The Whoop 4.0 was featured in a previous version of this guide, but we removed it in the fall of 2025 after it was discontinued. Whoop has replaced it with two new models, the Whoop 5.0 and Whoop MG, and introduced three pricey new membership tiers that unlock different health features. We want to thoroughly test both of those new fitness trackers and evaluate their features before recommending either of them. There are also fewer apps and services compared to Wear OS or Apple’s watchOS, but if you’re looking for a simple, no-frills smartwatch with excellent fitness tracking, the Watch Fit 3 is hard to beat at this price. It offers a bright AMOLED display, long battery life, and customizable watch faces. The Amazfit Bip 6 costs just $80 and is one of the best budget smartwatches out there.

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It’s a solid choice for anyone looking for reddit.com a reliable smartwatch without spending too much. While it lacks GPS and ECG, it still covers all essential fitness-tracking needs. The main drawback is its lack of built-in GPS, meaning you’ll need to carry your phone for location tracking. The 1.32-inch AMOLED display offers clear, vibrant visuals, even under direct sunlight. It’s also water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it a great companion for swimmers and outdoor adventurers. For anyone who values price over perfection, the Amazfit Bip 6 is a solid choice.

SAMSUNG Galaxy FIT 3 1.6″ AMOLED Display, 14-Day Battery, 100+ Watchfaces & Exercise Modes, International Model

Sometimes when flicking through the touchscreen, we pressed too hard, causing the Inspire 3 to activate a mode we didn’t want or bring up another screen that we had to swipe out of. Again, this may be a slight drawback to the tracker’s relatively minimalist design and smaller-than-most screen. The Fitbit Charge 6 offers a few upgrades from the Charge 5 , which we previously recommended as a runner-up pick. The most notable upgrade is a haptic side button that allows for easier screen navigation than swiping on the touchscreen (which, we found, sometimes isn’t responsive).

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It features 120 different sports measurement modes, so your favorite activity might not be left out. It even has a built-in GPS that runners will love, not to mention the ultra-popular sleep-tracking feature. The optical heart rate monitor has dramatically improved, with Fitbit stating it is 60% more accurate. Like its predecessor, it is equipped with SpO2 monitoring, a skin temperature sensor, and a comfortable form factor while slightly larger than the 5. Many of these devices provide features such as wellness insights, tracking sleep habits, and even the ability to count calorie intake. The good news is that you can pick and choose which tracker fits your lifestyle the best.

Best Budget Pick: Fitbit Inspire 3

We recognize that the newer Galaxy Watch 6 is available, but it can’t beat the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, especially when the latter has a price cut from being a previous-generation model. So, while the Series 9 isn’t a revolutionary update over the Series 8, it’s still the best smartwatch for fitness tracking, especially for iOS users. In addition, it features an endless list of available activities to track, unique coaching insights and workout tips, recovery time estimates, visual race time predictors, and custom workouts. Powered by Google AI, the Pixel Watch 3 offers personalized recommendations and insights, taking into account user preferences, activity patterns, and health data.

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For activity tracking, Versa 3 has all the great fitness and sleep features of our favorite tracker Charge 5, including built-in GPS for recording outdoor walks, runs, and bike rides. It also has an updated heart rate sensor (the first time in years Fitbit has improved this), which supposedly is more accurate. (Wrist-based heart rate monitoring should never be taken as gospel, but the numbers it recorded seemed fine for general workout-exertion guidance. I’ve tested dozens of smartwatches and fitness trackers over the years, so I have a good idea of what models are best and which rank among the best when it comes to fitness.

Which FITBIT Should You BUY in 2025? Price + Features You Need

Though not an intended part of our test plan, yardwork also became a tool to measure tracking and detection capabilities for non-workout activities. The screenless Whoop is innovative and designed to offer hyper-personalized recommendations. This slender little tracker contains https://www.healthdata.org/research-analysis/health-topics/diet advanced lifestyle and health tracking technology, with some of the most in-depth data analyses available. As it accumulates your daily data, the Whoop offers custom alerts, coaching, and recommendations to help you improve your health and performance, along with tons of additional lifestyle insights.

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• I had to wear it continuously for 21 days to get my VO2 max (a measurement of cardiovascular fitness) and for 31 days to get my predicted healthspan, which is Whoop’s version of your biological age.
• With its extra-long battery life and 11 built-in sports modes, the Amazfit Band 5 is a great option if you’re looking for a budget-friendly tracker that still has a wide variety of features.
• The Garmin Venu 3s is the perfect sleep tracker for athletes and fitness junkies.
• If you’re a runner, walker, or biker, GPS built into a fitness tracker can be a helpful feature.
• The Garmin Venu 3 and Forerunner 265 both have amazing battery longevity, considering the full host of data tracking capabilities.
• However, its reliance on a subscription model and lack of a display may not appeal to everyone.

It also received a perfect score for tech capabilities for its 24/7 health and wellness monitoring, stamina tracking, sleep tracking, GPS, and Spotify, just to name a few. It stays wild, with replaceable bands (Nicole bought several to switch up the look) and access to Garmin Connect to participate in online fitness competitions. The compatible Whoop app shows a variety of data including heart rate variability, resting heart rate, and circadian rhythm.

Best Apple fitness tracker

The breadcrumb navigation mapping is an obvious budget pinch point, but for many folks who don’t need a map to run around the park, it’s not an issue. If mapping is something you’re after, you’ll need to upgrade to the Pace Pro ($349) or something like the Suunto Vertical ($499). For the money, though, the Pace 4 is everything we need it to be for a budget fitness watch. The older Pace 3 is still available, for you true budget hounds, and will save you $50 to get mostly the same watch. The newly-released COROS Pace 4 ($249) builds on its budget-friendly predecessor and locks down our recommendation for a spend-wise fitness watch yet again. This new version adds a beautiful AMOLED screen, somehow doesn’t lose out on any battery life for it, and only asks an additional $50 for it.

What everyone’s reading

Choosing the best fitness tracker can be overwhelming with so many options available today. From advanced heart rate monitoring to sleep tracking, each model offers unique features designed to enhance your fitness journey. Whether you’re a casual walker or an elite athlete, finding the right tracker for your needs is crucial for reaching your health and fitness goals. Engadget tested some of the cheapest fitness trackers you can buy, all coming in at under $100.