Fitness trackers have become a staple accessory for many people looking to monitor and improve their physical activity levels. With so many options available, it can be challenging to determine which one will best suit your needs. In this article, we narrow down the best fitness trackers available, taking into account features such as accuracy, design, battery life, and overall functionality. We’ve also excluded smartwatches from this list and focused solely on traditional fitness trackers.
Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or just starting your fitness journey, this will help you find the perfect fitness tracker to help you achieve your health and fitness goals.
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Best Fitness Trackers Comparison Chart
Fitbit Charge 5
Best fitness tracker overall
Despite stiff competition from budget brands, Fitbit has held on to its strong reputation for fitness trackers. The Fitbit Charge 5 is emblematic of what the company continues to do right. Reasonably priced and well-designed, the Charge 5 does all things well. And it has GPS built-in.
Fitbit’s top-rated wearable features a sleek and slim profile that straddles the balance between tracker and smartwatch. It also boasts comfortable silicone bands that can be swapped with other varieties. Unlike other trackers, however, the Charge 5 offers a large and easy-to-read color display. While this gives the device more bulk, it also makes it more usable and intuitive.
Inside, the Charge 5 boasts an optical heart rate monitor, temperature sensor, and SpO2 sensors. Features-wise, the device provides ECG readings, stress monitoring, sleep tracking, and abnormal heart rate alerts. These are enough to rival the Fitbit Sense. Of course, the Charge 5 is also packed with fitness tools. The tracker offers 20 workout modes plus automatic workout detection.
If there is any downside, it’s the paywall. Some of the Fitbit Charge 5’s advanced features are only available with a membership.
Compatibility: Android, iOS | Screen: 1.04-inch AMOLED | Battery Life: Up to 7 days
Water Resistance: Up to 50 meters | GPS: Yes
Xiaomi Mi Band 7
Best budget fitness tracker
If you’re on a budget, then the Xiaomi Mi Band 7 is a great option. Its predecessor, the Mi Band 5, is one of the best cheap fitness trackers. With the Mi Band 7, Xiaomi upgrades to a larger display while remaining budget-friendly. The wearable also delivers heart rate monitoring, SpO2 tracking, and stress monitoring — not bad for a tracker that sells for less than $50.
To shed its image as a basic fitness tracker, Xiaomi has invested in advanced training metrics for the Mi Band 7. These metrics now include VO2 max, recovery duration, training effect, and training load analysis. The band also tracks over 100 exercises, although only five support auto-detection.
As for design, you get what you see with the Mi Band 7. The tracker still sports a pill-shaped display that, while bigger, may still prove cumbersome for some users. The display is also removable but fits snugly with the default TPU strap from Xiaomi. And if you’re one for variety, the Mi Band 7 straps come in six standard color options, plus camouflage and neon variants.
Compatibility: Android, iOS | Screen: 1.62-inch AMOLED | Battery Life: Up to 14 days
Water Resistance: Up to 50 meters | GPS: No
WHOOP Strap 4.0
Best fitness tracker for weight loss
Unlike other fitness trackers, the displayless
The device has five LEDs for monitoring heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep, and skin temperature. And without any screen, you’re less likely to get distracted from your workouts.
Although typically worn on the wrist,
A
Compatibility: Android, iOS | Screen: n/a | Battery Life: Up to 5 days
Water Resistance: Up to 10 meters | GPS: No
Garmin Vivosmart 5
Best fitness tracker with an oxygen monitor
SpO2 sensors are popular in wearables because they provide users with a valuable metric for monitoring their overall health and fitness levels. However, not all trackers still have them. If this is the only feature you need, go for the Garmin Vivosmart 5.
The Vivosmart 5’s Pulse Ox is accurate and can be used for spot-checks. It can also take measurements all day or during a portion of your sleep. Speaking of sleep, the Vivosmart 5 delivers exceptional sleep tracking for its class. It also offers ten workout profiles and basic training tools to measure performance.
Design-wise, the latest iteration of the Vivosmart retains the silicone band and square-oval OLED display. Garmin also says the screen is 66% bigger than the Vivosmart 4. However, it’s still a small display (less than an inch), which makes scrolling through notifications and messages hard. Fortunately, Garmin has added a physical button to aid in navigation. Plus, you can get the wearable in two sizes for small and large wrists.
Compatibility: Android, iOS | Screen: 0.41 x 0.73 in., OLED | Battery Life: Up to 7 days
Water Resistance: For swimming only | GPS: No
Verdict
The best fitness trackers are equipped with advanced features to help users monitor their physical activity, sleep quality, and overall health and wellness.
Today, countless fitness trackers are available in the market. Some popular brands include Fitbit, Garmin,
The Fitbit Charge 5 is a highly-rated fitness tracker that offers a wide range of features, including heart rate monitoring, GPS tracking, and activity tracking. It also has a sleek and stylish design that makes it suitable for both casual and formal wear.
On the other hand, the Xiaomi Mi Band 7 is a budget-friendly fitness tracker that still packs a punch in terms of features. It offers heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and activity tracking, as well as notifications for incoming calls and messages. Moreover, it’s lightweight and comfortable to wear.
Both the Fitbit Charge 5 and Xiaomi Mi Band 7 are excellent options for individuals looking to monitor their fitness and wellness goals. Ultimately, the best choice will depend on individual preferences and needs, but we believe that these two fitness trackers offer great value for their price point.
FAQs
When looking for a fitness tracker, it’s important to consider features like heart rate monitoring, GPS tracking, and activity tracking. Battery life, water resistance, and connectivity options are important factors, too. Moreover, price, design, and ease of use can also influence your decision.
Yes. The WHOOP 4.0 strap is available in over 35 colors and shades.
No. The Garmin Vivosmart 5 does not support Garmin Pay.
The Fitbit Charge 5 can work up to an altitude of 28,000 ft.