Greatest Fitbit health trackers and watches in 2024

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

That stated, it is 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 neighborhood 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 season and is required for those who purchase new merchandise just like the Fitbit Cost 6 or Google Pixel Watch 3. The Fitbit app additionally obtained a brand new, extra Google-like makeover, which didn’t go over effectively with many customers. (Google has since made changes primarily based on suggestions.) And in January, a lot of Fitbit’s management, together with co-founders James Park and Eric Friedman, left the corporate as roughly a thousand Google workers had been laid off.

You’ll be able to 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 usually go on sale. All of the gadgets 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. Up to now, it seems Google takes its Pixel Watch lineup critically, too. With the Pixel Watch 2, the corporate has expanded prolonged guarantee entry and improved alternative choices. You simply must go in with eyes large open.

The existence of the Pixel Watch, now in its third 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 all the Pixel Watch’s well being and health options. However actually, that is the smartwatch that Fitbit by no means may handle to construct by itself.

The Pixel Watch 3 is a big replace over its predecessors. It lastly looks like Google’s now not enjoying catch-up to its rivals. This yr, 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 yr, although the third-gen system has an extremely wideband chip that permits you to unlock Pixel telephones and a few BMW automotive fashions.

It’s obtained the identical lovely 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 like a watch, not a tracker dressed up as one. The show is a bit fragile for our style, however as of final yr, you may get a Most well-liked Care prolonged guarantee within the US and Canada. That is one cause we advocate the Pixel Watch 3 over the unique since at the very least you’ve got a extra inexpensive fallback ought to one thing occur to your show. Google additionally introduced an possibility the place you possibly can skip buyer help and mail in damaged, out-of-warranty Pixel Watch gadgets for discounted replacements.

As for health options, the Pixel Watch 3 is a lot better for runners than it was once. It features a new working dashboard, superior kind analytics, customized working exercises, and even AI-generated exercise solutions. It’s additionally launched a brand new metric known as Cardio Load, which measures the depth of your exercises and suggests a goal primarily based in your health objectives. It’s conceptually just like Garmin’s Coaching Load. The Each day Readiness Rating has additionally been revamped and is now 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 function isn’t accessible but within the US, although, as FDA clearance remains to be pending.

Moreover, Google has strengthened the watch’s integrations with its personal providers in addition to different Pixel gadgets. As an example, you’ve got offline Google Maps and a Google Dwelling Tile. You’ll be able to view your Nest Doorbell digital camera feed or management your Google TV out of your wrist, and there’s additionally the choice to file 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 like a smartwatch, you possibly can contemplate the $229 Versa 4 because it’s the extra budget-friendly possibility. However there’s no actual level within the Sense 2 because the Pixel Watch 3 can do all the identical issues — and extra.

Learn our Pixel Watch 3 evaluation.

The Encourage line hasn’t all the time felt, effectively, impressed. However the $99.95 Encourage 3 is completely different. With a colour 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 an ideal 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 for those who 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 related, and so they’re usually across the similar worth. It’ll boil down as to if 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 sequence has all the time been common, and the $159.95 Cost 6 isn’t any exception. It’s Fitbit’s higher-end health band however simply competes with the dearer Versa 4 on options. It incorporates a colour 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 have now 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 when you have the always-on show enabled. This is similar difficulty that we had with the Cost 5, nevertheless it’s pretty typical from Fitbit trackers as of late.

Altogether, although, you’re getting a hell of loads for the worth. It’s the one FDA-cleared EKG wearable you could 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 useless set on the smartwatch kind issue, the Cost 6 is the higher total deal. 

In comparison with its predecessor, the Cost 6 additionally provides an improved coronary heart fee algorithm, Bluetooth compatibility with some health club tools, and some apps — particularly Google Maps, Google Pockets, and YouTube Music. Whereas YouTube Music works effectively, 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 incorporates a haptic button as an alternative of an inductive groove. It’s not a bodily button, which is a bit of disappointing, nevertheless it’s extra dependable to this point than the inductive groove, so I might rely this as a internet constructive.

You possibly can technically get the Cost 5 at a reduction. Nevertheless, I’d solely try this if it’s considerably cheaper and worth is your primary 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 useful for walks, and it at the very least affords some type of music playback.

Learn our evaluation of the Fitbit Cost 6 right 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 fee sensors, it’s not a metric that’s actively tracked for youngsters. As a substitute, it determines what number of “lively minutes” they’re getting. General, it’s an honest selection for fogeys whose primary precedence is ensuring their youngsters get sufficient each day train.

Nevertheless, Fitbit just lately introduced the $229.95 Ace LTE. It’s considerably dearer, however that’s comprehensible given it’s a big 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 appropriate!) It additionally provides built-in LTE for a $9.99 month-to-month subscription by way of the Ace Move, 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 aren’t any third-party apps or advertisements on the system. All the things 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 component, however except for $35 collectible bands, there aren’t any microtransactions throughout the video games involving actual cash. (Children 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 totally take a look at the Ace LTE but, however keep tuned for our forthcoming evaluation.

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 season 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 stress right here and the way forward for Fitbit {hardware} is murky. Particularly given the truth that Google laid off a few thousand workers 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, for those who’re trying to improve to an older Versa or Sense smartwatch, you may wish to see the place the mud settles. Nevertheless, if you realize you desire a Fitbit, then go forward. Should you’re not in a rush or are undecided, now shouldn’t be a foul time to sit down again and observe.

Replace, October twenty second: Adjusted pricing and availability.