Fitness goals and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are now simpler to manage with activity trackers. These intriguing devices provide real-time updates on your fitness levels, sleep patterns, and even heart rate information. Despite the abundance of products available, finding the activity tracker that fits you best can be challenging. The ideal activity tracker should accurately record your daily activities and monitor your physiological functions while presenting the data in an easily understandable format.
Most importantly, the best activity tracker should be comfortable, reliable, durable, and easy to use. It should provide accurate data and be compatible with your smartphone for additional features and data synchronization. It is also worth noting the battery life, water resistance, and health monitoring features such as heart rate, sleep, and stress tracking. Picking the wrong activity tracker can result in inaccurate data, poor tracking, and a less enjoyable overall experience.
When selecting an activity tracker, pay attention to the features it offers. Common features include step tracking, distance measurement, calorie burn tracking, sleep monitoring, heart rate tracking, smartphone notifications, and GPS for exercise route tracking. The best activity tracker will offer a great combination of these services to give a comprehensive overview of your health and activity levels.
In this article, we aim to help you make the right decision in your selection process. We have spent an extensive amount of time, rigorously testing numerous activity trackers for performance and accuracy. By the end of this article, we will provide our scientifically supported findings about the top activity trackers that promise to effectively optimize your fitness journey.
Best Activity Trackers
Choosing the most suitable activity tracker is a crucial decision in managing your fitness and health journey. A good activity tracker should be reliable, durable, and offer a comprehensive range of features. To assist you in making the right choice, we have curated a list of the best activity trackers based on our extensive testing and evaluation process.
Fitbit Inspire 3 Health & Fitness Tracker
If you’re looking for a reliable and affordable fitness tracker, the Fitbit Inspire 3 is a great option.
Pros
- Tracks all-day activities, including steps, distance, and calories burned
- Monitors sleep stages and provides sleep score
- Offers 20+ goal-based exercise modes
Cons
- Not suitable for use in swimming or showering
- The display is not always on, so you’ll need to tap it to see the time
- The band is not interchangeable
The Fitbit Inspire 3 is a versatile fitness tracker that can help you stay on top of your health and fitness goals. It’s lightweight and comfortable to wear, making it a great option for all-day use.
One of the standout features of the Fitbit Inspire 3 is its all-day activity tracking. It can track your steps, distance, and calories burned, helping you stay active throughout the day. It also offers 20+ goal-based exercise modes, so you can track your progress during workouts like running, cycling, and yoga.
In addition to activity tracking, the Fitbit Inspire 3 also monitors your sleep patterns. It can track your sleep stages and provide a sleep score, helping you understand your sleep quality and identify ways to improve it.
Overall, the Fitbit Inspire 3 is a solid choice for anyone looking for an affordable and reliable fitness tracker. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive models, it offers a good balance of features and functionality at a great price point.
Garmin vivosmart 4, Activity and Fitness Tracker w/ Pulse Ox and Heart Rate Monitor
If you’re looking for a fitness tracker that can monitor your heart rate, sleep patterns, and blood oxygen saturation levels, then the Garmin vivosmart 4 is a great option.
Pros
- The band is slim and comfortable to wear all day and night.
- The tracker is water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming.
- The display is bright and easy to read, even in direct sunlight.
Cons
- The battery life is only up to 7 days, which may not be enough for some users.
- The tracker is not compatible with Android phones below 4.4 KitKat.
- The price point is higher compared to other fitness trackers in the market.
We’ve been using the Garmin vivosmart 4 for a few weeks now, and we’re impressed with its features. The band is made of silicone, making it soft and flexible to wear. It’s also lightweight, which is a plus for those who don’t like wearing bulky accessories.
One of the standout features of this fitness tracker is its ability to monitor blood oxygen saturation levels. This is especially useful for those who suffer from sleep apnea or other respiratory issues. The tracker also monitors your heart rate and sleep patterns, providing you with valuable insights into your overall health.
The Garmin vivosmart 4 is also water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming. This is a great feature for those who enjoy water activities and don’t want to take off their fitness tracker.
While the battery life is only up to 7 days, we found that it lasted longer than expected. The tracker also comes with a charging dock, which is a nice touch.
Overall, if you’re looking for a fitness tracker that offers advanced health monitoring features, the Garmin vivosmart 4 is definitely worth considering. It may be a bit pricey compared to other fitness trackers in the market, but its features make it a great investment for those who prioritize their health.
Amazfit Band 5 Activity Fitness Tracker with Alexa Built-in, 15-Day Battery Life, Blood Oxygen, Heart Rate, Sleep & Stress Monitoring, 5 ATM Water Resistant, Fitness Watch for Men Women Kids, Black
If you’re looking for a fitness tracker that can do it all, the Amazfit Band 5 might be the perfect fit for you.
Pros
- Long battery life of up to 15 days
- Tracks various fitness activities, including running, cycling, and swimming
- Provides 24/7 heart rate and sleep monitoring
Cons
- May not be suitable for those with smaller wrists
- Some users have reported connectivity issues with the app
- Screen resolution could be better
We’ve been using the Amazfit Band 5 for a few weeks now, and we’re impressed with its features and functionality. The long battery life is a huge plus, especially since we don’t have to worry about charging it every few days. We also appreciate the fact that it can track various fitness activities, including running, cycling, and swimming. This makes it a great choice for those who are looking to improve their overall fitness.
One thing we really like about the Amazfit Band 5 is its 24/7 heart rate and sleep monitoring features. These features allow us to keep track of our heart rate throughout the day and monitor our sleep quality at night. We’ve found that this information is really helpful in understanding our overall health and fitness.
While the Amazfit Band 5 is a great fitness tracker, there are a few downsides to keep in mind. For one, it may not be suitable for those with smaller wrists, as it is a bit bulky. Additionally, some users have reported connectivity issues with the app, which can be frustrating. Finally, the screen resolution could be better, especially when it comes to reading text messages and other notifications.
Overall, we think the Amazfit Band 5 is a great choice for anyone looking for a comprehensive fitness tracker. Its long battery life, fitness tracking capabilities, and 24/7 heart rate and sleep monitoring features make it a great investment for anyone looking to improve their overall health and fitness.
Xiaomi Mi Band 7 Activity Tracker High-Res 1.62″ AMOLED Screen, Bluetooth 5.2, 120 Sports Modes, Optical Heart Rate & Blood Oxygen Sensor, 24HR Heart Rate & Sleep Monitor Smart Watch
If you’re looking for a reliable and affordable fitness tracker, the Xiaomi Mi Band 7 is a great option.
Pros
- The 1.62-inch high-resolution AMOLED touchscreen is bright and easy to read, even in direct sunlight.
- The device is water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming and other water activities.
- With Bluetooth 5.2, the Mi Band 7 can quickly and stably connect to your smartphone, and the transmission distance has been increased by nearly 3 times compared to the Mi Band 6.
Cons
- The device is not compatible with older Android versions, so you’ll need to update your phone’s software to use it.
- The Mi Band 7 does not have built-in GPS, so you’ll need to use your phone’s GPS while running or riding.
- The device’s battery life is rated at up to 14 days, but this will vary depending on how frequently you use the heart rate monitor and other features.
We’ve been using the Xiaomi Mi Band 7 for a few weeks now, and we’re impressed with its performance. The device is lightweight and comfortable to wear, and the touchscreen is responsive and easy to navigate. We appreciate the device’s water resistance, as we’ve been able to wear it while swimming without worrying about damage.
One of the standout features of the Mi Band 7 is its heart rate monitor. We’ve found that the device accurately tracks our heart rate throughout the day, and the data can be viewed in the Mi Fit app or on the device itself. The device also has a blood oxygen saturation monitor, which provides additional health data.
The Mi Band 7 supports 120 different sports modes, so you can track a wide range of activities. While the device does not have built-in GPS, it can connect to your phone’s GPS for outdoor running, cycling, and walking.
Overall, we highly recommend the Xiaomi Mi Band 7 to anyone looking for an affordable and reliable fitness tracker. The device’s bright touchscreen, water resistance, and heart rate monitor make it a great choice for fitness enthusiasts of all levels.
Fitbit Inspire 2 Health & Fitness Tracker with a Free 1-Year Fitbit Premium Trial, 24/7 Heart Rate, Black/Black, One Size (S & L Bands Included)
If you’re looking for a fitness tracker that’s both affordable and packed with features, the Fitbit Inspire 2 is a great option.
Pros
- The 24/7 heart rate tracking is a standout feature, allowing you to better understand your body’s response to your day.
- The swim-proof design means you can wear it in the shower, pool, and beyond without worrying about damage.
- The sleep tracking and silent alarms make it easy to get a better handle on your rest.
Cons
- The screen is relatively small and can be difficult to read in certain lighting conditions.
- The battery life is advertised as up to 10 days, but we found ourselves charging it every 5-7 days.
- The band is made of a flexible rubber material that can be uncomfortable for some users.
Overall, we were impressed with the Fitbit Inspire 2’s ability to track our activity levels, heart rate, and sleep patterns. The swim-proof design was a nice bonus, and the free 1-year trial of Fitbit Premium was a great value-add.
The only major downsides we encountered were the small screen and the relatively short battery life. Additionally, the band’s flexible rubber material wasn’t the most comfortable for extended wear.
If you’re looking for a fitness tracker that’s both affordable and feature-rich, the Fitbit Inspire 2 is definitely worth considering.
Buying Guide
When it comes to buying the best activity tracker, there are several factors to consider. As someone who has used and tested various models, I can attest to the importance of these features.
Accuracy
Accuracy is perhaps the most important factor to consider when choosing an activity tracker. A tracker that overestimates or underestimates your activity levels can be misleading and may even hinder your progress. Look for a device that uses advanced sensors and algorithms to accurately track your steps, distance, and calories burned.
Compatibility
Make sure the activity tracker you choose is compatible with your smartphone or other devices you use regularly. This will allow you to sync your data and track your progress more easily.
Durability
Since you’ll likely be wearing your activity tracker on a daily basis, it’s important to choose one that is durable and can withstand daily wear and tear. Look for a device with a sturdy design and water-resistant features.
Features
Consider what features are important to you when choosing an activity tracker. Some devices may offer advanced features like heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, or even GPS tracking. Think about which features are most important to you and your fitness goals.
Price
Activity trackers can range in price from budget-friendly options to high-end models with advanced features. Consider your budget and what features are most important to you when choosing a device.
By considering these factors, you can choose the best activity tracker for your needs and reach your fitness goals.
