Fitbit stands out among other brands by successfully incorporating features that cater to both fitness enthusiasts and general consumers in a single smartwatch. What sets them apart is their ability to introduce groundbreaking features that make their smartwatches truly unique compared to their competitors. Even after being acquired by Google in 2020, Fitbit continues to excel in the smartwatch industry.
While Fitbit may not have the largest range of smartwatches and wearables compared to other brands, they are renowned for prioritizing quality over quantity.
In this article, we will explore the top choices from Fitbit’s smart wearable lineup. For those interested in Fitbit devices, we highly recommend the Fitbit Sense and Fitbit Versa 4. However, Fitbit also offers products that cater to different needs and budgets. Continue reading to discover more about their other watch options.
Best Fitbit Smartwatch Reviews
1. Fitbit Sense
Fitbit’s latest smartwatch, the Fitbit Sense, is undoubtedly their best offering. This watch boasts the most advanced features from the brand, taking inspiration from their popular Versa series while making significant improvements to rival well-known watches like the Apple Watch.
Compared to the Versa Series, the Sense offers an even more luxurious appearance. It showcases a stainless steel frame and an aluminum body, exuding a premium feel. The screen is safeguarded by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, ensuring durability even during intense activities. Fitbit also provides various color options for the Sense, allowing you to personalize it according to your style.
What truly sets the Fitbit Sense apart as an upgrade to the Versa series is its extensive range of health tracking options. It introduces an EDA scan for stress management, which measures the sweat on your skin. This process is incredibly simple, requiring only the placement of your palm on top of the smartwatch.
Furthermore, the Fitbit Sense is the first Fitbit device to include an onboard ECG application. With just a single-lead ECG, you can obtain results within 30 seconds. The Sense also supports temperature tracking, which is conducted during sleep.
Similar to the Versa 3, the Fitbit Sense incorporates a built-in GPS. This means you can now go for runs without relying on your smartphone. It accurately tracks your route, pace, distance, and completion time.
The speech-to-text feature enhances message responses, making it convenient for texting. Whether it’s responding to messages or interacting with your smartwatch, the Fitbit Sense ensures a faster and more efficient experience. Additionally, it supports both Alexa and Google Assistant, catering to a wide range of devices. This dual assistant compatibility ensures that Android users, accustomed to the Google Assistant, feel right at home.
2. Fitbit Versa 4
The Fitbit Versa 4 has been extensively tested and proven to be an exceptional smartwatch for step tracking. However, its accuracy in providing heart rate readings for overall fitness tracking falls short. Nevertheless, if your main priority is staying active and reaching your daily step goals, this smartwatch is an excellent choice.
Furthermore, the Versa 4 stands out with its slim profile and sleek metallic finishes, making it visually appealing. While it shares similarities with the Fitbit Sense 2, it is a more cost-effective option for those on a tighter budget or less interested in stress-tracking. Rest assured, the Versa 4 still offers reliable sleep-tracking and various additional benefits accessible through Fitbit Premium.
Fitbit continues to follow the “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” approach when it comes to design, and this decision proves to be wise. Despite its large bezel, the Fitbit Versa series is one of the most attractive smartwatches available, thanks to its softly curved edges and sturdy frame.
The Fitbit Versa 4 performs smoothly in daily use, although the bundled strap may cause some discomfort. Its long-lasting battery can go almost a week without needing to be charged. The AMOLED screen displays notifications, reminders, and celebrations for achieving step or active minute goals.
Additionally, the device accurately detects extended periods of movement and suggests tracking a walk. With 40 tracked exercises available, double the previous amount, the device offers a wide range of options for exercise monitoring, although the usefulness of all these exercises may vary.
3. Fitbit Versa 2
The Fitbit Versa 2 is a fantastic option for those willing to compromise on some features for a great value smartwatch. It embodies the essence of a contemporary fitness smartwatch with its sleek design, stunning OLED display, long-lasting battery life, and built-in virtual assistant (Alexa).
The Versa 2 boasts a rectangular design reminiscent of more expensive models like the Apple Watch, along with a visually appealing screen and a more streamlined overall look. Its band is crafted from flexible, sturdy materials for a comfortable fit.
Featuring a 1.4-inch AMOLED display, this watch delivers a crisp, vivid, and bright screen. Additionally, it utilizes Corning Gorilla Glass for enhanced protection against accidental impacts and falls.
However, the appeal of this watch extends beyond its visual appeal. It boasts exceptional sleep and health tracking capabilities as well. Equipped with a 3-axis accelerometer, optical heart rate monitor, altimeter, ambient light sensor, vibration motor, relative SpO2 sensor, and a built-in microphone, the Fitbit Versa 2 offers a comprehensive range of sensors.
Remarkably, the watch can last up to three days on a single charge, which is quite impressive considering its extensive features. Unlike other options in a similar price range, you can enjoy the watch’s various activities for an extended period of time.
The primary distinction between the Versa 2 and the Versa 3 lies in the built-in GPS feature of the Versa 3. If you opt for the Versa 2, you will need to carry your smartphone during outdoor runs. However, considering the exceptional feature set of the Versa 2, this minor inconvenience is a small price to pay.
In conclusion, if you desire a visually appealing watch with advanced health and activity tracking capabilities, the Fitbit Versa 2 is an excellent choice.
4. Fitbit Charge 5
The Fitbit Charge 5 boasts a sophisticated and comfortable design, providing a plethora of health and fitness features. With its advanced heart rate monitoring, ECG application, and SpO2 sensor, it offers comprehensive insights into heart health and sleep quality. Additionally, it comes with built-in GPS and a long-lasting battery, making it perfect for tracking various activities. However, some users may find the screen’s responsiveness lacking, and music lovers might view the absence of on-device music storage as a drawback.
Upon a cursory examination of the Fitbit Charge 5, one can readily discern the factors contributing to its higher price in comparison to the Fitbit Charge 4. The previous monochromatic display has been substituted with a striking full-color AMOLED panel. Moreover, the display dimensions are noticeably larger than those of the Luxe, which served as Fitbit’s initial tracker to showcase a color screen.
Throughout the day, the heart rate tracking accuracy on the Charge 5 is on par with previous Fitbit devices. The average resting heart rate recorded by the tracker aligns with the readings obtained from a finger clip pulse oximeter.
However, I encountered an atypical issue with heart rate measurements during workouts. At the onset of certain exercises, the recorded heart rate would commence at a significantly higher level than it actually was. Even if my resting heart rate was approximately 50BPM while seated at my desk, the tracker would exhibit a much higher heart rate, occasionally surpassing 100BPM. After a minute or two, the tracker would gradually decrease and approach my actual heart rate. This inconsistency resulted in inaccurate workout data.
The Fitbit Charge 5 is an exceptional fitness tracker, offering distinctive features such as an EDA scanner that are not commonly found in other trackers. Additionally, it provides premium functionalities like NFC payment support, typically reserved for high-end trackers.
5. Fitbit Inspire 2
The Fitbit Inspire 2 serves as an entry-level fitness tracker within the Fitbit product line, boasting the longest battery life among its counterparts. Additionally, it stands out as one of the most cost-effective fitness trackers available.
This device presents a viable option to the Fitbit Charge 4 for fitness tracking purposes, offering numerous impressive features at a reasonable price point.
Equipped with an OLED touch screen, the Inspire 2 delivers responsive functionality. However, due to its smaller size compared to other smartwatches, the text displayed on the screen may appear relatively small.
Featuring approximately 20 workout modes, this watch includes sensors such as a heart rate tracker and an accelerometer to enhance activity tracking capabilities. While lacking built-in GPS, users can leverage their mobile phones for GPS functionality.
Compact, slender, and lightweight, the Inspire 2 ensures comfort during physical activities and even while monitoring sleep patterns at night. With a water resistance of up to 164 feet, users can confidently wear the device while swimming or showering, eliminating the need for frequent removal.
Data recorded by the device can be seamlessly synced with the Fitbit app for easy activity monitoring and goal setting. Boasting a battery life of up to 10 days, the Inspire 2 eliminates the need for daily charging and is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.
Final Word
Fitbit, established in 2007, is a prominent American brand specializing in fitness and health products. Through its cutting-edge health-oriented devices, Fitbit has emerged as a leader in the wearable technology market. Fitbit’s smartwatches boast comparable functionalities to premium options like the Apple Watch and Wear OS watches.
However, what sets them apart is their expertise in health and fitness. Leveraging their background, Fitbit introduces groundbreaking concepts through their watches to enhance the well-being of their users.
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