The Best Smartwatch to Track Your Health
This post is part of Find Your Fit Tech , a fitness wearable buying guide from Lifehacker. I ask tough questions about whether wearables can really improve your health, how to find the one that’s right for you, and how to make the most of the data wearables have to offer.
Sometimes you need a wearable device that’s a smartwatch first, and then an activity tracker. Something like the Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch has a lot of features to help you track your steps and sleep, but it doesn’t stop there. They can also receive notifications and calls, unlock other devices, play music and pay for purchases. If that’s what you want, you’ll probably be happy if you choose a smartwatch you like and then explore its fitness features. (Spoiler: it doesn’t even have to be on this page.)
On the other hand, maybe you want a fitness tracker rather than a fancy smartwatch. This is where brands like Fitbit and Amazfit come in: they give you the basic features you really need and only add as many smartwatch features as you ask for. They tend to be much cheaper than full-featured smartwatches.
So, let’s dive into the vast world of fitness watches and find the best ones for you.
My choice
Best overall: Fitbit Charge 6 ($159.90).
Fitbit has owned this sector of the market for a long time, and if you think of Fitbit when you think of fitness trackers, look no further—this is probably the one you need.
The Charge 6 is the newest Fitbit and it has a lot going for it. It’s larger than the Fitbit Inspire, but smaller than the Fitbit Versa (and other smartwatch options). It’s not as customizable or feature-rich as the Versa and its peers, but it still has Google Maps, Google Pay, and music controls .
If you use an Android phone, Google apps will seem familiar to you. And if you have friends who use Fitbits, you’ll be able to connect with them on this platform. If this sounds like an ecosystem you’d be happy to be a part of, then we predict you’ll be happy with the Charge 6.
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Fitbit Charge 6 ($159.90)
Best for iPhone Users: Apple Watch Series 9
It used to seem like overkill to recommend the Apple Watch to someone who just wants to track a few fitness metrics, but fancy fitness watches have skyrocketed in price (and features!), making the Apple Watch look like a mid-range option.
Of course, there are many different Apple Watches. For fitness tracking, I’d recommend the Series 9, which retails for $329.99 in a version with GPS but no cellular connectivity. Upgrade to mobile and 45mm and you’ll get $459. The Ultra 2 ($737.99) will probably be overkill if you just want a basic fitness tracker, but it has dual-band GPS that offers location accuracy on par with some Garmins.
All Apple Watches track a wide range of health metrics, including sleep, steps, and heart rate. (They may not have blood oxygen tracking in the future, but you don’t need that anyway .) There are plenty of apps you can use alongside or instead of the stock apps, including WorkOutDoors for running and cycling tracking. as well as Athletic , a subscription. an application that tracks sports recovery.
Apple Watches, like iPhones, typically remain functional for generations after replacement, so don’t discount older models. Right now, Amazon says its best-selling Apple Watches include the 2022 second-generation SE for $189 and the Series 4 , released in 2018, for just $149.
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Apple Watch Series 4 (GPS, 40mm) , $149.00.
Best Budget Pick: Amazfit Band 7 ($44).
If this all sounds like a lot, and you might be a little annoyed that you’re seeing so many three-digit numbers when you used to only need a $20 pedometer to count your steps, let me introduce you to a reliable budget choice: the Amazfit band, now in its 7th generation.
It tracks your heart rate and steps, can detect when you’re sleeping, and the watch faces are customizable. It’s waterproof so you can take it to the pool with you, and it can track over 100 activities (four of which are automatically detected). You can even talk to it (using Alexa) and ask it to set reminders for you. Will he be the best at any of these positions? Probably no. But it’s 44 dollars.
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Amazfit Band 7 ($44)