A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Right One for You#
Fitness trackers have become an essential tool for anyone looking to improve their health and wellness. They provide a wealth of information about your physical activity, sleep patterns, and overall health. But with so many options available on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. In this article, we will take a closer look at the best fitness trackers on the market, and provide you with a comprehensive guide to help you make an informed decision.
How We Picked the Best Fitness Trackers#
- Comfort and wearability: A fitness tracker is only useful if you wear it regularly, says Dr. Koyya Lewis-Trammell, associate professor of kinesiology and health promotion at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
- Compatibility: Not every phone is compatible with every fitness tracker — the Apple Watch only works on iPhone, for example.
- Data tracking: Fitness trackers collect different kinds of biometric data and present it in different ways.
We spoke with health and fitness experts to better understand how fitness watches, bands, and rings can support your exercise and wellness journey. Based on their advice, we kept the following criteria in mind while selecting and testing different models:
- Comfort and wearability: A fitness tracker is only useful if you wear it regularly, says Dr. Koyya Lewis-Trammell, associate professor of kinesiology and health promotion at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
- Compatibility: Not every phone is compatible with every fitness tracker — the Apple Watch only works on iPhone, for example.
- Data tracking: Fitness trackers collect different kinds of biometric data and present it in different ways.
Our Top Picks for 2025#
Best for Beginners: Fitbit Charge 6#
The Fitbit Charge 6 is a small, lightweight fitness tracker that’s perfect for beginners. It’s easy to use and has a bright, colorful display that’s easy to read.
| Features: | Heart rate, daily steps, distance traveled, fitness activities, calories burned, and nightly sleep. |
| Pricing: | $99.95. |
| Compatibility: | Fitbit app (iPhone or Android). |
Best for iPhone: Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)#
The Apple Watch SE is a great option for iPhone users. It’s easy to use and has a wide range of features, including heart rate monitoring and GPS tracking.
| Features: | Heart rate, GPS tracking, and notification alerts. |
| Pricing: | $279. |
| Compatibility: | iPhone. |
Best for Android: Google Pixel Watch 3#
The Google Pixel Watch 3 is a great option for Android users. It’s designed specifically for runners and has a wide range of features, including GPS tracking and heart rate monitoring.
| Features: | GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and advanced running metrics. |
| Pricing: | $299.99. |
| Compatibility: | Garmin app (iPhone or Android). |
Best for Data Analysis: Whoop 4.0#
The Whoop 4.0 is a great option for those who want to dive deep into their fitness data. It provides advanced metrics and insights that can help you optimize your workouts.
| Features: | Advanced metrics, including body strain, recovery, and sleep data. |
| Pricing: | $239 (annual subscription). |
| Compatibility: | Whoop app (iPhone or Android). |
Best for Smart Rings: Oura Ring 4#
The Oura Ring 4 is a great option for those who want to track their health and wellness data without wearing a traditional watch. It’s a small, stylish ring that provides a wealth of information.
| Features: | Heart rate, body temperature, blood oxygen, sleep stages, and stress levels. |
| Pricing: | $299. |
| Compatibility: | Oura app (iOS or Android). |
How to Shop for a Fitness Tracker#
Prioritize Comfort#
Comfort and wearability are crucial when it comes to fitness trackers. You want a device that you’ll wear regularly, says Dr. Koyya Lewis-Trammell, associate professor of kinesiology and health promotion at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
“Ultimately, you’re looking for a device you’re going to wear long term so that it can provide you with the most accurate data,” says Rhys Athayde, celebrity personal trainer and former co-owner of Ghost Williamsburg.
Identify Your Goals and Needs#
It’s not just athletes who benefit from fitness trackers, says Athayde. Everyone can benefit from the data fitness trackers provide, if you understand your wants and needs.
Before shopping for a fitness tracker, think about what data you care about. If you love outdoor exercise stats like pace and power, a Garmin watch may match your habits best. If you want broad exercise and health data, plus all the latest apps, a smartwatch from Apple or Google is a good fit.
Meet Our Experts#
We work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience.
Associate professor of kinesiology and health promotion at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Celebrity personal trainer and former co-owner of Ghost Williamsburg.
NBC Select editor.
Why Trust NBC Select?#
We are a team of reporters at NBC Select who cover technology and fitness. For this piece, we interviewed fitness and health experts to get a better understanding of workout data and metrics. We also tested over a dozen top-rated fitness trackers and smartwatches.
“I am a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology and fitness including recent stories on running shoes, workout earbuds, point-and-shoot cameras and more.
