The 11 Best Pedometers of 2021

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Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Fitbit Inspire 2 Fitness Tracker at Amazon

Its sleek design, goal-setting capabilities, and medium price range make it a great everyday pedometer.

Best Budget:

LETSCOM Fitness Tracker Watch at Amazon

Anyone who is looking for an affordable, comprehensive pedometer can't go wrong with this pick that checks all the boxes.

Best Splurge:

FitBit Versa 2 at Amazon

It seamlessly connects to your other devices—like your smartphone and Alexa—something that many pedometers are unable to.

Best for Runs:

Garmin Vivosmart 4 Fitness Tracker at Amazon

Pushing your running to the next level, it lets you set timers for activity and connects to your phone to provide GPS tracking.

Best for Cycling:

CAT EYE Velo 7 at Amazon

It easily clips into the front of your bike and tracks your distance, speed, and elapsed time while you're cycling.

Best for Walks:

iGANK Simple Walking Pedometer at Amazon

An affordable addition to your workout equipment that tracks your steps, as long as it’s on your person.

Best for Hikes:

Polar Grit X Outdoor Watch at Amazon

The watch is designed to hold up to falls, humidity, and extreme temperatures.

Best with App:

Fitbit Charge 3 at Walmart

Use the accompanying app to store personal data, set new fitness goals, and connect with other FitBit users.

Best for Waistband:

3DActive 3DFitBud Simple Step Counter 3D Pedometer at Amazon

Clip it onto your pocket or the waistband of whatever pants you’re wearing to track your daily activity.

Best Wristband:

Garmin Vivosmart 4 Fitness Tracker at Amazon

It has an ultra-slim design while still tracking your heart rate, steps, distance, and sleep status.

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
FAQs
What Experts Say
Why Trust Verywell Fit?

Tracking your activity level—no matter how much or how little—is something we’ve all grown accustomed to. We know when we're working specific muscles, how often we have rest days, and that yoga will be harder tomorrow if we don’t stretch ahead of time. One of the most basic forms of activity awareness is tracking your steps, which when moving around all day, is something that can be fairly complicated.

Since there are so many benefits involved in walking alone, keeping track of the distance you cover in a day can greatly impact your health. In order to make this easier, you need a pedometer that’ll keep up with you.

We selected the best pedometers on the market for every need and budget.

Pros

Long-lasting battery
Water-resistant
24/7 heart rate tracking
Free year of Fitbit Premium
Available in multiple colors

Cons

No custom home screen
Font may be hard to read
May buzz frequently

FitBit’s Inspire 2 pedometer tracks your steps, heart rate, calories burned, active minutes, and sleep status, all while keeping you up to date on text and call notifications. You can also set silent alarms that buzz your wrist to wake you up—a great feature for those who want to avoid waking up a roommate or partner.

With a sleek design, goal-setting capabilities, and complimentary app access, this is an affordable pedometer that anyone can use, no matter how advanced or novice they are. The battery lasts for up to ten days and the device comes with a convenient charging cable.

The best part? You can use the pedometer to record a wide range of workouts, including walks, swimming, and bike rides.

Style: Wristband | Battery Life: Ten days | Water-Resistant: Yes (up to 164 feet) | Heart Rate Tracking: Yes | Bluetooth-Enabled: Yes

Pros

Long-lasting battery
Water-resistant
Real-time heart rate tracking
Smartphone-compatible
Available in ten colors

Cons

Not very water-resistant
Band lacks durability
Display not very user-friendly

LETSCOM Fitness Tracker ID115Plus HR Review

The LETSCOM Fitness Tracker is an affordable, comprehensive pedometer that lets you track your heart rate, calories, steps, distance covered, active minutes, and sleep status. It also has a GPS tracker to show you where you went during your bouts of activity.

If you decide to install the app on your phone, the pedometer will let you receive incoming texts and calls to your wrist. The battery lasts for up to one week and can easily recharge with any USB port.

Style: Wristband | Battery Life: Seven days | Water-Resistant: Yes (up to 3 feet) | Heart Rate Tracking: Yes | Bluetooth-Enabled: Yes

Pros

Long-lasting battery
Water-resistant
24/7 heart rate tracking
Alexa- and smartphone-compatible
Works with Spotify, Pandora, and Deezer

Cons

FitBit Premium sold separately
App needed to use Alexa
Must have Spotify Premium
Hard to connect to phone

FitBit’s Versa 2 is the Cadillac of pedometers. Along with tracking your steps and distance, heart rate, calories, active minutes, floors climbed, hourly activity, and sleep status, it seamlessly connects to your other devices—something that many pedometers are unable to do.

Not only can you connect it to your phone for call and text notifications, but you can also connect it to your Amazon Alexa to control your other smart home devices with the sound of your voice. Additionally, you can download Spotify or Pandora playlists directly to your watch to listen to on long walks. The battery lasts for up to six days.

Style: Smartwatch | Battery Life: Six days | Water-Resistant: Yes (up to 164 feet) | Heart Rate Tracking: Yes | Bluetooth-Enabled: Yes

Pros

Long-lasting battery
Water-resistant
Running-specific metrics
Location tracking for safety
Spotify-compatible

Cons

Hard to connect to phone
Heart rate monitor may not be accurate
Best for tracking running

Built with an ultra-slim design, Garmin’s Vivosmart 4 tracks your heart rate, steps, distance, and sleep status. It dives deeper into your sleep status with advanced monitoring of your REM cycle, gauging your blood oxygen levels by its wrist sensor.

The pedometer takes the same deep dive with your heart rate, assessing your daily stress level. It also allows you to set timers for your activity, pushing your running to the next level.

With a simple smartphone connection, the Vivosmart 4 provides vibration notifications for calls and texts, as well as GPS tracking to help you see your route. The battery lasts up to one week.

Style: Smartwatch | Battery Life: Seven days | Water-Resistant: Yes (up to 164 feet) | Heart Rate Tracking: Yes | Bluetooth-Enabled: Yes

Pros

Water-resistant
Long-lasting battery
Automatically detects stops
Simple and easy to use

Cons

Cycling use only
Water-resistant level unclear
Hard to install on mountain bikes
Data lost when battery is replaced

If you want the ability to track distance while cycling, CAT EYE’s Velo 7 Speedometer easily clips into the front of your bike—a majority of users find installation to take ten minutes or less.

The device tracks your distance, speed (current, average, and max), and elapsed time while sensing when you’re stopped at a light for complete accuracy. The battery lasts up to three years, so you can install the device without worrying about replacing it often.

Style: Bike computer | Battery Life: Three years | Water-Resistant: Yes (but no standard provided) | Heart Rate Tracking: No | Bluetooth-Enabled: No

Pros

Easy to wear design
Simple and user-friendly
Long-lasting battery

Cons

Accuracy depends on how you wear it
May do best on flat surfaces
May not be very durable

The iGank Simple Walking Pedometer is just that—an affordable addition to your workout equipment that tracks your steps, as long as it’s on your person. You can clip it onto your belt loop, throw it in a backpack, or simply carry the device and it will track how far you go.

The pedometer’s battery life lasts up to 12 months, and it can be reset each day (or each walk) when you press the button on the back of the device.

Style: Clip-on (carabiner) | Battery Life: One year | Water-Resistant: Not listed | Heart Rate Tracking: No | Bluetooth-Enabled: No

Pros

Long-lasting battery
Water-resistant
Durable
Uphill and downhill detection
Built-in GPS

Cons

Backlight not be very bright
GPS may not be very reliable
Heart rate monitor lacks accuracy

When hiking, some pedometers struggle to track steps when you're headed up or down a hill. Luckily, the Polar Grit X features ascent and descent detection which accurately understands how your speed and heart rate change as you tackle your hike.

Since the Polar Grit X is designed with the outdoors in mind, it's durable and can hold up to falls, humidity, and extreme temperatures. And since it’s water-resistant (up to 328 feet), you can even take it swimming.

Style: Smartwatch | Battery Life: Seven days | Water-Resistant: Yes (up to 328 feet) | Heart Rate Tracking: Yes | Bluetooth-Enabled: No

Pros

Long-lasting battery
Water-resistant
24/7 heart rate tracking
Smartphone-compatible

Cons

Hard to sift through data
Display not very user-friendly
Not as high-tech as some

Fitbit Charge 3 Fitness Tracker Review

The Fitbit Charge 3 provides everything (and more) that most people need including tracking steps, distance covered, heart rate, calories, and sleep status. Plus, it offers call and text alerts, Bluetooth capability, 15 different exercise modes, and it’s water-resistant.

Along with premium features and a full week of battery life, users gain access to FitBit’s app where all of their personal data can be found and compared to set new fitness goals. You can also use the app to connect with other FitBit users and gain personalized guidance that relates directly to your stats.

Style: Wristband | Battery Life: Seven days | Water-Resistant: Yes (up to 164 feet) | Heart Rate Tracking: Yes | Bluetooth-Enabled: Yes

Pros

Simple and user-friendly
Large, easy-to-read display
Long-lasting battery
Available in multiple colors

Cons

Accuracy depends on how you wear it
May not be sweat-resistant

The 3DFitBud Simple Step Counter is another steps-only pedometer. Use it to track your daily activity by clipping it onto the waistband of whatever pants you’re wearing, or on any pocket. It will begin counting when you’ve hit at least ten steps in a row.

With an extra-large font, you can easily read how many steps you’re at mid-walk without having to stop and inspect your gadget. The pedometer is set to auto-sleep when it’s not in use and can be reset as often as you like. It also comes with batteries that will last you up to a year.

Style: Clip-on | Battery Life: One year | Water-Resistant: Not listed | Heart Rate Tracking: No | Bluetooth-Enabled: No

Pros

Long-lasting battery
Water-resistant
Tracks heart rate and blood oxygen
Smartphone-compatible
GPS-enabled

Cons

Screen may be difficult to use
Sleep tracker may not be accurate
Heart rate and blood oxygen sensors may not be very accurate

Featuring an ultra-slim design, the Garmin’s Vivosmart 4tracks your heart rate, steps, distance, and sleep status. It dives deeper into your sleep status with advanced monitoring of your REM cycle, gauging your blood oxygen levels by its wrist sensor.

In addition to assessing sleep and activity, it monitors your stress level by taking note of your heart rate. It also connects to your phone and provides vibration notifications for calls and texts, as well as GPS tracking to help you see your route. The battery lasts up to one week.

Style: Wristband | Battery Life: Seven days | Water-Resistant: Yes (up to 164 feet) | Heart Rate Tracking: Yes | Bluetooth-Enabled: Yes

Pros

Easy to wear
Stores up to 30 days of records
Simple and user-friendly
Long-lasting battery

Cons

May be difficult to set up
Accuracy depends on how you wear it
May be larger than other options

Realalt 3DTriSport Walking 3D Pedometer Review

If you're looking for a basic step counter, the Realalt 3DTriSport is a great option. The device counts your steps, amount of calories burned, and distance walked. You can set daily goals too, and the large display makes everything easy to read.

The tracker comes with a lanyard, allowing you to comfortably wear it around your neck, clip it onto your waist, or place it in your pocket. It comes in multiple colors, so you can pick the one that best fits your style.

Style: Clip-on | Battery Life: One year | Water-Resistant: Not listed | Heart Rate Tracking: No | Bluetooth-Enabled: No

Final Verdict

Fitbit’s Inspire 2 (view at Amazon) is a classic fitness tracker that will cover all your bases—and then some. The device effectively tracks steps and distance, so if all you need is an easy-to-read pedometer, it’s sure to fit the bill.

The tracker will also delight those looking for something extra since it tracks a range of workouts from bike rides to swims. With a long-lasting battery that will last for up to ten days at a time, you won't have to worry about constant charging.

What to Look for in a Pedometer

Style

Pedometers can be worn a few ways—in a lanyard around your neck, clipped onto your waistband, or on your wrist like a watch. The style that suits you best will depend on what you're planning on using your pedometer for and how often you plan to use it. If you are looking for a pedometer to track everyday activity, a wristwatch style is most common.

Battery Life

Most pedometers boast long-lasting batteries, which is good news for anyone who wants to cut down on recharge time or frequency. But remember, low-tech options tend to have longer-lasting batteries than high-tech options, so keep these tradeoffs in mind as you shop.

Special Features

Some pedometers only include the basics, such as tracking steps, activity time, and distance. But as you work your way to higher-tech options, you may find special features like all-day heart rate tracking, water resistance, and more. These feature-heavy devices may also be able to track a variety of workouts, like swimming, hiking, running, and more.

LETSCOM Fitness Tracker ID115Plus HR — Verywell Fit / Ashley Mateo

FAQs

How does a pedometer help people reach their fitness goals?

Pedometers can help you reach your fitness goals in a few different ways. For starters, a pedometer can help you understand how much you’re already exercising on a day-to-day basis. “Many people are surprised to find out that they don't move as much as they thought,” Daniel Sullivan, C.P.T., a Dallas-based personal trainer, says. “Wearing a pedometer will help you become more aware of how you move throughout the day, and to work toward moving more.”

Once you understand how much you’re already exercising, you can set goals to work out more—and you can use your pedometer to track your progress. “Holding yourself accountable is absolutely critical to your success,” Sullivan says. “Pedometers will not only help keep you on track, but they will also encourage you to build other healthy habits, like trying new workouts, as your fitness level increases.”

What does a pedometer measure?

In its most basic form, a pedometer measures the number of steps you take while wearing it. But often, you’ll find that even no-frills pedometers will measure distance walked and time spent walking, too.

If you’re willing to invest in a higher-tech option, you can often track other forms of exercise (like cycling and swimming), as well as more advanced metrics (like heart rate, blood oxygen level, sleep quality, and more.)

Can a pedometer be used for bike riding?

Basic pedometers are designed to track steps, so they may not be able to track your cycling workouts effectively. That said, there are plenty of fitness trackers out there that are capable of tracking both walking and cycling workouts in great detail. And if you’d prefer a biking-centric fitness tracker, you can always buy a bike computer.

How does a pedometer count steps?

Pedometers typically track steps by picking up on the way you move when you walk. Your hips may move up or down—or your body may sway from side to side. And many pedometers use these motions to determine how many steps you’ve taken.

What Experts Say

“Using a pedometer is a huge first step toward achieving your health and fitness goals. It's an awesome accountability device to ensure your success. Try wearing your pedometer for a normal day's activities, then set a goal to increase your movement. Increasing your goal over time will lead to big results!” —Daniel Sullivan, C.P.T., a Dallas-based personal trainer

Why Trust Verywell Fit?

As a former fitness coach, long-time wellness enthusiast, and current health editor, Lily Moe understands the importance of equipment that is made to help you reach your fitness goals. She also ran the New York City Marathon and relied on a Fitbit Inspire HR to track every step of her training. Most importantly, Lily always looks for research and first-hand reviews when it comes to deciding on a product.

Additional reporting to this story by Lindsey Landquist

As a seasoned health and fitness writer, Lindsey Lanquist understands how vital quality product recommendations can be. She is careful to recommend products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them.

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The 11 Best Pedometers of 2021

Clock your steps with these handy gadgets

Best Overall: Fitbit Inspire 2 Fitness Tracker

Best Budget: LETSCOM Fitness Tracker Watch

Best Splurge: FitBit Versa 2

Best for Runs: Garmin Vivosmart 4 Fitness Tracker

Best for Cycling: CAT EYE Velo 7

Best for Walks: iGANK Simple Walking Pedometer

Best for Hikes: Polar Grit X Outdoor Watch

Best with App: Fitbit Charge 3

Best for Waistband: 3DActive 3DFitBud Simple Step Counter 3D Pedometer

Best Wristband: Garmin Vivosmart 4 Fitness Tracker

Best No-Frills: Realalt 3DTriSport Walking 3D Pedometer with Clip and Strap