If you’re shopping for a new activity tracker, the sheer number of options can quickly cause choice paralysis. The rapidly growing market has seen standards set by wearable devices like the Fitbit Versa, Fitbit Alta, Fitbit Flex, and Apple Watch, but these high-end fitness trackers almost always cost a pretty penny. Some can even set you back well over $200 for the latest models. Improving your running game really doesn’t need to be so expensive that you blow your entire workout budget on a fitness tracker, alone!
Whether you’re not into dropping a Benjamin or two on a Fitbit device, or you’re not 100 percent sure you need one and want to try out a cheap unit first, or all you want is a super-basic (and super-affordable) activity-tracking smartwatch to keep you on task, we’ve got you covered. These great Fitbit alternatives – including a few from brand-name makers like Garmin and Withings – can help get you a jump on those New Year’s resolutions without breaking the bank.
The Best Cheap Activity Trackers
Garmin Vivofit 3
Garmin is a big name in the world of fitness tech, and while its devices are certainly considered “name brand,” they’re considerably less expensive than the competition. The Vivofit 3 is a band-style activity tracker that features an impressive one-year battery life – no charging required – and syncs automatically with the Garmin Connect companion app to upload all of the health stats that are fit to track (minus heart rate). It can even auto-detect your current activity to collect the appropriate data. It’s affordable, too, at under $90 on Amazon.
If you’re looking for an alternative for the Fitbit Charge 2 or any other lower-tier Fitbit smart wearable, this handy piece of fitness wrist tech should get the job done.
Toobur Slim
When it comes to price, size, and features, fitness-tracking bracelets like this one from Toobur hit the sweet spot between simple wristbands and full-fledged smartwatches. Looking at the Toobur, one is instantly reminded of the Fitbit Alta, Flex 2, or the Alta HR with its slim LED display. The Toobur fitness band tracks activity as well as sleep, and it syncs wirelessly to your phone, so you can upload your data and receive notifications of incoming calls, texts, and social media updates. Best of all? The Toobur activity tracker will set you back under $40. If you’re looking for something along the lines of a Fitbit Flex but don’t want to drop $80 on a wearable, this is a good alternative.
Amazfit Bip
The rugged Amazfit Bip ditches most bells and whistles in favor of a low-cost, no-frills sports watch design that’s perfect for active users looking for something more than your standard digital watch (think G-Shock with a heart rate monitor, a customizable face, and smart connectivity).
This cheap smartwatch is compatible with Android and iOS devices and can sync wirelessly with your phone to upload and track fitness metrics via the Mi Fit companion app. The case is dustproof and water-resistant, and, most impressively, the internal battery can last up to 30 days before needing a charge. The Amazfit Bip is one of the most affordable smartwatches you’ll find with built-in GPS for more accurate activity tracking.
Withings Activite Pop
The super-stylish Withings Activite Pop is the watch to get if you want a tracker with classic watch aesthetics. The old-school analog face displays time as well as daily goal progress. Under the hood, the Activite Pop also has a sensor that tracks things like sleep quality, steps taken, and more and uploads them to your synced device via the Health Mate app. As Nokia recently acquired Withings, pre-buyout Withings-branded stock can be had for cheap right now. If you’re looking for a step counter with sleep tracking but don’t want to pay the steep price of something from the Apple Watch Series, this tracker is a great option.
Wahoo TICKR FIT
The Wahoo Tickr Fit Armband heart rate monitor tracks and captures real-time heart rate, training zones, and calories burned on your smartphone or tablet with compatible training apps. It integrates with Bluetooth and has GPS that connects to tablets, phones, bikes, watches, and other devices from many different brands such as Garmin and Apple. The Wahoo Tickr Fit Armband is $80 right now from Best Buy.
Scosche Rhythm+
The Scosche Rhythm+ heart rate monitor and activity tracker straps onto your forearm rather than around your chest to deliver accurate (and more comfortable) real-time heart monitoring. It’s compatible with both Bluetooth and ANT+ devices, too, meaning you can sync it with a wide variety of smartphones, GPS watches, and more. The Rhythm+ tracks calories burned, distance, and pace and works with popular fitness apps along with heart rate. The Scosche Rhythm+ heart rate monitor and fitness tracker is normally priced for $80 at Amazon.
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