Which is one of the best health tracker: Fitbit vs Apple Watch? That’s a difficult query, made harder by the truth that there are a number of fashions out there from every firm.
It was once the case that Apple Watches felt extra like ‘sensible’ wearables, able to a number of duties, whereas Fitbits labored extra like conventional step counters. Now the finest Fitbits have flashy options like Fitbit pay, so the division is not all that clear minimize.
We’ve damaged down the principle variations on this article. But in the event you’re trying to purchase a model new wearable to your exercises, we would suggest taking a look by means of our information to the finest health trackers.
Fitbit vs Apple Watch: Models
- Fitbit fashions are available vary of sizes
- Apple Watch collection tends to be massive and ponderous
There’s an enormous vary of Fitbit health trackers and smartwatches out there from Fitbit, from the sports-focused new Fitbit Charge 5 to the all-singing Fitbit Sense. Apple has simply 4 fashions – the three, SE, 6 and the brand new Apple Watch Series 7.
While the entire fashions in Apple’s vary have the identical squarish, chunky look, you may discover that among the Fitbit fashions (just like the Charge 5, above) are slim and small, whereas others (just like the Sense) have bigger, square-shaped clock faces.
Wearable analyst Leo Gebbie from Connected Devices informed Live Science that, traditionally, Fitbit and Apple focused completely different areas of the health business.
“The Apple Watch was positioned as an exclusive premium-tier device offering a powerful user interface and third-party app support, whereas Fitbit offered a range of more affordable fitness trackers and smartwatches backed up by a well-established brand,” he stated.
“However, Apple has diversified its offering over time, bringing older models of the Watch down the price curve to compete directly with Fitbit smartwatches. The Series 3 is the entry-level Apple Watch which is available at $199, half the price of its flagship model.”
One of the principle variations between Fitbit and Apple Watch is the latter’s shut optimisation with the remainder of the Apple ecosystem. You want an iPhone to activate the Watch, and it’s built-in with Apple’s different units and providers to supply a wonderful person expertise. By distinction, Fitbit units are appropriate with all smartphones, and easily require the Fitbit smartphone app for connection, making them simply accessible.
Fitbit vs Apple Watch: Smartwatch options
- Fitbit now has some smartwatch-style options
- Apple nonetheless main the way in which with music downloads and app availability
Overall, Apple has extra extra smartwatch options to brag about.
Apple Watch has notifications, alarms, timers, Siri and an enormous app retailer. By distinction, Fitbit has some primary providers like notification mirroring, and a smaller app providing. You can use your Watch to make funds by means of Apple Pay, whereas solely a handful of the Fitbit fashions enable cost through Fitbit Pay.
Apple Watch even has some fashions with Cellular capabilities, which means you’ll be able to settle for calls and texts out of your wrist, with out your iPhone.
The corporations even have barely completely different approaches to music: with Apple, you’ll be able to obtain albums in your watch from the likes of Apple Music and Spotify. On Fitbit, the one method you’ll be able to obtain music is in the event you accomplish that through Deezer or Pandora.
It’s not an enormous situation in the event you want to retailer music in your cellphone, nevertheless it does give Apple the sting on this class.
Fitbit vs Apple Watch: Workouts
- Fitbit does not have GPS in all trackers
- Both manufacturers provide exercise platforms
Both Fitbit and Apple Watch can monitor exercises however relying on the precise system, they may do that in very alternative ways, stated Gebbie.
“For example, any device from either company can detect when a user is active and record metrics like heart rate and calories burned to review afterwards. But when it comes to specific forms of exercise, there are some differences.
“If you need to go for a run, you’ll be finest served by a wearable with GPS on board to get probably the most correct monitoring of your motion. All Apple Watches embrace this, whereas not all Fitbits do.”
Owning an Apple Watch permits entry to Fitness+, a whole lot of instructor-led house exercises together with HIIT classes, yoga and spinning in your iPhone, Ipad and Apple TV (however this requires an additional subscription).
You can get exercise courses from Fitbit too, however provided that you subscribe to Fitbit Premium.
Fitbit vs Apple Watch: Features
- Similar features across high-end models
- Fitbit Sense has stress-tracking EDA sensor
The Apple Watch and Fitbit models are packed with health and fitness features to monitor heart rate, steps, calories burned, sleep and workouts.
All Apple Watches have inbuilt GPS, while only some Fitbits do. Similarly, some (but not all) Fitbit models and Apple Watches have blood oxygen tracking capabilities. The higher-end Fitbits with GPS and the Apple Watch Series 7 both do, while the SE and 3 Watch don’t. Both the Fitbit Sense and the Apple Watch 7 have ECG readings, allowing you to monitor heart health.
Gebbie also highlights that “the top-of-the-range Fitbit Sense smartwatch packs some new sensors, that are much less frequent throughout the wearables panorama, resembling an electrodermal exercise (EDA) sensor which analyses a wearer’s sweat ranges to verify for indicators of stress.”
Both brands offer motivational prompts in different forms. Below, you can see the Apple Ring system, which encourages you to move about during the day, while Fitbit has an Active Zone Minutes scheme (which recommends 150 minutes per week spent in your targeted heart rate zone).
You can also use your Fitbit or Apple Watch to help with your mental health. The Apple Watch has an inbuilt breathe app, while the Fitbit Sense has a electrodermal (EDA) sensor to track how stressed out you are. This works by measuring the perspiration of your hands, which can be a marker for stress. The Fitbit app also has mediation tools included.
One of our favourite features on Apple Watch is if you start a workout but forget to log it, you will get a prompt asking if you want to turn on tracking.
Even more impressive, the new Apple 7 uses specialist AI software to recognise the type of movement you’re doing. For example, rather than simply track that you are dancing, it can distinguish that you are Bhangra dancing – and give a more accurate calorie count as a result.
Fitbit vs Apple Watch: Design
- Both brands allow you to change ‘look’ of product
- Slimmer designs easier to wear for sleep tracking
With its square design, the Apple Watch has hardly changed since it launched in 2015. The series 7 has the biggest and toughest screen to date (41mm x 45mm).
The Fitbit started out as an activity band-type design and a lot of its models still stick with this aesthetic. The Inspire 2, Charge 5 and Luxe models are all slim trackers, while the Versa 3 and the Sense have a larger, square face.
Both Apple Watches and Fitbits are slim proof and can be personalized by changing bands or watch faces.
Which look you prefer is down to you, although in our experience the slimmer designs are easier to wear during the night, so they might be preferable for sleep tracking.
Fitbit vs Apple Watch: Battery life
- Fitbit boasts superior battery life
- Apple Watches need charging every day
When it comes to battery life, Fitbit wins hands down, said Gebbie. “The Apple Watch gives an 18-hour battery life, which suggests it’s essential cost it on daily basis, whereas many Fitbit trackers and watches can final for days and even weeks at a time with out charging.
“This simplicity and reliability is attractive to a lot of users, and our research at Connected Devices has always found that battery life is hugely important to customers.
“However, the Apple Watch gives a extra polished person expertise than even top-end Fitbit smartwatches, with a extra superior working system and a wider suite of providers.
“This means that the Watch is something of a Swiss Army Knife and is intended to reduce wearers’ reliance on their smartphones by offering a powerful experience on the wrist.”
Fitbit vs Apple Watch: the decision
The query of which system is best: Fitbit vs Apple Watch, actually boils right down to what you need out of your wearable.
“People who want to spend less money and have a straightforward tracker for their fitness and health will be better served with a Fitbit fitness tracker, whereas those who want a premium smartwatch that can do it all should look at the Apple Watch – as long as you own an iPhone,” stated Gebbie.
But, with a spectrum of choices from each corporations, it’s a case of matching up the options and sensors that you really want with the value you might be prepared to pay.