
By the time January 1 rolls around, you’ll need to roll right into your New Year’s resolutions with a clear game plan and the tech necessary to keep you on track. That includes smartwatches, smart rings, smart glasses, and fitness accessories, but also the tech needed for your lifestyle goals related to reading, nutrition, work, and more.
As the site’s resident Wearables lead, eight-time marathoner, and hopeless fitness nerd, I’m someone who takes New Year’s resolutions seriously, using them to stay on task for my running, walking, hiking, steps, strength, cross-training, and weight loss goals. And I’ve reviewed all of the tech necessary to motivate you — and track your progress.
Smartwatches, trackers, & bands
Beginner trackers for basic steps and sleep data
Your affordable couch-to-5K running watch companion
You won’t find a better affordable option than the Garmin Forerunner 165, my best running watch pick for its personalized coaching and run recs that help beginners know where to start. The COROS PACE 4 is a fantastic alternative with better battery life and coach-made 5K plans, with the Suunto Run offering similar perks like dual-band GPS and an AMOLED display.
Fitness watches built for hiking, rucking, and camping
You need a rugged, long-lasting fitness watch that’ll survive the wilderness. The COROS NOMAD has a 3-week battery, maps to keep you on trail, and voice notes to document your journey. The military-grade Instinct 3 features a rucking mode with adjustable pack weight and a flashlight, while the Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro is my colleague Nick’s favorite daily watch, boasting maps and sapphire glass.
Watches for gym rats and indoor workouts
Only a few fitness watches will accurately count your gym reps. The Garmin Venu 4 has a built-in Fitness Coach that mixes cardio with strength and bodyweight workouts, plus training load data and animated exercises. The Balance 2 also tracks gym reps with surprising accuracy. While the Pixel Watch 4 doesn’t track reps, it does have Gemini-powered training plans based on your available equipment.
Fitness bands for athletes who already wear a luxury watch
People used to wearing Rolexes can swap to a fitness watch for workouts, then swap back. But if you’re looking for an all-day tracker you can wear on your other wrist, there are a few subtle, screenless options with accurate data. Since Whoop bands require a subscription, I’ll recommend the Polar Loop and Amazfit Helio Strap as more affordable alternatives.
The best tech accessories to augment your training
HR monitors to improve your workout stats
Even the best smartwatch doesn’t always deliver the most accurate HR results. For people who do lots of high-intensity, anaerobic workouts, an arm or chest strap shows your real-time data more accurately, so you avoid pushing too hard as you get back into fitness.
My fiancée and I love the COROS HRM for gym workouts and running, while the Garmin HRM 200 and Polar H10 chest straps are more accurate (though less comfortable).
Smart glasses that sync with your watch or stream your playlist
Smart glasses are a relatively new category, but the Oakley Meta Vanguard and Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) glasses have blown up in popularity: They stream your phone’s music, take photos or videos, answer questions via Meta AI, and read out your live Garmin watch stats like heart rate and pace. As an alternative, ENGO 2 glasses show your live workout stats in a small HUD.
Why buy these? They’ll protect your eyes, sure, but they’ll also keep you motivated, especially the Meta glasses that can document your fitness journey to share with others — keeping yourself accountable!
Workout earbuds to keep you on pace
You may not think you need smart glasses, but the best workout earbuds are essential for keeping you motivated when you’re pushing past your limits. I use these Shokz OpenFit 2 earbuds daily, with rich sound paired with an open-ear design built for safe outdoor use. The Powerbeats Pro 2 also have a hook, but also a proper seal for ANC focus indoors, while TREBLAB earbuds are more budget-friendly.
Smart scales to track your weight loss goals
My scale, the Withings Body Smart, has an Eyes Closed mode that lets you weigh in without showing the data on the scale, perfect for people with weight anxiety. The Wyze Scale Ultra Bodyscan gives you segmented data, showing where your fat is accumulated, while Etekcity is a popular and affordable body comp option.
Smart rings to keep you honest for your sleep goals
Productivity tech to keep you on task
A new e-ink reader to hit your 2026 reading goals…and more
If you’re someone who prefers physical books or free library books, I respect that! An e-ink reader is lighter and easier for travel or a commute, though, and many recent models support productivity software too, so you can use them to stay organized at work or journal your resolutions progress. These picks are some of our favorites, from premium, full-color options to a basic e-reader.


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