The Best Budget Fitness Trackers for Staying Active in 2025

Choosing the Right Budget Fitness Tracker: A Comprehensive Guide

Whether you're starting a fitness journey or seeking deeper workout insights, a fitness tracker can gamify exercise and provide valuable data. Fortunately, many affordable options exist, ranging from feature-rich models comparable to top smartwatches to basic step counters and heart rate monitors. This guide explores several budget-friendly choices for various needs and wrist sizes.

TL;DR – Top Budget Fitness Trackers:

Our Top Pick: Fitbit Inspire 3 See it on Amazon Xiaomi Smart Band 9 See it on Amazon Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro See it on Amazon Amazfit Band 7 See it on Amazon Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) See it on Amazon Garmin Venu 3 See it on Amazon Contributions by Kevin Lee

1. Fitbit Inspire 3: Best Budget Fitness Tracker

The Fitbit Inspire 3 proves that affordability doesn't mean sacrificing quality. Under $100, it boasts a bright AMOLED display and a comfortable, durable band suitable for sleep. Its 10-day battery life (reduced in always-on mode) minimizes charging needs. Navigation is intuitive via touchscreen and haptic buttons.

Features include 24/7 heart rate monitoring, step counting, SpO2 measurement, and automatic exercise tracking. Sleep monitoring enhances sleep quality understanding. Basic smartwatch functions like phone notifications and a "find my phone" feature (via Bluetooth) are included, although music storage and contactless payments are absent.

2. Xiaomi Smart Band 9: Best Ultra-Cheap Fitness Tracker

The Xiaomi Smart Band 9, priced under $50, offers a surprising array of features. Its sleek design incorporates health monitoring, a 1.62-inch AMOLED display, and impressive 21-day battery life.

Core features include a pedometer, heart rate monitor, SpO2 sensor, and sleep monitoring. Over 150 sports modes (including running, HIIT, and swimming) provide detailed workout data (accuracy may be less precise than higher-end devices). The bright display (1200 nits) ensures visibility in sunlight. Smartwatch features include call and message notifications and music control, although phone pairing can be finicky.

3. Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro: Best Budget Fitness Tracker with GPS

An upgrade to the Smart Band 9, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro features a larger (1.74-inch) AMOLED display and a surprisingly accurate built-in GPS for workout mapping.

It retains 24/7 heart rate and SpO2 monitoring, sleep and stress tracking, and over 150 sports modes. While some modes offer limited data, the GPS significantly enhances workout tracking. Limited smartwatch features include music playback and notifications (no responses or NFC). It offers a stylish design, responsive screen, and long battery life at under $100.

4. Amazfit Band 7: Best Budget Fitness Tracker with Health Monitoring

The Amazfit Band 7 (around $50) packs substantial features into its affordable price point. Its 1.47-inch always-on AMOLED display provides clear data viewing, while the band itself remains slim and comfortable. The 18-day battery life (extending to 28 days in battery-saver mode) is a significant advantage.

It supports over 120 sports modes (with automatic recognition of four), is water-resistant to 50m, and includes heart rate, blood-oxygen level, and stress monitoring. Sleep tracking provides detailed sleep quality insights. Smartwatch functionality includes notifications and Amazon Alexa integration. However, it lacks built-in GPS.

5. Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen): Best Budget Apple Watch

The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) offers a capable smartwatch experience at a reduced price. Powered by the same S8 SiP chip as the Series 8, it provides speedy processing. It includes an optical heart rate sensor, built-in GPS, automatic workout detection (including swimming), and 32GB of storage for apps from the App Store.

Full smartwatch functionality allows for call answering, messaging, contactless payments, and music streaming. Crash detection enhances safety. The design is slim and comfortable, with decent battery life (for an Apple Watch).

6. Garmin Venu 3: Best Budget Fitness Tracker for Workouts

The Garmin Venu 3, while the most expensive on this list, is a worthwhile investment for serious fitness enthusiasts. It excels in precise data tracking.

Features include extensive exercise tracking (swimming, cycling, golf, etc.), highly accurate GPS and heart rate monitoring, ECG, blood oxygen, and temperature sensors. Animated workouts (pilates, HIIT, cardio) are included. The "Body Battery" feature provides insights into energy levels. It functions as a smartwatch with a bright AMOLED display, long battery life (up to 14 days, reduced with always-on display), and standard smartwatch features. However, app selection is limited compared to Apple and Google smartwatches.

Choosing Your Fitness Tracker:

Consider your needs and budget. Ultra-cheap bands like the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 suffice for basic tracking. GPS is beneficial for outdoor activities. For comprehensive functionality beyond fitness tracking, a smartwatch is recommended. Remember to consider hardware quality, comfort, software, and tracking accuracy when making your decision.