Is a Fitness Tracker Worth It for Beginners in 2026

I have been thinking about buying a fitness tracker to help me stay on track with my daily steps and heart rate. I am currently looking at the latest Fitbit models and the Apple Watch Series 10. It is a big investment for someone who is just starting to get active so I am wondering if it is actually worth the money.

I live in a flat in London and I try to walk as much as possible but it is hard to know if I am reaching my goals without a proper device. I have used my phone in my pocket before but I do not think it is very accurate when I am doing housework or yoga. I want something that encourages me to move more during my lunch break.

Does anyone here find that the data actually changes your behavior? I have heard some people say that they get obsessed with the numbers and it becomes stressful. I just want something to remind me to stand up and maybe track my sleep quality because I have been feeling quite tired lately.

If you have a recommendation for a budget friendly tracker that still has good features please let me know. I am especially interested in how the battery life holds up on the newer models because I do not want to charge it every single night.