Other Fitness Trackers to Consider
Photo: Adrienne So
Garmin Instinct 3 for $400: Garmin’s Instinct line doesn’t have as many high-end features as the Fenix 8, but it’s popular because it’s cheap and has a cool, cool retro aesthetic that I love. This year’s updates include a built-in flashlight and a new reinforced bezel, which is great considering I’ve still managed to get the Fenix and Epix watches together quite a bit. For more information, see our guide to the best Garmin watches.
Coros Apex 4 for $429: Coros is the king of affordable watches for sportsmen (and extreme women), and the Apex 4 is the company’s watch that alpine skier Kilian Jornet recently used for his States of Elevation project. Battery life lasts forever. It has five special climbing modes and direct GPS, and can automatically detect climbing routes. I love this riding watch.
Fitbit Charge 6 for $100: This tracker has been our Best Overall pick for over a year, and it’s still the best and most affordable way to use Fitbit’s premium health tracking software. However, it was launched in 2023 and is getting a bit longer in the birds.
Coros Nomad for $349: Coros also has an angle-specific sports watch with sports fishing modes. A new feature called Adventure Journal also lets you record voice memos and pin locations as you hike and run to remember where the best bathrooms, campsites, or berry picking spots are.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 for $699: I no longer recommend last year’s Watch Ultra 2 because the significantly extended battery life (up to 42 hours from 36 hours) and satellite connectivity is the reason for any outsider to get the Watch Ultra 3. You definitely shouldn’t buy it at full price. But it is something it’s compatible with WatchOS 26, so if you can find it on sale, I wouldn’t think you’re dumb for wanting it.
Garmin Venu X1 for $800: Garmin’s Venu line moves in a strange direction. It has a polymer case, a nylon strap, and a large 2-inch AMOLED display, which is great for displaying built-in maps. It has speakers and a microphone for taking calls, and most of the functionality of the Fenix, but without the classy, sturdy metal frame or crazy battery life. It works well; it’s just hard to look at and don’t think that it’s plastic and that it costs twice as much as the Apple Watch.
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Photo: Julian Chokkattu
OnePlus Watch 3 for $300: My kingdom with a smart watch that can last more than a day! The OnePlus Watch 3 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) can last five days on a single charge. OnePlus now includes many of the now standard health features, such as fall detection, skin temperature sensor, irregular heartbeat notifications, and electrocardiogram. This is another great choice if you’re looking for a smartwatch that’s also a great fitness tracker.
Suunto Run for $249: I love how light and small (36 grams) this watch is, especially for the now sold out Lime. It has a bright AMOLED screen, two weeks of battery life, and double precision satellites. But Suunto’s software is clunky and difficult to navigate compared to Garmin’s, Coros’, or Apple’s. Offline maps are also not supported.
Amazfit Bip 6 for $80: Amazfit trackers are developing very fast! Like the Active 2, the Bip 6 is a great little watch, with a bright, large, and responsive AMOLED screen, over a week of battery life, and 140 game modes. I still find the tracker and the Zepp app sometimes a bit clunky, but it’s cheap, free, and works well. However, for only $20 more, I’ll just get the Active 2 instead.
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 for $60: I was surprised how much I liked this affordable little fitness band. The 1,200-nit display is clear and bright, and the touchscreen is responsive. The aluminum case feels solid, and it tracks your steps and heart rate with reasonable accuracy. However, there is no comparison between the user experience of the Mi Fitness app and Fitbit, especially at this price. (However.)
Photo: Julian Chokkattu
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra for $380: Your eyes are not deceiving you. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra (7/10, WIRED Review) is a direct rip-off of the Apple Watch Ultra, but for Samsung phone owners. It also has a quick button (which Apple calls an Action button) and a Double Pinch feature (which Apple calls a double Tap). The Apple Watch is better, with more games, a better interface, and better general algorithms like Training load and Vitals. But, what is the Galaxy Watch Ultra it doesit does well, and Samsung has the resources to catch up quickly. It has a sapphire glass face rated at 10 ATM, IP68 rating, and can withstand altitudes of up to 9,000 meters (about 3,000 feet) and temperatures up to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. It also features rear navigation, dual-band GPS, a compass, and breadcrumb navigation, which Samsung calls Track Back and Apple calls Backtrack (this is getting silly). Battery life is still only adequate for two days and is changing, though. This is the 2025 model, which added more storage and a new color, but you can buy the 2024 model for even less.
Buyer Beware
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Evie Movano Ring for $269: Evie announced an improved version of Movano, with an AI interview trained by a medical journal and improved sleep and heart rate tracking. I checked it out and unfortunately didn’t find enough on offer to retract my previous opinion (4/10, WIRED Review). The smart ring market has exploded since then, and many new rings have features that are clearly aimed at women. It just doesn’t offer enough features to be an attractive product right now.
Nowatch B for $399: This great tracker aims to measure your stress responses every minute. Unfortunately, that uses a ton of battery power; you have to charge it for three hours and charge it every other day. This is funny, especially since the Fitbit monitors your stress immediately. We’ve reached out to Nowwatch and will check back once the company fixes its algorithm.
Amazfit T-Rex 3 for $280, Amazfit Helio Ring for $200, and Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro for $400: We’ve tried everything in the entire Amazfit lineup, including the smart ring. I have nothing to complain about in terms of build quality—the Balance is a Samsung Galaxy Watch dupe if you don’t look too rugged—both WIRED reviewer Simon Hill and I found performance limited. Reviewer Brent Rose also found the T-Rex 3 Pro to be a surprisingly bad dud for the Garmin Fenix 8. The Active 2 is the only Amazfit watch I like right now.
Compare the Top 14 Fitness Trackers
Frequently Asked Questions
Fitness Tracker vs. Smartwatch
The categories can overlap a lot, but fitness trackers as we look at them here are, well, focused on health. I’m less concerned about whether a fitness tracker can replicate all the features on your smartphone than whether the health features are robust and accurate; if it can track multiple tasks; and if it stays open and secure while doing many fitness activities. We also feature wrist-based fitness trackers, including the Whoop, smart rings, heart rate monitors, and glucose monitors.
Some wrist-based fitness trackers will include the ability to read emails and control music, but the screens tend to be small and dimly lit. However, battery life is usually much better, which makes a difference, especially if you’re tracking your sleep over time. If, however, you really like the option of accessing apps without taking out your phone, you might want to consider getting a smartwatch. (If you don’t want notifications at all, get a smart ring.) Don’t see anything that’s exactly your style here? Check out our best guide to Smartwatches.
My Tracker Is Not Working! What should I do?
Here are a few ways you can easily treat your device (or your device):
- Make sure it fits. The eye sensors won’t work if your device is slightly slippery on your wrist. You can customize many devices with new bands. Make sure it sits securely an inch above your arm.
- Wash it! It scares me how many people tell me that their fitness trackers give them wrist pain. Wipe with a little dish soap and water after sweating.
- Get out from under the cover of the tree. Does your device use multiple satellite positioning systems to track your location when you start exercising outside? This is much harder to do if you are under power lines, trees, or (gulp) indoors.
- Set a routine. There’s nothing more frustrating than opening your tracker app and finding out it ran out of battery before you went to bed last night. Keep your app updated regularly. Check that your tracker is connected to your phone, and keep chargers everywhere.
A study published in December 2024 found that many smartwatch wristbands contain high levels of PFHxA, a “permanent chemical” that can affect your immune system, thyroid, kidneys, and reproductive systems. How do you know if your band has PFHxA?
- Check to see if the band is labeled as being made of “fluoroelastomer.” Fluorinated synthetic rubber is a substance with high levels of PFHxA.
- Check if the company has tested its products. For example, Garmin watches do not contain PFAS.
- If you’re not sure, many trackers allow you to change your straps and these are made of silicone, metal, leather, or other materials. Companies often have their own proprietary resources; if you need ideas on what to look for, check out our Apple Watch Accessories guide.
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