The 5 best fitness trackers we've seen so far this year, from Google and Garmin to sleeper hits from Amazfit

Date:
Sun, 05 Jul 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Description:
We've sweated, ran, lifted and stretched while testing lots of fitness trackers this year here are the 5 that made the cut

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Ive been writing about fitness tech for years, and were finally at a point where more affordable fitness trackers are now every bit as capable as models that would have cost hundreds of dollars or pounds, little more just a few years ago. Thats not to say premium options dont have their place too, but many of the standouts this
year have certainly been on the cheaper end.

Whether its screenless devices showing less can be more, the latest iteration of the popular Oura Ring, or a pair of Amazfit options that can cut it with much more expensive models, here are the best fitness trackers in 2026 so
far, in no particular order. 1. Google Fitbit Air (Image credit: Peter Hoffmann) Release date: May 26 Rating: 4/5 Whoop bands are growing in popularity for their distraction-free, sensor-packed, highly comfortable nature, and Google didnt want to be outdone. Latest Videos From Watch full video here:

The tech giants answer to Whoops popularity, the Google Fitbit Air s
companion app boasts an effective but controversial AI-powered premium tier for additional insights, courtesy of Googles new AI Health Coach. However, even on the free tier, this comfortable tracker weighing just 12 grams and reasonably priced at $99.99 / 84.99 / AU$199 is well worth a look.

Its real strength is heart rate metrics, which are consistently impressive
for a cheap device, and it includes FDA-certified background AFib detection for additional peace of mind. You may like The best fitness trackers 2026 The best cheap fitness trackers The best Fitbit 2026: Band-style fitness trackers and Google smartwatches

Our main gripe (outside of the two-tier app offering) is that it lacks GPS, and therefore run data feels less accurate than wed have liked even at this price.

Watch our YouTube review of the Google Fitbit Air here: Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Google Fitbit Air review: the affordable Whoop alternative with a messy AI-powered app - YouTube Watch On
2. Oura Ring 5 (Image credit: Future) Release date: June 4 Rating: 4/5 From the low-priced end of the spectrum to the expensive, the Oura Ring 5 is the latest offering from the company that, if theyre not the only game in town, more or less popularised the smart ring form factor.

Starting at $399 / 399 / AU$649, its hardly cheap, but it does a great job of offering a less intrusive way of tracking your wellness and fitness. In fact, despite its size, the fact that it could easily be mistaken for a piece of jewellery, and how comfortable it is, its remarkably accurate, too.

With a week of tracking between charges (including sleep), it offers more color options and better connectivity (Bluetooth 6.0 vs 5.4) at the same
price as the Samsung Galaxy Ring . Its also somehow 40% smaller than the last generation of Oura Ring, while still matching up with a dedicated chest strap for heart tracking. What to read next The best smartwatch 2026 3 discreet, screenless fitness trackers I've personally tested, and where to buy them on Prime Day These are the budget fitness trackers we'd recommend for beginner runners

Watch our YouTube review of the Oura Ring 5 here: Oura Ring 5 review: so petit, I (nearly) forgot I was wearing it - YouTube Watch On 3. Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro: (Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton) Release date: April 16 Rating: 4/5 When a company like Amazfit (one of the best budget tracker manufacturers) takes aim at the premium market, its wise to take notice. The Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro offers a Garmin -like experience with a bunch of runner-focused tools like training plans and detailed metrics, all with marathon-tackling 31 hours of dual-band GPS tracking.

Using it day-to-day can get you 20 days of battery life, and while it is a fairly bulky watch on the wrist, its a much cheaper rival to Garmin
offerings.

GPS tracking is solid, but offline maps could use some work. Still, if youre
a runner, this is one of the models to beat this year. 4. Amazfit Active 3 Premium (Image credit: Future) Release date: February 26 Rating: 5/5 Another Amazfit, sure, but if the Cheetah 2 Pro is too much for you, the Amazfit Active 3 Premium is well worth a look. Despite the name, its priced very reasonably at $169 / 169 / around AU$325), while still offering an AMOLED display, built-in GPS, and a fairly weighty (but comfortable) 54. 6g chassis.

Battery life can run you for up to 12 days according to Amazfit (but I hit around 11 in testing), and the Zepp app has improved massively in recent
years so its a very solid running companion with some bona fide coaching options.

Youll likely want something a little more durable if youre going off-trail, but what it lacks in ruggedness, the Amazfit Active 3 Premium makes up for by being a great-looking budget option. 5. Garmin Forerunner 70 (Image credit: Future / Mike Sawh) Release date: May 15 Rating: 4/5 Reviewer Mike Sawh wasnt kidding the Garmin Forerunner 70 really might be better value than its more premium cousin, the Garmin Forerunner 170.

High praise indeed, but even without Garmins latest, more expensive sensors, it packs accurate metrics alongside an easy-to-read AMOLED display and physical buttons that make it easy to use, excellent sports tracking, and impressive training insights.

It does lose the affordability of the Garmin Forerunner 55, and doesnt have smartwatch features like NFC payments, but for a runner its a great option thats one of the years strongest. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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