It might be difficult to maintain accurate health records without sophisticated equipment. Fitness monitors like Fitbit exist because not everyone is able to control their heart rate, stress levels, and daily activity on their own. These Google smartwatches are specifically made to track your movement and offer a variety of routines to assist maintain your physical well-being. Anyone attempting to maintain their health can benefit greatly from a Fitbit watch, but not all models are created equal.
At the moment, Google sells six distinct Fitbit watches directly. You may avoid worrying about things like how to prolong the battery life of your Fitbit gadget or how to resolve frequent Fitbit issues by being aware of their specifications and usefulness in advance. The differences between each model extend far beyond form factor or design; even on high-end models, some functions and functionality are just absent. To put it another way, the finest Fitbit model isn’t always the most costly one.
The Fitbit Ace LTE is the only Fitbit device that will not be included on this list. Although it tracks physical activity as well, it is more akin to a standard smartwatch in form, has rather different activity tracking techniques, and does not have the long battery life of more specialized Fitbits. Therefore, rather than competing with the other Fitbit trackers, it more closely belongs to its own category.
Ace 3
Given its snug fit, it is clear that the Fitbit Ace 3 is primarily intended for children. It was first developed in 2021 with the goal of getting kids exercising during the epidemic of excessive screen time, and many of its extra features are targeted at that demographic. It certainly accomplishes its objective with its multicolored wristband, endearing animated clock faces, and remarkably inexpensive price of $80. To ensure that a youngster is active and healthy as much as possible, there isn’t really any other tracker you need.
But in exchange for its alluring price, the Ace 3 sacrifices a number of things. The Ace 3 lacks several of the fundamental tracking capabilities of other watches, such as the ability to measure your heart rate. Although there are heart rate trackers, you are not permitted to activate them, which negates their original purpose. Additionally, the tracker’s screen is poorer because it uses PMOLED rather than AMOLED, which further reduces its dependability and utility.
Even so, the Ace 3 isn’t a horrible option. In comparison to many of the more costly devices, it even has an amazing battery life. The Ace 3 is only really appropriate for very young children or those on the lowest possible budget, while other Fitbit models will seem far more useful in the long term when seeking for a genuine fitness tracker.
The Luxe
At $200, the Fitbit Luxe is a high-end tracker that costs a premium as well. The Fitbit Luxe has a metal design with a stainless steel case, giving it a significantly better look than the majority of the other versions, which use silicone or leather bands. There are plenty of customization options because you can still replace the band with different types, such as a stainless steel mesh. It offers superior fitness tracking than the Ace 3, including real-time heart rate monitoring and skin temperature change through the Fitbit app.
The fundamental issue with the Luxe is that, in terms of its entire feature set, it still only performs at a baseline level. Every other Fitbit model has almost all of its features, and its functionality can be matched or surpassed at any price point. Furthermore, the Luxe’s battery only lasts five days before needing to be charged again, making it the Fitbit with the shortest battery life available. The Ace 3, a tracker primarily intended for youngsters, is the only thing it is unquestionably superior to.
The Luxe’s metal chain is perhaps the main factor contributing to its high price. That chain is probably the reason the price has been raised so much, as the previously mentioned steel mesh attachment alone costs around $100. However, the Luxe is significantly less valuable than it appears because other bands that are identical may be used on the other trackers.
Versa 4
Along with the Inspire 3 and Sense 2, the Fitbit Versa 4 was first unveiled as part of the Fitbit Fall Lineup 2022. Except for its $200 price tag, many of its features are similar to those of the Luxe. With the exception of extra high and low heart rate alerts, almost all of its fitness features are comparable. However, the Versa 4’s larger screen and slightly more usefulness than the Luxe’s metal band help to justify its expensive price.
In addition to monitoring, the Versa 4 boasts stronger connection than many of its competitors. Built-in features include Google Maps, Google Wallet, Alexa, and even a GPS. Very few other Fitbit trackers have GPS built in, and many of them need an external connection to do so. Although the Versa 4’s battery life is its worst drawback, it still provides a reasonable six days in contrast to the Luxe’s pitiful five.
The Versa 4’s primary drawback is that all of its capabilities are still at the baseline level. Although it does a great job of surpassing the Luxe, Fitbits that are less expensive are even more practical, especially when the price variations are taken into account. The Versa 4’s larger screen is its biggest advantage, but if you’re prepared to shell out a little more cash, you can purchase a more costly model with a lot more tracking capabilities.
Inspire 3
The Fitbit Inspire 3 is one of ten noteworthy fitness trackers that we have previously recognized as having the potential to assist you in reaching your objectives. On the surface, however, it may appear to be exactly the same as the Luxe. Aside from replacing the device’s temperature sensor with an ambient light sensor and having the same heart rate alerts as the Versa 4, it has all the same basic functions. The battery life, which increases to 10 days, the longest of any Fitbit model, is another significant difference.
The cost of the Inspire 3 is where it truly excels. The Inspire 3’s price is half that of the Luxe and Versa 4, making it only about $100—one of the smallest compromises you can make. Because they provide so little extra functionality in comparison to this one, the other Fitbit trackers wind up ranking so low. Their functioning is inferior to alternatives at various price points, and the only reasons they are so costly are their size or appearance. Some purchasers may find those useful, but if your only concern is utilizing these trackers for what they were designed to perform, they are of little use.
Without a doubt, the Inspire 3 is the greatest entry-level Fitbit available. Aside from the Ace 3, it’s the only one under $150 when discounts are taken into account. Unless you’re purchasing it for a young person, it’s worth spending an additional $20 on this more sophisticated model, even if you’re on a tight budget.
Sense 2
Due to their similar size and battery life, the Fitbit Versa 4 and Sense 2 can be compared in many ways. One notable distinction is that, at about $250, the Sense 2 is the priciest Fitbit available today. But because of its extra features, this tracker is much more valuable than the other $200+ models. The Sense 2 is the greatest tracker for people who seek as many features as possible, regardless of cost or its poor battery life.
The only functional shortcomings of the Sense 2 are its inability to integrate with fitness equipment for heart rate monitoring and its lack of controls tailored to YouTube music. With considerably more activity modes and the most sophisticated stress tracking of any Fitbit, it surpasses rival models in every single aspect. Its fitness readouts are more accurate because to the addition of a gyroscope and other electronic sensors. Only specialized Google Pixel smartwatches surpass its capabilities, with all other Fitbits falling short in terms of health and fitness tracking.
In light of this, the Fitbit Sense 2’s closest rival is really the similarly priced Google Pixel Watch 2. Although it offers much more monitoring capabilities and far more compatibility, its battery life is significantly poorer than that of the Luxe. Nevertheless, our evaluation of the Google Pixel Watch 2 was quite favorable, so it’s worth taking into consideration over a Fitbit that costs the same. Your selections for screen size and the frequency of tracker charging will determine everything.
Charge 6
The Fitbit Charge 6’s value is the main reason it tops this list. With a ton of exercise options and extra electrical sensors, but no deeper stress monitoring or guided breathing sessions, it is genuinely mediocre in terms of utility when compared to the Inspire 3 and Sense 2. With the integrated GPS and seven-day battery life, it still outperforms its more costly competitors by a significant margin. With a starting price of $160, it is more functional than the Versa 4 and Luxe, yet it is about comparable to both.
Another advantage of the Charge 6 is that it is the most well regarded Fitbit tracker available. Because of its pinpoint precision, this tracker has received accolades from a number of newspapers and members of the community, surpassing even the Sense 2 in this regard. Since tracking your health and activities is the most crucial aspect of a tracker, it’s easy to see why the Charge 6 has such a great reputation.
The Sense 2’s additional features continue to justify its cost, while the Inspire 3’s relative affordability allows it to compete effectively over time. However, the Fitbit Charge 6 is an excellent multipurpose device that doesn’t sacrifice much for its price. It’s easy to believe that the Charge 6 is the greatest Fitbit available due to its total value and favorable reviews.