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Last Updated on May-2024 – Updated the recommended products for 2024. Added more informative content.
At a glance…
We recommend the Garmin Fenix 6 series. Achieving the best BIFL score in the list (9.5 out of 10), its titanium design, and a truly dizzying array of sports modes and GPS mapping make it a tough all-rounder. A great option for serious recreational sports lovers.
Alternatively, it’s worth checking out the Amazfit T-Rex Pro if you’re on a budget. This thing packs a lot of features and advanced health measurements for its humble price tag.
A final wildcard recommendation takes the form of the Ōura Ring. It’s not a feature-packed, high-performance activity beast. It’s a barely noticeable ring that quietly measures the health metrics that matter in an unobtrusive way, and is naturally durable as a result.
- Perfect for: A premium option for the outdoor adventurer who takes part in a variety of different recreational sports.
- Perfect for: Physical fitness freaks of all kinds who do a lot of their sporting in the great outdoors.
- Perfect for: Those looking for subtle, unambitious health monitoring in a form-factor that you’ll probably forget you’re even wearing.
Why get a fitness tracker?
After what we’ve all collectively gone through over the past few years, now seems like a better time than ever to be keeping a close eye on our health.
This is great — because we’re also living in the best time ever for personal health data collection and analysis, thanks to the popularization of fitness trackers and wearables.
These are devices kitted with biometric sensors that monitor, track, and store health data in areas ranging from physical activity to sleep, pulse to flights climbed, and even more advanced metrics like blood glucose levels and heart rate variability (HRV).
With these fitness tracking devices, you can get an objective, long-term view of the most important metrics relating to your health, which allows you to make better decisions for your overall well-being and longevity. This notion is referred to as ‘the quantified self’.
But here’s the kicker. If something’s strapped to you on a 24/7 basis, it’s gotta be tough.
These fitness trackers need to be able to stay intact not only as you navigate your day-to-day life, but also as you embark on swimming, climbing, running, lifting, and other daring physical adventures.
So, allow us to take you on a journey through the market for the most durable fitness trackers in 2024. We’ll talk about important fitness tracker considerations, standards for durability, and then list off what we believe to be the most rugged fitness wearables around based on our rigorous research.
What’s the best fitness tracker?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty details of fitness tracker durability, let’s outline the main features you’ll need to consider for selecting the best fitness tracker for your personal needs.
Form-factor
The market’s moved on quite a bit since the days of wristwatch-style fitness trackers popular in the early success of Fitbit.
You can now track your health with a variety of different sensor-equipped devices, like bands, rings, necklaces, and more.
Granted, fitness tracker watches seem to be the most practical option, and it looks as if fitness wearable companies agree with that sentiment. However, alternate form factors are worth considering for a number of reasons (like if you already have a flashy wristwatch you don’t want to abandon).
Compatibility
Activity trackers typically aren’t complete computing systems and tend to use Bluetooth to send the recorded information over to another device for storage and analysis.
So, compatibility should be one of the first things you think about before making a purchase decision.
If you have an iPhone, for example, you’ll enjoy the compatibility and cross-functionality of the Apple Watch. The same goes for a Samsung Galaxy phone and the Samsung Galaxy Watch.
Consider your current suite of devices and, at the very least, check that your prospective fitness tracking device can connect with and send information to your phone.
Functionality
While it’s of course advisable to select the fitness tracker with the broadest range of features and functionality, inevitably, certain sacrifices will have to be made.
Consider why you’re interested in getting a fitness tracker in the first place.
If you’re an avid runner, you’ll want to look for more activity-based fitness trackers over typical smartwatches. If you want to track health and also pay for things and listen to music with the same device, you’ll have to look for more well-rounded smartwatch-style trackers.
Style
And last but not least — remember, this thing’s going to be strapped to you on a continuous basis. If you’re a person who loves a well-coordinated outfit, it might be worthwhile to think about the look, style, and feel of your activity tracker.
You’ll probably prefer trackers that allow you to mix-and-match different colored straps, for example.
What makes a fitness tracker ‘durable’?
Regular RUGGED RATINGS readers know the drill here.
But if you’re new — we like to dive deep into products that are built to last. We consider every aspect of product design and construction to determine what the most durable offering is in every category, so you can feel confident that your purchase decisions will reward you with years, possibly even a lifetime of good use.
To do that, we use our trusty BIFL (buy-it-for-life) rating system, which measures product durability across four dimensions.
In the context of fitness trackers, that is…
- Rugged: 50% weight from total score – Durable screen and strap materials in strong builds that can withstand brutal punishment. IP-ratings for water and dust resistance, and possibly military certifications for use in particularly harsh conditions.
- Repairable: 20% weight from total score – Fitness trackers that come with guarantees, extended warranties, or after-care plans.
- Upgradable: 15% weight from total score – Fitness trackers that come with replacement or customizable wristbands, and those with continued support and updates for new features.
- Multipurpose: 15% weight from total score – Fitness trackers that support other features like NFC for payments, music storage and bluetooth headphone connectivity, and third-party apps for a wide variety of additional functions.
Now that we know what we’re looking for, let’s dive into our list of six of the most durable fitness trackers on the market.
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Most durable fitness trackers
Amazfit T-Rex Pro
Ranked #2
Let’s start as we mean to go on, with some no-compromise ruggedness courtesy of Amazfit with the T-Rex Pro.
While you may not have heard of Amazfit, they definitely deserve some recognition for a focussed selection of wearable technology complete with some genuinely impressive sensor innovations.
The T-Rex Pro is among Amazfit’s toughest offerings, having survived 15 military-grade tests in everything from shock resistance to salt-spray protection.
Features
But first, let’s go over what this watch is capable of.
The T-Rex Pro provides all standard fitness features like sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring, and activity tracking across a wide (100+) range of sport modes including running, swimming, weight lifting, and plenty more.
Paired with the four GPS systems onboard, you can get detailed tracking and analysis of your workouts, pretty much wherever you are. Uniquely, the T-Rex Pro can even measure SPO2 — saturation of peripheral oxygen, an estimate of blood oxygen amount, and HRV. This makes it an ideal choice for serious athletes and competitors.
As for its smartwatch capabilities, it can link to your phone to offer things like call and text notifications, events reminders, and music control.
Durability
The display is 1.3” AMOLED, composed of tempered glass with anti-fingerprint coating. The watch itself is composed of polycarbonate material with a silicone rubber strap.
Its MIL-STD-810G military certification gives it 158°F (70°C) heat-resistance, -40°F (-40°C) cold-resistance, 240h of humidity resistance, and 96h salt-spray resistance, and shock resistance thanks to the bumpy, G-Shock-style design.
It also has atmospheric resistance of 10 ATM, meaning you can take it snorkeling and diving up to 328 ft (100 meters) deep, an impressive feat.
The T-Rex Pro comes in three colors: meteorite black, steel blue, and desert gray. The watch design is not exactly the prettiest, but it puts all its eggs in the ‘functionality’ basket with great success.
There’s not much in the way of customization, and the one-year warranty is pretty limited for a watch of this rugged caliber. But for the adventuring exercise-freaks among you who have a tough mudder or two under their belts, it’s a great option for under $200.
PRICE: Around $180.
PERFECT FOR: Physical fitness freaks of all kinds who do a lot of their sporting in the great outdoors.
- RUGGED DURABILITY: Military-grade certified for rugged and demanding environments, this smartwatch is...
- LONG 18-DAY BATTERY: Up to 18 days on a single charge for more running, hiking, walking, and being active...
- CUSTOMIZABLE TOUCHSCREEN: Ultra durable glass AMOLED face with 34 alternative watch face choices.
- HEART-RATE and VO2 MONITORING: Find your cardio zone with heart-rate monitoring and blood-oxygen...
- FITNESS APP DATA SHARING: Easily connect with Strava, Adidas Running, Apple Health, Google Fit, Relive,...
Last update on 2025-01-28 at 14:35 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Garmin Fēnix 6 series
Ranked #1
Garmin has a solid reputation when it comes to fitness trackers, especially relating to fitness and sports functionality.
Being certified in a number of strict military standards, the Garmin Fenix 6 (stylized as ‘fēnix’) series of watches lives up to that hype. The Fenix aims to do a bit of everything, complete with a few features that you might not expect.
There are 28 (yes, 28!) color/model variations of the Fenix 6, with ‘Pro’, ‘Sapphire’, and ‘Solar’ as the three main model types. Pro unlocks features such as ski maps and the ability to preload music, Sapphire offers a scratch-resistant lens, and Solar harvests the sun’s energy for its power.
Features
The Fenix 6 has a suite of mostly typical and some unexpected fitness functions that arm the wearer with some serious personal data.
As you might expect, it’s got a wrist-based heart rate sensor and Pulse Ox2 sensors to add some more advanced insight to your fitness activities.
And those activities could really be anything — the Garmin Fenix 6 supports modes designed to track trail running, swimming, running, biking, hiking, rowing, skiing, and golfing. For some of these sports like skiing and golfing, the Fenix has detailed preloaded maps for actual resorts and courses, with over 2,000 resorts for skiing alone!
It doesn’t stop at simply tracking workouts. The Fenix 6 draws upon measurements like heart rate variability, stress, sleep, and other data to gauge when you’re ready to be active or when you may need to rest, a feature known as ‘body battery’.
It’s also a great navigational device, offering turn-by-turn directions, topographical maps, and round-trip routing using three GPS navigational systems.
Durability
Ok, so it’s a great companion for real recreational and professional outdoorsmanship. Can it last through the abuse, though?
The Fenix 6 offers stainless steel, titanium, or diamond-like carbon (DLC) bezels depending on the model, with Corning Gorilla Glass (standard) or Sapphire crystal (Sapphire model) for the lens.
They also have durable, detachable, and replaceable straps made from either silicone, leather, titanium, or nylon, with titanium being the toughest.
So if you get the titanium bezel and sapphire lens model, you’re looking at a formidable watch in terms of durability.
The smartwatch has a very flexible battery life, with the internal, rechargeable lithium battery providing up to 14 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, 10 hours in GPS mode with music, and up to 48 days in battery saver mode.
As you can imagine given the insane amount of functionality, this is a pretty expensive piece. But the two-year warranty should give you some comfort, though.
PRICE: Over $500.
PERFECT FOR: A premium option for the outdoor adventurer who takes part in a variety of different recreational sports.
- Fit for performance with rugged, sophisticated design that features an always-on 1.3” (18% larger than...
- Enhanced estimated wrist heart rate and Pulse Ox to support advanced sleep monitoring and altitude...
- Advanced training features include PacePro for grade-adjusted pace guidance throughout your activity plus...
- Navigate the outdoors with preloaded topo maps, ski maps for over 2,000 worldwide ski resorts, multiple...
- Support for Garmin Pay contactless payments (not all countries and payment networks are eligible), music...
Last update on 2025-01-28 at 14:35 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Apple Watch Series 9
Ranked #4
In September 2023, Apple announced the most minor update they has ever released, the Watch Series 9. The design grips my attention me at first glance, it’s shiny, smooth, and sleek in every color. When functionality comes into play, it 100% casts a spell over me.
Features
Right at the first look, the hardware, which straps on your wrist, is really something to impress. The slightly curved tempered glass over the screen is also a nice touch. You’ll get the sleek matte finish for the aluminum version, while stainless steel gives a shiny, glossy finish. The bottom of the watch is a mix of ceramic and sapphire-crystal glass containing all sensors.
Nothing noteworthy from the design (except the subtle pink finish), but the amazing performance boot through years, powering a brighter display, and faster Siri interactions make the S9 swap out all its rivals. The ultra-wideband chip has also improved, enabling new ecosystem functions. And the newest double tap gesture, the Series 9 biggest highlight, allow you to snooze alarms, play/pause music, scroll through widgets, pick up, or hang up calls just one-handed.
What most fitness trackers offer, the Apple Watch has them all – blood oxygen, optical heart sensor, electrical heart sensor with ECG, sleep tracking, temperature sensor, compass, altimeter, … The Watch 9 also gets a new UWB chip, which levels up location tracking precision. You can locate and ping your iPhone with even better precision. I always love the mini versions of apps that appear on my AW; they look more cute than the original, tbh. During testing, we found the Apple Watch 9 faster. The Series 9 certainly felt more responsive than the Series 8 when switching between apps and navigating menus.
Durability
The Series 9 is the most rugged Apple watch ever made. Which might not make it truly rugged for the standards we’re used to, here at RUGGED RATINGS. But it’s tougher than anything they’ve come out with before.
The Series 7 comes with a crack-resistant screen and an IP6X dust resistance — complete resistance to dust. In addition, it’s WR50 rating offers up to 50 meters of water resistance, so you can actually take this thing swimming. The display is fortified with crystal glass and is larger than the Series 6 but the same as the Series 7 but it brings a brighter display for your outdoor training.
It’s claimed to offer 18 hours of battery life all day – Apple’s wording, not mine. It has to be the worst thing about the Apple Watch. 18 hour a day? You cannot even use the sleep tracking if the battery is below 35%! It makes me wonder: Does Apple really want us to use its sleep-tracking feature? If you use S9 for GPS, take calls, and engage more in texting and health features, the Watch Series 9 will not last even a day. For all it’s worth, the Watch 9 recharges quickly – 15 minutes on the charger will refill about 50% of its battery, while a full recharge (from about 10% battery) requires about 50-60 minutes. Having an Apple watch means you have to charge it every day. Or twice a day sometimes.
**
Here’s a quick guide to picking your perfect Apple Watch 9: start by picking one of the two models. Then, the aluminum or stainless-steel version. Select the band bundle, the size (41mm/45mm) after. And finally, choose between GPS or GPS + eSIM capabilities. It might take you time, but it is worth it. Don’t worry. It still feels luxurious at the cheapest options.
Go get a Xiaomi, Amazfit, Huawei, or Garmin if you want to save money and time charging. But we can’t deny that the Apple Watch S9 has been built with the utmost attention to detail by the world’s UI designers and packs the top advanced chips and sensors, it’s surely worth the price and effort to recharge it daily.
PRICE: Starting at $399.
PERFECT FOR: Apple product ecosystem fans prioritizing fitness and smart functionality over durability.
- WHY APPLE WATCH SERIES 9 — Your essential companion for a healthy life is now even more powerful. The...
- CARBON NEUTRAL — An aluminum Apple Watch Series 9 paired with the latest Sport Loop is carbon neutral....
- ADVANCED HEALTH FEATURES — Keep an eye on your blood oxygen. Take an ECG anytime. Get notifications if...
- A POWERFUL FITNESS PARTNER — The Workout app gives you a range of ways to train plus advanced metrics...
- INNOVATIVE SAFETY FEATURES — Fall Detection and Crash Detection can connect you with emergency services...
Last update on 2025-01-28 at 09:19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Suunto 9 Baro / Peak
Ranked #6
Founded in 1936, Suunto brings over 80 years of high-quality heritage craftsmanship, relentless accuracy, and pioneering innovation to their watches, compasses, and dive products.
Naturally, the Suunto 9 is a great sporting companion, with a lot of attention paid to GPS functionality to deliver a detailed and seamless athletic experience that also happens to be pretty easy on the eyes.
Features
Right out of the package, the Suunto 9 offers standard measurements like sleep tracking, heart rate tracking, and blood oxygen measurement. For when it’s time to crush that run or biking adventure, you’ll enjoy the GPS navigation complete with over 80 unique sport modes.
The Suunto 9 Peak also comes with an impressive suite of weather sensing functions like sunrise/sunset times, storm alarm, sea level pressure, alti/baro profiles, and temperature. You’re going to feel pretty comfortable wherever you are with this thing strapped to your wrist.
Being so loaded with sports functions, naturally, this model takes a bit of a hit when it comes to smartwatch functionality. It’s not compatible with Bluetooth headphones, and there’s no NFC tech to make payments.
Durability
The materials that make up the Suunto 9 are pretty impressive.
With the most durable options selected, the case material is Titanium Grade 5, with glass fiber reinforced polyamide for great shock resistance. The strap is leather, which is certainly better than silicone, but we’re surprised to see no titanium option. The Sapphire glass should give you some confidence in the watch itself though, resistant to scratches and low-impact shocks.
The battery life is a fair 25 hours with GPS functionality, and up to 170 hours in Tour mode (one of four battery modes that the Suunto offers, which you can switch based on your intended use).
We like the ‘Value Pack’ — a partnership with a selection of fitness apps to offer you savings for subscriptions to elevate your training experience.
Paired with a respectable two-year warranty that offers confidence in their rugged claims, we think this is a pretty solid option for someone who truly doesn’t care about any fancy smartwatch distractions.
PRICE: Around $570.
PERFECT FOR: A sporty option for those who want a stylish wristwatch that ticks all the fitness tracking boxes.
- Suunto 9 Baro: This durable multisport GPS watch is designed for athletes who demand the best; Featuring...
- Built To Last: Made for training, racing and extreme adventures, this GPS watch delivers up to 120 hours...
- Get Connected: Connect to your favorite sports apps and services from the Suunto app to get more from...
- Adventure Starts Here: Combining Scandinavian design with ultra durable materials, our watches track your...
- Authentic Heritage: Founded in 1936, Suunto brings over 80 years of high-quality heritage craftsmanship,...
Last update on 2025-01-28 at 14:35 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Ōura Ring
Ranked #5
Here’s where it gets interesting.
Bucking the typical form-factor for fitness trackers, the Ōura Ring takes an unobtrusive approach that aims to get you to focus more on the ‘doing’ over the ‘tracking’.
And that’s not the only benefit of the ring form-factor. Naturally, being smaller and without a cumbersome and fragile screen, it’s also more durable.
Let’s see how it stacks up in terms of features.
Features
The Ōura Ring focuses on three daily scores that it believes are the most important facets of health monitoring: sleep, activity, and readiness.
It scores these elements with its suite of sensors that measure heart rate and body temperature with a high degree of accuracy.
With this, you can get heart rate variability measurements and SPO2 sensing that enhance the detail of your sleep, activity, and readiness scores. Among its other measurements include automatic activity tracking, nap detection, ‘restorative time’, and even accurate period prediction for tracking menstrual cycles.
The features of the Ōura Ring indicate that this isn’t designed for the adrenaline junkie or outdoor survivalist. This is a device that’s designed to offer you accurate insights on your wellbeing in a truly unobtrusive manner.
Durability
But that’s not to say that you can’t take it with you on your roughest adventures. It’s quite the opposite, actually.
The ring is composed of Durable Titanium with a PVD (physical vapor deposition coating. It’s non-allergenic and water-resistant up to 328 ft (100 meters)
And, well it’s a ring. You’re much less likely to whack it against a door than you would be if it was a watch, and there’s no screen to crack or smash. All information is sent to your phone and can be synced with Apple Health or Google Fit.
Unfortunately, on top of the $300 price tag, you’ll have to get the Oura subscription at $6.99 per month, which is frustrating. Currently, they’re offering six months free for each purchase, however.
PRICE: Around $300 + $7 per month subscription.
PERFECT FOR: Those looking for subtle, unambitious health monitoring in a form-factor that you’ll probably forget you’re even wearing.
Coros Vertix
Ranked #7
Our final pick for the list of the most rugged fitness trackers of 2024, is the Coros Vertix.
This watch places durability at the forefront, offering a suite of no-frills, GPS-supported workout measurements in a truly rugged design.
Features
‘No-frills’ doesn’t mean this watch is limited in any meaningful sense. You can track anything, with the onboard, 24/7 heart rate monitor, blood oxygen monitoring, and even an electrocardiogram monitor in the Vertix 2.
What it would prefer you pay attention to, though, is the GPS side of the equation, with five systems used on the Vertix 2 for accurate navigation capabilities anywhere in the world. With landscape, topo, and hybrid modes, you can use the touch screen and digital dial to explore your area and track your path over maps.
So it’s a good option perhaps for a younger, adrenaline-seeking user, who isn’t interested in getting enough sleep or doing guided meditations sessions, but would rather capture their activity while playing in the great outdoors. And it does indeed support major sports modes including Run, Hike, Mountain Climb, Bike, Swim, Ski, and more.
Durability
But, as we said, durability is where the Vertix earns most of its points.
The bezel and cover are made of tough, corrosion-resistant titanium, and the screen is a Sapphire glass with Diamond-Like Coating. The standard silicone strap is a bit of a letdown, but you do also have the choice of nylon (which is not a whole lot better).
The battery life is one of the best in this list, with an astonishing 45 days in regular use, 60 hours in full GPS mode, and 150 hours in UltraMax mode.
They also claim, with good reason, to be the only watch that’s 15 ATM rated — able to withstand pressures equivalent to a depth of 492 ft (150 meters) underwater.
For all this, it’s still an impressively light 1.90 oz (54 grams).
PRICE: Around $500 for Vertix. (Around $700 if you’re looking for the latest version – Vertix 2).
PERFECT FOR: Survivalists, adrenaline junkies, and outdoors enthusiasts of all types.
- Designed for adventures with extreme durability and route navigation/checkpoint features supported with...
- Includes optical heart rate monitor, barometric altimeter, accelerometer, compass, gyroscope and...
- Built with a Grade 5 titanium alloy bezel and touchscreen-enabled diamond-like coating sapphire glass and...
- Now with offline mapping, and includes: Landscape, Topo and Hybrid modes.
Last update on 2024-06-25 at 05:15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Garmin Instinct 2
Ranked #3
If you still love the look of a traditional watch for your fitness tracker, the “hybrid” Garmin Instinct 2, which combines digital features with the classic look, is here for you to pick up.
Features
The Instinct 2 also offers top-of-the-line features for tracking your activity and outdoor performance. It has built-in GPS support and support for multiple GNSS: GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo. With these features, you can accurately track your runs, hikes, bike rides, swims, and strength training sessions. It also has advanced features such as GPS, heart rate, SpO2, stress, sleep tracking, body battery monitoring, built-in sports apps, and daily workout suggestions.
Durability
So tough! It’s the first thing we all have to say looking at Instinct 2 for the 1st time. It has a reinforced polymer case and scratch-resistant screen, which help with shock and water resistance. Yes, it can take a lot of wear and tear without showing any signs. And that means You won’t have to fight tooth and nail to keep this watch in shape. With its rugged design and cutting-edge finish, the Instinct 2 will help you stay connected to your environment and ensure you get the most out of your outdoor experiences.
The Garmin Instinct 2 offers a super tough case, a high-contrast dual-screen display, and the whole advanced feature package that makes it so fun to wear. The watch is slimmer, more customizable, and equipped with advanced fitness training tools and custom workout plans. There’s a new smaller 40mm case option, which is more comfortable to wear at night. It’s not so good at mapping, but the battery life is remarkable. In smartwatch mode, you can expect 28 days of battery life; in battery-saving mode, it can last 65 days; the solar option even offers a potentially limitless use time.
PRICE: $299. Get the better price here!
PERFECT FOR: The Instinct 2 is the perfect combination of durability, accuracy, and battery life that is great for enthusiasts who want an outdoor watch that can bear whatever they throw at it.
- Rugged GPS smartwatch is water-rated to 100 meters and thermal- and shock resistant with fiber-reinforced...
- Battery life: up to 28 days in smartwatch mode; up to 30 hours in GPS mode
- Live the ultimate connected life with smart notifications and Connect IQ compatibility when paired with...
- Track your adventures with the built-in 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter, plus multiple global...
- Understand your body better with all-day health monitoring features that track your heart rate, sleep,...
Last update on 2025-01-28 at 09:19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Fitbit Charge 6
Ranked #8
The Fitbit Charge 6 is the go-to fitness tracker for those who want accurate daily tracking, rock-solid sleep monitoring, and advanced health features for a reasonable price. It’s also the first Fitbit fitness tracker to get Google Maps, YouTube Music and Google Wallet.
Features
The Charge 6 is not really different from the Charge 5, but the new side button is. It’s still sleek, light, and comfortable to wear around the clock. Might the case material be aluminum, the bands are all silicone, and look nothing like other expensive watches – it’s still the top fitness tracker from a wearability view.
It’s $20 cheaper than the Charge 5, with a better heart rate tracking algorithm, more Google services, and — for the first time — gym equipment integration. There are also 40 exercise modes, including running, HIIT, and pool swimming (the device has a water rating of 5 ATM, though it shouldn’t be used in open water). It also has an ecosystem or compelling operating system, one of the key distinguishing factors between the Charge 6 and its rivals. A big complaint is the drastic delay in workout tracking that didn’t change from the Charge 5.
The Fitbit Charge 6 ticks all the boxes of affordability, built-in GPS, a bright screen, and all of the best fitness tracking metrics Google offers.
Durability
As for battery life, with the always-on display on and the screen set to maximum brightness, the Charge 6 powered through three days in testing, the same as the last generation. With always-on mode disabled, the Charge 6’s battery works out to about 4.5 days with normal use. Battery life depends on settings and use, but Fitbit officially announced that Charge 6 lasts up to a week on battery.
PRICE: $159.99
PERFECT FOR: Those who want accurate daily tracking, rock-solid sleep monitoring, and advanced health features for a reasonable price.
- Turn little habits into healthier routines with Fitbit Charge 6 and Google Pixel Buds Pro 2; get advanced...
- Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Fitbit Charge 6 cannot be connected to each other, but both are compatible with iOS...
- Pixel Buds Pro 2 are small, light, and made to stay put; use the twist-to-adjust stabilizer to lock your...
- Made to keep up with you, Pixel Buds Pro 2 have up to 30 hours of listening time with ANC[1]; wireless...
- The first Google Tensor chip in an earbud, the Tensor A1 chip powers twice the Active Noise Cancellation...
Last update on 2025-01-28 at 09:19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Comparison Table
| Product | Features | RUGGED RATINGS | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Most Durable |
| 9.5 | Check Latest Price |
Best Value |
| 8.4 | Check Latest Price |
 |
| 8.4 | Check Latest Price |
 |
| 8.3 | Check Latest Price |
Best Small Form Factor  |
| 8 | Check Latest Price |
 |
| 8 | Check Latest Price |
 |
| 7.6 | Check Latest Price |
 |
| 6.8 | Check Latest Price |
Rugged recommendations
There we have it!
Six of the most rugged fitness trackers available to purchase in 2024.
In our expert opinion, there are three from the list that we could feel comfortable recommending to anyone in the market for a tough smartwatch.
First, is the Garmin Fenix 6 Pro series. It takes the top spot in terms of BIFL score with 9.5 out of 10, bagging points in all our evaluation categories: rugged, repairable, upgradable, and multipurpose, thanks to its titanium design and a truly dizzying array of sports modes and GPS mapping. With a suite of all the measurements you’d expect from an advanced fitness tracker and a generous 14-day battery life, there’s a lot to love with this model (except, maybe, the pretty busy design and form-factor). A great option for serious recreational sports lovers.
Alternatively, it’s worth checking out the Amazfit T-Rex Pro if you’re on a budget. This thing packs a lot of features and advanced health measurements for its humble price tag. And it’s the only one on the list with a legitimate military rating (MIL-STD-810G), so they’re not playing around in the durability department, either.
A final wildcard recommendation takes the form of the Ōura Ring. Look — it’s not a feature-packed, high-performance activity beast. But it doesn’t claim to be. As a ring, it prefers to blend in unnoticed, quietly and accurately measuring the health metrics that matter for overall well-being, to be looked at later on the phone. And that’s great because it also means that there’s less device to break, and it can go on measuring for longer, thanks to a reduced battery demand. Love that.
Demoted Models – Not anymore in the 2024 List
Last Updated on Feb-20-2024 – The following models were demoted from the 2022 version of the article. However, we kept them here for your reference because all of them are good choices.
G-Shock Move GBDH1000
One of the more timepiece-inspired designs on the list, the G-Shock Move packs a surprising amount of athletic functionality and analysis into a classically tough package.
PRICE: Around $400.
PERFECT FOR: Dedicated sports and outdoor enthusiasts who prefer a classically styled timepiece.
- 5 Sensors; Bluetooth connected Tough Solar assisted GPS
- Solar Powered; Mobile Link training function
- Wrist Heart Rate Measurement; Heart Rate; target heart rate
- compass; altimeter; barometer; thermometer
- Flight mode; world time; stopwatch
Last update on 2025-01-28 at 14:35 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Garmin fēnix 6S
Garmin is relatively well-positioned to produce a top-spec activity tracker, operating broadly in automotive, aviation, marine, sport, and outdoor niches. The fēnix 6S, one of 9 multisport watches in the fēnix line, is a tough ‘GPS Smartwatch’ that doesn’t skimp on the health and fitness features.
PRICE: between $500 – $1000.
PERFECT FOR: Specialised sports enthusiasts who value modest smartwatch features that don’t take a significant toll on battery life.
Last update on 2025-01-28 at 14:35 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Apple Watch Series 5
The Series 5 was the first in the line-up to offer a choice of four different base materials; Aluminium, Stainless Steel, Ceramic, and Titanium. This means you are given the freedom to match your material to your expected level of punishment… or wallet capacity.
Now, making your choice can get a little confusing given the variability of each material, so we’ve put together a table in order to clear things up.
| Material | Overall Strength | Weight (40mm model) | Price | Main benefits | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| wdt_ID | Material | Overall Strength | Weight (40mm model) | Price | Main benefits |
| 1 | Ceramic | 4th | 39.7g | Starting at $1300 | Scratch-resistance Luxurious |
| 2 | Aluminium | 3rd | 30.8g | Starting at $400 | Corrosion-resistance Very light 100% recycled |
| 3 | Stainless Steel | 2nd | 40.6g | Starting at $700 | Corrosion-resistance Cold-forged for more strength |
| 4 | Titanium | 1st | 35.1g | Starting at $800 | Exceptionally strong Stain and fingerprint-resistant coating |
PRICE: Between $400 – $1300.
PERFECT FOR: Those who want all the functionality of the best fitness trackers out there, with the smarts – and the price tag – to match.
- LEAVE YOUR PHONE IN YOUR POCKET: Apple Watch Series 5 GPS Model lets you call, text, and get directions...
- ALWAYS-ON RETINA DISPLAY: You no longer need to raise your wrist or touch the screen to see the time or...
- ECG ON YOUR WRIST: With the ECG app, Apple Watch Series 5 is capable of generating an ECG similar to a...
- WORKOUTS THAT DON'T QUIT: Cycling, yoga, swimming, high-intensity interval training...the list goes on....
- GET LOST IN YOUR MUSIC: With Apple Music on your wrist, you've got 60 million tracks of musical...
Last update on 2025-01-28 at 14:35 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Fitbit Versa 2
The Versa 2 automatically recognizes workouts, calculates real-time pace and distance with GPS, tracks your sleep, calorie burn, floors climbed, female health, and much more. In contrast to the Charge 4 however, this data is given to you on a bright, hi-res color touchscreen. This allows you to easily interact with a number of third-party downloadable apps, on an interface that is totally customizable and easy to navigate.
PRICE: Around $170.
PERFECT FOR: Those who want the extended features of a smartwatch without a huge jump-up in price.
- Includes all versa 2 features plus a premium jacquard woven band, an extra classic silicone band
- Use amazon Alexa built in to get quick news and information, check the weather, set timers and alarms,...
- Based on your heart rate, time asleep and restlessness, sleep score helps you better understand your...
- Control your Spotify app, download Pandora stations and add Deezer playlists plus store and play 300 plus...
- With a larger display and an always on option, your information’s always a quick glance away (always on...
Last update on 2025-01-28 at 14:35 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Fitbit Charge 4
With any Fitbit device you purchase, you are not simply accessing your own health data, but also entering a community of other users with which to invent challenges, create benchmarks, and share achievements, perfect for both the collaborative and competitively minded. With the Charge 4, you’re getting a lot of product for your money.
PRICE: Around $130.
PERFECT FOR: Casual athletes and fitness freaks of all kinds.
- Use built-in GPS to see your pace and distance on screen during outdoor runs, rides, hikes and more and...
- With Active Zone Minutes, feel a buzz when you reach your target heart rate zones during exercise, and...
- Get a 90-day free trial of the Fitbit Premium to help you stay active, sleep well and manage stress....
- Use 24/7 heart rate to track resting heart rate & better measure calorie burn. Syncing to mobile devices...
- See your SpO2 nightly average and range on wrist, and view trends over the past week in the Fitbit app...
Last update on 2024-11-28 at 11:12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
FAQ
What is the difference between a fitness tracker and a smartwatch?
A fitness tracker is designed to keep track of your health, while a smartwatch is more like a phone that keeps you connected by delivering updates on your wrist.
How long should a fitness tracker last?
Fitness trackers can last up to five years.
Which is the best fitness tracker to buy?
If you’re on a tight budget, it’s worth checking out the Amazfit T-Rex Pro. You get a lot of features and advanced health measurements on its humble price tag.
Are fitness trackers scratch resistant?
Not every tracker is scratch-resistant, but there are many prestige brands that offer this feature. Garmin, Suunto, Coros, and Amazfit are some of them.
Can the military wear a fitness tracker?
Sailors and other military officials can wear one fitness tracker and one wristwatch or Smartwatch simultaneously but on different wrists.
What does a fitness tracker in the army do?
The fitness tracker is able to locate, and identify soldiers’ location as well as form accurate every movement of users on training.
What is the best military watch?
Amazfit T-Rex Pro has survived 15 military-grade tests in everything from shock resistance to salt-spray protection. Its MIL-STD-810G military certification gives it heat and cold resistance, humidity, salt-spray, and shock resistance, thanks to the bumpy design.
Which Smartwatch is best for fitness?
The Apple Watch Series 7 has one of the best fitness features. Include the heart rate sensor, accelerometer, SPO2 sensor, and barometer. Moreover, the Fitness+ service on the series 7 offers many workout options.
What are other fitness trackers compatible with iPhones?
At an affordable price, Fitbit Versa 2 is the best alternative to Apple Watch, which is also compatible with iPhones.
What to check next: The Toughest Watches in 2023. We’ve picked a range of watches that will suit everyone’s budgetary needs, so you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a watch that lasts a lifetime and beyond.
What do you think? Do you have a different opinion on the Most Durable Fitness Trackers? Be sure to share this article with anyone and everyone in the market for #BIFL durable fitness trackers. We regularly post guides similar to this one all about products that aim to last a lifetime, so stay posted if you agree with the Buy It For Life golden rule as much as we do.
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