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Whether you’re looking to level up your fitness routine in 2025, or you want a trusty sidekick to monitor your health habits, investing in one of the best fitness or sports watches can help you stay motivated and smash your goals.

Don’t just take our word for it – studies have shown that the best fitness trackers can improve both your motivation levels and daily activity. Beyond standard activity tracking, today’s new-gen models can do it all, from taking calls and playing music to monitoring your heart rate, tracking sleep and keeping tabs on your stress levels.

But how do you find the right one for you? Wearable tech is uber-personal, so it’s important to choose something that’s relevant to your lifestyle. If you’re not going to use fancy features such as built-in GPS, for instance, what’s the point in shelling out for it?

To give you a helping hand, our expert editors strapped on the best of the best fitness watches to find the ones worth your time.

How to choose a fitness tracker

Overwhelmed by all the choice? Fret not – we’ve listed all the specs alongside each device, to help you decide whether it’s worth buying for you. These are the main ones to keep an eye out for.

Fitness tracking

You should demand fitness tracking from your fitness tracker? Go figure. But it’s not quite that simple. The least you should expect from modern devices is accurate data on your number of steps, distance covered, total sleep and heart rate, as well as your estimated calorie burn.Some fitness watches will go further and offer an in-depth look at your sleep, including how long you spend in light, heavy and rapid eye movement (REM) phases, and a few can show which heart rate zone you were in at different points during your workout.

Water resistance

The popularity of open water swimming rivalled that of banana bread during lockdown, and the health trend has lasted a lot longer than its carb-y counterpart.If you want to record your swimming sessions, you’ll need a fitness watch that’s water resistant. If you prefer a swimming pool to a lake or the sea, and want a bit more data on your time in the water, some models can track your distance covered and how many lengths you swim, while others can automatically detect which stroke you’re using.

Battery life

Many fitness trackers nowadays will last a few days on a full charge but models rammed with smart features, such as the Apple Series 8, will need charging more frequently.For those of you who are a tad forgetful, many models have power-saving algorithms and can last for an entire day after charging for just five minutes. Not bad!

Smartphone notifications

An untimely notification can throw a spanner in the works of any good workout, with the irresistible urge to check your phone turning a short break between hip thrusts into a social media scrolling session. Thankfully, many sports watches can sync with smartphones, displaying calls and messages as they arrive. This way, you’re saved from falling into an Instagram hole.

Apps

Fitness trackers will sync to a smartphone to display your key health stats on an app. While some will just provide an easy-to-read alternative to your fitness watch’s screen, others will offer additional features such as being able to log what you eat.The Fitbit products featured in this list come with 12 months of free access to Fitbit Premium, which usually costs £7.99 a month. The brand describes it as a resource that can provide guided programmes and workout regimes to help you ‘stay active, sleep well, manage stress and more.’

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Numbers don’t lie.

You’ve probably heard this applied to business or sports, but it’s becoming increasingly relevant to sleep thanks to emerging technology found in sleep trackers.

With a sleep tracker, you can get a clear look at the quantity and quality of your sleep on a nightly basis, and it can also help identify sleep problems. Many include built-in coaching to improve your sleep habits and can also track progress to see how well different strategies work over time.

Sleep trackers vary based on a number of different factors, from the technology they use to the sensors that monitor your sleep. Our testing team took dozens of them for a spin to see which ones offered the usability and features worthy of a spot on our list of the best trackers of 2025.

Best Overall Oura Ring 4 9.1 /10 Test Lab Score Shop at Oura A sleek, cutting-edge sleep tracker that fits comfortably on your finger. See More Details

Best for Active People WHOOP 4.0 8.8 /10 Test Lab Score Shop at WHOOP A sleep-tracking wristband equipped with “Any-Wear” technology for added versatility. See More Details

Best Sleep Reports Rise Science Sleep Tracker 8.7 /10 Test Lab Score Shop at Rise Science A handy sleep-tracking app that’s compatible with your wearable devices. See More Details

Best Oxygen Level Tracker Sleepon Go2Sleep 3 Tracker 8.9 /10 Test Lab Score $10 off with code: 10off Shop at Sleepon A lightweight silicone ring engineered to track key metrics while you sleep. See More Details

Best Multipurpose Tracking Bía Smart Sleep Mask 8.6 /10 Test Lab Score Shop at Bía A smart sleep mask that tracks data while shielding you from disruptive light. See More Details

Best Features Muse S Headband Sleep Tracker + App 8.7 /10 Test Lab Score Shop at Muse A high-tech headband that tracks brain activity and overall sleep quality. See More Details

Best Non-Wearable Withings Sleep 8.6 /10 Test Lab Score Shop at Withings A sleep mat embedded with sensors to monitor key metrics during the night. See More Details

Best Lifetime Subscription Ultrahuman Ring AIR 8.7 /10 Test Lab Score 10% off with code: UHSLEEP10 Shop at Ultrahuman A wearable ring tracker that monitors a wide range of daytime and nighttime health metrics. See More Details

Best Sleep Trackers Video

Watch the video below to learn more about our recommendations for the best sleep trackers.

What Is a Sleep Tracker?

A sleep tracker is a device that gathers information related to how much or how well you sleep.

Because sleep is complex, there’s no single measurement that perfectly reflects whether or not you’re getting a good night’s sleep. To address that, sleep trackers first collect raw data and then use an algorithm to interpret what the data says about your sleep.

For example, a sleep tracker might measure how much physical movement you have during the night. If it detects that you were out running a 5k at 4 a.m., it can easily calculate that your sleep was lacking.

Of course, the reality is much more nuanced. Depending on the type of tracker and its sensors, it may monitor:

Breathing rate

Heart rate

Oxygen levels in your blood

Body movements

Noise, including from snoring

Bedroom temperature

Sleep trackers can be a wearable device like a bracelet or ring. They can also be non-wearable sensors that sit on your bedside table or under your mattress.

Unlike mobile phones and GPS devices, a sleep tracker is engineered specifically to deliver sleep-related insights. Although other devices may collect some similar data, they lack the detail and depth of information offered by a sleep tracker.

Who Should Use a Sleep Tracker?

You should use a sleep tracker if you’re curious about how well you’re sleeping and are looking for ways to get better sleep. Most trackers come with tools to visualize and understand the data and often provide actionable steps to enhance sleep habits.

If you are having difficulty sleeping, a sleep tracker can be a source of relevant information to share with your doctor. Sleep trackers can also help if you have an irregular work schedule and want to keep an eye on the quantity and quality of your sleep.

Sleep trackers are also extremely popular among people who like to measure and optimize different aspects of their lives. For example, athletes and fitness enthusiasts frequently take advantage of insights from sleep trackers to boost their performance and overall health.

Who Shouldn’t Use a Sleep Tracker?

You shouldn’t use a sleep tracker if you’re someone who gets anxious or obsessive about daily health measurements. Worrying too much about “hitting your sleep numbers” can generate stress, which is known to harm sleep.

You also shouldn’t use a sleep tracker as a way to avoid seeing a doctor about serious sleep problems, such as insomnia or constantly dozing off during the day. If you have sleep concerns, a sleep tracker may help, but it should be used in conjunction with advice from a trained health professional.

Are Sleep Trackers Accurate?

Sleep trackers can provide meaningful data, but they aren’t perfectly accurate. Technology in sleep trackers has come a long way, but even sleep experts can’t say exactly how well they measure sleep.

To assess accuracy, a tracker should be compared head-to-head with a home sleep test or a formal sleep study, which takes place overnight in a specialized lab. This type of comparison is not always practical, though, especially since sleep trackers are constantly being updated with new features and technology.

Just remember that your sleep tracker’s findings are not the end-all, be-all. Instead, use the tracker to identify patterns in your sleep and potential areas for improvement while also accounting for things that the tracker doesn’t monitor, like how well-rested you feel when you wake up and how energetic you are throughout the day.

How to Choose a Sleep Tracker

If you want to learn more about your sleep, you have plenty of sleep trackers to choose from. Knowing about the types of trackers and the different features and benefits can help you find a model that will be easy for you to use and give you the information you’re looking for.

Type of Tracker

While we use the term sleep tracker broadly, there are many different types of devices available.

Wearables for your hand or wrist: This popular category includes rings, wristbands, and advanced smartwatches. They tend to be lightweight, and many can collect health data throughout the day instead of just during sleep.

This popular category includes rings, wristbands, and advanced smartwatches. They tend to be lightweight, and many can collect health data throughout the day instead of just during sleep. Wearables for your head: Headbands and eye masks are the most common sleep trackers that you wear on your head. They are typically meant just for use during sleep. Many have the potential to measure brain activity, which can be a valuable source of data about sleep.

Headbands and eye masks are the most common sleep trackers that you wear on your head. They are typically meant just for use during sleep. Many have the potential to measure brain activity, which can be a valuable source of data about sleep. Under-mattress sensors: These non-wearable trackers go underneath your mattress and collect data over the course of the night. They are an effective and affordable option if you find it bothersome to wear a tracker.

These non-wearable trackers go underneath your mattress and collect data over the course of the night. They are an effective and affordable option if you find it bothersome to wear a tracker. Smart mattresses: Some technologically advanced mattresses have sensors in the cover that can track sleep. This type of tracker may be a compelling choice if you are also in the market for a new mattress and don’t need daytime activity tracking.

Some technologically advanced mattresses have sensors in the cover that can track sleep. This type of tracker may be a compelling choice if you are also in the market for a new mattress and don’t need daytime activity tracking. Smartphone apps: Apps are generally less robust than other sleep trackers because the range of data they collect is limited. However, some apps can provide meaningful data or integrate information from other sources, including wearables.

When deciding which type of tracker is right for you, think about the type of data you want, including whether you want information about your daytime activity or fitness. Also consider whether you’ll be comfortable wearing a device on your head, hand, or wrist while you sleep.

Sleep Data Collected

Make sure to look for a sleep tracker that has sensors to collect the data that’s most important to you. For instance, if you’re concerned about your breathing at night, you’ll want a tracker that measures respiration. Before making a purchase, look closely at exactly what a tracker monitors.

Sleep Analytics and Coaching

Every sleep tracker collects data, but there can be a lot of variation in how that data is analyzed and presented to you.

With some sleep trackers, you’ll get an overall sleep score or charts that help visualize your sleep quantity or quality. Keep in mind, though, that the data analysis is based on the company’s own algorithm, which will have some margin for error. Even the most advanced sleep trackers may not accurately identify sleep stages.

Think about the kind of analytics that would be most meaningful for you, and also consider whether you want a tracker that proactively offers you sleep tips. Make sure that whatever model you buy offers the type of information you need.

Comfort

If you’re like most sleepers, comfort is paramount. You’ll need the tracker to monitor your sleep over many hours, so don’t pick a device that will be a nuisance for you to use or wear.

Battery Life

Most wearable trackers need to be recharged at least once every few days. More frequent charging is usually needed if you want to track daytime activity or workouts.

In contrast, non-wearables can often be plugged in while you sleep, eliminating the need to charge them.

Not sure how much battery life matters to you? Think about your mobile phone and how sensitive you are to whether it’s charged. If it drives you crazy to see the battery drain quickly, look for a sleep tracker with extended battery life.

Display & Apps

For sleep tracking to benefit you, you need to be able to easily understand the information presented to you. Most sleep trackers use a website or app to share sleep analytics, so look for one that has an interface that appeals to you.

Most companies that sell sleep trackers will have screenshots of their user interface on their website. You can look in the Apple or Android App Store for reviews and screenshots of the companion apps of different sleep trackers.

Other Features and Functions

You can narrow down your sleep tracker options if you know that you want one or more specific features, such as:

Smart alarms or a built-in sunrise alarm clock

Fitness tracking

GPS functionality

Health coaching and motivation

Price

Sleep trackers often cost between $100 and $400, but comparing prices can be challenging because many sleep trackers require you to have a monthly subscription. When thinking about your budget, make sure to take into account whether it’s a one-time or recurring cost.

How to Shop for a Sleep Tracker

Once you’ve narrowed down your options and are choosing among a few sleep trackers, a few factors may help guide your decision:

Tech compatibility: It can be easy to overlook when thinking about other features, but you want to ensure that the sleep tracker and any companion app are compatible with your computer or mobile phone.

It can be easy to overlook when thinking about other features, but you want to ensure that the sleep tracker and any companion app are compatible with your computer or mobile phone. Verified reviews: Reading reviews from real customers can often provide input about a specific feature or usability issue that may be especially relevant to you.

Reading reviews from real customers can often provide input about a specific feature or usability issue that may be especially relevant to you. Brand reputation: If all else is equal, opt for a brand with a history of building quality products and providing good service to their customers.

If all else is equal, opt for a brand with a history of building quality products and providing good service to their customers. Warranty: A warranty can help protect your investment. While warranty length is obviously important, it’s also worth looking at the warranty terms to understand what is really covered.

A warranty can help protect your investment. While warranty length is obviously important, it’s also worth looking at the warranty terms to understand what is really covered. Returns: If you’re on the fence, try to pick a sleep tracker that comes with a trial period allowing free returns if you aren’t satisfied with the product.

In-Store vs. Online Shopping?

For sleep trackers, it’s usually better to shop online. The selection in brick-and-mortar stores is often limited, and some brands of sleep trackers are only sold online.

Shopping online lets you browse at your own pace, research the different options, and make a decision when you’re ready. In most cases, you’ll also get the best price by comparison shopping online.

The main reason to consider going to a retail store is that you can see how a wearable device actually feels in real life. That said, if you buy online with free returns, you’ll have a much longer period to test out a sleep tracker for yourself.

How We Test

To test sleep trackers, we use a detailed methodology that combines data points from multiple sources. In our Test Lab in Seattle, we take sleep trackers out of the box and give them a spin. We see how well they work and look carefully at their app or web interface.

We consult with field testers and other people experienced in evaluating consumer technology. Then we cross-check their reports with verified product reviews.

Our testing team incorporates all of this information into our final recommendations for the best sleep trackers in multiple different categories.

In-Depth Sleep Tracker Guides

The best fitness trackers no longer just monitor your workouts. They’re comprehensive health and fitness tools that help you tune into your body, train smarter and stay motivated. Even the cheaper fitness trackers now pack enough features to transform your training.

If you want to optimise your workouts, reduce stress, recover faster, sleep better, and avoid burnout, a fitness tracker can be a useful weapon. Armed with these little wearable labs, everyone now has access to elite level insights at the raise of a wrist or the swipe of an app. We’ve never had more information to help us fine-tune our fitness and stay on top form.

Evidence also shows the best fitness trackers can do wonders for your motivation levels and daily activity. Plus, they’ll also help you handle the daily grind, tracking stress levels and helping you spot when it’s time to get stuck in or take a step back. Heck, the smarter fitness watches like the Apple Watch even offer tools to help boost your productivity.

Given the impressive capabilities of these new-gen models from the likes of Garmin, Apple, Fitbit, Polar, Coros and more, it’s no surprise the global smartwatch market is projected to hit a mega $58.1 billion by 2028.

However, choosing a tracker is now a trickier task. So to help you pick the best wearable for your training needs, our team of health and fitness experts strapped on the best fitness trackers and watches you can buy right now and put them through rigorous testing, from roads and trails to the gym floor.

More fitness tech reviews: The Best Garmin Watches | The Best Apple Watches | The Best Garmin Alternatives | Whoop 4.0 Review: Is it Worth the Cost? | Oura Ring: Our Honest Verdict

How to Choose a Fitness Tracker

With all the choice on the fitness wearables shelves, finding the tracker that suits you best can be overwhelming. It pays to be really clear about your priorities and how you plan to train. If you’re hitting the gym three times a week for HIIT classes or strength sessions, you’ll want a very different wearable to someone who’s planning big off-grid adventures.

The big brands to consider range from Garmin, Polar, COROS and Sunnto, who all tend to make devices primarily built for sport tracking first but with some smartwatch tools. Fitbit, Huawei and Amazift tend to offer more day-to-day fitness trackers while the very best smartwatches with fitness capabilities come from Apple, Samsung and Google. For continuous, detailed health tracking without a screen, look towards Whoop or Oura.

In terms of budget, you can expect to spend anything from £99 right up to £1,000+ for the most capable multisport trackers and smartwatches. But there’s a whole host of devices from £200-£500 that cover the fitness tracking needs of most.

What to Consider

Fitness trackers now serve up a vast array of fitness, health and wellbeing features. Here are some of the key tricks and tools to look out for.

AMOLED Screen

When it comes to bright, crisps, responsive touchscreens, smartwatches like the Apple Watch set the pace but fitness trackers are increasingly following. The kicker here is that you tend to trade battery life for sparkly screens but the best devices are pushing those limits too. But if you want the sharpest display, AMOLED is the way.

Dual-Frequency GPS

Dual frequency GPS lets devices receive satellite signals from multiple frequencies – in theory helping to plug gaps and weed out inaccurate reads in more challenging environments like built up urban areas. Just because a watch offers dual frequency doesn’t guarantee better accuracy but it’s a good sign you’ll log better training traces.

Heart rate (HR)

Keeping tabs on your BPM during a workout is one of the most effective ways to make sure you’re getting the most from your training. The majority of fitness trackers will monitor heart rate and offer heart rate zone training, but the rate at which it’s recorded (outside of workout tracking) can vary from device to device.

It’s not all about your fitness or calorie burn, though. Many fitness trackers now continuously measure your resting heart rate (RHR) — the number of beats every 60 seconds at rest – as a reliable way of checking your heart health. They also used it to feed stress readouts. If heart health is a focus, it’s also worth looking for devices that offer ECG readings and irregular heart rate alerts.

Readiness, sleep, recovery and HRV insights

The rise of readiness redouts has been pretty swift. These attempt to crunch things like your sleep quantity and quality, skin temperature and your heart rate variability into one estimate that helps you understand how hard you should push that day. But be warned: once you start combining estimated metrics into singles scores, it increases the room for error. Taking a simple, same time, same protocol heart rate variability reading daily is a far more reliable way to get a window into how your body is handling the stresses of training and life.

Other smarts

When it comes to the tools for handling daily life, music, contactless payments, weather and chat/messaging, bona-fide smartwatches like the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra win this battle hands down. But we’re seeing brands like Garmin playing some catch up offering offline music, contactless payments, camera controls and even chat.

How We Test Fitness Trackers

Our team has put more than 50 fitness trackers and smartwatches to the test to find the best. We lived for weeks at a time with each watch, ran, swam, hiked, biked and worked out, testing each feature of these powerful training partners, before rating the results.

For each model, we looked at the design, comfort and durability, conducted detailed side-by-side tests of the GPS accuracy, battery life and optical heart rate performance up against a chest strap. We sized up the in- and post-workout insights and recovery recommendations, including all the features that help you make progress.

Since the launch of the ADDM Network in 2000, CDC has funded 20 sites in areas of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas (two sites), Utah, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. CDC also operates an additional ADDM site in Georgia. The ADDM Network tracks more than 250,000 8-year-old children and 250,000 4-year-old children. The ADDM Network is also following up on a cohort of 16-year-old children in select states.

ADDM Network sites estimate the number of children with ASD within their respective state or territory using a record review method to find children who have received an ASD diagnosis, an autism special educational classification, or an ASD International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code from a community health or education service provider. Additional information is collected from records to provide information about demographic characteristics and other important health conditions, such as co-occurring intellectual disability.

A CDC analysis of 2018 ADDM data showed that linking statewide health and education data is an effective way to estimate ASD prevalence. 1

ADDM Network sites access data through written agreements with state health departments, school districts, and early intervention providers. In 2020, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs, Office of the General Counsel, and Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services worked with CDC to create a data agreement form (known as a “Memorandum of Understanding” or MOU) that can be used by currently funded ADDM Network sites to access state education records. This important agreement helps ADDM provide more complete ASD estimates.

What are the different ways of estimating the number of children with ASD?

There are several ways to estimate the number of children with ASD, and each method has its advantages and disadvantages.

Method What is it? Population-based screening and evaluation Screening and evaluating a sample of all children in a population, within a defined age group

Method’s advantages and disadvantages: Can provide high accuracy, but can be costly and time-consuming, and might produce skewed results based on who agrees to participate.

Method What is it? National surveys Collecting information via standardized instruments, such as telephone inter­views or self-completed questionnaires

Method’s advantages and disadvantages: Is representative of national characteristics but might reflect bias based on who participates and how ASD is defined and reported.

Method What is it? Registries Collecting information on children and families who voluntarily include themselves on a list of people affected by ASD

Method’s advantages and disadvantages: Relatively low cost, but time-consuming and includes only individuals with a clear diagnosis and families who know about the registry and are willing to be on the list.

Method What is it? Administrative data Looking at codes for services in records from Medicaid and agencies such as the U.S. Department of Education

Method’s advantages and disadvantages: Relatively low cost, but can underestimate prevalence because not all children with ASD are receiving services for ASD or have been diagnosed with ASD.

Method What is it? Systematic record review (Example: ADDM Network’s Method) Linking and reviewing health, service, and special education records to identify and describe characteristics of children with ASD

Method’s advantages and disadvantages: Relatively low cost, but challenging to link children across multiple data sources, as all children with ASD may not be identified by a single provider or data source.

Keep Reading: Autism Data Visualization Tool

NOT SURE WHAT fitness tracker is right for you? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve been wearing and documenting fitness trackers as far back as 2015, when we reviewed the very first Apple Watch. We started cross comparing fitness trackers as early as 2017, when we broke down the best fitness trackers for activities like strength training, running, hiking, golf, and more. Now in 2025, we’re more dialed into the state of fitness trackers than ever before.

Best Fitness Trackers

On the most basic level, the best fitness trackers offer GPS connectivity to help you stay on your training course and basic activity tracking. Newer iterations of fitness trackers include advanced smart watches that can do anything from tracking your archery workout to detecting a heart attack, as well as (our personal favorite) smart rings. Smart rings pack a ton (no literally, an absurd amount) of sleep/stress stats and workout/health information into a tiny package you wear on your finger 24/7.

Depending on what your health and fitness goals are (like losing weight, improving your sleep, or cutting time off your mile PR), the best fitness trackers can help you identify where your training is lacking, optimize your stress levels, improve your recovery time, and streamline your training sessions and daily wellness habits.

What to Consider

Design

Fitness trackers started as mostly wrist devices—from step counters like the Fitbit to the very first Apple Watch. Now, you can choose from an array of fitness tracking watches or smart rings, all of which track far more than just your fitness. While most of these devices offer similar capabilities, the design you choose—watch or ring—will depend on your own personal aesthetic.

Do you prefer the look of a fitness tracker watch? Do you find it more convenient to navigate all your stats on your wrist? Or do you like the look of a ring better and prefer the sleeker, more compact design? If so, are you also agreeable to the fact that you will need to visit your phone app to view all of your stats? Only you have the answers to these personal questions.

Intended Use

Fitness trackers don’t just track fitness anymore. Sure, your workouts are still a key part of what these devices do, but in addition they’re also tracking your sleep, heart rhythm patterns, blood oxygen levels, HRV, stress, and even caffeine consumption. Fitness trackers are more of an overall wellness tool than ever before.

That said, the type of fitness tracker you choose should weigh heavily on the way you intend to use it. If you’re just looking for insights into your sleep cycle, you’ll probably want a smart ring that’s fairly comfortable to wear to bed each night. If you’re training for a marathon, you may want a watch with a touchscreen that’s easy to navigate mid-run. This last part may be especially important: If you’re already using certain tracking apps that you love (let’s say, Apple Fitness for instance), you’ll want to make sure you find yourself a fitness tracker that is compatible with that app in particular.

Price

Fitness trackers are an investment piece, there’s no way around it. However, some are still less expensive than others. Watches with touchscreen navigation or the newest iterations of a smart ring are typically going to run you the most money, while watches with more minimal capabilities or those lacking a touchscreen will cost a touch less. No matter which direction you choose, you’ll likely be spending anywhere from $200 to $500 on your tracker.

Accuracy

The accuracy of a fitness tracker begins and ends with how precisely it tracks your heart rate (most other stats, with the exception of new hydration tracking features, are derived from this baseline data). This mark is as much about pure accuracy as it is about consistency of accuracy, which is key in helping you understand your own fitness trends. While some trackers tend to be more accurate than others, all of the trackers we included here were consistently accurate.

Battery Life

With the exception of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (two fitness trackers that are equal parts smart watch), the fitness trackers we tested are all designed to run for days (even weeks) on a single charge. We love a fitness tracker that needs minimal charging, and we also love a fitness tracker that can run for a long time when running its GPS mode. Two fitness trackers that surprised us when testing battery life include the Suunto Race S (up to 13 days on a single charge) and the Garmin Instinct 3 (21 days on a single charge when set to its most basic mode).

Durability

All fitness trackers are made to take a beating, but some are better designed than others. Look at case construction, screen construction, and for smart rings, material. The most advanced fitness trackers (smart rings included) are typically made with stainless steel, titanium, or another type of quality metal. For screens, sapphire glass is a premium spec to look for thanks to its high scratch resistance and strength.

Sometimes the most durable fitness tracker is unnecessary, though, especially if you are using it for pavement running. In fact, a plastic construction fitness tracker can be a much better choice for cardio-intensive activities like running and biking, since the material is going to be much lighter than stainless steel or titanium. On the flip side, if you are using your fitness tracker for strength training (or hiking or trail running), it would make sense to look for stronger materials.

How We Chose

For the past eight years, our fitness and gear editors have been testing all the top fitness trackers as they release. Experts, including our Fitness and Commerce Editor Charles Thorp, NASM, Fitness Director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S., Editor Sean Zucker, and Senior Editor Brett Williams, NASM, put have countless fitness trackers through the gauntlet and evaluated models on accuracy, design, durability, and price. We also paid close attention to comfort, ease of use, syncing with our favorite apps, and their ability to meet our standards for any activity.

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.