Greatest Fitbit health trackers and watches in 2023

In 2023, you would possibly marvel if Fitbit continues to be related. Regardless of getting acquired by Google, Fitbit stays one of the crucial recognizable names within the business. Fitbit trackers aren’t meant for essentially the most hardcore of athletes, however they’re nonetheless glorious units for monitoring total exercise in addition to monitoring sure well being and wellness metrics like EKGs and blood oxygen ranges. 

That stated, the following few years might be a transition interval from the Fitbit of outdated to no matter Fitbit might be going ahead. I wasn’t impressed with a latest resolution to sundown legacy neighborhood options like challenges, the latest elimination of step streaks, or the truth that all Fitbit accounts would require you to log in through Google by 2025. (Talking of which, the Fitbit-to-Google account migration began this summer season and is required should you purchase new merchandise just like the Fitbit Cost 6 or Google Pixel Watch 2.) Earlier this fall, the Fitbit app additionally bought a brand new, extra Google-like makeover.

What I’m in search of

Battery life

Fitbits are likely to have longer battery life than extra superior smartwatches. Most are estimated to final round 5 days, however we’ve discovered that some options like an always-on show can drastically impression the time between expenses. So I’m seeking to see what you may realistically anticipate with “common” use.

Characteristic set

Most Fitbits share the identical primary function set like steps, timers, and notifications. Nevertheless, not each mannequin is able to EKG or real-time stress monitoring. The identical goes for built-in GPS. Does the function set make sense given the value? Is it lacking one thing that it shouldn’t be?

Value

Fitbit has usually been a extra reasonably priced various to smartwatches, however this area has modified fairly a bit in the previous few years. There are extra choices than ever, so does this machine supply good worth?

Who’s it for?

This encompasses quite a bit, however particularly when it comes to the general type issue. If it’s for an informal person, is the design versatile sufficient for quite a lot of events? If it is geared toward children or athletes, are the straps sturdy sufficient?

Whereas Fitbit’s future is a tad murky, there are causes to stay with its trackers within the meantime. Fitbit trackers are comparatively reasonably priced, particularly since they usually go on sale. All of the units include a free trial to Fitbit Premium, the corporate’s subscription service that provides guided exercises, meditations, and entry to extra in-depth metrics. As long as you’re conscious that adjustments lie forward, listed here are the very best Fitbits to purchase.

Greatest Fitbit smartwatch

$350

The brand new Google Pixel Watch 2 now achieves a dependable 24 hours on a single cost with the always-on show enabled. It sports activities a brand new processor, multipath well being sensor, Put on OS 4, and new security options. Throughout a considerable replace.

The existence of the Pixel Watch, now in its second technology, has thrown a wrench into Fitbit’s smartwatch lineup. Technically, it’s a Google product, however Google owns Fitbit, in order that they’re all Google merchandise now. Fitbit powers the entire Pixel Watch’s well being and health options. However actually, that is the smartwatch that Fitbit by no means might handle to construct by itself.

It’s bought a ravishing design with a round domed show that appears far more elegant than the squircle Versa or Sense smartwatches ever did. In your wrist, it seems like a watch, not a tracker dressed up as one. The show is a bit fragile for our tastes, however with the Pixel Watch 2, now you can get a Most popular Care prolonged guarantee within the US and Canada. That is one purpose we advocate the Pixel Watch 2 over the unique since at the very least you have got a extra reasonably priced fallback ought to one thing occur to your show.

Talking of which, the Pixel Watch 2 is a major replace. All of the Fitbit options that have been lacking at launch with the unique are current, like nightly SpO2, automated exercise monitoring, and irregular excessive or low coronary heart charge notifications. The brand new multipath sensor additionally purportedly delivers extra correct coronary heart charge information for vigorous actions, plus there’s a brand new cEDA sensor and pores and skin temperature sensor. The latter two add proactive stress monitoring.

The Pixel Watch 2 is basically Fitbit’s finest smartwatch. Photograph by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

Inside, there’s additionally a brand new Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 processor and Put on OS 4. That makes for zippier efficiency and longer battery life, too. The Pixel Watch 2 simply lasts 24 hours with the always-on show enabled and no battery-saving options. The watch additionally expenses a lot sooner in comparison with the unique — you may go from 0 to one hundred pc in 75 minutes in comparison with 110 minutes. When it comes to companies, Google has additionally now added Calendar and Gmail to its current wearable apps, like Pockets, Maps, Dwelling, and Google Assistant.

Google has additionally beefed up private security options. Should you get the LTE model of the watch and have a Fitbit Premium subscription, you not want an energetic LTE plan so as to use emergency calling options. There’s additionally a brand new Security Test timer that routinely notifies your emergency contacts should you fail to examine in when the timer goes off.

If all you need is a health tracker that appears like a smartwatch, you may take into account the $229 Versa 4 because it’s the extra budget-friendly possibility. However there’s no actual level within the Sense 2 for the reason that Pixel Watch 2 can now do all the identical issues — and extra.

Learn our overview of the Pixel Watch 2 right here.

Greatest price range Fitbit

$99

The Fitbit Encourage 3 is an minimalist health band that delivers notifications and tracks your exercise on a shiny OLED display screen.

The Encourage line hasn’t at all times felt, effectively, impressed. However the $99.95 Encourage 3 is totally different. With a coloration OLED show, it’s paying homage to the Fitbit Luxe (previously $149.95, now usually round $99.99), simply with a matte black plastic case as a substitute of a steel one. It’s an amazing throwback to traditional Fitbits for individuals who solely need the fundamentals.

The Encourage 3 doesn’t overcomplicate issues. It’s a health band. You received’t get built-in GPS, contactless funds, or digital assistants. Nonetheless, what it lacks in smarts it makes up for with Fitbit’s superior sleep monitoring, stress administration options, and irregular coronary heart charge notifications. The OLED show can also be a step up from the Encourage 2’s monochrome display screen, and you continue to get 10 days of battery life. (Although it’s extra like two to a few should you allow the always-on show.) 

The Encourage 3 is a good primary health band, and it has an OLED show that’s extra vibrant than the Encourage 2’s monochrome display screen. Photograph by Victoria Music / The Verge

The Encourage 3 has quite a lot of equipment, together with a clip attachment if you wish to discreetly observe steps. There’s even a gold or silver mesh strap if you wish to gown it up a bit. 

To be sincere, the Encourage 3 and Luxe are fairly comparable, they usually’re usually across the identical value. It’ll boil down as to whether you assume the Luxe’s nicer case is price buying and selling half the battery life for — the Luxe will get an estimated 5 days as a substitute of 10.

Learn our protection of the Fitbit Encourage 3 right here.

Greatest Fitbit health tracker

The Fitbit Cost 5 does all the standard coronary heart charge and exercise monitoring and in addition affords entry to new instruments like an EDA Scan app to handle stress in addition to a six-month membership to Fitbit Premium.

The Cost collection has at all times been fashionable, and the $149.95 Cost 5 isn’t any exception. It’s Fitbit’s higher-end health band however simply competes with the dearer Versa 4 on options. There’s now a coloration OLED display screen plus an EKG and EDA sensor. You additionally get built-in GPS, NFC funds, and SpO2 sensors — the one factor you’re actually lacking is a digital assistant.

The one qualm we have now with the Cost 5 is the always-on show. Whereas it’s stunning, it’s a serious battery drain. The Cost 5 has an estimated seven days of battery life, however that dwindles right down to about two in case you have the always-on show enabled. It’s a disgrace as a result of the OLED is quite a bit simpler on the eyes than the monochrome LED display screen on the Cost 4. 

Altogether although, you’re getting a hell of quite a bit for the value. It’s the one FDA-cleared EKG wearable you’ll find for below $200, and the one different Fitbits able to EKG and EDA readings are the Sense, Sense 2, and the Pixel Watch 2. So except you’re lifeless set on the smartwatch type issue, the Cost 5 is the higher total deal. 

The Fitbit Cost 5 is likely one of the most superior health bands on the market. Photograph by Jay Peters / The Verge

Should you’re attempting to resolve between the Cost 5 and Versa 4, we advocate the Cost 5 most often. Each will get you comparable well being monitoring experiences, although the Cost 5 packs in a bit of further due to the EKG and EDA sensors. (However as I discussed earlier, most individuals in all probability received’t use these sensors that a lot.) The Versa 4 will get Google Maps within the close to future, however it’s been nerfed relating to third-party apps. All issues thought of, the Cost 5 is the higher worth.

Our one word is that there’s now a Fitbit Cost 6, which we’re presently within the means of reviewing. It’s fairly much like the Cost 5, besides it provides a haptic facet button as a substitute of an inductive groove, a extra correct coronary heart charge algorithm, and Bluetooth compatibility with some health club gear. If these don’t seem to be compelling updates, or should you don’t wish to migrate your Fitbit information to Google but (which the Cost 6 requires), you may nonetheless go along with a Cost 5.

Learn our overview of the Fitbit Cost 5 right here.

Greatest Fitbit for teenagers

Fitbit’s health tracker for kids sticks to the fundamentals, comes with parental controls, and has eight days of battery life.

That just about covers the present Fitbit lineup. The one one we haven’t touched up to now — and the one one which I haven’t examined myself — is the $79.95 Ace 3. That’s Fitbit’s tracker for teenagers — and it’s the one Fitbit obtainable for minors. It’s a primary tracker with a rugged bumper and comes with parental controls. It’s bought higher battery life than its predecessor however doesn’t include GPS. Additionally, whereas it does have coronary heart charge sensors, it’s not a metric that’s actively tracked for kids. As a substitute, it determines what number of “energetic minutes” they’re getting. General, it’s an honest alternative for fogeys whose most important precedence is ensuring their children get sufficient each day train. If you would like location monitoring, nevertheless, you’re going to must search for one thing aside from a Fitbit. 

The Ace 3 is Fitbit’s primary tracker for kids. Picture: Fitbit

Do you have to even purchase a Fitbit proper now?

Fitbit formally turned a part of Google in 2021. Nothing modified in a single day, however technically, it’s Fitbit by Google now. The Fitbit-to-Google migration began in earnest this summer season and new customers might be requested to log into Fitbit utilizing their Google accounts. In 2025, this might be obligatory for everybody. Earlier this 12 months, Google angered longtime Fitbit customers by shuttering longtime social options like Challenges and eradicating step streaks. In the meantime, the Versa 4 and Sense 2 weren’t as feature-rich at launch in comparison with their predecessors, main some to really feel that Google purposefully did this to place the highlight on its Pixel Watch. There have additionally been two main server outages in 2023.

There’s some rigidity right here and the way forward for Fitbit {hardware} is murky. Should you’re shopping for a tracker for the primary time and need it to final you some time, it would make extra sense to go for a Garmin or Amazfit tracker. Equally, should you’re seeking to improve to an older Versa or Sense smartwatch, you would possibly wish to see the place the mud settles. Nevertheless, if you realize you need a Fitbit, then go forward. Should you’re not in a rush or are undecided, now is just not a foul time to take a seat again and observe.

Replace October sixteenth, 5:55PM ET: Swapped out the Google Pixel Look ahead to the Pixel Watch 2 and added information on the Fitbit Cost 6, presently in testing.