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Find the right fitness tracker for athletes, casual users, and budget-conscious buyers
As technology continues to advance, fitness trackers are becoming smarter, more intuitive, and packed with features that help users monitor their health, fitness goals, and overall well-being. Whether you're an athlete, someone embarking on a new fitness journey, or simply looking to stay more active, fitness trackers can provide real-time insights into your activity levels, sleep patterns, and even stress management.
With 2024 shaping up to be a landmark year for wearables, a wide range of new and improved fitness trackers are available in the market. These devices now offer more than just step counting; they include advanced heart rate monitoring, sleep analysis, workout recognition, GPS tracking, and even features to monitor blood oxygen levels and body composition. Let’s dive into the best fitness trackers to buy in 2024, focusing on functionality, design, accuracy, and value for money.
1. Apple Watch Series 9: The All-Rounder
Price: Starting at $399
Key Features:
Comprehensive health tracking: heart rate, ECG, blood oxygen
Advanced sleep tracking
GPS and GLONASS for precise location tracking
Large app ecosystem
Integrates seamlessly with iOS devices
The Apple Watch Series 9 continues to dominate the wearable market in 2024 with its advanced features and seamless integration with Apple’s ecosystem. Although it’s technically a smartwatch, the Series 9 boasts some of the most advanced fitness and health-tracking features available, making it a great choice for both casual users and fitness enthusiasts.
New features in the Series 9 include a more efficient S9 chip, which enhances the device's speed and performance while also improving battery life. For fitness enthusiasts, the watch’s built-in heart rate monitor, ECG functionality, and blood oxygen sensors allow for comprehensive health tracking. Its advanced workout modes can track nearly any physical activity, while the Fitness+ subscription service enhances the workout experience with guided sessions and real-time data syncing.
The Apple Watch offers impressive GPS accuracy for runners and cyclists, and its fall detection feature remains a standout for personal safety. For iPhone users, the Apple Watch Series 9 is a premium fitness tracker with an unmatched ecosystem.
Pros:
Best-in-class ecosystem integration with iPhone
Great for all fitness levels
Comprehensive health and fitness data
Advanced safety features (e.g., fall detection)
Cons:
Expensive, especially when paired with a cellular plan
Battery life could be better compared to fitness-focused trackers
2. Fitbit Charge 6: Best for Sleep and Heart Health
Price: Around $179
Key Features:
24/7 heart rate tracking with PurePulse 2.0
SpO2 monitoring for blood oxygen levels
Advanced sleep analysis
Built-in GPS
Stress management tools
Fitbit has long been a leader in the fitness tracker market, and the Fitbit Charge 6 further cements its place. This tracker offers a well-rounded suite of fitness and health-tracking tools without the smartwatch distractions that some users may want to avoid.
With the Fitbit Charge 6, users can track heart rate, calories burned, steps, and activity with improved accuracy thanks to Fitbit’s advanced PurePulse 2.0 technology. The SpO2 sensor is a valuable tool for monitoring blood oxygen levels, particularly for those concerned with respiratory health or sleep apnea. Sleep tracking remains one of Fitbit’s standout features, offering in-depth data on sleep cycles, duration, and quality. Fitbit Premium users gain access to additional insights, including a daily readiness score that helps you understand how prepared your body is for exercise.
Fitbit’s stress management tools, including guided breathing exercises and mindfulness sessions, are ideal for those looking to take a holistic approach to health. Furthermore, the built-in GPS allows runners and cyclists to track outdoor activities without needing to carry their phones.
Pros:
Excellent sleep tracking and insights
Long battery life (up to 7 days)
Slim and lightweight design
Good balance between fitness tracking and lifestyle features
Cons:
Some features require Fitbit Premium subscription
Limited app support compared to smartwatches
3. Garmin Forerunner 965: Best for Serious Athletes
Price: Around $599
Key Features:
Advanced GPS and GLONASS tracking
VO2 Max and performance metrics
Training Load and Recovery Advisor
Heart rate variability (HRV) tracking
Multi-sport functionality
For those who are serious about running, cycling, or triathlons, the Garmin Forerunner 965 is a top choice in 2024. Garmin is renowned for its precision in performance tracking, and the Forerunner 965 continues that legacy. The watch is equipped with advanced GPS technology for highly accurate location tracking, making it ideal for outdoor activities.
One of the standout features is its VO2 Max measurement, which provides insights into cardiovascular fitness and is a favorite feature for athletes looking to push their limits. Other notable features include Training Load, which gives a comprehensive view of the intensity and volume of your workouts, and Recovery Advisor, which suggests how much rest your body needs before the next session. For multisport athletes, the Forerunner 965 can seamlessly switch between tracking running, swimming, and cycling, making it one of the best choices for triathletes.
This fitness tracker goes beyond just performance, offering heart rate variability (HRV) tracking for more holistic health monitoring, and Pulse Ox to monitor oxygen saturation levels, which is particularly useful for high-altitude activities.
Pros:
Highly accurate GPS and tracking
Ideal for serious runners and triathletes
Detailed fitness and recovery metrics
Long battery life (up to 14 days)
Cons:
Expensive for casual users
Bulky design compared to standard fitness trackers
4. WHOOP 5.0: Best for Recovery and Wellness
Price: $30/month subscription (device included with subscription)
Key Features:
Tracks recovery, strain, and sleep metrics
No screen (100% data-focused)
Personalized insights for fitness optimization
24/7 heart rate and sleep monitoring
Detailed recovery data (HRV, resting heart rate, respiratory rate)
The WHOOP 5.0 is not your traditional fitness tracker. Instead of focusing on daily step counts and workouts, WHOOP emphasizes recovery, sleep, and overall wellness. WHOOP is unique in that it doesn’t have a screen—its sole purpose is to collect data and provide personalized insights via the companion app, making it ideal for athletes who want to focus on optimizing their recovery and performance.
WHOOP’s Strain and Recovery scores are at the heart of its functionality. The Strain Score measures how much stress your body experiences based on your heart rate and activity levels, while the Recovery Score uses metrics like HRV (heart rate variability), resting heart rate, and sleep performance to gauge how well your body is recovering. For those involved in heavy training cycles or those wanting to maximize their health potential, WHOOP’s continuous monitoring offers a level of insight that many traditional fitness trackers don’t.
Pros:
Best tracker for monitoring recovery and strain
Deep sleep and recovery metrics
24/7 tracking with no charging downtime (swappable battery)
Focus on long-term fitness and wellness optimization
Cons:
No screen; requires smartphone app for data insights
Subscription-based pricing model
Not ideal for users looking for on-device interaction
5. Oura Ring 4: Best for Sleep and Discreet Tracking
Price: $299
Key Features:
Lightweight, ring design
Advanced sleep and heart rate tracking
Tracks body temperature changes
Recovery and readiness insights
Long battery life (up to 7 days)
The Oura Ring 4 offers an entirely different take on fitness tracking. Instead of a wrist-worn device, Oura uses a ring to monitor a variety of health metrics, making it one of the most discreet fitness trackers available in 2024. Despite its small size, the Oura Ring is packed with features like heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and body temperature sensing.
Oura’s strength lies in its sleep tracking capabilities, which provide in-depth insights into sleep stages (REM, deep, light), as well as overall sleep quality. The ring also tracks your body’s readiness for activity each day, helping you optimize when to train or rest. For users who don’t want the bulk of a wrist-worn device but still want comprehensive health data, the Oura Ring 4 is an elegant solution.
Pros:
Extremely discreet, sleek design
Excellent sleep and readiness tracking
Durable and waterproof
Long battery life for such a compact device
Cons:
Lacks on-device features (screen, notifications)
Not ideal for workout tracking compared to wrist-based trackers
6. Amazfit Band 8: Best Budget Fitness Tracker
Price: $49
Key Features:
24/7 heart rate and SpO2 monitoring
Sleep tracking and stress monitoring
Built-in GPS for outdoor tracking
15-day battery life
Lightweight and comfortable
For those on a budget, the Amazfit Band 8 is an excellent fitness tracker that offers many features found in premium devices without the hefty price tag. Priced around $49, it comes with heart rate tracking, SpO2 monitoring, and basic sleep tracking, making it a great entry-level optioncontinuation of Amazfit Band 8: Best Budget Fitness Tracker
For those on a budget, the Amazfit Band 8 offers fantastic value with features found in more premium devices without the hefty price tag. Priced at around $49, it includes 24/7 heart rate tracking, SpO2 monitoring, and basic sleep tracking, making it a great option for entry-level users who want to track their daily activity and health metrics.
The Band 8 also supports built-in GPS, allowing for accurate outdoor activity tracking like running or cycling without needing to carry a phone. One of its standout features is the 15-day battery life, which surpasses many competitors in this price range. Its lightweight and comfortable design ensures it’s easy to wear day and night, and it also provides notifications for calls and messages, making it more than just a fitness tracker.
Pros:
Affordable yet feature-packed
Long battery life
Built-in GPS for outdoor tracking
Lightweight and comfortable to wear
Cons:
Basic compared to higher-end models
Less accurate heart rate tracking than premium devices
7. Samsung Galaxy Watch 7: Best for Android Users
Price: Starting at $329
Key Features:
Full smartwatch capabilities with advanced fitness tracking
Built-in ECG, blood pressure, and SpO2 monitoring
Comprehensive fitness tracking for multiple sports
Advanced sleep tracking with snore detection
Seamless integration with Samsung Galaxy devices
For Android users, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is a compelling option that combines the full functionality of a smartwatch with comprehensive fitness and health tracking features. Like the Apple Watch Series 9, the Galaxy Watch 7 offers ECG, blood pressure monitoring, and SpO2 sensors, making it ideal for users focused on both health and fitness.
This watch is equipped with automatic workout detection for popular exercises like running, cycling, and swimming, and it offers advanced sleep tracking with snore detection, helping users get a clearer picture of their overall health. The Samsung Health app provides extensive data analysis, and with a battery life of up to 48 hours, it's reliable for everyday use.
One of the standout features is its seamless integration with Samsung Galaxy devices, making it easy to sync notifications, messages, and calls.
Pros:
Excellent for Android users
Advanced health features (ECG, blood pressure monitoring)
Full smartwatch capabilities with fitness tracking
Snore detection and advanced sleep tracking
Cons:
Battery life could be better
More expensive than some other fitness trackers
8. Polar Grit X Pro: Best for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Price: $499
Key Features:
Military-grade durability
GPS with turn-by-turn navigation
Heart rate and performance tracking
Sleep tracking and recovery insights
Water-resistant up to 100 meters
For outdoor adventurers and athletes who need durability and advanced tracking features, the Polar Grit X Pro is a top choice in 2024. This rugged fitness tracker is built for extreme environments and offers military-grade durability, making it resistant to harsh weather conditions and physical impacts.
The GPS functionality includes turn-by-turn navigation, ensuring you never lose your way on hikes, trail runs, or cycling adventures. Polar’s heart rate monitoring is highly accurate, and the tracker also provides detailed performance metrics such as VO2 Max, Training Load, and Recovery Pro, making it an ideal companion for serious athletes.
Additionally, the Polar Grit X Pro features sleep tracking, providing recovery insights that help users optimize their training and rest cycles. Its 100-meter water resistance ensures that it can handle swimming and water-based sports with ease.
Pros:
Extremely durable, perfect for outdoor adventures
GPS with navigation features
Advanced performance and recovery tracking
Water-resistant up to 100 meters
Cons:
Heavier and bulkier than other fitness trackers
Premium price point
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Fitness Tracker in 2024
In 2024, the options for fitness trackers are more diverse than ever, catering to everyone from casual users to professional athletes. When choosing the best fitness tracker, it's essential to consider your primary goals:
For iPhone users, the Apple Watch Series 9 is the ultimate all-rounder with its deep integration with iOS and comprehensive health features.
Android users will find the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 a versatile option, offering similar functionality tailored to their ecosystem.
Serious athletes looking for advanced performance metrics should consider the Garmin Forerunner 965 or the Polar Grit X Pro, both of which offer in-depth tracking and durability.
Sleep and recovery-focused individuals will benefit from the WHOOP 5.0 or Oura Ring 4, which provide unparalleled insights into recovery, sleep, and overall wellness.
If you're on a budget but still want reliable tracking, the Amazfit Band 8 offers impressive features at an affordable price.
Regardless of your fitness level or tracking needs, there's a fitness tracker for everyone in 2024. With advances in health tracking, design, and usability, these devices continue to be essential tools for anyone looking to improve their health and wellness. Whether you're running marathons, focusing on recovery, or just aiming to hit your daily step goal, the best fitness trackers of 2024 will help you achieve your fitness ambitions.