The best Fitbits for your fitness and health

In 2024, you may surprise if Fitbit remains to be related. Regardless of getting acquired by Google, Fitbit stays some of the 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 general exercise in addition to monitoring sure well being and wellness metrics like EKGs and blood oxygen ranges. 

That mentioned, this can be a transitional interval from the Fitbit of outdated to no matter Fitbit shall be sooner or later. 2023, particularly, was a messy 12 months.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 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 season and is required if you happen to purchase new merchandise just like the Fitbit Cost 6 or Google Pixel Watch 3. The Fitbit app additionally received a brand new, extra Google-like makeover, which didn’t go over effectively with many customers. (Google has since made changes based mostly 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 staff had been laid off.

You may have 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. To date, it seems Google takes its Pixel Watch lineup severely, too. With the Pixel Watch 2, the corporate has expanded prolonged guarantee entry and improved substitute choices. You simply need to go in with eyes extensive 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 big replace over its predecessors. It lastly looks like Google’s not enjoying 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 automotive fashions.

It’s received 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 will get a Most popular Care prolonged guarantee within the US and Canada. That is one motive we suggest the Pixel Watch 3 over the unique since a minimum of you have got a extra inexpensive fallback ought to one thing occur to your show. Google additionally introduced an choice the place you possibly can 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 significantly better for runners than it was. It features a new operating dashboard, superior type analytics, customized operating exercises, and even AI-generated exercise ideas. It’s additionally launched a brand new metric known as Cardio Load, which measures the depth of your exercises and suggests a goal based mostly in your health targets. It’s conceptually just like Garmin’s Coaching Load. The Every day Readiness Rating has additionally been revamped and is 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 characteristic isn’t obtainable 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 have got offline Google Maps and a Google Dwelling Tile. You may view your Nest Doorbell digicam 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 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 like a smartwatch, you possibly can take into account the $229 Versa 4 because it’s the extra budget-friendly choice. 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.

The Encourage line hasn’t all the time felt, effectively, impressed. However the $99.95 Encourage 3 is completely different. With a shade OLED show, it’s harking back to the Fitbit Luxe (previously $149.95, now usually round $99.99), simply with a matte black plastic case as an alternative of a steel one. It’s an amazing throwback to basic 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 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 if you happen to 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 costume it up a bit. 

To be sincere, the Encourage 3 and Luxe are fairly related, they usually’re usually across the similar worth. It’ll boil down as to whether you assume the Luxe’s nicer case is value buying and selling half the battery life for — the Luxe will get an estimated 5 days as an alternative of 10.

The Cost collection 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 dearer Versa 4 on options. It encompasses a shade 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 now have 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 when you’ve got the always-on show enabled. This is identical problem that we had with the Cost 5, nevertheless it’s pretty typical from Fitbit trackers lately.

Altogether, although, you’re getting a hell of loads for the worth. It’s the one FDA-cleared EKG wearable you will discover 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 until you’re useless 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 health club tools, and some apps — specifically 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 encompasses a haptic button as an alternative of an inductive groove. It’s not a bodily button, which is a little bit disappointing, nevertheless it’s extra dependable so far than the inductive groove, so I might rely this as a internet optimistic.

You could possibly technically get the Cost 5 at a reduction. Nonetheless, I’d solely try 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 a minimum of provides some type of music playback.

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 fundamental tracker with a rugged bumper and comes with parental controls. It’s received 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 an alternative, it determines what number of “energetic minutes” they’re getting. General, it’s an honest selection for fogeys whose essential precedence is ensuring their children get sufficient every day train.

Nonetheless, Fitbit 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 Cross, which permits calling, messaging, and real-time GPS monitoring for fogeys. Children received’t must have their very own smartphone to set it up, and there aren’t any third-party apps or adverts on the machine. All the things can 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 enjoying a bit, they’re inspired to get some bodily exercise to unlock extra enjoying time. There’s additionally a Tamagotchi-like ingredient, however apart from $35 collectible bands, there aren’t any microtransactions throughout the video games involving actual cash. (Children can “purchase” extra gadgets by finishing every day quests and partaking in actions.) As for privateness, Google says that solely mother and father will be capable 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 totally take a look at the Ace LTE but, however keep tuned for our forthcoming overview.

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 shall be requested to log into Fitbit utilizing their Google accounts. In 2025, this shall be obligatory 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 few thousand staff 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’d make extra sense to go for a Garmin or Amazfit tracker. Equally, if you happen to’re seeking 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. If you happen to’re not in a rush or are undecided, now just isn’t a nasty time to take a seat again and observe.

Replace, November fifth: Adjusted pricing and availability.