Table of Contents
Whether you’re a dedicated exerciser, goal-setter, or health enthusiast, a fitness tracker is a significant investment. The best fitness trackers help set goals and track progress, as well as metrics like sleep and body temperature. Kira Jones, CPT, says the main benefit is real-time monitoring of health metrics. From Fitbits to smartwatches, the best fitness trackers are vital for achieving health goals, mapping runs, measuring altitude, and warning of weather changes. Some even serve as phone extensions.
Key Takeaways
- Fitness trackers are excellent tools for setting and achieving health and fitness goals.
- They can monitor various metrics, including sleep, body temperature, and readiness.
- Some fitness trackers offer advanced features like running trail mapping and altitude measurement.
- Fitness trackers can serve as extensions to your smartphone, offering notifications and other functionalities.
- They are suitable for various users, from casual exercisers to competitive athletes.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is now tuned for the outdoors and fitness market. Priced at $799, it boasts a more significant 49mm titanium case, a brighter 2,000 nits screen, increased water resistance (up to 100 m), and an extended 36-hour battery life. You’ll pay for all those upgrades, but we’re convinced it’s well worth it.
Key Features
- Larger 49mm titanium case
- Brighter 2,000 nits screen
- Increased water resistance (up to 100 m)
- Extended 36-hour battery life
- Unique Wayfinder face with a live compass
- Siren for emergencies
- Water temperature sensor
- Depth gauge
- Upgraded speaker and microphone setup
Seamless Integration
The Ultra’s most significant win is its ultra-seamless link to iPhones. Nothing beats the easy pairing and data sharing that can take place between any Apple Watch and an iPhone. This makes it an excellent choice for the MacBook crowd.
Price and Value
The Apple Watch Ultra may seem pricey, with a starting price of $799, but it’s not outlandish compared to other devices in the same tier. It blends the superior day-to-day use of an Apple Watch with rugged specs on the most expensive Garmin and Suunto watches.
If daily convenience and smartwatch features take precedence over detailed fitness activity, the Apple Watch Ultra is for you. One big caveat — it only works with iPhones.
Reasons to Buy
- Impressive built-in GPS
- Affordable
- Light and comfortable
Reasons to Avoid
- iOS only
- 18 hours of battery life
Masimo W1 Sport
MH fitness director Ebenezer Samuel loves the Masimo W1 Sport, and it’s increasingly being discussed in our office conversations. Why? because he’s found it to be the most accurate tracker on the market. During testing, Samuel wore the W1 and a pulse oximeter similar to those used to track heart rate in hospitals. The W1 was within two beats per minute of the pulse oximeter.
Pros
- Superior metric tracking, especially when it comes to heart rate
- Innovative features like the Hydration Index and blood oxygen sensors
- The display is simple and easy to read
- Generous warranty
- Connected app provides easy reading of data
Cons
- Doesn’t have music storage or phone notifications
- Barebones design
Key Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Weight | 34g |
| Battery Life | Up to 24 hours |
| Water Resistance | 50m |
| Sizes Available | 40mm |
| Satellite Systems | None |
| Sleep Tracking | Yes |
| Warranty | 3 years |
Thankfully Masimo has a few releases up its sleeve in 2024. We’re hoping they roll out some more user friendly fitness trackers that do more than just provide hardcore accuracy, but, if not, we won’t be complaining.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is an impressive fitness tracker and one of the best smartwatches you can buy. Whether you’ve got a Samsung phone or not, this watch delivers a range of high-end features, including accurate GPS specs and voice navigation. Nailing these features is extra-critical in 2024, especially with new competition from Google’s Pixel Watch.
Key Features
- Advanced Sleep Coaching: Analyzes your sleep habits and suggests improvements.
- Body Composition Reader: Provides a body fat estimate and other vital stats in seconds.
- Personalized Heart Rate Zone: Tailors your workout intensity.
- Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification: Detects signs of aFib.
- Skin Temperature Sensor: Informs menstrual cycles, stress, and sleep data.
Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Heart rate monitor | Yes |
| GPS | Yes |
| Water resistance | 50 meters |
| Display | 1.3-inch AMOLED |
| Weight | 1 ounce |
| Onboard music | Yes |
| Mobile payments | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Yes |
| Battery life | 40 hours |
Reasons to Buy
- Insightful body composition analysis
- Slim, comfy design
- Bright touchscreen
- Available in two sizes
Reasons to Avoid
- Mediocre battery life
The Galaxy Watch 6 can go anywhere thanks to a large scratch-resistant screen and a strong titanium case. Our favorite features include advanced sleep coaching and a body composition reader.
For seniors looking for a fitness smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch 6 offers a comprehensive suite of health and fitness features that are easy to use and highly effective.
Fitbit Charge 5
The Fitbit Charge 5 stands out in fitness trackers, offering a comprehensive suite of health features. It includes a heart rate sensor, SpO2 monitoring, sleep tracking, and activity tracking. However, to unlock its full potential, you must sign up for Fitbit Premium, which costs $9.99/£7.99 monthly and includes a 6-month trial.
Key Features
- Built-in GPS for phone-free tracking
- EDA stress sensor
- ECG sensor for heart rhythm analysis
- 1.04in OLED screen
- Water resistance up to 5ATM
- Compatibility with iOS and Android
- Battery life of up to 7 days
Best For
The Charge 5 is particularly noted for its sleep-tracking capabilities. Light and compact, yet packed with advanced health tracking features, it is an excellent choice for those who want to improve their sleep hygiene.
Pricing
The Fitbit Charge 5 is priced at $149.95, but you can often find deals that bring the price down to $119.99.
Light, compact, and feature-packed, the Charge 5 is one of the best fitness trackers available today. Whether you’re training for a marathon or just want to keep an eye on your health metrics, this device has you covered.
Garmin Forerunner 955
The Garmin Forerunner 955 is a top-tier fitness tracker designed for serious athletes. Packed with features, it offers a comprehensive suite of health and activity stats to help you monitor your cardiovascular health, exercise performance, and recovery time. The large screen is quite legible indoors and outdoors, making it easy to read your stats.
Key Features
- Advanced GPS tracking
- Detailed maps for navigation
- Reliable health metrics
- Lightweight design
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive health stats | Expensive |
| Excellent navigation | No multi-band GNSS |
| Lightweight and durable | Weak battery life |
User Experience
The Forerunner 955 is praised for its user-friendly design and its wealth of features. It fits comfortably on the wrist and is suitable for casual and professional settings. The watch’s plastic shell may not appeal to everyone, but its functionality more than makes up for it.
The Forerunner 955 is a light watch and fits on my thin wrist. The large screen is quite legible indoors and outdoors.
Final Thoughts
The Garmin Forerunner 955 is an excellent choice for enhancing their workout routine with reliable and detailed health metrics. While it may be pricier, its features and performance make it worthwhile.
Oura Ring Gen 3
The Oura Ring Gen 3 is a unique fitness tracker that stands out due to its unobtrusive, durable design. This slightly thicker, yet super lightweight, metal band is equipped with tiny sensors on the inside that pick up all sorts of health data. It is particularly praised for its accurate sleep tracking and long battery life, which can last up to 7 days.
Specifications
- Heart rate monitor: Yes
- GPS: No
- Water resistance: 100 meters
- Display: N/A
- Weight: 0.2 ounces
- Onboard music: No
- Mobile payment: Yes
- Sleep tracking: Yes
- Battery life: 4-7 days
Reasons to Buy
- Unobtrusive, durable design
- Thorough sleep tracking
- Comfortable to wear to bed
- Long battery life
Reasons to Avoid
- More expensive than a watch
- Not all features released
The Oura Ring Gen 3 scores 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with 60% of users giving it a full five stars. Positive reviews praise this ring for its stylish and durable design, features, and accurate sleep tracking. Negative reviews often cite its high price and pricey membership.
Whoop Strap 4.0
The Whoop 4.0 does not resemble any other fitness tracker on the market — but that’s what makes it so special. This peculiar-looking wearable lacks a giant touchscreen or bulky buttons; it has a discrete “sensor suite” and a woven, elasticated strap. It may come as a surprise, but the Woop 4.0 does not count steps, either. However, you get continuous monitoring of health metrics, including heart rate, skin temperature, and heart rate variability, as well as in-depth recovery scores.
Design and Build Quality
The Whoop 4.0 feels sturdy and durable and shows no signs of damage after being smacked with a dumbbell or submerged in a swimming pool.
Performance and Features
The strain, sleep, and recovery scores let us get the most out of our training sessions without considering the individual metrics. But if you like your numbers, you can still get in-depth data on Woop’s dedicated app.
User Reviews
The Whoop 4.0 is rated 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with nearly two-thirds of users giving it the highest score. Positive reviews praise this wearable for its comfortable strap and plenty of in-depth tracking data, while negative reviews often cite issues with charging and accuracy. Some buyers were also disappointed that the Whoop 4.0 did not count steps.
The Whoop 4.0 is undoubtedly a brilliant health tracker for anyone looking for enhanced health insights — there are clear reasons why many top athletes have been spotted with one on their wrist or around their bicep. For a coach or trainer, this data is invaluable.
Amazfit Band 7
The Amazfit Band 7 is a compact yet feature-rich fitness tracker that offers incredible value for its price. For just under $50, you get many health and fitness tracking capabilities, including sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen measurement, and stress tracking. The device is also equipped with over 110 sport and fitness modes, making it versatile for various workouts, from strength training to cardio activities.
Key Features
- Price: Just under $50
- Compatibility: iOS and Android
- Battery Life: Up to 14 days
- Water Resistance: 5ATM (up to 50 meters)
- Screen: 1.62” AMOLED
- Additional Features: Amazon Alexa built-in, GPS tracking
Pros
- Advanced health tracking stats
- Over 110 sport and fitness modes
- Wallet-friendly
- Ultra-lightweight design
Cons
- Screen lock can be touchy, especially when exposed to water drops
User Experience
Users have praised the Amazfit Band 7’s ease of use and comprehensive feature set. One user mentioned, “You can have the date, time, steps taken, and many other features. The app even has holiday themes for your watch. It is a good quality watch for the price.” This highlights the device’s versatility and user-friendly interface.
The Amazfit Band 7 is ideal for anyone new to fitness trackers due to its ultra-lightweight design and extensive feature set. Whether you’re into swimming, yoga, or guided meditations, this fitness tracker has something to offer for everyone.
Polar Vantage V2
The Polar Vantage V2 is a top-tier fitness tracker designed for serious athletes. The V2 outperforms the V3 on several factors that matter to runners, such as heart rate reading reliability, water resistance, and battery life. This makes it an excellent choice for those who prioritize these features in their training regimen.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Size | 47 x 47 x 14.5 mm |
| Weight | 57 g |
| Battery | Lithium-polymer |
| GPS Battery Life | Up to 61 hours |
| Satellite Networks | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS |
| Screen/Bezel | 1.4″ Gorilla Glass, aerospace aluminum |
| Navigation | Yes |
| Altimeter & Compass | Yes |
| Water Resistance | WR50 (50m) |
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Outstanding battery life
- Heart rate monitoring
- Strava Live Segments
Cons
- Expensive
- Weak and delayed button action
- Dull and simple app
- Unintuitive interface
Performance
The Vantage V2 excels in heart rate monitoring and offers a robust battery life, making it ideal for long-distance runners. Its water resistance of up to 50 meters ensures it can handle intense workouts and adverse weather conditions.
User Experience
While the V2 offers many advanced features, its interface can be somewhat unintuitive, and the accompanying app is often criticized for being too simple and having syncing issues. However, these drawbacks are minor compared to its overall performance.
The Polar Vantage V2 is still the sports watch to beat in its category, offering a balanced mix of essential features and reliability for serious athletes.
Coros Pace 2
Overview
The Coros Pace 2 GPS Sports Watch is among the best running watches. It tracks your location, distance, pace, time, stride length, etc. It’s known for being one of the lightest GPS watches available, making it very light and convenient to wear, even during sleep. The watch also provides a post-workout muscle heatmap, so you can see which muscle groups you worked the hardest in a daily, weekly, or monthly view.
Battery Life
The Coros Pace 2 has a 236 mAh battery, which adds 8 hours of run time in the standard GPS mode. This results in 38 hours of run time, longer than any of the Garmin Forerunner lines. Despite this, the watch only weighs 1 gram more than the previous Pace 2 model.
Design
Coros offers several different digital watch face designs and models of the Pace 2, including nylon band and silicon band options. These designs are more unique than other fitness trackers you can find. The special edition color made for professional runner Ellud Kipchoge is a notable highlight.
Metrics and Features
The Coros Pace 2 includes helpful heart rate, sleep, and body temperature metrics. It’s accurate no matter the type of run you track. Other features include a touchscreen, though it’s best to navigate with its button and an LED screen that isn’t as bright and vibrant as AMOLED.
The Coros Pace series has been one of the best bang for your buck GPS fitness trackers for a few years now. The latest Pace 2 watch is our definitive best value pick in 2024 thanks to its featherweight design, reliable readings, and simple user interface.
Conclusion
Whether you’re an avid exerciser, a competitive goal-setter, or a health-conscious individual, a fitness tracker is a significant investment. The best fitness trackers offer an intuitive way to set goals and measure progress. They track metrics like sleep, readiness, and body temperature. From a slender Fitbit to a rugged smartwatch, the best fitness trackers help achieve health and fitness goals. They track vital stats, map running trails, measure altitude, and warn about changing weather conditions. The best fitness trackers provide valuable health insights, track workouts, and encourage a healthier lifestyle. In 2024, getting one is a top investment for fitness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main benefits of using a fitness tracker?
Fitness trackers offer a fun and intuitive way to help you set goals and measure your progress. They can also help you keep track of other metrics, like sleep, readiness, body temperature, and more.
Can fitness trackers help with motivation?
Yes, fitness trackers can help with motivation by giving you real-time feedback on your progress and encouraging you to reach your fitness goals.
Are fitness trackers accurate?
Most modern fitness trackers are accurate, but their precision can vary depending on the type and brand. It is always a good idea to read reviews and consult expert opinions.
Do fitness trackers work with both Android and iOS devices?
Many fitness trackers are compatible with Android and iOS devices, but some may work better with one operating system. Always check the compatibility before purchasing.
What features should I look for in a fitness tracker?
Essential features include heart rate monitoring, GPS tracking, sleep analysis, battery life, and water resistance. Additional features like music control and smartphone notifications can also be helpful.
How do fitness trackers monitor sleep?
Fitness trackers monitor sleep by using sensors to detect movement and heart rate. They can provide insights into your sleep patterns, including the duration and quality of your sleep.
Are there fitness trackers specifically designed for certain types of workouts?
Yes, some fitness trackers are designed with specific workouts in mind. For example, certain models may be better suited for running, swimming, or weightlifting. Always choose a tracker that aligns with your primary fitness activities.
Is it worth investing in a high-end fitness tracker?
Investing in a high-end fitness tracker can be worthwhile if you are serious about your fitness goals and want detailed insights into your health metrics. These models often offer more advanced features and better accuracy.