Be Your Own Tamagotchi with These 13 Awesome Fitness Trackers

Fitness trackers have come a long way from their pedometer beginnings. The latest models track steps, stairs/altitude, distance, heart rate, and more. Athletes looking to shave seconds off their times can use interval features or advanced analytics to adjust their pace, stride length, and running mechanics.

One of these handy devices can be an eye-opener to how many (or few) steps you really take in a day. You can set goals, get reminders, and track all of your activities — from a walk around the block to a dance class. If you really want to get techy, you can get one with a built-in GPS to track your activities or sync your route ahead of time and get directions while you’re on the road.

So basically, fitness trackers can help you pump up the volume on your #FitLife. They can also get you more in tune with your body (which is never a bad thing!).

There’s a fitness track out there for erryone — from competitive athletes to the neighborhood walker. Here are the 13 best fitness trackers for all fitness levels, needs, and budgets.

How we chose

We picked the 13 best fitness trackers based on budget, available features, accuracy, user reviews, and ease of use. We also opted for models with heart rate monitoring and online data syncing.

Budget

Fitness trackers can cost as little as $50 to well over $400. We included trackers that fall into every price range to meet the varied needs of beginners all the way up to competitive athletes. Keep in mind that the more you want the tracker to do, the higher the price tag.

Available features

Our list includes a few watches that keep things basic by monitoring steps, heart rate, distance, and that’s about it.

It also includes fitness trackers that get to know you better than you know yourself, with advanced tracking features like intervals, step vertical, step length, heart rate, and VO₂max information to adjust training intensity or schedule.

Accuracy

From heart rate and oxygen levels to distance, accuracy matters. Ofc no fitness tracker is perfect, but the major players are sure trying.

We looked for models that were consistently accurate with features like the ability to connect to more than one satellite system so you don’t lose the GPS signal while running or cycling through a tunnel.

Ease of use

There’s something to be said for simplicity, but advanced features don’t always lend themselves to simple and easy. We looked for models that are intuitive to use, even if their list of features was long and somewhat complicated.

The best fitness trackers

Best overall fitness tracker

Fitbit Charge 5

• Price: $$
• Smartphone compatibility: iOS, Android
• Waterproof: yes
• GPS: yes
• Cellular data: yes (small amount)
• Battery life: up to 7 days
• Heart rate tracking: yes, with assessment
• Sleep tracking: yes

This fifth version of the Charge took an already great fitness tracker and made it even better. The Charge 5 has an aluminum housing and color display that makes it look classier than its predecessor — but fitness isn’t about looks, amirite?

What it tracks

This bad boy tracks steps, distance, floors climbed, and calories burned. But wait… there’s more!

The Charge 5 tracks heart rate, oxygen levels, changes in skin temperature, and uses an electrodermal sensor (EDA) to detect changes in sweat in response to stress. The tracker then gives you a “Daily Readiness Score” that gauges how ready you are for a workout (like maybe you need to rest or you’re not pushing hard enough). It also connects to an ECG app to detect atrial fibrillation, which can cause heart failure, blood clots, and other serious complications.

A built-in GPS tracks your pace and distance in real-time without your phone. You can see your route in the Fitbit app afterward, which is pretty flippin’ awesome (speaking from experience, we absolutely love the Fitbit app). It not only tracks the data collected by the tracker, but also interprets it and lets you know what you can do to improve your fitness. That includes “Active Zone Minutes” so you know whether you’re in the fat-burning, cardio, or peak performance zone.

The Charge 5 only recognizes 20 workout types, which sounds like a lot but is a little limited considering that it’s a fitness tracker.

Other features and specs

The Charge 5 is waterproof up to 164 feet.

You can also adjust the display settings. For example, set it to always-on so you don’t have to wake the screen to check the time (but watch out, it drains the battery faster). Another heads up: The wake-up can be a little inconsistent.

Best fitness tracker for running

Garmin Forerunner 245

• Price: $$
• Smartphone compatibility: iOS, Android
• Waterproof: yes
• GPS: yes
• Cellular data: no
• Battery life: up to 7 days
• Heart rate tracking: yes
• Sleep tracking: yes

If you want a run rundown, look no further. This GPS watch offers precise play-by-play.

What it tracks

Runners, get ready for great stats. The customizable screen can display current pace, average pace, total time, total distance, and heart rate. It also comes with a wrist-based heart rate monitor so you can track your progress.

The Forerunner 245 predicts stress levels and uses that plus your sleep, activity, and VO₂max scores to calculate your energy levels, too. It can track 16 activity types and uses GPS to show a color map of your run in real-time. All your stats sync with the app and offer an in-depth view of your training results.

Other features and specs

A large color display means a quick glance can keep you up to date while you’re on the move. It’s bright and easy to read, BUT it takes some time to get used to the two-button control (no touch screen here, friends).

The top button starts activities and is the selector. The bottom button returns to the previous screen and starts lap times. Except for a steep learning curve, the Forerunner 245 offers great features for runners who want a closer look at their fitness stats.

On the downside, you have to upgrade to the Forerunner 245 Music to play (up to 500 songs), and the heart rate monitor isn’t as accurate as a chest strap.

Best fitness tracker for biking

Polar Vantage V2

• Price: $$$$
• Smartphone compatibility: iOS, Android
• Waterproof: yes
• GPS: yes
• Cellular data: yes
• Battery life: 40 hours in training mode, up to 7 days without advanced features
• Heart rate tracking: yes
• Sleep tracking: yes

This user-friendly watch is all about #BikeLife.

What it tracks

The Polar Vantage V2 does so much more than just let you know how fast your heart’s going.

In addition to heart rate, it tracks your distance, stress, and sleep patterns. It can also track 130 different sports. GPS tracking keeps you on route, too.

On top of everything, this tracker offers deeper insights that can improve your cycling and cross-training. It provides insight into recovery, training load, hill splits, and running power. The app uses all that information — plus your sleep stats — to give you recovery-based workout recommendations.

Other features and specs

The Polar Vantage V2 is compatible with many third-party apps (like TrainingPeaks or Strava), chest straps, and cadence sensors to further enhance your training. Woot!

On the downside, reviewers find the touch screen a little sluggish. And with all of those features, it’s overwhelming at first, until you learn what features you want to use and how to use them.

Best fitness tracker for swimming

Garmin Forerunner 735XT

• Price: $$$
• Smartphone compatibility: iOS, Android
• Waterproof: yes
• GPS: yes
• Cellular data: yes, slight amount
• Battery life: up to 7 days
• Heart rate tracking: yes
• Sleep tracking: yes

If you’re a swimmer or triathlete, this multisport watch is the way to go.

What it tracks

The smartwatch is equipped with a wrist-based heart rate monitor and provides GPS mode for up to 14 hours. The 735XT also features swimming stroke detection and is accurate enough to help you adjust your training as needed, whether in the pool or open water.

The downside is that the 735XT doesn’t track some of the more advanced metrics (stride length, vertical ratio) without purchasing a separate device.

Other features and specs

While some people may not like the large control buttons, they’re easier to find and control in the water. The big, bright screen is also more visible in the water.

And when you’re not in the water? It’s ANT+ and Bluetooth compatible, so you can connect it to smart fitness equipment on dry land.

Marathoners and ultrarunners, this watch can keep up with you! Even when connected to your mobile phone, it hangs on to battery life for up to 14 hours in GPS mode and 24 hours if you turn off heart rate monitoring.

Best budget fitness tracker

Huawei Band 6

• Price: $
• Smartphone compatibility: iOS (limits some functionality), Android
• Waterproof: yes
• GPS: yes
• Cellular data: yes
• Battery life: 10 to 14 days
• Heart rate tracking: yes
• Sleep tracking: yes

This sleek and simple watch won’t break the bank. It’s a great buy if you want a no-thrills, high quality fitness tracker.

What it tracks

There are a total of 96 exercise modes, and we challenge you to try them all.

It has sport modes for outdoor and indoor running, cycling, and walking, and more. You can also use it on fitness equipment, in the pool, and for open-water swimming.

The Band 6 keeps a 24/7 eye on your heart rate and SpO₂ levels. If your oxygen levels or heart rate get too low, expect a buzz and notification.

Other features and specs

Depending on the modes and use, the battery lasts an impressive 10 to 14 days. You can also get text notifications and control music on your phone if you’ve got an Android (sorry, iOS users, you miss out on this feature).

All the good comes with a few bads, including a small screen and some reviewers who claim the step count isn’t entirely accurate.

Best fitness tracker smartwatch

Apple Watch Series 7

• Price: $$$$
• Smartphone compatibility: iOS
• Waterproof: yes
• GPS: yes
• Cellular data: yes
• Battery life: up to 18 hours
• Heart rate tracking: yes
• Sleep tracking: yes

Here’s one for all the Apple aficionados out there. This is a fab find if you want a smartwatch that does more than track fitness. It has all the fab features of the Series 6, but with some extra spice.

What it tracks

Like with other Apple Watch models, you can use Apple’s Health app to track activity, exercise, and standing and the Fitness+ app for workout streaming directly on your wrist.

The Series 7 also features a blood oxygen sensor and electrical heart sensor you can use with the ECG app to keep an eye on your heart health. And you get extra health benefits like a hand-washing countdown timer and menstrual cycle tracking.

Other features and specs

The latest Apple Watch upgrade features a bigger face, better durability (which you’ll need on outdoor workouts), and faster charging. You can also take calls and respond to messages right from your wrist.

Where the Series 7 outshines just about everyone is on the third-party app options. Apple still leads the way, and you can decide which apps to activate on the watch, from communication to fitness.

However, this watch is pricey, and it only has an 18-hour battery life (that’s on par with watches of similar quality and features). BUT Apple tempers that with new 45-minute charging (and speaking from experience with older Apple Watch models, 45-minute charging would be AMAZING).

Best fitness tracker with GPS

Polar Ignite 2

• Price: $$$
• Smartphone compatibility: iOS, Android, web
• Waterproof: yes
• GPS: yes
• Cellular data: yes, slight
• Battery life: up to 3 days, longer without GPS
• Heart rate tracking: yes
• Sleep tracking: yes

Polar makes some intense watches that keep you on track and swamped in data. That makes this tracker the best choice if you’re going the literal distance on your runs. The data is detailed (sometimes a little too much), which makes reaching your targets a lot easier.

What it tracks

This tracks all the basics: steps, heart rate, and workouts like yoga, swimming, walking, running, and more.

But a huge reason this watch gets high marks (besides the 20-hour GPS life) is the workout suggestions offered in the Polar app. Using the FitSpark dashboard, you get training suggestions based on your fitness level, training history, and recovery stats. The Ignite also changes the stats you see based on the activity you’re doing — distance for walking and running and duration for weight training sessions. It also syncs with several satellites to prevent signal loss.

Other features and specs

We love that the battery can power the GPS and heart rate monitor for up to 20 hours. (Ultrarunners, take note that this watch might outlast you.) Without all of the fancy doodads on, it can last up to 5days.

We’re also loving that Polar offers a touch screen *and* some manual buttons to navigate. That makes up for the less sensitive touch screen, which can be delayed at times.

Best fitness tracker with heart rate monitor

Polar M430

• Price: $$
• Smartphone compatibility: iOS, Android
• Waterproof: yes
• GPS: yes
• Cellular data: yes
• Battery life: 8 hours training, up to 20 days general use
• Heart rate tracking: yes
• Sleep tracking: yes

The Polar M430 is designed for athletes, runners in particular. However, it’s got an ultra-accurate heart rate monitor that helps anyone keep track of those beats. The sporty design might not pass in the boardroom — but for casual wear, it’s fantastic.

What it tracks

The M430 is equipped with the Polar fitness test, which gives you a fitness level reading to help you reach your fitness goals. After every run, the watch calculates your running index, which is designed to help you improve your aerobic running performance.

Recovery is just as important as workouts, and the M430 compares the load from your workouts to make sure you’re giving yourself enough downtime. You can also use it with the Polar running program if you need some help developing your workouts. Plus, it’s got integrated GPS and indoor running metrics.

Other features and specs

This watch can last up to 30 hours (with the right GPS settings), which we can all agree is a lot for continous heart rate monitoring.

You can also get vibrating notifications of calls, messages, and reminders to get moving.

It syncs up with third party apps like Strava, Nike+ Run Club, and TrainingPeaks. But some peeps report that it’s a little slow on the syncing.

Best fitness tracker for gym workouts

Coros Pace 2

• Price: $$
• Smartphone compatibility: iOS, Android
• Waterproof: yes
• GPS: yes
• Cellular data: yes
• Battery life: 30 hours with GPS, up to 20 days regular use
• Heart rate tracking: yes
• Sleep tracking: yes

The Coros Pace 2 packs a lot into one of the lightest smartwatches out there. It has some impressive features that go beyond the heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and workout stats of other watches (it has all those features too, tho).

What it tracks

With more than 200 built-in exercises, you can use the Pace 2 to create custom workouts. (Some of the profiles have to be downloaded from the COROS app.)

The watch monitors your body movements to make sure you’ve got the right form and keeps an eye on your heart rate and calories. That makes this guy an absolute beast at the gym.

Even cooler, it creates a muscle heat map to show you how and where your workouts are hitting your body.

Other features and specs

The Pace 2 sends you notifications for messages and incoming calls. It also lets you share your fave workouts with your friends and fam through the Coros app.

Buuut, the screen can be hard to see in bright light.

Best fitness tracker with blood pressure monitor

MorePro Fitness Tracker

• Price: $
• Smartphone compatibility: iOS, Android
• Waterproof: yes
• GPS: no
• Cellular data: no
• Battery life: up to 5 days
• Heart rate tracking: yes
• Sleep tracking: yes

Blood pressure monitors aren’t nearly as common on fitness trackers as heart rate monitors or blood oxygen sensors. That’s in part because they’re not as accurate. But if you’re keeping a close eye on blood pressure, the MorePro Fitness Tracker can help you do that at a very affordable price.

What it tracks

The blood pressure monitor offers a peek at your health, though don’t expect it to be as accurate as a device specifically designed for blood pressure monitoring. The MorePro also tracks blood oxygen, heart rate, sleep quality, steps, calories, and distance for an overall view of your health. It works with both iOS and Android devices using the Intelligent Activity Tracker.

Other features and specs

An adequate 5-day battery life is also nice at this price. However, this model doesn’t have a GPS or more advanced functions.

Best battery life fitness tracker

Coros Apex

• Price: $$$
• Smartphone compatibility: iOS, Android
• Waterproof: yes
• GPS: yes
• Cellular data: yes
• Battery life: 25 hours with GPS, 24 days with basic functions
• Heart rate tracking: yes
• Sleep tracking: yes

Whether you’re an ultrarunner or just want to walk around the block, you need Energizer Bunny-level battery life. Ths Coros Apex gives you exactly that.

What it tracks

In addition to heart rate monitoring, it has a map, navigation feature, and 3D compass to keep you on track while working out. The navigation feature lets you preload maps and follows them while you’re running in unfamiliar territory. It even alerts you if you end up off your route.

This model has widgets that change everything on display, so you get an entire screen full of information with each widget. For example, the heart rate widget has a graph with your minimum and maximum heart rate, beats per minute, and average heart rate for the previous 6 hours.

Other features and specs

The Coros Apex’s battery can last up to 24 days in standard mode and 25 hours with the GPS running constantly. You can also set it to the UltraMax mode to save battery even more. (Not enough? Upgrade to the 46 millimeter version and you’ll get up to 35 hours in GPS mode and up to 30 days with basic functions.)

It can connect to several third-party apps, including TrainingPeaks, Relive, and Strava. It lacks a touch screen, but you can use the knob and button to get through all of the ample features.

Users love the battery life, though they’re not crazy on the dim screen (which you can’t adjust).

Best fitness tracker app

Fitbit Inspire 2

• Price: $
• Smartphone compatibility: iOS, Android
• Waterproof: yes
• GPS: no
• Cellular data: no
• Battery life: up to 10 days
• Heart rate tracking: yes
• Sleep tracking: yes

Getting into fitness can be intimidating. This tracker makes it a lot easier. We have big time love for this fitness tracker — it’s simple, but gives you all the basic stats you need.

What it tracks

The Inspire 2 monitors steps, distance, hourly activity, and calories burned — and the easy-to-use format isn’t overwhelming.

It tracks your “Active Zone Minutes” (fat-burning, cardio, peak) and gives you a health score. Plus, it tells you how to improve your health score based on its collected data.

It does not have GPS or advanced analytics, but TBH, that makes sense at this price point.

Other features and specs

The standout feature for this one is access to the Fitbit app. The Fitbit app puts your health stats in perspective, offering advice on how to reach your fitness goals.

The Inspire 2 also gets texts, calendar notifications, and phone notifications. But we’ve found that notifications can be unreliable. Bonus: It comes with a free 1-year Fitbit Premium trial for new Premium users.

There are a few watch faces to choose from. We prefer the stats heavy face that lets you glance at steps, calories, heart rate, and distance quickly.

Best fitness tracker with oxygen monitor

Garmin Vivosmart 4

• Price: $$
• Smartphone compatibility: iOS, Android
• Waterproof: water-resistant
• GPS: no
• Cellular data: no
• Battery life: up to 7 days
• Heart rate tracking: yes
• Sleep tracking: yes

The Garmin Vivosmart 4 takes a whole lot of readings, including the standard heart rate, steps, and distance. It also keeps a close eye on oxygen levels with the SpO₂ monitor.

What it tracks

It offers a wide range of activity tracking options. It’s got the traditional running and weightlifting, but you can also specify with indoor, outdoor, treadmill, trail, or obstacle. The same is true with cycling and more out-of-the-norm activities, like horseback riding, whitewater rafting, motocross, and hang gliding. Sounds pretty sweet.

And you get to see how those activities affect your heart rate and oxygen for more in-depth health monitoring.

Other features and specs

While you don’t get GPS with the Vivosmart 4, you get an inexpensive way to track a wide range of activities. It also has a great 7-day battery life.

It uses Bluetooth to connect to iOS or Android through the Garmin app. It’s also equipped with ANT+ to connect with smart fitness equipment.

Reviewers don’t love that it requires a proprietary charger, and they say the touch screen could be more responsive. But other than that, it’s a crowd-pleaser.

A side-by-side look at our picks

How to choose

Ready to shop? Here’s what you should keep in mind as your start browsin’:

• Know what you want to track. If you just want to keep track of steps, distance, and heart rate, don’t pay for a fitness tracker with 50 activity options. If you’re interested in more extensive tracking like oxygen levels and blood pressure, you’ll need to look for trackers that specifically track those features. You can also opt for a watch that gives you advanced analytics into your health and suggests recovery and workout options.
• Workout type. Runner, swimmer, cyclist, triathlete? What are your sport(s)? If you’ve got one, choose a tracker that’s specialized. If you’re a jack of all trades, look for a model with wider activity options.
• Touch screen vs. buttons. Each interface type has its benefits. Buttons work well for swimmers and other activities where there’s a lot of jostling or slipping. Touch screens are great for scrolling through apps and stats. A model with both offers the best middle ground.
• Battery life. Extra features buzz through battery life, especially features like GPS and music. Smartwatches may only offer 1 or 2 days of battery life. It all comes down to preference — are you cool charging up every night, or would you rather stick to once a week? It’s often a trade-off between features and battery, so think about what features you need and which are only luxuries.
• Extra features. Do you want an all-purpose smartwatch or a fitness tracker that’s tailored to your favorite sport? Some watches can sync up with your phone to give you text, email, and call notifications. Others focus solely on metrics for specific sports.

Frequently asked questions

Is it worth getting a fitness tracker?

YES! Even if you’re not a fitness nerd, a fitness tracker can help you make sure you’re taking care of your body. It’s often surprising how little you’ve moved throughout the day — and a fitness tracker can give you the nudge you need to get up and moving.

Plus, they’re often super convenient for getting notifications from your phone right on your wrist.

What fitness tracker is the most accurate?

The Fitbit Charge 5 consistently rates well on accuracy and consistency, as did its predecessor, the Fitbit Charge 4. It may not have all of the fancy features of some of the more expensive models, but it provides plenty of information to fine-tune your workouts.

How much should I spend on a fitness tracker?

Your budget depends on what you want the tracker to do. If you just want to keep tabs on steps and heart rate, you can get a reliable model for under $100. However, if you’re looking to shave seconds off of a 5K or triathlon, you might need to invest several hundred dollars in a fitness tracker that analyzes biometrics to adjust your cadence and training schedule.

What fitness tracker has the best battery life?

The Coros Apex has one of the best batteries out there. Several of the other Coros fitness trackers rate almost as well. It’s a great brand that puts battery life high on the priority list.

The bottom line

Whether you’re training for the Olympics or just want to take your health more seriously, fitness trackers are the way to go. They help you set and stick to your health goals. With these 13 options, there’s something for everyone. Let’s get physical!