Like every device you wear on your body every day, fitness trackers are very personal. The best fitness tracker should be comfortable, attractive, and fit your lifestyle, including when and how you like to exercise. Do you bike, row, or strength train? Do you walk the streets for hours, or do you just want to remind yourself to stand up every hour? Do you want to wear it on your wrist or on your finger or tuck it into your bra? No matter what your needs are, there’s never been a better time to discover advanced and powerful tools that can help you get the most out of your workout or jump-start your routine. We test dozens of fitness trackers every year while running, climbing, hiking, or just doing exercise videos on iPads at night, to bring you this selection. Updated January 2025: We added Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED, Oura Ring 4, Xiaomi Smart Band 9, Garmin Lily 2 Active, Amazfit T-Rex 3, Amazfit Active, and Polar Vantage M3. Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get the best-in-class reports that matter so much to your attention for only $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.Fitness Trackers vs. SmartwatchesAccordionItemContainerButtonDon’t see anything that’s exactly your style here? Check out our guide to the best Smartwatches. While the categories may overlap, fitness trackers are lacking in features. I’m less concerned about whether a fitness tracker can replicate every feature on a smartphone than whether the suite of health features is powerful and accurate; if it can track some activities; and if it stays and is safe while doing various fitness activities. Some fitness trackers will display the ability to read email and control music, but the screen is often smaller and less bright. However, battery life is often better, which makes a difference, especially if you track your sleep over time. If, however, you are more interested in the option to access apps without having to pull out your phone, you may want to think about getting a smartwatch. (If you want no notifications, look for a smart ring.) Troubleshooting Fitness TrackerAccordionItemContainerButton Are you having problems with that new fitness device you just bought? Here are just a few ways you can treat your illness (or your device): Make sure it fits. The optical sensor won’t work if your device slips around your wrist. You can customize most devices with a new strap. Make sure it sits securely above your wrist. Wash it! I’m horrified that so many people have told me that their fitness trackers give me a wrist rash. Wipe off with dish soap and a little water after your sweat session. Get out from under the tree cover. Does your device use various satellite positioning systems to track your location when you start outdoor exercise? This is harder to do if you’re under power lines, trees, or even (gulp) indoors. Set a routine. There’s nothing more annoying than opening a tracker app and finding out that the battery is dead before you go to bed last night. Keep updating the app regularly. Make sure your tracker is connected to your phone, and keep a charger somewhere.