✨ Intro
Fitness doesn’t have to cost a fortune. In fact, 2025 is one of the best years yet to buy a budget-friendly fitness tracker that balances price, accuracy, and design. Whether you’re a student trying to stay active on a tight budget, a beginner tracking workouts, or simply someone who wants to monitor sleep and heart rate, there are plenty of quality devices under $100.
Unlike premium smartwatches, these trackers focus on the essentials: step counts, heart rate monitoring, sleep analysis, and notifications. With battery life often lasting over a week, they’re surprisingly practical for busy lifestyles. And with brands like Fitbit, Xiaomi, Amazfit, Huawei, and Realme competing in this segment, users now get more features for less money.
This guide will break down what to expect at this price range, which features matter most, and the top 10 fitness trackers under $100 you can confidently buy today.
💡 What to Expect Under $100
Budget trackers have matured significantly. Five years ago, a sub-$100 wearable meant limited functionality and questionable accuracy. Today, they rival mid-range smartwatches in core features.
For under $100, you can expect:
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Step and activity tracking with decent accuracy.
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Heart rate and SpO2 monitoring, sometimes 24/7.
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Sleep tracking that includes deep and REM phases.
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Lightweight, comfortable builds suitable for 24/7 wear.
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Battery life of 7–14 days depending on screen type and usage.
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Notification support for calls, messages, and apps.
What you usually won’t get are advanced features like ECG, detailed running dynamics, or standalone LTE. But for most users—especially students or casual fitness enthusiasts—the essentials are more than enough.
🔑 Key Features to Look For
Not all trackers are equal, even under $100. Choosing the right one means focusing on features that match your lifestyle.
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Battery Life: Busy schedules make long-lasting devices more valuable. Aim for at least a week of use per charge.
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Display Quality: AMOLED or bright LCD screens improve readability outdoors and during workouts.
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App Ecosystem: Some brands like Fitbit or Amazfit offer better apps and health dashboards than others.
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Comfort & Build: You’ll likely wear it day and night, so weight and strap quality matter.
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Water Resistance: Essential if you plan to swim, shower, or train outdoors.
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Compatibility: Ensure the tracker syncs smoothly with iOS or Android.
Budget doesn’t mean compromise—it just means choosing wisely.
🏆 Top 10 Fitness Trackers Under $100 (2025)
1. Xiaomi Mi Band 8 — Best Overall
The Xiaomi Mi Band 8 is the gold standard for budget trackers. It packs a 1.62-inch AMOLED display, 150+ sports modes, continuous heart rate and SpO2 monitoring, and stress + sleep tracking. Battery life lasts up to 14 days on normal use, and fast charging makes it even more convenient.
Pros:
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Excellent value at ~$50
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Crisp AMOLED display with customizable watch faces
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Accurate sleep and heart rate tracking
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Lightweight, comfortable, waterproof (5ATM)
Cons:
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Lacks advanced metrics like ECG
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Companion app ads can feel intrusive
👉 Stay fit on a budget with the Mi Band 8. Check the latest deals here.
Students love the lightweight design and wallet-friendly price (~$50). The Mi Band 8 balances health, fitness, and daily notifications, making it the best all-around choice under $100.
2. Amazfit Band 7 — Best for Battery Life
The Amazfit Band 7 is all about endurance. With 18-day battery life and Zepp OS ecosystem, it gives you smart features like stress tracking, PAI health score, and 120+ sports modes. The large AMOLED display makes navigation easy.
Pros:
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Longest battery in this category
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Rich app ecosystem with Zepp Health
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Reliable fitness + sleep tracking
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Comfortable for 24/7 use
Cons:
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Limited third-party integrations
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Bulkier than Mi Band
👉 Don’t recharge every week—get 18 days of battery with Amazfit Band 7. Shop now.
At under $70, it’s ideal for users who want a low-maintenance device that just works. The Zepp app provides clean insights, and the slim design makes it great for 24/7 wear.
3. Fitbit Inspire 3 — Best Ecosystem (Often Discounted to $99)
Fitbit Inspire 3 often dips under $100 with discounts, making it an incredible deal. It features industry-leading sleep tracking, continuous heart rate, SpO2, stress management, and integration into Fitbit’s powerful community app.
Pros:
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Best health app + social features
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Accurate sleep stage tracking
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Clean, comfortable design
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Motivational challenges + reminders
Cons:
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Requires Fitbit Premium for advanced insights
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Battery (~10 days) shorter than Amazfit
👉 Unlock the full Fitbit ecosystem without breaking the bank. Get Inspire 3 here.
It’s particularly good for those who want to join fitness challenges or benefit from Fitbit’s social community. If you want more context and less raw data, Fitbit is the most beginner-friendly option. (See our Fitbit Charge 6 Review for Fitness Tracking for a premium comparison.)
4. Huawei Band 8 — Best for Sleek Design
Huawei Band 8 is slim, stylish, and powerful. It comes with a 1.47-inch AMOLED display, 14-day battery, TruSeen heart monitoring, SpO2, and TruSleep 3.0 for detailed sleep insights. It’s also one of the lightest bands on the market.
Pros:
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Premium design under $70
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Strong battery with quick charging (10 min = 1 day)
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Accurate health monitoring
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Great AMOLED display visibility outdoors
Cons:
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Limited app integrations in Western markets
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Occasional syncing hiccups on iOS
👉 Wear style + performance on your wrist with Huawei Band 8. See offers here.
It includes continuous SpO2 and heart rate monitoring, sleep analysis, and fitness tracking with impressive accuracy. Battery life lasts up to 14 days, and fast charging gives you a full day’s use in just 10 minutes. Stylish yet practical, it’s great for students who want a watch that doesn’t scream “budget.”
5. Honor Band 7 — Best Value Alternative
The Honor Band 7 mirrors Huawei’s minimal design but often at a lower price (~$50). It includes a bright AMOLED screen, 96 sports modes, heart rate + SpO2, and up to 14 days battery life.
Pros:
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Affordable yet sleek design
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Decent accuracy for health tracking
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Comfortable for long wear
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Solid battery performance
Cons:
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Software less polished than Huawei’s
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Fewer updates compared to bigger brands
👉 Smart fitness at a smart price—grab Honor Band 7 here.
It doesn’t have as polished an ecosystem as Fitbit, but for those who just want reliable tracking under $50, it’s one of the best entry points.
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6. Wyze Band — Best for Smart Home Integration
Wyze Band isn’t just a tracker—it’s also a smart home remote. Besides standard fitness tracking, it lets you control Wyze devices like lights, plugs, and cameras directly from your wrist.
Pros:
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Unique smart home control features
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Decent battery (~10 days)
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Affordable at ~$50
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Comfortable and functional
Cons:
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Fitness tracking is basic
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Only works well if you already use Wyze devices
👉 Control your smart home + track fitness in one band. Check Wyze Band.
Fitness features are basic but functional—steps, sleep, and heart rate monitoring. The real value is for students or young professionals already using Wyze lights, plugs, or cameras. At ~$50, it’s a unique hybrid between tracker and IoT remote.
7. Realme Band 2 — Best for Students on a Tight Budget
The Realme Band 2 offers excellent value under $40. With a larger 1.4-inch display, 90+ sports modes, SpO2, heart rate, and 10-day battery, it’s a solid choice for students.
Pros:
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Very affordable
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Big, bright display
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Good set of fitness features for price
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Lightweight, comfy
Cons:
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Accuracy not on par with Fitbit or Amazfit
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Limited app experience
👉 Affordable, functional, student-friendly—get Realme Band 2 here.
Accuracy may not match Fitbit or Amazfit, but it’s perfect for first-time users who just want motivation to move more and track basics without spending much.
8. Noise ColorFit Pulse — Best for Style Under $50
Noise ColorFit Pulse balances affordability with aesthetics. A bright 1.4-inch screen, 10-day battery, SpO2, HR monitoring, and multiple sport modes make it a stylish everyday choice.
Pros:
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Fashionable designs + color options
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Good health basics under $50
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Bright display visibility
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Decent 7–10 day battery
Cons:
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Limited global availability
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Health metrics less advanced than Fitbit
👉 Stay stylish while tracking health with Noise ColorFit Pulse. Get yours.
It’s not built for hardcore athletes, but it offers a stylish entry into fitness tracking. For students who want both function and fashion, it’s a solid pick.
9. Letsfit Fitness Tracker — Best Ultra-Budget Pick
The Letsfit tracker is perfect for first-time users. At ~$30, it covers steps, heart rate, sleep, and notifications. Battery life is about a week.
Pros:
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Extremely affordable
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Covers essential fitness metrics
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Easy to use for beginners
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Comfortable lightweight build
Cons:
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Accuracy can be inconsistent
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Limited display quality and features
👉 Start your fitness journey without overspending. See Letsfit deals.
It’s a good “starter device” before investing in something more advanced like Fitbit or Amazfit. Think of it as an affordable entry-level wearable that does what it promises.
10. Amazfit Neo — Best Retro Design
For fans of retro looks, Amazfit Neo blends Casio-style digital design with modern sensors. It tracks steps, heart rate, sleep, and lasts an insane 28 days on a single charge.
Pros:
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Unique retro design
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Excellent 28-day battery life
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Solid health basics
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Durable, rugged build
Cons:
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No touchscreen or flashy display
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Limited smart features
👉 Go retro + stay fit with Amazfit Neo. Shop now.
It doesn’t have touchscreens or flashy animations, but that’s part of its charm. Students who want something unique yet functional will appreciate the blend of old-school style and modern sensors.
📊 Comparison Table
Model | Best For | Battery | Price | Quick Pro |
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Xiaomi Mi Band 8 | All-Around | 14 days | ~$50 | Affordable + reliable accuracy |
Amazfit Band 7 | Battery Life | 18 days | ~$70 | Longest endurance in class |
Fitbit Inspire 3 | Ecosystem | 10 days | ~$99 | Best health app + insights |
Huawei Band 8 | Design | 14 days | ~$60 | Sleek + premium feel |
Honor Band 7 | Budget Value | 14 days | ~$50 | Affordable entry pick |
Wyze Band | Smart Home | 10 days | ~$50 | IoT + fitness hybrid |
Realme Band 2 | Students | 10 days | ~$40 | Accessible + simple |
Noise ColorFit Pulse | Style | 7–10 days | ~$45 | Trendy + functional |
Letsfit Tracker | Ultra-Budget | 7 days | ~$30 | Beginner-friendly |
Amazfit Neo | Retro | 28 days | ~$60 | Old-school + durable |
💡 Quick Tip: For in-depth health tracking, read our Fitbit Charge 6 Review for Fitness Tracking to see how higher-end options compare.
⚖️ Pros & Cons of Budget Trackers
Budget fitness trackers are amazing value for money, but they come with trade-offs.
Pros: Affordable, long battery life, lightweight comfort, essential health features, and growing brand competition driving innovation.
Cons: Limited advanced metrics, varying app quality, and sometimes lower sensor accuracy compared to $200+ wearables.
For most users, especially students and beginners, the pros outweigh the cons. The key is choosing a brand with a solid ecosystem and proven reliability. (Explore more options in our Fitness Tech: Top Wearable Gadgets to Stay Healthy roundup.)
⚡ Ready to Get Fit Without Breaking the Bank?
Shop budget-friendly fitness trackers from Fitbit, Amazfit, and Xiaomi. Track your health, sleep, and workouts for under $100.
💸 Value vs Smartwatch
One of the most common questions students and first-time buyers ask is: “Should I get a budget fitness tracker, or save up for a smartwatch?” The truth is, smartwatches and trackers serve overlapping but distinct purposes.
A budget tracker under $100 focuses on health metrics: steps, heart rate, sleep, and sometimes SpO2. They’re lightweight, discreet, and offer 7–14 days of battery life, something most smartwatches can’t match. This makes them excellent for students who don’t want another device to charge every night.
Smartwatches, on the other hand, go beyond fitness: app notifications, music storage, contactless payments, and in some cases LTE connectivity. But all these extras usually cut battery life down to 1–2 days. For many, that’s too much hassle.
If your top priority is value for money and health tracking, fitness trackers win. But if you’re after productivity features, a smartwatch may be worth the upgrade. For an in-depth look at student-friendly smartwatches, check our Top 10 Budget-Friendly Smartwatches roundup.
🩺 Health Accuracy: Can Budget Trackers Be Trusted?
Accuracy has long been a concern with affordable wearables. After all, what good is a heart rate monitor if it gives inconsistent readings? The good news is that in 2025, most budget trackers are far more accurate than they used to be.
Brands like Xiaomi, Amazfit, and Fitbit have invested in better optical sensors and AI-driven algorithms. This means step counts, sleep cycles, and heart rate trends are generally reliable for everyday fitness and wellness tracking. Of course, they shouldn’t replace medical devices, but for lifestyle improvement they’re more than adequate.
Still, some ultra-budget devices cut corners. That’s why it’s important to check reviews and choose established brands rather than obscure no-name models. To complement your setup, you can also look into Tech for Fitness, where we explore gadgets that extend and enhance fitness tracking beyond wearables.
⚖️ Premium vs Budget Fitbit: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
Fitbit is a unique case because it operates across both budget-friendly and premium tiers. The Fitbit Inspire 3 often slips under $100, while the Fitbit Charge 6 pushes into the $150–$200 range.
The difference lies in data depth and hardware polish. The Inspire 3 delivers accurate basics: steps, heart rate, and excellent sleep tracking. The Charge 6, however, adds more advanced features like ECG, GPS, and better integration with Google services. For students or casual fitness fans, Inspire 3 is enough. But if you’re training seriously or want medical-grade insights, the Charge 6 is the smarter buy.
We’ve broken down the details in our Fitbit Charge 6 Review for Fitness Tracking, so you can see exactly where the extra dollars go.
😴 Sleep Tracking & Alternatives
Sleep is one of the most critical—and overlooked—parts of fitness. Budget trackers excel here because their lightweight, low-profile design makes them comfortable for overnight wear. Devices like the Mi Band 8, Huawei Band 8, and Fitbit Inspire 3 deliver detailed breakdowns of light, deep, and REM stages.
But some people don’t enjoy wearing something on their wrist while sleeping. That’s where smart rings come in. Devices like Oura Ring and other affordable models are growing in popularity because they track sleep and recovery without the bulk of a watch.
If sleep optimization is your primary goal, trackers are still the most accessible choice. But it’s worth exploring Smart Rings That Track Sleep & Fitness as an alternative or complement to your daily wearable.
🧠 Nerd Verdict
Budget trackers have never been better. From the ultra-accessible Realme Band 2 to the ecosystem-rich Fitbit Inspire 3, there’s something for every type of user. Our top recommendation is the Xiaomi Mi Band 8 for its unbeatable balance of features, design, and price.
If you’re more serious about health insights, go Fitbit. If you hate charging, pick Amazfit. If you just want style on a budget, Noise or Honor have you covered.
The verdict? Sub-$100 trackers deliver serious value in 2025. You don’t need to overspend to take control of your health and fitness.
❓ FAQ: Nerds Ask, We Answer
💬 Would You Bite?
If you had to pick only one priority—battery life, ecosystem, or stylish design—which would matter most in your under-$100 tracker?