Which is the Best FitBit
People always ask, “Which Fitbit is best?” The truth is, there’s not a straight answer to that. Fitbit produces wristband trackers and smartwatches with different features and different prices. Individual needs differ, and there’s no perfect Fitbit for everyone. Plus, the metrics necessary to you may vary from the other person, and personal budgets also differ. So in light of this, we’ll review the top Fitbit devices along with key specs for you to choose the one that best fits your needs and pocket. But, before that, there are some things you should know.
A Brief Fitbit History
Officially, the Fitbit company started in 2007 but launched its first-ever tracking device called Fitbit in 2009. It was a wireless-enabled device with an in-built motion detector to track the user’s steps, calories burned, and sleep 24/7. It was worn by clipping it on to the user’s clothing. When it came out, it cost $99. However, this Fitbit wasn’t smartphone-connected.
It utilized a wireless docking unit that syncs with the device when it’s 10ft close. Plus, a syncing software needed to be installed on the user’s computer to get data from the Fitbit device. Once installed and set-up, the Fitbit transfers the user’s data through Fitbit’s servers with either Wi-Fi or cellular network, then displays it in the portal for users to analyze and understand their activities better.
Since the success of its first device, Fitbit has been releasing fantastic wearables to date. There are about thirty different Fitbit devices that have been released from 2009 to this present day. Notwithstanding, a few of them have been discontinued. For instance, on Clip-on trackers, the Fit, Ultra, One, and zip models have discontinued. On wristband trackers, the Flex, Flex 2, Charge, Force, Charge HR, Charge 2, Alta, and Alta 2 were discontinued. On smartwatches, the models’ Surge, and Blaze have discontinued. Fitbit has discontinued all devices mentioned, and a few replaced with new ones. However, some of the discontinued devices are still available from third-party sellers. According to Fitbit, until the discontinued devices are out of stock, they will continue to support them but won’t make more. Instead, focus on their new products.
Currently, there are five adult Fitbit trackers: Inspire, Inspire HR, Inspire 2, Charge 3, and Charge 4. One kid tracker: Ace 2. Five smartwatches: Iconic, Versa, Versa 2, Versa 3, and Sense. And lastly, one smart scale: Aria.
Best Fitbit tracker for men
Which Fitbit is best for men? The following are two of the best Fitbit trackers for men with different features and different prices.
Charge 3: It’s $125 on Amazon.
SPECS: Touchscreen/Swimproof/Fitbit Pay/7-day Battery Life/No in-built GPS/24-hour heart rate tracking/Smartphone Notifications
The Fitbit Charge 3 debuted in October 2018 as an advanced fitness tracker. It functions with a 3-axis accelerometer for tracking steps and distance covered throughout the day. You can even map your run with the smartphone GPS and get real-time stats.
The optical heart rate monitor measures heart rate 24/7 with an infrared light when the tracker is on the wrist. You can tell the height climbed a day with its in-built altimeter. It syncs up to six meters with iOS, Apple, and Windows devices, and you get text, calls, and calendar notifications right on the tracker with vibrations.
With Charge 3, you can track calories burned, choose 15 plus exercise modes, set goals, and track sleeping time & habit in four stages. It’s 50 meters water-resistant, and the battery lasts up to seven days after a full charge. Charge 3 is lightweight and very comfortable on the wrist. You can even exchange the straps and clock faces to suit your style and daily outfit.
Charge 4: It’s $145 on Amazon.
SPECS: Touchscreen/Swimproof/Fitbit Pay/7-day Battery Life/ in-built GPS/24-hour heart rate tracking/Smartphone Notifications/Spotify controls
The Fitbit Charge 4 is arguably the best tracker for men you can buy today. It was released on the 15th of April 2020 as an upgrade of Charge 3 with additional features. It has an in-built GPS to track your runs, hikes, and outdoor activities and displays a workout intensity map in the app with real-time pace and distance.
Being the first Fitbit to have an in-built GPS, this tracker gained popularity amongst runners and joggers. It reads heart rate 24/7 and displays a cardio fitness score for users to see how productive their fitness activities have been. You can play favorite songs on the go with the equipped Spotify app controls in the tracker.
Indeed, Charge 4 is more than just a tracker. Its aesthetic appearance makes it suitable for everyday wear. People will hardly notice you’re wearing a tracker. The straps and clock faces are interchangeable for a customized look. It gives accurate, all-day tracking of steps, calories burned, and stationary time all in the app.
It syncs up to 30 meters with iOS, Apple, and Windows devices, and you get text, calls, and calendar notifications right on the tracker with vibrations. However, only Android paired can reply to texts. Charge 4 battery can last up to 7-day without GPS use and 5-hour with GPS use.
Best Fitbit tracker for women
Fitbit trackers are mostly men focused, but there are some with female health-tracking, and one of them is the Fitbit HR. In 2019, they introduced the Inspire HR tracker. Inspire HR is one of the best Fitbit trackers for women.
Inspire HR: It’s $115 on Amazon.
SPEC: 24-hour Heart Rate Monitoring/Menstrual Health Tracking/Food Logging/5-day Battery Life/All-day Calorie Burn/Smartphone notification/Fitbit Pay.
Inspire HR is one of the most fashion-focused trackers from Fitbit. It tracks all-day activities and blends seamlessly with pieces of jewelry. The menstrual health tracking of the Inspire HR pairs with the Fitbit app helps you understand your body, follow your menstrual cycle, record common symptoms, and so much more.
HR means it comes equipped with heart rate monitors that track heart rate all-day, record resting heart rate, and pairs with the app to give you your Cardio Fitness Score. It syncs with any android, iOS, and Windows phones up to six meters. With the synchronization, texts, calls, calendar, and a reminder to move notifications appear on the trackers with vibrations.
It tracks sleeping time & habits, has 15+ goal-based exercise modes, and automatically records exercise. The battery lasts up to 5-days after a full charge, and both the straps and clock face of the tracker are interchangeable to suit your taste and daily outfits. It is swimming proof, so you can bathe and swim with it freely.
Best Fitbit tracker for kids
Currently, there’s only one Fitbit tracker for kids, and that’s the Ace 2.
Ace 2: It’s $68 on Amazon
SPEC: Sleep tracking/Swimproof/Call Notification/5-day Battery Life/Fitbit App for Parent & Kid/Touchscreen With Button
The Ace 2 replaced the Ace in 2019 and is the only Fitbit tracker available for kids. The company has put a well thought into this tracker for kids. It tracks all-day activities, including sleeping habits, and sets goals. Afterward, kids get virtual badges and wrist parties when they achieve these goals. For kids who have phones, the tracker gets call notifications and texts too.
Also, it has 50 meters water-resistant so that kids can wear it along to a pool party. After a full charge, the battery lasts up to five days with intense tracking. It’s a touchscreen and has a button for easy navigation.
Also, the Fitbit children account has a kid’s view and parent view. The kid’s view shows kids only selected activities and their badges, while the parent view shows the parent all the kid’s activity and approved connections. Kids from 12 years and below will need a parent’s consent for some features.
Fascinatingly, the ace 2 has a unique band that grows with the kid. This band can be interchanged with bands with different colorways for styling according to the kid’s preference. Clock faces can also be swapped with animated faces for a fun-filled user experience.
Best Overall Fitbit Watch
Versa 3: It’s $230 on Amazon
SPEC: Amazon Alexa and Google Voice/24-hour Heart Rate Tracking/Built-in GPS/All-day Activity Tracking/Receive Call From Wrist/Fitbit Pay/Smart Track/Fitbit Premium/6-day Battery Life/Spotify controls.
Versa 3 launched in September featuring an in-built GPS tracker that Versa and Versa 2 lacked. With the in-built GPS, you can map activities like running, biking, hiking, jogging, etc., without your smartphone. Most importantly, the workout map with real-time pace and distance will be displayed in the Fitbit App. Heart tracking as well got more advanced and accurate in Versa 3 with the introduction of purepulse 2.0.
Furthermore, you can receive calls on the wrist and use Alexa and google voice to reply to texts or send commands. Plus, you can play favorite songs with Spotify controls when you carry out exercises. It tracks steps, sleep, calories burned, and all your daily activity then displays it in the Fitbit app for you to analyze.
It has over eight sensors for tracking physical activities, and the battery lasts up to six hours with intense tracking. With 20+ exercise modes plus SmartTrack, you are sure to stay healthy and fit. It’s lightweight, thoughtfully designed, and water-resistant. You can interchange the bands and clock faces to suit your style.
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