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Traveling is all about exploration, movement, and discovery—whether you’re hiking mountain trails, wandering through city streets, or navigating busy airports. But amid the excitement, it’s easy to lose track of your physical activity and overall wellness, not to mention throw off your sleep schedule. That’s where wearable fitness trackers come in. These compact smart devices are more than just step counters—they’re travel companions that help you stay healthy and energized throughout your journey. From monitoring heart rate during a high-altitude hike to tracking sleep quality after a long-haul flight, fitness trackers provide real-time insights that empower travelers to make the most of every adventure. I asked my fellow Condé Nast Traveler staffers to share reviews of the ones they use at home and on the road.
FAQ:
What should I look for in a health tracker?
It really depends on your health goals and needs. All of the options on our list offer detailed sleep and rest analysis, but some are a better fit for those who live more active lifestyles or are looking to track activities, while others cover just the basics—heart rate, step counting, and distance traveled—well.
Are fitness trackers compatible with other health apps?
Yes, all of the fitness trackers on this list are compatible with popular health apps like Strava, Nike Run Club, MyFitnessPal, and more.
Can you link your fitness tracker to your phone?
Though not all trackers on the list have phone or text capabilities, they do have apps that you can download on your phone to access your data and receive habit reminders.
| Tracker | Battery life | Subscription needed? | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Series 8 | 3 days | No | $399 |
| Whoop 4.0 | 5 days | Yes | $239 |
| Fitbit Versa 4 | 3 days | No | $200 |
| Ultrahuman Ring Air | 3 days | No | $349 |
| Oura Ring Gen 3 | 5 days | Yes | $499 |
Apple Watch Series 8
Battery life: 3 days
Warranty: One-year limited warranty; AppleCare+ covers
Subscription service needed: No
The Apple Watch is an ideal companion for travelers thanks to its versatile mix of convenience, connectivity, and health-focused features. Whether you're exploring a new city, catching flights, or trying to stay on top of your wellness goals while on the go, the Apple Watch streamlines it all. With built-in GPS, travelers can navigate unfamiliar streets or hiking trails without constantly checking their phones. The Apple Wallet integration allows you to store boarding passes, hotel keys, and transit cards right on your wrist, making airport lines and hotel check-ins more seamless. I’ve found the world clock and currency converter apps have made traveling abroad a breeze, without needing to pull out my phone. Plus, the emergency SOS function gives a little peace of mind to solo travelers heading off the grid. Of note, while each model offers the ability to text and call from your phone, it's on you to set it up through your telephone provider, and it can be costly to add an extra line. I find myself gravitating toward it for runs and whenever I’m training outdoors because the step tracking seems more aligned with my iPhone when I cross-reference the two. Other perks: It comes in numerous colors, the bands can be changed, and you can switch out the wallpaper like your phone.
Pros: A ton of phone and text functionalities, comes in many colorways
Cons: Not comfortable to sleep in, it can be quite distracting
Whoop 4.0
Battery life: 5 days
Warranty: A lifetime warranty
Subscription service needed: Yes, a membership is mandatory to use the device. The yearly membership fee is $239, a two-year membership is $399, and there is a family plan option for up to six users.
Senior features editor Rebecca Misner has had a Whoop for four months, initially purchasing it hoping it would improve her sleep. “I have always been a pretty bad sleeper,” says Misner. “It seems like every week, I read some article about how important sleep is when it comes to longevity, chronic disease, mental health, and I wanted to really get my head around how much I was sleeping and what the sort of quality of my sleep is.” The lightweight design makes it comfortable to wear all day, while the muted design is less of a distraction than some other options on our list. The design leans more utilitarian, so it might be a style adjustment for some, but what it lacks in aesthetics, it makes up for in personalized tracking and suggestions with the journal function, where users can gain deeper insights and track trends that the brief notifications don’t cover (all your data and analytics can be found on the Whoop app).
The battery life lasts around five days, and the charger is small, lightweight, and portable. It easily slides onto the device so you can actually still wear the Whoop while the battery is charging, and don’t have to miss a moment of tracking.
Pros: A remarkable level of detailed data; comfortable, small, and waterproof
Cons: Fairly utilitarian-looking; the clasp to take it on and off is a little delicate
Fitbit Versa 4
Battery life: 3 days
Warranty: One-year limited warranty for defects in materials and workmanship under normal use
Subscription service needed: No, but Fitbit does offer a more personalized experience for users via Fitbit Premium ($9.99 per month or $80 annually)
Associate commerce director Madison Flager used the Fitbit Versa 4 as a reliable everyday smartwatch for two years, up until this past December. Though Flager notes there are a few small scratches on the screen, none are disruptive to the view. The waterproof smartwatch has a minimalistic design that doesn’t make it look too sporty for everyday wear, though it's not well suited to formal events, she says. The simple mechanisms offer an easy entry point for anyone seeking a balance of fitness and lifestyle features. In addition to sleep and step tracking, travelers can take advantage of the contactless payment feature, get phone notifications (though they can’t text or call back on the watch), and wear it in water as deep as 50 meters. While the body comes in black, silver, and rose gold, travelers can purchase watch bands in numerous colors and textures that align more with their style and preferences.
Pros: Daily Readiness Score, contactless payments, comfortable fit, solid value
Cons: Limited text/call functionality, potential wrist irritation for sensitive skin
Ultrahuman Ring Air
Battery life: 3 days
Warranty: One-year limited warranty
Subscription service needed: No
This year, I wanted to take my sleep and overall recovery more seriously. I had been noticing changes in my energy due to seasonality and stress, and I wanted to combat them by getting better insight into how I slept. I thought about purchasing the Oura Ring, but I wasn’t ready to commit to the subscription service—in came the Ultrahuman ring that gave me everything I wanted without having to continuously dish out money every year or month. It has a very sleek design, though is still a bit heftier than I was expecting. Before purchasing, I was sent a ring sizing kit and a color swatch so I could see what would be the best fit for me in both respects.
Every morning, I get my sleep score with a detailed analysis of how many times I tossed and turned, if I woke up, what time my heart rate dropped, or if my body temperature rose or fell. One of my other favorite features has been the menstrual cycle tracker, and I’ve found it's pretty spot on (give or take a day) compared to other cycle trackers I’ve used. I opted for the metallic color because I felt like it was less noticeable against my skin, but I can say the color does show more scuffs, though I’ve spent time trying to rub them out.
While it doesn’t require a subscription, the team is routinely updating the app so it’s able to compile more data and is easier to navigate. Plus, the vast log of activities and workouts makes it a lightweight option for those living an active lifestyle; I wouldn’t wear it during strength training, though, as the ring can get a bit uncomfortable.
Pros: No subscription needed
Cons: Scuffs are noticeable depending on the color; Bluetooth connection can be touchy
- Meaghan Kenny
Ōura
Oura Ring Gen 3
Battery life: 5 days
Warranty: Oura will replace or refund any damaged rings or chargers within a year of purchase. The brand’s warranty policy covers damage that is the result of a defect in the material or workmanship.
Subscription service needed: Yes, a subscription service is required ($5.99 a month or $69.99 annually)
Commerce editor Meaghan Kenny was looking for a convenient way to stay on top of her health goals without the bulkiness of a smart watch, and the Oura Ring delivers, offering in-depth tracking of sleep, activity, heart rate, stress, and overall wellness—all in a minimalist ring form. Standout features include the detailed sleep score, which tracks total sleep, sleep efficiency, resting heart rate, and more. “This is my favorite feature about the Oura Ring because it encouraged me to form better sleep habits and actually stick to them,” says Kenny. The activity score is another highlight: “I’ve found this to be the most accurate way to keep track of my steps during the day.” It can be synced with over 40 other apps, like Apple Health, Google Health Connect, Flo, and Strava. Oura also connects with an app called Natural Cycles, which tracks menstrual cycles and ovulation.
Pros: Tracks multiple metrics, lightweight, solid battery life
Cons: Pricey, shows minor wear over time, slightly bulky design
Read a full review here.
