The 14 Best Fitness Trackers and Watches of 2025, Tested
For example, my current favorite Garmin watch, the Instinct 3 AMOLED, is rated at 18 days per charge or 24 days in low-power mode. However, a more direct Garmin competitor to the latest Apple Watch models is the Garmin Venu 4, which has more modest battery life than the Instinct 3. For example, Garmin’s ‘Body Battery’ score, which, like your sleep score, is out of one hundred, reflects, in real-time, a user’s energy levels.
Strong consistently appears in Reddit threads as the go-to recommendation. You get a rest timer, the previous workout’s data, personal records, a calculator for 1RM, proper keyboards for entering numbers, and a handy plate picker. Stacked also lets you pre-set playlists for workouts and control playback from the logging screen. I need a good app for the gym (e.g. curls, squads, bench press etc.).
The large, color display is very clear,, and we found the touchscreen to be very responsive and simple to use. The watch face is the perfect size—it didn’t overwhelm our wrist but is large enough to be clear and easy to read at a quick glance. Its streamlined look and featherweight feel make it comfortable for both exercise and casual wear. The tracker has alerts for abnormal heart rate, blood oxygen level, and stress, as well as a sedentary reminder and a stopwatch feature.
One-off Workouts
Start with a free version, test it for a few workouts, and see if it fits your flow. If you might switch from iPhone to Android (or vice versa), choose an app available on both platforms with cloud sync. FitNotes is excellent, but being Android-only is a dealbreaker for some users. Getting a custom workout plan can help you start with proper structure while you learn the basics. They might do upper/lower splits but choose exercises based on how they feel or what equipment’s available.
Hevy is quite functional, but the UI is very dated and I hate the social aspect of it. I don’t care what Joe Citizen on the other side of the planet is doing and it doesn’t need to be on the Home screen of the app. My husband, who’s an avid cyclist, mentioned that Strava also connects directly with bike computers and indoor road bike trainers like Zwift. Because I don’t bike enough to have that fancy schmancy equipment, I didn’t test either of these features—though I can see why they would be a huge plus for cyclists. You get them for goal streaks, getting enough sleep (according to Garmin), doing something better than yesterday, exercising early in the morning or late at night, and so on. In a way, it seems to diminish the accomplishments a bit, but they do slow down after a while.
PUSH (iOS, Android)
This data is crucial for runners looking to optimize is madmuscles safe their training and ensure they are exercising within their target heart rate zones. Fitness trackers work best when used over the long term, allowing them to adapt to your lifestyle. When testing fitness trackers and watches, we evaluate each option based on the following key criteria. It was very comfortable to wear at night and offered in-depth analysis and sleep improvement tips based on comprehensive data. The impressive battery life of up to eight days also makes it convenient for continuous wear. Plus, with guided meditations and breathing exercises in the app, this discreet device is perfect for incorporating more mindfulness into our daily routine.
If You’re a Powerlifter or Strength Athlete
I love the Garmin metrics though and it’s all in-house and simple. Pairs with an app on the Apple App Store (preferably with no subscription). We cover all aspects and models of Samsung’s Galaxy Watch lineup. R/iOSApps is a one stop shop for all things related to iOS apps – featuring app showcases, reviews, news, updates, sales, developers, discounts and even freebies.
For sports performance, Garmin remains the best smartwatch for fitness, especially for runners, cyclists, triathletes, and hikers. Apple is ideal for users who want balanced activity tracking paired with lifestyle features rather than highly specialized performance analytics. Apple has caught up in several areas, offering high-quality fitness tracking and improved GPS accuracy. Its Fitness+ ecosystem gives everyday users structured workouts, but its training insights still lean https://madmuscles.quora.com/ toward general fitness rather than professional-level data.
Oura Ring Series
Progress is easily visualized by exercise and body part trained, and Workit helps you keep track of cardio sessions. I notice body battery on them are different and recovery as well. I pay the annual fee bc I wanted the progression charts and I don’t want to calculate warm up sets but not necessary. I’m not the most competitive person, but I have run the occasional low-stakes 5K, and I do run regularly. Having tried all the go-to running apps before, I was really excited to test Runna because it’s a relatively new addition to the running app scene. The only knock I have on the IndexS2 is that if you don’t get on it soon enough, it goes to sleep and then takes a minute or so before you can wake it up again.
Maximize Weight Loss: Combine CrossFit and Running!
Ladder rose quickly to become Reddit‘s choice for best overall workout app. What sets it apart is the unique personal trainer-style coaching. Best for outdoor enthusiasts looking for a durable, full-featured GPS watch with excellent battery life. Prioritize ease of use, customization, and compatibility with your device. Free apps like FitNotes suit basic tracking, while paid apps like Strong offer advanced analytics.
The following experts helped us better understand what key features to look for when shopping for a high-quality option and potential flaws to be aware of. We also asked about specific fitness trackers they would recommend and took their input into account when choosing which trackers to test. While we select products independently, expert input helps inform our decisions. Another useful feature includes the watch’s Track Back functionality, which uses the built-in GPS to direct you back to the start of your trail run, hike, or ride.
After Months of Testing Smart Rings, This Is the Only One I Think You Should Buy
We also loved that the watch synced seamlessly with our earbuds and smartphone, delivering messages accurately and in real-time. Plus, we didn’t have to charge it every day or worry about running out of juice mid-workout, thanks to its 60-hour battery life. The watch felt so lightweight that we sometimes almost forgot we were wearing it. Whether we were working or training, the watch face and comfy strap never pinched, tugged, or irritated our skin. The large, clear display is easy to read, allowing us to view metrics such as time, pace, and heart rate during workouts.
Are There Any FOSS Fitness Tracker Options?
Garmin’s pricing varies widely from budget-friendly models to premium, rugged, military-grade watches. The value lies in long battery life, reliability, and advanced sports analytics. Its 2025 versions deliver smoother app ecosystems, crisp notifications, improved Siri https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1267698 integration, and seamless pairing with iPhones. If you want a wearable extension of your smartphone, Apple provides the best experience.
Popular Fitness Tracker Apps
- Of the three tested, the Oura seemed to be the smart ring that functioned best and gave me the type of feedback I found helpful.
- Lastly, both brands offer their most popular smartwatches in a range of sizes.
- With so many workout log apps in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, choosing the right one can be overwhelming, especially if you’re just beginning your fitness journey.
- I was a bit apprehensive of going from a slim tracker to a wide watch form factor.
- Gymverse basically takes the place of a personal trainer—so if you need a lot of guidance, it could be well worth the price.
- Reddit is full of frustrated users who lost years of data because they didn’t check this upfront.
Many users highlight how essential it is for their devices to deliver reliable metrics on distance, pace, and heart rate. Trackers that utilize advanced GPS technology or have been tested rigorously by the community often receive higher praise. We spent over one year testing 36 fitness trackers, but only 14 earned a spot on our final list of recommendations. Although these options didn’t score high enough to make the final cut, we still think they have some features worth mentioning. Best for budget-conscious users who want a sleek smartwatch with comprehensive health and fitness tracking, but aren’t worried about data being extremely precise.
Running with Plantar Fasciitis
I usually use my Apple Watch to record my runs, so I’m familiar with how it calculates my distance and pacing. I compared the results from the Oura and Ultrahuman Ring Air to my Apple Watch, since the Evie Ring can’t record any workout in real time. Another important feature that I find important to note is stress. Oura can track your daytime stress levels and can tell when you’re stressed, engaged, relaxed or restored.