{"id":565233,"date":"2026-07-29T12:39:11","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T12:39:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/565233\/"},"modified":"2026-07-29T12:39:11","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T12:39:11","slug":"ive-spent-hundreds-of-hours-testing-all-the-smartwatches-and-trackers-to-launch-this-year-heres-the-one-i-recommend-to-most-people","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/565233\/","title":{"rendered":"I\u2019ve spent hundreds of hours testing all the smartwatches and trackers to launch this year \u2014 here\u2019s the one I recommend to most people"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a fitness editor, I\u2019ve spent hundreds of hours testing tech this year, and we\u2019re only in July. Not a day goes by when I don\u2019t have more than one fitness tracker strapped to a pulse point, and by now, my friends have stopped asking me why I\u2019m wearing two watches (I think they\u2019re just relieved I\u2019ve not turned up to brunch wearing a chest strap\u2026yet).<\/p>\n

I often get asked which is the best tracker, and my answer is always, “It depends on who\u2019s buying it.” And while I stick by this answer \u2014 someone training for their seventh marathon, for example, would be looking for something completely different to someone getting back into fitness in their 60s \u2014 one tracker stands out this year, and it\u2019s probably not what you\u2019re expecting.<\/p>\n

Why the Fitbit Air is the best fitness tracker to launch so far this year <\/p>\n

Sure, I wouldn\u2019t be without my Oura Ring 5<\/a>, and I\u2019ve been impressed by the tech packed into the affordable Garmin Forerunner 170<\/a>, but for me, the Fitbit Air <\/a>is the tracker to beat in 2026. If you\u2019re looking to get a better understanding of your overall health, and you\u2019re not put off by AI health coaches, here\u2019s why it\u2019s my top pick.<\/p>\n

Latest Videos FromTom’s Guide<\/p>\n

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(Image credit: Future)It disappears on your wrist <\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re the kind of person who wears an actual watch (remember those) and wants a screenless tracker as well, or you\u2019d prefer not to have something buzzing on your wrist with your phone notifications, the Fitbit<\/a> Air is a great choice. Sure, it\u2019s not as inconspicuous as the Oura Ring<\/a> 5, but it\u2019s also nowhere near as expensive, and if you don\u2019t want to, you don\u2019t have to sign up for an ongoing subscription.<\/p>\n

Weighing in at just 12g, the Fitbit Air is seriously lightweight, and really does disappear on the wrist. I found it extremely comfortable wearing 24\/7, especially when sleeping, and it was noticeably lighter than the Whoop 5.0<\/a> or Garmin Cirqa<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You may like<\/p>\n

The AI Health Coach is the best I\u2019ve used so far <\/p>\n

I\u2019m very anti-AI health coaching, especially because, up until now, most of them have just regurgitated information I can already see (don\u2019t get me started on Apple\u2019s Workout Buddy). I was skeptical about the Gemini-powered Google<\/a> Health Coach on the Fitbit Air, but it really is excellent.<\/p>\n

It breaks down your health information into easy-to-understand and actionable advice. This morning, after a heavy track session days before my period, my Google Health Coach told me, \u201cThat run was a solid effort, Jane, and since you\u2019re in the luteal phase, your body is actually working harder than usual. During this time, your core temperature is naturally higher, and your body may prioritize burning fat over glycogen, which can make high-intensity efforts like today\u2019s feel more draining.\u201d<\/p>\n

Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.<\/p>\n

It then gave me three pillars to focus on to recover.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m lucky enough to have run with a coach for years, so I know my body and when I need to ease off. But for beginners, or those that need guidance, Google\u2019s Health Coach does this super well, and the actionable advice can help you train smarter and avoid injury.<\/p>\n

The downside is that to get this AI coaching, you\u2019ll need to pay a subscription fee of $10\/\u00a38 per month. Still a lot cheaper than a running coach or personal trainer, but it won\u2019t be a cost everyone can afford.<\/p>\n

What to read next<\/p>\n

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(Image credit: Dan Bracaglia\/Tom’s Guide)For most people, the Fitbit Air is enough<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve worn a Garmin<\/a> for years, and while I trust Garmin\u2019s data and love the Garmin Connect app, the Garmin Cirqa is definitely aimed at more dedicated athletes who want deeper athletic training readiness metrics. Whoop takes this even more seriously with the Whoop 5.0.<\/p>\n

That said, for most people, the data the Fitbit Air gives you is more than enough. I truly believe that with fitness trackers, you can take a horse to water, but you can\u2019t make it drink.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no point collecting months of data and not really doing anything with it. The power and change come when you can take the data and make healthy changes, and I believe the Fitbit Air is one of the best trackers I\u2019ve tested when it comes to breaking down your data into actionable advice.<\/p>\n

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\"Google\n<\/p>\n

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