The question Leonardo da Vinci drew sketches of a prototype pedometer more than 500 years ago. He never managed to make his design a reality, but today there are smartwatches and fitness trackers that claim to count your steps and tell you how you’ve slept, the number of calories you’ve shifted, if you’re stressed, and even if you need to sit down or stand up. But which ones are worth buying?
The basics A team of Which? experts tested 97 devices. The cheapest was a £19.99 Smart Band from Xiaomi and the priciest was a £719 Apple Watch Ultra.
The method To measure accuracy, the Which? experts wore each product while doing various tasks – walking upstairs, loading the dishwasher, going for a run – then compared its step count against a reference counter. They took the trackers to woodland areas to see if the GPS coped with signal, plus they monitored the battery and how heavy and comfortable they were. The trackers also underwent a privacy and security test.
The thing to remember Unlike other recommendation services, Which? buys products before testing them, meaning no relying on freebies, and no biased results.
See the full range of expert reviews at which.co.uk/fitnesstracking
BEST BUDGET
Screen size 43.5mm
Compatibility iOS 12+, Android 8+
Battery life Up to 17.5 days
What works? The price, firstly. This is great value. Plus testers also thought it was comfortable, very easy to use and terrific at tracking casual exercise.
What’s the catch? There’s no GPS; outdoorsy types might be disappointed.
BEST MID-RANGE
Screen size 50mm
Compatibility iOS 14+, Android 7+
Battery life Up to ten days
What works? Loads. This was the Which? product of the year for 2025. It has an accurate heart-rate monitor, great GPS tracking, is comfy, easy to use, and has good screen quality.
What’s the catch? You can link it to your phone and take calls, but the sound quality is a bit iffy.
BEST PREMIUM
Screen size 44mm
Battery life Up to three days
What works? Even though this is the cheapest of all Apple watches, it still uses much the same tech as newer, pricier models. Testers said it is fantastically accurate and has a high-quality screen.
What’s the catch? It only works with an iPhone. And it’s missing some of the advanced features of pricier Apple watches.
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Published on: 2026-01-20 15:33:00
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
