Whether you're embarking on a new health journey or seeking deeper insights into your workouts, a fitness tracker is an excellent tool to gamify your exercise routine and provide valuable data. Fortunately, many of these wearables, often resembling smartwatches, are affordable. From feature-packed models that rival the best smartwatches to simpler versions focused on essentials like step counting and heart rate monitoring, there's a wide range of budget-friendly fitness trackers available for every wrist size.

TL;DR – The Best Budget Fitness Trackers:

Our Top Pick### Fitbit Inspire 3

0See it at Amazon### Xiaomi Smart Band 9

0See it at Amazon### Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro

0See it at Amazon### Amazfit Band 7

0See it at Amazon### Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)

0See it at Amazon### Garmin Venu 3

0See it at AmazonContributions by Kevin Lee

1. Fitbit Inspire 3

Best Budget Fitness Tracker

Our Top Pick### Fitbit Inspire 3

0Smartwatches and fitness trackers don't have to break the bank, and the Fitbit Inspire 3 is a perfect example of this. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsSize39.3mm x 18.6mmThickness11.75mmBattery life10 daysConnectivityBluetoothSensorsHeart rate monitor, SpO2TrackingSwim, sleep, stepsWater resistanceUp to 50mPROSBright AMOLED touchscreenLong battery lifeCONSSome advanced features require a subscriptionFitbit continues to lead in the budget fitness tracker market with the Fitbit Inspire 3. Priced under $100, it boasts a vibrant AMOLED display and a durable, sleek band that's comfortable enough to wear while sleeping. With a 10-day battery life, you won't need to charge it often, though this duration decreases when using the always-on display. Navigation is straightforward with touch technology and two haptic buttons.

The Fitbit Inspire 3 excels in fitness tracking with features like 24/7 heart rate monitoring, step counting, blood oxygen level measurement, and movement reminders. It also offers automatic exercise tracking and sleep monitoring, which help you understand your sleep quality better. Additionally, it includes basic smartwatch functionalities such as phone notifications and a find my phone feature via Bluetooth, though it lacks music storage and contactless payment options.

2. Xiaomi Smart Band 9

Best Ultra Cheap Fitness Tracker

### Xiaomi Smart Band 9

0An affordable fitness tracker with a 1.62-inch AMOLED display and impressive battery life, offering basic tracking and 150 sports modes. 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% accurateThe Xiaomi Smart Band 9, priced under $50, doesn't skimp on features. It provides essential health monitoring in a sleek, slim design, challenging even Fitbit's offerings.

It includes basic functions like step counting, heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen saturation, and sleep tracking. Beyond these, it supports over 150 fitness modes, from running to swimming, offering insights into calories burned, average heart rate, and workout duration. While not as precise as high-end smartwatches with GPS, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 offers valuable workout data.

With the latest model, battery life extends to three weeks with moderate use, and the screen brightness reaches 1,200 nits for clear visibility in sunlight. The colorful 1.62-inch AMOLED display is touch-responsive, allowing quick access to fitness metrics and limited smartwatch features like call and message notifications and music control. However, pairing with a phone can be tricky at times.

3. Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro

Best Budget Fitness Tracker with GPS

### Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro

0Get built-in GPS to map your workouts along with 24/7 heart rate and SpO2 monitoring, sleep and stress tracking, and various sports modes with this tracker. 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 NFCIf you appreciate the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 but crave more features, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro is the answer. This upgraded model features a larger, rectangular 1.74-inch AMOLED display that echoes the Apple Watch's design and includes a surprisingly accurate GPS for tracking runs, bike rides, and hikes.

It maintains 24/7 heart rate and SpO2 monitoring, sleep tracking, and stress monitoring, with over 150 sports modes for comprehensive activity tracking. However, some of these modes offer only basic metrics like heart rate and time.

Though not a full smartwatch, it includes limited smartwatch features such as music playback and notification display when connected to your phone. Unfortunately, responding to notifications and NFC support are absent. Yet, at under $100, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro offers a stylish, feature-rich fitness tracker with a bright, responsive screen and impressive battery life.

4. Amazfit Band 7

Best Budget Fitness Tracker With Health Monitoring

### Amazfit Band 7

0The Amazfit Band 7 is ultra-affordable while still packing features like long battery life, health monitoring, and sleep tracking. 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 GPSAmazfit's Band 7 offers remarkable capabilities for just $50. It features a large 1.47-inch always-on AMOLED display for easy viewing of health and workout data, while remaining slim and comfortable. The battery life lasts up to eight days with regular use and extends to 28 days in battery-saver mode.

With over 120 sports modes and automatic recognition of four, the Amazfit Band 7 is versatile. It's water-resistant up to 50m, suitable for swimming. Health monitoring includes heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and stress, with detailed sleep tracking. Additionally, it offers smartwatch functionalities like on-watch notifications and Amazon Alexa integration.

5. Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)

Best Budget Apple Watch

### Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)

0A budget option that runs on the same S8 SiP chipset as the Apple Watch Series 8 for speedy processing at a fraction of the cost. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsSize40mm x 34mmThickness10.7mmBattery life18 hoursConnectivityCellular (optional), 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3SensorsHeart rate monitor, GPS, accelerometerTrackingSwim, sleep, periodWater resistanceUp to 50mPROSHuge selection of appsSpecial safety features like crash detection and built-in GPSCONSFewer sensors than other Apple Watch optionsNot all fitness trackers need to focus solely on fitness, and not all Apple Watches need to be expensive. The 2nd-gen Apple Watch SE offers an optical heart rate sensor and built-in GPS, ensuring you never lose your way on hikes. It automatically detects various workouts, including swimming, and with 32GB of storage, you can download additional fitness apps from the App Store.

As a full-fledged smartwatch, the Apple Watch SE allows you to answer calls, respond to messages, make contactless payments, and stream music directly from your wrist. It also features crash detection, which can automatically call emergency services if needed. All of this is packed into a slim, comfortable design with impressive battery life by Apple Watch standards.

6. Garmin Venu 3

Best Budget Fitness Tracker for Workouts

### Garmin Venu 3

0Beyond exercise tracking, a GPS, and a heart rate monitor, the Venu 3 lets you follow animated workouts, receive phone notifications, and make contactless payments. 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 smartwatchesFor serious health and fitness tracking, Garmin is a top choice, packing its watches with insightful features. While Garmin's budget-friendly Venu 3 is pricier than other options here, it's a worthwhile investment for dedicated fitness enthusiasts.

The Venu 3 tracks various exercises, including swimming, cycling, and golf, with over 30 preloaded sports apps. Its highly accurate GPS, heart rate monitor, ECG, blood oxygen, and temperature sensors provide detailed data. It also features animated workouts for pilates, HIIT, and cardio, and its standout Body Battery feature helps you understand your body's rest level based on activity, stress, and sleep.

As a smartwatch, the Garmin Venu 3 features a bright AMOLED touchscreen and can last up to 14 days on a single charge, though this decreases with always-on display and automatic workout detection. It supports standard smartwatch features like receiving calls, using smart assistants, and responding to texts when paired with Android phones, though its app selection is limited compared to Apple and Google smartwatches.

What to Look for in a Budget Fitness Tracker

When choosing a fitness tracker, consider not just the basic features like step and sleep tracking, but also the overall hardware quality, comfort, and software capabilities. As prices increase, so do features such as heart rate monitoring, GPS, and OLED displays. However, even basic, affordable trackers can provide a wealth of health data.

What kind of fitness tracker do I need?

Your choice of fitness tracker depends on your intended use. For simple tracking like steps, heart rate, and time, an ultra-cheap, compact band like the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 is ideal. These often come with color displays, long battery life, and additional features like various sports modes, sleep tracking, and phone notifications.

If you plan to run, bike, or hike, consider spending a bit more for GPS support. For those needing extensive functionality beyond fitness, a smartwatch offers a larger screen, more storage, access to apps, and the ability to handle calls, texts, and notifications directly from your wrist.

For active runners or gym-goers, pairing your fitness tracker with a great pair of earbuds can enhance your workout experience.