Best Fitness Trackers in 2022

Data is golden. It can tell you when your sleeping habits change and how many steps you average in a day. Data helps you set and track goals on your fitness journey. The big question is: how do you obtain and store the data you need?

Wearable fitness trackers are THE solution for tracking your data. But even in the solution, there’s a problem. How on Earth do you choose from over a hundred wearables that are on the market today?!

At Walker Tracker, we know a thing or two about fitness trackers. We’re breaking down our favorite wearables to help make the decision a little easier for you.

1.  FitBit Charge 5

This tracker is the most popular wearable on the market right now, and it’s not hard to see why. FitBit is at the top of the wearable food chain, and works hard to maintain its status as the number one choice for so many people. The app is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, and the Charge monitors just about all of the health data you could want to know. It currently retails for $129. 

• Most accurate step count of almost any wearable
• Built-in GPS
• Accurate sleep tracking
• Color display
• Electrodermal activity sensor to track stress
• SpO2 sensor to monitor blood oxygen levels
• Optional always-on screen display
• Slim design is comfortable to wear

2.  Garmin Forerunner 245

Garmin has established itself as a trusted fitness tracker brand, and the Forerunner 245 doesn’t disappoint. Its features are curated to make it especially easy for runners to track their activity. It currently retails for $299. For $50 more, the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music stores music onboard so you can enjoy tunes without bringing your phone along on your walk or run.

• Built-in music storage
• Charge lasts up to a week
• High resolution screen is easy to read in sun
• Crack-proof and scratch-proof glass lens
• Functions as a smartwatch (Hello, phone notifications!)
• All buttons, no touchscreen
• Rates your energy level based on rest and exercise data with a “Body Battery” feature

3.  FitBit Luxe

The FitBit Luxe offers all of the typical FitBit features with an overall slimmer design. If you’re looking for a wearable that actually looks more like jewelry, the Luxe’s smaller size makes it a homerun. Its small size also makes it a more comfortable fit, but the trade-off is a screen that can be harder to read. It starts at $149, but upgrades can increase the price.

• Charge lasts up to 7 days
• Stainless steel case
• Color display
• Water resistant to 164 feet
• Automatically starts tracking workouts after 15 minutes of activity
• Comes with free trial of FitBit premium

4.  Apple Watch

If you’re an Apple junkie, the Apple Watch feels like a no-brainer. Apple is recognizing how much fitness and health data people want out of their watch, so each release comes with more bells and whistles. The Apple Watch 7 is the most health conscious version so far. Compared to other wearables, the battery life is pretty minimal- 18 hours compared to others that can last up to a week. Watches start at $399, but depending on materials and features, some are up to $799.

• Motivational rings inspire movement (Blue Stand ring encourages hourly movement, Green Exercise ring tracks workouts, Red Move ring monitors calories burned)
• Very accurate in tracking heart rate, sends notifications for especially high and low heart rate
• Workout app can be set with a specific pace goal and send warnings if you’re above or below your pace
• Customize which 5 metrics display during a workout
• Offers breathe reminders to help mitigate stress levels
• Electrocardiogram sensor
• Built-in GPS

5.  Garmin Lily

This is the first Garmin wearable designed specifically for women. It features a stylish face and slim bands, and it’s smaller than most other fitness trackers. It tracks all of the typical health stats, and you can view basic metrics on the watch and more specific data within the Garmin app. Compared to some of the more clunky options on the market, the Garmin Lily is a gorgeous choice. Sport versions retail for $199, while classic versions start at $249.

• Patterned glass adds a little oomph to the design
• Smartwatch features keep you connected you to your phone
• Heart Rate monitoring with high and low heart rate warnings
• Charge lasts close to 4 days
• Tracks sleep and able to read blood oxygen levels
• Female health tracking to monitor monthly cycles and pregnancy
• “Live tracking” ability allows a trusted person to monitor your location, though your phone needs to be relatively close to use this

6.  Withings Steel HR

If you didn’t already know that the Withings Steel HR is a fitness tracker, you definitely wouldn’t realize it at first glance. The classic design of the wearable looks like a watch. Beneath the watch face are two smaller displays. It takes a push of a button to wake the top screen, and from there you can toggle to view your step count, heart rate, distance, alarms, and battery life. The second face looks like an analog clock and functions as your percentage monitor, so you can always see how close you are to your target step count. This wearable retails for $180.

• Several design options, including a black or white watch face for the smaller version
• Strap options include silicon, leather, or woven
• Waterproof up to 40 meters deep
• Syncs with your phone to provide notifications
• Battery lasts up to 6 days , charges in under 2 hours
• Provides sleep monitoring
• Sleek, attractive design unlike almost every other wearable

7.  Polar Grit X

The Polar Grit X has the look of a sports watch but the function of a fitness wearable. It’s known for its especially durable design— the Grit X attained a MIL-STD-810G, meaning it has been tested and proven to be combat ready. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast with an eye on your next adventure, this wearable will get the job done. 

• Built-in GPS
• Extremely durable and rugged design
• Abundance of activity tracking options- over 130 sports available
• Ideal for exceptionally physical activities, such as rock climbing
• Water resistant up to 100 meters
• Plentiful workout data: average pace, fat burn, power wattage, even a Perceived Rate of Exertion score
• Battery life up to a week 
• Hill Splitter feature tracks ascents and descents during runs

8.  Oura

The Oura is unlike almost all other wearables on the market because it’s a ring rather than a wrist accessory. If your only goal is to track and record health data, without the distraction of apps and notifications on a screen, the Oura is exactly what you’re looking for. It’s a favorite of the rich and famous; the NBA even bought 2,000 Oura rings to monitor players when they were contained in a Covid bubble to finish out the season. So, what’s the hype?

• Daily metrics include activity, sleep, and daily readiness
• Charge lasts up to a week
• Oura app breaks data down into surface-level and in-depth information
• Extremely accurate heart-rate data
• Oura sends plastic rings to help you choose the best fit for your ring
• 4 color choices: silver, gold, black, matte black
• $299 cost PLUS monthly subscription

When it’s time to choose your fitness wearable, consider which factors are most important for your lifestyle and go from there! Comment below and let us know what your favorite fitness tracker is. 

P.S. No device? No problem!  Walker Tracker allows members to convert hundreds of other activities into steps right from the app.  Learn more about the converter here.