<h2 class=”body-h2″>Should I Buy a Fitness Tracker?</h2><p>An easy way to decide if you should get a fitness tracker is by identifying a few key metrics you’d like to measure. In a <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/health/a41193182/heres-which-fitness-tracker-data-is-actually-useful/” target=”_blank” data-vars-ga-outbound-link=”https://www.menshealth.com/health/a41193182/heres-which-fitness-tracker-data-is-actually-useful/” data-vars-ga-ux-element=”Hyperlink” data-vars-ga-call-to-action=”recent article”>recent article</a>, we spoke with Michael J. Joyner, M.D., a human-physiology researcher at the Mayo Clinic, to get his opinion on fitness trackers. “If your goal is to finish a 10K, then the distance you can run without stopping is more relevant than something like your respiration rate,” Dr. Joyner told MH. “You have to ask yourself how collecting more-granular data is going to help you achieve your goals.”</p><p>Before purchasing, take a second to write down your specific needs for a fitness tracker and then list some metrics you’d like to measure. Having an idea of what exactly you will be using your fitness tracker for could save you money and help you <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/health/a41193182/heres-which-fitness-tracker-data-is-actually-useful/” target=”_blank”>get the most out of your fitness tracker</a>. </p><h2 class=”body-h2″>What Is the Best Fitness Tracker Right Now? </h2><p><em></em>Over the past eight years, <em>Men’s Health </em>has tested well over 50 of the latest and greatest fitness tracker releases, spanning from brands like <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/technology-gear/a34317600/garmin-forerunner-745-review/” target=”_blank” data-vars-ga-outbound-link=”https://www.menshealth.com/technology-gear/a34317600/garmin-forerunner-745-review/” data-vars-ga-ux-element=”Hyperlink” data-vars-ga-call-to-action=”Garmin”>Garmin</a>, <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/technology-gear/a22746560/suunto-9-gps-watch-review/” target=”_blank” data-vars-ga-outbound-link=”https://www.menshealth.com/technology-gear/a22746560/suunto-9-gps-watch-review/” data-vars-ga-ux-element=”Hyperlink” data-vars-ga-call-to-action=”Suunto”>Suunto</a>, <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a41286799/apple-watch-ultra-review/” target=”_blank” data-vars-ga-outbound-link=”https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a41286799/apple-watch-ultra-review/” data-vars-ga-ux-element=”Hyperlink” data-vars-ga-call-to-action=”Apple”>Apple</a>, and more. We’ve seen fitness trackers grow through each generation, which gives us an encyclopedia of knowledge in being able to cross-compare older watch models to their new versions to see if an upgrade is actually worth the price. </p><p><strong></strong><strong>Right now in 2024</strong>, we currently list six fitness trackers that are worth your hard-earned cash, but if you want to know our number one pick before we start that would be the <strong><a href=”https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Forerunner-Smartwatch-Colorful-Training/dp/B0BS1T9J4Y/ref=sr_1_1″ target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow” data-vars-ga-ux-element=”Hyperlink” data-vars-ga-product-id=”9926b20c-05ce-4e82-82c7-8ae55dac3c74″ data-vars-ga-link-treatment=”sale | (not set)” data-href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WTV6MMY” data-product-url=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WTV6MMY” data-affiliate=”true” data-affiliate-url=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WTV6MMY” data-affiliate-network=”{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;29242643-49d1-404a-983c-85b499f0f894&quot;,&quot;site_id&quot;:&quot;c7b9f75a-2f85-4251-a92e-dbc6c7213473&quot;,&quot;metadata&quot;:{},&quot;network&quot;:{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;469ce69f-4798-416d-9432-eaa9954b4053&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;Amazon&quot;,&quot;metadata&quot;:{}}}” data-vars-ga-product-brand=”Garmin” data-vars-ga-product-price=”$299.99″ data-vars-ga-product-retailer-id=”5ae2e533-dc2a-45cb-a03f-f1d3fec960a1″ data-vars-ga-product-sem3-brand=”Garmin” data-vars-ga-product-sem3-category=”Smartwatches” data-vars-ga-axid=”78e1ed90-4586-4317-ae2e-22b866fb39d5″ data-amazon-ascsubtag=”[artid|2139.a.19543741[src|[ch|[lt|sale[pid|9926b20c-05ce-4e82-82c7-8ae55dac3c74[axid|78e1ed90-4586-4317-ae2e-22b866fb39d5[ofsxid|subx_vs_jam[ofsvid|subx”>Garmin Forerunner 265</a></strong>. The tracker is versatile and lightweight, has an easy-to-use interface, and packs a ton of fun extra features—all for a respectable mid-tier price.</p><h2 class=”body-h2″>What to Look for When Buying a Fitness Tracker</h2><p>Fitness trackers can get expensive real fast. To help find the right fitness tracker for you, consider these three key factors first and foremost before looking at shiny features.</p><h3 class=”body-h3″>Accuracy<br></h3><p>The accuracy of a fitness tracker begins and ends with how precisely it tracks your heart rate (most other stats, with the exception of new hydration tracking features, are derived from this baseline data). 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. We rated Wasimo W1 as the most accurate fitness tracker due to our Fitness Director’s findings on the device.</p><h3 class=”body-h3″>Battery Life</h3><p>With the exception of the Apple Watch Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (two fitness trackers that are equal parts <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/style/g33482000/best-smart-watches-for-men/” target=”_blank”>smart watch</a>), the fitness trackers we tested are all designed to run for days (even weeks) on a single charge. We love a fitness tracker that needs minimal charge, and we also love a fitness tracker that can run for a long time when running its GPS mode. Two fitness trackers that surprised us when testing battery life include the Suunto Race with GPS turned on (up to 40 hours on a single charge) and the Coros Pace 3 (over two weeks on a single charge when set to its most basic mode). </p><h3 class=”body-h3″>Durability</h3><p>All fitness trackers are made to take a beating, but some are better designed than others. Look at case construction and screen construction. The most advanced fitness trackers are typically made with stainless steel, titanium, or another type of quality metal. For screens, sapphire glass is a premium spec to look for thanks to its high scratch resistance and strength. Sometimes the most durable fitness tracker is unnecessary, though, especially if you are using it for pavement running. In fact, a plastic construction fitness tracker can be a much better choice for cardio-intensive activities like running and biking, since the material is going to be much lighter than stainless steel or titanium. On the flip side, if you are using your fitness tracker for strength training (or hiking or <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/trail-running/” target=”_blank”>trail running</a>) it would make sense to look for stronger materials. </p><h2 class=”body-h2″>How We Selected</h2><p>For the past eight years, we consulted with <em>Men’s Health</em>’s fitness and gear editors on the top fitness trackers. Experts, including our Fitness Director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S., our Senior Editor Brett Williams, NASM, and our Senior Gear and Commerce Editor John Thompson, put countless fitness trackers through the gauntlet and evaluated models on accuracy, design, durability, and price. We update our lineup of fitness trackers seasonally, so you can expect up-to-date information that takes into account the latest fitness tracker releases. </p>”/>