Searching for the best fitness trackers and smart bands? Check out our top picks for the 5 Best Fitness Trackers in 2023!
Despite the wild popularity of smartwatches in the past few years, fitness trackers and smart bands remain in demand, big thanks to their cost-effectiveness. These wearables may not be as sophisticated as smartwatches, but they are the top choice for people looking for a reliable activity-tracking device that does not break the bank.
Fitness trackers usually house accelerometers for tracking movements, GPS for monitoring location, optical heart rate sensors, galvanic skin response sensors for temperature sensing, ambient light sensors, and a thermometer, among others. All of these are packed in a tiny case and marketed for typically less than $200. Talk about the robust health management features you get for gas money.
Indeed, fitness trackers and smart bands are a great alternative to smartwatches if you are looking for a lighter and less obtrusive wearable, not to mention more affordable. Here’s our list of the 5 Best Fitness Trackers:
| BEST FITNESS TRACKERS | |
|---|---|
| 1. Garmin Vivosmart 5 | CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON |
| 2. Whoop 4.0 | CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON |
| 3. Fitbit Charge 6 | CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON |
| 4. Xiaomi Smart Band 8 | CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON |
| 5. Amazfit Band 7 | CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON |
1. Garmin Vivosmart 5 – Best Fitness Tracker for Women
Although released in April 2022, this fitness tracker remains one of the most advanced models on the market. With its signature heart rate monitor, the Garmin Vivosmart 5 is capable of tracking continuous heart rate and daily resting heart rate and sends abnormally high or low heart rate alerts. On top of that, its pulse oximeter monitors checks blood oxygen saturation throughout the day and during your sleep.
Its OLED display is wrapped in a polycarbonate case, while the strap is made from silicone. Straps are available in small/medium (122 mm to 188 mm) and large (148 mm to 228 mm). The fitness tracker can last up to 7 days without the pulse oximeter and sleep tracking. The Garmin Vivosmart 5 is also swim-proof.
Garmin Vivosmart 5 Specs and Features
- Heart rate tracking
- Sleep tracking
- Blood oxygen monitoring
- Recovery monitoring
- Stress management
- Women’s health monitoring
- Up to 7 days battery
- Swimproof
2. Whoop 4.0 – Best Smart Band for Recovery Tracking
The rose among the thorn—Whoop 4.0 is more like a smart band. This fitness tracker—sans the display that the others on this list possess—has pretty much all health monitoring functionalities, including activity tracking, sleep tracking, and heart rate tracking. It is more commonly known within the health and fitness circle for its impressive recovery monitoring capabilities, which is perfect for people who are as equally serious about their body’s recovery as their fitness.
Whoop 4.0 does not have a display, so it’s practical for people who want to focus on their fitness goals instead of constantly receiving vibrations or notification alerts like other fitness trackers.
Whoop 4.0 Specs and Features
- Recovery monitoring
- Stress management
- Activity tracking
- Sleep tracking
- Heart rate tracking
- Waterproof up to 10 meters
3. Fitbit Charge 6 – Best Fitness Tracker for Stress Management
If you are looking for a fitness tracker with a continuous electrodermal activity (cEDA) sensor, this is it. The Fitbit Charge 6 puts heavy emphasis on stress management, something that its predecessor does not have. Although reviews about this device are a mixed bag, I think the Fitbit Charge 6 is a robust fitness tracker that comes with standard health monitoring features such as heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, activity tracking, and blood oxygen saturation monitoring. It also has GPS and contactless payment options.
The Fitbit Charge 6 features a 1.04-inch AMOLED display with 450 nits brightness and always-on capability. Its battery can last up to 7 days, while it’s waterproof up to 50 meters.
Fitbit Charge 6 Specs and Features
- Stress management
- Activity tracking
- Sleep tracking
- Heart rate tracking
- GPS
- Contactless payment
- Up to 7 days battery
- Waterproof up to 50 meters
4. Xiaomi Smart Band 8 – Best Fitness Tracker for Running
Released in October 2023, the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 is one of the latest fitness trackers on the market. This device is mainly designed for runners with its Pebble Mode where you get 13 professional running stats, including stride frequency, stride length, impact force, and impact style. When running, you can use a running clip (sold separately) to attach the watch to your shoelace.
The Xiaomi Smart Band 8 features a 1.62-inch always-on display with up to 600 nits of brightness. It can survive up to 16 days with regular use and can be used up to 50 meters underwater.
Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Specs and Features
- Stress management
- Activity tracking
- Sleep tracking
- Heart rate tracking
- Blood oxygen monitoring
- Up to 16 days battery
- Water-resistant up to 50 meters
5. Amazfit Band 7 – Best Fitness Tracker with Voice Assistant
Released in July 2022, the Amazfit Band 7 sports all the basic health monitoring features you need—heart rate tracking, sleep monitoring, activity tracking, stress management, and blood oxygen monitoring. It has a nifty function that allows you to tap once to start measuring 3 health metrics: abnormal heart rate, stress levels, and blood oxygen saturation.
The Amazfit Band 7 features a 1.47-inch HD AMOLED display. Its battery can last up to 18 days with regular use. It is certified to 5 ATM standards, so you can swim with it up to 50 meters.
Amazfit Band 7 Specs and Features
- Activity tracking
- Sleep tracking
- Heart rate tracking
- Stress management
- Blood oxygen monitoring
- Alexa voice assistant
- Up to 18 days battery
- Water-resistant up to 50 meters
That concludes our list of the best fitness trackers. There are dozens of fitness trackers and smart bands available, but choosing the one that fits your needs and budget is definitely tricky. I hope this list has helped you find the one that’s right up your alley.
If you want to explore the best smartwatches and fitness trackers from other brands, check out these guides:
- Best Apple Watches
- Best Garmin Smartwatches
- Best Garmin Fitness Trackers
- Best Amazfit Smartwatches
- Best Fitbit Smartwatches and Fitness Trackers
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