The start of a new year means fresh goals for many of us, and fitness is often at the top of the list. With an overwhelming number of fitness trackers available, choosing the right one can be tricky—and costly if you pick the wrong device. As a technology expert and avid user of wearable tech, I’ve put together a list of affordable fitness trackers that deliver the features and performance you need to meet your fitness goals in 2026.
Fitness trackers generally fall into two categories: fitness bands and sports watches. Fitness bands tend to be more budget-friendly with compact displays and are ideal for lifestyle tracking, providing data to review after your activities. Sports watches, on the other hand, offer larger screens and more real-time feedback, making them better suited for those engaging in regular sports like running, swimming, or cycling.
For budget-conscious buyers, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 stands out. Priced at just £34.99, this compact band features a sharp 1.62-inch AMOLED touchscreen, supports an impressive 150 sports modes, and boasts a 21-day battery life. It monitors sleep, steps, heart rate, and blood oxygen—all critical health metrics. Plus, its sleek design and customizable bands mean it comfortably fits any style, making it perfect for continuous wear and comprehensive health tracking.
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If you want a step up into the sport watch category without breaking the bank, Amazfit’s Bip 6 is a fantastic choice at £61.99. It sports a sizable 1.97-inch AMOLED display, 140 activity modes, and up to 14 days of battery life. Importantly, it includes built-in GPS—which the Xiaomi band lacks—offering more precise tracking for outdoor activities. The Amazfit Bip 6 also delivers notifications, message replies, coaching, and integrates well with the Zepp app, making it a well-rounded fitness companion.
For those ready to invest a bit more, Fitbit’s Charge 6 offers a refined experience starting at £84 on Amazon. This fitness band features a bright 1.04-inch display, 40 exercise modes, and a solid 7-day battery life. Fitbit excels in sleep tracking with its Daily Readiness Score that helps tailor your workouts. It also has advanced heart monitoring capabilities, including ECG and irregular heartbeat alerts, plus GPS—a rarity for bands. The option to broadcast heart rate to gym equipment or bike computers adds versatility for different workout environments.
Finally, for dedicated fitness enthusiasts, Garmin remains a top-tier choice. The Garmin Forerunner 165, priced at £229.99, offers premium features packed into a stylish package. Its 1.2-inch AMOLED round display delivers crisp visuals for tracking runs, cycling, and other activities. With 11 days of battery life, advanced training metrics, GPS, and recovery insights—including a Body Battery score—it provides comprehensive fitness monitoring. Beyond fitness, it also supports music playback, mobile payments, and notifications, making it a fully capable smartwatch for daily use.
Whether you’re after a budget-friendly band to track daily activity or a feature-rich sports watch to challenge your limits, these devices offer excellent value and performance as you pursue your fitness goals in 2026.