If you’re looking to get the most out of your exercise regime, a Fitbit is a great way to track important data, such as your heart rate, calories burned and the distance you’ve covered.
The best Fitbit to date has to be the , due to its impressive smartwatch-esque features. From fitness tracking and heart rate monitoring to storing music and downloading apps, it’s certainly worth the price-tag.
- If you like the sound of a smartwatch Fitbit, take a look at our best smartwatch guide, which will clue you in to the wider market.
- If it's fitness monitoring you are after, have a read of our round up of the best fitness trackers
If you’re not looking to spend quite so much on a fitness tracker, you may want to consider Fitbit bands, such as the and , which are data collection heavy, or the and , which are good alternatives to the ruling .
But when there are so many Fitbits to choose from, how do you know which one is the best for you? To answer this question, you need to consider what data you want to collect, whether waterproofing is a necessity and whether you want features like notifications and music control.
If you are looking to invest in the best Fitbit to date, remember that John Lewis offers a 0% APR credit account so you can pay as and when without worrying about interest. Amazon often have some pretty good deals on tech products, too.
There’s no doubt that the Fitbit Ionic is the current crowning glory in the Fitbit-verse. It features all the tech you’d expect from a smart watch, including storing and playing music, compatibility with popular apps, payments and smartphone notifications. It doesn’t forget where it’s come from though, with features including in-built GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring and multi-sports modes just some of its fitness features.
One of the latest additions to the Fitbit-verse is the Fitbit Versa; many of its features are similar to the Ionic, although the main difference (and reason why it’s considerably cheaper than the Ionic), is its lack of built in GPS. If you’re worried, don’t be, as it hooks up to your phone and can monitor your route and running through that. With on screen workouts, over 15 exercise modes and complete waterproofing for use in the pool, this is a very clever Fitbit, and certainly attractively priced.
With a heart rate tracker, SmartTrack and All-Day Activity tracking, the Fitbit Alta HR is great value for money. The screen interface is fully interactive, and when paired with your phone, will display your notifications. It lacks GPS, but that enables it to have a super long battery life, with it often going a week without the need to charge. You may also like the fact that there are plenty of interchangeable accessories, great if you’re easily bored.
The Fitbit Charge 2 sits slap bang in the middle of a Fitbit band and a Fitbit smartwatch. It’s smart features include a screen that flashes up notifications, smartphone connectivity for GPS and an interactive display with a customisable clock face. As a fitness band, it can collect detailed data on your daily fitness thanks to multi-sport modes, SmartTrack, and cardio fitness measuring.
In a time where childhood obesity is never that far from the headlines, the Fitbit Ace is a fantastic way to get them active. The Ace has been designed with children in mind, with its main kiddified feature being a rewards notification which pops up once they meet daily goals and milestones. It’s kid-proof too, with a tough splashproof exterior making it perfect for all day use, even when they’re having a kickabout outside.
The Fitbit Flex 2 is as flexible as its name suggests, as it is essentially a small unit, which can be secured interchangeably to a range of straps. While it may seem incredibly basic from the outside, it tracks your daily activity and your sleep. Most surprisingly, it also hooks up to your phone and displays notifications using an LED light system. All in all, it’s pretty smart and perfect for swimmers.
There’s a significant price difference between the Blaze and Ionic, which is great if you’re a bargain hunter, and you don’t mind sacrificing features such as waterproofing and built in GPS. For a daily smartwatch/Fitness tracker, you can’t really go wrong, although if you’re looking to wear it while covering the miles, you’ll have to hook it up to your phone so you can gather the GPS data. With notifications, music control and heart rate tracking all included, the Blaze is the Fitbit you need when the Ionic isn’t quite justifiable.
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If you are still unsure if a Fitbit is for you, check out the other fitness gadgets available on the market.
