Best fitness trackers UK 2026: battery life, GPS and apps compared
Eight fitness trackers from Google Fitbit, Garmin, Samsung, Xiaomi and Huawei, with the battery life each maker quotes, whether it has its own GPS, which phones it works with and whether the app needs a subscription.
Quick picks
- Best overallGoogle Fitbit Charge 6 fitness trackerCheck price
- Best budgetFitbit Inspire 3 fitness trackerCheck price
- Best for runnersGarmin Vivoactive 6 GPS fitness smartwatchCheck price
- Best Garmin bandGarmin vivosmart 5 fitness tracker, small/medium, whiteCheck price
- Best for Samsung phonesSamsung Galaxy Fit3 fitness tracker, silverCheck price
- Longest batteryXiaomi Smart Band 10 fitness trackerCheck price
- Best value screenHuawei Band 11 fitness trackerCheck price
- Best screen-freeGoogle Fitbit Air screenless fitness trackerCheck price
How we chose: I shortlisted fitness trackers from the brands UK buyers most often compare, from slim bands to a screenless tracker and a sporty watch, and left out full smartwatches unless they're sold as fitness-first. For each one I checked the manufacturer's UK product page or manual for battery life, GPS, water resistance, phone compatibility and whether the app needs a paid membership. On 24 October 2026 I reopened every Amazon.co.uk listing with a UK delivery postcode to check it was in stock with an add-to-basket button, and noted who sells it. I don't show prices, because they change daily. I haven't tested these trackers myself. These products have not been tested hands-on; this is a research-based roundup. How the research works.
A fitness tracker counts steps, logs workouts and estimates heart rate and sleep, then sends it all to an app on your phone so you can see how active you've been over days and weeks. The three things that separate them are battery life, GPS and the app.
Built-in GPS lets you leave your phone at home on a run or ride and still get an accurate route and distance. Trackers with connected GPS borrow your phone's GPS, so you need to carry it. The app matters as much as the band: Fitbit, Garmin, Samsung, Xiaomi and Huawei each have their own, and some features need a paid membership.
Heart rate, sleep, stress and calorie figures are estimates, useful for spotting trends rather than precise measurements, and none of these trackers is a medical device. Pair one with a smart scale that syncs to the same app, or kit out a corner of the house with our home gym equipment guide.
Who this guide is for: Anyone who wants to be more active, follow their workouts or sleep, or find a simple gift for a walker, runner or gym-goer. Check it works with your phone first: Samsung's Galaxy Fit3 needs an Android phone, while the others work with iPhone and Android.
Black Friday tip: Fitness trackers are often reduced on Black Friday and again in January. Note today's price and check the price history before you buy, and check the band size and colour on the listing, as each one can be a separate product. Our Black Friday deals page explains how to check a deal.
Comparison table
| Pick | Screen | Battery (maker's figure) | GPS | Water resistance | App & membership | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Fitbit Charge 6Best overall | Colour AMOLED touchscreen | Up to 7 days | Built-in | Water resistant to 50m | Fitbit app; free, optional paid membership (trial included) | Check price |
| Fitbit Inspire 3Best budget | Colour touchscreen | Up to 10 days | Uses your phone | Water resistant to 50m | Fitbit app; free, optional paid membership (trial included) | Check price |
| Garmin Vivoactive 6Best for runners | Colour AMOLED touchscreen | Up to 11 days (smartwatch mode) | Built-in | 5 ATM | Garmin Connect; free, optional paid Connect+ | Check price |
| Garmin vivosmart 5Best Garmin band | Monochrome touchscreen | Up to 7 days | Uses your phone | 5 ATM | Garmin Connect; free, optional paid Connect+ | Check price |
| Samsung Galaxy Fit3Best for Samsung phones | 1.6in colour AMOLED | Up to 13 days (always-on display off) | Uses your phone | 5 ATM and IP68 | Samsung Health; free | Check price |
| Xiaomi Smart Band 10Longest battery | 1.72in colour AMOLED | Up to 21 days (typical use) | Uses your phone | 5 ATM | Mi Fitness; free | Check price |
| Huawei Band 11Best value screen | 1.62in colour AMOLED | Up to 14 days (light use) | Uses your phone | 5 ATM | Huawei Health; free | Check price |
| Google Fitbit AirBest screen-free | None | Up to 7 days | Uses your phone | Water resistant to 50m (5 ATM) | Google health app; coaching is a paid membership after a trial | Check price |
Specs are from manufacturer listings as of 24 October 2026; claimed figures (running costs, runtimes) are the maker’s, not ours. Check the Amazon page for the current price and exact variant before you buy.
The picks in detail
Google Fitbit Charge 6 fitness tracker
Best for: Most people, especially Android and Google users
- Screen
- Colour AMOLED touchscreen
- Battery (maker's figure)
- Up to 7 days
- GPS
- Built-in
- Water resistance
- Water resistant to 50m
- App & membership
- Fitbit app; free, optional paid membership (trial included)
Google lists the Charge 6 with up to seven days of battery, built-in GPS, water resistance to 50m and more than 40 exercise modes. It can also send your heart rate over Bluetooth to some gym equipment and fitness apps, and has Google Maps directions, Google Wallet payments and YouTube Music controls on your wrist.
The Fitbit app is free; extra insights need a paid membership, and a trial is included. It works with Android phones and iPhones. It's sold by Amazon.
What owners and reviewers like
- Built-in GPS in a slim band
- Google Wallet and Maps
- Up to 7 days battery
Watch-outs
- Some features need a paid membership
- Google account needed
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Fitbit Inspire 3 fitness tracker
Best for: A simple, long-lasting first tracker
- Screen
- Colour touchscreen
- Battery (maker's figure)
- Up to 10 days
- GPS
- Uses your phone
- Water resistance
- Water resistant to 50m
- App & membership
- Fitbit app; free, optional paid membership (trial included)
Fitbit's page lists the Inspire 3 with up to ten days of battery, a colour touchscreen, water resistance to 50m and more than 20 exercise modes. It tracks steps, active minutes, heart rate and sleep, and shows phone notifications. There's no built-in GPS, so it uses your phone for routes.
It's the lightest and simplest of the Fitbits here, and works with Android phones and iPhones. It's sold by Amazon.
What owners and reviewers like
- Up to 10 days battery
- Small and light
- Easy to use
Watch-outs
- No built-in GPS
- Some features need a paid membership
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Garmin Vivoactive 6 GPS fitness smartwatch
Best for: Runners, cyclists and anyone who wants no subscription
- Screen
- Colour AMOLED touchscreen
- Battery (maker's figure)
- Up to 11 days (smartwatch mode)
- GPS
- Built-in
- Water resistance
- 5 ATM
- App & membership
- Garmin Connect; free, optional paid Connect+
The Vivoactive 6 is a watch rather than a band, with a bright AMOLED screen and built-in GPS. Garmin quotes up to 11 days of battery in smartwatch mode and up to 21 hours using GPS alone. It has more than 80 sports apps, music storage for headphones, and Garmin's sleep coaching and Body Battery energy score, which Garmin describes as estimates.
Garmin Connect is free, with an optional paid Connect+ for extras. It works with iPhone and Android, and it's sold by Amazon.
What owners and reviewers like
- Built-in GPS and music storage
- Free app with no membership needed
- Up to 11 days battery
Watch-outs
- Bigger than a band
- Costs more than the bands here
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Garmin vivosmart 5 fitness tracker, small/medium, white
Best for: Garmin's app in a slim band
- Screen
- Monochrome touchscreen
- Battery (maker's figure)
- Up to 7 days
- GPS
- Uses your phone
- Water resistance
- 5 ATM
- App & membership
- Garmin Connect; free, optional paid Connect+
Garmin's page lists the vivosmart 5 with up to seven days of battery, a touchscreen with a physical button, and connected GPS that uses your phone. It tracks steps, workouts, heart rate, sleep and Body Battery, and syncs to the free Garmin Connect app.
This listing is the small/medium white version, sold by Amazon. The large black version (B09WF5X2C2) is also sold by Amazon; avoid listings sold by other sellers if you want Amazon's returns.
What owners and reviewers like
- Free Garmin Connect app
- Slim and light
- Physical button
Watch-outs
- Black and white screen
- No built-in GPS
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Samsung Galaxy Fit3 fitness tracker, silver
Best for: Android and Samsung Galaxy phone owners
- Screen
- 1.6in colour AMOLED
- Battery (maker's figure)
- Up to 13 days (always-on display off)
- GPS
- Uses your phone
- Water resistance
- 5 ATM and IP68
- App & membership
- Samsung Health; free
Samsung UK lists the Galaxy Fit3 with a 1.6-inch AMOLED screen, up to 13 days of battery with the always-on display off, more than 100 workout types and 5 ATM water resistance. It syncs to Samsung Health, which is free. It doesn't have built-in GPS and uses a connected phone instead.
It needs an Android phone and doesn't work with iPhone. This listing is sold by All Sales & Co and dispatched by Amazon.
What owners and reviewers like
- Big screen for a band
- Up to 13 days battery
- Free Samsung Health app
Watch-outs
- Android only
- Third-party seller
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Xiaomi Smart Band 10 fitness tracker
Best for: Long battery life on a budget
- Screen
- 1.72in colour AMOLED
- Battery (maker's figure)
- Up to 21 days (typical use)
- GPS
- Uses your phone
- Water resistance
- 5 ATM
- App & membership
- Mi Fitness; free
Xiaomi lists the Smart Band 10 with a 1.72-inch AMOLED screen, up to 21 days of battery in typical use (about 9 days with the always-on display), more than 150 sport modes and 5 ATM water resistance. It uses your phone for GPS, and the Mi Fitness app is free.
It works with iPhone and Android, and it's sold by Amazon.
What owners and reviewers like
- Longest battery here
- Bright AMOLED screen
- No membership
Watch-outs
- No built-in GPS
- Fewer third-party app links than Fitbit or Garmin
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Huawei Band 11 fitness tracker
Best for: A light band with a big screen
- Screen
- 1.62in colour AMOLED
- Battery (maker's figure)
- Up to 14 days (light use)
- GPS
- Uses your phone
- Water resistance
- 5 ATM
- App & membership
- Huawei Health; free
Huawei UK lists the Band 11 with a 1.62-inch AMOLED screen, up to 14 days of battery in light use (about 8 days typical), more than 100 sport modes and 5 ATM water resistance. Huawei lists it at about 16g, and it uses your phone for GPS.
The Huawei Health app is free and works on iPhone and Android. It's sold by Amazon.
What owners and reviewers like
- Light, with a big screen
- Up to 14 days battery
- No membership
Watch-outs
- No built-in GPS
- Fewer third-party app links
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Google Fitbit Air screenless fitness tracker
Best for: People who want tracking without another screen
- Screen
- None
- Battery (maker's figure)
- Up to 7 days
- GPS
- Uses your phone
- Water resistance
- Water resistant to 50m (5 ATM)
- App & membership
- Google health app; coaching is a paid membership after a trial
The Fitbit Air has no screen at all: it's a 12g band that tracks heart rate, activity and sleep around the clock and shows everything in the app. Google lists up to seven days of battery and water resistance to 50m.
Its main feature is an AI coach in the app, which comes with a three-month trial and is a paid subscription after that. Without it, you still get your activity and sleep data. It's sold by Amazon.
What owners and reviewers like
- Very light and screen-free
- Up to 7 days battery
- Nothing to distract you
Watch-outs
- No screen for the time or workouts
- Coaching needs a paid membership
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
If you run, walk or cycle without your phone, choose built-in GPS: the Fitbit Charge 6 or Garmin Vivoactive 6 here. If your phone is always in your pocket anyway, connected GPS is fine and saves battery. Indoor workouts, steps and sleep don't use GPS at all.
- Fitbit (Google): the basics are free; deeper insights and coaching need a paid membership. Trials are usually included.
- Garmin Connect: free, with an optional paid Connect+ tier for extras.
- Samsung Health: free, Android only.
- Mi Fitness (Xiaomi) and Huawei Health: free.
Whoop and Oura use a different model: the hardware is tied to an ongoing membership, so check the total cost over a year or two before you buy. I've left them out of the main list for that reason.
Step counts and GPS distances are generally good enough for everyday use. Heart rate from the wrist can lag during sprints or weights, and sleep stages, stress scores, calorie burn and 'energy' scores are estimates based on your movement and heart rate. They're most useful for seeing a trend over weeks, not as exact figures on one day.
None of these trackers is a medical device. If you're worried about your heart rate or sleep, speak to a GP or pharmacist rather than relying on a wearable.
Wear the tracker a finger's width above your wrist bone, snug but not tight, and a little tighter during workouts for steadier heart rate readings. Several listings come in different band sizes, so check your wrist size against the listing before you order.
If you want a full smartwatch with apps, calls and contactless payments, look at a Pixel Watch, Galaxy Watch or Apple Watch instead. If you're kitting out a home workout space, see our home gym equipment guide, and for darker mornings our SAD lamps guide.
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FAQs
What's the best fitness tracker in the UK?
For most people, the Google Fitbit Charge 6: a slim band with built-in GPS, up to seven days of battery and Google Wallet. The Garmin Vivoactive 6 is the pick if you want a watch and no subscription, and the Xiaomi Smart Band 10 has the longest battery.
Which fitness tracker works with iPhone?
All the trackers here work with iPhone apart from the Samsung Galaxy Fit3, which needs an Android phone.
Do fitness trackers need a subscription?
Not for the basics. Fitbit offers a paid membership for extra insights, and the Fitbit Air's coaching is paid after a trial. Garmin, Samsung, Xiaomi and Huawei apps are free.
Can I swim with a fitness tracker?
All the trackers here are rated 5 ATM or water resistant to 50m, which covers swimming and showering according to their makers. Check the manual for hot tubs and saunas.
Are fitness trackers accurate?
Steps and GPS are generally reliable for everyday use. Heart rate, sleep, stress and calorie figures are estimates, useful for trends over time. None of these is a medical device.
Have you tested these fitness trackers?
No. This guide is based on manufacturers' specifications and manuals, retailer listings and independent advice. I don't own or test the products. See how we research.
Do you get commission?
Yes. If you buy through links on this page, Amazon may pay me a small commission at no extra cost to you. It doesn't affect which trackers are included. See the affiliate disclosure.
Prices change constantly, so we don’t list them here. Always check the current price, seller and delivery details on Amazon before buying. If anything on this page looks wrong or out of date, let me know.
