A reliable fitness tracking watch can help you get better sleep, become more active, and become more aware of your physical activity and habits. But finding the best one for your needs, your budget, and your fitness goals can be as overwhelming as trying a new sport or getting back into shape!
The best health or fitness smartwatch for you will depend on these and other factors but can help guide you into the best options for how you get in steps or activity. The advancements in the tracking and monitoring abilities of these watches can also help guide your shopping decision.
1. Apple Watch Series 6
Apple promises to make your health journey a lot simpler with a few new features and some upgraded existing ones. First up is their Blood Oxygen Level monitor which works with infrared and LED lighting on the sensor to measure your levels through the layers of skin! The second cool new feature for the Apple Series 6 is its ECG monitor. And when you combine the two new features with the upgraded existing ones, you are left with a smartwatch that can handle 32 GB of music, audiobooks, or podcasts; sleep tracking; underwater workouts; and customization.
2. FitBit Sense
This sleek fitness tracker is top of the list for the number of features included compared to the starting price of $399.95. With this investment into your health you will receive numerous helpful features. Some of the Senses’s nifty health tracking features include a stress management app, sleep tracking, skin temperature reader, guided exercises, and the ability to track your activity all day down to the floors, steps, or calories. The technical features also make this a great choice with 6-day battery life, tap-to-pay capabilities, Google and Alexa connectivity, and reliable GPS.
3. Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
While the name says Samsung, this new Galaxy device is compatible with certain other Android and iOS operating systems/devices. The smartwatches from Samsung are the trackers which resemble real watches the most in appearance, but which come with a load of features focused on your health. One drawback is that this smartwatch is not waterproof, but rather water-resistant. But to make up for this, Samsung created a “military-grade” shell to protect your watch on your most active days. This smartwatch includes all your basic fitness tracking capabilities with reliable GPS.
4. FitBit Versa 3
For a smaller investment into your health and well-being, the Fitbit Versa 3 is a great choice with helpful and motivational tracking features. It also makes for a stylish piece on your arm with several customization options. This smartwatch can get you up and moving with workout GPS maps, heart-rate monitoring, and access to your Spotify controls. The Versa 3 is a great balance of smartwatch and fitness tracking capabilities, is a bit cheaper than some of its counterparts, but is known to be easier to break and to be less durable.
5. Samsung Galaxy Watch 2
The Galaxy makes a good smartwatch option for the same reasons Apple does: they each have a huge existing user-base. There is a good chance any of Samsung’s newer smartwatches are compatible with your phone, and the Galaxy Watch 2 is a more economic option than the newer Apple smartwatches. The Galaxy smartwatch can auto-track your fitness, has decent sleep-tracking abilities (not always the most reliable).
Read more here for a comprehensive breakdown of the best fitness smartwatches available in 2021.