Best Clip-on Fitness Trackers for 2024

Last updated on January 4, 2022

Smartwatches or fitness bands are, by definition, worn on the wrist. Sometimes, you do not want to wear your tracker on the wrist. Especially in summer, having a tight wrist strap can lead to skin rashes. 

A clip-on fitness tracker can be a perfect alternative. It can be worn clipped on your pants, belt, ankle, or even a bra. This way, you will still keep track of your exercises while gaining another level of freedom.

This article will present what the best clip-on fitness trackers to consider are.

What are the benefits and limitations of Clip-on Fitness Trackers?

The most apparent benefit of clip-on fitness trackers is that you can use them discreetly. As a result, they are the ultimate non-intrusive devices.

As for the limitations, the sensors will not be in contact with the skin. Thus, it will be impossible for them to track your heart rate, Blood Oxygen Saturation, or other data more standard fitness trackers are getting so good at collecting.

In a nutshell, your top-of-the-line device will become a basic pedometer.

It makes sense to balance the pros and cons before investing in a somewhat “simple” device. That is why using a hybrid tracker with the possibility to switch from a clip-on to the wrist easily can be an attractive option to consider.

Best Overall: Xiaomi Mi Band 6

The Mi Band 6 is the newest addition to the Xiaomi family. Over the year, the company gained an excellent reputation for the quality of its smart bands and other devices. The Mi Band 6 is not different and adds extra features to an already excellent Xiaomi Mi Band 5. When considering that it can be worn as a clip-on and its price is highly competitive, the choice is clear, and the Xiaomi Mi Band 6 is our clear winner when looking for a clip-on fitness tracker. 

Design

This budget fitness tracker is inexpensive but does not lack style or features. It is the current flagship fitness band of the company, and we certainly understand why.

The Xiaomi band 6 comes with a 1.56″ AMOLED Display offering 326PPI, making it one of the sharpest screens on the market and letting you upload your favorite photo or choose among the 130 and more predefined screens.

Its design is classic for a fitness band, but its screen is significant for a device priced under $50.

The wristband comes in black but can easily be replaced with a more colorful one: Orange, Yellow, Olive, Ivory, Blue. Plenty of alternatives models exist on Amazon. 

Features

The Xiaomi Mi Band 6 falls into the hybrid clip-on fitness trackers category, meaning when worn at the wrist, it will act as a smart pedometer but will lack the extra health-related features.

The Mi Band 6 is waterproof (5ATM) and comes with a battery that is one of the longest on the market: 14 days. Moreover, it charges without the need for a USB cable but with the included magnetic charge cable.

The Xiaomi Mi Band 6 is a competent basic fitness tracker. It counts the steps, calories burnt, distance traveled, resting and active heart rates, and acts as a sleep tracker. 

Despite the lack of a built-in GPS, typical for a device in this price range, it connects to your smartphones (iOS or Android.)

One of the latest addition to this fitness tracker is the possibility to measure blood oxygen saturation. Of course, when used with a belt clip, this wearable tracker will only be a step counter, which is what you can expect with all the other devices when the sensor is not in contact with the skin.

Why should you consider the Xiaomi Mi Band 6?

With its large, colorful and crisp display, this fitness tracker does not look like a cheap fitness tracker but more like a premium device.

With a very long-lasting battery, stellar performances, and a very reasonable price, the Xiaomi Band 6 is the device to consider first when looking for a clip-on tracker. 

It will not disappoint and will offer more than you can expect in this price range.

Last update on 2023-01-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pros

• Excellent Screen
• Long-lasting battery
• Complete health tracker
• Competitive

Cons

• Connecting the external GPS can be tricky sometimes.

Best Hybrid Clip-on Fitness Tracker: Fitbit Inspire 2

Fitbit is not new to the world of clip-on fitness trackers and released the popular Fitbit Zip, which gave a new dimension to old fashion pedometers in 2012. It allowed to track calories, active minutes, steps, and much more and synchronize the data with the Fitbit app. 

This device is still available on Amazon, but with outdated technology and prohibitive price, only collectors will find it an attractive option. The same applies to the Fitbit One, also released in 2012, which added sleep tracking capabilities and still comes at a premium price.

More modern and cheaper alternatives are now available for reaching your fitness goals. The Fitbit Inspire 2 is one of the best, in our opinion.

First released in August 2020, the Fitbit Inspire 2 may already seem outdated in the hyper-fast moving environment of wearables. However, it is somehow still the best hybrid clip-on fitness tracker money can buy. And not even a lot of money, which is always appreciable.

Design

The Inspire came as a replacement for the Fitbit Inspire HR and is 1.47 by 0.66 by 0.50 inches (LWH) for a weight of just over one ounce. It features a grayscale OLED touch screen. All of that contributes to the minimalist design that delivers only what matters without the bells and whistles of more recent fitness trackers. Its sleek and slim design makes it perfect to use clipped on a piece of fabric.

The Inspire 2 comes with two wristbands (black, white, pink) in different sizes (small and large) that will accommodate both women’s or men’s wrist sizes. The wristband can be detached from the device itself. A clip can be found directly on the Fitbit website even though other unbranded alternatives are available on Amazon and will only cost you a couple of dollars.

To use the Fitbit Inspire 2 as a clip-on fitness tracker, the only thing to do is insert the device itself in the clip. It could not be easier.

Features

The tracker’s battery life lasts up to 10 days and only takes about two hours to charge fully.

More than a simple pedometer, the Inspire 2 allows to:

• Track the heart rate and as well as the heart zone to let you know when you are burning fat or just warming up,
• Detect the number of steps and compute the distance,
• Receive vibrating notifications for texts, calls, or messages,
• Track your sleep cycle. The sleep cycle, including detailed analysis, is available through the Premium Fitbit App. 12 months of free access is included,
• Pair with the phone GPS and store the exact path you followed while exercising, including the zones where you burnt fat.

If we app one complaint, it will be linked to the monochrome screen but considering that the Inspire 2 will be mainly used to collect data and synchronize them with a smartphone, it is not a big drawback.

Importantly, all vitals collection features such as the heart rate and heart zone will not be available as the sensors will not be touching the skin. 

Why should you consider the Fitbit Inspire 2?

Using the Fitbit Inspire 2 as a clip-on fitness tracker makes a lot of sense. It provides the best of the two worlds, and it will be possible to use the wristband at night to analyze sleep and clipped to the belt during the daytime for a more discreet fit.

The Inspire 2 technology is still very up-to-date, and when paired with a smartphone, it allows you to make the most of the excellent Fitbit App.

Finally, dedicated clips are even available for a minimal price.

Last update on 2023-01-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pros

• Long battery life (10 days)
• Dedicated clip
• Numerous features (number of steps, distance)
• Pair with the phone GPS
• Compatible with the Fitbit App
• Can be used either clipped on or on the wrist

Cons

• Gray Scale Screen
• No built-in GPS
• Health vitals are not available when the Inspire 2 is clipped on

Best for simplicity: 3D Fitbud

The 3D Fitbud will please those looking for a simple and accurate pedometer and nothing more. Perfect for the elderly with its extra-large screen, it does what it says: count the number of steps and the distance.

Design

Its design is minimalist but well suited for the elderly or enthusiastic walkers. Its extra-large black and white screen will show the number of steps.

With a size of 2.36 x 0.47 x 1.49 inches (LMW) and a weight of 0.84 ounces, it is light enough not to be disturbing but large enough not to be lost. A good compromise.

It comes in four colors: Black, white, pink and light blue.

Features

The 3D Fitbud can be worn on the belt (the removable belt clip is included), in the pocket, and even on the included lanyard. In addition, its built-in battery will last up to 12 months without the need for replacement.

Very simple to use. You need to switch it on and nothing more. The 3D Axis technology will accurately count the number of steps. It is a genuinely self-contained device that does not connect to an external smartphone.

Why should you consider the 3D Fitbud?

This device can not be compared to a Fitbit Charge, an Apple Watch, or any other smartwatch. It doesn’t come with a complex heart rate monitor. Instead, this is a simple digital 3D pedometer to keep track of your physical activity. We can not call it a wearable fitness tracker, but it does perfectly what it has been designed for: counting the steps and staying active.

Last update on 2023-01-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pros

• Simple and convenient
• A pedometer and nothing more
• Long battery life
• Excellent price

Cons

• Nothing as long as it is properly worn

Best for exercising: Garmin Running Dynamics pod

This device is not for everybody, as you will need to own a Garmin fitness watch to make the most of it. The pos has been specifically designed to add extra information about your running or walking patterns. In that sense, it is more dedicated to serious athletes who want to dissect and improve their movements.

Design

The tiny (1.5 x 0.8 x 0.9 inches, LWH) comes in only one color, Force Yellow. It needs to be paired with a compatible watch. 

Features

The battery is replaceable and lasts up to one year. 

As for the benefits, they are indeed for athletes and not for most of us. When paired with the Garmin Watch, the pod will allow collecting extra data to improve performances:

• Cadence: number of steps per minute. 
• Ground contact time: displays the left/right balance of the ground contact time.
• Stride length
• Vertical oscillation: bounce while running. 
• Vertical ratio: ratio of vertical oscillation to stride length. 
• Ground contact time

Why should you consider the Garmin Running Dynamics pod?

If you are serious about the way you run or walk, this unique device is for you. However, for the rest of us, it may be better to prefer a simpler alternative.

Last update on 2023-01-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pros

• A unique device to improve performance
• Long battery life

 Cons

• Very specialized
• Only work with a compatible Garmin watch

Best for style: Bellabeat Leaf Tracker

The Bellabeat is a fitness tracker that doesn’t look like a fitness tracker but more like a piece of jewelry or a fashion accessory.

Despite being stylish, the Bellabeat is smart and can track numerous metrics, including the number of steps but so much more.

Design

The Bellabeat Leaf Tracker is a device like no others. Made of wood composite materials and hypoallergenic stainless steel, it is hard to suspect it includes premium technologies. 

With its unique shape (1.85 x 1.1 x 0.43 inches, LWH) and a total weight of 0.03 pounds, it can be worn as a pendant or clipped to a bracelet.

The Leaf is available in five different colors:

• Black / Rose Gold
• Chakra Gray / Silver
• Urban Black / Rose Gold
• Urban Gray / Rose Gold
• Urban Gray / Silver

Features

The first thing to know is that the Bellabeat does not need to be charged. It comes with a battery (coin cell) that will give it power for 24/7 continuous monitoring for six months. Once depleted, the only thing to do is to replace the coin cell battery.

The Bellabeat does not include any display and is a pure tracking device. It collects the data and synchronizes them via Bluetooth with the companion app available for Android or iPhone. Just click two times on the device to start the synchronization process.

It keeps track of your steps, distance traveled, calories burnt, sleeping habits, reproductive health, menstrual cycle, and stress levels. More than a simple activity tracker, it also calculates the resistance to stress using the company’s proprietary algorithms.

Why should you consider the Bellabeat Leaf Tracker?

The Bellabeat Leaf Tracker is the ultimate stylish and discreet activity monitor. Just wear it as a fashion accessory, forget it, synchronize the data with your smartphone and check the results. It could not be simpler.

Made of hypoallergenic materials, it will respect your skin. Being reasonably priced, it offers an excellent compromise between fashion and technology.

Finally, if, like us, you like to get all of your data in just one place, the Bellabeat is natively compatible with Google fit and Apple Health.

Last update on 2023-01-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pros

• Stylish design
• Long-lasting included battery
• Track numerous metrics, including fertility cycle
• IPX grade 6 Water-resistant

Cons

• No display
• Require a smartphone
• Does not measure heart rate

FAQ