Last month marked continued progress as digital health moves into its next phase — from AI expanding into drug discovery and core infrastructure to new federal pathways accelerating device access and home-based care. MyFitnessPal integrates with Apple Health to combine nutrition tracking with fitness activity data. Strava is widely used by runners and cyclists who want to track workouts using GPS and wearable data. Apple Fitness+ is Apple’s own subscription-based fitness service designed specifically for Apple Watch users.
Another common material for fitness watch screens is mineral glass, which is cheaper but scratches more easily. On average, smartwatches need to be recharged every 24 to 48 hours, whereas GPS watches can last 5 to 20 days between charges. Pulse oximeters measure blood oxygen content, which is most useful at high elevations to determine adjustment to altitude and performance ability. Fitness watches use red and infrared light to estimate the percentage of oxygen in your blood. While useful, especially for altitude training, watch pulse oximeters are not as reliable as fingertip pulse oximeters. There are three very distinct categories of watches, each with strengths and weaknesses.
Long-term trends are easy to see, letting you feel your recovery and readiness. Not only counts steps and calories burned, but also intelligently identifies five different exercise modes, offering comprehensive activity data analysis and improvement plans. Delivers one-tap, cuff-free blood pressure readings in seconds using an AI-powered 125 Hz PPG algorithm—measure systolic and diastolic pressure anytime, anywhere, without an arm cuff or bulky device. Many people aren’t taking their AI-generated medical records to their doctors.
The program enables earlier collaboration between regulators is centr app worth it and manufacturers so that clinical evidence generated for FDA review can also support Medicare coverage decisions. These integrations allow users to combine exercise tracking, health metrics, and structured training programs in one ecosystem. Powered by CIRCUL RING 2 MAX’s true continuous monitoring, it blends heart rate, HRV, temperature, and sleep for more accurate, more meaningful insights.
While most of these devices offer similar capabilities, the design you choose—watch or ring—will depend on your own personal aesthetic. 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). If you like the no frills appearance, the Whoop 5.0 can definitely accomplish most of your tracking needs. “Whoop’s activity sensing has improved over the years and continues to take steps,” says Samuel. It can track anything from running, cycling, and rowing to weightlifting, yoga, soccer, and even massage therapy.
A fitness tracker’s primary purpose is tracking health data such as heart rate, sleep, steps, and calories. Most fitness trackers need to be connected to your smartphone to access the data. AI-powered health insights are expected to play a pivotal role in the Series 12.
This means that the watch will toggle into Multiband mode when you’re in a city or tight canyons, which is a boon for battery life. The seven awarded watches above are highly capable fitness trackers, and we think they’re the best in class in their respective niches. However, we’ve tested the entire range of fitness watches today and identified some additional options to consider. If you’re looking to track every activity, stretch the limits of wrist-bound battery life, and integrate your fitness watch into your daily routine, the Garmin fenix 8 ($1,100-1,200) is the device to do it with.
Whether you’re aiming for better sleep, stress control, athletic performance, or chronic condition management, there’s a device tailored to your needs. KardiaMobile is a product made by AliveCor, a medical device and artificial intelligence company that is developing products for screening, diagnosis and treatment. KardiaMobile is an ECG that attaches to the back of mobile devices like iPhones and Androids. It tracks heart activity and transmits the activity to a mobile app through chest and finger sensors.
AI-powered analytics process this data to deliver personalized wellness scores, detect anomalies, and even generate predictive alerts. For example, some devices can flag irregular heart rhythms, prolonged stress, or dehydration risks. From elite performance tools to affordable fitness bands, this year’s lineup delivers smarter, more precise health monitoring for every lifestyle.
While it’s no death knell, connection quality is certainly something we look for, and with watches getting just so good these days, we’re eager to see some improvement from Amazfit in this space. Further, while the Zepp app — used to provide training insights and plans — is a detailed offering, the AI training provided is a bit lacking, and advanced functionality is limited to paid subscriptions. The watch also tracks 156 (!) different activities, and shuttles that info over to its app for post-workout breakdowns and training suggestions. Technically, the Vertical 2 introduces ZoneSense technology to coach your pacing via real-time HRV.
In 2025, the real value of health wearables lies in their ability to provide meaningful, contextual feedback — not just step counting. It offers body battery energy monitoring, sleep coaching, and heart rate variability (HRV) tracking. Its rugged design suits active lifestyles, making it one of the best wearable devices for health monitoring. Its sleep tracking and stress management tools are ideal for holistic wellness. People use wearable technology to track and receive notifications about their heart rate and blood pressure, watch their calorie intake or manage their training regimens.
These devices promise to reshape how people monitor their wellness daily, reflecting the latest smartwatch trends in design, functionality, and user experience. WHOOP makes wearable technology that offers data about sleep, fitness and recovery. Its screen-free design is made to not distract from daily life, but its data and insights can be accessed through the WHOOP app 24/7. The company provides its users with insights to improve their overall health and lifestyle.
