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 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, heartrate
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 3 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 phonecalls, 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.