ConsFirst / Fitness trackers
Fitness trackers: the downsides, first
Hit-or-miss tracking — automatic workout detection, sleep data or GPS — and trackers that stop working or syncing each come up for five of the eight bands we compared. Whoop's band needs an ongoing membership, and some Fitbit owners are unhappy with the move to Google Health. Here are the most popular fitness trackers in the US, with their downsides first.
8 models compared17 sources readUpdated October 2026
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All 8 fitness trackers, ranked
Ranked by test scores, minus how common and serious the complaints are. How we rank
#1
Xiaomi
$Screen bandAndroid and iPhoneScore 3.9/5
12%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Measured on the Global Version listing (8,821 ratings).Tom's Guide's best budget tracker: about half the price of a Fitbit, with a bright 1.72-inch AMOLED screen, 159 activity modes and step counts that matched an Oura Ring. Battery fell well short of the 21-day claim in its test, and the app's insights feel less actionable than pricier rivals'.
Subscription: None: Tom's Guide lists no paywalled insights
Top complaints
- Battery well short of 21 daysMentioned often
Tom's Guide got about seven days, not 21, and says turning on continuous blood-oxygen and heart-rate tracking drains it faster. Amazon owners are more positive, with one reporting 20 days.
- Disconnects and metric-only unitsMentioned often
Amazon's review summary says connectivity is mixed, with some owners seeing disconnections, and that it supports only metric units with no imperial option. Notifications also get mixed reviews.
- Data isn't very actionableMentioned often
Tom's Guide says sleep and other data don't come with the advice that the Oura or Zepp apps give, and the band feels 'of an older generation' next to AI-coaching trackers.
What owners love
- Accurate tracking for the price
Tom's Guide found its step counts close to an Oura Ring and its heart-rate data reliable after workouts. Amazon owners praise its accuracy for workouts and sleep.
- Comfortable, with a bright screen
Comfortable 24/7 with a 1.72-inch, 1,500-nit AMOLED display that stays readable mid-run (Tom's Guide). Amazon owners praise the bright display.
- No subscription
Tom's Guide lists no paywalled insights and calls the Mi Fitness app useful and easy to read.
Skip it if…- You want AI coaching or actionable advice
- You need imperial units (Amazon owners say it's metric only)
- You expect three weeks per charge with all sensors on
Good for- A screen tracker for around $50
- Tracking many workout types
- Avoiding Google's ecosystem
Scores (tap for why)
- Tracking accuracy (as tested)4.0
Why 4.0?
Step counts close to an Oura Ring and reliable heart rate in Tom's Guide's test. Amazon owners praise accuracy. It hasn't been through a chest-strap or pedometer test like Wirecutter's. - Battery life3.5
Why 3.5?
21 days claimed, about 7 in Tom's Guide's test with sensors on, and about an hour to charge. Some Amazon owners get close to 20 days. - App & insights3.0
Why 3.0?
Mi Fitness is straightforward but less actionable than rivals (Tom's Guide). Amazon owners report disconnections and metric-only units. - Comfort & screen4.0
Why 4.0?
Comfortable day and night with a bright 1.72-inch AMOLED. The tester's ceramic-edition strap rubbed slightly after workouts. - No hidden costs5.0
Why 5.0?
No paywalled insights.
What experts say
- Tom's Guide: Best budget fitness tracker, under $50 (updated 2026-09-02): half the price of the Air with a display, no subscription and a few weeks of battery. The cons are battery below the claim and data that doesn't always feel useful.
- Tom's Guide (Xiaomi Smart Band 10 review): Full review: accurate, comfortable and affordable, but battery was more like 7 days than 21, and the data is less actionable than Oura's.
#2
Amazfit
$$Screenless bandAndroid and iPhoneScore 3.9/5
10%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample: 1,209 ratings.A $99, subscription-free Whoop alternative with detailed sleep and recovery data in the Zepp app and 8 to 12 days per charge. Its automatic workout detection was unreliable in Tom's Guide's testing (it once logged a car drive as part of a hike), and Wirecutter finds its app less detailed than Whoop's.
Subscription: None: no subscription required (Tom's Guide, Wirecutter)
Top complaints
- Unreliable automatic workout detectionVery common
Tom's Guide's tester saw it log short bike rides but miss a full yoga class, and fold a car drive into a hike at 57 mph. She resorted to starting every workout manually. Amazon owners are mixed on accuracy, with some reporting inaccurate data.
- Sleep tracking or the strap fails for some ownersMentioned often
Amazon's review summary says sleep tracking stops working after a week for some customers, some find the strap itchy, and some say it doesn't work for them.
- Battery and charger quirksMentioned often
Wirecutter got eight days against the 10-day claim. Tom's Guide calls the charger 'incredibly losable'.
What owners love
- No subscription, low price
Tom's Guide calls it the most affordable Whoop alternative it has seen at $99, and Wirecutter notes the Zepp app needs no subscription.
- Detailed sleep and recovery data
Tom's Guide says it has the best sleep tracking of any Amazfit device, catching even brief wake-ups, plus Biocharge and Exertion scores. Amazon owners say its heart-rate monitoring is accurate.
- Good battery and comfort
Tom's Guide went 12 days between charges and found it really comfortable on 5.5-inch and 7-inch wrists. Amazon owners praise the battery life.
Skip it if…- You rely on automatic workout detection
- You want Whoop-level depth
- You tend to lose small chargers
Good for- Whoop-style recovery data without a subscription
- Detailed sleep tracking
- Budget screenless tracking
Scores (tap for why)
- Tracking accuracy (as tested)3.0
Why 3.0?
Accurate sleep per Tom's Guide and accurate HR per Amazon owners, but automatic workout detection was unreliable, and Amazon owners are mixed on accuracy. - Battery life4.0
Why 4.0?
10 days rated; 8 in Wirecutter's test and 12 in Tom's Guide's (with some days unworn). - App & insights4.0
Why 4.0?
The Zepp app is easy and full of metrics (Tom's Guide), but less detailed than Whoop's (Wirecutter). - Comfort & screen3.5
Why 3.5?
Comfortable in Tom's Guide's test, but some Amazon owners find the strap itchy. No screen. - No hidden costs5.0
Why 5.0?
No subscription required.
What experts say
- Tom's Guide (Amazfit Helio Strap review): Subscription-free Whoop alternative with loads of metrics and reliable sleep tracking. The cons are unreliable workout detection for some activities and a losable charger.
- Wirecutter (NYT): In 'The competition': half the cost of a year of Whoop, with 56 workout types and no subscription, but the battery lasted 8 days and the Zepp app isn't as detailed as Whoop's.
#3
Fitbit (Google)
$$Screenless bandAndroid and iPhoneScore 3.9/5
12%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Measured on the Stephen Curry Special Edition listing (2,291 ratings), which offers 7 options and may pool several Air variants; no standard Air listing appeared in Amazon search.The top screenless pick at Wirecutter, Tom's Guide and PCMag: a $99 pebble-sized band that was the most accurate step counter in Wirecutter's tests and the most comfortable band it has tried. You only see data in the app, automatic workout detection is unreliable, and some of the best features sit behind Google's optional subscription.
Subscription: Optional: Google Health Premium $9.99/mo or $99/yr; Tom's Guide says the Gemini coach and advanced sleep tracking need it
Top complaints
- Automatic workout tracking is hit or missVery common
Wirecutter found auto-detection unreliable after weeks of use, especially for non-running exercise, and there's no button to start a workout. Tom's Guide says auto-tracking only starts after 15 minutes, and PCMag lists limited automatic workout tracking and fewer workout details as cons.
- No screen, no GPS: data lives in the appVery common
Wirecutter notes you can't get real-time updates without your phone, and there's no built-in GPS. Tom's Guide also lists no onboard GPS as a con.
- Mixed sleep tracking, pairing and reliability reportsMentioned often
Amazon's review summary says sleep tracking and connectivity are mixed, with some owners reporting poor sleep tracking or trouble pairing with phones. It also notes doubts about step accuracy and some units working for only a week. Tom's Guide adds that advanced sleep tracking and the Gemini coach need the $10/month subscription.
What owners love
- Most accurate step count Wirecutter tested
It had the best step-count results in Wirecutter's tests and was off by just 2 bpm in heart rate. PCMag found heart rate and sleep tracking highly accurate.
- Light enough to forget you're wearing it
At 0.26 oz (Wirecutter) or 5.2 g (Tom's Guide), it's the first wrist tracker Wirecutter found comfortable for 24/7 wear, and its band dried faster than Whoop's and Garmin's. Amazon owners praise the comfort.
- No required subscription
Wirecutter and Tom's Guide note that, unlike Whoop and Oura, you don't need to pay a monthly fee to see detailed activity data.
Skip it if…- You want to see stats on your wrist during a workout
- You rely on automatic workout detection
- You don't want a Google account or a subscription upsell
Good for- People who find screens and notifications distracting
- Accurate steps and heart rate for $99
- Wearing a tracker 24/7, including in bed
Scores (tap for why)
- Tracking accuracy (as tested)4.5
Why 4.5?
Best step count and HR within 2 bpm in Wirecutter's tests, and 'highly accurate' HR and sleep per PCMag. Auto workout detection is weak. - Battery life3.5
Why 3.5?
7 days rated; Wirecutter got just over 6 days and a full charge in 72 minutes. It uses its own charger. - App & insights3.5
Why 3.5?
PCMag calls Google Health well organized, and Tom's Guide rates the Gemini coach highly, but that coach is paid. Wirecutter readers complain about the switch from the Fitbit app. - Comfort & screen4.5
Why 4.5?
The most comfortable band Wirecutter has tested, at 0.26 oz. There's no screen at all. - No hidden costs3.5
Why 3.5?
No subscription is required, but Tom's Guide says some of the best features need the $9.99/month plan.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Top pick, best screenless fitness tracker (updated 2026-10-01). The flaws are that data appears only in the app and automatic workout detection isn't always dependable.
- Tom's Guide: Best fitness tracker overall (updated 2026-09-02): $99 and subscription-free for core features. The cons are no onboard GPS and auto workout tracking that only kicks in after 15 minutes.
- PCMag: Best screenless tracker, 4.5/5 (updated 2026-09-24): highly accurate heart rate and sleep tracking, with fewer workout details than trackers with screens.
#4
Garmin
$$$Screenless bandAndroid and iPhoneScore 4.1/5
Amazon 1–2 star share
not available
Garmin's $199 screenless band sits between the Fitbit Air and Whoop: it excelled in Wirecutter's distance tests, has a physical button to start workouts, lasts about nine to ten days and gives you all of Garmin Connect's data free. It costs twice as much as the Air, and Tom's Guide found it bulky and slow to dry.
Subscription: Optional: Garmin Connect+ $6.99/mo or $69.99/yr adds nutrition and coaching plans; all health and fitness data is free (Tom's Guide)
Top complaints
- Twice the price of the Fitbit AirVery common
Tom's Guide says $199 is a lot, $100 more than the Air, and its tester would rather spend $50 more on a Garmin Forerunner 70 with a screen and GPS.
- Bulky, scratchy band that stays wetVery common
Tom's Guide's petite-wristed tester found it bulky and not that comfortable, and took it off to shower because the band stays wet. Another Tom's Guide tester found the strap the scratchiest of the bunch. Wirecutter says the Air dried quicker.
- No onboard GPS; app has a learning curveMentioned often
You must connect the Cirqa to the Garmin app to use GPS (Wirecutter) and carry your phone for maps (Tom's Guide). Tom's Guide finds Garmin Connect less beginner-friendly and says it hides a lot under the 'more' tab.
What owners love
- Accurate distance and heart rate
Wirecutter says it excelled in distance tracking and reliably auto-detects runs. A Tom's Guide heart-rate tester found it came close to a chest strap.
- Physical workout button
Wirecutter and Tom's Guide praise the side button for starting and stopping any of 80+ workout types without relying on auto-detection.
- Deep insights, no subscription
Tom's Guide says Garmin Connect offers more metrics and advice than Google Health for free, including Fitness Age, recovery time and Natural Cycles support. It also lasts about 10 days (Wirecutter: closer to nine).
Skip it if…- You want the smallest, lightest band
- You're on a tight budget
- You want GPS without carrying your phone
Good for- Garmin users adding a 24/7 band
- Detailed insights without a subscription
- Starting workouts with a button instead of auto-detection
Scores (tap for why)
- Tracking accuracy (as tested)4.5
Why 4.5?
Excelled in Wirecutter's distance tests, with heart rate close to a chest strap per Tom's Guide. - Battery life4.5
Why 4.5?
10 days rated; about 9 in Wirecutter's test and about 10 in Tom's Guide's. - App & insights4.0
Why 4.0?
Lots of free data and advice in Garmin Connect, but it's less beginner-friendly than Fitbit's or Oura's app (Tom's Guide). - Comfort & screen3.0
Why 3.0?
14.8 g. Bulky on small wrists, with a scratchy, slow-drying strap (Tom's Guide). No screen. - No hidden costs4.5
Why 4.5?
Garmin Connect+ is optional and only adds nutrition and coaching plans. All health data is free.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): 'Other fitness trackers worth considering' for Garmin users: excellent distance tracking and 80+ activities, about 9 days of battery, and no required subscription.
- Tom's Guide (Cirqa: 5 things to know): One of the best fitness trackers of 2026: comfier than Whoop but bulkier than the Air, about 10 days of battery, and deeper free insights than Fitbit.
- Tom's Guide (Cirqa after 3 weeks): Likes Garmin Connect, the button and HR accuracy. Dislikes the bulky, slow-drying strap, the $199 price and the lack of onboard GPS.
#5
Fitbit (Google)
$$Screen bandAndroid and iPhoneScore 3.7/5
15%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Wirecutter's top pick for four years running: simple, light and consistently near the top of its step and distance tests, with about nine days per charge. The screen is small and the band fiddly, and about 1 in 7 Amazon ratings are 1 or 2 stars, often over units that stop working or syncing.
Subscription: Optional: Google Health Premium $10/mo or $100/yr (Wirecutter); PCMag says some metrics require it
Top complaints
- Stops working, holding a charge or syncingVery common
Amazon's review summary says some owners report it stops working completely, won't hold a charge, stops syncing or takes forever to sync, and breaks after about six months.
- Tiny screen and fiddly bandMentioned often
Wirecutter says the slim buckle band can take a few tries to close, the tang is flimsy, and the touchscreen sometimes triggers the wrong mode. PCMag says the tiny text can be hard to read.
- Unhappy with the move to Google HealthMentioned often
Several Wirecutter readers say the new Google Health app is less accurate for sleep and harder to use than the old Fitbit app, and dislike Google's data terms. PCMag notes the change upset many longtime Fitbit fans, and also lists minor accuracy issues and some metrics needing a subscription.
What owners love
- Accurate for years
Wirecutter says it has ranked near the top for step count and distance across four years of tests, placing second in a 10,000-step test this year.
- Longest battery of Wirecutter's picks
Rated for 10 days; it lasted nine in Wirecutter's 2026 test with near-daily workouts. PCMag calls it the longest battery in the Fitbit lineup.
- Simple and light
Wirecutter praises the uncluttered interface and 0.32 oz weight, and PCMag likes the color touchscreen with an always-on option.
Skip it if…- You struggle to read small text
- You want built-in GPS
- You dislike the Google Health app or Google's data terms
Good for- A simple tracker with a screen for steps and heart rate
- About a week or more between charges
- Beginners (PCMag's pick)
Scores (tap for why)
- Tracking accuracy (as tested)4.0
Why 4.0?
Near the top of Wirecutter's step and distance tests for four years. PCMag notes minor accuracy issues and says it isn't as quick as the Galaxy Fit3 to catch heart-rate spikes. - Battery life4.0
Why 4.0?
10 days rated, 9 tested by Wirecutter. PCMag got 8 days, or 3 with the always-on display. - App & insights3.5
Why 3.5?
Wirecutter finds the free app easy to navigate, but readers complain about the Google Health switch, and Amazon owners report sync problems. - Comfort & screen3.5
Why 3.5?
Thin and light, but the band is fiddly and the screen small, with tiny text. - No hidden costs3.5
Why 3.5?
Free app, but PCMag says some metrics require the paid Premium plan.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Top pick, best fitness tracker (updated 2026-10-01). The flaws are a band that's hard to adjust and a touchscreen that isn't always responsive.
- PCMag: Best for beginners, 4.0/5: long battery and a simple interface, but tiny text, minor accuracy issues, and some metrics that need a subscription.
- Tom's Guide: Also tested: similar to the Air but with a display. Tom's Guide thinks the Xiaomi Smart Band 10 is better value unless you want to stay with Fitbit/Google Health.
#6
Whoop
$$$Screenless bandAndroid and iPhoneScore 3.6/5
15%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Measured on the 'WHOOP Peak - 12 Month Membership' listing (2,696 ratings), which sells the band with a membership.The athlete's screenless tracker: the best battery in Wirecutter's guide (almost two weeks), charging while you wear it, and the most detailed recovery, strain and sleep data. But you must pay $199-$359 a year, the cheapest tier lacks stress and health monitoring, and PCMag left it off its list over cost.
Subscription: Required: membership of $199 (One), $239 (Peak) or $359 (Life, with the Whoop MG) per year; the band comes free with it (Tom's Guide)
Top complaints
- Expensive, never-ending membershipVery common
Wirecutter says a yearly subscription is required. PCMag excluded it over its high annual cost and thin workout detail. Tom's Guide calls the top tier expensive, and Amazon owners are split on whether it's worth the price.
- Cheapest tier leaves out key featuresMentioned often
Tom's Guide says Whoop One lacks stress monitoring, Healthspan and the health monitor (resting HR, HRV, skin temperature), and only Peak and Life include the wireless charger.
- Mixed accuracy and sleep reports; soggy bandMentioned often
Amazon's review summary says accuracy, ease of use and sleep tracking get mixed feedback. Tom's Guide's tester once got a 100% sleep score after a broken night, and found the fabric band soggy after swimming. Water resistance is only 10 m.
What owners love
- Two-week battery, charge while wearing
Wirecutter got almost two weeks, the best in its guide, and Tom's Guide had 27% left after two weeks. Tom's Guide says it's the only screenless band you can charge without taking it off (with the Peak/Life charger).
- Deepest recovery and sleep data
Wirecutter says it provides more activity detail and biometric data than most wearables. Tom's Guide calls the Whoop MG one of the best sleep trackers it tested, with sleep and wake times matching an Oura Ring and Withings mat.
- Accurate in Wirecutter's tests
Wirecutter says the Whoop MG performed on a par with its picks for distance, steps and heart rate. Amazon owners praise the health information and comfort.
Skip it if…- You don't want an annual subscription
- You just want steps and heart rate (Wirecutter calls it overkill)
- You want live workout stats on your wrist
Good for- Athletes who want detailed recovery and strain data
- Two weeks between charges
- ECG and blood-pressure insights (Whoop MG on the Life tier)
Scores (tap for why)
- Tracking accuracy (as tested)4.0
Why 4.0?
On a par with Wirecutter's picks for distance, steps and HR (Whoop MG). Tom's Guide found its sleep times closely matched other trackers, but Amazon owners are mixed on accuracy. - Battery life5.0
Why 5.0?
Almost two weeks in Wirecutter's test, the best of the guide, and it can charge on the wrist. - App & insights4.5
Why 4.5?
The most data of any tracker here (Wirecutter, Tom's Guide), though Tom's Guide says some users find it overwhelming. - Comfort & screen3.5
Why 3.5?
Discreet and comfortable per Tom's Guide, but at 26.5 g it's the heaviest screenless band here, and the fabric stays wet. - No hidden costs1.0
Why 1.0?
A $199-$359 annual membership is required to use it.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): 'Other fitness trackers worth considering': for training or competition, with the best battery in the guide, but a yearly subscription is required and it's likely overkill for basic tracking.
- Tom's Guide (Whoop 5.0 review): Huge range of health features and 14-day battery, but the top membership is expensive and the cheapest one lacks the new features. Recommends the mid-tier Peak plan for most people.
- PCMag: Not on the list because of the high annual cost ($239 and $359, as cited) and the lack of workout detail.
#7
Samsung
$$Screen bandAndroid onlyScore 3.5/5
10%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Measured on a listing labeled 'International Model (Fast Charger Bundle)' (2,971 ratings).PCMag's best affordable Android tracker: a bigger 1.6-inch AMOLED screen than the Inspire 3 and heart-rate tracking that stayed within a few beats of an Apple Watch Ultra 2. It doesn't work with iPhones, it left gaps in PCMag's sleep data, and battery fell short of Samsung's 13-day claim.
Top complaints
- Android only, with Samsung-only extrasVery common
PCMag lists no iOS support and some features exclusive to Samsung phones as cons. It also lacks GPS, tap-to-pay, apps and an energy score.
- Gaps in sleep dataMentioned often
PCMag saw roughly 30-minute gaps in its sleep-stage charts on several nights, which made it underestimate sleep. It says the Inspire 3 is better for sleep.
- Battery below the claim; mixed size opinionsMentioned often
PCMag got 7.5 days (4.5 with the always-on display) against Samsung's 13-day estimate. Amazon owners report anything from 4 days to 2 weeks, and some find it too small.
What owners love
- Accurate heart rate
PCMag found it within 3-7 bpm of an Apple Watch Ultra 2 on a run, with matching cadence and average heart rate, and quicker to catch heart-rate spikes than the Inspire 3.
- Big, bright screen and on-demand SpO2
A 1.6-inch AMOLED with an always-on option, plus on-demand blood-oxygen readings the Inspire 3 lacks (PCMag).
- Good value
PCMag says it costs less than the Inspire 3 while offering better workout tracking. Amazon owners call it excellent value and praise its sleep and step tracking.
Skip it if…- You use an iPhone
- Sleep tracking is your main goal
- You want built-in GPS or tap-to-pay
Good for- Android (especially Samsung) phone owners
- Accurate workout heart rate on a budget
- A large, readable screen
Scores (tap for why)
- Tracking accuracy (as tested)3.5
Why 3.5?
Heart rate within 3-7 bpm on a run and steps close to an Apple Watch, but sleep gaps and missed automatic walks (PCMag). - Battery life3.5
Why 3.5?
7.5 days tested (4.5 with always-on) vs 13 claimed, with a 71-minute recharge (PCMag). Amazon owners are mixed. - App & insights3.0
Why 3.0?
Needs both the Galaxy Wearable and Samsung Health apps, has no energy score, and some features are Samsung-only (PCMag). - Comfort & screen4.0
Why 4.0?
Light and comfortable around the clock, with a large AMOLED screen (PCMag). Notifications are fiddly to dismiss, and some Amazon owners find it too small.
What experts say
- PCMag: Best affordable Android tracker, 4.0/5 Editors' Choice (updated 2026-09-24). The cons are gaps in sleep data, Samsung-only features, and no iOS support.
- PCMag (Galaxy Fit3 review): Full review: 'small, simple, and capable', with accurate exercise heart rate at a $69.99 MSRP, but it failed to auto-record walks during testing.
#8
Fitbit (Google)
$$$Screen bandAndroid and iPhoneScore 3.4/5
19%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Amazon's No. 1 best-selling fitness tracker and the most fully featured Fitbit, with built-in GPS, a side button, tap-to-pay and heart-rate broadcasting to gym machines. Wirecutter found the GPS spotty and its distance tracking a step behind the cheaper Fitbits, and about 1 in 5 Amazon ratings are 1 or 2 stars.
Subscription: Optional: Google Health Premium $10/mo or $100/yr; PCMag says some metrics require it, and YouTube Music needs its own subscription (Wirecutter)
Top complaints
- Stops working or syncing; battery splitVery common
Amazon's review summary says some owners report it completely stops working and stops syncing with their phones, and battery life is mixed, with some needing to charge daily. Step tracking also gets mixed feedback.
- Spotty GPSMentioned often
Wirecutter had a few GPS connection problems and says other testers reported spotty connections and frequent disconnections. Its distance tracking trailed the other picks.
- Flimsy band attachment and app frustrationsMentioned often
Wirecutter notes owner reports of band attachments that break (Google says it improved them). Wirecutter readers complain about the Google Health app replacing Fitbit's, and one Charge 6 owner rates its workout detection and heart rate poorly. PCMag lists no app store and some paywalled metrics.
What owners love
- The most smartwatch-like Fitbit
Built-in GPS, Google Maps, Google Wallet and YouTube Music, plus 40 exercise modes (Wirecutter, PCMag).
- Side button and bright screen
Wirecutter says the haptic side button makes navigation much easier when sweaty or wearing gloves, and the AMOLED screen is vibrant indoors and out.
- Accurate heart rate you can share
Within 2 bpm of a chest strap in Wirecutter's tests, and it can broadcast heart rate to apps like Peloton and gym machines.
Skip it if…- You need dependable GPS
- You want the simplest, cheapest Fitbit
- You don't want a Google account or subscription upsells
Good for- Phone-free GPS runs on a band
- Google Wallet and Maps on your wrist
- Sending heart rate to gym equipment or Peloton
Scores (tap for why)
- Tracking accuracy (as tested)3.5
Why 3.5?
HR within 2 bpm (Wirecutter), but distance trailed the other picks, GPS was spotty, and Amazon owners are mixed on steps. - Battery life3.0
Why 3.0?
7 days rated; 5.5 days with regular GPS workouts in Wirecutter's test. Amazon owners are mixed. - App & insights3.5
Why 3.5?
PCMag calls the app excellent, but some metrics are paid, and owners report sync problems and dislike the Google Health switch. - Comfort & screen3.5
Why 3.5?
Vibrant AMOLED, a side button and an easier band than the Inspire 3, but it's heavier (1.02 oz) and the touchscreen is sometimes unresponsive. - No hidden costs3.5
Why 3.5?
Works without a subscription, but some metrics are Premium-only.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Runner-up, best for built-in GPS (updated 2026-10-01). The flaws are GPS connection problems and reports of flimsy band attachments.
- PCMag: Most advanced Fitbit tracker, 4.5/5: 40 exercise modes, a helpful side button and an excellent app, but no app store and some Premium-only metrics.
- Tom's Guide: Also tested: among the best Fitbits, but hard to recommend over the Air or Xiaomi Smart Band 10 unless you need built-in GPS.