However, if you’re checking out what else is out there — either due to cost, style, specific features, or a preference for another tech ecosystem — take a look at these eight Fitbit alternatives that we’ve carefully selected. More information on our reasons for selecting these alternatives can be found at the end of this article. While I haven’t tried the Fitbit Air out yet, I’ve compared the specs of both devices and considered their product offerings to break down the pros and cons. As of early 2026, no published RCT has specifically compared AI-plus-biometric-integration coaching against AI-only or human coaching for fitness outcomes. The absence of this evidence does not mean the approach is ineffective — it reflects how quickly the technology has moved relative to research infrastructure.
Whoop Advanced Labs is an upcoming service that will let you send in a blood test to be reviewed by clinicians to give you even more health insights. If you like the distraction-free design of a smart ring, but want your wearable on your wrist instead of your finger, consider the Whoop MG. The Tracki Pro GPS Tracker for Vehicles stands out as an essential tool for anyone seeking peace of mind while on the road. I love its robust 10,000mAh battery that lasts 2 to 7 months, and it even offers a battery-saving mode that can stretch up to 200 days. With worldwide 4G LTE coverage and multiple satellite systems, I can track my vehicle in real-time and set customizable alerts for speed and geofencing.
This mark is as much about pure accuracy as it is about consistency of accuracy, which is key in helping you understand your own fitness trends. While some trackers tend to be more accurate than others, all of the trackers we included here were consistently accurate. While Oura has always offered heart rate monitoring, the new software now features automatic heart rate monitoring, allowing you to detect and track your workout stats without hitting the “Record HR workout” button. This automatic detection feature also lends to workout monitoring for over 40 activities (a new capability compared to the past, solely cardio-focused tracking that Oura offered). When the Inspire 3 is synced through the Fitbit app, the home screen can be changed to a variety of backgrounds that show time, heart rate, step count, and other information. A swipe up on the home screen will give you other metrics like distance traveled that day and SpO2 (blood oxygen), while a right swipe on the home screen brings you to timers, exercise programs, and other features.
An investment in one of these wrist-worn devices could make the difference between making the commitment to improving your health and actually doing it. There’s no built-in GPS or advanced coaching features, but at this price, that’s hardly a deal-breaker. If you want a simple, reliable, and long-lasting fitness tracker to get moving, the Mi Band 9 offers unbeatable value. If you want an easy way to stay on top of your daily activity without spending a fortune, this is one of the best options out there. We were particularly impressed with the accuracy of the sleep tracking, with asleep and wake times being bang on.
There’s still a solar-charging MIP version ($400) of the Instinct 3 for loyalists, but we’ve been enjoying the deeper colors and better contrast. While the 65-hour multi-band GPS claim is impressive, our field tests showed a roughly 45-hour runtime in full-sun, out-of-the-box settings. For most weekend warriors and mountain athletes, this remains ample longevity. Despite minor software quirks like the lack of heart rate broadcasting, the Vertical 2 stands out as a refined, professional-grade tool for those who want world-class mapping.
I did find mad muscles app review the Running Coach feature, which creates a training regimen based on your performance after a 12-minute run, to be helpful. Its assessment of my current fitness level was fair, and the workouts it suggested were well-structured. The Apple Watch SE 3 being Apple’s most exciting smartwatch of 2025 was unexpected, but it’s true. Apple’s latest entry-level smartwatch has an always-on display that the company claims to be more scratch-resistant than its predecessor.
The sleep tracking of the Oura Ring 4 is just as impressive (if not more so) as the previous version. NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio coincidentally bought the Oura Ring 4 for herself, and has also been wearing hers on-and-off for over a year. I spoke with her to get her perspective on the ring and her experience with features I could not test like cycle tracking. Improvements over the Oura Ring Gen 3 include a longer eight-day battery life (up from seven), a wider range of sizes and a fully titanium build (the Oura Ring Gen 3 was partially made of plastic). From a comfort perspective, smaller devices like the Fitbit Charge 6 and Inspire 3, the Amazfit Band 7 and the Oura Ring 4 may be easier for folks to sleep with than bulkier options, like Garmin Venu 3. Both the Apple Watch 10 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 also monitor for sleep apnea, a potentially serious condition that often goes undiagnosed in users.
The Whoop MG is a fabulous one-of-a-kind wearable and we can thoroughly recommend it if you are tired of classic fitness watches. This GPS sports watch offers reliable navigation tools, comprehensive fitness tracking features and impressive battery life, easily making it one of the best Garmin Forerunner alternatives on the market. One of the handful of trackers to score a full five stars in our tests, the Garmin Forerunner 165 has everything you may need from a beginner-friendly running watch. It is comfortable to wear, jam-packed with tracking features and accurate at measuring your vitals — and it costs less than $200.
The Fit3 has an interesting design — it’s not round like the S25 and instead looks closer to an Apple Watch. However, it’s not a full-sized smartwatch, nor does it sport the minimalist “band” design that many fitness trackers go with. It’s somewhere in between — a compromise that many people who prefer either large-display smartwatches or narrow, lightweight fitness bands may dislike. We put the fitness tracker through a range of activities to test its battery life, general tracking accuracy and app connectivity. Most importantly, we assess the validity of its heart rate tracking features using a chest-strap heart rate monitor (such as the Polar H9), and (if applicable) compare its GPS readings to a more high-end navigation system.
The downside to both is that charging will take some time, and we typically found ourselves needing to sacrifice tracking a night’s worth of data to charge while we slept. The Galaxy Fit3 is another easy-to-wear watch, and from a size perspective is between the slim fitness bands and regular watch sizes. We found this to be a happy medium, offering enough screen space for data display and touch screen navigation, while fitting nicely on even small wrists. Considering how a fitness tracker is meant to be worn all day and every day, we analyzed how easy each tracker is to use and the features each offers. The Apple Watch 10 and Apple Watch SE Gen 2 are close behind with the intuitive ring system and clear visualization of health metrics.
However, there’s still a significant gap between the Galaxy Watch 8 and the Ultra in my testing as far as accuracy, especially when it comes to GPS tracking. And what really sealed the deal for me was the difference in battery life. (The gaps are much less egregious between the base Apple Watch and Ultra 2.) The caveat is that if all you want is casual fitness tracking, the Galaxy Watch 8 is the better choice for wearability. Just keep in mind it lacks the Ultra’s emergency siren and shortcut button. They give me real-time feedback on my performance, which helps me set and achieve specific goals.
