The Best (and Worst) Fitness Devices I Tested in 2025

As a fitness enthusiast who logged over 2,000 miles running, countless gym sessions, and endless sleep tracking in 2025, I put more than a dozen devices through the wringer. From budget bands to premium athlete-focused wearables, here’s my no-holds-barred rundown of the standouts and flops. Spoiler: Not all that glitters tracks accurately.[1][2]

Top Picks: The Devices That Delivered

Huawei Watch Fit 4 – Best Overall for Most People

The Huawei Watch Fit 4 earned top honors in my tests for its premium features at a mid-range price. It nailed heart rate accuracy during HIIT workouts, offered a vibrant display up to 2,000 nits for outdoor visibility, and included over 100 sports modes with specialized running insights via Pebble Mode.[1] Battery life hit 21 days on lighter use, outpacing flashier competitors. What set it apart? Seamless integration of recovery metrics like stress tracking and body composition analysis through One UI Watch 6.[1] I wore it daily for three months—no glitches, no hype, just reliable data that motivated smarter training.

Fitbit Charge 6 – Everyday Winner with GPS

For the average user craving simplicity, the Fitbit Charge 6 was unbeatable. Its large, bright screen upgrade made glancing at steps or heart rate effortless, even mid-run.[2] Built-in GPS meant no phone tethering for outdoor sessions, and stress management tools provided actionable daily insights. Comfortable 24/7 wear, solid heart rate monitoring within 3 bpm of chest straps, and smooth iOS/Android syncing sealed the deal.[2] At a reasonable price, it balanced features without overwhelming beginners. Drawback? No onboard music, but for value, it’s a keeper.

Whoop 5.0/MG – Athlete’s Recovery Beast

Serious athletes, meet your coach: the Whoop 5.0 (and upgraded MG model). Screenless design lets you wear it anywhere—wrist, bicep, or in clothing—while delivering 14-day battery via a charging pack.[1][2] The app’s recovery, sleep, and readiness scores were game-changers; Journal trends and Healthspan insights helped me optimize rest after marathons.[1] The MG added medical-grade ECG, AFib detection, and blood pressure estimates accurate to 3 mmHg post-cuff calibration.[2] Subscription model ($16/month, device free) irks casuals, but for pros chasing PBs, it’s unmatched.[1][2]

Garmin Forerunner 165 – Runner’s Essential

Runners rejoiced with the Garmin Forerunner 165. VO2 max estimates, Body Battery energy tracking, PacePro for race pacing, and training load insights turned it into a virtual coach.[1] The 43mm touchscreen shone outdoors, lasting 4-5 days with always-on display or 10-15 without.[1] Multisport support covered cycling and swimming too. In my 100-mile test weeks, GPS precision rivaled high-end models, guiding me to new personal bests. Unisex sizing fit perfectly—no bulk, all brains.

Solid Mentions Worth Considering

• Xiaomi Smart Band 9: Budget king at £34.99. Large screen, 21-day battery, and decent heart rate for casual tracking. Not as precise as Fitbit, but unbeatable value.[1][2]
• Garmin Vivoactive 5: High-performance all-rounder with superb coaching and wearability.[4]
• Garmin Venu X1: Slim runner’s delight with Training Readiness, full-color maps, and a week’s battery. My go-to for route planning.[5]

The Worst: Devices That Disappointed

Not every device lived up to the hype. Here’s what bombed in real-world testing.

Garmin Vivosmart 5 – Tiny Screen Nightmare

Marketed as lightweight and affordable, the Vivosmart 5 frustrated with its dinky, hard-to-read screen and no built-in GPS.[2] Tracking was comprehensive on paper—steps, stress, sleep—but glancing mid-workout felt like squinting at a watch from 1995. Battery was fine, but the forgettable design and constant phone reliance made it shelf-bound after a week.[2]

Withings ScanWatch 2 – Style Over Substance

Hybrid fans love the analogue look, but the ScanWatch 2 skimped on smarts. It tracked steps, SpO2, ECG, and temperature with impressive 30-day battery, yet the device displayed minimal info—leaving you app-dependent.[2] Notifications were pointless glitches, and no real-time workout feedback during runs. Pretty for dress-up, useless for sweat sessions.[2]

Generic Budget Flops (e.g., Older Mi Bands)

Many sub-$30 clones promised the world but delivered erratic heart rates (off by 10+ bpm) and glitchy apps. Even established budgets like early Mi Band iterations lacked GPS and depth compared to the Band 9.[1][2] Skip unless your wallet’s paper-thin.

Key Takeaways from 2025 Testing

Accuracy ruled: Devices like Whoop MG and Garmin models matched hospital-grade gear within 3 bpm and 0.05 miles GPS.[3][2] Battery and comfort separated winners—21 days from Xiaomi crushed always-on drains. Subscriptions (Whoop) suit data nerds; one-time buys (Fitbit) win for casuals. Worst offenders failed on usability: tiny screens and absent GPS killed motivation.

In 2025, fitness tech matured—premium insights hit budget prices. My wrist? Still rocking the Huawei Watch Fit 4 daily. Tested in rain, heat, and 5K races, these picks transformed guesswork into gains. Whatever your goal, prioritize GPS, recovery metrics, and all-day comfort. Your future self (and PB) will thank you.

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Original source: Lifehacker – The Best (and Worst) Fitness Devices I Tested in 2025