Top-Performing Fitness Watches and Trackers of 2025: A Thorough Evaluation
With a fitness watch, you can stay motivated and progress towards your goals, no matter where your adventures take you. These amazing devices record all your sessions and compare them over time, showing you exactly how much you're improving (or not).
Top fitness watches come equipped with various training plans, tailoring workouts to help you achieve a faster 5km run or half-marathon. As you wear the watch, the training plan adapts in real-time, making you feel like you have a personal trainer by your side, cheering you on to smash your goals.
Prices for fitness watches range from as low as £100 to over £900, so it can be challenging to pick the best one for your needs. To help you make an informed decision, the talkSPORT Shopping team has tested a variety of fitness watches and trackers across different price ranges. In this article, we will unveil our top picks, based on their features, performance, and value for money.
How we tested
We gave each device a proper trial, wearing each one for at least two weeks to get a real feel for its features and performance. During this testing period, we used the watches in various situations, including daily activities, gym workouts, outdoor runs, and casual lunchtime walks.
We paid close attention to features like step tracking, heart rate monitoring, GPS accuracy, battery life, and ease of use. We also explored how well each watch synced with its companion app, examining data presentation and understanding if it helped us track progress. Comfort was another crucial factor – after all, a watch needs to feel comfortable on your wrist during both workouts and everyday life.
Best fitness watches and trackers at a glance
- Best overall fitness watch: Garmin Forerunner 165 Music, £289.99 - buy here
- Best for battery life: Garmin Fēnix 8
- Best for value for money: Wahoo Elemnt Rival
- Best for Android users: OnePlus Watch 3
- Best for iPhone users: Polar Vantage M3
- Best running watch: Google Pixel Watch 3
- Best for comfort: Sekonda Active Smart Watch
Without further ado, let's dive into the details of each top-rated fitness watch and tracker.
Best fitness watches and trackers tried and tested
Garmin Forerunner 165 Music
"Garmin Forerunner 165 Music"
The Forerunner 165 Music from Garmin is one of their more affordable running watches, offering unparalleled GPS tracking, activity recording, wrist-based heart rate sensors, and the Garmin Connect app and training plans – all under £240.
The lightweight design and comfortable sleep tracking make it perfect for all-day wear. The music feature allows you to play music directly from your wrist, freeing you from the burden of carrying your phone.
After every run or swim session, the watch asks for a rating of how you felt, and this data can be found in the Garmin Connect app. The app offers training plans for different distances, hydration tracking, VO2 max, and more, helping you achieve your goals.
"Garmin Forerunner 165 Music at Argos, £239.99"BUY HERE Pros: Lightweight, comfortable for sleep, follow training plans on Garmin Connect app* Cons: Using the music feature drains battery life* Rating:* 5/5
Polar Vantage M3
"Polar Vantage M3"
The Polar Vantage M3 boasts a unique greige strap and gold detail around the bezel, making it attractive in addition to smart. Despite its chunky appearance, it is packed with abilities to help improve fitness and performance in various sports.
The watch can track multiple activities with a press of a button, including hiking, SUP paddleboarding, and more.
Two standout features that set it apart from other average sports watches are the Polar FitSpark training guide and real-time workout guidance. The training guide offers daily workouts based on current fitness levels and rest, providing a tailored workout plan. During a run workout, for example, the watch will vibrate to alert you to change speeds or lower the intensity to stay within a desired heart rate zone.
"Polar Vantage M3, £349"BUY HERE Pros: Stylish strap, responsive GPS, tracks 150 activities, syncs with Apple Health and Google Fit* Cons: Confusing to work out what all buttons do* Rating:* 4.5/5
Wahoo Elemnt Rival
"Wahoo Elemnt Rival"
Wahoo may be more known for their indoor trainers and bike computers, but their Elemnt Rival smartwatch deserves recognition. The sleek, understated design, combined with a focus on triathletes and multi-sport enthusiasts, makes it an outstanding choice.
Transitioning between activities, such as swimming, cycling, and running, is effortless with this watch. Its "Touchless Transition" mode automatically switches between tracking the swim, bike, and run segments without requiring you to press a button – a game-changer for triathletes.
The watch also integrates seamlessly with Wahoo's ecosystem, including bike computers and heart rate monitors. For example, if you're cycling with a Wahoo ELEMNT bike computer, the watch hands over tracking duties, allowing you to focus on the ride.
"Wahoo Elemnt Rival at Amazon, £130.42"BUY HERE Pros: Budget-friendly price, large display, touchless transition, sleek design* Cons: Slightly heavy, no in-built music* Rating:* 4/5
Fitbit Charge 6
"Fitbit Charge 6"
Fitbit's Charge 6 is a great entry-level watch, offering solid battery life and a compact design. The watch tracks your heart rate, daily steps, workouts, calories burned, and distance covered, all of which can be viewed in Fitbit's dedicated app.
While the small screen may make reading data challenging, there is a zoom-in feature to help with that. Some premium features, such as sleep trends and stress management, are behind a Fitbit Premium paywall (£8.99 per month), but considering the Charge 6's low price of under £120, it's still a fantastic buy.
Google Pixel Watch 3
"Google Pixel Watch 3"
The Google Pixel Watch 3 is an excellent choice for those seeking a stylish smartwatch with smart features. Its circular face, bordered by a minimalist bezel, is visually appealing, while its compatibility with a variety of sports makes it practical for everyday use.
The watch features real-time GPS tracking, detailed metrics for a range of activities, and seamless integration with Fitbit, offering extensive fitness tracking capabilities. The bright AMOLED display ensures easy readability in all lighting conditions, even under harsh sunlight.
The Sleep Score helps you understand your restedness level, while the "Daily Readiness" feature suggests whether you should focus on recovery or push for a high-intensity workout.
"Google Pixel Watch 3 41mm at Argos, £349"BUY HERE Pros: Ultra lightweight, bright AMOLED display, easy-to-read screen, syncs with Google Pay Wallet* Cons: Low battery life* Rating:* 4/5
OnePlus Watch3
"OnePlus Watch3"
The OnePlus Watch 3 is a budget-friendly watch that doesn't skimp on features. Its sleek design, compact size, and easy-to-use interface make it appealing for everyday wear.
The watch offers fitness tracking, detailed sleep analysis, heart rate monitoring, and even estimates sugar and fat burn during workouts. It also has an impressive 32GB storage for offline music and supports several popular apps, like Strava and Spotify, which can be installed directly on the watch.
"OnePlus Watch 3, £269"BUY HERE Pros: Huge screen display, voice control functionality, music storage, easy to install apps like Strava and Spotify on the watch* Cons: Heaviest watch we tested (81g)* Rating: 4.5/5*
COROS Apex 2 Pro
"COROS Apex 2 Pro"
The COROS Apex 2 Pro is a high-performance GPS watch with impressive battery life and a large, high-resolution display. Its durability makes it suitable for endurance athletes and outdoor enthusiasts.
The watch offers super-accurate GPS tracking thanks to dual-frequency GNSS and global offline maps. The titanium alloy bezel frame, sapphire glass display, 30-day battery life, and water resistance up to 50m make the COROS Apex 2 Pro an ideal choice for those who value durability.
"COROS Apex 2 Pro at Amazon, £349"BUY HERE Pros: Super accurate GPS, incredible battery life, high-res display, durable build* Cons: No music streaming service integration* Rating*: 4.5/5
Garmin Fēnix 8
"Garmin Fēnix 8"
The Garmin Fēnix 8 is an expensive but exceptional fitness watch with a wide range of features. Its long battery life and large menu of activities make it suitable for various sports and outdoor adventures.
In addition to standard fitness tracking features like heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and calorie counting, the watch supports a host of outdoor activities and comes with pre-installed maps and tools for navigation.
The watch also allows you to download music and connect to wireless earbuds for listen-on-the-go functionality, while its user-friendly interface ensures easy navigation.
"Garmin Fēnix 8", £949.99BUY HERE Pros: Attractive watch and display, long battery life, huge range of features* Cons: Not as lightweight and compact as some other fitness watches, expensive* Rating*: 5/5
COROS Pace 3 Emerald
"COROS Pace 3 Emerald"
The COROS Pace 3 Emerald is a well-priced smartwatch that offers impressive performance tracking and accurate GPS. Its lightweight design and sleek appearance make it suitable for triathletes, outdoor sportspeople, and long-distance runners.
In addition to fitness tracking, the watch offers sleep monitoring, heart rate tracking, and even battery-saving power-saving modes. While the watch does not integrate with music streaming services, its budget-friendly price makes it an appealing choice for those seeking a quality GPS watch without the additional cost of streaming service integration.
"COROS Pace 3 Emerald at Amazon, £219"BUY HERE Pros: Accurate GPS tracking, lightweight design, long battery life* Cons: No music streaming service integration, no contactless payment functionality, no touchscreen* Rating*: 3.5/5
Sekonda Active Smart Watch 45mm
"Sekonda Active Smart Watch 45mm"
The Sekonda Active Smart Watch is a budget-friendly and stylish option that offers great value for its price. Designed with a large HD touchscreen display and comfortable silicone strap, it appeals to fitness enthusiasts seeking a watch that is both practical and visually pleasing.
The watch offers standard fitness tracking features, such as heart rate and sleep monitoring, and boasts accurate GPS tracking. Its user-friendly interface and long battery life make it a solid choice for those seeking an affordable smartwatch without sacrificing quality.
"Sekonda Active Smart Watch, £59.99 (was £79.99)"BUY NOW Pros: Large display, decent battery life, good for sleep tracking* Cons: Not suitable for swimming* Rating*: 4.5/5
In conclusion, each fitness watch and tracker in our list caters to different needs and budgets, ensuring there's a perfect match for everyone. Whether you're a runner, a triathlete, or simply looking for a stylish everyday smartwatch, you'll find your ideal fitness companion among these top-rated devices. Happy shopping!
- These fitness watches, such as the Garmin Forerunner 165 Music, record and compare your workout sessions over time, providing a visual representation of your improvement and motivation.
- The Wahoo Elemnt Rival is a budget-friendly smartwatch that offers seamless integration with Wahoo's ecosystem, allowing for smooth transitions between sports like swimming, cycling, and running.
- The Garmin Fenix 8, while expensive, comes with a list of impressive features like long battery life, accurate GPS tracking, and pre-installed maps for outdoor navigation.
- If you're looking for a watch that pairs well with your iPhone, the Polar Vantage M3 could be an excellent choice, offering unique features like personalized training plans, real-time workout guidance, and integration with Apple Health and Google Fit.
- The Google Pixel Watch 3 is a stylish smartwatch that caters to various sports, providing detailed activity metrics, real-time GPS tracking, and innovative features like the Sleep Score and Daily Readiness meter.
- For those seeking a budget-friendly and compatible watch, the OnePlus Watch 3 offers essential features like fitness tracking, sleep analysis, heart rate monitoring, and installation of popular apps like Strava and Spotify on the watch.
