Best Fitness Trackers of 2024

If you want to get the most out of your visits to the gym, then you will greatly benefit from a good fitness tracker. Fitness trackers are designed to monitor your heart rate, track your physical activity, and even analyze your sleep patterns. Using the data from your fitness tracker can give you greater insight into your overall health and well-being. With this knowledge, you can make smarter adjustments to your daily routines for a healthier lifestyle.

As fitness trackers grow in popularity, choosing the one that best suits your needs can be daunting. To help you make an informed decision, I have compiled a list of the top 8 best fitness trackers of 2024. This guide will narrow your search and lead you to the perfect choice. Without further ado, let’s dive in and find the fitness tracker that’s right for you.

8 Best Fitness Trackers of 2024

1. Fitbit Inspire 3 (best budget-friendly)
2. App Watch Series 9 (best for iPhone users)
3. Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (best for Android users)
4. Fitbit Charge 6 (best premium option)
5. Tully fitness tracker (best for kids)
6. Google Pixel Watch 2 (best for pixel users)
7. Garmin Hybrid Smartwatch (best versatile smartwatch)
8. Tricorder Zero (best telefitness option)

Fitbit Inspire 3

Best budget-friendly option

Product Description: Fitbit Inspire 3 is ideal for budget-conscious fitness enthusiasts who seek comprehensive activity tracking. The Inspire 3 is designed to boost your energy, keep you active, and help you feel your best with its comprehensive activity-tracking features. Being one of the best budget-friendly fitness trackers, it supports stress reduction with wellness tracking, mindfulness sessions, and notifications for irregular heart rhythms. Also, it enhances sleep quality with automatic tracking and personalized sleep profiles. With a customizable color touchscreen and compatibility with both iOS and Android, the Inspire 3 keeps you connected and informed around the clock.

Key features and specs: 

• 10 days of battery life
• 24/7 heart rate tracking
• Up to 50 meters of water resistance
• 20+ exercise modes.

Price: $98

Link to purchase: Amazon

User reviews and ratings: The product is rated at 4.4/5 on Amazon. The users on Amazon are really satisfied with the product and find the companion app easy to use.

Pros

• SpO2 sensor for overnight readings
• Color touchscreen with always-on option
• Longest battery life in Fitbit's lineup

Cons

• Small text can be difficult to read
• Minor accuracy issues in testing
• Some metrics require a subscription

App Watch Series 9

Best for iPhone users

Product Description: Apple Watch Series 9 is one of the best fitness trackers that is especially ideal for iPhone users. Compared to its predecessors, this model features custom silicon that enhances its capabilities, intuitive functions, and speed. It can detect minute shifts using the accelerometer, gyroscope, and optical sensor. 

Key features and specs: 

• Dual-core CPU with 5.6 billion transistors (60% more than its predecessor)
• Four-core Neural Engine for faster machine-learning tasks.
• Advanced health monitoring: ECG, sleep tracking, temperature sensing
• Safety features: fall detection, emergency SOS
• IP6X dust resistance
• 50m water resistance.

Price: $39

Link to purchase: Amazon

User reviews and ratings: The product is rated at 4.7/5 (5,321 reviews) on Amazon. Many users who switched from other fitness trackers to Apple Watch found it to be a much better experience. They liked the Apple Watch's design, its ability to make calls, send texts, and control music, and its various health features like fall detection and sleep tracking. They also appreciated how well it worked with iPhones.

Pros

• Accurate health sensors
• Longer battery life
• Easier one-handed use
• Enhanced Apple connectivity
• Bright screen

Cons

• No blood pressure tracking
• Limited use of HRV data
• Comparably pricy

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6

Ideal for monitoring body fat and snoring.

Product Description: For Android users, the Galaxy Watch is unmatched in its body composition analysis and snoring detection features. Samsung is never left in the backseat. Besides being a multifunctional assistant to streamline communication, this model is a great fitness tracker for Android users — especially ideal for Samsung users. With this model, you stay on track with your fitness goals. It offers features like workout tracking, personalized heart rate zones, sleep coaching, and body composition analysis. It also allows you to control your phone from your wrist and offers a large display with a variety of watch faces.

Key features and specs: 

• Monitors over 90 exercises
• Tracks sleep stages (awake, light, deep, REM)
• Detects snoring
• Advanced Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) to measure body fat, skeletal muscle, body water, and BMI
• 40-millimeter display

Price range: $209 - $299

Link to purchase: Amazon

User reviews and ratings: With 4,5/5 ratings (3,828 reviews) on Amazon, most Android users are satisfied with their purchase, for some the features of this fitness tracker exceeded expectations. Users report that Galaxy Watch 6 is excellent for monitoring heart rate, sleep, and steps, particularly praising its ECG feature and sleep coaching tips. However, some of them noted issues with the lack of a wall plug for the charger, poor battery life, potential inaccuracies in heart rate monitoring, and discomfort with the original silicone band. Despite these drawbacks, they recommend the watch for Samsung users, especially if bought at a reduced price.

Pros

• Beautiful and wide display
• Fast charging
• Integrated microphone and loud speaker
• Sleep apnea monitoring
• Advanced health sensors

Cons

• Complex setup process
• Sync issues
• Localization errors

Fitbit Charge 6 

Best premium smartwatch

Product Description: As one of the best Fitbits, the Fitbit Charge 6 is a modern fitness tracker with features like heart health monitoring, GPS for accurate tracking, and up to 7 days of battery life. It helps you keep track of exercises, sleep quality, and stress levels, with a colorful touchscreen and notifications from your smartphone for convenience. It’s also one of the best waterproof fitness trackers available. 

Key features and specs: 

• 40+ exercise modes
• Up to 7 days of battery life
• Water-resistant up to 50m
• 24/7 heart rate monitoring

Price range: $158,95

Link to purchase: Amazon

User reviews and ratings: Overall, the Fitbit Charge 6 has impressed the user with its improved syncing ease, bright screen, and effective activity tracking, especially for monitoring heart rate and daily exercise. However, some users reported inaccuracies in heart rate readings, automatic exercise detection limitations, and minor issues with app functionality and customization preferences. Despite these drawbacks, the user finds the Fitbit Charge 6 superior to previous models and recommends it for its comfort, functionality, and compatibility with smaller wrists.

Pros

• Budget-friendly
• Mobile app
• Long battery life
• Advanced heart rate monitoring

Cons

• Some metrics require a Premium subscription
• Inconsistent GPS

Tully Fitness Tracker for Children

Best for kids

Product Description: The Tully Fitness Tracker is a versatile device that tracks both physical activity and emotional well-being, ideal for children of all ages, especially those with high energy levels or ADHD. Parents will find this discreet bracelet immensely beneficial for managing their child’s outbursts. Using advanced biometric sensors and AI, Tully monitors heart rate, variability, oxygen saturation, skin temperature, and, of course, your child’s activity levels. This data is then translated into emotional insight so you stay aware of your child’s activity levels. Also, the second your child becomes agitated, Tully sends a gentle vibration to let them know they are reaching an elevated state.

Key features and specs: 

• For children of all ages
• Discrete and comfortable – swappable silicone skin and strap
• AI-based tracking
• Biometric sensors
• Guiding LED lights

Price range: N/A

Product Link: Prelaunch

Pros

• For children of all ages
• Guiding LED lights
• Gentle alerts
• Activity tracking
• Child-friendly design
• Fun interface for kids

Cons

• Not suitable for adults
• No display

Google Pixel Watch 2 

Best for Pixel users

Product Description: The Pixel Watch 2 stands out as one of the best fitness trackers with its stylish design. It features advanced health tracking with new sensors for heart rate, skin temperature, and stress management, all within a 100% recycled aluminum housing. Pixel phone users will benefit most from this smartwatch because it seamlessly integrates with Pixel devices, offering features like Fast Pair for easy connectivity. 

\Key features and specs: 

• Emergency SOS and Fall Detection
• 24-hour battery
• Always-on display
• Seamless integration with Google apps

Price range: $329-349

Link to purchase: Amazon

User reviews and ratings: Users appreciate the Pixel Watch 2 for its seamless integration with Pixel phones, customizable features, and various accessories. However, common complaints include its short battery life and the inconvenience of a unique charging cable. Additionally, there are advisories against purchasing from Amazon due to refund delays — recommending buying directly from Google instead. 

Pros

• Ideal for Pixel users
• More Fitbit health and fitness features
• Ergonomic design

Cons

• Short battery life
• Inconvenient charging cable
• One available size

Garmin Vivomove trend

Best versatile smartwatch

Product Description: As the best Garmin for health tracking, this model stands out for its exceptional versatility. With its ergonomic design combined with modern technology, it tracks your health, and fitness, and sends alerts from your phone. You can also use it to pay for your purchases without taking out your wallet, and the battery lasts for several days.

Key features and specs: 

• 40 mm hybrid smartwatch with a stainless steel bezel 
• Up to 6 days of battery life
• Touchscreen display
• Garmin pay
• Memory storage capacity of 14 MB
• Lithium polymer battery cell

Price range: $269

Link to purchase: Amazon

User reviews and ratings: Scoring 3.8/5 on Amazon, this smartwatch is considered a worthwhile buy by users. User reviews highlight the Garmin Vivomove hybrid smartwatch as an effective tool for heart rate monitoring and fitness tracking, especially for those recovering from health issues or aiming for weight loss. However, some users find the watch's hands difficult to read in various lighting conditions, and the overall functionality of a traditional watch is lacking, particularly in terms of visibility and user interface responsiveness. 

Pros

• Advanced health monitoring
• Longer battery life
• Garmin Pay

Cons

• Display visibility issues
• App performance

Tricorder Zero 

Best telefitness tracker

Product Description: The Tricorder.Zero™ is a portable health and fitness tracker with seven built-in sensors for comprehensive data collection. It tracks heart rate, body composition, and more. You can then share the collected data securely with healthcare providers or trainers for remote consultations. It has additional health metrics that will significantly cut your visits to your healthcare provider. Some of these features include examining your nose, ear, and throat. Zero™’s AI-enabled “security system for the body” alerts you when single-sensor data indicates readings outside the norm, so you know when to seek a licensed expert’s opinion.

Key features and specs: 

• Pulse oximeter
• Seven built-in sensors
• Stethoscope feature
• EKG
• Body fat/muscle tone sensor
• Ear, nose, and throat examinations with an extendable camera

Product link: Prelaunch

Pros

• Comprehensive data collection
• Extra health metrics
• Highly accurate
• Medication tracking

Cons

• Not wearable

Key Features to Consider When Buying a Fitness Tracker

When purchasing a fitness tracker, you need to consider several key features to ensure it meets your specific needs and preferences. These features include GPS tracking for outdoor activities, compatibility with other devices, comfort and design, water resistance, and additional health metrics. Understanding each of these aspects will help you make an informed decision and select a fitness tracker that fits your needs and boosts your workouts.

GPS tracking for outdoor activities

One of the most valuable features of a fitness tracker is GPS tracking, particularly for those who enjoy outdoor activities such as running, cycling, or hiking. With GPS tracking, you can accurately monitor your route, distance, pace, and elevation, providing detailed data that can help improve your performance and track your progress. Look for fitness trackers with built-in GPS rather than those relying on connected GPS, which requires a paired smartphone to function.

Compatibility

Compatibility is another essential consideration when choosing a fitness tracker. Make sure that your fitness tracker is compatible with your smartphone's operating system, whether it's iOS or Android, to make the most of its features. Also, check if the fitness tracker can sync with other health and fitness apps you use, such as MyFitnessPal, Strava, or Apple Health. This feature will undoubtedly elevate the user experience.

Comfort and design

Since you'll be wearing your fitness tracker for extended periods, comfort and design are critical factors. Look for fitness trackers with a lightweight and ergonomic design that fits comfortably on your wrist. It’s best to opt for models with adjustable straps and different band options for customizable fit. And it goes without saying that you need to consider the device's aesthetics and choose a style that suits your personal taste and can be worn in various settings, from workouts to daily activities and formal occasions.

Water resistance

If you plan to use your fitness tracker for swimming or other water-based activities, then you should opt for a water-resistant fitness tracker. Check the water resistance rating of the device to confirm it can withstand the depth and duration of your aquatic activities. Fitness trackers typically have ratings like IP68, which means they are dust-tight and can be submerged in water up to a certain depth, or 5 ATM, which indicates water resistance up to 50 meters. 

Additional Health Metrics

You may greatly benefit from fitness trackers with additional health metrics. In addition to tracking steps, calories burned, and distance traveled, many fitness trackers offer advanced health metrics that provide thorough insights into your physical health. These metrics may include blood pressure monitoring, sleep tracking, stress tracking, and EKG. 

Choosing the Right Fitness Tracker for You

A well-chosen fitness tracker can maximize your efficiency and results at the gym. In this section, I’ll guide you through these 4 short steps you should take to get the best fitness tracker for you. Grab a pen and paper for notes, and let’s dive in.

Identify your fitness goals

The first thing you need to do before buying a fitness tracker is to clearly identify your fitness goals. Are you aiming to lose weight, build muscle, improve cardiovascular health, or simply stay active? Consider which type of tracker will benefit you the most—general fitness trackers or specialized activity trackers. If highly accurate heart rate readings or sleep tracking are your top priorities, you might want to look into specialized heart rate monitors or sleep trackers. These devices focus solely on providing detailed data for specific metrics, whereas general fitness trackers typically combine various functions into one convenient device.

Features you need vs. features you want

After identifying your goals, distinguish between essential features and nice-to-have ones. Basic features like step counting, heart rate monitoring, and sleep tracking are useful for most users. Advanced features like ECG, stress monitoring, or VO2 max might be necessary for those with specific health conditions. These features are mostly included with higher-end models, but if they are not a priority for you, you can save money by opting for less expensive models. Prioritizing your needs will help you avoid overspending on unnecessary functions.

Activity levels (compared to your lifestyle)

Up next is determining your activity levels. Consider your daily activity levels and lifestyle prior to your purchase. If you lead a sedentary lifestyle or have a desk job, look for a tracker that provides reminders to move and encourages physical activity. For moderately active individuals, a tracker with features like step counting, heart rate monitoring, and workout tracking is beneficial. Highly active people or athletes should opt for advanced trackers that offer GPS, detailed activity analysis, and robust durability. 

Budget and Value

Last but not least, consider your budget. Fitness trackers come in a wide range of prices, so it's important to find one that offers good value for the features you need. Compare different models and read reviews to ensure you're getting the best tracker for your money. Investing in a quality tracker can lead to better health outcomes and motivation.

Conclusion

Fitness trackers are crucial workout tools that enhance performance and safety. These devices optimize workouts and promote well-being by tracking vital signs, providing real-time exercise feedback, and assessing recovery. Consider your goals, the features you need, activity levels, and budget before you add one to your shopping cart. As fitness tracker technology continues to advance, future models are poised to offer even greater insights and personalized tracking capabilities. By choosing a suitable fitness tracker now, you can maximize your fitness journey's effectiveness and stay motivated in the long run. 

FAQ

Which fitness tracker is most accurate?

Accuracy can vary based on the specific metrics being measured and individual use cases. Generally, specialized devices like heart rate monitors or dedicated sleep trackers may offer more precise readings for specific metrics compared to multi-functional fitness trackers. For example, devices like the Tricorder Zero™ focus on comprehensive data collection and may provide highly accurate results across multiple health metrics.

Are fitness trackers waterproof?

Many fitness trackers are water-resistant or waterproof to varying degrees. For instance, models like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Fitbit Charge 6 offer water resistance up to certain depths. It's essential to check the specific water resistance rating (e.g., IP68 or 5 ATM) of each tracker to ensure it meets your aquatic activity needs.

How long do fitness tracker batteries typically last?

Battery life varies depending on the model and usage patterns. For example, the Fitbit Inspire 3 boasts up to 10 days of battery life, while others like the Apple Watch Series 9 and Garmin Vivomove trend offer several days of usage on a single charge. Higher usage of features such as GPS or continuous heart rate monitoring can impact battery life. It's advisable to check the manufacturer's specifications for each model to understand its battery endurance under different conditions.