13 best fitness watches for 2026, tried and tested

What is the difference between a fitness watch and a smartwatch?

Fitness watches are designed primarily for tracking health and activity, with features like workout modes, heart rate monitoring, GPS and sleep insights, often paired with longer battery life. They’re a good choice if you train regularly or are looking to build healthier habits.

Smartwatches, on the other hand, focus more on lifestyle features like notifications, calls, apps and contactless payments, with fitness tracking as an extra. If you want something that fits seamlessly into everyday life as well as workouts, a smartwatch may be the better option. Some devices sit in the middle, offering a balance of both.

Our round-up includes a mix of dedicated fitness trackers and lifestyle watches, so you’re bound to find one that suits your needs.

What is the best fitness tracker for sleep?

Sleep tracking capabilities vary between devices. Some just total up the number of hours you’re getting, while others break this down into heavy, light and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Some also provide a score for the quality of your sleep and offer tips on how to improve it.

All of the watches featured in this round-up offer a solid level of sleep tracking, but if sleep is your main focus, it’s worth considering a dedicated device such as the Oura Ring 4 smart ring or the Garmin Index Sleep Monitor, a lightweight armband designed to be worn overnight – both of which we’ve tested and rated by the Good Housekeeping Institute.

Are fitness trackers waterproof?

All fitness trackers are sweat-proof and many are also waterproof, meaning they can be worn when you’re in the shower or when swimming. If you swim several regularly, look out for a fitness tracker that will monitor your pool sessions, including the number of lengths you swim, as well as the time you’re active and the calories you burn.

Can fitness trackers measure blood pressure?

No, most fitness trackers can’t measure blood pressure directly. However, the Huawei Watch D2, which we’ve tested, does offer on-wrist blood pressure monitoring using an inflatable cuff built into the strap.

If monitoring your blood pressure is a priority, it’s worth investing in a dedicated, clinically validated blood pressure monitor. See our best blood pressure monitors round-up for more information.