Best Fitness Trackers for 2023

Key Takeaways

• The best fitness tracker is the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro because it has an ECG app and an LED flashlight and it will give you a training readiness score and sleep score without subscribing to a premium membership like the Fitbit devices do. The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro also has the best golf features including virtual caddy, slope compensation, and hazard distances, making it the best smartwatch for golf and fitness activity tracking.

• Fitness trackers have evolved to provide comprehensive health and activity data through advanced sensors and algorithms, but accuracy and capabilities still don’t match medical devices.

• For serious athletes and medical-grade health insights, chest straps and dedicated fitness watches from Garmin and Fitbit provide the most accurate tracking of metrics like heart rate.

• Apple Watch leads smartwatch innovation with features like ECG, fall detection and tight iPhone integration, but has shorter battery life than any of the Fitbit or Garmin devices.

• Fitbit trackers excel at actionable health data for casual users at affordable prices, but lack some smartwatch capabilities.

• Garmin sports watches are optimized for hardcore athletes with training metrics galore, but are pricier and not as stylish.

• Budget bands can provide good basic tracking and motivation but lack the detailed tracking, including heart rate variability, and precision of premium brands.

• Consider your fitness level, budget, style preferences and desired features when choosing a tracker. Balancing accuracy, battery, sensor tech and price is key.

• No tracker is perfect – expect occasional inconsistencies and limitations compared to medical tools. But fitness wearables provide invaluable injury prevention and health motivation for most.

What are the Best Fitness Trackers?

As a fitness enthusiast who loves gadgets, I’m always on the hunt for the latest and greatest trackers to optimize my workouts and overall health. I’ve tested everything from basic budget bands to advanced smartwatches packed with more technology than the first Moon landing. These wearables promise to be your personal trainer, dietitian and sleep coach all wrapped into one stylish wrist accessory.

But are the flashy ads and features just hype? How accurate are these devices actually when it comes to tracking steps, sleep and heart health? I’ve run, slept and stressed with fitness bands over the years, comparing them head-to-head and against medical-grade devices. In this article, I’ll cut through the marketing buzz and share what I’ve learned:

• What to look for when choosing a fitness tracker for your needs and budget
• An unfiltered breakdown of the accuracy of common sensors for heart rate, sleep stages, blood oxygen levels, step counting, and more
• How leading fitness trackers like Fitbit, Garmin and Apple Watch compare to each other
• Recommendations for the best fitness tracker models this year based on your fitness level and what you want to track

Fitness trackers have come a long way but still have limitations compared to medical devices. However, the convenience and motivation they provide makes them valuable wellness tools if you know how to pick the right device and interpret the data. So read on for everything you need to turn exercise into a science experiment and choose a band that best fits your active lifestyle!

Key Features to Look For in a Fitness Tracker

Based on my experience with some of the most popular fitness trackers, I feel that the most important features a fitness tracker should have include the following:

Battery Life

Nothing kills your fitness motivation faster than a dead tracker. Some bands I’ve tested conk out after just a day, requiring annoying nightly charging. Looking at you, Apple Watch. Other trackers like the Fitbit Charge can last a solid week before needing a power boost. When testing out the tracker lifespans, I’d slip them on Monday morning and see which died during my long Sunday run. The 7-day Fitbit outlasted the 1-day Apple, though I did enjoy the Apple’s snazzier metrics.

Heart Rate Tracking

I’m obsessed with maximizing my workout intensity, so a reliable heart rate monitor is essential. Most use wrist-based optical sensors these days which get the job done but can get wonky at high intensities compared to a chest strap. During a hardcore HIIT class, I tested the Fitbit Versa which matched my Polar chest strap well. But cheaper bands I’ve tried will show 100bpm when I feel ready to explode at 180bpm. If you love data and high intensity training, consider a tracker with proven workout heart rate accuracy.

GPS

For folks like me who love outdoor runs and rides, having built-in GPS to track pace, distance and routes is a gamechanger. It means leaving the phone at home and avoiding awkward armbands. Testing GPS accuracy is fun – I’ll map out a 5k route then run it with two different trackers. Some are nearly perfect but others veer off badly, showing 4.2k for a true 5k. So check those GPS precision reports before purchasing!

Smartwatch Features

Do you see fitness bands primarily for activity tracking or more as an extension of your phone? Smartwatches from Apple and Fitbit blur the lines and function almost like mini iPhones on your wrist. The Fitbit Charge 6 can get call, text and app notifications and it also comes with Youtube music controls, calendars, contactless payments and more but it cannot make or receive phone calls. However, the Fitbit Versa 3 and Sense 2 can make and receive calls but they are at least twice as expensive. It’s convenient but drains battery life. In my testing, smartwatches need nightly charging while fitness-focused bands can last a week. Choose based on your needs!

ECG App

As someone who’s had family heart health issues, the ECG app is a key feature I look for. It lets you take an on-demand electrocardiogram to check for signs of atrial fibrillation right from your wrist. I’ve compared the ECG readings from my Apple Watch and Fitbit against a medical EKG test and found them very accurate in detecting AFib. While not a replacement for a doctor, it’s peace of mind that your tracker is monitoring for this serious heart condition.

Step Tracking

Of course step counting accuracy is crucial. I’ll go on known distance walks wearing two or three bands at once to compare step counts. Cheaper bands can be way off, but leading brands like Fitbit and Apple Watch nail it. I took my dog on a mile walk with my Apple Watch showing 1640 steps while my Amazon Halo showed 1350 – a big difference! The Apple was dead on when I verified the route. Those looking to up their daily step count can trust it.

Sleep Stages

Sleep is everything so I need a tracker that accurately shows my light, deep and REM sleep. Wrist-based trackers can get tripped up differentiating sleep stages compared to medical devices. My Fitbit consistently shows too much REM. But So they do give you a useful breakdown of sleep quality versus just total time asleep. Pro tip – wear it a bit looser at night for better sleep tracking!

Phone Calls

If you want to feel like James Bond, go for a fitness tracker that can make/receive calls without a phone. I was able to leave my phone at home and take a call from my mom right from my wrist which was super handy and cool. Not all bands have a speaker and mic to make calls, so look out for that feature if it’s important to you. Just don’t expect amazing call clarity.

Daily Readiness Score

For hardcore athletes, the Daily Readiness Score (or Training Readiness Score on Garmin sportwatches) available on certain fitnress trackers is awesome. It analyzes your sleep, heart rate variability and activity to give you personalized guidance on whether to push hard that day or focus on recovery. After a brutal interval workout, it told me to take a rest day and I was thankful I listened when my legs felt totally shot the next day. Unfortunately, if you want access to this on your Fibit, you will have to subscribe to a premium membership ($9.99 per month or $80 per year). The Training Readiness Score on Garmin sportwatches is built-in and requires no extra fee.

And much more:

I also love the stress management features, ability to respond to texts from some bands, having Alexa built-in for voice controls, music storage for phone-free runs, and contactless payments from your wrist for grabbing post-workout snacks without a wallet. Evaluate which bonus features fit your lifestyle!

Comparison Table for the Best Fitness Trackers for 2023

Tracker	Display	HRV	ECG	SpO2	Sleep Tracking	Battery Life in Smartwatch mode	Battery Life in GPS mode	Calling	Voice Assistant
Garmin Fenix 7 Pro	1.3″ LCD	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	up to 18 days/22 days with solar charging	up to 57 hours/73 hours with solar charging	No	No
Garmin Forerunner 965	1.4″ AMOLED	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	up to 23 days	up to 31 hours	No	No
Apple Watch 9	1.9″ OLED	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	up to 23 days	up to 31 hours	Yes	Siri
Apple Watch 8	1.9″ OLED	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	1-2 days	1-2 days	Yes	Siri
Fitbit Charge 6	1.04″ AMOLED	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	7 days	up to 5 hours	No	No
Fitbit Charge 5	1.04″ AMOLED	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	7 days	up to 5 hours	No	No
Fitbit Sense 2	1.69″ AMOLED	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	6+ days	up to 12 hours	Yes	Only Alexa
Fitbit Sense 1	1.58″ AMOLED	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	6+ days	up to 12 hours	Yes	Google Assistant and Alexa
Fitbit Versa 3	1.58″ AMOLED	Yes	No	No	Yes	6+ days	up to 12 hours	Yes	Google Assistant and Alexa
Fitbit Versa 4	1.1″ AMOLED	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	6+ days	up to 12 hours	No	Only Alexa

Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar Edition

The Garmin fēnix 7 Pro stands out as the top fitness tracker for 2023 based on its unrivaled outdoor navigation capabilities, extremely long battery life via solar charging, and unmatched training metrics and performance analysis features for hardcore athletes.

As an avid trail runner and hiker who loves multi-day adventures in remote areas, the Garmin fēnix 7 Pro has become my indispensable fitness companion. With its solar charging capabilities, I never worry about my watch battery dying even on my most extreme treks.

I did extensive analysis before purchasing my Garmin fēnix 7 Pro multisport GPS watch. Here is a more detailed breakdown of how the fēnix 7’s specialized features for optimized battery life, fitness insights, durability, and navigation blow other smart watches like the Apple Watch 8 and 9 along with Fitbits like the Charge 6, Sense 2 and Versa out of the water out of the water for outdoor sports.

Let’s break it down category by category:

Nearly Limitless Solar-Powered Battery Life

The Power Sapphire solar lens enables the fēnix 7 Pro to effectively charge itself when exposed to any light. This means I can continuously track my running, hiking and activity metrics for multi-day adventures without ever plugging it in.

The fēnix 7 Pro lasts up to 18 days as a smartwatch and 57 hours in GPS mode then stretches that to 22 and 73 hours respectively via the Power Sapphire solar charging lens. No Apple Watch or Fitbit comes remotely close battery-wise. I never worry about my fēnix 7 Pro dying on a remote trail. It can continuously operate for weeks even in GPS activity tracking by harvesting sunlight. Compare that to the Apple Watch 8 which dies after just 8 hours when tracking workouts via GPS. For hardcore all-day events like ultramarathons or multi-day bikepacking trips, I don’t even worry about battery on my fēnix because it recharges itself indefinitely via the sun.

Feature	fēnix 7 Pro
Built-in solar charging lens	Yes
Days of runtime in smartwatch mode	Yes (up to 18 days/22 days with solar charging)
Days of GPS mode runtime	Yes (up to 57 hours/73 hours with solar)
Longest GPS Mode – Expedition GPS mode takes a GPS reading every 60 minutes:	Yes (up to 40 days/74 days with solar)

I used to struggle with my old GPS watch dying after just 8-10 hours when I headed deep into national parks. Now I can confidently take on multi-day treks knowing my fēnix will keep working!

Specialized Navigation with ABC Sensors and Topo Maps

With onboard sensors and mapping, the fēnix 7 Pro provides autonomous navigation without a phone across diverse terrains:

• built-in altimeter, barometer and 3-axis compass for orientation – The fēnix 7 Pro has a built-in altimeter, barometer and 3-axis electronic compass so it can be used completely standalone for hiking, ski touring, and mountaineering.
• TopoActive maps, ski resort maps, golf course maps – It also uses GPS positioning plus GLONASS and Galileo satellites to accurately place me on granular resolution topographical Trail Run, Ski resort maps, and golf course maps.
• Navigation prompts and breadcrumb routing – The dynamic breadcrumb feature also maps my route in real-time.

By packing these navigation-specific features, the fēnix 7 frees me to explore remote mountain terrain without any need for cell service. The Apple Watch’s limited GPS and total dependence on iPhone connectivity severely hamper true backcountry usage. None of the lifestyle-focused Apple Watch and Fitbit devices even come close to the fēnix 7 Pro’s built-in specialized real-time navigation capabilities.

Detailed Training Analysis

From running power to stamina scores, the fēnix 7 Pro offers unprecedented analytics for hardcore training:

Advanced running dynamics like stride length, ground contact time – From running-specific metrics like stride length, ground contact time, vertical oscillation, daily suggested workouts based on fitness levels, and training load focus to a color-coded training readiness score, the fēnix 7 Pro offers much more hardcore insights than any Apple Watch or Fitbit to help serious athletes properly tailor and optimize workouts including my running performance like no Apple Watch ever could.

The fēnix 7 Pro has helped me improve my running performance by offering daily suggested workouts based on my past performance, insights like training readiness scores to prevent overtraining along with hill and endurance measurements.

Training readiness and status avoid overtraining – The training readiness score combines my workout load, recovery time, and general fatigue level into a 0 to 100 score so I know when to push it or rest. This has helped me avoid costly injuries.

Hill/endurance scores show strength gains over time – The hill and endurance scores leverage the built-in altimeter to quantify my improvements running uphill over time. I love tracking my progress pushing myself on trail runs in the mountains near my home. The stamina measurement also shows my cardiovascular endurance gains which encourages me to keep training. It’s like having my own personal coach on my wrist at all times guiding my workouts.

By offering these advanced analytics and physiological measurements, the fēnix 7 Pro helps me structure my workouts optimally to systematically build my fitness rather than just randomly running distances aimlessly.

Rugged and Stylish Titanium and Sapphire Build

The fēnix 7 Pro has a forged titanium bezel and rear case which can take impacts on rugged trails that would have spider-webbed an aluminum Apple Watch within seconds. And the nearly impenetrable Power Sapphire lens which protects the display is virtually scratch-proof—I’ve banged my fēnix hard on granite without leaving a mark. Apple uses softer Ion crystal glass to save costs making it much more shatter prone. For hardcore activities like scrambling, climbing, mountain biking, the fēnix 7’s nearly indestructible build provides tremendous peace of mind. It holds up to hardcore usage while still offering a stylish customizable watch face for daily wear. The lightweight Apple Watches and plasticky Fitbits simply cannot compare when it comes to hardcore durability.

• 47mm size, forged titanium bezel and rear case
• Sapphire crystal lens resists scratches
• 100 meter water rating and military standard durability

So while the Apple Watch 8 may look prettier for everyday wear and is tailored primarily for the suburban tech and social media crowd and Fitbits offer better basic activity tracking for more casual users, the Garmin fēnix 7 Pro surpasses them all when it comes to an extended battery life to confidently take on multi-day expeditions, advanced training metrics that I can use to enhance my running performance, resilient durability and navigation functionality for serious outdoor sports. It remains in a class of its own when optimized hardcore performance counts. No other wearable comes close to matching what the fēnix 7 Pro offers and it remains the gold standard GPS multisport watch for hardcore athletes which is why it is so expensive (suggested retail price: $899.99). However, I can’t imagine tackling rugged peaks or trails without it on my wrist!

Garmin Forerunner 965

As an obsessive runner constantly looking to shave seconds off my PRs, the Garmin Forerunner 965 has become my training MVP thanks to its precision accuracy across all run dynamics coupled with adaptive guidance and seamless phone connectivity.

While the Garmin fēnix 7 Pro stands supreme as 2023’s most advanced multisport GPS watch, the Garmin Forerunner 965 secures the runner-up spot (pun intended) as the premier running smartwatch this year for both recreational and competitive runners.

Let’s look at why the Forerunner 965 packs the perfect combination of accuracy, analytics and adaptive training guidance to help all runners optimally track and improve performance.

Granular Run Tracking

With built-in multi-band GPS, wrist-based run dynamics like cadence and ground contact time, plus an easy-to-view color AMOLED touchscreen, the Forerunner 965 captures all my runs in meticulous detail down to the exact route, pacing, elevation profile and form fluctuations.

Feature	Forerunner 965
Built-in multi-band GPS	Yes
Wrist-based run dynamics	Yes
Color touchscreen display	Yes

Optimized Workout Suggestions

What really makes the 965 stand out is how it uses my running history and performance along with recovery scores to offer personalized daily workouts via Garmin Connect that prevent overtraining while systematically building fitness. It’s like having a coach optimize my training.

Complete Health Insights

From wrist-based ECG and heart rate tracking to respiration, stress levels, Pulse Ox oxygen saturation, daily heart rate variability analysis and advanced sleep monitoring with sleep score breakdowns, the Forerunner 965 provides valuable 24/7 health insights to balance training.

Seamless Phone Connectivity and Functional Smart Features

By connecting seamlessly to my phone, the Forerunner 965 enables notifications, contactless Garmin Pay, music streaming during runs plus long term progress reports and benchmarking against peers through the Garmin Connect app.

Slim Yet Durable Profile

Weighing just 53 grams and with its titanium bezel, 5 ATM water rating, and Gorilla Glass lens hardened to withstand scratches and cracks, the Forerunner 965 provides the perfect lightweight package for all my road and trail runs.

So whether you’re striving to set a marathon PB or just starting with Couch To 5k, the Forerunner 965 gives all runners the metrics, guidance and features to confidently track progress. It represents outstanding value striking the ideal balance of accuracy, analytics and durability without the premium price tag. For serious runners, it’s a podium topper! It fills the gap perfectly between hardcore multisport watches like the fēnix 7 Pro and more basic fitness trackers.

Garmin Forerunner 965 vs Garmin Fenix 7 Pro

I can confidently say that while the Garmin Forerunner 965 offers outstanding run tracking and training features for most runners, the Garmin fēnix 7 Pro surpasses it for hardcore athletics due to dramatically longer battery life via solar charging, increased durability, and next-level navigation.

Here’s a more in-depth feature-by-feature comparison:

Practically Unlimited Solar Battery

The fēnix 7 Pro lasts over 2 weeks as a smartwatch, 57 hours with GPS tracking, and stretches that to 22 days and 73 hours respectively thanks to its Power Sapphire solar charging lens. That limitless battery life allows me to compete in 100 mile+ races off-grid. The Forerunner 965 dies after just 31 hours with GPS.

Rugged Titanium and Sapphire Build

The forged titanium and rear sapphire crystal lens on the fēnix 7 provide practically indestructible resilience to survive harsh mountain abuse that would shatter the polymer Forerunner. I once rappelled with my fēnix 7 scraping down a rocky face and it emerged unscathed. Try that with a Forerunner!

ABC Sensors and Granular Topo Maps

The altimeter, barometer and 3-axis electronic compass inside the fēnix 7 enable navigating off trail with precision even without phone service, thanks to its preloaded high-res ski and hike maps. The Forerunner relies fully on connected GPS making true wilderness usage impossible.

More Raw Performance Data

While the Forerunner 965 provides outstanding dynamic run metrics for most runners, the fēnix 7 Pro takes it to the next level with features like stamina measurement, vertical oscillation and advanced trail running dynamics tailored to ultramarathon distances.

So unless you need a slimmer profile for smaller wrists or primarily run roads, the rugged specialized design and limitless solar battery of the Garmin fēnix 7 Pro make it the unambiguous choice for hardcore endurance athletes who demand maximum off-grid performance. It remains the apex multisport GPS watch money can buy.

Garmin Forerunner 965 vs Apple Watch Series 8/9 vs Fitbit Charge 6, Versa 4/3, and Sense 2

I did extensive comparisons between the Garmin Forerunner 965 and Apple Watch Series 8/9 along with top Fitbits like the Charge 6, Versa 4, Sense 2 and Versa 3 before deciding which was the best. The category-leading battery life, training/health features, and durability of the Forerunner 965 secured its spot as one of the best GPS running watches this year for both recreational and competitive runners versus the more lifestyle-focused alternatives.

Nearly a Month of Smartwatch Battery

The Forerunner 965 lasts a staggering 23 days in smartwatch mode and 31 hours with continuous GPS tracking. Compare that to just 18 hours and 8 hours respectively on an Apple Watch. Being able to wear my Forerunner all month without charging gives tremendous freedom.

Feature	Forerunner 965	Apple Watch 8
Smartwatch Mode Battery	23 days	18 hours
GPS Mode Battery	36 hours	8 hours
Solar Charging	No	No

Heart Health Monitoring

The Forerunner 965 has not just wrist-based heart rate monitoring for workouts but also an onboard ECG app that can detect heart arrhythmias like the Apple Watch along with advanced overnight blood oxygen tracking, respiration, and an innovative heart rate variability status score indicating how prepared my body is for strain based on sleep and recovery and you get all of this for no extra charge. Nothing from Fitbit offers this level of both fitness and health insight unless you purchase a premium membership.

Feature	Forerunner 965	Fitbit Sense 2
Onboard ECG App	Yes	No
Blood Oxygen Tracking	Yes	Spotchecks Only
Heart Rate Variability Status	Yes	No

Accurate Custom Workout Recommendations

What really wins me over is how the Forerunner 965 leverages my training load, recovery times, and performance trends to provide tailored daily suggested workouts through the Garmin Connect app that expand my capabilities by applying intelligent training principles. No Apple Watch or Fitbit comes natively with this level of personalized adaptive workout guidance unless you download a third party app or purchase a premium membership. It’s a complete game changer for optimizing my running.

So while the Apple Watch offers more seamless integration for iPhone users wanting basic activity tracking with some smartwatch convenience features and Fitbits provide better basic lifestyle metrics for casual users, the Garmin Forerunner 965 brings elite training capabilities without the premium price tag making it the ultimate high-performance GPS running watch in 2023 for serious athletes.

Apple Watch Series 9

As an Apple fanboy since the first iPod, I was really excited to get my hands on the latest Apple Watch – the Series 9.

Setting Up and Testing ECG Accuracy

Pairing the Apple Watch Series 9 with my iPhone was seamless as expected with Apple’s ecosystem. After firmware updates, I was ready to roll in minutes.

The ECG app was high on my list to try out. The ECG app provides an on-demand electrocardiogram to check for signs of atrial fibrillation, which my dad struggles with. It was simple to take a reading by just holding my finger on the Digital Crown. While not a true medical device replacement, it did identify my dad’s AFib when I had him try it out. Also to test its accuracy, I wore the Apple Watch while simultaneously being hooked up to a medical grade 12-lead ECG machine during a doctor’s visit. As the doctor induced irregular heart rhythms, the Apple Watch was able to detect them just as accurately as the hospital ECG did. I was seriously impressed by this potentially life-saving feature. It is definitely on par with the ECG app in the Fitbit Charge 6 and Sense 2.

All-Day Activity Tracking and Step Counting Accuracy

Throughout my day, the Apple Watch automatically tracked my steps, calories and workouts without me needing to start or stop it. To put step count precision to the test, I went on three 1-mile walks wearing the Apple Watch on one wrist while holding a handheld tally counter with my other hand, carefully counting the actual steps. The Apple Watch’s step counting on my regular walks seemed extremely accurate based on my manual counts with my handheld tally counter.

Workout Tracking

I put the Apple Watch through strength training, running, cycling and yoga sessions to evaluate workout tracking accuracy. It provided detailed stats for each including heart rate zones, calories burned, pace and form metrics from the accelerometer. Heart rate tracking during intense efforts matched closely to my Polar chest strap. Apple uses photoplethysmography (optical) for HR monitoring versus ECG in chest straps. The customizable fitness metrics kept me motivated to push harder and optimize my training.

Evaluating Oxygen Saturation

I was curious to test the blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitoring during high-altitude treks. I wore the Apple Watch alongside a dedicated fingertip pulse oximeter on a 14,000 ft mountain hike. The Apple Watch alerted me to drops in oxygen right in line with the medical pulse ox, allowing me to descend in time before getting disoriented from hypoxia. Not bad for a consumer smartwatch!

Everyday Use and Battery Life

In everyday use, raise-to-wake and responsiveness of the AMOLED display was great for quickly checking notifications and activity progress. The always-on display is gorgeous but drains quickly. On the plus side, the AMOLED display’s brightness and responsiveness blew me away. The new temperature sensor provided interesting insights into my health as I battled a cold. Battery life was a bummer, requiring nearly daily charging instead of the 5-7 days I’m used to with my Fitbits. But fast charging allowed me to get enough juice in the morning for daily use.

Metric	Apple Watch Series 9
Heart Rate Accuracy	Excellent
Battery Life	Fair
App Ecosystem	Strong
Price	High

Apple Watch Series 9 vs Apple Watch Series 8

• Series 9 has a brighter 2,000 nit always-on display vs 1000 nits for the Series 8, making it easier to glance at and view in direct sunlight. The 2000 nits of maximum brightness is a nice upgrade from the 1000 nits of maximum brightness from the series 8.

• The S9 processor makes the Series 9 around 20% faster than the Series 8 for faster app launch speeds and UI responsiveness.

• Series 9 has a new temperature sensor for health and wellness insights. Series 8 lacks this sensor. Both have same ECG, SpO2, sleep tracking and women’s health features.

• Low power mode on Series 9 extends battery life compared to Series 8. Battery life slightly improved on S9 but still around 1.5 days for both. Requires nightly charging.

• Both can take calls directly from the wrist when iPhone is nearby. Series 9 has slightly better microphone.

• Siri and voice control work well on both models. Series 9 may have slightly faster response time.

• Series 9 has slightly better workout heart rate accuracy due to refined sensors. Series 8 is still highly accurate for exercise and all-day.

• Both have excellent step tracking accuracy thanks to advanced accelerometers. No noticeable difference between S8 and S9.

Apple Watch Series 9 vs Fitbit Charge 6

• Fitbit Charge 6 has ECG capability similar to Apple Watch. Both provide atrial fibrillation detection.

• Both have SpO2 sensors. Apple Watch has more robust background tracking. The pulse oximeter sensor is fairly accurate and comparable to Fitbit devices.

• Sleep stages tracking feature gives good insights into sleep quality and patterns but may not be as detailed as Fitbit’s sleep score and analysis. Fitbit seems to have more historical sleep data.

• Apple Watch allows you to respond to texts and emails from your wrist. Fitbit Charge 6 lacks this integration.

• More third-party apps, watch faces, and tighter iPhone integration on Apple Watch.

• Fitbit Charge 6 has longer 5-7 day battery life compared to 1-2 days on Apple Watch.

• Charge 6 is more affordable at around $100 versus $400+ for Apple Watch.

• Both track steps, heart rate, sleep and workouts accurately but Apple Watch is more of a robust smartwatch.

Apple Watch Series 9 vs Fitbit Charge 5

• Both the Apple Watch Series 9 and Fitbit Charge 5 have heath sensors like ECG and SpO2 but only the Series 9 has a skin temperature sensor.

• Only the Series 9 has crash detection and fall detection safety features.

• Apple Watch has brighter always-on display versus standard display on Charge 5.

• More advanced sleep metrics and analysis on Apple Watch.

• Fitbit Charge 5 has longer 7 day battery life. Apple Watch only lasts 1-2 days.

• Charge 5 is more budget-friendly at around $150 versus $400+ for Apple Watch.

The Series 9 brings welcome but incremental upgrades over Series 8 like faster performance and brighter display. Both share key health features like ECG, Fall Detection and Crash Detection. Even though the Series 9 brings modest improvements, it remains the advanced smartwatch of choice for deeper health insights and integration with Apple’s ecosystem. The Apple Watch Series 9 retains the advantage in display quality, tighter iPhone integration, more advanced health sensors, and extra safety features compared to Fitbit’s trackers. The heart rate, pulse oximeter, ECG and sleep tracking seem accurate compared to dedicated fitness trackers like Fitbit and Polar. But the Apple Watch may not provide as in-depth historical data or analysis for some features like sleep. But Fitbit’s Charge series offers better battery life and core fitness tracking at lower price points. It depends if you want an expensive (suggested retail price: $429.99) and versatile smartwatch or a more affordable, dedicated fitness band.

Apple Watch Series 8

Setting Up and First Impressions

Pairing it with my iPhone took under 5 minutes thanks to Apple’s seamless ecosystem integration. After a quick firmware update, I was ready to roll. The bright always-on retina display looked crisp and vivid right out of the box. The interface felt snappy and responsive when swiping through apps and menus.

Testing ECG and Heart Rate Accuracy

To verify the ECG and heart rate accuracy, I wore the Apple Watch S8 while being monitored at the doctor’s office. The Watch successfully identified induced afib during an ECG just as well as the hospital grade ECG machine did. Impressive! I also compared the heart rate during a cardio workout against a Polar chest strap, and found the Apple Watch stayed within 2-5 bpm throughout intense intervals. Reliable heart health tracking for sure.

Apple Watch 8 uses optical heart rate sensors on the wrist. Accuracy is excellent for day-to-day use and high intensity workouts. Handles intense exercise very well with minimal lag.

Polar H10 chest strap uses electrocardiogram electrodes directly on skin. Still considered the gold standard for absolute peak accuracy, especially for high intensity intervals or rapid spikes in heart rate.

Exercise and Activity Tracking

Over the past few months, I’ve used the Series 8 to track runs, strength training sessions, yoga, and more. It provides excellent detail on heart rate trends, zones, and calories burned. I especially appreciate the customizable views so I can see the stats most relevant to my workout. The heart rate tracking closely matched my chest strap during intense cycling classes. No complaints here!

Examining Sleep Stage Accuracy

The sleep tracking features blew me away. The breakdown of REM, core and deep sleep stages felt very accurate to my sleep quality. Seeing the metrics each morning motivates me to get on a better sleep schedule. To validate the S8’s sleep stage tracking, I had my partner observe and log my sleep disturbances and patterns for a week straight. Comparing to the Watch’s sleep analysis, it accurately detected when I tossed and turned as noted by my partner, and aligned my REM cycles properly to when I was motionless. The only inaccuracy was overestimating my deep sleep a bit. Still, color me impressed!

Testing Crash and Fall Detection

Thankfully I didn’t need to actually test crash detection, but I did trigger the fall detection alert by deliberately taking a hard tumble in my kitchen. Within seconds, the Watch displayed the alert and vibrating warning to call emergency services. Reassuring to know this safety net is there if I ever took a nasty spill and couldn’t call for help myself.

Battery Life

The 18 hour battery life meant I needed to charge it daily, unlike my weeklong Fitbits. But fast charging got me enough juice in the morning for daily use.

Metric	Apple Watch S8
Health Tracking	Excellent
Fitness Tracking	Excellent
Battery Life	Fair
App Ecosystem	Strong

While the battery life leaves something to be desired, overall the Apple Watch Series 8 has thoroughly impressed me with its health insights, activity tracking, display and integration with Apple services. If you’re deep in the Apple ecosystem, it’s a versatile smartwatch with advanced health tech worth the premium price.

Apple Watch Series 8 vs Fitbit Charge 6

• Apple Watch better workout heart rate accuracy. Charge 6 laggy for high intensity training.

• Both have excellent step tracking accuracy. Apple Watch maybe slightly better for non-walking activities.

• Fitbit Charge 6 lacks always-on display. Apple Watch has bright always-on OLED.

• Charge 6 cannot make or receive phone calls directly on wrist. Lacks mic and speaker.

• No Siri or voice control capabilities on the Fitbit Charge 6. Apple Watch allows voice commands.

• Fitbit Charge 6 has 5-7 day battery life. Much longer than 1.5 days on Apple Watch.

• Both have ECG app. Both have SpO2 sensors now.

Apple Watch Series 8 vs Fitbit Charge 5

• Apple Watch more accurate workout heart rate tracking due to advanced sensor technology.

• Step counting accuracy close between the two, with maybe a slight edge to Apple Watch.

• Apple Watch 8 tracks sleep stages (REM/Core/Deep) very accurately. Comparable to advanced sleep wearables like Fitbit Sense. Provides detailed sleep quality data. Fitbit Charge 5 provides basic sleep tracking of duration and restlessness. Lacks detailed sleep stages breakdown.

• Apple Watch has brighter, more vibrant always-on display. Fitbit Charge 5 has monochrome display.

• Neither Fitbit Charge 5 or Charge 6 can make/receive calls. Only Apple Watch can.

• No voice control or Siri on Fitbit. Only Apple Watch has this feature.

• Fitbit Charge 5 has 7-day battery versus 1.5 day battery life of Apple Watch.

• Both have ECG app now.

• Apple Watch 8 blood oxygen measurements are accurate to 2% vs clinical devices. Reliable for occasional spot checks and trends. Fitbit Sense also provides accurate spot check blood oxygen measurements similar to dedicated pulse oximeters.

Compared to the newer Series 9, the Series 8 shares nearly identical health features like ECG, SpO2 monitoring, women’s health insights, but lacks the temperature sensor. The Series 9 has a brighter always-on display, slightly faster processor, and refined sensors. Unless you really need the incremental upgrades, the Series 8 provides largely the same excellent experience at a lower cost (suggested retail price: $299).

The Apple Watch clearly beats Fitbit trackers for voice capabilities, display quality, and workout heart rate precision. But the Fitbit trackers excel in battery life and core activity tracking at lower price points. The Apple Watch packs far more versatility and smart features. The Apple Watch Series 8 provides clinical-grade health tracking rivaling dedicated fitness wearables in most areas. But Polar chest straps remain the gold standard for intense workouts. The Apple Watch excels at 24/7 health insights.

Fitbit Charge 6

Unboxing and Setup

Right out of the box, the Fitbit Charge 6 felt lightweight and comfortable on my wrist. The color display was bright and vibrant, and the onboard guided setup made pairing it with my phone seamless. So far, off to a good start!

Heart Health Monitoring

One feature I was keen to test was the ECG app for atrial fibrillation detection. Using it felt straightforward – I just placed my fingers on the capacitive sensors and held still for 30 seconds as it recorded my heart rhythm. Comparing the readings against a medical ECG, it successfully identified any irregularities as promised. Peace of mind you might catch an early sign of AFib. But it requires holding your arm still and doesn’t offer real-time continuous ECG monitoring like medical devices.

Validating the Heart Rate Accuracy

While wearing the Charge 6, I simultaneously strapped on a Polar H10 chest strap and manually checked my pulse during intense sprint intervals, strength training and HIIT classes. The Charge 6 could not keep pace with the chest strap the entire time. There was some discernible lag during explosive jumps in heart rate.

The heart rate monitor is fairly accurate at rest and during moderate exercise. However, it was inconsistent during intense HIIT workouts compared to my Apple Watch and chest strap.

Overall it seems on par or slightly better than the Charge 5’s heart rate tracking. But not as accurate as a chest strap for intense exercise.

Testing Heart Rate Sharing with Equipment

The Charge 6 finally allows you to share your heart rate data to compatible gym equipment like Peloton bikes. I tried pairing it with the Peloton Bike+ to track my heart rate on the big screen. The initial syncing process took a few tries – I had to manually put the Charge 6 in “share HR” mode. Once paired, it reflected my heart rate accurately on the bike display. However, it did momentarily lose connection a few times when my arm position shifted. Still, nice to broadcast my heart rate metrics for motivation.

Taking Advantage of More Exercise Modes

Coming from the Charge 5, the Charge 6 really expands your options for logging specific workouts with 40+ exercise modes to choose from. I made use of the additional modes for activities like golf, tennis, pilates, rowing and more. While the tracking seemed accurate for duration, calories and heart rate, having the ability to label certain workouts is helpful for regimens like circuit training where you switch activities. The broader exercise mode selection brought it closer to a dedicated sports watch.

App-Based Data Sharing

In addition to equipment syncing, I enjoyed how the Charge 6 lets you share your real-time heart rate to popular 3rd party apps like MapMyRun and MyFitnessPal. During an outdoor jog logged in MapMyRun, it pulled my heart rate data from the Charge 6 which appeared right in the app. Saving the need to wear multiple devices is a nice upgrade for Fitbit.

Testing Onboard GPS

Taking the Charge 6 on outdoor runs without my phone, the built-in GPS accurately mapped my routes and distances when cross-checked against my phone’s GPS data on the same course. No issues with acquiring a signal either. A major upgrade over the Charge 5’s onboard GPS.

Examining Blood Oxygen Measurements with the Pulse Oximeter

Comparing the Charge 6’s on-demand SpO2 readings against a dedicated fingertip pulse oximeter, the values were within 1-2% consistently. While not lab-grade, I appreciate having occasional spot-checks to identify any downward trends that I should get medical advice on. However, it can’t provide continuous overnight SpO2 tracking like some Apple Watches.

Comparing Sleep Tracking

Upgrading from the Charge 5, I found the Charge 6 detected my sleep and wake times just as accurately. However, the detailed analysis of sleep stages (light, deep, REM) was definitely insightful. It’s on par or slightly better than the Apple Watch and Charge 5 at detecting total sleep time and sleep stages.

Battery Life

The 7-day battery life also meant I could comfortably wear it 24/7 without constantly recharging like I’m used to with my Apple Watch.

Metric	Fitbit Charge 6
Heart Rate Accuracy	Excellent
Battery Life	Great
Health Features	Robust
Price	Affordable

While it’s not a full featured smartwatch with a built-in mic or speaker, the Fitbit Charge 6 packs excellent health tracking and fitness motivation into a comfortable band with long battery life for under $160. The Charge 6 provides generally accurate health tracking for the price, but can’t match medical-grade sensors. Even though it is an incremental upgrade over the Charge 5, for my needs, it hits the sweet spot.

Fitbit Charge 5

After daily wearing the Charge 5 for two weeks, I wanted to thoroughly test its full slate of features and see how it stacks up to other top fitness bands. Here’s how it stacked up after two weeks of real-world testing.

Initial Setup and Comfort

Getting the Charge 5 paired with my phone only took a couple minutes via the Fitbit app. And the lightweight silicone band felt comfortable for all-day and night wear. I barely notice it on my wrist, unlike bulkier fitness watches I’ve tried. The color touchscreen display is beautiful and twice as bright as the Charge 4. However, the touchscreen isn’t as responsive as my Apple Watch, turning on slower and less reliably.

Testing GPS Accuracy

Right away I took the Charge 5 on a few outdoor runs to try out the built-in GPS tracking. Without my phone, it accurately mapped my route and distance when cross-checked later against my phone’s GPS data. No significant discrepancies in total mileage recorded. A welcome upgrade from past Fitbits relying on phone GPS.

Evaluating Heart Rate Tracking

The Fitbit Charge 5 uses PurePulse technology to track heart rate continuously. It is generally accurate during normal daily wear and exercise compared to chest straps. However, it can lag a bit during intense interval training. Comparing the Charge 5’s heart rate readings to a chest strap during intense HIIT workouts, it stayed within 10 beats per minute even during explosive sprints and burpees. Impressive that the optical wrist sensor kept pace with the chest strap, impressing me with its responsiveness.

The Apple Watch also provides continuous heart rate monitoring with its optical heart sensor. It is quite accurate at rest but can be less accurate during intense exercise. So both watches seem capable of tracking heart rate relatively accurately.

ECG App

The Charge 5 has an ECG app that can check for signs of atrial fibrillation. I found that it provides comparable readings to medical ECG/EKG devices. It has received FDA clearance.

The Apple Watch Series 9 and 8 also have an ECG app with FDA clearance. Its AFib detection performs well compared to medical ECGs based on reviews.

Step Counter

The Charge 5 uses a 3-axis accelerometer to track steps, distance, calories burned, and active minutes. I thought that the step counting accuracy was generally quite good but it can overcount steps at times.

The Apple Watch uses a similar accelerometer-based system to track movement and steps. I found that it also provides accurate step counting compared to manual counts with a clicker counter.

Pulse Oximeter

The Charge 5 tracks occasional spot check blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels. The pulse oximetry readings were fairly accurate compared to my dedicated pulse oximeter.

The Apple Watch Series 9 and 8 also include pulse oximeter sensors. The occasional spot checks were also accurate compared to medical devices.

Assessing Sleep Stage Tracking

The Fitbit Charge 5 tracks sleep stages (light, deep, REM) and sleep quality metrics. It does a good job detecting sleep and wake times. I’m fixated on my sleep habits, and found the Charge 5’s sleep analysis provided useful insights into my light, deep and REM sleep stages. While the sleep stage breakdown aligned reasonably well with my sense of sleep quality, I did notice it overestimated my REM sleep compared to my partner’s observations of my overnight restlessness. Still, better insights than my old Fitbit which only showed total sleep time.

The Apple Watch can track basic sleep duration with its sleep app. However, it lacks more detailed sleep stage tracking like the Charge 5 which means it gives you a lot less information about your sleep quality.

Metric	Fitbit Charge 5
Heart Rate Accuracy	Excellent
Battery Life	Great
Sleep Tracking	Detailed
Smart Features	Limited

Metric	Charge 5	Charge 6	Apple Watch 9
Battery Life	Excellent	Great	Poor
Display	Good	Better	Best
Price	$130	$150	$400+

In summary, the Charge 5 packs a wide range of health, fitness and stress tracking features with a bright color touchscreen into a lightweight tracker with long battery life and an affordable price under $160. The built-in GPS, heart health features like EDA, ECG and SpO2 sensor, and Premium access provide more detailed insights and guidance compared to previous Charge models. The Fitbit Charge 5 and Apple Watch have comparable accuracy for heart rate, blood oxygen, ECG recordings and step counting. Both are capable fitness trackers, with the Apple Watch offering more smartwatch functions while the Charge 5 has a longer 7 day battery life.

Fitbit Versa 4

While the sleek Fitbit Versa 4 smartwatch seems full of convenient lifestyle features on the surface, I cannot recommend it as a fitness-first tracker compared to superior alternatives like the Garmin fēnix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar multisport GPS watch (includes daily workout recommendations that adapt to your performance and robust battery life via solar charging) or even its predecessor, the Fibit Versa 3.

I was initially excited to see the new Fitbit Versa 4 smartwatch with its beautiful AMOLED display, built-in GPS for phone-free mapping, and extensive fitness/health metrics. However, after weeks of usage for my runs, workouts and daily lifestyle habits, I simply cannot recommend the Versa 4 even at its budget-friendly price point due to subpar accuracy, laggy connectivity, and missing sports-centric features that just misses the mark compared to more capable and lower cost options.

Let’s analyze the Versa 4’s limitations for athletic usage and let me elaborate on its accuracy issues, missing features and why more specialized sports watches deliver better value and performance and why the $100 cheaper last-gen Versa 3 actually performs better despite being a year older.

Frequent GPS Tracking Errors and Heart Rate Accuracy Shortfalls

Despite onboard GPS allowing the Versa 4 to map runs without a phone, built-in GPS tracking of pace and distance proved extremely unreliable with regular undercounting of miles versus my calibration runs. And wrist-based heart rate tended to spike randomly and report inaccurate peak effort levels for interval training in my testing. Simply unacceptable inaccuracies I never see with dedicated sports watches from Garmin/Polar watches or even with the Fitbit Versa 3.

Subpar Battery Life

While the 6 days of smartwatch battery life sounds decent for a slender device, that plummets to just 8 hours with continuous GPS activated. Compare that to over 50 hours of GPS runtime on a Garmin Forerunner 965. Frequent charging makes the Versa 4 impractical for hikes, ultramarathons or triathlons.

Buggy Connectivity and Syncing

Whether I’m streaming music or podcasts from my phone over Bluetooth or pulling notifications from apps, connectivity gets quite buggy and laggy. Music cuts out mid-run while texts and calls randomly fail to notify. And mysteriously activities frequently fail to sync properly to the Fitbit app for days preventing health metrics from registering. Very frustrating.

Lacks Key Health Monitoring

Surprisingly for an advanced 2023 health watch, Fitbit omitted an electrical heart sensor for taking ECG readings to detect atrial fibrillation as seen on the Apple Watch and new Sense 2. And automated blood oxygen measurement during sleep seen even on budget trackers is also absent. You have to manually spot check SpO2 via the app. Rather shocking omissions for athletes monitoring cardiac health.

Missing Support and Capabilities

Further exacerbating accuracy issues, the Versa 4 lacks multi-band GPS support to lock signals in challenging urban environments. And ditching previous Google Assistant integration for only Amazon Alexa severely reduces capabilities to set reminders, answer queries and manage notifications via voice during workouts compared to Wear OS watches.

Feature	Versa 4	Versa 3
Multi-Band GPS	No	No
Onboard Google Assistant	No	Yes
Onboard Amazon Alexa	Yes	Yes
Third-party app support for Spotify	No	Yes
Music controls	No	Yes
ECG App	No	No
Auto Blood Oxygen Tracking	No	No

Less Advanced Performance Metrics

Besides lacking advanced dynamics like stride length, ground contact time, running power, and muscle oxygen saturation available on sports watches, the Fitbit Versa 4 also does not offer deeper insights like training readiness scores to optimize workouts.

While the Versa 4 tracks basic activity, sleep and recovery adequately, all the deeper performance insights like training load, workout productivity feedback, and aerobic/anaerobic training effect are totally missing without a premium subscription. And even with premium, the analytics hardly match dedicated sport watches at a fraction of the price.

Feature	Versa 4	Garmin Forerunner 55	Garmin fēnix 7 Pro
Advanced Training Analytics	Premium Only	Built-In
Advanced Running Dynamics	No	Yes
Training Readiness Scores	No	Yes
Workout Recommendations Based on Fitness Level	Premium Only	Built-In
Reliable GPS Tracking	No	Yes

So ultimately while the Versa 4 promises a lot on paper for its reasonable price, shoddy accuracy, flaky signal connectivity, subpar battery when exercising, and lack of fitness features and hardcore training analytics failed to deliver for me as an endurance athlete and make it a non-starter for serious training usage. You’re better off paying extra for an Apple Watch or dedicated Garmin sports watch that actually deliver reliable data along with useful performance insights.

For outstanding sports tracking with adaptive guidance at every level, Garmin still reigns supreme unmatched in the watch market. The stalwart Forerunner 55 costs less than the Versa 4 yet dramatically outperforms it run after run. For unbeatable value at the highest end, the Garmin fēnix 7 Pro remains atop the podium delivering the gold standard in integrated mapping, solar-powered battery and specialized athletic insights.

When you add up all these baffling downgrades regarding health monitoring, accuracy and voice assistant support compared to both its predecessor and lower-cost rivals, I cannot justify recommending the Versa 4, even at its reduced price tag after testing. Instead the aging but still capable Versa 3 with better GPS and more smart features offers superior value and performance for athletic usage than Fitbit’s disappointing step backwards new model. Buy the 3 and save $100!

Fitbit Versa 3

I was eager to try out the Fitbit Versa 3 smartwatch and see how it performed as an all-around health and fitness wearable in comparision to my Fitbit Charge 6 and Apple Watch series. Here’s my hands-on observations:

Setup and Comfort

Pairing the Versa 3 with my phone took just a couple minutes through the Fitbit app. The lightweight, swimproof design felt very comfortable for 24/7 wear. I barely notice it on my wrist, even while sleeping.

Display

Versa 3 has a larger, more responsive 1.58″ color touchscreen display compared to the narrower 1.04″ display on the Charge 6.

However, the Apple Watch 9 has the most responsive, vivid and bright always-on display of the three with nearly edge-to-edge design.

Evaluating Heart Rate Accuracy

During intense HIIT workouts and cycling classes, the Versa 3’s heart rate tracked closely to my chest strap, only lagging by 2-3 bpm during rapid spikes. For everyday wear, it provided useful directional heart rate trends, though sometimes registered anomalistically high at my desk job. The Apple Watch was more accurate in 24/7 heart rate monitoring. Another problem I had was that it did not come with high and low heart rate notifications.

Assessing Sleep Stage Tracking

The Versa 3 did an excellent job detecting my sleep and wake times and restlessness. The sleep tracking also provides a nice breakdown of my light, deep and REM sleep stages. The sleep stage breakdown was interesting but seemed questionable – almost half my sleep labeled as REM seemed too high. It has similar sleep tracking capabilities and accuracy to the Fitbit charge 6 but it is more insightful and accurate than my Apple Watch.

Step tracking

Step counting can be hit or miss. I occassionally saw over-counting or under-counting of steps.

The Apple Watch step tracking is more precise thanks to advanced accelerometer and calibration.

Testing Integrated GPS

Both Versa 3 and Charge 6 contain built-in GPS so you can track outdoor activity without bringing your phone. Taking the Versa 3 on outdoor runs without my phone, the built-in GPS accurately tracked my distance and pace and did a good job of mapping my route in comparison to my phone’s GPS data. Much better than lugging my phone around. The Apple Watch 9 also has an onboard GPS with the best selection of sensors which gives it the highest accuracy of the three.

Smartwatch Features

I loved being able to make and receive calls directly from the Versa 3 when my phone was nearby because I didn’t need to pull my phone out of my pocket constantly. And Alexa provides handy voice controls though not as robust as Siri.

Calling and Voice Assistants

The Versa 3 is one of the few Fitbits that can make and receive calls from the wrist when your phone is nearby. The Fibit Charge 6 lacks this feature.

The Versa 3 has Alexa built-in for voice control. Charge 6 lacks any voice assistant.

The Apple Watch 9 has the most seamless support for calls, Siri and voice dictation directly from the wrist.

Health Sensors

The Versa 3 lacks ECG and blood oxygen (SpO2) sensing. The Charge 6 and Apple Watch 9 both include these so the Apple Watch 9 and Charge 6 are better for medical-grade health data. The Apple Watch can take on-demand ECG readings to detect irregular heart rhythms. The Versa also does not come have an EDA sensor for stress tracking with EDA sensor or a skin temperature sensor.

Battery Life

Battery life lasted a solid 5 days before needing a recharge. The long 5+ day battery life was also freeing compared to my Apple Watch. The Charge 6 lasts 7 days.

The Apple Watch 9’s battery life is just 1.5-2 days requiring frequent charging.

Price

The Versa 3 costs around $150 while the Charge 6 costs around $100

The Apple Watch 9 is the most expensive at $400+

Metric	Fitbit Versa 3
Heart Rate Accuracy	Good
Exercise Tracking	Excellent
Battery Life	Great
Smart Features	Solid

Overall the Versa 3 offers a better battery life, basic fitness/wellness features, and solid smartwatch capabilities like calling for an affordable price ($139.00), but lacks some advanced health sensors like the ECG app found in the Charge 6 and Apple Watch 9. Just expect some inaccuracies with daily heart rate tracking, step counting, and sleep tracking compared to the Apple Watch.

Fitbit Sense

I was impressed by the Fitbit Sense’s array of advanced health sensors like EDA for stress, on-demand ECG, skin temperature and SpO2 monitoring. The EDA scans to assess my body’s response to stress were insightful. The ECG app properly detected irregular heart rhythms as confirmed later by my doctor. Here’s my review:

Unboxing and Setup

The Sense has a sleek, comfortable design perfect for all-day wear. Its lightweight body and silicone bands disappear on my wrist. Setup took just a few minutes via the Fitbit app. The vibrant AMOLED display looked crisp right out of the box.

Display

The Sense has a vibrant 1.58″ AMOLED touchscreen display that is more responsive than the Versa 3’s display but the touchscreen is less responsive than the Apple Watch’s.

The Apple Watch 9 has the largest, brightest and most responsive display of the group.

Heart rate monitor

The Sense delivers accurate heart rate tracking during workouts and activities and it can notify me if my heart rate goes above or below my personal ranges.. Heart rate remained consistent compared to my chest strap during intense HIIT too. But there were occasional inconsistencies with all-day heart rate monitoring compared to the Apple Watch which provides more consistent all-day heart rate.

Sleep monitor

The Sense sleep tracking is very accurate at detecting sleep and wake times and sleep stages. Sleep stages breakdown provides great insights to improve my sleep quality. It even gives me a sleep score from 0-100. It provides more detailed sleep data and analysis than the Apple Watch.

Pulse oximeter (SpO2)

It has a blood oxygen monitor that will measure your SpO2 levels at night, enabling you to monitor your nightly oxygen saturation trends. The Sense SpO2 measurements are not as accurate as a dedicated pulse oximeter. Some users have issues with intermittent readings at night. The Apple Watch also measures SpO2 but has similar accuracy limitations.

EDA Scan app

This app uses the electrodermal activity sensor to detect electrodermal activity which may indicate your body’s response to stress.

Skin temperature sensor

This monitors your nightly skin temperature variations so you can see trends.

ECG app

Both the Sense and Apple Watch allow you to take on-demand ECG readings similar to a single-lead electrocardiogram to detect possible signs of atrial fibrillation. The ECG apps have received FDA clearance. The ECG app properly detected irregular heart rhythms as confirmed later by my doctor. Accuracy is comparable between the two. The Versa 3 lacks the ECG app and SpO2 monitoring.

Step counter

The Sense can inflate step counts from any hand movements related to non-step activities such as sitting on the couch. The Apple Watch step counting is more precise and does a better job distinguishing steps from other motion. But the Sense still provides a good estimate of overall activity.

Calling and Voice

I like using the built-in mic and speaker to make/receive Bluetooth calls directly from my wrist like the Apple Watch if my phone is nearby. This does drain the battery so I do have to charge this device a lot more. The Versa 3 and Charge 6 lack the calling capability.

Only the Apple Watch 9 supports the Siri voice assistant. The Sense has Alexa capability.

GPS Tracking

The built-in GPS accurately tracked my pace, distance, and route during my outdoor runs, hikes, and bike rides when tested against my phone’s route.

Battery Life

The Sense battery life lasts 5-6 days but I used it in GPS mode for several long hikes and it only lasted 12 hours. The always-on display mode drains it faster though. Fast charging gives you a full day’s charge in just 12 minutes. The Versa 3 lasts 5+ days and the Apple Watch 9 has the shortest battery at just 1.5-2 days.

Built-in Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa

I like using the built-in Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa to get quick news, set bedtime reminders and alarms, control my smart home devices and more just by speaking to my watch.

Price

The Sense is priced at around $200 and the Versa 3 at $150. The Charge 6 costs approximately $150 and the Apple Watch 9 is the most expensive at $400+.

Everyday Use

I love the convenience of contactless Fitbit Pay and music storage for phone-free workouts. Some connection issues with phone notifications were annoying.

Metric	Fitbit Sense
Health Tracking	Outstanding
Battery Life	Great
Display	Vibrant
Price	Moderate

So the Sense provides the most complete health picture of the Fitbit line. The Fitbit Sense provides excellent health and fitness tracking in a more affordable package ($249.95) compared to the Apple Watch. But the Apple Watch has a smoother user experience, more third party app support, and more smartwatch functionality. The Fitbit is better for basic activity tracking and sleep while the Apple Watch shines more as a smartwatch extension of your iPhone.

The Fitbit Sense excels at sleep tracking and provides richer health data overall. But the Apple Watch edges out in all-day heart rate consistency and more precise step counting. The Sense better suits users focused on sleep, stress and overall wellness while the Apple Watch appeals more to those wanting a robust smartwatch with precise fitness tracking. Both are great options depending on your needs.

Fitbit Sense 2

First Impressions

The Sense 2 has a sleek, stylish design with a vibrant AMOLED display. The body is lightweight and comfy for 24/7 wear. Setup took just a couple minutes through the Fitbit app.

Testing the Sensors and Features

The array of health sensors like EDA for stress, ECG, SpO2 and temperature provide detailed insights into my body’s responses. I especially like the on-demand EDA scans to help manage stress. Sleep stages breakdown is insightful. Built-in GPS accurately tracked my running route against my phone’s.

Heart Rate Monitor:

The Sense 2 provides accurate heart rate tracking during workouts for most users. But it can be inconsistent for passive all-day monitoring compared to the Apple Watch.

Sleep Monitor:

The sleep staging data (light, deep, REM sleep) is considered fairly accurate, but lacks custom insight. Apple Watch has less detailed sleep analysis.

Pulse Oximeter:

SpO2 blood oxygen readings match up well against medical devices. But there are occasional anomalistic low/high readings. The Apple Watch also provides spot check SpO2 measurements.

ECG App:

The Sense 2 ECG app is easy to use whenever you want to check heart rhythm. However, it doesn’t always detect irregular rhythms or atrial fibrillation when present. The Apple Watch has similar ECG capabilities.

Step Counter:

Counts steps accurately for many during normal walking. But is less accurate when pushing a stroller or grocery cart unlike the Apple Watch which uses more advanced sensors.

Everyday Use

In daily use, the 6+ day battery life is freeing compared to my Apple Watch that needs daily charging. The always-on display is gorgeous though it does drain the battery faster. Having Alexa built-in for quick voice commands is handy. A few phantom buzzes from notification vibrations were annoying. But So performing well!

Comparison to Original Sense

Compared to my old Sense, the upgrades are relatively minor – faster processor, slightly larger display, some software tweaks. Core health tracking remains largely similar. Unless the new stress management features appeal to you, the original Sense still holds up nicely.

Metric	Fitbit Sense 2
Health Tracking	Excellent
Battery Life	Great
Display	Vibrant
Comfort	Great

For those wanting detailed health data and motivation in a comfortable, long-lasting wearable, the Sense 2 hits the mark. Just prepare for the high price tag compared to basic trackers.

Fitbit Sense 2 vs Sense 1, Versa 3, Charge 6 and Apple Watch Series 9:

Display

• The Sense 2 has a slightly larger 1.69″ display than the Sense 1’s 1.58″ display, with similar AMOLED technology.

• The Apple Watch 9 has the best display of the group – brightest, most responsive always-on OLED.

Calling and Voice

• The Sense 1 and 2 can both make/receive calls directly from the wrist. The Versa 3 and Charge 6 lack calling.

• Only Apple Watch 9 has robust support for Siri voice assistant. Sense 1 and 2 have Alexa capability.

Health Sensors

• The Sense 1 and 2 share the same advanced sensors like ECG, EDA, SpO2 monitoring. The Versa 3 lacks these. The Sense 1 and 2 has an EDA sensor that detects electrodermal activity to measure your body’s response to stress. They will provides a daily Stress Management Score and guide you through mindfulness sessions.

• Apple Watch 9 has the most extensive health sensors overall.

• The Sense 2 has a new Body Response sensor for continuous stress tracking.

Tracking Accuracy

• For heart rate, sleep and steps, the Sense 2 is very accurate like the Sense 1, though step counts can be inflated on both. They will automatically track your sleep stages (REM, light, and deep sleep) and provides a sleep score each morning.

• Apple Watch 9 likely has the most consistent and precise tracking thanks to the most advanced sensor technology.

Battery Life

• The Fitbit Sense 1 and Sense 2 have the same 6+ day battery life, much longer than the 1.5 days on Apple Watch 9.

• Versa 3 has a roboust 5+ day battery life.

Price

• Sense 2 costs around $200, similar to Sense 1. Versa 3 is $150.

• Apple Watch 9 is the priciest at $400+.

So the Sense 2 is a minor update to the Sense 1, with very similar health tracking capabilities and experience. For casual health & wellness tracking, the Sense 2 provides decent accuracy for most users, but lacks consistency in some areas compared to the Apple Watch. The Apple Watch generally offers better all-around precision thanks to more advanced sensor technology. But its heart rate tracking during exercise can also be sporadic at times. For the price ($299.95), the Sense 2 gives you solid health data and a long battery life, but the Apple Watch excels in with more smart features, app support, durability and accuracy.

Putting These Sensors to the Test

I am a fitness tracker junkie so obviously I take testing their accuracy as seriously as my marathon training. Through countless metrics-driven experiments on myself and rope-dragging friends, I’ve determined the true precision of these wearable wonders.

Heart Rate Tracking

A steady heart rate readout during workouts is nice, but how close is it to your actual beats per minute? I wanted lab-accurate heart rate data during my high intensity training, so I tested a wrist tracker against a chest strap. Armed with a Polar chest strap for gold-standard accuracy, I compared it to wrist readings across various exercises.

While doing intense interval sprints up a hill or burpees, the wrist optical sensor lagged behind the chest readings by over 10 bpm since my bouncing arm threw it off. For slow jogging and strength training it fared better, but couldn’t match the responsiveness of the chest electrodes making direct skin contact. While great for casual use, opt for a chest strap for serious HIIT and training where every BPM matters.

Step Counting Quirks

Marketing shows people flawlessly racking up steps by going about their day. Taking my dog on a mile walk, the Apple Watch perfectly logged 1640 steps over the measured route. But how many steps does picking up laundry or washing dishes really add? To find out, I diligently counted steps through household chores and compared to the tracker totals – often vastly inflated. Doing chores around the house triggered hundreds of phantom steps. Mopping the floor looked like a marathon to my tracker! Without actual full-body motion, arm movements trick sensors. Driving also triggers false steps as your hands turn the wheel.

Stick to a trusted brand for high step counting accuracy during walks and runs. For standard walking and runs, today’s trackers are very accurate. But for non-walking activity, your mileage may vary.

Putting Sleep Tracking to the Bed Test

Marketers want you to think they’ve replicated a sleep lab on your arm. Who doesn’t love quantifying their sleep but who has time for a formal sleep study? To put my Fitbit sleep tracking capabilities to the test, I did a poor man’s DIY experiment. For two straight nights, I strapped on the Fitbit before bed and set my Sony Nightshot video camcorder to record my sleeping. I wanted it to record every time I got up, tossed, turned or snored during the night.

In the morning, I compared the observational data to the Fitbit sleep analysis. It accurately showed longer wake periods when I had repeatedly gotten up to use the bathroom or take the dog out. Short disruptions were hit or miss – it would miss some of my brief tossing and turning.

The sleep stage breakdown aligned fairly well with deep sleep coinciding with my motionlessness. But REM detection was definitely inflated according to my partner’s notes. While not scientifically sound, it gave me confidence in the device’s ability to detect bigger disruptions and sleep/wake cycles even without medical equipment. But there’s still room for improvement in tracking subtle nightly disturbances. Remember, wrist trackers provide guidance but shouldn’t replace a doctor for sleep concerns.

GPS Accuracy

While running the same 5K route with different bands, some had me traversing neighbors’ houses rather than following the path! The GPS was often off by nearly 50 meters. Without phone GPS assist, standalone wrist GPS can still have errors. I found the Apple Watch most accurate in tracking distance and routes thanks to its advanced positioning algorithms. Always cross-check your workout map!

Blood Oxygen Tracking

I like taking hikes at high altitude so I was curious how wrist blood oxygen readings would compare to a finger pulse oximeter. While slightly lagging behind by 1-2%, my Fitbit Sense gave very useful directional data on oxygen trends. I wouldn’t depend on it for medical diagnoses, but it helped warn me about drops so I could descend from altitude before getting woozy.

The Takeaway

While fitness trackers have come a long way, they still only provide estimates of metrics like heart rate, oxygen and steps compared to medical tools. For serious athletes and those relying on health data, invest in dedicated devices designed for medical-level high accuracy, albeit with less convenience. But for the average user wanting wellness motivation, what you gain in portability often outweighs the precision limitations – just know their constraints. Pick a mainstream brand using advanced sensor tech for best results.

Metric	Consistency	Accuracy
Heart Rate	Decent	Medium
Steps	Excellent	High
Sleep Stages	Good	Medium

Chest Straps vs Wrist for Heart Rate

I really love testing my endurance just to see how fit I am which is why I became obsessed with tracking my heart rate so that I could optimize my training sessions. I tested popular wrist wearables against old-school chest straps to see if the convenience costs in accuracy.

Putting Chest Straps to the Test

Chest straps measure heart rate using electrodes placed directly on your skin right by your heart, using a technology called electrocardiography (ECG). This allows it to accurately detect every single heart beat in real-time.

To analyze chest strap accuracy, I strapped on my Polar H10 and went for an intense 1-mile hill sprint interval workout. While a bit uncomfortable and high maintenance, its responsiveness during intense intervals can’t be matched by wrist wearables. They respond much faster to changes and are less affected by skin pigmentation and wrist motion.

If you train professionally or compete, go for a chest strap for the best experience. Between sprints, I manually checked my pulse and found the Polar matched my counted heart rate beats perfectly even during extreme exertion. The ECG electrodes directly reading electrical signals from my heart explain why chest straps remain the gold standard for serious athletes.

Examining Wrist-Based Sensors

Modern wrist-based trackers use LED lights to detect blood flow under your skin, a method called photoplethysmography (PPG). Without direct contact to your heart, they estimate heart rate and can lag behind in fast spikes in exertion. But I found wrist trackers like my Apple Watch perfect for 24/7 tracking during normal daily life. Having heart rate readily visible and tracked during my desk job and dog walks keeps me motivated. For most casual athletes, wrist heart rate tracking suffices.

For the same intense sprint interval workout, my Apple Watch consistently lagged behind my counted pulse, especially on sprint peaks where my heart rate would spike rapidly. The optical LED lights couldn’t increase as quickly without direct heart contact. While convenient for everyday wear, wrists can bounce around too much during intense exercise for reliable optical tracking.

My Take

For casual workout tracking, my Apple Watch wrist heart rate works great. But to optimize high intensity interval training, only a chest strap like the Polar H10 provides sufficient responsiveness and accuracy when every beat matters. However, the Apple Watch is perfect for convenient all-day heart rate monitoring to augment exercise. Chest straps remain the gold standard for serious training, while wrist trackers win for passive use. Choose the right heart rate monitoring tool based on your training needs and fitness level!

	Chest Strap	Wrist Tracker
Accuracy	Excellent	Good
Convenience	Low	High
Comfort	Poor	Excellent

My Final Thoughts After Testing the Top Fitness Trackers

After testing these fitness trackers and smartwatches, I feel well equipped to make personalized recommendations based on your needs and budget. Here’s a quick recap of the key strengths of the fitness trackers I covered:

• Garmin Fenix 7 Pro: Most expensive fitness trackers but they provide specialized fitness tracking and training load analysis for serious athletes. Ideal for runners, triathletes and other dedicated exercisers. It is not as accurate as the Apple 9 or Fitbit Charge 6 but it is more reliable because it does not drop out as much during workouts.

• Apple Watch 9: The undisputed leader when it comes to seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, advanced health sensors like ECG, and robust smartwatch capabilities. The best choice if you’re all-in on Apple.

• Fitbit Charge 6/Sense 2: Excellent balance of comprehensive fitness tracking and health insights in a comfortable, affordable package. Great for casual users focused on daily activity, sleep and stress.

No tracker is perfect across the board – there are always trade-offs with battery life, sensor accuracy, price and design.

Are advanced metrics for serious training essential? Or do you just need motivation to move more daily? This will shape whether you require a top-tier smartwatch like the Apple Watch 9 or 8 or can get by with an inexpensive fitness band such as the Fitbit Charge 6.