Withings Activite Pop Activity and Sleep Tracking Watch

5 Best Watches That Count Your Steps

Watches That Count Your Steps

Step counters are all the rage now in the fitness community. A lot of fitness bands are cool but look utilitarian or don’t even tell the time, so you have to wear the activity tracker and a watch at the same time. Luckily there are plenty of watches that count your steps that are attractive and functional.

If you’re looking for a simple traditional watch, there are a few options. There are also really awesome smartwatches that give you options for fitness apps and other cool features. No matter what you’re looking for or what your style is, you can find a step counter watch that will work for you.

Check out some of our favorites below:

5 Best Watches That Count Your Steps

Withings Steel HR Sport Hybrid Smartwatch

If you aren’t sold on smartwatches but want the cool features of an activity tracker, Withings offers the best of both worlds. It’s a physical watch face with a built-in digital display to give you up-to-date activity stats. Once you sync your watch with your smartphone, you can get in-depth stats on your exercise and activity. It also has 24/7 heart rate monitoring, for more accurate sleep and exercise reporting. Wear it to bed for automatic sleep tracking, plus a Smart Wake-up feature that wakes you at the best time in your cycle.

With 30 different sport workout modes built-in, you can track any of your favorite exercises. GPS connection through your smartphone also provides extra data on runs. The Steel HR is waterproof so you can wear it while you swim or shower without damage. It also has automatic run detection, so it’s perfect for runners who want a discrete fitness tracker they can also wear to the office. The 25 day battery life is outstanding compared to smartwatches that need charging every day. Live your life instead of worrying about charging.

If you need notifications, your watch can vibrate and display your calls, texts, events, and select app alerts on the digital screen.

Available colors: black, white, rose gold (and interchangeable bands)

Tracks: steps, distance, running, calories burned, sleep cycle, steps taken, heart rate

Notable features: waterproof to 50m, 25 day battery life, auto sleep monitoring, Smart Wake-up alarm, 30 sport workout mode, GPS (phone connected), smart notifications, compatible with Apple Health




Motorola Moto 360 Smartwatch

The Motorola Moto 360 features all the great smartwatch features you’d expect, plus activity tracking capabilities. If you want the time, it just takes a glance at the watch face, which also displays notifications. The look of the Moto 360 is sleek and professional, perfect for wearing to the office and at the gym. The durable Gorilla glass means it’s safe even during “extreme” sports.

For activity tracking, there’s Moto Body that inspires you to be healthier by coaching you to meet your fitness goals. Achieve all your goals, whether exercise tracking through heart rate and GPS, or meditation with the Calm app.

Available colors: black, gold, steel gray

Tracks: steps, calories burned, heart rate, GPS

Notable features: Andoird and iOS compatible, voice commands, 3ATM water-resistant, 60 minute charging, includes 2 bands, 24 hour battery, durable Gorilla glass, hundreds of apps


Fitbit Versa 4 Smartwatch

The Versa is a smartwatch made by Fitbit. Because they make some of the best fitness trackers around, you know this is a smartwatch with a fitness focus. In addition to checking the time, you can use the Blaze to track your steps, floors climbed, and your active minutes.

If you’re a runner, it also has PurePulse Heart Rate monitoring, and the ability to connect with GPS on your phone to map your routes and see in-depth stats like pace and duration. It also features a new app called Fitstar, which has on-screen workouts with step-by-step instructions. Blaze basically works like a trainer and a personal health coach.

Blaze features the Smarttrack exercise recognizer and multiple sport modes so you can log activities like running, biking, and cardio while seeing real-time stats on display.

Like most smartwatches, you can customize your bands to match your outfits and also receive call, text, and calendar alerts. It features music control for your smartphone (volume, play, pause, switch songs). It’s great for bedtime because it also features sleep tracking and silent alarms.

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


Apple Watch

The Apple Watch is one of the hottest smartwatches on the market right now and is a must buy for iPhone users. A lot of people forget it is also a fitness watch as it has advanced activity, step, and heart rate monitoring features. It’s also fully customizable with different sizes, colors, and a number of different bands to create the perfect look for any outfit.

The smartwatch factor is off the charts with the Apple Watch. It tells time, with many different customizable watch faces, but also counts your steps. The fitness tracking includes move and exercise goals and also a Workout App to track specific types of exercises. Move reminders make sure you stand every hour and customized activity goals help you reach weight loss and health goals.

You can purchase the Apple Watch as a GPS only model that needs to be paired with your phone or buy a GPS and Cellular model where you can use your watch anywhere and leave your phone at home. That includes exercise tracking, making phone calls, or doing tons of other tasks via the endless number of apps available.

Available colors: aluminum case (space gray, silver aluminum, gold aluminum, rose gold aluminum) or stainless steel case (stainless steel or space black stainless steel)

Tracks: steps, heart rate, exercise, stand hours, sleep, ECG, blood oxygen, and so much more

Notable features: 18 hour battery life, Retina display with Force Touch, 50m swimproof, swappable bands, call, text, and other iPhone notifications, App store, fall detections


Still searching for the perfect step counter? Check out our fitness tracker comparison chart.

Waterproof Fitness Watch for Swimmers

Waterproof Fitness Watches for Swimmers

Waterproof Fitness Watch for Swimmers

There are a lot of fitness options for swimmers these days, with more and more waterproof fitness trackers coming out. But many people don’t like the minimalist, futuristic, or utilitarian look of many fitness bands. If you’re a traditionalist who is used to wearing a wristwatch or you just like the convenience of seeing the time and your current stats on the tracker without syncing to your smartphone, you should consider buying a waterproof fitness watch for swimming.

If you’re a swimmer who needs to track laps and swim times, you definitely need to buy a waterproof watch that’s safe to go in the pool or the ocean. If you do watersports like surfing, you’ll want a waterproof fitness tracker as well. It’s also worth considering a waterproof tracker if you want to be able to go from gym to shower or wash dishes with your tracker on and not worry about destroying it.

Here are a few waterproof fitness watches that are perfect for swimmers.

Swimovate PoolMate2 Swim Waterproof Sports Watch Swimovate PoolMate2 Swim Waterproof Sports Watch
Whether you swim in a pool or the open water of a river, lake, or ocean, the Swimovate PoolMate2 has all the features you need to track your workout. It tracks laps, counts strokes, and also measures your efficieny and calculated calories burned. This is a simple and easy to use waterproof fitness watch that has the features you need and no extra fluff.

This newer model not only boasts the open water tracking but also double the battery life of the original PoolMate. The only downside is this fitness watch is made specifically for swimmers, so it won’t track other activities like running or cycling.

Available colors: black, blue, gray, purple

Tracks: laps, strokes per lap, speed, rest time, calories, distance (yards or meters), speed, efficiency

Notable features: open water mode with a stroke pedometer, waterproof to 50 meters, 12 or 24 hour clock, alarm, A99 set chrono mode for timing out of the water, stopwatch, backlight



Mio ALPHA 2 Heart Rate Watch and Activity Tracker

If you’re looking for a waterproof fitness watch that is also an activity tracker, you should consider the Alpha 2. This sport watch is rechargeable and syncs with the Mio Go App to track your workouts and your heart rate, and full customize your watch. The display also gives you all the info you need about your workout, heartrate, and time without needing to sync.

This band tracks your heart rate without an additional chest strap, so you can get all the data you need whether you’re cycling, swimming, or running. It’s waterproof up to 30 meters so you can take it in the pool or in the ocean to surf. This is a good all-around sports watch for fitness buffs who workout in the water and on land.

Available colors: black, black/yellow, black/punch (pink)

Tracks: steps, calories, distance, pace, heart rate

Notable features: water resistant to 30 meters, Bluetooth connectivity to sync to iPhone or Android, holds up to 25 hours of workout data


Garmin Waterproof Swim Watch
Garmin Waterproof Swim Watch
If you want a swimming focused fitness watch that is waterproof but also allows for app syncing, consider the Garmin Swim Watch. This easy to use watch is ready to go as soon as you open the box. All you have to do is swim and Garmin does the rest, auto detecting your swim stroke and tracking length, strokes, distance, and pace. It can also be used to log drills and timed intervals. You can upload your data to Garmin Connect to view detailed metrics and track progress over time.

The Garmin Swim Watch is specifically designed for pool use, so if you need an open water watch, you should buy the Swimovate PoolMate2. It also only features tracking for swimming, so if you have other exercise types you’d like to track, you’ll need a more well-rounded activity tracking watch like the Garmin Fenix 3.

Available colors: Black/blue

Tracks: swim distance, pace, stroke count, pool lengths

Notable features: 12 month battery life, 12 or 24 hour time, daily alarm, logs drills, stopwatch


Withings Activite Pop Activity and Sleep Tracking Watch
Withings Activite Pop Activity and Sleep Tracking Watch
If you’re looking for a fitness tracker that actually looks like a traditional watch, the Withings Activite line will suit you. This is a well-rounded fitness watch that’s meant to track steps and sleep. It has automatic run detection, so it’s perfect for runners who want a discrete fitness tracker. The watch face tells time and also features a dial tracker to show you how close you are to reaching your daily activity goal. Sync with your smartphone to get detail data on distance walked or runner, and sleep data.

The only downside is the Activite Pop does not have specific swim tracking capabilities, even though it’s waterproof up to 150 feet. This watch is more for people who want a general waterproof fitness watch and not for swimmers.

Available colors: black, sand, azure, pink (customizable with additional wristbands)

Tracks: steps, distance, running, calories burned, sleep cycle, steps taken

Notable features: silent alarm, sleep cycle analysis, 8 month battery life, automatic run detection, water resistant to 150 feet


Garmin Fenix 3 GPS Watch
Garmin Fenix 3 GPS Watch
If you want a lot of features in your waterproof fitness watch, the Garmin Fenix 3 may be the perfect model for you. This multisport GPS watch goes with you wherever you go–water, running, the gym–it will track and coach you through everything. Use the preset sport profiles for accurate fitness tracking and GPS to track distance and navigate outdoors. This watch is rugged too, featuring stainless steel buttons and reinforced housing to stand up to whatever comes your way.

It also uses the same technology as Garmin Swim Watch to track all your swimming stats and laps. The Fenix 3 is also a smartwatch, allowing for customized apps, widgets, watch faces, and more. This is a pricey fitness watch, but the fact that it is waterproof and track almost every fitness activity you can think of makes it worth the investment if you’re serious about exercise and outdoor sports. This watch is perfect for runners, swimmers, and bike riders. (If you want heart rate tracking built into the band, check out the Garmin Fenix 3 HR)

Available colors: gray/black band, silver/red band, sapphire/metal band, rose gold/white band, silver/leather band

Tracks: distance, running dynamics, swimming (distance, pace, stroke count), skiing/snow boarding (speed, distance, vertical drop), and so much more

Notable features: GPS, Swim profile. waterproof up to 100 meters, optional heart rate monitor strap, smart notifications, weather alert, fitness training, works as a remote for VIRB action cameras