Top Budget Fitness Trackers for 2025: Stay Active Affordably

Whether you're embarking on a new health journey or seeking deeper insights into your fitness routines, a fitness tracker can gamify your exercise and provide valuable data to help you achieve your goals. Fortunately, many of these devices, which often resemble smartwatches, are available at budget-friendly prices. From feature-packed models that rival the best smartwatches to simpler options that focus on essentials like step counting and heart rate monitoring, there's a wide range of affordable fitness trackers suitable for all wrist sizes.

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 prime example of that. Priced under $100, it boasts a vibrant AMOLED display and a durable, sleek band that's comfortable enough for sleep. With a 10-day battery life, you won't need to charge it frequently, though using the always-on display mode will reduce this. Navigation is intuitive with touch technology and two haptic buttons.

Designed for fitness enthusiasts, the Fitbit Inspire 3 offers comprehensive tracking features including 24/7 heart rate monitoring, step counting, blood oxygen measurement, and movement reminders. It automatically tracks your exercises and monitors your sleep, providing insights into your sleep quality. Additionally, it includes basic smartwatch functionalities like phone notifications and a find my phone feature via Bluetooth, though it doesn't support music storage or contactless payments.

2. Xiaomi Smart Band 9

Best Ultra Cheap Fitness Tracker

### Xiaomi Smart Band 9

0Priced under $50, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 offers an affordable yet feature-rich experience with a 1.62-inch AMOLED display and an impressive 21-day battery life. It covers the basics like step counting, heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen saturation, and sleep tracking, and goes beyond with over 150 sports modes for activities like running, HIIT, kickboxing, and swimming.

While the tracking may not be as precise as higher-end devices like the Apple Watch, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 provides valuable workout insights. The latest model boasts enhanced battery life and a brighter screen reaching 1,200 nits, making it easy to read in sunlight. The touch-responsive display offers quick access to fitness metrics and limited smartwatch features such as call and message notifications and music control, though phone pairing can be finicky.

3. Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro

Best Budget Fitness Tracker with GPS

### Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro

0The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro is an upgraded version that adds a built-in GPS for accurate workout mapping, along with 24/7 heart rate and SPO2 monitoring, sleep and stress tracking, and over 150 sports modes. Featuring a larger, 1.74-inch rectangular AMOLED display, it resembles an Apple Watch and offers a stylish, responsive interface.

Despite its budget-friendly price under $100, the Smart Band 9 Pro provides comprehensive health metrics, though some sports modes only track heart rate and time. It includes limited smartwatch features like music playback and notification display, but lacks NFC support and the ability to respond to notifications. With an impressive battery life and user-friendly design, it's a solid choice for those seeking a feature-rich fitness tracker without breaking the bank.

4. Amazfit Band 7

Best Budget Fitness Tracker With Health Monitoring

### Amazfit Band 7

0The Amazfit Band 7 is an ultra-affordable option at just $50, yet it's packed with features such as a long battery life, comprehensive health monitoring, and sleep tracking. It features a large 1.47-inch always-on AMOLED display that's easy to read, while the slim band ensures comfort. Battery life lasts up to 18 days with typical use, extending to 28 days in battery-saver mode.

With support for over 120 sports modes and automatic smart recognition of four, the Band 7 is versatile enough for various activities, including swimming, thanks to its 50m water resistance. It monitors heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and stress, while providing detailed sleep analysis. The Band 7 also integrates Amazon Alexa and offers on-watch notifications, making it a versatile choice for health-conscious users.

5. Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)

Best Budget Apple Watch

### Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)

0The 2nd generation Apple Watch SE offers a budget-friendly option with the same S8 SiP chipset as the Apple Watch Series 8, ensuring speedy performance at a lower cost. It features an optical heart rate sensor and built-in GPS, ideal for tracking hikes and various workouts, including swimming. With 32GB of storage, you can download additional fitness apps from the App Store.

Beyond fitness tracking, the Apple Watch SE functions as a full-fledged smartwatch, allowing you to answer calls, respond to messages, make contactless payments, and stream music. It also includes safety features like crash detection, which can automatically call emergency services if needed. With a slim design and decent battery life, it's a versatile choice for those looking for Apple's ecosystem without the high price tag.

6. Garmin Venu 3

Best Budget Fitness Tracker for Workouts

### Garmin Venu 3

0The Garmin Venu 3 is ideal for dedicated fitness enthusiasts, offering advanced features like GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and animated workout guides. It supports over 30 preloaded sports apps for activities such as swimming, cycling, and golf, complemented by accurate sensors including ECG, blood oxygen, and temperature monitoring. The Body Battery feature provides insights into your energy levels based on activity, stress, and sleep.

As a smartwatch, the Venu 3 features a bright AMOLED touchscreen and can last up to 14 days on a single charge, though this decreases with features like the always-on display. It offers standard smartwatch functionalities like call handling and text responses when paired with Android phones, though it has a more limited app selection compared to Apple or Google smartwatches.

What to Look for in a Budget Fitness Tracker

When choosing a fitness tracker, consider not just step counting and sleep tracking but also the quality of hardware, comfort, software, and accuracy of the tracking features. As prices increase, so do features like heart rate monitoring, GPS, and OLED displays. However, there are many affordable options that still deliver a wealth of health data.

What kind of fitness tracker do I need?

Your choice depends on your usage. For basic tracking like steps, heart rate, and time, an ultra-cheap, compact band like the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 will suffice. These devices often come with color displays, long battery life, and additional features like sports modes, sleep tracking, and phone notifications.

For activities like running, biking, and hiking, consider spending a bit more for GPS support. If you need more than fitness tracking, a smartwatch offers a larger screen, more apps, and the ability to handle calls and texts. Active runners and gym-goers might also want to invest in a good pair of earbuds to enhance their fitness experience.