Best Fitness Tracker Under $100: Fitbit vs Garmin vs Amazfit

Introduction

Shopping for the best fitness tracker under $100 used to mean settling. Not anymore. In 2025, the sub-$100 category includes trackers with AMOLED displays, built-in GPS, 24/7 heart rate monitoring, sleep staging, and up to two weeks of battery life — features that cost twice as much just a few years ago.

The challenge now isn't finding a capable tracker — it's figuring out which one fits your lifestyle. In this guide, we compare the three most recommended budget trackers of 2025: the Fitbit Inspire 3, the Garmin Vivosmart 5, and the Amazfit Bip 6. Each targets a slightly different user, and picking the wrong one is a waste of money even at this price point.

What to Look for in a Budget Fitness Tracker

Before diving into the picks, here's what actually matters when you're shopping under $100:

• GPS type: "Connected GPS" uses your phone's signal (cheaper, drains your phone battery). "Built-in GPS" tracks routes independently — valuable for runners who leave their phone behind.

• App ecosystem: The app is half the experience. Fitbit's app is friendlier for beginners; Garmin's goes deeper on athletic metrics; Zepp (Amazfit) has improved significantly but is still catching up.

• Paywalled features: Some trackers lock key insights — like sleep scores or readiness data — behind a monthly subscription. That adds real cost over time.

• Battery life: A tracker that needs daily charging often ends up in a drawer. Aim for at least 7 days, more if possible.

• Form factor: Slim bands suit everyday wear; smartwatch-style faces are easier to read during workouts.

1. Fitbit Inspire 3 — Best for Beginners and Everyday Wear

The Fitbit Inspire 3 is the most popular budget fitness tracker on the market and one of the top-rated devices in its price class. At around $99, it offers a bright AMOLED display, 10-day battery life, and Fitbit's best-in-class wellness platform — all in a sleek, lightweight form factor that barely registers on your wrist.

Key details:

• Price: ~$99 (regular) / often on sale at Amazon and Best Buy

• Display: 0.7-inch AMOLED color touchscreen

• Battery life: Up to 10 days

• GPS: Connected GPS (phone required)

• Heart rate: Continuous 24/7 monitoring

• Sleep tracking: Yes, including sleep stages and sleep score

• Water resistance: 50 meters

• Subscription required for full features: Fitbit Premium ($9.99/month or $79.99/year) unlocks advanced analytics; core tracking is free

Best for: Casual exercisers, first-time tracker buyers, and anyone who wants a clean, intuitive daily wellness companion without feeling overwhelmed by data.

2. Garmin Vivosmart 5 — Best for Serious Fitness Metrics

The Garmin Vivosmart 5 typically retails around $149, which technically edges above the $100 ceiling — but it regularly drops to $99–$119 during sales, making it worth watching. For anyone who wants Garmin's depth of athletic analytics at a budget-friendly price, it's the best slim-band option in the sub-$150 range.

Key details:

• Price: ~$149 MSRP; regularly available ~$99–$119 on sale

• Display: Thin OLED display (66% larger than previous gen)

• Battery life: Up to 7 days

• GPS: Connected GPS (phone required)

• Heart rate: Continuous, with VO2 max estimation

• Sleep tracking: Yes, with Garmin's Body Battery energy monitoring

• Water resistance: 50 meters

• Subscription: No paywalled core features — all metrics included without a subscription

Best for: Runners, cyclists, and fitness enthusiasts who want Garmin's performance-focused ecosystem — training readiness, Body Battery, VO2 max — at an entry-level price.

3. Amazfit Bip 6 — Best Value with Built-In GPS

Released in March 2025, the Amazfit Bip 6 is the wildcard that makes the other two look overpriced. At $79.99, it offers a 1.97-inch AMOLED display, 14-day battery life, built-in 5-system GPS, 140+ sport modes, and Bluetooth calling — features you'd typically pay $200+ for elsewhere. Tom's Guide called it one of the best cheap fitness trackers of 2025, noting it rivals the look of the Apple Watch Series 10 at a fraction of the cost.

Key details:

• Price: $79.99 (regularly discounted to ~$60 at Best Buy and Amazon)

• Display: 1.97-inch AMOLED, up to 2,000 nits brightness

• Battery life: Up to 14 days (26 days in battery saver mode)

• GPS: Built-in, 5-satellite system with offline maps

• Heart rate: Continuous 24/7 monitoring with stress tracking

• Sleep tracking: Yes, including sleep stages and smart alarm

• Water resistance: 5 ATM

• Smart features: Bluetooth calling, app notifications, Zepp AI coaching

• Subscription: No subscription required for core features

Best for: Budget-conscious buyers who want the most hardware for their money, including built-in GPS — ideal for outdoor runners and walkers who don't want to carry their phone.

Side-by-Side Comparison

How to Choose

Pick the Fitbit Inspire 3 if: You're new to fitness tracking, you're embedded in the Fitbit/Google ecosystem, and you prioritize a clean, motivating daily experience over athletic depth. Just budget for Fitbit Premium if you want the full sleep and readiness analytics.

Pick the Garmin Vivosmart 5 if: You run, cycle, or train regularly and want the deepest athletic metrics — VO2 max, Body Battery, training load — without paying a monthly subscription. Watch for sales that bring it under $120.

Pick the Amazfit Bip 6 if: You want the most hardware for the least money, especially if built-in GPS matters to you. The Bip 6's spec sheet at $79 is genuinely hard to beat and the lack of a subscription is a real long-term savings.

One thing to avoid: Don't buy any fitness tracker purely for its step count. All three do that well. The real differentiator is the app experience and which health metrics you'll actually check each day.

FAQ

Is the Fitbit Inspire 3 worth it without a Premium subscription?

Yes — the free version tracks steps, heart rate, sleep, and active minutes, which is enough for most casual users. Fitbit Premium adds detailed sleep analysis, a Daily Readiness Score, and guided programs. If you're serious about recovery and wellness data, the subscription is worth it; otherwise, the free tier holds up well.

Does the Amazfit Bip 6 work with iPhones?

Yes. The Amazfit Bip 6 connects to both Android and iOS via the Zepp app. Bluetooth calling and some notification features work slightly better on Android, but iPhone users get full fitness and health tracking without issues.

Is Garmin or Fitbit better for beginners?

Fitbit is generally the better starting point. The app is simpler, more visual, and more focused on building healthy habits. Garmin's platform is more powerful but assumes some familiarity with fitness terminology like VO2 max and training load.

Can I shower with any of these fitness trackers?

All three are water-resistant enough for showering and swimming in shallow water. The Fitbit Inspire 3 and Garmin Vivosmart 5 are rated to 50 meters; the Amazfit Bip 6 is rated 5 ATM (also roughly 50 meters). None are rated for high-pressure water sports like cliff diving.

Do these trackers monitor blood oxygen (SpO2)?

Yes, all three include SpO2 sensors for blood oxygen monitoring. However, continuous SpO2 tracking significantly impacts battery life on all models, so most users keep it in spot-check or sleep-only mode.

Bottom Line

If you need a simple daily tracker, the Fitbit Inspire 3 is a reliable, easy-to-love choice. If you train seriously and want real athletic depth, the Garmin Vivosmart 5 on sale is the move. And if you want the most features per dollar — including built-in GPS and no subscription — the Amazfit Bip 6 at $79.99 is hard to argue with.