May 14, 2023 10:00 AM

The Best Fitness Trackers and Watches for Everyone

Whether you’re skiing in the backcountry or trampolining in the backyard, we have an activity tracker for you.

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Featured in this article

Garmin Vivomove Trend smartwatch on purple backdrop

Apple Watch Series 8 in different colors

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Like every piece of gear you wear on your body day in and day out, fitness trackers are incredibly personal. They have to be comfortable and attractive, sure, but they must also fit your lifestyle, as well as when and how you like to work out. Do you bike, row, or do strength training? Do you run on trails for hours at a time, or do you just want a reminder to get up every hour?

No matter what your needs are, there’s never been a better time to find a powerful, sophisticated tool that can help you optimize your workouts or jump-start your routine. We’ve tested dozens over the years to bring you these picks. While you’re at it, don’t forget to check out our Best Smartwatches and Best Running Gear guides.

Updated May 2023: We removed the Amazon Halo, added the G-Shock Move and link to Best Fitbits, and updated links and pricing throughout.

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Photograph: Fitbit
Best All-Around
Fitbit Charge 5
Even as Fitbit has faced stiff competition from other manufacturers—most notably, the Apple Watch—its trackers have always won me over. They hit a very specific sweet spot between attractiveness, affordability, accessibility, and ease of use. They're perfect for everyone who isn't an ultra-marathoner or a semipro powerlifter trying to hit a PR.
The Charge line has consistently reached the top of our rankings, and the Charge 5 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is no exception. Last year's iteration introduced softer lines, a bright AMOLED screen, and almost every sensor you could want, from stress scans to electrocardiograms. Like the Apple Watch does with iPhones, the Charge 5 fast-pairs to Android phones and has both onboard and connected GPS so you can track outdoor workouts without a hitch. It also now has an FDA-cleared feature to detect atrial fibrillation, via Fitbit's new Heart Rhythm Notifications feature. The major downside is that you do still have to pay $10 per month, or $80 per year, for a Fitbit Premium subscription to access most of Fitbit's best features. Fitbit is also now owned by Google, which might deter you. All in all, the hardware is still less expensive and easier to use than others on this list. Still not sure if this is the right Fitbit for you? Check out our guide to the Best Fitbits.
$150 at Best Buy
$150 at Amazon
$150 at Target
Photograph: Garmin
Runner-Up
Garmin Vivomove Trend
One of the biggest pain points with fitness trackers is how each has its own proprietary charger. If you're used to the convenience of charging your phone and earbuds on all-purpose Qi wireless charging pads, hunting for your proprietary charger can be a real annoyance. The Vivomove Trend (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is the first Garmin to have wireless charging, and it works!
Like 2022's Vivomove Sport ($180), it has an analog watch face and connected GPS via your watch. Start an activity by swiping and tapping the analog watch face or waiting for Garmin's startlingly accurate Move IQ to pick it up. You get access to Garmin's most convenient fitness features, like incident detection, contactless payments, sleep tracking, and continuous heart rate monitoring. Garmin also has some of the most helpful comprehensive fitness algorithms available—I've always found its Body Battery metric to be startlingly accurate, even catching when I'm getting sick or getting PMS.
The only downside is that the Vivomove Sport is much cheaper and looks almost the same. But you will probably make up the difference in six months when you don't have to replace the chargers.
$270 at Best Buy
$270 at Amazon
$270 at Target
$270 at Garmin
Photograph: Apple
Best If You Have an iPhone
Apple Watch Series 8
People tend to hold on to their Apple Watches for years, and rightfully so—it is far and away the best fitness tracker if you have an iPhone. So if you want one, you're best off with the latest Series 8 (8/10, WIRED Recommends). It comes with new body temperature sensors that are aimed at tracking menstrual cycles. It also has new safety features, such as Crash Detection. In the event of a severe car accident, the Series 8 will use a powerful new accelerometer and gyroscope as well as the barometer, GPS, and microphone to detect a car crash and alert emergency services if the user has not responded within 10 seconds.
These come in conjunction with a whole host of health and fitness features in WatchOS 9, such as better workout views, more in-depth running metrics, medication logging, and better sleep tracking. In comparison, the new Apple Watch SE has the latest S8 chip and will have Crash Detection, but no wrist-based body temperature sensing, as well as no older features like the blood oxygen or ECG app. And with the exception of Fitbit, it has the widest array of third-party accessories.
$399 at Apple
$329 at Amazon
$400 at Target
Photograph: Fitbit
Best Budget Tracker
Fitbit Inspire 3
If all you want is a simple health tracker that will track your steps and your sleep and let you know when someone is calling, the internet's marketplace is awash in knockoffs of this fitness tracker. For $80, you might as well get the original instead. This year, Fitbit released the latest version of its hugely popular Inspire, which thankfully (in my opinion) does not use Wear OS. Instead, it continues to use Fitbit's clear and easy Fitbit app, has a pedometer and tracks SpO2 and sleep, and comes with a wide array of watch faces and accessories.
All wasn't easy-peasy. I had some connectivity issues and had to restart my phone when the Inspire 3 wouldn't update the time zone for a day or two. The Inspire 3 also regularly overestimated how much sleep I'd gotten, which made me mistrust their new Sleep Profile feature. For two months, I had a chronic nighttime cough; the Inspire 3 regularly logged me at 7 hours a night because I was lying still, when switching to a more sensitive fitness tracker put me at a much more accurate 5. However, if you have no health issues, it is more reliable and accessible than a knockoff Inspire 3, and Fitbit also regularly puts its trackers on sale.
$99 at Best Buy
$99 at Amazon
$100 at Target

Photograph: Garmin
Best Running Watch
Garmin Forerunner 255
Garmin's Forerunner line has long been the best GPS-enabled fitness tracker for runners, and the midrange Forerunner 255 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) offers an incredible value for the number of features it offers in Garmin's lineup.
Do you want a feature? It probably has it, like multiband GPS support and a barometric altimeter, a compass, improved sleep tracking, and Bluetooth compatibility with a number of heart rate monitors. The battery life is incredible—reviewer Scott Gilbertson estimates it at about 30 hours of continuous use—and you can extend the battery life even further by turning off features like continuous Pulse Ox measuring. He especially liked the new Morning Report, which includes Body Battery as well as a daily greeting, the weather, and other tidbits, much like what Apple offers.
It's also worth noting here that the Forerunner line is quite extensive and meets a variety of needs. A beginning runner or triathlete will probably be happy with the cheaper and more basic Forerunner 35 ($170), while the experienced triathlete will want the Forerunner 945 ($600). Older models also retain their value and go on sale all the time.
$350 at Target
$400 at Best Buy
$350 at Garmin
Photograph: Samsung
Best for Android Owners
Samsung Galaxy Watch5
Samsung's new Galaxy Watch5 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is the comfiest Wear OS smartwatch out there. It comes in 40- and 44-mm sizes and runs the latest version of Wear OS 3, meaning you get access to Google Maps' turn-by-turn navigation and Google Assistant, plus the best of Samsung's health features, including SpO2 measurements, auto-workout detection, sleep tracking, and an electrocardiogram. It's great for checking notifications and responding to them, too.
Like the Apple Watch, don't expect to go for days on a single charge. WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu says he usually had to charge it after a day and a half. Unfortunately, this watch only works with Android phones, and ECG tracking is limited to Samsung phones (as is blood pressure monitoring, but that's not available in the US yet anyway). If you want a bigger watch that's just a bit more rugged, try the pricey Galaxy Watch5 Pro ($500), which has better battery life, has GPX support, and is made of more durable materials. (I did find that the accelerometer is a bit wonky when it comes to auto-pause and start, which can be a little annoying if you run on roads.) Alternatively, if you want to save some cash, you can snag last year's Galaxy Watch4, which is still a great watch.
$280 at Best Buy
$220 at Samsung
$280 at Target
Photograph: Google
Best for Wear OS
Google Pixel Watch
While Apple has been honing their smartwatch and fitness tracker to a finely tuned machine, Google has been noticeably late to the party. When it finally debuted this year, reviews editor Julian Chokkattu noted that while it does include key fitness features like an ECG and a heart rate monitor, it doesn't have auto workout detection, fall detection, or SpO2 sensing. The Fitbit integration isn't as smooth as you might think, given that Google acquired the company in 2019—the app looks dated and cramped on the screen, and Wear OS needs more apps in general.
However, the Pixel is a notably beautiful watch and the heart of the fitness tracking experience is Fitbit's, which means that the data itself is very accurate and empowering (you will still have to pay for a Fitbit Premium subscription). Also, more features will be unrolling through 2023. If you've been waiting with bated breath for a Wear OS watch, this might be it.
$350 at Amazon
$350 at Target
$349 at Best Buy

Photograph: ŌURA
Best Ring
Oura Ring Gen3
I had complaints about Oura's Gen3 ring—namely, that the company was strongly encouraging its customers to commit and upgrade to the Gen3 and a new $6-per-month subscription long before any of the newest features were even available.
However, in a sea of identical square and round watches, there really isn't any tracker like the Oura. It's extremely small and attractive, and this year's new onboard sensors are just as accurate as they were before. Those features are now available with the membership, and you can access guided meditations, personalized insights, and educational content; without it, you will only be able to access your three basic Oura scores, which are your Daily Readiness, Sleep, and Activity scores (essentially what you saw last year). If you have trouble predicting your period, the ring is sensitive enough to pick up the half-degree temperature drop right before mine starts. Although the company has made no explicit statement about Roe v. Wade, it’s based in Finland and abides by the GDPR, and US-based health authorities cannot subpoena data from it.
$349 at Best Buy
$449 at Oura
Photograph: WHOOP
The Most Wearable
Whoop 4.0 (Membership)
The biggest problem with any fitness wearable of any kind is how often they get in the way of … working on your fitness. You can't wear the Oura ring while rock climbing, for example. That's why the cult fitness tracker company Whoop introduced a line of smart clothes this year. Right now, I'm wearing the tracker tucked into the Any-Wear bralette. I can't even feel it! Now I can track my runs with my Garmin!
Whoop is best suited for athletes who can independently interpret its somewhat arcane metrics. “Daily Strain” measures only cardiovascular load, so a day where I walked 3 miles to and fro is supposedly a harder day than when I lifted weights for an hour. The Whoop 4.0 is also smaller than last year's model, with a new battery, but I did experience charging issues with the new version. You have to keep the app running at all times, lest it constantly warn you that it can't update right this second. At $30, the monthly subscription is the most expensive one here, and the line of proprietary clothing does not have extended sizing. Even with all those caveats, it's the only wearable I've ever forgotten I'm wearing.
$240 at Best Buy
Photograph: Garmin
Best Outdoor Watch
Garmin Fenix 7S Sapphire Solar
This year, Garmin released two high-end adventure watches: the Epix ($1,000) and this year's update to the Fenix series, the Fenix 7S Sapphire Solar (8/10, WIRED Recommends). The Epix has a 47-mm case and a large, brilliant AMOLED screen; the Fenix has a memory-in-pixel (MIP) display. However, the Epix's case is huge, and the display eats up a lot of battery. I'd go with the Fenix instead.
This year's iteration has vastly improved battery life with solar charging—I got two weeks off one charge, with intermittent sunlight during a cloudy Oregon winter. Multiple GPS systems meant that it pinpointed my location with incredible speed and accuracy, even in the rain and under tree cover. It can record every biometric for every sport under the sun. And honestly, maps on the MIP still look detailed and pretty great. The downside? It is still fairly spendy, and earlier iterations do go on sale pretty often.
★ Alternative: If having a super bright, super crisp display or a super easy-to-use app is not at the top of your list of priorities, I highly recommend the Coros Apex 2 Pro. It connects to all five satellite systems and includes the dual-frequency GNSS support that the Apple Watch Ultra has, for more precise (and fast!) location tracking. With regular use, the battery lasted over a month.
The tracking is as accurate as the Apple Watch Ultra's, but Coros' training plans and metrics in their proprietary training system, EvoLab, are as detailed and helpful as Garmin's. The plans are also clearly aimed at more experienced runners, although there are a few for beginners. I also like the big grooved buttons, the fact that the screen locks, and the startlingly wide variety of watch faces.
$899 at Best Buy
$900 at Amazon
$900 at REI

Photograph: Casio
An Update to a Classic
Casio G-Shock Move
A G-Shock is a classic watch for an outdoorsy person; these devices are known for being big, rugged, and unbreakable. (To me, they're best known for being the watch that Keanu Reeves wears in Speed). Lo, this spring Casio released the G-Shock Move, which has the classic G-Shock looks and functionality coupled with Bluetooth connectivity and a brand-new partnership with Polar. The company known for its granular fitness data collection recently released 25 of its algorithms for use with commercial partners, of which Casio is the first. The partnership needs a little ironing out—you connect to the Casio Watches app (and not, confusingly, the G-Shock Move app), and it's unattractive and hard to navigate, plus Polar's biometrics can be difficult to interpret. It's also slower to connect to GPS than other trackers I've tried. Accuracy while recording my outdoor runs suffered as a result—I often just took off rather than standing around shivering in my shorts.
However, it's still a G-Shock. The battery lasted 10 days; the display is clear and easy to read; the buttons are pleasantly clicky and easy to navigate; and it's much, much lighter and easier to wear than other G-Shocks I've tried. The data on sleep collection also goes into much deeper detail than any other tracker I've tried. If you've always wanted a smart fitness tracker but were wedded to your classic Casio, this is the one to try.
$399 at Amazon
$399 at REI
Photograph: Apple
Best for Weekend Warriors
Apple Watch Ultra
This year, Apple introduced a completely new type of Apple Watch: the Ultra (8/10, WIRED Recommends), a rugged sports watch intended for endurance athletes. The 2.5-day battery life seems mediocre, but here is a secret that few runners, cyclists, or skiers will admit: Not all of us are Jenny Graham. Most of us are all too happy to enjoy a day out before coming home to a pork shoulder roast and a shower.
Iif you have an iPhone and have access to an outlet, then the Apple Watch Ultra is the best outdoor watch for you. It's been certified to the MIL-STD-810H standard for military equipment, so it won't die when it gets too hot, cold, or dusty. It's made from aerospace-grade titanium with a flat sapphire crystal display, with a host of specialized navigation features, like a new hybrid analog-digital compass; Backtrack, to find your way back to the trail if you've become disoriented; and Waypoints, to track points of interest. It has a precision dual-frequency GPS system to ensure your running stats are accurate in a crowded city marathon, and three built-in microphones with special wind-reduction algorithms so you can take work calls from the top of the lift.
$799 at Apple
$780 at Amazon
$800 at Target
Photograph: Withings
Best Analog Watch Dupe
Withings ScanWatch
The Withings ScanWatch (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is unique for several reasons. Many other trackers, such as the Apple Watch Series 8, offer the ability to detect atrial fibrillation and measure blood oxygen levels through the SpO2 sensor. However, Withings obtained clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration before selling the ScanWatch in the US. Most of the trackers on the list can go several days without charging, but the ScanWatch can go up to a month. You can access all the features on the Health Mate app without a subscription.
It's worth pointing out that most fitness trackers look like fitness trackers, but the ScanWatch looks like a normal analog watch. This is the best everyday fitness tracker for anyone who doesn't want to broadcast to the world that they count how many hours they sleep each night. WIRED contributor Simon Hill gives it the highest praise possible—even after nine months, he's still wearing it.
$300 at Amazon
$300 at Best Buy
$300 at Withings

Photograph: Garmin
My Favorite Watch
Garmin Instinct 2 Solar
Out of all these watches, the one I chose to come with me on a two-week beach adventure vacation was the Instinct 2 Solar (9/10, WIRED Recommends). It's one of Garmin's most popular backcountry watches and combines a somewhat chunky, technical aesthetic (and fun colors!) with backcountry capability. With the Instinct 2, you get access to Garmin's multiple satellite systems and navigational features, insane battery life, and the ability to track many sport-specific metrics … without blowing money on extras like a big light-up screen.
The main updates to the Instinct 2 are improved solar charging, a high-resolution display, and a petite 40-mm case size. That smaller size fits on my wrist and under my jacket sleeve much more easily, and the high-resolution display is easier to read. The battery also lasted for a mindblowing 21 days, with multiple tracked activities per day. It also comes in a ton of different colors and sports-specific styles. For example, the popular Surf Edition—there are also Tactical and Esports versions—is compatible with the hugely popular surf forecasting company Surfline. You can see tide data and track your surfing. (It also has the best colors.)
★ Alternative: Can't decide between the Instinct and the Vivomove lines? Now you don't have to. I'm currently testing the Instinct Crossover Solar ($500), which combines the Instinct's rugged capabilities with Garmin's solar-powered watch face. It's a little less intuitive to operate than either the Instinct or Vivomove itself, but I do find the analog hands convenient and the battery life is stellar.
$450 at Amazon
$450 at Target
$450 at REI
Photograph: Garmin
Honorable Mentions
Other Trackers We Like
We liked some other watches that didn't quite make it into our top picks.
Mobvoi TicWatch GTH Pro for $100: Mobvoi's TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS is one of my colleague Julian Chokkattu's top smartwatch picks. That's a Wear OS watch though, and the GTH Pro isn't so smart. Its standout feature is Arty, which uses two light sensors to monitor your heart health. However, the Withings watch has been cleared by the FDA, and so far the GTH Pro has not. The screen also fritzes out occasionally.
Amazfit GTR 3 Pro for $230: This is the first of Amazfit's watches I've actually liked wearing. It has onboard GPS and is sturdy and durable, and the screen is beautiful. However, I didn't reliably get my Bluetooth notifications, couldn't measure my blood oxygen levels or control my music, and some of the advanced training metrics need ironing out.
The Polar Ignite for $202: I like the Ignite's low profile and extremely granular data collection, which lets you check how factors like heart-rate variability, breathing rate, and heart rate all combine to ramp up your autonomic nervous system.
The Suunto 9 Peak for $575: We recommended the Suunto 9 Baro for bikepacking, and the 9 Peak includes all of the features in a much more compact, attractive package. It's too sensitive to be a great everyday tracker (it tells me I've hit 400 steps before I even get out of bed), but it's a great adventure watch.
The Wahoo Fitness Elemnt Rival for $330: The functions on this watch were pretty perfunctory; there are much more capable trackers for this price. However, it integrates with Wahoo's smart indoor trainer system, which is excellent.
Photograph: Zepp
Buyer Beware
I Did Not Like These Trackers
I test new fitness trackers all the time. Some of them are duds.
Fossil Gen 6 Wellness for $299: Our unhappy reviews editor Julian Chokkattu said that this smartwatch was laggy and had only barebones fitness tracking, and no ECG. It's pretty attractive, though.
Amazfit PowerBuds Pro for $120: The concept of earbuds that are also fitness trackers is intriguing, and these look and feel a lot like the AirPods Pro. However, I don't particularly like Zepp OS, and their utility is also limited since you don't wear earbuds constantly (at least, I don't).
Matrix PowerWatch 2 for $300: Recharging from solar energy and body heat works! I wore this watch for more than three weeks without having to recharge it. However, it's huge and clunky. During my testing, the heart rate monitor was inaccurate, and it was hard to change the display. The app was also beset by technical problems, and I had to constantly reinstall the app and reconnect the watch.

Adrienne So is a senior associate reviews editor for WIRED, where she reviews consumer technology. She graduated from the University of Virginia with bachelor’s degrees in English and Spanish, and she previously worked as a freelance writer for Cool Hunting, Paste, Slate, and other publications. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

Senior Associate Reviews Editor