Fitbit was one of the first companies to manufacture wearable health monitoring gadgets that work in conjunction with a smartphone. The brand's first popular offerings were the Fitbit Ultra, Fitbit One, and Fitbit Flex.
The company offers devices to fit a wide range of budgets, from the basic Fitbit Inspire to the feature-packed Fitbit Charge 3 to full smartwatches Fitbit Versa 2.
Fitbit is likely to have a bright future as it was recently acquired by Google's parent company Alphabet, and the move should provide the money, support and stability to reach new heights and operate for the long haul - assuming that Google has no other plans.
So now is the time to get a Fitbit watch, and there are plenty to choose from, both new models like the Fitbit Ionic and Fitbit Inspire HR, and older ones (eg Fitbit Flex 2).
The abundance of options means there is likely to be something for everyone, which is why we created this list.
Below are the best Fitbit trackers you can buy right now. When compiling the list, we considered design, features, price, and many other elements.
Fitbit Charge 3: one of the best fitness trackers
- Display: Yes
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
- Activity monitoring: yes
- GPS: via smartphone
- Autonomy: 4-5 days
- Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows
The best fitness gadget is undoubtedly the Fitbit Charge 3. It has a ton of useful features, including heart rate tracking, breathing control, swimming activity monitoring and an improved notification system. In addition, its display is larger than previous devices in the Fitbit Charge line.
The Charge 3 Special Edition is compatible with Fitbit Pay payments. The tracker uses the GPS of the paired smartphone to calculate the distance travelled. Without a mobile phone, it is not able to determine the location, so for joggers, the Fitbit Charge 3 may not be the best choice.
At launch, the Fitbit Charge 3 cost the same as the second generation model. Given this fact, we can say that Charge 3 will appeal to many of those who want to purchase a functional tracker in 2020.
What's next? Will FitBit Charge 4 be presented soon? It is not known, so you can safely buy FitBit Charge 3 and not be afraid that the tracker will stop being relevant in the coming year.
Advantages:
- The display is greater than that of Fitbit Charge 2.
- can be used in water.
Disadvantages:
- FitBit Pay support is just a more expensive model.
- There is no own GPS.
FitBit Inspire HR: Motivation to get out of the sofa
- Display: is
- Pulse meter: is
- Waterproof: Yes
- Tracking activity: Yes
- GPS: Yes (via smartphone)
- Autonomy: 5 days
- Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows
Inspire HR is one of the latest FitBit gadgets. This is an excellent alternative to other popular company trackers.
The cost of INSPIRE HR is not translated. It offers many functions, including tracking cardiac rhythm, sleep monitoring and breathing exercise complex. GPS function is also present, but it works through a smartphone.
With the active use of FitBit Inspire HR will last about 5 days on one charge. The gadget attracts not only a wide range of functions, but also an elegant design. It is waterproof, although for some reason there is no swimming mode in it.
Fitbit Inspire HR is suitable for those who are not engaged in water sports, ready to take a smartphone with them on a run and does not require the bracelet of the huge opportunities of the smart watches. If there is a desire to get more, then you will have to spend more: in the FitBit assortment, there are enough suggestions that are superior to INSPIE HR on functionality.
What's next? FitBit Inspire HR is a new model, its release took place in March 2019. Talking about the successor is still too early.
Advantages:
- Premium design.
- Set of monitored metrics.
Disadvantages:
- There is not enough swimming mode.
- There is no contactless payment.
- No GPS.
Fitbit Versa 2: Support for Alex and more on your wrist
- Display: yes
- Heart rate monitor: yes
- Waterproof: yes
- Activity Monitor: yes
- GPS : no
- Autonomy: up to 5 days
- Compatibility: Android / iOS / Windows
The Fitbit Versa 2 is the first smartwatch on this list and is arguably one of the most versatile devices the company has to offer.
You can get notifications, use Amazon Alexa functionality, and access various third-party apps through the Fitbit Versa 2.
Not to mention the best fitness features like a heart rate monitor and activity monitoring that any Fitbit product has. There's no built-in GPS, so you'll need to take your phone with you on every run if you're looking for a device to track your location.
Benefits:
- Improved lightweight design.
- Always on display.
Weaknesses:
- Lack of GPS.
- No Spotify offline playback.
Fitbit Flex 2: great budget fitness band
- )
- Size: two options
- Display: no
- Weight: 19g
- Waterproof: no
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- ) Endurance: 5 days
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0
Need an extremely easy to use fitness tracker? Here it is. Fitbit Flex 2 is suitable for swimmers: it is water resistant and can collect information about swims. It's thin, light, and cheaper than the Fitbit Charge 2. It has all the basic features of a tracker.
What it lacks is a display. If the presence of a display is fundamentally important to you, pay attention to the alternative - Fitbit Versa.
What's next? The Fitbit Flex 2 used to rank higher in our rankings, but the Fitbit Inspire HR moved it down. As for the continuation of the Flex line, there is no data on this yet.
Advantages:
- Excellent software.
- Comfortable and easy.
Disadvantages:
- Average autonomy.
- slowly charging.
Fitbit Versa Lite: Lightweight tracker with sufficient functionality
- Display: is
- Pulse meter: is
- Waterproof: Yes
- Tracking activity: Yes
- GPS: Yes (through a smartphone)
- Autonomy: 3-4 days
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
This is a simplified version of Fitbit Versa. Since the manufacturer deprived this device of several functions, it is sold at a lower price. Not in all Versa Lite stores are much cheaper than the original VERSA, so choosing between these two hours, it is necessary to thoroughly study and compare their capabilities.
Choosing Versa Lite You will receive a heart rate tracker, 4 GB of integrated memory for additional applications, waterproof and system of smart notifications with insufficient physical activity. But at the same time you have to do without swimming mode, storage for music and contactless payment FitBit Pay.
All these disadvantages say that Versa Lite is not the best smart watches Fitbit, but they relate to the budget category and are therefore available to a wide circle of buyers.
Benefits:
- Conveniently sits on the wrist.
- Stably holds a charge.
Disadvantages:
- Not all information about training is displayed.
- No GPS.
Fitbit Ionic: the first smart watch unlike any other
- OS: Fitbit OS
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.47" 1000 nit
- CPU: Dual Core 1.0 GHz
- Size: large
- Memory capacity: 2.5 GB
- Autonomy: 2-3 days
- Charging: via proprietary charger
- IP rating: submersible up to 50 meters
- Communication: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
The Fitbit Ionic didn't live up to its expectations, but it turned out to be a great sports-focused wearable. They are great for running, weightlifting, swimming and more.
Customized training programs and Fitbit Pay support are the main advantages of Ionic. It is worth noting that this gadget is designed specifically for sports and does not provide a full experience of using smart watches, such as Apple Watch 3 or LG Watch Sport.
The price is high. Given all the shortcomings, we gave the Fitbit Ionic an average score in our ranking. However, for outdoor runners, they are out of competition. Fitbit Ionic is a reliable gadget with built-in GPS. When you go for a run, you can leave your smartphone at home and not be afraid that you will miss an important notification.
What's next? Fitbit is in no hurry to release the second generation Ionic. Therefore, the choice of smart watches from this company is still small.
Benefits:
- Bright display.
- Lots of fitness features.
Weaknesses:
- Slow interface.
- Few applications available.
Fitbit Alta HR: the most stylish tracker with heart rate function
- Display: yes
- Heart rate monitor: yes
- Waterproof: No
- Activity Monitor: Yes
- GPS: No
- Autonomy: 7 days
- Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows
The Fitbit Alta HR inherits the stylish design from the Fitbit Alta. In a thin body, there was a place for everything that was in its predecessor, and even for a heart rate sensor.
The standard Fitbit Alta emphasized good looks over technical features. In Alta HR, the manufacturer tried to take into account both. The result is a beautiful and functional bracelet.
However, he has some shortcomings. The main ones are the lack of a GPS module and water protection. However, this is one gadget that you won't want to part with for a minute: it's comfortable, it has a sleep monitoring function, and it also monitors the heart rate.
A full battery lasts for a week, the tracker is able to display notifications from a paired smartphone. This alone is enough to consider the Fitbit Alta HR for purchase. Especially if you don't need an abundance of features or something massive like the Fitbit Ionic.
What's next? Fitbit Alta HR and Inspire HR are similar in many ways. The company is not going to release another similar tracker, and nothing is known about the future of the Alta line.
Benefits:
- Thin.
- Measurement accuracy.
Weaknesses:
- Poor sensor response.
- Text is illegible in bright light.
Fitbit Versa: First fitbit smartwatch
- Display: Yes
- Heart rate monitor: Yes
- Waterproof: Yes
- Activity Monitor: Yes
- GPS: No (smartphone only)
- Autonomy: up to 3-4 days
- Compatibility: Android / iOS / Windows
The Fitbit Versa packs a lot of features into the Ionic model. If you want a watch in a smaller size, then the first product of the company will be the best choice.
The price is already much lower with the release of the Fitbit Versa 2, and while the watch doesn't look perfect, we like the smaller design that fits snugly around your wrist. The device comes with Fitbit Pay, all Ionic apps, music storage and more.
GPS functionality is sorely lacking here, so you'll have to take your smartphone with you, but it's still a great smartwatch from Fitbit.
Pros:
- Lightweight design.
- Relatively low price.
Cons:
- Feels a bit cheap and childish.
- No GPS.
Fitbit Charge 2: once the best fitness tracker
- Display: yes
- Heart rate monitor: yes
- Waterproof: No
- Activity Monitor: Yes
- GPS: via smartphone
- Autonomy: 4 days
- Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows
Prior to the introduction of the Fitbit Charge 3, the Charge 2 was the best of its kind. She won due to the large display and the presence of additional fitness functions. For example, it has a Multi-Sport mode: it allows you to track physical activity while running, walking, athletics, etc.
The tracker tracks the distance traveled using GPS data received from a paired smartphone. But for swimmers, it will not work - there is no water protection. Swimmers should take a closer look at the Fitbit Flex 2 or Fitbit Charge 3 described above.
Weaknesses:
- Not all types of notifications are supported.
- No native GPS.
FitBit Inspire: Basic model
- Display: Yes
- Pulse meter: No
- Waterproofability: Yes
- Activity monitoring: Yes
- GPS: No
- Autonomy: up to 5 days
- Compatibility: Android / iOS / Windows
FitBit Inspire is, in fact, a cheaper alternative to Fitbit Inspire HR for those who do not need a pulsometer.
This somewhat limits the functionality of the clock, but there is still a lot of things, including an attractive miniature design, tracking of activity, sleep and up to five days of autonomous work.
Unfortunately, the model did not receive GPS (it is impossible to even connect to the phone), so these hours are intended for people who want to get a regular activity tracker, and not a real companion for training, however the price, respectively, low.
Advantages:
- are easy to use.
- Attractive design.
Disadvantages:
- Very limited functions.
- Lack of GPS or Pulsometer.
