We tested the top fitness trackers of 2025: See our favorite wearables and smart rings

The Fitbit Charge 6 is a great fitness tracker option for those who want to stay middle-of-the-road on budget without sacrificing a lot of features. The Charge 6 has a built-in GPS that will free you from the shackles of your smartphone, an intuitive display, more exercise modes than ever before, and a bevy of other perks that solidify this wearable as a fantastic value buy. If you're an intermediate fitness tracker user and are looking for a model that'll cover all your bases at a good price, the Charge 6 is your answer.

The Fitbit Charge 6 is a shining example of what a mid-budget fitness tracker can be. It offers fantastic value for what you pay, and packs in a lot of the features you'd expect from more high-end fitness trackers like a built-in GPS, 40 exercise modes to choose from, and heart rate connectivity with select exercise machines, just to name a few. It's a really good upgrade from the budget Inspire 3 (which is also included in this roundup) if you're interested in more advanced analytics, a bigger display, and the ability to be more hands-free.

While buggy at times, the GPS tracking is actually quite accurate and makes it possible to go on runs or rides without having to take your mobile device along with you. That's a game-changer if you, like us, are familiar with how annoying it is to work out with a phone in your pocket. Analytics-wise, the Charge 6 covers all the bases, from heart rate, to sleep, to stress, and more. To get the most advanced analytics, you'll unfortunately need a premium Fitbit subscription, but you may not even need it unless you want the most in-depth tracking possible. Either way, it's all extremely easy to parse your progress within the updated Fitbit app, which is way more streamlined and brings better features to the table, including focus areas. Just note that since the Google acquisition, you'll need a Google account to use any of this stuff. Unfortunately, that means you're locked into using Google-based apps, so Spotify and its ilk are a no-go — YouTube Music and Google Maps are compatible, though. So, be ready to give up some of your go-to apps if you're not already in the Google ecosystem.

The overall design of the Charge 6 is a highlight, featuring a colorful AMOLED screen that's easy to navigate once you get used to it. Here, you can choose from one of your Google apps, pick from one of the tracker's 40 sport modes, see your metrics at a glance, and more. We also like the haptic side button that instantly brings you back to the Fitbit's clock face. The band feels comfortable to wear all day, which meshes perfectly with its seven-day battery life.

If you can make peace with exclusively using Google-supported apps on your fitness tracker, we think the Charge 6 is absolutely worth considering.

Read our full review of the Fitbit Inspire 3.

If you don't want a small smartphone on your wrist at all times, the Fitbit Inspire 3 is a simple, easy-to-use pick for a fitness tracker. Whether you're low-tech and need something for basic health and fitness metrics, or you just don't want to spend a small fortune on a smartwatch, the Inspire 3 offers everything you need and nothing you don't. It has a comprehensive suite of health and fitness tracking features, a slim, low-profile design, and a straightforward user interface that makes it a great pick for most people. And, at sub-$100, it's budget-friendly, too.

During testing, reviewer Sam Stone mentioned that nearly every function worked perfectly. From step tracking to sleep monitoring to automatically detecting workouts, Stone said that "the Fitbit Inspire 3 fit seamlessly into my existing workout routine, and seeing some analytics even pushed me to work harder in some cases."

Stone noted that the battery life of the Inspire 3 was a bit shorter than advertised, and he also had some slight issues with the SmartWake feature and heart rate monitoring during incredibly sweaty workouts, though neither were dealbreakers. Potential buyers should also note that the Inspire 3 does not include GPS functionality like the Fitbit Charge 6.

"Sure, there are one or two kinks that could be worked out," said Stone. "But overall, it’s an incredible device that is super helpful for someone hoping to get into a fitness routine or push themselves that much further at the gym.

Check out our full Oura Ring 4 review.

Known for its sleep tracking features — including a negative temperature coefficient sensor that scans while you snooze — the Oura Ring 4 is a low-profile fitness tracker that gives users in-depth info about their sleep, workouts, recovery, mindfulness, and more. Former Mashable Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon gave the Oura Ring a 4.5 out of 5 on the Mashable scale, reporting that it's a fantastic alternative fitness tracker as long as you're using an iOS-compatible device. "Although I adore the Oura Ring 4, my recommendation is dependent on which device you have. I've tested the Oura Ring 4 on both my Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra as well as the iPhone 16 Pro Max — and this beastly little wearable appears to be more compatible with one over the other," she wrote. Come for the meaningful, accurate tracking metrics, and stay for that stunning metallic finish (which stood the test of time way better than the Oura Ring 3, which very quickly scratched up).

The Oura Ring 4 has plenty of style, but thankfully, it's also got a lot of substance. Because it uses your finger's pulse to track your heart rate rather than your wrist like most other fitness wearables, you end up getting much more direct and accurate metric tracking altogether — whether you're crushing a workout or fast asleep. "My Oura Ring 4 is still 'figuring me out,'" Gedeon wrote. "But based on what it knows of me so far, it's done an impressive job. For example, it can pick up on my stress quite well — showing an uptick of anxiety during work hours and more relaxed readings after hours while I'm watching Love Island USA on Peacock with my fiance."

Perhaps the most impressive feature of the Oura Ring 4, though, is the built-in AI advisor that can contextualize your tracking data for you and can give suggestions to help you become an overall healthier individual. "The AI advisor accurately pointed out that I have challenges with sleep, with a bad habit of going to sleep too late. Plus, it said that I have high activity levels, but being more consistent would be helpful," Gedeon reported.

While we obviously loved our time with the Oura Ring 4, there is one caveat: It's at its best when paired with an iPhone rather than an Android device. Gedeon tested the wearable using both types of smartphones, and said that the Oura experience was way more seamless and bug-free on iOS. Also, be aware that you'll have to pay a $6 monthly fee once you get your Oura Ring 4 to use the device to its full potential. "Overall, the Oura Ring 4 is a wellness powerhouse with a sleek design and cutting-edge AI that takes personalized health tracking to the next level," Gedeon concluded in her review.

Oura also claims it can tell users when they're getting sick before symptoms even show up, and says it can predict menstrual cycles accurately based on temperature variability. Though Mashable staff hasn't tested those last two features, Oura is definitely at the top of its game when it comes to wellness and prediction features.