Best 2025 Smartwatches for step counting accuracy

#1 Google Pixel Watch 4
5.0

Step counting accuracy had limited but strong evidence from one manual-count test.

Pros: step counting accuracy, charging speed

Cons: stress tracking, band quality

#2 OnePlus Watch 3
4.8

Step counting was praised in one detailed comparison as very close to manual counts.

Pros: blood oxygen tracking, step counting accuracy

Cons: LTE connectivity, calorie tracking usefulness

#3 Amazfit Active 2
4.7

Step counting was one of the stronger basic metrics, with reviewers reporting close comparisons or very accurate results.

Pros: pairing reliability, value for money

Cons: stress tracking, onboard music storage

#4 Coros Pace 4
4.5

Step counts were reported as aligning well with Garmin and Apple watches in testing.

Pros: comfort, value for money

Cons: third-party app support, contactless payments

#5 Garmin Forerunner 570
4.5

Step counting accuracy had limited positive evidence, with one controlled walk test missing by only about 40 steps.

Pros: charging speed, GPS accuracy

Cons: ECG functionality, smartphone notifications

#6 Garmin Venu 4
4.4

Step counting performed well in explicit testing and event use, with exact or sound counts reported despite separate distance-tracking hiccups.

Pros: activity auto-detection, style and design

Cons: LTE connectivity, charging convenience

#7 Samsung Galaxy Watch 8
4.3

Step counting was considered good overall, with manual checks lining up and only small offsets in one comparison.

Pros: third-party app support, heart rate accuracy

Cons: music controls, cross-platform compatibility

#8 Garmin Instinct 3
4.2

Step counting accuracy has limited support from a broader wellness-metrics judgment that steps remain reliable and accessible.

Pros: customization options, charging speed

Cons: onboard music storage, voice assistant quality

#9 Garmin Vivoactive 6
4.1

Step counting is generally reliable against other trackers, though one reviewer saw an inconsistent first test before better later results.

Pros: software smoothness, comfort

Cons: LTE connectivity, voice assistant quality

#10 Motorola Moto Watch Fit
4.0

Step tracking was included in the basic metrics that seemed to work well, with one review saying workouts were logged accurately overall.

Pros: software smoothness, menu navigation

Cons: contactless payments, stress tracking

#11 Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025)
4.0

Step counting is strong during normal arm-swinging walks, with a caveat that carts or strollers reduce accuracy.

Pros: LTE connectivity, pairing reliability

Cons: antioxidant index, blood oxygen tracking

#12 Amazfit Bip 6
3.7

Step counting was mostly acceptable against other trackers, but Wareable saw day-to-day variation.

Pros: value for money, battery life

Cons: contactless payments, stress tracking

#13 CMF Watch 3 Pro
3.3

Step counting had limited but mixed evidence, with one reviewer reporting a wide variance and another finding it close enough against a Garmin comparison.

Pros: workout tracking variety, user interface

Cons: Wi-Fi connectivity, onboard music storage

#14 Amazfit Active Max
3.0

Step counting had limited evidence and was described as slightly imprecise in one detailed review.

Pros: workout tracking variety, outdoor visibility

Cons: calorie tracking usefulness, safety features

#15 Suunto Run
2.8

Step counting accuracy was inconsistent: several reviewers found counts low, while one reviewer found steps nearly perfect in their use.

Pros: comfort, value for money

Cons: contactless payments, Wi-Fi connectivity

#16 Suunto Vertical 2
2.5

Step counting had a minor accuracy concern, with one reviewer saying the watch frequently overcounted steps.

Pros: operating system experience, materials quality

Cons: contactless payments, onboard music storage

#17 Suunto Race 2
2.0

Step counting was a recurring weak spot in the evidence, with reviewers saying the Race 2 miscalculated steps or produced very low counts.

Pros: operating system experience, brightness

Cons: safety features, health tracking accuracy