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Fitness trackers have come a long way from the simple bands that tracked steps and little else. Modern trackers can monitor everything from your heart health to how well you\u2019ve recovered from a hard bout of training. Even flagship smartwatches, which used to be lackluster trackers, have become pretty adept workout companions. Whatever your fitness goals are, there\u2019s probably a fitness tracker that can help you achieve them.<\/p>\n

Compared to some other gadgets, wearables are incredibly personal, which means there are a few extra considerations<\/a> you\u2019ll have to take into account before reaching for your wallet. It makes it hard to say that any one fitness tracker is the best for everyone. Thankfully, the best thing about fitness trackers in 2025 is that there\u2019s enough variety to fit into every kind of lifestyle.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Featured in this article<\/h2>\n
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How we test fitness trackers<\/p>\n

Fitness trackers are meant to help you keep track of your health and activity. We do a mix of benchmark testing and experiential, real-life testing. That means snoozing with them, taking them out on GPS activities like runs and hikes, working up a sweat in several workouts, and comparing how they do against long-term control devices for heart rate, sleep, and GPS accuracy. Some factors we consider in our rankings are durability, performance, accuracy versus consistency in metrics, and of course, battery life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Audience<\/p>\n

Who is this fitness tracker for? The ideal fitness tracker for hardcore athletes will look different than the best one for casual users looking to get a few more steps in.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Battery life<\/p>\n

A fitness tracker should be able to go at least two to three days between charges. If it\u2019s a flagship smartwatch, it should at least offer quick charging.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Form factor<\/p>\n

Is it a band or a smartwatch? Is it comfortable to wear 24\/7?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Metrics<\/p>\n

What metrics does this device track? We prioritize active minutes over steps and calorie burn, but health metrics like resting heart rate, VO2 Max, and sleep quality are plusses.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Consistency<\/p>\n

Accuracy is nice, but it\u2019s more important for measuring progress that your device delivers consistent results for heart rate, distance tracking, and steps.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Platform<\/p>\n

Certain trackers are limited to specific phone ecosystems \u2014 others will work regardless of what your phone is. We prioritize the latter wherever possible.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Best fitness tracker overall<\/h2>\n

<\/em>Size:<\/strong>\u00a043mm w\/ 20mm straps \/\u00a0Weight:<\/strong>\u00a029.5g for standard, 31.7g for premium \/\u00a0Battery life:<\/strong>\u00a0Up to 10 days \/\u00a0Display type:<\/strong>\u00a0OLED touchscreen \/\u00a0GPS:<\/strong>\u00a0Five GNSS systems \/\u00a0Connectivity:<\/strong>\u00a0Bluetooth, Wi-Fi \/\u00a0Water resistance:<\/strong>\u00a05ATM \/\u00a0Music storage:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>N\/A<\/p>\n

Hear us out: the Amazfit Active 2 is the new all-rounder on the block. Smartwatches are definitely getting more high-tech, but the Active 2 keeps the spirit of a humble fitness tracker \u2014 a good price, all the basic health features with a holistic tracking approach, and a comfy yet stylish design. At $99.99 for the standard version, and $129.99 for the premium version, you get an incredible amount of bang for your buck. <\/p>\n

The hardware and design are surprisingly chic for the price. The standard version has a stainless steel case and tempered glass screen, while the premium version bumps you up to sapphire crystal and gets you an extra leather strap. The screen itself is nice and bright at 2,000 nits and you get an estimated 10 days of regular use on a single charge. (In testing, I got closer to eight to nine days as a power-user.) European users also get NFC payments. <\/p>\n

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As far as health features go, you get all the basics like continuous heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen rate, heart rate variability, stress tracking, alerts for abnormally high and low heart rate, and skin temperature tracking. It\u2019s also got a daily readiness score and detailed sleep tracking if you\u2019re into recovery metrics. (There\u2019s also a Zepp Aura AI chatbot if you ever want to get more in-depth insights into your recovery metrics; It costs an extra $77 yearly but it\u2019s also totally optional.) For workouts, it supports 160 different sport types, including HYROX and a new strength training mode that automatically counts reps. The Active 2 also adds offline maps, turn-by-turn directions, the ability to connect to third-party peripherals, and Zepp Coach \u2014 an AI-powered coach that can generate custom training plans for you. Built-in GPS with five satellite systems is also included.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t have a lot to complain about. My biggest gripes are the touch screen is hard to use with sweaty fingers and the onboard AI assistant for voice commands sometimes requires you to enunciate. You do lack advanced health features, like EKGs or sleep apnea detection, but that\u2019s not really the point of something like the Active 2. This is meant to be a classic, basic fitness tracker that happens to look like a watch \u2014 and it does that with aplomb. <\/p>\n

Read my full Amazfit Active 2 review<\/a>.<\/h5>\n

Best fitness watch for casual users<\/h2>\n

<\/em>Sizes:<\/strong>\u00a040mm w\/ 20mm straps \/\u00a0Weight:<\/strong>\u00a038g \/\u00a0Battery life:<\/strong>\u00a0Up to 11 days \/\u00a0Display type:<\/strong>\u00a0OLED touchscreen \/\u00a0GPS:<\/strong>\u00a0All-systems GNSS \/\u00a0Connectivity:<\/strong>\u00a0Bluetooth, Ant Plus \/\u00a0Water resistance:<\/strong>\u00a05ATM \/\u00a0Music storage:<\/strong>\u00a04GB (for Music Edition)<\/em><\/p>\n

The $250 Garmin Venu Sq 2 is the watch I recommend for anyone looking to replace their aging Fitbit Versa 2<\/a>, 3, <\/strong>or 4. It\u2019s got a similar look and vibe, with a much nicer OLED display and longer battery life.<\/p>\n

Garmin is known for its comprehensive fitness tracking, and that\u2019s not an exception here. Of course, you get the basics, like steps and calories burned, but you get a whole lot more, too. There\u2019s built-in GPS for tracking walks, runs, and bike rides, as well as plenty of other sports profiles like yoga and strength training. For smart features, you get push notifications, timers, contactless payments, and a bunch of safety features like Garmin\u2019s Incident Detection, which is its take on fall detection. (You will need to carry your phone with you, however, as this doesn\u2019t have LTE.)<\/p>\n

\"Garmin<\/p>\n

If you want the option of onboard music, you can shell out $50 extra for the Music Edition, which comes with enough storage for about 500 songs. I wouldn\u2019t recommend it, however, as you\u2019ll most likely have your phone on you since this isn\u2019t a true standalone watch.<\/p>\n

What I like most about this watch, however, is that it\u2019s one that you can grow with. On top of recovery metrics and sleep tracking, it also has Garmin Coach \u2014 a built-in, free<\/em> training program for beginner and intermediate-level runners hoping to tackle a 5K, 10K, or half marathon. For health tracking, you can monitor heart rate, blood oxygen, intensity minutes (how many minutes of moderate exercise you get per week), stress, hydration, respiratory rate, and menstrual cycles. None of these existing data features are locked behind a paywall; however,\u00a0Garmin recently introduced a premium tier<\/a>\u00a0that provides personalized AI-powered insights and additional features for $6.99 a month (or $69.99 a year).<\/p>\n

One note: there is a Venu 3<\/a>, which adds a newer heart rate sensor and nap detection. I liked it quite a bit, and it ticks off a lot of the right boxes \u2014 except for price. It\u2019s $450, which puts it outside what I\u2019d consider ideal for casual users. The other option is Garmin\u2019s Forerunner 165<\/a> \u2014 it\u2019s a $249 budget training watch that\u2019s quite similar to the Venu Sq 2 feature-wise, albeit with a sportier vibe. Basically, go with what you find on sale. I firmly believe older models are still a good choice if all you want is the fitness-tracking basics. This is especially true since newer software updates often make their way to older Garmins. Garmin users also tend to hang onto their devices for a good while. Strava\u2019s 2023 year-end survey found that the most popular smartwatch among its users was an eight-year-old Garmin<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Read my full review Garmin Venu Sq 2 review<\/a>.<\/h5>\n

Best for serious outdoor athletes<\/h2>\n

<\/em>Sizes:<\/strong>\u00a07S Pro: 42mm w\/ 20mm straps; 7: 47mm w\/ 22mm straps; 7X: 51mm w\/ 26mm straps \/\u00a0Weight:<\/strong>\u00a07S Pro: 63g (Solar), 58g or 65g (Sapphire Solar, titanium or stainless steel); 7: 79g (Solar), 73g (Sapphire Solar); 7X: 96g (Solar), 89g (Sapphire Solar) \/\u00a0Battery life:<\/strong> 7S: up to 11 days, 14 w\/ Solar; 7: up to 18 days, 22 days w\/ solar; 7X: up to 28 days, 37 w\/ solar \/\u00a0Display type:<\/strong>\u00a0MIP touchscreen \/\u00a0GPS:<\/strong>\u00a0All-systems GNSS and dual-frequency GPS \/\u00a0Connectivity:<\/strong>\u00a0Bluetooth, Ant Plus, Wi-Fi \/\u00a0Water resistance:<\/strong>\u00a010ATM \/\u00a0Music storage:<\/strong>\u00a0Up to 32GB<\/em><\/p>\n

Garmin\u2019s flagship Fenix 7 series<\/a> is no joke, and the Fenix 7 Pro lineup takes it up a notch. It\u2019s got built-in multiband GPS, solar charging on all models, the option of touchscreen or button navigation, topographical maps, and oodles upon oodles of data. Plus, every Fenix 7 Pro model has a hands-free LED flashlight, an upgraded heart rate sensor, and an improved memory-in-pixel display that\u2019s slightly easier to read in low lighting.<\/p>\n

Garmin wearables are also known for providing extensive in-depth metrics, and the Fenix 7 Pro lineup <\/strong>is no exception. You get excellent recovery metrics as well as helpful training guides and coaching programs. The best part is that Garmin doesn\u2019t charge extra for those features. That\u2019s good news, as these are expensive watches.<\/p>\n

I appreciate how quickly these Fenix 7 watches can pick up a GPS signal. That\u2019s a must if you\u2019re training in the dead of winter. These watches can also take a beating. All models are built to military-grade standards and feature up to 10ATM of water resistance. That means they\u2019re more than capable of a dunk in the ocean.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Although the screen is brighter, MIP displays<\/a> still aren\u2019t my absolute favorite \u2014 the OLED on the Garmin Epix 2<\/a> and the Epix Pro <\/strong>are much easier on the eyes. It\u2019s admittedly tough to pick between the Fenix 7, Fenix 7 Pro, Epix 2, and Epix Pro lineups \u2014 especially now that the Epix Pro also has great battery life, the LED flashlight, and now comes in multiple sizes. What it boils down to is whether you prioritize a brighter display, longer battery life, or price.<\/p>\n

Personally, I prefer the Epix Pro for better readability, but the Fenix 7 Pro is the better choice if this is your first introduction to Garmin\u2019s platform. You\u2019ll get better battery life, the same LED flashlight, all the same training features, and a lower starting price. (You can also check out our Garmin buying guide<\/a> if you\u2019d like even more alternatives.)<\/p>\n

Technically, there\u2019s a new Fenix 8 series<\/a> on the block. That said, I still think the standard Fenix 7 or 7 Pro lineup is the better overall value. The Fenix 8<\/a> adds diving features and voice assistant capabilities, but it also ups the standard Fenix 7\u2019s starting price of $650 by an additional $350. That\u2019s tough to swallow, especially since retailers may offer discounts on older models to get rid of existing inventory.<\/p>\n

Read my full Garmin Fenix 7S Pro review<\/a>.<\/h5>\n

Best non-wrist tracker<\/h2>\n

<\/em>Sizes:<\/strong>\u00a012 proprietary sizes, 4\u201315, sizing kit needed \/\u00a0Weight:<\/strong>\u00a04\u20136g (depends on size) \/\u00a0Battery life:<\/strong>\u00a0Up to seven days \/\u00a0Display type:<\/strong>\u00a0None \/\u00a0GPS:<\/strong>\u00a0None \/\u00a0Connectivity:<\/strong>\u00a0Bluetooth \/\u00a0Water resistance:<\/strong>\u00a0Up to 328 feet \/\u00a0Music storage:<\/strong>\u00a0None<\/em><\/p>\n

The vast majority of fitness trackers are worn on the wrist, but the $349 Oura Ring<\/a> isn\u2019t. The smart ring is a good option for people who are looking for something a little more discreet. It\u2019s also less distracting than some other wrist-based options, as it lacks a screen and doesn\u2019t mirror push notifications from your phone.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The new Oura Ring 4 isn\u2019t functionally that much different from the previous Gen 3. It\u2019s slimmer, features a new all-titanium design, has improved battery life, and has a new sensor algorithm that Oura says is more accurate. None of the new software features are gatekept to the Ring 4, so Gen 3 owners shouldn\u2019t feel the need to upgrade unless their ring no longer lasts more than two days on a single charge. That said, the fourth-gen ring has an expanded size range spanning from 4 to 15. If you felt your Gen 3 was a bit snug or couldn\u2019t find a size that fit right, you may have a better option now.<\/p>\n

\"Close<\/p>\n

While smaller than your average wearable, the Oura Ring still tracks a ton of metrics, including heart rate variability, body temperature, blood oxygen, all-day heart rate monitoring, and cycle tracking. Since launching, the Oura Ring has also added activity tracking, blood oxygen levels, chronotypes to help visualize your circadian rhythms, a social feature called Circles, improved stress tracking, and cardiovascular age and capacity metrics. More recently, it\u2019s added an AI chatbot, meal logging, and glucose tracking, though you\u2019ll have to purchase a $99 Dexcom Stelo CGM<\/a> to take advantage of the latter. It\u2019s rolled out a more accurate sleep stages algorithm<\/a> as well, and the app has been entirely revamped to better organize the new features and metrics.<\/p>\n

The Oura Ring tracks typical metrics \u2014 such as steps and calories burned \u2014\u00a0 but its main focus is sleep and recovery. Each day, you\u2019re given three sets of scores for your readiness, sleep, and activity. It\u2019s a simple, holistic look at your overall wellness and an ideal pick if you want a more hands-off experience with your data.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got a Samsung Galaxy Watch, you may want to consider the $399.99 Galaxy Ring<\/a>. It\u2019s a bit more expensive than the base Oura Ring, but it doesn\u2019t come with a subscription, and you get much better battery life when used with the Galaxy Watch. The hardware is also excellent, especially the charging case. That said, this is only an option for Android users, and even then, you don\u2019t unlock its full potential unless you\u2019ve got other Samsung gear. I also recommend the Ultrahuman Ring Air<\/a> for folks who don\u2019t like the idea of Oura\u2019s monthly subscription.<\/p>\n

You can read my experiences with a bunch of other smart rings<\/a>, but right now, the Oura Ring is the most polished with the best overall experience.<\/p>\n

Read my full Oura Ring 4 review<\/a>.<\/h5>\n

Best fitness band<\/h2>\n

<\/em>Size:<\/strong>\u00a042mm x 24mm x 12.2mm with 16mm straps \/\u00a0Weight:<\/strong>\u00a028g \/\u00a0Battery life:<\/strong>\u00a0Up to 18 days \/\u00a0Display type:<\/strong>\u00a0OLED \/\u00a0GPS:<\/strong>\u00a0Tethered \/\u00a0Connectivity:<\/strong>\u00a0Bluetooth \/\u00a0Water resistance:<\/strong>\u00a05ATM \/\u00a0Music storage:<\/strong>\u00a0None<\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019s truly hard to beat the Amazfit Band 7\u2019s $49.99 price \u2014 doubly so since you can often find it on sale for even less. Wearing the Band 7 feels like a throwback to 2014, which is great if all you\u2019re looking for is a simple and casual tracker that won\u2019t break the bank.<\/p>\n

No one is going to compliment you on the Band 7\u2019s design, but it\u2019s got a handful of cute watch faces that make good use of its OLED touchscreen. And despite having an OLED display, you\u2019ll still get roughly 14 days of battery life on a single charge. It\u2019s also incredibly lightweight, making it a good option for sleep tracking as well.<\/p>\n

\"Amazfit<\/p>\n

You also get an absurd number of features for the price. That includes Amazon Alexa, continuous heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen monitoring, stress tracking, advanced sleep tracking, training metrics like VO2 max and load, abnormal heart rate alerts, menstrual tracking, push notifications, find my phone, a camera remote, and even a Pomodoro timer. You\u2019re sacrificing contactless payments and will have to settle for tethered GPS, but this is a fair tradeoff considering everything else you\u2019re getting. It\u2019s not the best option for hardcore fitness tracking, but this is a great option if all you\u2019re looking to do is casually track activity and your steps.<\/p>\n

Amazfit\u2019s been making surprisingly good budget trackers for a while. That said, if you\u2019re a little wary of a lesser-known brand, the $159.95 Fitbit Charge 6<\/a> is a decent alternative. It\u2019s pricier, but you get a lot of what Amazfit is missing. That includes Google services like YouTube Music, Google Wallet, and Google Maps. Plus, it has built-in GPS and the ability to broadcast your heart rate with some Bluetooth-compatible gym equipment.<\/p>\n

Read my full Amazfit Band 7 review<\/a>.<\/h5>\n

Most stylish fitness watch<\/h2>\n

<\/em>Sizes:<\/strong>\u00a037mm with 18mm straps \/\u00a0Weight:<\/strong>\u00a045g \/\u00a0Battery life:<\/strong>\u00a0Up to 39 days \/\u00a0Display type:<\/strong>\u00a0 OLED display \/\u00a0GPS:<\/strong>\u00a0Tethered GPS \/\u00a0Connectivity:<\/strong>\u00a0Bluetooth \/\u00a0Water resistance:<\/strong>\u00a05ATM \/\u00a0Music storage:<\/strong>\u00a0N\/A<\/em><\/p>\n

The $249.95 Withings ScanWatch Light is a fetching hybrid analog smartwatch. Think of it as a dressier fitness band with some Swatch-like design sensibilities. It\u2019s got all your basics like simple push notifications, timers, and alarms. Plus, you can track steps, sleep, menstrual cycles, and GPS activities straight from the wrist. It looks spiffy on the wrist, and if you like a pop of color, Withings offers minty green and pale blue color options. It\u2019s also got excellent battery life, with an estimated 30 days on a single charge. I got a little less in testing at around 25 days, but that\u2019s still much better than the vast majority of flagship smartwatches. This also looks way more stylish than beefier multisport watches with similar battery life.<\/p>\n

As its name suggests, the Light is a pared-down version of the $349.95 ScanWatch 2. The main things you\u2019re missing are an EKG sensor for atrial fibrillation detection, a temperature sensor, blood oxygen tracking, and an altimeter for tracking elevation. For basic fitness tracking, you don\u2019t really need those sensors. That\u2019s why I think the extra $100 in savings is worth it for the Light, especially since both are lacking in safety features, contactless payments, and some other bells and whistles you can get from other watches in the $350 price range. That said, if you want extras, the ScanWatch 2 also gets you a slightly more elegant look thanks to the second step-counter dial.<\/p>\n

\"Close<\/p>\n

Another option I like is the $179.99 Garmin Vivomove Sport<\/a>, which actually dominated this category in the past few years. It\u2019s hard to beat the price, especially since it gets you access to Garmin\u2019s platform. However, Garmin\u2019s \u201chidden\u201d OLED display can get washed out in bright lighting, and battery life was significantly shorter than other hybrid analog watches at around five days. Still, if you\u2019d prefer a platform with a focus on fitness rather than wellness, the Vivomove Sport may be the better move over a Withings watch.<\/p>\n

Read my full reviews of the Withings ScanWatch 2 and Light<\/a>.<\/h5>\n

Best fitness tracker for iPhone users<\/h2>\n

<\/em>Sizes:<\/strong>\u00a042mm, 46mm \/\u00a0Weight:<\/strong>\u00a029.3g (42mm), 35.3g (46mm) \/\u00a0Battery life:<\/strong>\u00a0Up to 18 hours \/\u00a0Display type:<\/strong>\u00a0Always-on LTPO OLED \/\u00a0GPS: <\/strong>Built-in GPS, plus GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, Beidou\u00a0\/\u00a0Connectivity:<\/strong>\u00a0LTE (optional), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi \/\u00a0Water resistance:<\/strong>\u00a0Up to 50 meters \/\u00a0Music storage:<\/strong>\u00a032GB<\/em><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for a smartwatch that does fitness well, then iPhone owners need to look no further than the $399 Apple Watch Series 10. (The LTE version costs $50 more.) This is another iterative update, but the Series 10 is a much more comfortable watch than previous models. It\u2019s thinner and lighter, plus there\u2019s a larger display. If you\u2019ve got a Series 5 or older, now is a good time to upgrade.<\/p>\n

With watchOS 11, there\u2019s a new suite of training features. There\u2019s Training Load<\/a>, which gives you greater insight into how intensely you\u2019ve been working out the past week compared to the last 28 days. There\u2019s also a new Vitals app that flags when key metrics, like sleep duration or heart rate, may be out of whack. Plus, you can finally pause your rings<\/a> for rest days. The software update also brings some savvy updates to the Smart Stack. For example, if you\u2019re in a noisy cafe wondering what song\u2019s playing, the Smart Stack can now surface the Shazaam widget. It also now supports Live Activities, turning your wrist into a mini Dynamic Island. Health-wise, we also now have FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection.<\/p>\n

Of course, we also have to address the Apple Watch ban<\/a>. As of January 18th, 2024, new Apple Watches sold in the US have the blood oxygen feature disabled due to an ongoing patent battle with medical device maker Masimo. This isn\u2019t a huge deal for most people, as this feature isn\u2019t that useful for most people yet, and the new sleep apnea feature exclusively uses the accelerometer rather than the blood oxygen sensor. You might want to consider a refurbished Series 7 or 8 if blood oxygen sensing is important to you, however.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a first-time buyer, you can also opt for the second-gen Apple Watch SE<\/a>. It\u2019s slightly cheaper at $249, and while you don\u2019t get as many features, it\u2019s a good introduction to the ecosystem. Otherwise, if you\u2019re the type of athlete who covets a Garmin, you may also want to consider splurging on the Apple Watch Ultra 2<\/a>. It\u2019s more expensive at $799, but it does have the brightest screen of any Apple Watch, comes with dual-frequency GPS, has diving and hiking safety features, and is made of more durable materials. There\u2019s also a fetching new black color<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Read my full Apple Watch Series 10 review<\/a>.<\/h5>\n

Best fitness smartwatch for Samsung phones<\/h2>\n

<\/em>Sizes:<\/strong>\u00a047mm \/\u00a0Weight:<\/strong>\u00a060.5g \/\u00a0Battery life:<\/strong>\u00a0Up to 100 hours \/\u00a0Display type: <\/strong>Always-on OLED \/\u00a0GPS: <\/strong>Built-in GPS\u00a0\/\u00a0Connectivity:<\/strong>\u00a0LTE (optional), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi \/\u00a0Water resistance:<\/strong>\u00a010ATM, IP68 \/\u00a0Music storage:<\/strong>\u00a032GB<\/em><\/p>\n

Truthfully, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra left me a bit disappointed after reviewing it \u2014 not because it\u2019s a bad piece of hardware, but because it copies a bit too much from Apple. Even so, this is the most full-featured fitness smartwatch a Samsung phone owner can buy.<\/p>\n

While I prefer the Galaxy Watch 7 <\/a>myself, I can\u2019t say it\u2019s the best for fitness tracking. There was too much of a gap between it and the Ultra in my testing as far as accuracy, especially for GPS tracking. But what really sealed the deal for me was the difference in battery life. It\u2019s simply night and day, and the Galaxy Watch 7 really struggled in this arena. (The gaps are much less egregious between the base Apple Watch and Ultra 2.)<\/p>\n

The caveat is, if all you want is casual fitness tracking, the Galaxy Watch 7 is the better choice for wearability. It\u2019s just more comfortable for sleep tracking and lighter overall. Just keep in mind it lacks the Ultra\u2019s emergency siren and shortcut button, and the screen doesn\u2019t get quite as bright.<\/p>\n

\"Close-up<\/p>\n

With both watches, you get a faster processor, a new 3-in-1 BioActive Sensor, some AI health features, and FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection. The newer hardware makes for a more futureproof purchase, but I found the AI health features to be hit-or-miss in practice. As always, some features, like EKGs and sleep apnea detection, are limited to Samsung owners. That makes this hard to wholeheartedly recommend this to non-Samsung Android users.<\/p>\n

But if the Ultra doesn\u2019t float your boat, now is a good time to find the Galaxy Watch 6 series<\/a>, particularly the base models, on sale. The base Galaxy Watch 7 may have newer hardware, but as far as actual use goes, it\u2019s not a massive update over the Watch 6. And if you\u2019re into a physical rotating bezel, just go ahead and snag a Galaxy Watch 6 Classic.<\/p>\n

Read my full Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra review<\/a>.<\/h5>\n

Best fitness smartwatch for Android<\/h2>\n

<\/em>Sizes:<\/strong>\u00a041mm, 45mm \/\u00a0Weight:<\/strong>\u00a031g \/\u00a0Battery life:<\/strong>\u00a0Up to 24 hours \/\u00a0Display type: <\/strong>Always-on OLED \/\u00a0GPS: <\/strong>Built-in GPS\u00a0\/\u00a0Connectivity:<\/strong>\u00a0LTE (optional), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi \/\u00a0Water resistance:<\/strong>\u00a05ATM \/\u00a0Music storage:<\/strong>\u00a032GB<\/em><\/p>\n

With the Pixel Watch 3, Google is finally done playing catch-up.<\/p>\n

There are truly too many updates to call each one out individually, but overall, they fall into two buckets: refinement and expansion. The hardware is mostly the same as the Pixel Watch 2 in terms of design. However, we now have a brighter screen, smaller bezels, and a new 45mm size. The larger size is quite nice, especially if you prefer larger screens without sacrificing wearability.<\/p>\n

Battery life is also better. There\u2019s a new battery-saver mode that kicks in when you hit 15 percent, and the new displays are also more power efficient. Plus, bedtime mode is automatic now, so that helps the watch last longer overnight for sleep tracking. It\u2019s only a modest improvement over the Pixel Watch 2, but it\u2019s dramatic compared to the original.<\/p>\n

\"Person<\/p>\n

Software is where the Pixel Watch 3 makes the most updates. There are a ton of new fitness and health features, including a new running dashboard, custom running workouts, and AI-generated workout suggestions. There\u2019s also a revamped Daily Readiness Score and a new Cardio Load metric, which gauges how intensely you\u2019ve been exercising. If you\u2019re located in the US<\/a> or Europe, you can also take advantage Google\u2019s new Loss of Pulse feature, which calls emergency services on your behalf if it detects you no longer have a pulse.<\/p>\n

The Pixel Watch 3 also better integrates with Google services and the Pixel ecosystem. You can now view your Nest Doorbell or Camera feed straight from the wrist \u2014 and it\u2019s quite handy if you get a lot of packages or guests. If you have Google TV, you can use the watch as a remote. Now that the watch has an ultra wideband chip, it can also now unlock your Pixel phone. You can also use the Recorder app to capture audio and send it straight to your Pixel phone.<\/p>\n

That said, some of these features now mean the Pixel Watch works best with a Pixel phone. If you\u2019re looking for alternatives to Google and Samsung, the $299.99 OnePlus Watch 2<\/a> is a strong alternative. You\u2019re giving up LTE, but it\u2019s a handsome-looking watch with surprisingly long battery life and Google Assistant from the get-go.<\/p>\n

Read my full Google Pixel Watch 3 review<\/a>.<\/h5>\n

Best for early adopters and elite athletes<\/h2>\n

<\/em>Sizes:<\/strong> 43mm by 28mm by 10mm <\/strong>\/\u00a0Weight:<\/strong>\u00a018g \/\u00a0Battery life:<\/strong>\u00a04\u20135 days \/\u00a0Display type: <\/strong>None \/\u00a0GPS: <\/strong>None\u00a0\/\u00a0Connectivity:<\/strong>\u00a0Bluetooth \/\u00a0Water resistance:<\/strong>\u00a0Up to 10 meters \/\u00a0Music storage:<\/strong>\u00a0None<\/em><\/p>\n

The Whoop 4.0<\/a> is not for the casual enthusiast. Not only does it come with an expensive monthly subscription, but the information it provides is only useful if you\u2019re actively training for a cardio-intensive sport. If strength training is your main form of exercise, you\u2019re better off looking elsewhere. Like the Oura Ring, this is a distraction-free tracker that specializes in sleep and recovery. The main difference is this has a more athletic bent. For instance, you\u2019ll get way more insight into how much strain you\u2019ve taken on in the past week.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Whoop also provides a lot of novel ways to wear its tracker<\/a>, including in underwear and arm\/knee sleeves. This makes it an appealing option if you\u2019re one of those unicorns who needs a secondary<\/em> tracker to supplement another form of fitness tracking. Again, this is a tracker best appreciated by people who go hard and aren\u2019t afraid to experiment.\u00a0Plus, Whoop recently lowered its subscription prices<\/a> in certain tiers, so while it\u2019s still expensive, it\u2019s not quite<\/em> as pricey as it used to be.<\/p>\n

Read my full Whoop 4.0 review<\/a>.<\/h5>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

What\u2019s coming next<\/strong><\/h2>\n