We ranked the best fitness trackers so you don’t have to.
I never leave my home without it.
Since I got my Apple Watch, I’ve been obsessed with my personal health data. I mean, being a fitness and performance coach, I already was before, and I knew the power that data can give you, if you use it correctly, and if you know what to track.
Back when I was just starting out in the industry, we only had a few brands available, and even less locally. In fact, I remember the first few talks I gave on wellness where I would recommend pedometers, which looked like small pagers that you would put in your belt loops so that you can track your steps. Young ones, I hope I don’t have to explain what pagers are to you.
Nowadays, though, we have a wide range of available smartwatches that can track a lot more than just steps when we talk about health metrics. And as I always say, data is king. We can only target change, if needed, if we know where we are coming from. Having a quick and consistent snapshot of your health and wellness through these smartwatches can really go a long way towards being your fittest self.
How we ranked the fitness trackers
I love ranking things objectively and I really wanted to make sure that we can explore these products fully. Although I wasn’t able to try all of these devices, I was able to speak with people who are current users. Pair that with knowing what you should be tracking, as well as the information that these brands give, and the mountain of reviews available online, I was able to come up with these four factors that I believe should be considered when choosing a smart or fitness watch:
- Affordability – The overall price relative to the features offered.
- Functionality – The range of health metrics and additional smart features available.
- Accuracy – The precision of tracking health metrics like heart rate, sleep, and activity.
- Reliability – Battery life, durability, and consistency in performance.
With that, I also kept my list to those brands that are widely available in the country and are easy to get. True, some of the other fitness trackers that I scratched can be bought online, but the lack of a local distributor may be challenging for some, especially if your product becomes defective.
So without further ado, here are the top 6 fitness trackers in the country right now.
Top 6 fitness trackers in the Philippines
1. Fitbit Charge 6 – Best Overall
- Price: Approximately ₱8,000
- Affordability: ★★★★☆
- Functionality: ★★★★★
- Accuracy: ★★★★★
- Reliability: ★★★★★
When it comes to focusing on the market and building a product which is designed specifically for fitness tacking, the Fitbit Charge 6 continues to lead with its comprehensive health tracking features, including built-in GPS, heart rate monitoring, and integration with Google services.
In terms of features, Fitbit has one of the most advanced heart rate tracking algorithms among fitness trackers, using PurePulse 2.0 technology, which provides more accurate readings, especially during workouts. One useful feature is also its daily readiness score, which gives you an idea as to how ready you are to grind and train or if it will be better for you to take a day off based on your metrics.
Fitbit is also known for industry-leading sleep tracking, breaking down sleep into light, deep, and REM stages. It has a Sleep Score and Smart Wake alarm, which wakes users at the optimal time in their sleep cycle. Something that is unique to the brand.
Then there’s the integration to Google services, which only the Fitbit has. With Google Maps integrated, you will receive turn-by-turn navigation, and if you are into YouTube music, you can also control it through your Fitbit.
Even with all of that, I believe that the best part about this fitness tracker, though, is its week-long battery life, which, for the price that you are paying for, is a great bargain. Sure, there may be others in the market that can give you superior battery life, like some of the Garmin models out there. But those are priced more than twice the Fitbit, and besides, seven days is already a healthy number in between charges.
Because of all of these factors coupled with the competitive price, I believe that Fitbit is the best in the market (even if I don’t personally use it). It combines fitness and lifestyle features unlike any of the others on the list.
2. Garmin Forerunner 165 – Best for Runners
- Price: ₱15,690 (Standard), ₱18,790 (Music Edition)
- Affordability: ★★★☆☆
- Functionality: ★★★★★
- Accuracy: ★★★★★
- Reliability: ★★★★★
If you are a serious runner — and I mean serious like you run most days and you are currently or have dreams of competing in races — then you should consider the Garmin Forerunner 165. Replacing the Garmin Venu Sq 2, the Forerunner 165 series offers personalized training plans, advanced running metrics, and a vibrant AMOLED display. With up to 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, it’s ideal for runners seeking detailed performance insights.
Garmin is well known for having the best GPS on the market. It is the most accurate among those in the list which makes it ideal for runners, cyclists, and those who like to trek the great outdoors. The forerunner series features multi-band GPS, which improves accuracy even in urban environments or areas with weak signals. This makes it easier to run in BGC even with all the buildings blocking the signal, or even UP under the canopy of trees. Also, it doesn’t rely on your phone’s GPS, unlike the others on the list, which means you can run phone-free if you choose to.
Now, I said this is for serious runners. It has a function called Race Predictor which estimates your race time based on your past performances in your training runs. It also provides a training readiness score similar to Fitbit, but with the added function of HRV or heart rate variability, which is a better picture of how stressed you are or how recovered you are, giving you more information to tailor fit your program. Garmin’s Elevate V4 heart rate sensor is also one of the best on the market, which means your V02 max will also be accurate, as well as other metrics that are related to your heart and performance.
Ultimately, if you are a serious runner with a serious budget, then Garmin will be a great choice for you. I would love to talk about their golf line as well, but maybe for another article.
3. Huawei Band 10 – Best Budget Option
- Price: Starting at ₱2,199
- Affordability: ★★★★★
- Functionality: ★★★☆☆
- Accuracy: ★★★☆☆
- Reliability: ★★★★☆
For those who are on the other end of the spectrum in terms of allocating budget for their smart watch and fitness tracker, but still would want basic functionality, then the Huawei Band 10 is for you. Especially if you are an Android user, this smartwatch integrates well with your phone so that you can reply to messages and take calls just like the Samsung Galaxy Watch or the Apple Watch, and for a fraction of the price.
It offers a sleek, lightweight design with over 100 workout modes and advanced sleep tracking, and the 14-day battery life is a great feature as well.
What it lacks in function and accuracy is made up for by the simplicity of this watch. If Fitbit and Garmin are for the serious gym goers and runners, the Huawei is for the person who wants a fitness tracker that isn’t very intimidating. Similar to the Apple Watch, you can also replace the straps to personalize the look of your watch.
But really, the best feature is its price. Starting at just over 2,000 pesos, you get a solid watch with the basic functions of fitness trackers, albeit not as accurate as the others in the list. If you are getting into fitness and wellness and you want more data at your disposal, but you just don’t want to spend that much yet, then give this watch a try, then perhaps upgrade to a more accurate brand or model once you start to get more serious in fitness.
4. Apple Watch Series 9 – Best for iOS Users
- Price: Starting at ₱25,000
- Affordability: ★★☆☆☆
- Functionality: ★★★★★
- Accuracy: ★★★★★
- Reliability: ★★★★☆
I may be biased since this is the watch that I use, but there is a good reason why I use it: I’m an Apple user. And if you know Apple, you know that they make it so much easier to keep things in their ecosystem, which is why I chose the Apple Watch even if I knew that Garmin was more accurate or that Fitbit had far superior battery life. It was just the easiest choice if you are an iPhone user.
But the functions are also no joke. It is arguable the best smartwatch on this list, even if it isn’t the best fitness tracker. It’s like having a mini iPhone on your wrist. There is full integration with iOS, including Apple Pay (if you go to countries that have it), iMessage, Siri voice commands, and Apple Maps navigation. It can also send and receive calls and messages without a phone (cellular model only), and has the best app selection, allowing users to download thousands of third-party apps, from meditation apps to workout planners.
It also has the most advanced health monitoring system among those on the list, having an ECG, blood oxygen monitor, and even temperature tracking. There are also detectors for harmful noise levels as well as a fall sensor which can trigger an emergency SOS call.
In terms of fitness metrics, the Apple Watch slots in between the Garmin and the Fitbit in accuracy. But it does have advanced heart rate monitoring as well as running metrics, which include cadence, stride length, ground contact time, and vertical oscillation. It also has an auto workout detection function which is great for when you forget to turn the workout on before you start.
The downside, though, which it seems to have inherited from the iPhone, is the inferior battery life. Although it has gotten better from its predecessors, it still falls short compared to all of the other choices on this list. It does charge fast but you will still need to be strategic in charging time to maximize the watch.
This is still my personal choice in this list, but again, it’s mostly because I use an iPhone and the integration is just seamless.
5. Amazfit Active 2 – Best Mid-Range Choice
- Price: Approximately ₱5,500
- Affordability: ★★★★☆
- Functionality: ★★★★☆
- Accuracy: ★★★★☆
- Reliability: ★★★★☆
Honestly, what got The Amazfit Active 2 on my radar is the Hyrox race mode, which is exclusive to Zepp Health, which is the owner and maker of the Amazfit series of smartwatches. Being a Hyrox runner myself (is that what you call it?), and with the sport gaining a ton of popularity now worldwide, this feature might go a long way in bringing more patrons towards this brand.
The watch features a bright OLED display, upgraded health sensors, and up to 10 days of battery life. The features are compatible with the Fitbit, the Apple Watch, as well as the Samsung Galaxy watch but what might set it apart is the cheaper price tag.
You will have to download a third-party app, which is the Zepp app, to fully maximize the functions of the watch, but it’s nothing different from downloading the Fitbit app as well. It also has a premium look to it, which, coupled with fitness tracking, is almost comparable to Fitbit, and can make it the better choice for those looking for a fitness tracker that doesn’t necessarily look like a fitness tracker.
6. Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 – Best for Android Users
- Price: ₱16,000 to ₱18,000
- Affordability: ★★★☆☆
- Functionality: ★★★★★
- Accuracy: ★★★★☆
- Reliability: ★★★★☆
For my Android user friends, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 might be the best choice for you, especially if you use a Samsung phone. It offers advanced health tracking features, including ECG and body composition analysis. However, I am dubious about any smart watch that claims to have a body composition analysis simply because the technology used will be far more accurate with more contact points in the body. A smart watch just doesn’t have enough contact points to give you an accurate measurement of body composition.
However, the Galaxy Watch still has a lot of things going for it. Its integration with Android devices and improved battery life (2-3 days) make it a suitable choice for Android users seeking a comprehensive smartwatch experience. It has a rotating bezel, which is a unique feature that the Apple Watch doesn’t have. It can have this since the face is a circle compared to the rectangle of the Apple Watch.
When it comes to functions, it is very much compatible with the Apple Watch which is frankly its main competitor in this list. It has a superior battery life compared to Apple, but still in the sub-2-day range.
Like how the Apple Watch and Amazfit divert more from the serious fitness tracker look and add a little bit more style to the watch, Samsung does the same. It has a premium look and feel, which makes it a good choice for a daily watch, especially if you are on the active side.
In the end, if you are an Android user, even if there are the Amazfit and the Fitbit, or even the Huawei, this watch is best at integrating the functions of Android directly to the watch, more so if you are a Samsung user.
Final Verdict
- Best Overall: Fitbit Charge 6
- Best Budget Option: Huawei Band 10
- Best for Runners: Garmin Forerunner 165
- Best for iPhone Users: Apple Watch SE (2022)
- Best for Android Users: Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
- Best Mid-Range Choice: Amazfit Active 2
So there you have.
Really, at the end of the day, how you intend to use your fitness tracker, as well as your accompanying smartphone, and of course your budget, will dictate which route you will take. But I do hope that whatever watch you end up with, it will help you increase your activity level and help you get stronger, fitter, and healthier.
Banner image from Ketut Subiyanto via Pexels.