The Best Fitness Trackers for Beginners on Black Friday
Black Friday sales officially kick off on Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1. Before they end, Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price tracking tools.
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If you’re new to the world of wearable fitness devices, you might be a little overwhelmed by the variety of trackers and watches on sale on Black Friday . Here, I’ll highlight the best ones for beginners and help you make a choice. There are plenty of great options from Fitbit, Garmin, and other manufacturers.
The best budget fitness tracker for beginners
Fitbit’s Inspire 3 is currently priced at $69.95, down from its regular price of $99.95. The Inspire 3 can count steps, track your heart rate during workouts, and provide feedback on stress and sleep. It’s a sort of stripped-down version of the Charge 6, which I reviewed here . Compared to the Charge 6, the Inspire 3 lacks built-in GPS, but that’s not a problem if you take your phone with you on runs and walks. It also lacks Google’s music and payment apps, but then again, if you usually carry your phone with you, you’ll be fine without them.
The Best Running Watches for Beginners
If you want to track pace, distance, and other metrics while running, it’s worth getting a watch with runner-focused features. There are excellent entry-level models available from almost every brand, and I have a list if you’d like to compare them. But if you’d like me to pick just one model for you, here’s an easy choice: the Suunto Run . I loved it when I reviewed it . It’s lightweight, with a bright screen that’s easy to read in any conditions.
The watch features a dual-band GPS module for precise location tracking, and you can use it to control music on your phone or store music directly on the watch while leaving your phone at home. The regular price is $249, but it’s currently on sale for $199 .
The best screenless tracker for beginners
For those who prefer not to have a screen on their wrist, Whoop is the king of screenless trackers, and you can read my review of the latest model here . The catch is that you have to pay an annual subscription, but if you can afford it, you really won’t find anything better than the data and experience you get from the Whoop app . Of the various membership tiers Whoop offers, the best is Peak (the mid-tier), currently available for $199 . This price includes both the device and a 12-month subscription. They also offer a budget tier, which you can get for $129 or $179, depending on the device .
The best smart ring for beginners
The Oura Ring 4 is on sale at its lowest price ever, making it another best-in-class tracker that’s hard to beat. Prices vary by color, but the black and silver options are $249 , more than 25% off the regular price of $349. The matte black and matte silver options are $299 instead of $399, and the gold and rose gold options are even more discounted: $349 instead of $499. You can read my Oura Ring 4 review here and share your impressions of using it for four years . An Oura subscription costs $6.99 per month.
The Best Casual Watches for Beginners
All of the above trackers are great, but maybe you just need something that looks and works like a regular watch but can still track some fitness metrics. I’d recommend the Garmin Vivoactive 6 , which is currently $249.99, down from its regular price of $299.99. You can read my review here . It does almost everything a running watch can do, but with a sleeker, touchscreen-based design. You still have physical buttons for stopping, starting, and counting laps, which I think is essential for any running watch. This is a sign of how well it bridges the fitness and lifestyle worlds. The previous model, the Vivoactive 5 , is also on sale for $189.95.
How long do Black Friday deals actually last?
Black Friday sales officially begin on Friday, November 28, 2025, and will run throughout Cyber Week—the five-day period from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday, December 1, 2025. However, the dates of Black Friday and Cyber Monday have been shifted as retailers compete for shoppers. You can take advantage of the same Black Friday deals early in the season , and we expect the sale to end by December 3, 2025.
Are Black Friday deals worth it?
In short, yes, Black Friday still offers deals you rarely see the rest of the year. If you’re shopping or looking for gifts, now is the time to look for deals on essentials, especially tech , home goods , and fitness equipment . Of course, if you’re looking to save money, the best way to save is to buy nothing.
Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?
Black Friday used to favor large retailers and higher-end appliances, while Cyber Monday favored cheaper appliances and gave small businesses a chance to compete online. However, today, this distinction has become virtually meaningless. Every major retailer runs sales on both days, so it’s best to know what you need, use price trackers, or consult guides like our blog , which uses price trackers, and not worry about finding the perfect time.