Best Fitbit in 2019

Who should buy this

I'm often asked which Fitbit someone should buy, and I always ask them two questions: are you a casual or serious runner; and do you want to use apps on your wrist? Most people say that they're casual athletes of some sort, and almost everyone says that they just want to receive notifications on their wrist.

That's why I almost always suggest the Charge lineup from Fitbit. The Charge 3 improves on the previous versions in every way, with a bigger, brighter OLED panel that's now a touchscreen, water resistance up to 50 meters, and improved health tracking including more accurate heart rate sensing and more reliable sleep tracking. Plus, Fitbit's operating system has improved immensely, with easy-to-understand navigation and a host of useful features.

Is it a good time to buy this Fitbit?

Yes. The Fitbit Charge 3 was released in October 2018, and likely won't be upgraded for at least another nine months. At the same time, Fitbit has a great track record of updating older products with new features, so you can rest assured that, should your wearable not have any hardware problems, you can safely wear this for years to come.

The ups and downs of a Fitbit user

The reality is that if you're looking for a Fitbit, you've probably considered a few other options, like an Apple Watch (more expensive) or another tracker from one of Fitbit's myriad competitors. But like the loyal customer you are, you're probably considering a Fitbit after having used at least one over the years. And, like many Fitbit customers, you've likely had your ups and downs with the product, and the brand.

The Fitbit Charge 3 is the best Fitbit for most people because what it offers — accurate step counting, exercise tracking, sleep measuring, and rudimentary smartwatch features — it does with aplomb. But I'd be remiss not to mention the many complaints leveled against Fitbit the company, and the Charge 3 itself, in regards to bugs and quality control issues. While I've yet to have any showstopping bugs on my Charge 3 unit when paired with my iPhone, I've had numerous issues with it paired to an Android phone (though they were all resolved with a recent software update).

Fitbits used to be known for their hardware problems but now the issues are mainly with software bugs.

You only have to take a look at Fitbit's community support forums for a brief list of issues that people have experienced to date with the Charge 3, from alarms that don't go off at the scheduled time to a blank screen when the tracker is removed from the charger, to see a cross-section of the company's troubles with its latest product.

That said, Fitbit's issues used to be primarily hardware-related; a few years ago, almost everyone I knew who bought a Fitbit had a story about broken chargers, snapped bands, or outright hardware defects. There were even rashes. Thankfully, the company seems to have sorted out those problems, leaving surmountable issues that can be addressed via firmware updates.

In my experience, and especially for the price, you get a tremendous amount of value from a Fitbit product, and the pros far outweigh the cons, but it's certainly true with any company that makes a lot of products, some will be more problematic than others.

Alternatives to the Charge 3

The Charge 3 isn't the only Fitbit game in town, and depending on your needs you may want something with a few more features, or battery life, or both. Or maybe the Charge 3 is too big, and you'd be better served with a smaller, more compact Fitbit.

The Versa looks and feels the most like a smartwatch out of Fitbit's lineup, and it offers a comprehensive suite of apps, watch faces, and fitness-related features to satisfy even the most hardcore of users. While it's fully waterproof, it lacks GPS for standalone runs, and its 4-day battery life isn't quite as long as the Charge 3's or the Ionic's. At $200, it's quite a bit cheaper than the Apple Watch Series 4, but it's also not as well-equipped.

The Ionic is Fitbit's successor to the Surge, and a true beast of an exercise-tracking smartwatch. It's bigger and more angular than the Versa, but also offers considerably more battery life, a bright screen, and an awe-inspiring range of on-device coaching lessons for various workouts. Pair it with Fitbit Coach and you have a full-spectrum exercise program at home.

If you have a budget of under $100, the Fitbit Flex 2 is an outstanding Fitbit when paired with the iOS app — which is necessary, because this thing doesn't have a screen.

Bottom line

There are a lot of Fitbits out there today, but most people will fall into one of the four categories outlined above.

For the athletes, the Ionic is the cream of the crop. Beginners will love the lightweight flexibility of the Flex 2. The Versa is a surefire hit with anyone who wants a smartwatch without having to spend more than $200.

And the Charge 3 is the best of all worlds. It's not quite a smartwatch, but it does most of the things one would expect it to do. It's also just $150, and only needs to be charged once a week.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

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