8 of the best pedometers to help you get fit for less
Even the most committed runners shouldn't forget that walking offers many of the same health benefits as running, but in a form that's often easier on the body and simple to fit into your every day life – indeed, it's something most of us do every day, without having to think about training schedules or get changed into special gear.
Many runners might do well to add a little more walking into their routines, just to keep things moving and get more active recovery from harder running efforts.
But it's not just about recovery from running – walking itself is good for your health. A large 2018 study of 50,000 people found that regular walking at a brisk pace was associated with a 20% reduction in mortality risk, and a 24% reduction in cardiovascular disease. And it though we all love a round number, it turns out it doesn't need to be 10,000 steps a day – recent research suggests you can still get the same benefits doing fewer daily steps.
The best pedometers for 2023
However many you may decide to aim for, keeping track on your daily step count is a good, simple way of monitoring how active you’re being. To help you do that, here's our pick of the best pedometers to buy in the UK right now.
What are the different types of pedometers?
There two main options with pedometers. The first is the simple, inexpensive, clip-on style pedometer that can be attached to your waistband or to a bag. This will record steps, distance and sometimes calories. These are usually simple to use, with no frills, so ideal for those who don't want a high-tech complicated option that pings with endless notifications. As they clip on, they are also good for those who would rather not 'wear' the device all the time.
The other main type of pedometer is the more general fitness tracker, usually worn on the wrist. Cheaper ones offer the basic metrics like steps, distance and calories burned, while more advanced models include features such as colour screens, heart-rate monitoring, modes not just for walking but all different sports, call notifications and sleep tracking.
What are the best pedometers for 2023?
We’ve picked out our favourite wrist and clip-on pedometers to buy now.
Best wrist pedometer under £40
Huawei Band 7
Considering the price, this fitness tracker offers an impressive array of features. Naturally, it tracks steps and distance, but also offers calories burned (which is an estimate based on distance and the metrics you input yourself, e.g. height and weight) as well as tracking sleep time, activity and stand reminders if you need prodding to get up from the desk, and call notifications. A standout feature for runners is its ability to provide running form feedback via its six-axis motion sensor when worn on the shoe. Battery life lasts up to two weeks of regular use between charges, and it's 5ATM water resistant, so can also be worn when swimming.
Best wrist pedometer for under £50
Amazfit Band 7
Calling this just a pedometer somewhat undersells an impressively feature-rich model. It has 120 sports modes, including walking and running, and has a built-in heart-rate monitor so you can track how hard you're really working during your workout. On top of that, it offers sleep monitoring, tracks stress levels and your menstrual cycle and can crunch all your activity and health data into a single 'Personal Activity Intelligence' score. Add in a full colour screen, customisable faces, water resistance, 18-day battery life and Alexa compatibility and you're getting an awful lot of bang for your buck.
Best Fitbit pedometer
Fitbit Inspire 3
Sleekly minimalist and stylish, the Fitbit Inspire 2 measures your heart rate, tracks sleep and - if paired with your phone - provides real time pace and distance metrics, as well as usual phone notifications. It's also swim-proof and has up to 10 days of battery life. A useful feature is its ability to automatically identify workouts like walks, running and bike rides once you have started, and it then stores the info in the companion Fitbit app. A clever 'daily readiness score' offers advice on whether you should go for it that day, or opt for recovery based on your recent health metrics. You can also receive personalised insights via the Fitbit Premium app (a separate paid subscription is required for this).
Best Garmin pedometer
Garmin Vivofit 4
This affordable Garmin tracks your steps, distance and calories and sets you personal goals based on how much you’ve been moving. You can customise the colour display and use it as a simple watch, displaying current time. You can sync it to the Garmin Connect app on your smartphone, allowing you to dive into more detail and keep a track of your progress. The tracker has a battery that will last a year, so it's a great simple option for those looking for something that simply tracks steps as unobtrusively as possible.
Best clip-on pedometers
Best rated on Amazon
Realalt TriSport 3D Pedometer
This easy-to-use pedometer records your steps, distance (you can chose km or miles), an estimate of calories burned and overall exercise time. If you don't want to fiddle around with something that needs to be downloaded or synched with a smartphone via Bluetooth, than this is an ideal gadget – it can store up to 30 days activity so you do still get a sense of progress over a month. It can be easily clipped onto a waistband or pocket and also comes with a lanyard, allowing it to be worn around the neck if you prefer. Other standout features include the large, easy-to-read display, as well as a built-in clock and step goal.
Best pedometer under £10
Mudder Pocket Pedometer
For the price, you wouldn't expect an array of features but what you get is a basic, robust and clearly readable device for the cost of a few cups of coffee. It has a large LCD display which is particularly easy to read, clips on easily to a belt and can be toggled between metric and imperial overall distance, depending on whether you are a mile or km person.
Best pedometer under £30
Omron Walking Style IV Step Counter
Another small, simple and very easy-to-use pedometer, the Omron counts your daily steps, distance travelled and estimates calories burned. Its standout feature is that it also specifically tracks 'aerobic' steps – that is, steps taken as more than 60 per minute for more than 10 minutes. That would, of course, include running but also a brisk walk – the steps that really matter when it comes to keeping fit. The battery is replaceable, but should anyway last a good few months.
The best pedometer for goal setting
Newfeel Onwalk 500
Although you don’t need to aim for 10,000 steps a day, if you need the motivation to stay active and get off the bus a couple of stops before you need to, you’ll enjoy the coaching element of this affordable pedometer. Like plenty of the other pedometers on this list, it will tell you all you need to know – step count, distance, calories burned and active time – but it also specifically alerts you once you've reached the 10,000 goal. The battery is included, and should last a while before it needs replacing.
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