11 best fitness trackers and watches, tested by the RW Lab

How do I pick the right fitness tracker?

Here are some key specs to consider when deciding which fitness tracker or smartwatch to go for.

Health and fitness features

If you’re looking to buy a new fitness tracker, chances are you love a stat or two. Nowadays, you’d expect all models to record your steps and distance covered as standard. But some also provide a more in-depth insight into your workout by monitoring things such as your heart rate, blood-oxygen saturation levels and VO2 max. These sensors also help measure sleep data if you like to wear yours overnight. The most advanced health trackers, like the Oura Ring, will even take your body temperature to gather data and make predictions on aspects like menstrual cycle timing. Others, such as the Whoop Strap 4.0, present information as scores to provide a series of easy-to-understand, tangible metrics.

GPS

As a runner, chances are you’ll want a tracker or watch with GPS functionality. While some devices come with a built-in GPS chip, cheaper models often rely on an accelerometer, which can quickly become inaccurate. Having a GPS chip improves location accuracy, elevation and distance so you can map your route more accurately, but this isn’t so important if you’re using the watch for the gym.

Subscription services

It seems like everything has a subscription service these days, and some fitness trackers and smartwatches do, too. For instance, Fitbit devices, Apple Watches, and some other devices offer premium features with a subscription service, like guided workouts and videos. Garmin offers premium map access with an annual subscription. If you’re using other apps like Strava, to monitor your fitness, you can purchase premium subscriptions through those apps to open their more advanced watch features to you.

Battery life

Many fitness trackers will last at least seven days on a single charge, while some can manage three weeks or more. Smartwatches, such as the Apple Watch Series 10 and the Google Pixel, tend to have a shorter battery life. Many models also have a quick charging feature, which is perfect if you need a last-minute bit of juice to track a lunchtime run.