Smartwatches, budget, and kids models

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 2 or Charge 4, or should you consider a smartwatch like the Sense or Versa 3? 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 3 is the best Fitbit smartwatch. The Versa 3 is nearly the same thing as the pricier Fitbit Sense, only without a few extra sensors that you may not use anyway.
• The Fitbit Sense is the best Fitbit for health tracking thanks to its ECG, EDA, and skin temperature sensors.
• 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 2 is the best cheap Fitbit smartwatch.
• The Fitbit Inspire 2 is the best bare-bones Fitbit fitness tracker. Plus, it comes with a full year of Fitbit Premium.
• 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.

The best Fitbit trackers and smartwatches

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Fitbit Versa 3: The best Fitbit smartwatch for most people

The Fitbit Versa 3 is our pick for the best Fitbit smartwatch you can buy right now. It’s not the most technically advanced, but it’s the one most people should purchase when seeking out a new wearable.

We found that the Versa 3 strikes the right balance between smartwatch, fitness tracker, and advanced workout wearable. It has both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa built in, Fitbit Pay support, and onboard music storage. It’s also an all-around fantastic fitness tracker, and even boasts onboard GPS for runners and cyclists.

The Versa 3 is also cheaper than the Fitbit Sense, Fitbit’s other flagship smartwatch. We found that the extra sensors in the Sense likely aren’t useful enough to most people to warrant a big price increase, making the Versa 3 our top pick overall.

Check out our full review to learn more about the Fitbit Versa 3.

Fitbit Versa 3 specs

Also read: The best fitness trackers for women

Fitbit Sense: The best Fitbit smartwatch for health tracking

The Fitbit Sense is Fitbit’s flagship smartwatch, and it knocks the basics out of the park. Built-in GPS is here, and the new PurePulse 2.0 heart rate sensor has been improved from the Versa 2. The new quick-release straps are also a welcome addition.

Fitbit is getting a little too far ahead of itself with the new sensors, unfortunately. The stress-tracking EDA sensor needs some work to make it worthwhile to end users, and SpO2 monitoring is kind of a mess. That’s why we’ve named the Fitbit Sense as our top pick for health tracking, while the cheaper Versa 3 is the overall best Fitbit smartwatch.

Check out our full review to learn more about the Fitbit Sense.

Fitbit Sense specs

Don’t miss: Fitbit Premium review: Is it worth it?

Fitbit Charge 4: The best 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 onboard 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.

Check out our full review to learn more about the Fitbit Charge 4.

Fitbit Charge 4 specs

Related: The best Garmin watches you can buy

Fitbit Ionic: The best Fitbit for those with big wrists

The Fitbit Ionic is still a solid smartwatch, though it is quite big compared to the other Fitbit devices on this list. It’s an incredible fitness and sleep tracker, comes with built-in GPS, allows you to pay for things from your wrist, and it’s water resistant.

You should consider the Fitbit Ionic if you have bigger wrists and find the Sense/Versa 3 to be too small for your liking. Otherwise, we’d recommend you consider one of Fitbit’s newer smartwatches listed above.

Check out our full review to learn more about the Fitbit Ionic.

Fitbit Ionic specs

Fitbit Versa 2: The best cheap 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 $150, the positives outweigh the negatives here.

Check out our full review to learn more about the Fitbit Versa 2.

Fitbit Versa 2 specs

Also read: The best smartwatch deals we could find

Fitbit Inspire 2: The best cheap Fitbit

The Fitbit Inspire 2 isn’t the most feature-packed Fitbit tracker, but it’s probably the best value out there. It offers basic activity tracking, 24/7 heart rate monitoring, and connected GPS functionality for runners and bikers. The real benefit of buying an Inspire 2 is the free year of Fitbit Premium included with each purchase. You can read more about Fitbit Premium in our full review.

 

Check out our full review to learn more about the Fitbit Inspire 2.

Fitbit Inspire 2 specs

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.

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

Also read: The best fitness trackers for kids

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Why 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 dozens 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? Don’t worry, 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