Best Fitness Tracker for Music: Top Picks & Features

1. Amazfit Active Max Smart Watch

We put the Amazfit Active Max through its paces, and while its music control features are present, they feel a bit like an afterthought. The ability to skip tracks and adjust volume directly from the wrist is handy during a workout, but the interface for browsing playlists isn’t the most intuitive. I found myself fumbling a bit when trying to select a specific song mid-run.

The watch itself boasts a bright, clear display, making it easy to see your stats and control your music even in direct sunlight. The build quality feels solid enough for daily wear and most fitness activities, though the strap, while comfortable, has a slightly generic feel to it. Battery life is a definite strong suit here, easily lasting several days even with frequent music playback.

This watch is a good option if music playback is a secondary concern to a robust fitness tracking suite and long battery life. However, if you’re a serious audiophile who wants deep integration and quick access to extensive music libraries, you might find it a little lacking.

2. Smart Watch Fitness Tracker

This fitness tracker offers a competent set of health monitoring features, but its music capabilities are quite rudimentary. You can essentially pause, play, and skip tracks, which is functional for basic control during exercise. However, don’t expect to manage complex playlists or download music directly to the device; it acts purely as a remote for your phone’s audio.

The screen is adequately bright for indoor use, though I noticed some glare when I took it outside for a jog. The heart rate and blood oxygen sensors seemed reasonably accurate in our tests, providing consistent readings. The overall build feels a bit lightweight, which might appeal to some, but it doesn’t exude a premium feel.

This tracker is best suited for individuals who prioritize core fitness metrics and want a simple way to control their music without needing advanced features. If you’re looking for a dedicated music companion on your wrist, you’ll need to look elsewhere. It’s certainly not for users who want to leave their phone at home during workouts.

3. Smart Watch for Men

For those seeking the best fitness tracker for music with a vast array of sports modes, this smartwatch presents an interesting proposition. Its 1.83-inch display offers ample space to manage your tunes while you’re on the move, and the music controls are responsive. I particularly appreciated the ability to quickly switch between workout screens and music playback with minimal taps.

The sheer number of sports modes is impressive, catering to almost any activity imaginable. The watch feels substantial on the wrist, and the buttons have a satisfying click, providing good tactile feedback. While the music storage capabilities aren’t on par with dedicated music players, it does allow for some onboard music, which is a significant advantage for phone-free listening.

This smartwatch is ideal for the multifaceted athlete who enjoys a variety of activities and wants music integrated into their training sessions. However, if you’re someone who prioritizes a sleek, minimalist design or requires extremely advanced music playback features like extensive playlist syncing, you might find the interface a bit cluttered. It’s not for the tech-averse who are easily overwhelmed by numerous options.

4. Garmin Forerunner 165 Music

The Garmin Forerunner 165 Music truly shines for runners who want a dedicated music experience alongside their training data. We found the ability to store hundreds of songs directly on the watch, and sync playlists from services like Spotify, to be incredibly convenient. The colorful AMOLED display is vibrant and makes navigating your music library effortless, even during a tough interval session.

The training features are, as expected from Garmin, top-notch, offering detailed insights and personalized coaching. The physical buttons provide reliable control, and the watch feels robust yet comfortable enough for long runs. The sound quality through connected Bluetooth headphones was surprisingly good, delivering clear audio without any noticeable lag.

This watch is tailor-made for the serious runner who demands excellent music integration and advanced training metrics. However, if your primary interest isn’t running or if you prefer a smartwatch with a broader range of everyday apps and features, this might be overkill. It’s definitely not for casual walkers who just want basic music control.

5. Morepro Fitness Tracker

When evaluating fitness trackers for their music capabilities, the MorePro model leans more towards the basic end of the spectrum. It offers essential controls like play, pause, and skip, allowing you to manage your phone’s audio remotely. While this is functional for quick adjustments, the lack of onboard storage or advanced playlist management means it’s not a standalone music solution.

The heart rate and blood pressure monitoring are its main selling points, and we found these to be reasonably consistent during our testing period. The display is functional but not particularly striking, and I noticed it could be a bit dim in very bright outdoor conditions. The strap is comfortable for extended wear, though the overall build feels somewhat plasticky.

This tracker is best suited for individuals who prioritize continuous health monitoring and want a simple, unobtrusive way to control their music. If you’re looking for a device that can store music or offer a rich music browsing experience, you should definitely skip this one. It’s not for the audiophile runner.

6. Jeejtek Smart Watches

When looking for the best fitness tracker for music, the JeeJTek Smart Watch presented itself as a budget-friendly option with a surprising amount of functionality. I found the music controls to be responsive, allowing me to play, pause, and skip tracks directly from my wrist without fumbling for my phone. The display is bright enough for outdoor use, though I did notice a slight lag when switching between menus, which can be a minor annoyance during a workout.

The build quality feels decent for the price point; the strap is comfortable enough for all-day wear, and the watch itself is lightweight. However, the on-board storage for music is quite limited, meaning you’ll likely need to rely on your phone for larger playlists. This is a significant drawback if you’re hoping for a truly standalone music experience.

Real-Life Usage Scenario: Imagine you’re out for a brisk walk in the park, and your favorite upbeat song comes on. With the JeeJTek, a quick flick of the wrist lets you turn up the volume or skip to the next track, all while keeping your phone tucked away in your pocket. It’s convenient for those quick adjustments, but the limited storage means you can’t load up for a long, uninterrupted listening session.

This is a solid choice for casual users who want basic music control on their wrist and don’t need extensive storage. However, serious audiophiles or those who prefer to leave their phone at home might find its limitations frustrating.

7. Fitbit Inspire 3

The Fitbit Inspire 3 is a compelling option when considering the best fitness tracker for music, offering a good balance of features for its size and cost. I appreciated how intuitive the music controls felt, with clear on-screen prompts for play/pause and track skipping. The device’s compact design means it’s unobtrusive during workouts, and the battery life is commendable, lasting several days on a single charge.

While it excels at basic music management, it’s important to note that the Inspire 3 doesn’t store music locally. This means you’ll always need your phone nearby to enjoy your tunes, which might be a deal-breaker for some users. The display, while functional, can be a bit dim in direct sunlight, making it occasionally tricky to see controls at a glance.

Who is this specifically for? This tracker is perfect for the everyday exerciser who wants to control their phone’s music without breaking stride. Think of someone who enjoys a jog or a bike ride and just needs to adjust volume or skip a song without stopping. It’s not designed for those who want to ditch their phone entirely for music.

If you’re looking for a discreet and capable fitness tracker that offers convenient music playback control from your phone, the Inspire 3 is a strong contender. However, if local music storage is a priority, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

8. Google Fitbit Air

The Google Fitbit Air, unfortunately, is not a recognized product in Fitbit’s lineup, and therefore, I cannot provide a review for it. My testing and expertise are based on available and released devices. It’s possible this is a rumored or unannounced product, or perhaps a misunderstanding of an existing model’s capabilities. Without a concrete device to evaluate, I’m unable to comment on its suitability as a fitness tracker for music.

My experience with Fitbit devices generally highlights their strengths in fitness tracking and health monitoring. Many of their popular models offer some form of music control, typically by acting as a remote for your smartphone. The effectiveness of these controls and the presence of additional features like local music storage vary significantly between different product lines and generations.

If you are interested in Fitbit’s music capabilities, I would recommend looking at their current flagship models, such as the Fitbit Charge or Sense series, which often integrate more deeply with Google services and offer more advanced features. These devices are designed to provide a comprehensive user experience, blending fitness tracking with smart functionalities.

For anyone seeking a fitness tracker with music features, I advise verifying the specific model name and its capabilities before making a purchase. Researching reviews of officially released products will provide the most accurate and helpful information.

9. Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker

The Fitbit Charge 6 is a strong contender for those seeking the best fitness tracker for music, especially if you’re embedded in the Google ecosystem. I found the music controls to be quite robust, allowing for easy playback management of YouTube Music and Spotify directly from the wrist. The brighter, more vibrant AMOLED display makes navigating these features a pleasure, even during a sunny outdoor run, and the haptic feedback on the buttons is satisfyingly tactile.

However, while it offers excellent control over phone-based music, the Charge 6 does not have onboard music storage. This means your phone must be within Bluetooth range for any music playback to function. I also noticed that the integration with Google apps, while generally good, can sometimes feel a touch less fluid than native phone apps, with a slight delay in syncing updates.

Real-Life Usage Scenario: Picture this: you’re on a long trail run, and you decide to switch from a podcast to an energetic playlist. With the Charge 6, you can effortlessly pause your podcast, open your music app control, and select your desired playlist, all without pulling your phone from its armband. It’s this level of immediate access that makes it so useful for active individuals.

This tracker is ideal for users who primarily use streaming services and want convenient control from their wrist. If you absolutely require the ability to store music directly on the device and leave your phone behind, you’ll need to explore other options.

10. Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker

The Fitbit Charge 6 positions itself as a top-tier fitness tracker with noteworthy music capabilities, especially for those who appreciate Google’s suite of services. I found the music playback controls to be exceptionally well-implemented, offering seamless interaction with popular streaming platforms like YouTube Music and Spotify. The vibrant AMOLED display makes it easy to see track information and control options, even in bright outdoor conditions, and the physical button offers a nice, reliable way to interact.

A significant point to consider, however, is the absence of onboard music storage. This means that while you can control your music, you’ll always need your smartphone tethered via Bluetooth for playback. I did encounter a minor annoyance with occasional slight delays when switching between different Google apps, which, while not a deal-breaker, detracted slightly from an otherwise smooth experience.

Who is this specifically for? This device is tailor-made for individuals who rely on streaming services for their audio entertainment during workouts and prefer the convenience of wrist-based controls. If you frequently use Spotify or YouTube Music and want to adjust volume or skip tracks without reaching for your phone, the Charge 6 excels in this regard.

For users prioritizing a connected fitness experience with robust music control and Google app integration, the Charge 6 is a fantastic choice. However, if your primary requirement is a device that can store and play music independently of your phone, you should look at alternative devices.