Finest Fitbit health trackers and watches in 2024

In 2024, you would possibly surprise if Fitbit continues to be related. Regardless of getting acquired by Google, Fitbit stays some of the 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 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That stated, this can be a transitional interval from the Fitbit of outdated to no matter Fitbit will probably be sooner or later. 2023, particularly, was a messy 12 months. There have been a number of Fitbit server outages. I wasn’t impressed with the choice to sunset legacy community features like challenges or the truth that all Fitbit accounts would require you to log in via Google by 2025. Talking of which, the Fitbit-to-Google account migration started last summer and is required if you happen to purchase new merchandise just like the Fitbit Cost 6 or Google Pixel Watch 3. The Fitbit app additionally obtained a new, more Google-like makeover, which didn’t go over effectively with many customers. (Google has since made changes based mostly on suggestions.) And in January, a lot of Fitbit’s management, together with co-founders James Park and Eric Friedman, left the company as roughly a thousand Google employees had been laid off.

You possibly can take a look at 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 inexpensive, particularly since they typically go on sale. All of the units additionally include a free trial to Fitbit Premium, the corporate’s subscription service that provides guided exercises, meditations, and entry to extra in-depth metrics. To date, it seems Google takes its Pixel Watch lineup critically, too. With the Pixel Watch 2, the corporate has expanded prolonged guarantee entry and improved replacement options. You simply must go in with eyes vast open.

The existence of the Pixel Watch, now in its third era, 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.

The Pixel Watch 3 is a major replace over its predecessors. It lastly appears like Google’s not enjoying catch-up to its rivals. This 12 months, the screens are brighter, the bezels are smaller, and there’s now a 45mm dimension for bigger wrists. The bigger dimension doesn’t look chunky, both. Internally, the processor and well being sensors are the identical as final 12 months, although the third-gen gadget has an extremely wideband chip that permits you to unlock Pixel telephones and a few BMW automotive fashions.

It’s obtained the identical stunning 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 style, however as of final 12 months, you may get a Most well-liked Care prolonged guarantee within the US and Canada. That is one motive we advocate the Pixel Watch 3 over the unique since not less than you’ve got a extra inexpensive fallback ought to one thing occur to your show. Google additionally introduced an choice the place you’ll be able to skip buyer assist and mail in broken, out-of-warranty Pixel Watch units for discounted replacements.

As for health options, the Pixel Watch 3 is a lot better for runners than it was. It features a new operating dashboard, superior type analytics, customized operating exercises, and even AI-generated exercise ideas. It’s additionally launched a brand new metric referred to as Cardio Load, which measures the depth of your exercises and suggests a goal based mostly in your health objectives. It’s conceptually just like Garmin’s Coaching Load. The Day by day Readiness Rating has additionally been revamped and is not locked behind the Fitbit Premium paywall. On the well being entrance, European customers now have Lack of Pulse. If the watch detects you’ve misplaced your pulse, it’ll name emergency providers in your behalf. The characteristic isn’t accessible but within the US, although, as FDA clearance continues to be pending.

Moreover, Google has strengthened the watch’s integrations with its personal providers in addition to different Pixel units. As an illustration, you’ve got offline Google Maps and a Google House Tile. You possibly can view your Nest Doorbell digicam feed or management your Google TV out of your wrist, and there’s additionally the choice to document audio with the Recorder app and switch it to your cellphone. With Name Help, you should utilize your watch to inform anybody calling you want an additional second to select up the cellphone.

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 choice. However there’s no actual level within the Sense 2 because the Pixel Watch 3 can do all the identical issues — and extra.

Read our Pixel Watch 3 review.

The Encourage line hasn’t at all times felt, effectively, impressed. However the $99.95 Encourage 3 is totally different. With a shade OLED show, it’s harking back to the Fitbit Luxe (previously $149.95, now typically round $99.99), simply with a matte black plastic case as a substitute of a metallic 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 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 charge 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 a few if you happen to 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 costume it up a bit. 

To be sincere, the Encourage 3 and Luxe are fairly comparable, they usually’re typically 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 a substitute of 10.

Read our coverage of the Fitbit Inspire 3 here.

The Cost sequence has at all times been widespread, 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 includes 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 we now have with the Cost 6 is the always-on show. Whereas it’s stunning, it’s a significant battery drain. The Cost 6 has an estimated seven days of battery life, however that dwindles right down to about two when you’ve got the always-on show enabled. This is similar challenge that we had with the Cost 5, but it surely’s pretty typical from Fitbit trackers as of late.

Altogether, although, you’re getting a hell of lots for the worth. It’s the one FDA-cleared EKG wearable yow will discover for beneath $200, and the one different Fitbits able to EKG and EDA readings are the Sense, Sense 2, and the Pixel Watch 2. So until you’re useless set on the smartwatch type issue, the Cost 6 is the higher general deal. 

In comparison with its predecessor, the Cost 6 additionally provides an improved coronary heart charge algorithm, Bluetooth compatibility with some gymnasium tools, and some apps — particularly Google Maps, Google Pockets, and YouTube Music. Whereas YouTube Music works effectively, I’m not stoked that it requires an extra $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 includes a haptic button as a substitute of an inductive groove. It’s not a bodily button, which is slightly disappointing, but it surely’s extra dependable to this point than the inductive groove, so I’d rely this as a internet optimistic.

You could possibly technically get the Cost 5 at a reduction. Nonetheless, I’d solely do this if it’s considerably cheaper and value is your principal consideration. The haptic button, whereas not what I needed, 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 not less than gives some type of music playback.

Read our review of the Fitbit Charge 6 here.

That just about covers the present Fitbit lineup. The one one we haven’t touched to this point — and the one one which I haven’t examined myself — is the $79.95 Ace 3. That’s Fitbit’s tracker for teenagers. It’s a fundamental tracker with a rugged bumper and comes with parental controls. It’s obtained 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 youngsters. As a substitute, it determines what number of “energetic minutes” they’re getting. Total, it’s a good alternative for fogeys whose principal precedence is ensuring their children get sufficient each day train.

Nonetheless, Fitbit recently announced the $229.95 Ace LTE. It’s considerably dearer, however that’s comprehensible given it’s a major improve when it comes to {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 allows calling, messaging, and real-time GPS monitoring for fogeys. Youngsters 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. All the pieces 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 sequence 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 ingredient, however except for $35 collectible bands, there are not any microtransactions throughout the video games involving actual cash. (Youngsters can “purchase” extra objects by finishing each day quests and partaking in actions.) As for privateness, Google says that solely mother and father will be capable of view location and exercise knowledge for youngsters. Location knowledge is deleted after 24 hours, whereas exercise knowledge is deleted after 35 days. We haven’t had an opportunity to completely take a look at the Ace LTE but, however keep tuned for our forthcoming evaluation.

Read our hands-on with the Fitbit Ace LTE.

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 in summer time 2023 and new customers will probably be requested to log into Fitbit utilizing their Google accounts. In 2025, this will probably be obligatory for everybody. Final 12 months, Google angered longtime Fitbit users by shuttering longtime social features like Challenges and eradicating step streaks. (Step streaks have since been added back 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 pressure right here and the way forward for Fitbit {hardware} is murky. Particularly given the truth that Google laid off about a thousand employees from its {hardware} departments spanning Pixel, Fitbit, and Nest. Should you’re shopping for a tracker for the primary time and need it to final you some time, it’d make extra sense to go for a Garmin or Amazfit tracker. Equally, if you happen to’re seeking to improve to an older Versa or Sense smartwatch, you would possibly need to see the place the mud settles. Nonetheless, if you recognize you desire a Fitbit, then go forward. Should you’re not in a rush or are undecided, now will not be a foul time to take a seat again and observe.

Replace, October twenty second: Adjusted pricing and availability.