Fitness trackers are personal—arguably more so than any other piece of consumer technology. You wear one, maybe even two, all day and potentially all night if you’re tracking your sleep. While wrist-based trackers still dominate, the category has expanded to include smart rings, chest straps, and even smart shoes. They all have a place because while a strength trainer might find a smart ring annoying during weightlifting, that same ring might be perfect for a volleyball player who needs bare wrists.

Because no single device works for everyone, we don’t rely on a single reviewer’s perspective. Our team of testers represents a spectrum of ages, body types, and lifestyles, and we put these devices through everyday use. Editor Adrienne So has been covering this market for nearly a decade, and we’ve been tracking everything from the debut of the original Apple Watch to smart ring patent battles. I took over as resident tester earlier this year, and now I’m usually wearing at least two (not counting the contactless sleep trackers I test overnight), logging everything from runs to HIIT training and walking pad sessions to make my recommendations. 

The best fitness tracker is the Garmin Vivoactive 6—whether you’re running, hiking, or trampolining in the backyard. I've also rounded up a few close contenders.

ADVERTISEMENT

These WIRED-tested wearables reduce your reliance on a phone while keeping you connected.

A svelte smart ring can track important activity, sleep, and health metrics. Unlike some smartwatches, a ring doesn’t need to be charged every day.

We tested Garmin’s GPS-enabled fitness trackers and found the perfect picks for casual hikers, backcountry skiers, and more.

Should you splurge on the new Series 11, or will the SE 3 do? Let us help you figure out which version to get (and which to avoid).