In 2024, you may marvel if Fitbit remains to be related. Regardless of getting acquired by Google, Fitbit stays probably the most recognizable names within the business. Fitbit trackers aren’t meant for probably the most hardcore of athletes, however they’re nonetheless glorious gadgets for monitoring total exercise in addition to monitoring sure well being and wellness metrics like EKGs and blood oxygen ranges.
That mentioned, 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 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 when you purchase new merchandise just like the Fitbit Cost 6 or Google Pixel Watch 2. The Fitbit app additionally acquired a brand new, extra Google-like makeover, which didn’t go over nicely 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 workers had been laid off.
You’ll be able to 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 typically 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. Up to now, it seems Google takes its Pixel Watch lineup significantly, too. With the Pixel Watch 2, the corporate has expanded prolonged guarantee entry and improved substitute choices. You simply should go in with eyes extensive open.
Greatest Fitbit smartwatch
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 era, 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.
It’s acquired a 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 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 no less than you’ve 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 substitute.
Talking of which, the Pixel Watch 2 is a major replace. All of the Fitbit options that had 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 knowledge 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 prices 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. When it comes to 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. For those who get the LTE model of the watch and have a Fitbit Premium subscription, you not want an energetic LTE plan to be able to use emergency calling options. There’s additionally a brand new Security Verify timer that routinely notifies your emergency contacts when you fail to test in when the timer goes off.
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 2 can now do all the identical issues — and extra.
Learn our evaluate of the Pixel Watch 2 right here.
Greatest price range Fitbit
The Fitbit Encourage 3 is a minimalist health band that delivers notifications and tracks your exercise on a shiny OLED display screen.
The Encourage line hasn’t all the time felt, nicely, impressed. However the $99.95 Encourage 3 is totally different. With a colour 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 metallic one. It’s an awesome 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 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 when you allow the always-on show.)
The Encourage 3 has a wide range of equipment, together with a clip attachment if you wish to discreetly monitor 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 related, and so they’re typically across the identical worth. It’ll boil down as to if 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 6 contains a haptic facet button, an improved coronary heart fee algorithm, turn-by-turn navigation with Google Maps, and the flexibility to broadcast your coronary heart fee on sure Bluetooth fitness center tools.
The Cost sequence has all the time been standard, and the $159.95 Cost 6 isn’t any exception. It’s Fitbit’s higher-end health band however simply competes with the costlier Versa 4 on options. It contains a colour 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 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 you probably 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 lots for the value. It’s the one FDA-cleared EKG wearable you will discover 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 fitness center tools, and some apps — particularly 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 mentioned, it’s higher than nothing, as Fitbit discontinued onboard music some time again.
When it comes to {hardware}, the Cost 6 additionally contains a haptic button as a substitute of an inductive groove. It’s not a bodily button, which is a bit disappointing, nevertheless it’s extra dependable to date than the inductive groove, so I might rely this as a web constructive.
You might technically get the Cost 5 at a reduction. Nevertheless, I’d solely do this if it’s considerably cheaper and worth is your essential 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 be useful for walks, and it no less than gives some type of music playback.
Learn our evaluate of the Fitbit Cost 6 right here.
Greatest Fitbit for youths
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 to date — and the one one which I haven’t examined myself — is the $79.95 Ace 3. That’s Fitbit’s tracker for youths — and it’s the only Fitbit out there for minors. It’s a primary tracker with a rugged bumper and comes with parental controls. It’s acquired 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 folks whose essential precedence is ensuring their youngsters get sufficient every day train. If you’d like location monitoring, nevertheless, you’re going to should search for one thing apart from a Fitbit.
Must you even purchase a Fitbit proper now?
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 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 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. For those who’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, when you’re trying to improve to an older Versa or Sense smartwatch, you may need to see the place the mud settles. Nevertheless, if you realize you desire a Fitbit, then go forward. For those who’re not in a rush or are undecided, now shouldn’t be a foul time to take a seat again and observe.
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