Our 2023 list of best fitness trackers will help you track your stats and health metrics. Many fitness trackers can keep track of your heartbeat, time spent working out, calories burned, and more. We have gathered the best options based on 2023 technology and prices, so you can’t go wrong with any of them.
What Is the Difference Between a Fitness Tracker and a Fitness Smartwatch?
| Fitness Tracker | Smartwatch |
| – Simple to use – Can be found at lower prices – Usually smaller and more comfortable for all-day wearability -Have great battery life (some can last between five and seven days) | – Has advanced smart features – Has a bigger screen than fitness trackers – Includes health tracking, coaching, and specific workout training -Need to charge daily |
Do Fitness Trackers Really Work?
Fitness trackers definitely work to keep track of your stats and keep you accountable. When you are consistently using the tracker every day, you will see improvements in your stats and even be more motivated to achieve your goals since it is in writing. Some fitness trackers come with apps that will help organize your stats, so you know what your average day looks like.
What Makes a Good Fitness Tracker?
- Long battery life
- The comfort of the tracker on the wrist
- Built-in GPS
- Ability to track your fitness
- Ability to monitor your heart rate
What Is the Most Popular Fitness Tracker?
The most popular fitness tracker brand right now is Fitbit. Their various models, which we will detail below, allow people to track their achievements during exercise and access the data from their Fitbit smartphone app. Fitbit trackers work with both androids and iPhones, so you won’t have to worry about it not working because of your phone type.
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Best Fitness Tracker for a Beginner
If you are a beginner when it comes to using a fitness tracker, we have the best options for you that are easy and simple to use.
1. YoYoFit, $39
The YoYoFit Health and Fitness Tracker features nineteen built-in sports modes. It will track your daily steps, calories burned, distance, and heart rate. It has a 24/7 heart rate monitor and a sleep tracker that will let you know how well you sleep and if your heart rate stats stay the same while sleeping.
Reviewers have stated that they enjoy this fitness tracker because it gives them good quality at an excellent price for a beginner looking for their first fitness tracker. It has a long battery life with one charge that lasts up to ten days.
2. Amazfit Band 5, $32+
The Amazfit Band 5 keeps you connected with one charge. You will be good for two weeks until you need to charge again. It monitors your sleep, even your daily twenty-minute nap, and analyzes your sleep quality. It is water resistant, so it won’t get ruined if wet.
Reviewers have stated that it is a great fitness tracker. This comes quite close if you are looking for something like the Fitbit. You can connect it to an Alexa if you have one and it can read off your stats while you are working out.
Best Fitness Trackers Under $50
If you are looking for the best fitness tracker that is under fifty dollars, we have the best options for you that are highly recommended.
1. Amazfit – Band 7 Fitness Tracker, $44+
The Amazfit Band 7 has a large selection of a hundred and twenty sports modes. With a fully charged battery, it can last up to eighteen days for typical usage and up twenty-eight days with the battery-saver mode. That has to be one of the best battery uses with so much time after a full charge.
Reviewers have stated that they love this fitness tracker because it gives you more options in apps. You have the weather, and it lets you know the local conditions. It will measure your stress from one to a hundred based on heart and pulse ox and other factors that follow along. It has an Alexa with it, so if you are in the middle of a workout, ask Alexa to do it for you. Reviewers love that factor because it lets them be hands-free.
2. Xiaomi Mi Band 7, $46+
The Xiaomi Mi Band 7 has a fifteen-day battery life after charging the fitness tracker for two hours. A twenty-four-hour heart rate monitor will keep track of your heart throughout the day and while you are sleeping.
Reviewers have stated that they enjoy this fitness tracker because of its features, especially at the price point. They enjoy using the app that can alert them if their blood pressure is too high or low. It is simple to use if you want something a little more advance but still under fifty dollars.
Best Fitness Trackers Under $100
We have the best options if you are looking for something a little bit more expensive but still under a budget of hundred dollars.
1. Fitbit Inspire 2, $58+
The Fitbit Inspire 2 comes with a one-year Fitbit premium membership. It has step-by-step fitness instructions, nutrition programs, and personalized insights that shows improvement over time. The battery life lasts up to ten days, so you don’t have to stop and charge this fitness tracker daily.
Reviewers have stated that they love this Fitbit and it works just as well as an Apple Watch, but at a reasonable price. People love how comfortable it is so that it works all day and night without getting in the way of daily activities. As opposed to most trial memberships, people like that this tracker comes with one free year.
2. Garmin Vivosmart 4, $89+
The Garmin Vivosmart 4 has monitoring tools like an all-day stress tracking tool and a relaxing breathing timer to help alleviate stress. There are dedicated timers for walks, runs, yoga swims, and other activities.
Reviewers have stated that they enjoy this fitness tracker because its features come with it for free. They find it very durable when you wear it; whether you are doing home improvement jobs or yard work, it will hold up nicely so you won’t have to worry about it breaking. We do suggest getting a protective cover to protect the screen from scratches.
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Which Fitness Tracker Is the Most Accurate?
Based on our research, the most accurate fitness tracker for measuring your steps and heart rate is the Fitbit Charge 5. It detects your every movement and correctly identifies workouts even if you do not select start. Like the Apple Watch, it will automatically record the different workouts for you, whether running, walking, biking, or swimming. You can get it for $150 and the band comes in three colors.
Best Fitness Trackers for Android Smartphones
If you have an android and want the best fitness tracker, you can get one that works best for your smartphone. We list the two best options below.
1. Fitbit Sense Advanced Health Smartwatch, $249+
The Fitbit Sense Advanced Health Smartwatch comes with a six-month premium membership, so you can see what the premium Fitbit app offers. This fitness tracker has a built-in mic and speaker, so you can take Bluetooth calls hands-free or send them straight to voicemail.
Reviewers have stated that it is excellent for keeping track of your heart rate, sleep monitoring, and more. They enjoy connecting their android phones to keep track of stats and see if there is improvement throughout their workouts. They also like that it has Bluetooth capabilities because most fitness trackers that do are more expensive.
2. Garmin Venu 2, $299+
The Garmin Venu 2 has twenty-five built-in sports apps. It holds all of your health and fitness stats in one place without requiring a subscription. It will even keep track of your hydration and you can set a reminder to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Reviewers have stated that it is a great fitness tracker for android phone users. They enjoy it so much that they don’t need to upgrade it because it works great. They say it is perfect for being both a smartwatch and a fitness watch. It has everything you need and will last a long time before you have to get a new one.
Best Fitness Tracker for Apple Smartphones
If you have an Apple smartphone, we have the best fitness trackers you can get for your phone listed below.
1. Fitbit Charge 2, $179+
The Fitbit Charge 2 has features where you can see calls, texts, and calendar notifications. You can track your all-day activity like steps, distance, calories burned, and active minutes. This Fitbit will better understand your fitness level and allow you to see how you can improve over time.
Reviewers have stated that they enjoy this Fitbit because the monitoring heart rate gives accurate results. It gives you the quality of an Apple Watch without paying the same price. It also includes a fitness app without the extra charge of paying for a membership.
2. Apple Watch Series 8, $359+
The Apple Watch Series 8 has advanced sensors to give you a better insight into your health, which is why the cost is higher than other fitness trackers. The advanced health features can keep an eye on your blood oxygen, making sure it reads as normal. It will even keep track of your sleep stages and see how your heart rate changes throughout your sleep.
Reviewers have stated that they are very impressed with the Apple Watch, and it can be very worth it if you are an Apple user. This Apple Watch comes with so many features that are all included in the initial price, which makes reviewers enjoy this fitness tracker.
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Best Fitness Trackers from 2021
2021 might seem like a while ago, but buying previous years’ technology can actually save you a lot of money. We have the best options for fitness trackers that came out that year that are still available now for a smaller cost.
1. Fitbit Inspire 2, $79+
The Fitbit Inspire 2 comes with a one-year Fitbit premium membership. It has step-by-step fitness and nutrition programs and personalized insights. The battery life is up to ten days, so you don’t have to stop and charge this fitness tracker daily.
Reviewers have stated that they love this Fitbit, and it works just as well as an Apple Watch but at a reasonable price. They love how comfortable it is and how they can wear it all day and night without it bothering them. The one-year membership is what really sells people because they get to try it out for a year instead of a week’s or month’s trial that other fitness trackers usually do.
2. Apple Watch Series 7, $239+
The Apple Watch Series 7 comes with a variety of health sensors. There are apps that measure blood oxygen and ECG, which is how fast your heart beats. It will track your sleep, so you can wake up knowing how well you slept and if your heart rate changed overnight.
Reviewers have stated that they love everything that the Apple Watch features because there are so many things you can use it for, whether it is for fitness, taking calls, monitoring your health, or texting someone back. This older model is still extremely advanced, so you wouldn’t even be missing much if you go with this one instead.
Best Fitness Trackers from 2022
Looking back to last year, there are also a number of highly rated fitness trackers that came out. You can still get these models today.
1. Fitbit Luxe, $89+
The Fitbit Luxe tracks your sleep and gives you a score that you can see in the Fitbit app. You can get a six-month trial with Fitbit premium and see what the premium subscription offers you regarding all the features.
Reviewers have stated that they enjoy this Fitbit because it is easy and fast to charge, great at tracking BPM, and easy to understand. They love that it is water resistant, so they can still wear it to swim.
2. Amazfit GTR 4, $199+
The Amazfit GTR 4 has ultra-battery life that will last fourteen days after one full charge and it still remains on the low end of these trackers in terms of cost. You will have easy 24/7 access to health management when you want to know your heart rate, sleep cycles, and more. There are a hundred and fifty sports modes with strength exercise recommendations, which is a great range of options.
Reviewers have stated that they enjoy this fitness tracker because the battery life lasts so long. It has an Alexa feature, so you can ask it anything you like. People have said they enjoy being able to answer calls without paying the high prices of an Apple Watch, for example.
Best Fitness Trackers for Walking
If you enjoy going on walks and need the most accurate results, we have the best options fitness trackers can get you.
1. Fitbit Versa 3, $138+
Another Fitbit, the Fitbit Versa 3, is a great tracker for accurate walking results. You will get six months of a Fitbit premium trial to test out all the extra features the Fitbit has. You can run, bike, hike, and more with is real-time pace and distance fitness tracker. You can then check out your workout intensity in the Fitbit app to see it mapped out.
Reviewers have stated that they enjoy this Fitbit version because it gives accurate walking results. They love that they can wear it seven to eight days straight and have excellent battery life without charging it every night.
2. Fitbit Charge 5, $129+
The Fitbit Charge 5 is two times brighter than the previous Fitbit Charge 4. Heart rate notifications will detect if your heart rate is above or below what it should generally be. It will also show you your daily stress management and steps to improve your stress levels.
Reviewers have stated that they enjoy it because it is the best motivator to help get you up and move around. They love that the screen on this Fitbit is much larger and can display more data. It is enjoyed for how accurate it is when it comes to your steps and distance.
Best Fitness Trackers for Hiking
If you enjoy going on hikes and trail walks, we have the two best options for fitness trackers you can get to keep track of your hikes.
1. Garmin Vivoactive 4, $199+
The Garmin Vivoactive 4 has many features, like smart notifications, clear viewing, and heart rate tracking. It is used for its enhanced outdoor navigation and has a three-axis compass, so you know how you are going when hiking.
Reviewers have stated that this is a great fitness tracker with a long battery life, which you will need when hiking. They enjoy that it can be used for everyday use as well. It comes with a strong GPS feature, so you won’t get lost in case your phone loses signal.
2. Garmin Instinct Solar, $249+
For another Garmin hiking tracker, you can try the Garmin Instinct Solar, which has a global navigation satellite to track more challenging hiking environments. It will help monitor your health and wellness better. It also monitors your body and how you use energy.
Reviewers have stated that they prefer this watch compared to the Apple Watch because it comes with everything you want at half the price. All the outdoor features make it better for hiking because you won’t have to worry if it gets wet since it is water resistant.
Best Fitness Trackers for Running
If you enjoy going on runs and want a fitness tracker to keep track of your pace, we have the best two options for you.
1. Polar Pacer Pro, $300
The Polar Pacer Pro has powerful training tools for serious runners. It quickly transfers any data from this fitness tracker to your phone, or you can download a fitness tracking app to keep your stats all in one place.
Reviewers have stated that it is a great running watch for keeping accurate stats because it tracks your VO₂ Max. This is a marker for how much oxygen your body can absorb while working out. It is bigger than other fitness trackers, which can be helpful because it is hard to read while running. It also has a very long battery life and an extra bright surface so you can check it in any conditions.
2. Apple Watch Series 8, $359+
As we’ve seen, the Apple Watch Series 8 has advanced sensors to give you a better insight into your health, which is why the cost is higher than other fitness trackers. It also tracks your VO₂ Max, pace, heart rate, and mileage, which is perfect for runners who want to keep a good record of their training.
Reviewers have stated that they are very impressed with the Apple Watch. While the flat cost is $420, it can be helpful to invest in the additional cost of cellular service per month. This way, depending on your phone carrier, you can run, listen to music, and track everything without your phone. This makes for a great run because you only have to bring your watch with you and you’ll still have the functionality of an Apple phone.
Best Fitness Tracker with GPS Build-In
We have the best options if you are looking for the best fitness tracker with a built-in GPS to track where you are.
1. Garmin Forerunner 235, $250
The Garmin Forerunner 235 can locate your position quickly if you are running deep in the woods and need to know your exact location to find your way back to your car.
Reviewers have stated that they enjoy this fitness tracker because the GPS signal is quick and will not make you wait long to find your precise location. It has a long battery life, so you won’t have to remember to charge it daily. This is key when tracking your GPS distance because it can be scary when it dies mid-activity.
2. Garmin Venu 2S, $259+
The Garmin Venu 2S gets eleven days in smartwatch mode, twenty-two hours in GPS, and eight hours in GPS mode. It is made for an active lifestyle if you enjoy being outdoors or working out regularly. This is a great fitness tracker to upgrade to for the GPS functionality. Reviewers agree that this watch is easy to use and great for outdoor activities.
Best Fitness Trackers for Swimming
You can’t go wrong with either of these options if you swim regularly and need a great fitness tracker.
1. FORM Swim Goggles, $249
The FORM Swim Goggles come with a one year membership and a thousand coach-designed workouts. The FORM swim app will keep track of all your swim stats and give you a better understanding of your workout.
Swimmers love the invention of swim smart goggles because it is hard to find the perfect waterproof tracker that you can also see while swimming. They find this design helpful to see their metrics. If you are an athletic swimmer, these goggles are definitely worth it.
2. Garmin Swim 2, $249
The Garmin Swim 2 has an open-water battery life that lasts up to seven days and seventy-two hours in the pool. It will keep track of your distance, pace, stroke count, and stroke type. This watch comes with a free online analysis of your stats.
Reviewers have stated that they enjoy this watch because it gives them everything regarding swimming stats and most fitness watches don’t have all the different stats that swimmers need. It has even been said it is better than an Apple Watch for swimming.
The Best Fitness Tracker for Monitoring Your Heart Rate: Garmin Venu Sq 2
The Garmin Venu Sq 2 has a great set of features for the heart rate at only $250. It determines if your heart rate is too high or too low when resting. It also helps measure your hard work when doing sports activities and collects the same heart data.
Reviewers have stated that they enjoy this fitness tracker because it is compatible with an iPhone, but you don’t have to get an Apple Watch to get all its features.
Best Fitness Tracker Apps
If you have a fitness tracker that doesn’t come with a tracking app, no worries as there are tons of other fitness tracking apps out there. Here are the two best apps we found:
1. Fitness Buddy $9.99/month or $29.99/year
Fitness Buddy allows you to custom log your workouts. It also has meal plans if you’re interested in that aspect of wellness. You can also connect your fitness tracker to the app so it keeps track of your stats whether for fitness or sleep monitoring. It is the most affordable option if you are looking to get started with a fitness-tracking app.
2. JEFIT Workout Planner $12.99/month or $69.99/year
JEFIT Workout Planner is famous for its workout tracking. When you get the premium package of JEFIT, you have access to workout routines, training, and progress reports. It would be worth it if you got the premium of JETFIT because the free version doesn’t come with these. Reviewers have stated that the JEFIT is the best app for comprehensive tracking and stats. They love that you can connect with friends and share workouts.
Our Vote for the Best Fitness Tracker as of 2023
After covering all kinds of fitness trackers, we have narrowed down our list to the top two fitness trackers overall. Keep reading to see who won this year.
1. Fitbit Charge 5, $116+
The Fitbit Charge 5 is the perfect size for a fitness tracker. It has a good size screen in order to see basic stats, but it is still thin so that you can forget you even have it on. Out of all of the Fitbits and fitness trackers mentioned, it has a great price point, strong brightness to the screen, and allows you to track your stats through the Fitbit app.
2. Amazfit GTR 4, $199+
The Amazfit GTR 4 is our second choice for 2023’s fitness tracker of the year. It has anti-glare technology on the glass and a display that is an anti-fingerprint to keep your fitness tracker looking pristine. It has a hundred and fifty sport modes, which is almost excessive, and you can get live notifications about your heart rate, distance covered, or hydration reminders.
Reviewers have stated that the battery life is crazy good. One person said that they used it for four days and only 72% of the battery was still left. As a result, this is a great option at a great price point for everything that is offered.