Best Fitbit Models for Beginners, Athletes, and Kids (2026)
it’s been five hours years since Google officially acquired Fitbit for a reported $2.1 billion, snapping up hardware and software teams that also absorbed assets from Pebble, which Fitbit itself acquired in 2016. So how have things changed? Well, for starters, Fitbit is now Google Fitbit. It’s not the most imaginative name change, and it hasn’t stuck in consumers’ minds, but the good news is that Fitbit devices remain some of the most user-friendly and welcoming fitness trackers available. This is especially true if you are starting or restarting your fitness journey.
Fitbit’s dominance has waned slightly in the face of countless alternatives, but its affordable approach, user-friendly interface, and great style make it one of the best wearable fitness brands. If you’re looking for a reliable step counting and sleep tracking monitor, you’re in for a treat and thanks to Google’s handling, you can now even find a smartwatch with features to rival the competition. Here’s my pick of the best Fitbit trackers, whatever your wearable needs.
For more wearable recommendations, check out our guides to the best fitness trackers, best smart rings, and best Garmin watches.
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Best Fitbit overall
Launching in 2023, the Charge 6 remains the best fitness tracker for most people. It’s the same slim build as its predecessor (the Charge 5), retaining the bright AMOLED touchscreen, with an optional always-on display and thankfully bringing back the physical side button. It monitors your heart rate, blood oxygen, and skin temperature, and offers ECG and electrodermal activity scans to measure irregular heart rhythms and information about stress levels. The biggest improvement in terms of functionality is the new ability to connect Fitbit’s heart rate sensor to particular gym equipment like the NordicTrack treadmill or Peloton bike. In testing, its heart rate sensors held up well against the Oura ring. Battery life is also fantastic, with up to a week per charge.
Built-in GPS support doesn’t rival dedicated sports watches in terms of accuracy, but it’s useful enough for outdoor activities. Plus, unlike those wearables, Fitbit provides detailed sleep data that is both relevant and actionable. Google’s presence has grown on Charge with the useful additions of Google Maps and Google Wallet. You get all this and more for less than the price of Fitbit smartwatches.
Most affordable Fitbit
Aside from its economical price, the Inspire 3 also offers the longest battery life in the Fitbit lineup. A full charge will last you up to 10 days, depending on how much you use it. It’s quite similar to the Charge 6, except it lacks built-in GPS and only offers 20 exercise modes (unlike the Charge 6’s 40 modes, which I found excessive anyway). You also miss out on some of the other premium features, such as Bluetooth compatibility with some gym equipment, the EDA Scan app for stress management, and NFC. If none of these qualities matter to you, I’d go with the Inspire 3, which is just as accurate as the Charge 6.
