The Best Fitness Trackers for 2024 (2024)

Everyone wants to be healthy and fit. A lot of people are regulars at a gym or work out regularly at home. Regardless of the type of workout, it helps to know how much physical activity is done throughout the day and how it impacts the body. Fitness trackers help to do just that, and a lot more. However, there are many options to choose from, making the task of finding the best fitness tracker a bit challenging.

The line between a smartwatch and a fitness tracker is quite blurred, especially with the smartwatch-like features being offered by devices marketed as fitness trackers. However, this works in favor of the buyer as they both offer activity tracking features, notification alerts, alarms, durability, and other features that active individuals are looking for. This guide focuses on fitness trackers as well as options that blur the line between a smartwatch and fitness trackers.

Updated on June 3, 2024 by Marc Storch: While fitness trackers are typically seen as smartwatches, there are a ton of different options to track your fitness stats outside a watch. Whoop 4.0 and the Aura ring are both excellent options to keep track of your fitness without needing to wear a watch.

Game Rant's List of Best Fitness Trackers in 2024

Best Fitness Tracker Overall

Fitbit Charge 6

$140 $159 Save $19

Give any routine a boost with the Fitbit Charge 6. Besides the whole swath of fitness features that the Charge 6 has, it also has all the essentials to get through the day, like YouTube Music, Google Maps, and Google Wallet. With a seven-day battery life, the Charge 6 is perfect for those people who forget to charge their watch, or just want to leave their charger behind.

Brand

Fitbit

Heart Rate Monitor

Optical heart rate monitor

Color Screen

Yes

Notification Support

Yes

Battery Life

Up to 7 days

IP rating

Water resistant to 50 meters

Dimensions

1.52" L x 0.73" W x 0.46" H

Small bands

5.1" - 6.7" in circumference

Large bands

6.7" - 8.3" in circumference

Mobile payments

Yes

Workout detection

Yes

Exercise modes

40+

Pros

• Great value at this price point
• Impressive battery life
• Google Maps, Wallet integration
• Not too big for most wrists

Cons

• Display may be too small for some

$140 at Amazon$140 at Best Buy$145 at Walmart

Google acquired Fitbit in 2021 and has since released two Charge series models, the Charge 5 and the Charge 6, with the latter being more mature and driven by Google software. The Fitbit Charge 6 is easily one of the best fitness trackers on the market owing to the value it offers. It comes with all the basic features that a fitness enthusiast would be looking for, such as heart rate tracking, tracking for over 40 exercise modes, SpO2 monitoring, sleep tracking, and a lot more.

It has a sleek vertical 1.1-inch color display and a silicon strap. Along with the features of a typical fitness tracker, the Charge 6 can also double as a smartwatch that offers music controls, Google Maps directions, notifications, access to Google Wallet, different clock faces, alarms, and more. Despite all these features, it can last for up to seven days, making it one of the longest-lasting fitness trackers.

In terms of durability, it has 5ATM water resistance and an aluminum and resin body. Users should note that a Google account will be required to access the features available in the Fitbit app, one of which is detailed motion data storage for seven days. Furthermore, purchasing a new Fitbit Charge 6 brings six months of free Fitbit Premium membership, which gives access to more advanced features like HIIT, dance cardio, cycling, and more.

Best Fitness Tracker for iPhone Users

Apple Watch Series 9

The Apple Watch Series 9 is powered by a new custom silicon from Apple that allows for machine learning tasks to process two times faster and gesture controls. These controls make it much easier to interact with the watch regardless of what the user is doing, from playing music to answering a call and even checking the weather gesture controls can do it all.

Brand

Apple

Heart Rate Monitor

Yes

Color Screen

Yes

Notification Support

Yes

Battery Life

Up to 36 hours in Low Power Mode and up to 18 hours in normal use

SIM Support

Yes

Pros

• Smartwatch with accurate fitness tracking
• Intuitive gesture control
• Large and bright display
• Excellent integration with iOS ecosystem

Cons

• Expensive
• Relatively low battery life

$399 at Amazon$399 at Best Buy$399 at Apple

The Apple Watch Series 9 is a powerful smartwatch that also does the job of an accurate and competent fitness tracker. For those using an iPhone, the Watch Series 9 will make the most sense as it offers seamless connectivity and integration. It is on the expensive side, especially when considering the average price of a dedicated fitness tracker, but it justifies its price with a slew of features, build quality, and software support.

In terms of health tracking, the Apple Watch Series 9 comes with blood oxygen tracking, ECG, temperature testing, fall detection, and of course, activity tracking. The Apple Fitness app lets users customize the Watch Series 9 and show detailed activity tracking. Users can also ask Siri to start a particular workout mode.

Besides being Apple’s first carbon-neutral product, the Apple Watch Series 9 features a 1.9-inch always-on Retina display that can reach 2000 nits peak brightness, which is double the brightness of the Series 8. High brightness is essential on runs and working out in the open and prevents users from having to shade the watch to check anything. It is powered by the latest S9 chip that enables the double tap gesture that adds another level of control for the user. By double-tapping their index finger and thumb, users can answer calls, reply to messages, scroll through Smart Stack, control playback, and more.

With all these features and the super bright display, the battery life takes a hit. Apple says the watch can last up to 18 hours with typical use and, enabling Low Power Mode, can extend the battery life to 36 hours. Despite the high price, the Apple Watch Series 9 has one of the worst battery lives in any fitness tracker/ smartwatch.

Those who want to save some money and are comfortable using older hardware should take a look at the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen).

Best Battery Life in a Fitness Tracker

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar

$265 $400 Save $135

The Instinct 2 Solar from Garming is a minimal yet feature-packed smartwatch/ fitness tracker. It comes with a monochrome screen and solar charging which effectively gives it unlimited battery life in Power Saver mode, while with typical use, it can last up to 28 days, which is quite impressive on its own. The smartwatch comes with tracking for all kinds of workouts, as well as key health monitoring features.

Brand

Garmin

Heart Rate Monitor

Yes

Color Screen

No, Monochrome

Notification Support

Yes

Battery Life

up to 28 days, unlimited in Battery Saver mode

Onboard GPS

Yes

Customizable Strap

Yes

Smartphone Music Control

Yes

Weight

53 grams

Mobile payments

Garmin Pay

Workout detection

Yes

Pros

• Incredible battery life
• Solid rugged build
• Packed with features
• Reliable regardless of environmental conditions

Cons

• Expensive
• May be too bulky for some
• No color display

$265 at Amazon$300 at Garmin

With an advertised 28-day runtime in smartwatch mode, the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar takes the cake in the battery life department. As the name suggests, the fitness tracker/ smartwatch comes with solar charging capabilities which can effectively make it last forever, in battery saver mode. One caveat is that if the user is indoors for the majority of the time, solar charging becomes less of a feature and more of a gimmick.

Even without solar charging, the Instinct 2 Solar can last up to 28 days, which is phenomenal. It can do so because of its monochrome 0.9-inch round display. While that may seem limiting, the device comes with all the features of a fitness tracker, including heart rate monitoring, SpO2 tracking, training metrics, stress monitoring, sleep tracking, hydration tracking, and more.

The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar is on the expensive side, but for the price, users get GPS, an altimeter, a compass, 100 meters of water resistance, a Trackback routing feature, and more. It uses the Garmin Connect app for customization, which is available on both Android and iOS. Unfortunately, it does not support payments through Apple Pay or Google Wallet but instead uses Garmin Pay, which is not as prominent as the other two.

Best Mid-range Fitness Tracker

Fitbit Inspire 3

$80 $100 Save $20

The Fitbit Inspire 3 is a simple and easy-to-use fitness tracker with all the key features and tracking metrics one would need. It is also water-resistant up to 50 meters and boasts a battery life of 10 days. It comes with heart rate monitoring, SpO2, sleep tracking, exercise tracking, and a lot more. Even though the screen is quite small, there is a variety of watch faces to choose from.

Brand

Fitbit

Heart Rate Monitor

Yes

Color Screen

Yes

Notification Support

Yes

Battery Life

10 days

Mobile payments

No

IP rating

5ATM

Display

0.5 inches

Pros

• Impressive battery life
• Always-on display
• SpO2 sensor for overnight readings
• Thin form factor is great for minimalist users

Cons

• Display may be too small for some
• No tap payment options

$80 at Amazon$80 at Best Buy$95 at Walmart

The Fitbit Inspire 3 is a simple fitness tracker with no extra bells and whistles. It has a tiny but readable AMOLED display protected by Gorilla Glass. Because of the small screen, it can deliver up to 10 days of battery life on a single charge, and it takes about two hours to recharge. The Fitbit Inspire 3 provides all the standard health and activity tracking features and is water-resistant up to 50 meters.

It uses the Fitbit app to show detailed data and is available on both iOS and Android. Note that a Google account will be required to use the app. The ease of use that the Fitbit Inspire 3 brings is what makes it stand out. It is easy to set up and shows only key information on the screen as well as calls and notifications.

There is no subscription required to access the various health tracking features, but there is a Premium membership that adds a Daily Readiness Score, expert trainer-accompanied workouts, more sleep insights, and a few extra features. In functionality, the Fitbit Inspire 3 is a lot like its older and more mature sibling, the Fitbit Charge 6, but is cheaper.

Best Budget Fitness Tracker

Amazfit Band 7

$45 $50 Save $5

Amazfit Band 7 has been working diligently on fitness trackers and smartwatches. The Band 7 is the latest and greatest offering from the company bringing key fitness and health tracking features to a very budget-friendly price point. The Amazfit Band 7 has an 18-day battery life and features a 1.47-inch color touchscreen display.

Brand

Amazfit

Heart Rate Monitor

Yes

Color Screen

Yes

Notification Support

Yes

Battery Life

up to 18 days

Display

1.47 inches

IP rating

5ATM

Colors

Black, Beige, Pink

Mobile payments

No

Pros

• Impressive battery life
• Key health and activity tracking metrics
• Super affordable
• OLED display looks nice

Cons

• No tap payment options
• Some apps are finicky

$45 at Amazon

Those looking for a budget-friendly yet stylish option should take a look at the Amazfit Band 7. At under $50, this fitness tracker offers a host of features that would typically be on a much more expensive device. It comes with tracking for 120 sports modes, heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen, stress monitoring, and more, thanks to its comprehensive PAI Health Tracking system. Additionally, the Amazfit Band 7 lets users check their heart rate, SpO2 levels, and stress levels with just one tap.

Along with all the typical fitness tracking features, the device features a 1.4-inch AMOLED display that is protected with tempered glass and an anti-fingerprint coating. It is 5ATM water-resistant and can last up to 18 days with typical use. In battery saver mode, the battery life can be extended to 28 days, while with heavy use, the fitness tracker will last up to 12 days.

The Amazfit Band 7 uses the Zepp app for connecting with Android or iOS devices. It is a package that will be enough for most active users, who will also be pleased to know that it comes in three colors; Black, Beige, and Pink.

Alternatively, budget-conscious shoppers can opt for the Xiaomi Smart Band 8, which is slightly cheaper and offers a similar feature set. However, there have been reports of the screen coming off due to poor glue application in older models.

Best Ring-style Fitness Tracker

Oura Ring Gen3 Horizon Smart Ring

The Oura Ring Gen3 Horizon is an advanced wearable designed to provide users with a holistic view of their health and wellness. This sleek ring tracks Sleep Score by analyzing data points such as total sleep time, sleep stages, and heart rate variability (HRV). It also calculates Readiness Score based on recent activity, sleep patterns, and key biometric signals.
The ring monitors 24/7 heart rate, automatically detects and records over 30 activities, and allows for personalized activity goals in the Oura App. Users can also benefit from workout heart rate tracking, bedtime guidance, blood oxygen sensing (SpO2), and period prediction up to 30 days in advance.

Brand

Oura

Heart rate monitor

Yes

Battery life

Up to 7 days

Sensors

Optical heart rate sensor, blood oxygen sensor, Infrared Photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors, Skin temperature sensors, Photodiodes, 3D Accelerometer

Water Resistance

100 meters

Ring sizing

Free kit

Color

Brushed Titanium, Silver, Black, Stealth, Gold, Rose gold

Pros

• Unique fitness tracker
• Compact design yet comprehensive tracking
• Integration with Apple Health, Google Health, Strava, and more
• Looks good and can be worn at all times

Cons

• Expensive
• Need a subscription plan

$349 at Amazon$549 at Best Buy

Not everyone likes to have a wearable device on their wrist. They can sometimes be bulky, irritate the skin, or get damaged from impact. Enter Oura Ring Gen3 Horizon. This smart ring is capable of 24/7 heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, activity and recovery, stress tracking, health tracking, and more. It also tracks sudden shifts in temperature to detect illnesses early.

The premium construction of the Oura Ring is evident from its Titanium body with a PVD coating. It comes in two styles, a typical circular ring (Horizon) and a one with a more prominent ridge (Heritage), with the Heritage model being a bit cheaper. In terms of battery life, the Oura Ring can last up to seven days, which is impressive considering its size. It is also water-resistant up to 100 meters.

One drawback that could be a major red flag for some is the Oura membership. Most of the useful features of a fitness tracker are hidden behind a membership plan. Without it, users only get limited functionality like basic profile information, three daily scores, and a couple more features. Only those who do not have a problem with a monthly subscription fee of $5.99 should consider the Oura Ring as their primary source of fitness tracking.

Alternatively, a similar experience can also be had without a monthly subscription to the Ultrahuman Ring Air. With a one-time payment of about the same as the Oura Ring, the Ultrahuman Ring Air offers similar health tracking but with a somewhat worse app experience and feel on the finger. The Oura Ring has slightly more rounded edges and offers features like integration with the Natural Cycles fertility app, a partnership with Therabody, and Circles – a social system where members can share sleep data and activity scores with friends and family.

Best Minimalistic Fitness Tracker

Whoop 4.0

The Whoop 4.0 fitness tracking band stands out from the competition thanks to its unique and elegant design. There is no screen on the band which gives it up to five days of battery life. It requires a subscription plan, but those who purchase the fitness band get 12 months of subscription for free. It also has a unique way of tracking fitness and health-related metrics.

Brand

Whoop

Heart Rate Monitor

Yes

Battery Life

up to 5 days

Color Screen

No

Display

No

Health sensors

Heart Rate Tracking, Improve Sleep, Strain, Recovery, Wellness

IP rating

IP68

Pros

• Unique health and fitness tracking
• Compact yet elegant design
• Focus on exertion
• Comfortable for all-day wear

Cons

• No display
• Expensive monthly plans after 12 months

$239 at Amazon

The WHOOP 4.0 band is an elegant yet minimalist fitness tracker that stands out not just because of its design, but also because of how it handles fitness and health tracking. First off, there is no screen on the WHOOP 4.0 band. It is just a luxurious-looking Onyx knit band that tracks five major categories including sleep, strain, recovery, stress, and health.

Strain tracking is what the company categorizes as activity tracking or workout tracking. Put simply, it measures the amount of strain put on the body using familiar metrics. The health monitoring category includes metrics like blood oxygen, heart rate, skin temperature, and more. All the data is displayed and monitored within the WHOOP app available on both Android and iOS.

As sleek and smart as it is, there are a few considerable drawbacks (some would say) in terms of functionality. The WHOOP 4.0 band does not tell the time, does not track steps or stairs, or even active minutes. Since there is no screen, it cannot show notifications, but it does give haptic feedback for alarms.

This is a fitness tracker for enthusiasts and cannot be used as a replacement for a smartwatch.

What to Consider When Looking for the Best Fitness Tracker

Features: Every fitness tracker should have basic activity tracking features like a step counter, health monitoring, workout data tracking, sleep tracking, and some kind of water resistance. Beyond that, everything is a bonus.

Size: Fitness trackers come in all shapes and sizes. Some focus on minimalism and have a sleek horizontal display, while others come with a wristwatch-like form factor.

Price: As the number of features on a fitness tracker increases, so does the price. Many people first decide on a budget or have a rough idea of how much they want to spend before looking into the best fitness trackers they can buy.

Software support: All fitness trackers come with a companion app that helps users customize the various settings on the tracker. Some apps are more streamlined, while others feel messy and lacking.

FAQ

Q: What is the best fitness tracker without a subscription?

The Fitbit Charge 6 is a fitness tracker without a subscription that offers comprehensive health and activity tracking, along with additional features like Google Maps navigation, access to Google Wallet, show notifications, and more. However, there is a Fitbit Premium subscription that is optional and offers personalized insights, a sleep score breakdown, a monthly sleep profile, and a wellness report based on the stats.

Q: Is Fitbit being discontinued?

Google has discontinued selling Fitbit devices in nearly 30 countries but will continue to support the devices currently in the market in those countries. Furthermore, it has not shared any plans for discontinuing products in the US and North America.