by Brooklyn Mar 28,2025
Whether you're just starting your health journey or seeking deeper insights into your workouts, a fitness tracker can transform exercise into an engaging game while providing valuable data. Fortunately, many of these devices, which often resemble smartwatches, are available at affordable prices. From feature-packed models that rival the best smartwatches to basic ones that track steps and monitor heart rate, there are numerous budget-friendly fitness trackers suitable for all wrist sizes.
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
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. This affordable device offers a vibrant AMOLED display and a durable band that's sleek, compact, and comfortable enough to wear while sleeping. With a battery life of up to 10 days, you won't need to charge it often, though using the always-on display mode will reduce this duration. Navigation is user-friendly, thanks to 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 includes automatic exercise tracking for those who often forget to start a workout, and sleep monitoring to provide insights into sleep quality. Additionally, it offers basic smartwatch features such as phone notifications and a find-my-phone function via Bluetooth, though it lacks the ability to store music or make contactless payments.
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### Xiaomi Smart Band 9
0The Xiaomi Smart Band 9, priced under $50, offers an impressive array of features despite its low cost. It boasts a 1.62-inch AMOLED display and a remarkable 21-day battery life, making it an excellent choice for those seeking basic tracking and over 150 sports modes.
This fitness tracker includes essentials like a pedometer, heart rate monitor, blood oxygen saturation, and sleep monitoring. It also supports various sports activities, providing detailed metrics on calories burned, average heart rate, and workout duration. While the accuracy may not match that of premium smartwatches like the Apple Watch, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 offers valuable insights into your fitness routine.
The latest model features enhanced battery life and increased screen brightness, reaching up to 1,200 nits for clear visibility in sunlight. The touch-responsive, colorful AMOLED display simplifies navigation and access to fitness data and limited smartwatch features like call and message notifications and music playback control. However, some users might find the phone pairing process a bit tricky.
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### Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro
0The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro, an upgraded version of its predecessor, adds a built-in GPS for accurate tracking of runs, bike rides, and hikes. It features a larger 1.74-inch AMOLED display and offers the same comprehensive health monitoring as the standard model, including 24/7 heart rate and SPO2 tracking, sleep monitoring, and stress levels.
With over 150 sports modes, this device ensures nearly every activity can be tracked, though some modes only measure heart rate and duration. It includes limited smartwatch functionalities like music playback and notification display, but lacks NFC support and the ability to respond to notifications.
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro is stylish, with a bright, responsive screen and an intuitive user interface, making it an attractive option for those seeking a budget-friendly fitness tracker with advanced features.
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### Amazfit Band 7
0The Amazfit Band 7 is a cost-effective fitness tracker that doesn't skimp on features. It boasts a large 1.47-inch always-on AMOLED display and a slim, comfortable band. With a battery life that lasts up to 18 days with typical use and 28 days in battery-saver mode, it's a reliable companion.
This tracker supports over 120 sports modes with automatic smart recognition for four of them and is water-resistant up to 50m. Health monitoring includes heart rate, blood oxygen levels, stress, and sleep tracking. Additionally, it integrates Amazon Alexa and offers smartwatch features like on-watch notifications.
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### Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
0The 2nd-generation Apple Watch SE offers powerful features at a more affordable price point, running on the same S8 SiP chipset as the Apple Watch Series 8. It includes an optical heart rate sensor and built-in GPS, ensuring you never lose your way during hikes.
This model automatically detects various workouts, including swimming, and with 32GB of built-in storage, you can download additional fitness apps from the App Store. As a full-fledged smartwatch, it enables you to answer calls, respond to messages, make contactless payments, and stream music. Additionally, it features crash detection, which can automatically call emergency services in case of an accident.
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### Garmin Venu 3
0The Garmin Venu 3 is ideal for those serious about their workouts. It offers comprehensive tracking for various exercises, including swimming, cycling, and golf, with over 30 preloaded sports apps. It features a highly accurate GPS, heart rate monitor, ECG, blood oxygen, temperature, and other sensors.
A standout feature is the Body Battery, which provides insights into your body's energy levels based on activity, stress, and sleep. The Venu 3 also supports animated workouts for activities like pilates, HIIT, and cardio. As a smartwatch, it offers a bright AMOLED touchscreen display, up to 14 days of battery life, and the ability to receive calls, use smart assistants, and respond to texts when paired with the best Android phones. However, its app selection is more limited compared to Apple and Google smartwatches.
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When choosing a fitness tracker, consider more than just step and sleep tracking. The overall experience encompasses hardware quality, comfort, software capabilities, and the accuracy of the tracking features.
As the price increases, so do the features, including heart rate monitoring, GPS, and OLED displays. However, many basic trackers offer a wealth of health data at a lower cost.
The ideal fitness tracker depends on your intended use. For basic tracking like steps, heart rate, and time, an ultra-cheap option like the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 suffices. These affordable models often include 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 advanced features beyond fitness tracking, a smartwatch with a larger screen, built-in storage, and access to a broader range of apps might be the best choice, allowing you to answer calls, respond to texts, and more.
If you're an active runner or gym-goer, complementing your fitness tracker with a great pair of earbuds can enhance your overall fitness experience.
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