Whether you're embarking on a new health journey or seeking deeper insights into your workouts, a fitness tracker can transform exercise into a fun and informative experience. Fortunately, these devices, often resembling smartwatches, are available at various price points, making them accessible to everyone. From advanced models that compete with the best smartwatches to basic ones that track steps and heart rate, there's a budget-friendly fitness tracker for every wrist size and need.
TL;DR – The Best Budget Fitness Trackers:
Our Top Pick### Fitbit Inspire 3
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### Xiaomi Smart Band 9
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### Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro
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### Amazfit Band 7
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### Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
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### Garmin Venu 3
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Fitbit Inspire 3
Best Budget Fitness Tracker
Our Top Pick### Fitbit Inspire 3
0Smartwatches and fitness trackers don’t have to break the bank, and the Fitbit Inspire 3 is a perfect example. This device offers a vibrant AMOLED display and a durable, sleek band that’s comfortable enough to wear during sleep. With a battery life of up to 10 days, you won’t need to charge it often, though this duration decreases with the always-on display feature. Navigation is intuitive, using touch technology and two haptic buttons.
Designed for fitness enthusiasts, the Fitbit Inspire 3 provides comprehensive tracking features such as 24/7 heart rate monitoring, step counting, blood oxygen level measurement, and movement reminders. It also automatically tracks your workouts and monitors your sleep quality. While it includes some basic smartwatch functionalities like phone notifications and a find my phone feature via Bluetooth, it lacks music storage and contactless payment capabilities.
See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsSize39.3mm x 18.6mmThickness11.75mmBattery life10 daysConnectivityBluetoothSensorsHeart rate monitor, SpO2TrackingSwim, sleep, stepsWater resistance Up to 50mPROSBright AMOLED touchscreen Long battery lifeCONSSome more advanced features require a subscription
Xiaomi Smart Band 9
Best Ultra Cheap Fitness Tracker
### Xiaomi Smart Band 9
0Priced under $50, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 is a budget-friendly option that doesn't skimp on features. It boasts a 1.62-inch AMOLED display and an impressive 21-day battery life, along with basic tracking and over 150 sports modes.
The essentials are covered with a pedometer, heart rate monitor, blood oxygen saturation, and sleep tracking. Beyond these, the band supports a wide range of activities like running, HIIT, kickboxing, and swimming, providing detailed insights into calories burned, average heart rate, and workout duration. While the accuracy might not match that of premium devices like the Apple Watch, it still offers valuable workout data.
The latest model features enhanced battery life and increased screen brightness up to 1,200 nits, ensuring visibility even in direct sunlight. The touch-responsive 1.62-inch AMOLED display, devoid of physical buttons, allows easy access to fitness metrics and limited smartwatch features such as call and message notifications and music playback control. However, users might experience some challenges with phone pairing.
See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsSize46.53mm x 21.63mmThickness10.95mmBattery life21 daysConnectivityBluetoothSensorsHeart rate monitor, SpO2TrackingSwim, sleep, stepsWater resistanceUp to 50mPROSOver 150 sports modesImpressive 21-day battery lifeCONSTracking isn't always 100% accurate
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro
Best Budget Fitness Tracker with GPS
### Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro
0The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro elevates the standard model with built-in GPS for precise workout mapping, alongside continuous heart rate and SpO2 monitoring, sleep and stress tracking, and extensive sports mode support.
Featuring a larger 1.74-inch rectangular AMOLED display, the Pro model resembles the Apple Watch in design. It offers over 150 sports modes, though some modes only measure basic metrics like heart rate and time. While it's not a full smartwatch, it does support music playback and can display notifications from your phone, though it lacks NFC for contactless payments.
With a stylish design, responsive screen, user-friendly interface, and impressive battery life, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro is a compelling choice for those seeking advanced features on a budget.
See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsSize43.27mm x 32.49mmThickness10.8mmBattery life21 daysConnectivityBluetoothSensorsHeart rate monitor, GPS, SPO2TrackingSwim, sleep, stressWater resistanceUp to 50mPROSAccurate built-in GPSLarge, full-color AMOLED displayCONSNo NFC
Amazfit Band 7
Best Budget Fitness Tracker With Health Monitoring
### Amazfit Band 7
0The Amazfit Band 7 is a cost-effective fitness tracker that still offers robust features such as extended battery life, comprehensive health monitoring, and sleep tracking.
With a large 1.47-inch always-on AMOLED display, this band provides clear visibility of health and workout data while maintaining a slim and comfortable profile. It supports over 120 sports modes with automatic recognition of four, and its water resistance up to 50m makes it suitable for swimming. Health metrics include heart rate, blood oxygen, and stress levels, with detailed sleep tracking for nightly insights. The band also integrates some smartwatch functionalities, including on-watch notifications and Amazon Alexa support.
See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsSize37.3mmThickness12.2mmBattery life18 daysConnectivityBluetooth 5.2SensorsHeart rate monitor, SpO2TrackingSwim, period, sleepWater resistanceUp to 50mPROSTons of tracking including stress and sleepAmazon Alexa and other smartwatch features built-inCONSNo built-in GPS
Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
Best Budget Apple Watch
### Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
0The 2nd-gen Apple Watch SE is a budget-friendly option that utilizes the same S8 SiP chipset as the Apple Watch Series 8, ensuring fast performance at a lower cost.
Equipped with an optical heart rate sensor and built-in GPS, this watch is perfect for those who enjoy outdoor activities like hiking. It automatically detects a variety of workouts, including swimming, and offers ample storage space for additional fitness apps from the App Store.
As a fully capable smartwatch, it allows you to answer calls, respond to messages, make contactless payments, and stream music directly from your wrist. It also features crash detection, which can automatically contact emergency services in the event of an accident. With its sleek design and impressive battery life for an Apple Watch, the SE (2nd Gen) offers a comprehensive experience.
See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsSize40mm x 34mmThickness10.7mmBattery life18 hoursConnectivityCellular (optional), 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3SensorsHeart rate monitor, GPS, accelerometerTrackingSwim, sleep, period Water resistanceUp to 50mPROSHuge selection of appsSpecial safety features, like crash detection and built-in GPSCONSFewer sensors than other Apple Watch options
Garmin Venu 3
Best Budget Fitness Tracker for Workouts
### Garmin Venu 3
0The Garmin Venu 3 is ideal for dedicated fitness enthusiasts, offering advanced exercise tracking, GPS, and heart rate monitoring, along with the ability to follow animated workouts, receive phone notifications, and make contactless payments.
Garmin is renowned for its detailed health and fitness tracking, and the Venu 3 is no exception. It supports over 30 preloaded sports apps and uses highly accurate sensors for activities like swimming, cycling, and golf. The standout feature is the Body Battery, which assesses your body's restfulness based on activity, stress, and sleep data.
Despite its higher price within the budget category, the Venu 3's bright AMOLED touchscreen and up to 14-day battery life make it a worthwhile investment. It includes standard smartwatch features like call and text responses when paired with Android phones, though its app selection is more limited compared to Apple and Google smartwatches.
See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsSize45mmThickness12mmBattery life14 daysConnectivityBluetooth, 802.11nSensorsHeart rate monitor, GPS, temperatureTrackingSwim, sleep, stress, energyWater resistanceUp to 50mPROSHighly accurate GPS and heart rate monitorHelpful Body Battery featureCONSLimited app selection compared to other smartwatches
What to Look for in a Budget Fitness Tracker
When choosing a fitness tracker, consider not only its ability to count steps and monitor sleep but also the overall hardware quality, comfort, software capabilities, and tracking accuracy. As the price increases, so do features like heart rate monitoring, GPS, and advanced display technologies. However, even basic, affordable trackers can provide a wealth of health data.
What kind of fitness tracker do I need?
Your choice of fitness tracker depends on your intended use. If you're looking for basic tracking such as steps, heart rate, and time, a budget-friendly option like the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 might suffice. These devices often come with color displays, long battery life, and additional features like sports modes, sleep tracking, and phone notifications.
For activities like running, biking, or hiking, consider investing a bit more for GPS functionality. If you need more than just fitness and health tracking, opt for a smartwatch with a larger screen, more storage, and access to a broader range of apps, allowing you to answer calls, texts, and other notifications from your wrist.
If you're an active runner or gym-goer, pairing your fitness tracker with high-quality earbuds can enhance your overall experience and ensure a perfect fit for your lifestyle.
