Finest 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 recognizable names within the business. Fitbit trackers aren’t meant for probably the most hardcore of athletes, however they’re nonetheless wonderful gadgets for monitoring general 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 probably 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 through Google by 2025. Talking of which, the Fitbit-to-Google account migration began final summer time and is required for those who purchase new merchandise just like the Fitbit Cost 6 or Google Pixel Watch 2. 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 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 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 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. To date, 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 broad 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 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 obtained a wonderful 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 well-liked Care prolonged guarantee within the US and Canada. That is one motive we suggest the Pixel Watch 2 over the unique since a minimum of you may have a extra reasonably priced 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 2 gadgets for a reduced substitute.

Talking of which, the Pixel Watch 2 is a big replace. All of the Fitbit options that had been lacking at launch with the unique are current, like nightly SpO2, computerized exercise monitoring, and irregular excessive or low coronary heart charge notifications. The brand new multipath sensor additionally purportedly delivers extra correct coronary heart charge 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 possibly can 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. In case you get the LTE model of the watch and have a Fitbit Premium subscription, you not want an energetic LTE plan with a purpose to use emergency calling options. There’s additionally a brand new Security Verify timer that routinely notifies your emergency contacts for those who fail to test in when the timer goes off.

If all you need is a health tracker that appears to be like like a smartwatch, you possibly can 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 evaluation of the Pixel Watch 2 right here.

The Encourage line hasn’t at all times felt, effectively, impressed. However the $99.95 Encourage 3 is totally different. With a coloration 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 incredible throwback to traditional Fitbits for individuals who solely need the fundamentals.

The Encourage 3 doesn’t overcomplicate issues. It’s a health band. You received’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 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 a few 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 monitor steps. There’s even a gold or silver mesh strap if you wish to gown it up a bit. 

To be trustworthy, the Encourage 3 and Luxe are fairly related, and so they’re typically across the similar 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.

Learn our protection of the Fitbit Encourage 3 right here.

The Cost collection has at all times been common, 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 coloration 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 stunning, 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 in case you have the always-on show enabled. This is identical subject that we had with the Cost 5, nevertheless it’s pretty typical from Fitbit trackers lately.

Altogether, although, you’re getting a hell of rather a lot for the value. 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 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 charge algorithm, Bluetooth compatibility with some health club gear, 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 mentioned, 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 a substitute of an inductive groove. It’s not a bodily button, which is a bit disappointing, nevertheless it’s extra dependable so far than the inductive groove, so I’d rely this as a internet optimistic.

You can technically get the Cost 5 at a reduction. Nonetheless, I’d solely try this if it’s considerably cheaper and value is your fundamental 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 be helpful for walks, and it a minimum of presents 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 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 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 folks whose fundamental precedence is ensuring their children get sufficient each 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 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 through the Ace Go, which permits calling, messaging, and real-time GPS monitoring for folks. Children received’t have to have their very own smartphone to set it up, and there aren’t any third-party apps or advertisements on the system. Every little thing can be managed through 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 apart from $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 dad and mom will have the ability to view location and exercise information for youngsters. 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 evaluation. (However for those who’re impatient, it’s out there for preorder now and hits cabinets on June fifth.)

Learn 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 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 workers from its {hardware} departments spanning Pixel, Fitbit, and Nest. In case 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, for those who’re trying to improve to an older Versa or Sense smartwatch, you may wish to see the place the mud settles. Nonetheless, if you desire a Fitbit, then go forward. In case you’re not in a rush or are undecided, now is just not 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.