You can’t really change your lungs mid-marathon like a spare tire.

However, you can track your oxygen levels to optimize performance and maintain your best physical form.

This critical performance metric can be easily monitored using one tool — a pulse oximeter.

If you’re an athlete or sports enthusiast, we recommend investing in a dependable SpO₂ monitor, as it can truly transform your fitness journey.

In this guide, we bring you the best of the best pulse oximeters for athletes in terms of portability, real-time monitoring, and comfort.

So let’s get started. 

Top Picks for Athletes

Products	Key features	Best for	Price range
Zacurate 500DL Fingertip Pulse Oximeter	✔️Medical grade accuracy ✔️Measures oxygen levels and pulse rate BPM ✔️LED display ✔️±2% error margin	Sports, biking, mountain climbing, hiking, fitness enthusiasts	$22 – $24
Wellue O2Ring Oxygen Monitor	✔️FDA cleared ✔️Measures oxygen levels pulse rate and motion ✔️±2% error margin ✔️Supports app connectivity	Sports, running, altitude training, cycling, fitness enthusiasts	$152 – $184
Garmin Vivoactive 6	✔️Measures oxygen levels and heart rate ✔️Provide insight on different health metrics  ✔️AMOLED display  ✔️Built in GPS, compass and thermometer sensors	Swimming, running, altitude training, fitness enthusiasts, cycling, weight lifting	$299 – $305

Best Pulse Oximeters – Detailed Reviews

In sports, oximeter accuracy matters the most. And with so many options available, finding a dependable device can be both overwhelming and tiring.

To save you the hassle we have analyzed customer feedback, ease of use and accuracy to bring you the top three oxygen saturation monitors for athletes. 

1. Zacurate 500DL Fingertip Pulse Oximeter

Zacurate 500DL Pro Series Fingertip Pulse Oximeter — a SpO2 monitor, runners and all athletes need for spot checking.

This fingertip oximeter ranks no. 1 in Athletic & Aviation Pulse Oximeters on amazon for just the right reasons:

It’s cheap. It’s accurate. And it fits easily in your pocket. 

Whether you are measuring your blood oxygen saturation before, during, or after a workout — the device’s straightforward design saves you the hassle and gives you results in under 10 minutes. 

So if you are looking for a lightweight fingertip oximeter, then the Zacurate 500DL Pro Series Fingertip Pulse Oximeter is a great option. 

Product Specs: 

• Measures parameters such as SpO2 levels and pulse rate 
• Compact device dimensions of 1.97 x 1.97 x 0.79 inches 
• Powered by 2 AAA batteries
• Offers +/-2% measurement accuracy of SpO2 and PR
• Features an LED display

✔️ Pros

• Lightweight and portable
• Delivers quick results in 10 seconds
• Affordable price point
• Simple display and user-friendly for beginners

⚠️ Cons

• Lacks Bluetooth and app connectivity for detailed analysis
• Provides insight into basic health parameters only
• Susceptible to producing inaccurate readings due to motion sensitivity 

User feedback:

2. Wellue O2Ring Oxygen Monitor

Searching for a compact and wearable pulse oximeter? Then this one’s for you! 

The Wellue O2 Ring by Viatom not only offers continuous monitoring, but with its adjustable ring design, you will hardly notice wearing it during an intense workout.

The device also received FDA clearance in early 2025, making accuracy one of its strongest points.

But here’s the best part — its adjustable brightness feature enables you to track oxygen levels between your training sessions in broad daylight.

Product Specs: 

• Continuous tracking of SpO2 levels and pulse rate
• Ring circumference ranges from 2.0″ to 3.2″ (50-82 mm).
• Offers ±2% accuracy
• Powered by a rechargeable lithium-polymer battery

✔️ Pros

• Continuous monitoring in real time
• Lightweight and comfortable 
• Dust and water resistant
• Adjustable display brightness
• Vibration alerts in case of abnormal readings

⚠️ Cons

• Requires the use of a smartphone app to access full features 
• Expensive compared to average pulse oximeters  

User feedback:

3. Garmin Vivoactive 6

Garmin Vivoactive 6 is for all the sports enthusiasts and athletes who don’t settle for the basics.

This multi-purpose smartwatch is not only a fitness oxygen tracker but also helps track your stress levels and respiration rate.

In addition to monitoring health parameters, the long battery life and GPS tracking support different sports modes such as cycling, running, swimming, and climbing. 

So this one’s a bit of a splurge, but we are not really complaining, considering the premium features it has to offer.

Product Specs:

• Measures heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, respiration rate, and VO₂ max estimation
• Long battery life of up to 11 days
• Features GPS tracking
• Wrist circumference measures between 125 and 190 mm.
• Offers Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity
• Coloured AMOLED touchscreen

✔️ Pros

• Provides insight into multiple fitness metrics other than SpO₂ and pulse rate
• Robust design and strong build suitable for various sports modes
• Smart features like music storage and health parameter monitoring all in one device
• Provides app support for in-depth analysis of fitness parameters

⚠️ Cons

• Continuous SpO2 monitoring and using multiple features at the same time drains the battery fast.
• Given the high price point, the features are still few.
• Inaccurate wrist placement may result in compromised SpO₂ measurement.
• The silicone band is susceptible to breakage 

User feedback:

Buying Guide for Athletes

Your oximeter needs to be your training partner, not just an average gadget, and there are a few non-negotiables that no athlete should overlook:

👉 Device specifications — Whether you are investing in an affordable or an expensive model, your outdoor pulse oximeter should be able to keep up with your pace.

You specifically want to look for:

• Long battery life
• Bluetooth or app connectivity
• Water or dust resistance

👉 Comfort and portability — This one’s a must because the last thing you need during a training session is a clunky gadget that weighs you down. 

Since continuous monitoring requires extended wear, a loose and heavy pulse oximeter will give noisy data while you are in motion. 

So, look for a pulse oximeter that is sleek, lightweight, and fits you snugly. 

👉 Accuracy at elevated heart rates — Your pulse oximeter needs to keep its cool under pressure when you are crushing that last lap. 

Elevated heart rate is one of the factors for inaccuracy in SpO2 readings and can cause most pulse oximeters to underestimate results above 140 bpm. 

Therefore, it’s essential to select pulse oximeters that have received ISO certification, FDA clearance, or undergone multiple clinical trials to ensure the device maintains accuracy. 

Now, before you gear up, take a look at this video to understand what to expect while using a pulse oximeter during your training sessions:

 FAQs

Final Verdict 

One size doesn’t fit all, and when it comes to pulse oximeters, that applies both figuratively and literally. 

Besides our top picks, we would like to give an honorable mention to the Fitbit Charge 3 SpO₂ monitor and the Withings Pulse O₂.

Both of these models have been a hit among fitness junkies by blending comfort and reliable SpO2 reading.

But, at the end of the day, the best pulse oximeter for you is the one that fits into your fitness routine and does not compromise on the essential features — durability, accuracy, and comfort.