Greatest Fitbit health trackers and watches in 2024

In 2024, you may marvel if Fitbit continues to be related. Regardless of getting acquired by Google, Fitbit stays one of the crucial recognizable names within the trade. Fitbit trackers aren’t meant for essentially the most hardcore of athletes, however they’re nonetheless glorious gadgets for monitoring general exercise in addition to monitoring sure well being and wellness metrics like EKGs and blood oxygen ranges. 

That stated, this can be a transitional interval from the Fitbit of previous to no matter Fitbit will likely be sooner or later. 2023 specifically was a messy yr. There have been a number of Fitbit server outages. I wasn’t impressed with the choice to sundown legacy group options like challenges or the truth that all Fitbit accounts would require you to log in by way of Google by 2025. Talking of which, the Fitbit-to-Google account migration began final summer time and is required should you purchase new merchandise just like the Fitbit Cost 6 or Google Pixel Watch 2. The Fitbit app additionally received a brand new, extra Google-like makeover, which didn’t go over properly with many customers. (Google has since made changes based mostly on suggestions.) And in January 2024, a lot of Fitbit’s management together with co-founders James Park and Eric Friedman left the corporate as roughly a thousand Google staff have been laid off.

You may look to how Google has dealt with the Nest acquisition as a highway map to how issues are going. The Googlefication of Fitbit will proceed, however 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 gadgets include a free trial to Fitbit Premium, the corporate’s subscription service that provides guided exercises, meditations, and entry to extra in-depth metrics. Thus far, it seems Google takes its Pixel Watch lineup significantly, too. With the Pixel Watch 2, the corporate has expanded prolonged guarantee entry and improved alternative choices. You simply must go in with eyes huge open.

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, so 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 received a stupendous design with a round domed show that appears far more elegant than the squircle Versa or Sense smartwatches ever did. In your wrist, it appears to be like 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. Google additionally introduced an possibility the place you’ll be able to skip buyer assist and mail in damaged, out-of-warranty Pixel Watch 2 gadgets for a reduced alternative.

Talking of which, the Pixel Watch 2 is a big 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 fee notifications. The brand new multipath sensor additionally purportedly delivers extra correct coronary heart fee 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.

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 costs a lot sooner in comparison with the unique — you’ll be able to go from 0 to one hundred pc in 75 minutes in comparison with 110 minutes. By way of providers, Google has additionally now added Calendar and Gmail to its present wearable apps, like Pockets, Maps, House, and Google Assistant.

Google has additionally beefed up private security options. When you get the LTE model of the watch and have a Fitbit Premium subscription, you now not want an lively LTE plan with the intention to use emergency calling options. There’s additionally a brand new Security Test timer that mechanically 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 to be like like a smartwatch, you’ll be able to think about 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 evaluate of the Pixel Watch 2 right here.

The Encourage line hasn’t at all times felt, properly, impressed. However the $99.95 Encourage 3 is totally different. With a shade 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 an alternative of a metallic one. It’s a terrific throwback to traditional Fitbits for individuals who solely need the fundamentals.

The Encourage 3 doesn’t overcomplicate issues. It’s a health band. You gained’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 fee notifications. The OLED show can also be a step up from the Encourage 2’s monochrome display, and you continue to get 10 days of battery life. (Although it’s extra like two to 3 should you allow the always-on show.) 

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 suppose the Luxe’s nicer case is price buying and selling half the battery life for — the Luxe will get an estimated 5 days as an alternative of 10.

Learn our protection of the Fitbit Encourage 3 right here.

The Cost collection has at all times been well-liked, and the $159.95 Cost 6 is not any exception. It’s Fitbit’s higher-end health band however simply competes with the dearer Versa 4 on options. It contains a shade OLED display 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 now we have with the Cost 6 is the always-on show. Whereas it’s lovely, it’s a serious battery drain. The Cost 6 has an estimated seven days of battery life, however that dwindles all the way down to about two you probably have the always-on show enabled. This is identical difficulty that we had with the Cost 5, however it’s pretty typical from Fitbit trackers today.

Altogether, although, you’re getting a hell of loads 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 kind issue, the Cost 6 is the higher general deal. 

In comparison with its predecessor, the Cost 6 additionally provides an improved coronary heart fee algorithm, Bluetooth compatibility with some fitness center gear, and some apps — specifically Google Maps, Google Pockets, and YouTube Music. Whereas YouTube Music works properly, I’m not stoked that it requires a further $11 month-to-month subscription. That stated, it’s higher than nothing, as Fitbit discontinued onboard music some time again.

By way of {hardware}, the Cost 6 additionally contains a haptic button as an alternative of an inductive groove. It’s not a bodily button, which is just a little disappointing, however it’s extra dependable up to now than the inductive groove, so I might rely this as a web constructive.

You could possibly technically get the Cost 5 at a reduction. Nonetheless, I’d solely try this if it’s considerably cheaper and value is your most important consideration. The haptic button, whereas not what I wished, is much better than the inductive groove and you’ve got extra app choices. Flip-by-turn navigation can also be helpful for walks, and it at the very least presents some type of music playback.

Learn our evaluate of the Fitbit Cost 6 right here.

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 youths. It’s a fundamental tracker with a rugged bumper and comes with parental controls. It’s received higher battery life than its predecessor however doesn’t include GPS. Additionally, whereas it does have coronary heart fee sensors, it’s not a metric that’s actively tracked for kids. As an alternative, it determines what number of “active minutes” they’re getting. General, it’s a good selection for fogeys whose most important precedence is ensuring their youngsters get sufficient day by day train.

Nonetheless, Fitbit simply introduced the $229.95 Ace LTE. It’s considerably dearer, however that’s comprehensible given it’s a big improve by way of {hardware} and software program. For starters, it has the identical guts because the Pixel Watch 2. (The chargers are additionally suitable!) It additionally provides built-in LTE for a $9.99 month-to-month subscription by way of the Ace Cross, which permits calling, messaging, and real-time GPS monitoring for fogeys. Children gained’t must have their very own smartphone to set it up, and there are not any third-party apps or adverts on the gadget. The whole lot can also be managed by way of the separate Fitbit Ace app, which works on each iOS and Android.

To encourage extra exercise, the Ace LTE makes use of a collection of 3D video games. After enjoying a bit, they’re inspired to get some bodily exercise to unlock extra enjoying time. There’s additionally a Tamagotchi-like aspect, however except for $35 collectible bands, there are not any microtransactions inside the video games involving actual cash. (Children can “buy” extra gadgets by finishing day by day quests and partaking in actions.) As for privateness, Google says that solely dad and mom will be capable to view location and exercise information for kids. Location information is deleted after 24 hours, whereas exercise information is deleted after 35 days. We haven’t had an opportunity to check the Ace LTE but, so keep tuned for our forthcoming evaluate. (However should you’re impatient, it’s obtainable for preorder now and hits cabinets on June fifth.)

Learn our hands-on with the Fitbit Ace LTE.

Fitbit formally grew to become 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 in summer time 2023 and new customers will likely be requested to log into Fitbit utilizing their Google accounts. In 2025, this will likely be obligatory for everybody. Final yr, Google angered longtime Fitbit customers by shuttering longtime social options like Challenges and eradicating step streaks. (Step streaks have since been added again and expanded to Android.) 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 been additionally a number of main server outages in 2023.

There’s some rigidity right here and the way forward for Fitbit {hardware} is murky. Particularly given the truth that Google laid off a couple of thousand staff from its {hardware} departments spanning Pixel, Fitbit, and Nest. When 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 trying to improve to an older Versa or Sense smartwatch, you may need to see the place the mud settles. Nonetheless, if you understand you desire a Fitbit, then go forward. When you’re not in a rush or are undecided, now shouldn’t be a nasty time to sit down again and observe.

Replace Might thirtieth, 12:50PM ET: Up to date with new details about the Fitbit Ace LTE.