Which Fitbit should you choose in 2023?

Getting fit is one of the best decisions you'll ever make, alongside deciding which Fitbit to choose to support your fitness and well-being goals. Even if you’re a seasoned fitness fanatic, you may have a tracker that's worse for wear or weak on features. Or, you're into health and fitness but fancy dipping a toe into the world of trackers. Either way, the most modern and effective way to track your progress is with a fitness tracker - and Fitbits are a favourite of ours.

Fitbit is possibly the best-known fitness tracker, second maybe to the Apple Watch. The latest and best Fitbits are far more advanced than they used to be. They do far more than just counting how many steps you take every day - including tracking sleep patterns, stress levels and more. They’re all-encompassing activity trackers that give Apple’s Watch a real run for its money but at a fraction of the cost, and that's not even including the budget fitness trackers in the Fitbit lineup.

Which Fitbit should you choose in 2023 at a glance

• Best Fitbit fitness tracker: Fitbit Charge 5 - View at Argos
• Best budget Fitbit: Fitbit Inspire 2 - View at Currys
• Best Fitbit for advanced features: Fitbit Sense Advanced - View at Amazon
• Best Fitbit for kids: Fitbit Ace 3 - View at Argos

In contrast to some of the best watches for running, Fitbits have a multitude of applications - including running, but also ones with features that you may or may not necessarily need. So, which Fitbit is right for you? Well, that really comes down to listing all the things you get up to in your health and fitness regime. Broadly speaking, runners, gym-goers, swimmers and those who enjoy more rugged outdoor activities each have specific needs. So, we've put together a buyer's guide to help you narrow things down.

And, of course, we've found the right Fitbits for all of those types of users, and possibly a few others too. You'll find a range of models to choose from, whether you want something simple to use to an all-singing, all-dancing fitness tracker. Discover which Fitbit is the perfect fitness companion for you, next.

Which Fitbit should you choose in 2023?

Which Fitbit should you choose in 2023? Buyer's guide

As with all fitness gadgets, the ultimate choice of which Fitbit best suits your needs is down to you. It is, and should be, highly individualised. But, for us, a model of particular note is the latest Fitbit Charge 5 which lasts seven days on a charge, can go with you into the pool, and comes in a variety of colours. However, if you're looking for wide functionality with a little more style, the Fitbit Charge 4 serves extremely well as a comprehensive tracker for the gym or home.

Choose based on form and function

The kind of fitness activities you do may well dictate the size and shape when it comes to which Fitbit is right for you. Not all runners appreciate a larger, weightier device on their arm and not all gym-goers will have a use for a Fitbit with GPS. Here are some of the more typical feature sets that appeal to common activities.

Runners

Runners and jogging enthusiasts often need a combination of lightweight and low-profile fitness trackers. Another essential feature will be waterproofing (or at the very least, sweat resistance). GPS is especially applicable to this group, as analysing both the route taken and performance during certain segments of it is very useful.

Gym-goers

Unlike runners and outdoor activity fans, GPS is much less of a priority in the gym. Sweat resistance is a must, and if you like to travel light, choose a Fitbit with enough standalone functionality and a large enough screen to avoid having to take your smartphone with you. However, pay attention to the width and comfort of the strap, especially if you're weight-lifting.

Swimmers

Obviously, waterproofing is the order of the day here. But also you may want a thinner and lighter profile than the more Apple Watch style trackers.

Outdoor activities

This is possibly the hardest category to cater for as most outdoor activities include a mixture of the above. However, for adventurous types, GPS is a must-have tool; not to mention an additional safety feature for anyone who likes to hike long distances and so on. But, the most fitting model is the one that will survive the elements when climbing rough terrain or mountain biking.

With each of the Fitbits listed, you can interchange wristbands and straps. So, you don’t have to settle for just one colour. There’s even a set of Fitbit scales for a well-rounded approach to getting fit, tracking progress, and staying fit. At the end of the day, the right choice for you depends on the features you need.

When to spend extra on a Fitbit with GPS

GPS, or Global Positioning System, is another term for tracking your router via coordinates provided by satellite. Although there's a huge range of other brands of fitness trackers with GPS as a star feature, Fitbit has a reputation for reliability and accuracy when mapping your route. However, not everyone needs this features - some prefer to track more fitness-related data in their chosen fitness apps instead. However, if you're highly target-driven and like to test yourself on familiar routes, GPS is the best feature for you.

So, consider your needs - present and future - and if you can, go for a GPS model. There are many advantages to knowing which route you've taken, besides being able to repeat it later.

Ensure compatibility with your smartphone

Although you can buy fitness trackers compatible with Android, the advantage here is that Fitbits work with Android or iOS. If you have an older smartphone you may want to check that your app is updated and still works. As apps get updated they sometimes outgrow the capabilities of the smartphone or its operating system.

Lastly, If you already have a favourite fitness tracking app, ensure that the Fitbit you've chosen can provide compatible data.

FAQs

Are Fitbits worth it?

We heartily recommend one (pun intended). You can track so much more than your athletic fitness, with tools for measuring your general activity health. The array of sensors in them is, frankly astounding. They help you with everything from ECG reporting to skin temperature and even sleep quality.

They're also easy and comfortable to wear with a longer battery life longer than the average smartwatch.

Are Fitbits waterproof?

As you'll have seen from our list, most Fitbits are waterproof to a similar degree. But it's always worth double-checking their limits. Just about every Fitbit is designed to handle sweat and rain, ideal for gym-goers and runners alike. Some Fitbits, like the Versa 4, are water-resistant up to depths of 50 metres; making it a great general watch choice for the beach or for tracking your performance at the pool.

Do Fitbit make smart rings?

Yes, there are some fitness tracker smart rings on the market. But Fitbit has yet to jump onto this trend - despite having patented the design for one a couple of years ago. This is probably because the lack of a display means having to take another device with you. Fine if you're just tracking your general daily activity - but otherwise, a smart ring might be a little limited.

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