The weather is warming up and you know what that means: It’s time to break out those running shoes and get back into your fitness routine. Perhaps just as important as the shoes you wear is the tech you take with you, namely a fitness tracker (or smartwatch with fitness-tracking capabilities). Fitness trackers can make the task of counting calories, steps, and the like effortless and even suggest additional activities to maximize your gains.
Even if you aren’t motivated by tracking your daily activity and monitoring things like your pulse and O2 levels, a good fitness tracker will quickly become part of your daily routine for helpful reminders to stand and stretch during your WFH shift. A good tracker should also offer some basic water-resistance, the ability to integrate with apps like Strava and Nike Run Club, and ideally enough storage to hold a few workout playlists.
The Best Smartwatch and Fitness Tracker Deals
- Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS, 41mm) for $297.97 (List Price $399)
- Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS, 45mm) for $329.00 (List Price $429)
- Fitbit Versa 2 Health and Fitness Smartwatch for $139.99 (List Price $149.95)
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (GPS, 42mm) for $149.00 (List Price $349.99)
- Garmin Vivomove 3 Hybrid Smartwatch for $178.69 (List Price $249.99)
- Fitbit Luxe Fitness and Wellness Tracker for $79.95 (List Price $116)
- Garmin Venu 2 GPS Smartwatch for $249.99 (List Price $399.99)
- Garmin Instinct Rugged Outdoor Solar GPS Smartwatch for $229.99 (List Price $349.99)
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
As far as other non-fitness-focused smartwatches go, we’d start the selection process by figuring out what style watch you want to wear and go from there. If you’re fine with a rectangular or square-ish screen and silicone wristband, there are plenty of options. Something more fashionable usually comes with an added cost.
Other considerations include battery life, whether you need cellular connectivity, GPS and crash/collision detection for safety, and whether it supports mobile payments.
Retailers are motivated to get a new fitness device on your wrist this summer. Here are the best deals we’ve found on smartwatches so far in 2023.
(Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS, 41mm)
The Apple Watch Series 8 offers health and safety improvements over previous iterations, including the ability to measure and track changes in your body temperature while you sleep and car crash detection that will automatically call for help. Whether you’re looking for a sharp accessory for your evening out or a new workout companion, the Apple Watch Series 8 looks stylish without sacrificing durability and there are a host of watch bands you can buy to really dress it up when needed. It’s PCMag’s Editors' Choice for best iPhone-compatible smartwatch for most buyers.
- Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS, 41mm) for $399.00
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (GPS, 42mm)
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic features a stainless steel design and a rotating bezel backed by a better software experience and more third-party apps than previous Samsung smartwatches. Monitor the quality of your sleep, track your workouts, check your notifications, and more. With a durable stainless-steel casing that meets the MIL-STD-810G military standard, the Watch 4 has 5ATM and IP68 ratings, meaning it is waterproof to a depth of 164 feet for 10 minutes, and can withstand dust, dirt, and sand.
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (GPS, 42mm) for $149.00 (List Price $349.99)
Garmin Vivoactive 4S
The Garmin Vivoactive 4 is a top-rated high-end fitness tracker, and the 4S has all the same features in a more lightweight package. Whereas the Garmin Vivoactive 4 only comes in two colors and is better-suited for large wrists, the more compact 4S is great for small wrists and includes extra color options. And while the Garmin Vivoactive 4S has a shorter battery life than the 4, you still get heart-rate monitoring, GPS, activity/sleep tracking, on-screen workouts, and more in a stylish package.
(Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)Fitbit Luxe
With a name like “Luxe” you’d expect a price tag to match. “Luxe” refers to the fact that this Fitbit is designed to be a bit sleeker and more like a piece of jewelry as opposed to a large thick piece of plastic. The slim design and stainless steel case offer a level of sophistication over other models, as do the optional bracelet-style wristbands. Don’t judge a book by its cover: This device also includes the features you’d expect, including activity and stress tracking plus sleep monitoring. The smaller size does mean that battery life is a touch shorter than other Fitbits; five days on a full single charge versus seven to 10 days on other models, but that's not too bad.
- Fitbit Luxe Fitness and Wellness Tracker for $79.95 (List Price $116)
Fitbit Versa 2 Health and Fitness Smartwatch
We could go on and on about the different features of the Fitbit Versa 2, including sleep monitor, alarm clock, pedometer, calorie tracker, heart rate monitor, integrated Amazon Alexa smart assistant–you get the idea. Wrap that all up in a sleek, modern design and you have a health and fitness companion you’ll want to wear wherever you go. Run, hike, and even swim (water resistant to 50 meters) and see your pace and distance in real time thanks to the built-in GPS. It's useful at home, too. Set bedtime reminders, alarms, and control compatible smart home devices all from your smartwatch. Plus, the price can't be beat for all the included features.
- Fitbit Versa 2 Health and Fitness Smartwatch for $139.99 (List Price $149.95)