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Whether you already lead an active lifestyle or you're looking for help in building one, health and wellness can be a major focus as the new year commences. Thanks to the influx of fitness trackers on the market, it's never been easier to observe your exercise progress in real-time and give existing workout regimens a much-needed boost. These wearables can display your heart rate, step count, blood oxygen level, the calories you've burned, and some will even monitor the quality of your sleep.
We took a look at six of the most popular fitness trackers on Amazon—each of which has at least a 4.1-star rating and 1000 customer reviews—to narrow down the ones that are actually worth the money.
1. Fitbit Charge 5; $130
With almost 2000 reviews and a 4.3-star average rating on Amazon, this latest Fitbit model is an excellent option if you're looking for overall quality. Slimmer than the Charge 4, this device offers a brighter screen than its predecessor and an "always on" functionality, so text is easy to read. In addition to all the necessary fitness tracker features, you can take advantage of a built-in GPS to map out your exact path and reach mileage goals. And once you hit your target heart rate during a workout, the device will notify you, so you don't have to keep looking down at your wrist during a jog. This model is compatible with Fitbit's app and features electrodermal activity sensors, to better monitor your body's stress levels. You’ll also get a Daily Readiness Score, which will tell you if you’re ready to work out or need to recover.
Buy it: Amazon
2. Garmin Vívosmart 4; $100
Garmin is known for its GPS devices, but the Vívosmart 4 does so much more. You can monitor your blood oxygen through the built-in Pulse Ox sensor, and you can get a read of your energy levels based on your sleep quality, activity, and heart rate variability. And, thanks to the device's 24-hour stress monitor, you can also get reminders and timers for breathing exercises.
Buy it: Amazon
3. Samsung Galaxy Active 2; $226
More watch-shaped than other fitness trackers, the Samsung Galaxy Active 2 has become a fan-favorite with over 46,000 reviews and a 4.7-star rating. This model offers built-in pace coaching and heart rate alerts, and received approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September 2020 for its electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring app, so it could be a good choice for users looking to monitor their heart rhythms for any irregularities (but be sure to consult with a trusted healthcare professional, too). You can also learn about your sleep quality while monitoring and managing your stress levels by using the Calm app, which is included. The fitness tracker even connects to Android and iOS devices and can be synced up to apps like Spotify and YouTube, so you can listen to music and videos throughout the day.
Buy it: Amazon
4. Apple Watch Series 7; $380
Compared to previous Apple Watches (including the Series 6), the new Series 7 is packed with amazing features. The screen is 20 percent larger than that of the Series 6 and offers an always-on Retina display for super-crisp text and visuals, plus it has IP6X dust resistance and a swim-proof design. Another perk to this model is that it includes tons of apps for monitoring everything from blood oxygen levels to sleep habits, so you learn more about your body. Like previous Apple models, it also delivers notifications when your heart rate dips or spikes, and when irregular rhythms are detected.
Buy it: Amazon
5. Fitbit Inspire 2; $70
If you're looking for a simple, budget-friendly fitness tracker, the Fitbit Inspire 2 is an excellent investment. Stylish without being noticeable, this slim fitness tracker offers up to 10 days of battery life and most of the same features as the Charge 5, but at a fraction of the cost. You can use this to monitor your heart rate and daily activities, including sleep. For that extra push, the tracker will send you encouraging reminders, fun challenges, and games for you to complete throughout the day. It also comes with a free year of Spotify Premium for ad-free music and podcasts. The one thing you won't find in the Inspire 2 is advanced GPS functionality (that's where the souped-up Charge 5 still reigns supreme), but if all you really want is a basic fitness tracker that'll last, this is definitely the model to choose.
Buy it: Amazon
6. Xiaomi Mi Band 5 Smart Wristband; $43
Xiaomi's 1.1-inch band makes this one of the sleekest fitness wearables out there. There are more than 100 watch faces and 11 different exercise modes to choose from, including elliptical, indoor bike, and swimming workouts. This tracker also has a women’s health feature that will record and send a reminder about where you are in your cycle.
Buy it: Amazon
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