Other Fitness Trackers to Consider
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Photograph: 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 cheaper and has a nice, chunky retro aesthetic that I like. This year’s updates include a built-in flashlight and a new reinforced bezel, which is nice considering I still managed to make the Fenix and Epix watches look significantly better. For more, check out our guide to the best Garmin watches.
Coros Nomad for $349: After wearing it for a month during the summer, I really liked this sturdy, moderately priced sports watch. It’s for fishermen, so most of its game modes are for fishing, but there’s also a new feature called Adventure Journal that lets you record voice memos during hikes and runs and pin locations so you can remember where the bathrooms, campsites, or really great berry-picking spots are. It is very light considering its size and the battery lasts forever.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 for $649: I no longer recommend last year’s Watch Ultra 2 because I think the greatly extended battery life (from 36 hours to 42 hours) and satellite communications is reason enough for any outsider to buy the Watch Ultra 3. You definitely shouldn’t buy it at full price. but this Is Compatible with watchOS 26, so if you can find it on sale for a significant amount, I wouldn’t think you’re a fool to buy it.
Garmin Venu X1 for $800: Garmin’s Venu line extends to a strange place. It has a polymer case, a nylon strap, and a huge 2-inch AMOLED display, which is great for displaying built-in maps. It has speakers and a mic for taking calls, and most of the fitness functionality of the Fenix, but without the classy, durable metal bezels or crazy battery life. it works fine; Looking at it, it’s hard to imagine that it’s plastic and costs twice as much as the Apple Watch.
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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
OnePlus Watch 3 for $270: My take on a smartwatch that can last more than a day! The OnePlus Watch 3 (9/10, wired recommended) can last up to five days on a single charge. OnePlus now includes several standard health features, such as fall detection, a skin temperature sensor, irregular heart rate notifications, and an electrocardiogram. This is another great option if you want a smartwatch that’s also a good fitness tracker.
Suunto Run for $249: I love how light and thin this watch is (36 grams), especially in the now sold-out Lime. It has a bright AMOLED screen, two weeks of battery life, and accurate dual-frequency satellites. But Suunto’s software is clunky and difficult to navigate compared to Garmin, Corros, or Apple. Offline maps are also not supported.
Amazfit Bip 6 for $70: Amazfit’s trackers are improving so fast! Like the Active 2, the Bip 6 is a great little watch, with a brilliant, large and responsive AMOLED screen, over a week of battery life, and 140 sport modes. I still find the tracker and Zep app to be ridiculously inaccurate sometimes, but it’s cheap and comfortable and works well. However, for only $20 more, I could just get the Active 2 instead.
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 for $59: I was surprised by 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 sturdy, and it tracks your steps and heart rate with reasonable accuracy. However, there is no comparison to the user experience of the Mi Fitness app and Fitbit, especially at this price. (As yet.)
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra for $500: Your eyes did not deceive you. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra (7/10, Wired Review) is a direct spoof of the Apple Watch Ultra, but for Samsung phone owners. It even has a quick button (which Apple calls an action button) and a double pinch feature (which Apple calls a double tap). Apple’s watch is better, with more sports, a better interface, and better comprehensive algorithms like training load and vitals. However, what is the Galaxy Watch Ultra doesIt performs well, and Samsung has the resources to catch up quickly. It has a sapphire glass face that is rated at 10 ATM, IP68 and can withstand altitudes up to 9,000 meters and temperatures up to 130 degrees. It also has a backcountry navigation feature, dual-band GPS, a compass, and breadcrumb navigation, which Samsung calls Track Back and which Apple calls Backtrack (this is getting silly). However, battery life is still adequate for two days and change. This is the 2025 model, which adds more storage and a new color, but you can buy the 2024 model for an even lower price.
buyer beware
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Evie Movano Ring for $269: AV announced an upgraded version of Movano with a medical-journal-trained AI chatbot and improved sleep and heart rate tracking. I tested it out and unfortunately didn’t find enough to offer to cancel out my previous opinion (4/10, Wired review). The smart ring market has exploded since then, and many new rings have explicitly female-centric features. It just doesn’t offer enough features to be an attractive product.
Amazfit T-Rex 3 for $280, Amazfit Helio Ring for $149, and Amazfit Balance for $150: I’ve tried all the older watches in Amazfit’s lineup, and my colleague Simon Hill has tried out the company’s smart ring. Although I have nothing to complain about in terms of build quality, the Balance is a dud for the Samsung Galaxy Watch if you don’t care too much – Hill and I both found the functionality somewhat limited and were irritated at the subscription upselling. The Active 2 is the only Amazfit watch I like right now.
Compare the Top 14 Fitness Trackers
questions to ask
fitness tracker vs smartwatch
The categories may overlap significantly, but fitness trackers as we consider them here are focused on health. I’m less concerned about whether a fitness tracker can replicate every feature on your smartphone than whether the suite of health features is robust and accurate; If it can track multiple activities; And if it stays on and safe while doing various fitness activities. We also include fitness trackers that aren’t wrist-wearable, including Whoop, smart rings, heart rate monitors, and blood sugar monitors.
Some wrist-based fitness trackers will have the ability to read email and control music, but the screens are often smaller and less bright. However, the battery life is often much better, which makes a difference, especially if you’re tracking your sleep over time. However, if you’re more interested in the option of accessing apps without taking out your phone, you may want to think about purchasing a smartwatch. (If you don’t want any notifications, get a smart ring instead.) Don’t see anything here that’s exactly your style? Check out our best smartwatch guide.
My tracker doesn’t work! What should I do?
Here are some ways you can easily cure your (or your device’s) ailment:
- Make sure it fits. Optical sensors will not work if your device is moving loosely around your wrist. You can customize most devices with new straps. Make sure it sits securely about an inch above your wrist.
- wash it! I’m horrified by how many people tell me that their fitness trackers are causing rashes on their wrists. Wipe it down with a little dish soap and water after a sweat session.
- Get out from behind the tree. Does your device use multiple satellite positioning systems to track your location when you start an outdoor workout? This is much harder to do if you’re under power lines, trees, or even inside (gulp).
- Set a routine. There’s nothing more frustrating than opening your tracker app and finding out that it ran out of battery before you went to sleep last night. Keep your app updated regularly. Check if your tracker is connected to your phone and keep a charger everywhere.
A study published in December 2024 found that many smartwatch wristbands contained high levels of PFHXA, a “forever chemical” that can affect your immunity, thyroid, kidneys, and reproductive system. How do you know if your band has PFHxA?
- Check if the band is labeled as being made of “fluoroelastomer.” Fluorinated synthetic rubber is the material that contains the highest levels of PFHxA.
- Check if the company has tested its products. For example, Garmin’s watches do not contain PFAS.
- If you’re not sure, most trackers let you replace your band with one made of silicone, metal, leather, or other materials. Companies often have their own proprietary subsidiaries; If you need some ideas of what to look for, check out our best Apple Watch accessories guide.
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