The best new fitness trackers to buy in 2026
Updated
We’re always excited by the intersection of fitness and technology. How crazy is it that a watch or a tiny smart ring can track our important health vitals?
As the fitness tracker space continues to boom, we’ve found some of our favourite launches of 2026 so far, including the super-thin Oura Ring 5 and the adventurer’s dream from Huawei.
NOTE: Prices are accurate at the time of publishing.
For the screenless design, without the monthly subscription fees
Garmin CIRQA Smart Band
Garmin CIRQA Smart Band Garmin
Fitness tracker giant Garmin is now also tapping into the screenless display with its newly launched Garmin CIRQA Smart Band. Though the product has launched, it is currently only available for pre-order until its release date of August 22.
Garmin has purposefully designed this new wearable to appeal to those who want up to 10 days of 24/7 health, sleep, and fitness tracking without the distraction of a screen or the burden of mandatory monthly subscription fees (unlike Whoop).
With no subscription required, you are given full access to metrics and insights via the Garmin Connect app without recurring fees.
Key features:
Materials: Uses soft, stretchable, adjustable Velcro fabric bands available in S-M and L-XL sizes.
Colours: Black, Grey, Mauve, Blue.
Placement versatility: It can be worn on the wrist or moved to the upper arm/biceps depending on activity needs, while still functioning the same.
Activity tracking: Supports more than 80 activities from running to paddleboarding to mountain biking, which can be activated via the on-device button or through automatic detection, in case you forget.
Vitals tracking: Evaluates your sleep score, sleep stages, and naps, providing tailored coaching and breathing insights, training readiness insights, body battery monitoring, skin temperature monitoring, HRV status, skin temperature tracking, and cycle and pregnancy tracking.
Performance insights: Delivers recovery and exertion indicators based on insights in the paired app ecosystem.
For the wellness-enthusiast
Oura Ring 5
Oura Ring 5 Oura
The Oura Ring 5 was released in Australia in mid-2026, and it’s an exciting development on its predecessor, as it is 40 per cent smaller and thinner in design, has six to nine days of battery life, plus upgraded low-profile sensors.
The Oura Ring 5 has been built for health-conscious users, data-driven wellness enthusiasts, and those who prefer a sleek, discreet wearable instead of a chunky sports watch. If you’re focused on sleep, recovery, and a holistic approach to life, this new launch could be ideal for you.
Just bear in mind that the Oura Ring 5 requires a paid subscription to access its full features, though it does work with strict limitations for free.
Key features:
Materials: Non-allergenic titanium interior and exterior shell with a robust physical vapour deposition (PVD) scratch-resistant coating.
Colours: Black, Silver, Stealth, Brushed Silver, Gold, and Deep Rose.
Sleep and recovery: Best-in-class sleep stage analysis (deep, light, REM), overnight biometrics tracking, and bedtime guidance.
Heart rate and activity: 24/7 heart rate tracking, automatic activity detection for over 40 activities such as running, walking, or cycling, analysis to help you achieve a healthy balance between movement and rest, personalised activity goals, and cardio capacity metrics like VO2 Max.
Proactive wellness: Includes daytime stress monitoring, Symptom Radar for early illness detection, and a Readiness Score, which uses temperature trends, heart rate, and sleep to show you how energised you are for the day.
Women’s health: Cycle tracking, ovulation prediction, pregnancy insights, hormonal birth control tracking, and insights into what your body needs throughout the month (rest, energy windows, and more).
For keeping things simple
Google Fitbit Air
Google Fitbit Air Google
The Google Fitbit Air landed in Australia in May 2026, featuring a lightweight, screenless design (similar to a Whoop), continuous heart rate monitoring, skin temperature tracking, and a one-week battery life.
This new wearable has been designed with first-time tracker users, minimalists, and those who prefer a distraction-free experience in mind, without the monthly subscription.
Key features:
Materials: The screenless device body is made from recycled polycarbonate and PBT plastics.
Colours: Obsidian, Lavender, Berry.
Screen-free: Its pebble-form features a tiny, discreet core with no display to distract you or buttons to confuse you.
Water-resistant: With 50-metre water resistance, you can swim, shower, and sweat with ease.
Continuous metrics: Monitors 24/7 heart rate, heart rhythm with AFib alerts, blood oxygen, skin temperature, and heart rate variability (HRV), and automatically tracks sleep stages and overnight recovery trends.
AI-powered coaching: Works with Google Health Coach (powered by Gemini AI) for adaptive, personalised fitness and wellness guidance. It includes a 3-month trial, but you can use the device without it once the trial is complete.
For the entry-level runners
Garmin Forerunner 70
Garmin Forerunner 70 Garmin
The Garmin Forerunner 70 is a new entry-level GPS running watch, serving as the modern successor to the older Forerunner 55, and was quietly released in May.
If you’re an everyday fitness fan with a particular interest in running, this could be the perfect watch for you. It offers beginner-friendly training analysis and a bright, clear screen without paying high-end prices.
Key features:
Materials: It features chemically strengthened glass for the display, fibre-reinforced polymer for the case and bezel, and soft silicone for the wrist strap.
Colours: Black, Whitestone, Citron, Lavender.
Display: Features a bright, colourful 1.2″ AMOLED screen with an auto-lock for workouts, combined with a touchscreen for reliable control when your hands are wet or sweaty.
Running courses: Create or find existing courses in the Garmin Connect app and sync them directly to your watch. Course planner lets you add cut-off times, notes, rest plans, checkpoints and aid stations to keep you on track throughout a race.
Short-on-time workouts: Generate custom on-the-fly workouts based on your target intensity and available time to squeeze in a session when you need to.
Wellness tracking: 24/7 insights on your HRV status, sleep, and Body Battery energy, stress, and everyday routines. Log caffeine and alcohol intake and more, and view reports on how they impact your health in the app.
For outdoors lovers
Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro
Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro Huawei
The Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro launched in May 2026 and is a lightweight, premium fitness smartwatch featuring a 1.92-inch LTPO AMOLED display, an aerospace-grade titanium bezel, and a sapphire glass screen.
It has been designed for fitness enthusiasts, outdoor athletes, and everyday users who want a stylish, premium smartwatch with comprehensive health tracking and up to 10 days of battery life.
Key features:
Materials: Features a premium, aerospace-grade titanium alloy bezel, 2.5D sapphire glass, and a durable ceramic coating for protection. Depending on your preference, there are straps made from woven nylon, silicone, leather, and metal options like stainless steel.
Colours: Black, White, Gradient Orange.
Outdoor capabilities: It supports over 17,000 global golf course maps, trail running, cycling distance, elevation and time, freediving up to 40m, and racket sports including badminton, tennis, and pickleball. You can also gain pro-level insights for badminton, tennis, and pickleball to level up your play.
Vital health sensors: Medical-grade ECG, which evaluates cardiovascular health trends over time, runs passive background checks for irregular heart rhythms, and continuously measures blood oxygen saturation and skin temperature to assist with wellness and cycle tracking.
Daily wellness insights: Provides detailed breakdowns of sleep, offers real-time breathing tracking, and monitors daily mental strain.
Mini-workout reminders: It tracks 10 body parts, including head, neck, shoulders, and more, to offer mini-workouts and stretching reminders to keep you mobile.
Track your emotional wellbeing: See any one of 12 emotions (pleasant, neutral) in the emotional wellbeing app and use it like a personal journal.
READ MORE: Best fitness trackers to keep your steps up in 2026