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Fitbit has changed a lot over the years, but the basic formula remains the same: put on a comfortable wearable, go about your day, and let it quietly keep track of your health and activity in the background.
After Google acquired Fitbit in 2021, the brand entered a quieter period. New device launches became less frequent, while Fitbit's health and fitness features increasingly became part of Google's wider wearable ecosystem through the Pixel Watch. As a result, it wasn't always clear where Fitbit itself was headed.
The arrival of the Fitbit Air has helped answer that question. Rather than trying to compete with full-featured smartwatches, it's a lightweight, screen-free tracker focused on activity, sleep and health monitoring. In many ways, it feels like a return to the simplicity that made Fitbit such a popular name in fitness tracking in the first place.
We've been testing Fitbit devices for years, wearing them through workouts, sleep and everyday life while comparing them against rivals from Apple, Garmin, Samsung and Oura. We assess everything from tracking accuracy and battery life to comfort, app experience and overall value to help you find the Fitbit that's actually worth buying.
May 16 2026: Added the Google Fitbit Air to our 'best overall' category.
Our Fitness Editor Matt Evans has been writing about fitness and health tech online for years, which means he knows what to expect from a good fitness tracker: the information it can provide about your health and activity levels, how that info is presented, and how useful it is during your everyday life.
Is Prime Day a good time to buy a Fitbit?
Yes. Fitbit devices are regulars in Amazon's Prime Day sales, with older models often seeing some of their biggest discounts outside of Black Friday. Newer devices such as the Fitbit Air may not see the same level of discounting, but if you're considering a Fitbit, Prime Day is still worth watching. Bookmark this page and check back during the sale to see whether any of our top picks have dropped in price.
Best Fitbit overall
The Fitbit Air feels like the clearest expression of what Fitbit is supposed to be in 2026. Rather than trying to compete with full-featured smartwatches, it's a lightweight, screen-free tracker that focuses on the things most people actually care about: activity, sleep and health tracking.
During testing, we found the Air impressively accurate for such a simple device. Worn alongside the Apple Watch Ultra 3, its heart rate and sleep-tracking data closely aligned with Apple's flagship smartwatch, giving us confidence in the health insights it provides. At just 12g, it's also one of the most comfortable wearables we've tested, to the point where our fitness and health editor Matt often forgot he was wearing it, even overnight.
The Air won't replace a running watch or a smartwatch. There's no built-in GPS, no app store and no advanced training metrics. However, that's also part of its appeal. It strips away the complexity, distractions and extra cost that come with many modern wearables, while still delivering the core health and fitness tracking Fitbit is known for. Its battery life exceeded Google's seven-day claim in our testing, and unlike rivals such as Whoop, you don't need an ongoing subscription to get good value from it.
If you're a serious runner, buy the Charge 6. If you want a smartwatch, buy the Pixel Watch 4. But for most people who simply want an affordable, comfortable tracker they can wear day and night, the Fitbit Air is the Fitbit we'd recommend first.
Read our full Google Fitbit Air review
Best budget Fitbit
The Fitbit Inspire 3 has a revamped design featuring a wider and longer main unit and a better-fitting silicone band. And while it features a color AMOLED display – a first for the Inspire range – our testing found that it boasts the same impressive battery life; even if you're using the always-on display, the tracker will last for around 10 days.
We loved its impressive suite of health-tracking features, including 24/7 heart rate monitoring and sleep tracking, which are combined to provide an analysis of your Daily Readiness and Stress Management. It'll also remind you to get up and walk around for a bit if you haven't done so in a while, and if you're having a stressful day, you can also try and relax with the 2-minute guided breathing feature.
We also loved its new Sp02 monitoring, which tracks oxygen levels in your blood and can alert you if it drops below a certain threshold, such as 90%, potentially a warning sign of hypoxia, and can aid in sleep and recovery tracking. Most full fitness smartwatches carry this sensor, so it's nice to see it finally make its way to the slender Inspire range.
Read our full Fitbit Inspire 3 review
Best Fitbit smartwatch
The Google Pixel Watch 4 is a sleek and stylish smartwatch that offers a premium experience for Android users. Its polished pebble design and comfortable fit make it a pleasure to wear, and in our testing we found that the larger, domed display allows for a more immersive experience.
Powered by a snappy processor, the Pixel Watch 4 handles tasks with ease, from tracking workouts to running apps. The battery life is much improved from the Pixel Watch 3, and it comes in two sizes again. It's also repairable, a first for a modern smartwatch, so you can replace the battery or display if there's a problem. Much more eco-friendly than trading in back in for a new sealed unit!
One of the standout features of the Pixel Watch 4 is its integration with Fitbit. This allows users to take advantage of a wide range of health and fitness tracking features, including heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and more. Its impressive array of Fitbit-powered health features, including the new AI health coach is one of the reasons it scored so highly in our review.
The Pixel Watch 4 is a well-rounded smartwatch that offers a combination of style, functionality, and performance, with fast charging (it's also got a great charger design), maps, WearOS third-party apps and everything that makes a modern smartwatch great.
Read our full Google Pixel Watch 4 review
Best Fitbit for sleep tracking
The Fitbit Sense is a super advanced watch that can track your stress levels by measuring the conductivity of your skin (basically, changes in conductivity are a sign of adrenal activity, which means stress). This data syncs with the Fitbit app, where you can also record your mood and any factors that might have influenced how you feel so you can look for patterns.
The Sense is an excellent sports watch as well, with a huge range of activity-tracking options. You can configure your favorite workouts, so they appear as quick shortcuts when you press the touch-sensitive button on the left-hand side of the Sense's case, and there's on-board GPS to map runs, walks, and bike rides. It's a great-looking watch with an almost identical design to the Fitbit Versa 3. The soft silicone strap makes it extremely comfortable to wear, even at night.
Our only complaint is that the step tracking was a little inconsistent during our testing, recording steps even though we told the device we were taking part in a cycling activity. Otherwise, the Fitbit Sense is a superb watch that's easy to recommend. If you're looking for a device that offers similar features in a more compact package, the Fitbit Charge 5 also includes the same stress-tracking sensor.
Read our full Fitbit Sense review
Best Fitbit for sport
The Fitbit Charge 6 takes many of the best features from all of the company's other devices and rolls them into one sporty package. You get onboard GPS for tracking runs, walks and bike rides without carrying your phone; an EDA (electrodermal activity) sensor to measure changes in stress levels, an ECG app, and (like the Fitbit Luxe) a bright AMOLED display that makes it a pleasure to use.
An updated HR sensor makes it far more accurate during vigorous exercise like HIIT, and YouTube Music controls have been added. Google Wallet replaces Fitbit Pay.
The Charge 6 is a fitness tracker built for people who are starting to take their workouts seriously but aren't ready to invest in a dedicated running watch or swimming watch. There's a great range of tracking modes (you can select your five favorites for quick access), although heart rate monitoring was found to be accurate enough for an estimation, but not pinpoint.
Unlike the Fitbit Charge 4, the Charge 6 doesn't let you control your Spotify playlist or other music from your wrist, only YouTube Music. It's a slight downgrade from the Charge 5, but still a good choice for a sportier, performance-focused tracker for more advanced athletes.
Read our full Fitbit Charge 6 review
Best Fitbit for beginners
The Fitbit Versa 4 is a straightforward, easy-to-live-with smartwatch that’s best suited to everyday use rather than advanced training or feature-heavy smartwatches. It keeps things simple by skipping third-party apps, advanced health tools like ECG, and complex smartwatch features, instead focusing on the basics such as activity tracking, sleep monitoring and notifications.
During testing, we found it’s one of the most comfortable Fitbits to wear day to day, with a lightweight design and a clear, bright OLED display that makes stats and notifications easy to check at a glance. It also borrows a cleaner interface layout inspired by the Pixel Watch, which helps make its limited smart features feel more polished and approachable.
Battery life is another strong point, lasting around a week with light use, or closer to 2–3 days with the always-on display enabled. That makes it far less demanding than a typical smartwatch and easier to integrate into a daily routine without constant charging.
It doesn’t have the depth of fitness tracking or app support of higher-end smartwatches, and it’s not designed for serious runners or data-heavy training. But for general daily tracking, step counting, sleep monitoring and notifications, the Versa 4 is a comfortable, uncomplicated option.
Read our full Fitbit Versa 4 review
How to choose the best Fitbit for you
Fitbit's lineup isn't huge, but the devices do cater to slightly different types of users. The first thing to decide is whether you want a simple tracker that quietly logs your activity, sleep and health metrics in the background, or a smartwatch that puts all that information, plus apps and notifications, front and centre on your wrist.
Next, think about the features you'll actually use. If you're training for a race, tackling long hikes or simply like poring over workout stats, a model with built-in GPS such as the Fitbit Charge 6 is worth considering. If you'd rather wear something you can almost forget about until it's time to check your stats, the Google Fitbit Air takes a more stripped-back approach. Both offer heart-health features including ECG readings and irregular heart rhythm notifications, but the Air's screen-free design makes it particularly comfortable for around-the-clock wear.
Of course, price matters too. One of Fitbit's biggest strengths is that its devices remain refreshingly affordable in a wearable market that increasingly expects you to spend big money.
How we test Fitbits
We put all Fitbit devices to the test in real-world conditions so you know exactly what to expect when making your choice. That way, we can tell you exactly how each one feels to use, how well they perform, and the data you can expect to receive each day. So, who better to help you find the best wrist-mounted fitness devices the brand has to offer on the market.
We wear each Fitbit day and night to obtain a full set of data and monitor how long the battery lasts in typical use on a full charge. We put each Fitbit to the test during a variety of indoor and outdoor workouts, comparing its heart rate and GPS measurements to those gathered by a high-end sports watch, and comparing the nightly sleep stats to those collected by a dedicated sleep tracker.
For example, when reviewing the Google Fitbit Air, our fitness editor wore the tracker continuously for eight days, including during workouts, sleep and everyday wear. He also compared its heart rate and sleep-tracking data against the Apple Watch Ultra 3.
Finally, we compare each watch to the model that preceded it, and others in Fitbit's current line to help you make the best decision.
FAQs
What is the best Fitbit watch for seniors?
Thanks to its premium health monitoring features, the Fitbit Sense gets our vote as the best Fitbit for seniors. This smartwatch comes with all the features of the Versa 3 and packs a few more that seniors will find very useful, including an ECG and skin temperature sensors.
Are Fitbits waterproof?
Yes, all Fitbit devices are water resistant to 50 meters, making them suitable for swimming, showering, bathing and handwashing. If you swim in the sea, make sure you rinse your Fitbit off well afterwards, as salt could damage the case and strap.
Do Fitbits work with iPhones?
Yes, Fitbits work with both iPhones and Android phones. Just download the Fitbit app from the App Store or Google Play, and your watch will connect to your phone without a hitch.
Do Fitbits track blood pressure?
No, but in April 2021 Fitbit began a study to investigate whether pulse arrival time (how long it takes for a pulse of blood to reach your wrist after a heartbeat) could be used to estimate blood pressure, so it may be a feature that we see in the future.
Which is better: Fitbit or Garmin?
We love Fitbit's simple approach and friendly UX, and there's a surprising wealth of detail in the metrics when you dive in. It's great for beginners, fitness fans and casual regular exercisers alike. However, Garmin's better for serious endurance athletes, with sophisticated GPS/route tools and more in-depth information. Here's our pick of the best Garmin watches.
Should you buy a Fitbit?
A Fitbit is a worthwhile investment if you want a slight more unintrusive fitness tracker without all the distractions (and the cost) of a smartwatch. They're great for helping you keep tabs on your overall health and fitness, but aren't as intense as the best smartwatches on the market. Fitbits are a great option if you're on a budget, and they also make excellent gifts or choices for kids, as well as more senior users. There are other good options out there, but Fitbit is a trusted brand with longevity, decent support, and the backing of Google.
