There has never been a better time to buy a new fitness tracker. Whether you’re getting your first one or upgrading to a newer model, the options are now better than ever before. No matter which you choose, you’ll have an abundance of features right at your fingertips.
Of course, with so many choices, it can be hard to know which fitness tracker to buy. Don’t worry—we researched so you can be sure you’re getting the right one. Read on to learn about the five best fitness trackers money can buy.
1. Fitbit Charge 5
The Fitbit brand is synonymous with fitness trackers, and theirs just keep getting better—especially with their latest model, the Fitbit Charge 5. This advanced fitness tracker comes with built-in GPS, stress management tools, sleep tracking, 24/7 heart rate tracking, and more.
The Fitbit app lets you view your data, track your progress, and set goals. You can also earn badges when you achieve fitness goals and connect with friends for that extra push of motivation.
This Fitbit stands out by offering additional functionality like female health tracking, music controls, weather, and even contactless pay—a way to store your credit and debit cards and pay right from your wrist. With a battery life of up to four days, you’ll never want to take this off.
2. Garmin Venu 2S
Garmin’s fitness trackers have always been popular among athletes, but in recent years they’ve released some incredible models that anyone can benefit from—like the Garmin Venu 2S. This fitness-focused smartwatch comes with a variety of features to help you track your progress and stay motivated.
What sets Garmin apart is its Body Battery Energy Monitoring feature. This feature monitors your energy around the clock and tells you when you might benefit from a more challenging workout, and when taking it easy is best. By showing you the effects of physical activity, stress, relaxation, and sleep together in a single place, Body Battery also lets you see the effect activities and lifestyle choices have on you. That way, you can learn what works best for you.
Of course, there is a built-in GPS and heart rate monitor. You’ll also find sleep tracking, stress tracking, music storage, notifications, and contactless payments with Garmin Pay. The best part? The battery lasts up to 11 days.
3. Oura Ring
The Oura Ring is a smart ring that is becoming increasingly popular. It comes packed with fantastic features; it is also discreet and beautiful too.
The Oura uses sensors to collect data including your heart rate, temperature, and movement. The ring then uses this data to calculate three scores: Readiness, Sleep, and Activity.
- Readiness is a measure of how well-rested you are. It takes into account your sleep, activity, and heart rate variability.
- Sleep is a measure of the quality and quantity of your sleep. It takes into account your sleep stages, heart rate, and movement.
- Activity is a measure of how active you are throughout the day. It takes into account your steps, heart rate, and movement.
The Oura Ring also provides you with insights into your health and fitness, such as how your sleep affects your mood, your performance at work, and your risk of getting sick. You can use this data to set and track goals.
There isn’t a screen, so you will rely on the Oura app to see your data. Battery life can last up to seven days.
4. Apple Watch Series 7
Everyone knows the Apple Watch—and with good reason. This ultra-popular smartwatch does it all. And the latest Apple Watch, the Series 7, has several new features that make it even better for tracking your fitness.
One of the most notable new features is the Blood Oxygen sensor. This sensor can measure your blood oxygen levels, which can be a sign of overall health and fitness. The Apple Watch can also track your sleep, heart rate, and other metrics to give you a comprehensive view of your health. Every day you are prompted to close three rings: Move, Exercise, and Stand. Your watch can remind you to do all of these, and your friends can track your progress and cheer you on.
Because the Apple Watch is a robust, full-featured smartwatch, you’ll benefit from plenty of other smartwatch features, such as contactless payment with Apple Pay, text messaging, and even phone calls.
Due to its all-purpose usage, battery life is shorter than the other trackers. You can expect about 18 hours after an overnight charge.
5. WHOOP 4.0
There is a reason the WHOOP’s tagline is “Tracks everything, looks like nothing.” With no screen and no disruptive notifications, the WHOOP’s focus is on data.
The newest model, the WHOOP 4.0, is smaller, smarter, and designed with new biometric tracking, including skin temperature, blood oxygen, and more. It uses a variety of sensors to track your sleep, recovery, and daily strain—their measure of how much your body has worked that day.
The insights will help you know how much you should push yourself, as well as identify areas where you can improve your sleep and recovery. You can even set a haptic alarm that gently vibrates to wake you at the optimal time based on your sleep needs and cycles. Expect four to five days of battery life on a full charge.
One thing to note is that the WHOOP requires a subscription of $30 per month or $300 per year.
Which Is Best For You?
While you can’t go wrong with any of these fitness trackers, consider what features are most important for your lifestyle when making your decision. The Apple Watch Series 7 and Garmin Venu S2 are full-featured smartwatches with excellent fitness tracking capabilities, while the Oura Ring and WHOOP 4.0 are dedicated to health and fitness. And the Fitbit Charge 5 is a mix, including some popular smartwatch features and a small screen along with top-notch fitness tracking.