Best Fitbit trackers and smartwatches (June 2020)
Fitbit, currently one of the most well-known names in the fitness tracking world, has many different models to choose from. Which of them is the best Fitbit device for you? Should you pick up one of the smaller devices like the Inspire HR or Charge 4, or should you consider a smartwatch like the Versa 2 or Ionic? We’ve rounded up the best Fitbit trackers and best Fitbit smartwatches available right now.
Buying the right Fitbit for your needs
Everybody needs something different out of their fitness trackers, so we listed each model in a different category to help you choose the right device for your needs. If you’re buying a wearable for running, we’d recommend looking into a device with built-in GPS or connected GPS functionality (thankfully, all current-gen Fitbits have one or the other). If you’re looking for a great smartwatch experience above all else, you should look into something with a bigger display. Or, if you just want something to track your activity and you don’t care about the extra features, a fitness tracker will do the trick.
Here are some quick links if you’re in a hurry:
- The Fitbit Versa 2 is the best smartwatch Fitbit has to offer, thanks to its OLED display and built-in Alexa support.
- The Fitbit Charge 4 is the best fitness tracker you can buy — Fitbit or otherwise — as its built-in GPS is great for runners.
- The Fitbit Ionic is a great Fitbit smartwatch for runners thanks to its long battery life and GPS.
- The Fitbit Versa Lite is the best budget-friendly Fitbit smartwatch you can buy.
- The Fitbit Inspire HR is a cheap, no-frills fitness tracker that’s perfect for those who want a small device and don’t need extra features.
- The Fitbit Ace 2 is the only Fitbit tracker you should consider for your kids.
Let’s talk lingo: Fitness trackers vs smartwatches
Before we get into it, let’s talk about an important distinction — smartwatches vs fitness trackers. For the sake of this article, we are referring to devices with big displays that prioritize apps and notifications as smartwatches. For devices that have smaller displays and look more like a traditional fitness band, we’ll refer to those as fitness trackers.
Best Fitbit trackers and smartwatches
Fitbit Versa 2: The best Fitbit smartwatch
The Fitbit Versa 2 offers a handful of much-needed improvements over its predecessor. The AMOLED display is a welcome change, all models now come with Fitbit Pay, and Fitbit continues to add useful fitness and health features. The company is also working on improving its smartwatch features, though it is still behind the competition in this sense. The Versa 2 comes with Amazon Alexa support, but it can be finicky. The company’s app catalog is lacking too. This is true for all Fitbit smartwatches, not just the Versa 2.
But for under $200, the positives outweigh the negatives here. The Fitbit Versa 2 provides an overall excellent wearable experience, albeit with some quirks.
Pros
- Crisp OLED display
- Accurate fitness and health tracking
- Sleep tracking/Sleep Score are very useful
- Fitbit Pay now available on all models
- When it works, Alexa is convenient
Cons
- Fitbit OS still needs plenty of work
- No built-in GPS
- Quick release straps are a pain
- Amazon Alexa is slow and missing features
Check out our full review to learn more about the Fitbit Versa 2.
Fitbit Versa 2 specs
- GPS: Connected GPS
- Heart rate sensor: Yes
- IP rating: 5ATM
- Display: 1.4-inch OLED
- Battery life: 5 days
- Music storage: 2.5GB
- Fitbit Pay: Yes
Fitbit Charge 4: The best Fitbit fitness tracker
The Fitbit Charge 4 is the best fitness tracker you can buy, period. Fitbit didn’t need to do much to achieve this title again, but it managed to fix all our gripes with the Charge 3 and keep it at the same price point. The built-in GPS is welcome, as is Fitbit Pay being standard across all models.
The only reason you should consider buying another wearable at this price point is if you want a more smartwatch-y experience. Then, I’d recommend you go for the Fitbit Versa 2.
Pros
- Sleek, customizable design
- Good battery life
- Fitbit Pay standard on all models
- Sleep tracking is fantastic
- (Mostly) accurate GPS and heart rate sensors
Cons
- Finicky inductive button
- GPS can take its time to lock on
- Heart rate sensor can be laggy
Check out our full review to learn more about the Fitbit Charge 4.
Fitbit Charge 4 specs
- GPS: GPS
- Heart rate sensor: Yes
- IP rating: 5ATM
- Display: 1.57-inch grayscale OLED
- Battery life: 7 days
- Music storage: No
- Fitbit Pay: Yes
Fitbit Ionic: The best Fitbit for runners
This is the best Fitbit smartwatch you can buy if you need something with a GPS. It’s an incredible fitness and sleep tracker, comes with a GPS, allows you to pay for things from your wrist, and it’s water resistant.
More: The best GPS running watches you can buy
Just like Fitbit’s other smartwatches, the Ionic has support for quick replies for notifications and female health tracking features.
Interested? The Fitbit Ionic is available on Amazon and comes in three different color options.
Pros
- Accurate fitness, health, and sleep tracking
- Music storage and Fitbit Pay are convenient
- Five-day battery life
- Built-in GPS is great for runners and cyclists
Cons
- Clunky, uncomfortable design
- Software can be laggy
Check out our full review to learn more about the Fitbit Ionic.
Fitbit Ionic specs
- GPS: Yes
- Heart rate sensor: Yes
- IP rating: 5ATM
- Display: 1.42-inch LCD
- Battery life: 4 days
- Music storage: 2.5GB
- Fitbit Pay: Yes
Fitbit Versa Lite: A more affordable Fitbit smartwatch
2018’s Fitbit Versa is no longer the best Fitbit smartwatch you can buy. Instead, we’d recommend going with the Fitbit Versa 2 (listed above) or check out the slightly cheaper Fitbit Versa Lite.
There are a few trade offs with the Versa Lite, however. There’s no onboard music storage and no altimeter, though it does have most of the other features that made the original Versa so great. You get a simple, accessible design, plenty of strap options, smartphone notifications, and access to Fitbit’s wonderful health and fitness suite.
Pros
- Bright, easy-to-read display
- Accurate fitness and sleep tracker
- Low price point
- Plenty of customization options with bands and case colors
Cons
- No music storage
- No Fitbit Pay
- Fitbit’s app ecosystem is still lacking
Check out our full review to learn more about the Fitbit Versa Lite.
Fitbit Versa and Fitbit Versa Lite specs
- GPS: Connected GPS
- Heart rate sensor: Yes
- IP rating: 5ATM
- Display: 1.34-inch LCD
- Battery life: 4 days
- Music storage: No
- Fitbit Pay: No
Fitbit Inspire and Inspire HR: The best cheap Fitbit
The Fitbit Inspire HR is a great fitness tracker, health tracker, and sleep tracker. It’s just $100, too!
It’s small and lightweight, supports interchangeable straps, and offers smartphone notifications on your wrist. It might be small, but it doesn’t skimp on the features. The Fitbit Inspire HR offers connected GPS, a heart rate sensor, as well as five-day battery life.
Think of the Inspire HR as the “Fitbit Charge 4 Lite.” It removes a few notable features like notification history, an altimeter, and a bigger display in order to reach that $100 price point. If you don’t need those things though, the Inspire HR is a fantastic option.
Looking for something even cheaper? There’s also the Fitbit Inspire, which is the same thing as the Inspire HR without a heart rate sensor.
The Fitbit Inspire undercuts the Garmin Vivofit 4 by about $10. Aside from lacking a heart rate sensor and goal-based exercises, the Fitbit Inspire isn’t all that much different from the Inspire HR. You can also buy a clip accessory for the Inspire, which essentially turns it into a Fitbit Zip-type device. Nice!
Pros
- Low price point
- Small, lightweight design
- Accurate fitness, health, and sleep tracking
- Connected GPS is a nice addition
Cons
- Bland design
- Display isn’t great
- Terrible proprietary charging cable
Check out our full review to learn more about the Fitbit Inspire HR.
Fitbit Inspire and Inspire HR specs
- GPS: Connected GPS
- Heart rate sensor: Yes (Inspire HR only)
- IP rating: 5ATM
- Display: 1.4-inch grayscale OLED
- Battery life: 5 days
- Music storage: No
- Fitbit Pay: No
Fitbit Ace 2: The best Fitbit for kids
Alongside the Versa Lite and Inspire line, Fitbit also announced the Fitbit Ace 2 — a kid-friendly version of the Inspire fitness trackers made for kids ages 6-14. While the original Fitbit Ace was more of a repackaged Alta HR, the Ace 2 sports a similar design to the Inspire but adds a durable silicone case for protection.
Also read: The best fitness trackers for kids
It has a monochrome display and clock faces with cute animations that help kids see their progress throughout the day. Specifically, it can keep track of steps taken, number of active minutes, sleep quality and duration, and periodic reminders that let kids know when to get up and get moving. It also has handy software features like bedtime reminders and alarms.
This kids Fitbit is swim-proof, so your children don’t have to take it off before jumping in the pool, and will last approximately five days on a single charge.
Of course, all Fitbit Ace 2 devices can be managed by parents in the family account settings of the Fitbit app. Parents can also urge kids to participate in family challenges and goal-based achievements.
Fitbit Ace 2 specs
- GPS: No
- Heart rate sensor: Yes
- IP rating: 5ATM
- Display: 1.4-inch grayscale OLED
- Battery life: 5 days
- Music storage: No
- Fitbit Pay: No
Loading pollWhy you should trust the editor
Not only does Jimmy Westenberg love wearables, he loves helping people find the right devices to suit their needs. He’s been our resident fitness reviewer at Android Authority since 2016, and in that time has reviewed hundreds of fitness products and other wearables.
Through his rigorous testing of fitness products and deep knowledge of health devices and services, you can rest assured knowing Jimmy will give you honest recommendations.
The best Fitbit alternatives
Didn’t find what you’re looking for in this list? No worries, we have another article that should be able to help you out. Head here to see the full list of the best Fitbit alternatives out there, or see below for a summary.
Next: The most common Fitbit problems and how to fix them
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