Best Fitbit 2022 for health and fitness tracking reviewed and ranked

The best Fitbits count steps, track sleep and estimate calories: get the best Fitbit for you using our comprehensive guide

Person doing yoga outdoors wearing a Fitbit Versa 3
(Image credit: Fitbit)

You can get cheaper trackers, but the best Fitbits have a well-deserved reputation for the quality they represent in terms of build and app support. Below is the list of all the best Fitbit watches, bands and trackers, reviewed and ranked by T3's resident Fitbit experts.

Many people associate the best Fitbits with the best fitness trackers, mainly because the California-based fitness company is the largest player in that market by a considerable margin. By getting a Fitbit, you know you'll get a decent fitness wearable for a reasonable price.

Looking for a device to track sleep? Some Fitbits can help you with that (here is how Fitbits track sleep), but there are also dedicated sleep trackers available, not to mention the best running watches that can also analyse sleep quality, among other things.

Lastly, although we tried to explain as clearly as possible which Fitbit below is good for what purpose, we also have a dedicated guide on how to choose the right Fitbit for you.

Best Fitbits to buy right now

Fitbit Versa 3 worn on a wristT3 Best Buy Award badge


(Image credit: Michelle Rae Uy)
Best Fitbit smartwatch overall

Specifications

Quoted battery life: 5+ days
Heart-rate tracking: Yes
Sleep tracking: Yes
GPS: Yes
Waterproof: Yes
Touchscreen: Yes
Ambient light sensor: Yes
Water resistance: up to 50 metres
NFC payments: Yes
Bluetooth: Yes
Smartphone notifications: Yes
Female health tracking: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Improved GPS and heart rate tracking
+
Attractive design
+
Long battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
Lacks features from Fitbit Sense – but we don't think that matters

Fitbit Versa has long been the best smartwatch-styled Fitbit, but Versa 3 adds some long-demanded features and makes everything from the Versa lineage a bit slicker. 

Most importantly, there is improved heart-rate tracking accuracy during intense exercise, built-in GPS – which is also pretty accurate, though it is not the fastest to connect – and the option of an always-on screen. For those of us who found Fitbit's old 'flick your wrist to activate screen' approach infuriating, that last one is great news.

With those additions, plus support for active zone minutes, which rewards you for more intense workouts, this is a much better Fitbit for those who are a bit more serious about their fitness goals. 

However, Versa 3 is also great for those who want a stylish and slick smartwatch for notifications and contactless payments, but don't want to pay for an Apple Watch – or don't use iPhones.

Read our full Fitbit Versa 3 review

Fitbit Charge 5 in between some green leavesT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Matt Kollat)
Best Fitbit fitness tracker overall

Specifications

Quoted battery life: Up to 7 days
Heart-rate tracking: Yes
Sleep tracking: Yes
GPS: Yes
Waterproof: Yes
Touchscreen: Yes
Ambient light sensor: Yes
Water resistance: up to 50 metres
Bluetooth: Yes
Smartphone notifications: Yes
Female health tracking: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
AMOLED screen is pretty
+
6-month Fitbit Premium subscription included in the price
+
Excellent sleep tracking capabilities
+
Comfortable to wear

Reasons to avoid

-
HR tracking/GPS issues
-
Expensive

The Fitbit Charge 5 is a capable fitness tracker. It has a built-in GPS, optical heart rate sensor, an AMOLED touchscreen and a comfortable band that doesn't make you all itchy after an hour or so.

As well as tracking heart rate 24/7, the Charge 5 can monitor sleep, blood oxygen levels (SpO2), skin temperature, breathing rate and Active Zone Minutes. It can also score your body's ability to recover/train through its Daily Readiness Score. This feature is similar to the Strain Score in the Whoop 4.0 and is based on heart rate variability.

The Charge 5 is swim-proof although don't expect it to measure anything accurately when you're underwater. At least you don't have to be afraid to wear it when you're doing the washing up.

The not-so-low price includes six months of Fitbit Premium subscription, which is excellent because the Daily Readiness Score and advanced sleep metrics are only available to Premium users. You can find a ton of workouts and mindfulness exercises in Premium from Deepak Chopra and Will Smith too.

Read our full Fitbit Charge 5 review

Fitbit Sense close up lookT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Fitbit)

3. Fitbit Sense

Best Fitbit smartwatch for health tracking

Specifications

Quoted battery life: 6+ days
Heart-rate tracking: Yes
Sleep tracking: Yes
GPS: Yes
Waterproof: Yes
Touchscreen: Yes
Ambient light sensor: Yes
Water resistance: up to 50 metres
NFC payments: Yes (Fitbit Pay)
Bluetooth: Yes
Smartphone notifications: Yes
Female health tracking: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Most advanced Fitbit to date
+
Pleasing physical design
+
Pretty screen
+
6-month Fitbit Premium Membership included in the price 

Reasons to avoid

-
Some features might come across as gimmicky to some
-
You need Fitbit Premium to access some of the features (e.g. Daily Readiness Score)

Fitbit Sense is even nicer than the Versa 3 and adds some interesting features such as stress tracking and an ECG. However for most people, we suspect these extra features really will be 'interesting' rather than particularly useful, and they do also mean the Sense is £100 or $100 more expensive than the Versa 3.

That said, the Sense is now often sold below its RRP so if you're interested in the extra features, now is the time to try them out. The price of the Sense also includes 6-month Fitbit Premium Membership which is nice.

This means that through the Fitbit App, you can access advanced sleep metrics, your Daily Readiness Score, personalised workout recommendations and more. After six months, you will have to pay for these stats so bear this in mind before you buy a new Sense.

Fitbit Inspire 2 in handT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Jennifer Allen)
Best cheap Fitbit fitness tracker

Specifications

Quoted battery life: up to 10 days
Heart-rate tracking: Yes
Sleep tracking: Yes
GPS: Via connected phone
Waterproof: Yes
Touchscreen: Yes
Water resistance: Yes, up to 50 metres
Smartphone notifications: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Slim design
+
1-year Fitbit Premium subscription included in the price
+
Long battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
Only connected GPS

Aimed at more casual users, the Inspire 2 makes it easier to log and monitor activities, even if you are not tracking them as workouts, thanks to the Active Zone Minutes feature.

The Fitbit Inspire 2 fitness tracker can help build healthier habits with features like goal-based exercise modes (over 20 of these included on the device), advanced sleep tools, 24/7 heart rate tracking, menstrual health tracking, food and hydration intake monitoring, along with your weight, plus daily encouragement right on your wrist.

All that said, probably the best thing about the Fitbit Inspire 2 is that it comes with a one-year free trial of Fitbit Premium, included in the price. So, not only the Fitbit Inspire 2 is way cheaper than the Charge 4, but it also includes a service that would otherwise cost you as much as the tracker itself. Did we mention the Inspire 2 also has an up to 10 days battery life, the longest Fitbit has to offer?

To see how this model stacks up against a more expensive Fitbit, then check out T3's Fitbit Charge 4 vs Fitbit Inspire 2 comparison feature.

Read our full Fitbit Inspire 2 review

Fitbit Charge 4 worn on a wristT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Fitbit)

5. Fitbit Charge 4

best last-gen Fitbit fitness tracker

Specifications

Quoted battery life: 5+ days
Heart-rate tracking: Yes
Sleep tracking: Yes
GPS: Yes
Waterproof: Yes
Touchscreen: Yes
Ambient light sensor: Yes
Water resistance: up to 50 metres
NFC payments: Yes (Versa and special Edition only)
Bluetooth: Yes
Smartphone notifications: Yes
Female health tracking: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Solid cardio tracking
+
Phone notifications
+
GPS built in
+
Strong battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
Not terribly chic
-
No always-on screen

Hot off the production lines, the waterproof and compact Fitbit Charge 4 is the newest Fitbit and its best ever fitness band. I prefer the more smartwatch-style Versa 2,  but if you're after a band, they don't come better than this. 

The inclusion of GPS and 'Activity Minutes' – a tracking system for more intense exercise than just taking steps – brings it in line with Garmin's bands. However Fitibit's app is noticeably better than the Garmin one and the Charge 4 is also more affordable than many of its arch rival's bands.

Notifications are better handled than on the Charge 3 and it feels a bit slicker all round, in fact. However, the fact that you cannot set the screen to always on, even during a workout, remains a PITA. Sort it out, Fitbit!

To see how this Fitbit compare to our number one choice, then check out T3's Fitbit Versa 3 vs. Fitbit Charge 4 comparison feature.

Fitbit Ace 3 worn by a childT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Fitbit)
Best Fitbit for kids

Specifications

Quoted battery life: up to 5 days
Heart-rate tracking: Yes
Sleep tracking: Yes
Waterproof: Yes
Touchscreen: Yes
Water resistance: up to 50 metres
NFC payments: No
Bluetooth: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Great battery life
+
Soft, super durable strap
+
Responsive touchscreen
+
Makes exercise and healthy habits fun

Reasons to avoid

-
Not many games
-
Black and white screen

The Fitbit Ace 3 builds upon another great tracker – the Fitbit Ace 2 – by adding better battery life and some next extra features for more accurate tracking to become the best kids smartwatch. While it packs a punch feature-wise, the watch also looks great, and because there are no specific character or movie tie-ins, it offers longevity. It may even be acceptable to teenagers (maybe).

The Ace series of fitness trackers have always been great to motivate kids with funny animations/competitions and thankfully, Ace 3 does this pretty well too: for example, a little disco ball drops down on the screen to celebrate 10,000 steps walked in a day, to the delight of most sub-10-yo children.

Should you set up a family account in the Fitbit App, you can keep tabs on your child's activity while the kids can delight themselves in collecting virtual badges on their profile. Fun for the whole family indeed.

Read our full Fitbit Ace 3 review

Person riding a bicycle wearing the Fitbit Versa 2T3 Approved badge


(Image credit: Fitbit )

7. Fitbit Versa 2

Best cheap Fitbit smartwatch

Specifications

Quoted battery life: 5+ days
Heart-rate tracking: Yes
Sleep tracking: Yes
GPS: Via connected phone
Waterproof: Yes
Touchscreen: Yes
Ambient light sensor: Yes
Water resistance: up to 50 metres
NFC payments: Yes (Versa and special Edition only)
Bluetooth: Yes
Smartphone notifications: Yes
Female health tracking: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
A wearable you'll want to wear
+
The full range of Fitbit features

Reasons to avoid

-
GPS is via your smartphone only

If we were to describe one Fitbit as the best Fitbit, we'd pick the Versa 3. But that leaves a discounted Fitbit Versa 2 as arguably the best value Fitbit, so long as it's at the right price.

Versa 2 has a mute version of Amazon Alexa, which obeys your commands in the usual way, but replies to queries via text only. It’s an improvement, frankly. It's also waterproof and features tracking of your swims too, which is good news for swimmers. 

Those wanting workout motivation might like the on-wrist video workouts of the Versa 2. You do quickly find that trying to watch a virtual personal trainer who sits on your wrist is not the easiest way to learn new exercises, mind you.

To see how this smartwatch compares to our number one choice, be sure to check out T3's Fitbit Versa 2 vs Fitbit Versa 3 comparison feature.

person looking to the side in front of a bookshelf holding a mug wearing a Fitbit Luxe fitness tracker


(Image credit: Fitbit)

Which is the best Fitbit to buy?

Our top recommendation for most users is the Fitbit Versa 3. Those requiring a band rather than a watch should head straight to Fitbit Charge 4. These are the best Fitbits for more serious exercise since they have GPS built-in, better heart-rate tracking, and a focus on 'active minutes' instead of steps taken.

Despite doubts over the accuracy of its step counting and calorie calculations, what keeps Fitbit popular is its well-established social network, slick app and an ongoing stream of new devices that offer the Fitbit experience in a variety of shapes, sizes and prices. 100% accuracy is not an essential thing in a fitness tracker.

The real keys to success are wearability, a good, motivational app, a wide range of features, and, if the stats aren't necessarily bang-on accurate, they are at least consistent in the way that they are inaccurate. In that case, you can tell if you are improving, maintaining or – heaven forbid – deteriorating in terms of activity and fitness. The Fitbits Versa 3 delivers all that in spades.

What is the most advanced Fitbit?

The 'most advanced Fitbit' title goes to the Sense, Fitbit's flagship model at the moment. It has all the features of the excellent Fitbit Versa 3 but also adds stress tracking, a skin temperature sensor and an ECG app to the mix. Most of these features have received the FDA and CE stamp of approval (US and EU, respectively) to be used by people who haven't got any cardiovascular medical history.

That said, the Sense is not a medical device, and Fitbit never claimed it was.

For most people, we suspect these extra features really will be 'interesting' rather than particularly useful, and they do also make the Sense is $/£100 more expensive than the Versa 3.

Which Fitbit is best value for money?

We would argue that the best value Fitbit for money at the moment is the Fitbit Inspire 2, especially if you're new to Fitbit. This straightforward fitness band tracks heart rate 24/7, features Fitbit's Active Zone Minutes system and adds a free 1-year Fitbit Premium trial for new Premium users, through which you can get personalised guidance access 'exclusive' insights and sleep tools in the Fitbit App.

Matt is T3's Fitness Editor and covers everything from smart fitness tech to running and workout shoes, home gym equipment, exercise how-tos, nutrition, cycling, and more. His byline appears in several publications, including Techradar and Fit&Well, and he collaborated with other fitness content creators such as Garage Gym reviews.

With contributions from