Whether you're starting a fitness journey or seeking deeper workout insights, a fitness tracker can gamify exercise and provide valuable data. Fortunately, many affordable options exist, ranging from feature-rich models rivaling top smartwatches to basic step counters and heart rate monitors. There's a budget-friendly fitness tracker for every wrist and need.
TL;DR – The Best Budget Fitness Trackers:
-----------------------------------------
Our Top Pick
Fitbit Inspire 3
See it at Amazon
Xiaomi Smart Band 9
See it at Amazon
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro
See it at Amazon
Amazfit Band 7
See it at Amazon
Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
See it at Amazon
Garmin Venu 3
See it at Amazon
*Contributions by Kevin Lee*
1. Fitbit Inspire 3
Best Budget Fitness Tracker
Our Top Pick
Fitbit Inspire 3
See it at Amazon
Product 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 more 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 sleep. Its 10-day battery life (reduced with the always-on display) minimizes charging interruptions. Navigation is easy with the touchscreen and two buttons.
Fitness tracking features include 24/7 heart rate monitoring, step counting, blood oxygen level measurement, and movement reminders. Automatic exercise tracking and sleep monitoring provide valuable insights. Basic smartwatch features like phone notifications and a find-my-phone function are included (via Bluetooth), though music storage and contactless payments are absent.
2. Xiaomi Smart Band 9
Best Ultra Cheap Fitness Tracker
Xiaomi Smart Band 9
See it at Amazon
Product 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 boasts a 1.62-inch AMOLED display and exceptional battery life, offering comprehensive tracking and 150+ sports modes. It includes a pedometer, heart rate monitor, blood oxygen saturation monitor, and sleep monitoring. While accuracy may not match high-end devices, it provides valuable workout insights.
The Smart Band 9 features a significant battery life boost (three weeks with moderate use) and a brighter (1200 nits) display. Its responsive touchscreen makes navigation easy, offering call/message notifications and music playback control. However, phone pairing can be finicky.
3. Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro
Best Budget Fitness Tracker with GPS
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro
See it at Amazon
Product 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 offers a larger (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 some modes offer limited data, the GPS significantly enhances workout tracking.
Smartwatch features include music playback and phone notifications (no replies), but NFC is absent. Despite this, the sub-$100 price point makes it a stylish and feature-rich option.
4. Amazfit Band 7
Best Budget Fitness Tracker With Health Monitoring
Amazfit Band 7
See it at Amazon
Product 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: Tons of tracking including stress and sleep, Amazon Alexa and other smartwatch features built-in
CONS: No built-in GPS
The $50 Amazfit Band 7 packs impressive features into a slim design. Its 1.47-inch always-on AMOLED display ensures easy data viewing, and the battery lasts up to 18 days (28 days in battery saver mode). It supports over 120 sports modes (automatic recognition of four) and is water-resistant up to 50m.
Health monitoring includes heart rate, blood oxygen, and stress tracking, along with sleep analysis. Smartwatch capabilities include notifications and Amazon Alexa integration.
5. Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
Best Budget Apple Watch
Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
See it at Amazon
Product 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 selection of apps, Special safety features, like crash detection and built-in GPS
CONS: Fewer sensors than other Apple Watch options
The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) offers a budget-friendly Apple Watch experience with an optical heart rate sensor and built-in GPS. It automatically detects various workouts, including swimming, and its 32GB storage allows for app downloads. Beyond fitness, it supports calls, messages, contactless payments, and music streaming.
Crash detection is a key safety feature. While battery life is relatively short by smartwatch standards, its slim design and functionality make it a compelling option.
6. Garmin Venu 3
Best Budget Fitness Tracker for Workouts
Garmin Venu 3
See it at Amazon
Product 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, offers precise health and fitness tracking. It tracks various exercises (including swimming, cycling, and golf) using its accurate GPS and heart rate monitor. Over 30 preloaded sports apps and animated workouts are included. The Body Battery feature provides insights into energy levels.
The Venu 3 functions as a smartwatch, supporting calls, smart assistants, and text replies (when paired). While app selection is limited compared to Apple and Google watches, its comprehensive fitness features justify its higher price point.
What to Look for in a Budget Fitness Tracker
Choosing a fitness tracker involves considering hardware quality, comfort, software, and tracking accuracy. While higher-priced models offer features like heart rate monitoring, GPS, and OLED displays, many affordable options provide substantial health data.
What kind of fitness tracker do I need?
Your needs dictate the tracker type. The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 suffices for basic step counting, heart rate monitoring, and timekeeping. Many budget options include color displays, long battery life, sports modes, sleep tracking, blood oxygen sensors, and phone notifications.
GPS is beneficial for runners, bikers, and hikers. For broader functionality beyond fitness and health, a smartwatch provides a larger screen, storage, app access, and call/message capabilities. Consider pairing a fitness tracker with high-quality earbuds for a complete workout experience.
