The Garmin Venu X1 is the best fitness tracker you can buy right now if you want serious training metrics and GPS accuracy, though it costs £349.99. If you’re budget-conscious, the Fitbit Charge 6 at £159.95–£164.99 delivers excellent heart rate, sleep, and GPS tracking without the premium price tag. For absolute bargain hunters, the Timex Metropolitan R at £75 is a genuinely capable smartwatch with AMOLED display and heart rate monitoring—an outlier at this price point.
Fitness trackers vary wildly in capability and cost. The right choice depends on whether you want detailed training analytics (Garmin), seamless phone integration (Fitbit/Google), or just basic step counting and heart rate data (budget alternatives).
Our Top Picks
1. Garmin Venu X1 — Best for Serious Athletes
Price: £349.99
The Garmin Venu X1 is the premium choice for runners, cyclists, and endurance athletes. It includes built-in multi-band GPS (L1/L5), advanced running dynamics (ground contact time, stride length, cadence), training load and recovery metrics, and a 454 × 454 AMOLED display. Battery lasts 11 days in smartwatch mode, 16 hours with GPS enabled. The watch tracks 30+ sports modes and integrates with Garmin Connect for detailed post-workout analysis. If you’re training seriously and want granular biomechanical data, this is the only choice here that fully delivers.
2. Fitbit Charge 6 — Best Value for Daily Wear
Price: £159.95–£164.99
The Fitbit Charge 6 (available in Coral/Champagne Gold and Black/Obsidian finishes) is the best fitness tracker for people who want reliable, no-fuss tracking without learning Garmin’s complex menus. It includes GPS, 24/7 heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking (REM, light, deep), stress management metrics, and 24+ exercise modes. The colour touchscreen is bright and responsive. Google Fit integration is seamless on Android, and it works with iOS, Apple Health, and third-party apps. Battery lasts 7 days. The included fast charger and cleaning cloth add value. This is the sweet spot for most people.
3. Timex Metropolitan R AMOLED — Best Budget Smartwatch
Price: £75.00
The Timex Metropolitan R is astonishing value at £75. It has a 454 × 454 AMOLED display (matching watches twice the price), built-in GPS, heart rate monitoring, and 100+ watch faces. It’s Wear OS–based, so it connects to Android phones and syncs with Google Fit, Strava, and other platforms. Battery lasts 2–3 days. It won’t match Garmin’s training analytics or Fitbit’s sleep science, but for casual fitness tracking and smart notifications, it’s hard to beat.
4. Motorola Lightweight Smartwatch With Polar Fitness Tracking — Best for Heart Rate Accuracy
Price: £149.99
The Motorola Lightweight Smartwatch integrates Polar sports science algorithms for VO2 Max and training load estimation. If accurate cardio metrics matter to you and you want a lighter-weight device, this hits the mark. Polar’s algorithms are trusted by serious runners. Good battery life and Wear OS integration for broad app compatibility.
5. Cubitt Aura Pro Smartwatch/Fitness Tracker — Best Budget All-Rounder
Price: £120.00
The Cubitt Aura Pro at £120 is a solid mid-range option with step counting, heart rate, sleep tracking, and multiple sport modes. It’s not as feature-rich as Garmin or Fitbit, but it’s competent and affordable.
6. Reebok Pulse GPS Smartwatch (Blue) — Best for Runners Under £130
Price: £129.99
The Reebok Pulse includes GPS and basic training metrics at under £130. Straightforward, reliable, and good for casual runners who don’t need premium analytics.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Price | Best For | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin Venu X1 | £349.99 | Serious athletes | Multi-band GPS + advanced running dynamics |
| Fitbit Charge 6 | £159.95–£164.99 | Everyday fitness | 24/7 HR + sleep science + seamless Google Fit sync |
| Timex Metropolitan R | £75.00 | Budget shoppers | AMOLED display + GPS under £100 |
| Motorola Lightweight | £149.99 | Cardio-focused users | Polar VO2 Max and training load |
| Cubitt Aura Pro | £120.00 | Budget all-rounders | Multi-sport modes at mid-range price |
How We Chose
- GPS accuracy: Only devices with built-in GPS made the top tier. Budget trackers without GPS are useful for step counting but unreliable for running/cycling distance.
- Heart rate reliability: Continuous 24/7 monitoring (not just during exercise) is standard on recommended picks. Single-sensor trackers are less accurate than multi-LED systems.
- Battery life threshold: Recommended trackers last minimum 2 days (smartwatches) or 7 days (fitness bands). Anything requiring daily charging is inconvenient for fitness tracking.
- Platform compatibility: All picks work with Android and iOS. Exclusive ecosystems (Garmin with Garmin, Apple with Apple) are noted where relevant.
- Value for money: We weighted price against concrete features. The Timex at £75 with AMOLED is extraordinary value; Cubitt Aura Pro at £120 delivers basics; Fitbit Charge 6 at £160 is the mainstream sweet spot.
The Bottom Line
Buy the Fitbit Charge 6 (£159.95–£164.99) unless you’re a serious endurance athlete or have a £75 budget. It combines GPS, sleep tracking, stress monitoring, and excellent integration with Google Fit and third-party apps. If you’re willing to spend more, the Garmin Venu X1 (£349.99) is the only tracker here that justifies premium pricing with multi-band GPS and biomechanical running metrics. For absolute budget shoppers, the Timex Metropolitan R (£75) is genuinely capable and won’t embarrass you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best fitness tracker under £100?
The Timex Metropolitan R AMOLED at £75 is the best sub-£100 option available. It includes built-in GPS, 24/7 heart rate monitoring, AMOLED display, and Wear OS integration with Google Fit. The Reebok Pulse GPS at £129.99 and Cubitt Aura Pro at £120 are close alternatives if you need more sport-specific modes, but you’re paying for features you may not use.
Do I really need GPS on a fitness tracker?
Yes, if you run or cycle outdoors. GPS accuracy is essential for tracking distance and route mapping. If you use a treadmill, walk indoors, or don’t care about precise distance, a tracker without GPS (like iTouch Active at £14.99–£33) works for step counting and heart rate. But GPS-enabled trackers (Fitbit Charge 6, Garmin Venu X1, Timex Metropolitan R) are more versatile and only marginally more expensive.
Which fitness tracker has the longest battery life?
The Garmin Venu X1 lasts 11 days in smartwatch mode and 16 hours with continuous GPS—the longest of any tracker here. Most Fitbit models (Charge 6, Versa 4) last 7 days. Budget smartwatches like Timex last 2–3 days. Actual battery life depends on screen brightness, GPS usage, and how often you check notifications.
Is Garmin better than Fitbit for fitness tracking?
Garmin (especially Venu X1) is better for runners and triathletes who want advanced training metrics like VO2 Max, ground contact time, and recovery scores. Fitbit is better for casual users who want seamless phone integration, stress tracking, and sleep analysis. Fitbit prioritises user-friendliness; Garmin prioritises athlete data. Choose Garmin if you train seriously; choose Fitbit for everyday health monitoring.
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