Battle of the Budget Bands: Which Fitness Tracker Is Actually Worth Your Wrist?

Fitness bands are smarter, cheaper, and more feature-packed than ever. But which one is right for you?

We dug through the best-selling smart bands on Amazon — all under $100 — and put three of them head to head. From battery life and health tracking to display quality and comfort, here’s how they performed.

1. Xiaomi Mi Band 7 – Best Value for Everyday Tracking

The Xiaomi Mi Band 7 offers a stunning AMOLED display, excellent battery life, and tracks everything from heart rate to sleep — all at an ultra-accessible price. It’s lightweight, waterproof, and surprisingly stylish.

In testing, we found the step count and calorie burn accuracy solid. The app interface is intuitive, though syncing sometimes took a moment longer than expected.

✅ Pros

• Bright AMOLED display
• 14-day battery life
• Heart rate, SpO2, sleep & workout tracking
• Lightweight and waterproof

⚠️ Cons

• Syncing to app can be slightly slow
• No built-in GPS

⭐ Rating: 4.6 / 5

2. Fitbit Charge 5 – Best for In-Depth Health Metrics

If you want next-level insights into your health and fitness, the Fitbit Charge 5 is for you. It comes with ECG, stress tracking, daily readiness score, and even guided breathing exercises. Yes, it’s more expensive — but you get what you pay for.

The sleek display is ultra-responsive, and the companion Fitbit app is packed with features, especially if you subscribe to Fitbit Premium.

✅ Pros

• Advanced health metrics (ECG, stress, etc.)
• Excellent app integration
• Built-in GPS
• Modern, minimalist design

⚠️ Cons

• Shorter battery life (about 7 days)
• Best features require Premium subscription

⭐ Rating: 4.5 / 5

3. Amazfit Band 5 – Budget Band with Alexa Built-In

The Amazfit Band 5 is one of the most feature-packed trackers at this price. It includes Alexa voice control, SpO2 monitoring, stress tracking, and 15-day battery life — for under $50.

It’s not quite as refined as a Fitbit, but it covers the essentials really well. Perfect for first-time users or casual fitness fans.

✅ Pros

• Alexa voice assistant built-in
• Long battery life (up to 15 days)
• Tracks heart rate, sleep, stress & SpO2
• Excellent value for money

⚠️ Cons

• No GPS
• Basic app interface

⭐ Rating: 4.4 / 5

CONCLUSION: And the Winner Is…

All three trackers bring solid performance to the table — but one stood out for its all-around value.

Fitbit Charge 5 is the most feature-rich but comes at a higher cost. Amazfit Band 5 is the most budget-friendly with surprising extras like Alexa.
But for everyday users who want it all without breaking the bank, the Xiaomi Mi Band 7 is our top choice.

🏆 Our Top Pick: Xiaomi Mi Band 7 — Smart. Sleek. Super affordable.