You will see there isn’t as much range in our rankings for this metric — this is due to the similarities of the interfaces. If you can use the Coros Vertix 2S, you will instantly be able to use the Coros Apex 2 — same for the Fenix 8 Solar and Forerunner 970. The developer, 深圳市威尔健康管理科技有限公司, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. The Google Pixel Watch 4 remains the definitive alternative to the Apple Watch for Android users, and is an even better running companion in this latest edition. If you have a cellular plan set up, you can even stream your entire library on the go. The Spotify app is also excellent, allowing Premium users to easily download playlists and podcasts for offline use, something that feels much slicker than on Garmin.
Stay connected to your heart health
Suunto and Coros have apps that are more stripped-down, less integrated, and easier to use overall. Suunto has a really beautiful layout that integrates photos, which we enjoyed. These apps were easier to figure out compared to Garmin, though none offer the same social ecosystem.
The slim titanium build, endless sport modes, and highly customizable data screens make this great for athletes who like to dive into the details. Matthew, our lead tester, explains, “This is the model I recommend to all serious athletes who want the lightest GPS watch with the most expansive feature set”. A GPS watch can be a handy sidekick for the backcountry, fitness training, or daily activities, providing you with accurate navigation, health metrics, and even the ability to answer phone calls.
Recommended Fitness Trackers
The battery life on the Vertix 2S is impressive, with almost 120 hours of MULTI GNSS tracking. Some people could complete the entire Colorado Trail on their bikes without ever charging their watch! Coros products are known for their battery life, and it’s clearly a priority throughout their whole range. The Coros Apex Pro 2 is another model that excels by having extended battery life and roughly 75 hours of GPS.
Can you do personal training through workout apps?
All of this is summarized in a weekly progress report, which is visual and easy to understand. Lastly, the Fitbit Charge 6 was very easy to use and got an award for being the best at the basics. For less serious athletes or those who simply want to do some recorded walks but have all-day health tracking, this is the model for you.
Whether it be a screen size issue or simply not having a smart enough interface, don’t expect every feature to be one that you can engage with directly on your wrist. You’ll likely need to use your phone to input data or access detailed wellness metrics. Not all of the best budget fitness trackers are designed to seamlessly integrate with a smartphone. The trackers tested for this roundup can’t directly make calls or send texts to contacts on a paired iPhone or Android smartphone. They can, however, display and dismiss incoming calls and notifications via a Bluetooth connection.
Garmin Forerunner 165—a running watch for the gym
We ran mile after mile to compare the distance, pace, and heart rate accuracy during runs. We pushed ourselves, and each tracker in the gym recording activities like the stair stepper, squats, and chest exercises. We also went on walks and runs without starting the device to see how quickly it picked up on activities. Though not an intended part of our test plan, yardwork also became a tool to measure tracking and detection capabilities for non-workout activities.
“WHOOP has helped me greatly improve my physical health and wellbeing”
- The app’s creators believe that connection is the best way to stick to your goals.
- The daily pedometer, heart rate monitor, sleep quality monitor, and sedentary reminder are just a few of the things you can track with this fitness wearable.
- Created in cooperation with WHO (The World Health Organization), Google Fit can sync with other fitness apps, such as NikeRunClub.
- The Garmin metrics are good and readiness/recovery line up pretty well with red light green light.
- If you want to do more than just run to keep in shape, the Strava app has you covered.
- Its top attributes are the seemingly endless menu of fitness activity modes, its built-in GPS, and the access to free race-training programs via the Garmin app.
Over the last decade, this is the best tracker I’ve tested for any workout that involves lifting weights or tracking functional exercises. It can also double as a tool for providing accurate insights into almost anything else you want to track in a gym environment (or outside it). Still, we can’t recommend using the AirPods Pro 3 as a standalone fitness tracker, not least because wearing the earbuds during vigorous activities can be difficult. Despite coming with five removable eartip covers of different sizes, the AirPods Pro 3 earbuds often move around and can feel loose during runs. And in a few of our test workouts, the earbuds’ data didn’t transfer to Apple Health. Since Google acquired Fitbit in 2021, Wirecutter readers and other customers have reported losing activity on the Fitbit app, the Charge 6 not tracking workouts properly, or devices becoming unresponsive.
Barbell and dumbbell exercises involve non-repetitive, short bursts—harder to track than steps or jogging. The Whoop 5.0 is the best screen-free fitness tracker for anyone who wants silent, auto-detected training and recovery insights that actually help you become a more balanced, well-rested athlete. Whether you’re gearing up for a 5K or a full marathon, the Garmin Forerunner 265 is the best fitness tracker for dedicated runners.
Activity Tracker・FitnessView
Building prototypes for wearables is a bit different from regular mobile apps, mainly because you’re working with such limited screen real estate and completely different interaction patterns. Static usability testing misses 90% of the real-world friction points that will kill your app’s adoption. If users need to interact with your app for more than seconds, you’re probably doing it wrong. These devices are meant for quick, glanceable interactions—not extended browsing sessions. But it’s not just about making everything smaller; you need to completely rethink how users interact with information.
Smart Watch Faces Gallery App
We’ve also experienced long-standing bugs—now fixed—with features like supersets and exercise re-ordering in the iOS app. And that can be frustrating if you interact with a Strength Trainer most days, as I do. While smartwatches and sports watches will track reps (with varying degrees of accuracy), none view strength training through the same lens as Whoop’s platform does.
The Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED is packed with technology and has a thick face made for trail hikes, rock climbing, and even swimming (it’s water rated up to 100 meters). According to Men’s Health contributor Korin Miller, this Garmin can take a beating. “I accidentally banged it into several doorways and even scraped it against a kettlebell during a clumsy gym moment—it still looks brand new,” Miller says. We update our lineup of fitness trackers seasonally, so you can expect up-to-date information that takes into account the latest fitness tracker releases. Do you just want to get moving more often, or are there specific fitness milestones you want to hit (like running a certain speed or lifting a certain amount of weight)? Some apps let you personalize your goals or even connect with a personal trainer to help you meet them.
Best Fitness Trackers
They specialize in pet tech, smart fitness gear, finding the perfect gift, and sourcing the top deals on shopping holidays like Black Friday and Cyber mad muscle reviews Monday. Jae has worked at Mashable since 2020, where they’ve written countless deals roundups and product reviews. In Journalism and English Literature from New York University and wrote food and lifestyle content for publications like Bon Appétit, Epicurious, The Daily Beast, Apartment Therapy, and Marie Claire. Across our entire lineup, there is a GPS watch that fits anyone’s battery needs. If your main priority is battery life, the Coros models are the clear winner.
Habit Tracker – HabitView
I found Whoop helped me become a more balanced, better-rested everyday athlete. If you’re looking for an affordable wearable to help you move more, stay on target during workouts, and get meaningful health insights, the Fitbit Inspire 3 is the best fitness tracker for under $100. It strips down to the essentials, but handles all the basics exceptionally well, especially for the price. After testing 15+ wearables over the last year, the sleek Garmin Vivoactive 6 stood out as the best fitness tracker overall.