Best fitness trackers for 2020 – CNET [CNET]

Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNET If you’re looking for a fitness tracker that behaves a lot like a smartwatch without the extra bulk, the Fitbit Charge 4 might be the perfect fit. It checks all the boxes when it comes to fitness features, with better training tools for athletes than other Fitbit devices, like the Fitbit Ace or the Fitbit Flex. It has a built-in GPS to track outdoor workouts independently of your phone. If you want to keep track of your data, you’ll want to download the Fitbit app, which does a great job breaking down how much progress you’ve made and how close you are to achieving your fitness goal. It can also facilitate mobile payments and the option to reply to texts and messages if you’re an Android user. Read our Fitbit Charge 4 review.

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If you’re looking for fitness band that’s even more discrete (and more affordable), you may also consider the Fitbit Inspire 2. You won’t get the built-in GPS or mobile payment options, but it has the essentials when it comes to health and fitness including heart-rate tracking, automatic workout detection and a detailed sleep analysis with Fitbit Premium (free for a year with the purchase). 

It’s also the closest thing to jewelry with a screen I’ve worn so far. If you feel like dressing it up, its silicone sports bands can easily be swapped out for a leather or stainless steel mesh band (sold separately). But the biggest perk: battery life. It can go up to 10 days on a charge, whereas the Charge 4 caps out at about five days if you toggle off the GPS. Read our Fitbit Inspire 2 first take.

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For less than $40, the Mi Band 4 is the best value fitness tracker you can buy. It packs most of the features you’d get in a more expensive fitness tracker, like an AMOLED touchscreen that’s easy to see in sunlight, 24/7 heart rate and sleep tracking. Battery life is also second to none, as you’ll get around two and a half weeks of use before you need to charge. The one thing it does miss out on is workout variety; it can only detect running, walking, cycling or swimming, so any other workout like Pilates or yoga would need to be tracked under the generic “exercise” type. Read more about the Xiomi Mi Band 4.

I know what you’re thinking: This is not a tracker. But even if you strip away all of its smartwatch features, the Apple Watch would still hold its own as a standalone fitness tracker. And the cheaper Series 3 has everything you need. Not only does it keep tabs on your health and activity like the rest of the trackers on this list, it also gives you access to dozens of fitness apps, ranging from running coaches to strength training routines, to guide your through your workouts. Read our Apple Watch Series 3 review.