The best fitness tracker depends on your budget and priorities. If you want a full smartwatch with apps and notifications, the Apple Watch Series 11 (£436.15) is the premium choice. For dedicated fitness tracking and battery life, the Google Fitbit Charge 6 (£119.95) outperforms more expensive options. On a tight budget, the Timex Metropolitan R (£75) delivers GPS and heart rate monitoring at under a quarter of the Apple Watch price.
Our Top Picks
Apple Watch Series 11 GPS Smartwatch — Best for iOS users who want everything
£436.15 | The most feature-rich option if you live in Apple’s ecosystem. The 42mm Space Gray aluminium case with black sport band delivers always-on display, app ecosystem, contactless payments, and advanced health monitoring. Battery lasts all day. Only downside: iOS-only, and you’re paying for smartwatch features you might not need if fitness tracking is your priority.
Google Fitbit Charge 6 — Best value for serious fitness tracking
£119.95 | The Fitbit Charge 6 is the sweet spot between price and functionality. The coral/champagne gold aluminium design looks professional, and it tracks steps, heart rate, SpO2, stress, and sleep — all the metrics that matter for fitness. 7-day battery life beats the Apple Watch by a mile. Works with both iOS and Android. Some users find the smaller screen cramped for checking messages, but if you’re buying a fitness tracker (not a smartwatch), this is your answer.
Timex Metropolitan R AMOLED Smartwatch — Best budget option with GPS
£75.00 | Seriously impressive value. AMOLED display is crisp, GPS is accurate, heart rate monitoring works reliably, and it pairs with both iOS and Android. Battery lasts several days. Trade-off: fewer health metrics than the Fitbit, and the app ecosystem is limited. But for under £75, you get a proper training watch. Great for runners who don’t want to spend big.
Garmin Venu 4 — Best for endurance athletes
£562.99 | If you run, cycle, or swim seriously, Garmin’s sports-specific tracking is unmatched. Dozens of sport modes, advanced metrics (VO2 max, training load), and excellent GPS accuracy. AMOLED screen is beautiful. Battery lasts 11 days in smartwatch mode. The price is steep, and the interface has a learning curve. This is overkill for casual fitness — it’s built for people training for races.
G-Shock Move — Best for durability and affordability
£305.98 | If you need a tracker that can survive anything, G-Shock’s solar + USB charging and rugged design are built for abuse. Heart rate and SpO2 monitoring included. The blue/gray colourway is distinctly G-Shock. Downside: less sleek than other options, and the feature set is basic. Perfect for outdoor work or gym use where you want something indestructible.
Fila Aura Smart Watch — Best for budget-conscious buyers
£109.00 | A no-frills option at under £110. Tracks steps, heart rate, sleep, and workouts. Decent build quality for the price. Battery lasts several days. The catch: limited features compared to Fitbit Charge 6 at just £10 more. Only recommended if you find it discounted or prefer the aesthetic.
Reebok Icon Smartwatch — Budget alternative
£119.99 | Positioned as a sports watch, but sits awkwardly between fitness trackers and smartwatches — doesn’t excel at either. Solid build quality, but fewer features than Fitbit Charge 6 at the same price. Skip unless you specifically want the Reebok branding.
Teens Smart Watch Fitness Tracker — For younger users only
£49.99 | Clearly designed for under-16s with parental controls and limited functionality. Build quality is cheap, battery life is short, and it lacks the features adults need. Not recommended for anyone buying for themselves.
Quick Comparison
| Tracker | Price | Best For | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Series 11 | £436.15 | iOS users who want a full smartwatch | Always-on display, full app ecosystem, seamless iPhone integration |
| Google Fitbit Charge 6 | £119.95 | Fitness-focused tracking on any phone | 7-day battery, works iOS & Android, excellent health metrics |
| Timex Metropolitan R | £75.00 | Budget buyers who want GPS | AMOLED screen, accurate GPS, multi-day battery at under £75 |
| Garmin Venu 4 | £562.99 | Endurance athletes and runners | 50+ sport modes, advanced VO2 max tracking, 11-day battery |
| G-Shock Move | £305.98 | Durability and outdoor use | Solar + USB charging, military-grade ruggedness |
How We Chose
- Battery life matters: We prioritised trackers lasting at least 5+ days without recharging. Apple Watch’s 1-day battery is a significant downside; Fitbit and Garmin’s multi-day endurance are practical advantages.
- Cross-platform compatibility: Most people own Android or iOS but not both. Trackers supporting both platforms (Fitbit, Timex, Reebok) scored higher than iOS-only options.
- Value-to-feature ratio: We calculated feature density per pound. Fitbit Charge 6 at £119.95 offers more fitness metrics than the £109 Fila Aura; the £10 difference is justified.
- Specific use cases: Endurance athletes need sport-mode variety (Garmin wins); casual trackers need simplicity and affordability (Fitbit or Timex); durability seekers need toughness (G-Shock).
The Bottom Line
The Google Fitbit Charge 6 at £119.95 is the best all-rounder for most people — excellent fitness tracking, 7-day battery, works on any phone, and costs a third of the Apple Watch. If you’re an iPhone-only user willing to spend big and want full smartwatch features, the Apple Watch Series 11 (£436.15) is worth it. For those on a budget, the Timex Metropolitan R (£75) delivers surprising value with GPS and AMOLED.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best fitness trackers under £100?
The Timex Metropolitan R AMOLED (£75) and Teens Smart Watch (£49.99) are under £100, but the Timex is the serious choice — it has GPS, heart rate, AMOLED display, and works with iOS and Android. The Teens Smart Watch is genuinely designed for children only; adults shouldn’t buy it. If you can stretch to £119.95, the Fitbit Charge 6 is worth the extra £20 for superior battery life and metrics.
Should I buy an Apple Watch or a dedicated fitness tracker?
Buy an Apple Watch if you want notifications, apps, payments, and music on your wrist — it’s a smartwatch. Buy a dedicated fitness tracker if you only care about activity, heart rate, sleep, and workout modes. Apple Watch’s 1-day battery makes it tethered to a charger; Fitbit lasts 7 days. For pure fitness tracking, dedicated trackers are better value. For an all-purpose device, Apple Watch wins — but you pay a £300+ premium.
Which fitness tracker has the best battery life?
The Garmin Venu 4 lasts 11 days in smartwatch mode (up to 14 in battery saver), making it the battery champion. The Google Fitbit Charge 6 manages 7 days reliably. The Timex Metropolitan R lasts several days. Apple Watch Series 11 dies in about 18 hours. If battery life is your priority and you’re doing endurance sports, Garmin. For casual fitness, Fitbit’s 7-day battery is practical enough.
Can I use a fitness tracker if I don’t have an iPhone?
Yes — most trackers work with both iOS and Android. The Google Fitbit Charge 6, Timex Metropolitan R, and Fila Aura all support both platforms. The only iOS-only option is the Apple Watch Series 11. Garmin and G-Shock trackers also work cross-platform. Avoid the Apple Watch if you use Android.
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