Establishing a more consistent exercise routine so you can smash your goals of getting fit and healthier is always one of the most common New Year’s resolutions. But how you find the motivation to get to that point is varies from person to person. You might use sheer willpower and determination, fresh activewear, or perhaps a brand new fitness tracker that’ll get you up and moving.
For me, it’s reaching all the targets on my Oura Ring. And if you’re reading this, I think it’s safe for me to say you’re looking to invest in a fitness tracker in 2026, too. There are an overwhelming amount of options out there, from smart watches to rings to faceless bands, and they all do kinda similar but very different things — and all at different price points. If you don’t have your eye on one fitness tracker in particular, it can be hard to know which one to throw your money at.
So to help you smash (and stick to) your goals, I decided to do a deep dive and find the best fitness trackers, rings and smart watches for 2026.
Ladies and gentlemen, let’s lock in.
The 9 Best Fitness Trackers For 2026
Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Series
If you have a Samsung phone, this watch is the tech company’s most advanced one yet. It has an abundance of advanced AI features packed into a sleek design. Whether you’re trying to get better at running or establish a healthier sleep routine, the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Series is a tool that can deliver a tailored approach to improve your lifestyle.
Best for: If you want to start running and own a Samsung.
Price: From $649
Pros:
- Real advanced technology. Like I mean, real advanced.
- Gemini Live can summarise your notifications out loud for you, or even remind you where you parked your car.
- Analyses your sleep and sends you reminders when it’s time to go to bed.
- Guided meditations and mindfulness tools are available in the Samsung Health App.
- Tailored coaching program to help build healthier habits.
- Personalised running coach that builds you a three to five week running program based on your goals.
- Lightweight and super comfortable design.
Cons:
- It’s not compatible with Apple.
Garmin Vívoactive 6
Garmin has an extensive range of fitness trackers and smart watches, spanning from more affordable options like the Vívosmart 5 ($249) to more expensive and high tech ranges, like the Fēnix 8 Pro ($1,814.89). If you’re looking for a solid mid-range option to use every day, the Vívoactive 6 is one of the brand’s best-sellers. It’s a popular one amongst runners, but tracks data for over 80 different types of workouts. If you’re looking for an entry point into the Garmin ecosystem, this is it.
Best for: If you’re a runner who also enjoys other types of exercise.
Price: $549
Pros:
- The battery can last up to 11 days.
- It monitors your sleep, heart rate, energy levels, periods, pregnancy, recovery time and more.
- Gives you a morning report with data on your sleep score, recovery, HRV status and daily calendar.
- You can track your stats for just about any fitness activity.
- It comes with extras like music storage, GPS tracking, contactless payment, and more.
- You can set up the Garmin coach to help achieve your training goals.
- Wheelchair mode for accessibility.
- Detects when you nap and how it contributes to your recovery.
- Workout creation feature.
- Smart alarm feature wakes you at your lightest point in sleep within 30 minutes from your desired wake time.
Cons:
- Watch face only comes in one size (42mm).
- Music storage can cost extra.
Apple Watch Series 11
If you’re an Apple user and want to track your fitness with a straightforward interface with comprehensive data, the Apple Watch Series 11 is a great all-in-one. You get all the data of a health tracker with the bonus functionality of a smart watch. You can answer calls and texts from your watch, and control the music playing from your phone, too.
Best for: If you have an iPhone.
Price: From $679
Pros:
- Pairs with all Apple products.
- Tracks just about everything from fitness activities to periods and health.
- You can change the bands to suit your outfits and lifestyle.
- Heaps of ways to customise it, from an aluminium or titanium finish to different watch face sizes.
- Hosts a bunch of phone capabilities like calls, texts, contactless payment, music and apps.
- Can opt for a GPS + Cellular model.
Cons:
- It’s not compatible with Androids.
- Battery life isn’t as long as some other smart watches (up to 24 hours).
Whoop
Whoop is for people who want to get serious about their health data without any of the distractions that come with a smart watch. The band is so comfortable and discreet that you’ll hardly know you’re wearing it, while the app is so detailed and data-driven that you’ll completely nerd out over your health.
The brand’s model is quite different to other fitness tracker brands. Whoop has three memberships (One, Peak, and Life), and each membership comes with a different fitness tracker (Whoop 4.0, Whoop 5.0, and Whoop MG). The band and the accessories are free, you just need to pay the annual membership fee. If you’d rather pay for a device outright instead of opting into a membership, this one might not be for you. However, a lot of fitness trackers these days offer extra data that comes along with a membership fee.
Best for: If you don’t want the bells and whistles of a smart watch.
Price: From $299 upfront annually
Pros:
- One-month free trial.
- You can choose from different band designs and colourways.
- It doesn’t double as a phone or watch! You can use it completely distraction-free.
- Whoop collects data every 19 milliseconds, so it’s always up to date.
- It’s compatible with both Apple and Android.
- It comes with a wearable, waterproof and wireless battery pack, so you don’t have to take it off to charge it.
- You can set up a built-in coach within the Whoop app to help you reach your goals.
Cons:
- It doesn’t act as a watch or have any kind of screen (if that’s what you want).
- You’ll need to pay for membership annually or monthly to continue using Whoop and receive data.
Oura Ring 4
If wearing a fitness and health tracker on your wrist simply isn’t your vibe, the Oura Ring 4 might just be the answer to all your prayers. This fitness tracker is a sleek, titanium ring that uses smart sensing technology to track how you move throughout the day (and how you sleep at night). Each morning, it gives you a sleep score, readiness score, and calorie goal based off how well you recovered from the day before, so your targets are more in tune with your body rather than having a blanket goal.
Best for: If don’t want a smart watch but want to track your fitness data.
Price: From $569
Pros:
- It has six colourway options — silver, black, stealth, gold, rose gold, and brushed silver.
- Tracks over 50 health metrics, including sleep, heart rate, activities, calories, metabolic function and energy levels.
- Water-resistant.
- Up to eight-day battery life.
- Comes with a free sizing kit.
Cons:
- It scratches easily if you lift weights.
- Membership fee ($9.99 monthly or $109.99 annually).
- The Oura Ring’s price varies based on colour (if you’re a gold fan, you’ll be forking out an extra $230 in comparison to the silver model).
Withings Scanwatch Nova Brilliant
If you’re after a smart watch/fitness tracker that looks a little more sophisticated than your traditional touchscreen setup, Withings is where you’ll find it. The Scanwatch Nova Brilliant has all the health tracking and capabilities of your go-to smart watch but offers a sleek, analog look instead. It’s pretty schmick.
Best for: If you don’t like the look of a smart watch but still want to use a fitness tracker.
Price: $799
Pros:
- 30-day battery life.
- Track health metrics like body temperature, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, periods, sleep and more.
- Plus, you can track 40+ fitness activities, including daily steps and workouts.
- Compatible with both Apple and Android.
- It looks like a high-end analog watch but has all the necessary fitness tracking features.
- Comes with a metal band or a sports band.
Cons:
- It only offers notifications from apps linked to your smartphone and doesn’t have the ability to call or text.
- It can sometimes over-track kilojoules.
Fitbit Versa 4
Fitbit is one of the OG fitness trackers, and it’s still going strong in 2026. The Fitbit Versa 4 is a great place to start if you’re new to the big wide world of fitness trackers and are feeling overwhelmed, but still want to track your data. It gives you a Daily Readiness Score, tracks over 40 types of workouts, and tracks your sleep. It also receives calls, texts and notifications.
Best for: If you’re looking for a comprehensive fitness tracker with a simple layout.
Price: $322.15 (usually $379)
Pros:
- Simple and easy to use.
- 40 exercise modes (up from 20 modes).
- Six-day battery life.
- Tracks your health metrics like heart rate, calories, active minutes, stress, sleep, and more.
- Has access to Google Maps and Wallet (for those on-the-go coffees).
- Interchangeable bands to suit your outfits and lifestyle.
- A six-month Fitbit membership is included in the initial purchase.
- Compatible with both iOS and Android.
Cons:
- Lacks ECG and stress sensors.
- Doesn’t support third-party apps.
- Some lifestyle apps from the previous generation have been removed.
Ultrahuman Ring Air
For those of you who love the sound of the Oura Ring but can’t justify spending money each month on a membership, allow me to introduce you to the Ultrahuman Ring Air. It’s more optimisation and performance focussed than the Oura Ring, which is a bit more holistic, and the app is more data-dense and analytical, with clear guidance on when to move, rest and recover. It’s a bit chunkier than the Oura Ring, and the battery doesn’t last as long (four to six days), but it’s a great health tool.
Best for: If you want deep, detailed analysis into all your fitness data.
Price: From $599
Pros:
- Comes in six colourways — gold, silver, titanium, black, brushed rose gold, and matte grey.
- Almost all the rings are the same price (minus the brushed rose gold, which is $699).
- Free ring-sizing kit.
- Recommends the best times for caffeine consumption based on your sleep.
- Calculates the best time for you to step outside to get Vitamin D.
- Tracks screen time and its impact on sleep.
Cons:
- Unfortunately, there are still some extra plug-ins you need to pay for (if you want them). These include cycle tracking and heart monitoring.
- Some say the app can be a bit glitchy at times.
- Can scratch easily if you’re lifting weights.
Google Pixel Watch 4
The Google Pixel Watch 4 is a solid fitness tracker in 2026 if you have an Android phone. It’s redesigned with a brighter, curved display and longer battery life, so you can go longer between charges and actually use features like sleep and fitness tracking without needing to charge it every night. Google Pixel Watches and Fitbit are now under the same ecosystem, so it also brings powerful health and activity tracking, fast performance, and on‑wrist AI help from Gemini.
Best for: Android users wanting a reasonably-priced everyday smart watch.
Price: $504.48 (usually $579)
Pros:
- Compatible with Android smartphones running Android 8.0 or above.
- Up to 30 hours of battery on the 41 mm watch or up to 40 hours on the 45 mm watch.
- 15 hours of charge in 15 minutes.
- Emergency satellite communication.
- Gemini voice control.
Cons:
- Not compatible with iPhone.
- You need a Fitbit Premium membership if you want to access the curated workouts and running plan.
Hey, now you’re investing in one of the best fitness trackers available in 2026, there’s no excuses not to lock in (at least that’s what I’m telling myself).
Image credit: Whoop / Garmin
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