Articles by Courtney Lynch

Smartest health watch

Fitbit Sense

$330 at Amazon

Pros

GPS, HRM, NFC
ECG, EDA, skin temperature sensors
Active Zone Minutes feature
Good battery life
Built-in mic/speaker

Cons

Software performance isn’t great
Old Fitbit bands aren’t compatible
Only one size option

It’s difficult to keep up with all the changes in the world of wearables. The Fitbit Sense is one of the newest releases and it has plenty of new perks for users to enjoy, like high-tech sensors that give you a better overview of your health, Fitbit’s Active Zone Minutes, and improved heart-rate technology.

Well-rounded wearable

Garmin Vivoactive 4

$290 at Amazon

Pros

GPS, HRM, NFC
Pulse Ox (SpO2) sensor
Body Battery energy monitoring
Week-long battery life
Two size options

Cons

No AMOLED display
No ECG or EDA sensors
Less resistant

Garmin is constantly releasing new wearables that compete with other leaders in the industry, and the Vivoactive 4 lives up to that. You get detailed health/fitn…

Fitbit continues to deliver industry-leading smartwatches that are designed to impress on multiple fronts, so it would be no surprise if you’re eager to find the best Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 bands for the upcoming releases. It’s important to note that these two new watches are only compatible with Fitbit’s new infinity bands. Therefore, the old bands from previous models won’t work. On to bigger and better things! Check out our favorite options below.

Get sporty

Fitbit Sport Band

Staff Pick

If you’re seeking a permeable watch band with plenty of ventilation, you’ll want to check out the sport bands from Fitbit. You can seamlessly switch between workouts and the office with these soft, lightweight bands. They come in a variety of vibrant two-tone color combinations.

$35 at B&H

Truly unique

Fitbit Woven Camo Band

When you’re looking for a unique design that will stand out, look no further than the Fitbit woven bands. They’re inspired by the textile industry’s spa…

Improved sensors and accuracy

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2

$249 at Amazon

Pros

Digital rotating bezel
Two sizes
ECG and blood pressure monitoring
Updated Running Coach
Built-in GPS

Cons

More limited app selection
Less storage space

If you were left wanting more after the original Galaxy Watch Active was released, you’ll be more than pleased with its successor. You can look forward to improved sensors and better GPS accuracy, an innovative digital rotating bezel, and an updated Running Coach feature.

The best pick for Apple fans

Apple Watch Series 6

From $399 at Amazon

Pros

Always-on display
Two sizes
32GB storage capacity
ECG and SpO2
Apple Fitness+

Cons

More expensive
Poor battery life
Not much of an upgrade from predecessor

Those who already committed to the Apple ecosystem will likely lean toward the Apple Watch Series 6. It’s going to provide the most seamless wearable experience for iPhone users. You’ll enjoy endless app selection, optional LTE…

Improved sensors and accuracy

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2

$249 at Amazon

Pros

Digital rotating bezel
Two sizes
ECG and blood pressure monitoring
Updated Running Coach
Built-in GPS

Cons

More limited app selection
Less storage space

If you were left wanting more after the original Galaxy Watch Active was released, you’ll be more than pleased with its successor. You can look forward to improved sensors and better GPS accuracy, an innovative digital rotating bezel, and an updated Running Coach feature.

The best pick for Apple fans

Apple Watch Series 6

From $399 at Amazon

Pros

Always-on display
Two sizes
32GB storage capacity
ECG and SpO2
Apple Fitness+

Cons

More expensive
Poor battery life
Not much of an upgrade from predecessor

Those who already committed to the Apple ecosystem will likely lean toward the Apple Watch Series 6. It’s going to provide the most seamless wearable experience for iPhone users. You’ll enjoy endless app selection, optional LTE…

The latest and greatest

Fitbit Sense

$330 at Amazon

Pros

Onboard GPS
ECG, EDA, skin temperature sensors
Active Zone Minutes feature
More than six days of battery life
Improved heart rate technology

Cons

Expensive
Old bands aren’t compatible

If you don’t mind spending more to get a better overview of your health, your money will be well-spent on the Fitbit Sense. You’ll enjoy the new ECG and EDA sensors, improved heart rate technology, more voice assistant options, and more features.

The original fitness watch

Fitbit Ionic

$200 at Amazon

Pros

Onboard GPS
Activity/health tracking
Heart-rate monitoring
Seven-day battery life
Fitbit Pay

Cons

A bit large for some wrists
Polarizing design isn’t for everyone
Missing newer Fitbit features

It’s not the newest model out there, but the discounted price might be enough to sway you. The Ionic still offers some unbeatable features compared to other watches at this price point. You get week-long battery life, onboar…

Health and fitness champ

Fitbit Sense

$330 at Amazon

Pros

Built-in GPS
Activity/health tracking
Active Zone Minutes feature
ECG, EDA, skin temperature sensors
Excellent battery life

Cons

Lacks LTE connectivity
Cannot use previous watch bands

It’s hard to rival the Apple Watch, but the new Fitbit Sense is a fierce competitor, to say the least. It makes up for a lot of missing elements, including some new data-driven sensors that keep you in tune with your health and wellness. You also get much better battery life, a lower price tag, and a free Fitbit Premium trial.

A very robust smartwatch

Apple Watch Series 5

$400 at Amazon

Pros

Built-in GPS
Optional LTE connectivity
Activity/health tracking
Solid app support
Apple Pay

Cons

Expensive
Short battery life

If you’re already entrenched in the Apple ecosystem, it will be to find a better option than the Apple Watch Series 5. You’ll need an iPhone to use it, after all. This is a robust smartwatch experience …

If you’re looking for a fitness tracker that does it all, we highly recommend the Fitbit Versa 2 for its wide variety of styles and uses, including automatic activity tracking, on-screen workouts, Fitbit Pay, music storage, and so much more. It’s no wonder that Fitbit continues to be one of the many highly regarded names in the industry with all it has to offer. However, don’t worry if that’s not your cup of tea. There are quite a few other options to choose from. Whether you’re looking for specific software, design, or feature set, you’ll be able to find a fitness tracker that checks all the boxes on your wish list.

The best fitness trackers, at a glance

Fitbit Versa 2 — An excellent tracker that is built to provide users with detailed health/activity tracking.
Fitbit Charge 4 — If you want one of the latest fitness trackers on the market, the Fitbit Charge 4 is equipped with some amazing new features at a great price,
Fitbit Charge 3 It’s not the newest tracker, but the Fitbit…

GPS-enabled tracker

Fitbit Charge 4

$146 at Amazon

Pros

Built-in GPS
Activity/health tracking
7-day battery life
Swimproof design
Mobile payments

Cons

Lacks smartwatch features
Smaller, less vibrant display

If you’re set on having onboard GPS and don’t mind a smaller grayscale display, the Charge 4 is a great pick. The compact size is ideal for fitness enthusiasts who don’t want a bulky device on their wrist. You’ll enjoy activity/health tracking, 5 ATM water resistance, and 7 days of battery life.

Feature-filled smartwatch

Fitbit Versa 2

$200 at Amazon

Pros

Colorful AMOLED touchscreen
Activity/health tracking
5-day battery life
Swimproof design
Mobile payments

Cons

Lacks built-in GPS
More expensive

If you’re looking for the perfect combination of fitness tracking and smartwatch features, the Fitbit Versa 2 will win this round. It may lack built-in GPS, but it does offer detailed tracking metrics, Amazon Alexa, music storage, mobile payments, and smar…

We’ve worn every wearable tracker size, style, and system, and Samsung’s fitness trackers can certainly hold their own against the competition. Samsung has a few options for you to choose from and we’re here to help you pick the best fit for your fitness needs. When you’re looking for all the health/fitness features you can get packed into one impressive device, the Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro is the best pick. You’ll have everything you need to track your progress.

Best Overall: Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro

For many people, the Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro is still one of the best choices on the market. It’s not the newest device out there, but this slim-screened companion checks all of the boxes for fitness tracking, with the sensors and software capable of following everything from your everyday movements to running, gym workouts, and swimming.

With built-in GPS, water resistance up to 50 meters, more secure straps than the original Gear Fit2, and support for offline music from providers like Sp…

Every user has a different set of priorities and if you don’t want to spend a fortune on your Wear OS device, then you may find yourself interested in the best cheap Android watches. Luckily, there are numerous quality options available at lower price points. One of the most affordable yet feature-packed Android smartwatches you’ll find is the TicWatch S2, which is all about rugged durability. There’s plenty more where that came from.

Best Overall: TicWatch S2

The TicWatch S2 isn’t for the faint of heart. This smartwatch was designed with the active individual in mind. Whether you’re the outdoorsy type or a certified gym fiend, you’ll be glad to have this level of strength on your wrist. The large 1.39-inch display is crisp and easy to read. It’s not only waterproof but it was also built with military-grade durability, so you know it’s tough. You won’t have trouble keeping track of your stats, either. The combination of Google Fit and TicMotion will help you stay motivated with e…