Whether you're embarking on a new health journey or seeking deeper insights into your workouts, a fitness tracker can transform exercise into a fun, gamified experience while providing valuable data. Fortunately, many of these wearables, often resembling smartwatches, are budget-friendly. From advanced models that rival the best smartwatches to basic ones focusing on step counting and heart rate monitoring, there's a wide range of affordable fitness trackers suitable for all 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
0See it at AmazonContributions by Kevin Lee
Fitbit Inspire 3
Best Budget Fitness Tracker
Our Top Pick### Fitbit Inspire 3
0Smartwatches and fitness trackers don't have to break the bank, and the Fitbit Inspire 3 is a prime example. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsSize39.3mm x 18.6mmThickness11.75mmBattery life10 daysConnectivityBluetoothSensorsHeart rate monitor, SpO2TrackingSwim, sleep, stepsWater resistance Up to 50mPROSBright AMOLED touchscreen Long battery lifeCONSSome advanced features require a subscriptionFitbit continues to lead the budget fitness tracker market with the Fitbit Inspire 3. Priced under $100, it features a vibrant AMOLED display and a durable, comfortable band perfect for all-day wear, including sleep. With a 10-day battery life, you won't need to charge it often, though using the always-on display will reduce this duration. Navigation is user-friendly with touch technology and two haptic buttons.
The Fitbit Inspire 3 is designed for comprehensive fitness tracking, offering 24/7 heart rate monitoring, step counting, blood oxygen level measurement, and movement reminders. It also includes automatic exercise tracking for those who might forget to start a workout and sleep monitoring to enhance your understanding of sleep quality. While it provides basic smartwatch functions like phone notifications and a find-my-phone feature via Bluetooth, it does not support music storage or contactless payments.
Xiaomi Smart Band 9
Best Ultra Cheap Fitness Tracker
### Xiaomi Smart Band 9
0With a price tag under $50, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 is an affordable fitness tracker boasting a 1.62-inch AMOLED display and an impressive 21-day battery life, covering basic tracking and 150 sports modes. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsSize46.53mm x 21.63mmThickness10.95mmBattery life21 daysConnectivityBluetoothSensorsHeart rate monitor, SpO2TrackingSwim, sleep, stepsWater resistanceUp to 50mPROSOver 150 sports modesImpressive 21-day battery lifeCONSTracking isn't always 100% accurateDespite its low cost, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 doesn't skimp on features. It includes essential health monitoring and a sleek, slim design. It rivals more expensive options like Fitbit with features such as a pedometer, heart rate monitor, blood oxygen saturation, and sleep tracking. With over 150 fitness modes, including running, HIIT, kickboxing, and swimming, it provides detailed workout data like calories burned and average heart rate, though the accuracy may not match that of higher-end smartwatches with additional sensors like GPS.
The latest model of Xiaomi's Smart Band boasts an enhanced battery life, lasting up to three weeks with moderate use. The screen brightness has also been improved to 1,200 nits, making it easily readable in direct sunlight. The colorful, 1.62-inch AMOLED display is highly responsive, allowing quick access to fitness metrics and limited smartwatch features like call and message notifications, and music playback control. However, pairing with a phone can sometimes be challenging.
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro
Best Budget Fitness Tracker with GPS
### Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro
0Featuring a built-in GPS for detailed workout mapping, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro also offers 24/7 heart rate and SpO2 monitoring, sleep and stress tracking, and various sports modes. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsSize43.27mm x 32.49mmThickness10.8mmBattery life21 daysConnectivityBluetoothSensorsHeart rate monitor, GPS, SpO2TrackingSwim, sleep, stressWater resistanceUp to 50mPROSAccurate built-in GPSLarge, full-color AMOLED displayCONSNo NFCIf you're looking for more features than the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 offers, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro is the answer. It features a larger, rectangular 1.74-inch AMOLED display reminiscent of the Apple Watch and includes a surprisingly accurate GPS for tracking runs, bike rides, hikes, and more.
In addition to the GPS, the Smart Band 9 Pro provides 24/7 heart rate and SpO₂ monitoring, sleep tracking, and stress monitoring. It supports over 150 sports modes, ensuring almost any activity can be tracked, though some modes offer limited data. While not a full smartwatch, it offers basic smartwatch features like music playback and notification display when connected to your phone. Unfortunately, it lacks NFC support for contactless payments. With its stylish design, responsive screen, user-friendly interface, and impressive battery life, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro is a compelling choice for under $100.
Amazfit Band 7
Best Budget Fitness Tracker With Health Monitoring
### Amazfit Band 7
0The Amazfit Band 7 offers an impressive array of features for just $50, including long battery life, health monitoring, and sleep tracking. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsSize37.3mmThickness12.2mmBattery life18 daysConnectivityBluetooth 5.2SensorsHeart rate monitor, SpO2TrackingSwim, period, sleepWater resistanceUp to 50mPROSTons of tracking including stress and sleepAmazon Alexa and other smartwatch features built-inCONSNo built-in GPSAmazfit packs a wealth of functionality into the Band 7, making it a standout choice at its price point. It features a large 1.47-inch always-on AMOLED display that's easy to read, while the band itself remains slim and comfortable. The battery life is impressive, lasting up to 18 days with typical use, and up to 28 days in battery-saver mode.
The Amazfit Band 7 supports over 120 sports modes with automatic smart recognition for four of them and is water-resistant up to 50m, perfect for swimming. Its health monitoring includes heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and stress, while sleep tracking provides insights into sleep quality. Additionally, it integrates with Amazon Alexa and offers other smartwatch functionalities such as on-watch notifications.
Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
Best Budget Apple Watch
### Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
0The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) runs on the same S8 SiP chipset as the Apple Watch Series 8, offering speedy processing at a more affordable price. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsSize40mm x 34mmThickness10.7mmBattery life18 hoursConnectivityCellular (optional), 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3SensorsHeart rate monitor, GPS, accelerometerTrackingSwim, sleep, period Water resistanceUp to 50mPROSHuge selection of appsSpecial safety features, like crash detection and built-in GPSCONSFewer sensors than other Apple Watch optionsThe Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) proves that not all fitness trackers need to focus solely on fitness, nor do all Apple Watches need to be expensive. It includes an optical heart rate sensor and built-in GPS, ideal for tracking hikes and automatically detecting various workouts, including swimming. With 32GB of built-in storage, you can download additional fitness apps from the App Store if needed.
As a full-fledged smartwatch, the Apple Watch SE allows you to answer calls, respond to messages, make contactless payments, and stream music directly from your wrist. It also features crash detection, which can automatically call emergency services in the event of an accident. All of this is packed into a slim, comfortable design with a battery life that's impressive for Apple Watch standards.
Garmin Venu 3
Best Budget Fitness Tracker for Workouts
### Garmin Venu 3
0In addition to exercise tracking, GPS, and a heart rate monitor, the Garmin Venu 3 offers animated workouts, phone notifications, and contactless payments. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsSize45mmThickness12mmBattery life14 daysConnectivityBluetooth, 802.11nSensorsHeart rate monitor, GPS, temperatureTrackingSwim, sleep, stress, energyWater resistanceUp to 50mPROSHighly accurate GPS and heart rate monitorHelpful Body Battery featureCONSLimited app selection compared to other smartwatchesGarmin is renowned for its precise health and fitness tracking, and the Garmin Venu 3 is no exception. Though it's the priciest option among our budget picks, it's a worthy investment for serious workout enthusiasts. The Venu 3 can track various exercises, including swimming, cycling, and golf, with over 30 preloaded sports apps and a highly accurate GPS and heart rate monitor.
It also features animated workouts for pilates, HIIT, and cardio, and the standout Body Battery feature, which provides data on your body's rest and recovery based on activity, stress, and sleep. As a smartwatch, it includes a bright AMOLED touchscreen, up to 14 days of battery life (which can decrease with the always-on display and automatic workout detection), and typical smartwatch features like receiving calls and responding to texts when paired with the best Android phones. However, the app selection is more limited compared to Apple and Google smartwatches.
What to Look for in a Budget Fitness Tracker
When choosing a fitness tracker, consider not only its ability to count steps and monitor sleep but also the overall hardware quality, comfort, software package, and effectiveness of its tracking features. As the price increases, so do the features, such as heart rate monitoring, GPS, and OLED displays. However, many basic, affordable trackers still offer a wealth of health data.
What kind of fitness tracker do I need?
The right fitness tracker depends on your usage. For simple tracking of steps, heart rate, and time, an ultra-cheap option like the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 might suffice. These budget-friendly models often come with color displays, long battery life, and additional features like various sports modes, sleep tracking, blood oxygen sensors, and phone notifications.
For runners, cyclists, or hikers, investing in a model with GPS support could be beneficial. If you're looking for a device that goes beyond fitness tracking to include more smartwatch functionalities, consider a model with a larger screen, built-in storage, and access to more apps, allowing you to answer calls, respond to texts, and manage other notifications.
For active individuals, pairing your fitness tracker with a great pair of earbuds can enhance your overall fitness experience and ensure you find the perfect fit for your lifestyle.
