I tested the latest Fitbit trackers to see if they | Tech News

The latest Fitbit to be launched was the Fitbit Charge 6 tracker in 2023. The relaxation of the present line up is even older, with the Fitbit Inspire 3, Versa 4 and Sense 2 popping out in 2022. All 4 are nonetheless out there to buy from Google, Fitbit’s proprietor, and different main UK retailers.

Given Fitbit continues to be a family identify, it’s a little odd we haven’t seen any new fashions in 2024 or 2025 to this point. Google acquired the well-known fitness model in 2021 and has not solely taken some options away, but additionally confirmed there received’t be any more Fitbit branded smartwatches.

Does that imply we’ll see one other Fitbit exercise tracker, although? Only time will inform.

Google has as an alternative spent the previous couple of years redesigning the Fitbit app to be used with present Fitbits and in addition the Google Pixel Watch line up, which requires the Fitbit app to observe fitness metrics.

But if you’re contemplating shopping for a Fitbit in 2025, it’s proper that you just ask if it’s value it. Though you don’t at all times need to buy the latest cellphone, pill or certainly fitness tracker, I determined to strap on the latest Fitbits to see how they are performing in the present day, and whether or not I suppose they are value your time and money.

All Fitbits are appropriate with fashionable iPhones and Android telephones, with all options out there on each platforms.

Google loaned me the Fitbit Inspire 3 and Fitbit Versa 4 to check out, and I nonetheless had to hand the pattern I used to review the Fitbit Charge 6. Unfortunately I was not in a position to check the Fitbit Sense 2, however I did review it when it got here out when I labored at one other publication, and wore it for a few months after that, so I have a lot of expertise with it.

I’ve break up this text into sections that take a look at every Fitbit individually with a definitive verdict on if it is best to buy every or not in 2025.

• Released: September 2022
• RRP: £84.99
• Good: Battery life, comfy 24/7 put on
• Bad: Tracking runs, small screen

The Inspire line hosts Fitbit’s entry-level trackers, and the Inspire 3 is head and shoulders higher than its predecessors thanks to a color screen, in depth monitoring smarts together with blood oxygen and irregular coronary heart price notifications. It’s all packed into a dinky tracker that’s gentle and cozy to put on.

I eked practically ten days of battery out of it too, which makes it the longest enduring Fitbit by far. When I set it up there was a software program replace ready for me, which was launched this yr, so Google continues to be maintaining the tracker up to date.

Compared to different Fitbits, the Inspire 3 lacks built-in GPS. This means it may possibly’t observe routes of runs, walks or cycles on its own, but it surely does have related GPS, which suggests it may possibly observe them if you convey your cellphone with you.

The tracker additionally doesn’t have Google Maps or Google Wallet for cell funds, which others do. The contact delicate button works nicely, although.

But that is the least expensive Fitbit, so you possibly can’t count on each function. For £84.99 I’d say it’s a little overpriced, however I actually get pleasure from carrying it and am impressed with the sleep monitoring knowledge it collects (the diminutive Inspire 3 is the most comfy Fitbit to put on at evening). At the time of writing you may get it on Amazon for £63.99.

Yes, particularly at a low cost. This stays one of the best fitness bands for informal health monitoring. If you don’t need built-in GPS to observe runs, this comes beneficial.

• Released: September 2022
• RRP: £139.99
• Good: Built-in GPS, contactless funds
• Bad: GPS accuracy, small screen

For a few sheets more, you possibly can go for the Fitbit Charge 6. It has a bigger screen than the Inspire 3 (although notifications are nonetheless cramped to learn) and provides in built-in GPS to observe runs with out your cellphone – with the caveat that I discovered this GPS fairly average, with some drop outs and inaccurate route measuring, but it surely principally will get the job executed.

It additionally provides ECG for coronary heart rhythm evaluation, Google Maps on-wrist instructions, Google Wallet for contactless funds, pores and skin temperature sensor to observe stress (one thing the pricier Versa 4 lacks) plus YouTube Music controls.

Unfortunately, Google determined to take away control of some other streaming service or media enjoying in your cellphone from Fitbits, solely supporting YouTube Music. It’s an annoying and cynical choice, however weirdly solely the Charge 6 can do it, maybe as its the most lately launched Fitbit.

Impressively, the Charge 6 is the solely Fitbit that may broadcast your coronary heart price to sure health club tools, making it a great selection for health club rats on a price range.

As you’d count on, the Charge 6 can observe more than 40 completely different actions and sports activities, more than the Inspire, and knowledge is nicely offered in the Fitbit app. I discovered the battery lasted about 4 or 5 days of use with the always-on screen turned off, much less if it’s on.

Read my full Fitbit Charge 6 review from 2023 right here

Yes, if you need a slim tracker with good battery life and GPS. The Charge 6 really has more options than the pricier Versa 4.

• Released: September 2022
• RRP: £179.99
• Good: Slim and light-weight, bigger screen
• Bad: No third get together apps

The Fitbit Versa 4 is basically a Fitbit Charge 6 with a bigger screen and fewer options. This makes it tough to absolutely advocate at its £179.99 price level, particularly as a result of it’s a massive screen watch with no entry to third-party apps that you would be able to get on an Apple Watch or Google Pixel Watch.

It’s best to suppose of the Versa 4 as a fitness tracker that appears like a smartwatch. I actually get pleasure from carrying it because it’s light-weight, has a good and vivid show and a bodily button on the facet that’s simpler to press than the contact delicate ones on the Inspire 3 and Charge 6.

Battery life is powerful at about six days, however I am more inclined to activate the at all times on screen on the Versa 4 as a result of it seems to be like a watch. This roughly halves the longevity, but it surely nonetheless beats most smartwatches. Then again, it may possibly’t do too many sensible issues, although you get the Google Maps and Google Wallet apps, plus a Fitbit tile to help you observe your menstrual cycle.

It’s a sensible choice if you need to observe all of your train, plus it has built-in GPS, although its not as correct as comparatively priced Garmin or Apple Watch fashions.

The bigger screen is way preferable to the smaller Fitbits for viewing your dwell stats when on a run. That show space additionally makes the notifications acquired out of your cellphone far simpler to learn, however I turned them off as you possibly can’t work together with them as a result of, bear in mind, this isn’t actually a smartwatch.

Only if you need a fitness tracker that appears like a smartwatch, If you don’t need the bigger screen, the Charge 6 is a higher buy. If you need an precise smartwatch, don’t buy a Fitbit in any respect.

• Released: September 2022
• RRP: £219.99
• Good: ECG, premium design
• Bad: Stress monitoring, costly

I should caveat this evaluation by saying I haven’t used the Fitbit Sense 2 since late 2023, however I am assured on this write up as a result of of my time with it, and the reality it’s virtually the similar machine as the Versa 4. The Sense 2 provides an ECG sensor for coronary heart rhythm assessments and a temperature sensor to help monitor stress ranges. Otherwise, it’s precisely the similar as the Versa.

I discovered the stress monitoring initially attention-grabbing however ultimately turned it off. The concept is you keep the monitoring on 24/7 and if the Fitbit senses a change in pores and skin temperature it pings you to ask what emotion you had been feeling from a checklist. The concern is, it notifies you many minutes after the change so you’ll have forgotten the set off. Also, receiving a notification in your watch asking you why you’re harassed is, consider it or not, fairly irritating.

Otherwise, the Sense 2 is an overpriced Fitbit for what you get. Without any third get together apps (lest we neglect the unique Sense might obtain some similar to Spotify till Google nuked that for everybody) it’s an costly fitness tracker. You can buy an Apple Watch SE for £219, the similar price, which gives far more superior health monitoring, higher GPS accuracy, and scores of third get together apps.

Like the Versa 4, the Sense 2 can help you observe your menstrual cycle on-device, and all health knowledge is nicely collected and offered. The show makes it a nice machine to use.

No, except you actually need a Fitbit branded machine with all the options it supplies and don’t thoughts the price.

Yes, all the Fitbit merchandise on this article are water resistant up to 50 metres.

Every Fitbit has an accelerometer for measuring your step rely, the core cause to buy a Fitbit for a lot of clients. Each model additionally has a built-in vibrating alarm, which may be very helpful, and a coronary heart price sensor for monitoring your BPM.

At the time of writing in April 2025, all 4 of these Fitbits are nonetheless receiving occasional software program updates.

Yes, and each platforms get all options. The solely additional factor Android customers can do is reply to texts with fast replies, which does not work when the Fitbits are related to an iPhone.

Only the Fitbit Charge 6 can be utilized to control YouTube Music. It can’t control some other media enjoying in your cellphone, and neither can some other Fitbit.

Fitbit locks some performance and options behind a paywall, so that you additionally need to think about if you’re keen to pay £7.99 monthly for Fitbit Premium.

I don’t suppose you need to. It supplies video teaching classes, more particulars in your sleep monitoring relatively than simply a rating, and equally more in depth seems to be at your stress. You may entry healthy recipes and a few mindfulness and meditation classes. These are all good to have, however aren’t important to having fun with the Fitbit app free of charge.

Recently, Fitbit additionally determined to make the Daily Readiness Score free in the Fitbit app for all customers. It used to be locked to Fitbit Premium, however isn’t anymore, offering a rating out of 100 based mostly in your exercise and relaxation to advocate if it is best to train that day or not.