Though the line between smartwatch and fitness tracker continues to blur, there are still some devices that, first and foremost, deliver a dedicated wellness experience. Whether a band or a watch, these fitness trackers help users focus on building better habits, keeping tabs on their health, and generally staying active. As Android Authority‘s seasoned wearables expert, I’ve tested numerous trackers for years, pushing the limits of sensors, features, batteries, and build quality. Below are the top devices I would recommend to anyone looking for the best fitness tracker available.
Fitbit Charge 6: The best fitness tracker overall (band-style) Fitbit Charge 6 Useful physical button • Updated heart rate sensor • All sport modes now on device MSRP: $159.99 The Fitbit Charge 6 is the company's 2023 top-of-the-line fitness tracker When it comes to fitness trackers, the Fitbit Charge 6 is now the best product in the company's portfolio. To get anything better, you'd need to jump up to the Pixel Watch 3, which is a dedicated smartwatch. The Charge 6 has a full-color display, 40 exercise modes, and the most advanced heart-rate tracker Fitbit offers. See price at AmazonSee price at Fitbit Positives Useful physical button
Useful physical button Updated heart rate sensor
Updated heart rate sensor All sport modes now on device
All sport modes now on device Google app integration Cons Built-in GPS unreliable
Built-in GPS unreliable Iterative changes compared to last year
Iterative changes compared to last year Heart rate broadcasting limited
Heart rate broadcasting limited No altimeter The best band-style fitness tracker comes from one of the oldest players in the game, Fitbit. Though now acquired by Google, the platform still offers fantastic wellness tracking and a user-friendly companion app. The Fitbit Charge 6 offers key upgrades to the fan-favorite Charge line. Most importantly, I have found the lightweight tracker extremely comfortable for workouts and sleep, and I love the colorful AMOLED display for reading stats. The latest model reintroduced a physical button to streamline device interaction, which makes navigation much easier during exercise and on the go. Internally, the Charge 6 provides all the basics, including step and activity tracking, sleep tracking, ECG support, skin temperature tracking, SpO2 monitoring, and the option to take EDA scans. It also supports Fitbit’s Readiness and Stress Management scores. The sixth generation tracker boasts improved heart rate tracking for more accurate stats than ever, thanks to improved machine learning algorithms, and I was generally very impressed with the sensor’s performance during my review period. However, the tracker suffers from some major drawbacks regarding GPS performance. If pin-point route tracking isn’t a high priority, the Fitbit Charge 6 is a great pick for basic activity tracking. In light of the last few year’s worth of changes to the Fitbit stable, it is also one of few Fitbit-branded devices left. It doesn’t pack all the same smart features shoppers used to find on the brand’s smartwatches, but it does offer useful integration with Google Wallet, Google Maps, and YouTube Music. It also works seamlessly with both Android phones and iPhones, making it approachable for all shoppers. With a comfortable form factor, accurate heart rate tracking, and the powerful Fitbit platform, the Charge 6 is my top tracker recommendation. If you are interested in a full-out smartwatch experience with similar fitness tracking capabilities, the Google Pixel Watch 4, below, is a great device and a very capable fitness tracker, albeit at a much higher price point. It features a more reliable built-in GPS than the Charge 6, but notably, the watch is only compatible with Android phones. The budget-friendly Fitbit Inspire 3 ($99.95 at Amazon) also offers a reliable experience at a lower price point, but doesn’t include built-in GPS. Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority Read more
Garmin Venu 4: The best smartwatch for fitness tracking Garmin Venu 4 Advanced fitness and training tools • Excellent health tracking suite • Solid battery life MSRP: $549.99 An elite health and fitness tool, disguised in a smartwatch The Garmin Venu 4 is a premium smartwatch focused on health, fitness, and accessibility. Including new features for health status tracking, lifestyle logging, advanced sleep tools, and Garmin Fitness Coach. It is available in 41mm and 45mm sizes. See price at Amazon Positives Refined design with brighter display
Refined design with brighter display Improved OS is cleaner, faster, and adds accessibility upgrades
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