Best Fitness Trackers and Smartwatches 2025: Tested Picks for Every Budget
If you’re looking to get fit, keep track of your health, or just move more, a good fitness tracker or watch can help a lot. But with so many options out there, it gets confusing. We’ve tested plenty of them across brands and budgets, and here’s what we found: what works best, what you should look for, and which ones we think stand out.
What to Check Before Buying
Before I run through the top devices, it’s important you know what matters. Based on our testing and reviews, here are the key things to look for:
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Comfort & design: If it’s uncomfortable, you won’t wear it.
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Sensors & accuracy: Heart rate, steps, sleep – how good are they?
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Battery life: Does it last more than a day? Two days? A week?
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Features you’ll use: GPS tracking, workout modes, smartwatch features.
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Budget vs ecosystem: Are you tied to iPhone or Android? Does the brand cost more because of the name?
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Subscription costs: Some trackers require monthly fees for full features.
Keep those in mind and you’ll pick a device that actually helps you, rather than one you regret buying.
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Top Picks from Our Tests
Here are some of the best fitness trackers & watches we’ve tried and recommend.
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Here’s a quick summary of each:
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Apple Watch Series 10: This is the premium king if you’re on iPhone. Top performance, many health features and resources, smart features built in. Works best if you already use Apple’s ecosystem.
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Garmin Venu Sq 2: A great all-rounder for runners or fitness-serious folks. Good GPS, many workout modes, reliable brand.
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Fitbit Charge 6: If you want a more affordable band rather than a full watch, this takes care of core metrics really well.
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Amazfit GTR 4: A value-smartwatch/GPS tracker combo. Great if you want lots of features without breaking the bank.
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Redmi Watch 5 Active: Budget choice. Basic tracking, good display, but fewer premium sensors. Suitable for casual use.
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Amazfit Pop 3S: Entry-level tracker. If you’re just starting and want something inexpensive to wear and track activity, try this.
Why We Picked These
Apple Watch Series 10
We selected this because, in tests, it delivered excellent health tracking, smooth software, and a premium feel. Best for users who already use iPhones and want “everything in one” (tracker + watch).
Garmin Venu Sq 2
It stood out for its balance of price vs features. According to tests, its GPS tracking and workout support made it ideal for those who move a lot.
Fitbit Charge 6
Great band form factor, strong core tracking (steps, heart, sleep), and trusted brand. Some caveats: some training features require a subscription.
Amazfit GTR 4
Excellent value. If you don’t need all the premium extras, this gives you good tracking + smartwatch features at a lower cost.
Redmi Watch 5 Active
Super affordable and decent for basic daily tracking. Good first tracker.
Amazfit Pop 3S
Entry tracking the g. If budget is tight, you still get useful data, though accuracy and features are less than the best models.
Which One Should You Choose?
Let’s keep it simple:
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You use an iPhone & want the premium → Apple Watch Series 10.
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You’re serious about fitness, run or train → Garmin Venu Sq 2.
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You want a band form, good value → Fitbit Charge 6.
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You want a watch style but lower cost → Amazfit GTR 4.
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You’re on a budget, casual tracking → Redmi Watch 5 Active or Amazfit Pop 3S.
Think about what you’ll actually use. If all you do is check steps and sleep, you don’t need a $500 tracker.
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Some Things to Watch Out For
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Subscriptions: Some brands lock advanced features behind monthly fees. Fitbit and others are doing this more.
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Accuracy vs hype: Even the best trackers aren’t perfect. It’s more about consistency than perfection.
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Ecosystem lock-in: Brand may work best with certain phones (e.g., Apple Watch + iPhone)
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Battery life compromises: More features = more battery drain. If you care about long battery life, band or value trackers may fare better.
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Materials & comfort: If you sleep with it on or train hard, it must feel good on your wrist and manage sweat/water well.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it: our guide to the best fitness trackers and watches we’ve tested. The right one for you depends on your phone, budget, fitness goals, and how much you’ll actually use the features.
If I were you and just starting thejourneyy pick something mid-range, wear it consistently for a month, and see if you stick with it. If yes, then you can upgrade later. If you find you barely look at the data, the budget model did the job.
The tracker you end up wearing every day is the one that matters more than the spec sheet. So choose a device you’ll enjoy wearing, use it regularly, and let it support your fitness goals.
Happy tracking—here’s to getting more active and staying consistent.
