When people start researching activity trackers, many wonder if they should buy a water resistant fitness tracker. Considering you’ll be buying a wristband that you’ll wear 24/7, it’s a good idea to pay attention to this feature. The kind of exercise and other activities you do on a daily basis will determine if you need a water resistant fitness band.
Most activity trackers and fitness trackers on the market these days are water resistant. That means you can sweat on them and wear them in the rain without issue. Some you can even shower or wash your hands while wearing them and the tracker will be just fine.
If you’re a swimmer or plan to wear your fitness tracker while you surf or do other water sports, you don’t want a water resistant activity tracker. Instead you need a waterproof fitness band for swimming or a waterproof fitness watch. Many people don’t realize there is a difference between water resistant and waterproof trackers, and you need to pay attention to this when you decide what fitness tracker or pedometer to buy. (Read more about the difference between water resistant and waterproof activity trackers.)
If you’re just looking for a fitness tracker you can wear without shorting it out from a little moisture, you can save money and have more options to find the right tracker for you. Here are some water resistant trackers to consider:
Water Resistant Fitness Trackers
Nike+ GPS Sportwatch
Using TomTom GPS, the Nike+ GPS Sportwatch is an awesome tracker for runners. It combines the GPS tracking with an optional shoe sensor for one of the most accurate step counts runners can find with a wristband tracker.
It’s a water resistant fitness tracker so you’re fine if you go for a run in the rain, but it’s not waterproof so don’t jump in the pool with it.
Fitbit Flex This comfortable and easy to wear activity tracker sacrifices the LCD display of more gaudy pedometer-like bands for LED lights that show you your progress toward the day’s step goals. You have the Fitbit app to easily track your steps, activity, and sleep on your smartphone or tablet.
The big difference with the Flex is that the band is fully customizable with a ton of different bands to personalize your Fitbit or match any occasion. Track your activity without sacrificing on style. It’s water-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about sweat or rain damaging your tracker, but don’t wear it in the shower or the pool!
Available colors: black, slate, tangerine, blue, pink, red, teal
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, water resistant
If you want to hit the pool with a new Fitbit, the Charge is a great option with its water resistance up to 50 meters. You’re safe at the beach, in the showers, or just taking a run in the rain. It also has built-in GPS tracking, so it’s great for runners to track their training. Active folks who like to vary their workouts will appreciate that the band tracks
swimming, biking, and weights as well as gym workouts. 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.
Other great features include tracking floors climbed, on wrist payments through Fitbit pay, and the ability to store and play music from Spotify, Deezer, or Pandora.
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.
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.
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
Garmin Vivofit Fitness Band
The Garmin Vivofit Fitness Band is a fitness tracker that is very popular among runners. It’s water resistant and boasts a battery life of one-year, so this is a low maintenance tracker. This fitness band features a digital display of your step count and the current time. Use the personalized daily goals and the “Time to Move” reminders to live a healthier life and reach your fitness goals.
It can connect to an optional heart rate monitor chest strap to capture your heart rate, which automatically syncs with your smartphone.
The first Vivofit is only a water resistant fitness tracker. If you’re looking for a waterproof version, check out the Garmin Vivofit 2 activity tracker, which is perfect for swimmers.
Available colors: black, blue, purple, slate, green
Tracks: steps, calories, sleep
Notable features: Year-long battery life, water-resistant, displays stats and time on band, Move Bar records idle time and inspires you to move, sets daily goals, optional heart rate strap
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) The 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
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
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
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.
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.
Name
Photo
Rating
Features
Buy
Fitbit Inspire 2
4.5 Star Rating
Water resistant, Heart rate, OLED screen, swappable bands, affordable
Fitbit Luxe
4.5 Star Rating
Waterproof, 5 day battery life, jewelry design
Fitbit Charge 5
4 Star Rating
Waterproof, heart rate tracking, GPS, Cardio Fitness Score, sleep tracking, auto activity tracking, OLED display, 7 day battery
Fitbit Versa 3
4.5 Star Rating
Steps, Workout, Heart Rate, Swimproof, GPS, Smartphone, Plays Music
Fitbit Sense
4.5 Star Rating
GPS, ECG, Temp Sensor, Heart Rate Notifications
Fitbit Ace 3 Kids
4.5 Star Rating
8 day battery life, water proof, goals and competitions, swappable bands
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
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.
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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.
While more and more athletes and fitness enthusiasts are jumping on board the fitness activity tracker train every day now, cyclists have a special problem that stops many of them from purchasing fitness trackers. The physical act of cycling goes uncounted on many of the popular activity trackers available today which are designed to measure steps taken while running or walking. As a result, caloric burn rates are inaccurate and you don’t get credit for the bike rides you take. That’s why if you spend most of your day on a bike or that’s your main form of exercise, you should only consider fitness trackers for cycling.
Luckily, there are now a few fitness trackers that offer special bicycling modes where data is measured and collected differently so as to be accurate. Here are some of the best fitness trackers for cyclists:
Best Fitness Trackers for Cycling
TomTom Spark GPS Fitness Watch
The latest update to TomTom’s Fitness Watch is pleasing cyclists and other active folks. This is a great all-around fitness tracker and smartwatch that has features cyclists will appreciate. The most promoted features are for runners, with GPS tracking, live stats, and route tracking. Those same features can be applied to cyclists since the Multisport Mode on the Spark 3 tracks biking and indoor cycling (in addition to a variety of other common workouts). When you’re riding, the Spark 3 will track speed, pace, distance, calories burnt and duration. This model comes with a new feature for trail tracking, allowing you to ride an unfamiliar route while it tracks you with “breadcrumbs” to easily find your way back to the start, or you can follow a preloaded trail. TomTom also sells an optional cadence and speed sensor to send real-time data to your fitness watch.
Since this is a multi-sport watch, it’s great for triathletes and outdoorsy people. In addition to cycling, it is a waterproof GPS watch that tracks swimming metrics. It also tracks running so your daily jog will be included in your stats. The Indoor Training mode keeps you motivated and tracks your performance at the gym. The race mode allows you to “race against” a previous workout to improve time.
This fitness watch comes in a basic model or you can upgrade to the Spark 3 Cardio which includes a heart rate monitor. The Spark 3 Cardio is also available as a Music bundle with Bluetooth headphones and 3GB of music storage. All three models are great, it just depends on what you need from your fitness watch.
Available colors: black
Tracks: steps, active minutes, distance, calories burned, sleep, running stats (speed, pace, distance, calories burnt, duration, breadcrumb or preloaded trails)
Notable features: Built-in GPS, 24/7 activity tracking, multisport mode, route exploration, battery: 3 weeks activity tracking, 11 hours GPS, waterproof to 40m (130 ft), indoor training mode for the gym, race mode, interval training, auto sleep tracking
The Misfit Shine 2 is a great well-rounded fitness tracker and an excellent cycling activity tracker. This versatile tracker can be worn as a wristband, clip-on, or even as jewelry. To take full advantage of it’s cycling tracking, you clip it to your shoe. This allows it to more accurately record your exercise which can then be tagged as cycling in the app.
The Shine 2 is waterproof and automatically tracks all modes of your life: running, swimming, sleeping. The sleep tracking helps you make the most of your nights, so you’re ready to hit the ground running the next day. You basically just put the tracker on and forget about it (especially since the battery only needs to be replaced every 6 months). This is a tough little tracker, it’s made from aircraft-grade aluminum and glass-reinforced polycarbonate, which makes it waterproof up to 50 meters.
Available colors: carbon black, rose gold (other third party replacement bands are available)
Notable features: water-resistant up to 50 meters, interchangeable bands and clips, vibration alarm for text and call alerts, move reminders, 6 month replaceable battery, control music on synced smartphone
Recently updated with version 2, the Moov Now is more than just a cycling activity tracker. It is a personal coach that literally talks you through your workout with programs for running, cycling, cardio boxing, and body weights. The tracker advises you on how to get the most out of your workout and motivates you to achieve your fitness goals.
Some consider this to be the best activity tracker for cycling. When worn on your ankle, the Moov NOW tracks your speed, distance, and cadence. Your phone can then give you verbal updates and audio coaching while you ride so you don’t have to fiddle with the device. The app monitors your progress and helps you improve over time. With an extremely affordable price point, the Moov NOW is a great activity tracker to consider for biking and general fitness tracking.
Available colors: aqua blue, stealth black, blizzard white, berry pink, sky blue, sunrise orange, fusion red
Tracks: steps, swimming (strokes, lap time, turn time, rests), cycling (power output, cadence, in depth analysis), sleep duration
Notable features: personal audio coach, guided workouts, 6 month battery life, waterproof activity band, Omni Motion Sensor 3D tracking, auto sleep tracking, compatible with iPhone or Android
The Garmin Vivosmart HR is an update to their original tracker which features wrist-based heart rate monitoring. Most fitness trackers for cycling don’t have heart rate monitoring build into the band. It uses that information to more accurately calculate calories burned and the efficiency of your workout or cycling.
If you’re just looking to get healthier and be more active, the Vivosmart HR features goals. It automatically sets step goals for you each day that an incremental and achievable. The fitness band also features move reminders, great for office workers who sit at a computer all day.
If GPS tracking is a much for your bike riding and offroading, the Vivosmart HR+ has all the same features plus built-in GPS.
Available colors: black, imperial purple, midnight blue
The Vivoactive is amazing, and has gotten even better since Garmin updated the newest model with both built in heart rate monitoring and GPS tracking. Think of it like a more sports focused smartwatch than the Apple Watch or with built in GPS unlike the Fitbit Blaze. It’s a well rounded tracker like the TomTom Multisport, including tracking for running, biking, golfing, and swimming. If you specifically want a cycling activity tracker, the Vivoactive HR has plenty of features just for you in their cycling sport app. The smartwatch uses GPS to track your rides and give you daily and weekly stats. It measures time, distance, speed, and calories burned. It’s also compatible with Garmin speed and cadence sensors if you want even more cycling data.
The color touchscreen gives you all the features of a smartwatch. When paired with your smartphone, you can receive text and call notifications. There are also customizable widgets and apps. This is an all-around great smartwatch and activity tracker, perfect for cyclists, runners, and professionals who want to stay in shape.
No! Now that there are a wide range of fitness trackers on the market to choose from, people from all walks of life are using them to measure and optimize their daily activities. Sure, people who are already exercising regularly can benefit from fitness trackers to measure their progress on their goals, but more and more “regular people” are using them as well.
As more and more studies have shown the negative health impacts of sitting in an office at work all day, office workers are now even using some models of fitness trackers to remind them to get up and move around once each hour. Some trackers broadcast to the world that you’re passionate about tracking your health and using the latest technology; other trackers are discrete and look like fashionable watches. So much so that the rest of the world might have no idea you’re keeping tabs on health metrics while you’re talking to them.
How do I choose which fitness tracker is right for me?
The fitness tracker market has exploded in just the last few months alone. Originally, there were only a few fitness trackers to choose from, but today there’s a tracker out there for every lifestyle in every budget range.
As more and more people are becoming interested in wearable fitness trackers, companies have started producing so many that it’s hard to keep track of them all. That’s the point of this website: to sift through all the reviews and compare some of the best fitness trackers on the market today, so you can pick out which one is right for your lifestyle.
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
Name
Photo
Rating
Features
Buy
Xiaomi Mi Band
4.5 Star Rating
Wrist Based Heart Rate, Sleep Tracking, LED Display, Move Reminders, Auto Workout Tracking, Splash Resistant, Android Smart Notifications
3DTriSport Pedometer
4.5 Star Rating
Step Tracking, Walking Distance, 30 Day Step History Memory
Amazfit Band
4 Star Rating
Step Counting, Sleep Tracking, Heart Rate, Move Reminders, Water Resistant, 15 Day Rechargeable Battery
ENGERWALL
4 Star Rating
Step Tracking, Heart Rate, Calories Burned, Heart Rate LED Tap Display, Smart Notifications, Rechargeable Battery
Stiive
4 Star Rating
Step Tracking, Calories Burned, Sleep Tracking, LED Display, Water Proof
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Luckily, there are some waterproof fitness activity trackers on the market today. Here are several well-reviewed fitness activity trackers for swimming that actually are waterproof in the true sense of the word:
Garmin Vivofit 3 Activity Tracker
The newest offering from the Garmin Vivofit line is an amazing and well-rounded activity tracker. It features Move IQ, which automatically detects what activity you’re doing and records accordingly. When you sync to the Garmin Connect app it helps you set goals and improve your performance over time.
The Vivofit 3 also features basic features like time and step count display on the band. The band is meant to be worn comfortably 24/7, from the gym to the shower and to bed. This waterproof exercise tracker is great for walking, running, biking, swimming, or working out at the gym.
Notable features: 1 year battery life, silicone band, water resistant 5 ATM, auto activity detection, move bar and move reminders, displays time of day, personalized daily goals, Garmin Connect app
Finally! Fitbit now offers a waterproof activity tracker for swimmers. This fitness wristband comes with an ultra slim design that is easily swapped out with different bands or jewelry so you can wear this tracker in the pool or shower, then out at a party, or in the office. This band is an update to their original Flex, with the big change being the “swimproof” design. 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’s also smartphone notifications in addition to the silent alarms. All these features come without sacrificing the battery life of the original model.
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.
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, water resistant, SmartTrack auto exericse tracking, waterproof, move reminders
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. Like the Vivofit, it measures calories burned, steps taken, distance, “move!” reminders, and has great battery life. The Vivosmart takes it a step further though, providing integration with your phone and a touchscreen display.
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
The Misfit Shine 2 is another great waterproof fitness tracker that provides a well rounded tracking system. It automatically tracks all modes of your life: running, swimming, sleeping. The Sleep tracking helps you make the most of your nights, so you’re ready to hit the ground running the next day. Hit the pool with confidence as this waterproof tracker will record your swimming activity.
This is a tough little tracker, it’s made from aircraft grade aluminum and glass-reinforced polycarbonate, which makes it waterproof up to 50 meters. It’s also completely interchangeable with other wristbands, clips ons, or jewelry, so you can wear it wherever and however you want to. The minimalist design makes it match any outfit or occasion so you can truly wear it 24/7.
Available colors: pure silver, carbon black, rose gold (other third party replacement bands are available)
Notable features: water resistant up to 50 meters, interchangeable bands, vibration alarm for text and call alerts, move reminders, 6 month replaceable battery
If you’re looking for a heavy duty sports watch that is waterproof and tracking swimming, you should considering the Polar V800. This is a heavy duty fitness tracker that hits a lot of the key features shoppers look for: heart rate monitoring, GPS enables, and waterproof for swimming. The multi-sport focus means it’s perfect for triatheletes, tracking running, biking, and swimming.
The Moov Now is more than just a waterproof fitness tracker. It is a personal coach that literally talks you through your workout with coaching for running, cycling, cardio boxing, and body weights. The tracker advises you on how to get the most out of your workout and motivates you to achieve your fitness goals.
For swimmers specifically, Moov Now tracks your form including your strokes, to give you feedback and lap breakdowns for your swim. This tracker is small and comfortable and a great choice for swimmers looking for a waterproof fitness band.
Available colors: aqua blue, stealth black, blizzard white, fusion red
Tracks: steps, swimming (strokes, lap time, turn time, rests), cycling (power output, cadence, in depth analysis), sleep duration
Notable features: personal audio coach, guided workouts, 6 month battery life, waterproof activity band
We’ve come a long way from simple pedometers. These days fitness trackers can track a lot more than just how many steps you take in a day: a new class of fitness trackers is meant to be worn 24/7, even while you’re sleeping. These specialized new fitness trackers can measure your sleep patterns to determine whether you’re getting enough rest. Some even wake you up at specific times. Here are some of the best fitness trackers with sleep monitors available today:
Fitbit One Activity Plus Sleep Monitor
The Fitbit One is has a traditional pedometer form factor and measures both your activity during the day, and also your sleep patterns when you go to bed.
When you insert your Fitbit one into its sleep band accessory at night (which is worn around your wrist), the Fitbit will track the number of times you wake up and synthesize this information into a “sleep quality score.” It also features a silent alarm that can wake you up, but not your partner, by vibrating quietly.
Available colors: black, burgundy
Tracks: steps, floors climbed/stairs, distance, calories burned, active minutes, sleep quantity and quality
Notable features: silent alarm, sleep tracking, stair counter, water resistant clip, 14 days rechargeable battery, syncs wirelessly to computers and smartphones
The Misfit Shine 2 is another great fitness tracker that provides a well rounded tracking system. It automatically tracks all modes of your life: running, swimming, sleeping. The Sleep tracking helps you make the most of your nights, so you’re ready to hit the ground running the next day. The sleep tracking is automatic and new features include a silent alarm, and vibration notifications for text messages and calls when paired with your smartphone.
This is a tough little tracker, it’s made from aircraft grade aluminum and glass-reinforced polycarbonate, which makes it waterproof up to 50 meters. It’s also completely interchangeable with other wristbands, clips ons, or jewelry, so you can wear it wherever and however you want to. The minimalist design makes it match any outfit or occasion so you can truly wear it 24/7.
Available colors: carbon black, rose gold (other third party replacement bands are available)
Notable features: water resistant up to 50 meters, interchangeable bands, vibration alarm for text and call alerts, move reminders, 6 month replaceable battery
We’re not going to lie. Runtastic is kind of a ridiculous name for anything, but don’t let that put you off. The Runtastic Orbit 24 fitness and sleep tracker monitors your daily activities (not just running), with special attention paid to your sleep duration and cycles.
You have to initiate sleep mode when you go to bed, but after that, the Orbit 24 will collect data and analyze it to give you a more consistent sleep schedule. Like other leading fitness trackers with sleep monitors, the Runtastic Orbit 24 connects to iPhone or Android apps to display data. The tracker comes with two wristbands (blue and black) and also a black clip, so you can wear it any way you like.
Tracks: steps, active minutes, calories burned, sleep cycles
Notable features: OLED display, time and alarm, waterproof up to 300 feet, clip or wristbands included, 5-7 day battery life
The newest offering from the Garmin Vivofit line is an amazing and well-rounded activity tracker. It features Move IQ, which automatically detects what activity you’re doing and records accordingly. When you sync to the Garmin Connect app it helps you set goals and improve your performance over time.
As far as sleep tracking goes, this activity tracker automatically switches to sleep mode when you go to bed. This tracker does lack any vibrating alarms, so if you want that feature you should consider the Jawbone UP3
Another big plus for the Viviofit 3 is the band is waterproof, so you can shower and swim with it on. This fitness band also features basic features like time and step count display on the band. The band is meant to be worn comfortably 24/7, from the gym to the shower and to bed. Add in the year-long battery life and it’s hard not to be impressed by this fitness tracker.
Notable features: 1 year battery life, silicone band, water resistant 5 ATM, auto activity detection, move bar and move reminders, displays time of day, personalized daily goals, Garmin Connect app
Runners often find wrist-worn fitness activity trackers to be a useful gadget because of how light and easy to use they are on a run. Fitness trackers for running typically track the number of steps taken, distance traveled, and chart this information on an iPhone or Android app, or sync with a website dashboard to track your running goals. Here are some of the most popular fitness trackers for runners.
Check out our comparison chart and then the reviews.
Fitness Trackers for Runners Comparison Chart
Check out our comparison chart for running fitness trackers. If you want to read our in-depth review of each tracker, scroll down to the next section.
Name
Photo
Rating
Features
Buy
TomTom Runner 3
4 Star Rating
GPS, Activity Tracking, Waterproof, Bluetooth Music, Running Programs
Runtastic Orbit
5 Star Rating
OLED Display, Sleep & Activity Tracking, Waterproof, Wristband or Clip
The TomTom Runner 3 GPS Watch is a specialized fitness tracker for runners that offers several benefits. It’s meant both for the treadmill and outdoor running and has different modes for both. It also syncs with popular online running community websites like MapMyFitness, RunKeeper and TrainingPeaks. The TomTom Runner GPS Watch will measures distance run, pace, and runtime information. It also offers easy-to-navigate menus so you can adjust settings without having to pause your run.
This newest version has tons of features for other workouts as well, so you’re not limited to just running. The multi-sport mode can track cycling, gym workouts, and even swimming (this running watch is waterproof as well). If you need some variety to your runs, use Run Free to track your path so you can find your way home or upload new routes and explore them without worrying about getting lost.
Notable features: waterproof up to 40 meters, Bluetooth music player & headphones, interval training, recovery indicator, heart rate monitor compatible, GPS, customizable straps
We’re not going to lie. Runtastic is kind of a ridiculous name for anything, but don’t let that put you off. The Runtastic Orbit 24 fitness and sleep tracker monitors your daily activities (not just running), with special attention paid to your sleep duration and cycles.
The Runtastic Orbit 24 also has an app for iPhone and most Android models to keep track of the number of steps you take, and your calories burned, your active minutes during a workout and, of course, your distance traveled. All of this data syncs with your smartphone which can help you track your running goals and help motivate you.
This tracker is wonderfully flexible to wear too, come with two wristbands (blue and black) and a clip, so you can wear it whichever way is most comfortable for you.
Tracks: Steps, Active Minutes, Calories Burned, Sleep, Goals, Ambient Lighting
Notable features: OLED Display, Time, Alarm, Waterproof 300 feet, Runtastic Me app, clip and wristbands, mood tracking, 5-7 day battery
If you love to run and also enjoy some variety in your workouts, the Vivofit 3 is a great option for tracking all of your activity. The built in Move IQ automatically tracks your activity, so you don’t have to worry about starting any workout before you being your run. This model is great for office workers because it has built in move reminders and will track your steps all day. That really helps for you to keep active all day long, not just during your runs.
Since this is a 24 hour activity tracker, you can also wear it to track your sleep and its water resistant so you never have to take it off, not even to shower. If style is important to you, there are tons of accessory bands available so you can always match your Vivofit to your outfit. The only big features it’s missing that runner may want are GPS and heart rate monitoring.
Notable features: 1 year battery life, silicone band, waterproof 5 ATM, auto activity detection, move bar and move reminders, displays time of day & steps, personalized daily goals, Garmin Connect app
If you like the Garmin products but want to make sure you can get GPS tracking and wristbased heartrate for your outdoor runs, you can get all that and more with their premium Garmin Forerunner 935. Designed for triatholon training, this is the ultimate GPS watch for runners, with tracking for tons of exercises like cycling and swimming. It even has a treadmill mode so you can get your run data indoors. For runners, it monitors your running form as well as distance, speed, and other running data.
In addition to all of the cool workout features, it also can sync with your smartphone and Garmin Connect IQ to receive alerts from your favorite apps like Uber and Accuweather, making it function like a smartwatch as well. You can also customize the watch faces and swap out the bands to make the Forerunner match your style. With all these features, the Forerunner 935 is pricey, but if you can afford it you will be pleased with how well it supports your running and training.
If you want GPS tracking for your runs with a lower price, then New Balance offers a great fitness tracker for runners. This GPS watch is best for runners who don’t want a fancy smartwatch or something they have to sync to their smartphone. It does all the tracking you could want right in the watch, including GPS, lap splits, and total run time. It monitors your speed and distance and keeps 100 runs logged right in the watch.
The watch also features basics like a backlight and five programmable alarms. This is a simple runner’s watch that is a great budget option.
