Tracking your fitness has never been easier. With the right wearable tracker, you can accurately monitor your activity levels and gain great insight into your overall health. However, with so many options on the market, finding the right device to meet your needs can be tricky.
To make your search easier, we tested out the top-rated fitness trackers and compiled a list of the 7 best options available now based on factors like compatibility, price, fit, and special features such as GPS and water resistance.
Key Features to Look For
Here are some key considerations when shopping for a fitness tracker:
Compatibility – Make sure the tracker works with your smartphone‘s operating system. Most work with both iOS and Android, but some only sync with one type.
Price – Fitness trackers range from around $25 to $400+. While more expensive models often have more advanced features, an affordable option can still meet your basic activity tracking needs.
Fit and Comfort – The tracker should be lightweight and comfortable enough to wear all day long. Measure your wrist to ensure a proper fit.
GPS – Built-in GPS allows the tracker to more precisely record the distance of outdoor walks, runs, and bike rides by mapping your route.
Water Resistance – Look for water resistance if you swim or often get the tracker wet. Many trackers today are waterproof to 50 meters.
Battery Life – Battery life varies greatly depending on usage. Expect anywhere from 1-10 days between charges. Models with lengthy battery life allow you to track activity around the clock without worry.
Smart Features – Many fitness trackers double as smartwatches, offering additional features like smartphone notifications and downloadable apps. Keep this in mind if you want a multifunction device.
Now let’s dive into the top 7 best fitness trackers on the market today.
1. Fitbit Charge 5
Product: [Fitbit Charge 5](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BXDZ9BD?tag=fashionistasblog-20)
Price: $127.00
Features: Daily readiness and stress management score, Health Metrics dashboard, track SpO2, heart rate variability, skin temperature variation, Built-in GPS, 24/7 heart rate tracking and Active Zone Minutes
Pros: Slim and lightweight design, excellent companion app, long battery life, advanced health tracking features
Cons: No onboard music storage for playlists
Our choice for best fitness tracker overall is the Fitbit Charge 5. It has a slim, comfortable design and is packed with features to precisely track all aspects of your health and fitness.
We especially like the Daily Readiness Score, which lets you know if your body is prepared for a tough workout based on sleep, heart rate variability, and recent activity data. The built-in GPS enables the tracker to map outdoor activity routes without carrying your phone.
The Charge 5 also tracks important health metrics like blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), breathing rate, and skin temperature. Sync it with the excellent Fitbit app to monitor trends over time. With 7 days of battery life, it can track your active minutes around the clock.
Overall, the Fitbit Charge 5 impresses us with its stylish yet functional design, comprehensive activity and health data, and smart coaching features to help you optimize every workout. It’s the best all-around fitness tracker option for most people.
2. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
Product: [Samsung Galaxy Watch 4](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096BJLZZM?tag=fashionistasblog-20)
Price: $159.99
Features: Body composition analysis, sleep tracking, heart rate and ECG monitoring, 40+ exercise modes, GPS, fall detection
Pros: Stylish design, excellent fitness tracking, innovative body analysis
Cons: Less third-party app support than some competitors
The sleek Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is packed with health features including body composition analysis to measure BMI, skeletal muscle mass, basal metabolic rate, and more right from your wrist.
Built-in GPS lets you accurately track the distance of outdoor activity sans phone. Monitor your heart with on-demand ECG readings and fall detection that can send an alert to pre-selected contacts.
We like that the Galaxy Watch 4 auto-tracks seven popular workout types and offers advanced running analysis to help you train more strategically.
With an always-on AMOLED display and two size options, Samsung’s latest fitness watch combines style with functionality. The Galaxy Watch 4 is a fashionable yet fully featured option.
3. Amazfit Band 5
Product: [Amazfit Band 5](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DKYLK4D?tag=fashionistasblog-20)
Price: $38.98
Features: 15-day battery life, blood oxygen monitoring, heart rate tracking, 11 sport modes, water resistant to 50 meters, Alexa built-in
Pros: Affordable price, lengthy battery, full-featured activity tracking
Cons: No built-in GPS
Proving you don’t have to spend a lot to get robust fitness tracking features, the budget-friendly Amazfit Band 5 monitors blood oxygen, heart health, sleep, stress and more – plus it costs under $50.
This versatile fitness band can go up to 15 days before needing a charge, allowing you to wear it 24/7 without disconnecting to repower. It connects with GPS on your paired smartphone to record outdoor activity routes.
With 11 built-in exercise modes to choose from, water resistance up to 50 meters, and an OLED color touchscreen, it packs premium features into an affordable tracker. If price is a concern, go with the feature-packed Amazfit Band 5.
4. Fitbit Sense
Product: [Fitbit Sense](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DFLG5SP?tag=fashionistasblog-20)
Price: $213.75
Features: EDA Scan stress monitoring, heart health assessments, tracks skin temperature and sleep stages, built-in GPS, 6+ day battery life
Pros: Advanced health tracking features and sensors, stylish versatile design
Cons: Expensive compared to basic trackers
Serious about tracking your fitness? The advanced Fitbit Sense smartwatch helps you monitor wellness from all angles with sensors and software to measure heart data, sleep quality, stress levels, skin temperature shifts and more.
Assess cardiac rhythm for signs of atrial fibrillation right from your wrist with the built-in ECG app. Check blood oxygen levels during intense workouts with SpO2 monitoring. Built-in GPS lets you track pace and distance for outdoor runs and rides without carrying a smartphone.
While pricey compared to basic trackers, the Fitbit Sense stands out as a versatile health monitoring wearable packed with advanced wellness tracking technology.
5. Polar Ignite
Product: [Polar Ignite](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T4KY3KK?tag=fashionistasblog-20)
Price: $218.70
Features: Built-in GPS, wrist-based heart rate tracking, Nightly Recharge recovery measurement, sleep tracking, waterproof design
Pros: Innovative Nightly Recharge recovery metric, Training Guide feature gives workout recommendations
Cons: Short 2-5 day battery life, expensive
Runners and endurance athletes pay attention – the Polar Ignite fitness watch offers specially tailored metrics to help you optimize training.
Built-in GPS lets you accurately track outdoor activity sans phone while the wrist-based heart rate monitor records intensity. We especially like the Nightly Recharge feature which measures daily recovery to help determine workout readiness.
The Training Guide gives customized daily workout suggestions based on performance metrics and overall fitness readiness. With advanced features specially geared toward runners and endurance sports, the Polar Ignite sits at the head of the pack.
6. Fitbit Inspire 2
Product: [Fitbit Inspire 2](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DFDP1TR?tag=fashionistasblog-20)
Price: $68.84
Features: 24/7 heart rate tracking, 20+ exercise modes, sleep and fitness tracking, 10-day battery life, free 1-year Fitbit Premium trial included
Pros: User friendly design perfect for beginners, lengthy battery life, comprehensive activity tracking features
Cons: No onboard GPS for mapping outdoor workouts
Great for fitness tracker beginners, the slim Fitbit Inspire 2 band effortlessly tracks daily step counts, calories burned, hourly activity, heart rate patterns and sleep stages.
The easy-to-use Inspire 2 lasts over 10 days per charge, so you can wear it day and night without worrying about disconnecting frequently to repower. Review weekly progress reports within the excellent Fitbit app.
While the Inspire 2 lacks built-in GPS for tracking outdoor activity routes, it delivers core fitness tracking in a stylish, affordable package that beginners can pick up and start using immediately.
7. Apple Watch Series 7
Product: [Apple Watch Series 7](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DFDP1TR?tag=fashionistasblog-20)
Price: $399
Features: Blood oxygen and ECG apps, fall detection, sleep tracking, 14 exercise modes, 18-hour battery life, tracks heart health metrics
Pros: Excellent connectivity with iPhones, large always-on retina display, stylish design
Cons: Below average battery life, expensive
The Apple Watch Series 7 takes iPhone connectivity and health tracking features to the next level.
View messages and notifications right on your wrist thanks to seamless pairing with your iPhone. The Always-On Retina display is nearly 20% larger than the previous generation watch for more comfortable viewing.
Take ECG readings to check for irregular heart rhythm indicating AFib. Enable fall detection for emergency SOS capabilities. With 14 distinct workout modes plus daily activity and sleep tracking, the Apple Watch Series 7 pushes the capabilities of a fitness tracker into smartwatch territory.
With countless options on the market ranging widely in price and capabilities, picking the right fitness tracker can get overwhelming quickly. Follow this guide when comparing models:
Step 1: Consider your Reasons for Wanting a Tracker
Are you seeking basic step counting and calorie burn estimates? Do you want advanced sleep monitoring? GPS integration for outdoor workouts? Make a list of must-have abilities before shopping.
Step 2: Determine Your Budget
With prices ranging from $25 into the $400s, setting a firm budget eliminates models with bells and whistles you may not actually need or use. Focus spending on your most needed and desired features.
Step 3: Check Compatibility
Verify the tracker pairs with your smartphone’s operating system before purchase. Most work with both Android and iOS, but some only sync with one type.
Step 4: Prioritize All Day Comfort
Look for lightweight, breathable bands that won’t irritate skin with extended wear. Measure your wrist circumference to find your proper band size.
Step 5: Compare Battery Life Spans
Battery life varies drastically from 1 all the way up to 15 days between charges depending on usage. If you do not want to remove the tracker daily for charging, seek out a longer battery span.
By carefully considering your needs and wants before shopping, you’ll end up with the ideal tracker to accurately monitor fitness and provide helpful insights into your overall activity and health.
Fitness trackers can run anywhere from $20 to $500, with a dizzying selection of brands, models and features to evaluate. Before selecting a tracker, keep these key tips in mind:
Clearly Define Your Goals
Determine precisely what you want to accomplish with the tracker – lose weight? Improve sleep? Analyze training data? Let your goals guide which features are non-negotiable vs “nice to haves”.
Compare Display Types
Basic trackers have simple non-interactive LED screens that display data like steps and heart rate. Touchscreen models allow tapping to navigate between data views and smartphone notifications. Always-on displays let you check stats with a quick glance.
Check Water Resistance Level
Look for ATM ratings from 5-10 for use in the pool, shower, hot tub or steam room. Higher ratings indicate devices can safely be submerged deeper underwater.
Determine Must-Have Features
Know which stats are important to you like step counts, distance traveled, calories burned, stair climbing, heart rate patterns or sleep monitoring. Seek out trackers packing your essential metrics.
Understand Expected Battery Life
Battery performance varies drastically from 1-15 days between charges depending on model. Determine acceptable longevity for your lifestyle before shopping models. Recharging daily may be frustrating long-term.
By carefully evaluating your personal activity tracking needs before purchasing, you’ll choose a fitness band well equipped to provide the precise feedback you’re seeking to meet your health goals.
Fitness trackers have surged in popularity in recent years – but what’s it actually like using one on a daily basis? Here‘s an inside look.
The core purpose of a fitness tracker is motivation. By quantifying your movement and displaying steps, mileage and calories burned right on your wrist, seeing your hard work translated into data pushes you to maintain momentum.
Thanks to automatic sleep monitoring, you’ll also get daily insight into rest quality. This data may prompt adjusting bedtime routines to optimize health. Viewing heart rate variability patterns encourages reducing stress and anxiety as well.
Syncing your tracker wirelessly to your smartphone allows you to view progress without tedious manual data entry or cables. Compare yesterday’s step count to today’s at a glance.
Many trackers feature integrated apps you can launch to begin logging specific exercises like walks, runs or bike rides. Having exercises timed, mapped and saved to review again later helps quantify improvement.
While putting data on display certainly stimulates movement, don’t become discouraged if you miss a daily step goal. Progress takes patience, persistence and compassion. Instead, note accomplishments to feel proud of like making it to the gym or getting to bed earlier.
The core purpose of a fitness tracker is keeping you active and healthy – not wielding constant judgment. Use it as a tool for insight rather than one for self-scrutiny. Consistency moves the needle!
With built-in GPS, heart rate monitoring, activity tracking and next-level health metrics like blood oxygen saturation, today’s fitness trackers provide unprecedented insight into your overall wellness.
Hopefully this guide helped introduce you to the key players in the market currently and provided tips for picking the right wearable technology for your unique needs and fitness goals. Whichever model resonates, wear it consistently to quantify your movement and motivate you to maintain momentum. Consistency is crucial when forming healthy habits and reaching new milestones!
