Best fitness watch in 2025
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A fitness watch is a must for everyone serious about their health and shape. It has long evolved from simply counting steps to an actual fitness coach, with hundreds of workout routines to choose from and tracking various health metrics like heart rate or sleep patterns.
Highly personalizable and suitable for different lifestyles, a fitness watch is a good fit for both professional athletes and simply health-conscious users. But which option is the best?
Together with the Cybernews research team, I researched and reviewed various fitness watches on the market to select the top 7 picks for you. In this article, I’ll compare different models and explain what makes the best fitness watch.
Best fitness watch – shortlist
- Amazfit Active 2 – best overall
- Garmin Venu SQ2 – best compatibility
- Amazfit Balance – best battery life
- Whoop 4.0 Band – best warranty
- Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker – best sleeping features
- Fitbit Versa 4 Fitness Smartwatch – best personalization
- Apple Watch SE Smartwatch – best for Apple users
| Weight | Battery life | Water resistance | Calorie tracking | Health tracking | Step tracking | Sleep tracking | Cycle tracking | Activity tracking | Mobile app | |
| Amazfit Active 2 | 29.5-31.65 g | Up to 10 days | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, iOS and Android |
| Garmin Venu SQ2 | 51g | Up to 9 days | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, limited compatibility |
| Amazfit Balance | 35g | Up to 14 days | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, iOS and Android |
| Whoop 4.0 Band | 140g | Up to 5 days | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker | 29g | Up to 7 days | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, Android 9+, iOS 15+ |
| Fitbit Versa 4 Fitness Smartwatch | 178g | Over 6 days | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, iOS and Android |
| Apple Watch SE Smartwatch | 121g | Up to 18hr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, iOS only |
7 best fitness watches – my detailed list
Below, I reviewed each fitness watch to see how they track your health and fitness activity, support various workout goals, and fit different lifestyles.
1. Amazfit Active 2 – best tracking capabilities
| Battery life: | Up to 10 days |
| Standout features: | 164 workout modes, AI coach, 24/7 health monitoring, advanced cycle tracking |
| Available for: | Android, iOS |
| Price: | Medium |
Amazfit Active 2 is one of the most well-rounded fitness tracking options, boasting extensive monitoring and alert capabilities. This includes over 160 workout modes for activities like running, swimming, or dancing, impressive battery life, and an advanced one-tap measuring system. I also appreciated the GPS navigator that lets you download maps and routes directly from the Zepp App while you’re on the go, with directions sent live.
It's also highly customizable thanks to AI features like Zepp Coach, which creates custom workout plans based on your stats, performance, and recovery. For female users, there’s also Wild.AI, which provides individual recommendations on diet and exercise based on the menstrual cycle and hormone fluctuations.
2. Garmin Venu SQ2 – best flexibility
| Battery life: | Up to 9 days |
| Standout features: | voice control, stress tracking, Garmin Pay, safety tracker, music storage |
| Available for: | Android, iOS |
| Price: | On the higher end |
Garmin Venu SQ2 aims for a life-workout balance, with a voice assistant that responds to messages, manages other devices, and helps you take calls in addition to health tracking. You can even use the watch for shopping with Garmin Pay for contactless payments.
Additionally, it offers advanced safety features like Incident Detection that will forward your location to a designated contact in emergencies. I also enjoyed the music storage option, which allows you to download up to 650 songs for training, including Spotify and Deezer playlists.
3. Amazfit Balance – the most durable
| Battery life: | Up to 14 days |
| Standout features: | AI fitness coaching, breathing exercise, advanced sleep quality monitoring, body composition measurement |
| Available for: | Android, iOS |
| Price: | Expensive |
Amazfit Balance offers a balanced feature pool for workouts, health tracking, and everyday activity. And if you’re in for a long run, its battery lasts up to 14 days – easily the most durable option on the list.
I liked that Amazfit Balance takes health tracking and reporting a step further with health data abnormality alerts. Whenever it detects worrisome activity like low heart rate or high stress levels, it instantly notifies you.
Amazfit runs on AI Zepp Flow, powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4o technology. This means you can treat your watch like a smart assistant, whether you need to answer a call or get a sleep quality review. Additionally, you can use Zepp Coach to create a custom training plan based on your activity and goals.
4. Whoop 4.0 Band – best customer support
| Battery life: | Up to 5 days |
| Standout features: | advanced habit tracking, wireless charging, 24/7 health tracking, lifetime warranty |
| Available for: | Android, iOS, tablets, and laptops included |
| Price: | Expensive |
Whoop offers users advanced 24/7 health monitoring and support, tracking metrics like stress levels or daily strain, and offering personalized recommendations. For example, it measures your sleep stages and suggests the best bedtime accordingly. It also tracks over 140 different habits to help you build a better daily routine.
Finally, Whoop comes with a lifetime warranty, meaning you’ll be able to easily replace your device in case of possible issues, as long as you have the Whoop membership. A 12-month membership is included in the purchase
5. Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker – best for quality sleep
| Battery life: | Up to 7 days |
| Standout features: | Sleep tracking, built-in GPS, stress management tools, automatic activity tracking, 24/7 heart rate |
| Available for: | Android, iOS |
| Price: | Affordable |
Fitbit Charge 6 is one of the more affordable options on the list, covering some of the health and fitness essentials. This includes extensive monitoring of metrics like skin temperature, stress levels, and heart rate zones. Fitbit Charge 6 also offers users personalized workouts, with 20 exercise modes.
The watch is especially mindful when it comes to sleep, with features like sleep score, sleep stages monitoring, silent alarms, do not disturb mode, and Smart Wake that wakes you up with quiet vibrations during the light sleep phase within half an hour before your desired wake-up time.
6. Fitbit Versa 4 Fitness Smartwatch – best price-to-quality balance
| Battery life: | Over 6 days |
| Standout features: | Activity tracking, daily workout memory, message and call support, daily readiness score |
| Available for: | Android, iOS |
| Price: | Medium |
Fitbit Versa 4 is a reliable pick for tracking your health and activity, with over 40 exercise modes, from strength training to kayaking. It also provides real-time pace and distance data during outdoor workouts through the built-in GPS, no phone needed. Additionally, it allows you to adjust your fitness routine to your needs with the Daily Readiness feature that collects data to determine if you need to work out or rest more.
It’s compatible with various Google products, such as Google Maps and Google Wallet, and conveniently displays notifications, texts, and calendar alerts as long as your phone is nearby. While it’s a great pick for Android adepts, iOS users might want to look elsewhere, especially since not all features are currently supported for iOS.
7. Apple Watch SE Smartwatch – best for iOS users
| Battery life: | 18 hours |
| Standout features: | text and call support, advanced water resistance, sleep tracking, heart rate, and rhythm notifications |
| Available for: | iOS |
| Price: | On the higher end |
Apple Watch SE is probably the best pick for MacOS households thanks to its compatibility with Apple devices and services, from Apple Pay to FaceTime to iCloud. If you’re an experienced Mac user, you’ll integrate it into your routine easily, with little to no adjustments needed.
It’s also a great pick for families, since Apple Watch can be used by kids even when they don’t yet have an iPhone – controlled through the parental device.
However, it’s more suitable for casual users than professional athletes or devoted gym goers, with just 18 hours of battery life and relatively limited workout-related features.
How did I select the best fitness watch?
To select the best fitness watch, the Cybernews research team and I reviewed various models against multiple criteria. After a thorough research, I selected the top 7 options based on the following factors:
- Feature comparison: I looked at essential features like heart rate tracking, GPS capabilities, stress monitoring, water resistance, and battery life. I prioritized options with wide tracking opportunities and longer battery life.
- User experience: I paid attention to how intuitive the interface was, how the device handles daily wear and workouts, and how easy it integrates into the user’s existing routine. Factors like the watch’s weight, size, availability on various devices, and compatibility with other services or apps were crucial.
- Value for money: I analyzed the price-to-quality balance of each option, looking for both reliable budget and premium picks. I also checked how the prices compared to see which model would provide the best value.
- User and expert feedback: I checked user comments and expert reviews for honest feedback on the devices’ strong and weak sides.
What is a fitness watch, and how does it work?
A fitness watch is a smart device designed to track your physical activity and key health metrics. It helps monitor, support, and improve your overall wellness.
It relies on built-in sensors, such as accelerometers that detect motion, optical sensors for heart rate monitoring, and GPS for outdoor activities. Depending on the watch type, it can also be synchronized with your smartphone for personalized health insights.
While specific features depend on a model, most watches include essentials like step tracking, heart rate, sleep, and stress monitoring, and different workout routines. Some include AI features, providing personalized health advice.
Different types of fitness watches and trackers
Fitness watches are all about flexibility, with options available for various needs. Here are the main watch types for you to know before purchasing:
- Basic fitness trackers: These are affordable but pretty basic, perfect for beginners and less-demanding users who don’t need in-depth or personalized guidance. They usually track essentials only, like steps, distance, and calories burned.
- Advanced fitness watches: Such watches are heavy on features, such as continuous heart rate analysis, GPS, stress and sleep monitoring, or VO2 max tracking. They are perfect for professional athletes and avid gym goers who need personalized workout routines.
- Hybrid watches: Hybrids blend traditional analog watch design with basic smartwatch capabilities like step tracking, sleep monitoring, and health notifications. They’re pretty popular among casual users thanks to their aesthetic appeal.
- Outdoor/fitness smartwatches: These devices focus on outdoor activities, making them a popular choice among hikers and extreme sports fans. They usually come with GPS, extended battery life, offline maps, and emergency signals for unexpected situations.
Fitness watch vs smartwatch: What’s the difference
Fitness and smartwatches are targeted towards different users and goals. Here’s what sets them apart:
Fitness Watch
- Goal: Fitness watches prioritize your well-being, with a focus on tracking workouts, physical activity, and key health metrics.
- Durability: Such devices have exceptional battery life, lasting weeks on a single charge. They’re intended for intense use and are more durable overall.
- Limited compatibility: Fitness watches are health and workout-focused, paying less attention to compatibility with non-essential or third-party apps.
Smartwatch
- Goal: Such watches act as personal assistants with features like music control, calendar alerts, and contact management. However, their fitness features are more limited and basic.
- Premium look: These often have more thoughtful and versatile designs, yet are also more sizey and less suitable for workouts or an active lifestyle.
- Shorter battery life: Most smartwatches last up to two days due to advanced displays and multitasking features.
What to look for when choosing the best fitness watch?
With plenty of options to choose from, there are several factors to consider when looking for the best fitness watch for your goals:
- Battery life: Shorter battery life can be fine for casual users. But for lasting workouts and intense use, you’ll need a model that can last for days or even weeks.
- Water resistance: A good fitness watch should be able to handle water exposure. A 50-meter water resistance is enough for light use, while 100 meters is more suitable for long-term durability.
- Compatibility: Make sure the watch works with your smartphone. Some devices may be compatible with iOS or Android only, or not supported by older models.
- Tracking features: Focus on watches that track the key metrics for your goals, such as heart rate or sleep patterns.
- Design and comfort: If you plan to wear the watch all day and night, prioritize compact designs and lightweight materials. Design customizability is also a plus.
- App support: Most watches come with an app. Look for options with intuitive dashboards, helpful insights, and personalized recommendations.
Final word on the best fitness watches
There’s no single best pick when it comes to selecting a fitness watch. Your choice should depend on a variety of factors, such as your fitness goals, budget, and workout intensity.
In this guide, I went through different fitness watches for diverse lifestyles and fitness journeys, whether you’re an experienced athlete or a beginner. For example, Amazfit Active 2 can be a better pick for intensive workouts and gym sessions, while Apple Watch SE suits casual users who want to support a balanced lifestyle.
Listen to your wishes and needs, compare different models – and select the fitness watch that will support and encourage your progress.
FAQ
Do fitness watches really help improve your health?
Yes. Fitness watches can help you monitor your well-being, support healthier habits, adjust your fitness schedule, and make more conscious lifestyle choices through real-time tracking of metrics like movement, heart rate, stress levels, and sleep quality. Some watches also come with training plans, like Amazfit Active 2, which has 160 workout modes for different activities.
Which fitness watch is best for weight loss?
Multiple factors, from exercise to diet, contribute to weight loss. And while no fitness watch can replace a balanced weight loss plan, models that focus on tracking metrics like calorie expenditure and steps can prove helpful on your journey. Popular choices include Fitbit, Garmin, and Amazfit, which can create a custom workout or weight loss plan based on your lifestyle and activity.
Are fitness watches accurate in tracking steps and calories?
Yes, to an extent. While step tracking is generally accurate, most models lack precision when it comes to calorie and energy expenditure estimates. Nevertheless, knowing even approximate metrics can still help you notice activity patterns and trends.
Can I use a fitness watch without a smartphone?
Yes, but the functionality can be more limited. Many fitness watches will still track workouts, use the GPS navigator, and monitor metrics like steps or heart rate without a smartphone. However, you may need it for some advanced features and non-fitness functionality like online payments or music streaming.
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