Are you looking for a way to count your steps? The term you're looking for is a pedometer. Pedometers come in all shapes and sizes, and they've been around for quite a while as a tool to help you track your activity. These days there are fitness trackers for every activity level that all include pedometers, and many smartphones have a built-in ability to track your steps. Some are expensive, but there are also budget-friendly options, and you don't have to be an athlete to benefit from using a pedometer.
But the real question is, what is the best pedometer? It is a complex question because you have to consider a lot of factors to know which is best. We'll discuss those factors more below, but accuracy, app compatibility, and data storage are all major concerns for anyone looking to track their progress. For this article, we'll look at what options are out there and discuss exactly what qualities you need in a pedometer to accomplish your goals. Here's our list.
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The Best Pedometer - Our Top Picks
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- Best Overall Pedometer: Garmin Forerunner 55
- Best Budget Pedometer: GRV Fitness Tracker
- Best Walking Pedometer: 3DTriSport Walking Pedometer
- Best Pedometer for Seniors: 3DFitBud Simple Step Counter
- Best Running Pedometer: Octandra Active VeryFitPro Fitness Tracker
- Best Wrist Pedometer: Fitbit Versa 3
- Best Pedometer for Hiking: Fitbit Charge 4
- Best Pedometer for Battery Life: SUUNTO 5 Peak
- Best Pedometer with Large Display: Broadstreet Pedometer
Best Overall Pedometer - Garmin Forerunner 55
SPECS
- Activities tracked: Steps, Speed, General Health, GPS
- Battery life: Up to 2 Weeks
- Connectivity: iPhone, Android, Garmin Devices, Bluetooth
There are a lot of different pedometer options on the market today. These range from fully integrated data tracking to simple step counters, and everything in between. In our opinion, the best overall pedometer is one that has the best features, simple and complex.
The Garmin Forerunner 55 is the pedometer you're looking for. It has all of the tech features for sleep tracking and workout tracking, but also has an accurate step counter. What we love most about the Forerunner 55 is that it suggests distances and speeds for you based on your previous steps to help you push yourself safely.
What We Like
- Smart tech suggests run/walk distances
- Cadence alerts
- Smartphone compatible
What We Don't Like
- Only 1 size option
- Water-resistance is limited
BUY: Garmin Forerunner 55
Best Budget Pedometer - GRV Fitness Tracker
SPECS
- Activities tracked: Steps, Sleep, Calories
- Battery life: Up to 7 days
- Connectivity: None
If you're on a tight budget but still want to maximize what you get from a pedometer, then we recommend the GRV Fitness Tracker. The GRV tracks your steps and calories burned and also has a feature that allows you to input your sleep hours.
This is a digital pedometer, but it doesn't come with any Bluetooth connectivity so you don't have to worry about buying an app or having a compatible smartphone—the tracker itself stores your data. It is also fully waterproof and it's one of the easiest digital trackers to use.
What We Like
- Fully waterproof
- Fast battery charge
- Very simple to use
What We Don't Like
- If the battery dies, the memory is cleared
- The sleep tracking is limited to manual inputs
BUY: GRV Fitness Tracker
Best Walking Pedometer - 3DTriSport Walking Pedometer
SPECS
- Activities tracked: Steps, Distance, Calories Burned
- Battery life: Replaceable Batteries
- Connectivity: None
The most accurate pedometers are sometimes the simplest. If you don't need all of the extra tracking capability because your goal is to track your steps as you're walking, the 3DTriSport pedometer might be a good choice for you. This is a clip-on pedometer that has few features but will give you an accurate reading thanks to the 3D-motion sensors.
The calories burned are estimates based on those other two measurements, and there are wrist and lanyard-wearing options. But be careful because carrying your pedometer on a lanyard can affect the accuracy of your step count.
What We Like
- 3D-motion sensors
- Large display
- Wrist, waist, and lanyard options included
What We Don't Like
- 30-day storage limit
- Batteries have to be replaced
BUY: 3DTriSport Walking Pedometer
Best Pedometer for Seniors - 3DFitBud Simple Step Counter
SPECS
- Activities tracked: Steps
- Battery life: Replaceable Batteries
- Connectivity: None
If you're a senior looking for a pedometer for outdoors or treadmill walks, we've got you covered. The 3DFitBud comes from the same company as the 3DTriSport but it is a more basic option. This pedometer will count your steps and nothing else. The only other feature on this pedometer is a reset button so you can make sure you're getting an accurate count every day.
What we also love about the FitBud for seniors is the display. This pedometer has an XL display screen that shows your step count very clearly so you won't have to stop mid-walk to check your step count.
What We Like
- Auto-sleep function conserves battery
- XL display screen
- No extras to set up, pedometer only
What We Don't Like
- The clips are not durable
- Reviews say the reset button can be difficult to operate
BUY: 3DFitBud Simple Step Counter
Best Running Pedometer - Octandra Active VeryFitPro Fitness Tracker
SPECS
- Activities tracked: Steps, Heart Rate, Sleep, Calories, GPS
- Battery life: 5-7 Days
- Connectivity: iPhone, Android, Bluetooth
Counting your steps while running is different than counting them while you're walking. Your stride length, speed, and terrain are all factors that need to be considered. For runners looking for pedometers, we like the Octandra Active VeryFitPro fitness tracker.
The VeryFitPro has 14 different sports modes so the tracking data can adjust and stay accurate. Along with step count, it also tracks your heart rate, sleep, and distance through GPS. This pedometer has everything an endurance athlete needs, plus it is fully waterproof so you can track your swimming progress, as well.
What We Like
- 14 different sport tracking modes
- Tracks quality and quantity of sleep
- Waterproof for swimming
What We Don't Like
- Cannot be powered off
- Battery life can decrease if you don't close activities
BUY: Octandra Active VeryFitPro Fitness Tracker
Best Wrist Pedometer - Fitbit Versa 3
SPECS
- Activities tracked: Steps, Calories, Sleep, Heart Rate, GPS
- Battery life: 5-6 days
- Connectivity: iPhone, Android, Bluetooth
Many different types of pedometers can be worn on your wrist, but wrist placement really doesn't make sense if you're not using a smartwatch or fitness tracker. If you're looking for a comfortable, lightweight, and trustworthy option for a wrist pedometer we recommend the Fitbit Versa 3.
Fitbit is a well-known brand because they make high-quality trackers. The Versa 3 keeps with this tradition. It tracks your steps, calories, sleep, heart rate, and distance with a GPS function. The band is silicon so it has a smooth fit, and the battery can last for several days between charges.
What We Like
- Comfortable, buckleless band
- Motivation features help you stay on track
- New, intuitive user interface
What We Don't Like
- Need the paid subscription to access all features
- Limited heart rate zones for training
BUY: Fitbit Versa 3
Best Pedometer for Hiking - Fitbit Charge 4
SPECS
- Activities tracked: Steps, Sleep, Swim, GPS, Heart Rate
- Battery life: Up to 7 days
- Connectivity: iPhone, Android, Bluetooth
If you're an avid hiker or spend a lot of time outdoors, then the best pedometer for you will be versatile. You'll want the basic tracking statistics like your steps and heart rate, but you'll also benefit from having GPS and water resistance. The Fitbit Charge 4 has all of these and more.
This pedometer can operate in extreme temperatures well below freezing. It also keeps track of your skin temperature while you sleep so you can adjust to your environment, and it tracks Sp02 levels to give you an estimate of your blood oxygen. The Fitbit Charge 4 was made to be your companion in the outdoors.
What We Like
- Over 20 exercise modes
- Heart rate zone alerts during exercise
- Operates in temperature range -4F to 140F (-20C to 60C)
What We Don't Like
- Can't play music offline
- Not compatible with Apple or Google health apps
BUY: Fitbit Charge 4
Best Pedometer for Battery Life - Suunto 5 Peak
SPECS
- Activities tracked: Steps, Fitness, Sleep, Stress, GPS
- Battery life: Up to 10 days
- Connectivity: Apple, Android, Bluetooth
No one likes to look down and realize that their smartwatch or fitness tracker has died in the middle of exercising. The reality is that the more apps or features you use at once, the faster your battery will die. But the Suunto 5 Peak can help you avoid these situations.
The Suunto Peak has a battery that can last up to 10 days straight in certain power-saving modes. You'll still have access to your features and data but it will limit the background power usage. It also has a turn-by-turn navigation GPS that you can use for 20 straight hours without the device dying. This battery is made to last a long time.
What We Like
- Up to 20 hours of battery life with continuous GPS use
- Over 80 sport modes
- Turn by turn navigation
What We Don't Like
- Lens is made of plastic
- Low water resistance
BUY: SUUNTO 5 Peak
Best Pedometer with Large Display - Broadstreet Pedometer
SPECS
- Activities tracked: Steps
- Battery life: Replaceable Batteries
- Connectivity: None
There are pedometers with large display screens, then there is the Broadstreet Pedometer. This is one of the most basic pedometers on our list, but the step count display is huge. It has clear, digital numbers that you can see at a glance even if your eyesight is getting worse as you age.
This pedometer also won't count your steps if it detects less than 10 at a time, so you'll have a buffer that makes your overall count more accurate. If you're looking for an easy-to-use, basic pedometer that you can see clearly, the Broadstreet Pedometer is your option.
What We Like
- Simple, XL display of steps only
- No set-up process
- Very budget-friendly
What We Don't Like
- No data storage
- Flimsy clips
What to Look for in a Pedometer
Accuracy
Accuracy is the most important part of your pedometer. For this, simple pedometers you can clip to your waist are typically the most accurate because they are close to the center of your body. Smartwatches and fitness trackers you wear on your wrist have a wider margin of error but offer a lot of other features, too. Just make sure you have realistic expectations for whatever pedometer you decide to buy.
Display
Pedometer displays come in a lot of different sizes and typically what you're looking for here is personal preference. Obviously, smartwatches and fitness trackers are going to have smaller displays than traditional pedometers you clip to your waistband.
Connectivity
Some people prefer pedometers with no connectivity at all, while others want to be able to connect to their smartphones to listen to music. There are connectivity options ranging from none to full cloud storage of all your health data. Your budget will play a part in your connectivity choice, but otherwise, it is another matter of personal preference.
Activities Tracked
You can find a pedometer that tracks almost all fitness and health activities or one that does nothing but literally count your steps. Make sure the pedometers you're considering track everything you need as accurately as possible to help you reach your fitness goals.
FAQs About Pedometers
Where is the best place to wear a pedometer?
The absolute best place to wear a pedometer is attached to your hip, in line with your kneecap. This will give you the most accurate step count. But as technology advances, fitness trackers in smartwatches are also pretty accurate.
How do I know if my pedometer is accurate?
To test your pedometer's accuracy, reset the step count and walk a designated number of steps. If your pedometer reading is within 10% of your counted steps then it is considered accurate.
How can I track my steps without a pedometer?
If you don't have a pedometer of any kind, but still want to keep track of your steps, you are going to have to either count or estimate based on the distance you walked. For example, the average person walks one mile in 2,000 steps, so you can use that to estimate.