You can’t buy motivation. But you can buy a wearable device that lights a fire under your ass to take more than 500 steps in a day, and that’s not nothing.
The rhetoric around fitness has changed quite a bit over the past few years (as made clear by Every Fashion Brand Ever releasing a line of matching leggings and sports bras). We can thank the self-care revolution for this one. Actively monitoring your fitness progression isn’t just for athletes or people training for their hometown’s 5K — and this was not the case when I was in high school. It’s a building block of wellness that people are baking into their daily groove, just like keeping up with a skincare routine or eating your vegetables. Read more…
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BEST OVERALL
Apple Watch Series 6
Apple’s cutting-edge tech blazes past rivals with ECG, a new SPO2 sensor, and 911 calls from anywhere.
- Battery life: 18 hours
- Built-in GPS/cellular: Both
- Water resistant: Yes
- Tracks: Steps, calories, sports (including underwater), heart rate, ECG, SPO2, time asleep, fall detection, women’s health tracking
IMAGE: Amazon
BEST EVERYDAY TRACKER
Fitbit Charge 4
With built-in GPS and the same week-long battery life, you can’t argue with Fitbit’s latest Charge.
- Battery life: 7 days
- Built-in GPS/cellular: Just GPS
- Water resistant: Yes
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BEST FOR RUNNING
Garmin Forerunner 745
Smarter training insights and better tracking of a runner’s favorite paths make the 745 a true running buddy.
- Battery life: Up to 7 days
- Built-in GPS/cellular: Just GPS
- Water resistant: Yes (50 meters)
- Tracks: Steps, calories, sports (including underwater), heart rate, personal running maps, SPO2, fall detection, recovery, women’s health tracking
IMAGE: Samsung
BEST SAMSUNG WATCH
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
Samsung’s latest is a true Apple Watch challenger, featuring better sleep tracking and the beloved rotating bezel.
- Battery life: 24-36 hours
- Built-in GPS/cellular: Both
- Water resistant: Yes
- Tracks: Steps, calories, sports (including underwater), heart rate, ECG, SPO2, VO2 Max, sleep stages, fall detection
IMAGE: Oura
BEST NON-BRACELET WEARABLE
Oura Ring
The chic ring beloved by the NBA tackles sleep troubles with unique sensors for temperature and pulse.
- Battery life: Up to 7 days
- Built-in GPS/cellular: Neither
- Water resistant: Yes (100 meters)
- Tracks: Sleep stages, steps, heart rate, body temperature deviation
IMAGE: Amazon
BUDGET PICK
Amazfit Bip U
Battery life that runs laps around Apple and more fitness modes than most Fitbits.
- Battery life: 9 days
- Built-in GPS/cellular: Neither
- Water resistant: Yes (50 meters)
- Tracks: Sleep stages, steps, sports (including underwater) heart rate, SPO2, fall detection
IMAGE: Amazon
BEST FOR STRESS
Fitbit Sense
Fitbit takes on health tracking in a new way by keeping you mindful of stress levels with a novel EDA sensor.
- Water resistant: Yes (50 meters)
- Battery life: Up to 6 days
- Built-in GPS/cellular: Just GPS
- Tracks: Steps, calories, sports (including underwater), heart rate, ECG, SPO2, fall detection, stress levels
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BEST INTRODUCTORY FITBIT
Fitbit Inspire 2
Score must-have health features like sleep stage detection and workout recording for under $100.
- Battery life: 10 days
- Built-in GPS/cellular: Neither
- Water resistant: Yes (50 meters)
- Tracks: Steps, calories, heart rate, sleep stages, Cardio Fitness Score, women’s health tracking
IMAGE: Amazon
BEST FITNESS TRACKER FOR KIDS
Fitbit Ace 2
A cool companion for kids who have a smartphone, the Ace 2 is a bit more advanced — but still fun.
- Battery life: Up to 5 days
- Built-in GPS/cellular: Neither
- Water resistant: Yes (50 meters)
- Tracks: Steps, distance, in-game movements, time asleep, completed tasks, plus calories burned, body fat, and women’s health tracking at age 13
IMAGE: Verizon
BEST SMARTWATCH WITH GPS FOR KIDS
Verizon GizmoWatch 2
Verizon’s Apple Watch-like design offers the full smartwatch experience with GPS, fitness tracking, and task scheduling.
- Battery life: Up to 4 days
- Built-in GPS/cellular: GPS, cellular optional
- Water resistant: Splashes fine, but don’t submerge
- Tracks: Steps, in-game movements, completed tasks, location
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