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Tom’s Guide
Tom’s Guide
Technology
Dan Bracaglia

I walked 4,500 steps with the Fitbit Air vs Apple Watch SE 3 — and I'm surprised by the winner

Fitbit Apple Dan Bracaglia Garmin Strava
Close-up of the Apple Watch SE 3 and Fitbit Air in a user's hand against a bright, colorful background.

I tested the fitness tracking performance of the Apple Watch SE 3 vs the Fitbit Air while walking exactly 4,500 steps, and I'm surprised by the winner.

The Apple Watch SE 3 is Cupertino's latest entry-level, full-featured smartwatch and one of the best cheap smartwatches of 2026. The Fitbit Air, meanwhile, is a brand-new, diminutive, screen-free wearable and one of the best fitness trackers available right now.

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