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A fitness tracker is one of the few tech gifts people actually wear every day. It’s also easy to get wrong. Buy a gym rat a basic step counter and it’ll sit in a drawer, and buy your step-counting aunt a training computer and she’ll never figure it out. So think about how the person moves first, then pick.
| Best for | Our pick | Screen | Subscription needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most people | Fitbit Charge 6 | Yes | No (optional Premium) |
| Tight budget | Xiaomi Smart Band 10 | Yes | No |
| Runners and walkers who want GPS | Amazfit Bip 6 | Yes | No |
| People who hate screens | Garmin Cirqa smart band | No | No |
| Serious recovery nerds | Whoop | No | Yes, membership |
| Teens | Fitbit Inspire 3 | Yes | No |
Best fitness tracker gifts for most people
Fitbit Charge 6
It’s been around a while and it’s still the tracker I’d hand to most people. The Charge 6 is slim, comfortable to sleep in, has built-in GPS, and tracks heart rate, sleep and stress without making you think about it. It also works with YouTube Music controls and Google Wallet, which is a nice bonus for a band this size.
Fitbit pushes a Premium subscription in the app. You don’t need it. The free version shows steps, sleep, heart rate and workouts just fine.
Xiaomi Smart Band 10
The budget hero. For a fraction of the Fitbit’s price you get a sharp AMOLED screen, heart rate, sleep tracking, and battery life that stretches past two weeks. It doesn’t have built-in GPS, so runners need to carry their phone. For a casual walker or someone who just wants to see their steps, it’s hard to beat for the money.
Best for him, her, and anyone who runs
Honestly, the him-versus-her thing matters less than size and style. Most trackers come in neutral colors with swappable bands, so buy the tracker that fits how they live and grab a band in their color.
Amazfit Bip 6
Technically a smartwatch, but it’s the best gift for someone who runs or walks outside and wants accurate distance without carrying a phone. Built-in GPS, a big bright screen, and close to two weeks of battery. For under $100 it’s a steal. We cover it in more detail in our smartwatch gift guide.
Garmin Cirqa
Garmin’s screen-free band is aimed squarely at people who want Whoop-style recovery and sleep data without a monthly fee. There’s no display to distract you, battery runs up to about 10 days, and the insights live in the Garmin Connect app. It’s a great gift for someone who’s into training and recovery but tired of staring at their wrist.
Whoop
Whoop’s the original screen-free tracker, and its recovery and strain scores are excellent. The catch is the membership. You’re really gifting a subscription, not a device, so it’s best for someone who you know will use it. If you’re on the fence, the Cirqa’s no-fee model is the safer gift.
Best fitness tracker gifts for teens
Fitbit Inspire 3
Simple, light, cheap, and comfortable on smaller wrists. Teens get step goals, sleep tracking and a little nudge to move, without a full smartwatch’s distractions. Parents also tend to like that it isn’t another screen full of notifications.
For younger kids who need location tracking, a tracker isn’t the right tool. Check out our guide to kids smartwatches with GPS instead.
Tracker or smartwatch?
Pick a tracker if the person mainly wants steps, sleep and heart rate, and hates charging things. Pick a smartwatch if they want apps, maps, payments and texting from the wrist. If they can’t decide, our guide to choosing the right wearable breaks it down by lifestyle.
FAQ
What’s the best fitness tracker to give as a gift?
The Fitbit Charge 6 suits most people. It’s comfortable, accurate, has GPS and doesn’t need a subscription for the basics.
Do fitness trackers work with iPhone and Android?
Almost all of them do, including Fitbit, Garmin, Amazfit and Xiaomi. The Apple Watch is the main wearable that only works with iPhone.
Are screenless fitness trackers any good?
Yes, if the person cares more about sleep and recovery than notifications. Whoop and Garmin’s Cirqa are the best known. Just know that Whoop requires a paid membership.
How long do fitness tracker batteries last?
Most last between five days and two weeks. Cheaper bands with simpler screens often last longest, while built-in GPS use drains the battery faster.
Is a fitness tracker a good gift for a teenager?
It can be, especially a simple one like the Fitbit Inspire 3. Skip anything with a subscription and let them pick the band color.
