Best Fitness Trackers (2025), Tested and Reviewed

Different Health Trackers to Think about

Garmin Instinct 3 for $400: Garmin’s Intuition line would not have as many high-end options because the Fenix 8, but it surely’s widespread as a result of it is cheaper and it has a cool, chunky retro aesthetic that I like. This yr’s updates embody the built-in flashlight and a brand new strengthened bezel, which is nice contemplating that I nonetheless managed to bang up the Fenix and Epix watches fairly a bit. For extra data, take a look at our information to the Best Garmin Watches.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 for $799: Apple didn’t considerably improve its rugged outside watch this yr (8/10, WIRED Recommends) past giving it a really cool new black end, however it’s nonetheless the most effective outside watch when you have an iPhone. It has a sooner chipset, second-gen ultra-wideband chip, and compatibility with WatchOS 26, with AI-enabled customized well being suggestions.

Garmin Venu 3 for $350: There’s nothing incorrect with Garmin’s pricier premium hybrid health tracker-sports watch. Nonetheless, its standout function is that you could take calls out of your wrist, and once I tried it with my partner, he stated it gave the impression of I used to be calling from the underside of a barrel. There are different Garmins with related performance which can be better-priced.

{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu

OnePlus Watch 3 for $287 : My kingdom for a smartwatch that may final greater than a day! The OnePlus Watch 3 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) can final for 5 days on a single cost. OnePlus now consists of many by-now customary well being options, like fall detection, a pores and skin temperature sensor, irregular coronary heart price notifications, and an electrocardiogram. That is one other nice choose in order for you a smartwatch that is additionally health tracker.

Suunto Run for $249: I like how gentle and slim this watch is (36 grams), particularly within the now sold-out Lime. It has a vibrant AMOLED display screen, two weeks of battery life, and correct dual-frequency satellites. However Suunto’s software program is clunky and tough to navigate when in comparison with Garmin’s, Coros’s, or Apple’s. Offline maps are additionally not supported.

Amazfit Bip 6 for $80: Amazfit’s trackers are bettering so rapidly! Just like the Energetic 2, the Bip 6 is a beautiful little watch, with a superb, massive, and responsive AMOLED display screen, effectively over every week of battery life, and 140 sport modes. I nonetheless discover the tracker and the Zepp app to sometimes be laughably inaccurate, but it surely’s low cost and cozy and works effectively. Nonetheless, for less than $20 extra, I would just get the Energetic 2 as a substitute.

Xiaomi Smart Band 9 for $59: I used to be shocked by how a lot I preferred this inexpensive little health band. The 1,200-nit show is obvious and vibrant, and the touchscreen is responsive. The aluminum case feels sturdy, and it tracks your steps and coronary heart price with affordable accuracy. Nonetheless, there’s simply no evaluating the person expertise of the Mi Health app versus Fitbit’s, particularly at this value. (But.)

{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra for $650: Your eyes haven’t deceived you. Samsung has made a Galaxy Watch Ultra (7/10, WIRED Review) that could be a direct rip-off of the Apple Watch Extremely, however for Samsung telephone house owners. It even has the identical security orange band, the Fast button (which Apple calls an Motion button), and the Double Pinch function (which Apple calls Double Faucet). Apple’s watch is best, with extra sports activities, a greater interface, and higher complete algorithms like Coaching Load and Vitals. Nonetheless, what the Galaxy Watch Extremely does, it does effectively, and Samsung has the sources to catch up rapidly. It has a sapphire glass face that is rated to 10 ATM, an IP68 rating, and the flexibility to resist elevations as excessive as 9,000 meters and temperatures as excessive as 130 levels. It additionally has backcountry navigation options, dual-band GPS, a compass, and breadcrumb navigation, which Samsung calls Observe Again and which Apple calls Backtrack (that is getting foolish). The battery life remains to be simply an satisfactory two days and alter, although.

Purchaser Beware

{Photograph}: Amazon

Evie Movano Ring for $269: Evie not too long ago introduced an upgraded model of the Movano, with a medical-journal-trained AI chatbot and improved sleep and coronary heart price monitoring. I examined it and sadly didn’t discover sufficient on supply to rescind my earlier opinion (4/10, WIRED Review). The smart ring market has exploded since then, and plenty of new rings have explicitly women-centered features. It merely would not supply sufficient options to be a beautiful product proper now.

Amazfit T-Rex 3 for $280, Amazfit Helio for $170, and Amazfit Balance for $150: I’ve tried all the older watches throughout Amazfit’s lineup, and my colleague Simon Hill has tried the company’s smart ring. Whereas I’ve nothing to complain about relating to the construct high quality—the Stability is a dupe for the Samsung Galaxy Watch in the event you do not look too exhausting—each Hill and I discovered performance considerably restricted and have been exasperated on the subscription upselling. The Energetic 2 is the one Amazfit watch I like proper now.

FAQs

What is the distinction between a health tracker and a smartwatch?

The classes can overlap considerably, however health trackers as we think about them listed below are, effectively, centered on well being. I am much less involved with whether or not a health tracker can replicate each function in your smartphone than if the suite of well being options is powerful and correct; if it may possibly monitor a number of actions; and if it stays on and is safe whereas doing a number of health actions. We additionally embody health trackers that are not wrist wearables, which incorporates the Whoop, smart rings, heart rate monitors, and blood sugar screens.

Some wrist-based health trackers will function the flexibility to learn emails and management music, however the screens are sometimes smaller and fewer vibrant. Nonetheless, the battery life is usually significantly better, which makes a distinction, particularly in the event you’re monitoring your sleep over time. If, nevertheless, you are extra within the choice to entry apps with out having to tug out your telephone, you may wish to take into consideration getting a smartwatch. (If you’d like no notifications in any respect, get a smart ring as a substitute.) Do not see something that is precisely your fashion right here? Try our Best Smartwatches guide.

My tracker would not work! What ought to I do?

Listed below are only a few methods you may simply remedy what ails you (or your system):

• Make sure that it suits. Optical sensors will not work in case your system is slipping loosely round your wrist. You’ll be able to customise most units with new straps. Make sure that it sits securely an inch above your wrist.
• Wash it! I am horrified by how many individuals inform me their health trackers are giving them a wrist rash. Wipe it down with a little bit dish cleaning soap and water after a sweaty session.
• Get out from beneath tree cowl. Does your system make the most of a number of satellite tv for pc positioning programs to trace your location if you’re beginning an outside exercise? This can be a lot tougher for it to do in the event you’re beneath energy traces, timber, and even (gulp) inside.
• Set a routine. There’s nothing fairly as irritating as opening your tracker’s app and discovering out that it ran out of battery earlier than you went to mattress final evening. Hold your app up to date frequently. Test in case your tracker is related to your telephone, and keep chargers in every single place.

Does my strap have PFAS?

A examine published in December 2024 discovered that many smartwatch wrist bands include excessive ranges of PFHxA, which is a “forever chemical” that may have an effect on your immune, thyroid, kidney, and reproductive programs. How have you learnt in case your band has PFHxA?

• Test if the band is labeled as being product of “fluoroelastomer.” Fluorinated artificial rubber is the fabric that has the very best ranges of PFHxA.
• Test if the corporate has examined its merchandise. For instance, Garmin’s watches wouldn’t have PFAS.
• When you’re not sure, most trackers allow you to swap out your bands for these produced from silicone, steel, leather-based, or different supplies. Corporations typically have their very own proprietary equipment; in the event you want some concepts on what to search for, take a look at our Best Apple Watch Accessories information.

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