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If one of your goals is to get more active, today’s fitness wearables do far more than count steps—they track heart rate, sleep, stress, temperature trends, and even offer ECG on-wrist and, on select models, FDA-authorized sleep apnea screening. The best choice now depends on your phone ecosystem (iPhone vs. Android), the form factor you prefer (watch, sport watch, hybrid, or ring), and which metrics matter most (training readiness, ECG, sleep). Battery life has also improved: slim bands and rings typically last several days, while sport watches often stretch to a week or more per charge. As you read our legacy picks below, we’ve added up-to-date guidance and alternatives such as Samsung Galaxy Watch7/Ultra, Google Pixel Watch 3, Garmin Forerunner 165, Withings ScanWatch Nova, Samsung Galaxy Ring, and Apple Watch Series 10.
The Best 6 Fitness Trackers
- Fitbit Charge 4 – Legacy pick; see today’s best overall alternatives below
- Amazfit Bip Fitness – Legacy budget pick
- Garmin vívofit jr. 2 – Best for Kids
- Garmin vívosport 4 – Legacy health band; see newer health-focused watches
- Wyze Band – Legacy voice-assistant pick
- Lintelek Fitness Tracker – Legacy budget band
The Best Fitness Trackers: Key Features
| Product | Category | Heart Rate Tracker | Built-In GPS | Sleep Tracker | Battery Life |
| Fitbit Charge 4 | Best Fitness Tracker Overall | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Up to 7 Day Battery Life* |
| Amazfit Bip Fitness | Best Value | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Up to 45 Day Battery Life* |
| Garmin vívofit jr. 2 | Best for Kids | – | – | ✔ | 1-Year Battery Life* |
| Garmin vívosmart 4 | Best for Health Monitoring | ✔ | – | ✔ | Up to 7 Day Battery Life* |
| Wyze Band | Best for Alexa Integration | ✔ | – | ✔ | Up to 10 Day Battery Life* |
| Lintelek Fitness Tracker | Best for an Eclectic Lifestyle | ✔ | – | ✔ | Up to 10 Day Battery Life* |
Fitbit Charge 4
Why we chose it
Control Spotify directly from your wrist
If you love listening to music while you work out, Charge 4 can control playback on your phone, but it doesn’t store music. Today’s leading smartwatches go further with rich on‑wrist controls and broader app support; if deep Spotify control matters, consider ecosystem‑friendly options like Google Pixel Watch 3 (Android) or Apple Watch Series 10 (iPhone) that integrate tightly with their respective platforms.
Contactless payment technology
Charge‑style bands support tap‑to‑pay in their ecosystems, and modern alternatives make it even easier. For example, Pixel Watch 3 supports Google Wallet, Galaxy Watch7 supports Samsung Pay/Wallet, and Apple Watch Series 10 supports Apple Pay—handy when you’re out for a run and want to leave your wallet at home.
Accurate monitoring
Charge 4 covers essentials (daily activity, heart rate, sleep). If you want more health depth, 2024–2025 watches add ECG and advanced sleep/recovery insights; notably, Samsung Galaxy Watch7/Ultra include an FDA‑authorized Sleep Apnea Feature in supported regions alongside ECG, while Pixel Watch 3 and Apple Watch Series 10 provide on‑wrist ECG and robust workout tracking. For training‑first accuracy and guidance, Garmin Forerunner 165 adds Training Readiness and strong GPS/HR performance.
Points to consider
No improvements on design
As a legacy band, Charge 4’s small monochrome screen and basic interface feel dated next to today’s bright AMOLED watches and hybrid analog options like Withings ScanWatch Nova. If display size, color, or glanceability matters, a modern watch or hybrid will serve you better.
Screen display lacks color
Charge 4’s grayscale display helps battery life, but it’s underwhelming by current standards. Contemporary bands like Fitbit’s latest still target up to about a week per charge, while sport watches often reach a week or more and rings manage several days; usage and features (e.g., GPS, always‑on display) affect runtime. See current examples: Fitbit Charge 6 (up to ~7 days), Forerunner 165 (up to ~11 days smartwatch), and Oura Ring (multi‑day).
Amazfit Bip Fitness
Why we chose it
Colorful Display
The Bip’s color display was a standout for the price. If you want a bright, color screen today without giving up endurance, newer AMOLED sport watches manage week‑plus runtimes in smartwatch mode—see Garmin Forerunner 165 for a representative example.
45-Day Battery Life
The Bip line was known for marathon battery claims, though real‑world life depends on settings. As a current baseline, slim bands and rings generally run about 4–7 days, many AMOLED sport watches reach roughly 7–14 days in smartwatch mode, and outdoor watches with transflective displays can last weeks; solar‑assisted models can extend smartwatch time significantly under sun. See examples: Fitbit Charge 6, Forerunner 165, and Garmin Power Glass solar.
Lightweight and Thin
Light weight and a simple band form factor make this style comfortable for all‑day wear. If you want a dressier look with strong health tracking and multi‑week battery, a modern hybrid like ScanWatch Nova is a compelling alternative.
Points to consider
No remote functions
Basic budget trackers may not offer robust media controls or app ecosystems. If smart features matter, consider full smartwatches like Pixel Watch 3 (Android) or Apple Watch Series 10 (iPhone).
It could be inaccurate somethings
Entry‑level trackers can show variability in heart rate, steps, and GPS accuracy. Newer sport watches use smarter GNSS power/precision modes (e.g., Garmin’s SatIQ) to balance accuracy with battery life, especially during runs and rides.
Garmin vívofit jr. 2
Why we chose it
Reminder alerts for tasks and chores
Parent‑controlled reminders and timers help kids build routines (homework, chores, brushing teeth). The companion app’s rewards and goals keep motivation high while letting adults supervise progress.
Swimproof
The vívofit jr. series is designed for splashes and swimming. In general, for swim use look for devices rated to 5 ATM per the watch standard (ISO 22810) and follow maker guidance; Garmin’s water‑rating table explains what activities each rating permits. See Garmin water ratings and Fitbit’s water‑resistance guidance for care tips like rinsing after pool or saltwater.
No need to recharge the battery
A coin‑cell battery keeps the band running for months, so kids don’t have to remember to charge it—handy for school days and sleep tracking. When it’s depleted, you’ll replace the battery rather than recharge.
Points to consider
Battery is not rechargeable
Not having to charge is convenient, but some families prefer rechargeable wearables to avoid battery swaps. Usage patterns can also affect how long a coin cell lasts.
Pricey
The vívofit jr. line costs more than some basic kids’ bands, but the durable build, fun themed designs, and parental tools can justify the premium for many households.
Garmin vívosmart 4
Why we chose it
Blood oxygen level tracking
Vívósmart 4 brought advanced wellness features like SpO2, sleep, stress, and recovery insights to a slim band. Note that pulse-oximetry has accuracy limitations across factors like skin tone and motion—treat SpO2 as wellness guidance, not a diagnosis; see the FDA’s advisory. If you want regulated features like ECG or sleep apnea screening, consider watches such as Apple Watch Series 10, Pixel Watch 3, or Galaxy Watch7/Ultra (availability varies by region).
Durable and slim
A discreet band that’s comfortable day and night, vívosmart 4 is swim‑friendly. As a general rule, look for a 5‑ATM rating for pool or open‑water swimming and follow care guidance. Garmin details permitted activities by rating here: water ratings.
Tracker high accuracy
For casual fitness and sleep tracking, it performs consistently. If you’re training for races or want deeper coaching, a dedicated sport watch like Forerunner 165 adds Training Readiness, better on‑wrist metrics, and longer battery life than most full smartwatches.
Points to consider
Touch screen is not too intuitive
The narrow screen can feel fiddly compared with modern watches’ larger AMOLED displays, making quick swipes and taps less forgiving during workouts.
iPhone lovers might not get all its features
Check ecosystem fit before you buy: Apple Watch pairs only with iPhone, while modern Wear OS watches like Pixel Watch and Samsung’s Galaxy Watch7 pair only with Android phones. Cross‑platform trackers (e.g., Garmin, Fitbit, Oura) generally support iOS and Android, but Android devices typically need Google Play services—see Fitbit phone requirements and Oura compatibility.
Wyze Band
Why we chose it
Built-in Amazon Alexa
Wyze Band’s Alexa integration was novel for the price. If voice assistants and smart‑home control are priorities today, full smartwatches offer deeper integrations and faster performance—see Pixel Watch 3 or Galaxy Watch7 for Android and Apple Watch Series 10 for iPhone.
Affordable
Budget bands remain very affordable. Expect roughly $40–$60 for basics (e.g., Amazfit Band 7 at about $49.99), while richer health‑tracking bands typically run around $100–$180; GPS running watches start near $250. See current examples and MSRPs: Amazfit Band 7, Fitbit Inspire 3, Fitbit Charge 6, Garmin vívosmart 5, and Garmin Forerunner 165.
Smart home controls
Modern wearables increasingly tie into ambient routines—using workout or sleep states to automate notifications and environments. Implementations vary by platform, but Android’s Health Connect helps apps share health data securely so your favorite services can work together more smoothly.
Points to consider
No GPS at all
If route tracking matters, choose a device with built‑in GPS or reliable phone‑assisted GPS. Budget bands like this typically skip onboard GPS to maximize battery life and keep costs down.
Needs app constantly running
Assistant and smart‑home features often rely on a companion app running in the background, which can modestly impact phone battery. You can toggle background access when you don’t need voice control.
Lintelek Fitness Tracker
Why we chose it
14 sport modes
Multiple sport profiles make it easy to log diverse activities. Modern trackers and sport watches have expanded far beyond a dozen modes and add coaching and readiness insights; if structured training is your goal, Forerunner 165 offers robust guidance for running and general fitness.
Sedentary alerts
Stand and move reminders help break up long sitting sessions—small nudges that add up over the day. Many wearables pair these prompts with sleep and recovery signals to guide when to push versus rest.
Easy to use app
Ease of use varies by brand. On Android, Health Connect helps popular apps (Fitbit, Samsung Health, Oura, Peloton and more) share data with user permission, reducing setup friction and duplicate connections across services.
Points to consider
No built-in GPS
Without onboard GPS you’ll need to bring your phone to record routes. Many budget bands rely on connected‑GPS to stay slim and keep costs down.
Not compatible with some smartphones
Most trackers support iOS and Android, but features and compatibility depend on OS version and services. Apple Watch works only with iPhone; Wear OS watches (Google Pixel Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch) work only with Android. Many third‑party trackers require iOS 15+ or Android with Google Play services; some devices without Google services may be incompatible. See guidance for Fitbit and Oura.
Guide to Fitness Trackers
The smartest way to choose a tracker is to start with your ecosystem (iPhone vs. Android), then pick a form factor (watch for max features, sport watch for training + battery, hybrid for style + weeks of life, ring for sleep/recovery), and finally match metrics to your goals (ECG, sleep apnea screening, training readiness). Leading examples include Samsung Galaxy Watch7/Ultra, Google Pixel Watch 3, Garmin Forerunner 165, Withings ScanWatch Nova, Galaxy Ring, and Apple Watch Series 10.
Battery life
Typical runtimes now range from about 5–14 days depending on form factor and features. Slim bands and rings tend to reach up to ~7 days; AMOLED sport watches often achieve about a week or more in smartwatch mode; outdoor watches with transflective displays go for weeks, and solar lenses can extend time further under sun. Activity GPS time is measured in hours. Settings like multi‑band GPS, always‑on display, and continuous SpO2 reduce battery life. Representative figures: Fitbit Charge 6 (up to ~7 days), Forerunner 165 (~11 days smartwatch, ~19 hours GPS), Garmin Power Glass solar, and Oura Ring (multi‑day).
Compatible Technology
Platform lock‑in matters most: Apple Watch works only with iPhone; modern Wear OS watches like Google Pixel Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch require Android. Most dedicated trackers/rings (Fitbit, Oura) support iOS and Android, but Android phones generally need Google Play services; check minimum OS and device lists (Fitbit, Oura).
Water resistance and waterproof
Match ratings to activities: for swimming, prefer 5 ATM per the watch standard (ISO 22810) and follow the brand’s activity table; IP67/68 alone is for controlled immersion, not swim strokes. For scuba, look for a true dive standard (ISO 6425) or a dive computer. See official guidance from Garmin, Apple, and Fitbit, and rinse devices after salt/chlorine to preserve seals.
Budget
As a snapshot, expect about $40–$60 for basic bands (Amazfit Band 7), around $100–$180 for richer health trackers (Fitbit Inspire 3, Charge 6, vívosmart 5), and roughly $250+ for entry GPS running watches (Forerunner 165). Rings and subscription‑centric devices may add monthly fees (e.g., Oura membership, WHOOP). Promotions can lower street prices.
Size
Comfort drives consistency. Try to balance screen size and weight with your wear style: slim bands and rings excel for 24/7 wear and sleep; watches give maximum glanceable data; hybrids such as ScanWatch Nova blend classic looks with health sensors; sport watches prioritize training metrics and battery.
