The best activity trackers and fitness watches for 2024, tried and tested (original) (raw)

How we test

The Good Housekeeping Institute has tested over 60 leading fitness watches to bring you the best for all needs and budgets. The wearables were judged on ease of use, design and overall performance. We wore each model for a range of activities, from running to gym sessions, and checked out key functions such as sleep tracking and heart rate monitoring.

We tested how accurate they were when counting the steps and logging distance travelled, and we also noted how long the battery lasted. Further points were awarded for comfort, practicality and aesthetics.

1

Best activity tracker

Whoop 4.0

Pros

• Accurate sleep and activity tracking
• Unobtrusive, comfortable design
• Lengthy battery life
• Charges while wearing
• Extensive health data available via the Whoop app

Cons

• No step tracking
• Lacks GPS

Score: 87/100

Seen on the wrists of top athletes and celebrities including Michael Phelps, Vogue Williams and even Prince William, Whoop is one of the hottest wearables on the market. And after testing it, we understand the hype.

It has an unobtrusive, screen-free design, making it a good choice if you don’t want endless notifications flashing up while you’re trying to get on with your day. According to our expert, the fabric band is supremely comfy – you'll barely notice you have it on.

It tracks a range of metrics – including heart rate, heart rate variability (the fluctuation in time between heart beats), skin temperature and blood oxygen levels – and provides personalised insights to help improve your overall health and wellbeing.

In the user-friendly Whoop app, you’re presented with daily scores based on the three key areas: sleep, strain (how much physical and mental stress you’re putting your body under) and recovery (how prepared your body is to perform). Our expert found the data easy to interpret and appreciated the holistic recommendations – Whoop will let you know when to take it easy and when your body is up for a challenge.

It can last up to five days (five!) on a full charge, and has a handy wireless battery pack, so you never have to worry about forgetting to charge it. Note, Whoop uses a subscription model – you have to sign up for at least six months at £27 per month (the price decreases if you subscribe for longer). Not sure if it’s right for you? The brand offers a free month trial, so you can send it back if you’re not impressed (although we think you might be).

Key specifications

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

2

Best sports watch

Coros Pace 3

Pros

• Accurate GPS and heart rate tracking
• Excellent staying power
• Route planning and navigation
• In-depth performance insights and training features

Cons

• Feels plasticky
• mp3 music only
• Limited smart features

Score: 86/100

With Olympian brand ambassadors Eliud Kipchoge and Eilish McColgan, we had high hopes when the Coros Pace 3 arrived in our lab, and it didn’t disappoint.

The lightweight, comfy watch is brimming with features found on pricier models. We’re talking dual-frequency GPS for greater accuracy, custom routes and turn-by-turn navigation, plus exceptional battery life — over two weeks of normal daily use and up to 38 hours of GPS time.

Our expert was impressed with the breadth of data available on the watch itself and via the user-friendly Coros app. Here, you can find a breakdown of your exercise performance, training load, sleep and recovery, with easy-to-interpret colour-coded graphs. It even measures your heart rate variability (the time between each heartbeat), highlighting any deviations from the norm and identifying when you need to take it easy.

There are built-in training plans and workouts, as well as the option to connect to third-party apps like Strava and Apple Health. Though it stands out for its running and cycling features, there are countless sports modes to choose from, including swimming, strength training and hiking.

We liked navigating the menu using the touchscreen or buttons on the side, however we found the screen a tad dull. While it does offer music support for phone-free exercising, music must be downloaded onto the watch via MP3 files – you can’t use apps like Spotify. It’s also worth noting that the strap feels a tad basic and plasticky, but that was our only major quibble.

Key specifications

3

Best for Apple users

Apple Watch Series 9

Pros

• Brighter display
• Quick and easy set-up
• Fast charging
• Automatic car crash and fall detection
• Custom workouts

Cons

• Short battery life
• Only compatible with iOS
• Expensive

Score: 85/100

The Apple Watch Series 9 offers a range of health data, including blood oxygen monitoring, in-depth sleep tracking and ECG readings. It also has all the fitness features you’d expect – heaps of workout modes, accurate activity tracking, and you can see which heart rate zone you’re in while exercising.

It also boasts a bright screen that's easy to read in dim or glaring light, and Apple’s most powerful chip ever, which allows you to do much more hands-free. This also enables the handy new double tap feature – simply tap your index finger and thumb together twice to answer a call, turn up your music or scroll through your Smart Stack.

The battery life is still a little disappointing and it isn't compatible with Android devices. But, it’s super easy to set up, you can switch up your strap for a range of different designs and our experts thought the price was pretty reasonable for what is an impressive piece of tech – especially if you trade in your old Apple Watch when you buy.

Read our tech editor's verdict on the Apple Watch Series 9. The Apple Watch Series 10 is also available to buy now – our full review is coming soon.

Key specifications

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

4

Best for style

Huawei GT4 41mm

Pros

• Attractive design
• Large selection of watch faces
• 100 workout modes
• Sleep and stress management
• 14-day battery life

Cons

• Limited third-party app support

Score: 83/100

A fitness watch isn’t just about functionality – you want something that will look good too. Enter this attractive new Huawei model, which has an elegant pendant design, a sleek strap and over 25,000 watch faces to choose from.

Aesthetics aside, the iOs and Android-compatible wearable is brimming with features to help you reach your health and fitness goals. It offers everything from workout modes (no fewer than 100), heart rate monitoring and SpO2 readings, to in-depth sleep analysis, stress management and exercise plans. It also has smart menstrual cycle and fertility tracking, with personalised predictions based on physiological indicators such as body temperature and breathing rate.

The huge 14-day battery life means you don’t have to carry a charger around with you, the AMOLED screen is crystal clear, responsive and easy to read on the move, and the Huawei Health app is a pleasure to navigate and use. Its GPS also proved extremely accurate during testing.

Third-party app support is limited – Google Maps, Spotify and Apple Pay are a no-go – but that may or may not bother you.

Key specifications

5

Best hybrid fitness tracker

Garmin Vivomove Trend

Pros

• Lightweight, stylish design
• QI wireless charging
• Contactless payments
• In-depth health and fitness tracking

Cons

• Lacks built-in GPS
• Limited data on in-workout screens

Score: 83/100

A departure from Garmin’s traditional rugged style, the Vivomove Trend is part of the brand’s hybrid collection – combining classic analogue style with smartwatch functionality – and we’re big fans.

Design-wise, the watch is petite and lightweight, it felt comfy to wear and, best of all, it has a hidden touchscreen – just flick your wrist or tap the screen to watch the ticking hands move away so you can see your stats and smart notifications.

The display, which is bright and easy to read, reveals metrics such as heart rate, step count, sleep, stress and blood oxygen levels, and you can access additional features via the Garmin Connect App, including menstrual cycle, hydration and respiration tracking. It also comes with all your usual workout modes, including cardio, strength training, cycling, swimming and running. Just note that it doesn’t have built-in GPS, so you’ll have to tuck your phone into your pocket for GPS support. We would have liked to see more data on the in-workout screen, but you easily review these in the app after your session.

The Vivomove Trend is the very first Garmin model to offer wireless charging – no need to scramble around looking for a lead – plus a quick 15-minute charge will give you up to 24 hours of battery.

If you’re after a stylish office-to-gym model, this is your perfect match.

Key specifications

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

6

Best for Samsung users

Samsung Galaxy Watch 7

Pros

• Accurate activity and health tracking
• Bright, easy to read screen
• Intuitive to use

Cons

• Battery life not the best
• Not compatible with iOS

Score: 82/100

The Samsung Watch 7 isn’t reinventing the wheel, but there are some exciting new features that make it a worthwhile buy. We’re talking AI-powered wellness tools, precise dual-band GPS and an upgraded BioActive sensor for more detailed sleep tracking. It’s even FDA authorised for sleep apnea detection, and it provides a useful ‘energy score’, which analyses your metrics to rate your physical and mental readiness for the day.

Our expert said the sleek circular design was a pleasure to wear and surprisingly innovative to use. They particularly liked the ‘double-pinch gesture’, which allows you to control it one-handed – ideal when your hands are full and you’re on the go.

It proved extremely accurate when it came to activity tracking, sleep monitoring and health insights, including heart rate and blood oxygen levels, plus the GPS worked well in both built-up areas and shady forests.

Like many smartwatches, the battery life isn’t the best – our expert found it lasted around a day when tracking their workouts and sleep – but when you consider the super AMOLED touchscreen, speedy processor and in-depth health and fitness tracking capabilities, it’s a winner for dedicated Samsung users.

Key specifications

7

Best for simplicity

Polar Ignite 2

Pros

• Easy set-up process
• Accurate GPS tracking
• 130 trackable activities
• Comfortable and lightweight to wear
• Lengthy battery life

Cons

• Could be more responsive
• Lacking buttons

Score : 82/100

There's a lot to love about this sleek and stylish fitness tracker. It manages to pair precision and performance with simplicity, proving surprisingly easy to set up thanks to its clear instructions.

The GPS tracking was accurate and it provided a detailed breakdown of our heart rate zones during exercise - our favourite feature - showing our work rate in each session. It is very similar to the original Polar Ignite, but the brand says the Ignite 2 has a slightly longer battery life in training mode. Like the original, it can track an impressive 130 different activities, but we found it often didn’t detect when we started exercising.

The watch itself feels lightweight to wear and the comfortable rubber strap didn’t rub at all during workouts. However, the touch screen can be difficult to see while running. It also wasn’t very responsive, sometimes lagging behind or failing to recognise our commands.

Key specifications

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

8

Best for versatility

Huawei Watch Fit 3

Pros

• Good value for money
• Bright, user-friendly OLED screen
• 100 sports modes
• Long battery life

Cons

• Inconsistent heart rate and sleep data
• Some features only available on Android

Score: 81/100

Been lusting after an Apple Watch but can’t justify the spend? Check out Huawei’s Watch Fit 3 – which looks remarkably similar with a sleek square design, rotating crown for easy scrolling and a responsive button, but comes in at just £139.99.

The bright, easy-to-read OLED screen was a big hit with our expert, who thought it was ideal for glasses wearers, and was impressed with how light and comfortable it was. It certainly won’t feel cumbersome or get in the way, whether you’re running, snoozing or in the gym. On that note, this dedicated fitness watch offers built-in GPS, 100 sports modes (including swimming) and can monitor heaps of health and sleep data, including heart rate and blood oxygen – all available to review in the accompanying health app. Our tester found sleep tracking and HR readings hit and miss, but they said the app was a cinch to navigate.

It boasts a lengthy 10-day battery life and it’s compatible with both Android and Apple phones (which is seldom the case with Android devices) – although some features, such as downloading music and sending text replies, are only available on Android. If you have a more modest budget, it’s a reliable pick.

Key specifications

9

Best for in-depth health insights

Huawei Watch D2

Pros

• European Medical Device Regulation-certified device
• TruSense system for advanced sleep, stress and health tracking
• Bright, easy-to-read screen

Cons

• Bulky design
• Can’t be worn in hot showers or saunas

Score: 80/100

Not your bog-standard smartwatch, Huawei’s Watch D is the first of its kind to provide 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (AMBP). It captures blood pressure fluctuations throughout the day and can take readings overnight almost silently, without disturbing sleep. An extremely convenient alternative to traditional cuffs, which are noisy and bulky, it can help detect signs of hypertension and highlight fluctuations that may need medical attention. Clever, huh?

Beyond cutting-edge blood pressure monitoring, our expert liked the Health Glance feature, which reveals six key health metrics – including heart rate, blood oxygen, stress levels, skin temperature, breathing awareness and sleep monitoring – with a single tap. There are no less than 80 different activity modes to track your exercise along with on-board GPS, which our expert found to be accurate.

Though on the bulkier side, the large, AMOLED screen allows for enhanced readability and the strap is soft and comfortable to wear throughout the night. Other plus points include the lengthy battery life (up to six days), calling capabilities and the ability to share health data with friends and family via the Huawei Health app.

If you want to take control of your wellbeing and work on your long-term health outcomes, then this innovative offering is seriously worth considering.

Key specifications

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

10

Best value for money

Amazfit Bip 5

Pros

• Excellent value for money
• Third-party app integration
• Lightweight design and easy-to-read screen
• Sleep, stress and menstrual cycle tracking
• Accurate GPS tracking

Cons

• Build not as premium as other models
• Limited watch faces

Score: 77/100

When it comes to value for money, this fuss-free design is hard to beat. For under £90, you get over 120 workout modes (with automatic detection for seven activities), built-in GPS, continuous heart rate monitoring and blood oxygen readings, as well as in-depth sleep, stress and menstrual cycle tracking.

The Bip 5 also has third party integration with apps such as Apple Health and Strava and includes basic smart functions like email notifications, alarms, to-do lists and weather reports. There’s no contactless payments or streaming apps, but you can take calls from your wrist.

Our tester was really impressed with the sleek tracker, praising the clear, responsive touchscreen and lightweight design. It wasn’t bulky and didn’t get in the way during workouts. It scored highly for accuracy in terms of step count, distance, heart rate and SP02 readings, and the accompanying Zepp app was easy to set up and use.

Admittedly, the Bip 3 Pro doesn’t feel quite as premium as the more expensive models on this list, and it lacks some bells and whistles, but that’s hardly a dealbreaker given the price.

Key specifications

11

Best for wellness features

Fitbit Sense 2

Pros

• Excellent stress management tools
• Fitbit-quality activity tracking
• 41 exercise modes
• Personalised data to help you reach your fitness goals

Cons

• No third-party app integration
• Lacks music playback and Wi-Fi

Score: 74/100

The Fitbit Sense 2 stands out from the crowd for its revolutionary wellbeing and stress tracking functionality. It has a continuous cEDA sensor, which tracks electrodermal activity in your skin and will ping you when it senses your body is under stress. Our tester raved about the mindful breathing sessions, daily stress management scores and the option to log your feelings, saying they were more mindful of their mental health when wearing the watch.

It also monitors your heart rate, blood oxygen levels, skin temperature and sleep, using the data to provide a ‘daily readiness score’ that lets you know whether your body can handle intense exercise, or if you should prioritise rest. If you are ready to push yourself, there are 41 exercise modes, from yoga to gymnastics, with detailed data screens and heart rate zone tracking. We particularly liked the active zone minutes, which tell you when you’ve reached your weekly goal.

Though it has a built-in microphone and speakers so you can make and receive calls, you can’t access any third-party apps, there’s no music playback or WiFi, and you can’t use Google Assistant. On the plus side, you get up to six days of battery life on a single charge and there’s a fast-charge feature.

Key specifications

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

12

Best for Android users

Google Pixel Watch 2

Pros

• Stylish design
• Digital crown for easy scrolling
• Full Google integration
• Fitbit health and fitness tracking
• Automatic workout detection

Cons

• Short battery life
• £7.99 monthly premium Fitbit subscription

Score: 74/100

Android users looking for a sleek, simple wearable, should consider Google’s second-generation smartwatch. It looks more like a classic timepiece than a tracker, with a glossy pebble-shaped face and subtle silicone strap.

Our experts praised the crystal-clear, responsive AMOLED display and rated the smooth digital crown for scrolling through apps. On that note, you can access all Google’s services, including Gmail, Calendar, Google Maps and Google Assistant, allowing you to essentially run your life from your wrist.

The Pixel Watch boasts Fitbit’s health and fitness tracking features, with 40 workout modes, sleep stages, menstrual tracking, plus health metrics including breathing rate, HR viability, heart rate zones, and basics such as step count, calorie burn. Unlike the original Pixel watch, it also has a skin temperature sensor for tracking stress and offers automatic workout detection.

With a premium Fitbit subscription (you get six months free with the device, then it’s £7.99 a month), you can unlock extras such as a ‘readiness score’ to let you know whether to push for a personal best or take a rest day, a breakdown of your daily stress levels, mindfulness sessions, workout videos and more.

One downside is the lacklustre battery life – it lasts up to 24 hours– but that’s also the case with many of its smartwatch competitors.

The Pixel Watch 3 is available to buy now – our full review is coming soon.

Key specifications

13

Best for new runners

Polar Pacer

Pros

• Great for beginners
• Easy-to-interpret workout screens
• Heart rate zone tracking
• Helpful sleep reports
• Fuel reminders

Cons

• Short battery life
• Basic design

Score: 73/100

New to running and shopping for your first fitness watch? This simple design from Polar will provide all the key data and metrics on your running activity. On the vibrant, easy-to-read screen, you can see your pace, distance, duration and heart rate – this is shown at the top of the display and the digits change colour depending what heart rate zone you’re in. Our expert loved this feature, saying it was easy to glance down and keep track of their HR when on the move, but you can also toggle through to see more detailed stats.

The Polar Pacer app provides plenty of data from your runs, and gives you the lowdown on your night's rest, detailing your sleep stages and quality of sleep. It will also give you a training load value, letting you know how much strain your body was under during a session and provides suggested workouts and recovery based on your monthly load – particularly useful if you’re at the start of your running journey.

There are also fitness tests to help you see how your training is going, fuel reminders so you don’t forget to eat that gel on your long run, and a handy carb calculator to ensure you’re getting the right fuel for exercise.

Key specifications

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

14

Best for comfort

Polar Ignite 3

Pros

• Comfortable, stylish design
• Multi-band GPS
• Clear AMOLED display
• Easy to use
• Detailed sleep data
• Skin temperature sensor

Cons

• Watch face can be glitchy
• Button could be more responsive
• Lacks automatic workout detection
• No contactless payments or music playback

Score: 73/100

The Polar Ignite 3 may have fallen short of its predecessor in our scoring, but there’s still plenty to love about this sleek, stylish fitness watch.

It boasts a robust titanium finish – so you can happily wear it during outdoorsy activities, without worrying about scratching or dropping it – and it’s surprisingly lightweight with a comfortable strap to boot.

In terms of features, it offers advanced sleep and wellbeing tracking (we loved the ‘alertness forecast’, which tells you when you’ll perform at your best during the day), plus a shiny new skin temperature sensor to track any deviations. Then there are the fitness tests, meditations and super-detailed workout reports.

Technophobes will be pleased to know that the watch is a cinch to set up and use, with an ultra-clear AMOLED display and one button for scrolling. The Polar Flow app also has lots of stats for you to peruse and, according to our expert, is easy to navigate.

Key specifications

15

Best for ease of use

Fitbit Charge 6

Pros

• Comprehensive sleep data
• Advanced health tracking with skin temperature sensor and ECG readings
• Menstrual cycle tracking
• Email, text and phone notifications

Cons

• Premium features only available via monthly subscription
• Basic design

Score: 72/100

If you want an easy-to-use fitness tracker for under £150, the new Charge 6 should be on your radar.

As well as accurate step and activity tracking, it boasts a full suite of health metrics to help you better understand your body. This includes a skin temperature sensor for identifying illness, menstrual health tracking, ECG readings to determine if you have irregular heart rhythms and electrodermal activity scans to measure you stress levels. The sleep data available via the Fitbit app is extremely comprehensive and we liked the smart alarm, which wakes you up during your optimal stage of sleep.

In terms of smart features, integration with Google means you can enjoy turn-by-turn directions with Google Maps, make contactless payments on the go with Google Pay, and enjoy music playback via YouTube Music. You can also access call, text and email notifications via the bright screen.

Overall, a seriously capable tracker for a reasonable price. Just note, some data, such as the ‘daily readiness score’, is only available with a Fitbit Premium subscription. Access is free for the first six months with the watch, then it’s £7.99 a month.

Key specifications

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Final verdict on fitness watches

Our Whoop winner is comfy, easy to use and packed with in-depth insights to help you optimise your health, activity levels and wellbeing.

If you're a dedicated Apple user, then the Apple Watch 9 is your best bet and for Samsung users, the brand's new Watch 7 offers a seamless experience.

If you're a keen runner, we'd recommend the Polar Pacer and if you're looking for something cheap and cheerful, then the Amazfit Bip 5 offers excellent value for money at under £90.

Why you can trust the Good Housekeeping Institute

The GHI’s wellness tester, Kim Hawley, has over 30 years' experience in the health and fitness industry. She holds a level 4 personal training qualification and a nutrition qualification and has worked in leading health clubs across the UK.

We've now tested over 60 fitness watches and counting at the Good Housekeeping Institute, so we know what we're looking for, and we love testing the latest innovations. We put each and every device through rigorous testing, both in real-world and lab conditions to provide unbiased reviews you can trust.

Priyankaa is our senior health and wellness writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.
Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges.

She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more.

Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills.

Kim Hawley is our health and fitness product tester. Her career in fitness has spanned over 30 years. Prior to joining the Good Housekeeping Institute, she worked as a personal trainer, writer and fitness instructor for some of London’s most prestigious health clubs, including The Harbour Club, David Lloyd and The Chelsea Club. Passionate about women’s health and fitness, especially in pre/post menopause, she is also a Level 4 PT and holds a professional nutritional qualification. Kim is responsible for rigorously testing everything from cross trainers to smart watches.

Yanar has spent 15 years as a health and wellness editor and writer for national titles such as Women’s Health, Men’s Health and Runner’s World. Yanar is a 580-hour yoga therapist, 200-hour yoga teacher and level 3 personal trainer at Yanar Mind & Movement. After years of running races and marathons, she discovered CrossFit and Olympic lifting in her mid-30s and fell in love with training and competing. She now advocates strength training for women to build a stronger body for life and the benefits of nervous system regulation for better physical and mental health. When not training, teaching or writing, she can be found experimenting in the kitchen.