Top-rated fitness trackers to help you reach your goals
We don't really agree with the "new year, new you" mottos that are rolled out around this time of year, but it's not uncommon to be keen to improve your fitness and feel a little healthier after the overindulgence of Christmas.
Whether you’re a fan of jogging, swimming or an energetic boxing session, there’s no doubt that working out has major benefits for our health, our body and our mood.
Just how much of a difference it makes, or how effective our workouts are though, isn’t always measurable – unless, of course, you have a fitness tracker.
These smart gadgets used to only belong on the wrists of athletes, but now anyone can use them to keep track of exactly what’s going on when we exercise.
Whether you’re working towards a specific goal, wanting to make the most of a workout or keen to use it to adjust your exercise regime, a fitness tracker is a brilliant and easy way of staying motivated and gaining useful insights.
The problem is, with so many out there, which one do you choose?
Well, we’ve handpicked the best selection of top-rated fitness tracking watches at the moment. Whatever your budget or your bigger goals, you’ll find one to fit your lifestyle here.
The best fitness trackers for any budget
Fitbit Charge 5 Fitness Tracker | £99 (Was £129) from Currys
Looking for something stylish and practical? The Fitbit Charge 5 Fitness Tracker is the best of both worlds.
It tracks and monitors activity, steps, distance, calories and even the quality of sleep, along with your heart rate. On a full charge its battery life lasts up to seven days, and it's also water-resistant and swimproof. Whether you have an Android or iOS, it's compatible with both.
Apple Watch Series 8 | £429 from Currys
While Apple watches are popular for their slick design, they're also a clever investment for staying on top of your fitness goals.
The Series 8 style can track activity, steps, distance, calories and sleep, along with monitoring your heart rate, blood oxygen and even temperature. It's water-resistant too, with a battery life of up to 18 hours and can connect to your headphones via Bluetooth. If you already on an iPhone, the set up couldn't be simpler either, as it's compatible with iOS.
Withings Scanwatch | £279.95 from Withings
Designed like a classic watch face, this high-performance wearable tech provides detailed feedback on your heart rate, activity tracking and sleep monitoring.
What sets it apart is its ability to detect an irregular heart rate, carry out an ECG in 30 seconds with results shown on the watch face and an impressive 30-day battery life.
Huawei Band 6 | £44.99 (Was £59.99) from Very
If you're keen to invest in a smart watch but are shopping with a budget of less than £60, take a look at Huawei's Band 6.
Boasting a lengthy battery life of two weeks in normal use, or 20 days when used in watch mode, it has a high-resolution screen that will helpfully track your sleep, workouts and heart rate. That's not all... you can also manage your message notifications and music playback.
Fitbit Inspire 2 | £44.99 from John Lewis
Want some extra fitness motivation but don’t want to spend a fortune? The Fitbit Inspire 2 Health and Fitness Tracker is probably the one for you.
As the name suggests, the watch is designed to motivate you to hit your weight and fitness goals. It can last up to five days, is water-resistant up to 50m and can also receive calls, texts and social media updates.
Garmin Vivofit 4 Fitness Band | £64.49 (Was £69.99) from Amazon
With a battery life of at least a year and an always-on colour display, the Garmin Vivofit 4 Fitness Band is ready to work out when you are (and probably when you aren’t too!).
You can track your steps, your distance as well as calories burned or how much sleep you’ve had. The screen is much smaller than others on this list but it delivers key information simply and can be supplemented using the app.
Fitbit Versa 2 | £89 from Amazon
Perhaps the most aesthetically pleasing on the list, this Fitbit fitness tracker is more than just a pretty (clock) face.
It boasts a built-in Alexa, smartphone notifications, music, exercise programmes and a six-day battery life. In short, it’s a personal trainer on your wrist – it just can’t shout at you if you skip your burpees.
Samsung Galaxy 46mm Smart Watch | £99.99 from Amazon
If you’re not a fan of the touchscreen aesthetic and want something that looks more traditional, take a look a this Samsung design.
The watch can track up to 40 different exercises, as well as your heart rate, health stats, nutritional goals and the calories. It also has built-in GPS, so you can follow your route on a run.
