellent fitness features make it a top choice. The device is water-resistant up to 100 meters and supports high-speed water sports and recreational dives up to 40 meters.
The always-on Retina display, boasting up to 3,000 nits, ensures easy readability even during underwater adventures. The precision dual-frequency GPS is handy for open water swimming, providing accurate location tracking. The added bonus of mobile connectivity keeps you connected, even in the middle of a lake. For safety, the watch also features fall and crash detection, ensuring help is always just a tap away.
On the downside, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 carries a hefty price tag, retailing at $1,399. This might put the device out of reach for casual fitness enthusiasts or those on a budget. Secondly, although the battery can last up to 36 hours under normal use, more frequent use may require charging within a day, which could be inconvenient for some users.
The Withings Sleep Analyzer is our pick for the best tracker for sleep. On Amazon, it has earned a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. Setting up the Analyzer is a breeze, with the device conveniently slipping under your mattress.
Developed in collaboration with sleep physicians and extensively tested against gold-standard sleep diagnostics data, this gadget offers medical-grade accuracy in detecting sleep apnea and its severity. The depth of analysis it provides regarding your sleep cycles, continuous heart rate, and even snore detection is second to none.
The Sleep Score feature gives you an immediate idea of how restorative your sleep was. Plus, the automatic Wi-Fi sync delivers all results to the free Health Mate app on your iOS or Android device as soon as you wake up.
Some users have reported occasional issues with the automatic Wi-Fi sync feature, and others have wished for a more comprehensive analysis of REM sleep stages. Despite these minor shortcomings, the Withings Sleep Analyzer is worth considering for its advanced insights and unobtrusive design.
The Garmin Venu 2S is a fantastic GPS smartwatch that earns a well-deserved 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon. Its versatility and sophistication are unrivaled, offering an incredible range of health monitoring and fitness functions to keep you in tune with your body.
The smartwatch's vibrant AMOLED display and sleek design are impressive, making it a perfect companion for an active lifestyle. Features like health snapshots, body battery energy monitoring, HIIT workouts, and Garmin Pay, to name just a few, make this model a cut above the rest.
Not only is the Venu 2S packed with advanced fitness features but offers a range of safety and tracking features to give you peace of mind while on the go. Additionally, its water-resistance rating of up to 5 ATM ensures you can take it with you on all your outdoor activities without worry.
The Garmin Venu 2S, for instance, features a myriad of functions that can be overwhelming for first-time users, and the price point may be a little steep for those on a tight budget. Nonetheless, for those who prioritise health tracking, fitness functions, and GPS capabilities, it's an investment worth considering.
Amazfit has emerged as the champion of wearables in the Finder Retail Awards 2023, offering a superb lineup of smartwatches and fitness trackers that flawlessly blend functionality, affordability, and exceptional battery life. The brand has garnered accolades for providing wearers with comprehensive features to optimise their fitness journey, from tracking daily steps monitoring sleep, to advanced features like heart rate and SpO2 monitoring.
However, The real game-changer is its impressive battery life that truly sets Amazfit apart, allowing wearers to go days without recharging. Coupled with an attractive price point, it's no surprise that 97% of customers heartily recommend Amazfit. It's clear that if value for money is on your checklist, you can't go wrong with this brand.
Amazon prices last updated on 4 December, 2023 at 06:02 ameBay prices last updated on 4 December, 2023 at 08:18 amThe Iconic prices last updated on 3 December, 2023
Methodology
18 Products compared
100+ Brands considered
12 Best fitness trackers ranked
Why you can trust our picks
For this list, we looked into hundreds of fitness trackers from the following brands:
AGPTEK
Amazfit
Apple
Boult
Circular
Fitbit
Fitiger
Garmin
Honor
Huawei
McLEAR
Oura
Polar
Repho
Samsung
SLEEPON
Withings
Xiaomi
We then narrowed down our choices based on customer ratings and reviews (as of October 2023). We also considered each model's key product features, including price, battery life, and compatibility with different types of smartphones, and various functions. We came up with what we believe are the 12 best fitness trackers you can get online.
We value our editorial independence, basing our comparison results, content and reviews on objective analysis without bias. However, Finder may receive compensation when you click some links on our site. Learn more about how we make money from our partners and why you can trust our guides.
How to compare fitness trackers
A fitness tracker can make it easier to more accurately measure the impact of your exercise, as well as providing an easy and comfortable way to quantify your exercise and encourage you to do more.
Some of the earliest fitness trackers were little less than pedometers with Bluetooth connections and not much more, but as the category has expanded and improved we've seen a range of fitness tracking methods, health sensors and more come into the space.
In coming up with our list of the best fitness trackers, we've considered approaches from all angles and taking into consideration that many folks want more or less from their fitness tracker. Here's what we've considered – and what you should – when choosing the best fitness trackers:
What fitness activities do I want to track? Some trackers consider walking and running type activities only, while others encompass all kinds of workouts, both indoors and outdoors.
Band or watch? Most people think of fitness trackers purely in band terms, but there can be benefits to a watch-style tracker because of the information it can convey and the style it brings. That's a very personal choice in most cases, but some watch-style trackers also incorporate larger sensors or more exercise tracking types thanks to their larger displays.
Do you want or need sleep tracking? Not every band will track your sleep activity, but it can be a very useful metric as part of an overall evaluation of your fitness.
Which app do you want? The big names such as Fitbit and Garmin have whole communities built around sharing their app data, while big tech companies like Apple and Samsung have their own apps that serve as effective databases of your ongoing fitness data. You can't typically transfer that data between apps easily, so it's often easiest to stick with a brand if you want to keep your long-term data accessible.
How long will the battery last? For simple trackers, especially those with small screens or no screen, you might get weeks, but some smartwatches or trackers with larger displays might only manage a day or two. You should also consider how they recharge. Custom recharging cables can be faster, but can leave you stymied if they're lost or you travel without them.
How do fitness trackers work?
Fitness trackers are a type of wearable designed to be worn on your wrist all day long. The tracker can detect your activity throughout the day and monitor how many steps you take, how far you travel, and in some cases, your heart rate during physical activity. Wearing a fitness tracker can help you keep track of your activity and set measurable fitness goals – for example, walking 10,000 steps every day.
These trackers use a variety of sensors to detect movement and motion. Some trackers have sensors that detect your pulse and heart rate, while others have GPS trackers that can keep track of the total distance you travel. The more sensors the fitness tracker has, the more accurate it will be at monitoring your activity.
How to compare fitness trackers
When choosing a fitness tracker, consider the following factors:
Heart rate monitor
Many fitness trackers include a heart rate tracker to help you monitor your health and activity. You can use it to track your activity levels throughout the day and to make sure your heart rate is at optimal levels during exercise.
Battery life
Some trackers offer several days' worth of battery life on a single charge, while others require you to recharge each day. If you want to use the tracker to monitor your sleep, look for one with a battery life of more than 24 hours so that you don't have to recharge every night while you sleep. Fitness trackers with rechargeable batteries are usually powered by USB chargers, while other trackers use replaceable watch batteries.
Apps
Just about every fitness tracker has an app that allows you to store data about your activity, update settings, set goals and more. However, some trackers are only available with Apple or Android or devices, not both. Make sure you check that the tracker is compatible with your phone.
Waterproofing
Some models are water- and sweat-resistant, while others are fully waterproof and can be worn while swimming.
Display
Some trackers include displays so that you can more easily check your activity levels, check the time and change settings.
GPS
GPS tracking can give you more accurate activity tracking, especially when it comes to running and cycling.
Sleep tracking
Most fitness trackers allow you to monitor your sleep. Some models record sleep activity automatically while others need to have the sleep setting manually activated before you go to bed.
Alarm
If you want to use your tracker as an alarm, look for one that offers a silent alarm that vibrates your wrist. That way, you can wake up without waking up anyone next to you. Also, you can set reminders throughout the day that won't disturb those around you.
Food log and calorie counter
Some fitness tracker apps allow you to manually log the food you eat throughout the day, while others can sync with a food tracking app. Monitoring both your food intake and exercise in the same place can help you more accurately estimate your daily calorie consumption and meet your fitness goals.
Fitness trackers vs smartwatches
Fitness trackers and smartwatches do a lot of the same things. Most of them can tell the time and track your activity. The main difference between the two is what they're designed to do.
While most smartwatches can be used as fitness trackers, fitness trackers typically offer more health features. Smartwatches may have more features and versatility, but they can also be a lot more expensive. If you only want a device to track your activity, you'd be paying more for features you won't use.
Do fitness trackers help you lose weight?
Scientists have debated for years about the effectiveness of fitness trackers as weight loss tools, but there's little scientific evidence indicating either the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of modern fitness trackers. While there have been several studies that indicate wearing a fitness tracker doesn't increase weight loss, these well-known studies used older fitness tracker models such as clip-on pedometers and upper armband trackers.
Wearing a fitness tracker alone won't lead to weight loss or better health, but a tracker can be a helpful tool for motivation and keeping track of fitness goals.
Frequently asked questions
We picked the Fitbit Charge 5 as the best fitness tracker overall.
A fitness tracker is a device designed to monitor and track your physical activity levels, such as steps taken, distance travelled, and burned calories. On the other hand, a fitness watch offers similar features but includes additional functions like heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and even GPS capabilities.
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to which wrist you should wear your fitness tracker on. It ultimately depends on personal preference and comfort. Some people may find it more comfortable to wear their tracker on their non-dominant hand, while others may prefer wearing it on their dominant hand for convenience. However, keep in mind that some trackers may have specific instructions on which wrist to wear for more accurate readings.
The average price of a fitness tracker can vary greatly depending on the brand, features, and design. Basic models can range from $90 to $300, while more advanced trackers with additional functions such as heart rate monitoring and GPS capabilities can cost between $300 to $500 or more.
The lifespan of a fitness tracker can vary depending on usage and the brand's quality. On average, most fitness trackers last 1-3 years before needing replacement. However, some higher-end models may have longer lifespans due to their durability and better materials used in construction.
Best rated fitness tracker brand award breakdown
Brand
Battery Life
Design
Features
Value for Money
Overall rating
Recommended
Total Score
Amazfit
4.19
4.31
4.25
4.38
4.31
88%
7.89
Samsung
4.3
4.26
4.26
4.14
4.22
90%
7.8
Xiaomi
4.38
4.13
4.13
4.19
4.13
88%
7.65
Fitbit
3.89
4.23
4.17
3.85
4.21
89%
7.63
Garmin
3.92
4.12
3.94
3.98
4.14
88%
7.53
Oura
4
3.56
3.67
4.11
3.89
78%
7.09
Laser
4
3.75
3.88
4
3.5
63%
6.62
Data: Finder Retail Brand Survey, 2020, Kantar. Metric out of 5 stars unless indicated. Methodology and more info.
Brand
Design
Ease of use
Features & Functionality
Performance
Reliability
Value for Money
Overall rating
Recommended
Fitbit
4.14
4.28
3.99
4.2
4.02
3.89
3.99
91%
Garmin
3.45
3.66
3.79
3.84
3.82
3.39
3.58
78%
Data: Finder Retail Brand Survey, 2019, Roy Morgan. Metric out of 5 stars unless indicated. Methodology and more info.
Ericka Pingol is a writer for Finder specialising in best guides. Using tested methodology, Ericka has been helping Australians choose the right product across hundreds of categories since 2020. Ericka has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of the East, Manila. As well as being passionate about helping people save money when shopping for their latest purchases, Ericka has a background in writing about property investment, personal finance and health. When not writing best guides, you can find her lost in the pages of a good book or experimenting with watercolour painting.
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