Embarking on a fitness journey or seeking deeper workout insights? A fitness tracker can gamify exercise and provide valuable data. Fortunately, many affordable wearables—often smartwatch variations—are available. From feature-rich options rivaling top smartwatches to basic step counters and heart rate monitors, budget-friendly fitness trackers cater to all needs and wrist sizes.
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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*Contributions by Kevin Lee*
1. Fitbit Inspire 3: Best Budget Fitness Tracker
See it at AmazonProduct Specifications: Size: 39.3mm x 18.6mm; Thickness: 11.75mm; Battery life: 10 days; Connectivity: Bluetooth; Sensors: Heart rate monitor, SpO2; Tracking: Swim, sleep, steps; Water resistance: Up to 50m
Pros: Bright AMOLED touchscreen; Long battery life.
Cons: Some advanced features require a subscription.
The Fitbit Inspire 3 proves that high-quality fitness trackers don't need a hefty price tag. For under $100, you get a vibrant AMOLED display and a comfortable, durable band—perfect for all-day wear, including sleep. Its 10-day battery life (reduced with the always-on display) minimizes charging needs. Navigation is intuitive via touchscreen and two buttons.
Fitness tracking features include 24/7 heart rate monitoring, step counting, SpO2 measurement, and movement reminders. Automatic exercise tracking and sleep monitoring add further value. While it offers basic smartwatch functions like phone notifications and a find-my-phone feature, it lacks music storage and contactless payment capabilities.
2. Xiaomi Smart Band 9: Best Ultra-Cheap Fitness Tracker
See it at AmazonProduct Specifications: Size: 46.53mm x 21.63mm; Thickness: 10.95mm; Battery life: 21 days; Connectivity: Bluetooth; Sensors: Heart rate monitor, SpO2; Tracking: Swim, sleep, steps; Water resistance: Up to 50m
Pros: Over 150 sports modes; Impressive 21-day battery life.
Cons: Tracking isn't always 100% accurate.
The sub-$50 Xiaomi Smart Band 9 packs a punch. It boasts a sleek design, comprehensive health monitoring (pedometer, heart rate monitor, SpO2, sleep monitoring), and over 150 fitness modes. While precision might not match high-end devices, it offers valuable workout insights. Its standout feature is its three-week battery life (with moderate use) and a bright 1.62-inch AMOLED display.
3. Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro: Best Budget Fitness Tracker with GPS
See it at AmazonProduct Specifications: Size: 43.27mm x 32.49mm; Thickness: 10.8mm; Battery life: 21 days; Connectivity: Bluetooth; Sensors: Heart rate monitor, GPS, SpO2; Tracking: Swim, sleep, stress; Water resistance: Up to 50m
Pros: Accurate built-in GPS; Large, full-color AMOLED display.
Cons: No NFC.
An upgrade to the Smart Band 9, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro features a larger, rectangular 1.74-inch AMOLED display and a surprisingly accurate built-in GPS. It retains 24/7 heart rate and SpO2 monitoring, sleep and stress tracking, and support for over 150 sports modes. While lacking NFC, it offers music playback control and phone notifications (but not replies).
4. Amazfit Band 7: Best Budget Fitness Tracker with Health Monitoring
See it at AmazonProduct Specifications: Size: 37.3mm; Thickness: 12.2mm; Battery life: 18 days; Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2; Sensors: Heart rate monitor, SpO2; Tracking: Swim, period, sleep; Water resistance: Up to 50m
Pros: Extensive tracking (stress, sleep); Amazon Alexa integration.
Cons: No built-in GPS.
The $50 Amazfit Band 7 offers a large 1.47-inch always-on AMOLED display, long battery life (up to 18 days), and over 120 sports modes (with smart recognition of four). It includes heart rate, blood-oxygen, and stress monitoring, along with sleep tracking. Smartwatch features include notifications and Amazon Alexa integration.
5. Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen): Best Budget Apple Watch
See it at AmazonProduct Specifications: Size: 40mm x 34mm; Thickness: 10.7mm; Battery life: 18 hours; Connectivity: Cellular (optional), 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3; Sensors: Heart rate monitor, GPS, accelerometer; Tracking: Swim, sleep, period; Water resistance: Up to 50m
Pros: Huge app selection; Safety features (crash detection), built-in GPS.
Cons: Fewer sensors than other Apple Watch options.
The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) offers a budget-friendly entry into the Apple ecosystem. It features an optical heart rate sensor, built-in GPS, automatic workout detection (including swimming), and 32GB of storage for apps. It functions as a full smartwatch, enabling calls, messages, contactless payments, and music streaming. Crash detection adds a safety element.
6. Garmin Venu 3: Best Budget Fitness Tracker for Workouts
See it at AmazonProduct Specifications: Size: 45mm; Thickness: 12mm; Battery life: 14 days; Connectivity: Bluetooth, 802.11n; Sensors: Heart rate monitor, GPS, temperature; Tracking: Swim, sleep, stress, energy; Water resistance: Up to 50m
Pros: Highly accurate GPS and heart rate monitor; Helpful Body Battery feature.
Cons: Limited app selection compared to other smartwatches.
Garmin's Venu 3, while the priciest on this list, provides comprehensive fitness tracking. It tracks various exercises (swimming, cycling, golf, etc.) using highly accurate GPS and heart rate monitoring. Animated workouts, ECG, blood oxygen, and temperature sensors enhance its capabilities. The Body Battery feature offers insights into your body's energy levels. It also functions as a smartwatch with notifications and contactless payments, though app selection is more limited than other smartwatches.
What to Look for in a Budget Fitness Tracker
Consider factors beyond step counting and sleep tracking. Hardware quality, comfort, software, and tracking accuracy are crucial. Higher prices usually mean more features (heart rate monitoring, GPS, OLED displays). However, many affordable trackers still offer ample health data.
What Kind of Fitness Tracker Do I Need?
Your needs determine your choice. Ultra-cheap bands like the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 suffice for basic step tracking, heart rate monitoring, and timekeeping. Many budget options include color displays, long battery life, sports modes, sleep tracking, SpO2 sensors, and phone notifications. GPS is beneficial for runners and hikers, while smartwatches offer larger screens, storage, more apps, and call/text capabilities.
For active individuals, consider pairing your fitness tracker with high-quality earbuds for a complete fitness experience.
