The best fitness trackers for 2025

For those who’re seeking to get match, sleep higher or simply hold a better eye in your well being, a health wearable is a superb place to begin. Whether or not you are into intense exercises or simply need to hit your step aim every day, one of the best health trackers out there right this moment can supply a great deal of useful options, from sleep monitoring and resting coronary heart fee monitoring to built-in GPS and stress monitoring. Some are even sufficiently subtle to put on 24/7, like good rings, whereas others double as trendy smartwatches.There are nice choices on the market for newbies in addition to extra superior customers, and the number of options means there’s one thing for each life-style and finances. On this information, we’ll stroll you thru one of the best health trackers you should buy proper now, and clarify who every one is finest suited to.Desk of contentsBest health trackers and watches for 2025FitbitTracker: Health, coronary heart fee, ECG, SpO2, pores and skin temperature, stress, sleep | Supported OS: Android, iOS | Max battery life: 7 days | Dimension: Small, massive | Waterproof: Sure Whereas we’ve not given the Fitbit Cost 6 the complete evaluation therapy but, we really feel assured recommending it because the successor to our earlier high choose, the Cost 5. The corporate added just a few new options to the combination right here, particularly a extra correct coronary heart fee monitor, the flexibility to pair with train machines through Bluetooth and a bodily aspect button that can be utilized in tandem with the touchscreen to navigate the system’s interface. The Cost 6 has 20 train modes for monitoring, and due to Fitbit’s dad or mum firm Google, you may skip by means of and management YouTube Music playback, supplied you may have a YouTube Music Premium subscription. In any other case, the Fitbit Cost 6 is similar to the Cost 5 that got here earlier than it. Key to its enchantment is that it is decidedly not a smartwatch. Which means it has a barely decrease profile on the wrist and lasts days on a single cost whereas monitoring exercise and monitoring your coronary heart fee, step rely and sleep. It additionally has a full-color AMOLED show and a comparatively skinny design, which makes it really feel pretty premium when in comparison with different health trackers. Different perks embody contactless funds with Fitbit Pay and Google Pockets, plus a helpful integration with Google Maps that permits you to see turn-by-turn instructions in your wrist. However make no mistake — built-in GPS stays the star of the present right here. For those who’re searching for a wearable that may precisely map out runs and bike rides whereas additionally conserving monitor of your coronary heart fee and different stats throughout every exercise, the Cost 6 is a superb possibility for anybody searching for sturdiness and performance in a well being tracker. ProsBuilt-in GPSMore correct coronary heart fee monitorSeven-day battery lifeConsNo integration with Apple HealthSome information hidden behind Fitbit Premium paywall$100 at AmazonGarminTracker: Health, coronary heart fee, SpO2, stress, sleep | Supported OS: Android, iOS | Max battery life: 7 days | Dimension: 122-188 mm (small/medium), 148-228 mm (massive) | Waterproof: Sure A extra subtle-looking health band different is the $150 Garmin Vivosmart 5. It’s thinner than the Fitbit Cost 6 and suits in a bit higher with bracelets and different jewellery you may put on usually. However its enticing design is just a part of its enchantment — Garmin is aware of how you can monitor health, and the Vivosmart 5 is proof that you just don’t have to drop a whole lot on one of many firm’s in-depth health watches to get a succesful system. It has loads of the identical options because the Cost 6, aside from a built-in GPS. It does assist related GPS, although, so you may map out of doors runs and bike rides so long as you deliver your telephone with you. The Vivosmart 5 tracks all-day coronary heart rhythm due to its coronary heart fee sensor, plus sleep information and exercises, and we’ve all the time appreciated what number of exercise profiles Garmin has to select from, together with workout routines like energy coaching. The pedometer operate tracks your steps all through the day, guaranteeing that even gentle actions contribute to your health targets. You’ll be able to customise which present up in your system and alter them everytime you need. You’ll additionally get further well being and wellness data like Garmin’s Physique Battery rating, which tells you the way lengthy after a tough exercise you’ll want to attend till you may prepare at peak efficiency once more, blood oxygen ranges, sleep stage information, ladies’s menstrual cycle monitoring and extra. For those who’re searching for a well-rounded exercise tracker, the Garmin vívosmart 5 has all of it. The most important disadvantages to health monitoring with the Vivosmart 5 are the aforementioned lack of built-in GPS, plus its barely more durable to make use of cellular app. However on the flip aspect, Garmin units can sync with Apple Well being, whereas Fitbit units nonetheless don’t have that function. ProsSlim designExcellent exercise monitoring featuresCustomizable on-device exercise modesSyncs with Apple HealthConsConnected GPS onlyCumbersome cellular app$150 at AdoramaXiaomiTracker: Health, coronary heart fee | Supported OS: Android, iOS | Max battery life: 16 days | Dimension: 135mm–210mm | Waterproof: Sure Engadget examined a few of the most cost-effective health trackers you should buy, all coming in at underneath $100. On the high of the checklist is the Xiaomi Band 8, which beat the Fitbit Encourage 3 and the Amazfit Band 7, particularly as a result of its many sport monitoring modes, distinctive “pebble” working mode and free and correct sleep monitoring options. It’s additionally fairly comfy and pretty trendy with its smooth and nimble design. It additionally has a quick-charge function that makes it straightforward to put on for 10 to 14 days (relying on utilization) earlier than it runs out of juice. Importantly, the watch made it very easy to trace area of interest workout routines straight on the watch face with out being too distracting throughout exercises. And like the opposite health trackers on this checklist, it really works with each Android and iPhone too. Pebble mode is a standout function because it permits you to connect the tracker to your shoe utilizing the included working clip accent, and it did a great job of reporting details about your tempo and cadence instantly on the show upon finishing a run. Extra detailed insights are additionally viewable in your smartphone by means of the Mi companion app. When the Band 8 is in your wrist, it makes it straightforward to arrange exercise targets associated to time, distance or energy burned per session for actions like deadlifting or skateboarding. Whereas the Amazfit Band 7 was solely crushed by a hair when it comes to its train monitoring capabilities, the Xiaomi Band 8 had an actual edge when in comparison with the Fitbit Encourage 3. Whereas Fitbit’s system was restricted to solely six pre-loaded train shortcuts, the Xiaomi Band 8 had greater than 150 workout routines you would monitor instantly on the wearable straight out of the field. The Encourage 3 additionally blocked me from getting extra detailed insights about my sleep and restoration as a result of that data lives behind the Fitbit Premium paywall. Xiaomi’s units, alternatively, supplied in-depth sleep experiences with curated recommendation on how you can enhance your resting hours freed from cost. — Malak Saleh, reporter ProsComfortableEasy to make use of UIDetailed exercise reportsUnique “Pebble” mode$47 at AmazonPhoto by Daniel Cooper / EngadgetTracker: Health, sleep | Supported OS: Android, iOS | Max battery life: 18 months | Dimension: N/A | Waterproof: Sure The entire beforehand talked about health trackers are enticing in their very own means (bonus factors to those who have interchangeable bands), however they share the same look. There aren’t many different designs for these units anymore. The $70 Withings Transfer watch is an exception, and one of the vital historically modern health trackers you may get. It’s an analog watch face with a few well being monitoring options together with step, calorie, distance and sleep monitoring, related GPS, auto-recognition for greater than 30 exercises and a water resistant design. However we actually find it irresistible for its lengthy battery life: it’ll last as long as 18 months earlier than the coin cell wants a substitute. Though this implies there’s no charger to juice the battery again up, you may choose up a substitute coin cell comparatively cheaply. ProsAttractive analog designAll-day exercise and sleep trackingMonths lengthy battery life$70 at WithingsWhat do health trackers do finest?The reply appears easy: Health wearables are finest at monitoring train, be it a 10-minute stroll across the block or that half marathon you’ve been diligently coaching for. Clearly, smartwatches may also help you attain your health targets too, however there are some areas the place health bands and good rings have confirmed to be one of the best purchase: focus, design, higher battery life, sturdiness and worth.After I say “focus,” I’m alluding to the truth that health trackers are made to trace exercise nicely; the rest is additional. They typically don’t have the bells and whistles that smartwatches do, which might distract from their superior well being monitoring skills — issues like all-day resting coronary heart fee monitoring, stress monitoring, and even detailed sleep tracker insights. In addition they are likely to have fewer sensors and inside parts, which retains them smaller and lighter. Health trackers are additionally a greater possibility for individuals who simply need a much less conspicuous gadget on their wrists all day.Battery life tends to be higher on health trackers, too. Whereas most smartwatches final one to 2 days on a single cost, health bands supply between 5 and 7 days of battery life — and that’s with all-day and all-night use even with sleep monitoring options enabled. Many health trackers additionally slot properly into your current ecosystem, syncing seamlessly along with your smartphone, different health apps and cloud storage to maintain all of your information in a single place.Relating to worth level, there’s no competitors. Most worthwhile smartwatches begin at $175 to $200, however you may get a stable good band beginning at $70. That makes them an important entry level for newbies who need to monitor their progress with out committing to a full smartwatch. Sure, dearer bands and good rings exist (and we suggest just a few right here), however you’ll discover extra choices underneath $150 within the health tracker area than within the smartwatch area.When to get a smartwatch insteadIf you want a bit extra out of your wearable and don’t need to be restricted to a health or exercise tracker, a smartwatch could also be one of the best purchase for you. There are issues like on-watch apps, alerts and much more sturdy health options that smartwatches have and one of the best health trackers don’t. You should use one to regulate good dwelling home equipment, set timers and reminders, test climate experiences and extra. Some smartwatches allow you to select which apps you need to obtain alerts from, and the choices transcend simply name and textual content notifications. Simply be sure your smartwatch is suitable along with your Android or iPhone, nonetheless, earlier than buying, as not all of them work with each working programs.However the additional health options are arguably a very powerful factor to consider when deciding between a health tracker and a smartwatch. The latter units are typically bigger, giving them more room for issues like GPS, barometers, onboard music storage and extra. Whereas you’ll find built-in GPS on choose health trackers, it’s not frequent.For those who’re somebody who’s severely coaching — say for a race or an endurance problem — a devoted working watch could also be value contemplating. These typically present extra in-depth cardio analytics, restoration insights, and real-time tempo information that transcend what commonplace trackers can ship.Different health trackers we have testedFitbit Encourage 3The Fitbit Encourage 3 strips out all the luxurious options from the Cost 6 and retains solely the important monitoring options. You gained’t get built-in GPS monitoring or Fitbit Pay or Spotify management however you do get stable exercise monitoring, computerized exercise detection, smartphone alerts and many extra. The up to date model has a sleeker design and features a colour contact show and related GPS, the latter of which helps you to monitor tempo and distance when you run or bike exterior when you have your telephone with you. When in comparison with the Cost 6, the Encourage 3 is extra modern, too. Its interchangeable bands allow you to change up the feel and appear of your tracker everytime you need, and it’s slim sufficient to mix in with different jewellery you is perhaps carrying. We have been additionally impressed by its multi-day battery life: Fitbit guarantees as much as 10 days on a single cost, and that checked out for us. After 4 days of round the clock use, the Encourage 3 nonetheless had 66 p.c battery left to go.Health tracker FAQsHow lengthy do health tracker batteries final?The battery lifetime of health trackers can range relying on the mannequin and its options. On common, most health trackers final between 5 to seven days on a single cost. Primary fashions with restricted options might stretch as much as 10 days or extra. Nonetheless, extra superior trackers with options like steady coronary heart fee monitoring, GPS, or always-on shows may have recharging after one to a few days. For those who’re utilizing GPS or streaming music by means of your health tracker, you will discover that this drains the battery sooner. Through the use of these options much less, or turning them off, you will lengthen battery life.