10 Best Fitbits 2024 in the United States

Since the introduction of the Fitbit fitness trackers in 2007, wearable fitness trackers have only seen an increase in functionality and appeal. Fitbit makes fitness trackers and smartwatches--and there is a lot of overlap between the two. By definition, a fitness tracker is primarily to keep track of exercise goals and your exertion, sleep patterns, and even heart rate (in some models). A smartwatch is more a means of keeping you in touch with your smartphone, sending you alerts when emails or messages come in. While a fitness tracker will also give email and SMS alerts, the smartwatch will let you respond with a full message--some even let you make phone calls!

And even among Fitbit fitness trackers, you’ll find three categories:

• Everyday Fitness: This includes the Fitbit Flex, Alta, Alta HR, and Ace versions.

• Active Fitness: This category includes the Fitbit Charge 3.

• Performance Fitness: The Fitbit Versa and Ionic are smartwatches for improving performance to meet particular goals.

We’ve composed this buyer’s guide to help you make the right decision when selecting a Fitbit. It'll help you:

• Choose the right type of Fitbit,

• See useful tips about that particular type of Fitbit,

• Read reviews of different Fitbit, and what customers are saying,

• Compare prices and find the best deals.

Fitbit fitness trackers are upgrading and changing all the time. As of 2018, they have the following offerings:

• Charge 3--This is the most comprehensive tracker: it counts the number of steps you take, calories burned, floors climbed, does sleep tracking, and coordinates what your breath rate should be based on your heart rate. It is also waterproof, so you can monitor your swimming as well.

The Fitbit Charge 3 Fitness Tracker

• Alta and Alta HR--This counts your steps, calories burned, performs sleep tracking, and gives you reminders to move to complete your exercise goals, with the SmartTrack app. The SmartTrack app is capable of auto-exercise recognition, detecting whether you are walking, running, doing aerobics, biking, swimming, or engaging in sports such as tennis, basketball, or football. The Alta HR also includes a heart rate (=HR) monitor and tells you your cardio fitness level.

• Flex 2--This has the SmartTrack feature (to recognize what exercise you are engaged in at the moment), but lacks the multi-sport tracking, cardio fitness, and heart rate monitoring, and doesn’t provide on-screen coaching. It has 15 exercise modes and can store over 300 songs from Pandora or Deezer so that you can listen to music while exercising.

• Ace-This is a basic fitness tracker for children, age 8 and up. It measures steps and activity, as well as track sleep stages. It will also serve as an alarm clock and watch.

There also are Fitbit Smartwatches, with some added functionality over the fitness trackers. The two models currently are the Fitbit Versa and Fitbit Ionic (older models are the Fitbit Blaze and Fitbit Surge). These smartwatches will send you caller notifications and text notifications, allow you to send quick replies, let you do web searches, and even allow you to play music and make credit card payments. There are also a number of apps that can be installed on the Fitbit smartwatches (which is not present on the fitness tracker models). The only difference between the two is that the Ionic has a built-in GPS, while the Versa has an Internet GPS. (The Ionic is around $80 more than the Versa.)

The Fitbit Versa Smartwatch

• Slim profile: Even the Fitbit smartwatches, which are bulkier than the fitness trackers, are distinguished by their amazingly slim profile. Users are pleased with the inconspicuous look.   

• Battery life: A Fitbit fitness tracker will have a battery that will last for around a week on a single charge. On the other hand, Smartwatches will not usually last for more than a day or two without requiring recharging. By turning off the smartwatch’s sync with your cellphone and the WiFi capability, you will increase its battery life.

• Touchscreen: You activate the Fitbit fitness tracker by tapping the screen and swiping. But the Fitbit smartphones are more touch sensitive, where you can tap on particular apps to choose them.

• Durable materials: The Fitbit wristband is usually nylon. This makes it tough so that it will stand up to a lot of physical exertion. Also, the glass of the Fitbit is Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which is scratch resistant, strong, and also flexible.

• Female health feature: Some Fitbit trackers, such as the Charge 3, is capable of monitoring a woman’s menstrual and fertility cycle. You log in your symptoms, and the Female Health app will do the rest. Their Versa and Ionic smartwatches also have this feature.

• Install the Fitbit app on your smartphone or tablet: The functionality of your Fitbit smartwatch or fitness tracker will depend on whether you can install the Fitbit app on your mobile device. Luckily, the Fitbit app can be installed on over 200 Apple, Android, and Windows 10 phones and mobile devices. You can use it on a desktop or laptop computer as well. Presently, you need either Apple iOS 10, Android 5.0 OS, or Windows 10.

• Adjustable wristbands: Alternate wristbands for your Fitbit tracker or smartwatch are available in a variety of materials and styles. The leather, nylon, and silicone wristbands will simply have a clasp with a pin that allows you to adjust it to your wrist size in one of the premade holes. A leather wristband is more comfortable since the material breathes more than silicone or nylon. Stainless steel wristbands will use a magnetic clasp or be composed of links that you can remove with a specialized tool. Stainless steel has the advantage of not corroding as well.

• Water resistance: Be cautious when going into the water with your fitness tracker. Some are waterproof so that they will track swimming, such as the Flex 2 or Charge 3. The Charge 3 is water resistant to 50 meters and can be worn in the pool or shower. But the Alta and the Alta HR are not for swimming.

Fitbit was started by Eric Friedman and James Park of San Francisco, California in 2007. Their aim originally was to make a wearable fitness tracker that can help people set and reach fitness goals. Fitbit also makes smartwatches, smart scales, and more.