Gadgets

Best Fitbit 2024: Versa vs Inspire vs Charge & More

Published

3 weeks ago

November 29, 2024

Fitbit Inspire 3, Fitbit Versa 3 and Fitbit Charge 6

One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to start and maintain a good fitness routine. However, with the abundance of conflicting advice from books, magazines, TV, and social media, it can be challenging to know where to begin. One helpful tool for staying consistent is a smartwatch or fitness tracker. These devices can track your workouts and other activities, monitor your progress towards fitness goals, and provide motivation to keep going.

Despite being acquired by Google in 2021, Fitbit remains a top brand in the wearable technology market. While Fitbit devices differ from the Pixel Watch 3, they continue to excel in the realm of fitness tracking. Fitbit’s focus remains on affordable fitness trackers, and they offer a wide range of features such as step counting, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and various workout modes. Additionally, Fitbit users can engage in friendly competition with friends and family through the online community.

One thing to note is that the full Fitbit experience requires a Fitbit Premium subscription, which comes at a cost of £7.99/$9.99 per month or £79.99/$79.99 per year after a 90-day free trial. With Fitbit Premium, users gain access to on-demand workouts, recipes, advanced sleep tracking, challenges, and a ‘Daily Readiness’ score that helps determine if you’re ready for a workout or need to focus on recovery. However, it’s still possible to have a good experience with Fitbit without the premium subscription.

In this article, we’ll help you choose the right Fitbit for your needs. We’ve reviewed and ranked the top 10 Fitbit options, and you can find detailed buying advice at the end of the page. Additionally, you may also want to consider budget-friendly smartwatches or smart rings.

Fitbit Black Friday Deals UK

During the Black Friday sales season, there are significant discounts and savings to be found on Fitbit devices. We’ve curated and approved the following deals:

Why you should trust us: We conduct in-depth, real-world testing on every new Fitbit wearable fitness tracker released. We wear it day and night for a week or more to track movement and exercise, try out all additional features, and use it for sleep tracking. Our findings are compared with numerous rival trackers and watches we’ve tested.

Best Fitbits 2024

1. Fitbit Inspire 3 – Best Simple Fitbit

Pros

Always-on color screen

Stylish & comfortable

Comprehensive tracking

Good battery life & charging

Cons

Tiny screen

Short charging wire

No GPS

Price When Reviewed:
$99.95

The Inspire 3 is the latest version of Fitbit’s simple fitness band, featuring a color screen for the first time. It is subtle, comfortable, and available in three strap color options.

Automatic tracking is accurate for steps and heart rate, the main metrics provided by the Inspire 3. With the always-on display turned off, the battery can last up to 10 days before needing a recharge.

Due to its lower price point, the Inspire 3 does not have built-in GPS. For GPS route tracking during runs or cycles, users will need to carry their phone. While the screen now offers color, it is small and only suitable for quick glances at time or basic fitness stats. Additionally, the device can display smartphone notifications but is limited due to its small size.

Like all Fitbits, in-depth tracking stats require a Fitbit Premium subscription. However, for users seeking basic Fitbit features without additional costs, the Inspire 3 is a suitable option.

2. Fitbit Charge 6 – Best Premium Tracker

Pros

Google Maps & Fitbit Pay

Stylish

Cons

Connected rather than built-in GPS

Some features require Premium subscription

Price When Reviewed:
$159.95

The Charge 6 from Fitbit introduces useful Google apps to the traditional fitness tracker experience.

Users can now access Google Maps, Google Pay, and YouTube Music directly from their wrist, providing convenience for those who use these services. However, the lack of compatibility with alternative music streaming services is a downside.

Other notable features include an advanced heart rate sensor, ECGs, EDA stress tracking, tracking for over 40 exercise modes (some automatic), and sleep monitoring.

The side button aids in navigation, and the device can be synced with select gym equipment for personalized feedback. While the hardware remains largely unchanged, the built-in GPS can be inconsistent.

Fitbit users will require a Premium subscription for the complete experience, and there may be occasional bugs. Overall, the Charge 6 is a solid fitness tracker.

Read our full Fitbit Charge 6 review

3. Fitbit Versa 4 – Best Fitbit Smartwatch

Pros

Good battery life

Physical button

Alexa built-in

Cons

Some features locked behind Premium subscription

No Google Assistant or music control

Some Bluetooth connection problems

No third-party apps

Price When Reviewed:
$199.95

The Fitbit Versa 4 is a solid smartwatch, although it falls short compared to its predecessor, the Versa 3. Fitbit made the decision to remove music controls and third-party app support from the Versa 4, which were features present in the Versa 3. This move has caused hesitation in categorizing the Versa 4 as a true smartwatch, as it leans more towards being a fitness tracker that resembles a watch.

Despite these changes, the Versa 4 still excels as a fitness tracker, and with previous generations discontinued, it remains a popular choice for those seeking a smartwatch-style device. The inclusion of built-in GPS allows users to easily track running, swimming, and cycling routes, while the battery life can last up to three days with heavy usage and longer for lighter users.

Notable features include a physical side button for navigation, compatibility with Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant (lacking Google Assistant despite Fitbit’s acquisition by Google), and various health tracking metrics. Overall, the Versa 4 is a versatile device, with a slim design and advanced features for fitness enthusiasts.

Read our full Fitbit Versa 4 review

4. Fitbit Sense 2 – Latest But Not Greatest

Pros

Improved software

Deep metric tracking

Solid battery life

Cons

Clunky user experience

No music controls

No third-party apps

Price When Reviewed:
$249.95

The Fitbit Sense 2 is the successor to the 2020 Fitbit Sense, offering improved features and design. However, the Sense 2 lacks access to third-party apps like Starbucks and Spotify, as well as music controls present in the original Sense. This decision may be due to Google’s ownership of Fitbit, aiming to keep app and smartphone controls exclusive to the Pixel Watch.

Despite these limitations, the Sense 2 boasts superior build quality and a sleek smartwatch design. It tracks essential health metrics and stress levels through advanced sensors, providing insights into stressors and body responses. While the Sense 2 offers innovative features, its lack of traditional smartwatch functionalities may deter some users. As a result, opting for the original Fitbit Sense may be a better choice for those seeking a comprehensive smartwatch experience.

Read our full Fitbit Sense 2 review

5. Fitbit Ace 3 – Best Fitbit For Children

Pros

Designed for kids

Parent and Kid Views

Cons

Lacks heart monitor

Less features than others

Monochrome

Price When Reviewed:
$79.95

The Fitbit Ace 3 is specifically designed for younger children, offering a budget-friendly yet basic activity tracker. While it lacks advanced health measurements found in pricier Fitbits, it provides enough features to motivate families to increase their physical activity.

Previously, children under 13 were not permitted to have personal Fitbit accounts. Now, with a minimum age requirement of 6 and the Fitbit Ace 3, kids can track steps, active time, and basic sleep monitoring. Special family account features enable kids and parents to monitor activity stats through secure Kid and Parent Views, participate in challenges, and earn badges.

The Ace 3 focuses on exercise rather than weight loss, as Fitbit conceals the calorie counter to prevent children from fixating on their weight. Older kids may prefer a Fitbit with more features, such as heart rate monitoring. The Fitbit Inspire 2, including various features like exercise modes, Cardio Levels, Sleep Score, and Guided Breathing, is recommended for older or more responsible children at a slightly higher cost.

Read our full Fitbit Ace 3 review