Looking to make some inroads towards a healthier lifestyle? Buying a Fitbit can be a great place to start, and we’ve rounded up the best of them.
Even though the market is flooded with wearables from the likes of Apple, Samsung and Garmin, which have found their way into our round-ups for the best smartwatches, best running watches and the best Wear OS watches, Fitbit still stands tall when it comes to accessibility.
Unlike a lot of other brands, Fitbit hones in on a style of fitness that makes sense for most working adults, placing a focus on how much exercise you get throughout an entire week rather than your exertion over the course of a day. This is precisely why Fitbit devices are the best option for those who are just starting out.
Of course, there are plenty of other great options when it comes to the best fitness trackers, but for their ease of use and the affordability of the devices in question, Fitbits are easy to recommend and so if you’re tempted to nab one then you’re in the right place. We’ve tested every Fitbit that’s hit the scene and so we know exactly which ones are worth buying. Keep on scrolling to see which one is right for you.
If you want to do a bit more research on the alternatives then you can also check out our guides for the best Apple Watch, best Samsung Galaxy Watch, best cheap smartwatch and the best Garmin watch.
Best Fitbit at a glance
How we test
We use every Fitbit we review as our primary wearable for at least a week – or longer, if the battery life lasts beyond that point or we need more time to trial its features.
During that time we will test it on a variety of different activities. These will range from basic step tracking, to how well it tracks runs, swims, cycling and more.
For distance tracking, we assess how accurately the device records runs on tracks we know the length of. We also evaluate the level of battery life lost per hour using features such as built-in or connected GPS. To check heart rate accuracy, we compare the results from the wearable to a dedicated HRM strap.
Next we combine the data recorded with our general experience of using the wearable day-to-day, revealing whether the device proved comfortable to wear, alongside any issues we may have encountered with unexpected bugs over the review period.
We then evaluate key metrics including app support, usability and battery life.
Fitbit Charge 6
The best Fitbit fitness tracker
Pros
- Improved design with side button return
- Google services are welcome additions
- Sleep and health tracking both shine
Cons
- GPS performance is very poor
- Sports tracking is basic
- Some features locked behind Fitbit Premium
Ever since Google bought out Fitbit, we’ve long since wondered what a fitness tracker with Google-inspired features might look like and in the Charge 6, those concepts became reality. Simply put, the Fitbit Charge 6 is one of the best devices to have emerged from Fitbit in a long time, making it an easy one to recommend to anyone shopping within its affordable price bracket.
For starters, the Charge 6 is the only non-smartwatch wearable out there that supports Google Wallet, so if you want to pay for a quick post-run coffee or pick-me-up then you can do so without needing to keep your phone to hand.
There’s also support for Google Maps and YouTube Music, although both of these apps require a connection to your smartphone in order to operate.
Admittedly, there’s still work to be done on the GPS front, and we’re still not exactly thrilled by the amount of features that are locked away behind Fitbit Premium, but even with those issues, the Fitbit Charge 6 still shines as a great all-rounder.
Full Review: Fitbit Charge 6 review
Reviewer: Conor Allison
Fitbit Sense 2
The best Fitbit smartwatch
Pros
- Physical button is back
- Reliable resting heartrate data
- Strong sleep tracking features
Cons
- Sluggish software
- Missing smartwatch features
- Some new features not available yet
The Fitbit Sense 2 is an all-round smartwatch that has a bit more functionality than a basic fitness tracker. It’s got a thin and light build, an appealing colourful AMOLED touchscreen display, and a physical button on the side.
However, it has to be said that the smartwatch experience here isn’t as well-executed as other brands’ offerings, because the support for certain key apps is lacking (at least at launch, when even the likes of Google Maps and Google Wallet were unsupported), and the performance is a bit laggy too due to an underpowered chipset.
However, the fitness and health features – including in-built GPS, ECG and skin temperature sensors, and blood oxygen tracking – all combine to help give you a strong picture of your overall wellbeing. The watch makes it easy to keep tabs on your sleep and on your stress levels, but if you want to get a deeper look into your athletic training then this one isn’t the strongest.
We found that the Sense 2 could hold up for around six days before needing a charge, though that’s reduced to 3 days if you keep the watch in always-on mode.
Full Review: Fitbit Sense 2 review
Reviewer: Michael Sawh
Google Pixel Watch 3
The best Fitbit that’s not a Fitbit
Pros
- A much better fit for bigger wrists
- Reliable HR monitoring
- Two-day AOD battery (45mm)
Cons
- Display remains susceptible to scratches
- GPS tracking is good but not top tier
- Not much of an upgrade for 41mm owners
If you fancy having a bit more in the way of smart features to go along with Fitbit’s excellent fitness tracking software then your best bet is easily the Pixel Watch 3. Just like the two Pixel Watches before it, Google’s third wearable utilises Fitbit as its default fitness tracking software, but because of its extra features, the Pixel Watch 3 arguably offers a better experience overall.
For instance, you can use the Pixel Watch 3’s offline music support to listen to your favourite running playlists without needing to bring your phone with you. The watch is also the only wearable from Google to offer the ‘Fitbit Morning Brief’, which lets you know as soon as you wake up exactly how well rested you are, and if your body is ready to tackle another workout.
Unlike previous Pixel Watches, this third generation update now also comes in two sizes (41mm and 45mm), making it better suited to those with larger wrists who might prefer a bigger screen.
Although the Pixel Watch 3 is a pricier option, with a starting RRP of £349/$349, it is worth the expense if you’re an Android user who wants something more fully featured than a Fitbit, sitting more in line with the likes of the Apple Watch Series 10.
Full Review: Google Pixel Watch 3 review
Reviewer: Conor Allison
Fitbit Inspire 3
Best Fitbit for beginners
Pros
- Now has a colour screen
- Slim design is great for 24/7 wear
- Sttrong feature set for the price
Cons
- Colour screen could be bigger
- Reading notifications can feel cramped
- Fitbit Premium needed some insights
The Fitbit Inspire 3 is a polished wearable that is our top pick for anyone that’s new to the world of fitness trackers and would like a gentle introduction. It improved on its predecessor by including a new colour touchscreen, and the slim form factor makes it feel a lot more premium.
There are limited smartwatch features on the Inspire 3, with no payment support, smart assistant or apps. However, it does manage to pack in a fair amount on the fitness and health tracking front, offering up automatic sleep monitoring, an optical heart rate sensor and infrared sensors to measure blood oxygen.
We also thought that the Inspire 3 shined when it came to the basics; daily step counts were in line with other tracking platforms we used and the reminders to hit your hourly step goals ensure that you’re regularly moving throughout the day.
With up to 10 days of battery life and reliable fitness tracking, the Inspire 3 is the best pick for anyone new to the wearable world. We thought that it offered much better value for money than previous Inspire entries.
Full Review: Fitbit Inspire 3 review
Reviewer: Michael Sawh
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Best Fitbit: Specs comparison
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