9 Best Fitness Trackers To Monitor Your Activity and Weight Loss

Fitness tracker is one thing you should definitely have. Its importance is limitless if you want to keep fit, watch or lose weight, monitor your heart beat, or for other purposes. Today there are many fitness trackers out there, that getting one that is very good for you is not the easiest of things, most especially one that is tailored to meet your specific needs. For most needs, our best picks are Amazfit Active 2 and Garmin Venu Sq 2 (for low budget).

The price of fitness tracker can be anything between 10 dollars to over 500 dollars. Getting anything below 40 dollars is however not advisable as they are often associated with so many problems including poor quality and limited functionality.

Content Map

Fitness Trackers (Our pick)

• Amazfit Active 2
• Garmin Venu Sq 2
• Garmin Vívoactive
• Samsung Gear Fit2
• Fitbit surge
• Fitbit Charge 2
• Misfit ray
• Microsoft Band 2
• Garmin Forerunner 235

Why Should You Get a Fitness Tracker?
Conclusion

Best Fitness Trackers – Garmin, Fitbit, Samsung Gear and More 

Having gone through different trackers, below are our very best.

Amazfit Active 2 

The Amazfit Active 2 is a budget-friendly smartwatch that punches above its weight. What we mean by this is that it provides premium features like built-in GPS, Bluetooth calling, Alexa support, and much more at an affordable price. It has a 1.75-inch AMOLED display that offers vibrant visuals and a long lasting battery that allows it to be used for up to 14 days without needing to be charged.

The watch is everything a fitness-focused individual need as it has over 120 sports modes and a robust health monitoring suite that includes 24/7 heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen tracking, and sleep and stress analysis. It also has Amazfit’s AI fitness assistant that helps users build customized workout plans.

Dan Bracaglia, a Staff Writer for Tom’s Guide with 15 years of experience as a consumer tech journalist reviewed the Amazfit Active 2, giving us insights into its features and performance. In his words:

“The Amazfit Active 2 promises an impressive slate of features and onboard tech for the money including an all-metal case design, bright and immersive AMOLED touchscreen, comprehensive health and fitness tracking tools, high-end navigational chops and nearly a week of battery life.”

“One of the biggest selling points of the Amazfit Active 2 is support for offline maps with turn-by-turn directions, something normally only found on far pricier smartwatches like some of the best Garmin watch models, including the Fenix 8 and Forerunner 965.“

Operating System: Zepp OS | Memory Storage: 512 MB | Special Features: Multisport Tracker, Text Messaging, AI Assistance, GPS, Notifications | Battery Capacity: 270 mAh | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Wireless Standard: Bluetooth | Battery Type: Lithium Ion | GPS: Built-in | Shape: Round | Screen Size: 1.32 Inches

Reasons to Buy (Pros)

• Has a large and bright AMOLED display with smooth touch interaction.
• Has a long-lasting battery that can stay for up to 14 days on a single charge.
• Can effectively monitor various health issues
• Has Bluetooth connectivity for answering calls

Reasons to Avoid (Cons)

• Fewer apps to use on it than Apple or Wear OS watches
• Does not carry advanced health sensors found in more premium fitness trackers.

Verdict

The Amazfit Active 2 proves that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a capable and stylish fitness smartwatch. It has a vibrant display and built-in GPS and also offers solid fitness tracking and excellent battery life, factors that make it a great all-in-one device for everyday use. While it may not satisfy those wanting advanced health features or deep smartwatch integration, it’s a fantastic value for fitness-focused individuals or those new to wearable tech.

Garmin Venu Sq 2 

The Garmin Venu Sq 2 is a well-built sleek-looking fitness smartwatch that bridges the gap between a high-end sports watch and a basic tracker. Loved for its user-friendly interface on a bright 1.41-inch AMOLED display, this watch combines essential health tracking features with a built-in GPS that provides accurate tracking of outdoor activities, and over 25 preloaded sports apps that cover everything from yoga to HIIT workouts.

Put the Garmin Venu Sq 2 in smartwatch mode and you can use it for up to 11 days without charging.

Operating System: Android & iOS | Memory Storage: 4 GB | Special Features: Touchscreen, Bluetooth | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB | Wireless Standard: Bluetooth | Battery Type: Lithium Polymer | GPS: Built-in GPS | Shape: Round | Screen Size: 1.2 Inches | Brand: Garmin

Reasons to Buy (Pros)

• Has a very good battery that can last up to 11 days on a single charge
• Offers features you would typically find in premium smartwatches
• Has the ability to keep track of all major health issues (heart rate, sleep, stress, and blood oxygen levels)
• Has built-in GPS that can work without needing to connect a smartphone

Reasons to Avoid (Cons)

• Does not have on-wrist call capabilities and voice assistant
• Limited third-party app options

Expert Opinion:

“The Venu Sq 2 is a great everyday activity tracker, offering all the usual stats (bar floors climbed, since it doesn’t have an altimeter), and those stats really do pop in their colourful widgets on the AMOLED screen.”

– Nick Harris-Fry (Coach, Staff Writer)

Verdict

There are better options in the market if what you are looking for is something with smart features like notifications and music controls. The Garmin Venu Sq 2 lacks advanced functionalities such as voice assistants or the ability to make calls directly from the watch. However, its affordability and comprehensive fitness tracking capabilities make it a decent choice.

Garmin Vívoactive Activity Tracker Review

(Best tracker for swimming)

Garmin is one to trust when it comes to sports wearables. They have brought out various products that have been accepted by the market. Its Vivoactive is another that has had its say. It is one of the go-get fitness trackers if what you want is something for swimming. Garmin Vívoactive Is in fact, good for general fitness tracking.

It is the best bet for swimmers because it is water proof. This tracker can be used for swimming not exceeding 5ATM (50 meters deep), which is more than so many others out there.

This activity tracker can as well be used for other things such as walking, running, navigation, golfing and other indoor activities. It can as well be used to monitor heart rate. The tracker is Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS compatible.

Features

• High-resolution colour and sunlight-readable screen.
• Extended battery life that can last 10 hours in GPS, and 3 weeks in watch mode.
• Can be connected to phone through Bluetooth to get a vibrating alert for calls, messages, and other notifications.
• 204 x 148 pixel LCD.
• GPS functionality.
• Rechargeable and built in battery.

Pros

• Very good battery life
• Extra slim and light
• Waterproof
• Can be used in tracking or keeping up with various activities.

Cons

• Limited app provision
• There have been complaints of unstable Bluetooth connection with phone.
• The notification function can be improved upon.

Verdict

Garmin Vívoactive is not the cheapest fitness tracker out there in the market, but it has multiple functionalities, and for swimming, we can easily say it is the very best activity tracker available today.

Samsung Gear Fit2 Review

This is between an activity tracker and a smartwatch. It provides great functionalities including walking, biking, jogging, and running among others. Interestingly, it can as well track water and caffeine intake.

Samsung Gear Fit2 has both inactivity alerts and automatic exercise detection abilities. What this means is that it can measure not only the amount of exercise you are doing, it will as well measure the times you have stopped.

It also measures the rate of your heartbeat, however, if you consider that very important, then this may not be for you. This is because, during strenuous activities, it has the likelihood of missing beats. More so, it will require one to be still for a while to get the heart monitored.

Features

• Andriod compatible
• Has inbuilt GPS
• Its screen is made of gorilla glass, which makes it pretty resistant to crack or scratch.
• Designed with waterproof abilities to five feet down and a maximum of thirty minutes.
• It gets call and text notification from your phone.
• Has 512MB of ram and 4GB storage space.

Pros

• Comes with music playing ability through Bluetooth headsets.
• Has excellent notification
• For its value, it is a cost effective purchase
• Very good AMOLED display

Cons

• It is not iOS supported.
• In comparison to most others, its battery life is short.
• Heart rate monitoring is not the best out there

Verdict

While this has its limitations most especially as regards iOS support and Heart rate monitoring, it is a significant product. It is mainly for you if you want a “not so serious” activity monitor which will serve as a smartwatch, as well as something that works specifically with android.

Fitbit surge Fitness Tracker

(Our Overall Best Fitness Tracker)

The Fitbit Surge is not only massive among other Fitbit activity monitors ; it is also very popular and well received in the market. It has the ability to track activities including yoga, weightlifting, and spinning. More so, it tracks calories eaten, steps taken, and even sleep.

It is a sophisticated fitness gadget which stretches in outlook and function. Surge is fashioned with water resistant ability. This although cannot be used for swimming, and Fitbit advises that you do not shower with it. Its resistance ability is placed by the company at 50 meters.

It comes with a USB dongle which helps in connecting with your computer. This makes sure that once you get close to your PC, your exercise and activity data gets wirelessly synced to your account. You can as well use the app for this.

Operating System: Windows, Apple iOS, Android | Special Features: Sleep Monitor, Voice Call, Text Message, Pedometer, GPS, Fitness Tracker | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Wireless Standard: Bluetooth | Battery Type: Lithium Ion | GPS: Built-in GPS | Shape: Rectangular | Screen Size: 0.96 Inches | Brand: Fitbit | Model Name: Pace

Features

• Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Web-compatible
• It comes in small, large and extra large sizes.
• Has auto sleep and silent alarm functionalities.
• It has music player support.
• Has 1.25-inch monochrome LCD touchscreen.

Pros

• When GPS is turned off, its battery life is good enough to last 5 days with continuous tracking of heart.
• It has super GPS
• Powerful sleep monitor
• Tracks all activities of the day including floor climbed, burned calories, as well as active and inactive times.
• Continuous heartbeat tracking

Cons

• Battery life can be shallow when using GPS
• Bulkier than most
• Not waterproof for swimming.

Verdict

Is it worth the money placed on it? Yes, it is. It is your bet if you are looking for something with high GPS, which can track extended activities. If you love Fitbit products, then you will as well love this, because it is their overall best product yet.

Fitbit Charge 2 Fitness Tracker

The Fitbit Charge 2 is definitely one of the best there is out there. It is an upgrade of Fitbit’s Charge HR, which is as well a good tracker.

The tracker comes with the functions of monitoring activities such as walking, running, biking, weight lifting, and hiking. More so, it records your workout and monitors sleep and heart rate. It also tracks your burnt calories.

With so many trackers out there, this tracker has provided so many things provided by others in different ways and some things not provided by others. It has a nice design for comfort, and above the bar functionality, which makes it nearly impossible for any good list to leave it out.

Operating System: Windows 10 | Special Features: Time Display, Sleep Monitor, Calendaring, Sedentary Reminder, Text Messaging, Alarm Clock, GPS, Pedometer, Calorie Tracker, Notifications, Heart Rate Monitor | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Wireless Standard: Bluetooth | Battery Type: Lithium Ion | GPS: True | Shape: Rectangular | Screen Size: 43 Inches | Brand: Fitbit | Model Name: Pace

Features

• Windows, Android, and iOS compatible.
• Up to five days battery life.
• Has PurePulse Heart Rate which continuously tracks heart rate.
• Provides call, text, and calendar notifications.
• It has side buttons for control. You can as well control using the touch screen.
• Auto sleep tracker.

Pros

• It tracks multiple activities.
• It has generous and large display screen
• Has interchangeable bands.
• The battery life is pretty good.
• Considering its value, it is relatively cheap

Cons

• No GPS
• Not water resistant
• Poor notification

Verdict

Unless what you want is something for swimming or a GPS-enabled tracker, this could be the best option for you.

Misfit Ray Activity Tracker Review

This is a great fitness companion if you are good with something really simple. It is a tracker without a display, however, there are many things that make up for that. These include its ability to control connected devices through a button, as well as automatic tracking of steps, distance covered, calories, and sleep.

Misfit Ray is made in a very friendly way, apart from it being nothing like the traditional tracker, it gives the opportunity to easily change the band, battery, and customise its functionality. This means that you can add activities you want, although those would only be recorded and not compiled towards meeting a target.

Features

• It is made with replaceable batteries that can last for six months.
• Water resistant to 50m.
• It is compatible with Android and iOS.
• Alerts for calls and text messages.
• Silent alarm.

Pros

• Very good battery life
• It is water resistant
• Its cylindrical shape makes it easy to wear as a bracelet.
• It gives an almost accurate measurement.
• You can use it to set goals and follow progress

Cons

• It has no display for real time tracking.
• Cannot monitor heart rate.
• Limited applications.

Verdict

While this is a good fitness tracker, it does not do more than the basic things. If what you want is something that could take you through serious training, then I guess this is not for you. However, if you want something just for keeping fit and motivating you, then you can as well keep your money on this.

Unless you want its specific features, I will not advise you go with this, mainly because for a basic activity tracker, it is not cheap. With some additional money, you can as well get The Fitbit Charge 2, which will give both better and additional value, or Moov Now which is cheaper.

Microsoft Band 2 Fitness Tracker Review

This is Microsoft’s second attempt at making an activity tracker. So far, it has achieved better result than the first, and it has gone above many others.

The Microsoft Band 2 has been designed to do so many things. It is, however, most suited for you if what you want is to watch your health as you keep fit. It monitors your heart rate, calories burnt, and the quality of your sleep. Its provision of health app is as well important.

It tracks activities including walking, stair climbing, running, biking, golfing, sleeping, and many others.

Size: Medium | Operating System: Google Android, Windows Phone, iOS | Storage: 128 GB | Special Features: Calendar, Sleep Monitor, Continuous Heart Rate, GPS, Heart Monitor, Blood Pressure Monitor, Personal GPS Tracking, Caller ID, Pedometer, Text, Email, Location Tracking, Fitness Tracker | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Wireless Standard: Bluetooth | Battery Type: Lithium Polymer | GPS: Built-in GPS | Shape: Rectangular | Screen Size: 12.3 Inches | Brand: Microsoft

Features

• You can use it to check incoming calls, messages, and weather
• Compatible with Android, iOS and Windows.
• It provides GPS
• Provision for health insights from data generated by Microsoft health app.
• It has a generous OLED touchscreen Gorilla Glass display.
• Compatible with Windows, Android, and iOS?

Pros

• It has great display
• Setting goals is quite easy
• Rich ability to collect much data and make comparisons from them
• Comes with barometer
• It blends activity tracking with a smartwatch functionality (if I can call it that).

Cons

• It is not waterproof, hence you cannot use it for swimming.
• Lasting only 48 hours, its battery life is definitely not the best.
• Beautiful but not completely comfortable.
• It could be friendlier to android and iOS.

Verdict

It is not a very cheap tracker, however, based on its abilities and if it suits your specific needs then it is a good buy. Its battery life is not necessarily the best, however, considering its massive functions, it can easily be allowed since it can last for two days without charge.

Overall, it is a good bet.

Garmin Forerunner 235 Activity Tracker Review

(Best activity tracker for runners)

The Garmin Forerunner 235 is a running watch and fitness tracker which is quite interesting in its right. This tracker which is an upgrade of Forerunner 230 is best for you if you want to monitor running or cycling, and in between, monitor your heart rate.

Features

• Tracks activities including running, biking, calories burnt, steps, and sleep.
• It has inbuilt GPS.
• Water-resistant of 5ATM (50 meters)
• For tracking pace and distance. For indoor running, there is a built-in accelerometer
• You can make use of heart monitor strap.
• With a downloaded app from Garmin, you can customise easily.

Pros

• Designed with optical heart rate monitor.
• It counts your steps and burnt calories all day.
• Text, call, email and other notifications from phone.
• You can use it to control your music.

Cons

• It doesn’t have the best screen as it is very much easy to scratch, so having a screen protector may be important.
• Battery life could be improved
• It is not cheap.

Verdict

It is supposed to be more of a running watch than a fitness tracker; still, it performs more than a running watch. It is one that could be very important for you if you are seriously into running. Among many other running watches, this stands out in so many ways including its very good optical heart rate monitor.

Best Fitness Trackers Comparison Table

Notes: Battery Life is approximate; the actual life will be less with the use of GPS on devices such as the Surge (≈5 hours GPS) or Band 2 (2–3 hrs GPS). Water Resistance of 5 ATM indicates that the device is suitable for swimming (up to ~50 m). IP68/IPX7 devices are able to handle sweat, rain, and splashes but aren’t intended for extended submersion.

Price Range, Models, and Key Benefits

Why Should You Get a Fitness Tracker?

By now you must have had your reasons for wanting a fitness tracker. Whether or not I am right, here are some more reasons why you really need to get an activity tracker:

• Motivation: most trackers are designed to help motivate you as you set goals, and they show you how you are progressing.
• Keep in shape or lose weight: once you can keep your own part of the bargain, a good tracker should motivate you towards burning unnecessary fat and keeping in shape.
• It adds to your health: apart from the health benefit of your workout, most trackers would monitor your heart rate, which would keep you watching your heart.
• Accountability: once you set goals with your tracker, it would monitor you and tell you how you are doing, which will help you in being accountable.
• Generally: a good tracker should help you monitor your sleep (how much rest you have), steps you take, the distance you cover, monitor your heart rate, and do other things.

That said, one does not necessarily need a tracker that can do everything, hence it is best to find the one that will fit your needs and activities.

The best trackers today have surpassed what they used to be in so many things including functionality, durability, quality, and user-friendliness.

How To Maintain and Care For Your Fitness Trackers

Task	Frequency	Instructions
Clean Device & Band	Weekly	Wipe with damp cloth, avoid harsh cleaners
Charge Device	As needed	Use manufacturer charger, avoid overcharging
Update Software	Monthly	Check app for firmware updates
Inspect for Damage	Monthly	Check screen, band, and connectors
Replace Band/Battery	As needed	Use official or high-quality replacements

Why You Should Trust Me

You’re in the right place if you are looking for unbiased, experience-backed recommendations on wearable tech. Trust what I have to say because I’ve been reviewing wearable tech since they were introduced in the market and have become a huge fan of fitness trackers due to the convenience they provide. I have used dozens of them from different brands in the past few years so my opinions are not based on stat sheets. I also go a step further to read other reviews to provide you with all the information you will need to make an informed decision on the fitness tracker you intend to buy.

How We Tested

To determine the best fitness trackers, I didn’t just wear the recommendations I made for a few hours and around the house. I took them outside for walks, to the gym, and slept with them. This allowed me to measure their accuracy in tracking steps, heart rate, and sleep patterns as this is information I already have recorded from other trusted devices over the years. I used them heavily to test battery drain and how long their batteries actaully lasted in real life and not just on paper.

Many people overlook this aspect but I also paid close attention to how comfortable and easy to use the trackers are. I also check how compatible they were with other apps and how intuitive they were to set up and use daily.

• Fitness Trackers Tested: 18
• Testing Period: Nine weeks
• Methodology: Each fitness tracker was worn by me and other volunteers of different fitness levels during daily routines, exercise sessions, strength training, and overnight sleep.
• Factors Considered: Activity tracking accuracy, step counting, heart rate monitoring, battery life, ease of use, water resistance, comfort, mobile app functionality, screen readability, sleep tracking, GPS accuracy, price, and overall value.

What to Look out for in a Fitness Tracker

While there are many flashy extras you would like to have in a fitness tracker, there are some features that are more important than others. Below are my recommendations on what you should always prioritize:

1. Battery Life: Believe me when I say you do not want a device that will die in the middle of the day or mid workout. Get one with multi-day battery life as there are so many fitness trackers that offer up to 10–14 days of usage on one single charge.
2. Device Capabilities: Think about what you actually want to track. Basic models cover steps, calories, and sleep while advanced ones offer GPS, blood oxygen monitoring, stress tracking, and even menstrual cycle tracking. Some even feature built-in coaching and AI feedback.
3. App Experience: The phone app that pairs with your fitness tracker is just as important as the tracker itself. A clean interface, easy data syncing, and compatibility with other health apps (like Apple Health or Google Fit) can make or break the experience.
4. Power Source: Understand how the tracker charges as most charge via proprietary cables or magnetic chargers. While this should not decide whether you get it or not, it’s information that is worth knowing in order to properly handle accessories.
5. Comfort: There is nothing worse than having a fitness tracker that is uncomfortable to wear. You need to know the materials used to make them to understand how they stand up against certain conditions and activities.

What’s the Difference Between Fitness Trackers and Smartwatches?

While many think fitness trackers and smartwatches are the same thing since they are worn on the wrist and have functions that are a bit similar, they are quite different. Fitness trackers are smaller, lighter, and more battery-efficient wearable tech designed primarily to monitor your health and activity. They track steps, heart rate, sleep, and sometimes offer basic notifications.

Smartwatches, on the other hand, are like mini smartphones on your wrist. They can perform all the functions of a fitness tracker as well as offer music storage, voice assistants, on-wrist

Conclusion

Above meeting your specific needs, before dipping your hand into your wallet, be certain that the fitness tracker you want to buy is the right one for you. This is in terms of compatibility with your device, and that it is accurate enough not to mislead and confuse you.

More so, remember that the best activity tracker for one person may not be the best for you. Hence you will need to check through to see that its display, battery life, and style are all things you will be comfortable with, unless you are comfortable with it, you may not be able to get the best out of it.

Visit Amazon for Today’s Fitness Tracker Best Deals