Upright Smart Wearable Posture Trainer

Best Posture Wearables & Trackers

Best Posture Wearables & Trackers

With all the joys and convenience of modern life, there are some pitfalls. The biggest is the amount of time we spend sitting, often at a desk for work or in the driver’s seat as we commute. Fitness trackers have helped address some of the issues that come from a sedentary lifestyle, but now they’re also targeting another area many people need help with. Posture wearables and trackers help combat the bad habit of slouching that can lead to back pain and other health issues over time. They help remind you to sit up straight, kind of like your mother whispering in your ear “sit up straight!” all day.

The poster trackers currently available on the market come in a variety of styles, from discreet wearables to technology that looks like it’s from the future. Depending on your specific needs, there is a posture sensor on the market to help you improve your posture, appearance, and overall health. In this article we’ve broken down the most popular posture coaches on the market so you can find the one that’s right for you. These include a variety of posture wearables and even a coach that you just sit on.

Posture Wearables & Coaches

Lumo Lift Posture Coach and Activity Tracker

Lumo Lift Posture Coach and Activity TrackerThe Lumo Lift is one of the most popular and well known of the posture wearables on the market currently. The tracker is a sensor that is worn using a magnetic clip on your shirt near your collar bone. It can be worn on an undershirt or jacket that is snug to your body and the tracker is very discreet. When you put it on you’ll set your Target Posture and the sensor uses angle displacement to know when you’re slouching. Using the free Lumo Lift app, you’ll program how often you want to be alert of bad posture and it will vibrate to remind you to sit up straight. In addition to these reminders, the posture tracker app also displays stats of your progress and improvement of your posture over time.

In addition to the posture training, the Lumo Lift also features basic activity tracking that’s common in most wearables. As long as you’re not looking for a robust or activity specific tracker (like those for running or swimming), the Lumo Lift is a great option to replace your regular step-counter or activity tracker. In addition to the posture tracking, the app also displays steps taken, distance walked, and calories burned. We think, in considering all the posture wearables on the market currently, that the Lumo Lift is the best choice for people who work office jobs but also live an active lifestyle.

One of the downsides to the Lumo Lift posture trainer is that it does require a little tech savvy to use and set up (it is not ready to go out of the box). The manufacturer recommends reading through the instruction manual before you use, as you need to set your Target Posture frequently (and every time you put the Lumo Lift on). Most people who regularly use smartphones and other trackers and tech devices should be OK, but this may not be a good option for a parent or grandparent who needs help setting up and using new devices.

Available colors: Silver or Black Clasp (comes with both)

Good for: improving your posture while tracking activity

Tracks: sitting and standing posture, steps, distance, calories burned

Notable features: Discreet magnetic clip tracker, free Lumo Lift app for iOS and Android, USB charging dock, posture coaching, pedometer, real-time feedback




ALEX N5 Posture Tracker & Coach

ALEX N5 Posture Tracker & Coach - Best Posture WearablesIf you’re not looking for a discreet posture wearable, the Alex N5 may be a device you want to consider. It looks like a device out of the future, but this technology is real and ready to help you improve and correct poor posture. It is worn on the back of the neck, with two hooks that go over each ear to hold it in place. To track your posture it measures the angle of the neck and if it moves into a poor posture angle the tracker vibrates to remind you to sit up straight. The free Alex app tracks your progress over time and helps you improve. You can also use it to customize settings for how often you’d like alerts.

Alex is only meant to be worn during your inactive time, like while sitting at work. While it works in sitting and standing positions, you won’t get any extra tracking benefits while exercising or running errands. This posture sensor is a great choice for people who are just looking to improve their posture at specific times and are not interested in any other tracking features. Since it does not have any activity tracking built in, you would need a separate device to count steps or other exercise.

Some reviewers have noted that while the Alex N5 is great a detecting neck bend, it may not detect when your shoulders and upper body slouch forward. You may want to evaluate the way your body slouches when trying to decide between the Alex and other posture wearables that attach to the upper body (like the Lumo Lift).

Available colors: black only

Good for: for tracking posture while sitting at a desk

Tracks: sitting and standing posture

Notable features: customizable vibrating posture reminders, pivot sensor and 3 axis accelerometer, light weight and adjustable for a comfortable fit, Bluetooth 4.0 syncing, free coaching app for iOS or Android, 70 hour battery life


Upright Go Smart Wearable Posture Trainer

The Upright Posture Trainer is different from other trackers because it attaches directly to your body. This posture sensor attaches to your upper back and uses an accelerometer and multi-sensors to measure when you’re slouching. It gives a gentle buzz to remind you to sit up straight (and the vibrations are completely silent). It’s discreet since you’ll wear it under your clothes, so your co-workers will have no idea you’re posture training during an afternoon meeting.

Upright, like all posture wearables, comes with its own app for tracking your posture improvement over time and in the moment. The claim the manufacturers make is that instead of wearing it all day long, you can actually just wear it for 15 to 60 minutes a day. The core strength and muscle memory you build in that time should be enough to build a habit of good posture, but we’re a bit too skeptical to believe that claim. It seems like the manufacturers are advertising it more like a “quick fix” than a long term tracker.

There are some downsides to the Upright. Since it sticks to your skin, you have to use adhesive strips to attach it. The device comes with 60 strips in the box, but over time you will have to buy more. That also makes it less convenient to wear than posture wearables like the Lumo or the Alex N5, which are easy to slip on in public places like the office. It may take longer for you to get results if you’re only wearing it for a limited amount of time daily.

Available colors: white only

Good for: discreet posture coaching for only an hour a day

Tracks: posture

Notable features: poor posture buzz reminders, USB charging docking station, free iOS and Android app, made of medical grade silicone


Darma Pro Comfort Cushion Posture Coach

Darma Pro Comfort Cushion Posture Coach and Activity TrackerPosture wearables aren’t for everyone. If you’re looking for a posture coach you don’t have to wear, then you’re in luck. Darma is a smart cushion that you can place on any chair. In addition to cushioning your bottom, it has a lot of interesting technology packed into it. It not only tracks your postures and knows if you’re slouching or leaning off center, it can also track and provide real time data on your heart rate and breathing. The Darma then uses this information to measure your stress levels and makes suggestions to meditate or take a break to reduce your stress.

As far as posture coaching goes, when the built-in sensor detects that you’re sitting poorly, it sends an alert to your phone reminding you to sit up straight. The Darma app also gives you the ability to build custom modes and reminders, so it can tell you to take a break every hour to get up and stretch. The app can even give you a stretching guide. Instead of being an “activity tracker,” Darma works more as a sedentary tracker, recording how long you spend sitting and helping encourage you to be more active in addition to improving your posture.

This product is really great for office workers who sit at a desk all day and want automatic tracking that they don’t need to set up or put on frequently. You do have the trade out the ability to track and improve your standing posture. Also, while the Darma cushion tracks how much time you spend sitting, it does not feature any other types of activity tracking, so you may need a separate fitness tracker if you want info on calories burned or steps taken.

Available colors: black only

Good for: office workers who don’t like wearing trackers or other devices

Tracks: posture, heart rate, respiratory rate, sitting time, stress level

Notable features: patented fiber optic sensors, made of foam padding and premium artificial leather covering, 15 day battery life, Darma iOS and Android App, Poor Posture alerts, stretching guide


Why Should I Worry About My Posture?

You may think having perfect posture doesn’t matter. But poor posture does more than just affect your physical appearance. It can cause serious health problems in different areas of your body.

First, what exactly is good posture? When you stand or sit with proper posture it means your bones and muscles are properly aligned. Your body is moving and resting as it is designed to work, meanings that muscles, joints, and ligaments are being used as nature intended. Since the structure of your body is properly aligned, that means your internal organs are also in their correct positions so they can work efficiently.

When you slouch or otherwise have poor posture, your muscles are straining to hold your body in unnatural ways. Your internal organs may be compressed, which can lead to digestion issues. This can lead to issues with neck and back pain and over your lifetime it may become painful to sit for long periods of time. You may also have issues with fatigue as your muscles are working overtime to hold your body up, meaning you’re wasting energy just trying to move through your day. Poor posture can also contribute to arthritis and other joint issues as you age, from the wear and tear of your joints not working as effectively as they could be with proper alignment.

Unfortunately, as people who tend to spend a lot of their day sitting at a desk, on a couch watching TV or playing video games, or while driving around, our bodies tend to hunch forward and curl inward. Without actively being aware of poor posture and working to maintain good posture while sitting and standing, you will probably slump and enforce poor posture habits.

Fortunately, it’s never too late to improve your posture and sit up straight. Posture wearables and posture reminder apps are a great way to help train yourself to sit up straight throughout the day. There are also many other ways to improve and maintain proper bone and muscle alignment.

Ways to Improve and Maintain Good Posture

  • Keep your weight down and exercise regularly. Extra weight around your midsection can pull on your back and make you slouch. By exercising regularly you keep your body flexible and strengthen your muscles, which helps to support good posture. Try gentle yoga poses to promote good posture.
  • Examine the way you work. If you sit at a desk all day, look at the way your work station is set up. Is your chair a proper height? Does it provide enough support for your back? Is your computer monitor at a comfortable reading level? Can you read things on your monitor without leaning forward? Do you need to make any adjustments? UCLA has a great guide to set up an ergonomic workstation that helps promote proper posture while working.
  • Get up and move frequently when sitting for more than an hour at a time. This allows you to stretch your muscles and work out any stiffness in your body. When you sit down again, it’s a great time to check it and adjust the way you’re sitting. Setting a reminder on your phone or using a fitness tracker with move reminders is a great way to remember to take these small breaks.
  • Use a back posture tracker or wearable to alert you throughout the day when your body starts to slump. This will help train you to sit properly. Consider posture wearables, like the Lumo Lift, which you can wear all day and get constant feedback to build better sitting and standing habits.
  • If you’re really having trouble breaking the habit, consider seeing an occupational therapist or chiropractor to help you do exercises to improve your posture. Yoga is also a great way to help improve your posture and flexibility.

Improve your posture through exercise with these yoga poses for better posture.

Fuelbelt R3O Revenge Hydration Belt for Runners

Best Hydration Water Belt for Running

Best Hydration Water Belt for Running

If you run outdoors for long distances, you’re probably interested in a water belt for running. Sometimes called hydration belts, these items are similar to runner belts with pockets and straps but with the bonus feature of water storage. Some people describe them as a waist pack with a water bottle holder. You need to stay hydrated when you run, especially in hot weather. If you don’t like using a handheld water bottle, then a water belt is a great solution.

Hydration belts keep water close at hand while also carrying other essentials like your smartphone, keys, or ID. When shopping for a runner’s water belt, you should consider water capacity, fit, style, and also storage availability. We’ve rounded up five of the best hydration belts below.

Click here to jump to our comparison chart.


Best Water Belt for Running

Camden Gear Hydration Running Belt

Camden Gear Hydration Running BeltThis hydration belt from Camden Gear is perfect for runners. It comes with 2 leak proof 12 oz. water bottles to keep you refreshed and hydrated while running. It’s adjustable up to a 47″ waist with an easy to use velcro strap that helps it sit perfectly on your waist. Silver reflectors are stitched to the belt, keeping you visible when running in low light situations.

If you’re looking for storage, this water belt has it. There’s a large pocket that will fit most larger smartphones, including iPhones 6+ and the Samsung Galaxy S5, with plenty of space left over for your keys, credit cards, or ID. If you use gel packs while you run, the 4 elastic straps keep them easily at hand.

Available colors: black

Amount of Water: 24 oz. total (two 12 oz. bottles)

Size: up to 47″




Fuelbelt R3O Revenge Hydration Belt

Fuelbelt R3O Revenge Hydration Belt for RunnersIf you’re looking for a vibrant and fun hydration belt, check out R30 Revenge from Fuelbelt. This water belt for running comes in traditional black, but 3 more bright color combinations. This belt comes with an adjustable waistband to find the perfect fit to prevent bouncing. The water bottle holster design makes it easy to access the three 7 oz. bottles while running so you don’t miss a step.

If you’re looking for extra storage, the belt comes with a removable zipper pouch to store gels, keys, and smaller sized smartphones. With so many colors options and an ingenious design, the R30 Revenge is a great running water bottle belt.

Available colors: black, pink/yellow, royal blue/white, green/blue

Amount of water: 21 oz (three 7 oz. bottles)

Size: adjustable one size


Nathan Trail Mix Hydration Belt

Nathan Trail Mix Hydration Belts for RunnersNathan has redesigned their Trail Mix Hydration Belt, to be 15% lighter, making it a great contender if you’re looking for a water belt for running. The belt holds two bottles and has lots of extra storage. The belt includes an external stretch mesh pocket and a zippered pocket so you can easily carry your phone, keys, snacks, and more securely on your belt. There’s also two shock cords for securing your running gloves or jacket.

The tension molded bottle holsters make it easy to grab your water bottles and hydrate while you’re running, and also hold them firmly in place so the belt doesn’t jiggle or bounce as you run. The belt is fully adjustable for a perfect fit.

Available colors: black, imperial purple, Nathan blue, Andean toucan, sparkling cosmo, gecko green

Amount of water: 20 oz. (two 10 oz. bottles)

Size: 26-44″


Fitletic 16-ounce Hydration Belt

Fitletic 16-ounce Hydration Belt for RunningMany Amazon reviewers say this is the best hydration belt for running. This belt from Fitletic, comes with two quick draw holsters and specially fit 8 oz. water bottles that are dishwasher safe and BPA free. The Fitletic belt features Dura-Comfort Technology which means the belt won’t bounce or chafe as you run.

Wondering about the storage? This upgraded version of the belt features a larger storage pouch, so in addition to your keys and gel packs, you can also fit larger smartphones like the iPhone 6 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy S5. This hydration belt is used by marathoners and Olympians.

Available colors: black, black/green, black/pink, black/purple, black/blue, black/gray, black/red, black/yellow, black/orange, black/lime,

Amount of water: 16 oz. (two 8 oz. bottles)

Size: S/M 24 – 34″, L/XL 35 – 42″


Sunhiker Waist Bag Water Belt

Sunhiker Waist Bag Water Belt
If you’re looking for a more versatile water belt for running, consider this bag from Sunhiker. It can be used for running, hiking, cycling and camping. Wear it comfortable over your shoulder or across your waist for running. The pack is made from waterproof nylon so it’s safe to use in the rain or other outdoor conditions.

The storage pack has two zipper compartments to easily carry your phone, wallet, keys, snacks, and anything else you may need. One thing to note is that a water bottle is not included, but it will comfortably hold your favorite water bottle.

Available colors: red, hot pink, green, blue, orange, yellow, purple

Size: Adjustable one size


Experts recommend you drink water before you run. Once you’re out pounding the pavement, try drinking three to six ounces of water every 15 minutes. Wearing a runner’s hydration belt makes it easy to consistently drink without slowing your pace. They’re also helpful if you’re running in areas where there are no water fountains available.

Don’t forget after you’re done with your run to continue hydrating! Choose water or sports drinks, but avoid sugary drinks like soda and juice which won’t actually help you hydrate properly. With proper hydration and regular running, you will be healthier and happier.

If you don’t think a hydration water bottle belt will work for you, check out these handheld water bottles for runners. Track your running and progress with one of these fitness trackers for runners.

As well as staying hydrated, check out these tips to stay cool when running in hot summer weather.

Planning to run in cooler weather? Check out these touchscreen running gloves to keep your hands dry and warm.



Beddit 2.0 Smart Sleep Tracker

Best Home Sleep Monitoring Device

Best Home Sleep Monitoring Device

A sleep monitoring device tracks your sleep quality plus outside stimuli and conditions in your bedroom to provide you with data to analyze and improve your sleep. Many fitness trackers have sleep tracking as a built in feature, but some only track limited data or are not very accurate. Dedicated sleep monitors have much more advanced tracking data to give you the most insight into your sleep patterns and help you resolve issues that you’d never even considered.

If you do not use a fitness tracker but would like to track your sleep cycles, a home sleep monitor is a great device to help you do that. They’re also good for people who use a fitness tracker or sports watches that do not have a sleep tracking feature. You should also consider them if you don’t like wearing a fitness tracker wristband at night.

Here are some of the best home sleep monitoring devices available:

Beddit 3 Smart Sleep Tracker

If you want to track your sleep without a band and without attaching something to your pillow, consider the Beddit Sleep Tracker. The sleep monitoring device is a strip placed directly on your mattress and syncs directly with your smartphone so you don’t need a device on your bedside table. It’s unique in its design because you lie directly on it, the Beddit can monitor and record your heart rate as you sleep.

Beddit gives you a sleep score and you can use the app to dig into stats about how your sleep went. The app will give you tips and feedback to help you improve your sleep, but they are more generic suggestions than you would get with the Sense or the S+. Since the strip can only sense one person at a time, you need to buy two if you share your bed with a partner.

Tracks: sleep time, sleep quality, heart rate, breathing.

Notable features: Smart Alarm, Beddit app, Sleep Score, sleep and wellness tips


S+ By ResMed Personal Sleep Monitor Solution

The S+ from ResMed uses 25 years of research in sleep science to help you improve the quality of your sleep. It’s a non-contact sleep system, perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to have to wear a band or attach something to their pillow or bed. It uses respiratory and bio-motion sensors to monitor your breathing and body movement to record the duration and quality of your sleep. It also has sensors to track noise, light, and temperature in your bedroom. It then gives you a Sleep Score after analyzing the various stages of sleep (deep, light, and REM sleep). Using that info, it gives you suggestions to improve your sleep.

One of the nice features of the S+ is that it not only tracks your sleep but also helps you sleep better. The Relax to Sleep sound app plays soothing audio to help you fall asleep. It monitors your breathing and gradually fades to silence as you fall deeper into sleep. Use the Mind Clear app to record “To Do” items for the next day so you’re not worried about them as you fall asleep. The S+ also has a Smart Alarm that wakes you during light sleep, so you feel more refreshed.

Tracks: sounds, light levels, temperature, breathing, movement

Notable features: Syncs with your smartphone or tablet, Relax to Sleep sound app, Mind Clear app, Smart Alarm, Sleep Score, improvement suggestions




Withings Sleep

The Aura Smart Sleep System is the best sleep monitoring device on the market right now. It packs a lot of features into one system, but that means the price is higher than some of the other options. The system has a built-in multi-color LED light that works with special sound programs to help you relax and fall asleep. Once you’re asleep, Aura tracks the environmental conditions of your room. The included sleep sensor (that goes under your mattress) measures your heart rate, breathing, and movement to analyze your sleep cycles.

In the mornings, it uses another light and sound program to gently wake you at the right moment in your cycle. Your sleep data automatically syncs to your smartphone so you can analyze it and improve your sleep quality. You will need to purchase a second sleep sensor if you share your bed.

Bonus features include power nap settings, streaming music with Spotify, and also integrating with Nest to automatically adjust the temperature for perfect sleep conditions.

Tracks: movement, heart rate, breathing, REM sleep, noise, light, temperature

Notable features: smart alarm, Health Mate app, Spotify combatibility, Nest integration


Looking for more ways to track your sleep? Check out the best fitness trackers with sleep monitoring.

If you’re having trouble sleeping, try these free guided meditations for sleep and insomia.

Waterproof Versus Water Resistant Activity Trackers

What’s the difference between waterproof and water resistant activity trackers?

waterproof activity tracker swimming

For most people, waterproof activity trackers don’t matter because their main form of exercise is running or going to the gym. But if you enjoy aquatic activities like swimming, like to vary up your workout, or worry about accidentally killing your fitness tracker by dropping it in the sink or accidentally wearing it in the shower, you may want to consider how waterproof the activity tracker is.

Generally, fitness bands fall into one of three categories: lightly water resistant (able to withstand sweat, splash, and rain), highly water resistant (can be washed in the sink or worn in the shower), and fully waterproof (safe for swimming or any other water related activities).

Does it matter if I buy a water resistant or waterproof fitness tracker?

Whether you buy a waterproof fitness tracker really depends on your lifestyle and what types of exercise you do. The average person may not need to worry about this feature. But if you are concerned about how water will affect a fitness tracker you plan on wearing 24/7, it’s a feature you should pay attention to as you research the best fitness band for you.

You may find it surprising that these tiny little bracelets, with advanced electrical and computer components, can actually be pretty sensitive to water. Unless the band is completely sealed off, they can be damaged easily.

For example, none of the Fitbit activity trackers are waterproof. They are water resistant, which means they are rainproof and splash proof, and no matter how sweaty you get during your workout, you will not harm your fitness band. But since Fitbits are not waterproof, you cannot shower in them or swim with them.

Some fitness trackers are more water resistant than others, meaning you can shower in them or get them wet when you’re washing your hands or washing the dishes, but they shouldn’t be submerged in water for swimming. Some trackers are water resistant enough to wear in the shower, but should not be submerged in liquids, so they can’t be worn for surfing or swimming.

If swimming is your main form of exercise, you need to find a waterproof activity band or waterproof fitness watch to track your exercise (and a lot of them have cool features specific to swimming, like counting laps).




Should I buy a water resistant or waterproof fitness tracker?

If you’re a swimmer, get a waterproof tracker. If you’re a forgetful person who may not remember to remove your fitness tracker before you shower, get a more water-resistant band. For everyone else, get whatever model you want.

Here are a few fitness trackers you may want to consider in each category:


Sweat Proof and Splash Proof Fitness Band

Fitbit Charge (Check reviews and prices)
fitbit-charge-wireless-activity-bandThe Fitbit Charge combines the best features from the Fitbit One with the wristband format of the Fitbit Flex. The same great sleep tracking and silent alarm is still available, but it also includes an OLED screen that includes step count, the current time, and call notifications. When paired with your smartphone, it will display on your wrist who is calling so you don’t have to dig your phone out of your pocket or purse if you don’t want to answer.

It’s advertised as water-resistant, but they really just mean sweat proof and splash proof, so don’t take your Fitbit in the shower or the pool unless you want to brick it.

Available colors: black, slate

Tracks: steps, distance, calories burned, stairs climbed, active minutes, sleep quality and quantity

Notable features: OLED display for steps and time, call notifications, 7 to 10-day rechargeable battery, automatic sleep monitoring, silent alarm, syncs wirelessly to computers and smartphones, water resistant

Check out more water resistant activity trackers.


Water Resistant Activity Tracker You Can Shower With

Jawbone UP3 Activity, Heart, and Sleep Tracker
The Jawbone UP3 includes all the basic features of step counting, food and calorie tracking, and multiple exercise modes. It’s also splash and showerproof, so if you forget to take it off when you shower or get caught in a thunderstorm on your afternoon run, you know your UP3 is safe.

It also features Advanced Sleep tracking. Using bioimpedance sensors, the UP3 uses your heart rate to track your sleep phases, including Wake, REM, Light Sleep, and Deep Sleep. This makes the Smart Alarm even more accurate.

If you’re looking for heart rate monitoring, UP3 includes that as well. The same bioimpedance sensors track your resting heart rate and your passive heart rate to give a complete picture of your heart health.

Available colors: black twist, black/gold twist, indigo twist, ruby cross, sand twist, silver cross, teal cross, twilight cross

Tracks: activity, calories burned, sleep, heart rate

Notable features: Smart Coach, sleep tracking, Smart Alarm, Idle Alert (move alerts), automatic sleep detection and advanced sleep tracking, splash-proof and waterproof, LED indicator (notification and status), battery lasts up to 7 days, wireless syncing


Waterproof Fitness Tracker

Garmin Vivosmart 4 Fitness Band

The Garmin Vivosmart is the Vivofit’s cousin, only it features a sleeker, higher end design with a more minimalist display integrated into the band itself. It measures calories burned, steps taken, distance, gives move reminders, and has great battery life. With a touchscreen display and integration with your smartphone, it’s a fitness tracker worth considering if you’re looking for a waterproof option that you can shower and swim with.

Available colors: black, blue, berry, slate, green

Tracks: steps, calories, distances, sleep

Notable features: Waterproof 5 ATM, touchscreen, smart notifications (calls, texts, emails), vibration alerts and move reminders, auto-syncs to mobile devices, time display, alarm clock


Not seeing what you’re looking for. Check out more waterproof fitness trackers for swimming and waterproof fitness watches.

Remember: You shouldn’t wear your fitness band 24/7. Your skin needs a chance to breathe and reset. Even if your tracker is waterproof, I would recommend taking it off when you shower so you can fully wash your wrist and arm and give it a little break.

Ftbit smart watch Fitness

Fitbit Comparison 2024 – Which Fitbit Should You Buy?

Fitbit Comparison - Which Fitbit Should You Buy?

Fitbit is the it-brand that most people think of when they think of fitness trackers. But with their wide range of trackers with different functions and styles, it can be hard to decide which Fitbit will work best for your active lifestyle.

We took a close look at all of the features of the different Fitbits available and broke it down so you can pick out the perfect one for tracking all of your exercise, steps, and sleep.

The entire Fitbit family of products syncs with the same apps, so everyone in your exercise group or family can compete with each other in challenges and compare stats. Find the perfect Fitbit for anyone below.

Fitbit Comparison Chart

This chart provides a quick breakdown of each of Fitbit’s current fitness trackers. If you want to read our in-depth Fitbit reviews, you’ll find them below the chart.

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Fitbit Comparison Reviews 2023

Fitbit Inspire 2

The most affordable offering of the current Fitbit lineup offers a lot of features while staying under $100. As an upgrade to previous versions, this one tracks your heart rate 24/7, tracking your resting heart rate over time and recognizing your heart rate zones to help you optimize your workouts. All this data helps the Fitbit app determine your Cardio Fitness score which is a snapshot of your fitness level. It then give you tips to improve.

When it comes to bedtime, the HR data will help track your sleep stages, including light, deep, and REM sleep. Then the app will give pointers to help you improve sleep quality.

If running is a regular part of your exercise routine, the Inspire offers some great features. When paired with your phone, the fitness tracker can use GPS to give you real-time pace and distance info on your wrist for outdoor walks, runs, or even hiking and biking. If you like variety in your workouts, the HR version features over 15 goal-based exercise modes so you can set targets for calorie burns and get updates when you reach your goals. If you’re feeling stressed throughout the day, use the Inspire HR’s Guided Breathing Sessions that are based on your heart rate to help you calm your body and mind.

The Inspire HR is worth the upgrade for more in-depth fitness and sleep tracking, especially if you’re working on specific fitness or weight loss goals.

Available colors: black tracker with black, pink, or gray bands

Good for: runners looking for an affordable tracker, weight loss and fitness goals

Tracks: steps, activity, calories, exercise, swimming, sleep, 24/7 heart rate, GPS (paired with phone)

Notable features: OLED touchscreen display, 10 day battery life, swimproof (50 meters), food logging (in app), automatic exercise recognition, move reminders, Fitbit app (iOS, Android, & Windows), phone notifications (call, text, calendar, social media), silent alarm, timer & stopwatch, women’s health tracking, changeable band, Cardio Fitness Score, GPS pace & distance tracking, guided breathing sessions

Pros:
24/7 heart rate monitoring
Swappable bands
Real time pace and distance tracking for outdoor runs/walks
Goal based exercise modes

Cons:
A little more expensive than the Inspire
Need phone to use GPS features


Fitbit Luxe Fitness Tracker Jewelry

Many fashionable folks feel like most fitness trackers on the market look too utilitarian for everyday wear or special occasions. Fitbit has answered their complaints with the fashionable Luxe. The Special Edition gorjana gold version looks exactly like an expensive bracelet. Packed inside this jewelry design are all the Fitbit tracking features you need. Whether you like to run, hit the gym, or cool down on your yoga mat, the Luxe features 20 exercise modes and SmartTrack automatically senses your workout.

If you’re interested in wellness tracking, Luxe has built-in stress management tools including a Stress Management Score that tracks physical signs of stress. You can then use Mindful Minutes and Guided breathing to help yourself calm down and de-stress.

Get a better sense of your overall health with sleep tracking, including tracking of different sleep stages like light, deep, and REM sleep, giving you a Sleep Score to help you keep track of your sleep quality over time. The sleep tips will help you improve your sleep, which will benefit your overall health and wellness. While you sleep, the Luxe will also track your skin temperature, breathing rate, and heart rate variability. These summaries will help you see signs of stress, illness, or fatigue.

If a fashionable piece of tracker jewelry is your goal, then the Fitbit Luxe offers all their best tracking features in a glam package.

Available colors: gold, black/graphite, lunar white/soft gold stainless steel, orchid/platinum stainless steel (and interchangeable wrist bands)

Good for: fashion conscious folks

Tracks: steps, distance, calories burned, sleep, heart rate, SpO2 (oxygen saturation), SmartTrack exercise modes, Stress Management Score, breathing rate (sleep), skin temperature (sleep)

Notable features: 5 day battery life, always-on color display, smartphone notifications, Do Not Disturb mode, Silent Alarms, timer and stopwatch, Daily Readiness score, call & text notifications, GPS via phone, menstrual cycle tracking, Active Zone Minutes, 50m water resistance, Guided Breathing app

Pros:
Fashionable Design
Fully color always on display

Cons:
Must pair to phone for GPS
No downloadable apps




Fitbit Charge 5 GPS + Fitness Wristband

The latest version of the Charge has some features that improve on their basic level fitness tracker, the biggest one being built in GPS tracking. This is huge for runners who don’t want a smartwatch. The other features you’ll get if you opt for the Charge include tracking floors climbed, on wrist payments through Fitbit pay, and the ability to store and play music from Spotify, Deezer, or Pandora. That’s a lot of features for a wristband tracker!

The Charge also has 24/7 continuous heart rate monitoring. It tracks your heart rate throughout the day to track your calories burned and also gives you a Cardio Fitness Score to help you improve your fitness level over time. Get even more info on your heart health with the on wrist ECG app. Thanks to the EDA scan app, your exercise tracker will also notice when your heart rate is elevated due to stress and lead you through a guided breathing exercise to help calm your mind and body.

That heart rate monitoring combined with multi-sport modes make it perfect for people who lead active lifestyles and like to vary up their workout routine. The Charge tracks running, biking, and weights and SmartTrack automatically recognizes the activity and records the workout for you. The OLED tap display makes it easy to see real-time stats while you’re exercising and get your workout results without syncing to your smartphone.

If GPS tracking is important to your running or cycling, you can sync up the Charge with your phone to get real-time stats like pace and distance on the band display, while a map is recorded of your route.

In addition to all those fabulous features, the Fitbit Charge has many of the features longtime Fitbit users love like move reminders, smartphone notifications, wireless syncing to smartphones or computers, and interchangeable bands. This model is a great replacement for the previous Charge offerings.

Buy the Charge If: you want GPS tracking, you want wrist-based heart rate monitoring, you exercise in many different ways, you like a customizable look

Available colors: Black/graphite stainless steel, lunar white/soft gold stainless steel, steel blue, platinum stainless steel (plus endless band options)

Tracks: steps, heart rate, GPS, distance, calories burned, active minutes, floors climbed, stationary time, auto sleep tracking

Notable features: interchangeable bands, PurePulse wrist-based heart rate, Cardio Fitness Score, silent alarms & auto sleep tracking, 7-day battery life, multi-sport modes, move reminders, SmartTrack auto activity tracking, OLED touchscreen with on-screen stats, guided breathing prompts based on heart rate, smartphone notifications, swimproof

Pros:
GPS means you can leave your phone at home
Store music for your run
7 day battery life

Cons:
No apps or smartwatch functionality


Fitbit Versa 3 Smartwatch

It’s no surprise that Fitbit has released another smartwatch to compete with the others on the market. They’ve taken some cues from Apple’s designs making a lighter, sleeker smartwatch centered around fitness and health tracking with interchangeable bands and customizable displays. The latest version now has built in GPS, great for runners. And the feature you may be most excited about: it’s swimproof! That’s right, if you’re a swimmer you can use your Versa smartwatch in and out of the pool. With the touchscreen, you can track all your stats on your wrist, plus you still have access to the Fitbit smartphone app for all the indepth tracking and stats you need. The Versa also provides personal coaching to keep you moving and help you meet daily goals.

Since fitness is our main focus here, let’s talk about the features that make the Versa unique from the rest of the Fitbit line-up. With over 20 built-in exercise modes, the Versa can give you real-time stats for activities like swimming and running. If you need inspiration, you can follow the dynamic on-screen workouts which coach you through every move. If you’re a runner or a cyclist, the Versa can sync with GPS from your phone to provide you pace and distance stats.

If meditation and relieving stress is important to you, the Versa has guided breathing sessions, which uses your heart rate to give you personalized instructions. For women, it has built in health tracking so you can track your cycle and even get reminders before your period starts.

What about the fun features you want a smartwatch to have? Music is one of the most important parts of my workouts and I love that you can store 300 songs directly on the Versa and play them with Bluetooth headphones. Fitbit has also brought features like call, calendar, text, and app alerts to your wrist. Plus, it features Fitbit Pay on their special editions so you can pay with your watch. With a six day battery life, it has many other smartwatches beat. The Versa is a fantastic smartwatch and is really giving the Apple Watch some competition.

Buy the Versa if: You want a waterproof smartwatch with excellent fitness and health tracking

Available colors: Black, Soft Gold (plus endless band options)

Tracks: Steps, Distance, Calories, Workouts, Sleep (duration and stages), Heart Rate, Reproductive Cycle, Oxygen Saturation (SpO2)

Notable features: Interchangeable Bands, Waterproof, Plays Music, Runs Apps, Weather, Smart Notifications (Calls & Texts), 6+ Day Rechargeable Batteries, Personal Coaching, Move Reminders, Guided Breathing, PurePulse Wrist Based Heart Rate Tracking, On Screen Workouts, 20+ Exercise Modes, Built in GPS, Fitbit Pay, Clock Face Options, Amazon Alexa built-in


Fitbit Sense Smartwatch

If you’re looking for all the latest tech in fitness tracking, you should consider getting the top of the line offering from Fitbit: the Sense Smartwatch. It includes all the same great features of the lower level trackers plus some cool upgrades. Feeling stressed? The Sense will let you know through the EDA scan app which detects electrodermal activity. It will then prompt you to de-stress using mindfulness activities. The ECG app measures your heart rate to detect possible atrial fibrillation. The Sense also has sensors that read and track your skin temperature over time to identify health trends.

This smartwatch also provides the great fitness tracking on over 20 different exercise modes to help you stay fit while getting variety in your workouts. The sleep tracking gives insights into trends over time and makes sure you get the sleep you need. Add in downloadable apps, Fitbit Pay, calling and messaging, and this smartwatch provides everything you need for your day to day life. Fitbit delivers all of this with a six day battery life, amazing compared to many competitors.

The Sense is priced significantly higher than the Versa, so if you don’t need the stress tracking, ECG, and skin temperature sensing, you can save money and still get great features with the Versa.

Buy the Sense if: You want the latest tracking technology

Available colors: Carbon/Graphite Stainless Steel, Lunar White/Soft Gold

Tracks: Steps, Distance, Calories, Workouts, Sleep (duration and stages), Heart Rate, Reproductive Cycle, Oxygen Saturation (SpO2), Heart Rhythm, ECG, Stress, Skin Temperature

Notable features: Interchangeable Bands, Waterproof, Plays Music, Runs Apps, Weather, Smart Notifications (Calls & Texts), 6+ Day Rechargeable Batteries, Personal Coaching, Move Reminders, Guided Breathing, PurePulse Wrist Based Heart Rate Tracking, On Screen Workouts, 20+ Exercise Modes, Built in GPS, Fitbit Pay, Clock Face Options, Amazon Alexa built-in, Always on Display Mode, Fast Charging

Pros:
Latest tracking tech like ECG and skin temp tracking
6 day battery life

Cons:
Subscription needed for music services
Highest priced tracker from Fitbit


Fitbit Ace 3 Activity Tracker for Kids

Now your kids can get in on the fun with this fitness tracker designed especially for children over the age of 6. If you’re having a hard time motivating your kid to put down their smartphone and exercise, the Ace can be a great motivator for them. Fitbit has designed Ace to motivate kids to reach the 60 minutes of daily activity recommended by the CDC, using 24 hour activity tracking to push them to earn daily goals and virtual badges. They can monitor their progress on the easy to read display and also get move reminders to get up and go each hour.

The Fitbit Ace is great to inspire competition between siblings or friends. They can compete with each other on step challenges and win virtual trophies. They can also send messages and cheers to other family members to motivate each other. For parents, the new Fitbit Family accounts allow you to check in with your kid’s progress at any time. And your child can also use the app to check their stats and the badges they’ve earned. This band can be synced with the parent’s smartphone or the child’s. If you are worried about your kid getting enough sleep, this fitness band also tracks sleep length and quality. Plus the Ace is swimproof so you don’t have to worry about your kid wearing it all day and all night. The Fitbit Ace packs in all the features older kids need to stay active and fit.

One thing to note: many parents have found the included band is a bit small for kids older than 8 years old. Luckily, the Fitbit Ace is compatible with third-party bands, so you can easily get a larger band with your child outgrows the included one.

Available colors: Cosmic blue/astro green, black/sport red, Minions yellow

Tracks: Steps, activity minutes, sleep

Notable features: 8 day battery life, adjustable band, water proof to 50m, motivational messages, step challenges, goal celebrations and badges, move reminders, competitions, family messaging, silent vibrating alarm, bedtime reminders, swappable bands, 10 clock faces, iOS & Android smartphone apps with parent and child views

Pros:
Let’s your whole family connect in Fitbit app
Easy to use for kids
Special “kid view” in the app

Cons:
Bands are limited in sizes
Only for kids 6 and up

Check out more fitness trackers for kids.


Retired Fitbit Trackers

Some of the classic Fitbits that have been fan favorites have since been “retired” for new models. A lot of the excess stock is still available to buy from online retailers like Amazon. Check out our reviews of these retired models below.

Fitbit Zip

The Zip was the budget Fitbit for many years. It’s the simplest to use and a great option for anyone looking for a cheap activity tracker or a more basic pedometer type tracker.

The LCD display conveniently shows the current day’s step count and also the time. When you reach your step goal for the day it buzzes in congratulation. Sync it to the free Fitbit app and track your daily stats to improve your activity over time.

This makes a great gift for older parents who aren’t very tech-savvy but are looking for an easy way to track their activity and steps over time. Since it has the option to sync to a computer, it’s also great for people who don’t use smartphones.

Buy the Zip if: walking is your main form of exercise, you’re looking for a simple step counter, you don’t like charging devices frequently

Available colors: blue, charcoal, lime, magenta

Tracks: steps, distance, calories burned, active minutes

Notable features: syncs wirelessly to computers or smartphones and tablets with Bluetooth, clips to clothing, displays daily step count on device, battery lasts 6 months, water resistant


Fitbit Flex 2 Waterproof Activity Tracker

If you’d rather wear your fitness tracker on your wrist than on a clip, the Fitbit Flex 2 may be the tracker for you. This comfortable and easy to wear activity tracker sacrifices the LCD display for LED lights that show you your progress toward the day’s step goals. But you still have the Fitbit app to easily track your steps, activity, and sleep on your smartphone or tablet. This is a recent update to the original Fitbit Flex that combines the features users loved about the original with some new functionality.

The big difference with the Flex 2 is a brand new ultra-slim tracker design that is fully customizable with a ton of different bands to personalize your Fitbit or match any occasion. This includes bracelets and necklaces that look like fashionable jewelry instead of utilitarian trackers. Track your activity without sacrificing on style.

I’m sure you’re wondering, what’s new with the Fitbit Flex 2? Well, the big thing is: this activity tracker is now waterproof–or as they call it “swimproof.” You can finally wear your Fitbit in the shower or while swimming in the ocean or pool without destroying your tracker. I have a feeling this one is going to become very popular with swimmers.

It also features SmartTrack, which automatically recognizes certain activities (including swimming) and tracks your workout for you automatically. There are also smartphone notifications in addition to the silent alarms. All these features come without sacrificing the battery life of the original model.

Buy the Flex if: you prefer a wristband tracker, you like tracking your activity on your smartphone, you like to customize with different band styles, you want a waterproof fitness tracker, you swim as a form of exercise.

Available colors: black, lavender, magenta, navy

Tracks: steps, distance, calories burned, active minutes, sleep quality and quantity

Notable features: silent alarm, swappable wristband, automatic sleep monitoring, 5-day rechargeable battery, syncs wirelessly to computers and smartphones, waterproof, SmartTrack auto exercise tracking, waterproof, move reminders


Fitbit Alta

The Fitbit Alta Fitness Tracker takes the activity bands to the next level. Utilizing a similar OLED display as the Charge, and features like step count and auto sleep monitoring, the Alta adds a few new features that are worth the upgrade.

The first big feature is SmartTrack, which automatically recognizes what exercise you’re doing whether it’s running or cardio. Alta also has move reminders, giving you a gentle buzz when you’ve been sitting too long so you can take a quick walk. Also in addition to call alerts, you can also receive text messages and calendar alerts directly on your Alta band.

Alta comes with its own range of accessory bands as well, so you can customize your look and switch up your style whenever you feel like it.

Buy the Alta if: you work out many different ways, you like to customize your band to match your outfit, you want a fitness band that tracks sleep and exercise automatically

Available colors: black/silver, blue/silver, plum/silver, teal/silver

Tracks: steps, distance, calories burned, stairs climbed, active minutes, sleep quality and quantity, exercise activities

Notable features: silent alarm, automatic sleep tracking, interchangeable bands, smart notifications (call, text, and calendar), move reminders, auto-exercise recognition, syncs wirelessly to smartphones and computers, water-resistant, 5-day rechargeable battery


Looking to get a Fitbit to help you lose or maintain your weight? You should check out the Fitbit Aria Air Smart Scale. It automatically and accurately tracks your weight, body fat percentage, and body mass index and syncs with your Fitbit account.

Xiaomi Mi Band 2 Fitness Tracker

5 Best Cheap Fitness Trackers for 2024

Guide To The Best Cheap Fitness Trackers

Fitness trackers are now one of the most popular pieces of lifestyle tech on the market. It’s common to see sports fanatics, soccer moms, and students alike sporting smartwatches, activity trackers, or pedometers. While workout enthusiasts may be willing drop big bucks on wearable with lots of features, a lot of people only need a basic activity tracker or step counter to deliver the data on their day-to-day fitness and activity. Luckily there are many affordable and cheap fitness trackers available that have all the basic activity tracking features most consumers need. Many people worry that if they want an affordable fitness tracker they’ll be stuck with a clip-on pedometer that can’t do more than count your steps. In reality, there are plenty of cheap fitness bands available with lots of great features.

One of the concerns that comes up when shopping for low-budget activity tracker options is whether the items you’re considering are good quality or just a cheap knock-off that won’t deliver the performance and the features you need. We looked at the most popular affordable fitness trackers on the market today that sell under $50 and found the ones that offer the most bang for your buck. We focused on cheap fitness trackers the basic features that most people use like step counting, move reminders, smartphone syncing, and battery life. If you’re looking for a fitness tracker with a specific feature or designed for specific exercises or activities, we have other articles that explore those in depth. For now, check out our recommendations for the best cheap fitness trackers. Our comparison chart is next, scroll down to read the in-depth reviews for each tracker.

Cheap Fitness Trackers Comparison Chart

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5 Best Cheap Fitness Trackers

Xiaomi Mi Band 6 Fitness Tracker

One of the most recently cited brands that comes up when experts discuss cheap fitness trackers under $50 is Xiaomi. Many are unaware of this Chinese company that is well known in Asia for making affordable and budget technology products. Their Mi Band is now available in its newest version, bringing all the basic functionality most people look for in an activity tracker and adding some features that are hard to find in budget trackers.

This wrist-based activity tracker has a new design and an improved pedometer algorithm for more accurate tracking. However, the biggest upgrade for the Mi Band is the wrist-based heart rate sensor, which allows for more accurate tracking of exercises and calories burned. This new version also features idle alerts: the band vibrates when you have been sitting too long so you know to take a short break and walk around. The 20 day rechargeable battery is fantastic in comparison to many other wristband trackers.

The band features an OLED display, so if you don’t like having to pull out your phone to see your stats, you’ll be pleased. By tapping the button it will cycle through time, step count, and heart rate. The built-in auto workout tracking means you don’t have to futz with settings to record your activity. Just wear the band and go. If you want more data, you can access the Mi Fit app at any time to monitor speed and heart rate. This tracker also automatically records your sleep, tracking light and deep sleep based on your heart rate.

This newest model is waterproof up to 50m, making it a good choice for swimmers. While it may be great for most people, it won’t work for runners who want a GPS watch.

Available colors: black (but replacement bands in a variety of colors are available)

Good for: Office workers who want to be more active, runners who want to monitor speed and heart rate

Tracks: steps, heart rate, running speed, 6 workouts, sleep duration and quality

Notable features: Touchscreen OLED display, time, heart rate monitor, move reminders, auto-work out tracking, auto sleep tracking, waterproof, Bluetooth syncing, compatible with Android 4.4+ and iOS 7+, Android only: phone text and call alerts, 20 day battery life, weather reports




3DTriSport Walking Pedometer

If you’re hunting for a budget activity tracker has you flustered by features and apps you’re not interested in, then the 3DTriSport is for you. At it’s simplest it’s a pedometer, but it’s better than those generic clip-ons you can buy at a local pharmacy. This tracker features tri-axis 3D sensor technology to accurately count your steps. Not only will this pedometer track your steps clipped on your belt, in your pocket, or in your bag, you can also wear it on the included wristband while you walk or run.

This pedometer also tracks 30 days of step and calorie history–which is one of the longest we’ve seen for pedometers that don’t need to sync to a smartphone. This helps keep you motivated and on track to reach your fitness goals. All of the stats are displayed on the screen. This is a great option if you’re shopping for your parents or grandparents and want an easy way for them to track their steps.

Available colors: pink/magenta, grey/black, white, black

Good for: people who walk or jog for exercise, no fuss step counting, seniors who don’t want to use an app for tracking

Tracks: steps, walking distance (miles or kilometers), exercise time, calories burned

Notable features: Tri-axis 3D sensor, 30 day step history memory, belt clip or wristband, miles or kilometer tracking

Check out more pedometers and step counters.


Amazfit Band 5

If you’re on a budget but want big features, AmazFit offers a lot with an affordable price tag. In addition to the normal step and distance tracking, the Amazfit has 11 sports modes for tracking your favorite exercises. The 24/7 heart rate tracking gives you more accurate sleep and exercise data. The band also features 5 ATM water resistance, perfect for swimming or showering. If you’re interested in overall wellness, the stress tracking and breathing exercises will help you relax when life gets hectic.

Beyond the typical features of cheap activity trackers, the Amazfit has Amazon’s Alexa built-in, so you can ask her questions, set alarms, check the water, and even control smart home devices from your wrist. The band also comes with 45 customizable watch faces. Once it’s synced with your smartphone you not only receive call and message alerts (text message, Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter, and Wechat), it can also control your music (great for when you’re in the middle of a workout or run and out of reach of your phone) and be used to take pictures remotely (no more arms-length selfies!). Some users won’t need these extra features, but the band is so competitively priced with other fitness trackers under $50 that it’s worth buying the Amazfit if you want these features.

Available colors: black, olive, orange

Good for: office workers, people who workout while listening to music

Tracks: steps, calories, distance, blood oxygen level, heart rate, sleep

Notable features: Alexa built in, 15 day battery life, Health Assessment System, 11 sport modes, menstrual health tracking, stress monitoring, breathing exercises, 5 ATM water resistance, 45 customizable watch faces


ENGERWALL Fitness Tracker

ENGERWALL has recently released an excellent budget pick if you’re shopping for cheap fitness trackers. Don’t be fooled by the affordable price, it packs a lot of essential features into an affordable price–including real time heart rate monitoring. This easy to use tracker syncs with your smartphone or it displays up to the minute stats on the LED display. You just tap the screen to cycle through all the info. Once it’s synced with your phone, you can receive smart notifications and even use the band to find your phone.

For fitness tracking, it covers all the basics you expect. It also has a built-in stopwatch for easy on the go timing of laps or regular activities. It also has built-in wrist-based heart rate monitoring, which makes other stats like calories burned more accurate. Move reminders are great for office workers and the sleep tracking will help you make sure you’re getting enough rest. It also features IP68 rated waterproofing, so swimmers can use it as well.

No matter what type of exercise you enjoy, you can track it easily thanks to the 16 sport modes. THe battery life is one to two weeks, so you’ll never be stressed about charging. The USB charging port is built into the device, revealed once you take off the band. That way you never have to worry about having a charging cable nearby.

Available colors: Black/Purple, Silver/Purple, Silver/Black, Silver/Blue, Silver/Blush Pink, Silver/Aqua (no HR monitor)

Good for: Office workers, counting steps or tracking walking/running distances

Tracks: Steps, Distance, Calories Burned, Active Minutes, Sleep, Heart Rate, 16 Sport Modes

Notable features: LED Tap Display, Vibrating Alarm, Clock, Stop Watch, Interchangeable Bands, Smartphone Notifications, Wrist Sense Screen, Smartphone app (iOS 7.1+ & Android 4.4+), Built in USB Charger


Stiive Fitness Tracker with Heart Rate Monitor

Another affordable fitness tracker, this one packs in a lot of features at a great price. With a similar design to other trackers, it’s comfortable to wear and easy to use. It has a tap display to see all of the basic stats like steps, calories burned, and distance.

The Stiive is compatible with the “VeryFitPro” app for iOS and Android, which tracks your activity and sleep stats over time. You can also use it to utilize the GPS on your phone to track runs and walks outdoors. The app also has a built in exercise tracker with 14 different exercise modes. It also has a customizable Sedentary Alert function that will remind you to move after a period of your choosing (smallest period of time is 15 minutes). This is a great entry level activity tracker for anyone looking to get fit or count their steps.

Available colors: Black, Blue, Purple, White, Light Green, Pink

Good for: Casual fitness enthusiasts, office workers, tracking walking

Tracks: Steps, Heart Rate, Calories Burned, Distance, Sleep, 14 Exercise Modes

Notable features: Exercise GoalsTime Display, Smart Notifications, Move Alerts, Silent Alarm, Water Resistant, Rechargeable Battery (2 hour charge time), Built in USB Charger, IPX7 Water Resistant, Bluetooth, Smartphone App for iOS 9+ and Android 4.4+


Frequently Asked Questions About Budget Activity Trackers

Do I need to buy an expensive fitness tracker?

The answer to this depends on your lifestyle, what kind of exercise you do, and what kind of tracking you’re looking for. Cheap fitness trackers usually have enough features for basic step counting, calorie burn tracking, and sleep tracking. This is great for desk workers who want to be more active to counter-act a sedentary lifestyle or people who walk or jog for exercise. More and more of the budget activity trackers on the market also include heart rate monitoring for more accurate exercise and sleep data. These affordable options make great gifts for parents, grandparents, kids, and teens who want some basic activity tracking but aren’t necessarily tech-savvy or need the frills offered by expensive brands like Fitbit.

These affordable activity trackers are also a great entry-level fitness band for people who aren’t sure if they’ll get any benefit from having their steps and sleep tracked. Many people find once they have a device tracking their daily activity and reminding them to move and be active that they automatically start making changes to their life to meet the goals set by the tracker. This helps people lose weight, make better food choices, and live a healthier lifestyle overall.

If you’re a swimmer, runner, cyclist, or spend a lot of time at the gym, you may want to invest in a fitness tracker for your types of exercises. If you don’t care about exercise specific trackers, you may get enough data from cheap fitness trackers.

Should I be worried about buying a tracker by an “unknown” brand?

Not necessarily. Many companies like Fitbit, Garmin, and Sony spend a lot of money on advertising to increase sales and awareness of their brand. Those increased advertising budgets add on to the cost of the individual trackers and don’t necessarily mean they are better quality than comparable “no-name” devices. Instead, you should take into consideration what features are important to you in a fitness tracker and then do research reading articles like this and the reviews on Amazon to decide whether the band or clip you’re interested in is a good quality. You can save major money by ignoring name brands and looking at what customers think of each wearable.

How much should I spend on an activity tracker?

With the number of trackers available today, there are plenty of options in a variety of price ranges. You should consider your personal budget and the features you need when deciding how much to spend. If you only need basic tracking (steps, calories, sleep, smartphone syncing), you will easily find a tracker you like in the $20 to $50 range. You may even be able to find some advanced features like wrist-based heart rate monitoring and waterproof fitness bands when looking for activity trackers under $50.

If you want more advanced tracking like workouts, swimming, running, and cycling specific tracking, you may need to consider fitness trackers under $100 or up to $200. If you want more advanced features like wrist-based GPS, you may need to spend more than $200.

If you want more features but still want to save money, you can try a few different things. Often you’ll find name brand fitness trackers available for cheaper prices on Amazon. You may also be able to find refurbished activity trackers on Amazon for a fraction of the price of a brand new one. A certified refurbished fitness tracker is one that has been returned to the manufacturer for some sort of defect or problem. These may be tech issues or cosmetic issues. The manufacturer then repairs or replaces the defective part, tests it under the same conditions it uses for new trackers to ensure it is working properly and meets all of their quality standards. It’s then sold to consumers at a discount with the same warranty and protections as a new fitness tracker. Some people don’t like to take the risk, but those who do are often pleased by the quality and the money saved.


Still searching for an affordable fitness band? Check out the best fitness tracker under $100.

Fitness Trackers with Heart Rate Monitors

Heart rate training and monitoring can be very useful because it helps those who often do cardiovascular activity from over-exerting themselves. Not every fitness tracker has a heart rate monitor built in. Many lower end fitness trackers are more like pedometers than full-fledged activity trackers. Fitness trackers with heart rate monitors tend to be slightly more expensive, but they also often pack several other features as well. Here is a list of some of the top fitness trackers with heart rate monitors:

Withings Pulse O2 Activity, Sleep, and Heart Rate + SPO2 Tracker for iOS and Android

The Withings Pulse Pulse O2 Activity Monitor is an intriguing device that can take two different form factors. It can be worn as a watch with the included strap, or clipped on to your clothing, similar to a traditional pedometer. In addition to monitoring various vital signs and keeping track of how physically active you are, this Withings fitness tracker also can measure your heart rate. Note that in the case of this device, you must press the back of the device to your fingertip for a moment to get a heart rate reading (it does not provide one continuously). So if you’re wearing it in watch mode, you’ll need to slip it off for a second.





Polar Loop Activity Monitor with H7 Bluetooth Heart Rate Transmitter

The Polar Loop Activity Monitor is, well, a heavy duty activity monitor with a chest strap accessory that you can wear for super-acurate heart rate monitoring. The strap comes in a variety of colors, though for most users this will be worn underneath their shirts while working out. The monitor connects wirelessly via Bluetooth to your Polar Loop wristband for a convenient readout of your heart rate.


Mio Fuse Heart Rate Training Band

The Mio Fuse Heart Rate Training Band is a clever device that uses an optical heart rate monitor to read your heart rate straight through your skin, which avoids the need for a chest strap. Like many other fitness trackers with heart rate monitors, the Mio Fuse links up with your iPhone or Android device to chart your activity and workout statistics. The display on the Mio Fuse is a bit more simple than other models, but if you’re looking for a fitness tracker with a heart rate monitor, the Mio is a solid choice.


Garmin Vivofit Fitness Band

Hold the phone, guys and gals. Unlike many fitness trackers with heart rate monitors, the Garmin Vivofit Fitness Band comes in a variety of colors. Another impressive feature of the Vivofit is its battery life: it can last up to a year without swapping the battery (it uses replaceable watch batteries instead of lithium ion batteries like some devices). The Vivofit comes in two packages– with heart rate monitor and without. The heart rate monitor that works on this fitness tracker is using a traditional chest strap that’s adjustable to measure your heart rate directly from your torso. The resulting data is piped straight to the wristband.


Withings Pulse O2 Activity, Sleep, and Heart Rate + SPO2 Tracker for iOS and Android

Samsung has carved out a niche in the fitness activity tracker market by building devices with color screens, which allows for a richer interaction while you’re out and about (showing goals, etc). It features an optical heart rate monitor built into the back of the screen, so you don’t have to take the device off to take a reading with your finger. Like other Samsung devices, it works best if you already have a Samsung phone to pair it with.




5 Most Popular Fitness Trackers of 2024

Most Popular Fitness Trackers

Fitness trackers are huge. They’ve gone from being a pricey little gadget meant for athletes and fitness nerds to one of the hottest electronics and accessories for everyone. Plus now you can find fitness tracking features in jewelry, watches, smartwatches, or even your smartphone. If you’re interested in more insights into your health, fitness level, and the amount of activity you get each day or maybe you want to lose weight or change your lifestyle, using a fitness tracker is a great tool. Here are some of the most popular activity trackers available on the market this year.

LETSCOM HR Activity Tracker Band

No surprise, one of the most popular fitness trackers this year is one of the most affordable trackers available. LETSCOM offers most of the tracking features people need–including wrist-based heart rate monitoring–at a fantastic price point. It offers all the basic tracking like steps, calories burned, and even sleep monitoring. You can get these stats by using the OLED touch display or by syncing with the LETSCOMM smartphone app to see in depth graphs and tracking.

The multi-sport tracking offers 14 different exercises to accurately record your workout. If you’re a runner or a cyclist, you can get Connected GPS at a fraction of the price of Fitbits and other smartphones. That will give you distance and pace information as well as route tracking. You can also get smartphone alerts right on your wrist, including calendar, calls, and messaging alerts from apps like Facebook and Whatsapp. With all these features available as such a great price, it’s easy to see why the LETSCOM HR trackers is one of the most popular activity trackers this year.

Available colors: black, blue, green, purple, red

Good for: office workers, people who workout while listening to music

Tracks: steps, distance, calories burned, sleep quality, heart rate

Notable features: OLED touchscreen, time & stat display, program for left or right hand, move reminders, goal completion alerts, heart rate monitoring, auto sleep tracking, vibrating alarm, water-resistant, 4 day rechargeable battery, built-in USB charging, Bluetooth 4.0 syncing, app for Android 4.4+ & iOS 7.1+, call and message alerts, remote camera shooting, music control




Fitbit Charge 5 Heart Rate + Fitness Wristband

The fantastic thing about the latest Charge model is they’ve built in the heart rate monitoring so you don’t have to buy a pricier HR model. At the mid-range price point in the Fitbit line-up, the Charge is a fantastic fitness and activity tracker for people who don’t want the extra expense and features of a smartwatch. It features and OLED touchscreen display that gives you the time plus all the stats you need right on your wrist. Sync it with your smartphone via Bluetooth to receive call, text, and calendar notifications.

It features all the standard tracking you expect from a Fitbit, plus a Cardio Fitness Score generated from the PurePulse continuous heart rate monitor. This helps you improve your fitness level over time and your heart health. Another big reason to consider the Charge is the multi-sport mode which allows you to track a variety of workouts like running, biking, and weightlifting. Plus the SmartTrack features automatically recognizes what activity you’re doing and records the workout for you. Plus, if you’re a cyclist or runner, the Charge has built-in GPS to track your route and give you more detailed real-time stats like pace and distance. Fitbit really designs their trackers with fitness in mind, making them one of the most popular fitness trackers available. Check out all the notable features below and you may decide this is the tracker for you.

Available colors: Black/graphite stainless steel, lunar white/soft gold stainless steel, steel blue, platinum stainless steel (plus endless band options)

Tracks: steps, heart rate, GPS, distance, calories burned, active minutes, floors climbed, stationary time, auto sleep tracking

Notable features: interchangeable bands, PurePulse wrist-based heart rate, Cardio Fitness Score, silent alarms & auto sleep tracking, 7-day battery life, multi-sport modes, move reminders, SmartTrack auto activity tracking, OLED touchscreen with on-screen stats, guided breathing prompts based on heart rate, smartphone notifications, swimproof

Pros:
GPS means you can leave your phone at home
Store music for your run
7 day battery life

Cons:
No apps or smartwatch functionality


Garmin Vivosmart 4 Fitness Tracker

One of our favorite trackers for cycling is also one of the most popular fitness band on the market. The big selling point for the Garmin Vivosmart is the wirst-based heart rate monitoring and the built-in GPS tracking. That’s right, you don’t need your smartphone to use GPS tracking for running and cycling.

The touchscreen display makes it easy to monitor your stats in real-time, as well as receive smart notifications from your phone. For fitness tracking, the Vivosmart has all the basics for steps, calories burned, and distance. It also features Move IQ, which can automatically track exercises like walking, running, biking, swimming (this band is waterproof), and ellipticals. The band also provides in depth running metrics like distance and pace, while also keeping track of your personal records. If cycling is your main exercise or commute, you can purchase the fitness tracker bundled with a cadence sensor to give you data like pedal strokes per minute. While this tracker is great for everyone, cyclists and runners should really seriously consider it.

Available colors: black, gold with berry band, rose gold with gray band, silver with blue band

Tracks: heart rate, calories burned, steps, distance, floors climbed, activity intensity & minutes, treadmill running, sleep monitoring (total sleep and quality)

Notable features: smart notifications (calls, texts, music, etc.), time display, move reminders, barometric altimeter, control music or VIRB action camera, daily goals, Garmin Connect community, 7 day battery life, waterproof 5 ATM


Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro Smart Fitness Band

Samsung refers to their Gear Fit2 Pro as a “Smart Fitness Band” and it’s the perfectly blend between an expensive smartwatch and a durable waterproof fitness band. If you’re a swimmer, this band is perfect for you. It’s waterproof to 50 meters and provides fantastic swim tracking via the Speedo On app which works with pool and open water swimming. This band is also great for fitness fanatics who workout and play multiple sports. The Gear Fit2 Pro automatically detects and logs your activity and monitors your heart rate continuously. So if you’re running, playing b-ball with your friends, or just dancing around the kitchen, you’ll get indepth information on calories burned and heart rate.

The Gear Fit2 Pro also lets you be more independent when you work out because you can leave your phone behind. The tracker has built-in GPS so you can track your route while running or cycling. Plus you can bring your music with you so you can have your favorite jams on hand. If you’ve been considering a smartwatch but one something with a sleeker design or more of a fitness focus, the Gear FIT2 Pro is perfect for you.

Available colors: Liquid Black, Diamond Red

Tracks: Steps, Calories, Exercise Tracking, Heart Rate, GPS Route, Sleep Cycle

Notable features: Waterproof, Stand Alone Music Player, Smartphone app (Android & iOS), 3000 apps, Customizable Watch Faces, Smart Notifications, 2+ Day Rechargeable Battery


Garmin Forerunner 25 GPS Running Watch

Runners take note, Garmin’s newest version of the Forerunner is one of the most popular fitness trackers this year. What looks like a simple digital watch is actually a powerful activity tracker. It provides the basic steps, calories, and distance tracking, but runners will love the built-in GPS to track your running route.

If you’re looking for smart notifications, just sync it with your smartphone for text and call alerts, plus it will automatically upload all your activity data to the Garmin Connect community. While it’s more basic than some of the other more expensive Forerunner trackers, it’s priced perfectly for new runners and hobbyists that want simple tracking and activity monitoring.

Available colors: White/Pink, Blue/Black, Black/Purple, Red/Black

Tracks: Steps, Calories, Distance, Personal Records

Notable features: Smart Notifications, Move Reminders, 8-10 Hour Training Mode Battery, 8-10 Weeks in Activity/Watch Mode, Optional Heart Rate Monitor


Still searching for the best fitness tracker? Check out our activity tracker comparison chart to see all of the fitness bands we’ve reviewed.