Budget-friendly tech picks for back-to-school: Affordable fitness trackers that won't disappoint (€100 or less)
As the new term approaches, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is more important than ever. Budget fitness trackers under £100 are available, offering useful health and activity insights without the need for a full-fat smartwatch. Here are some of the top options that provide heart rate tracking, sleep analysis, and long battery life without many extras typically found in more expensive models.
Xiaomi Smart Band 9
Priced at an affordable £34.99, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 offers a sharp AMOLED display, smooth UI, heart rate tracking, SpO2 monitoring, stress and sleep tracking, and excellent battery life lasting up to two weeks. It also offers a unique "Pebble Mode" for cadence running stats, making it ideal for users wanting core fitness features without extras.
Fitbit Inspire 3
The Fitbit Inspire 3, priced around £90-100 (based on USD pricing), delivers accurate heart rate monitoring, multi-stage sleep tracking, a bright AMOLED color screen, and up to 10 days of battery life. It lacks built-in GPS but connects to the phone’s GPS for location tracking. The tracker is lightweight and comfortable, geared towards users who want reliable basics without smartwatch bloat.
Amazfit Active 2
The Amazfit Active 2, usually near the £100 limit, offers over 160 workout modes, onboard GPS, solid sleep tracking, and around a week of battery life. Its heart rate monitoring is mostly reliable though can be spotty in intense workouts. It has a bright AMOLED display but a plastic body that feels utilitarian.
Huawei Band 9
The Huawei Band 9, currently priced at £29.99 (originally £49.99), has a sharp AMOLED screen and a lightweight design. The Smart Band 9's battery can last up to 14 days on a single charge. It offers stress and sleep tracking, heart rate and SpO2 monitoring, and over 100 workout modes. However, iPhone integration is more limited compared to Android devices.
Amazfit Bip 6
The Amazfit Bip 6, priced at £79.99, boasts a robust health tracking system with continuous heart rate, stress, sleep, and SpO2 monitoring powered by Amazfit's latest BioTracker sensor. The Bip 6 also supports Bluetooth calling and voice assistant replies via Zepp Flow. Battery life is strong, with up to 14 days of typical use (and even longer in battery saver mode). Additionally, it includes offline maps and Zepp Coach AI guidance.
These models provide the essential features of heart rate and sleep analysis with strong battery life. They omit extras such as built-in music, NFC payments, or advanced health sensors more common at higher price points, focusing on fitness tracking fundamentals for budget-conscious buyers.
Among these, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 stands out for value, longest battery life, and core feature set under £40, while the Fitbit Inspire 3 and Amazfit Active 2 give slightly more premium screens and functionality near the £100 mark.
- The Xiaomi Smart Band 9, priced at an affordable £34.99, offers a sharp AMOLED display, heart rate tracking, SpO2 monitoring, stress and sleep tracking, and excellent battery life, making it an excellent choice for individuals seeking core fitness features in a budget-friendly gadget.
- The Fitbit Inspire 3, priced around £90-100, delivers reliable heart rate monitoring, multi-stage sleep tracking, a bright AMOLED color screen, and boasts a lightweight and comfortable design, making it ideal for users who want accurate basics without smartwatch bloat.
- The Amazfit Active 2 offers over 160 workout modes, onboard GPS, solid sleep tracking, and around a week of battery life, positioning it among the top choices for fitness enthusiasts who want a wearable device without breaking the bank.
- The Huawei Band 9, priced at £29.99, features a sharp AMOLED screen, heart rate and SpO2 monitoring, stress and sleep tracking, and over 100 workout modes, making it a suitable choice for budget-conscious buyers who value a healthy lifestyle and want a functional wearable without unnecessary extras.
In each of these models, besides the essential features of heart rate and sleep analysis, battery life is prioritized over extras like built-in music, NFC payments, or advanced health sensors, focusing on fitness tracking fundamentals for budget-conscious consumers.
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