Smartwatches have evolved far beyond step counters. Today’s top fitness trackers offer heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, GPS, stress management tools, and even ECG readings—all from your wrist. But with so many models at different price points, deciding which one gives you the best value can feel overwhelming.
Whether you’re a casual walker, a training athlete, or just looking to stay on top of your daily health stats, there’s a smartwatch that fits your needs. Here’s how popular models from Apple, Fitbit, Garmin, and budget-friendly alternatives compare when it comes to accuracy, health features, and everyday usability.
Best Overall: Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
Price Range: Mid-tier
Compatibility: iOS only
Key Features: Heart rate, fall detection, GPS, cycle tracking, activity rings, emergency SOS
Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
The Apple Watch SE offers an ideal balance of health tracking, smart features, and affordability within the Apple ecosystem. It includes most of the core health sensors found in the higher-end models, like heart rate and sleep tracking, along with fitness tracking and safety features like fall detection and emergency SOS.
While it doesn’t have ECG or blood oxygen monitoring, the SE nails the fundamentals. It’s perfect for iPhone users who want seamless device integration, a vibrant display, and access to Apple’s ever-expanding fitness and health ecosystem via Apple Fitness+.
Pros: Smooth performance, user-friendly interface, solid fitness tracking
Cons: Battery life is limited compared to other brands, not compatible with Android
Best for Advanced Training: Garmin Forerunner 255
Price Range: Upper mid-tier
Compatibility: iOS and Android
Key Features: Built-in GPS, VO2 max, training status, sleep and stress tracking, HRV
Battery Life: Up to 14 days (6.5 hours GPS with music)
The Garmin Forerunner 255 is built for athletes and data lovers. It offers in-depth performance metrics like VO2 max, training readiness, heart rate variability, and recovery time—tools that are usually only found in much pricier fitness devices. Built-in GPS and offline music storage make it perfect for running and cycling without your phone.
Despite the athletic focus, it’s still comfortable for everyday wear and tracks sleep, stress, and daily movement well. It’s especially ideal for users training for events or aiming to optimize performance.
Pros: Accurate fitness metrics, long battery life, advanced performance features
Cons: Not as sleek or intuitive as smartwatches focused on general use
Best for General Wellness: Fitbit Versa 4
Price Range: Budget to mid-tier
Compatibility: iOS and Android
Key Features: Heart rate, sleep score, guided breathing, Active Zone Minutes, GPS
Battery Life: Up to 6 days
The Fitbit Versa 4 is a go-to for users who want comprehensive wellness tracking without the complexity (or cost) of high-end devices. It features 24/7 heart rate monitoring, step tracking, built-in GPS, and Fitbit’s popular Sleep Score, which offers detailed insights into sleep stages and quality.
It also includes stress management tools like guided breathing exercises and mindfulness tracking. The streamlined interface and long battery life make it one of the most accessible and practical options for casual fitness users.
Pros: Strong sleep and stress tracking, simple design, excellent battery life
Cons: Some advanced features require a Fitbit Premium subscription
Best Budget Buy: Amazfit Bip 3 Pro
Price Range: Budget (under $70)
Compatibility: iOS and Android
Key Features: Heart rate, SpO2, sleep tracking, built-in GPS, PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence)
Battery Life: Up to 14 days
If you’re looking for core fitness features without the premium price tag, the Amazfit Bip 3 Pro is a surprisingly capable option. It offers continuous heart rate monitoring, SpO2 tracking, sleep insights, and even built-in GPS—a rare find in this price range.
The companion Zepp app is fairly intuitive, and the watch itself has a large, readable display. While it lacks some polish and app integrations of more expensive trackers, it covers the basics very well and offers excellent battery life.
Pros: Very affordable, solid feature set, great battery performance
Cons: Less accurate than high-end models, limited third-party app support
Best for Style and Smart Features: Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
Price Range: Mid-to-high
Compatibility: Android (limited support on iOS)
Key Features: Heart rate, body composition, ECG, stress monitoring, sleep tracking
Battery Life: Up to 40 hours
The Galaxy Watch 6 offers a sleek design, bright AMOLED display, and an impressive array of health sensors, including ECG, body composition analysis, and advanced sleep coaching. It also doubles as a full-featured smartwatch with text, calls, Google Assistant, and third-party apps.
Fitness features include auto workout detection, built-in GPS, and a smooth Wear OS experience. It’s best suited for Android users who want their fitness tracker to also handle daily smart tasks.
Pros: Excellent display and design, advanced health sensors, strong app support
Cons: Battery life is shorter than fitness-first models, not fully compatible with iOS
Choosing the Right Smartwatch for You
The best fitness tracker for your lifestyle depends on your goals. Apple Watch SE excels at all-around usability for iPhone users, while the Garmin Forerunner 255 caters to serious athletes who want deep training insights. Fitbit Versa 4 and Amazfit Bip 3 Pro are great for budget-conscious users who still want reliable tracking, and the Galaxy Watch 6 is a stylish, full-featured option for Android fans.
Whether you’re training for a marathon or simply looking to move more and sleep better, there’s a smartwatch that fits your needs—and your budget.