When I bought my first fitness tracker years ago, I was amazed at the amount of data that could be measured from the small gadget on my wrist. It allowed me to access a surprising amount of information, from heart rate to sleep metrics, that changed how I approached my health and workouts. But today’s devices make that one seem like an ancient relic.

The fitness tracker category has vastly expanded in the last decade, with new gadgets touting seemingly endless features and a variety of designs, making it easier for consumers to find the model that works best for their needs — but harder to figure out exactly which one is right for you.

To help simplify things for you, I tested three popular fitness trackers — the Fitbit Inspire 3, Apple Watch SE and Garmin Forerunner 55 — for the better part of the last month. I wore all three for a range of activities, from walks, indoor and outdoor runs, cycling, Pilates and more. Plus, I kept them on most nights to check their sleep-tracking abilities. Keep reading to discover all of my thoughts and who each tracker may be best for.

Best affordable fitness tracker: Fitbit Inspire 3

Band Size: Small and Large included | Battery life: Up to 10 days | Water resistant?: Yes, up to 164 feet

The Fitbit Inspire 3 has basically everything you could want from a fitness tracker at a more budget-friendly price than most popular models (and it’s even more affordable right now). It does a great job at tracking all the basics, from steps to heart rate, sleep and workouts.

I was impressed by the number of features available within just the device alone, but when you purchase one (the brand sent this model to me), you’ll also get 6 free months of Fitbit Premium, which is normally $10 a month. That gives you access to even more helpful health features, like a daily readiness score and sleep analysis. Plus, there are tons of workout videos from Fitbits own trainers and Peloton — in fact, there were so many that I ended up quitting my other, more expensive, online workout subscription program.

Some trackers can be bulky, so I love how lightweight and simple this one is. The screen is small, but you can still see your data, start and stop workouts and even read messages (though they can sometimes be hard to read on such a small screen). I did have some difficulty getting the touchscreen to respond when my hands were cold or sweaty.

To access all of your data, you’ll have to go to the app. It took some playing around to figure out where to find everything, but once I did, it was a breeze.

The battery is designed to last up to 10 days, but I found that with daily workout logging and general use, I typically got around seven to eight days of use out of it.

Overall, while it may not have some of the bells and whistles of other models, I was impressed by this small tracker.

What we like

• Functions keep you connected
• Pairs seamlessly with iPhone
• Emergency safety features

Something to note

• Short battery life
• Not compatible with android

Band Size: Small/Medium, Medium/Large | Battery life: Up to 18 hours | Water resistant?: Yes, up to 164 feet

Though the Apple Watch SE works as an excellent fitness tracker, it’s so much more than that. For iPhone users, it serves as an extension of your phone, allowing you to do everything from pay for food, take calls, get directions and so much more right from your wrist. (With the GPS and cellular version, you can do all that without having to keep your iPhone nearby.)

I loved how those features allowed me to see texts or switch songs during a long run without requiring me to fumble with my running belt and try to reach my phone.

As someone with an iPhone, I found that the Apple Watch provided the most seamless app and data transfer experience. While other models would take a few minutes to reconnect if I had quit the app, whenever I opened the Health and Fitness apps, the data was ready to view. And the data itself is pretty comprehensive, showing everything from REM and respiratory rate for sleep, workout stats and more in-depth health metrics like cardio recovery and the amount of time you’ve spent in daylight. I also use the Health app to track my menstrual cycle and headphone noise levels, so it’s helpful to have it all in one place.

When looking at multiple types of logged workouts, I found that the Apple Watch was slightly more conservative than the other trackers when it came to the number of calories burned. And when I used an equation found on the National Academy of Sports Medicine website to calculate my estimated calories burned for a given exercise, it was closest to the Apple Watch’s number. While that’s not something I typically pay much attention to, for those using their tracker to lose weight, it could be an important factor.

Battery is one area where the watch is lacking. I typically need to charge it at least every 24 hours and there have been many times where I have forgotten and ended up with a dead watch. But overall, this pick checks so many boxes for those who are looking for a device that goes beyond just fitness tracking. The charger will only plug into USB-C ports, and since I don’t have any compatible charging blocks, I have to charge it on my laptop.

What we like

• Checks “all the boxes”
• Battery life is amazing

Something to note

• Lack of activities for logging

Band Size: 20 millimeters | Battery life: Up to two weeks | Water resistant?: Yes, up to 164 feet

I’ll start by saying that I’ve been wearing this Garmin watch for months now. Not only was it named the best fitness watch for runners during the Shop TODAY Wellness Awards, but I had previously heard many runner friends and family members rave about the brand. So, as someone who uses running as one of my main forms of exercise, I knew I had to check it out.

While it does the job of a fitness tracker, allowing you to log different activities and monitor sleep data, I’ve found it to be the most helpful for running. Many other trackers that I’ve tried only show your average pace or your pace after every mile, while the Garmin updates your pace in real-time, which is great if you’re trying to maintain a certain cadence or are doing a speed workout where you’re frequently changing paces.

If you’re training for an official race like I currently am, you can add the date or event to your app and it will create a countdown and allow you to create goals for yourself. And you can also start a training plan and get suggested workouts based on your schedule, runs and goals.

As for the design, this was the only model without a touchscreen, which I appreciated. I found that the physical buttons make it easier to start or pause a workout or adjust settings while running, as I sometimes struggle to get touchscreens to respond to my gloved, cold or sweaty hands mid-run.

The Forerunner 55 is somewhat lacking in the range of activities that the other models offer (though you can still select options like Pilates, HIIT and biking), though, for runners, it does have multiple running modes, including indoor and outdoor runs, track runs and a general cardio mode.

The watch also tends to sometimes overestimate my sleep. If I call it a night early and get in bed a few hours before my bedtime to relax and watch TV, the Garmin will sometimes register my body’s calm state as sleep hours and tack those on to my overall rest for the night.

By far, the thing that impresses me the most about this tracker is its battery life. In its normal, smartwatch mode, it’s designed to last up to two weeks. And it actually does. I was able to bring it on a 14-day trip and leave the charger at home and I still had an extra day of power once I got back.

Of the three trackers that I tried, the Fitbit Inspire 3 delivered an impressive number of features, including the ability to accurately track a variety of workouts and steps, along with sleep and key health metrics for a more affordable price than comparable models.

The lightweight design makes it easy to wear and the long-lasting battery life is great for those who may forget to charge their devices frequently. (Plus, the USB charger is compatible with all the standard charging blocks I have at home.)

Even though it is small, it has additional basic smart features including calling, texting and the ability to set alarms. While the app provides valuable data on its own, with the Fitbit Premium membership it gives users even more insights while also doubling as a workout subscription app.

There are also multiple ways to wear the device. You can swap the bands with translucent or stainless steel mesh versions. Or you can put it in “clipped on body” mode and attach it to your belt, waistband or bra with this discreet clip.

We chose to try these fitness trackers because they were either bestsellers or editor favorites. Our writer tried each one for approximately a month, for most workouts and nights. Every time she wore them, she wore all three at the same time. For workouts, she started and ended timers as close to the same time as possible. She used them for a variety of exercises, including runs, walks, Pilates classes, cycling classes and more.

We analyzed a number of factors when trying each one, including price, workout and sleep tracking, their apps and additional features.

The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources and use our own personal experiences with the product and brand to make shopping easier for our readers.

Emma Stessman is a writer for Shop TODAY. She has over a decade of experience in digital media — with nearly half of that time being focused on the health and wellness space. She has owned multiple fitness trackers from top brands over the years. At Shop TODAY she covers a range of topics, from new tech releases to expert-approved beauty trends.