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The Best Fitbits

Last updated on August 14, 2024
Categories Health & Wellness Tags ,

We looked at the top 7 Fitbits and dug through the reviews from 61 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Fitbits.

Best Fitbit

Our Review Process

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Our Picks For The Top Fitbits

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Product Overview
Key Takeaway
Pros
Cons
 Best Overall

Fitbit Charge 3

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Fitbit

Charge 3

The Fitbit Charge 3 is the best overall pick, thanks to its larger screen and extensive health tracking, which includes calorie burn and more than 15 different exercise modes. It's also swim-proof and easy to use. Most of the watch face options include time, steps and heart rate in view.

Overall Take

Tons of FeaturesA quick glance at your Fitbit Charge 3 gives you an overview of your vitals, plus 15 different exercise modes.

Pros
" The biggest difference on the Charge 3, is the screen, which is 40% larger."
Cons
"Fitbit now has just one fitness tracker with on-board GPS, the Ionic, which one of the company’s worst-designed devices. I was hoping the Charge 3 would improve upon the Charge 2 by adding GPS, but unfortunately, the new band has..."
 Also Great

Fitbit Alta HR

Fitbit

Alta HR

Fitbit's sleekest design comes packed with features. Heart rate monitoring, all-day activity tracking and auto exercise recognition make it one of Fitbit's smartest creations. The slim band comes in a rainbow of vibrant hues.

Overall Take

Minimalist TrackingThe Fitbit Alta HR is perfect for stylish, active people who want a full-featured watch without the bulk.

Pros
" The slim-design Fitbit Alta HR may appeal to people who want Fitbit’s superior sleep tracking and automatic activity detection."
Cons
"Tap-sensitive screen isn't sensitive enough."
 Also Consider

Fitbit Versa 2 Smartwatch

Fitbit

Versa 2 Smartwatch

This version of the Fitbit Versa comes with built-in Alexa compatibility. The larger display and always-on option makes it easy to check on your progress. It works for six days or more on a single charge.

Overall Take

Smart FeaturesThe Fitbit Versa 2 Smartwatch comes with built-in Alexa compatibility and lasts for almost a week on a single charge.

 Best Value

Fitbit Flex 2

Fitbit

Flex 2

This budget-friendly buy offers the basic Fitbit features in a discreet band. It's a great starter fitness tracker, as it records steps, distance, calories burned and active minutes. It does not include a heart rate sensor or built-in GPS. Its waterproof capabilities also add convenience, allowing users to wear their Fitbit in up to 50 meters of fr...

Overall Take

Great Starter TrackerThe Fitbit Flex 2 is a perfect first fitness tracker, with waterproof protection and a discreet band.

Pros
" Flex 2 is a handy way to tally-up your gym sessions and jogs without doing so manually. It also separates out longer walks. This is one of the best bits of the Fitbit software, making what are effectively quite simple..."
Cons
"Part of the issue is that there’s no loop through which to thread the strap, meaning you have to line up the buttons with the holes; it’s trickier than you might think especially for anyone with restricted motor control."

Buying Guide

Knowledge is power, and fitness trackers provide a wealth of health knowledge right at your fingertips — or, more accurately on your wrist. With the right fitness tracker, you can power up a healthy lifestyle and a new you.

As a result, wearable technology, like fitness trackers and smartwatches, are valuable tools to help you achieve your goals. These devices do so much more than tell time or add a pretty accessory on your wrist. They record and monitor movement and fitness-related activities. They track the number of steps taken, distance walked, sleep duration and quality, heart rate and more. Some advanced models have separate modes that enable them to track specific types of exercise and can distinguish between swimming, running and cycling and keep logs of your favorite routes. Then, you can connect and upload all the stored data to your computer or smartphone to analyze and learn from your activities.

It’s not a passing trend either. In fact, the global fitness trackers market clocked in at just under $18 billion in 2016. That value is expected to grow to more than $62 billion within the next four years. Smartwatches, specifically, are driving most of the predicted growth. Some of the leading fitness tracker manufacturers include Fitbit, Samsung, Nike, Adidas, Google and Apple.

Fitbit is one of the most popular fitness tracker manufacturers. The company launched its very first tracker back in 2007. Since then, it has introduced innovative new technology and features. Now, Fitbit offers a wide variety of different fitness trackers and smartwatch models at a relatively affordable price range. There are high-tech models with detailed data tracking for serious athletes, as well as simple watches, like the Fitbit Flex 2, for those dipping their toe into fitness tracking and data. There are also Fitbits made just for children ages eight and up to encourage movement and healthy habits early. Whether you’re trying to make fitness fun for youngsters or start your own health challenge,  there is a Fitbit for everyone and every goal.

All Fitbits are designed to seamlessly track every part of your day — including activity, exercise, food, weight and sleep. As a result, the company says they will “help you find your fit, stay motivated and see how small steps make a big impact.”

They monitor heart rate with PurePulse. The newest watches, like Fitbit Charge 3, Fitbit Versa 2 and Fitbit Ionic, include SmartTrack. This innovative technology automatically senses different types of exercises and records them accordingly in the Fitbit app. For example, if you hop on a spin bike and start pedaling, the watch will begin recording as a cycling activity.

The current Fitbit smartwatches, like Fitbit Versa 2 and Fitbit Ionic, also incorporate apps and features like wallet-free payments, calendar alerts and text message updates. Today’s Fitbits and fitness trackers are so much more than step counters. They also enhance and ease many everyday tasks.

In addition to encouraging healthy lifestyles, Fitbit connects all users in a like-minded community. Here, you can share your goals and find motivation from people around the world. It also offers fun competitions with friends, family or coworkers on a variety of statistics to push yourself farther.

All those Fitbit insights add up to real lifestyle changes. In fact, researchers from Arizona State University discovered that the combination of wearing a Fitbit Zip activity monitor and expressing more mindfulness throughout the week increased levels of physical activity. For a relatively low cost (most models range from $50 to $250), fitness trackers help motivate you to kick-start and stick with a fitness plan, hold you accountable, encourage goal setting and, best of all, can help you lose weight.

Pick the right Fitbit fitness tracker, and you’re well on your way to living your healthiest life and achieving your goals.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
14

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the fitbits available to purchase.
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Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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61

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Tech Gear Lab, Tech Radar, New York Times Wirecutter, Wearable, Verywell Fit.

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User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 7 Fitbits and also dug through the reviews from 61 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Fitbits.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Bang For Your Buck

Fitbit Flex 2

Key Takeawy

This budget-friendly buy offers the basic Fitbit features in a discreet band. It's a great starter fitness tracker, as it records steps, distance, calories burned and active minutes. It does not include a heart rate sensor or built-in GPS. Its waterproof capabilities also add convenience, allowing users to wear their Fitbit in up to 50 meters of freshwater or saltwater.

What other experts liked

Flex 2 is a handy way to tally-up your gym sessions and jogs without doing so manually. It also separates out longer walks. This is one of the best bits of the Fitbit software, making what are effectively quite simple measurements of your arm movements seem a whole lot richer....
- Tech Radar
February 15, 2018 | Full review
The Flex 2 is a decent improvement over the original Flex, with the addition of waterproofing making it a much easier device to live with – even if you’re not a regular swimmer.
- Trusted Reviews
June 13, 2018 | Full review
FitBit's app is bright, eye-catching, and full of relevant information, but the real seller here is its social aspect.
- IGN
The Flex 2 was so slim and lightweight in the small classic band that I barely noticed it while wearing it for a day or two.
- Tom's Guide
October 7, 2016 | Full review
The real killer app of the new Fitbit Flex 2, however, is that it is swim-proof. The Flex 2 is Fitbit’s first truly waterproof device, and can give you a rough idea of how many laps, yards, or even miles you swim. It is waterproof up to 50m.
- Digital Trends
November 12, 2016 | Full review
The very affordable Fitbit Flex 2 tracks your movement automatically, and it does a pretty good job of recognizing and measuring activities.
- New York Times Wirecutter
December 14, 2018 | Full review
We love that it is waterproof and can be worn while swimming.
- BestReviews
With the Flex 2, Fitbit upgrades its original entry-level fitness tracker with a fully waterproof design.
- PC Magazine
August 30, 2016 | Full review
Flex 2 really is a slim little tracker that's hardly noticeable at all on the wrist, which is a nice change of pace.
- Wearable
November 14, 2016 | Full review

What other experts didn't like

What the Fitbit Flex 2 lacks are any extra bits of fitness hardware. There’s no heart rate sensor and no GPS, so if you want those you’ll have to buy one of Fitbit’s more expensive wearables.
- Tech Radar
February 15, 2018 | Full review
Part of the issue is that there’s no loop through which to thread the strap, meaning you have to line up the buttons with the holes; it’s trickier than you might think especially for anyone with restricted motor control.
- Trusted Reviews
June 13, 2018 | Full review
FitBit Flex 2 has obvious limitations. for one, there's absolutely no way to initiate tracking for a particular activity.
- IGN
Call and text notifications could be glitchy with Android devices.
- Tom's Guide
October 7, 2016 | Full review
Battery life isn’t great with things like Swim Tracking and Reminders to Move tracking on
- Digital Trends
November 12, 2016 | Full review
It lacks a heart-rate monitor, which means that the sleep data you get is rudimentary—just how long you slept, not how deeply.
- New York Times Wirecutter
December 14, 2018 | Full review
It doesn't track heart rate or have a screen.
- BestReviews
There's no built-in GPS or heart-rate monitoring
- PC Magazine
August 30, 2016 | Full review
There's no heart rate monitor or ConnectedGPS, which means you won't get running distances even if you take your phone along for the ride.
- Wearable
November 14, 2016 | Full review

What to Look For

  • Fitbit pay allows users to store credit cards right on the watch and pay without carrying around a wallet.
  • Fitbit monitors and records every part of your day — including activity, heart rate, food, weight and sleep — with specialized sensors. Some advanced models include a built-in GPS for improved accuracy and ease of use.
  • The Fitbit app connects all Fitbit users in a global online community, where you can find motivation, inspiration and connect with others and join challenges.
  • The fitness trackers sync data to your computer or smartphone where you can access additional analysis and progress reports.
  • Fitbit fitness trackers lead the market, offering the thinnest and lightest GPS+ heart rate device available.
  • According to researchers, tracking steps and other activity with a Fitbit positively impacts overall health and wellbeing, which makes it a worthwhile purchase for help achieving your health and fitness goals.
  • Fitbit fitness trackers and smartwatches run on rechargeable batteries.
  • The battery life of Fitbits vary based on the activities tracked, but some can last up to five days between charges.
  • Fitbit offers interchangeable accessories to update the band and style of the smartwatches and fitness trackers.
  • Fitbits are swim-proof and showerproof, meaning you can wear them in water or underwater up to a certain depth.
  • Fitbits sync wirelessly and automatically to computers and smartphones, so your data is always up to date and stored.
  • Fitbits and Fitbit app are compatible with more than 200 iOS, Windows and Android devices.
  • Fitbits range in price depending on included features. The more advanced tracking features included in the Fitbit, the higher the price point.

This review has been updated by DWYM staff.

More to Explore

Fitbit founders Eric Friedman and James Park recognized the potential of wireless technology in relation to fitness and health. With the first product, they “embarked on a journey to create a wearable product that would change the way we move.” More than 10 years later, both original founders still lead Fitbit and help introduce new and innovative fitness technology each year.

However, hundreds of years earlier, Leonardo Da Vinci created what appeared to be the first sketch of a pedometer. Then, in 1788, Thomas Jefferson introduced the first pedometer in the U.S. Historians believe it may have originated from the motion sensor of the Swiss or French watches.

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