If you’re unsure whether you’re going to be a fan of using a fitness tracker or have the ability to stay diligent with charging and wearing it, then this cost-effective model is likely the right choice. It allows you to test the waters without shelling out a mountain of cash only to find that it’s not for you. The Charge 3 is a solid tracker in its own right too for those on a budget. While this is a great device for the money, you will miss out on in-depth metrics, and actionable advice (which Apple and WHOOP both provide). Also, this tracker is pretty cheap compared to the others making it a great choice if you’re looking to dip your toes in the fitness tracker water without too much commitment. Smartwatches, generally, offer far more functionality compared to a general fitness tracker.
Fitbit Charge 6 – Best Fitbit
Plus, you can track steps, sleep, menstrual cycles, and GPS activities straight from the wrist. It looks spiffy on the wrist, and if you like a pop of color, Withings offers minty green and pale blue color options. It’s also got excellent battery life, with an estimated 30 days on a single charge. I got a little less in testing at around 25 days, but that’s still much better than the vast majority of flagship smartwatches. This also looks way more stylish than beefier multisport watches with similar battery life. While smaller than your average wearable, the Oura Ring still tracks a ton of metrics, including heart rate variability, body temperature, blood oxygen, all-day heart rate monitoring, and cycle tracking.
She accumulated many miles on treadmills and the local paths near the GearLab office, logged countless laps on the climbing wall, and did many HIIT sessions wearing multiple trackers at a time. There are several things to consider when choosing a fitness tracker, but it gets trickier when you’re trying to find a cheap one. That’s because you’re working with a smaller budget, which means you can’t exactly go for the best money can buy. Luckily, quite a few affordable fitness trackers will see you through most of your health, fitness, and wellness needs. With a big 1.47-inch AMOLED screen and a thin body less than 1cm thick, the Huawei Band 7 looks and feels great.
What smartwatch should I get?
For those who care more about fitness metrics and less about GPS tracking, the Fitbit Charge 6 is a great option. It was very comfortable to wear at night and offered in-depth analysis and sleep improvement tips based on comprehensive data. The impressive battery life of up to eight days also makes it convenient for continuous wear. Plus, with guided meditations and breathing exercises in the app, this discreet device is perfect for incorporating more mindfulness into our daily routine. We found the device intuitive and easy to set up and use, even for first-time fitness tracker users.
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This version of the Band has a much larger screen than its predecessors, and is pleasant to use. Its touch screen is slightly smaller than some other fitness trackers, making it sleek enough to fit into everyday style, while still being large enough to display and access all the data and screens you need access to quickly. Whether you’re into fitness tracking or need a rugged smartwatch for outdoor activities, it delivers incredible value with its durability, battery life, and health monitoring features. Garmin’s brightest ever smartwatch-style touchscreen is fast, reactive and notably more vibrant than AMOLED-toting rivals. It boasts Garmin’s latest Elevate Gen 5 heart-rate set-up, accuracy-boosting multi-band GPS, plus altimeter and blood oxygen sensor.
Another huge plus is its fast-charging battery, which went from 0% to 100% in about 40 minutes. The Fitbit Inspire 3 gives precise readings, has a good battery life, and includes plenty of features to appease people with varying health goals. In some ways it’s a throwback, with its simple interface and small size, which we appreciated. Smartwatches, on the other hand, provide a wider range of functionality and third-party apps in addition to wellness tracking features. For example, smartwatch options in this buying guide, including the Apple Watch 9 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 both offer optional support for cellular connectivity.
Fit: It’s comfortable to wear all day.
During Cyber Monday, the CMF Nothing Watch 3 Pro is back at its lowest price ever of $79 and that light green colorway is honestly irresistible. Yes, Black Friday is an excellent time to get a fitness tracker or smartwatch with fitness features on sale. We’re seeing record-low prices on models from every major brand, including Fitbit, Garmin, Oura, Apple, and Samsung. The Venu 3 combines basic smartwatch features with Garmin’s extensive health and fitness tracking capability.
Garmin’s Fenix 7 series is no joke, and the Fenix 7 Pro lineup takes it up a notch. It’s got built-in multiband GPS, solar charging on all models, the option of touchscreen or button navigation, topographical maps, and oodles upon oodles of data. Plus, every Fenix 7 Pro model has a hands-free LED flashlight, an upgraded heart rate sensor, and an improved memory-in-pixel display that’s slightly easier to read in low lighting. Sleep is https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/16037-mediterranean-diet your body’s recovery period, and your tracker should help you optimize that. Sleep tracking provides insights into your sleep cycles, which can help you adjust your habits for better recovery and overall performance. Depending on the type of activity you like to do, charging your fitness tracker every night may not be feasible for you.
Best Cyber Monday Apple Watch alternative fitness tracker deal
If you want to use your device for navigation while on a run, you’ll want to go with one of these options. Fitness trackers come in all shapes and sizes, and you’ll want to choose one that feels comfortable and best meets your needs. These are the types we recommend, and the most common ones you’ll come across while shopping. Best for wellness enthusiasts who focus on sleep, mindfulness, and overall health, rather than precise workout metrics. At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- However, its actual smartwatch features are too limited to justify its price unless you can get a good discount.
- He incorporates testing into everyday tasks, like showering with swim goggles and jumping rope while doing laundry.
- It is an affordable fitness tracker with a lot of functionality like exercise, heart rate, and sleep tracking.
- The Fitbit Inspire 3 doesn’t have its own built-in GPS chip, but it can piggyback on your phone’s GPS to accurately track and map runs, walks, and bike rides as long as they aren’t too far apart.
- The Whoop 5.0 earns top marks for our battery score, though it may be a bit of a technicality to claim this.
- (ANT+ is a wireless technology that lets the sensor connect to multiple devices at the same time.) The replaceable battery can last up to 400 hours, which means months of use before you need to swap it out.
The Best Beginner-Friendly Fitness Trackers on Sale for Cyber Monday
And despite its large, bright, and responsive touchscreen, it was still lightweight and comfortable enough to wear daily. Plus, the watch is packed with useful features for outdoor adventures, such as downloadable maps, advanced GPS positioning, and weather alerts and data. The clear, intuitive display is easy to customize and it provides robust workout metrics for a wide range of sports and activities.
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That includes heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, workout recording, and much more. As reddit a former fitness editor with years of experience testing fitness trackers, I’ve seen the market evolve dramatically. What started as simple step counters has now become a competitive space for devices that track everything from heart rate to sleep quality to stress levels. The level of sophistication these trackers offer is impressive, but at their core, there are a few features you’ll want to keep your eye on—regardless of your fitness goals or the brand you choose.
Shop the best fitness trackers
Both watches have the same processor, a 3-in-1 BioActive Sensor, some AI health features, and FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection. The hardware in both current-generation Galaxy smartwatches makes for a more future-proof purchase, but I found the AI health features to be hit-or-miss in practice. As always, some features, like EKGs and sleep apnea detection, are limited to Samsung owners.
One of the few technical details Apple didn’t improve was battery life — the SE 3 still lasts around 18 hours per charge. In one of our tests, which included a cross-country flight and 48-minute mini golf session, the watch has 27 percent battery left after around 13 hours of use with no reliance on low power mode. The Whoop is less of a fitness tracker and more of a 24/7 personal coach—if your coach were a data-obsessed genius.
SpO2 sensor for overnight readings
With 38 hours between charges in full GPS mode, it’s built for endurance athletes who need reliable performance through marathon training and race day. There’s something satisfying about its straightforward design that gives you everything you need while offering minimal distractions. A systematic review3 of studies done on fitness trackers found no brand came close to accurately tracking energy expenditure or calories burned during a workout. The majority of fitness trackers have options to connect with friends, participate in challenges, and climb leadership boards. The Apple Watch Series 9 gives you the option to compete weekly with friends to see who can crush their move goals.