The Best Budget Fitness Trackers for Staying Active in 2025

Whether you're just starting your health journey or seeking more detailed insights into your workouts, a fitness tracker can gamify exercise and provide valuable data to help you stay motivated and informed. Fortunately, many of these devices, which often come in the form of smartwatches, are available at budget-friendly prices. From feature-packed models that can compete with the best smartwatches to simple devices focused on basic metrics like step counting and heart rate monitoring, there's a budget fitness tracker suitable for every wrist size and need.

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 need to break the bank, and the Fitbit Inspire 3 is a prime example of that. Priced under $100, this device boasts a vibrant AMOLED display and a sleek, durable band that's comfortable enough to wear while you sleep. With an impressive 10-day battery life (though it decreases with the always-on display feature), the Fitbit Inspire 3 is perfect for those who don't want to charge their device frequently. Navigation is straightforward, thanks to touch technology and two haptic buttons.

Designed for fitness enthusiasts, the Fitbit Inspire 3 offers a range of features including 24/7 heart-rate monitoring, step counting, blood oxygen level measurement, and movement reminders. It also supports automatic exercise tracking, ideal for those who often forget to start a workout manually, and provides detailed sleep analysis. While it includes basic smartwatch functionalities like phone notifications and a find my phone feature, it does not support music storage or contactless payments.

Product Specifications:

• Size: 39.3mm x 18.6mm
• Thickness: 11.75mm
• Battery life: 10 days
• Connectivity: Bluetooth
• Sensors: Heart rate monitor, SpO2
• Tracking: Swim, sleep, steps
• Water resistance: Up to 50m

Pros:

• Bright AMOLED touchscreen
• Long battery life

Cons:

• Some advanced features require a subscription

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2. Xiaomi Smart Band 9

Best Ultra Cheap Fitness Tracker

### Xiaomi Smart Band 9

0For those seeking an affordable yet feature-rich fitness tracker, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 is a fantastic choice. Priced under $50, it includes a 1.62-inch AMOLED display and an impressive 21-day battery life. Despite its low cost, it offers a comprehensive suite of features, from basic tracking to over 150 sports modes.

The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 comes equipped with essential health metrics like step counting, heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen saturation, and sleep tracking. It also provides detailed data for various activities, including running, HIIT, kickboxing, and swimming. While the accuracy may not match that of higher-end devices like the Apple Watch, it still offers valuable insights into your workouts.

The latest model boasts improved battery life and a brighter screen, reaching up to 1,200 nits for clear visibility in sunlight. The band's touch-responsive display simplifies navigation and supports a few smartwatch features, such as call and message notifications and music playback control. However, users may experience occasional issues with phone pairing.

Product Specifications:

• Size: 46.53mm x 21.63mm
• Thickness: 10.95mm
• Battery life: 21 days
• Connectivity: Bluetooth
• Sensors: Heart rate monitor, SpO2
• Tracking: Swim, sleep, steps
• Water resistance: Up to 50m

Pros:

• Over 150 sports modes
• Impressive 21-day battery life

Cons:

• Tracking isn't always 100% accurate

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3. Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro

Best Budget Fitness Tracker with GPS

### Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro

0If you're looking for a budget fitness tracker with GPS, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro is an excellent option. With a larger 1.74-inch AMOLED display and built-in GPS, this device offers enhanced features at a price point under $100.

In addition to GPS, the Smart Band 9 Pro includes 24/7 heart rate and SPO₂ monitoring, sleep tracking, and stress monitoring. It supports over 150 sports modes, ensuring comprehensive tracking for various activities. While some modes provide basic metrics like heart rate and duration, the device still delivers valuable data.

Although it lacks NFC support, the Smart Band 9 Pro offers limited smartwatch features such as music playback and notification display. Its user-friendly interface, bright screen, and long battery life make it a compelling choice for those seeking a stylish and functional fitness tracker.

Product Specifications:

• Size: 43.27mm x 32.49mm
• Thickness: 10.8mm
• Battery life: 21 days
• Connectivity: Bluetooth
• Sensors: Heart rate monitor, GPS, SPO2
• Tracking: Swim, sleep, stress
• Water resistance: Up to 50m

Pros:

• Accurate built-in GPS
• Large, full-color AMOLED display

Cons:

• No NFC

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4. Amazfit Band 7

Best Budget Fitness Tracker With Health Monitoring

### Amazfit Band 7

0The Amazfit Band 7 offers impressive health monitoring features at an affordable price of $50. With a large 1.47-inch always-on AMOLED display and a slim, comfortable band, this device provides a wealth of health and workout data. Its battery life lasts up to 18 days with typical use, extending to 28 days in battery-saver mode.

The Amazfit Band 7 supports over 120 sports modes with automatic recognition for four of them, and its water resistance up to 50m makes it suitable for swimming. Health monitoring includes heart rate, blood-oxygen levels, and stress tracking, along with detailed sleep analysis. The device also integrates with Amazon Alexa and offers basic smartwatch functionalities like on-watch notifications.

Product Specifications:

• Size: 37.3mm
• Thickness: 12.2mm
• Battery life: 18 days
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2
• Sensors: Heart rate monitor, SpO2
• Tracking: Swim, period, sleep
• Water resistance: Up to 50m

Pros:

• Tons of tracking including stress and sleep
• Amazon Alexa and other smartwatch features built-in

Cons:

• No built-in GPS

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5. Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)

Best Budget Apple Watch

### Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)

0For those seeking an affordable Apple Watch, the 2nd-gen Apple Watch SE is an excellent choice. Powered by the same S8 SiP chipset as the Apple Watch Series 8, it offers speedy performance at a fraction of the cost. With an optical heart rate sensor and built-in GPS, it's perfect for tracking hikes and various workouts, including swimming.

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 in the event of an accident. The device's slim design and impressive battery life (by Apple Watch standards) make it a versatile and convenient option.

Product Specifications:

• Size: 40mm x 34mm
• Thickness: 10.7mm
• Battery life: 18 hours
• Connectivity: Cellular (optional), 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3
• Sensors: Heart rate monitor, GPS, accelerometer
• Tracking: Swim, sleep, period
• Water resistance: Up to 50m

Pros:

• Huge selection of apps
• Special safety features, like crash detection and built-in GPS

Cons:

• Fewer sensors than other Apple Watch options

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6. Garmin Venu 3

Best Budget Fitness Tracker for Workouts

### Garmin Venu 3

0The Garmin Venu 3 is ideal for those serious about their workouts. While it's the priciest option among our budget picks, it offers a range of advanced features, including a highly accurate GPS and heart rate monitor. The device supports over 30 preloaded sports apps and includes animated workouts for activities like pilates, HIIT, and cardio.

A standout feature of the Garmin Venu 3 is its Body Battery function, which provides insights into your body's energy levels based on activity, stress, and sleep. With a bright AMOLED touchscreen display and up to 14 days of battery life (which may decrease with the always-on display and automatic workout detection), the Venu 3 is a comprehensive fitness and health tracking solution. It also offers typical smartwatch features like call and text notifications when paired with the best Android phones, though its app selection is more limited compared to Apple and Google smartwatches.

Product Specifications:

• Size: 45mm
• Thickness: 12mm
• Battery life: 14 days
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, 802.11n
• Sensors: Heart rate monitor, GPS, temperature
• Tracking: Swim, sleep, stress, energy
• Water resistance: Up to 50m

Pros:

• Highly accurate GPS and heart rate monitor
• Helpful Body Battery feature

Cons:

• Limited app selection compared to other smartwatches

See it at Amazon

What to Look for in a Budget Fitness Tracker

When choosing a budget fitness tracker, consider not only its ability to count steps and monitor sleep but also the overall quality of the hardware, comfort, software package, and accuracy of the tracking features. As prices increase, so do the available features, such as heart rate monitoring, GPS, and OLED displays. However, many basic trackers offer a wealth of health data at affordable prices.

What kind of fitness tracker do I need?

The type of fitness tracker you need depends on your intended use. If you're looking for basic features like step counting, heart rate monitoring, and timekeeping, an ultra-cheap, compact band like the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 may suffice. These devices often include color displays, long battery life, and additional features such as various sports modes, sleep tracking, blood oxygen sensors, and phone notifications.

For activities like running, biking, and hiking, consider spending a bit more for a device with GPS support. If you need advanced functionalities beyond fitness and health tracking, a smartwatch might be the best choice, offering a larger screen, built-in storage, access to more apps, and the ability to answer calls, texts, and other notifications.

For avid runners or gym-goers, pairing your fitness tracker with a great pair of earbuds can enhance your workout experience, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your lifestyle.