The best cheap fitness trackers for 2026

Published on 15 January 2026 Engadget

Summary

Affordable fitness trackers now offer impressive features like heart rate monitoring, sleep analysis, and GPS tracking, making it easier to achieve health goals without overspending. The publication highlights essential features to consider when choosing a budget-friendly device.

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Key Insights

What is Active Zone Minutes in cheap fitness trackers like the Fitbit Inspire 3?

Active Zone Minutes is a Fitbit metric that tracks the time spent in elevated heart rate zones during workouts and daily activities, personalized to your age and fitness level, to encourage achieving daily movement goals and gamify fitness progress.

Sources: [1], [2]

What does 'onboard GPS' mean for budget fitness trackers?

Onboard GPS refers to built-in GPS capability in the tracker itself, allowing independent tracking of routes, distance, and pace during outdoor activities like running without needing to carry a phone.

Sources: [1], [2]