Finest Fitbit health trackers and watches in 2024

In 2024, you would possibly surprise 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 glorious units 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That stated, it is a transitional interval from the Fitbit of outdated to no matter Fitbit can be sooner or later. 2023 particularly was a messy yr.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 through 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 2. The Fitbit app additionally bought a brand new, extra Google-like makeover, which didn’t go over properly 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 may 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 usually 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. To date, it seems Google takes its Pixel Watch lineup critically, 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 vast open.

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 might handle to construct by itself.

It’s bought a stupendous 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 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 suggest the Pixel Watch 2 over the unique since no less than you might have 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 2 units 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 price notifications. The brand new multipath sensor additionally purportedly delivers extra correct coronary heart price 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 expenses 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 companies, Google has additionally now added Calendar and Gmail to its present wearable apps, like Pockets, Maps, Residence, and Google Assistant.

Google has additionally beefed up private security options. Should you get the LTE model of the watch and have a Fitbit Premium subscription, you not want an energetic LTE plan as a way to use emergency calling options. There’s additionally a brand new Security Verify timer that routinely notifies your emergency contacts if you happen to fail to verify in when the timer goes off.

If all you need is a health tracker that appears 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 assessment of the Pixel Watch 2 right here.

The Encourage line hasn’t all the time felt, properly, impressed. However the $99.95 Encourage 3 is totally different. With a shade OLED show, it’s paying homage 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 a fantastic 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 price 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 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 gown it up a bit. 

To be trustworthy, the Encourage 3 and Luxe are fairly comparable, they usually’re usually across the identical worth. It’ll boil down as to whether you suppose 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.

Learn our protection of the Fitbit Encourage 3 right here.

The Cost sequence has all the time 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 costlier Versa 4 on options. It includes 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 with the Cost 6 is the always-on show. Whereas it’s lovely, it’s a serious 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 similar challenge that we had with the Cost 5, nevertheless it’s pretty typical from Fitbit trackers nowadays.

Altogether, although, you’re getting a hell of quite a bit for the value. 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 useless set on the smartwatch type 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 gymnasium tools, and some apps — particularly 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 includes a haptic button as an alternative 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 constructive.

You could possibly 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 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 no less than affords some type of music playback.

Learn our assessment 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 fundamental tracker with a rugged bumper and comes with parental controls. It’s bought 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 kids. As a substitute, it determines what number of “active minutes” they’re getting. General, it’s a good alternative for folks whose essential precedence is ensuring their youngsters get sufficient day by day train.

Nevertheless, Fitbit simply introduced the $229.95 Ace LTE. It’s considerably costlier, however that’s comprehensible given it’s a major 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 suitable!) It additionally provides built-in LTE for a $9.99 month-to-month subscription through the Ace Go, which allows calling, messaging, and real-time GPS monitoring for folks. Children gained’t must have their very own smartphone to set it up, and there are not any third-party apps or advertisements on the gadget. All the pieces 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 sequence 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 component, however other than $35 collectible bands, there are not any microtransactions inside the video games involving actual cash. (Children can “buy” extra gadgets by finishing day by day quests and partaking in actions.) As for privateness, Google says that solely mother and father will be capable to view location and exercise knowledge for kids. Location knowledge is deleted after 24 hours, whereas exercise knowledge is deleted after 35 days. We haven’t had an opportunity to check the Ace LTE but, so keep tuned for our forthcoming assessment. (However if you happen to’re impatient, it’s obtainable for preorder now and hits cabinets on June fifth.)

Learn our hands-on with the Fitbit Ace LTE.

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 can be requested to log into Fitbit utilizing their Google accounts. In 2025, this can 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. Should you’re shopping for a tracker for the primary time and need 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 would possibly wish to see the place the mud settles. Nevertheless, if you realize you desire a Fitbit, then go forward. Should you’re not in a rush or are undecided, now will not be a foul time to sit down again and observe.

Replace Might thirtieth, 12:50PM ET: Up to date with new details about the Fitbit Ace LTE.