You don’t have to spend a fortune to get into shape. While new fitness trackers can add up to hundreds of dollars, a renewed fitness tracker includes all the same functionality at a fraction of the cost. This certified refurbished model has been renewed to a ‘like new’ condition and is an affordable offer on health tracking without having to pay the premium.
In this guide, we will take a look at several high-quality refurbished fitness trackers that offer great value. If you’re just starting to get in shape or are a gym pro in need of backup equipment, it’s clear that you don’t need to spend big in order to keep track of how far you’ve come.
Why Choose Refurbished Fitness Trackers?
Save Money Without Sacrificing Quality
You can expect to save 30-50% off the brand-new price of a fitness tracker when you buy refurbished. And that price discrepancy can put a little something extra in your pocket for premium features that are otherwise out of reach. Lots of refurbished units are returns, so-called display units, or had superficial blemishes that never impacted the device’s performance.
Environmental Benefits
Picking refurbished electronics also helps reduce e-waste. Not only are you keeping them out of landfills, but they get a second life — and you save money in the process. It’s a win-win for you and the planet.
Warranty Protection
Quality manufacturers give warranties for the refurbished fitness bands, which may vary from 30 days to one year. This safeguard ensures you don’t have to worry about your investment!
Best 5 Refurbished Fitness Trackers Worth Your Consideration
1. Apple Watch Series 7 (Refurbished)
The Apple Watch Series 7 is still one of the most full-featured fitness trackers on the market, even if you’re buying it refurbished. Its massive bright display lets you easily read your stats during workouts, and the advanced health monitoring keeps you in the know about your wellness.
Key Features:
- 45mm Always-On Retina display
- Blood oxygen monitoring
- ECG readings
- Fall detection
- Water resistant to 50 meters
- GPS tracking for outdoor activities
Health Features: The Series 7 is also good at tracking health metrics. It continuously monitors your heart rate, measures blood oxygen levels and can take ECG readings (you just place your finger on the crown). From sleep tracking to recovery optimization—our Sleep Plus Stages feature gives you details on how you slept, and how you can recover better.
Fitness Features: Tracks everything from running to biking to swimming to yoga with built-in exercise modes. Its GPS is precise for tracking outdoor activities, and accelerometer and gyroscope keep tabs on the day’s movements.
Average Refurbished Price: $200-280 (vs. $399+ new)
Who it’s for: iPhone users who appreciate comprehensive health tracking with some smart features at a lower price point.
2. Fitbit Charge 5 (Refurbished)
The Fitbit Charge 5 finds an excellent middle ground between feature set and longevity. This polished tracker delivers high-level health stats without sacrificing the simplicity that made Fitbit famous.
Standout Features:
- Built-in GPS for phone-free tracking
- Stress management tools
- Skin temperature monitoring
- 7-day battery life
- Color AMOLED display
- Water resistant up to 50 meters
Health & Wellness: In addition to simple step counting, the Charge 5 tracks your stress and offers guided breathing exercises. The skin temperature sensor measures changes that could be associated with illness or ovulation, making it useful for general health tracking.
Activity Tracking: Charge 5 automatically recognizes and records various activities with 20+ exercise modes. It has a built-in GPS, so you can leave your phone at home during runs or bike rides and still record accurate distance and pace data.
Average Refurbished Price: $80-120 (versus $179+ new)
Ideal for: Android and iPhone users who want reliable tracking and great battery life
3. Garmin Venu 2 (Refurbished)
The Venu 2 is a good pick for serious athletes, given Garmin’s reputation for GPS accuracy. This high-end tracker offers both comprehensive sports test results and smart features, all in a stylish package.
Advanced Sports Features:
- Support for precise tracking of multi-GNSS satellites
- Animated workout demonstrations
- Golf course maps and scorecards
- Swimming stroke detection
- Advanced running dynamics
Health Tracking: Venu 2 is able to monitor breathing, stress, energy levels and sleep. Pulse Ox sensors measure your blood oxygen saturation to help gauge how you’re adjusting to high altitudes and the device also tracks how you’re sleeping, for a complete picture of your fitness and training needs.
Smart Features: In addition to health and fitness functions, the Venu 2 looks after notifications, music storage and contactless payments via Garmin Pay. The AMOLED display is clear enough to be seen even in full sunlight.
Average Refurbished Price: $180-250 (vs. $349+ new)
Best For: Runners, triathletes, and outdoor athletes who crave detailed metrics and precise GPS tracking
4. Samsung Galaxy Watch4 (Refurbished)
The Samsung Galaxy Watch4 is one of the first fitness trackers to crossover from Google’s Wear OS for a power combo that provides health and fitness monitoring with smart connectivity.
Unique Health Features:
- Body composition analysis with BIA sensors
- Blood pressure monitoring (after calibration)
- ECG readings
- Continuous SpO2 monitoring
- Advanced sleep monitoring with REM detection
Fitness Features: The Watch4 can track more than 90 workouts automatically, delivering insights into your workout. Track outdoor activities and receive precise GPS-based pace and distance measurement with this product, the heart rate monitor included gives you info based on zone training.
Smart Integration: With Google’s Wear OS, your watch will automatically update by tapping into new features and thousands of apps on the Google Play Store. With voice commands through your Google Assistant, it’s easy to start workouts, see when your next meeting is or check your progress on a goal hands-free.
Average Refurbished Price: $120-180 (vs. new, $249+)
Best For: Android users (specifically Samsung phone users) looking for in-depth health tracking
5. Amazfit GTR 3 (Refurbished)
The Amazfit GTR 3 provides a lot for your money from new – and when refurbished, it’s practically a bargain. This tracker is designed for all-day health monitoring, with great battery life.
Comprehensive Health Suite:
- 24/7 heart rate monitoring
- Blood oxygen saturation tracking
- Stress level measurement
- Sleep quality tracking with REM stages
- PAI health assessment system
Wide Range of Workouts: The GTR 3 can help you track 150+ sports modes to match your sport’s target metrics. With GPS built in, the watch can even track your route when going outdoors for your workout. The watch supports intelligent identification for 16 kinds of workouts with real-time fitness tracking.
Outstanding Battery Life: You can expect to use up to 21 days on a single charge, and 12 days for heavy users. This long battery life amounts to less time charging and more time focusing on your progress.
Average Refurbished Cost: $60-$90 (versus $179+ new)
Who’s a Good Fit: Budget-conscious users who don’t want to sacrifice great features or battery life
Comparison Table: Key Specifications
| Feature | Apple Watch S7 | Fitbit Charge 5 | Garmin Venu 2 | Galaxy Watch4 | Amazfit GTR 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 45mm OLED | Color AMOLED | 1.3-inch AMOLED | 1.4-inch SAMOLED | 1.39-inch AMOLED |
| Battery Life | 18 hours | 7 days | 11 days | 1-2 days | 21 days |
| GPS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Water Rating | 50m | 50m | 50m | 50m | 50m |
| Heart Rate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep Tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Price Range | $200-280 | $80-120 | $180-250 | $120-180 | $60-90 |
What to Consider When Buying Refurbished
Seller Reputation
Select from reputable retailers or manufacturers’ certified refurbishment programs. These often have higher quality controls and support than those of individual sellers.
Warranty Coverage
Always check the warranty terms before you buy. Quality refurbs also come with a return period, typically at least 30 days (though many such devices offer 90 days to a year of coverage.)
Condition Grades
Many sellers employ rating systems to make the cosmetic condition explicit:
- Grade A: Appears and works like new with slight signs of wear
- Grade B: Small scratches and scuffs that do not affect functionality
- Grade C: There are wear marks but it is still fully functional
Included Accessories
You’ll want to make sure you know what you’re getting before you pay for it. Original charging cables, the documentation, a box, matter to some, but aftermarket items are fine for basic operation.
Return Policy
Make sure you can return the device if you don’t like it. A good return policy shows the seller’s faith in their refurbishing process.
Maximizing Your Refurbished Fitness Tracker
Initial Setup Tips
Once you get your refurbished tracker, be sure to fully charge it before using it for the first time. Download your companion app and create your account to unlock all features. Most trackers must be paired with a smartphone for full functionality.
Calibration and Customization
Take the time to input your correct personal details such as height, weight, and activity level. This information helps the tracker give you more precise estimates on your calorie burn and fitness insights. Calibrate characteristics such as stride length by matching tracker distance with known route information.
Firmware Updates
Check for and install any firmware updates. These updates typically improve accuracy, add new features, and resolve known issues. Keep your tracker up to date for best results.
Band and Accessory Options
What is good is that, for popular fitness trackers at least, you have a ton of options for replacement bands. Third-party options are more affordable than official accessories and come in different styles and materials.
Long-term Ownership Considerations
Battery Replacement
As with all gadgets, the batteries in fitness trackers deteriorate with age. The majority of modern trackers incorporate sealed designs that are difficult to open to change batteries. Make sure to consider the possibility of battery degradation when you decide to buy, particularly for older refurbished ones.
Software Support
Software for older models becomes obsolete as manufacturers cease to maintain them. Research the average time a company supports its tracker so you will get updates for a sufficient period.
Upgrade Path
Think about how the refurbished tracker fits into your overall, long-term fitness tech needs. There are buyers who buy refurbished models every few years in order to have the latest features and those who keep a device for many years.
Making the Smart Choice
Refurbished fitness trackers are a great value for those new to health and fitness technology. With these five models, you’re seeing proven performance and major cost savings. It’s just a matter of finding a model that fills your needs with the features best for what you have planned while making sure that you pick a reputable source for the purchase.
The best fitness tracker is the one you’ll actually wear and use on a consistent basis. Whether you go for the feature-packed Apple Watch Series 7 or the budget-oriented Amazfit GTR 3, the priority is finding a device that inspires you to keep moving and tracking your health.
It’s worth taking a few moments to check out sellers, review feedback, and inspect warranty details before you buy. A refurbished fitness tracker, if you end up with the right one, can be a fantastic companion to help you on your journey to health and fitness while saving you a lot of money.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are refurbished fitness trackers reliable?
Yes, refurbished fitness trackers are reliable if you buy from reliable sellers. These items are tested and repaired as needed to ensure they perform properly. A lot of them even have warranties that can give you extra coverage on defects.
How much can I save by purchasing refurbished?
You would typically expect to save 30-50% compared with new prices. Premium models like the Apple Watch tend to have the highest dollar savings, while budget options may have more modest savings in absolute terms but similar percentage discounts.
What’s the difference between refurbished and used?
Refurbished products have been inspected and tested by sellers and are eligible to be purchased with warranties. Pre-owned devices are sold without pre-sale refurbishment. Refurbished goods generally come with warranties and return policies that used items usually lack.
Are refurbished fitness trackers eligible for software updates?
Yes, a refurbished fitness tracker gets the same software updates as a new one. As long as the manufacturer supports that model, your refurbished tracker will receive new features and security updates; it may not have the latest hardware inside, but it will have a long product life cycle.
If my refurbished tracker is not functioning, how do I proceed?
First, communicate with the seller about the warranty claim. Most trusted vendors will fix broken units under warranty. If warranty is expired, ask if the manufacturer provides paid repair service.
How long do fitness tracker batteries generally last?
For typical use, fitness tracker batteries last about 2-3 years. Batteries deplete faster with heavy GPS use, bright displays and frequent notifications, not just counting steps.
Should I buy refurbished, or wait for new-model sales?
It really depends on your timeframe and budget. Refurbished models supply instant savings and availability, while sales on new versions can appear over time but may not measure up to savings for refurbished versions. If you need a tracker in the short term and are looking to save the most, refurbished is generally the way to go.
