The best Fitbits of 2025
Fitbit is one of the most reliable and approachable brands in the fitness tracker market. The best Fitbits are an especially good option for anyone looking to be more active, sleep better, or monitor their health without the complexity of a full smartwatch.
As a longtime health and fitness writer, I've worn multiple generations of Fitbits over the years. Since launching in 2007 (and being acquired by Google in 2021), Fitbit has pared down its lineup to just a few core models. For the past three months, I've put three of the brand's latest offerings to the test. My top recommendation is the Fitbit Charge 6. It's an exceptional fitness tracker that's easy to use, with long battery life and great health-monitoring tools. But for a more budget-friendly option, I recommend the Fitbit Inspire 3. It's not quite as advanced, but it's still a worthwhile entry-level wearable for under $100.
The best Fitbit for you ultimately depends on your goals and the level of functionality you need, but the two models above stood out above others. And if you're looking for a more full-featured smartwatch, I also recommend the Google Pixel Watch 3 as an honorable mention. Although not technically a Fitbit, it's powered by Fitbit's tracking technology and also features a host of smart capabilities.
Our top picks for the best Fitbit
Best overall
Whether you want to increase your daily step count, track your sleep, or set a regular running routine, the Fitbit Charge 6 is the best Fitbit for most people looking to improve their fitness.
I tested the Charge 6 for several weeks across various activities, including workouts, sleep, long days at my desk, and travel. I found it really hits the sweet spot between comfort, accuracy, and features — all at a relatively affordable $160 price point.
The Charge 6 is impressively accurate in measuring heart rate, sleep stages, and step counts, rivaling more expensive wearables from Apple and Garmin. In fact, this model has the most accurate heart rate tracking across Fitbit’s lineup, especially during fast-paced interval training. Fitbit’s signature features — like Zone Minutes, movement reminders, and A+ sleep tracking — work exactly as intended and genuinely help build healthier habits.
You also get over 40 workout modes, an ECG app for tracking irregular heart rhythms, and on-wrist stress detection via EDA scans. The Fitbit app offers more in-depth information about your daily activity, sleep patterns, and overall health. However, you need a Premium subscription ($10/month) to access advanced sleep metrics and coaching.
Design-wise, the Charge 6 is slim and comfortable enough to wear 24/7. Its AMOLED display is easy to read, but it is small, which limits the amount of data you can view at once. As such, this tracker isn’t ideal if you’re training for a race and need to easily switch back and forth between different metrics (for race training, I recommend the Garmin Forerunner 265). Another downside is the device's built-in GPS, which I found to be unreliable until I switched to dynamic GPS paired with my phone.
Battery life is strong, lasting around six to seven days on a single charge. However, it’s worth noting that some people report their Charge 6 dropping down to just a single-day charge after about a year. (A recent firmware update may fix this.)
As a “smart-ish” device, the Charge 6 offers basic smart features, including Google Maps, Google Wallet, and call and text notifications. But it’s definitely a tracker first, smartwatch second, as these features feel like little extras rather than core strengths. This model is really geared toward users who want a discreet, accurate, and approachable fitness tracker rather than a full smartwatch. In that context, the Fitbit Charge 6 is the Goldilocks of Fitbits, offering the best choice for most people seeking to enhance their health and fitness.
Best budget
If you're just starting a health or fitness routine and want a simple, no-fuss tracker for under $100, the Fitbit Inspire 3 is the best Fitbit for you.
This is easily the most comfortable and lightweight wearable I've tested. It's so unobtrusive that I often forget I'm wearing it. It delivers the core metrics you need: steps, heart rate, sleep stages, and active minutes. It auto-detects most basic activities (better than pricier Fitbit models, in fact), which means even short walks and bike rides get logged accurately without you needing to press a button. It also features Fitbit's signature Reminder to Move, which vibrates your device and prompts you to get up and walk around if you haven't taken at least 250 steps in this hour.
For its price, the Inspire 3 also packs in thoughtful features, such as daily stress management scores, heart rate zone tracking, and one of the most gentle smart alarms I've used — vibrating on the wrist to wake you up when it's most optimal in your sleep cycle.
Though the screen is small, the vibrant AMOLED display clearly shows you one workout metric at a time (e.g., time elapsed, distance, pace). The device also offers Fitbit's stand-out sleep tracking, but you need to pay for Fitbit Premium to unlock deeper analytics.
Of course, given that this is Fitbit's budget model, some features are missing. The Inspire 3 lacks built-in GPS, music control, or in-depth training tools. Notifications are hard to read on the small screen, and the tracker lags slightly during high-intensity intervals (one area where the Charge 6 excels). But given the Inspire 3's budget-friendly price, these shortcomings are easy to forgive.
In a sea of tricked-out fitness trackers, the Inspire 3 strips away the extras and offers you a tracker that focuses on the basics with a price tag to match. It'll help you move more throughout the day, make sure you're hitting your target time or heart rate during workouts, and sleep a bit better at night — all in a device that's easy to wear and even easier to use.
Honorable mention
Although not technically a Fitbit-branded device, the Google Pixel Watch 3 is powered by Fitbit's technology, and it's such a good wearable that it warrants a mention in this guide. For Android users who want smart features and Fitbit's health data, the Pixel Watch 3 is worth the price tag, and it's a better buy compared to Fitbit's own smartwatch models, such as the Versa 4.
Utilizing Fitbit's top-tier heart rate sensors and tracking software, the Google Pixel 3 logs basic data, such as steps, calories, and distance, as well as advanced metrics, including cardio load, workout fatigue, and loss-of-pulse alerts. All your workout and sleep data syncs with the Fitbit app, a major perk for longtime users, as the algorithm becomes smarter with more historical data. That said, Pixel Watch owners still need to pay for Fitbit Premium to access the app's more advanced sleep metrics and features, such as a personalized workout builder.
Fitness aside, the Pixel Watch 3 is a fully featured smartwatch, offering LTE capabilities with an onboard microphone and speaker that enable you to make calls, set reminders, and respond to texts. You'll get better app integration and smart features than any Fitbit device, even the Versa. However, the tradeoff is battery life, as the Pixel Watch 3 requires charging every 24 to 36 hours. It's also Android-only, so iPhone users are out of luck.
Buyers should also note that Google launched a new Pixel Watch 4 in October. The new model has a brighter screen that uses a dome shape to provide a larger viewing area. Google says the Pixel Watch 4 also offers longer battery life, with up to 40 hours. The LTE model also has emergency satellite communication. If those features sound interesting, you may want to grab the newer model, but keep in mind that it costs around $100 to $150 more than the Pixel Watch 3 typically sells for.
What else we considered
The Versa 4 has more smartwatch features than other Fitbits, but support for apps is still limited, and its screen is prone to lag. Rachael Schultz/Business Insider
Fitbit's main smartwatch, the Versa 4, is fully equipped with the brand's foundational health and fitness technology, including reliable heart rate tracking, in-depth sleep insights, and over 40 activity modes. But it falls short as a true smartwatch: The touchscreen lags, and it has limited app support and smart features (especially for iPhone users), making it feel behind the competition. The Google Pixel Watch 3, which utilizes Fitbit's fitness technology, is a better purchase for Android users seeking a smartwatch, while iPhone users may be happier with a Garmin or Apple Watch.
The Sense 2 offers everything the Versa 4 does, plus an ECG app for detecting heart rhythm irregularities and an EDA sensor for continuous stress monitoring. If heart health and stress tracking are top priorities, it's a strong choice. However, for most people, the Fitbit Charge 6 offers a better value for basic fitness and health tracking. You can also find more advanced apps and communication features in a smartwatch from Apple, Garmin, or Google at this price.
How we test Fitbits
As a health and fitness writer for over a decade, I've worn numerous Fitbits across various generations while training for half-marathons, sweating in HIIT classes, and commuting to and from office jobs. In 2025, I tested three leading Fitbit models — the Versa 4, Charge 6, and Inspire 3 — over the course of three months, wearing each 24/7 to see how they handled workouts, daily movement, periods of inactivity, sleep, and showering.
When picking the best Fitbit for different types of people, I prioritized:
- Sensor quality and accuracy (heart rate, GPS, SpO2, ECG, EDA)
- Battery life during real-world use
- Design, comfort, and durability for everyday and sleep use
- Companion app quality for interpreting health data
- Platform compatibility across Android and iOS
I also considered which models offer the most features without requiring Fitbit Premium — although many models unlock deeper insights with a subscription.
Why Fitbit?
In the vast sea of fitness trackers available, Fitbit stands out from its competitors for several reasons.
First and foremost, it has one of the best continuous heart rate trackers on the market, especially for interval training. An accurate heart rate monitor means that other areas relying on this technology — namely, sleep and stress tracking — are also highly accurate.
Secondly, Fitbit has two stand-out features across all its models, which I found to be very helpful in training and moving more:
- Active Zone Minutes track the time you spend in elevated heart rate zones, helping you gauge whether your workout is actually improving cardio fitness or burning fat. Instead of focusing on time or distance, you can use this feature to ensure your heart rate is in the right range, without needing to know the exact numbers, for a more effective, goal-driven workout.
- Reminders to Move gently nudge you to get up and take at least 250 steps each hour to reduce sedentary time throughout the day. Rather than solely focusing on reaching, say, 10,000 steps per day, this feature encourages you to move regularly and often to keep blood flowing.
The best Fitbit devices also offer solid, multi-day battery life, seamless compatibility with both iOS and Android, and access to Fitbit's well-established app, which stores all your data — years' worth, for brand loyalists — in one place. Lastly, many Fitbits are relatively affordable compared to competitors like an Apple Watch or a Garmin.
Fitbit FAQs
Are Fitbits worth it?
The best Fitbit wearables are backed with reliable heart rate technology, well-designed to be compact but readable, and generally well-priced compared to other fitness trackers. Furthermore, the free Fitbit companion app provides significant value to individuals seeking guidance on enhancing their workouts, sleep, and stress management, although the Premium subscription offers even greater benefits.
There are other brands with longer battery life, better GPS tracking, and potentially more robust smartwatch features, but if you want a reliable health and fitness tracker without spending a fortune, Fitbits are definitely worth it.
For other top picks in the wearable tracker space, check out our guides to the best Android smartwatches, best fitness trackers, best smart rings, and best Garmin watches.
What is Fitbit Premium?
Fitbit Premium is the company's optional monthly membership. You can use the Fitbit app for free to see core stats like steps, sleep scores, period tracking, activity history, and your Daily Readiness Score. But for $10 a month, Fitbit Premium unlocks more in-depth health and fitness tools, including advanced sleep insights (like detailed sleep-stage breakdowns), nutrition guidance, and full access to Fitbit's workout and mindfulness libraries.
The subscription also adds guided meditations, exclusive video workouts, expanded goal-setting features, and extra wellness metrics such as blood oxygen, heart rate variability, and breathing rate.
You don't need Fitbit Premium to use a Fitbit device, but it does add a meaningful boost to the overall experience across the lineup.
Is the Fitbit app getting a new AI coach?
During its August Pixel product launch, Google announced plans to bring a new AI-powered personal health coach to the Fitbit app. The new feature is part of a larger redesign of the entire app, and it is now available as a preview to Fitbit Premium subscribers. You can sign up to gain access to the preview via the Google website.
The Fitbit personal health coach is built using Google's Gemini AI. The company says it can create fitness plans tailored to your specific goals, featuring training routines, sleep insights, and wellness suggestions. The AI coach will learn more about your needs by tracking your fitness data and your ongoing conversations within the app.
Is a Fitbit better than an Apple Watch?
The best Apple Watch models are more powerful and feature-rich than Fitbits, but if you don't need a big app ecosystem, a Fitbit will get the job done. Both platforms offer robust tracking for activities like running, cycling, and weightlifting, and each has a clean, easy-to-use interface.
While the Apple Watch now delivers extensive fitness and activity tracking, it still leans more toward the smartwatch side — similar to Fitbit's Versa line, just more advanced. If you prefer straightforward fitness tracking without the extra bells and whistles, a simpler option like the Fitbit Charge 6 is likely a better fit.
Will a Fitbit work with an iPhone or Apple Health?
Fitbits are compatible with any iPhone running iOS 16.4 or later, which is the minimum requirement for the Fitbit app. You can learn more about compatibility on the Fitbit website.
While a Fitbit can't directly sync with the Apple Health app, it is possible to use third-party apps, such as Strava, as a go-between to transfer data indirectly from a Fitbit to the Apple Health app.
What's the battery life like on a Fitbit?
The latest Fitbit models offer battery life ranging from four to 10 days, with an average of around six days. In our experience, the Sense 2 lasts an average of six days on one charge, while the Inspire 3 lasts up to 10 days, for instance.
While top Garmin watches generally have a longer battery life, most Fitbits last long enough that you won't have to worry about charging them every night.
How accurate are Fitbits for tracking steps, heart rate, and sleep?
Fitbits are generally very accurate when it comes to tracking steps, heart rate, and sleep. As one of the original fitness-tracking brands, Fitbit has spent nearly two decades refining its sensors and algorithms. Garmin still has an edge in on-wrist GPS accuracy — especially for tracking precise mileage on runs — but for everyday metrics like step count and heart rate, most modern fitness trackers, including Fitbit, perform similarly well.
Which Fitbit is best for beginners
The best Fitbit for beginners is the Inspire 3. It offers all the basics you'll want to kick-start your health journey — step count, sleep quality, automatic workout detection — without any of the superfluous data to overcomplicate things, and all for $100 or less. If you pay for a Fitbit Premium membership, you'll also score coaching on how to improve your workouts or stress levels.
Will there be new Fitbit models?
Based on comments the company made in 2024, Google does not plan to release new Fitbit Versa or Sense models. However, new Charge and Inspire models are a possibility, though nothing concrete has been announced.
