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Smart and stylish fitness trackers for seniors
If you’re looking for the best fitness tracker for seniors, the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) is a heart monitor, calorie and step counter, sleep tracker, time-teller, and loved-ones-caller—all in one wrist-sized device. If you can measure it, Apple Watch can probably track it. And while the Apple Watch will take a bite out of your wallet, its features are pretty sweet, especially when using it as a fitness tracker for seniors.
This device is part smartwatch and part fitness tracker. If you want a simple way to track your health or help a loved one do the same, it’s a versatile and high-tech choice.
Best fitness trackers for seniors (and all ages)
- : Best overall
- : Best for fall detection
- : Best for heart rate monitoring
- : Best for step counting
Compare the best senior fitness trackers
All of the senior fitness trackers we reviewed count steps, track sleep, measure heart rate, and remind you to move.
Fitness tracker | Best for | Price | Battery life | GPS tracker | Calls emergency contacts | Fall detection | Learn more |
| Best overall | $249.99 | 18 hours |  Yes | Yes | Yes | VIew on Amazon | |
| Best fall detection | $45.95/mo.* | 24 hours | Yes | Yes | Add-on $5/mo. | VIew on LifeFone | |
| Best for all ages | $299.95 | 6 days | Yes |  No | No | View on Amazon | |
| Best for step counting | $199.95 | 1 day | Yes | Yes | Add-on $10/mo. | View on Medical Guardian |
*$43.95 LifeFone price if paid annually; $47.95 if paid month-to-month. No up-front cost for device.
Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
Here's how our favorite smartwatches for seniors look side-by-side. We compared prices, battery life, and senior-friendly features like fall detection to find the best among them.
Fitness tracker for seniors reviews
While these aren’t the only exercise watches for seniors we looked at, these are our favorites. We’ve also included standalone heart monitors that didn’t make it into the ranking—take a peek to see if they meet your needs.
1. Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen): Best overall
Best overall
It’s not the most affordable senior fitness tracker, but the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) has the most perks without breaking the bank. Whether you’re watching your heart rate for fitness or medical reasons, the Apple Watch SE provides straightforward and accurate ECG reporting. In addition to resting heart rate readings and sedentary alerts (reminders to move around), it can track sleep quality and dietary data.
Its large screen makes all this information easy to read. The display is also customizable, so you can make your screen layout work for you. To change the screen and make adjustments, just hold down and then swipe on the watch face. The Digital Crown and side button also make it easier to control for anyone with arthritis or stiff hands.
Pros
Automatic fall detection
Variety of health-focused apps
Calling and messaging 
Cons
Expensive
Short battery life Our favorite senior-friendly feature is its automatic fall detection, something typically found in medical alert systems as well. Fall detection is a huge plus for older individuals choosing a senior fitness tracker.
If you fall at home or while out on a walk and can’t get up, the Apple Watch SE will notice and call one of your emergency contacts. You can speak to the contact directly from the watch to get help.
Unfortunately, all these cool features don’t come cheap. The Apple Watch SE is expensive, and its price can climb over $400 with various upgrades. It's one of the most expensive heart monitors on our list and runs out of battery in 18 hours. That said, it’s a pretty cool gadget with tons of health-focused apps and features.
Learn more in our Apple Watch review.
Android Users, try the Galaxy Watch 6
Like the Apple Watch, the Galaxy Watch 6 works seamlessly with your phone. It has a bushel of heart, sleep, and fitness tracking features packed into a large, bright screen.
2. LifeFone Safe Watch Active®: Best for fall detection
Best for fall detection
LifeFone Safe Watch Active
Starts at$43.95/mo.*
*Free lease for device. Service plans start at $43.95/mo. paid annually; $47.95/mo. month-to-month plan.
LifeFone offers a range of medical alert options, blending traditional devices with modern technology, including a smartwatch that doubles as a fitness tracker.
In addition to emergency help and optional fall detection, LifeFone's smartwatch features step counting and heart rate monitoring, making it an excellent choice for seniors who want to keep an eye on their fitness levels. The fall detection service is particularly budget-friendly at just $5 per month, about half the cost of similar services from other providers.
Pros
Panic button
Step counter
Automatic fall detection
Heart rate monitor Cons
Relatively short battery life
No calling or messaging While this watch provides fitness tracking basics like a step counter and heart rate monitor, the best thing might be the SOS button that connects you to help when you need it. Unfortunately, the battery only lasts for about 24 hours.
But LifeFone also makes it easy to care for your spouse—you can get an additional medical alert pendant and monitoring service with no extra charges. If your spouse wants fall detection, it's just an additional $5 per month, which is a great deal compared to the $10 per person that most other brands charge.
Learn more about LifeFone's features in our full review.
3. Fitbit Sense 2: Best for heart rate monitoring
Best for heart rate monitoring
For almost a decade, Fitbit has been the name in fitness trackers. It’s a great pick for people of any age and fitness level to monitor their vitals and activity levels.
While the company has several choices of devices, we picked the Fitbit Sense 2 because of its large screen and ECG app compatibility.
Like other Fitbit models, the Sense 2 tracks sleep, steps, calories burned, and heart rate, and has a sedentary reminder to keep you moving. This fitness tracker for seniors also provides high and low heart rate alerts and monitors stress with an EDA sensor.
Pros
Built-in Amazon Alexa
Interchangeable bands
Large screen
High and low heart rate alerts Cons
Pricey
No emergency contacts The Fitbit Sense 2 doesn’t have an emergency call button or fall detection like our top two choices, but it’s still feature-rich. Like the Apple Watch, you can connect it to your phone. So you can call your spouse with the grocery list while you’re out on a walk.
Its built-in Alexa or Google voice assistant can also connect to your home devices, set timers, and walk you through workouts when you download activities and skills.
You can even connect Fitbit Pay to your debit card and pay for things by tapping the watch (and impress the grandkids at the same time).
The Fitbit Sense 2 has a six-day battery life, but we recommend charging it every couple of days to keep it going.
Also check out: Fitbit Charge 6
Among Fitbit’s heart monitors and activity trackers is the Fitbit Charge 6. If you’re interested in just tracking your heart rate and activity levels, it has similar features to the Fitbit Sense 2, but it has a smaller screen and longer battery life (seven days versus six). You’ll still get access to the Fitbit app and tracking features but in a much simpler package.
4. MGMove: Best for step counting
Best for step counting
Whatever your step goal, having a step counter can make your exercise much more fun. The MGMove is our pick for the best pedometer for seniors that doubles as a smart watch.
In addition to its pedometer, the MGMove has a weather app, messaging app, and SOS button that connects to professional monitors. You can loop in your loved ones to share step goals and activity. You can also add fall detection for an extra $10/mo.
Pros
SOS button
Step tracker
Messaging app
Reminders
GPS location shared with monitoring center only Cons
1-day battery
More expensive fall detection When choosing a senior fitness tracker, the MGMove is great for people who want an easy-to-use step counter that doubles as an emergency button and smartwatch. Although the messaging app costs an extra fee per month, we highly recommend it, especially if you don't take your phone with you on walks.
Learn more about the MGMove in our full Medical Guardian review.
About step count
You’ve probably heard about how 10,000 steps per day is the key to good health. But recent studies have shown that as few as 4,000 can be just as beneficial for older folks (women in particular).1
Consider a heart rate monitor
If you want a standalone heart monitor, you don’t need to wade through piles of activity and fitness trackers to find one. We chose a few of our favorite heart monitors designed with medical monitoring in mind.
AliveCor Kardia Mobile
Heart rate monitor
The AliveCor Kardia is a pint-sized EKG device that monitors your heart rate. To get your measurements, hold the device between your fingers and thumbs. You should get a reading within 30 seconds.
The device itself is screenless, so you’ll have to download the companion app to your mobile device. But from your phone, you’ll be able to see a personal six-lead EKG that will let you know how your heart’s doing. If you have an irregular heartbeat or heart issues, information like this can help inform your doctor about treatments to help you stay healthy.
Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor Chest Strap
Heart rate monitor
If you want more accurate fitness-based heart rate readings, consider the Polar H10. This chest strap attaches directly to your chest (just under your heart) and uses electrical signals to read your heartbeat.
It connects to health and fitness apps like Fitbit and can provide you with in-depth data about your workouts or daily activity. The only issue is it may take a while to get used to because of its placement, but you can expect accurate readings from this device.
EMAY Portable ECG Monitor
Heart rate monitor
EMAY’s portable heart rate monitor records Lead 1 ECG readings. It’s a pocket-sized device that you can press to your chest, legs, hands, or wrists to get measurements almost instantly.
You can sync it to your phone to keep a record of all these measurements to help with detecting arrhythmias and other heart issues. Much like the Kardia, these readings can help your doctor improve your treatments for heart health.
Final word on fitness trackers and exercise watches for seniors
Heart health and fitness are crucial to living a long healthy life. Even if you’re over 65, it’s never too late to take steps towards improving your heart. Heart monitors come with fitness trackers that count your steps along with your heartbeat or as medical-grade EKG or ECG monitors.
If you’re currently experiencing heart problems or have heart disease, consult your doctor before starting any new habits.
Heart and fitness monitors for seniors FAQ
It all comes down to specialization. Both devices can measure your heartbeat, but fitness trackers measure other things like your step count, calories, and even sleep patterns. Heart monitors can be fitness trackers or medical devices with in-depth EKG or ECG readings.
The standard target heart rate varies as we age. When exercising at 50% to 85% intensity, 60-year-olds should have a target active heart rate of 80 to 136 beats per minute (BPM). People who are 65 should have a target heart rate of 78 to 132, and those in their 70s should aim for 75 to 128 BPM.3
Home heart rate monitors come in two styles: classic chest strap or wristband tracker. Chest straps use an electrical pulse to read your heart rate, while wristbands use optical technology.
Although wristband monitors are the most popular choice, chest straps offer more accurate continuous heart rate information. However, they tend to be expensive and less comfortable. We recommend a wristband heart monitor for aging adults since they’ll be more comfortable to wear all day.
In addition to heart health and blood pressure, older adults have a few things to watch as they age. With falls being such a big threat to seniors every year, improving your balance and bone health is especially important.
Staying active, even just by increasing your step count, can help you burn calories, build muscle, and stay mentally active so you can enjoy your years ahead.
How we reviewed fitness trackers
Your heart rate is an indicator of your overall fitness and cardiovascular health. As we age, our chances of heart attack, stroke, coronary disease, and heart failure increase.2 So we picked fitness trackers and heart monitors with features that make tracking heart rate easy (and even fun) for seniors.
Qualities like large displays, messaging, comfortable or interchangeable bands, and expanded health-tracking capabilities were all at the top of our list.
We also browsed through consumer reviewers and expert opinions. Accurate readings, pricing, consumer interest, and smart tech capabilities were other qualities we put under the magnifying glass. To find out more about how we select our best picks, take a look at our methodology.
Compare the best medical devices for fall detection
Brand | Best for | Starting monthly price | Fall detection cost | Equipment cost | Who gets notified | Fall alert technology | Learn more |
| Best overall & best for budgets | $0.00 | Included | $149.95 | Pro monitoring center, 911, Loved ones | •Tri-axial accelerometer •Gyroscope | View on Amazon | |
| Best device range | $39.95 | $10/mo. | $149.95 | Pro monitoring center | •Tri-axial accelerometer •Radio frequency | View Packages | |
| Most fall alert sensors | $39.95 | $10/mo. | Free lease | Pro monitoring center | •Tri-axial accelerometer •Barometric sensor •Gyroscope | View Packages | |
Best traditional system | $27.95 | Included | Free lease | Pro monitoring center | •Tri-axial accelerometer •Barometric sensor | View packages | |
| Best for budgets | $29.95 | $5/mo. | Free lease | Pro monitoring center, Loved ones | •Tri-axial accelerometer | View Packages |
Info current of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.
Fitness trackers a great for active seniors, but they aren't the only gear available to keep you healthy and independent. Check out some of our favorite medical alert devices and wearables above.
Related articles on SafeWise
Sources
- Harvard Health Publishing, “Do You Really Need to Take 10,000 Steps a Day for Better Health?” November 2019. Accessed Jan 17, 2024.
- American Heart Association, “All About Heart Rate (Pulse),” July 2015. Accessed Jan 17, 2024.
- Markus MacGill, Medical News Today, “What Should My Heart Rate Be?” January 2021. Accessed Jan 17, 2024.
Disclaimer
*Amazon.com list price as of post date. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
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