Best fitness trackers: bands and watches to bring out your new and improved self

Thanks to the rise of the best fitness trackers, it's never been easier to keep an eye on your health, get alerts to problems, track your exercise, get detailed reports about sleep quality and heart health, and so much more. You can even use these clever watches and trackers to monitor things like emails, messages, and alerts without looking at your phone.

These devices tend to get updated with the most advanced features on a regular basis, and fitness trackers are always evolving. For example, you can now get blood oxygen data whenever you want. If you're interested in looking good while staying fit, take a look at our guide to the best workout headphones.

For now, read on to find out which devices we rated as the best fitness trackers for a variety of tastes, needs, and budgets.

The best fitness trackers in 2024

Best fitness tracker from Apple

(Image credit: Apple)

Along with the advanced health and fitness tracking features you would expect from an Apple product, the Apple Watch Series 8 is stylish enough to wear every day. The 41mm model has a larger display than competing watches, built-in GPS, and advanced tracking features like ECG and blood oxygen monitoring. It also supports Siri voice commands, so it will be helpful for anyone already using Apple products.

We would hesitate to recommend the Apple Watch 8 to Android-only users, as you will need to buy into the wider brand to get the most out of your tracker. That said, its high price may be worth it for those who want a powerful and stylish smartwatch that keeps an eye on their health - though the battery life could be better.

Livingetc rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars | read our full Apple Watch 8 review

Best fitness tracker for everyday life

(Image credit: Fitbit)

After testing the Fitbit Luxe for over a month, we found it to be a stylish and functional fitness tracker suitable for anyone who wants to closely monitor their fitness without a chunky device on their wrist. There is a broad range of features like sleep monitoring, auto exercise recognition, heart rate monitoring, and a daily readiness score we found particularly helpful for monitoring chronic health problems.

There's also that colorful AMOLED screen for displaying real-time data, and with many different bands to customize the look. With the Fitbit app, you can set goals, track progress, and compete with friends and family. Despite all of the good, we struggled somewhat with the stress management and mindfulness features, which didn't seem fleshed out enough.

Livingetc rating: 4 out of 5 stars | read our full Fitbit Luxe review

Best smartwatch for Google Home users

(Image credit: Google)

The Google Pixel Watch is a stylish fitness tracker and extension of your Android handset (we tested it alongside the Pixel 6a phone) that really takes advantage of the seamless integration between Google services like Gmail, Calendar, Maps, Google Assistant, and more for a convenient hub right there on your wrist. It also has great Fitbit compatibility, but sadly won't work with iOS devices.

Battery life is stronger than the Apple Watch 8, but still pails in comparison to something like the Fitbit Luxe, which can go several days without needing to be recharged. If you're a heavy user who wants to use their watch to monitor emails and control their smart lighting, as well as count their steps and 'Heart Points', this could be a problem.

Livingetc rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Best fitness watch for runners

(Image credit: Garmin)

The Garmin Forerunner 245 is slightly different from other examples on this list, being a fitness tracker first and foremost and therefore lacking many smartwatch features many would expect. Aimed at runners and fitness enthusiasts, the tracker offers advanced running dynamics, music storage, and comprehensive training tools. It's also sleek and lightweight enough for everyday use but made from sturdy fiber-reinforced polymer.

The lack of a touchscreen will be a dealbreaker for some, but those who value stats like cadence, stride length, ground contact time, balance, and more are more than covered by the Forerunner 245. You can also soundtrack your run with storage space for up to 500 songs on board.

Best fitness watch for Android users

(Image credit: Samsung)

The Galaxy Watch4 boasts advanced fitness and health features alongside practical smartwatch features and is an ideal extension of any Android phone. The design is sleek and stylish, with a large AMOLED display, advanced sensors for heart rate monitoring, and comprehensive fitness tracking functionality where you can track progress and set goals.

The watch is compatible with both iOS and Android, but its features will be limited if you use the former. For Android users, you will find a reliable and well-featured tracker that is as helpful in everyday life as it is for fitness. Battery life is also excellent at up to 40 hours.

Best heart rate tracker

(Image credit: Withings)

Featuring an advanced heart rate monitor, an ECG, and an oximeter for detailed health data, the Withings ScanWatch Horizon is a hybrid smartwatch that combines elegant design with advanced health monitoring features. As well as smartphone notifications, GPS tracking, and workout detection, the watch features a large AMOLED touchscreen display with a stylish leather strap.

The device has excellent battery life of up to 30 days, and though it may be more expensive than other models on this list, its elegant design is backed up by excellent health monitoring and activity tracking options for health issues like atrial fibrillation (AFib) and sleep apnea.

(Image credit: Fitbit)

Are fitness trackers worth buying?

Anyone who wants to improve their fitness levels and overall health will benefit from a fitness tracker. You can use these devices to track your activity levels and set fitness goals by measuring metrics like steps taken, calories burned, and heart rate - all tracked via sensors. Fitness trackers can also come equipped with features such as sleep tracking and personalized coaching, encouraging you to improve your lifestyle.

If nothing else, these devices can motivate you and encourage healthier behavior, no matter whether you're a newbie to fitness or in excellent health already.

How do fitness trackers work?

Sensors in fitness trackers are used alongside algorithms to monitor things like steps taken, calories burned, distance traveled, and heart rate, along with other metrics related to your personal activity and health. GPS or altimeters can also be used in fitness trackers to track elevation changes or location data during exercise.

They can also use this technology to monitor sleep patterns, allowing you to understand better how your nighttime activity impacts your daily life. These devices collect and analyze all of the data they receive, making it easier for you to see your health information at a glance and work on ways to improve your lifestyle.

Should I get a fitness tracker or a smartwatch (and what’s the difference)?

The difference between a fitness tracker and a smartwatch is minimal, and the terms are often used interchangeably. Both wearables offer a range of excellent features and functions, but smartwatches can be more focused on smartphone notifications, voice commands, and mobile payments alongside fitness tracking.

(Image credit: Future)

How we test the best fitness trackers

The fitness trackers on this list were carefully chosen by comparing user reviews, tapping into the extensive knowledge of the Livingetc team in this field, and analyzing the design elements and specifications of the most popular models, spanning various price points.

While the goal is to personally test and provide independent reviews for all the models included in our guides, this is not always feasible. In such cases, the guide is compiled using the writer's research and existing expertise. Our team will continually revisit this guide to update the models listed, incorporating the latest releases and trends in the industry, as well as testing the top models in-person when possible.

We clearly indicate which models have been tested within the article, so you can have complete confidence in our selections. For more information on our review process, please visit our dedicated page.