In 2025, you might be asking yourself if Fitbit still holds its ground in the market. Even after being acquired by Google, Fitbit remains a highly recognizable brand. While their trackers aren’t designed for elite athletes, they’re great for tracking general activity and monitoring health metrics like EKG readings and blood oxygen levels. However, we’re still transitioning from the old Fitbit to whatever is next. The messy events of 2023 loom in the background, marked by several server outages and the sunsetting of legacy community features—like challenges—alongside a mandatory Google login for all Fitbit accounts starting in February 2026.
The transition to Google accounts began in 2023 and will be necessary if you’re purchasing the Fitbit Charge 6 or the Google Pixel Watch 4. The Fitbit app has also seen a makeover that mirrors Google’s design, which hasn’t been well-received by all users, though adjustments were made based on feedback. Last year saw significant leadership changes at Fitbit, including the departures of co-founders James Park and Eric Friedman, amidst layoffs impacting around a thousand Google employees. As of 2025, it seems Google is focusing more on its own smartwatch lineup.
How We Test Fitbits
Fitness trackers help you monitor your health and activity levels. We conduct hands-on testing, wearing them during naps and sleep, while running, hiking, and exercising at the gym. We also consider their compatibility with iPhones and Android devices, as well as their durability, accuracy, battery life, and performance. For models made for kids, we involve our own children in the testing process and incorporate their feedback.
Battery Life
Fitbit trackers generally boast longer battery life compared to advanced smartwatches. Most last around five days, although features like an always-on display can significantly reduce this interval. I’m interested in what users can realistically expect during regular use.
Feature Set
Most Fitbits come with the same basic features, such as step tracking, timers, and notifications. However, not all models support EKG or real-time stress tracking, nor do they all come with built-in GPS. Does the feature set justify the price? Is anything lacking?
Price
Fitbit has often been viewed as a budget-friendly alternative to smartwatches, but the landscape has changed dramatically. With more options available, does this device deliver good value?
Who Is It For?
This relates to the overall design and target audience. If it’s meant for casual users, is the design adaptable for different contexts? If it targets kids or athletes, are the straps durable?
The Googlefication of Fitbit is ongoing, but there are still valid reasons to consider its trackers. They remain relatively affordable, especially during sales, and all devices provide a free trial of Fitbit Premium, the subscription that offers guided workouts, meditations, and more detailed metrics. Premium costs $9.99 per month or $79.88 annually. With the Pixel Watch 4 launching in October, it’s evident that Google is serious about its wearables, featuring longer battery life, an easier-to-repair design, and compatibility with Fitbit’s AI fitness coach. Just be sure to manage your expectations.
Pricing and Overview of Featured Fitbits
$350 – The Good
- All-around better battery and fast charging
- Material 3 design refresh is smart
- Improved automatic activity tracking
- Natural raise-to-talk functionality
- Domed display looks great
- Enhanced repairability
- Satellite SOS feature
The Bad
- Third proprietary charger in four years
- Gemini feature is inconsistent
- GPS mapping has improved but remains somewhat unreliable
The Pixel Watch 4, although lacking "Fitbit" in its name, falls under the same umbrella due to Google’s acquisition. This fourth-gen watch brings significant updates with its sleek domed display and thinner bezels, resulting in more screen space. It allows for display or battery swaps if needed, and tests showed battery life between 36 and 42 hours, an improvement from the 32 hours of the Pixel Watch 3. Charging speed has notably increased, with the watch going from 14% to 97% in just 44 minutes.
Hardware upgrades work well with Wear OS 6, introducing a full redesign coupled with Material 3 and Gemini features. The new raise-to-talk lets users access the smart assistant without needing to say “Hey Google” or press a button. Additionally, AI features like Notification Cooldown and Smart Replies offer even more convenience for Pixel phone users. While Gemini in Wear OS 6 has some hiccups, the redesign fits the Pixel Watch 4 beautifully.
The Pixel Watch 4 can automatically record a limited range of exercises, improving accuracy for walks, runs, and cycling compared to the Pixel Watch 3, though it still doesn’t quite match Apple’s pricier models. Both LTE options enable emergency SOS via satellite when out of range. The combination of hardware, features, and pricing makes the Pixel Watch 4 arguably the best Fitbit and one of the top Android watches available.
If you’re seeking a fitness tracker that looks like a smartwatch, consider the $199.95 Versa 4 as a budget-friendly option. The Sense 2 doesn’t hold much value since the Pixel Watch 4 matches its features (and offers more).
$70 – The Good
- Good entry-level fitness and sleep tracker
- Bright OLED display
- Lightweight
The Bad
- Large bezels
- Limited features compared to cheaper options like the Amazfit Band 7
The Inspire line hasn’t always wowed users, but the $99.95 Inspire 3 stands out. Featuring a color OLED display reminiscent of 2021’s Fitbit Luxe but in a matte black plastic case, it caters to those wanting the basics without the fuss.
The Inspire 3 is straightforward; it’s a fitness band without built-in GPS, contactless payments, or voice assistants. Yet, what it lacks in smarts, it compensates with advanced sleep tracking, stress management features, and irregular heart rate notifications. You still get up to 10 days of battery life, though it drops to two or three days with the always-on display.
The Inspire 3 comes with various accessories, including a clip attachment for discreet step tracking and trendy straps for dressing it up.
Best Fitbit Fitness Tracker: $100 – The Good
- Solid fitness and health tracking capabilities
- $20 cheaper option
- More app compatibility
- Can broadcast heart rate data to gym equipment
- Improved haptic button design
The Bad
- Limited music options with YouTube Music requiring a $11 monthly fee
- Transition to Fitbit-Google ownership has been rocky
- Lacks a physical side button
The popular Charge series continues with the $159.95 Charge 6, Fitbit’s premium fitness band. It competes well with the higher-priced Versa 4 and features a color OLED screen, EKG and EDA sensors, built-in GPS, NFC payments, and SpO2 sensors. The major drawback is the battery life, affected by the always-on display, which can drop from an estimated seven days to just two with the setting enabled. This is a recurring issue with Fitbit devices today.
Overall, you’re getting a lot for the price—it’s the only FDA-cleared EKG wearable under $200. The only other Fitbits supporting EKG and EDA readings are the Sense, Sense 2, Pixel Watch 3, and Pixel Watch 4. So unless you’re committed to a smartwatch, the Charge 6 is the best deal.
Design-wise, the Charge 6 closely resembles its predecessor, but it has transitioned to a haptic side button instead of an inductive groove. While it’s not a physical button, it has proven more reliable thus far.
Compared to the previous model, the Charge 6 features an enhanced heart rate algorithm, Bluetooth connectivity for some gym equipment, and new apps such as Google Maps, Google Wallet, and YouTube Music. The latter does require a subscription, but it’s better than when onboard music was discontinued.
$100 – The Good
- Excellent build quality for kids
- Cross-platform functionality
- Engaging physical activity games
- Offers voice calls and text messaging with preselected contacts
- Family group chat feature
The Bad
- Requires nightly charging
- Limited to two color options (multiple band options available)
The $179.99 Fitbit Ace LTE isn’t your typical fitness tracker; it’s more of a smartwatch with family-friendly games and communication features. Instead of detailed health tracking, it focuses on "active minutes," which fill a progress meter called a Noodle on the watch face. Collecting active minutes unlocks games and lets kids customize their avatars.
With a $10 monthly subscription, you get real-time location tracking and the ability to communicate through the Fitbit Ace app, facilitating voice and text messaging with preselected contacts. As of November 2024, this also includes family group chats.
Physically, the Ace LTE resembles the Versa 4 for adults, sharing the same charger as the Pixel Watch 3 and offering about a day’s worth of battery on a full charge. My kids enjoy using it, though they don’t seem obsessed. They’ve been known to run laps around the house just to earn more game time. Google suggests the Ace LTE is best suited for kids aged 7 to 11, which seems accurate. My eldest, now 10, might find it limiting in middle school, but for now, it serves its purpose. We recently got one for our 8-year-old, and the ability to text from their watches is quite exciting, even if it leads to some emoji-filled group chats.
Should You Buy a Fitbit Right Now?
Fitbit officially joined Google in 2021. While changes weren’t immediate, it’s now "Fitbit by Google." The Fitbit-to-Google migration started in summer 2023, and all users will be required to migrate their accounts by early 2026. Google faced backlash from longtime Fitbit users for discontinuing features like challenges and streaks, although the latter has since returned.
In early 2024, Google issued a software update for the Versa 3 and Sense aimed at reducing battery overheating risks, which inadvertently led to shorter battery life for some users. Nevertheless, the rollout of a revamped Fitbit app and an AI health coach suggests that Google remains committed to the Fitbit brand. Recent hardware enhancements with the Pixel Watch 4 are also indicative of ongoing investment in this space.
Update, November 7th: Current pricing and availability have been adjusted. Brandt Ranj contributed to this post.
