It was a huge year for fitness trackers: not only did we see sleeker, smarter wristband wearables surface from the major players in the space like Fitbit and Jawbone, big tech manufacturers like Samsung and Microsoft threw products into the ever-saturated ring, too.

But there’s good reason for its popularity — in addition to tracking steps taken, calories burned and your sleep cycle, fitness trackers promote healthy living. They’re for true fitness enthusiasts, who want to stay on track when working out or training for races and marathons, but also the casual user who just wants a nudge to get off the couch. There’s also typically a social component, allowing you to compete against friends for virtual trophies and bragging rights.

So now that it’s gift buying season, there are so many — too many! — options to choose from. But don’t worry, we have you covered. Here’s a look at our picks for the good, better and best fitness trackers to buy:

Good: Garmin vivofit ($129.99)

The Garmin vivofit is among the top fitness trackers for rigorous workout junkies. The waterproof device, which comes with a curved display, learns user’s fitness habits and sets different daily goals. Although it has an accompanying app for a deeper look at the tracked data, whatever you need can be highlighted directly on the display, so you don’t have to grab your smartphone to see all of your stats.

And unlike competing trackers that need recharging after a few days, the vivofit can last up to a full year on one charge (it comes with two user-replaceable coin cell batteries). There are five colors to choose from — black, purple, teal, blue and slate — and in two sizes: small and large. A bundle with a heart-rate monitor is available for $169.99, allowing users to get more accurate calorie-burn information while working out.

Better: Jawbone UP3 ($179)

The Jawbone UP3 is the sleekest fitness tracker you’ll find — and it’s smaller than its previous UP24 model (see above photo). It’s much smarter too: it comes with advanced activity features that can differentiate exercises, such as swimming, running and tennis, to better gauge calories. It also includes sleep tracking, which can signify REM, light and deep sleep.

Upcoming updates to the corresponding software will eventually clue you in to when you’re dehydrated, stressed and fatigued, so it can make feedback and suggestions beyond just pushing you activity stats. But as of now, there aren’t any smart notifications (largely because there isn’t a screen). And because there isn’t a display, it packs a long-term battery punch, promising up to seven days of tracking in one charge. Other perks: you can swim with it and it comes with a watch-style clasp that adjusts the size of the band and holds it in place.

Best: Fitbit Charge ($129.95)

The Fitbit Charge is the replacement to the ailed Fitbit Force that was recalled six months ago after users reported allergic reactions to the wristband. Although the devices are similar, there’s a lot to love about the new one: first, it’s a bit lighter and the clasp has been tweaked to avoid it from falling off the wrist.

It still monitors steps taken, calories burned and displays the time, but allows you to track sleeping without needing to put it in sleep mode (a nice perk). These little tweaks (as well as updates to user-friendly corresponding app) make the Fitbit Charge our top pick for fitness trackers this holiday.

While the recently announced Fitbit Charge HR and Fitbit Surge won’t be available until early next year (both track continuous heart rate), this makes the standard Fitbit Charge the best option available for now.

Honorable Mentions

Low-cost option: Misfit Flash ($49)

The Misfit Flash might not be the smartest, most innovative fitness tracker on the market, but it’s certainly among the cheapest. At just $49 — well less than other models that start in the $120+ range — it does everything you’d likely need to track workouts (steps, distance and so on) and your sleep cycle. The face of the Flash acts as one big button. By pressing it, you can view your progress, time and activities. It comes with a bright red LED display and is available in neon colors. It’s not as sleek as the others, but it gets the job done at more than half the price.

Note: The Jawbone UP Move ($49) fitness tracker is a solid low-cost option, too. The core pops into a plastic wristband, but it can also be clipped to your clothes or snuck into your pocket. Like the Fitbit Flash, it tracks steps, calories and sleep, but because it integrates with Jawbone’s app software and ecosystem, users are privvy to a reliably smooth experience.

The smartwatch/fitness tracker hybrid: The Microsoft Band ($199)

The Microsoft Band ($199) is not what you want if you’re looking for a straight up fitness tracker — it’s big and clunky (not something you’d want to use all of the time) — but it has a lot of smart features that the others do not: in addition to tracking fitness and a built-in heart-rate monitor, you can get call, text and tweet/Facebook notifications directly on the display and even use it to pay for a cup of coffee. For fitness enthusiasts who are addicted smartphones, the Microsoft Band is the tracker/smartwatch hybrid worthy of your attention.

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