Author’s notice: Amazon’s subsequent two-day Prime-exclusive gross sales occasion, Prime Huge Deal Days, is arising on October eighth. You’ll be able to store the finest early Prime Day offers now, or circle again later to peruse a deep pool of offers on fitness-focused wearables and different enjoyable tech.
In 2024, you may surprise if Fitbit remains to be related. Regardless of getting acquired by Google, Fitbit stays probably the most 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 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That stated, it is a transitional interval from the Fitbit of outdated to no matter Fitbit will likely be sooner or later. 2023, specifically, was a messy yr.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 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 based mostly 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’ll be able to have 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 usually go on sale. All of the gadgets include a free trial to Fitbit Premium, the corporate’s subscription service that provides guided exercises, meditations, and entry to extra in-depth metrics. Thus far, it seems Google takes its Pixel Watch lineup significantly, too. With the Pixel Watch 2, the corporate has expanded prolonged guarantee entry and improved substitute choices. You simply must go in with eyes vast open.
Greatest Fitbit smartwatch
$350
The Pixel Watch 3 provides a number of recent health options, brighter screens, and nifty Google integrations.
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, 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 major 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 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 permits you to 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 popular 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 might have a extra reasonably priced 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 once. It features a new operating dashboard, superior kind analytics, customized operating exercises, and even AI-generated exercise ideas. 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 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 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 companies in addition to different Pixel gadgets. As an example, you might have offline Google Maps and a Google Residence Tile. You’ll be able to view your Nest Doorbell digital camera 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 should 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 possibly can think about the $229 Versa 4 because it’s the extra budget-friendly choice. However there’s no actual level within the Sense 2 because the Pixel Watch 3 can do all the identical issues — and extra.
Learn our Pixel Watch 3 evaluation.
Greatest funds Fitbit
The Fitbit Encourage 3 is a minimalist health band that delivers notifications and tracks your exercise on a shiny OLED display.
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 a substitute of a steel one. It’s a terrific 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 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 quite a lot of equipment, together with a clip attachment if you wish to discreetly observe 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 if 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 a substitute of 10.
Learn our protection of the Fitbit Encourage 3 right here.
Greatest Fitbit health tracker
The Fitbit Cost 6 incorporates a haptic aspect button, an improved coronary heart charge algorithm, turn-by-turn navigation with Google Maps, and the power to broadcast your coronary heart charge on sure Bluetooth fitness center gear.
The Cost collection has at all times been common, 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 incorporates 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 significant battery drain. The Cost 6 has an estimated seven days of battery life, however that dwindles right down to about two when you have the always-on show enabled. This is identical problem that we had with the Cost 5, nevertheless it’s pretty typical from 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 until 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 charge algorithm, Bluetooth compatibility with some fitness center gear, and some apps — specifically 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 incorporates a haptic button as a substitute of an inductive groove. It’s not a bodily button, which is slightly disappointing, nevertheless it’s extra dependable to this point than the inductive groove, so I’d rely this as a web optimistic.
You might technically get the Cost 5 at a reduction. Nevertheless, I’d solely try 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 useful for walks, and it not less than provides some type of music playback.
Learn our evaluation of the Fitbit Cost 6 right here.
Greatest Fitbit for teenagers
Fitbit’s health tracker for kids sticks to the fundamentals, comes with parental controls, and has eight days of battery life.
That just about covers the present Fitbit lineup. The one one we haven’t touched to this point — 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 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 “active minutes” they’re getting. General, it’s a good alternative for fogeys whose essential precedence is ensuring their youngsters get sufficient every day train.
Nevertheless, Fitbit just lately introduced the $229.95 Ace LTE. It’s considerably dearer, however that’s comprehensible given it’s a major improve by way of {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 Cross, which allows calling, messaging, and real-time GPS monitoring for fogeys. Youngsters 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 gadget. Every thing 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 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 other than $35 collectible bands, there aren’t any microtransactions throughout the video games involving actual cash. (Youngsters can “buy” extra objects by finishing every 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 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 evaluation. (However in case you’re impatient, it’s obtainable for preorder now and hits cabinets on June fifth.)
Learn our hands-on with the Fitbit Ace LTE.
Do you have to even purchase a Fitbit proper now?
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 will likely be requested to log into Fitbit utilizing their Google accounts. In 2025, this will likely 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 few thousand staff 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, in case you’re trying to improve to an older Versa or Sense smartwatch, you may wish to see the place the mud settles. Nevertheless, if 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, October 2nd: Adjusted pricing and added a callout for Amazon’s October Prime Day occasion, which begins October eighth.