Long-distance runners and cyclists looking for a relatively inexpensive watch will appreciate superior location tracking. And when we say remotely, we mean it a long time-distance: you can use GPS for 50 hours without interruption before the battery runs out.
What our expert testers said
If you don’t want to shell out big bucks for one of the best activity trackers out there, the Mi Watch will do the basics while giving you plenty of data to geek out on. Outdoor endurance athletes will especially like the top-of-the-line GPS chip, which interfaces with four major positioning systems for added accuracy, even next to skyscrapers. And the battery will last you 50 hours in active GPS mode so you don’t have to worry about changing watches in the middle of your Ironman. Note that some reviewers say the health indicators are hard to believe, so if you’re looking exactly sleep and stress tracking, you’ll probably need to spend a bit more on a Fitbit or Garmin.
Other fitness trackers we like
This lightweight GPS watch boasts a 17-day battery life (38 hours with full GPS on) for extra-long adventures. It’s a simplistic, minimalistic design without a bunch of “extras”.
You get tons of features like nightly recovery measurements and offline maps on this tracker. It’s just slow to scroll through the different pages to find the one you’re looking for.
If you really want to geek out with data, the Garmin Fenix 7 is every tech bro’s dream. But let’s be honest — how often are you really going to measure your cross-country or mountain biking “flow” and “grit”?
Let’s compare the costs of these fitness trackers
How we tested fitness trackers
To find out which devices deserve a place on your wrist (or finger), we’ve taken the best fitness trackers for running in the Texas heat, worn them at water parks, strapped them on for indoor cycling and weightlifting sessions, and used them to answer messages and check the time. Through it all, we analyzed how fast and smooth the displays worked, how easy it was to see (and understand) our data, how the materials held up to heavy use, how comfortable the wristbands were, and of course, how accurate the metrics actually were. With all that in mind, plus essential details like battery life and water resistance—and, more importantly, value for money—we decided these ten rose to the top. Yes, we put every piece of fitness equipment we recommend through rigorous testing before we give it away GQ Seal of approval.
Who are fitness trackers best for?
Whether you’re training for an ultramarathon or just like to hop on your indoor rower every now and then, “there’s a fitness tracker for every athlete—and when I [say] athlete, I mean anybody who’s just trying to improve their health,” says Peel. You can get a new look at your health, along with useful information that might convince you to spend a few less hours playing Apex Legends. “I highly recommend everyone to try it [a tracker] and I’m just testing it,” says Peel. “I think it makes you so in tune with your exercise, with your recovery.”
Types of fitness trackers
The best fitness trackers make it easy and convenient to collect data 24 hours a day, without interrupting your workout or work day. Here’s how to find one that fits your lifestyle—and your wrist, finger, bicep, or leg.
Clocks
A smartwatch like the Apple Watch Ultra or the Samsung Galaxy Watch6 is basically a miniature companion to your phone, giving you access to your apps on your wrist. That makes them convenient and versatile, but extra features can drain battery life—and your wallet.
Bands
Fitness bands are simpler and thinner than smartwatches, usually with simpler screens and fewer features. Most require an associated app to really get all of your health metrics since the screen is pretty minimal (or non-existent, in the case of the Whoop).
GPS
GPS (aka Global Positioning System) fitness trackers can tell you how far you’ve traveled, which can be a key data point for outdoor endurance athletes like runners and cyclists. Cheaper trackers sometimes require a smartphone connection to access GPS, so you’ll need to bring your phone with you for those stats. On the other hand, if accuracy is key to you, consider a premium fitness watch with dual-band GPS so that buildings and trees are less likely to interfere with your Strava map.
How to choose the best fitness tracker
To find the best fitness watch for you, start by thinking about your personal goals and what metrics you’ll actually care about. “The specifics of each fitness tracker are so different that you can really break them down by sport, by athlete, and by goal,” says Peel. Runners will probably want something with GPS that can track their distance and stats like their cadence and heart rate zones. Serious lifters will probably be more interested in something like Whoop that gives them insight into their effort and recovery. Just be sure to ask yourself how much you’ll actually use fancy-sounding features like surf cams. “The smarter that tracking device is, the more expensive it will be,” Peel points out.
FAQ
Which fitness tracker is best for monitoring health?
We found the Samsung Galaxy Watch6 to be the best fitness tracker for health monitoring. It gives you a real-time ECG and body composition analysis right from your wrist, plus blood oxygen levels, VO2 max estimates and heart rate data. In particular, our tester—a registered nurse—found the sleep statistics to be the best she’d seen.
Which fitness tracker is best for exercise?
The Apple Watch Ultra is our top pick for exercise because it’s loaded with more exercise features than you’ll likely ever use in your life. Everything you does take advantage will be superb and easy to use.
What is the best fitness tracker for the money?
The Fitbit Charge 6 is the best fitness tracker you can get for the money. For just $160, it will automatically detect your workouts and give you extremely accurate heart rate and step count data with a display that’s quick and easy to use. The Fitbit Inspire 3 may be cheaper, but we’d say it’s worth spending the extra $60 for built-in GPS, a bigger screen, and more advanced health tracking.
Which fitness trackers are waterproof?
Most fitness trackers today are waterproof and can handle some light laps in the pool. But if you want to dive in deep seas, both Oura Ring and Apple Watch Ultra will still work 100 meters underwater.
About Experts
John Peel is an IFA Certified Master Trainer for iFit, the interactive fitness and exercise app you’ll find on many of the cardio machines in your gym, and a former college football player.