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 rivaling top smartwatches to basic step counters and heart rate monitors. There's a budget-friendly fitness tracker for every wrist and need.
TL;DR – The Best Budget Fitness Trackers:
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Our Top Pick
Fitbit Inspire 3
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Xiaomi Smart Band 9
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Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro
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Amazfit Band 7
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Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
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Garmin Venu 3
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*Contributions by Kevin Lee*
1. Fitbit Inspire 3
Best Budget Fitness Tracker

Our Top Pick
Fitbit Inspire 3
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Product Specifications
- Size: 39.3mm x 18.6mm
- Thickness: 11.75mm
- Battery life: 10 days
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Sensors: Heart rate monitor, SpO2
- Tracking: Swim, sleep, steps
- Water resistance: Up to 50m
PROS: Bright AMOLED touchscreen, Long battery life
CONS: Some more advanced features require a subscription
The Fitbit Inspire 3 proves that high-quality fitness trackers don't need a hefty price tag. For under $100, you get a vibrant AMOLED display and a comfortable, durable band. Its 10-day battery life (reduced with the always-on display) minimizes charging needs. Navigation is intuitive with the touchscreen and two buttons.
Fitness tracking features include 24/7 heart rate monitoring, step counting, blood oxygen level measurement, and movement reminders. Automatic exercise tracking and sleep monitoring add further value. Basic smartwatch features like phone notifications and a find-my-phone function are included (via Bluetooth), although music storage and contactless payments are absent.
2. Xiaomi Smart Band 9
Best Ultra Cheap Fitness Tracker

Xiaomi Smart Band 9
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Product Specifications
- Size: 46.53mm x 21.63mm
- Thickness: 10.95mm
- Battery life: 21 days
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Sensors: Heart rate monitor, SpO2
- Tracking: Swim, sleep, steps
- Water resistance: Up to 50m
PROS: Over 150 sports modes, Impressive 21-day battery life
CONS: Tracking isn't always 100% accurate
The sub-$50 Xiaomi Smart Band 9 packs a punch. It boasts a sleek design, comprehensive health monitoring (pedometer, heart rate monitor, blood oxygen saturation, sleep monitoring), and over 150 fitness modes. While accuracy might not match high-end devices, it offers valuable workout insights.
The Smart Band 9 features a significant battery life boost (three weeks with moderate use) and a brighter 1.62-inch AMOLED display. Touchscreen controls are responsive, and basic smartwatch features such as call and message notifications and music playback control are included. However, phone pairing can be finicky.
3. Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro
Best Budget Fitness Tracker with GPS

Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro
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Product Specifications
- Size: 43.27mm x 32.49mm
- Thickness: 10.8mm
- Battery life: 21 days
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Sensors: Heart rate monitor, GPS, SpO2
- Tracking: Swim, sleep, stress
- Water resistance: Up to 50m
PROS: Accurate built-in GPS, Large, full-color AMOLED display
CONS: No NFC
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. It retains 24/7 heart rate and SpO2 monitoring, sleep and stress tracking, and support for over 150 sports modes. While some modes offer limited data, the GPS significantly enhances workout tracking.
Smartwatch features include music playback and phone notifications (no replies), but NFC is absent. Despite this, the sub-$100 price point makes it a stylish and feature-rich option.
4. Amazfit Band 7
Best Budget Fitness Tracker With Health Monitoring

Amazfit Band 7
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Product Specifications
- Size: 37.3mm
- Thickness: 12.2mm
- Battery life: 18 days
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2
- Sensors: Heart rate monitor, SpO2
- Tracking: Swim, period, sleep
- Water resistance: Up to 50m
PROS: Tons of tracking including stress and sleep, Amazon Alexa and other smartwatch features built-in
CONS: No built-in GPS
The $50 Amazfit Band 7 offers impressive features for its price. A large 1.47-inch always-on AMOLED display provides easy data viewing, while the band remains slim and comfortable. The 18-day battery life (28 days in battery saver mode) is a major advantage.
Over 120 sports modes are supported, with automatic recognition for four. 50m water resistance allows for swimming. Health monitoring includes heart rate, blood oxygen level, stress, and sleep tracking. Smartwatch functions include notifications and Amazon Alexa integration.
5. Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
Best Budget Apple Watch

Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
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Product Specifications
- Size: 40mm x 34mm
- Thickness: 10.7mm
- Battery life: 18 hours
- Connectivity: Cellular (optional), 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3
- Sensors: Heart rate monitor, GPS, accelerometer
- Tracking: Swim, sleep, period
- Water resistance: Up to 50m
PROS: Huge selection of apps, Special safety features, like crash detection and built-in GPS
CONS: Fewer sensors than other Apple Watch options
The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) offers a budget-friendly entry into the Apple Watch ecosystem. It features an optical heart rate sensor, built-in GPS, automatic workout detection (including swimming), and 32GB of storage for apps. Beyond fitness, it functions as a full smartwatch, handling calls, messages, contactless payments, and music streaming.
Crash detection is a key safety feature. While battery life is shorter than other options, it's respectable for an Apple Watch. The slim and comfortable design enhances the overall user experience.
6. Garmin Venu 3
Best Budget Fitness Tracker for Workouts

Garmin Venu 3
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Product Specifications
- Size: 45mm
- Thickness: 12mm
- Battery life: 14 days
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, 802.11n
- Sensors: Heart rate monitor, GPS, temperature
- Tracking: Swim, sleep, stress, energy
- Water resistance: Up to 50m
PROS: Highly accurate GPS and heart rate monitor, Helpful Body Battery feature
CONS: Limited app selection compared to other smartwatches
Garmin's Venu 3, while the most expensive on this list, offers serious fitness tracking capabilities. It tracks various exercises (swimming, cycling, golf, etc.) with high accuracy thanks to its GPS and heart rate monitor. Over 30 preloaded sports apps and animated workouts are included. The Body Battery feature provides insights into your body's energy levels.
As a smartwatch, it offers a bright AMOLED display, up to 14 days of battery life (diminished with always-on display and automatic workout detection), and standard smartwatch features (calls, smart assistants, texts). App selection is limited compared to Apple and Google smartwatches.
What to Look for in a Budget Fitness Tracker
Choosing a fitness tracker involves more than just step counting and sleep tracking. Consider hardware quality, comfort, software, and tracking accuracy. Higher prices usually mean more features (heart rate monitoring, GPS, OLED displays). However, many affordable trackers offer surprisingly comprehensive health data.
What kind of fitness tracker do I need?
Your needs dictate the right tracker. For basic step counting, heart rate monitoring, and timekeeping, an ultra-cheap band like the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 suffices. Many budget options include color displays, long battery life, sports modes, sleep tracking, blood oxygen sensors, and phone notifications.
Runners, bikers, and hikers might prefer GPS support. For broader functionality beyond fitness and health, a smartwatch offers a larger screen, storage, more apps, and call/text capabilities. Active individuals might also consider a good pair of earbuds to complement their fitness tracker.