2024’s Best Wearables: Smartwatches, Fitness Trackers, and More

Wearable technology continues to evolve, offering more than just a way to tell time or track steps. In 2024, smartwatches, fitness trackers, and other wearable devices have become essential tools for enhancing health, productivity, and daily life. Whether you’re looking for a sleek smartwatch, a dedicated fitness tracker, or an innovative new wearable, this year’s lineup brings cutting-edge technology to your wrist and beyond. Let’s explore 2024’s best wearables and what makes them stand out Before It’s News.

1. Apple Watch Series 9: The Best All-Around Smartwatch

The Apple Watch Series 9 builds on its predecessors with new features that solidify its position as the best all-around smartwatch. With a new S9 chip, improved performance, and the highly anticipated double-tap gesture for easier navigation, it offers a smooth user experience. Fitness tracking, ECG monitoring, and blood oxygen sensors are still top-notch, while deeper integration with Apple’s ecosystem makes it a seamless tool for productivity and health.

Why It’s the Best:
The Apple Watch Series 9 delivers premium features, a robust app ecosystem, and excellent health tracking, making it the top choice for iPhone users.

2. Google Pixel Watch 2: The Best for Android Users

For Android users, the Google Pixel Watch 2 is the smartwatch to beat. With a sleek design and a wide array of features like heart rate monitoring, GPS, and sleep tracking, it offers an excellent balance between style and functionality. Enhanced integration with Google services like Maps, Google Assistant, and Gmail makes it a powerful tool for productivity. Plus, Fitbit’s health tracking technology ensures accurate fitness data.

Why It’s the Best for Android:
With Fitbit’s fitness expertise combined with Google’s smart integrations, the Pixel Watch 2 is the perfect smartwatch for Android users who want health insights and productivity in one device.

3. Oura Ring 4: The Ultimate Health Tracker

The Oura Ring 4 is a discreet but powerful health tracking wearable that monitors key metrics like sleep, heart rate, and activity levels. Its lightweight, ring-shaped design makes it less obtrusive than a traditional watch, yet it offers detailed insights into your physical and mental well-being. With improved accuracy in health metrics and better battery life, the Oura Ring 4 remains one of the most advanced health trackers available.

Why It’s the Best Health Tracker:
If you want comprehensive health tracking in a subtle, non-watch format, the Oura Ring 4 provides 24/7 monitoring without compromising style or comfort.

4. Garmin Fenix 7 Pro: The Best for Adventurers

The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro is built for those who love outdoor adventures. Featuring rugged durability, multi-GNSS satellite support for accurate navigation, and solar charging to extend battery life, this smartwatch is ideal for hikers, climbers, and outdoor athletes. With built-in maps, advanced fitness tracking, and safety features like incident detection, it’s the perfect companion for exploring the great outdoors.

Why It’s the Best for Adventurers:
The Fenix 7 Pro excels in extreme environments, offering comprehensive navigation tools, fitness metrics, and unmatched durability, making it the go-to wearable for outdoor enthusiasts.

5. Fitbit Charge 6: Best Budget Fitness Tracker

For those seeking an affordable yet reliable fitness tracker, the Fitbit Charge 6 is a top contender. This latest iteration offers upgraded heart rate monitoring, built-in GPS, and enhanced sleep tracking. With 7-day battery life and a slim, comfortable design, the Charge 6 strikes a perfect balance between functionality and affordability.

Why It’s the Best Budget Fitness Tracker:
Fitbit Charge 6 offers a robust suite of health and fitness features at a price that won’t break the bank, making it a great choice for anyone looking to improve their fitness without a hefty investment.

6. Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic: The Most Stylish Smartwatch

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 6 Classic brings back the beloved rotating bezel, combining classic watch design with modern tech features. It offers advanced health monitoring with ECG, body composition analysis, and detailed sleep tracking. The Watch 6 Classic also seamlessly integrates with Samsung’s ecosystem, allowing you to make calls, send texts, and access apps directly from your wrist.

Why It’s the Most Stylish:
The rotating bezel adds a touch of elegance and functionality, making the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic the perfect mix of style and substance for Samsung users.

7. Amazfit Bip 5: Best Entry-Level Smartwatch

If you’re new to wearables and want a low-cost entry point, the Amazfit Bip 5 offers a solid set of features without the hefty price tag. With built-in GPS, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and up to 10 days of battery life, it covers all the essentials. While it may lack the high-end polish of more expensive models, it’s a great choice for beginners who want reliable fitness and health tracking.

Why It’s the Best Entry-Level Smartwatch:
For under $100, the Amazfit Bip 5 provides all the core smartwatch features, making it an excellent option for those starting their wearable journey.

8. Whoop 4.0: Best for Serious Athletes

For athletes who want in-depth performance analysis, the Whoop 4.0 is the ultimate wearable. Unlike traditional smartwatches, Whoop is focused entirely on fitness, offering data on strain, recovery, and sleep to optimize your training. It’s subscription-based and doesn’t have a screen, but its data-driven insights are invaluable for those serious about improving their performance.

Why It’s the Best for Serious Athletes:
Whoop’s specialized focus on fitness tracking, coupled with its recovery and performance data, makes it an elite tool for athletes who want to fine-tune their training routines.

9. Withings ScanWatch 2: The Best Hybrid Smartwatch

The Withings ScanWatch 2 is a hybrid smartwatch that blends classic analog design with advanced health tracking. It monitors heart rate, ECG, sleep, and even detects atrial fibrillation. With a small digital display embedded in the watch face, it delivers smart notifications without sacrificing the look of a traditional timepiece. The long battery life (up to 30 days) is a standout feature for those who want minimal charging.

Why It’s the Best Hybrid:
For those who prefer the look of a classic watch but want smart health features, the Withings ScanWatch 2 offers the best of both worlds with minimal charging hassle.

10. Xiaomi Mi Band 8: The Best for Simplicity

Xiaomi’s Mi Band 8 continues its tradition of offering solid fitness tracking features in a super affordable package. With an AMOLED display, heart rate and sleep monitoring, and up to 15 days of battery life, it provides more features than most other budget fitness trackers. Its lightweight design and reliable performance make it a great option for anyone looking for basic fitness tracking.

Why It’s the Best for Simplicity:
If you’re looking for a no-frills, reliable fitness tracker that covers the basics and won’t break the bank, the Mi Band 8 is hard to beat.

Conclusion: Finding the Right Wearable for You

Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, a health-conscious individual, or someone looking for enhanced productivity, 2024’s best wearables offer something for everyone. From premium smartwatches like the Apple Watch Series 9 to specialized fitness trackers like the Whoop 4.0, these devices are packed with features that can help you live smarter, healthier, and more connected.