The Best Fitness Trackers of 2026: Garmin, Google Fitbit, and More
Wired editors have selected the top fitness trackers for 2026, ranging from the Garmin Vivoactive 6 to the Oura Ring 5 and Apple Watch Series 11.
Wired magazine has published its roundup of the best fitness trackers for 2026, testing dozens of devices. The top pick for most people is the Garmin Vivoactive 6 ($300), offering accurate activity tracking, built-in GPS, incident detection, and a free Connect platform without a subscription. However, Garmin has also introduced a paid Connect+ subscription ($70/year) with extra features.
The best value is the Google Fitbit Air ($100), a screen-free wearable weighing only 12 grams that tracks cardiovascular health, sleep, and activity. It works with both Android and iOS, but location tracking requires a phone.
In the smart ring category, the Oura Ring 5 ($399) is the best, 40% smaller than its predecessor with improved sensors and up to nine days of battery life. It includes an AI health coach called Oura Advisor, but a subscription ($6/month) is needed for most insights.
For iPhone users, the Apple Watch Series 11 is recommended, finally offering up to 24 hours of battery life and FDA-cleared hypertension notifications. It also brings back blood oxygen sensing and sleep scores.
Android users should consider the Google Pixel Watch 4, combining Google's smartwatch experience with Fitbit health features. It is repairable (parts available on iFixit), has a 50% brighter display, dual-frequency GPS, and an AI personal health coach.
Runners are directed to the Garmin Forerunner 970 with a bright AMOLED screen, up to two weeks of battery life, a built-in flashlight, and advanced running metrics like Running Tolerance. Some features require the Garmin HRM 600 heart rate monitor ($170).
The guide also mentions other models but warns against cheap watches that claim high-end capabilities but are inaccurate.
