Fitbit has been on a role the last few years with model after model released faster than you can reach 10,000 steps, making it one of the most exciting companies in the health wearable technology space out there today.
That’s right, with 2018 giving us the Fitbit Charge 3 and the Fitbit Versa and 2019 expecting the Iconic 2 and Charge 4, there are no signs of slowing.
But with the rapid growth of the company, we’re left wondering – of all the new Fitbit trackers – which one is the best?
1. Fitbit Zip
The Fitbit Zip is perfect for those on a budget and although the tracker is no longer available on the Fitbit site itself, it’s still found at a variety of retailers so there’s still time to get your hands on the pocket-sized pedometer.
The Zip boasts the best pedometer on a budget as judged by Healthcare Weekly and is praised for its sleek design, remarkably accurate tracking, intuitive use, great LCD display, excellent companion app, and a long-lasting watch battery.
The only gripe comes with the water resistance of the device which is, well, non-existent. But for the money, you can’t expect everything, but with Bluetooth synchronization and plenty of metrics to dive into – there’s a hell of a lot for the money.
2. Fitbit Flex 2
Another fantastic budget tracker comes in the form of the Fitbit Flex 2, boasting 2 sizes in a waterproof design – something that the Zip cannot offer. Although it may be a little more expensive, this might be your best bet – depending on your needs and wants for your tracker.
The flex 2 has plenty of pros from the fun and easy to use software to the comfort and lightweight design of the band with the whole setup weighing just 19g. You’ll be able to use when swimming, running, paragliding – wherever life takes you, but with no screen available, you’ll have to rely on your smartphone for updates.
The battery life isn’t the best with only 5 days of charge coming from the slow charging Flex – but if a display and battery aren’t up there in your list of priorities – it might be the best band for your buck.
3. Fitbit Charge 3
The Fitbit Charge 3 is no stranger to positive reviews and is rated as the very best pedometer for accuracy. The Charge just keeps on getting better and better with time and each and every iteration and with a Charge 4 expected just around the corner, we’re expecting big things.
With the Charge 3, you’ll be gifted a huge list of capabilities including a great display, heart rate tracker, waterproof design, activity tracking and GPS (through the phone only with the special edition).
You’ll also be able to use the new Sleep Score beta feature (SpO2) which detects sleep disturbances that can indicate health issues such as allergies, asthma or sleep apnea – huge in the sleep-health race, making sure we’re healthy at all times of the day.
Although the technology within the device is great – it may not be the best option for serious runners with a lack of independent GPS. With a battery life of only 4 to 5 days before a charge is required, it leaves a little to be desired despite its obvious capabilities.
The tracker is a great step up and arguably one of the best in the Fitbit line up – definitely, one to seriously consider.
4. Fitbit Iconic
The Fitbit Iconic is the first smartwatch from Fitbit, offering a slice of something different from the company in an effort to lock horns with Apple in the battle of clever watches.
According to Tom’s Guide, The Iconic comes with a 1.47-inch display, dual-core 1.0GHz processor, 2.5GB onboard storage with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity in a sleek waterproof design. It’s a great start in the smartwatch scene for the company, but it’s not quite as good as many expected for an Apple Watch competitor.
There’s, unfortunately, a bit of a slow interface and a severe lack of apps for the Fitbit OS. Battery duration is only 2-3 days too and there’s a bit of a hefty price-tag. Our advice, if you’re after a smartwatch from Fitbit – take a look at the Versa.
5. Fitbit Versa
New this year from Fitbit comes the Versa with a whole host of features and party tricks all available on the wrist. If you’re looking for a step-up from the Iconic, this is the one to go with.
You’ll be receiving, depending on your chosen model from the family, sleep tracking, 24/7 heart rate monitoring and maybe most attractively – on-screen workouts for the fitness enthusiasts out there. There are 15+ exercise modes including swim lap tracking in the waterproof design and with the capability to store and play music, you can leave the phone in your locker while you workout.
The Versa is reasonably priced too – making it a worthy competitor to the Apple Watch and we’re expecting the progress to keep snowballing over the coming years. Definitely an exciting time for the Fitbit smartwatch.
6. Fitbit Inspire
Last on our list of Fitbit trackers comes to the Inspire which, as Fitbit states, is designed for life.
The reasonably priced tracker is among the most popular of the products to come out of the Fitbit factory and for good reason. With a variety of colours to choose from, you’ll be able to monitor your heart rate 24/7 to see what the old ticker is doing during rest, exercise and sleep. There are 15+ goal-based exercise modes to choose from, real-time pace and distance (when connected to your phones GPS).
The tracker comes with 5 days of battery capability, reminders and notifications when to move, goal celebrations and calorie burn tracking. All this inside arguably the most stylish of the bunch make the Inspire our choice for a great allrounder for any fitness or activity enthusiast.
This post comes from Michael Reddy, President @ Digital Authority Partners
