Hitting the gym or venturing into the great outdoors for your workout is only complete with the right fitness tracker. Keeping tabs on your heart rate, distance, pace, and more is essential, but having the best fitness tracker for iPhone is going to take your fitness to the next level. Your trusty iPhone is already capable of almost anything, but pipe your fitness data into it, and you'll have some seriously powerful health and fitness insights at your fingertips. And we're not just talking about trackers with advanced features like GPS route mapping and ECG readings. Even your simple core data can reveal an incredible amount about your basic health - including sleep and stress. Choosing the best fitness tracker for iPhone, when paired with tracker-friendly apps for your type of exercise, will give you the edge you've been looking for. And let's not forget about motivation. some fitness trackers have coaching features to keep you going when you need it most. Others will tell you how well you're progressing and what you should focus on next. • Best overall fitness tracker for iPhone: Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) - View at Amazon But what fitness tracker is best for you? Smartwatches with fitness tracking will have more apps to choose from and more general functions than many trackers, particularly the fitness band type. They'll suit you if you want to extend your iPhone's features to your wrist - such as getting notifications and making calls. If you really don't mind the extra weight (and expense) hanging from your wrist, trackers of the smartwatch variety are an excellent option. Or, perhaps you like to travel light and need something simpler that's dedicated to health and fitness that'll work with your favourite fitness apps. Our expert recommendations and guides are here to help. So, having warmed up those glutes and abs, let's hit the trail and find the best fitness tracker for iPhone. All prices are correct at the time of writing. Prices, stock and deals are subject to change without notice.The best fitness tracker for iPhone in 2024 at a glance
• Best budget fitness tracker for iPhone: HONOR Band 7 Fitness Tracker - View at Amazon
• Best Garmin fitness tracker for iPhone: Garmin Vivosmart 5 Smart Health and Fitness Activity Tracker - View at Amazon
• Best Fitbit fitness tracker for iPhone: Fitbit by Google Charge 6 Activity Tracker - View at AmazonBest fitness tracker for iPhone in 2024
Best overall fitness tracker for iPhone
Apple
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Description
This slimmer and lighter version of Apple's iconic wristwear also made it into our list of the best fitness trackers with built-in GPS - but, unsurprisingly, its true strength lies in how well it integrates with iPhones. Yes, we could have gone straight for the top-of-the-range Apple Watch Series 8 - but that all-singing all-dancing version will cost you nearly twice as much; and that's hardly the sort of thing most of us will happily go rock-climbing with.
Although it lacks the temperature sensor, ECG and blood oximeter of its senior, Apple has covered all of the bases with its Apple Watch SE. It even uses the same chipset as the Series 8. It's also up to 20% faster than the previous model. Aside from the usual Apple smart device features that all iOS users will be familiar with, we have a sleep monitor, GPS, and a heart rate monitor. The altimeter is always on, so you'll have one less thing to worry about as you scale new heights. As you'd expect, you can take calls and reply to texts right from your wrist; as well as the usual music and podcast listening. Sync this with your iPhone, and you'll be on track to a better, more intelligent level of fitness.
Pros
- Robust and stylish Apple build and design - a timeless look with advanced functionality
- Fitness App compatible plus Enhanced Workout app for intelligent use of data
- Lots of storage space for music and apps - ideal when you leave the iPhone at home
Cons
- Battery life is so-so (but only because it's one of the most capable smartwatches too)
Best budget fitness tracker for iPhone
Honor
Description
When we reviewed the Honor Band 6, we found it to be lightweight, simple to use and well-built. And the Band 7 is no different. The Band 7 is both Android and iOS compatible, so it'll integrate well with your chosen apps. You can't, however, answer or make calls or listen to your iOS music on this - but it will give you notifications and some playback controls when paired with your iPhone. Battery life is an impressive 14 days - or 10 for intensive use.
The Honor Band 7 is comfortable to wear and has a bright, easy-to-read AMOLED display. For fitness uses, it'll track your sleep, activity, blood oxygen levels, and stress levels. The Band 7 is also safe for swimming and water sports. The Huawei Health app is a great tracker for newbies as well as seasoned veterans, plus you get ten exercise modes to match your chosen activity. Amazing, especially at this price.
Pros
- Lots of excellent fitness and lifestyle features at an affordable price
- Great battery life of 14 days under moderate use makes it a stress-free fitness companion
- Comfortable and lightweight - ideal for those longer sessions
Cons
- No call answering or music playback for iOS devices
Best Garmin fitness tracker for iPhone
Description
Sometimes it's best to keep things simple. Although Garmin is probably the leading brand when it comes to a huge range of devices, the Garmin Vivosmart 5 is nothing short of perfect for some simple exercise support. Equipped with an array of heart sensors and monitoring, this affordable Garmin is a great option for the health-conscious who want to stay focused with simplicity in mind.
Designed to give an essential insight into your overall health and well-being, as well as your fitness progress, this also does a solid job of interpreting your data. The Vivosmart 5 will track your stress throughout the day, your relaxation breathing, and your 'Body Battery' energy. Inside this very comfy and ergonomic design, you also get dedicated activity timers for walks, runs, strength training, yoga, pool swims and more. Put this alongside your iPhone and unlock even more uses for your data from the huge variety of health and fitness apps available on the App Store. They might even help you plan some R&R - you'll be needing it.
Pros
- The simple, comfortable design is incredibly light and durable - perfect for the most active sporty types
- An excellent device for those who want a simple solution to their tracking needs
- Good companion app - Garmin Connect - can help you reach your goals and more
Cons
- No advanced features like GPS (but that's why it wins this category)
Best Fitbit fitness tracker for iPhone
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Description
The Fitbit brand is no stranger to highly usable wrist-based tech - and now it's owned by Google you get a lot of advanced data know-how too. Your iPhone's operating system will need to be iOS 15 or higher though, so check your iPhone before buying. One unexpected feature of such a compact tracker is the ECG with irregular heart rhythm notification. For anyone who needs to closely monitor heart activity, the Charge 6 will be indispensable here. But the health-centric features don't stop there - a Daily Stress Management Score will tell you how much stress your nervous system is under. And you won't forget the route you took after enjoying your routine, as it has GPS too.
The usual smartwatch functions haven't been left behind though, as you can read texts and emails and keep tabs on your socials via notifications. Plus you get six months of Fitbit Premium included, which will unlock the Readiness Score feature. This will analyse your stats and advise you on what sort of exercise you should be doing on that day. That's a pretty unique insight, even alongside some of the very capable competition elsewhere on this list. A seven-day battery life and water resistance of up to 50m finish the package off nicely.
Pros
- A huge range of advanced tracking functions, from stress and heart to sleep and oxygen saturation
- Built-in GPS so you'll always be able to repeat your favourite routes and more
- Fitbit Premium for 6 months unlocks even more fitness insights and features
Cons
- GPS drains the battery faster than some other models
Best Garmin fitness tracker for iPhone
Garmin
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Description
Garmin has outdone itself with the Venu 2. One of the better designs we've seen, not only in overall case design but the addition of on-screen animated workouts is brilliant. The array of high-accuracy fitness tracking sensors inside is staggering. Motivational workout plans and pinpoint precise GPS mapping really make this the most comprehensive and affordable watch here. There are 25 pre-installed sports apps too, ranging from walking to HIIT and even golf. If you need a motivation boost, the Garmin Coach free adaptive training plans will use your data to make sure you're exercising at peak efficiency for maximum gain.
The design is refined, the round face harking back to traditional analogue watches. The Garmin Venu 2 also has a class-leading AMOLED touch screen, so this will continue to look good on and off the treadmill. Another shining star of this fitness tracker is the ability to store 650 songs on it - so if you do want to leave your iPhone at home for once, this will keep you fully entertained.
Pros
- An incredible range of smart tracking features, including GPS and 25 pre-installed sports apps
- Garmin Coach free adaptive training plans to fine-tune your fitness
- Huge music storage compared to most other trackers - ideal for long sessions out and about
Cons
- Notifications, but you can’t respond to texts or calls
Best high-end fitness tracker for iPhone
Apple
Description
If you want a fitness tracker that seamlessly integrates with your shiny new iPhone - and does so in considerable style - this is it. The Apple Watch Ultra's case is titanium - a serious upgrade from the aluminium of other Apple Watches. And this is joined by Sapphire glass, so this is perfect for the wrists of more rugged types. Although it might seem counter-intuitive to pair a watch like this with an actual iPhone, the inclusion of cellular functions means this is essentially the most flexible fitness tracker on this list. Not only does it free you up from taking your iPhone with you on tricker fitness excursions, but it'll also be there in an emergency too. The GPS is one of the most comprehensive and accurate we've seen, so retracing your steps and planning your routes is a joy.
Sensors are everywhere - App-wise, you have the pick of the bunch from the App Store, of course. But with a watch as high-end as this, it would be wrong to overlook Apple Fitness+. The subscription-based app will give you world-class video workouts and works with the live feed of stats and monitoring data from your wrist. And, naturally, all of the usual Apple mod-cons are here too - like Apple Pay, Siri and cool customisation options. It's even water resistant to an amazing 100m. Just, wow.
Pros
- Extremely solid build with titanium case - classic Apple wearability
- Advanced tracking features, including ECG and precision GPS
- Make and answer phone calls - doubles as a phone in a pinch
Cons
- Battery great for an Apple Watch, but for longer look elsewhere
Best rugged fitness tracker for iPhone
Polar
Description
Polar leads the market when it comes to fitness trackers and tracking sensors, and the Grit X Pro is a highly accomplished model. Alongside other sensors, this will monitor your heart rate, but as a Pro version of the Grit X, it also includes an altimeter and barometer. So, while runners are well looked after with Galileo, GLONASS, GPS, and QZSS GPS functionality, explorers will find themselves equally spoiled. It is, of course, super rugged, thanks to scratch-resistant sapphire glass and an FKM (super-dense rubber) wristband. With MIL-STD-810G (military standard) build and up to 100m water resistance, this thing will follow you anywhere.
Behind that Sapphire glass lies a sizable always-on colour touch screen, giving easy access to your calories, distance, steps and more. Welcome extras include being able to monitor your swimming performance and stress levels. The Polar Flow companion app for iOS and Android is user-friendly too, with access to your GPS data for tracking your routes and setting goals. A truly capable all-rounder, the Polar Grit X Pro is right up there with the leaders of the pack for solid, useful fitness tracking.
Pros
- The premium screen and protective glass are only the tip of the ruggedised build quality here
- An excellent reliable range of sensors, including ones for more adventurous types
- Amazing GPS flexibility with support for various standards
Cons
- Good touchscreen, but others are faster
Best Huawei fitness tracker for iPhone
Huawei
Description
The Huawei brand is synonymous with affordability and quality - and this Watch Fit SE sets out to prove this with its bright 1.64-inch AMOLED display. It's not short of good looks either, and that's partly down to the range of customisation designs available in the Watch Face Store. Advanced health tracking and over 100 workout modes will keep you in shape, but when it's time to stop, the Watch Fit uses sleep monitoring from TruSleep 3.0 to give you insight into your sleep patterns. For a more holistic view of your health, TruSeen 5.0 uses AI technology to track your heart rate 24/7.
This watch will certainly keep you in tune with your well-being and is great for all sports. That said, this watch is the best for runners thanks to the Running Ability Index - which works with the built-in GPS to plan your next running route for you. Clever stuff.
Pros
- Running Ability Index with built-in GPS to log your route for you
- Over 100 workout modes and AI-based heart rate tracking 27/7
- A bright and clear 1.64-inch AMOLED display - easy to read your stats on the move
Cons
- For a special edition version, its looks are fairly plain
Best iPhone fitness tracker for kids
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Description
Certainly worthy of being one of the best Fitbits on the market for kids, the Ace 3 is a colourful tracker aimed at capturing the attention of your young ones. Apart from the fun virtual badges and cool avatars to choose from, even the fonts on the display are more exciting than the adult versions. The clock faces are animated too. And if your kids wear this every day, you'll be glad to know that it lasts up to eight days on one charge.
Also, if your child is prone to taking the odd swim or just getting soaked in the rain while they're out, the Ace 3 is water-resistant up to 50m. Some parental controls are on offer too, and that will help you make sure they're safe and well and even report whether they're getting enough rest. As fitness trackers go, despite the limited sensor types compared to adult versions, this is fun inside and out.
Pros
- Activity and sleep tracking plus parental controls
- Fun incentives – virtual badges and avatars that are ideal for active kids
- Swimproof – water resistant to 50M
Cons
- Your child will need a Google account set up for them first
Best iPhone fitness tracker for teens
Apple
Description
The Apple Watch is now an iconic device, so it's only natural that many teens want one to go alongside their iPhone. But, thankfully, this 2020 Apple Watch SE GPS can pretty much do it all, making it perfect for older kids and their parent's purse strings. Being a refurbished model, it won't break the bank for any teen who's hankering for an Apple product to go with their iPhone. The 18-hour battery isn't the best here, but that's because this is really a fully-featured smartwatch with fitness-tracking abilities.
With the ability to take calls and reply to texts, it’s a versatile smartwatch older kids would benefit most from. With amazing fitness tracking features all viewable on your iPhone fitness app and on the watch itself, its swim-proof design allows for the tracking of workouts like swimming, cycling and walking, plus many more. Added benefits are being able to sync your favourite music, podcasts, and audiobooks.
Pros
- A large Retina OLED display is ideal for viewing your tracking data
- High and low heart rate notifications and lots more tracking sensors to keep teens engaged
- Track your daily activity on your Apple Watch and see your trends in the Fitness app on your iPhone
Cons
- An Apple smartwatch is only this cheap as it's refurbished - if you want new you'll pay more
Although there are plenty of low-budget fitness bands out there, and even budget smartwatches, any tracker worth having won't be cheap. So, it'll pay to spend time thinking about what you want to achieve, plus where and how you'll be using it. Here's some pointers: Spend a little time considering what activities you do and the data you need the most. Then choose a tracker that has the appropriate sensors inside. If you want a watch for running you might need heart rate first and foremost. If you’re a hiker, you might want accurate step measurement, altimeter, or GPS tracking. If you’re walking for therapeutic reasons, a blood pressure monitor or ECG function might be the highest on the list. Water resistance and waterproofing are not the same, so you should pay special attention to the IPX rating of your new device. Obviously, swimmers will need the highest rating they can find - with maximum depths coming into play.But for most others, it'll come down to how much time you spend outdoors during your routine and the types of weather conditions you encounter. Most fitness trackers will at least provide protection against perspiration, as you'd expect. IPX is an international standard that covers waterproofing, water resistance and even dust. Water resistance is rated between IPX3 and IPX7. You’ll commonly find this on trackers that can withstand sweat, splashes of rain, and a very short time submerged; but nothing much more than that. IPX7, IPX8 and above have a waterproof rating. This means that fitness trackers with that rating will be able to handle submersion, but depths and times will vary. If you’re the sort of person who finds wearing gadgets irritating, you’ll need to make sure the strap will cater for your wrist size and is made of a material - such as silicone - for maximum comfort.Premium smartwatches like the Apple Watch do tend to be larger and heavier than the likes of FitBit trackers. And don’t forget, these are expensive items as gadgets go. So, if your activities could mean drops, scuffs or exposure to water, buy wisely. Are you buying for a child? Much of the time the straps on an adult fitness tracker will be too large. Not to mention they’re not designed to inspire kids. We have a great selection of fitness trackers for children here - including some that work with iPhone. The best fitness tracker for iPhone will give you stats via their built-in screens. But most will have a companion app for easy access to your data; but that won't stop you from using other software - like Apple's own Fitness app. Running out of power halfway through a routine doesn't just apply to your arms and legs. Look carefully at the battery life of your chosen tracker. If it has power-hungry features like GPS or WiFi you'll probably find a separate battery rating, in hours, for that type of usage. So, plan your choice around the longevity of the battery on one full charge and make sure it well exceeds the time it takes for your longest routine.In terms of recharging, some have high-wattage wireless fast chargers that will make quick work of it. Others need longer and only use a standard USB cable. But what about if you're on holiday or away from the mains? Being able to charge your fitness tracker up quickly between workouts is essential. If your tracker charge cable is USB, a portable power bank could save the day, and they're small enough to slip into a rucksack or glovebox for peace of mind. Whether you like to customise your Fitbit straps or replace them, it’s important to take wear and tear into account. Silicone straps may be comfortable, but they’re also prone to damage. You may want to check to see if your brand of fitness tracker has good spares availability.The best fitness tracker for iPhone in 2024: Buyer’s guide
How do you keep fit and healthy?
Water and dust proofing
Size, weight and fit
Accessing your stats
Get charged-up
Spares
Over the shoulder view of active Asian sports woman wearing smartwatch and using fitness app on smartphone to monitor training progress after working out outdoors. Health and fitness training with technology. Wearable technology. Healthy living lifestyle
Fitness bands are becoming ever-more capable little pieces of kit. So much so, the line is starting to blur between these simpler and cheaper devices and full-fat premium smartwatches. But, if you're determined to keep things neat and tidy, not to mention lighter and cheaper, we recommend the Garmin Large Vivosmart 4 above. It'll charge quickly, has plenty of customisation options, and of course, your iPhone can put that data to good use. Absolutely. If you value your health and fitness and want to invest in your well-being, they're fast becoming a must-have item. No matter your budget, you should be able to find a fitness tracker that works well with your iPhone. How much you pay is down to you, based on how much of an insight you want or need. Given the motivational benefits of wearing one, let alone the fun value, we think they’re an invaluable addition to your exercise routine. As always, pros and cons are to be found - even with some of the very best fitness trackers for iPhone. Although our recommendations include several well-trusted brands, there is no clear leader when it comes to accuracy. If we had to pick based on specific sensors though, we think that the Garmin Large Vivosmart 4 is great for heart rate tracking. The Garmin Venu 2 GPS smartwatch is particularly rated for its accurate GPS. Remember though, accuracy itself is a sliding scale. No sensor is infallible - but as long as the readings are accurate enough for you and your tracking needs, you'll be all set. However, a professional athlete will probably require even more pinpoint accuracy and a much higher budget to match. At the time of writing, the iPhone 12 is the flagship model from our favourite Silicon Valley megacorp. As such, it has some serious computing power to crunch those numbers from your tracker. One area it excels in, making it an ideal pairing with the Apple Watch Ultra, is the Fitness+ app. The iPhone 12 is ideally placed to take full advantage of your data and give it back to you in a flexible and useful format. And let's not forget, if you're using your tracker as an extension of your iPhone 12's functions, this has a superior mic and speaker for taking those calls when you're in the middle of your training routine. Alternatively, if you've spent enough on Apple tech already, Garmin fitness trackers work with both iPhone and Android devices. Whatever tracker you choose to go with your iPhone, don't leave home without it and you'll go far. Chris Duffillis a Tech Product Writer for What's The Best. He specialises in audiovisual, computing, and gadgets. He also writes for Yours. Subscribe to the What’s The BestNewsletterto keep up to date with more of the latest reviews and recommendations from the rest of the What’s The Best team.Best fitness tracker for iPhone in 2024: Frequently asked questions
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