Greatest Fitbit health trackers and watches in 2024

In 2024, you would possibly marvel if Fitbit continues to be related. Regardless of getting acquired by Google, Fitbit stays probably the most 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That stated, this can be a transitional interval from the Fitbit of outdated to no matter Fitbit will likely be sooner or later. 2023, particularly, was a messy 12 months.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 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 time and is required in the event you 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 nicely 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 have a look at how Google has dealt with the Nest acquisition as a street 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 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. To this point, 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 broad 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 seems like Google’s now not taking part in catch-up to its rivals. This 12 months, the screens are brighter, the bezels are smaller, and there’s now a 45mm measurement for bigger wrists. The bigger measurement doesn’t look chunky, both. Internally, the processor and well being sensors are the identical as final 12 months, although the third-gen machine has an extremely wideband chip that lets you unlock Pixel telephones and a few BMW automobile 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 seems to be 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 popular Care prolonged guarantee within the US and Canada. That is one cause we suggest the Pixel Watch 3 over the unique since at the least you’ve a extra inexpensive 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 gadgets 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 strategies. It’s additionally launched a brand new metric referred to as Cardio Load, which measures the depth of your exercises and suggests a goal primarily based in your health objectives. It’s conceptually much like Garmin’s Coaching Load. The Day by 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 companies in your behalf. The function isn’t obtainable but within the US, although, as FDA clearance continues to be pending.

Moreover, Google has strengthened the watch’s integrations with its personal companies in addition to different Pixel gadgets. As an illustration, you’ve offline Google Maps and a Google House 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 use 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 seems to be like a smartwatch, you’ll be able to contemplate 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 3 can do all the identical issues — and extra.

Learn our Pixel Watch 3 overview.

The Encourage line hasn’t at all times felt, nicely, impressed. However the $99.95 Encourage 3 is completely different. With a shade OLED show, it’s paying homage to the Fitbit Luxe (previously $149.95, now typically round $99.99), simply with a matte black plastic case as a substitute of a steel 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 price 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 3 in the event 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 related, they usually’re typically across the similar value. It’ll boil down as to whether you suppose the Luxe’s nicer case is value 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.

The Cost collection has at all times been fashionable, and the $159.95 Cost 6 is not any exception. It’s Fitbit’s higher-end health band however simply competes with the costlier Versa 4 on options. It includes a shade 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’ve got with the Cost 6 is the always-on show. Whereas it’s lovely, 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 if in case you have the always-on show enabled. This is similar problem that we had with the Cost 5, but it surely’s pretty typical from Fitbit trackers today.

Altogether, although, you’re getting a hell of lots for the value. It’s the one FDA-cleared EKG wearable you’ll find 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 except you’re lifeless 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 price algorithm, Bluetooth compatibility with some fitness center gear, and some apps — specifically Google Maps, Google Pockets, and YouTube Music. Whereas YouTube Music works nicely, 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.

When it comes to {hardware}, the Cost 6 additionally includes a haptic button as a substitute of an inductive groove. It’s not a bodily button, which is somewhat disappointing, but it surely’s extra dependable so far than the inductive groove, so I’d rely this as a internet constructive.

You would technically get the Cost 5 at a reduction. Nevertheless, I’d solely try this if it’s considerably cheaper and value is your foremost 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 least gives some type of music playback.

Learn our overview of the Fitbit Cost 6 right here.

That just about covers the present Fitbit lineup. The one one we haven’t touched so far — 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 primary 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 price 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. Total, it’s a good selection for fogeys whose foremost precedence is ensuring their children get sufficient each day train.

Nevertheless, Fitbit just lately introduced the $229.95 Ace LTE. It’s considerably costlier, 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 appropriate!) It additionally provides built-in LTE for a $9.99 month-to-month subscription by way of the Ace Move, which allows calling, messaging, and real-time GPS monitoring for fogeys. Children gained’t have to have their very own smartphone to set it up, and there aren’t any third-party apps or adverts on the machine. Every little thing 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 taking part in a bit, they’re inspired to get some bodily exercise to unlock extra taking part in time. There’s additionally a Tamagotchi-like factor, however except for $35 collectible bands, there aren’t any microtransactions inside the video games involving actual cash. (Children can “purchase” extra gadgets by finishing each day quests and partaking in actions.) As for privateness, Google says that solely dad and mom 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 check the Ace LTE but, however keep tuned for our forthcoming overview.

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 necessary for everybody. Final 12 months, 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 pressure right here and the way forward for Fitbit {hardware} is murky. Particularly given the truth that Google laid off a couple of thousand workers from its {hardware} departments spanning Pixel, Fitbit, and Nest. If you happen to’re shopping for a tracker for the primary time and wish it to final you some time, it would make extra sense to go for a Garmin or Amazfit tracker. Equally, in the event you’re trying to improve to an older Versa or Sense smartwatch, you would possibly wish to see the place the mud settles. Nevertheless, if you recognize you need a Fitbit, then go forward. If you happen to’re not in a rush or are undecided, now is just not a foul time to take a seat again and observe.

Replace, October twenty second: Adjusted pricing and availability.