Should you buy a Fitbit Ace 2 for your kids?
Should you buy a Fitbit Ace 2 for your kids?
Best answer: Yes! The Fitbit Ace 2, Fitbit's second kid-focused fitness tracker, is definitely worth picking up for your youngster. It has a fun, rugged design, easy-to-use parental controls, and activity/sleep tracking.Coming soon: Fitbit Ace 2 ($70 at Fitbit)Last year's model: Fitbit Ace ($80 at B&H)
The Ace 2 was built with kids in mind
One look at the Fitbit Ace 2 and it's apparent that Fitbit put a lot of thought behind its design. Where the original Ace was a sleek and slim tracker, the Ace 2 has a much more kid-friendly design.
Fitbit says it learned that kids aren't quite as careful with wearables as adults are, and as such, designed the Ace 2 to be durable and resistant against the wear-and-tear of even the roughest kiddos.
The sturdy rubber case surrounding the tracker (available in colors Fitbit worked with kids to create) has a raised edge over the display to keep it protected against scratches and cracks. There's also waterproofing up to 50 meters and a battery that should last up to five days on a single charge.
Other features include activity and sleep tracking, fun clock faces, reminders to move, and more.
Fitbit's parental controls are easy-to-use
While all of that's great, what really helps the Ace 2 stand out is its excellent suite of parental controls that Fitbit gives parents/guardians.
Kids using the Ace 2 are limited to a Protected Kid View by default in the Fitbit app, only allowing them to see their fitness stats, badges, and change their clock face and avatar. If they want to be friends with other Fitbit users, they need to get parental permission first.
In the Parent View, you can keep tabs on your kids' activity, enable/disable certain features, and approve any friend requests your kids have made.
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You'll be able to buy the Ace 2 this summer
While the Fitbit Ace 2 isn't available for purchase quite yet, Fitbit says it'll be launching this summer for just $70.
Until that time comes, you can still buy the original Ace from 2018. It has the same fitness tracking and parental control features, but it doesn't have as good water resistance and the design may be a little too exposed for kids that are particularly rough. However, if you want a fitness tracker for your kid right now and don't feel like waiting for the Ace 2, it's still a solid buy.
Our pick
Fitbit's latest tracker for kids
The Fitbit Ace 2 takes everything we loved about the first Fitbit Ace and makes it even better. On top of all-day activity tracking and powerful parental controls, there's now a more rugged/kid-proof design and full 50-meter waterproofing to ensure the tracker keeps working for years to come.
Still good
A good option until the Ace 2's launch
Can't wait for the Ace 2's launch this summer? The original model is still worth checking out. While the design isn't quite as rugged and it's only sweatproof, it still supports all of the same tracking and parental control features.
When Joe isn't acting as the News Editor for Android Central, he can be found helping out with articles here and there at iMore. He was last spotted at Starbucks surrounded by peppermint mochas. Have a tip? Send an email to joe.maring@mobilenations.com!