Greatest Fitbit health trackers and watches in 2023

In 2023, you may marvel if Fitbit continues 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 essentially the most hardcore of athletes, however they’re nonetheless wonderful units for monitoring general exercise in addition to monitoring sure well being and wellness metrics like EKGs and blood oxygen ranges. 

That mentioned, the subsequent few years can be a transition interval from the Fitbit of previous to no matter Fitbit can be going ahead. I wasn’t impressed with a current 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.

Whereas Fitbit’s future is a tad murky, 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 units include a free trial to Fitbit Premium, the corporate’s subscription service that provides guided exercises, meditations, and entry to extra in-depth metrics. As long as you’re conscious that adjustments lie forward, listed here are the very best Fitbits to purchase.

The launch of the $349.99 Pixel Watch 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 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.

For starters, it’s obtained a fantastic 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 like a watch, not a tracker dressed up as one. 

The Pixel Watch can also be so much smarter than the Versa 4 or Sense 2, partly as a result of Fitbit made its watches much less good. You get Google Assistant — which was faraway from the aforementioned Fitbits — and the entire suite of Google companies like Maps, Dwelling, YouTube Music, and Pockets. The Google Play Retailer has a ton of third-party apps, and the quantity retains rising. Fitbit’s native app retailer is naked, and the Versa 4 and Sense 2 don’t help third-party apps anyway, although their predecessors did. The Pixel Watch additionally has an LTE model for $50 extra, which has emergency SOS calling. Irrespective of the way you have a look at it, the Pixel Watch is a greater smartwatch than the Versa 4 and Sense 2. 

For well being and health monitoring, the Pixel Watch is actually a Fitbit. Fitbit integration is constructed proper into the watch, and the Fitbit app is the place you’ll view your information. There are a number of shortcomings, nevertheless. Whereas the watch has EKG capabilities, it doesn’t supply alerts for abnormally excessive / low coronary heart charges or irregular coronary heart rhythms. Its model of computerized monitoring is much less helpful than an actual Fitbit’s, and it doesn’t supply stroke monitoring for swimmers or nightly SpO2 percentages. This may occasionally change, nevertheless, as Google and Fitbit not too long ago reversed course and added the Sleep Profile function to the Pixel Watch.

If all you need is a health tracker that appears like a smartwatch, you’ll be able to think about the Versa 4 or Sense 2. They’ll get the job performed. The $229 Versa 4 is the extra budget-friendly possibility, and I solely suggest the $299.95 Sense 2 in case you care about EKG readings and extra strong stress monitoring.

The Encourage line hasn’t at all times felt, nicely, 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 an alternative of a metallic one. It’s an excellent 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 fee 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 in case 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 similar worth. It’ll boil down as to whether 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.

The Cost collection has at all times been standard, and the $149.95 Cost 5 is not any exception. It’s Fitbit’s higher-end health band however simply competes with the costlier Versa 4 on options. There’s now 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 now have with the Cost 5 is the always-on show. Whereas it’s stunning, it’s a significant battery drain. The Cost 5 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. It’s a disgrace as a result of the OLED is so much simpler on the eyes than the monochrome LED display screen on the Cost 4. 

Altogether although, you’re getting a hell of so much for the worth. It’s the one FDA-cleared EKG wearable you’ll find for underneath $200, and the one different Fitbits able to EKG and EDA readings are the Sense and Sense 2. So except you’re lifeless set on the smartwatch kind issue, the Cost 5 is the higher general deal. 

For those who’re making an attempt to resolve between the Cost 5 and Versa 4, we suggest the Cost 5 most often. Each will get you related well being monitoring experiences, although the Cost 5 packs in slightly additional due to the EKG and EDA sensors. (However as I discussed earlier, most individuals in all probability received’t use these sensors that a lot.) The Versa 4 will get Google Maps within the close to future, but it surely’s been nerfed with regards to third-party apps. All issues thought-about, the Cost 5 is the higher worth.

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 obtained 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 youngsters. As an alternative, it’s used to find out what number of “lively minutes” they’re getting. Total, it’s an honest selection for folks whose essential precedence is ensuring their youngsters get sufficient day by day train. In order for you location monitoring, nevertheless, you’re going to should search for one thing apart from a Fitbit.