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Fitness smartwatches these days can keep tabs on your consumed calories, distance traveled, steps taken, and sleep quality. They are particularly helpful assuming you need a superior look at your activity level all day long. But considering many choices out there, it may be somewhat overwhelming to try and pick the best smartwatch for fitness.

For those who are looking for the top pick that fits your demands and wants, we have good news. Below is an updated rundown of the models you can get. Whatever you want from them, they give. Above all, they should make your workouts far smarter.

A comparison table

Product
Garmin Venu
Apple Watch Series 6
Fitbit Sense Advanced Smartwatch
Image
Garmin 010-02430-00 Venu 2, GPS Smartwatch, Advanced Health Monitoring, Fitness Features, Silver...
Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS, 40mm) - Blue Aluminum Case with Deep Navy Sport Band
Fitbit Sense Advanced Smartwatch with Tools for Heart Health, Stress Management & Skin Temperature...
Category
The best option for Android phone owners
The best smartwatch for fitness for Apple phone owners
Fitbit’s best-in-class release
Weight
49 g
40 mm version: 39.7 g 44 mm version: 47.1 g
45.9 g - 48.2 g
Dimensions
22 mm band, 45.4 mm x 45.4 mm x 12.2 mm
40 mm version: 40 mm x 34 mm x 10.4 mm 44 mm version: 44 mm x 38 mm x 10.4 mm
40.48 mm x 40.48 mm x 12.35mm
Materials
Silicone band Stainless steel hardware and bezel
Stainless steel frame, ceramic/ sapphire crystal back, glass front (sapphire crystal)
Stainless steel ring for EKG Aluminum case
Battery
As long as 8 hrs when GPS mode with music is on. As long as 11 days when smartwatch mode is on. Fast charging
As long as 18 hrs Fast charging (100% charge in well under 1.5 hrs)
More than 6 days in smartwatch mode Charge time: (from 10% to 80%): about 40 mins
Water resistance rating
5 ATM
50 m
5 ATM
Sensors
Pulse oximetry blood oxygen saturation tracker Ambient light sensor Thermometer Accelerometer Gyroscope Compass Barometric altimeter Galileo GLONASS GPS Garmin Elevate optical heart rate sensor
VO2max SpO2 Compass Always-on altimeter Barometer Heart rate (3rd gen) Gyro Accelerometer
Ambient light sensor 3-axis accelerometer Altimeter Gyroscope Integrated GPS and GLONASS Skin temperature sensor Electrical sensors compatible with EKG and EDA application
Compatibility
iOS, Android
iOS
iOS, Android
Colors
Slate bezel with Black case, Silver bezel with the case whose color is Granite Blue
Gold (PVD), Graphite (DLC), Silver
Soft Gold/ Lunar White stainless steel, Graphite/ Carbon stainless steel
Price
$319.00
Price not available
$219.00
Product
Garmin Venu
Image
Garmin 010-02430-00 Venu 2, GPS Smartwatch, Advanced Health Monitoring, Fitness Features, Silver...
Category
The best option for Android phone owners
Weight
49 g
Dimensions
22 mm band, 45.4 mm x 45.4 mm x 12.2 mm
Materials
Silicone band Stainless steel hardware and bezel
Battery
As long as 8 hrs when GPS mode with music is on. As long as 11 days when smartwatch mode is on. Fast charging
Water resistance rating
5 ATM
Sensors
Pulse oximetry blood oxygen saturation tracker Ambient light sensor Thermometer Accelerometer Gyroscope Compass Barometric altimeter Galileo GLONASS GPS Garmin Elevate optical heart rate sensor
Compatibility
iOS, Android
Colors
Slate bezel with Black case, Silver bezel with the case whose color is Granite Blue
Price
$319.00
Product
Apple Watch Series 6
Image
Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS, 40mm) - Blue Aluminum Case with Deep Navy Sport Band
Category
The best smartwatch for fitness for Apple phone owners
Weight
40 mm version: 39.7 g 44 mm version: 47.1 g
Dimensions
40 mm version: 40 mm x 34 mm x 10.4 mm 44 mm version: 44 mm x 38 mm x 10.4 mm
Materials
Stainless steel frame, ceramic/ sapphire crystal back, glass front (sapphire crystal)
Battery
As long as 18 hrs Fast charging (100% charge in well under 1.5 hrs)
Water resistance rating
50 m
Sensors
VO2max SpO2 Compass Always-on altimeter Barometer Heart rate (3rd gen) Gyro Accelerometer
Compatibility
iOS
Colors
Gold (PVD), Graphite (DLC), Silver
Price
Price not available
Product
Fitbit Sense Advanced Smartwatch
Image
Fitbit Sense Advanced Smartwatch with Tools for Heart Health, Stress Management & Skin Temperature...
Category
Fitbit’s best-in-class release
Weight
45.9 g - 48.2 g
Dimensions
40.48 mm x 40.48 mm x 12.35mm
Materials
Stainless steel ring for EKG Aluminum case
Battery
More than 6 days in smartwatch mode Charge time: (from 10% to 80%): about 40 mins
Water resistance rating
5 ATM
Sensors
Ambient light sensor 3-axis accelerometer Altimeter Gyroscope Integrated GPS and GLONASS Skin temperature sensor Electrical sensors compatible with EKG and EDA application
Compatibility
iOS, Android
Colors
Soft Gold/ Lunar White stainless steel, Graphite/ Carbon stainless steel
Price
$219.00

The top picks: A closer look

1. The best option for Android phone owners: Garmin Venu 2 – by Garmin

best smartwatch for fitness garmin venu 2
1. The best option for Android phone owners: Garmin Venu 2 – by Garmin

This product unit is one of the brand’s best-ever smart wearables. But that is not all. It is among the most impressive fitness wear devices you want to purchase if you are using an Android phone. It is also worthing noting that the model boasts a lot of beneath-the-surface upgrades over the original Venu and Garmin Vivoactive 4.

To be more specific, you may appreciate the health snapshot attribute. It takes a 120-second snapshot of fundamental health details – for example, stress, respiration rate, blood oxygen levels, and heart rate.

A short time later, you will, with ease, check how you are doing in Garmin Connect. What is more? Feel free to generate and share your statistics in PDF version to your health services provider.

Better yet, compared to the Venu, the brand has enhanced the Venu 2’s GPS accuracy. But on the other hand, there actually needs specific improvement in its new Elevate optical heart rate tech.

All things considered, this Garmin is fit for offering health statistics with remarkable reliability and accuracy level, every day of the week.

As we are on the subject, let’s talk a little about Garmin Venu and Vivoactive 4. While the Venu 2 may be the brand’s up-to-date mid-range fitness wearable, the Venu and  Vivoactive 4 are solid monitoring wrist-based wearables all this time. Here, you get all that you cherished about the Garmin Vivoactive 3 and Vivoactive 3 Music. More than that, 3.5 Gigabytes are for onboard music storage.

What you may like:

  • Boasts two options for the size
  • Crisp AMOLED screen
  • More music storage
  • Improved battery duration over the last gen
  • GPS accuracy will wow you.
  • Practical health snapshot feature
  • Accurate health, fitness, and sleep monitoring

What you may not like:

  • Expensive
  • Heart rate sensor data are not even.

2. The best smartwatch for fitness for Apple phone owners: Apple Watch Series 6 – by Apple

2. The best smartwatch for fitness for Apple phone owners: Apple Watch Series 6 - by Apple
2. The best smartwatch for fitness for Apple phone owners: Apple Watch Series 6 – by Apple

This Apple is too popular for an introduction. Still, for the sake of content consistency, we are guiding you to some key points.

First things first, heart rate tracking is unbeatable in comparison with many other heart rate sensors you wear on your wrist. GPS performs admirably, too.

Speaking of the new sleep monitoring readings, these are basic. Yet, if you want, you have the choice to install a third-party sleep monitoring application.

Sleep tracker app recommendations include Google Fit, Runtastic Sleep Better, Sleep Cycle: Sleep analysis & Smart alarm clock, SnoreLab: Record Your Snoring, Fitbit, and Alarm Clock Xtreme: Alarm, Reminders, Timer.

On another note, what if you are searching for something quite less costly yet still in this multinational technology company’s ecosystem? Give the Apple Watch SE a try!

What you may like:

  • Big, bright always-on display
  • Premium build and accessories
  • Unrivaled application support
  • Accurate, dependable GPS
  • Heavenly heart rate tracking

What you may not like:

  • Third-party clock faces are not accessible.
  • The autonomy of the battery could be longer.
  • Sleep monitoring is not sophisticated enough.

3. Fitbit’s best-in-class release: Fitbit Sense Advanced Smartwatch – by Fitbit

3. Fitbit’s best-in-class release: Fitbit Sense Advanced Smartwatch - by Fitbit
3. Fitbit’s best-in-class release: Fitbit Sense Advanced Smartwatch – by Fitbit

This watch does many things well. The nuts and bolts are all together here. They include pretty accurate onboard GPS, an excellent sleep monitor (no wonder), and accurate heart rate tracking with the brand’s innovative PurePulse 2.0 multi-path heart rate sensor. The construction is way better as well. 

Still, on the other hand, the modern EDA (electrodermal activity) and SpO2 (blood oxygen saturation) sensors are not that impressive. They are not generally excellent at clarifying the data they gather and what it means for your health. For this reason, the Fitbit Sense is in a lower position on our rundown.

For those not looking for the EDA, skin temperature, or EKG sensors in their health and fitness smartwatch, we would likewise suggest considering the less expensive Fitbit Versa 3.

What you may like:

  • Further developed quick-release straps
  • Very good quality, premium build
  • You will get about six days on the battery
  • Comprehensive sleep monitoring
  • Skin temperature sensor offers valuable data
  • (For the most part) accurate GPS and heart rate monitor

What you may not like:

  • Fitbit OS needs to have improvement work done to it.
  • EKG and EDA sensors are not excellent enough.
  • The inductive button could have been better.

Some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs)

male trainer with water bottle checking smartwatch fitness results during workout break at urbanity, young runner in electronic headphones listening audio training during leisure for workout

1. What to consider when I buy the best smartwatch for fitness?

Different people have different demands and preferences. That is why we put together product units in various categories, assisting you with picking the right gadget for your needs.

In case you want to purchase a watch for running, think about getting a model with connected GPS capability or integrated GPS. What if you are searching for an incredible smartwatch experience – more than anything else? If so, something with a more sizable display should be your best bet.

2. Smartwatches vs. Fitness trackers: Their differences?

Above any other, the dissimilarity between a fitness tracker and a smart wristwatch boils down to cost.

When it comes to decent trackers in the market today, their price tends to be lower than a smartwatch’s on. Are you wondering why? Fitness trackers have less sizable displays and more resemble a traditional fitness band. Also, they keep tabs on your fitness and that is usually the long and short of it.

Meanwhile, smart wristwatches boast big displays. They give directions, run applications, as well as inform you about the time better.

Above all, the hint is in the name.

3. Best fitness trackers?

If the best smartwatch for fitness is not right up your valley, why do not you consider some of the best fitness trackers? Here they are:

Fitbit Charge 4 – by Fitbit

This model is extraordinary, particularly for runners and individuals who are seeking wrist-based support for contactless payment.

What you may like:

  • Polished, customizable design
  • (Generally) accurate heart rate monitor and GPS
  • Impressive sleep monitoring
  • Fitbit Pay standard
  • Decent autonomy of the battery

What you may not like:

  • The heart rate monitor is likely not very quick.
  • GPS can take as much time as is needed to lock-on 
  • The inductive button could have been better.

Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 6 – Xiaomi

This Xiaomi tracker is the most affordable but fantastic one to purchase. It is worth noting that the fitness monitoring is solid.

What you may like:

  • Favorably priced
  • Accurate readings of heart rate
  • Valuable smart attributes
  • Many sports monitoring modes
  • More sizable, colorful screen
  • Decent battery duration

What you may not like:

  • Voice assistant and NFC (Near Field Communication) is not accessible outside China.
  • There should be some improvement in the Xiaomi Wear application.
  • Sleep monitoring may be off.
  • Heart rate monitor has a hard time doing its job in high-intensity workouts.
  • Battery duration becomes seriously affected by advanced attributes.

Fitbit Inspire 2 – by Fitbit

  • It is another incredible and favorably priced choice. While the piece of technology is not the best of the best, it gets built-in with the brand’s impressive application. 

What you may like:

  • Lightweight, small build
  • Not costly
  • Connected GPS is a plus point.
  • Accurate sleep monitoring, health, and fitness

What you may not like:

  • Bland build
  • Side buttons may not be responsive.
  • The display is not incredible.

All in all

We know you are interested in the best smartwatch for fitness. We are not different. We are into them, too. Above all, we like assisting you with discovering the suitable model for your needs and wants.

We have researched many fitness items and different wearables. Through our thorough product testing and in-depth information on health gadgets, you can have confidence knowing we provide you with the most unbiased recommendations.

  • The Apple Watch 6 is the most recommendable choice for iPhone owners. Aside from its notable smartwatch features, the product unit boasts a reliable list of capabilities for fitness monitoring.
  • The Sense from Fitbit is another solid fitness monitoring smart wearable. While it is costly, the watch is not exactly as expensive as a couple of its Garmin competitors. 
  • The Venu 2 watch made by Garmin is one of the most well-rounded picks to consider. 
  • The Mi Watch Lite made by  Xiaomi is an inexpensive smart wristwatch which is extraordinary for essential fitness monitoring.

Last but not least, are you searching for other useful guides related? Do not hesitate to read through posts on our website.