When you think of activity trackers, think of small electronic watchdogs for your fitness. Instead of having to constantly measure how far and fast you run, these will easily calculate that for you. Some of the best activity trackers will track everything from blood pressure to pulse and even temperature.
But knowing which of the many available models is best for you may often prove a trying task. Many of the top models take a truly discerning eye to determine the best amongst them. Our review picks out the top ten of 2023 by overall value.
Some of the features examined include water resistance, battery life, smartphone compatibility, GPS, and price among others. All the listed devices are excellent, some are simply more excellent than others and others may fulfil your specifications better.
Best Activity Tracker 2023
1. Fitbit Charge 3
Charge 3 is a far better-refined version of Charge 2. Not only is it lighter and look better but it also performs better and fits easier. A recent drop in price has increased its value tremendously which is why it tops our list.
It has a clear, bright, and big display with a heart rate tracker and activity tracking capability. While the display is still black-and-white and it lacks a GPS, it is cheaper than most of the competition.
Specs
- Six-day runtime
- Activity tracking
- Display (black-and-white)
- Waterproof
- Heart rate monitor
- Android/iOS compatible
Pros
- Smartphone and iPhone compatibility
- Cheapest
- Lightweight
- Big screen
- Water-resistant
Cons
- No GPS
- The display is not coloured
2. Fitbit Versa 2
Versa 2 is Fitbit’s latest attempt to cement their place at the top of the market. There’s a lot to be said about Fitbit’s latest gamble, but there isn’t much you can’t do with it.
The cheap price may as well be its most surprising feature but it also includes sleep tracking and the awkward menstrual cycle tracking.
Specs
- Integrated Alexa
- AMOLED display
- Altimeter and music player
- Heart rate tracker
- Five-day runtime
- Waterproof
- Replaceable band
- Android/Windows/iOS
- Fitbit Pay
Pros
- Most compatible
- Voice command
- Compact and lightweight
- Affordable
- Customizable
- Has tracker for everything
Cons
- The band is difficult to replace
- No GPS
- Bulky charger
- Unnecessary features
3. Garmin Vivosmart 4
Vivosmart 4 is Garmin’s best-valued device for a reason which has nothing to do with its superb look. It is so cheap because it is made for light exercise monitoring compared to their other models. The screen is big and its new body battery tells you exactly when you need some exercise.
Its real battery is also impressive with its seven-days runtime.
Specs
- Android/iOS
- Water-resistant
- Heart rate monitor
- Seven-days battery life
- LCD display
- Body battery
Pros
- Cheap
- Slim look
- Awesome body design
- Long-lasting battery
- Compatible
- Innovative features
Cons
- Lacks a GPS
- Screen is small
- Not for pro athletics
4. Xiaomi Mi Band
Like all Xiaomi products, its cheap price does not adequately represent its excellent performance. Band 4 improves on the Band 3 model in ease of use, display colour, and some other quality features. It has a 20-day runtime to go with six workout modes and even more tracking modes.
Specs
- Sleep tracking
- 20-day battery life
- Heart rate monitor
- Android/iOS
- Waterproof
- Six workouts
- Colour screen
Pros
- Insane price
- Display has colour
- Ridiculous battery life
- Sleek look
- Compact and efficient
Cons
- Heavier than competition
- GPS missing
- Not compatible with Band 3 charger
- NFC availability is restricted
5. Huawei Band 3 Pro
Band 3 Pro from Huawei is one of the cheapest activity trackers and it comes with some impressive features. The heart rate monitor has crazy accuracy and it is equipped with a GPS. While the screen may not be the largest, it is a coloured LCD.
Specs
- GPS-enabled
- 14-days runtime
- Heart rate monitor
- Android/iOS
- 95-inch LCD (Colour)
Pros
- Crazy price
- Impressive runtime
- The display is in colour
- Has GPS capability
- Exceptional design
- Waterproof
Cons
- Breathing feature is missing
- GPS is slow
6. Samsung Galaxy Fit
Galaxy Fit is water-resistant to up to 50-meters and can give military-grade devices a run for their money in durability. It comes with six workout modes and a week runtime that makes it a model to beat. Galaxy fit is compatible with the Samsung Health mobile app and has robust activity tracking suite.
Specs
- Seven-day battery life
- Sleep tracking
- Heart rate tracker
- Android/iOS
- LCD (colour)
- Waterproof
- Smartphone notifications
- Exercise modes (90+)
Pros
- Lightweight
- Incredulous durability
- Impressive activity tracking
- Decent runtime
- Excellent quality
- Sleek look
Cons
- No GPS
- Limited screen space
- OS is not good
7. Fitbit Inspire HR
Aside from the heart rate monitor, Inspire HR is also water-resistant, smartphone and iPhone compatible and other tracking capabilities. While it does not match Charge 3 in performance as it lacks swim tracking, it is significantly cheaper and lighter.
Specs
- Five-day battery life
- Heart rate tracker
- Android/iOS
- Waterproof
- Screen (black-and-white)
Pros
- Cheap and lightweight
- Comfortable and slim
- Premium look
- Compatible with most phones
- Impressive tracking suite
Cons
- No swim tracking
- Can’t initiate contactless payments
- Runtime is too low
8. Fossil Gen 5 Smartwatch
Gen 5 from Fossil acts as both a fitness tracker and a smartwatch with built-in android features. It is powered by a Snapdragon 3100 (wear) and crazy tracking capabilities. Music storage, NFC, untethered GPS, and Google Play access are some of the features that Fossil Gen 5 offers.
Specs
- Three-day runtime
- Heart rate monitor
- Google Play access
- Colour screen
- Android/iOS
- Altimeter
- Integrated GPS
- Replaceable bands
- Music control and storage
- Waterproof
Pros
- Many modes to conserve battery
- User-friendly
- Lightweight
- Ridiculous performance
- Widely capable
Cons
- Pricy
- Large
- LTE missing
9. Garmin Vivosport
Specs
- GPS-enabled
- Seven-day battery
- Colour touchscreen
- Android/iOS
- Waterproof
- Heart rate tracker
Pros
- Small size and lightweight
- Decent runtime
- Integrated GPS
- Cheap pricing
Cons
- Bland look
- Lacks swim tracker
10. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
Specs
- Built-in GPS
- Heat rate monitor
- LTE optional
- Colour screen
- Sleep tracker
- Capacitive bezel
- Music player
- Three-day runtime
- Android/iOS
- Water-resistant
- Replaceable bands
Pros
- Integrated GPS
- LTE available
- Can reply notifications
- Samsung Play access
- Numerous workout options
Cons
- Expensive
- Battery life is not welcoming
- Third-party app support is questionable
- The Tizen OS is foggily