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Smartwatch vs fitness tracker

Smartwatch vs fitness tracker: which should you buy?

Last updated 6 September 20263 min readLive Amazon UK prices
Smartwatch or fitness tracker? Smartwatches do more but cost more and need charging often; fitness trackers are cheaper, lighter and last for days. Here's how to choose.

At a glance

Smartwatch

  • Apps, calls, contactless payments
  • Larger touchscreen
  • Advanced sensors (ECG, SpO2)
  • Battery: ~1-2 days
  • Price: from ~£100+
Best for: people who want a phone-on-the-wrist and don't mind charging often.

Fitness tracker

  • Steps, heart rate, sleep, workouts
  • Small, light and discreet
  • Long battery (often 1-2 weeks)
  • Simpler notifications
  • Price: from ~£30
Best for: people focused on health and value who want a set-and-forget band.

Which should you buy?

Buy a smartwatch if you want apps, calls, payments and a big screen, and you'll charge it regularly. Buy a fitness tracker if you mainly care about activity and sleep, want it light and cheap, and hate charging.
A useful middle ground: a fitness-focused smartwatch like Garmin or Amazfit gives you week-long battery and GPS/sport features, bridging the two.
SmartwatchesFrom £5.01Avg £129.91 · 1870 trackedBrowse Smartwatches →
Fitness TrackersFrom £5.00Avg £60.11 · 1809 trackedBrowse Fitness Trackers →
Smart RingsFrom £5.00Avg £51.20 · 1576 trackedBrowse Smart Rings →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a smartwatch and a fitness tracker?

A smartwatch is a small wrist computer — apps, calls, big touchscreen, contactless payments — with health tracking built in. A fitness tracker focuses on health and activity (steps, heart rate, sleep) in a smaller, cheaper, longer-lasting band. There's overlap, but smartwatches do more and trackers last longer.

Is a smartwatch or fitness tracker better for health tracking?

Both track steps, heart rate and sleep well. Premium smartwatches (Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch) add ECG and advanced sensors, while dedicated fitness watches like Garmin lead for training metrics. For everyday health, a good tracker is plenty.

Do fitness trackers last longer than smartwatches?

Yes, by a lot. Fitness bands often run 1-2 weeks per charge; most full smartwatches need charging every 1-2 days. If battery life matters most, a tracker (or a fitness-focused watch like Garmin) wins.

Which is cheaper, a smartwatch or a fitness tracker?

Fitness trackers are generally cheaper — good ones start around £30-50, while capable smartwatches usually start around £100+. Compare live prices for both below.

Compare both side by side

Browse live prices for smartwatches and fitness trackers and pick the best value.

SmartwatchesFitness trackers

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