Embarking on a health journey or seeking deeper insights into your workouts? A fitness tracker can transform your exercise routine into a fun, data-driven adventure. Fortunately, these devices, often resembling smartwatches, are available at various price points that won't break the bank. Whether you're looking for advanced features that rival the best smartwatches or basic functions like step counting and heart rate monitoring, there's a budget-friendly fitness tracker suitable for every wrist size.
TL;DR – The Best Budget Fitness Trackers:
Our Top Pick### Fitbit Inspire 3
0See it at Amazon### Xiaomi Smart Band 9
0See it at Amazon### Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro
0See it at Amazon### Amazfit Band 7
0See it at Amazon### Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
0See it at Amazon### Garmin Venu 3
0See it at AmazonContributions by Kevin Lee
Fitbit Inspire 3
Best Budget Fitness Tracker
Our Top Pick### Fitbit Inspire 3
0Smartwatches and fitness trackers don't have to be expensive, and the Fitbit Inspire 3 is a prime example of this. With its bright AMOLED display and sleek, durable band, it's both stylish and comfortable enough to wear while sleeping. Boasting a 10-day battery life, you won't need to charge it often, though using the always-on display will shorten this duration. Navigation is a breeze with its touch technology and two haptic buttons.
The Fitbit Inspire 3 excels in fitness tracking, offering 24/7 heart-rate monitoring, step counting, blood oxygen level measuring, and movement reminders. It also features automatic exercise tracking, perfect for those who forget to start a workout, and sleep monitoring to enhance your understanding of sleep quality. While it includes basic smartwatch features like phone notifications and a find-my-phone function, it doesn't support music storage or contactless payments.
See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsSize39.3mm x 18.6mmThickness11.75mmBattery life10 daysConnectivityBluetoothSensorsHeart rate monitor, SpO2TrackingSwim, sleep, stepsWater resistance Up to 50mPROSBright AMOLED touchscreen Long battery lifeCONSSome more advanced features require a subscription
Xiaomi Smart Band 9
Best Ultra Cheap Fitness Tracker
### Xiaomi Smart Band 9
0Priced under $50, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 doesn't skimp on features. It boasts a 1.62-inch AMOLED display and an impressive 21-day battery life, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious users. The band tracks the basics like steps, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, and sleep, while also offering over 150 sports modes, including running, HIIT, kickboxing, and swimming.
Although the accuracy of its metrics might not match that of more expensive smartwatches, it still provides valuable insights into your workouts. The latest model features a brighter screen, reaching up to 1,200 nits, ensuring visibility even in direct sunlight. Its touch-responsive interface makes navigating fitness metrics and limited smartwatch features, like call and message notifications and music playback control, a seamless experience.
See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsSize46.53mm x 21.63mmThickness10.95mmBattery life21 daysConnectivityBluetoothSensorsHeart rate monitor, SpO2TrackingSwim, sleep, stepsWater resistanceUp to 50mPROSOver 150 sports modesImpressive 21-day battery lifeCONSTracking isn't always 100% accurate
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro
Best Budget Fitness Tracker with GPS
### Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro
0For those seeking a bit more from their fitness tracker, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro offers a built-in GPS to map your workouts, along with 24/7 heart rate and SPO2 monitoring, sleep and stress tracking, and over 150 sports modes. Its larger, 1.74-inch AMOLED display resembles the Apple Watch, providing a clear and vibrant interface.
While it lacks NFC support, it still offers limited smartwatch features like music playback and notifications when connected to your phone. The band's impressive battery life, accurate GPS, and sleek design make it a compelling choice for those wanting more advanced tracking without breaking the bank.
See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsSize43.27mm x 32.49mmThickness10.8mmBattery life21 daysConnectivityBluetoothSensorsHeart rate monitor, GPS, SPO2TrackingSwim, sleep, stressWater resistanceUp to 50mPROSAccurate built-in GPSLarge, full-color AMOLED displayCONSNo NFC
Amazfit Band 7
Best Budget Fitness Tracker With Health Monitoring
### Amazfit Band 7
0The Amazfit Band 7 is a cost-effective option that doesn't compromise on features. With a large 1.47-inch always-on AMOLED display and a slim, comfortable band, it's perfect for those on a budget. It offers an 18-day battery life with typical use and up to 28 days in battery-saver mode.
This fitness tracker supports over 120 sports modes with automatic smart recognition of four and is water-resistant up to 50m. Health monitoring includes heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and stress, while sleep tracking provides insights into sleep quality. It also integrates Amazon Alexa and other smartwatch features, making it a versatile choice despite lacking built-in GPS.
See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsSize37.3mmThickness12.2mmBattery life18 daysConnectivityBluetooth 5.2SensorsHeart rate monitor, SpO2TrackingSwim, period, sleepWater resistanceUp to 50mPROSTons of tracking including stress and sleepAmazon Alexa and other smartwatch features built-inCONSNo built-in GPS
Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
Best Budget Apple Watch
### Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
0The 2nd-generation Apple Watch SE offers the power of the S8 SiP chipset at a more affordable price point. It features an optical heart rate sensor, built-in GPS, and automatic workout detection, including swimming. With 32GB of storage, you can download additional fitness apps from the App Store.
As a full-fledged smartwatch, it allows you to answer calls, respond to messages, make contactless payments, and stream music directly from your wrist. Its crash detection feature can automatically call emergency services if needed. Despite its impressive capabilities, it offers fewer sensors than higher-end Apple Watches, but remains a solid choice for those seeking a budget-friendly Apple option.
See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsSize40mm x 34mmThickness10.7mmBattery life18 hoursConnectivityCellular (optional), 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3SensorsHeart rate monitor, GPS, accelerometerTrackingSwim, sleep, period Water resistanceUp to 50mPROSHuge selection of appsSpecial safety features, like crash detection and built-in GPSCONSFewer sensors than other Apple Watch options
Garmin Venu 3
Best Budget Fitness Tracker for Workouts
### Garmin Venu 3
0The Garmin Venu 3 is ideal for those serious about their workouts, offering detailed tracking and a highly accurate GPS. It features over 30 preloaded sports apps, animated workouts, and the unique Body Battery feature, which provides insights into your body's energy levels based on activity, stress, and sleep.
With a bright AMOLED touchscreen and a 14-day battery life (which can vary with usage), it's a robust fitness tracker. While it includes standard smartwatch features like receiving calls and responding to texts, its app selection is more limited compared to other smartwatches. However, its comprehensive health and fitness tracking make it a worthwhile investment for dedicated athletes.
See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsSize45mmThickness12mmBattery life14 daysConnectivityBluetooth, 802.11nSensorsHeart rate monitor, GPS, temperatureTrackingSwim, sleep, stress, energyWater resistanceUp to 50mPROSHighly accurate GPS and heart rate monitorHelpful Body Battery featureCONSLimited app selection compared to other smartwatches
What to Look for in a Budget Fitness Tracker
When choosing a fitness tracker, consider more than just step counting and sleep tracking. The overall experience includes hardware quality, comfort, software capabilities, and the accuracy of the tracking features you're interested in.
As prices increase, so do the features, such as heart rate monitoring, GPS, and OLED displays. However, many basic trackers offer excellent value and can still deliver a wealth of health data.
What kind of fitness tracker do I need?
Your choice depends on your intended use. For basic tracking like steps, heart rate, and time, an ultra-cheap option like the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 is sufficient. These affordable options often come with color displays, long battery life, and additional features like various sports modes, sleep tracking, and phone notifications.
If you're into running, biking, or hiking, consider spending a bit more for GPS support. For those seeking more functionality beyond health and fitness, a smartwatch offers a larger screen, built-in storage, access to a wider range of apps, and the ability to manage calls, texts, and other notifications directly from your wrist.
If you're an avid runner or gym-goer, complementing your fitness tracker with a great pair of earbuds can enhance your overall experience.