The Best Fitness Trackers of 2026 So Far

Affordable fitness trackers have become capable enough to compete with devices that would have cost hundreds of dollars only a few years ago.

Premium fitness trackers still have their place, but several of the strongest models released in 2026 have been relatively affordable. The list includes screenless trackers, smart rings and running watches from Google, Oura, Amazfit and Garmin.

Here are five of the best fitness trackers released in 2026 so far, as reviewed by TechRadar.

Google Fitbit Air

Release date: May 26
Rating: 4/5
Price: $99.99

The Google Fitbit Air is the company’s answer to the growing popularity of screenless Whoop bands.

The tracker weighs only 12 grams and offers a comfortable, distraction-free design. Its companion app includes a controversial AI-powered premium tier that provides additional insights through Google’s AI Health Coach.

However, the free version still offers enough features to make the Fitbit Air a strong option at its relatively low price.

Heart-rate tracking is its biggest strength. The device delivers consistently accurate readings and also includes FDA-certified background atrial fibrillation detection.

Its main weakness is the lack of built-in GPS. As a result, running data can feel less accurate than expected, even for a tracker in this price range.

Oura Ring 5

Release date: June 4
Rating: 4/5
Price: From $399

The Oura Ring 5 is the latest smart ring from the company that helped popularise the product category.

It offers a less intrusive way to monitor fitness, sleep, and general wellness. Despite its small size and jewellery-like appearance, the ring provides highly accurate tracking.

The Oura Ring 5 can operate for up to one week between charges, including continuous sleep tracking.

It is 40% smaller than the previous Oura Ring while maintaining heart-rate accuracy comparable to a dedicated chest strap.

The ring also offers more colour choices and Bluetooth 6.0 connectivity, compared with Bluetooth 5.4 on the Samsung Galaxy Ring. Both products start at the same price.

Its high price remains the main disadvantage.

Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro

Release date: April 16
Rating: 4/5

The Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro targets runners who want Garmin-style features without paying Garmin-level prices.

It includes training plans, detailed running metrics and up to 31 hours of dual-band GPS tracking, making it suitable for marathon training and other long-distance activities.

The watch can provide up to 20 days of battery life during normal daily use.

GPS performance is reliable, although its offline maps still need improvement. The watch also has a fairly bulky design that may feel large on some wrists.

Despite those weaknesses, the Cheetah 2 Pro is one of the strongest running watches released this year.

Amazfit Active 3 Premium

Release date: February 26
Rating: 5/5
Price: $169

The Amazfit Active 3 Premium offers a more affordable and less demanding alternative to the Cheetah 2 Pro.

It includes an AMOLED display, built-in GPS, and a comfortable 54.6-gram body.

Amazfit claims the watch can last up to 12 days on a single charge. Testing produced around 11 days of battery life.

The Zepp companion app has improved considerably in recent years. It now provides useful running data and proper coaching features.

The watch is not designed for rugged off-trail use. However, its attractive design, strong battery life, and reasonable price make it a competitive budget option.