When it comes to best fitness trackers, it’s not just about picking a device—it’s about finding the perfect companion for your daily routine. Your fitness tracker should fit in with the rest of your life like your favorite running shoes or workout music. It should help you do better without getting in the way. Some people are really into cycling or rowing or need a little push every hour to get up and move. The right tracker can make all the difference.
There are more choices and more advanced options on the market today than ever before. No matter if you like to wear it on your finger, on your wrist, or even tucked into your clothes, there is a tracker made just for you. There is a tool out there for everyone, from long-distance trail runs to strength trainers, that will help you get fit and get the most out of your workouts.
We tested a lot of fitness trackers to find the best ones for you. Also, if you’re still looking, don’t miss our tips on the Best Heart Rate Monitors, Best Sleep Trackers, and Best Smartwatches. Getting fit starts with having the right gear.
Best Fitness Trackers 2024:
1. Best Overall: Fitbit Charge 6
For people who want a fitness tracker that is both useful and affordable, the Fitbit Charge 6 is the best choice. It’s priced at $160 and has a lot of functions without being too complicated. With Google’s help, the app’s update lets you use Google Maps to find your way, Google Wallet to pay for things, and a YouTube Music Premium account to control your music. The Charge 6 also keeps an eye on your skin temperature, records your ECG, and tracks your heart rate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Heart rate accuracy, auto-detection for exercises like spinning, and GPS accuracy have all been improved in recent versions. It’s a good choice for fitness fans because the battery lasts more than a week and a real button has been added again. Keep in mind, though, that some functions can only be used with a Fitbit Premium contract that costs $10 a month. The Fitbit Charge 6 is a great choice for a fitness tracker that does everything you need it to do and won’t break the bank.
2. Runner-Up: Garmin Vivomove Trend
The Garmin Vivomove Trend is the best fitness tracker, especially for people who want something easy to use. Dealing with chargers that only work with certain fitness trackers is one of the worst things about them. The app that comes with the Vivomove Trend, Garmin Connect, is one of the best and easiest ways to keep track of exercise data. The new design has an easy-to-use interface and Garmin’s Body Battery measure. This activity tracker has all the important features, such as paired GPS, incident recognition, cashless payments, sleep tracking, and constant heart rate monitoring.
Even though Garmin has cheaper models like the 2022 Vivomove Sport that are similar, the Vivomove Trend is a good choice for your best health tracker collection because you won’t have to buy new chargers. Find the best step counter for your needs by shopping for fitness trackers today.
3. Best Budget Tracker: Fitbit Inspire 3
The Fitbit Inspire 3 is one of the best fitness trackers because it is both easy to use and has a lot of features. This fitness tracker watch is great for keeping track of your health because it correctly records your sleep habits, SpO2, and steps. The Inspire 3, which came out in 2022, is one of the best exercise watches you can get for just $80. It has a lot of customized watch faces and extras.
However, it’s not without its flaws. There were sometimes problems with connectivity, especially when changing time zones and the Sleep Profile function would sometimes overestimate the length of sleep. Even with these small problems, the Inspire 3 is still more stable than any copy. This step tracker watch is still a good choice for people who want an exercise tracker that is easy to use and works well. Fitbit also has sales all the time, which makes it one of the best fitness tracker watches for 2024 shoppers looking for good ones on a budget.
4. Best if You Have an iPhone: Apple Watch Series 9
When it comes to exercise trackers that work with iPhones, the Apple Watch Series 9 is the best choice. This fitness tracker has a new S9 engine, which makes the battery last longer and process Siri commands better. It is widely thought to be the best fitness watch of 2024. Finding your iPhone is easy with the ultra-wideband chip, which is why all iPhone users should have one. The Series 9 adds Double Tap, a feature that lets you control your fitness tracker watch with a simple tap of your finger. This makes your daily activities and workouts easier.
It works with WatchOS 11 and has cool health features like Training Load, a fitness band that tracks how hard you work out, and the Vitals app for quick health checks. It is one of the best fitness trackers and health trackers on the market right now because it has smart sensors for measuring body temperature and other important signs. Get in shape by shopping for the best fitness tracker watches and fitness watches right now.
5. Best for Wear OS: Google Pixel Watch 2
The Google Pixel Watch 2 is the best fitness tracker and watch on the market. It got a 7/10 rating and is recommended by WIRED. For people who want both style and function, this is the best exercise watch out there. The watch has a fast chip that makes it easy to track health data and runs on Wear 4, Google’s newest operating system. It measures blood oxygen, heart rate, ECG readings, and sleep, making it the best fitness tracker for keeping an eye on your whole health. It has a special function called Body Response, which was taken from Fitbit. In addition, it uses an electrodermal activity monitor to suggest things that will help you relax, which makes it a better health tracker.
But the watch needs to be charged every day with a special charger. With the Pixel Watch 3 coming out soon, it might be best to wait for possible discounts that would make it an even better deal for people who want to buy a fitness tracker.
6. Best for Samsung: Samsung Galaxy Watch7
The Samsung Galaxy Watch7 is the company’s newest smartwatch, and it will be the best fitness tracker for Samsung fans. This fitness tracker watch has a lot of new features and uses artificial intelligence to improve your health data. For example, it has a better Energy Score and more advanced sleep tracking. But our study did find some problems, such as the fitness watch missing tracking while you were sleeping sometimes. Sleep apnea monitoring, which the FDA has approved, is one of the best features of health trackers. However, you have to track your health for two nights to get results.
The best fitness watch, 2024, has a lot of great features, but some of them, like the ECG and unusual heart rate alerts, are only available on Samsung phones. The battery life is bad; the always-on screen means that it only lasts 24 hours after two sports and tracking sleep overnight. It’s still one of the best exercise trackers out there, though. You should consider getting the Galaxy Watch7 if you want to find the best health watch or fitness tracker.
7. Best Running Watch: Garmin Forerunner 165
When it comes to fitness trackers and watches, the Garmin Forerunner 165 is a top pick for 2024. As part of Garmin’s large Forerunner line, this fitness tracker watch has the right mix of advanced features and is low-priced. The Forerunner 165 has a bright AMOLED screen, an accurate barometer, and a reliable blood oxygen monitor that work well for both new and experienced runners.
Access to multiple satellite systems and Garmin’s own training methods make sure that tracking is accurate. The best health tracker experience comes from the top-notch features, such as the ability to monitor sleep and keep track of your steps. The Morning Report feature is very helpful because it tells you how well you slept and how ready you are for the day.
The basic Forerunner 165 is a good choice for anyone looking for the best fitness tracker in 2024. The Music version costs an extra $50. Get one of the best exercise tracker watches on the market right now by shopping for one.
8. Best for Kids: Fitbit Ace LTE
As a top pick for the best fitness tracker for kids, the Fitbit Ace LTE (8/10, WIRED Recommends) combines fun and usefulness without any problems. It’s changed the way I keep my kids busy and interested as a fitness tracker watch. The Ace LTE is one of the best fitness trackers because it is different from others because it can be used as a health tracker, a game device, and a step tracker watch with location features.
Its powerful set of health monitors makes sure that step counts and exercise levels are tracked correctly, which encourages better habits. The membership service is well worth it because it gives you access to Fitbit Arcade’s fun, movement-based games over LTE. This exercise band not only keeps track of your movement but also lets you make calls and send texts, which makes things safer and easier. The Fitbit Ace LTE is the best fitness tracker 2024 for kids because it has reliable activity tracker features. However, its style might be better for kids younger than 11.
9. Best Analog Fitness Tracker: Withings ScanWatch 2
Are you looking for the best fitness tracker that doesn’t look like one? The Withings ScanWatch 2 is here. WIRED gave this exercise watch a score of 7/10, saying it is both stylish and useful. You can expect the best fitness tracker 2024 to have a long battery life, a full health tracker, and a stylish design that doesn’t scream “activity tracker.
With weather tracking and a new charger, the ScanWatch 2 makes your exercise journey better. It does cost a lot, though, and you have to pay $10 a month for extra tools like ECG and blood oxygen tracking. This could be the best health watch for you if you want a stylish one that tracks your steps. But if you’re tight on cash, the ScanWatch Light might be a better option. It’s a cheaper exercise band that has fewer fancy features. If you want the best fitness watch that looks good and works well, check out fitness trackers like this one.
10. Best Outdoor Watch: Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
It is clear that the Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2) is the best fitness tracker and fitness watch for 2024. With big improvements, this outdoor watch, which costs $900, is now one of the best exercise trackers on the market. The Epix Pro now comes in three sizes and has a battery life of two weeks, which makes it great for long trips outside.
Compared to the Fenix 7 Pro, it has a bright AMOLED screen that lets you see better while you’re running, climbing, or exploring. The Fenix 7 Pro can be charged by the sun, but the Epix Pro’s battery lasts long enough for a week of camping. Some of the most important features are the flashlight, the redshift mode for training at night, and the Up Ahead feature, which shows you interesting places nearby.
The Garmin Epix Pro may be the best health tracker or exercise tracker watch for 2024. Get an exercise tracker today and make your outdoor activities better.
11. Best Fitness Tracker: Oura Ring Gen3
The best exercise tracker and watch for 2024 is clearly the Oura Ring Gen3. In the beginning, I needed clarification about its membership plan, but now I see how valuable it is. It’s the best sleep tracker on the market because this sleek and small fitness tracker is so accurate at tracking sleep.
The Oura Ring Gen3 is a great health tracker because its sensors are so delicate that they can pick up on even small changes in temperature. As a member, you can use a lot of different benefits, such as individual insights, guided exercises, and in-depth educational material. You can still get useful information from Daily Readiness, Sleep, and Activity numbers even if you don’t have a membership.
People who want the best exercise tracker watch or best health watch should look at the Oura Ring Gen3. There are many fitness trackers out there, and this fitness band can help you find the best step tracker.
Honorable Mentions: Other Trackers We Like
These watches aren’t quite our top picks, but they still have some great features that you should think about:
- Amazfit Balance ($220): The Balance might be right for you if you like features that are driven by AI and are okay with paying $15 a month. While it can be annoying at times, this stylish device works well and looks good all around.
- Polar Ignite ($230):The Ignite stands out because of how sleek and low-profile it is and how well it collects data. It keeps track of things like breathing rate, heart rate variability, and more, which gives you much information about how your autonomic nervous system works.
- Wahoo Fitness Elemnt Rival ($200):The Element Rival has fewer features than some of its rivals, but it works well with Wahoo’s smart indoor trainer system, which makes it a good choice for serious riders.
Buyer Beware: I Did Not Like These Trackers
I test fitness trackers all the time, and I’ve come across a few that could have been better. So let me list three that let me down:
- Evie Movano Ring for $269: The Evie Movano Ring (4/10, WIRED Review) looked good at first as a way to track menopause, but it couldn’t keep up with how quickly the smart ring market was changing. It no longer has the traits that make it effective.
- Fossil Gen 6 Wellness for $165: The Fossil Gen 6 Wellness smartwatch looked good, but it didn’t work very well. Our reviews editor, Julian Chokkattu, said the smartwatch didn’t work quickly, didn’t track health very well, and didn’t have an ECG. These aren’t features you’d expect from a good smartwatch.
- Amazfit PowerBuds Pro for $150:The idea of earbuds that can also track your health is interesting, but the Amazfit PowerBuds Pro could have lived up to expectations. They look like AirPods Pro, but you can’t wear them all the time, so they can’t track your health as well.