Staying healthy and active is more important than ever and fitness trackers and smartwatches make it easier to achieve your goals. These powerful wearable devices help monitor your activity levels, track workouts, measure heart rate, and even analyze sleep patterns, giving you real-time insights into your health and fitness journey.
Whether you’re a beginner looking to build better habits or an athlete aiming to optimize performance, the right device can make all the difference. In this ultimate guide to fitness trackers and watches, we’ll explore the top features, benefits, and considerations to help you choose the perfect wearable.
Best fitness tracker overall
Best Cheap Tracker
Amazfit Active 2 delivers impressive features for just $100—yes, really. Packed with essential sensors like a PPG, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometric altimeter, ambient light, and temperature sensors, it tracks sleep, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels with ease. With up to 164 workout modes, a stainless steel, 5 ATM water-resistant case, and multi-day battery life, it’s both durable and stylish—I swam and soaked in hot tubs with no issues.
What truly stands out at this price is the vibrant AMOLED touchscreen with downloadable maps, including ski resorts. Amazfit even partners with modern fitness brands like Hyrox and Wild.AI, which helps women tailor workouts to their menstrual cycles. Some features need polish—like inconsistent auto-detection for strength training, less precise sleep tracking than my Oura ring, and inaccurate map data—but these quirks feel fixable.
Best Smart Ring
Oura’s latest Ring 4 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) comes packed with updates tailored to its growing female user base. New color options and a wider range of sizes make it more wearable, while recessed, asymmetrically placed sensors create a thinner, lighter design. Thanks to a Smart Sensing algorithm, the ring adjusts in real time for more accurate readings—regardless of hand movement.
Though the Garmin Fenix 8 remains a top-tier tracker, the Oura Ring outperformed it in detecting sleepless nights and increased daily activity. Battery life has improved, and the app is now more intuitive, offering features like Timeline for daily tagging. Oura Labs also introduces experimental tools like Meals (AI meal tracking) and Symptom Radar (early illness detection based on biometric trends).
Best Continuous Glucose Monitor
No fitness tracker I’ve tested has sparked as much curiosity as a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). This small, Bluetooth-enabled device uses a tiny needle to slide just under your skin and attaches to your arm with a quick, finger-flick-like motion. It’s painless to wear, though it needs replacing every two weeks. Originally designed for diabetics, CGMs are now available to the general public.
I tested the Abbott Lingo, but prefer the Dexcom Stelo. It offers a smoother, more secure application process and a cleaner, more intuitive app—with no confusing proprietary metrics. Dexcom’s integrations with Oura and Apple allow for seamless syncing of glucose data with your other health trackers. The app notifies you of glucose spikes caused by stress or carb-heavy meals, helping you better understand how food affects your body.
My Favorite Tracker
Garmin’s Instinct line remains a fan favorite, offering rugged, backcountry-ready features from the pricier Fenix and Epix models at a more accessible price point and in bold, retro ‘80s-inspired designs. At CES 2025, the new Instinct 3 made its debut, and I tested the 45-mm AMOLED version (a more budget-friendly MIP display option is also available).
Despite these improvements, the Instinct is beginning to show its age. At $450, it’s still more affordable than a Fenix but less competitive against newer, feature-rich trackers at lower prices. That said, I took it weightlifting, snowboarding, biking, and rock climbing (yes, I smashed it into a rock wall), and it handled everything without a mark outperforming even my Epix, which didn’t come away unscathed.
Best Running Watch
When it comes to running watches, Garmin’s Forerunner line continues to set the standard. Spanning models from the budget-friendly Forerunner 55 ($200) to the premium Forerunner 965 ($600), each version offers a range of features tailored to different needs and budgets. Lower-end models come with simpler displays and lack extras like blood oxygen sensors, but all Forerunners support multiple satellite systems for pinpoint GPS accuracy and include Garmin’s trusted training algorithms.
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Best Outdoors Watch
Garmin’s Fenix 8 AMOLED combines the best features of its previous Epix and Fenix models, offering the vibrant AMOLED display of the Epix with the impressive battery life of the Fenix (over two weeks on the 47-mm version, in my tests). It’s also available in the Fenix E version ($800), which has a less-bright MIP display.
This is hands down the best outdoor sports watch available. It works with both Android and iPhones, and the AMOLED screen is exceptionally bright, even in outdoor settings, something I appreciated during Oregon’s overcast winters. Equipped for virtually every sport, it includes Garmin’s off-grid maps, SkiView for ski resorts, and golf course maps.
Best If You Have an Android Phone
The Google Pixel Watch 3 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) stands out as the best Wear OS smartwatch for Android users and, arguably, the most stylish smartwatch available. It comes in two sizes, and both WIRED reviewer Julian Chokkattu and I recommend opting for the larger 45-mm model for better battery life. This version focuses heavily on running, with AI-generated training plans and a new feature called Cardio Load, which helps track whether you’re over- or under-training.
The Fitbit integration is seamless, offering accurate heart rate monitoring and comprehensive health tracking, including ECG, sleep, blood-oxygen, and stress measurements. After a few years of teething issues, the Pixel Watch 3 is finally emerging as the Android counterpart to the Apple Watch.
Best for Kids
The Fitbit Ace LTE (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is the first fitness tracker my kids have consistently worn. They used to have Apple Watches but struggled with keeping them charged. The Ace combines a fitness tracker, gaming device, and location tracker, making it both practical and fun for my children as they go from camp to lessons, the pool, and the neighbor’s house this summer.
Best for Samsung Phones
The Galaxy Watch 7 is the latest in Samsung’s smartwatch series, introducing AI-powered algorithms to enhance health tracking, including the Energy Score and improved sleep tracking. The sleep tracking feature provides detailed insights, though WIRED reviewer Julian Chokkattu noted that it occasionally stopped tracking mid-sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a fitness tracker and a smartwatch?
Fitness trackers are primarily designed to monitor health metrics like steps, heart rate, and sleep, while smartwatches offer more features such as notifications, apps, and GPS. Some smartwatches also include fitness tracking, but fitness trackers are generally more specialized for health and fitness.
Do I need a fitness tracker if I already have a smartphone?
While smartphones can track steps and basic activity through apps, fitness trackers offer more advanced, accurate, and continuous tracking. They also monitor health metrics like heart rate, sleep patterns, and calories burned, providing a more detailed picture of your health.
Can fitness trackers help with weight loss?
Yes, fitness trackers can aid in weight loss by tracking your physical activity, encouraging you to move more, and helping you monitor your calorie intake and expenditure. Many trackers sync with fitness apps that provide additional insights and goals for losing weight.
Which fitness tracker is best for runners?
The best fitness trackers for runners often include built-in GPS, heart rate monitors, and running-specific features like interval training, pace tracking, and performance analysis. Models like the Garmin Forerunner and Coros Pace are highly recommended for runners.
Are fitness trackers waterproof?
Many modern fitness trackers are water-resistant, and some models are designed for swimming, with ratings like 5 ATM or higher. Always check the specific product’s water resistance level to ensure it meets your needs.
Do I need a subscription to use a fitness tracker?
Most fitness trackers provide basic functionality without the need for a subscription. However, certain features, such as advanced health metrics, personalized coaching, or extended access to data, may require a paid membership (e.g., Fitbit Premium, Garmin Coach).
How accurate are fitness trackers?
Fitness trackers are generally quite accurate for basic metrics like steps and heart rate. However, accuracy can vary depending on the device, the sensors, and the activity being tracked. For highly detailed measurements, such as calorie burn or sleep tracking, trackers may not be 100% precise, but they offer useful estimates to guide your health goals.
Conclusion
Fitness trackers and smartwatches have become essential tools for anyone looking to improve their health and fitness journey. From basic step counting to advanced heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and personalized coaching, these devices offer a wealth of data to help you stay on track. Whether you’re a casual exerciser, a serious athlete, or someone simply aiming for better health, there’s a fitness tracker or smartwatch that suits your needs.