Whether you're embarking on a new health journey or seeking to enhance your workout insights, a fitness tracker can transform exercise into an engaging game while delivering valuable data. Fortunately, many of these devices, often resembling smartwatches, are budget-friendly. From advanced models that compete with the best smartwatches to simple ones that track steps and heart rate, there's a variety 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
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Fitbit Inspire 3
Best Budget Fitness Tracker
Our Top Pick### Fitbit Inspire 3
0Smartwatches and fitness trackers don't need to break the bank, and the Fitbit Inspire 3 is a prime example of this. At under $100, this device features a vibrant AMOLED display and a durable, sleek band that's comfortable enough to wear during sleep. Its impressive 10-day battery life ensures you won't need to charge it frequently, though using the always-on display mode will reduce this duration. Navigation is straightforward with touch technology and two haptic buttons.
Designed for fitness tracking, the Fitbit Inspire 3 offers comprehensive features including 24/7 heart rate monitoring, step counting, blood oxygen level measurement, and movement reminders. It also includes automatic exercise tracking, which is perfect if you often forget to start a workout, and sleep monitoring to analyze your sleep quality. While it has some basic smartwatch functionalities like phone notifications and a find-my-phone feature, it does not support music storage or contactless payments.
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 more advanced features require a subscription
Xiaomi Smart Band 9
Best Ultra Cheap Fitness Tracker
### Xiaomi Smart Band 9
0At under $50, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 is an affordable fitness tracker equipped with a 1.62-inch AMOLED display and an outstanding 21-day battery life. It offers basic tracking alongside 150 sports modes, making it a strong contender even against pricier models like Fitbit.
This band includes essential health monitoring features such as a pedometer, heart rate monitor, blood oxygen saturation, and sleep tracking. Its extensive sports modes cover activities like running, HIIT, kickboxing, and swimming, providing detailed metrics on calories burned, average heart rate, and workout duration. While these metrics might not be as precise as those from higher-end devices with GPS and additional sensors, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 still offers valuable insights into your fitness routine.
The latest model boasts an improved battery life, lasting up to three weeks with moderate use, and a brighter screen reaching 1,200 nits for visibility in direct sunlight. Without physical buttons, its touch-responsive AMOLED display allows for easy navigation of fitness data and limited smartwatch features such as call and message notifications and music playback control. However, some users might find the phone pairing process a bit challenging.
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% accurate
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro
Best Budget Fitness Tracker with GPS
### Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro
0For those seeking enhanced features, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro, at under $100, offers a built-in GPS for mapping workouts, along with 24/7 heart rate and SpO2 monitoring, sleep and stress tracking, and over 150 sports modes.
The Pro model features a larger, 1.74-inch rectangular AMOLED display, reminiscent of an Apple Watch, and includes an accurate GPS for tracking runs, bike rides, and hikes. While it retains the comprehensive health monitoring of its predecessor, some of the more unique sports modes might only measure basic metrics like heart rate and time.
Though not a full smartwatch, it provides some smartwatch features such as music playback and notification display when connected to your phone. However, it lacks NFC support and the ability to respond to notifications. Despite these limitations, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro stands out with its stylish design, responsive screen, user-friendly interface, and impressive battery life.
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 NFC
Amazfit Band 7
Best Budget Fitness Tracker With Health Monitoring
### Amazfit Band 7
0The Amazfit Band 7, priced at only $50, offers a comprehensive suite of features including long battery life, health monitoring, and sleep tracking. It features a large 1.47-inch always-on AMOLED display and a slim, comfortable design.
With battery life lasting up to 18 days under 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. Its water resistance up to 50m makes it suitable for swimming. Health features include heart rate, blood oxygen, and stress monitoring, while sleep tracking provides insights into your nightly sleep quality. Additionally, it offers smartwatch capabilities such as on-watch notifications and Amazon Alexa integration.
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 GPS
Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
Best Budget Apple Watch
### Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
0The 2nd-gen Apple Watch SE is a budget-friendly option that runs on the same S8 SiP chipset as the Apple Watch Series 8, offering fast processing at a lower cost. It features an optical heart rate sensor and built-in GPS, ensuring you stay on track during hikes and other activities.
This model is not just a fitness tracker; it's a full-featured smartwatch. You can answer calls, respond to messages, make contactless payments, and stream music directly from your wrist. It also includes crash detection, which can automatically call emergency services if you're in an accident. With its slim design and impressive battery life for an Apple Watch, it's an excellent choice for those seeking comprehensive functionality without a high price tag.
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 options
Garmin Venu 3
Best Budget Fitness Tracker for Workouts
### Garmin Venu 3
0The Garmin Venu 3 is ideal for those serious about their workouts, offering comprehensive exercise tracking, GPS, and heart rate monitoring. It also allows you to follow animated workouts, receive phone notifications, and make contactless payments.
Garmin's watches are renowned for their precise health and fitness tracking, and the Venu 3 is no exception. It supports over 30 preloaded sports apps and includes advanced sensors like ECG, blood oxygen, and temperature monitoring. The standout feature is the Body Battery, which provides insights into your energy levels based on activity, stress, and sleep.
With a bright AMOLED touchscreen and a battery life of up to 14 days, the Venu 3 is a robust smartwatch. However, its battery life may decrease with continuous use of the always-on display and automatic workout detection. While it offers standard smartwatch features like call and text responses, its app selection is more limited compared to Apple and Google smartwatches.
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 smartwatches
What to Look for in a Budget Fitness Tracker
When choosing a fitness tracker, consider more than just step and sleep tracking. The overall experience encompasses hardware quality, comfort, software capabilities, and the accuracy of the tracking features you need.
As prices increase, so do the features, including heart rate monitoring, GPS, and OLED displays. However, many basic trackers offer robust health data at a lower cost.
What kind of fitness tracker do I need?
Your choice depends on your intended use. For basic tracking like steps, heart rate, and time, an ultra-cheap band like the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 is sufficient. These affordable options often include color displays, long battery life, and additional features like sports modes, sleep tracking, and phone notifications.
For activities like running, biking, or hiking, consider investing in a tracker with GPS support. If you're looking for extensive functionality beyond fitness, a smartwatch offers a larger screen, storage, access to more apps, and the ability to handle calls, texts, and notifications.
If you're an avid runner or gym-goer, consider pairing your fitness tracker with a great pair of earbuds to enhance your exercise experience.
