Best Fitness Trackers for Connectivity (2024)

1

Garmin fenix 7S

Score: 8/10

Garmin fenix 7S

Strong connectivity features with some limitations in app configuration.

Connectivity

8/10

D

DesFit

The Fenix 7S supports Garmin Pay for contactless payments and can connect to various sensors, such as heart rate monitors and bike sensors.

D

DesFit

It also allows for real-time settings synchronization with the Garmin Connect app.

D

DesFit

The map manager cannot be configured from the smartphone app.

Health & Fitness Features

8/10

Offers advanced health and fitness features with accurate tracking, though some features are limited to premium models.

Quotes from Reviewers

D

DesFit

The Garmin Fenix 7S includes advanced health and fitness features, such as a new real-time stamina feature, a visual race predictor, and a fourth-generation heart rate sensor with a pulse oximeter.

D

DesFit

Some features, like the multiband GPS, are only available on the more expensive sapphire models.

D

DesFit

The heart rate sensor may struggle with accuracy during certain activities, such as downhill biking.

Battery Life

9/10

Impressive battery life with solar charging capabilities, though some features can drain the battery faster.

Ease Of Use

7/10

Touchscreen enhances navigation but the interface can be complex for some users.

Build Quality

9/10

Durable design with premium materials, though may be bulky for smaller wrists.
2

Samsung Galaxy Watch7

Score: 8/10

Samsung Galaxy Watch7

Supports stable connections with Bluetooth 5.3 and offers LTE and NFC payments, but lacks iPhone support.

Connectivity

8/10

M

Mike O'Brien

The watch supports Bluetooth 5.3 and offers LTE for phone-free use.

M

Mike O'Brien

You won't be able to take advantage of the Galaxy AI features unless you have a new Samsung phone.

Health & Fitness Features

9/10

Provides accurate health tracking with advanced sensors, though some features may be region-specific.

Quotes from Reviewers

M

Mike O'Brien

The heart rate tracking is very accurate, comparable to that of Garmin watches.

M

Mike O'Brien

The watch offers advanced sleep tracking, including sleep apnea detection.

M

Mike O'Brien

It can measure your body composition using bio-impedance.

Battery Life

7/10

Offers up to 3 days of battery life with normal use, but heavy usage may reduce it to a day.

Ease Of Use

8/10

Features a snappy interface with customizable options, though some gestures may be inconsistent.

Build Quality

7/10

Durable build with premium materials, though the design lacks a rotating bezel.
3

Garmin Fenix 7S Pro

Score: 8/10

Garmin Fenix 7S Pro

Strong connectivity with Garmin Pay and Spotify, but limited app ecosystem.

Health & Fitness Features

8/10

Comprehensive fitness tracking with new features, though some aspects like sleep tracking and ECG are lacking.

Quotes from Reviewers

D

DC Rainmaker

The flashlight mode on all Garmin watches can also sync with your running cadence, allowing it to blink like a strobe light if you want while you're running.

D

DC Rainmaker

Garmin says this will help in sports or workouts that involve heavy wrist movements, such as weight lifting and similar activities.

D

DC Rainmaker

The idea here is that there is a better way of tracking this than something like a cute load might, particularly across all sport types.

Battery Life

9/10

The Garmin Fenix 7S Pro offers impressive battery life, lasting 9-11 days on a single charge, with solar charging capabilities.

Ease Of Use

7/10

User-friendly interface with practical features, but can be overwhelming for new users.

Build Quality

8/10

Rugged and durable design, but heavier and bulkier than some competitors.
4

Samsung Galaxy Watch FE

Score: 7/10

Samsung Galaxy Watch FE

Good connectivity with Bluetooth 5.3 and NFC. Limited to Android phones.

Connectivity

7/10

W

Wearable Whisperer

The Bluetooth version has apparently been updated from version 5 to version 5.3. If that's true, expect better Bluetooth connectivity and stability in the new Fe model.

W

Wearable Whisperer

The Galaxy Watch FE can only be used with phones running Android 11.0 or newer.

Health & Fitness Features

8/10

Comprehensive health tracking with over 100 workout modes and advanced metrics. Lacks temperature sensor.

Quotes from Reviewers

W

Wearable Whisperer

The Galaxy Watch Fe pretty much has all the features you'd expect from a modern smartwatch, including daily activity tracking, 24/7 heart rate tracking, over 100 different workout modes, sleep tracking, stress tracking, compatible music apps, Bixby or Google Assistant, third-party apps, and more.

W

Wearable Whisperer

The Galaxy Watch Fe, however, does not include a temperature sensor, so it lacks the few features that rely on that sensor.

W

Wearable Whisperer

The Galaxy Watch FE did not track any of my naps.

Battery Life

6/10

Battery life is adequate for basic use but diminishes with advanced features. Lacks fast charging.

Quotes from Reviewers

W

Wearable Whisperer

It takes about 1 hour to charge from 15% to 80%, or about 1.5 hours to charge fully from 15% to 100%.

W

Wearable Whisperer

The Galaxy Watch FE battery lasted for a total of 38 hours without using the always-on display feature and exercise tracking.

Ease Of Use

7/10

User-friendly with quick band swaps and physical buttons. Older chipset may cause lag.

Quotes from Reviewers

Build Quality

7/10

Durable with sapphire crystal glass and IP68 rating. Limited size options.

Quotes from Reviewers

W

Wearable Whisperer

The Galaxy Watch FE features an aluminum watch case with a smooth finish.

W

Wearable Whisperer

The new Galaxy Watch FE actually features sapphire crystal glass, so the glass has been upgraded in the new FE model.

5

Garmin Venu 3S

Score: 7/10

Garmin Venu 3S

Robust connectivity options, but lacks cellular connectivity and has limited third-party app support.

Connectivity

7/10

A

AbbyBReviewing

This smartwatch is compatible with both Apple and Android phones.

A

AbbyBReviewing

You can connect your external Bluetooth devices, such as an external heart rate sensor.

A

AbbyBReviewing

It requires you to have your phone within range for these cellular features to work.

Health & Fitness Features

8/10

Offers comprehensive fitness tracking with advanced health metrics, though some features like sleep tracking need improvement.

Quotes from Reviewers

A

AbbyBReviewing

It can track various metrics, such as your calories burned, floors climbed, distance walked, active minutes, heart rate, stress, and more.

A

AbbyBReviewing

When it comes to activity tracking with this smartwatch, it performs excellently; after all, it's a Garmin watch.

A

AbbyBReviewing

Garmin is not the best when it comes to sleep tracking; it is definitely inaccurate regarding sleep stages.

Battery Life

8/10

Impressive battery life lasting up to 10 days, though reduced with always-on display and heavy usage.

Quotes from Reviewers

A

AbbyBReviewing

It has a battery life of up to 10 days as a smartwatch.

A

AbbyBReviewing

With the always-on display enabled, I've gotten about three to four days of battery life.

A

AbbyBReviewing

Battery life will definitely vary depending on each individual's usage.

Ease Of Use

7/10

User-friendly with a customizable interface, though some features may require a learning curve.

Quotes from Reviewers

A

AbbyBReviewing

I found the smartwatch to be very comfortable to wear because it is lightweight.

A

AbbyBReviewing

You can choose to swipe up or down to see all of your metrics.

A

AbbyBReviewing

I have experienced some music syncing issues when trying to download Spotify playlists.

Build Quality

8/10

Durable and stylish design, though not the most rugged for extreme sports.

Quotes from Reviewers

A

AbbyBReviewing

This smartwatch has a 1.2-inch AMOLED color display and a Gorilla Glass 3 lens.

A

AbbyBReviewing

There's a little bit of reflection, but it's not too bad, honestly.

A

AbbyBReviewing

I would have loved to see a rose gold or classic gold, similar to yellow gold.

6

Google Pixel Watch 3

Score: 7/10

Google Pixel Watch 3

Strong integration with Google apps and voice calling capability, but some features are optimized for Pixel phones.

Connectivity

7/10

M

MrMobile [Michael Fisher]

The voice calling capability over Bluetooth or LTE is available.

M

MrMobile [Michael Fisher]

It works well with your Google TV or Nest doorbell.

M

MrMobile [Michael Fisher]

The sound quality for voice calls is not optimal.

Health & Fitness Features

8/10

Offers a wide range of fitness features with significant upgrades in the Fitbit app, though some features require Fitbit Premium.

Quotes from Reviewers

M

MrMobile [Michael Fisher]

The Pixel Watch 3 offers significantly more fitness and sports features.

M

MrMobile [Michael Fisher]

Significant upgrades for this watch are likely found in the Fitbit app.

M

MrMobile [Michael Fisher]

The recorder app synchronizes with Pixel phones, allowing for the transcription and summarization of meetings.

Battery Life

7/10

Improved battery life with the 45mm model lasting up to 48 hours, though the 41mm model requires frequent recharging.

Quotes from Reviewers

M

MrMobile [Michael Fisher]

The 45mm version has a larger battery, offering improved battery life.

M

MrMobile [Michael Fisher]

I can wear the 45mm Pixel Watch 3 for an entire weekend without needing to charge it.

M

MrMobile [Michael Fisher]

Battery life has been one of the biggest problems with Pixel watches.

Ease Of Use

7/10

User-friendly interface with customizable watch faces, though setup can be frustrating and some features have a learning curve.

Quotes from Reviewers

M

MrMobile [Michael Fisher]

The watch face is customizable with various complications.

M

MrMobile [Michael Fisher]

The setup was mostly smooth, but not entirely.

M

MrMobile [Michael Fisher]

The interface is more user-friendly compared to previous versions.

Build Quality

6/10

Modern design with a brighter display, but the watch is thicker and heavier than some competitors.

Quotes from Reviewers

M

MrMobile [Michael Fisher]

The Pixel Watch 3 features a larger 45mm size with a reduced bezel.

M

MrMobile [Michael Fisher]

The display is brighter, making it more useful in sunlight.

M

MrMobile [Michael Fisher]

The default bracelet is not appealing to all users.

7

Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8

Score: 7/10

Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8

Good connectivity with Bluetooth 5.1 BLE, but lacks NFC and initial pairing can be tricky.

Health & Fitness Features

7/10

Offers extensive exercise support and health monitoring, but lacks GPS and has some accuracy issues.

Quotes from Reviewers

T

Tech Spurt

The brand new Xiaomi Smart Band 8 can help you get all pumped up with support for over 150 types of exercises.

T

Tech Spurt

The Mi Band 8 has a total of 150 sports modes, which is 20 more than its predecessor.

T

Tech Spurt

The Band 8 can deliver much more detailed running metrics, including foot strike pattern and impact force.

Battery Life

8/10

Impressive battery life of up to 14 days, but core features reduce it to 5 days.

Ease Of Use

6/10

Intuitive interface but setup can be frustrating with some features disabled by default.

Build Quality

6/10

Slick design with AMOLED display, but prone to fingerprints and has an outdated charging cable.
8

Garmin Forerunner 165

Score: 7/10

Garmin Forerunner 165

Reliable connectivity with Bluetooth and ANT+, but lacks support for some networks and sensors.

Connectivity

7/10

Health & Fitness Features

7/10

Offers advanced running dynamics and health monitoring, but lacks some training metrics and multisport support.

Quotes from Reviewers

D

DC Rainmaker

The 165 also comes with HRV status, or heart rate variability status.

D

DC Rainmaker

The 165 has about 25 activity profiles, which isn't a lot compared to the 965, which has around 100.

Battery Life

8/10

Impressive battery life, especially in smartwatch mode, but decreases with always-on display.

Quotes from Reviewers

D

DC Rainmaker

The 165 can provide anywhere from about 4 days to 11 days of battery life.

D

DC Rainmaker

The 165 can record up to 19 hours of activity in GPS-only mode.

Ease Of Use

7/10

User-friendly with touchscreen and buttons, but complexity may confuse newcomers.

Quotes from Reviewers

D

DC Rainmaker

The 165 has a touchscreen along with five physical buttons, which allow you to use the touchscreen when you want to.

D

DC Rainmaker

The user interface on this watch is nearly identical to that of every other Garmin Forerunner watch.

Build Quality

6/10

Lightweight and durable, but lacks premium materials and feel.

Quotes from Reviewers

D

DC Rainmaker

The 165 is a fairly small watch, measuring 43 mm in diameter and about 11.5 mm thick.

D

DC Rainmaker

The 165 uses a chemically strengthened glass lens, whereas the 265 has Corning Gorilla Glass 3.

9

Fitbit Ace LTE

Score: 7/10

Fitbit Ace LTE

Offers LTE connectivity for calls and messages, but requires a subscription and has limitations.

Connectivity

7/10

T

Tech With Brett

It has LTE connectivity, allowing you to perform GPS tracking, make calls, and send text messages.

T

Tech With Brett

The LTE features don't require another phone number, but they do require a subscription.

Health & Fitness Features

7/10

Encourages activity with gamified tracking and rewards, but requires a subscription for full access.

Quotes from Reviewers

T

Tech With Brett

This isn't just a glorified step counter; it's a child-focused wearable that rewards children for being active.

T

Tech With Brett

The whole idea is to offer kids a gamified fitness tracking experience.

T

Tech With Brett

You need to achieve move goals to access new levels in certain games.

Battery Life

6/10

The battery life is adequate for daily use, lasting up to two days, but frequent charging is necessary.

Quotes from Reviewers

T

Tech With Brett

The battery can last approximately 16 hours between charges.

T

Tech With Brett

It can charge from 0 to 100 in about an hour.

Ease Of Use

7/10

Kid-friendly design with a simple interface, but setup requires parental assistance.

Quotes from Reviewers

T

Tech With Brett

Parents can set up and manage the device, adding features like trusted contacts.

T

Tech With Brett

You can use this with both an Android phone and an iOS phone.

Build Quality

7/10

Durable with Gorilla Glass and water resistance, but may feel large on a child's wrist.

Quotes from Reviewers

T

Tech With Brett

The Ace LTE houses a decent color OLED display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3.

T

Tech With Brett

It has a water resistance rating of 58, so it can be submerged in water and used for swimming.

10

Apple Watch Series 10

Score: 7/10

Apple Watch Series 10

Strong connectivity with voice isolation and LTE support, but lacks precision GPS start.

Connectivity

7/10

M

Marques Brownlee

Most of the features found on the Apple Watch Ultra and sports watches are available on the Series 10.

M

Marques Brownlee

The new S10 SiP is more efficient, and they're using a new neural network to improve voice isolation.

M

Marques Brownlee

I wish the series of watches could have a precision start feature, which would indicate when they are searching for GPS.

Health & Fitness Features

8/10

Offers advanced health tracking with new features like sleep apnea detection and a Vitals app, though some functionalities are limited in the US.

Quotes from Reviewers

M

Marques Brownlee

So you're going to get things like the new Vitals app, and there's sleep apnea detection.

M

Marques Brownlee

The blood oxygenation feature is something that Apple had to disable earlier this year due to a lawsuit.

M

Marques Brownlee

The new sleep apnea feature in the Apple Watch encourages you to see a doctor and possibly undergo a more thorough test.

Battery Life

6/10

Fast charging is a highlight, but overall battery life remains unchanged, requiring daily charging for full use.

Quotes from Reviewers

M

Marques Brownlee

The most significant update to the Apple Watch Series 10 is fast charging.

M

Marques Brownlee

All you need to do is make sure that you have a fast-charging cable.

M

Marques Brownlee

They decreased the size of the watch itself and added more features like this.

Ease Of Use

7/10

Larger display and watchOS 11 enhance usability, but some features require third-party apps for optimal use.

Quotes from Reviewers

M

Marques Brownlee

The larger display is preferred for obvious reasons.

M

Marques Brownlee

The ability to use offline maps works on your phone.

M

Marques Brownlee

The snorkeling feature requires a third-party app for full functionality.

Build Quality

8/10

Sleek, thinner design with a larger display, but some features are not fully integrated.

Quotes from Reviewers

M

Marques Brownlee

The main physical differences this time on the outside are that the aluminum one is 10% thinner and 10% lighter.

M

Marques Brownlee

The Series 10 is actually one millimeter larger in both the smaller and larger sizes.

M

Marques Brownlee

The Jet Black does have a slightly glossy look to it.