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Getting fit is one of the best decisions you'll ever make, alongside deciding which Fitbit to choose to support your fitness and well-being goals. Even if you’re a seasoned fitness fanatic, you may have a tracker that's worse for wear or weak on features. Or, you're into health and fitness but fancy dipping a toe into the world of trackers. Either way, the most modern and effective way to track your progress is with a fitness tracker - and Fitbits are a favourite of ours.
Fitbit is possibly the best-known fitness tracker, second maybe to the Apple Watch. The latest and best Fitbits are far more advanced than they used to be. They do far more than just counting how many steps you take every day - including tracking sleep patterns, stress levels and more. They’re all-encompassing activity trackers that give Apple’s Watch a real run for its money but at a fraction of the cost, and that's not even including the budget fitness trackers in the Fitbit lineup.
Which Fitbit should you choose in 2023 at a glance
• Best Fitbit fitness tracker: Fitbit Charge 5 - View at Argos
• Best budget Fitbit: Fitbit Inspire 2 - View at Currys
• Best Fitbit for advanced features: Fitbit Sense Advanced - View at Amazon
• Best Fitbit for kids: Fitbit Ace 3 - View at Argos
In contrast to some of the best watches for running, Fitbits have a multitude of applications - including running, but also ones with features that you may or may not necessarily need. So, which Fitbit is right for you? Well, that really comes down to listing all the things you get up to in your health and fitness regime. Broadly speaking, runners, gym-goers, swimmers and those who enjoy more rugged outdoor activities each have specific needs. So, we've put together a buyer's guide to help you narrow things down.
And, of course, we've found the right Fitbits for all of those types of users, and possibly a few others too. You'll find a range of models to choose from, whether you want something simple to use to an all-singing, all-dancing fitness tracker. Discover which Fitbit is the perfect fitness companion for you, next.
Which Fitbit should you choose in 2023?
Best Fitbit fitness tracker
www.argos.co.uk
Description
The Fitbit Charge 5 is bang up-to-date and has all the best features with an in-built GPS that tracks steps, miles, calories, heart rate, sleeping patterns, menstrual cycle, water intake, and more. The key is in its simplicity, a touchscreen watch where you can manage alarms, meditation and log your different exercises directly from the watch and then go more in-depth on the companion Fitbit App.
It also boasts an ECG heart rate scan, an EDA stress test and built-in Fitbit Pay, who needs a phone? We're also a fan of the matte wrist "infinity" strap and vibrant colour display, something you don't get with the Fitbit Charge 4, though you can easily customise your smartwatch by buying interchangeable straps online.
Pros
- GPS is included for tracking your routes
- Great swappable strap design for a comfortable, snag-free fit
- Fitbit Pay for easy purchasing on the go
- Water resistance up to 50m
Cons
- Instructions could be a bit more comprehensive
Best budget Fitbit
www.currys.co.uk
Description
The more advanced version of the Fitbit Inspire, the Inspire 2, is a great fitness tracker for first-timers and those on a budget. It's simple to use with the usual features you'd expect and make use of in your fitness journey. It tracks what you're up to all day, knowing when you're exercising and when you're not, but also tracks how you sleep. It even gives you gentle reminders to move and get active and offers heart monitoring that you won't get with the regular Inspire tracker. Battery life is a respectable 10 days under average use, so you'll be good to go for longer between recharging.
Pros
- Great basic tracking device for all the essentials
- Water resistance up to 50m, so fine for exposure to water
- Good battery life at up to 10 days between recharging
Cons
- As expected for a budget Fitbit, the screen is a little dim in bright sunlight
Best Fitbit for advanced features
Description
If you're looking for the most advanced Fitbit that'll monitor all things health-related, the Fitbit Sense is the top pick for you. Not only does it have a seriously chic and polished design that makes it look premium in comparison to other smartwatches on the market, but it can also 'sense' everything from your skin temperature to heart rate and menstrual health.
You can track and manage stress and even assess your heart rhythm with the compatible Fitbit ECG app as well as having classic features included such as GPS, water resistance up to 50m, and daily activity tracking.
It's the most expensive option on our list, but we think it's worth it for all the features included.
Pros
- The large colour display is bright and easy to read
- Excellent range of advanced tracking features for those who need more health data
- One of the more attractive trackers on the market
Cons
- Battery life is, expectedly, a little shorter than some
4.
Fitbit Ace 3
Best Fitbit for kids
www.argos.co.uk
Description
Fancy getting your kids involved and promoting a healthy lifestyle to them? The Fitbit Ace 3 is a brightly coloured tracker for your young ones, with fun fonts on the display and characters to appeal to their fun side. It lasts up to eight days on a charge, is water-resistant up to 50m, and tracks that they're getting enough rest, as well enough moments of activity.
Pros
- Decent battery life means your child will enjoy it for longer without recharging
- Great design to inspire kids to wear and use it regularly
- Water resistance up to 50m means kids can go poolside without worrying
Cons
- Your child may grow out of the design quickly
Best looking Fitbit with GPS
www.boots.com
Description
This Fitbit seriously delivers with a refined and unfussy special edition design that looks very sharp. This Fitbit proves you don't need to spend a huge amount of money – it packs a vast selection of features into its slim watch-like case. It can be worn in the shower and the pool, it knows when you're working out – and even what workout you're doing. Additionally, it constantly tracks your heart and sleep patterns.
Unlike the earlier Fitbit Charge 3, the Charge 4 boasts built-in GPS - a feature often seen in chunkier, more utilitarian-looking Fitbits. You can even use the watch for tap and pay, and change your Spotify tunes as you move. Teamed with the Fitbit app, it's a great companion to keep on top of your health and fitness goals.
Pros
- Special edition in Granite finish means this could be worn with anything
- Can be worn in the shower and pool thanks to water-resistance
- GPS for tracking your routes and Pay functionality for travel convenience
- Various exercise modes and sleep tracking for more insights
Cons
- Battery life is average for a model without a colour screen
Best Fitbit like an Apple Watch
Description
This is one of Fitbit's latest smartwatches, the Versa 3. A dead ringer for the Apple Watch, the Versa 3 packs an awful lot of features. Not only does it display real-time exercise statistics, but it also permanently shows the time on its screen – you don't have to tap or move it to light it up.
On top of this, Amazon Alexa is built-in for voice control and commands, and it'll let you know if you've got any notifications from your phone, be it phone calls, messages, or more. Not only that, you can store music playlists on the watch to go with your workouts.
Pros
- Built-in Amazon Alexa for smart home control
- Great form factor and design that echo the Apple Watch with the clock always visible
- Top-end features such as colour display, GPS, and real-time exercise stats
- Store and play music and control playback
Cons
- Battery life is less than most others here
7.
Fitbit Luxe
Best slim design Fitbit
Description
If you're looking for a Fitbit that looks the least like a fitness tracker and that you can seamlessly coordinate with all your outfits, the Fitbit Luxe is super sleek and wearable for any occasion. Much like the other Fitbits, the Luxe is great for fitness and wellness management, including stress, and can track steps and distance, is water-resistant to 50m, and actually boasts more features compared to the Inspire 2. It has skin temperature and heart rate variation tracking too.
Pros
- Great design - slim without looking cheap
- Skin temperature tracking and other wellness-related functions
- Available in various strap colours and designs
Cons
- Strap designs may not be to everyone's taste
Which Fitbit should you choose in 2023? Buyer's guide
As with all fitness gadgets, the ultimate choice of which Fitbit best suits your needs is down to you. It is, and should be, highly individualised. But, for us, a model of particular note is the latest Fitbit Charge 5 which lasts seven days on a charge, can go with you into the pool, and comes in a variety of colours. However, if you're looking for wide functionality with a little more style, the Fitbit Charge 4 serves extremely well as a comprehensive tracker for the gym or home.
Choose based on form and function
The kind of fitness activities you do may well dictate the size and shape when it comes to which Fitbit is right for you. Not all runners appreciate a larger, weightier device on their arm and not all gym-goers will have a use for a Fitbit with GPS. Here are some of the more typical feature sets that appeal to common activities.
Runners
Runners and jogging enthusiasts often need a combination of lightweight and low-profile fitness trackers. Another essential feature will be waterproofing (or at the very least, sweat resistance). GPS is especially applicable to this group, as analysing both the route taken and performance during certain segments of it is very useful.
Gym-goers
Unlike runners and outdoor activity fans, GPS is much less of a priority in the gym. Sweat resistance is a must, and if you like to travel light, choose a Fitbit with enough standalone functionality and a large enough screen to avoid having to take your smartphone with you. However, pay attention to the width and comfort of the strap, especially if you're weight-lifting.
Swimmers
Obviously, waterproofing is the order of the day here. But also you may want a thinner and lighter profile than the more Apple Watch style trackers.
Outdoor activities
This is possibly the hardest category to cater for as most outdoor activities include a mixture of the above. However, for adventurous types, GPS is a must-have tool; not to mention an additional safety feature for anyone who likes to hike long distances and so on. But, the most fitting model is the one that will survive the elements when climbing rough terrain or mountain biking.
With each of the Fitbits listed, you can interchange wristbands and straps. So, you don’t have to settle for just one colour. There’s even a set of Fitbit scales for a well-rounded approach to getting fit, tracking progress, and staying fit. At the end of the day, the right choice for you depends on the features you need.
When to spend extra on a Fitbit with GPS
GPS, or Global Positioning System, is another term for tracking your router via coordinates provided by satellite. Although there's a huge range of other brands of fitness trackers with GPS as a star feature, Fitbit has a reputation for reliability and accuracy when mapping your route. However, not everyone needs this features - some prefer to track more fitness-related data in their chosen fitness apps instead. However, if you're highly target-driven and like to test yourself on familiar routes, GPS is the best feature for you.
So, consider your needs - present and future - and if you can, go for a GPS model. There are many advantages to knowing which route you've taken, besides being able to repeat it later.
Ensure compatibility with your smartphone
Although you can buy fitness trackers compatible with Android, the advantage here is that Fitbits work with Android or iOS. If you have an older smartphone you may want to check that your app is updated and still works. As apps get updated they sometimes outgrow the capabilities of the smartphone or its operating system.
Lastly, If you already have a favourite fitness tracking app, ensure that the Fitbit you've chosen can provide compatible data.
FAQs
Are Fitbits worth it?
We heartily recommend one (pun intended). You can track so much more than your athletic fitness, with tools for measuring your general activity health. The array of sensors in them is, frankly astounding. They help you with everything from ECG reporting to skin temperature and even sleep quality.
They're also easy and comfortable to wear with a longer battery life longer than the average smartwatch.
Are Fitbits waterproof?
As you'll have seen from our list, most Fitbits are waterproof to a similar degree. But it's always worth double-checking their limits. Just about every Fitbit is designed to handle sweat and rain, ideal for gym-goers and runners alike. Some Fitbits, like the Versa 4, are water-resistant up to depths of 50 metres; making it a great general watch choice for the beach or for tracking your performance at the pool.
Do Fitbit make smart rings?
Yes, there are some fitness tracker smart rings on the market. But Fitbit has yet to jump onto this trend - despite having patented the design for one a couple of years ago. This is probably because the lack of a display means having to take another device with you. Fine if you're just tracking your general daily activity - but otherwise, a smart ring might be a little limited.
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