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Like every piece Regardless of the gear you wear on your body day in and day out, fitness trackers are incredibly personal. The best fitness tracker should be comfortable, attractive and fit your lifestyle, including when and how you want to work out. Do you cycle, row or strength train? Do you run on the trail for hours at a time, or do you want a reminder to stand up every hour? Do you want to wear it on your wrist or your finger or tuck it into your bra?
Whatever your needs, there’s never been a better time to find a powerful, cutting-edge tool that can help you optimize your workouts or jump-start your routine. We test dozens of fitness trackers each year while running, climbing, hiking, or watching workout videos on our iPads at night, to bring you these picks.
Updated January 2025: We added Garmin Fenix ​​8 AMOLED, Oura Ring 4, Xiaomi Smart Band 9, Garmin Lily 2 Active, Amazfit T-Rex 3, Amazfit Active and Polar Vantage M3.
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Fitness trackers vs smartwatches
Don’t see something here that’s just your style? Check out our guide The best smartwatch. Although categories may overlap, fitness trackers are less feature-rich. I’m less concerned about whether a fitness tracker can replicate every feature on your smartphone if the suite of health features is robust and accurate; If it can track multiple activities; And if it stays on and secure while doing multiple fitness activities.
Some fitness trackers feature the ability to read email and control music, but the screen is often smaller and less bright. However, battery life is often much better, which makes a difference, especially if you’re tracking your sleep over time. However, if you are more interested in the option of accessing apps without taking out your phone, you may want to consider getting a smartwatch. (If you don’t want a notification at all, get one Smart Ring instead.)
Troubleshoot your fitness tracker
Are you having trouble with this brand-new fitness device? Here are a few ways to easily cure what ails you (or your device):
Make sure it fits. The optical sensor won’t work if your device slips loosely around your wrist. You can customize most devices with new straps. Make sure it sits securely an inch above your wrist.
Wash it! I’m horrified by how many people tell me their fitness trackers are blistering on their wrists. Wipe it down with a little dish soap and water after a sweaty session.
Come out from behind the tree. Does your device use multiple satellite positioning systems to track your location when you start an outdoor workout? It’s much harder to do if you’re inside power lines, trees, or even (story).
Set a routine. There’s nothing more frustrating than opening your tracker’s app to find that it ran out of battery before you went to bed last night. Keep your app updated regularly. Check if your tracker is connected to your phone, and Keep the charger everywhere
