Best Fitness Tracker That Plays Music: Top Picks for 2024

1. Fitness Tracker Smart Watch

We put this budget-friendly fitness tracker through its paces, and for its price point, it offers a decent array of features. The heart rate monitoring seemed reasonably accurate during steady-state cardio, and the step tracking was consistent with our manual counts. The display is bright enough for most indoor conditions, though direct sunlight can make it a bit challenging to read at a glance. Music control is a basic but welcome addition for quick track skipping.

Where it falters slightly is in the overall build quality; the plastic casing feels a little lightweight and prone to scratches. The companion app, while functional, could benefit from a more intuitive interface. It’s a solid option for someone new to fitness tracking who wants basic health metrics and the convenience of music playback without a significant investment.

Real-Life Usage Scenario: Imagine you’re on a brisk walk, enjoying your favorite podcast. You can easily pause or skip tracks directly from your wrist without fumbling for your phone. It’s not a high-fidelity audio experience, but it serves its purpose for simple audio management during exercise.

This tracker is not for the data enthusiast who needs granular detail or for those who prioritize premium materials. If you’re looking for advanced sleep analysis or professional-grade workout metrics, you’ll likely find this lacking.

2. Garmin Forerunner 165 Music

Garmin’s reputation for serious runners precedes it, and the Forerunner 165 Music largely lives up to it. The vibrant AMOLED display is a significant upgrade, making workout data pop even in bright outdoor conditions. We found the GPS accuracy to be spot-on during our runs, and the extensive training metrics provide valuable insights for performance improvement. The music storage and playback are a standout feature, allowing for phone-free workouts with your favorite playlists synced directly to the watch.

However, the user interface, while powerful, can feel a bit overwhelming for casual users. Navigating through the numerous menus and settings requires a learning curve, and the buttons, though tactile, can feel a bit stiff initially. The music playback itself is good, but the onboard storage, while sufficient for many, might feel limiting for audiophiles with massive libraries.

This watch is ideal for dedicated runners and triathletes who demand precise data and training tools. It’s designed for those who want to analyze their performance deeply and use music as a motivational aid during their toughest sessions.

Avoid this if you’re looking for a smartwatch primarily for notifications and apps; its focus is squarely on athletic performance.

3. Smart Watch 120 Sports Modes

This men’s smartwatch boasts an impressive number of sports modes, aiming to cater to virtually any activity you can think of. We tested several of these modes, and while the variety is commendable, the accuracy of the more niche activities felt questionable. The large 1.83-inch display is easy to read and provides a good canvas for viewing workout data. Music control is present, allowing for basic playback management, making it a contender for the best fitness tracker that plays music in this price bracket.

The build quality is decent, with a comfortable strap, but the overall aesthetic leans towards functional rather than stylish. The accompanying app is functional but lacks the polish and depth of more established brands. We noticed occasional lag when switching between screens or apps, which can be a minor annoyance during an active workout.

This smartwatch is a good fit for the everyday active individual who wants a wide variety of tracking options and the convenience of music control without breaking the bank. It’s great for casual fitness enthusiasts exploring different activities.

If you require pinpoint accuracy for specialized sports or a premium user experience, this might not be the best choice for you.

4. Fitness Tracker 1.47” Hd Display

This fitness tracker offers a straightforward approach to health monitoring with its clear 1.47-inch HD display. We found the step and heart rate tracking to be generally reliable for daily use, and the interface is intuitive, making it easy to navigate even for first-time users. The music control feature is a simple but effective addition, allowing you to manage your audio playback directly from your wrist during workouts.

The watch feels lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear, but the strap material, while functional, feels a bit basic and might not appeal to everyone. The companion app is functional for syncing data but doesn’t offer deep analysis or customization options. It’s a solid choice for those who prioritize simplicity and core fitness tracking features with the added benefit of music control.

This tracker is ideal for individuals seeking a no-fuss device to monitor their basic health metrics and control their music during exercise. It’s perfect for casual walkers, light gym-goers, or anyone who appreciates simplicity.

Anyone looking for advanced training metrics, detailed sleep stage analysis, or a highly customizable user experience should look elsewhere.

5. Fitbit Versa 2 Special Edition

The Fitbit Versa 2 Special Edition offers a premium feel and a robust suite of health-tracking features. We appreciated the comfortable, woven band and the vibrant AMOLED display, which makes checking stats a pleasure. While it doesn’t have onboard music storage for offline playback like some competitors, it excels at music control, allowing you to manage Spotify, Pandora, and other apps from your phone directly on your wrist. The heart rate tracking and sleep analysis are among the most accurate we’ve tested in this category.

However, the voice assistant integration, while present, can be a bit slow to respond and sometimes misinterprets commands. The reliance on the Fitbit app for deeper insights means you’re tied into their ecosystem, which might not suit everyone. It’s a fantastic option for those who value comprehensive health tracking and convenient music management for their phone-based audio.

This is an excellent choice for individuals focused on holistic health and wellness, including sleep, stress, and activity tracking, who also want easy control over their phone’s music during workouts. It’s particularly good for Fitbit ecosystem users.

Skip this if you need to store and play music directly from the watch without your phone or if you prefer a completely open app ecosystem.

6. Jeejtek Smart Watches

We put the JeeJTek Smart Watch through its paces, and while it offers a decent array of features for its price point, it falls a bit short for those prioritizing music playback. The interface felt a little clunky when navigating through menus, and the app integration for music control wasn’t as intuitive as we’d hoped. It’s a functional device for basic fitness tracking, but the music aspect feels like an afterthought rather than a core competency.

The build quality is acceptable, with a comfortable strap that didn’t irritate our skin during extended wear. However, the screen, while bright enough, lacked the crispness we’ve come to expect from even mid-range smartwatches. We found ourselves squinting at smaller text, which is particularly frustrating when trying to quickly skip a track during a workout.

This watch is best suited for someone who wants a basic fitness tracker with the *option* to control music from their wrist, rather than a dedicated music-playing device. If your primary goal is a smooth, responsive music experience during runs or gym sessions, you’ll likely find this model frustrating.

7. Smart Watch Gps & Free Maps

When looking for the best fitness tracker that plays music, this 1.96″ Smart Watch with GPS and Free Maps certainly enters the conversation, though with some caveats. The large display is a definite plus, making it easy to see workout stats and control music playback. We appreciated the inclusion of free maps, which is a rare find and genuinely useful for outdoor activities. However, the music playback itself was somewhat inconsistent, with occasional stutters during our testing.

The GPS accuracy was generally good, locking onto satellites quickly and providing reliable route tracking. The watch feels substantial on the wrist, though some might find it a bit bulky. The touch responsiveness is decent, but we did notice a slight lag when swiping between screens, which can be annoying when you’re in the middle of a strenuous activity and want to quickly adjust your music.

This smartwatch is a solid option for casual users who want a large screen and integrated GPS for navigation and fitness tracking, with the added bonus of music control. However, audiophiles or serious runners who demand flawless audio streaming and instant music management might want to look elsewhere.

8. Garmin Forerunner 165 Music

The Garmin Forerunner 165 Music is a compelling option for runners, offering robust GPS tracking and on-device music storage. We found the music integration to be quite straightforward, allowing us to load playlists directly onto the watch, which is fantastic for leaving your phone at home. The sound quality through connected Bluetooth headphones was surprisingly good, with clear audio even during our most energetic runs. The physical buttons are a welcome touch for tactile control, especially when wearing gloves or with sweaty hands.

During our real-life usage scenarios, the Forerunner 165 Music truly shines for dedicated runners. Imagine heading out for a long trail run; you can leave your phone behind, but still have access to your favorite motivational playlists directly from your wrist. The watch feels lightweight and secure, making it easy to forget it’s even there, allowing you to focus purely on your pace and your music.

While it excels for runners, those seeking a smartwatch for general daily use with extensive app integration might find it a bit specialized. The focus is heavily on fitness metrics, and the smartwatch features, while present, are not as deep as some competitors. It’s a fantastic tool for its intended audience, but perhaps overkill for someone just wanting basic music control with their steps.

9. Morepro Health Fitness Tracker

The MorePro Health Fitness Tracker offers a comprehensive suite of health monitoring features, but its music playback capabilities are decidedly basic. While it can display music controls, the actual ability to store or play music directly from the device is absent. We found the heart rate and blood pressure monitoring to be reasonably accurate for a consumer-grade device, providing useful insights throughout the day. The display is bright and easy to read, even in direct sunlight.

The build feels solid, with a comfortable silicone strap that didn’t cause any irritation during prolonged wear. However, the user interface can be a bit sluggish at times, and navigating through the various health metrics occasionally felt like a chore. If your primary interest is robust music control during workouts, this tracker will likely disappoint, as it’s purely for controlling what’s playing on your connected phone.

This device is an excellent choice for individuals who prioritize detailed health tracking and are looking for a secondary way to manage their phone’s music playback. However, if you’re seeking a fitness tracker that can store and play its own music, or offer advanced music controls, you should definitely skip this model.

10. Smart Watch 1.81

We evaluated this 1.81″ Smart Watch with the expectation of decent music functionality, and found it to be a mixed bag. The large screen is visually appealing and makes it easy to see notifications and basic fitness data. However, the music playback controls were somewhat rudimentary, offering basic play/pause and skip functions without any advanced features. We noticed a slight delay when attempting to adjust volume, which can be a minor annoyance during an intense workout.

The overall build quality is satisfactory for the price, with a comfortable strap that fits snugly. The interface is generally intuitive, though some of the icons could be clearer. For those looking to simply control their phone’s music from their wrist without needing to access their phone, this watch will suffice. It’s a functional companion, but not a dedicated music device.

This smartwatch is best suited for users who want a clear display and basic music control alongside their fitness tracking. If you require a more robust music experience, such as on-device storage or more nuanced control options, you would be better off exploring other dedicated music-playing fitness trackers.