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In 2025, you would possibly marvel if Fitbit remains to be related. Regardless of getting acquired by Google, Fitbit stays some of the recognizable names within the trade. 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 can be sooner or later. 2023, specifically, was a messy yr. There have been a number of Fitbit server outages, and I wasn’t impressed with the choice to sundown legacy neighborhood options like challenges or the truth that all Fitbit accounts will quickly require you to log in through Google. Talking of which, the Fitbit-to-Google account migration began in 2023 and is required when you purchase newer 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 properly with many customers. (Google has since made changes based mostly on suggestions.) And in 2024, a lot of Fitbit’s management, together with co-founders James Park and Eric Friedman, left the corporate as roughly a thousand Google staff have been laid off.
What I’m searching for
Health trackers assist you to observe your well being and exercise. We conduct a mixture of real-life testing, together with napping and sleeping with them, taking them out on runs, walks, and hikes, and figuring out on the fitness center. We additionally consider how simple health trackers pair with iPhones and Android gadgets, their sturdiness, accuracy, battery life, and efficiency. In circumstances the place we check fashions designed for youngsters, we check them on our personal youngsters and incorporate their suggestions.
Fitbits are likely to have longer battery life than extra superior smartwatches. Most are estimated to final round 5 days, however we’ve discovered that some options like an always-on show can drastically impression the time between expenses. So I’m trying to see what you’ll be able to realistically count on with “common” use.
Most Fitbits share the identical primary characteristic set like steps, timers, and notifications. Nevertheless, not each mannequin is able to EKG or real-time stress monitoring. The identical goes for built-in GPS. Does the characteristic set make sense given the worth? Is it lacking one thing that it shouldn’t be?
Fitbit has typically been a extra reasonably priced different to smartwatches, however this area has modified fairly a bit in the previous few years. There are extra choices than ever, so does this gadget provide good worth?
This encompasses rather a lot, however particularly when it comes to the general kind issue. If it’s for an off-the-cuff consumer, is the design versatile sufficient for quite a lot of events? If it’s geared toward youngsters or athletes, are the straps sturdy sufficient?
You possibly can take 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 reasonably priced, 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 critically, too. With the Pixel Watch 2, the corporate expanded prolonged guarantee entry and improved substitute choices. You simply should go in with eyes huge open.
For those who’re not lifeless set on a Fitbit specifically, take a look at our information to the very best health trackers and watches.
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 appears like Google’s now not taking part in 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 gadget has an extremely wideband chip that means that you can 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 2023, you will get a Most well-liked Care prolonged guarantee within the US and Canada. That is one cause we suggest the Pixel Watch 3 over the unique since not less than you’ve gotten 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 help and mail in damaged, out-of-warranty Pixel Watch gadgets for discounted replacements.
As for health options, the Pixel Watch 3 is significantly better for runners than it was once. It features a new working dashboard, superior kind analytics, customized working exercises, and even AI-generated exercise options. 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 Every 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 characteristic isn’t out there but within the US, although, as FDA clearance remains to be pending.
Moreover, Google has strengthened the watch’s integrations with its personal companies in addition to different Pixel gadgets. For example, you’ve gotten 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 need to use your watch to inform anybody calling you want an additional second to choose up the cellphone.
If all you need is a health tracker that appears to be like like a smartwatch, you’ll be able to take into account 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 my full Pixel Watch 3 overview.
The Encourage line hasn’t all the time felt, properly, impressed. However the $99.95 Encourage 3 is completely different. With a shade OLED show, it’s paying homage to the Fitbit Luxe of 2021, solely with a matte black plastic case as an alternative of a metallic one. It’s an important 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 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 a few when you allow the always-on show.)
The Encourage 3 has quite a lot of equipment, together with a clip attachment if you wish to observe steps discreetly. 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 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 an alternative of 10.
Learn our protection of the Fitbit Encourage 3 right here.
Finest Fitbit health tracker
$110
The Good
- Strong health and well being monitoring characteristic set
- It’s $20 cheaper!
- Provides extra apps
- Can broadcast HR to health gear
- The haptic button is best than the groove
The Dangerous
- YouTube Music is the one possibility and that’s $11 month-to-month
- The Fitbit-Google transition is a lil bumpy
- It’s not a bodily facet button
The Cost collection has all the time 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 dearer Versa 4 on options. It encompasses 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 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 when you have the always-on show enabled. This is similar situation that we had with the Cost 5, however it’s pretty typical for Fitbit trackers today.
Altogether, although, you’re getting a hell of rather a lot for the worth. It’s the one FDA-cleared EKG wearable yow 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 lifeless 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 price algorithm, Bluetooth compatibility with some fitness center gear, and some apps — specifically Google Maps, Google Pockets, and YouTube Music. Whereas YouTube Music works properly, 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.
When it comes to {hardware}, the Cost 6 additionally encompasses a haptic button as an alternative of an inductive groove. It’s not a bodily button, which is slightly disappointing, however it’s extra dependable to this point 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 do this if it’s considerably cheaper and value is your primary 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 useful for walks, and it not less than provides some type of music playback.
Learn our Fitbit Cost 6 overview.
$140
The Good
- Nice construct high quality for a youngsters’ watch
- Cross platform
- Enjoyable video games that require bodily exercise to unlock
- Voice calls and textual content messaging with preselected contacts
- Household group chat
The Dangerous
- You’ll should cost it each night time
- Solely two shade choices (however a number of band choices)
The $179.99 Fitbit Ace LTE isn’t actually a conventional health tracker, although it does observe lively minutes. As a substitute, it’s a smartwatch with a mixture of kid-friendly video games and actions and considerate, family-oriented communication options. It’s a walled backyard, however an lovely one.
As a substitute of rigorously monitoring well being stats, the Ace LTE tracks “lively minutes,” which fill a cute progress meter referred to as a Noodle that runs across the face of the watch. Lively minutes earn time with the Ace LTE’s built-in video games that, mixed with actions, unlock customizations in your child’s avatar (referred to as an Eejie) that lives within the watch, in addition to its little home. You may as well unlock completely different video games and digital gadgets by connecting completely different watch straps.
With a $10/month subscription, you get real-time location monitoring and each voice and textual content messaging to preselected contacts by way of the Fitbit Ace app (moderately than the usual messaging and cellphone apps). As of November 2024, that features different members of the family with Ace LTE watches, in addition to a household group chat between dad and mom and children.
I like that the Ace LTE is constructed extra like a cross-platform smartwatch for adults than different child watches we’ve used, just like the plasticky Garmin Bounce. It makes use of the identical charger because the Pixel Watch 3, and will get a few day’s price of battery on a cost. My youngsters get pleasure from it however aren’t obsessive about it — although they’ve been recognized to run laps up and down the hallway to earn extra sport time.
Google says the Ace LTE is greatest suited to youngsters aged 7 to 11, and that sounds proper. My oldest is 10 now, and he or she’s been utilizing an Ace LTE for a few yr. As soon as she hits center faculty, I believe she’ll be annoyed that she will’t use it to speak to her associates. However for now it’s nice. We not too long ago obtained one for our 8-year-old, and it’s wild that they’ll textual content one another from their watches. It additionally means my 8-year-old can spam the group chat with emoji, however that’s advantageous too.
— Nathan Edwards, senior evaluations editor
Learn our hands-on with the Fitbit Ace LTE.
Do you have to even purchase a Fitbit proper now?
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 the summertime of 2023, and new customers can be requested to log into Fitbit utilizing their Google accounts. In 2025, this can be obligatory for everybody. In February 2023, 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 few thousand staff from its {hardware} departments spanning Pixel, Fitbit, and Nest. For those who’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, when 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 need a Fitbit, then go forward. For those who’re not in a rush or are undecided, now just isn’t a nasty time to take a seat again and observe.
Replace, July seventh: Added Fitbit Ace LTE as greatest Fitbit for teenagers, changing Fitbit Ace 3. Adjusted pricing and availability.