Best Fitbit fitness trackers and watches in 2024

In 2024, you would possibly marvel 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 essentially the most hardcore of athletes, however they’re nonetheless wonderful 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 previous to no matter Fitbit will likely 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 neighborhood 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 time and is required in case you purchase new 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 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 staff had been laid off.

You possibly can take 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 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. Up to now, it seems Google takes its Pixel Watch lineup critically, too. With the Pixel Watch 2, the corporate has expanded prolonged guarantee entry and improved alternative choices. You simply must go in with eyes huge 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 may handle to construct by itself.

The Pixel Watch 3 is a big replace over its predecessors. It lastly seems like Google’s now not enjoying catch-up to its rivals. This yr, 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 yr, although the third-gen system has an extremely wideband chip that lets you 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 of final yr, you will get a Most well-liked Care prolonged guarantee within the US and Canada. That is one purpose we advocate the Pixel Watch 3 over the unique since at the very least you could have a extra inexpensive 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 units for discounted replacements.

As for health options, the Pixel Watch 3 is significantly better for runners than it was. It features a new working dashboard, superior type 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 primarily based in your health targets. It’s conceptually much 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 function 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 units. As an illustration, you could have offline Google Maps and a Google Dwelling Tile. You possibly can view your Nest Doorbell digital camera 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 select up the cellphone.

If all you need is a health tracker that appears to be like like a smartwatch, you’ll be able to 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 3 can do all the identical issues — and extra.

Learn our Pixel Watch 3 overview.

The Encourage line hasn’t at all times felt, effectively, impressed. However the $99.95 Encourage 3 is totally 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 awesome 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, 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 trustworthy, the Encourage 3 and Luxe are fairly comparable, they usually’re usually across the similar worth. 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 an alternative of 10.

Learn our protection of the Fitbit Encourage 3 right here.

The Cost sequence has at all times been widespread, 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 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 right down to about two if in case you have the always-on show enabled. This is identical challenge that we had with the Cost 5, but it surely’s pretty typical from Fitbit trackers as of late.

Altogether, although, you’re getting a hell of loads for the worth. It’s the one FDA-cleared EKG wearable yow 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 total deal. 

In comparison with its predecessor, the Cost 6 additionally provides an improved coronary heart charge algorithm, Bluetooth compatibility with some gymnasium gear, and some apps — particularly Google Maps, Google Pockets, and YouTube Music. Whereas YouTube Music works effectively, I’m not stoked that it requires an extra $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 somewhat disappointing, but it surely’s extra dependable so far than the inductive groove, so I might rely this as a web constructive.

You can 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 at the very least affords some type of music playback.

Learn our overview 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 youths. It’s a fundamental 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 kids. As an alternative, it determines what number of “lively minutes” they’re getting. General, it’s a good selection for fogeys whose essential precedence is ensuring their children get sufficient each day train.

Nevertheless, Fitbit lately introduced the $229.95 Ace LTE. It’s considerably dearer, however that’s comprehensible given it’s a big improve by way of {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 have to have their very own smartphone to set it up, and there aren’t any third-party apps or adverts on the system. Every thing 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 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 aspect, however other than $35 collectible bands, there aren’t any microtransactions throughout the video games involving actual cash. (Children can “purchase” extra gadgets 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 kids. 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 overview. (However in case you’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 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 time 2023 and new customers will likely be requested to log into Fitbit utilizing their Google accounts. In 2025, this will likely 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 stress right here and the way forward for Fitbit {hardware} is murky. Particularly given the truth that Google laid off a couple of thousand staff from its {hardware} departments spanning Pixel, Fitbit, and Nest. For those who’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, in case you’re seeking to improve to an older Versa or Sense smartwatch, you would possibly need to see the place the mud settles. Nevertheless, if you recognize you desire a Fitbit, then go forward. For those who’re not in a rush or are undecided, now will not be a foul time to sit down again and observe.

Replace, September twenty fourth: Swapped out the Pixel Watch 2 for the Pixel Watch 3.