The best fitbits: make the most out of your fitness regime

The best fitbits

If you’re looking to get the most out of your exercise regime, a Fitbit is a great way to track important data, such as your heart rate, calories burned and the distance you’ve covered. 

The best Fitbit to date has to be the Fitbit Ionic, due to its impressive smartwatch-esque features. From fitness tracking and heart rate monitoring to storing music and downloading apps, it’s certainly worth the price-tag.

  • If you like the sound of a smartwatch Fitbit, take a look at our best smartwatch guide, which will clue you in to the wider market. 
  • If it's fitness monitoring you are after, have a read of our round up of the best fitness trackers

If you’re not looking to spend quite so much on a fitness tracker, you may want to consider Fitbit bands, such as the Alta HR and Charge 2, which are data collection heavy, or the Versa and Blaze, which are good alternatives to the ruling Ionic.  

But when there are so many Fitbits to choose from, how do you know which one is the best for you? To answer this question, you need to consider what data you want to collect, whether waterproofing is a necessity and whether you want features like notifications and music control.

If you are looking to invest in the best Fitbit to date, remember that John Lewis offers a 0% APR credit account so you can pay as and when without worrying about interest. Amazon often have some pretty good deals on tech products, too. 

The best Fitbit

1. Fitbit Ionic

The cream of the Fitbit crop, this smartwatch-esque fitness tracker features all the bells and whistles

Specifications

Screen: Yes
Heart rate tracker: Yes
Waterproof: Yes
GPS: No
Battery life: 4 days

Reasons to buy

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Built-in GPS
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Built-in NFC chip for payments on the go

Reasons to avoid

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Empty List

There’s no doubt that the Fitbit Ionic is the current crowning glory in the Fitbit-verse. It features all the tech you’d expect from a smart watch, including storing and playing music, compatibility with popular apps, payments and smartphone notifications. It doesn’t forget where it’s come from though, with features including in-built GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring and multi-sports modes just some of its fitness features. 

Fitbit Versa

2. Fitbit Versa

The shiny and smart Fitbit Versa is cheaper than the Ionic, which is great.. If you don’t mind the lack in GPS

Specifications

Screen: Yes
Heart rate tracker: Yes
Waterproof: Yes
GPS: No
Battery life: 4 days

Reasons to buy

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Over 15 exercise modes
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Compatible with a range of apps

Reasons to avoid

-
Empty List

One of the latest additions to the Fitbit-verse is the Fitbit Versa; many of its features are similar to the Ionic, although the main difference (and reason why it’s considerably cheaper than the Ionic), is its lack of built in GPS. If you’re worried, don’t be, as it hooks up to your phone and can monitor your route and running through that. With on screen workouts, over 15 exercise modes and complete waterproofing for use in the pool, this is a very clever Fitbit, and certainly attractively priced. 

Fitbit Alta HR

3. Fitbit Alta HR

A great value fitness band

Specifications

Screen: Yes
Heart rate tracker: Yes
Waterproof: No
GPS: No
Battery life: 7 days

Reasons to buy

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Receive notifications
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Interchangeable accessories

Reasons to avoid

-
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With a heart rate tracker, SmartTrack and All-Day Activity tracking, the Fitbit Alta HR is great value for money. The screen interface is fully interactive, and when paired with your phone, will display your notifications. It lacks GPS, but that enables it to have a super long battery life, with it often going a week without the need to charge. You may also like the fact that there are plenty of interchangeable accessories, great if you’re easily bored. 

Fitbit Charge 2

4. Fitbit Charge 2

A good compromise if you can’t justify the Ionic, Versa or Blaze price tag

Specifications

Screen: Yes
Heart rate tracker: Yes
Waterproof: No
GPS: Via phone
Battery life: 4 days

Reasons to buy

+
See call and text alerts
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Classic accessories for wearing day and night

Reasons to avoid

-
Empty List

The Fitbit Charge 2 sits slap bang in the middle of a Fitbit band and a Fitbit smartwatch. It’s smart features include a screen that flashes up notifications, smartphone connectivity for GPS and an interactive display with a customisable clock face. As a fitness band, it can collect detailed data on your daily fitness thanks to multi-sport modes, SmartTrack, and cardio fitness measuring. 

Fitbit Ace

5. Fitbit Ace

The kid-proof Fitbit, with a kid-friendly price

Specifications

Screen: Yes
Heart rate tracker: No
Waterproof: Showerproof
GPS: No
Battery life: 5 days

Reasons to buy

+
Kiddy features such as celebrations and badges
+
Water resistant for splashes and spills

Reasons to avoid

-
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In a time where childhood obesity is never that far from the headlines, the Fitbit Ace is a fantastic way to get them active. The Ace has been designed with children in mind, with its main kiddified feature being a rewards notification which pops up once they meet daily goals and milestones. It’s kid-proof too, with a tough splashproof exterior making it perfect for all day use, even when they’re having a kickabout outside. 

Fitbit Flex 2

6. Fitbit Flex 2

There’s no airs and graces to the Flex 2, it’s basic, functional and fantastically priced

Specifications

Screen: No
Heart rate tracker: No
Waterproof: Yes
GPS: No
Battery life: 5 days

Reasons to buy

+
Completely waterproof
+
Displays smartphone notifications

Reasons to avoid

-
Empty List

The Fitbit Flex 2 is as flexible as its name suggests, as it is essentially a small unit, which can be secured interchangeably to a range of straps. While it may seem incredibly basic from the outside, it tracks your daily activity and your sleep. Most surprisingly, it also hooks up to your phone and displays notifications using an LED light system. All in all, it’s pretty smart and perfect for swimmers. 

Fitbit Blaze

7. Fitbit Blaze

It’s not quite the Ionic, but it’s the best priced Fitbit smartwatch on the market

Specifications

Screen: Yes
Heart rate tracker: Yes
Waterproof: No
GPS: Via smartphone
Battery life: 5 days

Reasons to buy

+
Wireless connection to PC and smartphones
+
Control music from your smartphone

Reasons to avoid

-
Empty List

There’s a significant price difference between the Blaze and Ionic, which is great if you’re a bargain hunter, and you don’t mind sacrificing features such as waterproofing and built in GPS. For a daily smartwatch/Fitness tracker, you can’t really go wrong, although if you’re looking to wear it while covering the miles, you’ll have to hook it up to your phone so you can gather the GPS data. With notifications, music control and heart rate tracking all included, the Blaze is the Fitbit you need when the Ionic isn’t quite justifiable. 

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If you are still unsure if a Fitbit is for you, check out the other fitness gadgets available on the market.